Nintendo revealed key metrics about its upcoming console, the Switch, on Thursday during a special event that was replete with charming, if awkward moments — in the truest Nintendo fashion. Despite the hour-long presentation, small details such as Miiverse, StreetPass, or the maximum expandable storage capacity weren't touched upon.
Goodbye, Miiverse
Since the release of the Wii in 2006, Nintendo has relied on Miis, which is akin to an avatar system that's utilized in most games with online services. The scheme persisted even with the release of the 3DS and the Wii U, and Nintendo even came up with its own social platform called Miiverse, a way for players to share screenshots, upload art, and hold game forums in general. According to reports, however, it's apparently being punted into oblivion, along with another random pairing feature for the 3DS called StreetPass.
That comes from VentureBeat, backed up by David Young, Nintendo of America's assistant manager for PR, whose confirmation was versed during Nintendo's New York City event for the Switch.
"I can answer that we're not going to be using Miiverse for Nintendo Switch," he said.
Nintendo will drop Miiverse in favor of a pre-existing platform gamers are already familiar with. Nintendo didn't officially confirm what social media platforms it'll integrate with the Switch, but needless to say that it will throw its own into the bin.
StreetPass Is A No-Go
The idea of StreetPass, according to Young, will misconvey the Switch as a portable device instead of a true home console — a message Nintendo hopes it sends across. Even if the Switch is essentially a take-it-and-then-go console, the company is choosing to emphasize it as akin to home console gamers can turn into handheld experiences, instead of the other way around.
The Switch Will Support Up To 2 TB MicroSD Cards
The Switch only comes with 32 GB of internal storage, which is significantly scant if one ponders how large games have weighed around for the past few years. The logical move is to purchase a MicroSD card with a larger capacity, and luckily, the Switch will support up to 2 TB of expandable storage.
Game Informer reports that the console can use SDXC MicroSD cards standard, a model that can support up to 2 TB. The unfortunate drawback, however, is that MicroSD cards of this size isn't really ubiquitous — at least yet. Although there are larger capacities, SDXC cards mostly come in 256 GB variants, which is actually a good thing because high-capacity MicroSD cards cost a lot more than external hard disk drives.
Fortunately, games will be released in cartridge format, which negates the need for more storage space. Users who prefer digital purchases, however, would definitely need to buy a larger MicroSD card.
Nintendo Switch Pricing And Availability
Nintendo dropped the reveal video for the Switch late October, showing key scenarios depicting its quick "switch" gimmick, in which players simply need to lift the tablet off its dock to play it as a handheld device.
On Thursday, the company revealed launch games for the console, titles still brewing as we speak, pricing details, and the technology that powers the detachable controllers, each called a Joy-Con.
The Nintendo Switch comes out March 3 for $299. It's being released with the hotly anticipated Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a new tech demo-ish 1-2-Switch, Super Bomberman R, Just Dance 2017, and Skylanders: Imaginators.
Further down the release schedule are games such as Arms, a new Nintendo IP; Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a slightly revamped Mario Kart 8 Wii U port; and Snipperclips, a tag-team paper-themed puzzler, among others. Super Mario Odyssey, a new 3D Mario platformer, will also be released later in the year.
