Gaming
Nintendo Switch Sells 2.74 Million Units in its First Month
Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch on March 3, Nintendo has sold 2.47 million units—more than the two million it predicted it would ship by March 31. By April 2018 it hopes to have shifted a total of nearly 13 million units, which would almost match the Wii U’s lifetime sales of 13.56 million over four years.
Sales of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Switch hit 2.76 million, confirming earlier NPD reports that the game had a greater than 100 percent attach rate to hardware. A further 1.08 million copies of the game were sold on Wii U. While Nintendo didn’t offer any sales data for should-have-been-a-pack-in party game 1-2-Switch, it did note the game “has been generating buzz.” Total software sales for the Switch are 5.46 million units.
While it’s still far too early to tell whether the Switch will fare better than its predecessor over the long term, the console is clearly off to a good start. Surprisingly, the 3DS continues to sell well, with annual sales of 7.27 million units—a seven percent increase year-on-year. This was thanks in part to the success of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, which recorded sales of 15.44 million units, while Super Mario Maker sold 2.34 million units.
Kirby: Planet Robobot also sold well hitting 1.36 million units. Overall, 3DS software sales reached 55.08 million units, a 14 percent increase year-on-year. The now discontinued Wii U did contribute somewhat to Nintendo’s bottom line, with software sales of 14.8 million units. That, however, is a 46 percent decrease year-on-year.
Hardware sales fell 77 percent to 760,000 units for the year. Despite Nintendo’s mobile push, the company didn’t provide sales figures, but instead noted that Super Mario Run”elicited a fantastic response,” while Fire Emblem Heroes, “is being enjoyed” by both long-time fans and newcomers.
Components
CORSAIR Intros MP700 ELITE Series PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSDs
CORSAIR has announced the immediate release of the MP700 ELITE series of PCIe 5.0 SSDs. These new drives bring the next generation of storage technologies to mainstream markets, offering incredible performance and reliability at a more affordable price point.
The MP700 ELITE boasts incredible sequential read speeds of up to 10,000MB/sec and sequential write speeds of up to 8,500MB/sec, powered by the cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 x4 controller. This leap in performance ensures users can experience faster boot times, quicker game loads, and seamless file transfers, taking their overall computing experience to new heights.
Featuring High-Density 3D TLC NAND, the MP700 ELITE series provides the perfect blend of performance and endurance, keeping your system running smoothly for years. With support for Microsoft DirectStorage, these drives can communicate directly with your graphics card, significantly reducing load times for compatible games and enhancing gameplay.
Utilizing the compact M.2 2280 form factor, the MP700 ELITE is available both with a heatsink for desktop motherboards, and also without a heatsink for use with integrated motherboard cooling and in compatible laptops. Moreover, backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 platforms ensures that a wide range of users can benefit from this advanced technology. A PCIe 5.0 platform, such as Intel’s 800-series or AMD’s 800-series is required for the highest throughput.
With a comprehensive five-year warranty and the CORSAIR SSD Toolbox software for advanced drive management, the MP700 ELITE series stands as a testament to CORSAIR’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. The CORSAIR MP700 ELITE series is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities.
Components
Cooler Master Releases the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White
Cooler Master, a leading provider of PC components, gaming peripherals, and tech lifestyle solutions, has today announced the release of the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White, an all-new colourway for their premium liquid cooler. This flagship AIO cooler features the company’s first LCD display and showcases the most advanced cooling technology to date.
Key features and benefits of the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White include:
- Gen X Dual Chamber Design: Dual chambers work together for the most efficient cooling.
- 2.1-inch IPS LCD Screen: The pump features a 2.1-inch LCD screen, fully customizable via the MasterCTRL software.
- Mobius 120P ARGB Fans: Equipped with three white Mobius 120P ARGB fans for unmatched cooling performance.
- Personalization and Compatibility: Built-in features such as controllable ARGB lighting and automatic PWM adjustment are compatible with all major motherboards and allow for in-depth personalization.
- Easier Installation: Preinstalled Mobius 120P ARGB fans and a simplified bracket design make installation simpler and faster.
The MasterLiquid 360 Ion White is the liquid cooler to watch for in the next generation of PC building. With the ideal combination of flagship performance and customization possibilities, as well as an all-white aesthetic for an entirely different look, the Ion is a cooling powerhouse you just can’t look away from.
Gadgets
Corsair Introduces K70 PRO TKL
CORSAIR has unveiled the K70 PRO TKL, a tenkeyless keyboard that redefines the standards of gaming performance. Powered by CORSAIR’s innovative MGX Hyperdrive magnetic switches and featuring cutting-edge technologies like Rapid Trigger and FlashTap, the K70 PRO TKL is designed to dominate the competitive gaming scene.
The K70 PRO TKL introduces CORSAIR’s MGX Hyperdrive magnetic switches, which utilize Hall-effect sensors for lightning-fast activation. Combined with Rapid Trigger, these switches accelerate actions by registering and resetting keypresses instantly, surpassing the capabilities of traditional mechanical switches. The customisable actuation distance, ranging from 0.1mm to 4.0mm, allows gamers to tailor the keyboard to their specific preferences.
The K70 PRO TKL also offers FlashTap, a revolutionary SOCD system that enables esports-grade character movement. By prioritizing the first or last keypress, FlashTap significantly enhances in-game movement, particularly for rapid-strafing and move-mirroring techniques.
The wired-only K70 PRO TKL boasts 8,000Hz hyper-polling, ensuring ultra-fast keystroke registration. CORSAIR’s AXON hyper-processing technology further minimizes input lag and delay, giving gamers a decisive edge in critical moments.
The K70 PRO TKL delivers a premium gaming experience with its pre-lubricated MGX Hyperdrive switches, which offer a consistent and wobble-free keystroke. The keyboard’s sound-dampening foam reduces unwanted noise, creating a quieter and more immersive gaming environment.