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Nintendo Switch

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Nintendo Switch
ニンテンドースイッチ Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch TV mode.png
The Nintendo Switch in TV mode with the Joy-Con in the Joy-Con Grip
Release dates
Japan: March 3, 2017
North America: March 3, 2017
Europe: March 3, 2017
Australia: March 3, 2017
South Korea: December 1, 2017
China: December 10, 2019
Hong Kong: March 3, 2017
Taiwan: December 1, 2017
Technical specs
  • Size: Approximately 4 × 9.4 × 0.55 inches (with Joy-Con)
  • Weight: Approximately 0.66 lbs. (without Joy-Con), 0.88 lbs. (with Joy-Con)
  • Screen: 6.2-inch LCD screen with Multi-touch capacitive touch and 1280 × 720 resolution
  • CPU/GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
  • External Storage: microSD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
  • Game Storage: Nintendo Switch game cards
  • Networking: Wireless (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.1, LAN available in TV mode
  • Video: Up to 1080p via HDMI cable (TV mode) or up to 720p (tabletop mode and handheld mode)
  • Audio: Compatible with 5.1ch Linear PCM output
  • Speakers: Stereo
Related information
Console generation: Eighth generation
Pokémon generations: VII, VIII, IX
Console type: Hybrid
Colors:
Console
Gray
Joy-Con
Gray (Both)
Neon Blue (Left)/Neon Red (Right)
Neon Red (Left)/Neon Blue (Right)
Neon Red (Both)
Neon Blue (Both)
Neon Pink (Left)/Neon Green (Right)
Blue (Left)/Neon Yellow (Right)
Neon Purple (Left)/Neon Orange (Right)
Eevee (Left) & Pikachu (Right)Sp
External links

The Nintendo Switch (Japanese: ニンテンドースイッチ Nintendo Switch) is Nintendo's hybrid console for the eighth generation of video games. It is both a home console and a handheld console.[1] Unlike many previous Nintendo systems, the Nintendo Switch is not region-locked (outside of Mainland China).

First officially announced during a special presentation on October 20, 2016, the Switch (previously referred to by its codename NX) is the successor to the Wii U and was released on March 3, 2017. The console features a 6.2-inch touch screen-capable controller, as well as two detachable controllers called Joy-Con controllers. It comes with the Dock, which the Nintendo Switch can be placed in to run in TV mode.

A longer battery revision was released on August 13, 2019. A cheaper handheld-only model, the Nintendo Switch Lite, was released on September 20, 2019. An OLED model with 64GB of internal storage, enhanced audio, a wider display, and a wider adjustable stand was released on October 8, 2021.

Play modes

The Switch has three distinct play modes: TV Mode, Tabletop Mode, and Handheld Mode. In TV Mode, the Switch is placed in the Dock so that it is displayed on a TV screen while being controlled by detached controllers. In Tabletop Mode, the Switch is placed on a surface so that multiple people can play with detached controllers. In Handheld Mode, the Switch functions as a handheld game system, with Joy-Con controllers attached to each side.

Motion controls (other than the gyroscope) are only usable in TV Mode and Tabletop Mode. The touch screen is only usable in Tabletop Mode and Handheld Mode.

Technical specifications

Body

  • Size: Approximately 4 inches high, 9.4 inches long, and 0.55 inches deep (with Joy-Con attached). The depth from the tip of the analog sticks to the tip of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.12 inches.
  • Weight: Approximately .88 lbs when Joy-Con controllers are attached, 0.66 lbs. otherwise.
  • Screen: 6.2-inch LCD screen with multi-touch capacitive touch and resolution of 1280 × 720 (720p).
  • CPU/GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor.
  • Storage:
    • External Storage: microSD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.
    • Game Storage: Nintendo Switch game cards.
  • Networking: Wireless (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.1. LAN available in TV mode.
  • Video: Supports up to 1080p via HDMI cable in TV mode, or up to 720p in tabletop mode and handheld mode.
  • Audio: Compatible with 5.1ch Linear PCM output. Output via HDMI connector in TV mode.
  • Speakers: Stereo.
  • Memory: 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM.

