Video: Check Out This Official Nintendo Switch Hardware Overview

And yet another great piece of marketing. Not to say that the Switch is definitely going to hit it out of the park, but they sure as hell are giving it their all this time, marketing-wise, so as a marketing man myself, this makes me crack a genuine smile...

Now if they could just make enough to meet demand, everyone would be truly happy...

continues waiting for available stock on Amazon

Sad that we've already seen more advertising on the Switch then most of the Wii U's whole life. I guess Nintendo did learn a lesson there as advertising does sell in this competitive world of gaming. Word of mouth can only take you so far Nintendo. No more mixed messages!

@Browny I've seen pre-orders pop up on both Best buy and Wal-Mart the last 2 days.

Wow, watching that second one. The guy sounds like a clueless doofus the entire time. I hope I'm not thinking that about the first video in four-ish years.

Nintendo Switch
Switch and Play
I love that slogan.

The Wii U overview was so bland now that I take a gander at it again. The Switch overview was so much better, not to mention the previews actual games in action on the Switch!!! 😁

Believe me, I'm already counting the days! 23 to go and it looks so much better than any WiiU preview.

Wow, who would've thought, you spend money on advertising and people learn about your product!

Wish I thought of that, I'd have called it marketing and brand recognition....Oh, I see what they did those clever Nintendo people.

Seriously good to see Nintendo come out of their Koopa shell.

Can't wait, less than a month, seems like an eternity.

just says the same stuff as before but in an instructional video voice, and no dj. it's like a video they'd show to investors. if no direct comes before march03, it makes it seem more like a soft launch.

@Spoony_Tech
I've heard, but I have to buy Amazon. I have funds and discounts on there that would lower the price a bit.

Awesome - the Switch will be a huge hit, I am thinking of buying two once stock is Available so I can enjoy the console when my kids are playing too. I have a feeling lots of families with multiple kids will buy two. It's like a slightly more expensive 3DS. If Nintendo allows for one cartridge to support multiplayer modes like the 3DS, people will buy multiple units like I plan to 👍🏼

...looks like a nice piece of tech, can't wait to feel it
in my hands..
..should they have mentioned it is cartridge? you know, because it's a "home" console..

Order the nintendo switch, complete with 2 launch games

@Yoshis95 Good job one of those games will be one of the finest ever made then. Yes it's also on Wii U but no one owns one of them except me and a few others. 😉

I tried to hold off but tax time is in season (in the US) and Nintendo Switch (grey version) shall be mine! I'm sold. If I can find a pre-order that is. From there I suppose Zelda is the first game I'll own, along with an SD card and case at least.

Honestly this video should've been there since the presentation.

@Switched Might happen in our family. I even considered it right at launch but then decided that we can live with it for awhile and decide later. The part that got me to consider it though? I'm also spending $80 for an extra pair of Joy-Con. I mean... I actually think that's an okay price, but then you start thinking, "well, wouldn't I like to buy a Switch for $220?" Just typing it is making me think about it again. lol.

@audiobrainiac Why SD card, though? Save money and buy it when you need it. Prices will only come down.

@Switched
Yes I am definitely buying a second switch for the kids when splatoon 2 comes out 😊

I'd free up my Switch preorder for somebody if I could be around when a Neon goes on sale, but I've missed it twice now.

I know they want to distance themselves from the Wii U, but I wish they had stealth found a way to let the Switch be a two-screen experience. If Pikmin 4 is not that 3DS game, I will long to play it in stylus mode. I thought I might have issues with a Switch Mario Maker, but to be honest, I never created a level while looking at the TV. So, I could unholster it, make a level, and put it in the dock.

I want them to announce the VC details and if we can transfer our digital content...

I'm planning on getting two systems so I can play more games with my wife, but I just thought of a creative way to play games on one of the Switch's for laughs and a challenge. My wife and I will share one set of Joy Con controllers and play through Zelda.

Have to agree that this is a massive step up in marketing efforts!

