Nintendo Switch reveal live report
Join us at 4am for Nintendo's big reveal.
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Well, here we are then. Nintendo's already lifted the veil off of its new hybrid hardware, but this is when we'll get a close-up look and learn about the pricing, the release date and that all-important launch line-up. It's quite exciting, right? Join us from 4am GMT, if you're brave enough, for the big show live.
Our live coverage of this event has finished.
Ahoy! Only... God, there's quite a long time to go still isn't there?
Still, NINE HOURS everyone. NINE HOURS!
megatronix: Hello Martin!
Hello hi! Let's not pretend we're going to be up 'til 4am... I plan on getting at least a couple of hours sleep.
megatronix: Just wake up 30 mins ago
I don't know how to tell you this, but... YOU WOKE UP TOO SOON.
We're having a Nintendo sleepover at mine. And getting ready by playing Windjammers?
Okay, it's not exactly on-brand but Tom P and Bratt had never played it before so do excuse the slight deviation from the theme.
Anyway, next up we'll play some Mario Kart. And then maybe get some sleep before the show starts.
Also a word to our sponsors, Ladywell Tandoori, for their impeccable vegetable dhansak tonight.
It might have been too much for Bratt, though, who ate what he thought was a green bean but in fact was a chilli.
He ran off to the toilet in a grim-looking sweat.
Anyway, it was soon remedied by the complementary Baileys at the end of the meal. God I love Ladywell Tandoori.
I promise by 4am this live report will be a bit more relevant.
But seriously, what are we supposed to do for the next five hours?
_TheDarkSide_: @Sammoore Don't do it, mate. Don't get up at 4am, it'd be silly. Seriously! ... Get up at 3am, instead. It'll give you time to chug coffee and smoke energising ciggies, to alert yourself before the big event. ;-)
That's the spirit!
Mario Kart 8, first round. Mushroom Cup, my Donkey Kong SMASHED Tom's Toad. Meanwhile, Bratt lingered in 11th place with Luigi and asked if he could play with mouse and keyboard. HONESTLY.
Turns out Tom's secret sources that told him all about Switch didn't tell him about Mario Kart 8's boost jump? Oh well. 2-0! (Bratt's still shite).
Yeah so Tom just won one I guess anyway I'm going to bed. Not in a strop, obv. Just want to try and get three hours of sleep at least. (Also Bratt is still shite).
Anyway, 2-1!
We'll be back with you in three hours or so. Though lord knows how any of us can sleep at a time like this.
Although I fluctuate between being wildly excited and also a bit bewildered that I'm getting up in a few short hours to watch a video on the internet.
I really am an idiot. We all are a bit, right?
Anyway, good night! See you shortly.
*clears eyes*
*looks at clock*
Oh jesus, really?
Well, hello, good morning, and the happiest of Nintendo days to you all.
I did not realise the launch event would be quite like this. There's a DJ playing slow, spaced out music while a laser show fills the venue.
I mean, I've seen 4ams like this before. I didn't expect the Nintendo event to look like this though.
I'm just on a coffee run in the kitchen for Chris Bratt, Tom Phillips and myself. We're all assembled in glorious Ladywell for the show today and heading off to play Switch in Hammersmith shortly after.
Might slip some Dalmore whiskey into that coffee too.
We are in place. This is happening.
Also, each and every one of you are heroes for being up at this hour for this.
Unless it's not such an ungodly hour wherever you are, in which case that's just cheating.
Nintendo's last live event, we believe, was E3 2012.
wyp100: This music and these lasers remind me of a night in Fabric that ended up with me lying on some grass staring at clouds for a couple of hours
I'm having a flashback to a night at Turnmills watching Aphex Twin where I ended up falling asleep in the speakers.
I just asked where the weird snare music was as I was convinced it was coming from my radiator. It's coming up to 4am, we're all covered in duvets and feeling a bit confused.
This really is just like tripping your tits off.
We have a countdown.
This.
Is.
Happening.
A brief moment to remember the late Satoru Iwata, who is responsible in no small way for the Switch. Thank you, sir.
And on with the show.
Taking the stage is Kimishima to the stage.
Who at first I was terrified by, but I've since warmed to quite considerably.
I mean, that smile. That posture.
Is that for real? First, a slightly early congratulations. And also that's great dedication.
Release date - March 3rd.
That is soon.
That's the first bomb.
And now the price. 299USD.
We have no EU/UK price yet - I imagine it'll be £250, or given Brexit maybe even £300.
Pricier than people had anticipated.
Switch's online - it will be a paid service.
From autumn 2017.
Bomb after bomb after bomb.
And some good news after those slightly more sour notes. No region locking.
And now on to the games.
