Nintendo is gearing up to release its long-awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch. Formerly codenamed “NX”, it is an intriguing combination of portable and home console. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Friday's launch.

What is it?

At its heart, the Switch is a tablet-sized, 6.2-inch 720p touchscreen device, with adaptable "Joy-Con" control padsthat can attach to the side of the console, be used independently or snapped together to form a more traditional controller.

The device can switch (geddit?) between playing on the move with the screen, and at home in a special dock connected to the TV. Since it runs on one piece of hardware, games are the same whether at home or on the go, the only difference being resolution with the TV outputting at 1080p as opposed to the tablet's 720p.

While this means the Switch doesn't match the power of the PS4 or Xbox One, that's never really been Nintendo's aim, with the company preferring to focus on unique control inputs and features.

How much will it cost and when will it be released?

Nintendo Switch will release on 3 March 2017 at a price of £279.99. Extra controllers and extra storage cards will bump up the price.