As the Wii U had struggled to gain external support, leaving it with a weak software library, Nintendo preemptively sought the support of many third-party developers and publishers to help build out the Switch's game library alongside Nintendo's first-party titles, including many independent video game studios. Nintendo opted to use more standard electronic components, such as a chipset based on Nvidia's Tegra line, to make development for the console easier for programmers and more compatible with existing game engines. The Nintendo Switch's design is aimed at a wide demographic of video game players through multiple modes of use. Nintendo's then-president Satoru Iwata pushed the company towards mobile gaming and novel hardware. 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 Wii U, and market competition from mobile games. The Nintendo Switch was unveiled on October 20, 2016. A revised higher-end version of the original system, featuring an OLED screen, was released on October 8, 2021.

A handheld-focused revision of the system, called the Nintendo Switch Lite, was released on September 20, 2019. Nintendo Switch games and software are available on both physical flash-based ROM cartridges and digital distribution via Nintendo eShop the system has no region lockout. The Nintendo Switch's software supports online gaming through Internet connectivity, as well as local wireless ad hoc connectivity with other consoles. They can also connect to a grip accessory to provide a traditional home console gamepad form, or be used individually in the hand like the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, supporting local multiplayer modes. Its wireless Joy-Con controllers, with standard buttons and directional analog sticks for user input, motion sensing, and tactile feedback, can attach to both sides of the console to support handheld-style play.

The console itself is a tablet that can either be docked for home console use or used as a portable device, making it a hybrid console. The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ( 53.79 million, as of March 31, 2023 )

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