Shinya Takahashi, the lead of all Nintendo software development, is on stage now to take us through the games. And good god doesn't he look happy about it.
The GameCube handle gets a shout out.
Oh man, if the Switch has a GameCube-esque handle I'm totally in.
Like I wasn't sold already.
FuzzyZealot: Can't lie, I'm disappointed at that price point, but hopefully paid online services may force N to actually provide a better system than friend codes.
I think a lot of people will be.
A brief overview of what we already know about the Switch, and on to some new stuff. TV mode, and also tablet mode - playing with the screen away from the TV with the JoyCons.
And handheld mode.
Mario Kart 8 is being shown - and we get a brief glimpse of battle mode...
Kami: Adapter included!
Haha. How generous of them!
The screen uses a capacitive touch panel - Tom Phillips just let out a little scream at that one.
Eight systems can be connected for wireless multiplayer gaming.
Cable-free LAN parties HERE WE COME.
Yoshiaki Koizumi is introduced with an on-brand click of the fingers.
Also Koizumi looks a little bit like Jacky Ickx okay maybe that's just me seeing that.
There is a click button on the pads, and the NFC reader for Amiibo is on the right JoyCon.
My nipples are well and truly exposed, if that makes any difference?
There is a share button - and Nintendo's finally learnt about social media, it seems.
And each JoyCon works as a motion controller.
You can give the controller to a friend for multiplayer 'we call this sharing the joy' says Koizuma. Your'e not going to make that stick.
And oh wow he just reclined on a white leather sofa and be still my beating heart. Stand down my frosty nipples.
Neon blue and neon red colours for the Joycon. And the Wii-esque strap, of course.
The right JoyCon also has a IR camera that seems like a mini-Kinect - it can sense if you're doing rock, paper or scissors with your hand.
Also force feedback that seems super granular. Okay, I'm getting excited.
HD RUMBLE.
This is so sexy.
It's too early for this kind of sexiness.
Two new games that use the JoyCon.
Wild Gunman shout-out.
I love it.
(I'm sure you know, but Wild Gunman was a super early Nintendo arcade game - and this looks like a clear reference to it).
Basically a shootout simulator.
And the compilation is 1 2 Switch.
Which confirms a certain 4Chan leak.
I won't post it here, as I don't want to spoil anything. It's all stuff worth getting excited for, though.
It's a super strong list.
1 2 Switch is a game that can be played without the screen.
Nintendo does Johan Sebastien Joust, basically.
Yeah, I'd buy that.
You play by looking into the other player's eyes - and then wait for them to do something unexpected.
The ultimate party game - as anyone who's been lucky enough to play Johan Sebastien Joust will attest.
Anyone lucky enough to play Johan Sebastien Joust without having the shit beaten out of them as well. My friends are the worst.
1 2 Switch will be a launch release.
And now for another new game. Let's switch to it!
I'm loving this enthusiasm. That - and the really strong coffee - is powering me though this.
And this will be Arms, as alluded to in that same leak.
Getting both Wonderful 101 and Punch Out vibes.
And, as Tom just pointed out, it's basically Monkey Punch, the old Monkey Ball mini-game.
Related tangent - if the original Super Monkey Ball comes to Switch, I'm going to be playing Monkey Target in the park FOR LIFE.
Yup, there we have it - Arms.
Kosuke Yabuki is the producer
He's the director of Mario Kart 8 most recently - so it's an internal production.
Also he just said 'Let me introduce you to arms' and for some reason that's the most adorable sentence.
Motion control heavy, which might not go down super well with everyone.
Considering this is our first proper look at Switch gameplay, though... That looks really, really nice.
'The most appealing part of arms'.... Maybe it's the hour, but this is melting my heart.
Online battle, and it's coming out this spring - so not necessarily a launch title.
New Nintendo IP as well, it's worth remembering.
Splatoon up now.
Some old maps, some new ones - is this a remaster?
A new song, though - I'd pay top dollar just for that alone.
Yeah, I'm the problem. What of it? Splatoon's pretty much the greatest thing.
We're seeing new weapons and new mechanics - a jet pack, a thunder cloud. A new hub.
And it's Splatoon 2.
Nogami is onstage dressed as a scientist. He's doing this presentation entirely in character too.
Turf War returns. Dual weapons.
And they can work as a jetpack too.
And now the controls - the Joycon works, as does the Pro controller.
Gyro controls available across all of them. That makes me happy. The d-pad replaces the touch screen capabilities of the original.
Local multiplayer and online supported. I'm genuinely so happy I could cry.
Coming in the summer.
Hisashi Nogami keeps making the shape of a 2 and I'm totally in love.
A Mario game, set in real life?
