The Nintendo Switch is a video game console made by Nintendo and released worldwide on March 3, 2017. It was introduced during the eighth generation of home consoles and replaced the Wii U. It competed with Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One. It also competes with newer ninth-generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The Switch is a tablet that can be connected to a docking station for use at home or used as a portable device, making it a hybrid console. Its wireless Joy-Con controllers can be split into two separate controllers or used together as one. They include buttons, directional sticks, motion sensors, and feedback that vibrates. A pair of Joy-Cons can be attached to the sides of the console for handheld play, connected to a grip accessory to form a standard gamepad, or used separately. The system supports online gaming through internet connections and local wireless connections between consoles. Games and software for the Switch are sold on physical flash-based ROM cartridges and through the Nintendo eShop. The system does not have region restrictions. Two versions were released: the handheld-only Switch Lite in September 2019, and a higher-end model with an OLED screen in October 2021.
The Switch was announced on October 20, 2016. Its development followed Nintendo’s financial struggles due to weak sales of the Wii U and competition from mobile games. At the time, Nintendo’s president, Satoru Iwata, encouraged the company to focus on mobile gaming and new hardware. The Switch’s design aimed to appeal to a wide range of players through its flexible use. Nintendo worked with many third-party developers, publishers, and independent studios to grow its game library alongside its own games. Standard components, such as a chipset based on Nvidia’s Tegra line, were chosen to help programmers create games more easily and ensure compatibility with existing game engines.
The Switch received positive reviews for its easy-to-use design and large selection of games, but some critics noted issues with its hardware and controllers. It became a major success, with more than 155 million units sold worldwide by December 2025. It is the second-best-selling console, after the PlayStation 2, and the best-selling Nintendo console. A newer version, the Nintendo Switch 2, which works with most Switch games, was released on June 5, 2025.
History
Nintendo had high sales, profits, and money in 2009 because of the Nintendo DS and Wii, which were released in 2004 and 2006. However, its sales later dropped. In 2012, Nintendo had its first loss as a video game company before the Wii U was released that year. The company had similar losses in the next few years because the Wii U was not well received. The New York Times said Nintendo lowered its financial goals in 2014 because of weak sales of its hardware compared to mobile gaming. Earlier, the company was not sure about entering the mobile market, as then-president Satoru Iwata believed it might cause Nintendo to lose its identity. About three years before the Switch was announced, Iwata, Tatsumi Kimishima, Genyo Takeda, and Shigeru Miyamoto created a plan to improve Nintendo’s business. This plan included entering the mobile market, making new hardware, and using Nintendo’s popular games and characters effectively. Iwata made a deal with DeNA, a Japanese mobile provider, before his death. This deal helped create mobile games based on Nintendo’s first-party franchises. After Iwata’s death in July 2015, Kimishima became president, and Miyamoto was promoted to "Creative Fellow."
The idea for the Switch began soon after the Wii U was released in 2012. Kimishima said Nintendo wanted to create a new experience, not just a new version of the Nintendo 3DS or Wii U. She told The Asahi Shimbun that the Switch was designed to offer a new way to play that would have a bigger impact than the Wii U. Reggie Fils-Aimé, president of Nintendo of America, said the Switch would let players play at home or on the go and allow developers to create new types of games. This approach continued Nintendo’s strategy of making unique devices instead of competing directly with other consoles. Miyamoto said some ideas for the Switch came from Gunpei Yokoi’s design philosophy of using old technology in new ways.
The poor sales of the Wii U pushed Nintendo to develop the Switch. Early sales of the Wii U were much lower than those of the Wii, leading major companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft to stop supporting the console. Fils-Aimé said the Switch became a "make or break product" for Nintendo when it became clear the Wii U would not meet expectations.
The Switch was designed to connect different parts of the gaming market. It could play both casual and more intense games, according to Shinya Takahashi and Yoshiaki Koizumi of Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning & Development Division. This design also aimed to meet the different gaming habits of Japanese and Western players. Japanese players often play on the go with groups, while Western players prefer playing alone at home. The Switch’s ability to work on a TV or as a portable device, along with detachable controllers, helped it appeal to both groups. The name "Switch" refers to the console’s ability to switch between handheld and home console modes and to change how people experience entertainment.
