The Nintendo Switch will launch on March 3rd for $299

Nintendo has finally revealed the price and release date for its much-anticipated Switch console: it’s launching on March 3rd worldwide, and in North America the console will be available for $299.99. It’ll be launching alongside a new minigame collection called 1-2 Switch, which aims to show off some of the unique features of the Switch’s controllers, as well as the much-anticipated Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The device also won’t feature region-locking for software, so you can play games from any region no matter where you buy your console, and will offer a paid online subscription service.

The Switch was officially unveiled back in October with a teaser video, though we’ve known about the device for some time, when it was still codenamed NX. In essence, the Switch brings together the home console and portable sides of Nintendo’s business. The actual game console is housed in a tablet, which can connect to a television through a dock. According to Nintendo, the tablet has has a battery life ranging from 2.5 to 6 hours depending on the game; the company estimates a game like Breath of the Wild will last around three hours, for instance. (The Switch also charges over USB-C.) The tablet portion features a 6.2-inch display with multitouch capabilities, The console also features a distinctly Nintendo control scheme, with detachable controllers called Joy-Cons that can either snap on to the tablet, or be used on their own.

First look at games and accessories for Nintendo's Switch