Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software

I found this 95% likely, anyway.
Who would even think it could be compatible?

Nintendo: "No more details on Switch until next year... except these details..."

Confirming the obvious. It also gives them a cheap excuse to repackage Wii U games as Switch games and charge another €50 for slight upgrades. Case in point:

Well this confirms no Day 1 buy for me. The fact they won't say what the battery life is makes me feel very uncomfortable. No dock with the initial purchase? Or maybe there will be SKUs....

Nintendo trying very hard to ruin the good PR that was built up with that video yesterday as quickly as possible.

Aww. It was a nice dream. Welp time to get one of the 3dses modified with a tv out. That does drop the NS to a birthday present instead of a Day 1 buy for me. I will be buying games until then though so that I can have a nice library to start with. Here is hoping for no region lock and a robust VC.

@XCWarrior Come on dude, the dock is like a 100% part of the console, it will come with the Switch.

Battery life must be still in propper balancing, would not be surprised if the console is still on being built or in test.
and no backwards compatible seems so obvious, the wiiU had PowerPC arch, this one has ARM (maybe iOS/Android ports ? that could be pretty huge)

Not surprising, and I think it's actually good because it completely cuts them off from their old systems and architecture which, let's face it, is needed.

On the downside, it could mean we have another slow VC transition. But hopefully they've got that covered and are hard at work translating them over as we speak!

I'm still not ruling out the possibility that the dock gives supplemental power - seeing as they didn't mention the inclusion of this in what may be the base SKU.

Well I guess my trusty 3ds isn't going anywhere anytime soon! 😄

Maybe they haven't yet decided which battery to go with or something?

I am not surprised it won't play 3DS games, and I don't mind. The 3DS is still my favourite.

Come on people, the only thing that MAY not be part of the SKU is the pro controller...

"OMG, THEY DIDNT SAY THE SKU WILL HAVE CONTROLLERS OR EVEN THE SCREEN ? MAYBE THE NS ONLY COMES WITH AN HDMI CABLE AND YOU HAVE TO BUY EVERYTHING"

...

If there was ever a time to drop backwards compatibility for a generation, this was probably the best time to do it.

I'm pretty sure the dock would be sold with it...that would be stupid to not include 50% of the purpose of the console.

"In other news: water is wet"

I think that's a bit harsh.

For the optical drive yes, there was no slot on there anywhere. But for the 60 million 3DS owners, were they all really supposed to know from that 3:37 video that 3DS carts wouldn't fit in that slot? Were they supposed to use a ruler to measure the size of the cart on the video and compare it to 3DS cart measurements?
3DS played DS carts just fine, I think it would be a more logical conclusion that 3DS carts would fit in that slot. the lack of dual screen is more of a problem than the cart size.

Who doesn't have a PC or printer where 1 slot takes 2 or 3 different size cards - SD, Compact Flash, MS Pro. Why shouldn't a DS or 3DS cart fit in that slot? I don't think this 1 was a "gimme".

Of course now knowing that NS won't eat into 2/3DS hardware sales b/c it can't play 3DS game carts, and it can't eat into Wii U sales b/c there simply arne't any, why withhold NS info until 2017?

The 3DS will die...

@thehappyjack It has been confirmed that the docking station only provides TV-Out display and charges the console.

Probably because if you say a lot about the NS now, youll probably miss some potential buyers on the xmass holidays, they pretty much want to keep the 3DS/WiiU as relevant as possible to sell a few more before the NS

It would be funny/crazy if they sell it without the dock included, literally selling the Nintendo Switch without the "switch" feature XD

I didnt count on it. Thats whyi bought myself a second wii u.

You made it seem like it was obvious it would have no backwards compatibility at all. I will agree with you on not being able to play Wii U discs. That was pretty obvious manner, but I really thought there was a good chance it would be able to play 3DS games especially with that card slot.

Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? Not at all. I never get rid of hardware anyway, so no skin off my back here.

@XCWarrior how exactly are they ruining good pr here?

What I'm curious about is the eShop integration. The eShop is so messy right now, with a 3DS eShop, a WiiU eShop, Wii Channel, Virtual Console with games that work non-interchangeably on the WiiU, the 3DS and the New 3DS. I'm just hoping the Switch sorts out this mess and give us a truly intergrated eShop experience.

Well... time to sell my Wii U games!

one of the shield tablets only had like 1-2 hours of "active" use so that might be a concern.

as for BC, I never expected it we knew if we wanted it to be easy for developers it meant not having BC (at launch at least). If the switch dose have a touch screen it might be possible to emulate a 3DS/Wii U after all the 2DS is actually just one touch screen

Well I'm annoyed that we'd all have to rebuy Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. This might put me off from buying the console actually.

hmmm... well, I knew it wasn't going to be BC with Wii U (no disc drive, even in the rumors) but I was kind of hoping for 3ds support. Oh well. What I'm really wondering is if we're going to have to buy all of our VC games again or if it will do that thing where if you own it, you can buy the updated version at a huge discount.

Now region-locking is something that I AM curious about.

I kind of think they might have a sky with the dock (and possibly pro controller) as the home console version and a sky without so you just have the portable. Ideal for families that want more than one portable for the kids.

@faint For the reasons I just stated. I was really excited about Switch, but then:

1) No backwards compatibility - Sure, not surprising, but still very disappointing.
2) Avoiding the battery life question is like saying, "Yeah, it stinks, but you don't need to know that right now."
3) No more details until January. The system comes out in March.... is the goal leave us in the dark and people hopefully preorder Switch out of hype?
4) No dock in the box - SERIOUSLY do I have to explain why this is a downer?!?!

I'm not saying I'm not going to get a Switch, but I went from "excited" to "concerned but still giving it a shot" for now.

I don't mind,its time to move away from the Wii brand.

It's very difficult for me to buy again a game that I already have, just to play it in a new system. They should at least provide a solution for those who already own a game, such as Mario Kart and Splatoon, and the content we have purchased in eShop for example.

The WiiU discs were really a no brainer, 3DS cartridges...I could see somebody having hopes.

Btw I hope "comfortable" doesn't mean Wiiu Gamepad battery stamina levels, the 3DS battery is ok-ish...sleep mode is terrible, though.

@Faruko The system is supposed to come out in March. The system should be 97% done at this point, cause they have to start building up stock for the 1 million or so people that will buy it simply because it says Nintendo on the box.

That's actually a big relief that I won't have to make any tough decisions on what to sell or trade back.

However, I guess it would have been really nice to sell my Wii U with its really gross-looking Gamepad. Plus, it has a bunch of controllers that needs regular charging, and double AA batteries. The Wii U isn't quite like previous retro consoles, where I can easily leave it collecting dust under my entertainment center until I get the urge to play. After months of Switch focus, I'll likely get the urge to play Splatoon, then realize after hooking it up to the TV that I have to charge the Gamepad. Then, someone wants to play smash, but none of my Wii U Pro controllers are charged, I'll have to dig the Gamecube adapter from the other room, and at some point I'll have used up all of my USB ports. The Wii U was actually a pretty complicated console, now that I think back on it, and with its accessories, takes up a lot of space.

Just had a scary thought. Completely unrelated to this article but...

What if you can only charge the Switch while docked.

What if the Switch runs at a lower framerate to conserve battery when in portable mode?

So in order to have the best performance you must be on a TV.

I really hope you can charge it with a cable...

I could careless about backwards compatibility, a lot of the time your paying more for a console just to have this feature, and considering the system has a way different innards than the Wii U and 3DS, it only makes sense they're is no backwards compatibility.

As for what the Switch will come with in the box, it has to come with the dock, otherwise that would be completely silly. I think Nintendo basically considers the console as the portable and the dock together. Personally I would like to see a bundle with the system, joy cons, joy con grip, and either the new Mario game or Zelda.

@Moon Don't want to add to your fears, but LoZ looked laggy when the guy with the dog was playing in the park.

I hope it is backwards compatible with my WiiU digital library.

Simple solution:

The Wii "redefined backwards compatibility" in 2006. Two thousand, effin', six.
We'll see Super Mario 3D Land as the first "Switch Virtual Console" title. Calling it now.

I won't be buying one for a few years, then. The only reason I didn't have any major hangups about the 3DS' weak library in its first couple of years on the market is because I had a small library of DS games to re-experience on it.

I guess, realistically, I probably won't switch until Atlus does. Unless NX gets a killer exclusive early on, like a new Metroid Prime or Animal Crossing.

I don't even think that the Switch will replace the 3DS. I'll continue carrying my 3DS around instead of the Switch, because it's smaller, probably lighter and screens are automaticaly protected by the system itself, which I really value a lot!
For me, the Switch is a Home Console with portable options, but not a handheld.

@Faruko it might not. i know they said this was a home console, but if this is also replacing the 3ds, then they might offer the option of being handheld only.

I can see why it wouldn't come with a dock as it's more of a personal gaming system so you would only need a dock to connect to a TV. Some homes may have more than one Switch but would only need one dock. Remember a 3DS doesn't come with a charger! It would be nice if this used a standard Nintendo or USB charger.

I predict people will just take along an additional powerbank lije how they presently do now to topup smartphone usage.

@ThomasBW84 i was crazy enough to want it to. i think it still might, but they won't announce that to the general public audience just to maximize distance from the wii u.

@XCWarrior Please, give me the quote were it says theres no dock

@Rutana Same here- it'll be really nice to have the option but I won't be replacing my 3DS.EVER.

Sorry Nintendo - I've invested heavily in supporting your current devices. Without the option to carry my software purchases onto Switch you leave me little option but to see out my present backlog before I move to Switch. See you in about 5 years.

Makes sense to me if the dock is seperate. One user may have one switch, but 3 TVs.

But the next house has 3 kids, each with a switch and just the 1 TV.

It's an accessory, you don't need a dock to play.

@hYdeks Profanity filter doesn't like the r-word. Please refrain.

