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How big is the Nintendo Switch? These photos show you

Is the Nintendo Switch bigger than a GameCube? An original Game Boy? Here's how Nintendo's newest console stacks up against previous consoles.

Luke Lancaster
Luke Lancaster is an Associate Editor with CNET, based out of Australia. He spends his time with games (both board and video) and comics (both reading and writing).
Luke Lancaster
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1 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Think the new Nintendo Switch, a $299 hybrid console out March 3, is about the same size as the Wii U GamePad? Think again...

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2 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Here it is from the other side, and face up, the Switch is easily just half as thin.

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3 of 24 James Martin/CNET

The only downside is losing a little height on the sticks.

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4 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Again proving that thin is in.

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5 of 24 James Martin/CNET

In portable mode, the Switch isn't too far off a Game Boy turned 90 degrees.

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6 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Again, it's much thinner than the best 1989 had to offer in handhelds.

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7 of 24 Sarah Tew/CNET

But how about some newer gadgets? He's the Switch next to a full-size iPad and iPhone.

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8 of 24 Sarah Tew/CNET

And here's the rival PlayStation Vita comparison.

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9 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Here's the Switch in front of the handheld Nintendo family. (Left to right) DS Lite, Game Boy Advance SP, 3DS XL.

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10 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Next to the 3DS XL, it's easy to see the same design aesthetic.

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11 of 24 James Martin/CNET

It's a bit beefier than most handhelds, but will you still carry yours around?

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12 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Both devices use Nvidia Tegra chips, but guess which one wins on sleekness? (Hint: Not the Nvidia Shield.)

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13 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Docked, it'll take up less shelf space than the Wii. And it'll sit at a less jaunty angle, but you might not be as happy about that.

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14 of 24 James Martin/CNET

The Switch's Joy-Con controllers sandwiched between the Wii nunchucks. They look so wee.

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15 of 24 James Martin/CNET

The Switch's cartridges are even smaller than the ones for the Nintendo DS.

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16 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Three generations of Nintendo home consoles. The company sure does love to play around with design.

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17 of 24 Sean Hollister/CNET

Nintendo's controllers have come a long way! Here are the Joy-Cons next to NES, SNES, N64, GameCube and Wii options.

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18 of 24 Sean Hollister/CNET

And here's a comparison with the Joy-Cons plugged into the Joy-Con Grip.

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19 of 24 James Martin/CNET

The Joy-Con Grip looks amazingly similar in size to the GameCube controller, which may be the best controller Nintendo's ever designed.

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20 of 24 Sean Hollister/CNET

Press two Joy-Cons together, and they're roughly the size of a classic NES pad.

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21 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Throw it back to the Game Boy, and you can see how far we've come. They're all barely bigger than the 1989 handheld.

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22 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Here it is with the NES Classic. Honestly don't know which of the two is harder to come by.

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23 of 24 James Martin/CNET

Want more pictures of the Nintendo Switch? Click here.

Let's unbox the Nintendo Switch and some of its accessories
Let's unbox the Nintendo Switch and some of its accessories
7:08
24 of 24

Let's unbox the Nintendo Switch and some of its accessories

We got our hands on the Nintendo Switch and some accessories. Here's what's in the box.

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