Nintendo’s Switch can’t serve as a second gameplay screen in your home

Nintendo’s tablet-meets-console Switch is dropping one of the things that fans of the Wii U seemed to really like: The ability to use the system as a second gaming screen.

The Wii U’s GamePad served as both a controller and a functioning game screen. Owners could use the GamePad’s screen for secondary information, different views or even to play the game without using the television.

That won’t be the case with the Switch, which features a removable tablet-like device that allows owners to play games on the go.

“Nintendo Switch is dedicated to deliver a single-screen experience, on whatever screen you might choose,” Nintendo officials told Polygon when asked if the popular Wii U feature would be included in the Switch.

That’s likely because the base is used to connect the device to the TV, Nintendo also confirmed today.

While the Switch won’t let players use the tablet as a second screen as they play on the TV, it will, of course, allow you to play games without the need of a television.

Nintendo declined to answer a slew of other questions about the tablet and its features. Among the questions Nintendo declined to answer now were:

• What Nvidia chipset the device is using.
• Whether the Switch will have a touchscreen or motion/gyroscopic control.
• What the tablet’s resolution is, how much it weighs and its specific size.
• If the Switch supports other controller attachments beyond the Joy-Con it comes with.

Nintendo representatives did point out that there will be more announcements coming about the console before the launch. But it won’t be this year, according to the company.

Nintendo unveiled the Switch, previously codenamed NX, earlier this week in a promotional video which you can see below.