Watch The Nintendo Switch Presentation Here!

Fanfare for any news and announcements for the Nintendo Switch has been great since it’s birth from the NX moniker late last year.  The countdown to tonights live presentation will finally reach its end at 8 PM PT/11 PM ET, and while we wait, we’re here with a quick refresher course, our thoughts on what to expect, and a wish list of things we’d like to see.

Refresher Course

The Nintendo Switch is meant to bridge the gap between a home system and the portable market. For all intents and purposes, it is a portable gaming device with a home dock that allows for the typical home game play.  It features a 7-inch screen and controllers called ‘Joy-Cons’ that can be used attached the screen, independently, or in other configurations based on available accessories.  Nintendo has eschewed disk based media and has returned to its cartridge roots, and a library that is touted to include classic titles and franchises as well as a newly revamped slate of third party developers.
 

Rumors and What to Expect

Games!!!

Games, games, and more games.  Predictably, The Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild and a Mario based launch title have been teased and leaked prior to the event.  There are a number of games to really be excited about.

Dragon Quest IX
Where Final Fantasy has ruled the roost on US shores, prepare for the return of Square Enix’s other JRPG franchise, Dragon Quest. Built as a more traditional RPG, the questions surrounding this release lie in whether it will be a port of its PS4 brethren or something more unique along the lines of its 3DS release. Moreover, with its heart and roots entrenched with its overseas gamers, will it finally be time for a new king of RPG’s on other shores?!?
Pokemon
As ubiquitous as Mario and Zelda have become to the Nintendo name, Pokemon is the other pillar by which the brand lays its foundation.  Tentatively titled, Pokemon Stars, rumors abound an an HD version of a game and franchise that has become part of the fiber of pop culture the world around.  Accidentally leaked by Gamestop‘s site earlier today, all the leak and removal have done have strengthened the resolve of Pokemon fans of an imminent announcement.
 

Wii U Ports
To fuel the transition from the Wii U over to the Switch, it has been rumored that a few Wii U mainstays, Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, and Super Smash Bros would make port appearances on the Wii.  Splatoon looks to be a major contender, mentioned as a pack in title, but there are strong indications that Melee wouldn’t follow too far behind.

Sonic!!!
Years have passed since Sonic first appeared on a Nintendo system and one of the most heavily rumored franchise relaunches is that of Sonic and Friends.  While the rumor mill has mentioned a return to its 16bit roots, we do know of at least code name surrounding Sega’s blue mascot — Project Sonic 2017.

Accessories
Our friends at Gamexplain did an excellent job at compiling all of the leaked and possible accessories on their Youtube channel (like and subscribe… they’re rad!!!).  The videos above come from their channel.  Aside from their normal expected launch accessories such as screen protectors and carrying cases, they also hint at launch dates and different controller configurations.

What we’d like to see…

Fighting Games!!!
The fighting game community has seen some major releases on platforms in the past year.  While Street Fighter V release stumbled out of the block, mainstays such as Mortal Kombat X and Killer Instinct were joined by niche fighters such as Guilty Gear XRD Revelator and KOF.
2017 will see the release of anticipated releases, Tekken 7 and Injustice 2.  While the specs of the machine itself have not been released, judging from Nintendo’s safer play at hardware, we’re leaning towards Tekken 7 and Guilty Gear (or other 2d fighters) making their appearance on the Switch.  While Tekken could be a hard push, Injustice 2’s GPU intensive build could make the Switch a bit out of reach.  That being said, we’re not counting any of these games out yet… having the ability to play any of these games (or even a Street Fighter V port) could prove to be a boon for the FGC.

More sports games…
While an NBA game has been announced as a sports franchise connected to the Switch, there has not been much mentioned on other federations.  We’d love to see more on an MLB, NFL, UFC, and WWE related games.  Imagine being able to walk right up to the person you’re playing just before he/she rage quits… the possibility abound…
Well that wraps up our thoughts for now… check back again at 8PM PT/11PM ET for the live event…
For more information:
Nintendo Switch | Website