Nintendo NX to be released in 2016

[ZeroCool]

Just read this yesterday and a couple of things stick out such as 20 million units being produced within one year and it being released July 2016. I highly doubt that it would make sense to release it in the summer. Fall 2016 seems more feasible. I think everyone knows although the Wii U has games coming up that all the focus on any big hitters is being saved for the NX. I think it makes sense as its time for Nintendo to just cut their losses with the Wii U as it has been a total flop.

The biggest question is what exactly will this be? A hybrid system an actual dedicated home console? A couple of Nintendo stated it being as a home console but without confirmation and a reveal I'm not so sure. They did show third party developers at E3 what was it about. I'm hoping its just a home console where there are no stupid gimmicks its as powerful as the PS4 and a lot of third party games. A lot of Nintendo fans may not like third party but there a huge of us that actually do. If they can go back to their NES and SNES days I would never buy Sony as their first party games suck anyways. With the same hardware that Sony has probably being cheaper by now I hope Nintendo goes this route. By the time Sony and Microsoft make another console the NX would have at least 5 years so it wouldn't trail behind them. Then again its Nintendo so it will probably be a lame, gimmicky console.

[ZeroCool]

Damn....I posted it in the wrong forum.

[Leo_A]

You also didn't mention that this is just a rumor.

And nobody at Nintendo has confirmed anything about the nature of the NX (Such as it being a console replacement for the Wii U), beyond stating that it's a different concept and confirming that it's dedicated gaming hardware to reassure those that would've worried that Nintendo was leaving when their mobile initiative was announced. And the most that has ever been officially said about 2016, is that they'd tell us more next year.

My sole observation is that if there's any truth whatsoever to this, it basically confirms the long rumored direction of hardware commonality going forwards for Nintendo. Coming off the 3DS and the Wii U, there's no way as I see it that 20 million consoles or handhelds could be sold from a summer launch through the end of that fiscal year, if it was just one or the other.

But with console and handheld versions of the same hardware, if Nintendo has a heck of a software lineup ready and markets it properly, and the stars and planets are in the correct alignment, then just maybe they could ship an amount approaching that.

[Niku-Sama]

yea Nintendo has already said they wont release a new home console until they feel satisfied with the Wii u and they aren't yet obviously. they are finally getting something going on it with the zeldas, star foxes ect

[Jorpho]

Also, I can't imagine that Microsoft and Sony don't already have people working on their next consoles too.

[Greg2600]

Without some huge gimmick/selling point, I don't see "NX" being successful. At that point, they'll be no different than if a totally new company got into the console game, like Google or Apple. Almost no one has a Wii U, and I'll bet most of those households own an XBone or PS4 as well.

[Leo_A]

Without some huge gimmick/selling point, I don't see "NX" being successful.

I suspect the gimmick will be one line of hardware.

Not necessarily with an all-in-one device and maybe not even with the physical software format itself (I could see the handheld relying on 100% digital distribution while the console supplements digital with Blu-Ray based retail releases). But almost assuredly with one common line of software so that any title created for the NX can be sold to every owner of modern Nintendo videogame hardware instead of the traditional split nature of Nintendo's business.

Completely separate handhelds and consoles worked fine when 3rd parties thrived on Nintendo hardware and Nintendo was virtually the only place to go for gaming on the go, but has only been detrimental now that Nintendo is responsible for the lion's share of software sold on their hardware. If they're going to survive in both of these business lines, they can't keep splitting up their development resources.

The gaps this generation have been much too long between major Nintendo releases, they have to virtually discontinue new releases long in advance of the launch of next-generation hardware just to prepare, and inevitably, they still don't have an adequate flow of software ready to go for that crucial opening six months on the market as the launch of both the 3DS and the Wii U demonstrated so well.

[Greg2600]

Doesn't that limit themselves? Handheld graphics cannot compete with console.

[PizzaKat]

Without some huge gimmick/selling point, I don't see "NX" being successful. At that point, they'll be no different than if a totally new company got into the console game, like Google or Apple. Almost no one has a Wii U, and I'll bet most of those households own an XBone or PS4 as well.

There are still millions who haven't upgraded to the next generation for whatever reason, Nintendo can potentially reach out to this market.

[The 1 2 P]

The only thing I've heard Nintendo say is that they won't talk about the NX until 2016. If they actually plan on releasing it in 2016 then they'll probably release that next Zelda game on both systems as they did for Twilight Princess on the Gamecube and Wii. And I'd bet that the NX version comes out first while they hold the Wii U version back for, um...."quality control" reasons.

[kupomogli]

Nintendo has already stated they're not going to compete with Sony for graphics. I've expected for awhile that the NX to be basically be Nintendo's version of the TG16 and Turbo Express Portable. Both handheld and console will be sold separately, but the games on each system will be universal. I think the NX will be no more powerful than Wii U, and may or may not have Wii U backwards compatibility. Imo it's going to be more like "you didn't support us purchasing the Wii U? Go fuck yourself." The reason I don't think it's going to be more powerful than the Wii U, is because the handheld will need to be as powerful as the console and both systems will use cards. The concept of the Wii U is basically a DS. The HDTV is basically the same as the top screen, the touch pad is the same as the bottom screen. So the NX might use the same concept and the portable version will be a DS style system. Or they might do away with the DS and use a regular controller, going back to a Gameboy style system.

As was already stated, the benefit of both systems playing the same games is that development costs are reduced as you'd be developing it for a single unified system. Not only would this benefit first party developers as they wouldn't have to split resources between systems, it might interest other third party developers, maybe more niche studios, to develop for this system instead of the another console, because they'll be able to capture the interest of both the handheld and console market by developing a single version. Nintendo hasn't had much third party support in comparison ever since Sony came to the market. The portables have had a lot of great software that was exclusive, but not so much with their consoles. I think this hybrid console is really going to be a necessity if Nintendo wants to continue to do both portable and console and still be a competitor in the market. I also think it's Nintendo's last chance to show gamers they're relevant on consoles and that if the NX fails as a console, Nintendo may go exclusive to portable development.

I think if it's a hybrid console it'll succeed though, because this benefits gamers. Gamers can purchase a single copy of the game at retail and play the game portable or on home console. So people can purchase the console if they're more interested in playing on console, or purchase the portable if they're more interested on portables, and then you'll have the people who purchase both, playing the console while they're at home and the portable while at a friends, work, etc.

