Nintendo Switch: Online mobile app launches in two weeks

Nintendo sells 2.7m Switch consoles in first month

27 April

Nintendo's all-new Switch console has been on shop shelves for little more than a month, but the Japanese games giant is already seeing strong sales from its all-in-one system.

ArsTechnica reports 2.74 million units have been sold since the console launched on 3 March, "more than the two million it predicted it would ship by March 31."

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Nintendo aims to sell 13 million units by April 2018, which the site says will "almost match the Wii U's lifetime sales of 13.56 million over four years".

According to Reuters, the Switch's strong start may be because "the console has a long list of game titles from independent studios".

But the BBC claims the console was criticised for launching "with just a handful of games".

Launch titles such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild are "believed to be a driver for many of the sales", adds the broadcaster, while the recent launch of the critically acclaimed Mario Kart 8: Deluxe is expected to improve sales further.

It hasn't all been smooth sailing for the new console. Polygon had "repeated problems" with its left Joy-Con controller, "losing sync" from the Switch when it was docked.

The issue, which was replicated by fans and critics, can be resolved by sending the controller to Nintendo directly and getting it fixed for free, says Cnet.

Nintendo fits a small piece of "conductive foam" to the Joy-Con's internals, adds the site. This is designed to shield electronics from radio interference.

Nintendo Switch: New games will 'take advantage' of Joy-Cons

A new Nintendo hardware release is often joined by a host of games from the company's iconic Zelda and Super Mario franchises.

The Switch launched with the critically acclaimed Zelda: Breath of the Wild at the beginning of the month, but now the Japanese games giant appears to be planning a range of all-new intellectual property (IP) for its all-in-one console.

According to Nintendo Everything, head of software Shinya Takahashi told a Japanese magazine that "Nintendo is preparing a new IP one after another" and that they will "take advantage" of the Joy-Con controllers.

While Takahashi was unable to confirm any details of upcoming games, he did "stress the importance of indie games like Snipperclips".

Nintendo may announce more details at E3 – the Electronic Entertainment Expo, one of the world's largest computer game shows – in Los Angeles in June.

Reggie Fils-Amie, head of the company's North America division, told Fox News: "E3 is going to be a major opportunity for us to not only showcase Nintendo Switch, but also content coming for the Nintendo 3DS.

"We're going to be showcasing a variety of games. We will have experiences for consumers, who will be able to attend the show for the very first time."

Fans will be eager to see what the company has in store as only a handful of titles are currently available on the Switch.

Super Mario Odyssey has already been confirmed for a release towards the end of the year, while Metro reports that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Fire Emblem warriors could also join the line-up.

Nintendo Switch: How to fix the Joy-Con Bluetooth issue

22 March

The Nintendo Switch launched to critical acclaim when it hit the shelves at the beginning of the month, but users are not so happy with the Bluetooth Joy-Con controller.

Gamers have complained that the left controller either doesn't partner with the system or drops connectivity when the console is docked to a television.

Before the launch, Polygon reported it had suffered "repeated problems" with the left Joy-Con controller and that it was "partially or even completely losing sync from the Switch console while docked".

A software update has improved the Bluetooth connectivity, but Wired says the issue can be replicated if the controller is obstructed by the player's hand.

Cnet advises affected gamers to contact Nintendo's customer support and send them the faulty Joy-Con, which takes around a week to repair.

Images posted by the website reveal the repaired controllers have been fitted with a small piece of foam just below the left bumper button. Cnet says this could be "conductive foam" to protect from radio-frequency interference.

In a statement posted on Forbes, Nintendo says there are "no widespread technical problems, and all issues are being handled promptly, including the reports regarding the left Joy-Con Bluetooth connection".

It adds that the "total number of repair or replacement requests" for the Switch and its Joy-Con controllers are "consistent" with what it has experienced with previous launches.