University of Memphis students Ariella Akemon, Bailey Craig, and Tyler Earnest play Super Mario Bros on the Wii U. The Nintendo Switch will release games in the Mario franchise, such as Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Nintendo’s first video game console debuted in the United States in 1985, but after all these years many feel the company is still going strong, especially after revealing their latest console last week.
The Nintendo Switch, like the last few Nintendo consoles the Wii and the Wii U, promises not just an upgrade in power and graphics but a new way to play games period. The Nintendo website boasts that for the first time “players can enjoy a full home-console experience anytime, anywhere,†thanks to a new control scheme.
The Switch comes with two controllers that can be attached and used as one, or unattached for multiplayer gaming. These left and right “Joy-Con†controllers also have their own individual features. The left controller can take screenshots of games and the right has an IR motion camera, according to Nintendo.com.
A Nintendo DS sits next to the McWherter Library’s Wii U system. The new Nintendo Switch seems to aim to bridge the gap between handheld and console gaming.
Still, some U of M students say the Switch’s controllers could’ve been handled better.
“I wish they’d made the controller look a little bit bigger,†Michael Hart, an 18 year old freshman, said. “When you watch the discussion board you can see how small the controller is and I’d prefer it was a little bigger. I have big hands and I’d like a more comfortable controller.â€
Other students are excited about the system’s upcoming games.
“I’m hoping to at least see a new ‘Bayonetta’ game and maybe a revamp of one of Nintendo’s best classics,†Karl R Nelson, a 24 year old junior, said. “They’ve had so many classics that brought so much joy to kids. Maybe they should delve back into those.â€
Nintendo will indeed be delving into classic series like Mario and The Legend of Zelda once the Switch is released. Mario will return in the 2017 holidays with “Super Mario Odyssey†and in April the company will release “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.†The highly anticipated “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild†will be available the same day as the console, March 3.
18-year-old child development and family studies major Tyler Earnest, a self-proclaimed "Nintendo fan," plays Super Smash Bros on the Wii U. Nintendo will release The "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" for the Nintendo Switch in March.
But aside from the usual favorites, Nintendo also announced some new game series as well. “1-2-Switch,†for example, is a new title that requires the players to “compete in fun activities while staring into each other’s eyes†instead of at a TV screen. “Snipperclips – Cut it out, together!†is a puzzle title slated for March in which players solve basic and advanced puzzles by “cutting paper characters into new shapes.â€
“I’m looking forward to both ‘Splatoon 2’ and Zelda,†student Colt Houston said.
The 21-year-old junior even thought of a more inventive title for “Splatoon 2.â€
“I wish they would’ve made the pun with ‘Splatoon 2,’ - ‘Spla-2-on’ would’ve been perfect,†Houston said.
For the first time Bethesda Softworks will release a game for a Nintendo console with a version of “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.†Only a few other games have been mentioned so far, but more are expected to be announced as the launch date for the Switch looms closer.
Like the Wii and Wii U, select Switch games will feature online multiplayer capabilities, but for the first time in Nintendo history, the company will actually charge users for the service. A free trial will be available after launch, but by fall 2017 users will have to pay. The console itself will be released worldwide on March 3 for a suggested retail price of $299.
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