[ZeroCool]

Nintendo has already stated they're not going to compete with Sony for graphics. I've expected for awhile that the NX to be basically be Nintendo's version of the TG16 and Turbo Express Portable. Both handheld and console will be sold separately, but the games on each system will be universal. I think the NX will be no more powerful than Wii U, and may or may not have Wii U backwards compatibility. Imo it's going to be more like "you didn't support us purchasing the Wii U? Go fuck yourself." The reason I don't think it's going to be more powerful than the Wii U, is because the handheld will need to be as powerful as the console and both systems will use cards. The concept of the Wii U is basically a DS. The HDTV is basically the same as the top screen, the touch pad is the same as the bottom screen. So the NX might use the same concept and the portable version will be a DS style system. Or they might do away with the DS and use a regular controller, going back to a Gameboy style system.

As was already stated, the benefit of both systems playing the same games is that development costs are reduced as you'd be developing it for a single unified system. Not only would this benefit first party developers as they wouldn't have to split resources between systems, it might interest other third party developers, maybe more niche studios, to develop for this system instead of the another console, because they'll be able to capture the interest of both the handheld and console market by developing a single version. Nintendo hasn't had much third party support in comparison ever since Sony came to the market. The portables have had a lot of great software that was exclusive, but not so much with their consoles. I think this hybrid console is really going to be a necessity if Nintendo wants to continue to do both portable and console and still be a competitor in the market. I also think it's Nintendo's last chance to show gamers they're relevant on consoles and that if the NX fails as a console, Nintendo may go exclusive to portable development.

I think if it's a hybrid console it'll succeed though, because this benefits gamers. Gamers can purchase a single copy of the game at retail and play the game portable or on home console. So people can purchase the console if they're more interested in playing on console, or purchase the portable if they're more interested on portables, and then you'll have the people who purchase both, playing the console while they're at home and the portable while at a friends, work, etc.

That actually makes sense. The only problem I see is how much will each cost? Someone is going to shell out a lot of money if they want both I believe. If it is more powerful than the Wii U how is the battery life? My main concern is the third party issue. As much as I love Nintendo's games they need variety and will third party developers be convinced of this system since making a game with the power of more than a Wii U will obviously cost more than a 3DS game where graphics aren't strong. If they don't get the Resident Evils, the fighting games, the console RPGs and other titles I'll be dissapointed.

[Tanooki]

It makes partial sense. I don't think they'll do a go fuck yourself system over the WiiU.

I've said this a lot here before and I'll keep it shorter here. A few things have popped up in their history over the last few years that got me to this point.
- Preaching scalability
- Melding console + handheld R&D divisions into one unit
- Adamant about not making high tech stuff to compete
- Being unique
- High development costs are a burden/problem

The last couple of years, I've been stating seeing this stuff and the tidbits I get off my game producer brother is that they succeed in handhelds and they fail in the console, even the Wii. I don't speak just of profit, but of quality buyers and of companies they don't own a share in making good games. DS vs Wii, 3DS vs WiiU, which one had the third party games? Which one sold more units and games per system combined? Handhelds. Japan on the whole is a mobile society and the handhelds and phones/tablets do a lot more penetration than the consoles. I can see a situation where they make two systems, 100% compatible hardware, and games that run on both. Think of my old laptop vs my gaming laptop. Both can run something like Civilization 5, but while the old was lesser parts it ran on a mix of low-mid settings, my gaming laptop runs on maximum with room to spare. They both play well, both ran at 30fps (or better), it's just the older machine ran at a lower resolution with lower settings, but the game experience is the same. Now envision the NX handheld and the NX console. Both are the same parts, but while the handheld has a lower clocked smaller cache, maybe a little less RAM on it system, the console itself has the full specs. The console would run in full HD 1080p, the handheld would be more on a resolution like the Vita has with a lower resolution screen. Both games would essentially run the game, sound pretty close, and look pretty close, the game would be scaled to the appropriate hardware, and like 3DS games the game would save to the game card so you can go between both, DLC would be pulled or exterior files docked on the hardware could get network transferred.

This way you could sell a nice console to those who want something more on a Nvidia Shield (or so) type level, or you could get the handheld if you're a more mobile, couch, car, public transportation guy who wants it that way. The games will run on both, but you don't have to buy both. Since the parts are cheaper versions of the ones in the console vs the handheld, they can use the same facilities to make both systems and the games that run on both. Big savings, no left over junk to struggle getting out there, and being not a competing system development costs are lower too so 3rd parties would be more inclined to make games for the handheld, and if someone has the system they can do that too.

[Leo_A]

Doesn't that limit themselves? Handheld graphics cannot compete with console.

Nintendo hasn't competed on horsepower directly for years now anyways.

A plateau like the Wii U, where the console experience provides for the graphical fidelity seen in titles like Mario Kart 8 while the handheld displays a 480p image not unlike the Wii U's gamepad, not only appears adequate for beautiful graphics as evidenced by existing titles like Super Mario 3D World, but also doesn't seem out of reach for unified hardware going forward. We're talking about capabilities that are roughly comparable to the hardware that Nintendo's competition released nearly a decade ago. I think Nintendo can get to there with a handheld in 2016 at a reasonable cost.

Plus, mobile graphics can be very high quality these days. Even the handheld Vita from several years ago can get pretty close to this level when it's properly pushed by a talented developer, as seen in titles like Killzone and Uncharted. And like was just said, there's also the potential that the software when running on the handheld version can scale to have things be toned down to bring it down to 480p, reductions in processing effects like AA and AF, frame rates being dropped from 60 to 30 fps (I hope not), etc.

That would allow for higher quality console graphics while helping keep the cost of the handheld version of the hardware in check (And assist in minimizing the form factor of the handheld, maximizing battery life, and so on).

More expensive programming since two variations of the base hardware must be taken into account, but PC developers have taken it much further for many years now and must deal with many more variables. I suspect that being able to sell a future title like Mario Kart 9 to everyone instead of just a segment of Nintendo's market, will more than justify the added complexities if the handheld spec isn't exactly identical to that of the console version.

