Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime is ready for the expected question of what went wrong with the company's ill-fated Wii U video game console and how the fortunes of the recently introduced make-or-break Nintendo Switch will be different when it officially launches on March 3 for just under $300.
Fils-Aime on the Wii U and the Switch
According to Fils-Aime, "I would say that the greatest challenge we faced with the Wii U was being crystal clear in our communication of what the product was and what the product could actually do. With the Nintendo Switch, we are being very aggressive and clearly communicating the concept that it is a home console that you can take on-the-go wherever and whenever you want. We are working really hard to make sure it's going to be a success."
Its concept is conveyed clearly.
Indeed, as it has been advertised, when at home, the tablet-like device slides into a dock that is connected to the television, enabling players to use standard video game controllers to have a go at Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or other upcoming titles.
Then, when on the go, players can remove the tablet, which features a 6.2-inch screen and use a pair of "Joy-con" controllers on each side to barely miss a beat. Joy-Cons can be used separately in each hand, or together as one game controller when attached to the main Joy-Con grip.
Switch will not replace 3DS
The Switch is not meant to replace the handheld Nintendo 3DS video game system that the company has already been selling for years, and with the company aggressively selling more software for the system in October, November and December of last year than it ever had.
Switch's improvements will redeem the Wii U
Nintendo needed a hit following the Wii U's failure, and given the fierce competition in the video games industry featuring traditional console rivals as Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox, Nintendo had to step up and gain some of their very own momentum and they are confident that the Switch will swing things back to their direction.