Silly to get upset over no backwards compatibility. Yes, it's nice, but face it- you've essentially been buying the same game over and over again anyway. Wii Mario Kart and the Wii U version aren't exactly completely different games. And it was pretty obvious the thing has no optical drive. 3DS compatibility would be interesting, but we already know Nintendo plans to continue to support the 3DS for at least a little while. I'm betting they'll either continue with a new dedicated handheld after that, or just go to mobile and have the Switch serve as their handheld.

@NintyFan turn the switch 90 degrees, and you have a top and bottom screen. i'm still hoping for a second screen accessory tho'.

@XCWarrior The dock is meant for TV streaming and to act as a charger- considering it's the major gimmick, I don't how it WOULDN'T come with it. I have no idea where you're getting some of this from.

@Faruko A google search is revealing nadda.

I was hoping it secretly supported the GamePad and could at least play eShop games. Oh, well. I might start picking up used physical copies of my favorite eShop games then. Never know how long until they pull the plug. (Sure it might not be for 2-5 years, but I like to be prepared. lol)

Well, I obviously didn't expect that in the slightest anyway; it was never realistic to think it would play physical Wii U discs and arguably even 3DS game cards for the most part. But, I would completely expect it to play those games via digital or whatever one way or another (on the Virtual Console for example), and if it doesn't do that I will consider that one major strike for the system right from the get-go. These are the kinds of things I need to know before I decide if the Switch is another of Nintendo's true console greats, like the NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, GBA, and DS were to me, or just another Wii/Wii U kind of deal (which were both ultimately disappointing overall for me personally, despite a few genuine high points with a handful of games and experiences).

I guess I will be holding on to my Wii U, if nothing else for my physical media.

You've really confused me here, because in the very article you use as your source it clearly states that they DID mention the dock as included.

'As for what would be included in the box, Nintendo gave the same answer as they did to Takashi Mochizuki: the main unit, the Dock, the Joy Con detachable controllers (Left and Right), and that’s it. Again, full details about what will be included in the box will be revealed at a later date.'

Following another link yields this quote:

'Takashi Mochizuki also reports that Nintendo told the press the Nintendo Switch would come with Joy Con L&R and the Dock at the very least. It’s not clear if the Joy Con Grip will be included or not at the moment. It’s pretty clear the contents of the “pack” available at launch is not something that will be revealed until much closer to said launch.'

So I'm not sure why your article says there was no mention of it.

This is a new console, aimed at a new market... With new games. Their 3rd pillar maybe.

It doesn't really replace the WiiU (play splatoon with just 1 screen??) And it doesn't replace the 3ds (no touch, 1 screen, no 3d).

Probably by design, it's a lot closer to a PlayStation or Xbox than the current Nintendo hardware. Makes me think no touch screen by design either.

"Make the Switch"...

About the Content of the Box, I don't think we'll see just one Bundle.
We'll surely grt a Bundle with the Switch, Dock, JoyCon and Grip and additional have the option to buy more Docks seperately, as well as the Switch without Dock. That would cover all needs. (I personally would need 2-3 Docks for example)

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Look at the stacked weapons; not MK 8.

@Rutana Agreed!

I figured

@InternetBowser
Yeah that's the one thing I am anxious about. I've spent hundreds of dollars on VC games on both the Wii and Wii-U. To lose all the eshop and VC games I have purchased on the Wii-U at least would be a huge blow. I don't even mind paying a $1.00-$2.00 fee like last time to get them on the Switch but I do not want a slow trickle like what we suffered with on the Wii-U!

@Clownshoes Assuming Nintendo isn't lying, the docking unit matter-of-fact comes with the console. It is literally beyond crazy for Nintendo to officially come out and say Switch is a home console first and foremost, it's very own words (and it's reiterated the point a couple of times), and then not have the dock come in the box. You literally cannot play it as a proper home console without the dock, ergo, the dock will come in the box—unless the people working for Nintendo are just total idiots who don't understand what they're saying half the time.

@thehappyjack Ninty have confirmed that the dock is just power for charging and HD It does not include any tech sadly.

PRE-PREORDER CANCELLED.

That's right. I am going to wait for preorders to open, just so I can preorder and cancel that preorder in protest.

jk switch will be mine.

It's for the best. No burning power/price for backward compability.

@OneBagTravel I don't see where you get that. The Mario Kart show is different than 8 and so are aspects of the Platoon shown; they aren't direct ports if they are ports at all. If anything, they are highly modified which makes them worth it to me if they're are sporting new gameplay and items.

Tsusasi's post mentions other articles/sources specify the dock as included, but until I read this post I was thinking that maybe the dock was just a convenience- I have a similar dock for my old DSiXL (which of course is just for charging; the WiiU comes with a charging dock as well which is also a convenience and not required). If Nintendo didn't include the dock, then surely they would include the necessary cable to connect it to the TV.

@A01 Specially considering how much money they saw they can make on re releases, look at Sony, and look at how successful Wind Waker HD was on Wii U. Expect many Wii U games re released on the first two years of the Nintendo Switch.

@XCWarrior The dock is the charger so has to be.

says the rep, although you’ll probably be surprised to learn that the dock is not the primary component of the console.
“The dock is not the main console unit of Nintendo Switch. The main unit of Nintendo Switch is the unit that has the LCD screen, which the two Joy-Con controllers can be attached to and detached from,” the rep continues to explain, before adding that the Dock is simply there to charge the portable LCD screen and provide output to a TV whenever you want to play on a bigger screen.

@Tsusasi The effort. Must have taken them months to code the stacked items. We've seen this in previous MK games.

You mean it DOESN'T have an NES cart slot? Then it'll surely tank

.....T.T

Regarding battery life, as long as I can connect it to an external battery I'm not really too fussed! Pokémon Go kills my iPhone in 2 hours so it not as if it's a new phenomena!

Brand new start with the unified account system in place. I'm finally drawing the line on VC games. I'm not rebuying something I've already bought up to 3 times on the new platform. Only Nintendo gives you a unified account system and none of the benefits of a unified account system. Make our VC games be account based and work on the Switch instead of rebuying it, not even with a hefty discount AND no drip feeding us VC releases. Do it right this time...

@fchinaski Really? I didn't noticed that. I noticed a stop motion segment (when Link shoots that beast), but that is a feature of the game.

@Faruko @CrazedCavalier @MADGAZ Guys IT IS IN THE ARTICLE. Here I'll pull it out. PLEASE READ.

"Famitsu also asked about what would be contained in the box, and was told that it would include the console, the Joy Con and its detachable controllers. No mention of the dock was made"

Guys, for all of us that DO have a Wii U, It isn't the end of the world. You don't have to double dip for the new games if you don't want to, no one ia forcing you and it isn't like the Wii U is going to transform to a brick in March.

I'm excited, no BC means they can truly focus on using current architecture and get third parties on board! About the dock, I think there will be different SKUs depending on what the buyer wants - just portable or portable + home gaming

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I would assume if it is a port it will come with all dlc free of charge. I also doubt boo is the only new racer.

I'm not really disappointed, It was wishful thinking to believe it would be based on what they showed us. The 3DS games would look like WiiU DS Virtual Console games on the Switch. I thought perhaps maybe digitally for WiiU, because of the commercial. It was obvious the disks would not fit. Nintendo has always been known for its backward compatibility. especially when it comes to handhelds. I'm alright with it.

@XCWarrior Because im pretty sure Nintendo believes the dock is part of the console, i never believe once that that means the dock wasnt part of it

Im sure nintendo says "the NS" as the screen with the dock in it.

But who knows

Why would anyone expect a single screen device to be backwards compatible with a dual screen one? Also, if they say it comes with a joycon, the detachable controllers and the console, then that includes the dock. If the whole selling point of the console is that it can be played on the go or at home via a dock then that means the dock is part of the console.

Suppose some people might not want or need the tv dock so a cheaper bundle without it might be available

@sandman89 Thats another situation tho, because that would be a special bundle, im pretty sure the core one would come with the dock

Hopefully, if they do that, they market it well enough so people can realize that the one without the dock is just a special version for special cases and not the "norm"

@Nonno_Umby Apart from that effect, I had the distinct feeling it was laggy, but maybe I'm seeing things.

@sandman89 - That is what I'm thinking as well. This console is going to be a 3DS and WiiU successor, so Ninety is walking a tight rope for the time being.

If you can play your digital games then I bet you would have to rebuy them.

The only big "?" for me is that if the 3DS will keep on going or not, thats about it

Otherwise i think the message was well done and people pretty much knows this is the next step for Nintendo.

@MADGAZ @Blester Where have you read that it /only/ does tv-out and charging? I think a lot of people are thinking that it also enables 4k streaming and perhaps other things.

This is why I only buy digital games now. You cant expect someone to support optical forever. I know one thing: my 3DS and Wii U won't be going anywhere

For everyone criticising XCWarrior, it does say in the Famitsu article that:

The packaging of other accessories (like the dock) will be announced separately for different regions before launch

Makes it sound like they consider the dock as an accessory, not something included by default. Could just mean additional docks can be bought, which would be awesome.

@Peach64 it also says this

As for what would be included in the box, Nintendo gave the same answer as they did to Takashi Mochizuki: the main unit, the Dock, the Joy Con detachable controllers (Left and Right), and that’s it. Again, full details about what will be included in the box will be revealed at a later date.

THE DOCK, ITS RIGHT THERE

@Peach64
I think it goes that way. The tablet part is the main console, and it could come with a dock included, but you buy others if its neccesary.
In the trailer, the Splatoon part showed that you could use the Switch with any dock.

Most likely, they are witholding details at this point in time, so we shouldn't get so terrified either. We're back at the waiting game.

Edit: Me and my oversights for writing so fast...

I don't think the base comes with a dock. It's a portable with a dock for tv. I have 6 3ds's. Certainly I wouldn't need 6 docks if they had that capability.