Some ideas for the Switch came from player feedback about the Wii Remote. Players wanted a smaller version, possibly worn on the body, which inspired Nintendo to think about smaller controllers and a portable console. Other ideas came from criticism of the Wii U, where the GamePad was not useful when players moved away from the console. This led to the Switch’s design, which could be taken anywhere. Five different prototypes were tested before the final design was chosen. These included different ways to attach the Joy-Con controllers, such as using magnets.
Nintendo also had to balance the console’s power, battery life, size, and limited development resources. The team chose to use an existing system on a chip (SOC) instead of creating a new one, as done in earlier consoles. Koizumi said this helped attract more third-party developers because they could easily create games for the SOC. Nintendo focused on balancing features like battery life and size rather than using the most powerful hardware. Koizumi said, "The most difficult part was finding the right balance while dealing with many complex challenges."
Koizumi was the general producer of the Switch during its development. Miyamoto said younger employees led the project, as they had diverse interests and skills beyond gaming. Junior developers helped plan the Switch’s long-term use, as most consoles last about five to six years. Miyamoto, Takeda, and Iwata were less involved but provided oversight on costs and features. Miyamoto spent more time on other games like Super Mario Run.
The first public news about the Switch’s hardware came in March 2015 when Nintendo announced its partnership with DeNA. At this time, the console was called "NX" and described as a "brand new concept." In April 2016, Nintendo said it planned to release the NX worldwide in March 2017. While it did not show the NX’s hardware at E3 2016, it announced The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild would be released on the Switch.
Hardware
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid video game console that includes a console unit, a dock, and two Joy-Con controllers. Nintendo describes the system as "a home console that you can take with you on the go." While the company does not call it a direct replacement for the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS, it has taken over their roles as Nintendo's home and handheld console. The Wii U was discontinued before the Switch launched in 2017, while the 3DS remained in production until 2020, serving as an option for younger players.
The main part of the Nintendo Switch is the console unit, a battery-powered tablet with a 6.2-inch (160 mm) LCD touchscreen. It measures 173 millimeters (6.8 in) wide, 102 mm (4 in) tall, and 14 mm (0.55 in) deep, and weighs 297 grams (10.5 oz). The screen has a 720p resolution (1280×720 pixels) and supports touch with ten points at once. It also uses haptic technology from Immersion Corporation to provide feedback.
The console has a 3.5 mm audio jack, stereo speakers on the bottom, a USB-C charging port, and a game card slot on the top edge. A microSD card slot is located beneath the kickstand. Volume controls and the power button are on the top, while side rails allow Joy-Con controllers to attach. An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness.
The Switch supports three gameplay modes: "TV mode," where the console is connected to a television; "Tabletop mode," where the kickstand allows shared play on a flat surface; and "Handheld mode," where the console is used as a portable device. Switching between modes is easy—users simply connect or disconnect the console, adjust the kickstand, and attach or remove the Joy-Con controllers. Some games are only playable in certain modes. For example, Voez initially required touchscreen controls and did not support TV mode until 2018, while Super Mario Party does not support Handheld mode.
Nintendo calls the Switch a "single-screen experience," meaning it displays content either on the console when not connected to a TV or on a television when docked. Unlike the Wii U's GamePad, it does not support dual-screen gameplay.
Nintendo patented a method to link multiple Switch consoles to create a multi-monitor setup, first used in Super Mario Party for extended gameplay.
The Switch can be placed into the dock, a device that charges the console and sends video and audio to a television. The dock has two USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the left side. Under a cover on the back are one USB 3.0 Type-A port, one USB-C port (for power only), and one HDMI port. The dock included with the OLED model replaces the USB 3.0 Type-A port with an Ethernet port for wired internet.