[Tanooki]

That's exactly what I was and have been thinking for awhile. While I'm fairly mad at the current Nintendo and feel I've been left twisting in the wind as a buyer of their stuff since the 80s, I get it. I'd still because of what Sony and definitely what MS offers gaming these days want to see them not die. I just want to see them wise up and play to their strengths while getting back lost support. Making a straight up console will not do this. They will fail and fail some more because they won't keep up with the tech and it will eat them alive. The only way forward without pulling a Sega (argh) and just being Android, Apple's and whoever elses bitch with downloadable game apps is to wise up and make profitable hardware that's fairly cheap, very effective, and plays to the desires of the third party companies level of quality expectation from a portable device (ie: tablets and stuff like the android home console like the Tegra X1 using Shield system.) If they could make a console/handheld system that scales, used the same os, same games, same games on the same media, all at one price for the game, for the console and/or the handheld of your choosing they could rake it in. They'd be competitors again in the emerging home gaming market based on cheap android systems that are portable or anchored to a TV. If they made a system that would understand and take Android games, even if it wasn't specifically an android box (which they were oddly super fast to come out saying it wasn't, not even their less guilty looking no comment comment), they could get good stuff if they regulated to keep out IAP garbage. Look what Activision, Namco, Square-Enix, EA, Capcom, Konami, Sega, and the others do on Android for straight up pay games. If those could be at a minimal expense ported to a theoretical NX (handheld and/or console) system from Android the opportunity there is huge. You could get even the console games that got tweaked/redone a bit over to the Shield TV system too which hit big media a month back. Imagine a Nintendo NX console/handheld you own (either or both) that would run Chaos Rings 1-3, Need for Speed, Call of Duty, Soul Caliber, Castlevania, DOOM, Wolfenstein, Pinball Arcade, LEGO games, Tomb Raider, along with Mario, Zelda, starfox, kirby, xenoblade, and so on. Best of both worlds and at a cheaper ($40-50 price point to compete on that field if not less $.)

[homerhomer]

The one thing about Nintendo is they sometimes say new system, but it's really just an update. The 3ds sells like hotcakes. I'm thinking the new system is just a Wii u that plays 3ds games too.

Or its a console that plays every game media since the nes. LOL, nope it won't be that. [emoji6]

[BHvrd]

NX....32X....hmm

Nintendo says it will not necessarily "replace" the Wii U or 3DS, all while mentioning both in the same announcement meaning an incorporation of all platforms which has been even shown in graphs.

Concept:

http://g3ar.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wii-u-nintendo-ds-600x300.jpg

Just replace this concept with a device that is similar to this but connects your phone/3ds games/upgrades the Wii U via a 64 DD solution, I know, i'm left field here :D, but Nintendo has been batting these ideas around for years, would be fun to see them finally come up with a solution to all these unused ideas from the past.

[Niku-Sama]

I've been talking about an add on like that for the wii u for a while, if it were only real.

I think they would make bank on it though, $50 or $60 attachment to basically unlock a whole not audience that don't use portable to be able to play that HUGE library of games on their existing system.
would be a smart move I think on their part

[sfchakan]

Why not port those games digitally to test the waters then?

[ZeroCool]

It seems the consensus here seems to be having a unified platform and not of a major powerhouse. Optimism unlike some other sites that I've read from comments is surprising. Basically it's no power equals no third party equals Wii U 2.0. At least it has everyone talking.:popcorn:

[Tanooki]

They're right though. If they go with no power and no third party with another console it'll be the Wii situation yet again. The Wii itself was pretty much that bad too, people just gloss over it because it has a few good third party gems that are unique and well you know those 100M units sold too, but it's still a third party developer flop, just not as obvious as the WiiU due to the lousy sales of the systems.

They're not entirely right either. That's why you can say being weaker can work out, you just need to angle the argument toward a unified scalable system setup so people can choose home or portable, and have that OS on it be something stupid easy to write for and port to, like an Android derivative. If there's one thing they are good at is making people money with eshop games with the indie stuff they've received. Imagine if they could get all those good android games that use a game pad shoveled over with the IAP type garbage removed, like that Shield handheld/console setup. That nvidia device is no PS4, but it doesn't look like a slouch in the least bit either, and it doesn't compete with PS4 too and doesn't need to. Nintendo needs to muscle into that micro-console type market and dominate it as it's the high performance vs lower costs parts market that keeps the things more affordable.

[Leo_A]

There's no point in re-entering the horsepower race to attract third parties with this coming generation of Nintendo hardware. That's because by and large, they're not even ignoring the Wii U because of the lack of power.

It's only in 2015 that we're even starting to see 3rd parties begin to eschew support for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, like Codemasters departing with their Formula One franchise that will be an XB1/PS4 exclusive from here on out on consoles and Activision outsourcing Call of Duty this year on the 360/PS3. Yet the minimum 3rd party support that the Wii U had to start with, was largely discontinued a year or two ago when most 3rd party content that the Wii U missed out on was virtually guaranteed at making an appearance on last gen hardware.

Nintendo needs to right their own ship first. Get it correct enough and the 3rd parties will start to return on their own as they chase customer's dollars. Then when they're moving in the right direction again and seeing publishers going out of their way to sell product to Nintendo's install base, they can start considering rejoining the console arms race to again seriously compete on a much more direct basis.

Right now, reaching the horsepower levels of the PS4 and XB1 and taking it a step even further in anticipation of successors to these consoles that could be barely three years away, would just be throwing money away unless Nintendo views such a level of capabilities as key to them delivering their vision of next-gen Nintendo gaming.

But when I look at games like Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8, I honestly don't see the need there.

[Az]

Why not port those games digitally to test the waters then?

Well, technically you can buy a few DS games on the WiiU Virtual Console.

[kupomogli]

There's no point in re-entering the horsepower race to attract third parties with this coming generation of Nintendo hardware. That's because by and large, they're not even ignoring the Wii U because of the lack of power.

This. Third parties ignore Nintendo hardware because the fanbase ignore their games. Why publish a game on a console where it won't sell? It's not like developers didn't try to sell their games on the Wii U and were pretty much met with a middle finger. Resident Evil Revelations was ported from the 3DS to the PS360 and Wii U, but Revelations 2 skipped the Wii U and the Vita is actually getting the game instead. Resident Evil Remake and Zero were exclusives on the Gamecube with a port over to the Wii, but the HD versions skipped the Wii U. EA was one of the early supporters for the Wii U, even releasing with the best version of Need For Speed Most Wanted which happened to get sales so bad that it practically killed the dev. Ubisoft continued developing for the Wii U further, but they've even came out and stated they're no longer supporting the system after Watch Dogs due to consistently low sales figures. With how loud Nintendo fans on the internet are with the port begging, you'd think there'd be a lot more third party sales. Even Vita is getting more multiconsole titles than the Wii U(Revelations 2 for example.)

[Tanooki]

Other than a very select few like RE Revelations, Rayman, and ZombiU, the stuff third parties got the middle finger for they soundly deserved. Go back to the launch, what did they offer? Year+ old games with minimal updates, and even then some were horribly halfassed to cause graphics and frame rate troubles like with Black Ops 2. And while I gave the nod to Rayman, that was exclusive and promised to be, then wasn't and it pissed off the buyers and I saw plenty of revenge talk online of just not buying it. You really can't expect to peddle 1-2 year old games with minimal touch pad support, or in the case of WatchDogs just being lazy and releasing it very late with less stuff to it, and think you're going to have a million seller. I do legitimately feel bad for Capcom and a select few others who put a game out where they actually tried if it sold poorly, but most of them were screw you releases from the get go. By my buying habits I would have as a former WiiU owner looked like part of the problem because I refused to buy that crap.

