Nintendo details Switch console price and release date with new 'Mario,' 'Zelda' titles

TOKYO, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Nintendo lifted the curtain on their upcoming hybrid console Switch during a live presentation.

The Nintendo Switch will be made available for purchase worldwide starting March 3 for $299.99 in the United States, the company announced onstage at the presentation Thursday.

Switch is the first console that works both at home and on-the-go. The system can be enjoyed in various game-modes including game play with a friend using the packed-in Joy-Con controller which splits into two.

The Joy-Con, which can be used as a motion controller, easily slides onto the sides of the Switch which resembles a tablet for mobile gaming or into the Joy-Con grip for a more traditional controller while the console is connected to a television via a docking station.

Other features include the ability to link up with eight other Switch consoles and a new paid-subscription online service that will run for free through fall 2017.

Two bundles will be made available featuring either a gray Joy-Con or a blue and neon red Joy-Con. The system comes bundled with the television dock, Joy-Con grip, an AC adapter, HDMI cable and Joy-Con straps.

Pre-orders across various retailers including Wal-Mart, Amazon and Best Buy have gone live.

In terms of software, Switch will launch alongside motion controlled party game 1,2 Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Nintendo's highly-anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

A cinematic trailer for Breath of the Wild was released featuring franchise hero Link battling a collection of colorful enemies who have invaded the land of Hyrule. Princess Zelda along with other allies also made an appearance.

Nintendo announced other games set to release throughout the year including Splatoon 2, the motion-controlled Arms, Minecraft, FIFA, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Super Bomberman R, Sonic Mania and NBA 2K18 just to name a few.

For the holidays, Nintendo will release a new Mario game titled Super Mario Odyssey which was announced through a gameplay trailer.

The clip surprised audiences and fans by featuring the iconic plumber traveling through a modern day looking city complete with skyscrapers and everyday looking pedestrians before returning to area's more similar to the franchise's animated look.

Notably, Mario was also seen using his hat as a boomerang and as a flying device that can reach mid-air platforms.