And also Nintendo mentions the side controllers which seem integral to the tablet. Odd to mention one thing that seems obvious and not mention something that seems slightly less obvious.

@Moon
had the same thought/concerns too

Not surprised. Nintendo will get to have fun trickling out the VC library all over again.
3DS, I'm kinda hoping they keep alive for a while because it's (A) not in bad shape, and (B) offers something Switch (far as we can tell) isn't trying to emulate.
To really get Wii/Wii U as eshop options, I figure we'd need a dedicated VC machine (like I HOPED the NES mini was going to be) . Their full suite of hardware needs are too specialized. Otherwise, Switch might get a couple titles that ignored the special hardware, or have been ported to crop it out. I'd love a new play controls Star Fox Zero port.

THEORY: I wonder if they're going to release a big Home bundle with the dock, but the main kit will be a cheaper dockless version with just a charging and connection cable (docks sold separtately of course). I still suspect they're going to treat the Switch enough like a portable to push multiple units in the home. Outside the charging convenience, going without the dock would it'd be a better value for that multi-owner aim.

Going multi-owner is not a bad thing, we saw this thing can multiplayer like champ with the Spatoon teams practicing.

@cleveland124 The base unit WILL come with a dock, the probably is that there might be docks also sold separatly to have 1 on the living room and aonther in your room, for example.

you NEED the dock considering what we know so far because its the charging station

I wish this article was clearer about digital Wii U and 3DS games

@Jamotello I'm assuming there will be things down the road like a Switch Mini or something to that effect which will be smaller and more deliberately a "handheld" while keeping the ecosystem and games unified. Maybe it'll have a lower-res screen to up the performance and such as well.

Whilst I do love some backwards compatibility I hardly see it as essential, more of a nice extra. I went through 4 gens of Nintendo home consoles without backwards compatibility before the Wii.

The only time it is a big plus is if the console has a poor launch line up and here's hoping that they've learnt from the 3DS' piss poor and the Wii U's sub-par (IMHO) launch line up.

Besides, how will dual screen games work if the NS has to be docked to show on the TV? (First person to mention dividing it across a single screen with black borders and such gets catapulted into the ocean).

@fchinaski I had The same feeling. Although we don't know if that was real game play or just a special FX edited video just to showcase the system.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE To be fair, charging 'another €50' only applies to the handful of people who actually bought the originals. I really can't blame them for wanting to keep some of the Wii U highlights around as games like Mario Kart 8, Splatoon and, I'm guessing, Breath of the Wild deserve to reach a bigger audience than the Wii U has allowed them to.

@Captain_Toad That's pretty much it, adding a touchscreen to play 3DS-games on it would have driven up the price, and if you have 3DS games, i assume you have a 3DS too, so what's the actual problem?

I'm ok with that, it's not like I would sell my 3ds anyway since it has so many downloaded games on it.

Nintendo should - and probably will - sell the NS both w/ and w/o the dock. That's 2 SKUs. It was also rumoured there would be a 3rd premium SKU w/ a game, NS Pro and extra storage, possibly like the difference between a Wii U Basic and Deluxe. Which was a disaster and the Basic died, but Ntineod never learns.

So -
NS Away - $249 tablet, 2 Joy Con, maybe 1 Grip
NS Home - $299 tablet, dock, and above
NS Deluxe - $349 above plus NS Pro controller and some Wii U port, MK8 or SSB or Splatoon, maybe a bigger SD card

Accessories sold separately -
Dock - $49 or $79 or $99 as we don't know what it does yet
Charging cradle - $19.99 if "dock" is $99
NS Pro controller - $49.99
NS Joy-Con Grip - $19.99 if it isn't in Away

You can read @Cathousemaster post #59 to find out why, I can't write that succinctly.

Now, what I want to know is, where's my $199 "NS TV", b/c I don't play on the go, so I don't need a screen or Joy-cons, just give me a screenless "dock" and a Pro controller. And yes, I know its all in the tablet, but taking it out of the tablet and squaring of the "Dock" into a "Box" should make it cheaper - no screen, no battery, no connectors, no 2 pieces to mold, just 1 box.

Oh, find me in the alps... I knew it wasn't likely, but I still had a small sliver of hope.

I am so glad I have GPD XD. Most of my VC problems have been solved. If the Switch does not have backwards compatibility, they need to have a legitimate VC. That WiiU/3DS trickle was just sad. It is a shame I had to resort to this but I'm so glad I did. It payed for itself and then some.

I was so hoping that the Switch could be used as a gamepad to the Wii U console. Then I might have got one as a replacement when my Wii U gamepad dies. But maybe this is ruled out now?

@rjejr
Honestly, most chances are that there won't be an "NS TV" as you put it. Nintendo's strengh is, one way or another, in portables and they are focusing on that, while throwing a bone towards home console gamers with the dock. But they won't remake the whole system to fit all in a "box" - that was the Wii U and it was a disaster.

From what I've been reading, it seems (and I have no intention of offending, making that clear) that you aren't the target market for the Switch. Its sad to say, but I encourage you to get that PS4, because Nintendo isn't really aiming at people that focuses on home gaming.

My 3DS has a gigantic library, so I don't mind having it in its own separate system. What I would like to know, however, is if I can redownload VC games on the Switch, either for free, or for a small upgrade fee, like with the Wii U, but transferring Wii U and 3DS VC games over to the Switch.

@MarioPhD heh i was thinking in the other direction. bigger stuff! we call it a hybrid, but to me it's a modular system with lots of potential points of system progression. in the future, the dock might be able to do processing for 4k, hold an hdd, network multiple switches, etc. steel series, razer, hori, and others can make aftermarket dockable controllers. the lcd screen can be plopped into a cardboard like device for virtual reality. my personal favorite is the second screen idea, where it becomes a portable wii u/gigantic 3ds thru emulation. maybe jsut a portable screen/dock with bigger battery. on and on and on and on...

@allav866 That's what I'm most curious about: how will they handle the VC collection. It would be wonderfull if it could integrate WiiU, 3DS and New 3DS games in one place.

Theres a report that the Switch only has 3 hours battery life BUT even if true compare that to the Nvidia Shield tablets 1 hour...

IF true its not a deal breaker but man I'll be buying some external power solutions

@Jamotello I was saying this to a friend yesterday. Nintendo patented those external units for boosting console performance. Slap one in a dock you got an 4K upgrade. Put one in a head mounted unit with a slot for a screen and boom VR.

IM SO GLAD I WENT ALL DIGITAL, Time to gloat, HAHAHAHAH, okay that's enough, I don't want to strain my vocal cords.

Is it backwards compatible with n64 carts?

@KickButt_Gaming I'd be careful that's not an confirmation digital backwards compatibility is a thing. Only that physical media wont be.

No big deal to me. I'll be keeping my Wii U anyways.

I wasn't hoping or expecting to play anything from the current on the new system. Kimishima said the NX (Switch) would have nothing Wii related. Plain and simple..

I just look forward to having fun playing whatever that becomes available on the Switch that appeals to me. Might even purchase two at launch, one for my fiance and I. I know she's going to like this system.

@chardir
Nintendo couldn't resist lol
Judging from the trailer the actors were all young adults (maybe from 21 - 35), some would think they'd stopped trying to treat everyone like children by now. Lol

@Faruko Reports are coming out, not confirmed by Nintendo, that battery life for Switch is 3 hours. That's TERRIBLE (if true, of course).

If you can only use one screen at a time, and we don't even know if it's a touch screen, how would be be expected to play DS and 3DS games?

@Jamotello I've pointed it out in the past, but the Razer Core line seems like an exceptionally obvious upgrade path for the Switch, like you're suggesting. There's already docks for PCs making that happen, so I'd love to just need to buy a new dock with some bonus CPU/GPU power to get better performance and/or new games and the sort. It'll be interesting to see what they do with add-ons down the road, but I'm all for them going wild with it as well!

@XCWarrior Perhaps not every unit including the dock is for the best. One thing people often complained about with the WiIU is that Nintendo "forced" people to pay for the Gamepad when they bought the WiiU.

Some people simply may just want it for the portable aspect, if it saves them $50 or £50 to not have the dock then that's one more game they can buy, or several Virtual Console games.

the thing is, the gamepad was PART of the WiiU, it was integral (ok, it wasnt because nobody knew what to do with it, Nintendo wanted to believe it was...) to the part of the console... you bought into it

Eh, not surprised. I still intend to keep my 3DS and Wii U.

As for retro, that shouldn't be an issue - Nvidia's older Tegra-based tablets can run GameCube games via emulation with impressive levels of performance, and Switch should be even more powerful.

...please Nintendo...PLEASE NINTENDO...PLEASE BRING GAMECUBE GAMES TO THE SWITCH (nearly was going to say NX instead). Not that I find anything wrong with the Wii or N64 games, but GameCube games I love. That system gave me the best Super Smash Bros (not because of competitive and glitch reasons), Mario Tennis, and Animal Crossing games, an awesome Luigi's Mansion game, an awesome 3D Mario game, an awesome Mario Kart game, and a purdy gud set of Mario Party games (though I still enjoyed 9 and 10, but not Island Tour).

@SLIGEACH_EIRE

Huh. Snark?

Ok.

At any rate, I was responding to the idea that all of these games are direct ports. There are plenty of indications if you look hard enough that it isn't the case. We've also seen weapons, karts, driving and Mario in previous MKs... and yet none of those adversely effected the gaming experience. Sooo... not sure I get your point. Additionally, Nintendo is not one to just throw something new into a game without balancing it and making other related changes. Even if this is some sort of mega mix, they will make it worth the purchase. It's also worth noting that the Wii U hasn't pushed huge numbers, so there are millions out there who have never playing MK8... in any form.

What's all this lack of a dock nonsense?

Source article clearly states:

"As for what would be included in the box, Nintendo gave the same answer as they did to Takashi Mochizuki: the main unit, the Dock, the Joy Con detachable controllers (Left and Right), and that’s it."