And to be fair NFSMW on the WiiU wasn't that good, it had some serious bug problems and while the developer talked it up as the best release, it may have been but it was less stable. Also if you want to be more fair, you might want to include that EA tried to strong arm Nintendo into helping code the game, then also while getting no publisher credit (or any at all) into advertising it which Nintendo didn't. EA decided to sulk, release it, not advertise it, yet another one released very well later than the other systems, then whined and used it as an example that games don't sell on WiiU. It was a made to fail trap excuse which is sad as it could have been otherwise, and I did own that one.

I get you sticking it to Nintendo, screw them as far as the WiiU went, they deserve it entirely which is why I got rid of mine, but at least be honest if you're going to call out games where the developers set them up to fail on purpose.

Try and make a list of games third parties made where they were not gimped, not released later than other systems at the time, or better yet, were a unique title. It may take a little while, and you'll find the list is sadly very very small.

From memory I had RER, Rayman, NFS, ME3, ZombiU and I think that's it for 3rd party other than I was about to get Bayonetta when I sold it, and the rest were first party titles (I think I had a dozen games.)

[kupomogli]

^Yes, a lot of them were ports, but what does that matter to those who have never owned a PS360 and PC? A lot of the Nintendo fans picking up the Wii U more likely never even owned or gamed on those consoles. In many of these games, the Wii U version received additional content making it the version to own. A lot of multiconsole games that were released on the same day were largely ignored by the fanbase. There were some games that couldn't be released on the same day simply because they didn't coincide with the Wii U release date. Developers wanted to take advantage of the biggest gaming months of the year and already had planned release dates, it's not their fault the game had to be delayed a month or so to be launched on the Wii U in late November.

As for Rayman Legends, they just weren't confident with getting poor sales from their other titles that Nintendo fans would even support this title, and sure, the game was no longer exclusive and it was delayed for release on multiple. The developer did add exclusive content for the Wii U and a Wii U only challenge levels that released for free long before the game did release. Nintendo fans raged because of the game being delayed to be ported to other consoles, but how do you know if this is "it's no longer exclusive for a Nintendo console so fuck them?" or if they would have even bought the game at all, and it was just fuel for Nintendo fans to hate on yet another company was giving them support? Nintendo fans still got the game, they received more content, but ignore the game because it's on other consoles. What a bunch of babies.

Personally, I knew it would have been a bad move to announce that it'd no longer be exclusive and really think that Ubisoft should have released it as planned on the Wii U while silently developing the other releases and announce them at a later time. This would have had more people purchase the game on Wii U for no other reason than it being exclusive, the game would have received constant praise from Nintendo fanboys about it being the best game ever, and with that word of mouth when finally announcing and releasing the game to other consoles, others would purchase the game because of the great impressions that were received. It's kind of like Mass Effect, a game that doesn't deserve all the great ratings it's received, and for no reason other than being exclusive did the game get overhyped and overpraised by an entire fanbase that the series happened to blow up and become a favored series last gen on all consoles.

[Leo_A]

I don't really quite agree with either of you.

Sure, the average Nintendo console owner these days isn't too likely to be supporting major AAA console releases on said console. But the real killer here was and is Nintendo's install base rather than buying habits and technical prowess. You may not be able to rake in record numbers, but if the Wii U was at least selling modestly well and was approaching 20 million units sold today, they'd of had an opportunity to succeed at some level with basic 360/PS3 conversions of the latest titles.


And to be fair NFSMW on the WiiU wasn't that good, it had some serious bug problems and while the developer talked it up as the best release, it may have been but it was less stable.

I've said it before, but Nintendo wasn't at fault for Need for Speed failing. The version shipped late and cost full price at a time when the 360/PS3 versions could be easily had new for half that, and didn't even include all the DLC. And Electronic Arts didn't spend anything to market it to try to get the word out. It's a shame since it really is the definitive version of what is a good game (That most of the few that played it, liked), but this is more on EA than anyone else.


Try and make a list of games third parties made where they were not gimped, not released later than other systems at the time, or better yet, were a unique title. It may take a little while, and you'll find the list is sadly very very small.

Many of the 3rd party experiences on the Wii U have been in fine form. Most of those with issues just carried those problems over from the 360/PS3 versions. And some of these had to arrive late out of necessity, since their multiplatform release predated the launch of the Wii U.

Can hardly fault something like Mass Effect 3. It's a fine experience on the Wii U, but it just never stood a chance. Mass Effect fans already had ways to play the series and ME3 launched ~six months before the Wii U. And porting over all three in a single reasonably priced package was just going to be too risky, even though a Mass Effect Trilogy release would've been its best chance to reach those that somehow didn't own something like a Xbox 360 and were new to this hit franchise.


Other than a very select few like RE Revelations, Rayman, and ZombiU, the stuff third parties got the middle finger for they soundly deserved. Go back to the launch, what did they offer? Year+ old games with minimal updates, and even then some were horribly halfassed to cause graphics and frame rate troubles like with Black Ops 2. You really can't expect to peddle 1-2 year old games with minimal touch pad support, or in the case of WatchDogs just being lazy and releasing it very late with less stuff to it, and think you're going to have a million seller.

Watch Dogs deserved to fail. It slipped six months after all the other versions (How many Wii U owners interested in major releases from huge publishers like Ubisoft lacked one of the other platforms to play a game like this on?), likely wasn't marketed hardly at all, and shared the severe technical failings of the 360/PS3 versions. And it launched at full price and I bet if there was any DLC, it didn't include it on the disc or even receive it via paid downloads off the eShop.

But Black Ops II didn't I felt, since it was a fine experience on the Wii U. Its biggest issue if there is one is in the area of DLC. I just played the campaign, but I know that it hasn't received DLC in a timely manner and some hasn't appeared at all. Rather unforgivable for a title that is centered so much on multiplayer. But where its price, release date, and technical details are concerned, it was a fine rendition of this multiplatform title.


And while I gave the nod to Rayman, that was exclusive and promised to be, then wasn't and it pissed off the buyers and I saw plenty of revenge talk online of just not buying it.

Rayman is just foolish. It shouldn't matter to Wii U owners that it went multiplatform. Especially when the delay to make it more commercially viable by taking it multiplatform actually benefited the experience with substantially increased content. At least Ubisoft followed through with its release despite it being clear cut at that point that the Wii U wasn't going to be a sales success or lucrative enough to continue pursuing.

[RP2A03]

At this point, I think Nintendo needs to stop trying to court third parties. The only base Nintendo has left, by and large, are those who favor Nintendo's games; and Nintendo's games are so different in style from the rest of the market that it creates a toxic atmosphere for third parties. If Nintendo is to survive, they need to cater to the niche they have and find a way to make more of their own games.