Dock

  • Size: Approximately 4.1 inches high, 6.8 inches long, and 2.12 inches deep
  • Weight: Approximately .72 lbs
  • Output: USB Port (USB 2.0 compatible) ×2 on the side and 1 on the back, System connector, AC adapter port, HDMI port

Joy-Con

  • Size: Approximately 4.02 inches high, 1.41 inches long, and 1.12 inches deep
  • Weight: 1.7 oz (left), 1.8 oz (right)
  • Wireless: Bluetooth (both), NFC (right)

Features

  • Joy-Con controllers can slide onto or off of the system, and communicate wirelessly with it.
  • The system can be put into a home console TV mode by inserting it into the dock, or into a portable handheld mode by removing it.
  • Motion controls through accelerometer and gyroscope
  • Brightness sensor
  • Near Field Communication (NFC): Can communicate wirelessly with objects above it.
  • Nintendo eShop
  • Capture Button: when pressed, saves a screenshot. The button is located on the left Joy-Con.
  • Motion IR camera: the right Joy-Con's camera can recognize hand gestures or objects as input.
  • HD Rumble

Pokémon games

All releases listed are the year in which the Japanese version was released.

Title Genre Release
Pokkén Tournament DX Arcade fighting 2017
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Core series RPG 2018
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Versus fighting 2018
Pokémon Sword and Shield Core series RPG 2019
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Dungeon crawler 2020
New Pokémon Snap First-person rail shooter 2021
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Core series RPG 2021
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Core series action RPG 2022
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Core series RPG 2022
Detective Pikachu Returns Cinematic adventure 2023
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Core series RPG 2025


Nintendo eShop

Nintendo eShop titles

Title Genre Release
Pokémon Quest Action 2018
Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass Core series RPG (DLC) 2020
Pokémon HOME Utility 2020
Pokémon Café ReMix Puzzle 2020
Pokémon UNITE MOBA 2021
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Core series RPG (DLC) 2023


Retail titles

Title Genre Release
Pokkén Tournament DX Arcade fighting 2017
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Core series RPG 2018
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Versus fighting 2018
Pokémon Sword and Shield Core series RPG 2019
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Dungeon crawler 2020
New Pokémon Snap First-person rail shooter 2021
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Core series RPG 2021
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Core series action RPG 2022
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Core series RPG 2022
Detective Pikachu Returns Cinematic adventure 2023
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Core series RPG 2025


Gallery

  • TV mode with Joy-Con controllers in Joy-Con Grip

    TV mode with Joy-Con controllers in Joy-Con Grip

  • Tabletop mode

    Tabletop mode

  • Handheld mode

    Handheld mode

  • Dock

    Dock

  • Joy-Con controllers

    Joy-Con controllers

  • Pro Controller

    Pro Controller

  • Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! Edition (front)

    Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! Edition (front)

  • Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! Edition (back)

    Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! Edition (back)

  • Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! Edition Joy-Con controllers

    Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! Edition Joy-Con controllers

Cameos

Trivia

  • The Nintendo Switch is the only Nintendo video game console to have its first core series Pokémon title not be the start of a new generation.
    • This excludes the Game Boy Color. Pokémon Yellow (outside of Japan) and Pokémon Gold and Silver were both Game Boy Color games that were also compatible with the Game Boy, but Pokémon Yellow was marketed as a Game Boy game that is enhanced on Game Boy Color, while Pokémon Gold and Silver were marketed as Game Boy Color games that are playable on Game Boy. Pokémon Crystal was the first Pokémon title to be exclusive to the Game Boy Color.
  • The Nintendo Switch is the only home console to natively play core series Pokémon titles. Other home consoles require a peripheral (such as the Super Game Boy, Transfer Pak, or Game Boy Player) to play core series Pokémon games.
  • The Nintendo Switch is the only Nintendo home console not to be region-locked (except in Mainland China, where it is region-locked).
  • The Nintendo Switch is the first Nintendo system to have more than two generations of core series game released for it, being everything from Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! to Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
  • Of the Nintendo systems with core series Pokémon titles released for it, the Nintendo Switch is the only one in which none of them are among the top five best selling games for the system.
  • On May 31, 2023, Nintendo discontinued purchases and code redemptions for the Nintendo eShop in Russia. Already-purchased software would still be available to redownload.[2]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Nintendo.com: "Nintendo Switch is designed to fit your life, transforming from home console to portable system in a snap."
  2. ↑ https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/nintendo-eshop-to-effectively-shut-down-in-russia e-shop shutdown in Russia


Game systems with Pokémon games
Nintendo handheld consoles
GB (Pocket · GBL · SGB · SGB2) • GBC • mini • GBA (SP · GBm · GBP)
DS (Lite · DSi · DSi XL) • 3DS (XL · 2DS · New 3DS · New 3DS XL · New 2DS XL)
Switch (Lite · OLED)
Nintendo home consoles
SNES (BS-X · SGB · NP · SGB2) • N64 (DD) • GCN (GBP)
Wii (Family Edition · mini) • Wii U
Switch (OLED)
Sega consoles
Pico • CoCoPad • Beena
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