Nintendo Switch Plus (Krexxal)

The Nintendo Switch Plus is a hybrid console and pseudo-successor to the Nintendo Switch, developed by Nintendo and released in late 2023. Much like the Game Boy Color, the Nintendo Switch Plus is intended to be more of a gradual transition to new hardware and a means of repositioning its predecessor as a low-budget system.
==History==
===Development===
The Nintendo Switch Plus was conceptualized in 2017, immediately after the launch of the Nintendo Switch. Owing to their successful partnership with Nvidia on the Switch's internal hardware, Nintendo sought to simply refine rather than reinvent for their next system, wanting to avoid a Wii U situation. As the Switch's life continued, many major third-party titles passed over it due to outdated hardware, which was immediately made a priority for the Plus. While Nintendo did not intend to make technology for technology's sake, they knew that having stronger hardware was a net positive. The need for stronger hardware did necessitate an adjustment to the proportions of the system, with a more powerful console requiring more efficient cooling and more space in general. Rather than expand the system vertically or horizontally, Nintendo instead opted to add more space along the back of the main tablet unit, aiming for proportions akin to that of the Wii U GamePad.
In addition to refining the system's hardware, the Nintendo Switch Plus's online services would be a major focus. In addition to making the eShop more user-friendly, Nintendo decided to integrate many of the smartphone app's features, such as voice chat, into the system proper, as well as reintroducing Miiverse with enhanced moderation.
===Release===
Rumors circulated regarding a Nintendo Switch successor starting in 2021, with many believing Nintendo to be working on an enhanced Switch model rather than a successor system. In June 2023's Nintendo Direct, the Nintendo Switch Plus was announced alongside its launch lineup and features, with a release window of November 2023.
==Hardware==
Much like its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch Plus is a hybrid console, capable of being used with a TV or as a handheld.
===Console & Internals===
The Nintendo Switch Plus's main console unit is akin to a tablet, featuring an OLED touchscreen, power button, volume controls, a headphone jack, a cartridge slot, a microSD card slot, a USB-C charging port, stereo speakers, and a kickstand. Compared to the original Switch's tablet unit, the Switch Plus is slightly larger, especially at the backside, making it around the same size as the Wii U GamePad. The console itself features a Nvidia Xavier Tegra SoC (system on a chip), making it far more powerful than its predecessor. Internal storage is increased to 500 GB (with the option to use microSD cards and even external hard drives in docked mode). The console's battery life is also greatly improved.
===Dock===
The Nintendo Switch Plus's dock is larger than the original and OLED docks, including all of their features (including the OLED dock's Ethernet port) as well as two additional USB 3.0 ports. The dock itself now supports boosting games up to 4K resolution and 60 FPS where possible (graphical fidelity may vary by title). External storage units are also supported while using the dock, but require the system to be completely turned off when undocking or removing the hard drive to avoid data corruption.
===Controllers & Accessories===
====Joy-Con Plus====
The Joy-Con Plus is the successor to the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con controllers. Connecting to the console via the rails on the sides, they can be used as both a means of control in Handheld Mode, as a single controller, or as standalone controllers. Both Joy-Con Plus now have a headphone jack for voice chat and using wired headphones in docked mode, and the SL, SR, ZL, and ZR buttons are all analog triggers now, providing functionality akin to the Nintendo GameCube Controller. The L and R buttons are also redesigned to be akin to clickable mouse wheels, providing a greater depth of control while still retaining their previous functionality. The "Joy-Con Drift" that plagued previous controllers is also fixed with the Joy-Con Plus.
The Joy-Con Plus is compatible with the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED, but requires a special rail attachment in order to attach to said consoles. This is due to the larger SL/SR buttons not fitting into the original railings.
====Pro Controller Plus====
The Pro Controller Plus retains all of the enhancements from the Joy-Con Plus (headphone jack, analog ZL/ZR buttons, mouse wheel L/R buttons), and is also compatible with the original Nintendo Switch models.
====Other Controllers & Accessories====
All of the original Nintendo Switch controllers are compatible with the Nintendo Switch Plus, though some may not be ideal for playing certain games due to the lack of analog triggers and scroll-wheel L/R buttons. In addition, Nintendo GameCube Controllers and their associated adapters will be in constant production rather than being Super Smash Bros.-only releases (including new WaveBirds!). USB and BlueTooth keyboards and mice are also compatible with select software.
While the Nintendo Switch Plus is a single-screen experience for the most part, another Nintendo Switch Plus (or even a standard Nintendo Switch) can connect wirelessly with the Plus to provide dual-screen functionality akin to that of the Wii U GamePad or Nintendo DS. This technology allows for additional functionality in select software as well as providing an incentive to keep your original Switch rather than selling it after buying a Switch Plus.