[Tanooki]

Leo I think you kind of in a way agree on both are points, just variations of it. Clearly there were problems. Third parties brought it on themselves, yet Nintendo brought it down on the WiiU equally so. The whole thing is one big screwed pooch basically.


Now what I don't agree is that Nintendo should stop courting third parties. Ignoring physical games, they've done well on the eshop getting game makers on that to put some really awesome download only titles there and reports come out things do nicely there too, and because of Nintendo's better payment policies compared to the Wii era they do fine. Again it's why I say time and again, they need to do an android backed scalable box that works as a choice as a handheld with lower performance but equal smoothness on the go, or a full blown console that uses 1 form of media. Back that up with the eshop, allow even more leniency short of allowing shovelware bloat crap you find on ios/google play and they'd do nicely for it. If you make it brainless to bring a game to it, and it being a choice of system that runs the same media, and having superior potency to the Nvidia Shield console can do currently you can get some really stunning experiences on drastically lower production budgets which means easier profit and lower prices games either download or physical. Much third parties are going towards the mobile aspect, so it would be a good gateway system to rope that cash and interest.

[BlastProcessing402]

From memory I had RER, Rayman, NFS, ME3, ZombiU and I think that's it for 3rd party other than I was about to get Bayonetta when I sold it, and the rest were first party titles (I think I had a dozen games.)

Bayonetta's first party. Nintendo paid for and published it.

[Tanooki]

I was thinking from a development standpoint as it was Platinum wasn't it? I mean I have 3DS games Nintendo published, but I don't consider them Nintendo games in the least bit because Square-Enix or someone else made them.

[PreZZ]

Only thing nintendo needs is decent hardware, solid online service, and a good controller. Add trophies and i can absolutely ditch my ps4 and xboxone. One system to rule them all... i would buy my nhls, cod, etc. on a nintendo console if it wasnt dumb down release, no dlc, and crappy online system.

[Tanooki]

I felt that way for the last 2 cycles. And the wii ended up being a wii, a big shlongy wii. All I've wanted is a return to the pre-3D (or just handheld) era where I can get one system and be happy with all the inside and especially the diverse outside support and Nintendo pissed that away completely. If the NX somehow got that variety back in spades, then I'd be on board day one but I just don't see them wising up.

[dendawg]

IMHO, Nintendo's in a no-win situation. If the NX is under-powered again, the haters will immediately dog pile it. If it's on-par spec-wise with the PS5 & XBOX Two, the "Nintendo's for kiddies, fuck Nintendo." bullshit will start up yet again. :angel:

[Tupin]

Nah, Western third parties just immediately want to dump Nintendo. It goes like this:

1. Make a bad game for Nintendo system
2. No one buys it because it looks bad
3. "Well we'd love to make games for Nintendo systems but people just aren't buying them!"

Third parties hate Nintendo systems because their owners are "biased" towards Nintendo games, which is true. They don't buy no effort third party junk when they can get Nintendo stuff, so instead of trying to make a quality product up to those standards, they just half ass it and use that as an excuse to never touch Nintendo again. :shameful:

[FieryReign]

It's their own fault. Being the arrogant company they are. They have their fanboys who think they can do no wrong, living in a fantasy world. That ain't enough anymore.

[Tupin]

Yeah, just go ahead and blame fans and say that nothing pleases them. That will make them want to buy your games that you totally don't half ass. :roll:

[Tanooki]

They're both equally to blame.

Nintendo feeds into the bullshit of the 1st party only zealot fanboys by not trying to support third parties with their passive aggressive behavior towards hardware development and courting game makers. Nintendo will see the zealots and figure they'll just buy it because they do, and it has been a pattern going strongly throughout this century so far. Because of that they will go cheap and get artsy trying new stuff as they have a good league of essentially suckers who will jump in because they made it (as does SOny and MS too.) Secondarily passive aggressively they'll act like they care more and talk about pulling in this or that group and it either wins major sales like the Wii or it blows up in their face like the WiiU. Then you have the fanboy tools on the consumer side who see such great things graced upon them with the unique hardware from Nintendo just 'getting how cool' that stuff is while others just don't get it, and they eat it up and are fine with months of wait between games because they'd rather wait on quality over quantity because Nintendo just rains down gems like a thunderstorm in their little world. When someone outside sees this they get pissed. They either ignore Nintendo, shit on Nintendo, 'test' the market (disingenuously or honestly) to see if they can break the wall, and regardless if it's a 8-10/10 game or sad piece of mediocrity at best they tend to oddly sell about the same -- shitty, so then they point fingers, and bail. But because the third parties never want to come out and dump on game buyers as it could harm them, they'll call out Nintendo being the sole problem when they're just half of the mess. Nintendo and blind fans (not the smart ones) are like pisces, ying and yang,..one cyclically turns on the other and screws themselves in a dog running in a circle to eat tail moment that never ends.

I saw the writing on the wall with that early on with the Wii but felt stuck with my purchase and barely used it if ever the last 2 years I had it. When third parties actually did show they had games and seemed to care and talked up licenses up into and through the WiiU's launch I thought the problem was resolving itself and bought one (big mistake) and instead it got far uglier and faster than the spotty wii support ever was. That's why I've dumped on the thing and won't be rushing into the NX if it's just another console. I was pissed at the game makers because it seemed like they set Nintendo up to fail, but the more I looked at the rabid shit spewed online versus the posted sales data with the griping, I couldn't blame them nearly as much as I did before as they did have a hand with year old shitty ports, but beyond that it was all Nintendo and their fans circle jerking third party games into the waste basket.

[FieryReign]

Didn't help releasing 2 underpowered consoles in a row with stupid gimmicks. With the goofiest names in existence. They're better off sticking with portables and silly plastic figurines. And maybe making the portable comfortable/ergonomic to hold for more than 10 minutes, instead of making them for their homeland people. They must not have a clue about hand size outside of Japan. Learn how to implement a 2nd analog without the need for an extra peripheral or redesign(another stupid name) with a useless nipple. They shouldn't expect people to be finger contortionists.

[kupomogli]

Even though the Wii U was as powerful as the PS3 and 360, it's having to compete against consoles that have sold 80 million units a piece. The die hard Nintendo fans are well known not to purchase much more than first party Nintendo games and the rare exclusive, and those that are multiconsole owners already have dozens of games on the other two consoles so they use them as their primary consoles.

