Every few years, one of the big video game companies comes out with a new box that it wants consumers to make space for in their living rooms.

These systems, known as game consoles, invariably promise wondrous new twists that enhance the experience of playing games — better graphics, online matches, innovative methods of interacting with games. Thunderous hype machines accompany these new devices. The boxes that hit all the right notes become spectacular hits that often are nearly impossible to find in stores, creating lines whenever new shipments turn up.

The arrival on Friday of the Nintendo Switch console could be a moment for another game frenzy — or not. Nintendo has been making games longer and is more focused on the category than either of its chief rivals, Sony and Microsoft. Reviews of Switch have been generally positive, but Nintendo’s last console was a dud in terms of sales, and the company seems to be more vulnerable to competition from smartphone games than its rivals.