Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch
ManufacturerNintendo
TypeHybrid video game console
GenerationNinth generation
Release dateNintendo Switch:
  • NA: March 3, 2017
  • EU: March 3, 2017
  • AU: March 3, 2017
  • JP: March 3, 2017
  • SGP: March 3, 2017
  • BRA: May 26, 2017
  • KOR: December 1, 2017
  • CHN: December 10, 2019
Nintendo Switch Lite:
  • WW: September 20, 2019
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model:
  • WW: October 8, 2021
  • CHN: January 11, 2022
Introductory price
MediaNintendo Switch Game Card, download
Controller inputJoy-Con, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Online servicesNintendo Switch Online, Nintendo eShop
Backward
compatibility		No compatibility
PredecessorWii U
Nintendo 3DS
SuccessorNintendo Switch 2
A Nintendo Switch (bottom left) next to two gray Joy-Con in the Joy-Con grip (bottom right) and the Nintendo Switch dock (top). The Joy-Con can be separated from the console, as shown here.

The Nintendo Switch (known as NX before its release) is a video game console created by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Wii U and was released on March 3, 2017.

The Switch is a hybrid console, similar to the lesser known Sega Nomad. The player can either connect it to a television or use it by itself as a handheld gaming device. It uses controllers called Joy-Cons, which can attach to both sides of the console. They can be attached to a grip when playing on a TV. The Joy-Con also have a feature known as HD Rumble, which allows for immersive vibration of the controllers. There is an infrared sensor on the bottom of the right Joy-Con that can detect shapes, and distance.

There are more than 1000 games for the Nintendo Switch. Some notable titles include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Pokémon Sword and Shield, with new titles coming out for the Nintendo Switch such as Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope.

Background

In 2012, Nintendo released the Wii U, but it was a complete failure selling only 13.56 million units. It remains the worst-selling mainline console Nintendo has released. However, Nintendo's handheld console, the Nintendo 3DS, was selling quite well. In 2017, the Nintendo Switch was launched through a trailer. The Wii U would end up being discontinued before the Switch even came out. Most Wii U games have been ported and/or upgraded on the Switch, with games like Mario Kart 8 and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze being some notable ones.

Reception

The Nintendo Switch received widespread acclaim. The Switch became the fastest-selling console, outselling the Wii U in only nine months. In May 2020, it was announced that the Nintendo Switch had sold over 107 million consoles since its release. As of November 2020, the Switch is the best-selling Nintendo home console. On 6 May 2021, Nintendo Switch sold more units than the Nintendo 3DS, with 84.59 million units. One major complaint about the console relates to the Joy-Con controllers and a frequent "stick-drift" issue. "Stick-drift" is when the joystick receives input that the user doesn't initiate, causing the stick to "drift" in a direction not intended. Common reasons for this issue is wear and tear on the contact pads responsible for interpreting input and dirt.[source?]

The Switch sold over 132.5 million units as of November 2023. According to an extrapolation, the Switch is going to be the best-selling console of all time.

Revisions

Nintendo Switch Lite browsing Wikipedia

The original Switch model had an LCD screen and had 32GB of internal memory. It costs $299.

A version called the Nintendo Switch Lite was released on September 20, 2019. It costs less and is smaller than a normal Nintendo Switch, doesn't use wires or anything and is a standalone device. Some games require an additional Joy-Con to play.[clarification needed] It cannot be connected to the TV via the "dock".

A Nintendo Switch OLED Model

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model is an upgraded version of the Switch that has a 7-inch OLED display, improved speakers, a larger and more adjustable stand, 64 GB of internal storage and a dock that includes a LAN cable port was announced by Nintendo on July 6, 2021. It was released on October 8, 2021 with a price of $349.99 (£309.99).

The Switch has also had several recolored consoles released over its lifespan as limited versions themed around specific games.

Accessories

The Nintendo Switch has several accessories. Nintendo Labo is a series of cardboard add-ons which the user builds to play games with. Ring Fit Adventure includes a circular piece of rubber called a Ring-Con, and a leg strap. Similar to the Wii, the Switch also has a wheel shaped holder for the Joy-Con.

Hardware

The original model of the Switch has a 720p LCD screen, 1.02 GHz quad-core CPU, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash storage. The OLED model has the same CPU and amount of RAM, but with an OLED screen and 64 GB of storage. "Switch 2" controllers do not work on the Nintendo Switch.

Emulation

The Switch 2 cannot natively run Switch games (but the Switch 2 is "backwards compatible" somehow). A controversial way to play Switch games is to emulate on the Steam Deck or a personal computer (by Ryujinx for example).

References

  1. ↑ Webster, Andrew (2017-01-12). "The Nintendo Switch will launch on March 3rd for $299". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  2. ↑ Byford, Sam (January 31, 2018). "The Nintendo Switch has already outsold the Wii U". The Verge. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  3. ↑ Reynolds, Ollie (10 May 2022). "Nintendo Switch Has Now Sold Over 107 Million Units". Nintendo Life.
  4. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Heights" (PDF). Nintendo. February 1, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Nintendo Switch hits 84.59 million units sold, with 28.8 million sold this past year". VentureBeat. 2021-05-06. Archived from the original on 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  6. ↑ Joy-Con drift lawsuit adds Switch Lite to class-action complaint. Owen S. Good. Sep 19, 2019
  7. ↑ "IR Information : Sales Data - Dedicated Video Game Sales Units". Nintendo Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Statistics: Nintendo Switch to soon become the world's best-selling console". 2022-07-26. Archived from the original on 2022-08-25. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  9. ↑ "The Nintendo Switch family grows with today's launch of Nintendo Switch Lite". Nintendo. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  10. ↑ Switch Lite and Playing it on the TV with Converter
  11. ↑ Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?
  12. 1 2 McWhertor, Michael (2021-07-06). "Nintendo announces new Nintendo Switch model with 7-inch OLED screen". Polygon. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  13. 1 2 Martin, Chris. "Switch vs OLED model - we compare Nintendo's main consoles to help you choose". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  14. ↑ What Happens when you use Switch 2 Joycons on a Switch 1? July 2025
  15. ↑ How Do Switch 1 Games Actually Work On Switch 2? Nintendo Life. May 2025
  16. ↑ How to set up Switch emulator on the Steam Deck. Rishabh Kalita. May 24, 2024
  17. ↑ How To Play Nintendo Switch Games On PC. RGT 85