If the NX is a console only and it's as powerful as the PS4, they're going to be up against two consoles that have sold 40 million and 20 million. The only plus side is that the games on the Xbox One and PS4 are finally starting to pick up so in terms of quality games, the NX won't be too far behind. Atleast with the portable console hybrid with the power of the Wii U, they can sell to two markets, a market that wants handheld games, and a market that wants console games. The developers will be able to develop one game and capitalize on both markets.

[kai123]

Didn't help releasing 2 underpowered consoles in a row with stupid gimmicks. With the goofiest names in existence. They're better off sticking with portables and silly plastic figurines. And maybe making the portable comfortable/ergonomic to hold for more than 10 minutes, instead of making them for their homeland people. They must not have a clue about hand size outside of Japan. Learn how to implement a 2nd analog without the need for an extra peripheral or redesign(another stupid name) with a useless nipple. They shouldn't expect people to be finger contortionists.

I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. My hands start to cramp after about 30 mins.

[kupomogli]

I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. My hands start to cramp after about 30 mins.

My hands started to cramp within 15-30 minutes playing the standard 3DS, but hundreds of times more comfortable with the XL. I kind of felt that the original GBA was the last console they've developed that feel like holding a brick until I used the 3DS XL. The new 3DS XL is also comfortable but the button placement for start/select/power/and home are far better on the original XL.

[Tupin]

Well based on that NDA breaker guy from Nintendo, among other things Nintendo has a very bad issue with naming things in the United States. Like, they love the word "new' because in Japan it's just a cool English word that's used for marketing. Meanwhile in the USA, "new" can also imply condition and is an antonym for "used." Calling it the "New 3DS XL" was stupid.

I really hope they drop the whole Wii name with NX. It definitely has lost its luster anyway.

[FieryReign]

My hands started to cramp within 15-30 minutes playing the standard 3DS, but hundreds of times more comfortable with the XL. I kind of felt that the original GBA was the last console they've developed that feel like holding a brick until I used the 3DS XL. The new 3DS XL is also comfortable but the button placement for start/select/power/and home are far better on the original XL.

Ever tried to play Resi Revelations or Ironfall on a NewXL? Impossible with that nub and L2 and R2 buttons. I got one of those grips from Japan and it's still not right. The grip worked wonders with anything else though.

[kupomogli]

Ever tried to play Resi Revelations or Ironfall on a NewXL? Impossible with that nub and L2 and R2 buttons. I got one of those grips from Japan and it's still not right. The grip worked wonders with anything else though.

No, I haven't tried playing anything that requires the nub with anything, although just pressing on the nub and it being so hard to move, I can see it being super uncomfortable using at all. I don't see why they didn't just use a second slide pad.

--

Looks further proof that points towards the NX possibly being a hybrid console.

http://m.ign.com/articles/2015/08/21/nintendo-files-patent-for-console-with-no-optical-drive

If you look at the images, the system doesn't include an optical drive, but it does include an external hard drive and a memory card. Nintendo said they would never go all digital so it's probably a game card and they did away with the SD cards. They better not do all digital or it's time to close up shop. It really looks identical to the Wii U aside from the remove of the optical drive. The controller still uses a display screen like the Wii U does, meaning that if it's a hybrid, the console version will be a dual screen system like the 3DS.

*edit*

It could just be a digital only version of the Wii U though, because that worked so well for the PSP.

http://abload.de/img/2_pat75ktg.png

http://abload.de/img/3_pat8jjnl.png

[Niku-Sama]

It almost seems to me that these "nx" patents are almost like a ds player for the wii u.

It also could be nothing that ever winds up in the final product of what ever this is

[Tanooki]

See now had that been a good guess, and one so good they put it out a year ago, I'd still own that WiiU. To do the 3DS on my big TV would be awesome. It's kind of a good reason why my GC is still plugged in there, it has the GB Player. I wouldn't get rid of it like the WiiU though, it had solid 1st and 3rd party games of which I kept a good supply of 20 of them to mess with when the mood hits.

[Leo_A]

I'd love to see a 3DS Player.

The 3DS is particularly well suited for it since a lot of the bizarre nonsense from the DS had largely ended when the 3DS appeared, that called for things like holding the system sideways, shoehorned in touch controls, spreading the playfield across both screens, etc.

Such stuff makes it a struggle to adapt many DS titles to this different environment and all but mandates the need for many extra features like control remapping and various display options in order to best customize each game for a console experience. That's one reason why Nintendo's downloads are lackluster for DS titles on their console, since some important features like control customization are absent.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t-WtYZUuUo

And even at their native resolution, quality 3D polygonal titles on this platform still manage to look nice upscaled and blown up on a larger screen, as can be seen on YouTube via capture equipment. The resolution is just high enough and the picture detailed enough, where it's able to make that jump with some degree of success.

http://i.imgur.com/HxrSvaI.png

3D polygonal DS titles on the other hand look awfully rough when rendered at their native resolution, as demonstrated by games like Mario Kart DS off the Wii U's Virtual Console. Unless they're rendered in HD like a homebrew DS emulator can (As demonstrated by that screenshot comparison), we didn't miss much by not getting a 'DS Player' accessory for the old Wii.

2D stuff though would've been nice and make the leap well...

[Niku-Sama]

Ugh some people are just dicks it seems

http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-files-patent-for-first-sales-less-console-fauxclusive--307559.phtml

[Tanooki]

Douchebags. And I thought Kotaku was bad with Nintendo stuff. Nintendo shares a large chunk of the blame in good fairly equal proportions with their asshole fanboy base who only buy their stuff or what they'll publish/give a gold star of approval on, and then the asshole double talking developers who do anything from avoid them to say do this and we'll do that to then whine, then cut and run.

[FieryReign]

That was a bit amusing. Especially the goofy Metroid game being a pack-in. They really should wipe the Metroid name off that thing. I've never seen such backlash, even from fanboys.

[RP2A03]

Ugh some people are just dicks it seems

http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-files-patent-for-first-sales-less-console-fauxclusive--307559.phtml

I want my click back.