@Luna_110 Oh, I know I'm not the NS target market, no need to apologize, PS4 under the Christmas tree this year.

"Honestly, most chances are that there won't be an "NS TV" as you put it. "

So, if I told you 3 years ago that Nintneod was going to make a 3DS that didn't actually play 3DS games in 3D and they were going to call it the 2DS, would you have believed me then? I still don't even believe it.

Do you follow Sony? Do you know what "PS Now" is? It streams PS3 games to TV and PC. "NS TV" could be like a Roku or Amazon Fire box, stream Nintnedo's old catalog of games while also playing NS games. It makes sense, just needs to be cheap enough. But it will probably be out by 2019. Remember, you heard it here first.

@Faruko

Got to be a usb charge method. If you are traveling or going on vacation bringing the dock would be a pain. The dock has no processing. It's just a shell to protect the screen. I'd guess the cable can plug directly into the NS or the dock just like the Wii U dock. I'd also guess video output will have a cable to avoid the dock if that's your goal.

I still think there will be a bundle with the dock and a base package without.

Well, the next DS family iteration will play 3DS games, so why would I care? Shame about WiiU though.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE You picked a bad example because in Mario Kart's case a "slight upgrade" is actually better than usual.

Following the usual pattern Mario Kart 9 should normally have been expected to be a handheld game with worse graphics than Mario Kart 8.

If the docking station is not included in the base package I am sure that is done to keep the cost of entry down. The Switch will not be cheap.

Also, Nintendo's official line is that the Switch is a home console that can also be played on the go. See this article at polygon:
http://www.polygon.com/2016/10/20/13347910/nintendo-switch-home-gaming-system

It seems to me that they want the 3DS to have a long life yet.

@XCWarrior At this level of graphical games, im not sure why are you surprised.

The lastest tablets all run out of juice in under 3-4h when gaming.

So, sure i would have loved a little bit more of juice (if thats its true), but running those specs while playing zelda and what 5-7 hours ? you are honestly dreaming

I'm glad it isn't backwards compatible. It gives me all the more reason to keep my Wii U and 2DS around. BC is a nice feature if it makes sense, but at the end of the day people don't buy new systems to play old games. I think they sacrificed too much for both the Wii U and 3DS to be fully BC and it hurt them. Nintendo needs to turn the page on the Wii and DS line. This is what Iwata meant by "from zero".

3 hours is fine for me. I would be shocked if there wasn't some portable charger. I'll rarely take it out of my home, though I LOVE playing my 2DS while laying on the couch or in bed.

@rjejr
I'll write it down! For the 3DS, I kind of expected it because the original 3DS's 3d (that sounds horrible) was terrible, and most people I knew played without it. What was a surprise, I admit, was the design.... I still can't understand it.

I know what PS Now is, but I don't think they would stream games. They are pushing their old catalogue through the Mini collection and I doubt they would allow NS games to be anywhere else than the NS

It could occur that they do redesign down the road and move all the components inside the tablet to the dock, as an "only" home console, but don't you think it would kind of beat the purpose of Switch?

When they say it won't have BC, that means digital games, too. It's because of the vast difference in architecture. The code won't run natively at all now so even digital games won't be there; at least if you had stayed with buying physical you'd have the option to sell your physical games on ebay and use that cash to buy any ports for the switch that Nintendo may put out. If you went digital, you're actually in a worse spot.

@Dr_Lugae @Faruko Are you two both applying to a job with Nintendo on their spin team?

If Switch costs $200, then sure the things you say are OK that stink will be easy to swallow. But at $400, no way. I'm guessing on the price, but if you can't give us good features, the cost better be low. There's no new tech with this device so far, just upgraded tech from previous gen.

"Famitsu also asked about what would be contained in the box, and was told that it would include the console, the Joy Con and its detachable controllers."

That also means no boxed Pro Controller. Deal breaker for me since it will probably be at least another $50. Joy Con Grip looks bad to me.

They say that it is a home console "first and foremost" yet don't box it with a home TV dock? Can they not make up their minds?

@GravyThief Well said. I learned very quickly into the Wii U generation that I do not care about BC as much as I thought I would. Played maybe 3 Wii discs in the 4 years since owning a Wii U? It's definitely not a selling point to the masses. With Wii U's install base so low, it makes business sense to repackage those titles and resell them to a (potentially) bigger market under Switch.

Bakckwards compatibility is dead. It used to be important a couple of generations ago but not anymore.

PS4 is the most succesful console of this generation and it lacks BC. Wii U has an almost perfect BC with Nintendo's most succesful console and it's the worst selling console from them.

Customers voted with their wallets and BC is now a thing of the past.

Hm...my thought right now :
1. No backward with previous machines = well...quite disappointing but I understand. There is no way to play 3DS with Single screen. Beside, I still own my 3DS.
2. When I take a bit closer, No Sensor bar ala Wii nor Wii U gamepad style. The dock looks like not connected with so many cables, can be used by any Switch consoles. Its job just display the game into bigger screen on HD TV. If the dock can be bought separetely, that will be great. It clearly departure drom Wii and Wii U.
3. Still wonder if Mii still exist on Switch. You know, Mario Kart 8 has an Option to play with Mii characters.
4. Looks like more customazation for Switch from the Joy Con, the Grip, Dock and Home console itself. Probably a chance for third party supplier of Switch accesories from Vinyl Sticker until hard cover.
5. The trailer showed the guy who owned Switch travel to faraway places and no worried about the dock that still in his house whether still in Standby mode or not.
6. Last rumour about NX (Now Switch) has sleep monitoring. I still wonder if that feature will be explained on the next trailer.

@FriedSquid

I think we need to know price before we determine if including the dock or not is a good value proposition. As a handheld, families can buy multiple units. I have no problem where there is a base unit that just has an NX and a bundle where they have a dock, a game, some other accessories. The assumption being i c it's your first you get the bundle. The big question is price.

@Anti-Matter Point 5. is pretty far fetched, be cause he could easily have the dock on his bag

@ThomasBW84 @Jamotello Thomas, I also don't see why Nintendo cannot make the console compatible with 3DS, given how large the screen is. What is your reason behind calling people like me crazy?

@XCWarrior No, im just responding to your accusations without any decent argument (or argument at all)

"NO DOCK" --> the article clearly states that the box comes with the Dock, but you seem to know better than Nintendo

"As for what would be included in the box, Nintendo gave the same answer as they did to Takashi Mochizuki: the main unit, the Dock, the Joy Con detachable controllers (Left and Right), and that’s it. Again, full details about what will be included in the box will be revealed at a later date."

"3 HOUR BATTERY LIFE" --> Who knows, its a rumour, and even if its true, most tablets run out of juice incredibly fast while gaming, pretty much any tablet would die in less than 4 hours in full gaming... so im not sure what are you expecting.

"No more details till january" --> Weird, but not that far fetched considering the console IS coming in March and giving too much info on the NS might hurt their 3DS/WiiU sales on the holiday season, Nintendo is pretty much trying to sell as much 3DS/WiiU they can before the NS drop

The hypest pokemon game is coming (thanks to Pokemon Go), saing the NS will kill the 3DS is stupid, Nintendo might hit a record this holiday if Sun/Moon is everything that it seems to be

Those are my 2 cents

@Jamotello @ThomasBW84 Actually, Wii u games can also store in an internal flash drive. Nintendo could make NX attachable to Wii U to transfer data. If Xbox One can mak3 backward compatibility, can't Nintendo do it?

@Blester so then if that's the case I would assume that the scalability Nvidia was talking about would come into effect based on whether the Switch itself was attached to power or running off of battery.

I think once Nintendo saw Wii U was hopeless, they held off releasing GameCube VC so they'd have something with some bang for Switch VC.

And it was probably a wise call. If they'd spent GC then Switch would make no waves with its VC. Wii U would have offered everything beforehand.

Switch will finally give us Metroid Prime on the go. F-Zero X on the go. Thousand Years Door on the go. Fire Emblem Path of Radiance on the go.

That's what's up.

Of course I didn't expect it to run physical Wii U and 3DS games. But I hope that doesn't mean it's gonna be another brand new eshop from scratch again! If I am asked to buy (again) all the classics and indie games I've purchased on Wii U I'll be plenty pissed!!😡😡

Im pretty sure when Nintendo is talking about BC they talk about WiiU games, not VC... but whatever.

@Damo The source article specifically mentions that the dock is included in the box.

@JaxonH

As long as those are analog triggers.

@JaxonH yeah, based on Nintendo's record, I won't buy NX until a year later. They always say no future plan to price drop and then SUDDENLY drop the price to infuriate early adopters.

@rjejr difference there is that Sony has phones, tvs, tablets, ect. that all utilize ps now so they aren't really hurting themselves. Nintendo only has consoles, so if someone could play on a tv or phone or set top box that's not Ninty branded why would they buy a console? Just grab one of those pro controllers and attach it to one of those and go. Now a Nintendo branded streaming box would be interesting, but for my sake and others like me (really poor internet here) I hope it never comes to that or that there is always an option for physical carts.

@GreatPlayer i'm going to keep saying this until it comes true or i get tired of it, but i want a second screen peripheral. it can be an actual second screen with 3d as the top screen, a square touch screen that docks the joy-cons to the side, or a cradle for a smartfone as either top or bottom screen. all forming a ckamshell. if not, i'll take just turning the switch 90 degrees for a top and bottom screen.

@joey302 I really hate to say it, and I would love to be wrong, but you should probably prepare yourself to be pissed.

@chardir So... this is how misinformation starts and misplaced blame and mistrust perpetuates, right? Nintendo didn't say "no more details", the statement was specifically about games and specs. This is neither information about new games or about specs.

Wait what? What kind of morons (excuse my wording) are working at Famitsu (a respectable magazine/website)?

