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The Nintendo Switch, colloquially known as simply the Switch, and known during development as the NX, is a hybrid video game console created by Nintendo at the end of the eighth generation of video game consoles. Released on March 3, 2017, the Switch serves as a successor to both Nintendo's previous home console, the Wii U, as well as their previous handheld console, the Nintendo 3DS. It can be played both portably and on a larger screen through the use of a dock.
The Nintendo Switch released to critical and commercial success, generating rapid and large sales numbers, outpacing all of Nintendo's prior consoles to become their fastest-selling console of all time. Surpassing all of Nintendo's consoles except for the Nintendo DS in sales, the Nintendo Switch is Nintendo's second-best-selling console of all time, as well as the third-best-selling overall console of all time, behind both the DS and the PlayStation 2. After surpassing the sales of the Wii by December 31, 2021, it became Nintendo's best-selling home console of all time. The Nintendo Switch first competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4; the continued support of the Nintendo Switch as Nintendo's primary platform as well as the start of the ninth console generation have resulted in the Switch competing with both the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5 as well. The Switch briefly sold alongside its portable predecessor, the Nintendo 3DS.
Following a decline in revenues in the late years of the Wii, and throughout the Wii U's lifespan, the Switch was created as an attempt to regain footing in the market. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé described the Switch as a "make or break" product for Nintendo. The Switch's massive commercial success as created a rise in revenue for Nintendo, and numerous critically acclaimed titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe have been released for the system. The Switch is also the first system created by Nintendo to utilize a paid subscription for online play, known as Nintendo Switch Online. In spite of the Switch's success, Nintendo Switch Online has faced criticism and backlash against its operation, poor server connections, and potential lack of overall value.
The Switch has received a smaller, portable-only model, the Nintendo Switch Lite. The Switch Lite cannot dock to a larger screen, and does not have detachable controllers like the primary model. It was released on September 20, 2019. A third model, the Nintendo Switch OLED, features a larger, OLED screen and increased storage space. It was released on October 8, 2021.