Key Points
- After the disappointing sales of the Wii U, this console revived Nintendo’s fortunes showing fans the outfit still had what it took to provide gamers with a brand new exciting experience.
- Released in 2017, it is the seventh console the outfit has launched and is a hybrid device of sorts.
- The Nintendo Switch remains the brand’s fastest-selling device having sold 3 million copies during the first month of its release, and 10 million within a year of being launched.
The first edition of the Nintendo Switch was released in March 2017. The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s seventh significant video game console. The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid gaming system that can switch between a home console and a handheld device. It can be used as a standalone unit in your hands, on a tabletop, or propped up with its kickstand. You can also plug it into its docking station or connect it to your TV. The console is based around a battery-powered tablet and the control accessories can be separated and locked into place on either side of the tablet or combined to make a more traditional controller.
Read on to learn more about this history of the Nintendo Switch and the specifications and capabilities of each model.
Quick Facts
- Original price
- $299.99
- Units Sold
- Around 93 million
The History of the Nintendo Switch: What To Know
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Released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s seventh significant video game console. Its massively successful launch helped Nintendo regain its relevance in the modern gaming world.
Although the Switch works best as a home console, it was designed to be a hybrid machine. You can use it as a standalone unit in your hands or on a tabletop, propped up with its kickstand. You can also plug it into its docking station or connect it to your TV.
The Switch was first conceptualized shortly after the disappointing launch of the Wii U. Nintendo’s sales were declining, and they desperately needed a product that would breathe new life into the company. Where the Wii U looked like a rehashing of old material, Nintendo wanted their new product to be a completely new experience.
They started working on a device that could act as a bridge between various types of gamer polarization. The goal was to create a console that could be used for both casual play of leisurely video games and longer-term play of titles that required deeper commitment. They also wanted a device that would work both for gamers who prefer to sit down and play with their friends in a social setting and those who prefer gaming by themselves at home or on the go.
To this end, Yoshiaki Koizumi, who assembled the Switch’s hardware development team, tried to mix and match developers with different areas of expertise. He wanted to make sure that the people who designed the console were pros in multiple disciplines with plenty of real-world experience beyond gaming.
The hardware they designed showed off this adaptable philosophy. The console is based around a battery-powered tablet with haptic and multi-touch capabilities. The control accessories can be separated and locked into place on either side of the tablet or combined to make a more traditional controller. You can also pair your console with a pro controller if you like an old-school feel.
On the software side, the Switch team wanted to make sure there would be a steady, ongoing stream of video games for the device and that it would be able to integrate with major social networks. They created an efficient pipeline for the development and approval of games from outside designers, including development kits and broad software compatibility. Their goal was to have a minimum of 60 independent games for the console during its first year, but the system was so popular that the number ended up growing to over 300.
During the development phase, Nintendo decided to play their cards close to their chest. This added to the new device’s mystique and helped build hype. It was referred to publicly as the NX, with the official name and specs kept tightly under wraps.
The first preview trailer was released in October 2016, a few months before the launch date. It was the first time the public heard the console’s official name, the Nintendo Switch, as well as the details of the adaptable features behind the name. Fans loved the idea, but Nintendo stock initially fell because investors were skeptical, worried by the lack of technical information.
In March 2017, Nintendo released the Switch simultaneously in the USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Nintendo Switch Specs
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Regular Model with Controllers
| Dimensions | 9.4” x 4” x .55” |
| Weight | .88 lbs |
| Touch screen | 6.2”, 1280 x 720 resolution |
| Processor | NVIDIA Custom Tegra |
| Storage | 32GB, expandable via microSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, AUX |
| Battery life | 4-9 hours, depending on usage |
OLED Model with Controllers
| Dimensions | 9.5” x 4” x .55” |
| Weight | .93 lbs |
| Touch screen | 7”, 1280 x 720 resolution |
| Processor | NVIDIA Custom Tegra |
| Storage | 64GB, expandable via microSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, AUX |
| Battery life | 4-9 hours, depending on usage |
Lite Model
| Dimensions | 8.2” x 3.6” x .55” |
| Weight | .61 lbs |
| Touch screen | 5.5”, 1280 x 720 resolution |
| Processor | NVIDIA Custom Tegra |
| Storage | 32GB, expandable via microSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, AUX |
| Battery life | 3-7 hours, depending on usage |
Nintendo Switch: Where To Buy
The Nintendo Switch and its accessory bundle are also available to buy online from most of the above retailers’ websites, from Nintendo’s online store, or from online retailers like Antonline and Amazon.
- Nintendo Switch Lite - Coral
- Features a 5.5" touch display.
- Lightweight and compact design.
- Approximately 3 to 7 hours battery life.
- Nintendo Switch
- 32GB storage capacity.
- Feature Joy-Con controllers on each side.
- Can be connected to the TV.
- Nintendo Switch – OLED Model w/ White Joy-Con
- Features a 7-inch OLED screen with vivid colors and a crisp contrast.
- Wired LAN port
- 64 GB internal storage
- Enhanced audio system
- Comes with a wide adjustable stand
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Nintendo Switch Versions: Each Edition
All Switch versions can play the same games and have the same interface, chipset, RAM, screen resolution and frame rate, microSD expansion, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. Here are some of the differences.
Original Switch: V1 and V2
The first and second versions of the original Switch are identical except for a small processor upgrade in the V2 that gives you about two or three more hours of battery life.
OLED
The OLED’s screen is about an inch bigger than the original with organic light-emitting diode technology that gives you brighter colors and darker blacks. It also has louder speakers, twice as much internal storage, an Ethernet port, and a more robust kickstand. The price is $50 more than the original.
Lite
The Lite model is about an inch smaller and an ounce lighter than the original, with a battery life about two hours shorter. The screen is half an inch smaller, the controllers aren’t detachable and there are no TV docking options. The Lite’s price is $100 less than the original.
The Public Response
After the official launch, the main criticism leveled against the Switch was its initially limited library of video games. Many of the games that were available at the launch date didn’t take advantage of the Switch’s full range of features. This criticism was thoroughly repudiated by the end of the console’s first year as hundreds of new titles from indie developers began to flood in.
Critics also pointed out that in spite of the console’s pros, the software was buggy and the Bluetooth had trouble connecting with the left controller in many units. Nintendo responded quickly, shoring up the software and adjusting the Bluetooth antenna to fix the connection issues.
Early critical response aside, the Switch’s launch was an immediate success. In its first month, it sold 3 million units, a million more than Nintendo had anticipated. In January 2018, Nintendo reported that the Switch had become the quickest-selling device in their history with over 10 million sold in the first year after its release.
For a long time, sales were so high that manufacturers couldn’t make enough units to meet the public demand. Nintendo was once again king of the console, earning their highest revenues in a decade.
