Nintendo Switch release date, news: update on specs to be announced in early 2017

A promotional image of the Nintendo Switch Nintendo

Nintendo has already bared the essentials on its upcoming new game system. However, the industry giant has teased that more details will be forthcoming for the new Nintendo Switch.

The hint comes after the official announcement confirming the Nintendo Switch failed to sway investors. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Japan-based tech giant has posted a downward turn of 6.5% for its company shares prices, even after the new game platform has been unveiled.

A Nintendo spokesperson told the industry follower, "We haven't shown everything," adding that more details on the new hybrid platform, such as full specs and price, will be furnished leading to its debut early next year.

The Nintendo Switch is scheduled to appear in March 2017.

Gamespot believes that the drop in stocks prices may be due to the Nintendo Switch failing to appeal to a wider audience. The observer quoted Dr. Serkan Toto, a noted industry analyst, as saying, "The Switch lacks a killer feature, and I think it will be very difficult for Nintendo to win back the casual gamers that are mostly on mobile now. In Japan, for example, the mobile gaming sector is already 2-3 times bigger than consoles. Even the PS4 struggles over here. It's going to be a huge challenge to try to reverse that trend."

Nintendo has released a first look video for the Switch, highlighting its improvements and changes. The Switch is a hybrid console and handheld device. In the footage, it is confirmed that the Nintendo Switch will work as a home console via a Switch dock and a more traditional controller. However, when taken out of its dock, the Switch then becomes a handheld console, together with detachable Joy-Con controllers on either side.

Meanwhile, another noted feature seen in the video is that the Switch will use game cartridges dubbed as Game Cards. However, the Game Cards are only a quarter of the size of the old cartridges.

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