When connected to a TV, the console supports resolutions up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, though performance varies by game. The dock measures 173 millimeters (6.8 in) wide, 104 mm (4.1 in) tall, and 54 mm (2.1 in) deep, and weighs 327 grams (11.5 oz). The OLED model's dock is larger and has a redesigned housing.
The Nintendo Switch includes two controllers called Joy-Con, labeled "Joy-Con (L)" and "Joy-Con (R)." They attach to the console with a locking mechanism and can be detached using a button on the back. When attached, the Joy-Con charge automatically.
When separated, the Joy-Con can be used in different ways: together with a grip accessory to form a traditional gamepad, separately as mini-controllers for two-player input, or individually as motion controllers. Straps can be added for better handling when used separately.
A single Switch console can connect to up to eight Joy-Con controllers at once.
Nintendo sells charging grips that allow connected Joy-Con to charge via USB-C and straps that can use AA batteries when the controllers are not attached to the console.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a separate wireless controller with a traditional design, similar to the Wii Classic Controller Pro and Wii U Pro Controller. It connects via Bluetooth and charges through a USB-C port.
The Nintendo Switch supports many accessories. Kimishima said the Switch is part of a large ecosystem of devices, though the console itself is the main component. Takahashi mentioned other units, besides the Joy-Con, that could attach to or connect with the console to serve as different input devices.
Nintendo offers a Joy-Con Wheel, a small steering wheel-like unit that fits a Joy-Con for racing games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Standalone docks are available, including a power adapter and HDMI cable. Third-party companies also make accessories like carrying cases and screen protectors. The 4.0.0 system update added support for GameCube controllers connected via USB using a new adapter. These controllers can be used with most games compatible with the Switch's Pro Controller, such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. USB keyboards are supported for tasks like typing.
In January 2018, Nintendo announced Nintendo Labo, a platform for children that combines games with DIY cardboard projects. These projects, called Toy-Con, attach to the Switch and Joy-Con to create toys that interact with games. Examples include a remote-controlled car, a fishing rod, and a toy piano.
In September 2018, Nintendo launched Nintendo Switch Online, a service that includes classic games and NES-style Joy-Con controllers. In September 2019, SNES games were added, along with wireless SNES controllers. In September 2021, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games
Software
The Nintendo Switch uses a special operating system called Horizon, which is built on a microkernel architecture. The Switch's user interface shows games in a grid layout, either from a game card inserted into the console or stored on the device's internal storage. It includes buttons for quick access to a News feed from Nintendo, the eShop, and a photo album for screenshots taken during gameplay. The 4.0 software update in October 2017 allowed players to capture and share video from select games. One Switch console can support up to eight user profiles, each linked to a Nintendo Account user ID. At launch, profiles could use pre-made avatars from an internal gallery or a Mii. Compared to older Nintendo consoles, the Mii editor on the Switch offered more color choices for features like hairstyles and was included in the system settings instead of being a separate app. In February 2022, Nintendo introduced a "Missions and Rewards" system for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Completing tasks, such as backing up save data or playing Game Trials software, earned Platinum Points, which could be used to buy icon parts from different Nintendo games. These parts could be combined to create custom icons.
Before the 4.0 update, players discovered an Easter egg in the Switch's firmware that let them play the NES Golf game using a built-in emulator. While Nintendo did not confirm this, many believed it was a tribute to former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who programmed the game. The Easter egg could only be accessed if the system clock was set to July 11 (the day Iwata died in 2015) and the Joy-Con were moved in a specific way. Some Japanese users called this an omamori (charm) from Iwata. The 4.0 update removed the code for this Easter egg.
In August 2018, a Twitter user found files in the Switch's firmware while studying the console, suggesting Nintendo was testing VR functionality. The user activated a hidden "VR Mode," which split the screen into two displays. Hackers found that VR-related code had been hidden in the firmware for over a year.
Nintendo continued its white hat security program, similar to the one used with the Nintendo 3DS. With help from HackerOne, Nintendo offered up to $20,000 to the first user who found a vulnerability affecting piracy, cheating, or sending inappropriate content to younger users. The reward depended on the severity of the flaw.
