Nintendo Switch may be Nintendo's official dip into esports

When Nintendo revealed its next console, Nintendo Switch, one thing in the trailer stood out that didn't really have anything to do with the hardware: esports.

Nintendo is not known for supporting or encouraging competitive gaming. Despite that, there are thriving competitive scenes around some of its most popular titles, Super Smash Bros. in particular (except Brawl; We don't talk about Brawl).

In the past couple months, Nintendo seems to have shifted (or Switched) its stance on esports. The last minute of its new trailer confirmed this.

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The video shows Splatoon players competing in a sold out arena, high-fiving fans on their way to centerstage. It looks like the typical arena setup for popular esports like League of Legends or Dota 2, minus the security people keeping fans from touching players.

This vision isn't totally out there. ESL, one of the largest esports tournament organizers in the world, has hosted multiple Splatoon tournaments. Nintendo partnered with ESL in September for its current Go4Splatoon tournament, offering up four Nintendo Switches as a grand prize before the world even knew its real name.

Whether the trailer scenes are a goal for Nintendo or just a dream, the company is making its newfound support for esports clear.

Not only that, Nintendo also took the opportunity to show off how the Switch can be used for impromptu practice no matter where players are.

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At tournaments without proper practice rooms, players can set up their highly mobile Switches wherever they want to go over strategies and get in a few practice rounds. High-level tournaments will sometimes provide ample practice setups for competitors, but the vast majority of competitive LAN events don't.

Although Splatoon may not be Nintendo's "killer app" in the world of esports, the company seems to be opening the door for more competitive possibilities. And maybe it won't be so quick to turn a cold shoulder to the Smash scene.