GI month long reveal for BOTW, multiple adverts running on youtube, hands on experiences, lots of in store marketing at places like Game, much better!

@thepeterwright Your Game store must be better than my local. I think the only acknowledgement of the system's existence is right at the back in the small Nintendo corner. Would perhaps help if the Nintendo section was perhaps better sign posted rather than a white Nintendo logo on a white background.

It's the games I'm excited about, but watching this reminds me that the hardware is really cool and unique.

I hope the joysticks are better than the PS Vita ones. I honestly kind of love the 3ds slide pad especially the bit of resistance it provides when stearing in racing games and with my limited time with the PSV I barely consider the joysticks analog with such small range of motion. Also slide pads would have made the PSV much more pocketable. Just sayin. Anyways that video is the first time I've got a good look at the joysticks and realized they weren't the standard ps2, Xbox, GCN kind.

That Wii U video isn't that bad. It's much better than the 'New Controller' debut video.

Man that WiiU one was awful, listing every tiny detail and over explaining it but not showing it. Switch was nice, to the point on key features and actually showed it doing what they said it could do.

Well not long to wait now!

@FragRed Our Game is only small but has a scrolling screen with the info on, boards outside and a few other bits. They are also tweeting about it a lot, but most of the employees are Nintendo die hards which probably helps.

@thepeterwright Woah, Nintendo dire hards in a Game store?? Are you from a parallel universe? Those at mine are die hard Sony fans, through and through. So it's good to hear there is at least one decent Game shop.

@Browny Can't you buy the system elsewhere and use those discounts for the games and or accessories you would buy?

@aaronsullivan You are so buying 2 at launch.

@ThanosReXXX You forgot to say "first".

@Spoony_Tech
Suppose I could.

Either way, there's no where to buy the device from. No matter the store I check, it's sold out. I expected this insanity, and even figured I'd buy it down the line instead. Only recently have I changed my mind.

So now I wait. Hopeful there won't be a crazy shortage of the device at launch or very long afterward.

@Browny Not sure if Toys R Us is even doing pre-orders. You might be able to get one there? I camped out to get a ps2 years ago and it was one of the best times of my life. Very rememberable.

@Spoony_Tech
The most I can do is visit a single store on launch day, hope they have some stock, and then show up late for work. Part of the reason why I wanted Amazon (delivered right to my door) as well as the money saved (and further reward points earned to boot!).

Let's see how it all turns out.

@Browny Well best of luck to you then.

What that second video shows is how easy it is to create a video that demonstrates all the cool and unique features of your [literally] shiny new console, but none of that guarantees anyone's going to give a **** about it. So, Switch clearly has a lot of cool and unique features, but it's on Nintendo to make sure people truly give a **** this time around—and for me that starts with things like the games (obviously), the quality and depth and breath of the Virtual Console, the online service, the pricing, the marketing, making sure any little niggles gamers and consumers are raising are addressed and ideally fixed as soon as possible, trying its damnedest to get as much third party support as humanly possible (both the big AAA games and the indie titles), and so on. I truly hope Nintendo can deliver this time around. . . .

The Wii U video was clear enough to me, but the Switch one is surely much more interesting, showing gameplay and all.
I like the 90's-esque music in the Wii U one though!

BTW, does anything use the accessory connector on the Wii U GamePad?

@aaronsullivan You're quite right, Lord Yupa. I have been back and forth on physical or digital games. And my wallet does want me to save money. We'll see if I can even get a copy by launch. If I can't, I may go digital purely for convenience.

Come on Nintendo please do a direct soon and announce VC!

@rjejr "You forgot to say first"

Pfff, please... if there's ONE thing I can't stand...

1st thing I'm buying for the Switch is a screen protector. xD

They took a while extra 1:30 to explain the GamePad? Then I watched it and realised they spent most of the video explaining where each button was and what you can use them for...because no one who buys game consoles have any idea how developers implement controls...

