This past week, Nintendo made some major reveals on their newly anticipated hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch. For those of you just now hearing of the Switch, the main system resembles a tablet, allowing gamers to take it with them to play on-the-go, or to use the detachable docking station to connect it to a television display. Nintendo's current console, the Wii U, utilizes a somewhat similar concept through the system's tablet-like controllers, allowing users to see the same display on the controller as what is shown on the TV (of course, the Wii U does not have a to-go feature and is more gimmicky than anything). Probably the most notable feature of the Switch is the "Joy-Con" controllers, which have detachable sides, used to slide onto the system for portable gameplay.
When I first heard of the Switch back in October, I had mixed feelings. Since I held my first Gameboy Color, I was in love with Nintendo. I see the company the same way I see my Miami Dolphins. Even when they blow huge leads and make season-ending mistakes, I root for them. The Wii U was a painstaking financial failure for Nintendo. With a rather limited scope of quality games and awkward to hold controllers, there was little appeal to the system. Currently, the only game I continue to play on the Wii U is Super Smash Bros 4. The Switch, however, can be Nintendo's winning, wildcard entry season.
The two game trailers revealed were incredibly appealing, and took social media by storm. The one garnering the most attention is Super Mario Odyssey. The nearly thirty-two year old franchise is finally getting an open-world sandbox adventure! Not only that, but the visuals are astonishing! If you haven't seen the trailer yet, here it is:
Sadly, SMO most likely won't be out until next holiday season. Fortunately, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the other trailer to get a great deal of praise, has been confirmed as a launch title. The new entry in Nintendo's flagship franchise, announced all the way back in 2013 (originally planned as a Wii U exclusive set for a 2014 release) will finally be released along with the console on March 3, 2017. With a glorious visual style, open-world gameplay, and a stunning score, Breath of the Wild looks absolutely breathtaking!