[parallaxscroll]

This doesn't even qualify as rumor, but on NeoGAF a member posted information about NX, originally in Italian, from someone who says he has sources inside NCL. Very easily could've been completely fabricated. That said, an interesting read.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=177463814&postcount=2847



- He's under strict NDA with Nintendo Japan

- Informations are from march 2015, with some updates from june-july

- He received a bunch of patents (some of them are publics now), info about what Nintendo is planning and a list of games potentially in development (some of them may or may not have been cancelled), third parties included

- NX is a platform, not tied with a single device

- Wii U is still in the picture thanks to good software results for games like Splatoon, will still be the main home console in 2016

- 3DS is a bit old, they're planning of replacing it. Some games will still come out on it, but big projects are being moved on portable NX

- With NX, Nintendo wants to create a platform where they can develop software for multiple devices with ease, from the home console to the portable to smartphone and tablets. They'll have a big catalogue available for multiple platforms, with cross buy, cross saves and cross play, similar to what Microsoft is doing with Xbox One and PC thanks to Windows 10 (that allows to play many Xbox games on PC, which is also getting a bunch of ports from Xbone). Each platform will still have exclusive games

- NNID is tied to the single device, but it will allow to share details between platforms, like friend list, contents, local coop games, etc. Thanks to the new membership program (the successor of Club Nintendo), we'll benefit from the new Nintendo policies in terms of rewards

- They'll show the portable in spring 2016, will be out for the end of the year or spring 2017 max. Specs will be higher than PS Vita but nothing mindblowing, screen resolution should be 540p, considering 720p if costs go down. BC with 3DS was problematic

- Wii U successor will not have an optical drive, which will be optional. It will sync with the portable (not obligatory). Specs won't be super high, but close to PS4/X1 (doesn't know how much, like with the portable this is still subject to change anyway). Cross games will look better on the home

- Nintendo is focusing a lot on the anti-piracy system

- Big focus on the OS as well. They hired people that worked for Google on Android, the guys who worked on the Gamecube OS and Wii U browser are there too. Optimized versions of the same OS for every NX platform (think, again, W10), each with its set of specific functions. Updates will come out at the same time, they're focusing on making the OS blazing fast on every platform

- The home console can connect with the portable to send to it its own version of the games you buy, will use the same tech as the Wii U-Wii U Gamepad streaming to do that, or the internet connection

- The home will have bc with the Wii U. Gamepad should be compatible as a controller, considering selling it standalone. Can connect with the portable for offtv and bc. WiiMote compatibility is being considered too. As for support, since the new home won't have an optical drive, they're considering an external one. Also being considered NNID/eShop bc for titles bought on the eShop. Seems they're considering digital games sharing too, but this bit is not perfectly clear

- The portable will have its own internal memory, which will be expandable

- There will be a complete overhaul of online infrastructures, but Nintendo is determined to hold successful operations as Miiverse, extending it even further and making it a central hub for communications by developers and a meeting place for players. It will be even more interactive with the ability to upload videos and screenshots in an integrated system and not dependent on the game

- Voice chat and interactions between users will be revisited too, much will depend on the users age though, to protect the minors

- The home will be out 6-12 months after the portable, creating the "NX system" that will allow Nintendo to better use their resources in games development

- They approached third parties during E3. Capcom, Square-Enix, Ubisoft and Electronic Arts already have devkits. Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Sonic, F-Zero and Metroid are in development, doesn't know if these are main episodes or spin offs. Zelda is currently a Wii U only title due to high development costs, but they can reconsider to have another big game at NX launch

- Prices will be low, 200-300€ (for the home?), considering a bundle with both for no more than 500€

- Many of these things will be discussed in future Nintendo Directs, which will have a different host in every market if Nintendo can't find a new CEO by october

- A new 3D Mario will be shown, along with a new Zelda trailer. Retro moved their project on NX, will not be unveiled before 10-18 months

- They'll talk about a new "Club Nintendo", which will be in full function with NX

- Considering making agreements with phone carriers in order to better manage applications like Miiverse, Club Nintendo and the ability to purchase software by phone. Some of these will be out by March 2016

- Is everything set yet? Yes, but with Nintendo you'll never know. If he has updates he will share them with us.

[Tanooki]

Funny if it even is rumor, and the 1% some of it is right. It does match what I've been saying for 1-2 years now on what they need to do to fix their problems. NX being a platform where there are a handheld and a console device with shared games, shared data, etc with a unified OS to ease development costs. It would be something that scales, works on both tiers, and isn't there again to compete with the other guys but more with the microconsole (shield, etc) market. Optional optical is interesting, if anything just because WiiU games will still be usable and given the dislike many have for it, the old games there would still be new to many kind of like how some GC games due to PS2 got ignored that owned and ended up on other consoles like Wii. Sticking to the Wii setup, allowing the old controllers including the WiiU tablet to have a function as a primary tool going further is smart as that makes them money and saves on costs.

I don't know. In theory if Nintendo finally learned their lesson on going halfassed AND not competing with other people and saw through how their handhelds do and with their DENA partnership they have an alternative to do well doing this I'd be on board for the handheld. Virtual Boy(not really one anyway) aside they've never had a portable system that was a total flop to where third parties didn't make a good presence for some years on a device. In this case with them only really having one device, the console won't be left to twist in the wind and just suck on sales being an anchor either. All of it is a huge IF, but if this pile of translated overseas non-sense is half right I'd buy another handheld of theirs, but still not a console unless most the nonsense was right and it got the games due to the shared architecture. Though I'm not sure I'd see a good reason why to buy it as I'd rather not game on my TV as my big chair is more comfy dug into it than sitting on the edge. :D

[dendawg]

IMHO, what Nintendo needs to work on is fixing all the bridges they burned over the years. If not this will be just another flop.

[Tanooki]

Hah, well said. Sadly well said, because they won't. They're all about themselves and living in a bubble driven by blind fanboys who feed their wallets and spurn third party games on their hardware to validate that blind sense of illogical behavior. It's why I gave up on the WiiU and cashed out while the getting was good and why I wouldn't buy a NX console, but a handheld, since they seem to get support on those still I would. It's amazing to me they can make two systems and only get games on one and run both of them differently, then act clueless or ignore their failures in front of the TV.

[Niku-Sama]

focusing a lot on anti piracy and no optical drive suggests to me more cartridges.
with SSDs getting cheap and holding more than a bluray I totally see this as a viable thing and if they made a new cart based around SSD tech that would be a tough nut to crack

if rumor has validity but from the patents we know that there doesent seem to be any disc drives

[Sailorneorune]

I am taking everything re: NX with a truck of salt until I can be sure Nintendo will keep doing Directs. :puppydogeyes:

Speaking as merely one Nintendo fan, I like good 3rd party games (Rayman Legends!), not bloated shovelware (Polished Turd... I mean, Devil's Third).

Unfortunately, when other big developers/publishers completely write off your console because you're not in the graphics/power/catering to young adult men who probably drink too much Mountain Dew and/or booze arms race, you have no choice but to go it alone.

My spouse and I are perfectly fine with the Wii U, but that's mostly because we're overgrown retro gaming kids who don't fit in the demographic that the "other guys" love.

(I also own a PS3, and have been known to play games on it. Waiting for Kingdom Hearts III to at least get a ballpark release date before taking the plunge on a PS4.)

[Tanooki]

Fair enough there sailor makes sense, and I was like that. I still am, just not there, I keep the 20th century stuff around for my little girl to enjoy as she gets old enough to appreciate it and handle playing the stuff.

