Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch logo.

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The Nintendo Switch^[1] (codenamed NX during development) is a family of Nintendo gaming consoles and the successor to the Wii U. Officially announced on 20 October 2016, the Nintendo Switch is a hybrid home/handheld gaming console, though it is marketed as mainly being the former.^[2] During its reveal trailer, footage for Splatoon 2 was showcased, and the game was officially unveiled on 13 January 2017 at the Nintendo Switch Presentation in Tokyo, Japan.^[3] The Nintendo Switch was released on 3 March 2017. As of 31 March 2020, the Nintendo Switch family of systems has sold a combined total of 55.77 million units,^[4] making it Nintendo's third-best selling home console.

On 10 July 2019, Nintendo announced a second model of the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch Lite was released on 20 September 2019 and is a smaller device dedicated to handheld play, making it a more direct successor to the Nintendo 3DS family. It can play all Nintendo Switch games that have handheld functionality.

Features

The Nintendo Switch consists of a tablet-like console with a 720p display that can be placed into a docking station. When the system is in the dock, game footage is displayed on the TV screen at up to 1080p HD. When the console is detached from the dock, game footage is displayed on the console's screen. The two Joy-Con controllers, generally connected to the sides of the system for handheld play, can be removed and used either as separate controllers horizontally (similar to SNES controllers), used together as a single controller (similar to Wii Remotes), or docked into a grip to give a more traditional experience. A traditional controller, called the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, is also available. This controller has the same set-up as the Wii U Pro Controller, except for the second analog stick being set below the face buttons. This controller is compatible with Splatoon 2. As of the system's Version 10.0.0 firmware update, the ability to change button mapping for each controller was introduced.

The Nintendo Switch Lite features its controls integrated into a single, smaller device. Therefore, there are no detachable Joy-Con and a traditional control pad, rather than separated directional buttons. The unit is smaller and lighter than the original, with a slightly smaller screen, and some removed features including HD Rumble and an infrared camera. The system cannot dock to a TV but additional Joy-Con can be connected for additional features.

The console, like the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, uses ROM Game Card cartridges similar to the SD Card format, making it the first home gaming device to not utilize optical discs since the Nintendo 64.

Players can also locally connect up to eight Nintendo Switch consoles to each other for wireless play. Splatoon 2 uniquely allows up to ten systems to connect - eight playing the game and two spectating.

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online logo.

Nintendo Switch Online is the suite of online services for the Nintendo Switch console. It was announced at the Nintendo Switch Presentation Event 2017 on 12 January 2018.

Nintendo Switch Online encompasses both the online service itself and the Nintendo Switch Online App, used for SplatNet 2 and Nintendo's online party system. The service also offers cloud saves, though not all games support this feature such as Splatoon 2, meaning that there is no legitimate way to backup Splatoon 2 as opposed to the first game, which could be saved to an external USB storage device.

The service was said to launch in Fall 2017 but was then pushed to 19 September 2018. Until that time, users were given free access to online play. Nintendo Switch Online has different plans and membership options. An individual membership for one Nintendo Account holder costs US$3.99 / £3.49 / €3.99 for one month (30 days), US$7.99 / £6.99 / €7.99 for three months (90 days), or US$19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99 for twelve months (365 days). There is a family membership which encompasses up to eight Nintendo Accounts, having only one plan at US$34.99 / £31.49 / €34.99 for twelve months (365 days).^[5]^[6]

Splatoon 2 players who sign up to the service and choose the twelve-month or family plan can receive a special set of exclusive in-game gear, the Online Jersey and the Online Squidkid V shoes.^[7] Shortly after obtaining the membership, an email is sent to the registered address (or the admin account if using a family plan), containing a code (eight if using a family plan) to redeem in the eShop, in which a box will appear in the middle of the Square containing the items.

Related games

Check this article for additional references.

Gallery

The different play modes of the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch and footage of an early version of Splatoon 2.
A few different ways Splatoon 2 can be played.
Eight Nintendo Switches playing Splatoon 2 in tabletop mode.
Gray-colored Joy-Con connected to a grip.
The regular Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Splatoon-themed Joy-Con with straps attached.
Splatoon-themed Pro Controller.
The email received to redeem Nintendo Switch Online items. (European Family plan shown.)