GameStop CEO Seemingly Confirms Nintendo Switch Motion Controls

A comment made on a GameStop investor relations call seems to have confirmed a so-far unannounced feature for the upcoming Nintendo Switch console – motion controls.

While discussing how the console’s features have the potential to expand the gaming audience in a similar way to the Nintendo Wii, the US retailer’s CEO, Paul Raines said:

“A movement-related game is more fun for kids, you know, taking those accessories off – [the detachable Joy-Con pads] – you can really do a lot of interesting things with that in gameplay.”

Nintendo has so far refused to divulge any hardware specifics not shown off in the console’s reveal trailer, and will not be discussing them until a Nintendo Direct due for broadcast in January.

Motion controls have however seemed a likely feature for Switch – Nintendo has included them on its last two home consoles, Wii U games that utilise them are seemingly coming to Switch, and patent documents suggest their inclusion in some form.

There is a chance that the Switch’s motion controllers may not be the detachable Joy-Con pads we’ve seen already. Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has previously explained that some hardware accessories have not yet been shown off – although it’s questionable whether Nintendo would fragment its audience by requiring separate devices for what’s historically been a core feature.

GameStop appears to have a good feeling about the Switch in general. The investor call covers the fact that consumer purchase intent – a survey indicating how many of those aware of the console also plan to buy one at launch – is currently sitting at 27%, a similar level to the Xbox One before its launch.

GameStop also sees Nintendo players’ historic preference of physical media over digital downloads, and the fact that the console uses cartridges for physical playback, as an encouraging sign for sales.

Raines also explained that he had used the console, calling it “a very interesting device […] I think it’s really got tremendous potential as a game-changer. We’ll have to wait and see like everything else in this industry, the consumers will vote with their dollars, but I think it’s got a lot of potential.”

Following its more fully-fledged reveal in January, the Switch is due for release in March 2017.

Joe Skrebels is IGN’s UK News Editor, and he can’t wait to smash his first unsuspecting train neighbour in the face as he plays WarioWare during a commute. Follow him on Twitter.