They asked if the Wii U discs and 3DS cartridges would work with the Switch? Are they blind?
And why didn't they ask the more important question: Will digital games (aka eshop downloads) be compatible with the Switch? Can I migrate the games I already bought?

Really, that's what they should've been asking.
Or to use the metaphor from the article:

Instead of asking whether the water Nintendo is selling is edible/healthy, they only asked them whether their water is wet. So stupid!

@FX102A 4 gens of Nintendo Home Consoles without BC? But there are only 2 Nintendo Home Consoles without BC: the NES (duh), and the N64.
SNES had the Super GameBoy, GameCube had the GBA Adapter, the first Wii played GC titles and Wii U had Wii BC.

Overall, BC is not digital. It means that you can use your physical discs. And don't even start with Streaming... there are many gamers who don't have fast Internet.

@OneBagTravel
"I'm annoyed that we'd all have to rebuy Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. This might put me off from buying the console actually"

???

Nobody "has to buy" anything. That's like saying because PS4 has Uncharted Collection and Last of Us Remastered and God of War III Remastered, that you have to buy them and it's putting you off.

Those games are not for you. Those games are for the (hopefully) 80 million other people they want to sell the console to who didn't own a Wii U.

I'll buy them again just like I bought all the PS4 and X1 remasters, but nobody is forcing me. If you don't wanna buy remasters, then don't.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Yes because Mario Kart 8 has King Boo and double item slots, right? /s

@shani @aaronsullivan

You've both brought up a problem that's gotten worse in 8th gen: Crappy games journalism.

I have a few qualms with NintendoLife, but overall they're still one of the best sources for news and reviews.

@Tsusasi If you're willing to drop another $60 on new items then I guess Nintendo found their market.

@JaxonH Let me rephrase, if Nintendo thinks I'm going to buy Mario Kart again, they'll have to think again. But to state the obvious like you did so well in your post, no one has to buy anything.

This was a bout time. After all, Nintendo-'s consoles were getting so complicated.

@Yorumi
Well sure, as I said I'll buy them too, as I bought all the other remasters on other systems. But I still think those remasters are to draw in ppl who haven't played them yet. There'll always be ppl like us who like to upgrade and have the best experience but we're probably not the majority

Everyone, there is no chance Digital 3ds or WiiU games will work... Unless there is an emulator involved. And if there is, it's just as likely to play PC, 360, PS2 games.

Streaming won't happen, as there is no connectivity on the go. Games will need to be designed for local WiFi not server based.

Also... JoyCons will need to be charged? Or do they charge off the main unit?

Wonder if this has an octo core attachment... Drops down to weaker and less CPUs on the go. The resolution is lower, but likely more than that.

Need sleep

@Luna_110 "would kind of beat the purpose of Switch"

Well, I guess it depends on what the purpose of Switch is? And I'm not just saying that as a joke. They sold Wii based on Wii Sports and Wii Fit and Just Dance, it was the "Casual" console. They tried to sell Wii U first as the "hardcore console" - Batman, Mass Effect, Assassins Creed - and secondly as the Nintnedo Land casual console, and both purposes failed miserably.

And now, they keep calling NS a home console, where I think they should be calling it a handheld w/ home power. But I'm not sure what the dock does, and how many games will really work w/ those 2 dinky Joy-Con controllers. They aren't really marketing it yet and I don't know how much it costs.

Nintnedo never sold Wii U w/o the Gamepad, like MS took Kinect out of the X1 box to sell it $100 cheaper. So if you think that means Nitneod will stick w/ NS and the dock bundle, I can understand that. But they did make a $99 Wii Mini and took the internet out of the box. And colored it Netflix red. And bundled MKWii w/ it, the best online game Wii had. I get Wii Mini less than I get 2DS, everybody was using their Wii for Netflix.

https://www.destructoid.com/wii-is-the-most-popular-console-for-netflix-streaming-207510.phtml

So, if NS is $300 w/ the dock, and people aren't buying it b/c it's too much for a handheld, and people aren't buying it b/c it's too much for a home, and if that touchscreen and battery make up a bulk of the price, take them out and make a cheap NS TV streaming device.
But it has to be a while yet, b/c there won't be a lot of game support at the beginning for TV use only, Nintendo will probably make a lot of multiplayer games for those 2 tiny controllers. And only if the system doesn't sell well. If it sells as well as 3DS they can just keep selling the bundle. But if it sells like Wii U they'll need a cheaper model.

Good point about NES Mini. If there's a SNES Mini in 2017 and a N64 Mini in 2018 I suppose they don't need a subscription service. But who knows, it's Nintendo, maybe they'll want 1 anyway? Only time will tell I suppose.

@Rutana I personally don't consider the Super Gameboy and GBA player as backwards compatible as they require purchase of dedicated peripherals and they are not exactly "backwards" as they were the ability to play the portable systems' titles of the respective generations. If we go down this route, we can use the NES player for the SNES (never used one, only saw an image) as closer to BC. However, I consider true BC as a way to play the previous generation's titles right out of the box using your old cartridges or discs.

On that note, protable consoles did it better with the GBA, GBA SP, DS, DS Lite and 3DS (all models) having true BC capability. As for home consoles, only the earlier Wii models and the Wii U had them.

@OneBagTravel

You mean like... new games? Um... yup. They found their market alright: Gamers... and those who buy - you know - games.

@Action51 Absolutely!
The only reason I occasionally criticise NL is because I believe they're still one of the good news sites.
There are dozens of crappy news sites (that were good once upon a time) that I just don't visit anymore because they're beyond "rescue" . For example Gamestar (aka Gamepro), the most respected German Gaming Magazine (and later website) is now run by totally biased amateurs and they don't even care. So I stopped caring too.

That's a good thing for nintendo...at least they won't have to worry about holiday sales on the Wii U and 3DS systems then. I'm also wondering on if they will add Wii U games or 3DS games onto the e-shop later (gawking at the prices probably), but it seems that the Wii U games look to be re-releasing onto the Switch...at least most of them.

Too bad, but not surprising. I could've seen the 3DS carts fitting in, but not the Wii U discs.

@7yL3r8 "Now a Nintendo branded streaming box would be interesting"

That was what I meant. I dind't mean a streaming service to other devices, just more like renting VC on a monthly basis rather than buying each game one at a time. Nobody buys things anymore, it's all about streaming and renting.

I think Nintendo will push NES Mini this year and SNES Mini next year but after that they could offer a subscription type service. Both Sony and MS offer a $60 year service, Nintnedo needs some of that money.

@aaronsullivan Well, firstly I was just joking around. My comment isn't misinforming anyone.

But secondly, the quote was "spec details, including region-lock status". I would definitely put backwards compatibility in that category.

Ultimately, Ninty are going to answer all the questions they choose to, and can change their mind at any point. And ultimately I can be bemused by that without hurting anyone

Hopefully at least 4 hours of gaming, minimum. I don't want this tethered like my Wii U GPad.

@shani - That is the million dollar question. It will all boil down to architecture no doubt.

That's disappointing, if completely expected. It doesn't really matter to me, though, because I'll just keep my Wii U up and have no issue. I just upgraded my TV (my old 720p set was finally dying on me), and have HDMI's to spare. My bigger concern is with backwards compatibility with VC purchases, and Gamecube games finally becoming available. I want to play Mario Sunshine on this thing.

And to those worried about whether the dock comes with the system or not, does it really matter? Either it will come with the system and the bundle will be pricier, or you'll be able to buy it separately and get the system cheaper. Personally, I expect multiple SKU's, with one at $300-350 (perhaps without the dock), and one at $350-400 (perhaps with the dock and pro controller). Even if the dock is a major part of the system, for families wanting multiple portable systems (one per kid, for example), multiple docks would just add unnecessary costs. For such cases, a dock-less option would be very useful.

I mean I am okay with this.

I do actually hope the screen is touch screen though.

It would feel sort of like a step back with all the creative stuff we've seen from them with DS , Wii U games . I'd rather not see them completely abandon doing different stuff with gameplay in favor of going the classic route again, even if sometimes it can be a bit gimmicky.

Will be interesting if it means I get to immediately have every game I downloaded.

@7yL3r8 that would be horrible. Not sure what they'd be thinking if you do turn out to be right. I mean, How many friggin times can they expect us to re-buy an nes game for example! This is why they need to finally at some point Lock us down with a unified account like Sony and Microsoft offers.

@Damo Ah. Well, that clears that up.

@Moon I think that the pad will play 720p and when docked it will display at 1080p.

No disappointment whatsoever. I will still keep my WiiU for a long time (just for Mario Kart and Sonic's) and several of my 3DSes.

If this means a better platform for developers, so be it.

I must also echo the sentiments that, yes, the eShop is truly a mess that needs sorting out (but so is Sony's website)

Noooooo! I wish 3ds carts were supported but in all honesty it was a high expectation. Well, my N3DSXL is here to stay forever then.

The choices made aren't favourable for a backward compatibility, but reselling Wii U/3DS games as a remake for Switch is possible (as it was the case for Wind Waker HD, Luigi's Mansion 2, and so on)

@7yL3r8 @blester has no idea what he is talking about. There nothing was confirmed. Rumors =/= fact.

I fully expect that many of the best Wii U games will be repackaged for Switch in one way or another. It would be an easy way fro Nintendo to milk some more money out of those past investments.

I doubt that 3DS games will show up on Switch any time soon. Nintendo has made it clear that they intend to fully support the 3DS as a product alongside Switch.

Too many comments to see if this has been raised already but what about backwards compatibility with eshop purchased Wii U games? If it's running Zelda (and looks about the same from the footage) is the structure really so different as to rule out digital emulation? At least of games that allowed for off TV play.

March 2017 the switch launches.
March 2017 my Wii U official becomes a retro console.