But I just realised about the connection port on the bottom of the GamePad. Was it ever used by anyone? I don't remember Nintendo having anything to connect to it.

On the subject of stock; I wonder how many people have ordered multiple to ensure they get one?

Confession, I have 3 preordered; still waiting to decide which one I will keep and which two I will cancel.

@FX102A I had 3 pre-ordered at one point. Now I have two. My friend said he wants my second one, so I'm glad I was paranoid about one of my orders being cancelled lol Still a possibility with 3 weeks to go, but I like to think I'm in the clear.

I really want a Nintendo Switch now, the video really sold it to me. Don't think I'm ready to stop playing my Wii U yet though as still have a backlog of games so it will have to wait for now.

Hoping my pre-order for BOTW Wii U will come through.

@rjejr Don't encourage me! Part of it is that money is tight, the other part is no games to really take advantage of 2 Switches at the Start. Mario Kart will get interesting, but Splatoon 2? That will be the true test.

It's all mostly irrelevant. It's the games that count. Switch looks good for the year, and the system itself has true innovation compared to the gimmick nature of the WU. Cost is a bit high, so I'll wait for the other games and possibly purchase at the end of year.

@aaronsullivan I think the bottom line would be how many TVs do you plan on using Switch on? For all the talk of "a portable w/ TV out" it simply ins't a portable w/ TV out. Nintendo calls it a home console b/c it really is mostly a home console, b/c nobody is going to carry around that dock w/ them, I'm not even sure I've seen a single case w/ a place for the dock. So on vacation, at a fiends house, or even in your own house, you will only be playing Switch on 1 TV b/c nobody is moving the dock once it's plugged in.

And if money is tight, do you really even need the 2nd set of Joycon right now? Wait until E3 and get then bundled w/ a game, or buy a 2nd Switch for the holiday. Somebody in your house must be having a birthday at some point over the next few months.

Besides not being a portable w/ TV out, is this thing even "portable" out of the box? How do we charge it besides the dock? Do people have USB-C chargers laying around? I have 2 dozen Mini and Nano USB chargers from tablets and phones but not a single USB-C. It does look like the AC adaptor can be taken out of the dock and taken w/ you but that' still a pain.

The extra chargers are $30 for home, $20 for car. Maybe you should spend your Joycon money on one of those instead.

I am happy the dock plug in is USB-C and Ntinedo didn't make that a propitiatory port, they deserve kudos for that. If my kids each bought 1 for themselves for Pokemon Stars, not counting the main "home" one, we could put their docks and cables aside and they could just use them as portable, plugging them in at night and when they play. B/c right now you can't play and charge at the same time, even at home, in portable mode, b/c the dock blocks the screen. Of course you can play on TV while it charges, but what if other family members are already on the TV? So I'd say a $30 charger is more important than $80 Joycon if you want to play this off the TV. Taking that charger in and out of the dock would get old really quick. I suppose we would pack up the dock for a day at my parents of a vacation in a hotel, but my kids taking it to their friends house they have 2 hours to play.

@rjejr
I can use all the financial responsibility speeches you can give me.

I have usb port plugs, a few multi port chargers, and several USB-C cables thanks to a couple batteries we got for a decent deal. Feels like the prices for batteries have hit a tipping point where many people have them just for convenience, not even need. That's one reason I think the timing for a big hybrid portable like this is pretty good.

My son carries around my 3DS XL in one pocket and a battery with cable in another pocket. Super simple. They work with phones and tablets so having one around is multipurpose.

USB-C cables I lucked out on though. Those aren't as prevalent and I wouldn't expect everyone to have a battery that uses it for plugging in and charging. I did have one from a year and a half ago when I got an Apple TV to potentially develop on (and you needed that cable to connect to a computer).

As far as the dock and all that. The convenience of the kickstand helps quite a bit there. It's more convenient not to try and hook it up to a TV. If you are going somewhere to stay for awhile bringing the dock is about the same convenience as bringing a regular home console. Pretty small, at least. Not planning on doing that much at all, though.

