Hopes for the Nintendo Switch

Yesterday, Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch, previously known as the NX.

Like the rumors claimed, it appears to be a console/handheld hybrid.

The Nintendo Switch Dock lets you use it with the TV like a normal console, but you can remove it from the dock to take it on the go.

The “Joy-Con controllers” (what a name) can be detached from the sides of the Nintendo Switch for gameplay or attached to the Joy-Con Grip for use as a more traditional controller. There will also be a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, according to the official press release.

It also uses cartridges instead of discs. There is no physical backwards compatibility with either the Wii U or the 3DS.

We don’t know a lot of details about the Switch’s specs or details, but there’s one thing I’m always more interested in than its power or structure: games.

And while we still don’t have many confirmed Switch titles, the trailer does give a few glimpses of games not revealed before.

Splatoon and Mario Kart are both shown in the video, although it’s unclear if these are entirely new versions or just updates to the existing Wii U games.

It also shows Skyrim, which appears to be the upcoming Skyrim Special Edition, and a basketball game many people believe is NBA 2K17.

But what I really want to see more of is that Mario game. The tiny glimpse in the trailer makes it look like it could be a new 3D Mario game in the style of Super Mario 64/Sunshine/Galaxy. I waited for one through the Wii U’s entire life cycle, since it’s a very different style than Super Mario 3D World. I didn’t get one on the Wii U, but perhaps I will on the Nintendo Switch!

Nintendo also revealed a list of partners working on Switch games.

• 505 Games
• Activision Publishing, Inc.
• ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.
• ATLUS CO., LTD.
• Audiokinetic Inc.
• Autodesk, Inc.
• BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
• Bethesda
• CAPCOM CO., LTD.
• Codemasters®
• CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
• DeNA Co., Ltd.
• Electronic Arts
• Epic Games Inc.
• Firelight Technologies
• FromSoftware, Inc.
• Frozenbyte
• GameTrust
• GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC．
• Gungho Online Entertainment, Inc.
• HAMSTER Corporation
• Havok
• INTI CREATES CO., LTD.
• KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
• Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
• LEVEL-5 Inc.
• Marvelous Inc.
• Maximum Games, LLC
• Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
• Parity Bit Inc.
• PlatinumGames Inc.
• RAD Game Tools, Inc.
• RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
• SEGA Games Co., Ltd.
• Silicon Studio Corporation
• Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
• SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
• Starbreeze Studios
• Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
• Telltale Games
• THQ Nordic
• Tokyo RPG Factory Co., Ltd.
• TT Games
• UBISOFT
• Ubitus Inc.
• Unity Technologies, Inc.
• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• Web Technology Corp

Now, there’s no guarantee these companies will stick with the Switch, but this is a very intriguing lineup that allows for a lot of speculation. Let’s take a look at some of the names that stand out to me the most.

FromSoftware is famous for the Souls games, so many fans think a Dark Souls 3 port might be on its way to the Switch.

However, FromSoftware is currently working on three games, according to an IGN interview with Miyazaki: a new Armored Core game, a game that will be what fans expect (probably a new Souls-esque dark fantasy game), and one that will make fans say “oh, what the hell is this very weird game that Miyazaki has created?”

Could the Nintendo Switch get one of these new games? It’s definitely plausible.

Next, Grasshopper Manufacture has made some pretty unusual games. Fans have been hoping for a new No More Heroes game, especially since Suda51 said he wanted to make one for the Wii U. Grasshopper Manufacture also co-developed the unlocalized fourth Fatal Frame game, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, with Tecmo Koei…

…and Koei Tecmo is also on the list. Dare we hope?!

Level-5 makes many great games, both for Nintendo and otherwise. My first thought was that Lady Layton might be released on the Switch, but there are many things it could be.

Seeing PlatinumGames on the list only makes me think one thing: more Bayonetta, please!

I also did a double take when I saw Tokyo RPG Factory listed. That is the studio Square Enix set up to make traditionaly-style JRPGs, starting with I Am Setsuna. Since the reaction to I Am Setsuna was mixed (you can read my own review at MonsterVine), I worried it might be the end of them.

That would have been a shame, because I Am Setsuna had clear potential. Whatever they make for the Nintendo Switch, I’ll be looking forward to it.

Overall, it’s just nice to see this long list of partners and speculate on the future of this console. Smaller developers have also expressed interest, and the developer of SteamWorld Heist is making something for the Switch.

Well, we have a lot to think about! What do you think of the Nintendo Switch? What games are you hoping to see on it the most?