@jimi
I don't think that's really a fair comparison. There was no reason for the PS3 to lack PS2 BC. It supported to disc type, had almost identical controllers, and had plenty of power to run the emulation. It still bugs me that Sony withheld the software (which is all that's missing) to allow PS2 BC. They even released a few PS2 games on PSN, showing that PS2 support is easy, but they wouldn't give it away. In the Switch's case, however, there are various obstacles to BC. The Wii, Wii U, DS, and 3DS all had special hardware which would need to be supported to allow backwards compatibility. For the Wii, that means controllers and the sensor bar. For the DS, 3DS, and Wii U, that means dual screen support. The Switch also uses a different media than the other systems, so they'd need to add unnecessary ports, or extra accessories just for BC. In the Wii U's case, emulation would probably be very hard and/or need a lot of power too.

Also, I'd question that statement about this being Nintendo's next portable. It seems much more like a portable home console than a dedicated handheld (I know, that sounds stupid). The only things they showed on it were home console games. There was no suggestion that any portable franchises will be making an appearance on the system. I'm not saying it isn't the successor to both the 3DS and Wii U, though. Just that it hasn't been made clear. Until I see a new Pokemon game coming to it, I'll consider it more a home console than a handheld.

If they price the NSwitch sans the dock for more than 250, we will have the whole 3DS debacle again. That is, unless it is marketed as a Nintendo Tablet (gaming tablets sell for 400-600, but handhelds are like 150-200).

Still, I expected the NS sans the dock for 250 (or 300 including a game) or for 300-350 with a dock (for 350 I expect and extra controller).

Nintendo really needs to sell the NS at a loss and make it back in games (which could still retail for 60, but given the nature of tablet's developing many games could be at a lot less).

@TrueWiiMaster The fat PS3 was backwards compatible with the PS2.

I get that physical backwards compatibility was never gonna happen, but I was hoping digital content could be carried across, that's a bummer

@jimi Nintendo's idea of a unified account was combining our 3DS $$ with our Wii U $$. They've never offered any cross buy between the 2 platforms. Wii to Wii U was a quick solution to NOT having a unified account. We lived with it. But if for some reason you had to buy a 2nd Wii U for your home, you wouldn't be able to just sign in with your "account" and find all your eshop purchases ready for download. I did buy a 2nd Xbox one due to my son hogging up the first one and I signed in and boom all my digital purchases were there ready to download!! Further, any 360 games that I bought in the past automatically appear for download once they've become backwards compatible with Xbox one! So in my opinion that is a far superior service than Nintendo has been able to offer us thus far. But I do think I picked up some sarcasm from u regarding Nintendo's so called unified account system. I just felt the need to further differentiate between what the 2 companies offer us. Thx

@maceng
Yeah, but that model actually had a PS2 inside it (in America; I think they used emulation in Europe), and not all "fat" PS3's had that feature. My point was that Sony could have easily made every PS3 PS2 compatible. There were no real obstacles. Even now, if they wanted to they could release an update and make all PS3's backwards compatible.

@jimi backwards compatiblity isn't expensive, if the system has basically the same design as the former. The Wii could easily do backwards compatiblity with Gamecube, but obviously the system would need to add controller ports and memory card slots, and have the disc drive able to accept dvd and minidvd style discs. In later Wii revisions, these are obviously gone to cut back on costs.

For the Wii U, the system is basically "two Wii's put together" from what they say, basically has the same media dvd player, and uses pretty much the same controllers, so Wii U having a Wii backwards compatiblity is very simple.

As for the Switch, it's completely different in every way. In order to have backwards for Wii U or 3DS, you would need a dvd drive, which would drive the price up, and the 3DS would need a seperate card slot (sounds like the Switch gamecards are thicker, or slightly different). Though this is the case, I can see Nintendo using emulation to get the digital Wii U and 3DS purchases working on Switch.

@maceng Only one of the models (with a 60GB HDD) had the PS2's Emotion Engine chip built onto the motherboard. Most versions of the original PS3 could not support PS2 play. Even then, that particular model of PS3 did not produce video output as clean as an actual PS2 while playing PS2 games.

The real problem for me is that I don't need "comfortable" battery life, I need 48 hour battery life if I go on vacation to Europe and want to bring my Switch with me.
And does anybody have a link to the source?

@gcunit kind of weird it doesn't considering the word isn't offensive, unless you are using it to describe a person, but whatever, everything PC now-a-days

@jimi the Wii U gamepad is different yes, arguably the gamepad is what makes the Wii U so expensive, but the Pro Controller uses the same as the Wii Remotes.

Wii U uses a single layer style blu-ray discs, so it's not quite what most blu ray discs are (most are dual layer at 50GB, some can be triple at 100gb) and Wii is a single layer dvd at 4.7gb, so you could just use a dvd/ blu ray drive and cut out the video playback, not that hard, but if they did get rid of the Wii support completely, it would be cheaper very slightly.

@jimi I did forget about tipping stars but that's the ONLY Nintendo brand game I can recall that offers cross buy. But NO vc games at all. And Yes some indies have pulled it off with the 2 platforms which Nintendo should really take note of and have more Nintendo brand games with that perk. And it's to my understanding the limit on Xbox consoles is somewhere in the vicinity of 15 consoles. Now Can you be signed in at the same time on multiple Xbox consoles? No but at least your purchases are there and ready to go! Ps3 and PS4 same thing. Only Sony limits you to only 2 PS3s, 2 ps4s and 1 vita portable/psp system. But you can sign in on a buddy's Sony system and download one of your purchases if need be.
I'm not however familiar with the "enhanced cross buy" you mentioned regarding Wii U. My practice with Wii U has always been to buy my vc classics there. But Ive refused to purchase those same classics again on my 3DS. I just feel Nintendo is just pulling some greedy cash grab BS with that. It's not right. Thx

@jimi Back in 2006, Sony sold the base model of PS3 with an 80GB HDD at a loss for $600. The Emotion Engine chip was still a valuable expense back then, which made it cost prohibitive to use except on a certain 60GB model after a year's time, when they were forced to price drop the base 80GB model to $500 due to much lower than expected sales.

Sony hadn't worked out their commercial PS2 emulator for some years, and no one had a functional PS2 emulator for public use back then. But yeah, Sony really dropped the ball on PS2 digital support since then. Meanwhile, PCSX2 supports pretty much every PS2 title by now.

I'm a little bummed that Nintendo didn't make it backwards compatible for 3ds. Would have been cool to "switch" some of those titles to tv. They would probably look ugly blown up to tv size anyway.

StreetPass lives?

Even if this means that the Wii U will be dead and buried, I hope that Nintendo will continue to support the 3DS, at least for a little while longer. I suspect that the Switch will have many "console-style" games that do not lend themselves well to short, portable play sessions, so I hope that the 3DS will still have its niche.

i swear if theyre gonna be making a definitive version of mario maker and mk8 on switch they should give us wii u owners a discount thats what NNID is for

Not shocking at all. The system doesn't even use discs. As long as the Wii U games they "port" are much better than their counterparts, I don't mind.

@jimi
The Wii U had fewer obstacles than the Switch would, though. It has a disc drive, and uses the Wii remotes itself. It also used the same architecture as the Wii. None of that is true of the Switch (unless they announce Wii remote support later). The 3DS was also very similar to the DS. It used similar cartridges, and had the same 2 screen, touch screen layout.

As for digital BC, I expect Nintendo will carry over VC purchases in some way, but to carry over Wii/Wii U/3DS digital games would still involve overcoming hardware limitations (no Wii remotes, no second screen, possibly no touch screen). Without those features, many Wii/Wii U/3DS games would be unplayable. If the Switch has a touch screen, they could possibly emulate 3DS games like they've emulated DS games on the Wii U, but that really isn't ideal. And again, emulating the Wii U would probably be fairly difficult.

This means that I will not be selling my Wii U.

I've always loved and appreciated backwards compatibility.
Hopefully we'll get a discount if we're buying upgraded versions of games we already have (eg Wario Kart 8.)

@chardir That info came from a WSJ tweet, the same guy said we wouldn't hear anything about the Switch for awhile and we got a preview reveal yesterday, so I don't trust him fully.

What powers the little Joy Cons? Do they both have tiny rechargeables in or do they run off 1xAA each?

@River3636 Yeah that's exactly what's worrying me.

Generally I think it should be possible, even with a different architecture.
But then they probably would have to port all the eshop games in order for us players to migrate - and I fear that would be too much expenditure for Nintendo.

Although, I was planning on keeping my Wii U anyway. I sold all my previous Nintendo consoles (from SNES to Wii) but I'm planning to keep this one since it has become my favourite console and I really grew to like it.

@Shard1 If the article is from the outside the source is always cited at the end of the article

Oh well, it was a nice dream while it lasted.

“need rebuilt”

Is the writer from Pittsburgh?

Disappointing since literally EVERY Nintendo handheld has been backwards compatible and almost all of the consoles have. This better make the console cheaper and I want the Switch to have backwards compatibility similarly to the PS4 and Xbone.

So when can we play ds games on a tv?

I recall a report during the rumor days saying it wouldn't be BC. BC is not a deal breaker for me. It's more of a convenient perk, than anything, keeping me from having to keep older systems around (I'm not an intentional system collector except for my NES, GBA SP, and unfortunately my dust-collecting-but-never-sold-Wii). But I usually always play up/finish up any games that I was playing for older systems, sell the old system, and move on fresh to new systems and games, but that's just me. Side thought, I do admit, I thought it would at least allow for 3DS games, but I digress. I'll likely play my 3DS through the period until the Switch fully is underway and the 3DS finally fizzes out, cause the day is coming with it's aging hardware. I'd give the 3DS until 2018 tops.

@jimi Could you be more wrong? You could try but I doubt it. I've owned the game since launch and still play it weekly. I play in a league every week and last played it last night.

https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYQHAAABAACaVCdUoNNAKA

https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAADAAB2V0fIZk7pOw

Wasn't planing on disconnecting my Wii U any time soon, it will stay hooked as did my PS3 when I got my PS4.

