Nintendo discusses the meaning behind the Switch's name and branding

The company aims to 'change the way people experience entertainment in their daily lives.'

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In an interview with Japanese publication Nintendo Dream, a Nintendo spokesperson discussed the two meanings of Switch, the company's handheld/console hybrid to be released in March 2017.

"We decided that this name would be the best fit for our product for two reasons," explained the spokesperson (via Nintendo Life).

"It represents one of the defining features of the Switch, the ability to seamlessly ‘switch’ between the TV screen and Switch’s screen, while also embodying the idea of being a ‘switch’ that will flip, and change the way people experience entertainment in their daily lives."

Back in October, Nintendo unveiled Switch in a promotional trailer that centered on the platform's capacity to go from a mounted console that outputs to a TV, to a handheld device they can play anytime, anywhere.

Nintendo's next scheduled info dump for Switch will take place on January 13, when it will announce a price and exact release date. The company will also hold a private event to give media hands-on time with select launch games.

Unconfirmed reports concerning Switch's functionality continue to leak out in drips and drabs, however. This morning, Eurogamer spoke to a source close to Nintendo that the platform will offer GameCube games through its Virtual Console.

Other reports indicate that the Switch tablet—the console itself—features a capacitive touchscreen and outputs at 720p when not connected to a TV. 

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.

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