Nintendo Switch Release Date and Price Revealed by Nintendo

Written by Brandon Hofer on January 12, 2017

News: We now know when you can get the Nintendo Switch and how much it will cost you along with a huge launch title.

Nintendo Switch release date has been revealed to be March 3, 2017. Not only that but The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a launch title and will be out that day. There appears to only be on sku of the Nintendo Switch and it will be available for $299 in the United States. It is obviously going to have an online system where you can play with friends and Nintendo even briefly mentioned that you can invite friends and so some other things on your smart devices so, theoretically, there will probably be a Nintendo Switch app similar to what Xbox and PlayStation have. Their online multiplayer will eventually have a fee similar to Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, however, the first few months the online will be free so you can take it for a test run before you decide whether or not you want to pay for it.

The Nintendo Switch is also going to be region free which a lot of people should be happy to hear. There are three different modes with “TV Mode,” “Tabletop Mode” and “Handheld Mode.” Each one of those should be fairly self explanatory with you either playing games on your television, playing games on the portable device using the kickstand like we saw that guy do on a plane or in handheld mode where you are holding the device and playing it, similar to something like a 3DS.

Nintendo also revealed the battery life for the portable part of the system and said it will vary by title but will range anywhere from 2.5 hours to 6 hours. In other words it is pretty standard battery life for something of this nature. You can also play while you are charging it using an AC adapter. It features a capacitive touch screen and you can connect the device to the internet over Wi Fi. If you want to do some local multiplayer gaming you can connect up to 8 Nintendo Switch devices wirelessly as well. There will also be a capture button that will allow you to take screenshots of your game and, eventually, video as well that you can share on social media.

They showed off the Joy Con controllers as well as a strap that you should wear so that someone doesn’t throw the controller through a television. There will be different colors available as well and you can use these controllers for some motion based gaming. They showcased two games that implemented this with “1, 2 Switch” and “Arms”. “1, 2 Switch” appears to be a game where you are dueling with someone. You each have Joy Con controllers and you don’t even have to be looking at the television to play this particular title. You simply look at your opponent and try to determine when they are going to draw and you have to do it quicker and more accurate. The “Arms” game seems to almost be like a wacky boxing type game where your character in the game has these incredibly long arms and you can use the motion control in the Joy Con controllers to box against your opponent and control how your character does in the game. For example, if you throw a punch and then twist your wrist to the left your punch in the game will sail left a bit to try and hit your opponent. It is better explained by watching a video which we will try and have up on the Gaming Target Youtube channel soon. After that they showed off “HD Rumble” which is basically a more advanced Rumble function for the Switch controllers which looks like it will be pretty sensitive which could definitely play into some different games depending on how developers take advantage of it.

After showing that off Nintendo went more into the “hardcore” direction and started showing off other titles. Splatoon 2 was shown off at the event and looks like it will be released in this summer. Super Mario Odyssey was shown off and looked like it was kind of set in the real world in some aspects and looked super interesting. Some new mechanics are in play here such as throwing your hat and using that as something to jump on if you need to cross a wide gap and it was also teased that Mario’s hat itself might be some kind of character. Of course you have the regular cast of characters as well with Bowser, Peach and more. Super Mario Odyssey is currently slated to be a Holiday 2017 title.

Other titles were shown off included the following:

Xenoblade 2 from Monolith Soft

Fire Emblem Warriors from Tecmo Koei

Dragon Quest X and XI from Square Enix

Dragon Quest Heroes 1 and 2 from Square Enix

A new RPG called “Octopath Traveler” from Square Enix

New Shin Megami Tensei game from Atlus

Suda51 made an appearance on the stage and said that Travis Touchdown was returning and teased a new No More Heroes game without officially announcing it.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from Bethesda

Sega also showed up at the event and said they had a lot of ideas and are excited for the Nintendo Switch but didn’t officially announce any projects.

FIFA from EA Sports

After going over some of the games Nintendo revealed what you will get when you purchase a Nintendo Switch on March 3. When you pick it up at the store you will get the following items in the box:

Nintendo Switch console

Joy Con controllers

Joy Con controllers wrist strap

The grip that the Joy Con controllers sit on when not in use

The Dock to allow you to play games on your television

HDMI cable

AC Adapter

The Pro Controller will also be available but that will be a separate purchase. Additionally it doesn’t appear there will be any pack in games but I have a hunch most people will be picking up The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

During the presentation Nintendo stated that over 50 companies are working on the Switch with over 80 games currently in development. The Nintendo Switch will be released on March 3, 2017 for $299 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be available that same day. Please keep checking back on Gaming Target as well as our Youtube channel for more information and game trailers as they are released. Do you plan on picking up a Nintendo Switch?