In April 2018, two groups discovered an exploit in the Tegra chip that allowed running other software on the Switch. This exploit could not be fixed with a software update because the Tegra X1's BootROM cannot be changed after the chip leaves the factory. Both groups informed Nintendo and Nvidia before sharing their findings. Researchers found that Nintendo could permanently ban consoles used to download unapproved software, as each Switch has a unique device ID. Games from the Nintendo Network include encrypted data tied to the console, allowing Nintendo to track unauthorized downloads and take action. Nintendo reportedly fixed this issue in newer Switch units by July 2018.
In June 2018, two hackers found a way to access the Switch's developer software menu on non-developer units. This allowed users to load games onto SD cards or create custom avatars, including inappropriate images, which violated Nintendo's terms of service. A Nintendo spokesperson stated that "Modified Nintendo Switch systems have been banned."
After the release of Nintendo Switch Online in September 2018, hackers found a way to run unauthorized ROMs on the NES emulator. A hacker named DevRin shared his findings on YouTube, prompting another modder, KapuccinoHeck, to investigate and post results on Twitter.
Nintendo Switch user profiles can be linked to a Nintendo Account, enabling online features and access to the Nintendo eShop. A Nintendo Account can be created using a third-party social network account or an existing Nintendo Network ID from a 3DS or Wii U. Nintendo does not plan to offer its own social networking services on the Switch, such as Miiverse or StreetPass, as the console is primarily a home device. Instead, profiles can be linked to social networks like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), though X integration was later removed.
Players can add friends using Friend Codes, local network searches, past multiplayer interactions, or through Nintendo Account profiles on mobile apps like Mario Kart Tour and Super Mario Run. In March 2017, Nintendo announced plans to add third-party social media and Nintendo Network ID support for friend registration. Support for Facebook and X was added in March 2018 with the 5.0.0 update. The Switch does not support Nintendo Network IDs natively, but users can link their credentials to a Nintendo Account, allowing them to add friends from previous systems and share eShop balances across platforms.
Like Microsoft and Sony consoles, a subscription is needed for online multiplayer in most games. The Nintendo Switch Online subscription provides online play, voice chat, access to a library of classic games (NES, SNES, Game Boy), cloud storage for save data, and special offers. A premium expansion pack, launched in 2021, added support for Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, followed by Game Boy Advance games in 2023. The expansion also includes access to paid downloadable content, such as Mario Kart 8 Booster Course Pack and Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise. Free-to-play games like Fortnite Battle Royale and Warframe do not require a subscription for online play.
The Nintendo Switch Online mobile app allows voice chat for subscribers and access to game-specific microsites. Unlike competitors, voice chat is not available on the console itself and requires a smartphone app
Games
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Games for the Nintendo Switch can be purchased through retail stores or digitally through the Nintendo eShop. Retail games are stored on special cartridges, similar to those used for Nintendo 3DS games, but smaller and thinner. As the first major hybrid console, the Switch is the first major home video game system to use cartridges since the Nintendo 64. Because the cartridges are small, measuring 31 by 21 by 3 millimetres (1.22 in × 0.83 in × 0.12 in), Nintendo covers them with denatonium benzoate, a non-toxic bitterant to prevent children from eating them. At the time of the Switch's launch, Nintendo suggested a retail price of US$60 for Switch games, the same as for new games on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. However, Nintendo allows publishers to set the price, requiring that the list price be the same for physical and digital versions if a physical version is made. This has caused some games available on other consoles to be priced higher on the Switch due to the cost of manufacturing the game card. This price difference is sometimes called the "Switch tax." The "Switch tax" also applies to games that were previously released on other platforms and later ported to the Switch, where the Switch price reflects the original price of the game rather than its current price. As of August 2018, it is estimated that the cost of Switch games is on average 10% higher than other formats.
At the time of the Switch's release, game cards had a 32 GB capacity. Nintendo planned to introduce 64 GB game cards by the second half of 2018 but had to delay this. Some physical games may require content to be installed on the internal storage, using a significant portion of the internal memory if a microSD card is not available. Other physical games with large content may require a microSD card to be present in the Switch, such as NBA 2K18. These requirements are clearly marked on the game cover.
