:Calculator (Nintendo Switch)

Calculator replicates a scientific calculator, including methods to compute elementary arithmetic, trigonometric functions, and logarithms. It visually resembles the calculator app bundled with iOS devices. Calculator was developed by the British company Sabec for the Nintendo Switch, a video game console. Before it, the company had been known to release utility software and simple games for the platform. These include a piano, drum set, and guitar, as well as a night vision app that uses the Joy-Con's infrared sensor. TouchArcade{{'}}s Shaun Musgrave, who had regularly reported on Sabec's releases, regarded them as "over-priced, virtually useless software". Calculator was first listed on the Nintendo eShop on May 11, 2021, and released on May 12. It was priced at {{US$|10}} or {{GBP|8.09}}. Sabec advertised it as suited for students and engineers. The app was later rated for ages 3 and up by the International Age Rating Coalition and then released in Japan on June 24 at {{Yen|899}}.

Calculator was the first Sabec app to go viral. It was widely criticized for its price point, which was more expensive than some physical calculators, while not having more features than free alternatives for smartphones and personal computers. Publications that criticized Calculator's price–performance ratio include CNET, Engadget, Eurogamer, GameSpot, Gfinity, Kotaku, Nintendo Life, and TechRadar. Several critics questioned its usefulness, similar to the web browser on the PlayStation 5, as there were devices better suited to use as calculators. Musgrave considered it to not be the company's worst release and highlighted the comedic aspect of using a calculator on a gaming platform. In his review for Gfinity, Henry Stockdale noted that the app's widescreen layout felt unnatural for a calculator. Adam Vjestica, writing for TechRadar, considered Calculator proof of the faulty maintenance of the eShop, saying that "the bar is so low, that as long as a game works, it'll be allowed to slither onto the eShop, even if it stinks up the joint in the process". He believed that the number of low-quality releases, as well as the media coverage they attained, hampered the visibility of higher-quality indie games.

Calculator became an Internet meme. On Metacritic, a review aggregator for video games and other media, users review-bombed the app with perfect 10/10 scores accompanied by humorous comments. This gave Calculator an average user score of 9.1/10 within days of its release, ranking it as the fifth-best Switch game by user score, on par with Monster Hunter Rise. In speedrunning, the video game streamer SmallAnt set the record for counting to 1,000 using Calculator in 38 seconds.

Shortly following the popularity of Calculator, Sabec released further non-game software to the eShop, including a xylophone, a handpan, and Spy Alarm, which uses the Joy-Con's infrared sensor to detect motion. The company also developed licensed games based on the British game show Bullseye and the character Popeye. Calculator has been cited as an influence on other non-game products entering the eShop, such as the note-taking software Notes released by Game Nacional in June 2021. In August, it spawned the multiplayer game Battle Calculator by Blacksmith DoubleCircle, in which up to four players compete to compute a given number as quickly as possible.

• The Last Hope: Dead Zone Survival{{snd}}another product cited when criticizing the eShop's quality control

