Nintendo takes big gamble with Switch's split personality

Tokyo

NINTENDO Co's new Switch gaming console won't be in stores until March 3, but the machine is fully baked and ready to play. The press got a chance to try out the new machine at an event in Tokyo last week, and events will be held in Japan and North America to let people experience the product before its official debut.

So far, investors aren't convinced the device will replicate the runaway success of the Wii console a decade ago, with Nintendo shares dropping 5.9 per cent on Friday after pricing and other details were released. The stock fell as much as 3.6 per cent on Monday, bringing the decline in the company's market value to about US$2.7 billion over the two trading days.