Last night, while most of us were sleeping, Nintendo dropped a bomb.
In less than two months, they'll be releasing the Nintendo Switch, the hybrid home-slash-mobile console that has been in development to replace the Wii U. Video game fans around the world have been understandably salivating over the new Legend of Zelda and Mario titles, but what was perhaps most surprising about Nintendo's presentation last night was the focus on sports and competitive gaming.
Nintendo Switch: Quick Facts
Price: $299 Release Date: March 3rd, 2017
So, yeah, right up there is the need-to-know. 300 dollars, out in early March. But, I hear you asking through your computer screens, this is a sports site! Nintendo doesn't do sports games! Why are we talking about this?
Well, hold on just a second, my friend, because Nintendo seems to be all in on sports games in addition to competitive esports titles for their new console. First of all, the design of the console lends itself naturally to competitive multiplayer, with players able to easily bring their consoles on the go and play games against others either via WiFi or via local near-field communication.
Second of all, the game titles that Nintendo showed off, from their own intellectual properties, to the support they're getting from third parties, shows that sports and competitive gaming are priorities for their new console.
One of the first Switch games Nintendo showed off was ARMS, an upcoming title that seems to play like a mix between Punch-Out!! and Street Fighter. It's a competitive fighting game where players each hold two Joy-Con controllers, and then use the controllers motion-sensing functionality to throw devastating punches and hooks while dodging, blocking, and dashing around the stage. Oh, and did we mention that you have extendable arms?
The gameplay is surprisingly simple, given the live gameplay footage shown this morning. It's very easy to pick-up-and-play, but it is also a highly competitive game based on reading your opponent, quick reactions, and advanced mind games. In essence, it's just like any other competitive fighting game, and it's interesting to see Nintendo step into the 1-on-1 fighting game genre.
In terms of other sports titles for the Switch, it's been confirmed that 2K Games will be bringing NBA 2K18 to the console when the game releases – there was an NBA 2K game in the trailer that released earlier, but it has now been confirmed that the Nintendo Switch will be getting the next game in the series, not just a port of NBA 2K17.
There was also a presentation by EA, who confirmed that they will be bringing the FIFA series of games to the Switch, though there weren't many details on that.
Nintendo also confirmed that they would be releasing the sequel to their competitive shooter Splatoon on the Nintendo Switch later this year, to the delight of esports fans everywhere.
As with any console, of course, only time will tell whether or not the Nintendo Switch will indeed be a must-buy for gamers who love sports (and esports). But for now, Nintendo seems to both be producing its own games adjacent to the genre, and have the support of third parties like EA and 2K Games. The future seems bright, especially if the console is as easy to develop for as developers claim.
March 3rd can't roll around soon enough.
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