The Switch supports cloud gaming, allowing players to run games that require more hardware capabilities than the Switch has. These games are run over a network with the game computations performed on server hardware. These games may be limited to specific regions due to purchasing options. Early examples of such games on the Switch include Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Phantasy Star Online 2, and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, which were primarily limited to Japanese releases. More recently, Control and Hitman 3 will be available through cloud gaming worldwide starting in 2020 and beyond.
Unlike previous Nintendo home consoles, the Switch is region-free. This allows players to use cartridges or downloaded content from any part of the world, except for Chinese game content, which can only be played on Switch units made for that country. Nintendo recommends using the appropriate regional eShop for digital purchases to ensure the best post-purchase support. Nintendo chose to make the Switch region-free to reduce the workload and cost for both itself and developers by avoiding multiple regional certification processes and different ROM cartridge production methods. Additionally, eShop purchases, while tied to the Nintendo Account, are not tied to a specific Switch console, unlike previous Nintendo hardware. Once a user re-registers their account on a new Switch, they can download all previous purchases. However, a user can only have their account registered on one console at a time, and downloaded software tied to an account cannot be used if that account is not registered to the device. With the 6.0.0 system update and the launch of the Online service in September 2018, users can play games purchased from the eShop on a second Switch console, though this requires a continuous online connection and other restrictions.
The Switch does not use optical discs and therefore does not support backward compatibility with software from any previous Nintendo console. The Switch is also not backward compatible with other digital games from previous consoles.
Emulated versions of games from previous Nintendo systems are available through the eShop and the Nintendo Switch Online service. However, the Virtual Console brand used for these releases on previous systems has been replaced with Nintendo Classics. In February 2017, Kimishima stated that the Switch is powerful enough to emulate games from previous Nintendo consoles.
One of the generally perceived failures of the Wii U was the lack of support from third-party developers, leading to a weak library of games. Nintendo was more aggressive in trying to bring on third-party developers early in the Switch's development to ensure a stronger lineup of games. Takahashi and Koizumi reached out to many third-party developers directly to gain their support early on. Electronic Arts' executive Patrick Söderlund said that Nintendo had taken a different approach in attracting third-party developers to the Switch and had engaged Electronic Arts and other major developers throughout the development of the Switch, listening to their input to help make the Switch more successful.
Nintendo also began gaining support from independent video game developers in the middle of 2016 to help them bring games to the Switch, led by Nintendo's head of partner management, Damon Baker. They had tried to draw in indie developers near the end of the Wii U's lifetime, providing indie game demos that were highlighted during E3 2015, but by this point, the Wii U had already been considered a failure. Nintendo sees games such as Snipperclips as a model for their target for indie games, in which they worked to help provide Switch implementation support and software tools to these parties early in the console's lifecycle, according to Takahashi and Koizumi. Some, like Yacht Club Games, who have ported Shovel Knight to the Switch, noted that some of the major innovations in the Switch, such as the Joy-Con, were not revealed to them until just before the January 2017 announcement. Nintendo of America reached out to many independent developers and publishers, including Chucklefish, Team17, and Devolver Digital, to gain games for the platform and make the publishing process easier. Nintendo still curates which games they allow on the system, using the company's past portfolio for evaluation, and carefully times releases to keep a steady stream of new content. However, once a game is approved, pushing out patches and updates can be done rapidly and at no further cost to the developer. Nintendo also offers the Switch's dev kit at 50,000 yen, or about $450, far under the cost of a comparable dev kit for other consoles, making it more affordable for smaller developers. Nintendo offers several of these indie games as "Nindies" through the eShop. Nintendo had anticipated that they would have at least sixty indie games released for the Switch through 2017, but ended up with over 320 games by the end of 2017 due to the console's popularity. Indie developers have found that Nintendo has also played a significant role in the promotion and marketing of their games, including using the games to help promote the Switch itself, in contrast to Microsoft or Sony. These developers also found that Nintendo tries to maintain a better relationship with fans of Nintendo's products and helps these fans identify Switch indie games they might enjoy the most, including those that build on Nintendo's classic games from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy eras, which can attract a more global audience. Baker says that while they do try to encourage indie developers to think about the potential of their games.
