On Feb. 17, Nintendo held an early release conference for a lucky few to come and test-play the new Nintendo Switch a few weeks early. Nintendo showed off some of the biggest hits for this year including: an early version of “Splatoon 2”, “Arms,” “1 2 Switch”, and of course the highly anticipated “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”.

The Switch is a handheld but also home console that features a large screen and two detachable controllers on the side called Joy Cons. The console can also be placed into a dock to seamlessly “switch” over to playing on your TV. The best part of the console is the extremely satisfying click when you dock the controllers back onto the screen.

The event itself was held in what looked like an art installation place near University of Illinois Chicago. When you first entered, it was a plain looking room with a sign-in room to confirm your ticket and check that you are who you say you are.

Entering the room was a sensory overload of crazy nerdiness. Booths were set up with games very few people have had the chance to play, a giant screen showing off the trailers of the new game and a main stage that would host some fun contests for conference goers.

Per Nintendo’s stipulation, “Splatoon 2” has to be referred to as an early version of the game, since it’s release is not until summer this year. It is very well polished, though, for being an early version. It handles very similar to the first game, which for those who don’t know, is Nintendo’s answer to the popular first person shooter genre but is made for people of all ages.

The “look” gyroscope returns when I played it but hopefully it can be disabled in the options menu. There were two maps to play on with four different weapons and it felt like a much more polished “Splatoon.”

“Arms” is Nintendo’s new fighting IP in which players grip a controller and box their friends. It was extremely fun but does require two sets of controllers. Next up on the test play was the party game “1 2 Switch”, which is a collection of mini games that really just shows off the features of the console itself, like the enhanced vibration on the Joy Con controllers.

Last, but certainly not least, “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”. It is one of, if not the most anticipated game of 2017, and I got to play the first twenty minutes of the game, and it was everything I was hoping for. The game takes place in the future 100 years after what can only be assumed as the events of “Orcarina of Time,” with Link failing to defeat Gannondorf. Look for a full review of “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” coming in the future.

The Switch looks like it’ll be a strong contender in the console market with a strong lineup already planned. The Nintendo Switch releases March 3, 2017.