{{Reflist|refs=

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{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-calculator-app-it-costs-10/ |title=The Nintendo Switch is getting a calculator app. It costs $10 |first=Daniel |last=Van Boom |date=May 11, 2021 |website=CNET |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212194943/https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-calculator-app-it-costs-10/ |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/calculator-nintendo-switch-app-135510099.html |title=The hottest new Nintendo Switch app is... Calculator! |first=Devindra |last=Hardawar |date=May 12, 2021 |website=Engadget |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212195202/https://www.engadget.com/calculator-nintendo-switch-app-135510099.html |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-switch-spy-alarm-joy-con-sabec-150922558.html |title='Spy Alarm' turns your Switch into an invisible tripwire |first=Kris |last=Holt |date=May 25, 2021 |website=Engadget |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026001334/https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-switch-spy-alarm-joy-con-sabec-150922558.html |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-calculator-app-priced-gbp8 |title=Nintendo Switch is getting a calculator app, priced £8 |first=Tom |last=Phillips |date=May 11, 2021 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120060052/https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-calculator-app-priced-gbp8 |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/682173-calculator-nintendo-switch-reviews-metacritic |title=Calculator is now one of the top 5 Nintendo Switch games on Metacritic, somehow |first=Paul |last=Tamburro |date=May 19, 2021 |website=GameRevolution |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625071124/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/682173-calculator-nintendo-switch-reviews-metacritic |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/calculator-for-nintendo-switch-is-one-of-the-highest-user-rated-games-on-metacritic/1100-6491700/ |title=Calculator For Nintendo Switch Is One Of The Highest User-Rated Games On Metacritic |first=Gabe |last=Gurwin |date=May 19, 2021 |website=GameSpot |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519170609/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/calculator-for-nintendo-switch-is-one-of-the-highest-user-rated-games-on-metacritic/1100-6491700/ |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-long-last-the-nintendo-switch-gets-a-10-calculator-app/1100-6491368/ |title=At Long Last, The Nintendo Switch Gets A $10 Calculator App |first=Darryn |last=Bonthuys |date=May 12, 2021 |website=GameSpot |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907163519/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-long-last-the-nintendo-switch-gets-a-10-calculator-app/1100-6491368/ |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/a-new-popeye-game-is-being-made-by-the-team-who-made-the-nintendo-switch-calculator/ |title=A new Popeye game is being made by the team who made the Nintendo Switch Calculator |first=Hope |last=Bellingham |date=November 2, 2021 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225090142/https://www.gamesradar.com/a-new-popeye-game-is-being-made-by-the-team-who-made-the-nintendo-switch-calculator/ |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/this-nintendo-switch-calculator-game-costs-pound8-and-does-exactly-what-you-expect-it-to/ |title=This Nintendo Switch Calculator game costs £8 and does exactly what you expect it to |first=Ian |last=Stokes |date=May 11, 2021 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105065648/https://www.gamesradar.com/this-nintendo-switch-calculator-game-costs-pound8-and-does-exactly-what-you-expect-it-to/ |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.gfinityesports.com/reviews/calculator-review-a-math-made-in-heaven/ |title=Calculator Nintendo Switch Review: A Math Made In Heaven |first=Henry |last=Stockdale |date=May 18, 2021 |publisher=Gfinity |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713145510/https://www.gfinityesports.com/reviews/calculator-review-a-math-made-in-heaven/ |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-notes-app |title=Move Over Calculator — Now There's a Nintendo Switch Notes App |first=Joseph |last=Knoop |date=June 11, 2021 |website=IGN |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131130506/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-notes-app |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2106/24/news115.html |title=Nintendo Switch ni "kansū dentaku" haishin kaishi gakusei ya enjinia no riyō o sōtei |script-title=ja:Nintendo Switchに「関数電卓」配信開始 学生やエンジニアの利用を想定 |language=ja |trans-title="Scientific calculator" now available on Nintendo Switch, intended for use by students and engineers |date=June 24, 2021 |website=ITmedia |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222092416/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2106/24/news115.html |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/switch-gets-a-notes-app-so-the-calculator-doesnt-get-l-1847080991 |title=Switch Gets A Notes App, So The Calculator Doesn't Get Lonely |first=Ash |last=Parrish |date=June 11, 2021 |website=Kotaku |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203231241/https://kotaku.com/switch-gets-a-notes-app-so-the-calculator-doesnt-get-l-1847080991 |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-wait-is-over-calculator-debuts-for-nintendo-switch-1846878862 |title=The Wait Is Over: Calculator Debuts For Nintendo Switch |first=Ash |last=Parrish |date=May 12, 2021 |website=Kotaku |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808111354/https://kotaku.com/the-wait-is-over-calculator-debuts-for-nintendo-switch-1846878862 |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/switchs_calculator_is_outdone_by_battle_calculator_a_new_competitive_multiplayer_game |title=Switch's Calculator Is Outdone By 'Battle Calculator', A New Competitive Multiplayer Game |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=August 5, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212214916/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/switchs_calculator_is_outdone_by_battle_calculator_a_new_competitive_multiplayer_game |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/from-the-makers-of-piano-drums-and-guitar-comes-handpan |title=From The Makers Of 'Piano', 'Drums', And 'Guitar' Comes... 'Handpan' |first=Kate |last=Gray |date=November 1, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323182250/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/from-the-makers-of-piano-drums-and-guitar-comes-handpan |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/random_fans_are_having_a_field_day_reviewing_nintendo_switchs_calculator |title=Random: Fans Are Having A Field Day Reviewing Nintendo Switch's Calculator |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=May 14, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209052957/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/random_fans_are_having_a_field_day_reviewing_nintendo_switchs_calculator |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/06/move_over_calculator_-_nintendo_switch_now_has_a_bafflingly_expensive_notepad |title=Move Over, Calculator – Nintendo Switch Now Has A Bafflingly Expensive Notepad |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=June 10, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225025103/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/06/move_over_calculator_-_nintendo_switch_now_has_a_bafflingly_expensive_notepad |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/the-developers-of-hit-switch-game-calculator-are-making-a-popeye-game |title=The Developers Of Hit Switch Game 'Calculator' Are Making A Popeye Game |first=Kate |last=Gray |date=November 1, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318051750/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/the-developers-of-hit-switch-game-calculator-are-making-a-popeye-game |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/nintendo_switch_has_games_-_and_now_it_has_an_expensive_calculator_too |title="Nintendo Switch Has Games" – And Now It Has An Expensive Calculator, Too |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=May 11, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526193547/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/nintendo_switch_has_games_-_and_now_it_has_an_expensive_calculator_too |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/later_this_week_nintendo_switch_is_getting_an_infrared_spy_alarm |title=Later This Week, Nintendo Switch Is Getting An Infrared Spy Alarm |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=May 24, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320220601/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/later_this_week_nintendo_switch_is_getting_an_infrared_spy_alarm |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/introducing_xylophone_from_the_studio_that_brought_you_nintendo_switchs_calculator |title=Introducing Xylophone, From The Studio That Brought You Nintendo Switch's Calculator |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=May 18, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811180110/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/introducing_xylophone_from_the_studio_that_brought_you_nintendo_switchs_calculator |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/the-nintendo-switch-calculator-app-sums-up-everything-thats-wrong-with-the-eshop |title=The Nintendo Switch calculator app sums up everything that's wrong with the eShop |first=Adam |last=Vjestica |date=May 15, 2021 |website=TechRadar |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230153843/https://www.techradar.com/news/the-nintendo-switch-calculator-app-sums-up-everything-thats-wrong-with-the-eshop |url-status=live}}

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Category:2021 video games

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Category:Nintendo Switch games

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Category:Software calculators

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