Marketing
A key part of marketing the Switch was to clearly explain what the product was and what it could do, according to Fils-Aimé. This was done to avoid problems that happened with the Wii U. The Wii U was designed as a home console, but Nintendo did not clearly explain this, leading many people to think the Wii U GamePad was more like a tablet. This made other features of the Wii U, such as dual-screen play modes, less noticeable. Nintendo also believed some people thought the Wii U GamePad was an accessory for the older Wii console, rather than a main feature of a new platform. For the Switch, Fils-Aimé said the company was "very clear in explaining that it is a home console that can be taken on the go whenever and wherever people want."
For example, the October 2016 trailer (which was very different from Nintendo's past marketing, according to Bloomberg) showed how the Switch could be used in many ways so viewers would understand that "each form of the device offers different play experiences." Kimishima said the goal of the trailer was to show that the device was for all types of players, including those who enjoy more complex games. Much of Nintendo's marketing for the Switch focused on the launch game Breath of the Wild. Nick Chavez, a Nintendo of America marketing executive, explained that showing Breath of the Wild was meant to attract older players who grew up with the Zelda franchise and younger players who enjoy modern open-world games.
Nintendo aired its first-ever Super Bowl ad during the United States broadcast of Super Bowl LI. The ad, set to the Imagine Dragons song "Believer," showed the different ways the Switch could be played with its launch games, especially Breath of the Wild, and upcoming releases. A previous Super Bowl ad in 2016 celebrated the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, but that ad was paid for by The Pokémon Company, not Nintendo. Chavez said, "There's no bigger stage in the U.S. to showcase the platform. I think it speaks to our confidence in the system."
More television commercials followed the Super Bowl ad. These ads showed how the Switch could be used by different groups of people, including both casual and core gamers. These ads appeared on events like the 2017 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the 2017 Kids' Choice Awards, and on programming blocks for Nickelodeon, Adult Swim, and Comedy Central. Chavez emphasized that Nintendo's marketing for the Switch was not just a short campaign but a long-term plan lasting 15 months, with more plans for 2018.
In addition to advertising, Nintendo planned events where people could try the Switch before its release. Kimishima believed it was important, especially for experienced gamers, to let players try the Switch so they could understand how it was different from previous Nintendo systems. Kimishima also said the company was running a marketing plan that involved many events to give players a chance to experience the Switch firsthand.
In January 2017, special events were held for North American and European press after a Tokyo presentation. Switch demonstration events took place in North America, Europe, and Japan during January and February 2017. Nintendo showed the Switch at gaming conferences like PAX South, South by Southwest, and RTX. Nintendo also promoted the Switch through an "Unexpected Places" campaign in February 2017. This campaign set up living-room-style spaces in three U.S. locations and invited fans, including John Cena, to try the device.
In June 2018, Nintendo announced a partnership with Disney Channel to produce Nintendo Switch Family Showdown, a televised competition where families competed in challenges based on Switch games. The show aired in August 2018.
Reception
Market analysts had different opinions about the Nintendo Switch after its October 2016 announcement. Some worried the Switch did not solve problems that caused the Wii U to sell poorly and would only appeal to a small group of people. Others were more hopeful, believing the Switch’s design would work well in Japan, where homes often have little space for large TVs and consoles, and could later succeed in Western countries. A stock analyst named John Taylor supported Nintendo’s decision to release the Switch before the holiday season, when competitors like Microsoft and Sony usually try to attract casual gamers.
