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Nintendo Switch: Australian pricing, specs and news

Nintendo’s entry into the ninth console generation is the talk of the town, but how does it actually work and what games does it offer?

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Brodie Fogg
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The console codenamed NX was officially announced as the Nintendo Switch on 21 October 2016. It was unveiled via a lively trailer that demonstrated the home/handheld hybrid in action, including its detachable Joy-con controllers, six games and traditional gamepad support.

On 13 January, Nintendo revealed finer details on the Nintendo Switch through a live stream from Tokyo, including different SKUs, Joy-Con functionality, online play and over 30 titles (including a new Super Mario title).

Now that the Nintendo Switch is out in the wild, let's take a deep look at the console's hardware and games.

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The best Nintendo Switch games

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Nintendo Switch games

The Nintendo Switch saw over 100 titles released for it in its first year. The list included stalwart franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario and Bomberman but also a huge selection of quality indies like Shovel Knight.

KEY NINTENDO SWITCH TITLES

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild turns a new leaf for the series by completely removing the shackles of the series' typically linear progression and opens up Hyrule giving the player more freedom than ever. RPG and adventure fans will get more value out of Breath of the Wild than any title previous, thanks to a new level of inventory management, sprawling side-quests and a stronger difficulty curve than most Nintendo games offer.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild received unanimous praise from critics all over the world, as far being named one of the best games in history by many outlets.

It's the perfect fit for someone looking for a deep, rewarding single player experience for their Nintendo Switch

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings all of the sweet karting action from the Wii U generation to the handheld Switch.

While the majority of the game is the same Mario Kart 8 we all know and love, there are a few new characters and an all-new battle mode to sweeten the pot.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe comes packaged with all the DLC released last generation and adds Splatoon's Inklings, King Boo and Dry Bones to the roster of racers.

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Super Mario Odyssey

Mario's first adventure on the Switch is also his first large-scale 3D adventure since Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Odyssey takes Mario on an epic adventure through many different worlds, including one that's eerily similar to our own. This time around, Mario travels the globe, exploring the reaches of the Mushroom World like never before.

Odyssey's other big feature is Mario's sentient cap. Mario's iconic red cap has a life of its own in Odyssey. The player uses Mario’s cap to fight enemies and solve puzzles.

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Nintendo Switch hardware

The Nintendo Switch comes with the Switch tablet, a dock with HDMI output and two Joy-Con controllers. Here's everything you need to know about Nintendo's hardware.

Nintendo Switch

With all these detachable parts, what is the Switch exactly? Technically the tablet at the console's core is the Nintendo Switch. The console itself is exclusively sold in a package that includes the Switch Dock, two Joy-Con controllers and all the required cables.

Nintendo Switch Price

Purchase Nintendo Switch

Purchase Nintendo Switch from eBay

Purchase the Nintendo Switch with grey Joy-Cons or Neon Blue and Red Joy-Cons from eBay today.

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For a more detailed breakdown on how much the Nintendo Switch costs around the world, check our Switch price comparison. Otherwise, the Switch is sold in two different SKUs at the same price.

HardwarePrice
Nintendo Switch Console Grey$469.95
Nintendo Switch Console Blue and Red Neon$469.95

Thanks to our 10% Goods and Services tax, the Nintendo Switch is a little pricier in Australia than it is in other countries (but New Zealand has it worse).

Nintendo Switch Specs

Before the official announcement, the Switch's specs were undoubtedly the hottest topic when it came to wild rumours. While we know a lot more about the console itself, there's still a lot we don't know, like exactly how powerful the Switch's custom Nvidia Tegra chipset is. Here's what we do know about the Switch's specs.

Nintendo SwitchSpecs
Display6.2-inch
Resolution1280x720
ProcessorCustom Nvidia Tegra-based system-on-a-chip (SOC)
Internal memory32GB
Expandable memoryUp to 2TB (Micro SDXC)
Audio2 speakers, 3.5mm headphone hack
Battery life3 - 6 hours
ChargingUSB-C
SensorsBrightness sensor

Joy-Con controllers

Whether it's placed in the dock, tabletop mode or handheld, the Joy-Con controllers are an essential part of the Switch's hardware.

The Joy-Cons come in grey and red/blue neon variations. They are also compatible with various accessories, like a charging grip and wheel frames. Here's how much they will cost you in Australia.

Joy-Con price

HardwarePrice
Joy-Con set (2)$119.95
Joy-Con individual (1)$69.95
Switch Charging Grip$39.95
Switch Wheel Accessory$24.95
Switch Strap$14.95

The Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con controllers share a similar button layout to the Wii U gamepad, with the exception of a share button and altered joystick placement.

The Joy-Cons boast new features like HD Rumble and an IR Sensor. The former simulates real-world sensations, like rattling ice in a glass, and the latter can identify movement, shape and distance. For example, you could play scissors, paper, rock and the Switch would be able to identify the action of moving your hand, how far it is from the sensor and which action you chose.

Joy-Con specs

The Joy-Con controllers are quite small when separated. Here are the specifications for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.

Joy-ConSpecs
Height102mm
Width35.99mm
Depth28.4mm
Weight101.5g
BatteryLithium Ion
Battery lifeApprox. 20 hours

The full list of games for Nintendo Switch

Nintendo subtly revealed more than 30 games at its January 2017 Switch event. We combined those titles with rumoured and leaked titles in one comprehensive list.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of games to choose from, finder has you covered. Check out our list of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017.

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