When I first started this series last April the intention was to run a series of articles that predicted what we could expect from Nintendo's next console, then known as the NX.  The intent was to review them after the console was unveiled and launched and see what I got right and what I didn't.

After the teaser video in October that first showed the world the Nintendo Switch I looked back based on the knowledge we had at the time, aware that I'd have to do so after the console was unveiled in January.  Unveiling part two came and went and I never followed up, mostly because since then we've had unveiling part three, part four, part five...

Nintendo, always one to follow the beat of their own bongo, didn't unveil many things that are expected.  In the five weeks since the unveiling some information has come to light, either from Nintendo or through leaks or other means, while some remains unknown even though the console is - at the time of publication - three days away.

Furthermore, details have changed.  At first it looked like Europe was only going to get five games at launch but that has subsequently grown as third parties have added more to the launch line-up.  Snipperclips, originally pencilled in for later in March, was announced as a release title just over a week before lauch.  A special edition Joy-Con pack-in was announced as well, although it is still yet to show up on the Nintendo UK store.

Many assumed we'd be getting Directs before launch to announce details they'd not mentioned, but we're only getting one on February 28th.  Some of the information people expected from Directs has been announced anyway, but it's all been a bit of a weird, weird ride.

It would be easy, and in cases valid, to say "does Nintendo know what the hell they're doing?"  If you want to have a lot of information in advance then Nintendo surely has failed to meet this expectation.  The question becomes, should they?  I would certainly argue that Nintendo's message has been muddled, confusing and potentially harmful, but that is on the basis of a lot of assumptions - assumptions that people care about all information up front, assumptions that people check release information before release.

They obviously got a lot of press and attention during the January unveil and it could be argued that the release, if nothing else, should have been finalised by then.  However, since then we've had a few games join it, which is obviously a good thing for the console but it is questionable whether that information will have filtered beyond dedicated press.  Are there people out there that saw the reported launch line-up that may have changed their mind?  Unlikely, but possible.  Who knows?

Who knows?

This seems to be the big question with the Switch.  Is this week's launch an 'actual' launch or a 'soft' launch?  Does the lack of Virtual Console and a full online service, yet alone details about what the full service will include and cost, make it an incomplete launch?  No console ever launches with everything, even the NES got an add-on in Japan, so should we be surprised by the fact some aspects - and details - are missing?  

In software/app development - and increasingly in gaming - products aren't finished.  They're released and they evolve.  Some of them will continue to evolve for as long as they are around, some are improved for a limited period.  We're used to consoles following a set pattern; initial teases/rumours, an unveiling, a hype period, a release, software updates.  Perhaps the Switch will be the first that breaks this pattern in many ways.  The initial rumours went on for nearly two years, the unveiling was done in two parts separated by three months and the release seems to be in March and more parts of it later, perhaps even another 'launch' toward the end of the year for Super Mario Odyssey and Christmas.

There are reasons to feel that Nintendo may be setting itself up for failure, and thinking this does not mean you want them to.  There are also reasons to be excited about the console, either generally or specifically at launch.  It has been an odd console unveiling and that really is the best I can say about the Switch right now.  It still feels like its not yet the warn delicious cookie Switch it is destined to become, but really whether or not that is an issue is up to you.

Seriously, everyone should get Snipperclips

Personally the launch line-up isn't doing too much for me (although I'm glad Snipperclips is joining it), but the console itself has a lot of promise.  Concerns I have for Nintendo's handling is because I worry about the fact they may be repeating past mistakes and eventually re-encounter past issues.  Ultimately though I don't know this to be true, nobody does or can.  

In terms of looking back at my past predictions and what I got right or wrong, the previous instalment covered a lot of it.  We're a bit more clued in about third parties at launch and it seems to be a small selection but loyal support from certain developers (particularly indies), but the question will always remain 'will it be enough for third parties?'  We already know some big multi-console games we won't be getting (Red Dead Redemption 2) and can take a reasonable guess at others (Destiny 2), but will third parties continue providing ports where possible and unique experiences where not?  As ever it comes down to sales and we'll have to see how well the Switch does, and what kind of audience it captures, before knowing how the third party support will pan out over its life.

The controller could end up as baffling as the last few consoles have been.  Having a chargeable and non-chargeable cradle is bound to cause confusion and frustration (upon purchasing the wrong one) down the line, particularly for parents buying on behalf of children.  The Joy-Cons have a hell of a lot of tech but a potentially off-putting price if you don't understand their value and the D-Pad replacement will continue to be divisive throughout the console's life.  

We have of course subsequently learnt more about the launch, including the date and the price.  The price came as a surprise to many, and the lack of bundles is a price early adopters are having to pay.  Much like the controller there's a lot of tech, but less 'flashy' tech like the HD Rumble and whole portable nature of it can be a harder sell than graphics.  Yes there is a lot to moan about the graphical arms race, but it is easier to look at visual improvement and feel there's been an upgrade than it is to know the innards are fantastic - particularly if you're not a techy person anyway (terraflops anyone?).

Finally Nintendo.  After some people commented on a rather light launch, with only two games coming from Nintendo (and one being a Wii U port) the company did state they plan to spread out their releases, with Arms, Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe filling out the next few months.  It's a nice idea and one they've tried, with reasonable success, to do before.  As always though, their lineup may be great in unto itself, but if it again becomes the main lineup of the console that's when suddenly it seems less evenly distributed.  Nintendo's success as a hardware company and their ability to diversify their software is impacted on how much support they get from third parties and this relationship will become increasingly important.

Nintendo has made themselves a great machine that will have its niggles, as all consoles do, but offers a unique experience and undoubtedly will have fantastic gameplay experiences to come.  In terms of what happens next for the Switch, well...¯\_(ツ)_/¯