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Nintendo Switch - 6 questions that still need answering

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Nintendo Switch - 6 questions that still need answering
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Nintendo has put us all out of our misery (well, enthusiastic curiosity) by announcing the Nintendo Switch.

The Kyoto games company's three minute video acted as an effective teaser for the console-handheld hybrid, which will launch in March.

Of course, three minutes isn't very long for a console launch, and there are some major questions about the Switch that have been left unanswered. Here are some of the main ones.

How much will it cost?

Price will play a key role in determining the Nintendo Switch's success, but Nintendo kept understandably schtum on that matter in its initial announcement video.

Understandable, but frustrating. After all, we haven't seen a device quite like the Switch before. It's probably going to be a fair amount less powerful than current home consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, which might suggest it's going to come in well under £250.

However, it's also going to be portable like a Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita whilst being a great deal more powerful, which suggests it could be a fair bit more expensive than £150.

So, how much will Nintendo charge for the Nintendo Switch?

Does it have a touchscreen?

One thing the video didn't show is any of its lifestyle model-like 'gamers' interacting directly with the Switch's display. Which begs the question - does it have a touchscreen?

There are good reasons to place your bets either way. In the 'of course it does!' category, there's the evidence of Nintendo's current hardware lineup, the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, both of which feature touchscreen technology. If there's going to be any crossover or backwards compatibility of any sort, then you would think a touchscreen is essential.

Also, just look at the Switch without its Joy-Con controllers attached - it's essentially a tablet. Why would Nintendo not give it a touchscreen? And why would it cut out all of those mobile game developers who would be willing and able to bring their touch-driven expertise across from iOS and Android?

In the 'doesn't look like it' category, there's the aforementioned fact that the video didn't mention this feature at all despite going to great pains to point out several input options. There's also the question of how touchscreen games would work when the Switch console is docked.

How powerful is it, exactly?

As Nintendo announced the Switch, Nvidia released a blog post confirming what reputable sources had predicted - the Nintendo Switch will be powered by Nvidia Tegra technology.

But exactly which chip? The Switch dev kits reportedly have Nvidia Tegra X1 chips in them, but these are thought to be mere placeholders.

Sure enough, Nvidia itself says that the final Switch chip will be a "custom Tegra processor," but it doesn't go into details on what it is or how capable it will be.

All we know is that it appears capable of running Wii U-level games, as well as a version of Skyrim (which originally launched on PS3 and Xbox 360).

What's the battery life like?

One of the key limiters when it comes to processing power in a portable device is battery technology. There's a necessary level of compromise here in order to get a device to last more than a few hours.

But with the Switch set to be the most capable portable gaming machine we've ever seen, what does that mean for battery life?

Sure, playing the latest 3D Zelda or Mario game on the train will be great - but will it last the whole journey?

Will it play Wii U games?

The gaming footage we glimpsed in Nintendo's launch video was tantalising - and not just because we saw what appeared to be a new 3D Super Mario game in action.

We also saw versions of Super Mario Kart and Splatoon running - but what exactly are they? Are these modified versions of the Wii U originals, or straight up Wii U ports? We know that Zelda: Breath of the Wild is being developed simultaneously for both consoles, but that will probably be an exceptional case.

Will Nintendo make a roster of faithful existing Wii U games available to download on launch day, or is it working to revamp and remaster one game at a time for the new platform?

Why does Nintendo suddenly hate children?

We're joking, of course. Kind of. The point is, Nintendo seems to be taking an entirely new marketing approach with the Switch.

Nintendo is the ultimate family-friendly games company. It always makes its stuff for kids first and foremost, and families by natural extension. It's that naive, innocent charm that makes Nintendo's games feel so distinctive amidst all the militaristic shooters and bloody hack-and-slashers made by rivals.

Except, the Nintendo Switch reveal video didn't seem to show anyone under 20, let alone anyone under 13.

Does this mean Nintendo is targeting existing and lapsed Nintendo fans rather than a new generation of smartphone-obsessed gamers with the Switch?

Jon Mundy
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.