As for the Joy-cons it's for Bomberman 4-player convenience. It's a valid consideration. If Bomberman gets really bad reviews in time for launch, I might do a strategy changeup. But then... Mario Kart. Not sure I'll be ready for a second Switch by then. There are opportune birthdays though. One potentially near Splatoon. But no four player until then? ...

@aaronsullivan We got our PS4 for Christmas, took about a month to get a 2nd controller, I don't think we'll ever get a 3rd. I think your family could get by with 2 player until MK8D. Maybe the Easter bunny can leave one Joycon in each kids basket. My kids are Jewish and even they can Easter baskets with stuff in them. Could be a sale or promotion by then. Maybe some retailers will offer a $25 GC w/ a purchase of Joycon and ARMS. Always something.

I'm glad we're waiting until Christmas.

@rjejr Oh, man. I forgot about ARMS for a minute there. Another reason to have a second set of Joy-Con but that does come quite a bit later I think. My kids and I played quite a bit of those sword battles in Wii Sports Resort so I think we'll enjoy ARMS.

Anyway, I am partly convinced to wait on the extra Joy-Con pair, but the other reason is I want those colors. lol. Bomberman would have to be poorly reviewed I think. I'm resting on that right now, but I want a few very different experiences when we first get it, too.

Looks like Zelda, 1-2-Switch, Snipper Clips, but... that leaves this big hole for more serious multiplayer gaming. Bomberman fills it. In fact, I'm pretty excited about that line up. Nintendo keeps getting us right where we're at it seems. (Incidentally, we are sort of unofficially catching up on Wii U backlog. Finally enjoying Captain Toad Treasure Tracker! lol)

You should wait until Christmas, but if we are enjoying ourselves don't be surprised if I start encouraging you. Especially around Splatoon 2 time.

@aaronsullivan Don't waste your time trying to encourage me, I spend just as much time over at Push square as I do here and it took 3 full years for me to get a PS4 b/c it seemed like it was just a PS3 port machine. I have a Wii U for Zelda, we've played enough MK8, my family is too highly stressed for Spla2oon, so we're waiting on Mario Adventure and XC2. My kids are still playing games Lego Dimension and Yoshida Woolly World on Wii U and Skylanders Imaginators and Lego Jurassic World on PS4. They really don't have time for a Switch.

I was in my 9th graders room the other day, he of the 97.93 average, 102 weighted, refilling his humidifier when I noticed all his allowance singles sticking out all over the place. So I gathered them up and shoved them in his wallet, kid has $470 in small bills. If he wanted a Switch he could have one. We aren't interested in ARMS, Snippers, 1 2 Switch or Bomberman, we like story driven games and platformers. The 6th grader, he of the 97.75 average, does want the DragonBall Xenoverse 2 season Pass for $30, he likes fighting games, but I don't think even he will want SSB Deluxe. Switch won't be calling us until Mario, Pikmin 4 (if it isn't already on 3DS) and something like Kid Icaryss Uprising or Luigis Mansion 3. Not Skyrim, FIFA or really much else Switch has on offer. Ok, we'll probably get ARMS someday for $20 after we bought the system for games we want, but we don't really need it.

Enjoy the Switch fun with your younger kids, at some point they all grow up jaded.

Oh, and we're taking a little break after FFXV, new season of Dreamworks Dragons on Netflix starting Friday and we haven't seen the last one yet, also we want to watch Trollhunters. So that will keep us distracted during the Switch launch. Which is a shame, my wife works 2 blocks from the Nintendo store, we got a NES Mini day 1 no problem, well I didn't wait on line 90 minutes so it wasn't a problem for me, could probably get Switch stuff if we wanted. But we don't, not yet.

On, my kids grades are in there b/c I know we all spend way too much time playing video games, but it certainly isn't hurting their grades any. Physically they might be a mess, but that's a problem for spring and summer.