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Nintendo unveils Switch console Nintendo Switch console plays games home and away
(35 minutes later)
Nintendo has revealed that its next games machine will be a handheld, portable device that doubles up as a home console.Nintendo has revealed that its next games machine will be a handheld, portable device that doubles up as a home console.
Named the Nintendo Switch, the device looks like a tablet computer with controllers that attach to its sides. Previously code-named NX, now named the Nintendo Switch, the device looks like a tablet computer with controllers that attach to its sides.
The device was revealed in a short "teaser" video posted on YouTube.The device was revealed in a short "teaser" video posted on YouTube.
One analyst said the device could be Nintendo's "last shot" at selling a home console.One analyst said the device could be Nintendo's "last shot" at selling a home console.
"The Wii U was a car crash, basically," said Paul Jackson of the Ovum consultancy."The Wii U was a car crash, basically," said Paul Jackson of the Ovum consultancy.
"They fudged the communication and confused everybody with the controller and what the screen was for."They fudged the communication and confused everybody with the controller and what the screen was for.
"As a result it sold about a tenth of what the original Wii sold.""As a result it sold about a tenth of what the original Wii sold."
Nintendo has sold 13 million Wii U consoles, compared to 100 million of the original Wii.
The Wii U was rapidly outsold by Sony's PS4 and Microsoft's Xbox One, although Nintendo has enjoyed success with its handheld 3DS device.The Wii U was rapidly outsold by Sony's PS4 and Microsoft's Xbox One, although Nintendo has enjoyed success with its handheld 3DS device.
The new Switch console can be seated in a dock to play games on a television, or used as a stand-alone portable device.
Games will be delivered on small cartridges - a nod to older Nintendo consoles.
Mr Jackson said it was no surprise the new device was a "bit of both" console and handheld.Mr Jackson said it was no surprise the new device was a "bit of both" console and handheld.
"Two of the most successful consoles ever are Nintendo's portable devices - both the Gameboy and DS sold more than 100 million each.""Two of the most successful consoles ever are Nintendo's portable devices - both the Gameboy and DS sold more than 100 million each."
Mr Jackson warned that Nintendo would need a strong roster of games to launch its console, and could still struggle to attract third-party developers. Nintendo has announced that leading games studios and publishers such as Activision, Bethesda, EA Games, Sega, Ubisoft and Warner Brothers had signed up to produce software.
"Third-party firms such as Square Enix, EA Games and Activision are increasingly more interested in the massive install-base of tablet and smartphone owners," he told the BBC. However, Mr Jackson said Nintendo would need a strong roster of games to launch its console.
"Nintendo has to decide whether it is competing head-on with Sony and Microsoft - who are going for ultra-high definition gaming and virtual reality - or whether it is going for the approach that worked for the Wii: that the hardware is unique.
"On the software side, they need the big Mario game, the Zelda game, the Metroid game - front and centre, exclusive to Switch and available at the same time as the console."On the software side, they need the big Mario game, the Zelda game, the Metroid game - front and centre, exclusive to Switch and available at the same time as the console.
"In the past they've got that wrong - and if you have a lousy launch, suddenly you're in the wilderness for a few years.""In the past they've got that wrong - and if you have a lousy launch, suddenly you're in the wilderness for a few years."
Nintendo has already announced that its highly-anticipated title Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be released on the Switch.Nintendo has already announced that its highly-anticipated title Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be released on the Switch.
However, it it yet to reveal the technical specifications of the device, which is due to be released in March 2017.However, it it yet to reveal the technical specifications of the device, which is due to be released in March 2017.