This is the hub area we've been told about. I was not expecting this art style though, especially after the super spun out Galaxy games. It looks like Mario set in New York?
Indeed.
I'm getting Sonic Adventure vibes.
Also maybe Sonic 06 vibes shhhh I'm sorry.
I'm very much up for a hub world, and a new Mario style should always be welcomed. It just looks... Weird?
Super Mario Odyssey, then.
His hat is ALIVE.
Koizumi. First you reclined on the sofa. Now you come on stage dressed in the LIVING hat.
A Mario sandbox world. A Tokyo EAD game.
Not a launch game, though - coming the end of the year.
MONOLITHSOFT, Xenoblade developers, up now.
It's an all-new game - not a Xenoblade Chronicles X remaster.
But it is *another* Xenoblade game, with a more cartoony/anime vibe.
This won't be out for years, surely - X wasn't that long ago.
Xenoblade 2 - a sequel to the Wii game then, it would seem?
A Warriors game next from Koei Tecmo.
Fire Emblem Warriors?
Yeah, I'd take me some of that.
And now, some third party games.
JamieR: 2. I guess they are pretending X never existed.
X was good though!
80 games in development already from third party developers.
Dragon Quest 10 and 11 are coming - as are Dragon Quest Heroes 1 & 2.
west72: I hope EA didn't send Pele over.
I hope they did.
A Shin Megami Tensei game, it would seem.
An all-new one, too.
Get in.
Well, it's not a Shin Megami Tensei musou game. At least, I hope it's not.
Looks like the Bravely Default team - Project Octopath Traveller. With a name that dumb, it has to be the Bravely Default team.
A mix of old-school 2D art and a 3D world. It looks nice. That name, though.
NAGOSHI.
The GOD.
Yakuza games inbound, surely?
Unless he's doing a new F-Zero.
Or a new Monkey Ball.
Oh, right. Right now, he's *considering* a new game.
Okay.
So, in summary. Third party support is still a bit slim.
But here's a game that came out five years ago! Skyrim *is* coming, so there's that.
Suda51 next.
Is he also considering a game?
A new No More Heroes? Travis Touchdown stars, it seems.
Development on this seems super early on, still.
It's clearly 4am wherever this translator is, too.
Rayza: This is descending into farce. Mario apart it's been a huge car crash, imo.
It's certainly lost a fair amount of spark.
That's that. Here's EA. They may also be considering games!
The considered some for the Wii U and even made a couple.
Please bring on Pele. PLEASE.
Patrick's son must have been born in the year of Luigi -Soderlund's such a fan his first-born's middle name is Luigi.
FIFA is coming to Switch.
What version will it be? A cut-down version, as we've often seen on Nintendo platforms? Or the real deal?
FIFA will be custom built for Nintendo Switch, says Soderlund. Which sounds ominous.
NuY: so fifa 13 and mass effect 3 then bye?
I think this Switch game might actually be FIFA 13...
It is coming in 2017, though. There's always that.
Skyrim and FIFA are big names, at least.
But as a show of third party support, that remains fairly weak.
We just got a flash of Bomberman - another game that leaked.
Minecraft, too.
Farming Simulator!
Just Dance. FIFA 13.
Street Fighter 2 and Bomberman as well - plus Rime, a new future racing game from what it looks like was Fast Racing Neo's devs.
Some interesting stuff. The price will be a sticking point, the third party support doesn't look like it's there yet and the launch line-up isn't as strong as some people might have initially thought.
Koizumi is my new hero though.
The basic pack will include the Joycon grip, the dock, the left and right controllers, the Switch itself and an AC adapter.
Two models - one with grey controllers, another with split colour controllers.
leeram: yeah yeah, show us F-Zero.
I don't think that was F-Zero, I'm afraid.
Hello, now, to Shibata. He thanks us for getting up this early. Give us a discount code for being so dedicated?
Where is Zelda, though?
Reggie is here now.
I'd love him to confirm the launch line-up while he's here.
The biggest buzz is for the games, says Reggie. 'What games'.
Yes Reggie. What games?
Miyamoto and Aonuma are up. Both being adorable.
leeram: It looks like an Atari Lynx
Ew, it does a bit.
Can we have the launch line-up please?
It's out very soon, after all.
Breath of the Wild.
Right now thats all we've had confirmed, yeah.
Breath of the Wild though!
Our first look at Zelda herself, and a stirring new rendition of the theme.
March 3rd, confirmed.
What about the Wii U release date though?
Mixed feelings about that. The hardware looks great.
The software line-up at launch, not so much.
Breath of the Wild though!
And third party support really doesn't appear to be there just yet.
At launch, it likes like we have only Zelda and 1 2 Switch.