If it's going to be anything like Sony has done, getting a Wii U to play Wii U games will be a lot cheaper. Total scams going on to play most PS3 games on PS4.

@jimi you call 15 Xbox consoles a limit?? That's pretty damn good if you ask me.
And uh Wii to Wii U VC was not free bro the upgrade to Wii U was a few bucks per vc game. Which I had no problem with btw but that's not cross buy unless it was NO EXTRA CHARGE as you put it. And you still can't grab em on your 3DS even at a reduced price. So With the exception of the few titles you mentioned That's cross buy??? No it isn't. You want nes castlevania on your Wii U? 5 bucks. Oh wait you'd like to also have that same game on your 3DS? Fork over another $5. Cmon man that's greed....yea Sony was breached we all know that but they learned from it and corrected it and rewarded everyone for waiting. And don't get me wrong Sony is also greedy with that PlayStation Now crap which I wouldn't give a nickel towards. That's their answer for not being able to figure out backwards compatibility from PS3 to ps4. So if You wanna say Nintendo provides better security with our personal info? Fine I'll agree with that...just stop charging us for games that they know we already bought 2 and in some cases 3 times!! All I'm saying here. And my fear is they're gonna insult us all over again with the Switch! They need to figure out a better way and many other gamers agree. Lastly if you're a hardcore gamer it wouldn't hurt you to take another look at the Xone. You might actually enjoy the thing.

@XCWarrior did Nintendo tell you it doesn't come with the dock?

Not sure what all the uproar is all about. First of all, the Switch only accepts cartridges, so the Wii U is already out of the question. As for 3DS games, playing an upscaled version of the already low-res game would be awful. It also reduces the cost of the Switch. Smart move by Nintendo if you ask me.

I would be REALLY nice if it could play 3DS and DS games at least in it's cart slot, or Nintendo sets up some sort of cross-buy for digital items or even physical ones you like send back to them or register somehow to get discounted or free digital copies. I have a huge library of old and new games between 3DS and WiiU which would be hard to give up :-

@shani - I think we have to look at the Shields previous or current architecture .
Eurogamer’s 2016 report on the “NX,” said the new console will use Nvidia’s Tegra X1 chip, the same chipset powering Nvidia’s Shield console, but other reports argued it may sport the upcoming Tegra X2 chip, which will feature the same Pascal GPU architecture used in Nvidia’s current flagship video cards: the GTX Titan X, and the GTX 1000 series, including the GTX 1080, 1070, and 1060. That doesn’t mean the Switch will be capable of the same graphical power as these cards, however, and since Nvidia has not officially announced the Tegra X2 yet, there’s no telling just how powerful that chip will be.(Yahoo Tech 2016).
So it's anyones guess.
It’s also worth mentioning that Nintendo showed support for Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon in its trailer. That’s notable because the Switch hardware diverges too much from the Wii U to make backward compatibly simple. Though the trailer showed details not found in the current versions, both games appear to be ports, rather than backwards compatible through emulation. Unfortunately, gamers might have to re-purchase titles they own, unless Nintendo devises some scheme that can validate user purchases of Wii U software.

@River3636 Well if they're ports (and not true sequels), they seem to be modified ports at least. If they would give owners of the previous versions a discount, that would be enough. Maybe they could even use a special MyNintendo bonus for existing Wii U customers. Or maybe they won't. ^^
What you wrote about the Tegra X2 is interesting, because the same has been said about the graphics chip that sits in the Switch. This would suggest that the Switch is maybe powered by some kind of Tegra X2 (rather than Tegra X1, which I feared all along). I'm doubtful but curious about its performance.
Of course, none of this is proof or confirmation about anything, more like an educated guess at best. But at least some sources just recently suggested that nVidia isn't revealing a new mobile graphics chip (Tegra X2) because that one's already powering the Switch. So maybe nVidia will present a new chip next year or some time in the future (maybe as X3 ).

@XCWarrior Calm down, dude. Lol. The Switch's era, heck, the full reveal, is yet to begin and happen. You guys Crack me up, with your rushed assumptions and constant tantrums.

If you think of pre-ordering anything, remember these wise words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV69DyOuzbE

@shani - I would just keep my WIIU/N3DS. All I want is all my purchases to transfer on that Switch, but because of the architecture it is looking less likely. This makes the Digital and Physical argument more prevalent.

@jimi
That's ridiculous. BC is far from the most important thing when designing a new system. It's a great feature, but it's not absolutely necessary. Obviously a disc drive would not work well in a system that is meant to be portable, and without a disc drive, Wii/Wii U BC couldn't happen. Likewise with dual screen games on a one screen device. Also, for the 3DS, screen resolution didn't matter much. Its games were only on its screens. They didn't need to be made for other resolutions. The Switch will have games on HD TV's, and on its own screen. It needs to support standard resolutions for that, not for DS/3DS games.

Your rant about modern gamers doesn't work as well as you think. First, "millenials" is a term that describes people born in the the early 80's through the early 90's. In other words, it describes people who grew up on the NES and SNES as well as the N64 and Gamecube. Second, it's the people who grew up on the most classic hardware who have re-bought games the most. I don't know about you, but I own at least 4 copies of Super Mario Bros, and I didn't even buy every re-release. And third, classic hardware didn't have BC at all. Classic consoles didn't support the previous gen's games or controllers. For Nintendo's home consoles, that didn't change until the Wii, the first Nintendo console to have a media drive that was compatible with the previous gen's.

Changing controllers between gens is the norm for Nintendo. The Wii remote lasted longer than any other (2 gens). It's a great controller, but it would be a terrible fit for the Switch, because it can't be used on the go.

And as for "preservation of games", that lies more with the original systems than in BC. I'm keeping my Wii U, along with every other Nintendo console, so that I can always play the games the way they were originally meant to be played. That's preservation.

@River3636 Oh you edited your comment. ^^ That makes what I just had written more or less superflous.
One thing that I think a writer at Screen Rant wrote, was that unlike Wii and Wii U, potential buyers don't have to try out the new main feature of the Switch first to understand its appeal. Anyone who knows even a little bit about gaming understands it by watching the video.
I was pretty underwhelmed that they are actually selling this feature (hybrid console) as the new big thing, in my opinion it's not such a great innovation like previous control concepts were before. It's just a natural continuation of the Wii U and the (3)DS merged into one device.
Before the reveal I was always hoping that there would be another new key feature aside from being a hybrid console.

After reading that argument about the new feature being immediately comprehensible, at least I can partly understand why. It's still an innovation, but surely the more safe path.

But as always, it comes down to Nintendo marketing it properly. I still believe they marketed the Wii U wrong, because:

a) the majority of people still doesn't know about it
b) the marketing campaign probably didn't fully/properly explain the true possibilities of the Wii U, maybe because Nintendo didn
t knew those possibilities themselves.

Just in the recent weeks I showed it to two different people and (when I told them this is the successor of the Wii) [b]they thought this was a new console that was just recently released{/b].
They couldn't believe or comprehend it at first when I showed them the Wii U Gamepad, they were like "But... how... is this possible? How does this work?" They were totally astounded and after I explained it further and showed them a few games, they were totally sold on the concept.
But none of this was achieved by the (nonexistent) Wii U marketing campaign. At least here in Germany.

So maybe the Switch will be more successful because everyone understands the appeal. We'll see. But I'm sure Nintendo will stick around even if they fail again. There are still enough funds from previous success and the Amiibos are also still selling well.

I remember when BC was quite a big deal of some on here, which they made out anyway. But after reading these comments i've always been right BC is far from a deal breaker, it'll also be these same people that'll buy Nintendo's remasters which there is nothing wrong with. Wasn't remasters a big no no? don't worry i'll not tell.

@shani - I edited my comment because I was also going to comment on @Tyranexx post but I forgot because I was doing to many things at once. Yeah you are right, that has been one of the contributing factors for WiiU's failure. I know I would keep my 3DS because it has another good two years left into it.

@River3636 Chances are the NX's custom version of the Tegra X2 will have comparable performance to the GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti. (Those cards will be in the $110-$150 range at launch) Any higher, and the NX would go over having a palatable starting price. The result will be barely serviceable performance for a PC gamer, but certainly sufficient for a portable/console gamer.

@banacheck BC is still significant for me, I'm not going to get NX at launch in part due to no BC.

@PlywoodStick - possibly but we won't know for sure.

Backwards compatibility is not an issue to me when it comes to the Nintendo Switch. The only question I had is do I had to rebuy all the craps I originally bought digitally at the eShop for the Wii U again on the Switch? If that is so then Nintendo can suck it. No way am I going to buy Super Metroid for the fifth time.

I'm not sure I'm willing to pay to play Wii U games I already own, though. I think they should give them out for free to folks who own them on Wii U as a way of thanking them for remaining loyal despite the trainwreck the Wii U was.

Only crazy people would think that a cart based system might be compatible with a previous cart based system (3ds)?

i havent read all the comments here. sorry i havent the time.

i wonder if the switch will be digital download games only give that it appears to use sd cards only .this isnt suprising since nintendo has been moving in this direction for some years.

I have been going digital for many titles, but there are some games which just are bot available outside these physical media, so this is a bummer. Maybe a peripheral?

Okay, so no backward compatibility.

What about Nintendo Network? Will the Switch be also part of the NN? I'm just trying to see if it would be possible if the Switch can communicate with the Wii U on line in specific titles such as Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon?

@Jamotello Turning the Switch 90degrees is a very good idea.

Not surprised. They needed to change the system architect to get ports from 3rd party devs.

One reason they may not state battery life is that they havnt fully tested it under the final hardware specs? That or they are scrambling to change them all so that they are not using the same ones that Samsung were using ;p

Why didn't the wii or wiiU have a super gameboy accessory or gameboy player type of accessory? Touch screen compatibility or market share concerns? I liked the one I had with the gamecube.