After the January 2017 press conference, which shared the Switch’s price and release date, some journalists were worried about the high cost, which was similar to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One but lacked some features. They also noted the cost of a paid online service and the limited number of games available at launch. However, other analysts believed the pricing showed the Switch was a strong console that might sell better than the Wii U. They pointed to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as a major reason for success. These analysts also said the Switch filled a need for players who wanted more complex games than mobile devices offered but did not want a large, powerful console. Most analysts agreed that the Switch’s success would depend on Nintendo’s support and avoiding mistakes made during the Wii U’s marketing.
Investors were cautious about the Switch, and its stock price dropped in the months after the announcement until its release. Analysts thought investors saw the Switch as a risky product and were unsure if it could attract new customers. Some companies predicted the Switch would start slowly because of its high price and risks but might sell up to 40 million units by 2020.
Game and hardware developers were more positive about the Switch, calling it a way to combine their handheld and console experiences. However, they had questions about unclear hardware details and how Nintendo would market the device to attract developers. Hideo Kojima, a game designer, compared the Switch to an idea he had in 2011 about moving games between home and portable devices, which later inspired Sony’s cross-buy program. He said the Switch was an improvement on that idea, calling it “the gamer’s dream.” Todd Howard of Bethesda said Nintendo was the only company that could create such a product. Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s Xbox division, praised Nintendo for turning a bold vision into a working product.
Retailers were also optimistic about the Switch. GameStop’s CEO said the device was a major change in the market and could expand the gaming audience. Pre-orders were very high, with Nintendo reporting nearly all available units were ordered before launch.
The October 2016 video trailer for the Switch became the most-watched video on YouTube in 24 hours and was the top trending video for about a day.
When the Switch launched, reviewers said it had great potential but were disappointed by the limited number of games available at first, which did not show the console’s full abilities. They also noted that the initial software had bugs and limited features, which could be fixed later. Even after a day-one update, many users reported hardware problems, such as Bluetooth issues with the Joy-Con (L) controller and scratches on the screen. About a week after release, Nintendo said it was investigating these problems. Later, Nintendo explained the Joy-Con (L) issue was a small manufacturing problem that could be fixed by adding conductive foam inside the controller. The company also said screen defects were normal and not a problem. Other companies, like Sony, Microsoft, and fast food brands such as Arby’s and Domino’s Pizza, praised Nintendo for the Switch.
Six months after its release, Nintendo shared usage data. It found that 30% of users used the Switch mostly in handheld or tabletop mode, more than 50% used it equally in TV and handheld modes, and the rest preferred TV mode. Nintendo said, “We can clearly see that consumers are playing to suit their own play styles.” It also noted that most U.S. buyers were men in their 20s and early 30s.
After firmware version 5.0.0 was released, some users reported their Switch consoles stopped working when used with third-party docks made by Nyko. Nyko said the problem might be related to how the Switch handled video output, while Nintendo warned users not to use unlicensed docks. A user named Michael Skiathitis filed a lawsuit against Nyko, saying the dock caused problems for buyers. Other users also reported issues with third-party docks from companies like FastSnail and Insignia.
The Verge gave the Nintendo Switch Lite a score of 8 out of 10, praising its better battery life and design but criticizing the lack of a TV mode and compatibility issues with some games. PC Magazine criticized the quality of the Switch Lite’s analog sticks, saying they could drift like the Joy-Con controllers on the original Switch. A game developer named Tyrone Evans Clark said, “Today’s generation is focused more on hand-held devices and any app that is on their television screen.” Jon Porter of TechRadar wrote, “The Switch is a significantly different device from what we’ve seen before, and the handheld nature of the console provides the best of both worlds.” In 2021, PCMag wrote, “As a handheld game system, the Switch feels large but comfortable. It’s thicker than a tablet but much thinner than the Wii U gamepad, and far more natural to use.”
Legal issues
In August 2017, Gamevice, Inc., a company based in Los Angeles that makes tablet accessories, filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Gamevice claimed that the design of Nintendo’s Switch console conflicted with its patent for the Wikipad, an Android-based gaming device with a tablet and a detachable controller. The lawsuit asked for money from sales of the Switch and a ban on selling the console. In October 2017, Gamevice dropped the case.
