Nintendo Switch

The Switch is now the fastest selling console of all time in the US and it looks like Russia will be getting a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and ARMS bundle.

Within 10 months, #NintendoSwitch has become the
fastest-selling video game system of all time in the US! pic.twitter.com/raWOMWTVBe

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 4, 2018

 

Russia-only Nintendo Switch ARMS + MK8D bundle leaked. Last time a bundle like this was discovered a Nintendo Direct followed shortly after... pic.twitter.com/UBiuUn87PT

— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) January 4, 2018

 

I sure wish they would pack in a game even if it's just a download code and it's crazy how it's selling faster then the Wii.

Nintendo Switch online will be released in September.

#NintendoSwitch Online will launch in September 2018! pic.twitter.com/h3Rpeyymsx

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 1, 2018

 

I can see Nintendo announcing a Mario Maker at E3 that will be released the same day as this online service due to Smash games taking years to make.

I'm surprised they continue delaying it, but it's promising that they've been working so long and hard on it. Hopefully it will be something they can be proud of and that will be really good for consumers. I also like the sound of the "attractive content" we'll potentially be getting with its launch.

Nintendo plans to support the Switch for longer then the normal 5 to 6 years lifecycle. 
Also here are the best selling Switch games.

Go Nintendo wrote:Nintendo has some very hefty goals for the Switch. Things have certainly started off on the right foot, and Nintendo has every intention to keep that going for many years to come.
According to Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima, the goal is to support Switch after the 5-6 year mark, which is the traditional run for game consoles. The system could be supported anywhere between 7-10 years. No specifics on how Nintendo intends to support the platform this long were given.

Source

https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html

I think where looking at a long supported system due to 4K and VR being the only ways up for now and it will take years for those 2 to take off. I'm guessing Nintendo will just release a 
cheep version of the Switch next year and a more powerful dock at some point to get more 3rd party studios on board. As for game sales it's nice to finally see a Xenobalde game hit 1 million, Deluxe and Splatoon 2 are on track to beat there Wii U counterparts, Zelda is 3 times passed Nintendo's goal of 2 million and it's crazy how SMO sold 9.07 million in just 2 months.

The Switch is now a year old.

https://twitter.com/nintendoamerica/status/969935426847830016?s=21

Overall it was a huge turnaround after those dark Wii U years in 2015 and 2016 with a game almost every month. So I’m fine with the first half of 2018 having less from Nintendo if where not counting the ports.

And I've gotten three of all of its games so far, well hopefully that list gets much much bigger of new ones this year as well.

It doesn't feel like it's been quite that long to me, which is in part because I bought my Switch six months later, but I did get Breath of the Wild on launch day so I've been a part of the constant stream of Switch releases since then to an extent. The Switch had a really great first year compared to most Nintendo consoles, and really compared to other game consoles in general. You never see that many fantastic major releases in a console's first year on the market.

Version 5.0.0 is now live.

Version 5.0.0
Facebook and Twitter friends that also use Nintendo Switch can now be added through Friend Suggestions 
Friend suggestions are based on the Facebook and Twitter accounts you have linked to your Nintendo Account 
To view your friend suggestions, from the top left of the HOME Menu head to your User Page > Friend Suggestions 
You must be 13 or older to use this feature
Select from 24 new ARMS and the Kirby series icons for your user 
To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
Digital software purchases made from a PC or smart device will start downloading sooner than previously, even if the Nintendo Switch console is in Sleep Mode
Filter News to view only unread news or news from specific channels
To keep the Parental Controls PIN private, the default method for PIN entry has been changed to entering using the Control Stick and buttons instead of the on-screen number pad 
When prompted to enter you Parental Controls PIN, press and hold the + Button to change between input methods
Captured videos in the Album will be restricted by Parental Controls depending on the Restricted Software setting and Software Rating Organization 
Using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, add specific software titles to your whitelist to exclude them from the console’s Parental Controls Restricted Software setting 
Play-Time Limit restrictions will still apply even when the software title has been whitelisted.
Receive notification when pre-purchased software is ready to play 
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller grip colors will now display in the Controllers menu 
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:

Resolved an issue that caused Play Activity to display incorrectly in the Profile section of your User Page

Not that major of an update. It's nice how they finally added ARMS and Kirby icons though.

Nintendo will share more details on Nintendo Switch online next month.


Nintendo Switch Online, a paid subscription service that will expand the online functionality of Nintendo Switch, will begin in September of this year. The service will provide consumers with a richness of online features that allow them to continuously enjoy Nintendo Switch. More information will be presented on our website in early May.



Source

I'm thinking they will share some details in a small Nintendo Direct where they highlight upcoming online games such as Smash.

In Japan Nintendo has started to sell Nintendo Switch without the dock.

Go Nintendo wrote:Here's something a lot of us suspected Nintendo would do at some point. Over in Japan, if you're using the My Nintendo store, you can purchase a Switch without a dock. You still get the Switch itself and the two Joy-Con, and Joy-Con straps. The regular Switch costs ¥32,378 ($300), while this dock-less option costs ¥26,978 ($245).

Source

While I think this is a good idea it kind of defeats the purpose of the system. If Nintendo ever does want to hit that one per person goal they would be smart to do this in the US as while when Pokemon comes out.

I think it's a smart choice for those who only really want to play their Switch in handheld mode, or who have multiple Switch units and only feel the need to have one dock. As long as they aren't really advertising this version I think it's a really good idea.

The Switch Eshop has gotten some updates.

Go Nintendo wrote:The Switch eShop has gotten spruced up a bit with some new features. A handful of changes look to make it easier for customers to sift through content. The changes include...
- new ‘featured’ section 
- changed the Deals to ‘Great deals’ 
- charts now include the top 30 titles 
- chart has an option to change to ‘digital-only titles’

Source

This is quite a nice change due to there be some weeks where 20 indie games come out and I have also read that you can also search by publisher now.

A new bundle exclusive to Walmart will be released on September 5th that includes Mario Tennis Aces and 1-2 Switch.

Jump into the world of #NintendoSwitch or start your holiday shopping extra early with this Nintendo Switch bundle featuring #MarioTennis Aces and #12Switch for only $359! Available exclusively at Walmart starting 9/5. pic.twitter.com/JSrIaRQFG2

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 15, 2018

 
 
I understand 1-2. I think it should have been Odyssey or Breath of the Wild over Aces though due to the game still selling while on it's own.

What this tells me is that they plan to include 1-2 Switch in all further console bundles with other games, so we may actually see that in the future.