Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch (ニンテンドースイッチ) is a developed by  and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a that can either be  for use as a  or used as a, making it a. Its wireless controllers, with standard buttons and directional s for user input, motion sensing, and tactile feedback, can attach to both sides of the console to support handheld-style play. They can also connect to a grip accessory to provide a traditional home console form, or be used individually in the hand like the  and, supporting local multiplayer modes. The Nintendo Switch's software supports through Internet connectivity, as well as local  connectivity with other consoles. Nintendo Switch games and software are available on both physical -based and  via ; the system has no. A handheld-focused revision of the system, called the, was released on September 20, 2019.

Development
The Nintendo Switch was unveiled on October 20, 2016. Known in development by its codename NX, the concept of the Switch came about as Nintendo's reaction to several quarters of financial losses into 2014, attributed to poor sales of its previous console, the, and market competition from s. Nintendo's then-president pushed the company towards mobile gaming and novel hardware. The Nintendo Switch's design is aimed at a wide demographic of video game players through multiple modes of use. Nintendo opted to use more standard electronic components, such as a chipset based on 's line, to make development for the console easier for programmers and more compatible with existing s. As the Wii U had struggled to gain external support, leaving it with a weak software library, Nintendo preemptively sought the support of many  to help build out the Switch's game library alongside Nintendo's first-party titles, including many  studios. While Nintendo initially anticipated around 100 titles for its first year, over 320 titles from first-party, third-party, and independent developers were released by the end of 2017.

Involvement with Microsoft
As an console, the Nintendo Switch competes with Microsoft's Xbox One and 's. Nearly three million console units were shipped in its first month, exceeding Nintendo's initial projection of two million and within a year of release achieved over 14 million units sold worldwide, outselling total lifetime sales of the Wii U. However, Microsoft has become more cooperative with Nintendo with the Switch platform. Minecraft is one of the first titles to support cross-play between Switch and Xbox One players. Microsoft Game Studios' Banjo-Kazooie character was also licensed to appear in Nintendo's .