In March 2018, Gamevice started another lawsuit against Nintendo, this time based on different patents. Gamevice also asked the United States International Trade Commission to block the import of the Switch into the United States under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The lawsuit ended in October 2019, with no patent violations found. By March 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office reviewed Gamevice’s patents and decided all of its claims were not valid, a ruling that supported Nintendo. Gamevice said it would challenge this decision.
While appealing the Patent Office’s decision, Gamevice filed a third lawsuit against Nintendo in March 2020, based on a new patent it had received in August. This patent was for a game controller that wraps around a smartphone. Gamevice sought to block the import of the Switch from Japan during the lawsuit. The case was decided in favor of Nintendo.
In July 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit was about a defect in the Joy-Con controllers of the Switch, called "drift," which caused the controllers to register movement even when not touched. The lawsuit claimed Nintendo knew about the defect but refused to repair it for free. Three days after the lawsuit was filed, an internal Nintendo memo was leaked, instructing customer service to offer free repairs for drifting Joy-Con controllers regardless of warranty status. The lawsuit continued, and in March 2020, the court ruled to send the case into arbitration, as outlined in the Switch’s End User License Agreement.
In December 2019, Nintendo obtained an injunction against a distributor of a hacking tool made by Team Xecuter, which allowed users to run pirated Switch games. In 2020, Nintendo sued several resellers of Team Xecuter products. In one case, Nintendo reached a settlement with a reseller for $2 million. In October 2020, members of Team Xecuter were arrested and charged with eleven felony counts by the United States Department of Justice. Nintendo then filed a lawsuit against Gary Bowser, one of the arrested members, who faces charges of trafficking and copyright infringement.
Successor
The successor console, Nintendo Switch 2, was officially announced on January 16, 2025, and released on June 5, 2025. A Nintendo Direct event on April 2, 2025, provided more details, confirming the June 5 release date. Similar to the original Switch, hands-on events were held in multiple locations worldwide during the second half of April.
Industry reports about a new console began in July 2023, as Nintendo’s development partners mentioned receiving hardware for the new system. Nintendo hinted at a successor console, such as continuing to use Nintendo Accounts, but did not confirm details about the new console.
Eurogamer and other sources reported that Nintendo showed features of the new console to developers at Gamescom 2023. In mid-2023, documents from the FTC v. Microsoft case revealed that Activision learned about the "Switch NG" (next generation) in late 2022, with performance similar to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Confirmed changes to the Switch 2 include a larger screen, a redesigned kickstand, and Joy-Con 2 controllers that connect through a plug-like slot instead of a sliding rail. The console’s system on a chip, the Nvidia Tegra T239 (codenamed "Drake"), was leaked during a 2022 ransomware attack by Lapsus$. It includes an octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU, a 12 SM Ampere GPU, and a 128-bit LPDDR5 RAM interface. Later reports from customs documents suggested it has 12 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. Sharp Corporation stated it began supplying LCD screens for the new console in mid-2023, and Omdia estimated these screens are 8 inches in size. Other reports mentioned the console will support DLSS and ray tracing, with tech demos like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild running at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, and The Matrix Awakens from Unreal Engine 5.
Early rumors suggested a 2024 release, but Nintendo worked with partners to ensure high production levels. Altec Lansing claimed in January 2024 that the Switch successor would launch in September 2024, though this was later described as a guess. An analyst from Kantan Games estimated the "pro" model would cost $400, with new games priced at $70. However, by February 2024, sources said the release was delayed to early 2025 to ensure supply and reduce scalping. Accessories for the upcoming console were showcased at the January 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, with a planned April 2025 launch.
The Switch 2 is compatible with most physical and digital Switch games and will continue using the Nintendo Switch Online service. Some games, like Breath of the Wild, may be released in an "enhanced" version for the new hardware. It features magnetic Joy-Con (with a new button on the right controller) and a redesigned dock. A new Mario Kart game was revealed during the launch trailer, with an art style inspired by Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
In February 2025, Furukawa stated during a quarterly earnings report that Nintendo plans to continue supporting the original Switch console as long as there is demand.