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Parents: The “Nintendo Switch” Console Could Actually Be Good for Your Family

A Nintendo property is blowing up the Internet… again. Even though it isn’t Pokemon-related, it looks like it could be another game changer. What I’m talking about is the announcement of the Nintendo Switch, which Nintendo hopes will be its comeback in the Sony-and-Microsoft-dominated video game market after the lackluster performance of the Wii U.

Why is the Nintendo Switch causing such a stir, you ask? What is it about a video game console that would pique so many people’s interest?

We’ll tell you: the Nintendo Switch will be a console to plug into your TV and a portable, handheld gaming device that can go on the road with you.

That means, in theory, you could be playing a game while lounging on your couch and then pause the game, attach your controller onto your console, unplug it from the dock that connects it to your TV, and then continue playing the game—right where you left off—as your dog tears up the dog park. Or take it with you and make a party game out of it because you can turn the one controller into two controllers.

Still confused? Don’t worry. Nintendo released a video today that shows us all exactly how they want this thing to work… and it’s pretty fascinating. See for yourself:

Pretty crazy, right? For a whole host of reasons.

When we first cued this video up just scant hours ago, it garnered some polar opposite reactions from our gang. One was concerned about the potential it holds for isolating gamers who would suddenly be enabled to never put down their games ever again—which can be seen in the video. Someone else saw the potential for gaming to become more communal again—which can also be seen in the video. Two very different reactions sparked by the same device.

So which is it? Or is it both/and?

Image of the Nintendo Switch video game console (Copyright Nintendo 2016.)

Tension between reality and virtual reality is nothing new to conversations about video games. The blurry line between gaming at home and gaming on the go is also not really new. But the promise of adding depth to the mobile gaming experience is intriguing … and, if we’re honest with ourselves, potentially problematic.

But, on the flip side, one of my biggest complaints with modern home consoles is the lack of solid, family-friendly games that encourage playing together as a group while sitting on the same couch. The list of my favorite video game experiences is top heavy with games I played together with friends and family. When the original Wii came out, my whole fam played together for hours and howled with laughter—kids, parents, and grandparents alike.

So when you hear about a console like this new Nintendo Switch, what is your reaction? Are you intrigued by the potential it has to make gaming less isolated and more communal? Or are you nervous about it isolating us all even further?

Inquiring minds want to know …