GameBlog Switch rumors (English)

http://www.gameblog.fr/blogs/sorento/p_120007_tout-ce-que-je-sais-sur-la-nintendo-switch-leak-rumeur-vraie

- 1.5 TFLOPS (inserted in the dock), battery mode runs components slower to save battery time, 720p
- 4GB DDR4 (1GB for the OS derived from Android)
- GPU will have a specifically made APU engine for upscaling native 720p* to 1080p on the dock mode similar to native
- One of the models will only have 32GB of flash memory *see cartridge
- Battery life can go down to 3 hours on big games, retro games can go to 6/8 hours
- Amiibo are compatible, "one" that will be like a "deluxe" memory card (can unlock saves/dlc temporarily to a friend's Switch)
- There are several models (SDK), one that has more flash memory (so at least 2 bundles day one), which is why there is a rumor of a price around 250€ for the most basic one and 300€ for the one that includes a game.
- At Nintendo, 1080p/60 FPS* is the norm except for open worlds
- A third bundle is linked to Zelda (collector) at 350€ which includes the second SKU with a pro controller and unknown bonuses but no guarentee it will be available day one
- Recommended official cartridges for day one are 16GB but Nintendo lets the 3rd parties choose, can go up to 32 and 64GB
- Every cartridges can support microSD for downloading updates/DLCs linked to the game, you can add 128GB of memory via SD card, hard drives are not compatibles including in dock mode
- USB port for charging is Type C (really good apparently)
- A 1080p screen Switch model is planned in 3/4 years (if you are patient) like the Xbox Scorpio, it is totally compatible
- All the recent graphics engines are compatible and functional and Nintendo has shared a few assets with some "3rd parties"
- PS4 ports are planned especially from Japan, my source isn't optimistic about the western support for pure "ports" because it needs work to go from x86 to Switch...and Nintendo isn't interested about those preferring exclusives and partnerships
- Netflix / Video Streaming 4K (dock mode), to note that Nintendo is looking for partnerships to connect the console to the Internet "everywhere" very easily, how? I have no info about that.
- A very close bond to Nintendo's mobile games (without more precision)




- A transfer method will be possible for certain data from the Wii U (saves and eShop games, players can get remastered versions for free or for a low price)
- 4 Wii U remasters: Splatoon / Smash Bros. / Mario Kart 8, 4th is unknown but isn't Zelda (considered as a port), a "good amount" of new content, Mario Kart 8 Switch adds an Item switch option like Double Dash (seen in trailer)
- There will be remasters of games from earlier generations from N64 to Wii, my source thinks the rumors of Sunshine HD and Skyward Sword HD are credible
- Mario 3D: There is 2 teams, "Galaxy 2" team made 3D World and "Galaxy 1" team which made Captain Toad on Wii U was also working on an Open World Mario for Wii U which disappeared, we can think one is a new Mario and the other a "Galaxy 3".
Note: Sunshine HD is external
- 3 Retro Studio games: An action-adventure game like Uncharted was planned for the Wii U, almost complete it could have been released with the Switch in November
"New IP and Old IP": My source has smiled at the mention of Startropics "which isn't on the NES mini for nothing", another game is a Donkey Kong Country and also a Metroid Prime. Warning, only 1 or 2 games are ready for the launch.
- Luigi's Mansion 3 exists, my source has played it, it is by Next Level Games (who made the second on 3DS) as a "training", probably available day one "very beautiful"
- Pikmin 4 "no info"
- Internal projects from Nintendo are unknown



- Platinum Games
There is a close bond but my source doesn't think it would go to being bought by Nintendo
Action Climax game like Bayonetta (But not Bayonetta 3)
Fast TPS (Vanquish 2)
Unexpected IP revival

- Monolith Soft
New Xenoblade on Switch focused on narration but keeps the very big ambition for the open world as on Wii U
Works with Bandai-Namco for "remasters"

- Mistwalker
Cry On revival (cancelled X360 project) in cooperation with Silicon Studio (Bravely Default)

- Capcom
Monster Hunters, source insists on "S"
Resident Evil 7, no ports planned for the other games
2D Mega Man revival (Nintendo would even lend a team to Capcom for this)
"Capcom VS Nintendo" is a serious project
Street Fighter X Tekken

- Ubisoft
Beyond Good & Evil 2 is a definitive exclusive with "enough sales" like ZombiU
A strange crossover with Yoshi and Rabbids
Other unknown games
Note: Nintendo is negociating Rayman for Smash

- Square-Enix
Other than lending Silicon Studio (?) FFXV Switch "exists"
FF7 Remake is planned but after the PS4 versions, Cloud in Smash was not "free"
For Kingdom Hearts, it's only being thought of, but since 3 runs on Unreal Engine 4 "there is no excuses"
Nintendo is looking to work in cooperation with Monolith Soft/Mistwalker and a Final Fantasy team to propose a "unlikely" game but is being negociated a lot

- Bandai-Namco
Smash Bros. (it's huge work)
Tekken 7
Cooperation with Monolith Soft
Pacman (eShop)
JRPG (not Tales of) Switch exclusive

- Tecmo Koei
Project Zero cooperation still goes on
More "Musos" but this time more than just Zelda



Subscription & Bonus

- Online is free, Nintendo is thinking on a subscription offer for renting Virtual Console games but with several staying forever even after cancelling the subscription
- Some kind of Streetpass with the amiibo I talked about earlier which will give My Nintendo rewards, Nintendo will also reward the Switch transportation with local multiplayer
- "Achievements will give real My Nintendo points it's not just for 'glory'"
- There is some kind of share function but really few details are known
- Lots of attention on eSports and regular tournaments with rewards
- Free demos like Splatoon did
- Miiverse and eShop are close to what we know but will be accessible from mobile and PC much more easily


Launch/Marketing

- Nintendo has learned on its mistakes and will offer a launch for the span of 6 months in game releases, 20 games published/developed by Nintendo per year
- Normal price for the "Nintendo" kind of price console and games
- Nintendo was working on Switch games since January 2015 with 3DS teams included
- We will be able to try it out in February 2017 and the day after January 13th for the lucky ones who are at the conference akin to a "Playstation Experience".
- A Treehouse stream for the next few days for the people on Internet
- Zelda BOTW Switch will be shown before the conference (Game Awards?)
- Very agressive and simple marketing campaign in March
- 2 million is the objective for Nintendo but plans to deliver 3 millions especially since it's not "early March"
- 9/10 millions to the end of 2017, Nintendo is confident but plans a plan B for a "more simple" 3DS successor just in case.
- 3DS will stay until the end of 2017