All of the original Nintendo Switch's accessories are also compatible with the Nintendo Switch Plus, though in the case of Nintendo Labo, some Toy-Con designs may need to be modified to account for the new size of the system and controllers (with the VR Toy-Con in particular, an enhanced version is planned for release in 2024). Official battery packs and external hard drives are also available for sale.
==Software==
All of the following will be applied to the original Nintendo Switch's system software in a free system update unless otherwise stated.
The Nintendo Switch Plus runs on a new version of the Nintendo Switch's operating system, providing a tile-based interface that allows for quickly launching games and other apps. The system interface is now able to be fully customized, either by using presets based on previous Nintendo consoles or designing your own. The background, positions and sizes of app icons, text locations, and even adding videos autoplaying next to games are available alongside many other options.
===Nintendo Switch Online Plus===
A rebranding of Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo Switch Online Plus is the system's online service, providing access to online multiplayer, Miiverse Plus, the Nintendo eShop, voice chat, retro games, and much more. While some aspects of the service are free, others require a paid membership, either via the standard tier or the Expansion Pack. The following table details which services are available for which tier.
Service provided 	No subscription 	Standard subscription	Expansion Pack
Nintendo eShop 	Yes 	Yes 	Yes
Mii Hub 	Yes 	Yes 	Yes
Online multiplayer 	Only with select software titles	Yes 	Yes
Miiverse Plus 	Read-only 	Yes 	Yes
Cloud saves 	Only for ten software titles 	Unlimited 	Unlimited
Voice chat 	No 	Yes 	Yes
Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online 	No 	Yes 	Yes
Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online	No 	Yes 	Yes
Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online 	No 	Yes 	Yes
Sega Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online 	No 	Only select games 	Yes
Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online 	No 	Only select games 	Yes
Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Switch Online 	No 	Only select games 	Yes
Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Switch Online 	No 	Only select games 	Yes
Game Trials 	No 	Only some 	All
====Miiverse Plus====
Miiverse Plus is a relaunch of Miiverse from the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems, providing a social network to chat with others about Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Plus games and news. While browsing is free, posting and replying requires a Nintendo Switch Online Plus membership to avoid trolling and bad behavior. Unlike the original Miiverse's lack of moderation, Miiverse Plus allows for community volunteers to take part in the system as well as providing an appeals process in the event of wrongful bans. Users are also able to create their own communities in addition to posting to existing ones.
====Mii Hub====
The Mii Hub is the successor to the Wii's Check Mii Out Channel, providing users with access to a database of Miis they can upload and download from. Miis themselves now have access to all of the customization options available in the Miitopia game, giving you more ways to express yourself than ever before.
====Retro Games====
Nintendo Switch Online Plus retains the libraries of legacy content from prior consoles, providing access to NES, SNES, and Game Boy games for free, and access to Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and the newly-added Nintendo GameCube games with an Expansion Pack membership (basic tier subscribers can still play games from these consoles, but their selection is limited compared to that of the expansion pack). All of the games that were available on the Nintendo Switch are available right away, and missing titles are added at a far faster rate than before. The Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube libraries also support the Transfer Pak and the GBA-GameCube link cable respectively.
==Games==
The Nintendo Switch Plus's games are distributed via cartridges as well as via the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo Switch Plus cartridges come in two varieties:
*White cartridges are compatible with both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Plus, with enhanced features being activated when played on a Nintendo Switch Plus.
*Red cartridges can only be played on a Nintendo Switch Plus.
The console itself is region-free, allowing games to be played regardless of where they were manufactured.
All games with the page category of "Krex's Nintendo Switch Plus Games" will appear in the table below.
===Backwards compatibility===
The Nintendo Switch Plus is fully backwards compatible with all Nintendo Switch games, either via physical cartridges or games bought on the Nintendo Switch's eShop. Many games received enhancement patches for the Nintendo Switch Plus.
===Third-party support===
While the Nintendo Switch was a success, many major third-party titles skipped the system due to its inferior specs compared to its contemporaries. With the Switch Plus being much more powerful and on the level of the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X, many big third-party titles are now able to come to the system.
The Nintendo Switch Plus also retains its level of indie support, providing a cheap dev kit and the tools necessary to easily port games to the system.
==Trivia==
*The main intent of the Nintendo Switch Plus was to refine rather than reinvent its predecessor.
Category:Hybrid Consoles
Category:Nintendo Consoles
Category:Fan Consoles