Issue #26: The Nintendo Switch Launch Guide – March/April 2017

An all-new era begins!

The 26th issue of NF Magazine is now complete, and with it we celebrate the opening of the next chapter of Nintendo's on-going story: the launch of the new Nintendo Switch! 

We've dedicated this issue to that upcoming event, now mere weeks away. With our Nintendo Switch Launch Guide, we're leaving no stone unturned as we highlight all of the biggest games confirmed to be heading to the system (and some that are still hanging around in rumor territory). From the fighting genre revolution of ARMS to the expected Wii U upgrades like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, from spectacular-looking sequels like Splatoon 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to the wild adventure of Super Mario Odyssey, we've featured them all to help you prepare yourself for the Nintendo Switch launch day, March 3!

Nintendo surprised us with that timing, as we (like most everyone else, I think) originally assumed that the Switch would arrive a bit later in the month of March – not the very first Friday! But we sped up our production cycle to compensate, so that most every print subscriber should receive their physical copy of this issue in the mail before the Switch hits store shelves. (As always, the further around the planet you live from the United States, the longer print copies may take to arrive.)

Digital PDF editions of this issue will show up in Digital and Combo subscribers' email inboxes tomorrow: Monday, February 13.

The Magzter edition for Digital and Combo subscribers will follow a few days later – as always, that timing depends on Magzter's processing, which is sometimes fast and efficient, but other times takes a few days to finish.

"But Lucas!" I hear you shouting. "What about the Switch giveaway?"

I didn't forget about the giveaway! Everyone who signed up before 10:00 P.M. EST on February 12 has their name in the hat for that drawing. The drawing itself will take place on March 1, just before the Switch launch. The reason is twofold: 

1) Because that's when Patreon will run the pledges for this issue, and you have to be a patron in good standing to be able to win. (No frauds gonna steal the free Switch from one of our real, dedicated Force fans.) 

And 2) I want to make sure everyone knows who the winner is before March 3, so you can either maintain your own plan for picking up a Switch that day, or else kick them to the curb in celebration if you're declared the winner. :p

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!!

The influx of new patrons these past few weeks has been insane! I haven't been able to keep up with it all. There are hundreds of new subscribers signed up since our last issue. Welcome one and all!

Because the outpouring of support has been so strong, I'm going to immediately begin a new Switch Giveaway! All of you now have two chances to win instead of one!

The cut-off for the first Switch Giveaway has come and gone – it was tied in to the same time that we cut off the mailing list for Issue #26.

The new cut-off for the second Switch Giveaway will be tied to the same time as we cut off the mailing list for Issue #27 in mid-April. You'll need to continue to be a patron in good standing through May 1 to qualify for that one. But! Since many of you will already own a Switch by that point, there will be two prize options instead of one: The winner of the second Switch Giveaway will be able to choose either a Switch (a $300 value) or . . . $300 worth of Switch games! That way, everyone can have an equal interest in winning, whether or not you're jumping into Switch ownership immediately. Free Splatoon 2? Free Xenoblade Chronicles 2? Free Fire Emblem Warriors, and Super Mario Odyssey, and whatever else you want? Not too shabby, says I.

We can continue offering major giveaway prizes like this because of all the support you guys have shown us! Thank you so much for joining the Force and helping the legacy of printed Nintendo magazine coverage to continue! We'll do our very best to continue to earn your patronage with every new issue!

~ Lucas M. Thomas