The Nintendo Switch

It’s a console. It’s a handheld. It’s both!

- Lucas

FOR ME, THE Wii U era began with a groan.

I was siting in the IGN war room at E3 2011. I was fixated on the TV in front of me, watching the livestream of Nintendo's press conference like a hawk, knowing that the final name for the company's next console could be dropped at any moment. I had an article already pre-written, ready to go live in mere seconds - I just had one blank spot left to fill in. I just needed the name.

Reggie finally let it be known! He said they wanted to put "you" right in the game. He declared, "Welcome to the world of . . . Wii U."

Groan. And a smattering of polite applause.

I don't want to trash the Wii U. I love that system, and I think it played host to some of the greatest games Nintendo's ever crafted. But I wanted to tell you al that brief little story to illustrate a contrast - one you're almost certainly already aware of yourself.

The Wii U began its reign with a whimper. The Switch is being swept into the spotlight with a roar.

The hype has just been so incredible for the Switch! The marketing has been so on-point; the messaging so crystal clear. Millions upon millions of people around the planet are ecstatically awaiting March 3, 2017 - the day they know they'll be able to step into an al-new era!

How many people were excited like that for the Wii U? OK, maybe the people reading this magazine, sure, but beyond our dedicated core of the most faithful Nintendo fans? Far too few.

I'm thrilled to now be standing on the threshold of what feels like it's going to be a truly amazing new generation for Nintendo. The Switch is the real deal! The promise of the NX has come to pass!