It seems like a given that Nintendo's Switch console — a system built for use as a handheld and a home console — would get video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, and others. It's 2017, and there are approximately zero game consoles without these services.
Yet, somehow, Nintendo's Switch launched without any of these services and continues to exist without them. Though Nintendo's never put a date on it, the company has repeatedly pointed to those services coming at some point in the future. When those services will arrive is the big question, and it's one that Nintendo's not answering (nor are Netflix, Hulu, and other services — we've asked).
This stuff isn't exactly crucial, but it sure doesn't hurt.
There are still plenty of Nintendo franchises that could use a spin on the Switch. The most notable ones are obvious: "Super Smash Bros.," "Animal Crossing," and "Star Fox" all come to mind immediately.
Then there's the more obscure stuff: "WarioWare," "Punch-Out," "F-Zero," Nintendogs," "Dr. Mario," and "Brain Training." And that's before you start talking about really obscure stuff like "Earthbound."
All to say one thing: Nintendo still has miles of depths to plumb before it runs out of classic characters and game franchises.
Of note, it looks like we've just seen the beginning of Nintendo's effort to re-release updated versions of games that debuted on the Wii U. Nintendo America president Reggie Fils-Aime told Vice recently, "Given the [very low] install base of Wii U, there was some fantastic content that consumers did not get to play. So that creates certainly a business opportunity."
Nintendo's new service costs $20 per year ($4/month, $8/three months), and is planned for launch in 2018. When it arrives, it'll only be available on the Nintendo Switch — Nintendo's newest game console, which operates as a portable handheld and a home console.
Beyond access to online gaming — which is free for now on the Switch — you'll also get access to a library of classic games from Nintendo's history. The first three games Nintendo showed off were "Super Mario Bros. 3," "Dr. Mario," and "Balloon Fight," but more are expected to be announced as we learn more about the service.
Notably, those classic games are all from the NES — Nintendo's oldest home console. Nintendo has yet to confirm if games from the SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, or Wii U will appear on the service (to say nothing of Nintendo's handheld gaming library appearing). There is no release date for the service outside of "2018" thus far.
For a launch year, the Switch is getting a mess of fantastic games. Nintendo started with the showstopper in "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," which launched alongside the Switch in March.
"Zelda" was quickly followed by an updated re-release of "Mario Kart 8" — arguably the best "Mario Kart" game ever made — and an entirely new entry in "Arms." The launch of "Minecraft" followed soon after, and Nintendo even allowed the Switch version of "Minecraft" to play nice with the Xbox One, PC, mobile, and VR versions of the game. If you're playing the game on one of those platforms, you're also playing with people on the Switch!
And that's just through to now (June 2017) — there's much more coming in the back half of 2017 and next year.
Luxury “floating” beach unveiled in France, termed an “ecological aberration”
Scientists think they’ve spotted 60 potential alien power plants in the Milky Way!
Bread, butter, milk-based health drinks, cooking oils classified as ultra-processed food, ICMR advises restriction
Next Story