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The Nintendo Switch Presentation is almost upon us, which will be followed up by multiple streams and plenty of hands-on impressions - including our own - hitting the web. It's been a long wait, but we're finally going to get a good look at Nintendo's next system.

When is the Nintendo Switch Presentation?

The full presentation, live from Tokyo, will take place at the following times.

8pm Pacific / 11pm Eastern on 12th January, which is 4am UK / 5am CET / 1pm Tokyo / 3pm AEDT on 13th January.

As is our custom we're going to outline what we anticipate from the presentation, while also keeping it relatively realistic. We're not going to predict that a special edition will transform into a mecha-Godzilla that'll rampage through downtown Tokyo, for example. Nevertheless, there's scope for Nintendo to be rather bold with its presentation, which will hopefully be in the 45-60 minute range in running time. Please note that we will refer to some established rumours, so look away if you don't want to see them.

Without further ado, let's get to it.

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Clarity on the Launch Date, Pricing and Bundles

An obvious one. The likes of the Nintendo NY store have already confirmed pre-orders will open on 13th January, and it seems inevitable that retailers will jump in as soon as they're permitted.

The price is obviously a big one, though it's likely that the usual drill will be followed - a solid 'recommended' price in the US, while retailers will set their own rates throughout Europe. Rumours have typically dithered between $250-300, yet it's the context that matters.

It'll be interesting to see whether there are multiple options, as was the case with Wii U, or whether there'll be just one core SKU to keep things simple. Nintendo often includes a pack-in game, too, though could opt to pre-install that on the system rather than distribute a cartridge. We'd hope for at least two distinct options, though if Nintendo keeps up recent form in manufacturing and supply it may simply release a basic unit, with retailers then adding their own incentives. Ultimately, we just hope pre-order stock levels are reasonable.

The release date is also inevitable - logic suggests 17th or 24th March.

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A 'Launch Window' Software Bonanza

If learning from past errors is on the agenda for Nintendo, there'll hopefully be a stack of enticing titles due on launch day and then over the preceding six months. The big N, from that perspective, has been relatively quiet in its Wii U and 3DS output over the last 12-18 months, so the assumption is that resources have indeed been focused on the next-gen system.

Many of the rumours are well known, and a decent number of games are confirmed (though not all are due in the 'launch window') - we broke them down in a recent feature. Leaks of varying degrees of perceived reliability point to a range of potential Wii U ports and remasters, while key sequels and major franchises also look to be on the way. In terms of third-parties, some will inevitably be on board, with a number already confirmed to have titles coming while others are strongly rumoured.

We're relatively confident that Nintendo will go all in with a busy launch window - that's optimism, folks! The key is to show this off, to shout about it. Nintendo's approach with the presentation will be interesting to see, but we truly hope it's going to focus a lot of attention on games - they're integral to sell systems, and plenty watching want to see them in action. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be a showcase, but going with volume through other demonstrations and sizzle reels will help build the hype.

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An Insight Into Online Features - eShop, My Nintendo and more

One area that's been completely mysterious up to now is the online infrastructure of the Switch. Based upon the positive growth Nintendo has seen in download sales over past years, and its work last year to implement the Nintendo Account and My Nintendo, there's scope to now take these services to the next level.

A number of 'Indie' devs have already confirmed plans to bring their games to the system, and it'll be fascinating to see the eShop design on the system. The Wii U store in particular was a big step forward for Nintendo, but a fresh look would do no harm. Continuing progress in terms of improved infrastructure for demos, DLC and so on would also be nice to see - not just for gamers, but developers.

My Nintendo, meanwhile, will hopefully ramp up once the Switch arrives, and hopefully Nintendo will give a taste of this. The Nintendo Account drives this, too, so the Switch is likely to see the end of the Nintendo Network ID, which will simply be a legacy account for Wii U and 3DS users. Better data management and services are a must with the Nintendo Account, hopefully making our download purchases more accessible and flexible - it's time to stop locking them to hardware at the consumer end.

Some of these details may be saved for later, but we do expect a segment to showcase the eShop and perhaps touch upon the benefits to be found for My Nintendo members; this leads us to...

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Image: @DevSF4

A Look at a New Virtual Console

First of all, the tentpole announcement that's been rumoured for a while is GameCube support, so if that is accurate it'll likely have a segment of its own. It does seem likely that the Joy-Con controllers will have analogue shoulder buttons, something that enthusiasts have wanted for a while; this would facilitate those games from the 'Cube.

That seems likely to be a core reveal - our hope (which is more optimism than anything else) is for details on a revamp of the Virtual Console service. The most obvious inclusion would be utilising the Nintendo Account to automatically recognise previous purchases, at least back to Wii U and 3DS (Wii would perhaps be a bit more challenging). The Wii U offered discounted prices for re-purchases, but that necessitated a system transfer from the Wii; stripping away that process and automating it would be a nice step into online modernity. Even if Nintendo has had to group data between Nintendo Network IDs and the newer Nintendo Accounts, we hope this ease of use will be a feature.

Is it time for a broader revamp of how the Virtual Console sells games? The NES Mini, as bespoke hardware, obviously offered a budget proposition (by Nintendo standards), while the likes of Mega Man Legacy Collection show how bundles of classic games can be rather attractive. We're all in favour of Nintendo exploring new selling options for established games in particular, ie those already offered on past hardware. If the GameCube rumours are true, though, it wouldn't be surprising if they follow the current premium pricing model.

The Big 'Lifestyle' Pitch

In a sense the teaser trailer (above) did this, but it also left out a lot of details. Patent documentation for the system along with broadly collaborated reports point to a multi-touch touchscreen, motion controls and so on as part of the Switch's book of tricks. As a result we'd expect Nintendo to deliver a flashy concept trailer showing off these features, but with that 'lifestyle' focus seen in the preview. That would also be a key video for social media too, targeting those not staying up until the late hours to watch the whole presentation.

There was notable buzz when the original trailer aired, and not just from the usual crowd; it seemed that plenty of lapsed gamers and Nintendo fans were intrigued, and that is always the goal for modern Nintendo hardware - to capture the magic that took DS and Wii to extraordinary heights. The Switch concept then, of a home game console that also seamlessly works on the go, can be shown off further. The unique control options and possibilities of the Joy-Cons and so on, too, can be highlighted.

The difference is that, this time, the concept trailer can incorporate the reveals of the Presentation, replacing vague promises of innovative ideas with solid examples.

Those are key areas that we expect to see in the Nintendo Switch Presentation. Let us know what you think, and what you hope to see, in the comments. As always, of course, we'll be hosting the stream in a live blog / chat format ahead of it going live, so we look forward to seeing you there.

The hype train is about the leave the station...