Both of which look like fine games, but still.
What about Mario Kart, which was shown but not dwelled upon?
No word on Virtual Console either. A lot of unanswered questions, basically.
Hopefully we can find out more at the event later on today. We'll be bringing you news from there as it happens.
On Nintendo's site - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe confirmed, an April release.
Most importantly, Inklings confirmed for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. And lots of other Splatoon characters.
NINTENDO SAVED.
Where's Birdo though?
UK price confirmed.
Brace yourselves. It's not pretty.
£280.
Ouch.
For that money, I think they're going to need a lot more than Breath of the Wild and 1 2 Switch.
funkstar: Martin: wheres the 280 at?
Nintendo UK has just confirmed. £279.99, to be precise and if that makes it any easier.
No pack in game either, it seems.
Will Virtual Console be there at launch?
I mean, I'm going to pre-order because I'm a muppet.
You're looking at well over £300 just to play Zelda on day one, effectively.
If I was more sensible I'd just play it on Wii U.
I'm not, though.
Elsewhere, Super Bomberman R confirmed.
There's an emphasis on local multiplayer which I very much like - a new Street Fighter 2 and Bomberman are playing to the nostalgia crowd, something Nintendo's done very effectively recently.
But still, after what's perceived as a drought of software on Nintendo platforms you'd have hoped for more at launch.
And £280!
But hey! A FREE AC adaptor!
That's progress.
NuY: martin is buying switches for all of us mad enough to stay up and watch on eurogamer (as a business expense)
Done deal.
Just don't tell Uncle Rupert.
I'm sure by the time of the Switch event itself later today I'll be more positive.
We've just had a press release from Nintendo.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is £49.99, and is out on April 28th.
up_the_ante: Martin - if you get to test the Switch can you tell us how many ice cubes are in the glass?
I can tell you how many are in the whiskey I'm just about to drink.
Zelda is £59.99.
And 1 2 Switch, the other launch game, is £39.99. Thanks Brexit!
ultra-dan: i thout pokemon moon/sun were coming to switch?
Not until later in the year, we believe.
No word of a discount on Mario Kart 8 for those that bought the original game or the DLC.
But! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe introduces Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl from Splatoon, King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr, plus Battle Mode.
So there's that.
funkstar: martin: any sign of new tracks in MK8D?
There'll be at least one Splatoon themed one called Urchin Underpass - not sure about any others at the moment.
Other good news - although it's a paid subscription for online, Nintendo is offering monthly game download as part of the price.
So many details trickling through...
Oh wait. It'll be a NES or a SNES game apparently.
Hahaha I can't even...
Ah, there may be other games available too. As with so much else at the moment the details aren't clear.
Still, Fire Emblem Warriors!
Oh wait! You can only download and play a NES or SNES game for a month. This gets better!
Oh for some clarity right now.
32GB of internal memory, apparently.
'This is really bad' says Tom Phillips. What, I ask. 'All of it.'
cheekyjay: Martin - did I read that right. You get one NES or SNES game a month, that you can only play for that month?
That is how we're reading it, yes.
Details on the online service, where that comes from, are here.
We're putting up the stories and filing them as we get them.
This was supposed to be our moment. Now I'm holding tight to my Nintendo plushies wondering what happened.
There is reason to be happy, of course. 1 2 Switch has the potential to be amazing in the same way that Nintendoland was at Wii U's launch.
I think we all know that Zelda is going to be incredible.
It feels like when it comes to some of the details, though, Nintendo has dropped the ball a little.
The new Mario looks incredible, and the biggest shake up for the series since Galaxy.
Splatoon 2. Just Splatoon 2. That's all I need to say.
I'm being positive. I think I'm just talking myself into a pre-order when they go live in three minutes.
grandiajet: Amazon says 7am for preorders.
Oh. I'll wait until then in that case!
Real talk. Are we going multicoloured controllers or grey?
At least I've now got another hour to make my mind up.
grandiajet: GAME has pre-orders up. If you trust them...
lol
NuY: hmm, zelda in us is up at $59.99, were the prices you saw definitely in £ martin?
We have had an official press release confirming UK pricing. So sorry!
ultra-dan: if they made that new mario with breath of the wild as dual launch titles then i expect everyone would be thinnking very differently
I have no doubt that the new Mario will be the game of the year. I just wish it was there at launch to make that £280 slightly more palatable.
We'll be wrapping here shortly. Thanks again for joining us this morning!
hughbarb: One positive to come out of this morning: the fried chicken I bought came with 13 pieces instead of 12. Now I can afford a Switch!
Get in!
Signing off now to try and digest this morning's news. Thanks once again - we'll have rolling coverage of the Switch throughout the day!
£280, though...