Everyone online seems to complain about physical content. First of all, the games will be MASSIVE. Second, of all, Nintendo still won't let you download games you own on up to 5 systems like Sony. Third, Nintendo has banned games like the one Boulder Dash game and Project X Zone from ever being downloaded again. Fourth, if you're console gets destroyed or stolen, you lost your games for life. I praise Nintendo for making it a physical game console.

I honestly could see this coming a kilometer away. Good thing I actually own a NEW 3DS XL and Wii U. That said, I really want the system now that I've seen footage of what it looks like.

@ThomasBW84 If, I mean if Nintendo want to back-compatible with Wii U disc, they can just release a separate external DVD-ROM asking for $50, and I would buy it. They can just say if you want dual-screen experience like Wii U, buy a second NS to mimic gamepad and I would buy it (or they can release a Joy-Con grip with touchscreen, asking for $100). Why I already has a Wii U but still want NS to play those games? Because I don't have 10 HDMI ports with my TV or that large enough spaces with my TV cabinet to store all kinds of game consoles I owned. I would rather pay extra $300 to make any 2 consoles to be one.
Similar for 3DS. My pockets are large enough for several 3DSes, but not likely large enough for another NS. I want the new devices can replace that, tough it's clearly that even with back-compatible, NS is still too large to take out. I'm afraid there will be no real 3DS successor anymore, just hope I'm wrong.

@subpopz Well for those of us who recently bought 3DS games, it would be nice if we could re-download our games using a code or something. I know they're not obliged to give us anything but handheld gamers are a bit more used to backwards compatibility than consolers.

@subpopz If it BC, I would buy it day one to replace my Wii U. If not, I will only buy it when there's big enough library and (probably) price drops. That's a simple call since my TV don't have tens of HDMI ports (and I don't want to have several HDMI hubs and remote controllers to confuse myself). That's the rule for me, no exception.

@DanteSolablood or who would going to buy Pokémon Sun and Moon.

@mullen Precisely, backwards compatability would give Switch players an instant library of games to play & more incentive to buy it. As it is, I'll be buying Sun & Moon on an older 3DS with it's laggier graphics... but then buying a Switch a few months later and NOT buying it again. :/

Us Pikachus need to stick together. Bolt bros.

@subpopz

Taking Wii U games on the go would be awesome. I mean the whole selling point of the NS is console games on the go. The 3ds is complicated. Carrying around a 3ds for some games and an NS for other games is not practical. Obviously it would have been nice for some compatibility.

Not being backward compatible just means you should wait a year before buying. I mean, the Wii U was backward compatible and it still felt like the game library was too small.

Good. No BC means all the hardware is dedicated to new games, which should make it easy for third parties to port AAA games. I'm fine with Nintendo ports from different systems.

I just wanted to play 3DS games on a TV like the DS games on the Wii U and recording them without the need of a 200+ dollars capture card that hardware mod the 3DS and can break anytime and where the only provider available is in Japan.

Also how will new Pokemon Games will work in the future if they go on Switch ? I expect maybe Pokemon Bank app on the Switch.

@ThomasBW84 Thanks for your honest reply, Thomas!

@cleveland124 Similar to what I am thinking, although I reckon that NX will have a strong library since Nintendo is pushing Wii U release games to NX. :<

But I think a great reason to wait is because (1) if you have a Wii U or 3DS, you still have some games to play, and (2) Nintendo will drop the price significantly after one year of release (regardless of how many times they deny such a possibility). Just look at Wii U.

Just as long as it has VC that i don't have to repay for and hopefully they will had Gamecube to VC or even Gamecube HD games .

@rjejr ok yeah I see what you mean now and totally agree that a streaming box for VC would make perfect sense, but that's the problem. It makes sense so there's no way Nintendo would do that.

@NTELLIGENTMAN wrong by the way.i have had 3 Wii u consoles and Nintendo transfered my nnwi to it.same with my 3ds.

@joey302 if have have ps2 games on your own account and you use the same account on the ps4 you have to buy them at full price to play them on the ps4 so what did Sony learn?

@Slim1999 Please don't use the r-word, and try to be more respectful to others. Thanks.

Well I'm clearly not the target market for this, so I'll just stick with my Wii U thanks.

@Jamotello Yeah, right. A 720p VR headset. Not to mention the screen real estate is fairly large (6.2-6.5' ish), so one would look like a crazed person whilst wearing one.

@TrueWiiMaster
Yeah, i understand about no BC for Switch. At least we can expand our Nintendo families, regardless BC or no.

Id say the joy con grip has a touch panel. No Switch pro controller in the box is a big disappointment because that'll be an extra €60.

@Moon I think they'll let you have a power conserving switch like the 3ds that will lower the framerate when it is on. So if you wanted it to just run like normal, it would. Also, I think it will be kinda like the Wii U gamepad where you can dock it, but you can also connect it directly to the power cord.

@Tomires yeah but that applies to anybody wearing a vr headset, i think.

@Jamotello Fair point. Though the resulting headset would be obscenely large and would be far less comfortable than Oculus/Vive/PSVR. Then again, if the rumours are to be believed (and I guess we won't find out until Nintendo spills more beans on the issue), a 720p (or even 900p) display wouldn't cut it, I have tried Cardboard on my 720p phone and it doesn't look great. Even the PSVR (a budget device by 2016 VR standards) is 1080p!

@Slim1999 No! They didn't learn from that at all. That's greed just like Playstation now is. I was referring to the fact that they seemed to have learned (so far so good) from that huge security breach on our accounts a few years back! I've stated many times here n elsewhere that at the very very least the PS4 should be able to play psone and ps2 discs right out of the box. Putting them in the store for $15-20 is downright insulting and total greed!! The metal slug collection is there for $20 would love to have it on PS4 but not for $20! That's insane plus I own the retail copy as it is.

no big issue for me as i never get rid of my old systems

also it means we will probably get ports of old Wii U titles (maybe even Wii ones too)

of course they could always release an optical disc add on at a later date if they wanted to

@rjejr I agree. The writer saying that wasn't necessary.

@Tomires yeah, even 1080p doesn't cut it. i think that if they ever introduce a vr screen holder for the switch, it will be an el cheapo cardboard style device, just to say "look it has vr!" but not much else. that might be enough tho'. vr is more like something for short bursts. cheapo folding and portable vr via cardboard-style, and more importantly, portable motion controllers (presumably) would be fine for that.

@rjejr they might make an accessory or peripheral that adds a second screen and ds/3ds card slot. it's a pretty modular design.

stability confirmed

PLEASE let me transfer my 3DS Games from my New 3DS XL over to the Nintendo Switch, it's okay if I can't play 3DS Cartridges on the Switch, just please let me digitally transfer my stuff over at least.

No physical backwards compatibility hurts this. Absolutely no b.c. kills this as a day one purchase.

The only backwards compatibility I care about is for the VC games. There better be a free transfer or only a nominal $1 upgrade fee for each game..provided some graphical enhancement such as scan lines or NTSC filtering is implemented.

I really don't care about retail Wii U games playing on the Switch. I typically prefer to play old games on the original systems anyway, and Nintendo would probably make a stupid Wii U emulation mode which takes 2 minutes to boot up and get running anyway, similar to Wii mode.

The Switch should have an HDMI passthrough for a Wii U, but that would add cost.

My GBA plays Gameboy games, my original DS plays GBA games, my 3DS plays DS games, my Wii plays gamecube games, my Wii u plays Wii games.
It's not unreasonable to expect backwards compatibility on Switch, it is unreasonable to expect me to pay again to play games I already own....

@Jamotello "that adds a second screen"

"and ds/3ds card slot"

Done and done. Switch is the Gamecube reborn!

Though really, why put the screen it already has behind a wall to charge it? They are killing me w/ that design choice, I feel like Mulder and Scully on The X-Files w/ that one. The only solution is they want you to buy 2 Switch, to use the 2nd Switch as a screen for dual screen gaming. But that's asking a lot. It's all a mystery that looks like a puppy dog.

@rjejr i think that one possibility is just turn the switch 90 degrees and it serves as a top and bottom screen. it limits the ds/3ds games to digital downloads that way tho'. the most practical second screen is a mobile fone in a special case that also has a card slot, that all forms a HUGE clamshell.

@Jamotello " i think that one possibility is just turn the switch 90 degrees and it serves as a top and bottom screen."

That's what I was saying over the summer when all of these rumours started. Even posted a pic of Tony Stark's phone.

I really didn't think Nintendo would have such tiny slide on controllers, I thought a rotating Gamepad might work. but since they do come off, I think they should have made them attach to the top and bottom as well. But it doesn't look like they did, which makes me think they are trying very hard to get away from dual screen gaming.

Same goes for the touchscreen. I think it has to have touchscreen, but it will turn off once you enter any game, like Wii mode turns off the Gamepad touchscreen on Wii U. But I don't think any Switch game will have touchscreen controls. Maybe some apps, but I have no idea how far Nintendo will go in that direction. It doesn't need the official Google Play store or iTunes, but something like Amazon has on Fire. An email would be a very good place to start. That's the first one I'll be looking for to see if this is a "tablet" or not.

@KTT
The only reason people ever use the "it's not really a game" approach is to marginalize the game as 'lesser than', thereby disqualifying it as legitimately appealing.

It doesn't matter how you label it, it's a video game you play that provides entertainment. And the appeal is more in creating levels than playing others. That's what makes it a masterpiece. Nobody cares about playing other people's levels. Notice everyone has to beg people to play their creations. That's because that's all anyone ever does is create. That's the fun. The game allows you to create, similar to the Minecraft appeal only with the power of Mario platforming.

The fact the game comes with 100 levels from Nintendo, the same Nintendo that wins awards for their world class Mario platformers, is just a cherry on top.

@KTT
Creating levels is only fun because of the end result- levels you actually play. That's a game any way you slice it.

You may not like it, and that's fine, just so long as you acknowledge millions of people disagree with you.

no backwards compatibility? that makes me sad