The time is here – the highly anticipated second conference showcasing the more technical side of the latest Nintendo console, the Nintendo Switch, has finally arrived and it came with a lot of amazing announcements for the system. There have been so many rumours regarding the Switch and the community responded with speculation and fan-made tributes. Now we have a lot more clarity on the latest console and we’ve got the highlights here just for you.

The show started off on a very ambient and aesthetically exciting stage as Tasumi Kimishima appeared to kick off the event. He referenced the original reveal of the Nintendo Switch introducing a “brand new kind of gaming system.” So let’s hit three points people were itching to know the answers to: Launch Date, Price, and Online Services:

• Launch Date – March 3rd, the same date for ALL regions
• Price Point: 29,980 Yen for Japan, 299.99 USD for North America, and Europe’s price “varies by retailer”
• Online Services: Online Multiplayer will be available from the start. A smart device can connect to play against opponents and chat with friends on the go. There will be a free trial period for this service, but it will not be a free offer permanently. A paid service, much like Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, will be expected for the Switch. No price point as of yet

Another exciting point made during the presentation is that region locking will be a thing of the past! This is huge news, as that was a huge issue gamers of previous Nintendo systems had and it looks like they really took in community opinions when preparing to launch the next generation of consoles.

Director Shinya Takahashi took to the stage to talk a little bit about the hardware. Starting off with a video timeline of every console and handheld that hit the market with Nintendo, he then said that the evolution we’ve witnessed is the inspiration behind the Switch, it “inherited all of Nintendo’s DNA”.

The system includes:

• The console (Two colour variations, one all grey, one with neon blue and red coloured controllers)
• Left and Right Joy-Cons (the small controllers on the side)
• Wrist Straps
• Switch Doc
• HDMI cable
• AC Adapter
• Pro Controller is sold separately

There are three modes of playability for the console, as well, to transform it from at home platform, to a device to take with you on the go:

• TV Mode: “at home”
• Tabletop Mode: Kickstand and Joy-Con support
• Handheld Mode: Attaching the Joy Cons to the sides, like any other handheld, to make it 100% portable

The battery life is expected to last anywhere between 2 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours long, depending on usage, with portable charging capabilities. The screen itself is also WI-FI capable, which makes gaming on the go even easier. Up to 8 systems can be connected locally for a more friend-friendly gaming experience.

The Joy Cons can also be split up to play with friends locally. They look similar to the Wii controllers when separated but smaller and sleeker. The size of it, both in the grip and separate, is fantastically portable, not too big and not too small. They can also read and write Amiibo data, which is fantastic for those that play games with Amiibo support (like Smash Brothers). The controllers will also have video sharing and capturing capabilities to share with friends on social media, though that feature will be released at a later, undisclosed date.

Individual motion control is available with the Joy Cons dubbed “Sharing the joy” – this makes the 2 person localized sharing experience with your player 2 even more enjoyable.

With the use of the HD Rumble, the Joy Con controllers utilizes the technology that makes you feel like you are holding a glass with ice cubes in it. You can even increase, or decrease, the number of cubes felt and whether or not the sensation includes the feel of water. This technology can be compared to the rumble felt in the PlayStation 4 Dual Shock controllers, which had nothing but positive community feedback.

So what are just a few of the titles we can look forward to with the Switch? Let’s take a look:

Games Directly Made for Joy Con Controllers: 

1, 2 Switch (Available at launch)

• A variety of games, much like the Wii Sports bundle, designed for this specific system. Old western style shoot outs, table tennis, regular tennis, cooking, and more are all featured. “It isn’t a game to face the screen,” instead meant to make the player look at their opponent to make the experience even more immersive. The ability to play against AI is also available.

Arms (Spring 2017)

• 2 vs 2 fighting style game with gigantic, spring-like, boxing gloves. A 3D environment provides maximum maneuverability. “When you punch, your character also punches. When you twist your wrist, your punch curves.” The game also rewards the player with new techniques the more they p lay.

Other Games (Including the highly anticipated Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild): 

• Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Confirmed for March 3rd
• Splatoon 2, Summer 2017
• Super Mario Odyssey, Holiday 2017 (Seriously, this game was like if Assassin’s Creed and Mirror’s Edge had a wild night with Super Mario … an amazing looking sandbox game)
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, April 28
• NBA2K 18
• Minecraft
• Dragon Ball Z Xenoverse 2
• SnipperClips: Cut It Out Together
• Super Bomberman
• Fire Emblem Warriors
• Dragon Quest 10 and 11 for Japan, Dragon Quest 1 and 2
• Project Octopath Traveler, a side-scrolling RPG
• A new Shin Megami Tensei title
• Skyrim
• FIFA
• Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
• Has Been Heroes
• Just Dance 2017
• Arcade Archives
• Disgaea 5 Complete
• Farming Simulator
• Fast RMX
• Minecraft Story Mode – All Episodes
• Puyo Puyo Tetris
• Rayman Legends
• RIME
• Skylanders Imaginators
• Syberia 3
• Steep
• Project Sonic
• LEGO City Undercover
• Sonic Mania
• I am Setsuna

Over 50 third party developers confirmed their contribution to Nintendo Switch. Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi took the stage to promise “many” Sega titles coming to the Switch. Todd Howard, from Bethesda, also declared their contribution with a heartfelt thanks to Nintendo. He also mentioned that Skyrim will finally be able to be played “on the go” with the Switch’s Handheld Mode.

Suda51, CEO of Grasshopper also said to expect a new Travis Touchdown title, though an official title and time frame has not been decided yet.

Preordering the system will be available in Japan January 21st. Preordering for North America is open for select retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy, though currently still marked as “unavailable” at others such as GameStop at the time this article was written.

Reggie, from Nintendo of America, also took to the stage to announce that the Nintendo Switch will be live and available to demo prior to launch in 6 different cities on different dates. Here is the line up of live preview events so far (click here for full info):

• New York on Sunday, January 15
• Toronto on Sunday January 29
• Washington DC on Sunday February 12
• Chicago on Sunday February 19
• San Francisco on Sunday February 26
• Los Angeles on Sunday March 5

Overall, the entire presentation was a smashing success. Not a whole lot of titles at launch, at least not announced here, but the sky is the limit it seems with the new system. Is it enough to bring back Nintendo’s good name? They are the godfathers of gaming, it would be great to see them rise alongside their platform compatriots. Sound off with what you liked about the announcement in the comment section below and let us know what games you are hoping to see come to Nintendo’s latest platform. You can also watch the entire event again (or for the first time) in the video below: