There’s a lot of information about the Nintendo Switch console and we’ve taken the liberty of compiling everything into a concise read for you. In this article you will find our FAQ of everything we know about the Nintendo Switch, including what comes with the Nintendo Switch, what games you can look forward to playing this year and move. If you have any other frequently asked questions about the Nintendo Switch, put them in the comments below and we’ll see what we can do to answer them for you.
Console Specifications
The Nintendo Switch can be played three different ways. Connect the Nintendo Switch to the dock to use it in TV Mode. This allows you to connect the Nintendo Switch dock via HDMI to a TV or monitor and play games without using the built-in screen.
Extend the kickstand from the back of the Nintendo Switch to enable Tabletop Mode. You can then detach the two Joy-Con controllers and use them vertically with one in each hand, or give one to a friend and you can each use one Joy-Con horizontally. Handheld Mode is the default portable configuration with the two Joy-Cons attached to either side of the Nintendo Switch. In this configuration it resembles the portability of a Nintendo 3DS.
Battery life in Handheld or Tabletop mode will range from 2.5 hours to 6 hours varying by game. For example, if you’re playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Nintendo Switch will last approximately three hours on a single charge. You can charge the console with the included USB-C charging cord or by plugging it into the dock.
Nintendo Switch Specs
- Screen: 1280×720 resolution, 6.2 inch capacitive multi-touch screen.
- Dock: Powers, charges, and outputs audio and video to a TV via HDMI.
- Video Output: HDMI up to 1080p resolution on a TV and 720p on handheld or tabletop mode.
- Audio Output: 5.1 channel surround sound when docked, stereo speakers or headphone jack in handheld or tabletop mode.
- Battery Life: 2.5-6 hours depending on software being used.
- Charging: Can charge through the dock or via the AC adapter and USB-C plug.
- Storage: 32GB internal storage plus microSDXC (up to 2TB) or microSDHC memory cards.
- SoC: Custom NVIDIA Tegra processor.
- Networking: Wireless (IEEE 802.11ac) connection, LAN adapter while docked. Up to eight systems can link via local wireless connection for compatible multiplayer games.
Joy-Con Specs
- Two Analog Sticks
- A, B, X, Y, L and R buttons.
- Capture button for taking screen shots.
- Motion controls.
- HD Rumble for enhanced vibration.
- IR Motion Camera that can detect distance, shape and motion of nearby objects.
- Amiibo support via NFC reader/writer on the right Joy-Con and Pro Controller.
- Available in neon red, neon blue and grey colors at launch.
- 20 hour battery life.
- 3.5 hours to charge from a dead battery to a full battery.
What’s in the Box
The Nintendo Switch consoles comes in two different package configurations. We’ve listed the contents below, but the only difference between the two configurations are the color of the included Joy-Con controllers. One option gives you grey Joy-Cons, while the other gives you one neon blue and one neon red Joy-Con. It should also be noted that the Joy-Con Grip controller attachment that comes packaged with the Switch will not charge the Joy-Cons like the Charging Grip controller you can buy separately for $29.99.
While Nintendo hasn’t been 100 percent clear on a way to charge the Joy-Cons without connecting them to the Charging Grip or the console, from what we know at the moment, if you wish to charge the Joy-Con controllers without the additional accessory you have to charge them while they’re connected to the console (while the console is charging). This means if your Joy-Cons are dead and you want to play in TV Mode, you will have to have the Pro controller ($69.99) or a second set of Joy-Con controllers ($79.99) that have already been charged up. You cannot simultaneously charge the Joy-Cons while using them to operate the Switch in TV Mode.
Nintendo Switch Package Contents
- Nintendo Switch Console
- Left/Rright Joy-Con Controllers
- Joy-Con Wrist Straps (x2)
- Joy-Con Grip Controller Attachment (without charge functionality)
- Nintendo Switch Docking Station
- HDMI cable
- AC Adapter (with USB-C to charge the console)
Games
Quite a few games have been announced for the Nintendo Switch, but the notable titles for 2017 and beyond include: 1 2 Switch, Arms, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, Xenoblade 2, Fire Emblem Warriors, Shin Megami Tensei, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, FIFA and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As more games are confirmed with release dates we’ll add them to the list below.
Game Lineup
- 1, 2, Switch (March 3, 2017)
- Arms (Spring 2017)
- FIFA (TBD)
- Fire Emblem Warriors (TBD)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (April 28, 2017)
- Shin Megami Tensei (TBD)
- Sniperclips (March 2017)
- Splatoon 2 (Summer 2017)
- Super Mario Odyssey (Holiday 2017)
- The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Launch)
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017)
We’ll be continually updating this FAQ so comment below and check back as we rapidly approach the Nintendo Switch launch date of March 3, 2017. For now you can check out our guide to pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch, as well as how the online subscription service will work.