Niku I was thinking that too. Look how much space a 3DS card alone can carry and with them saying no optical except as an add-on for WiiU games speaks to physical of another form and what you're saying fits. Something like that can grossly range in size from teeny to huge and it could impact the costs of the games as well too. You could end up with phone/tablet level type stuff that's fairly small on a $20-30 game, or you could end up with something huge you'd expect on the 3Ds and above or something like the Nvidia Shield console and get that out at $50. Not limiting themselves to optical opens a lot of doors and those doors include very nasty copy protection like you noted. The 3DS has like I think 128bit level RSA encryption or something of the sort on the cards and downloads and you can go well beyond that these days to lock things up even tighter.

[kupomogli]

Speaking as merely one Nintendo fan, I like good 3rd party games (Rayman Legends!), not bloated shovelware (Polished Turd... I mean, Devil's Third).

Unfortunately, when other big developers/publishers completely write off your console because you're not in the graphics/power/catering to young adult men who probably drink too much Mountain Dew and/or booze arms race, you have no choice but to go it alone.

Problem is that you're one of the few. Developers aren't writing off the Wii U because of graphics, as many of these games are cross gen releases with PS360 and PS4/Xbox One. These developers found that it's not making them money by releasing to the Wii U because most Nintendo fans don't purchase third party. It's not like devs haven't been giving Nintendo a chance though. Time and time again it's clear that third party developers and publishers want to Nintendo to succeed, so the line ups for their consoles and third party software starts off really good, but it's the lack of fan support that kills any future support.

Going off from only a little information, even the Japanese Nintendo fans don't purchase third party titles on Nintendo consoles. Nintendo could have had a chance to share the Yakuza series with Sony, but Yakuza 1 and 2 HD flopped hard on the console, so when Yakuza Ishin and Yakuza 0 were developed, they were both on the PS3 and PS4, but not on the Wii U.

Unfortunately, unless Nintendo does something different, they're not going to have a large fanbase because they'll have those who own a PS4 and Xbox One who will buy the multiconsole titles on those consoles and exclusives only on the NX, the majority of the Nintendo fanbase who buys only Nintendo, then others who buy exclusives, and the few who actually buy third party, and the others who own a single console and won't be purchasing an NX at all. Microsoft and Sony have a two year head start, so unless Nintendo does something to differentiate themselves, your average consumer will see the quantity of titles on the competing console and purchase what should be the obvious choice(PS4 of course :P. )

[Sailorneorune]

It is a big shame that Yakuza 1 & 2 HD did poorly, because had it been localized, it would have been a nice alternative to overpriced secondhand Yakuza 1 & 2.

[Tanooki]

Sad but very true Kupo and it can be well backed and argued sadly even with the somewhat lacking US based NPD data (3 big stores won't report to them) along with Media create out of Japan. If you go back over the years and I'm thinking 2001 (GC) forward you'll find a nasty little correlation between system sales by the the month/year vs the games that sell and what moves and not. Nintendo and their fanboy base chase each other by the tail while wearing a pair of horse blinders so they can only see forward, not what's going on around them. Nintendo thinks things are ok because their games and those they advertise as they publish for someone else (like Bravely Default) or second party like Xenoblade they own anyway sell very well to amazing. Third parties see these millions of systems sold and a good attach rate in the Nintendo realm of things and at face value it looks like a duh moment where money can be made. Problem is the blinders of the Nintendo fanboy stick their nose up at a third party game and rarely buy it, and at times when they do those buys are only when they think it will get the more games (due to some hollow publisher promise) or speculation (see Resident Evil 4 sales on GC for example with the Capcom 5 promise that like most their stories for anyone is a lie.) Third parties basically get screwed. Sometimes they'll try again and see how it goes, like The Conduit 1 and then 2 on the Wii, but then the first sells ok enough to justify, then the second sells like crap so they cut and limit the run. You get the Nintendo fanboy whining there are no games from developers, then the developers say you didn't buy my crap, and the fanboy will say well your crap was crap and not good enough to my standards (which is code for NIntendo made quality standards.) Third parties then say F U, and go make games for anyone but Nintendo...see Wii U. Wii U was the straw that broke the camels back as that old saying goes. Sure there was some year old trolling ports at launch, but within that first year you had a good run of some mediocrity but some also ass kicking quality third party releases, even major junk like COD Ghosts, Assassins Creed Black Flag, and others. Did they sell.... NO. Given the percentages of a game that are expected to sell against total units moved, it was not even qualifying at laughable, it was pitable, groan worthy and not that they need any but apology and pity worthy to write a third party and say 'sorry they're idiots' to them if you were/are a Wii U owner who actually DO want those games (as I did.)

Nintendo NX if the rumors are to be even half true may solve the problem to a degree, but it will never truly fix the issue ever. Nintendo has buried themselves due to them blindly sucking up to their buy every game fanboys at the cost of future buys and future games as people get fed up and by a playstation or just get the stuff on PC. The NX being a handheld first and then a console that uses the same media second, they're positioning themselves as a cheaper alternative that can run all sorts of junk much like an Android micro console like the Shield or that Mad Catz box too. With DENA on board it looks even more likely to do that and also finally get their collective asses in gear having proper online capabilities too which will end up easily being cross compatible with the existing Android/iOS stuff they have planned going out a year from now. Pokemon Shuffle Mini benig the first, that one already allows transfers of data and special prize unlock codes between it and the 3DS game if you weren't aware, so there is a precedent there with that. I doubt I'd buy the home system, but if the NX end up being another closed Nintendo system that happens to easily run the junk mobile devices has (like that NST job posting asking for android/ios game developer experience) they could scratch their way back into a better spot. The one glowing end third parties still have for Nintendo are all those indie or sorta indie companies who do decent bank with the eShop game sales.

[Leo_A]

Eurogamer has a story today that the Wall Street Journal reports that Nintendo is now issuing developer kits for their upcoming NX console. They also state that the hardware will also have a "mobile unit that could either be used in conjunction with the console or taken on the road for separate use".

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-10-16-nintendo-now-handing-out-nx-console-developer-kits-report

I hope their next-gen hardware includes the scrollable shoulder buttons that they recently filed a patent for. I think that's a good idea and can already envision some good uses for it.

[The 1 2 P]

They also state that the hardware will also have a "mobile unit that could either be used in conjunction with the console or taken on the road for separate use".

That's the part that has me most intrigued. I also wonder if the system will "just be" on par with the Xbox One and PS4 or will they try and surpass those systems in power.

[Tanooki]

It'll surely be on par or a little better, they don't care to keep up anymore as they seem perfectly happy not having a $4-500 system to try and pander to the all ages group. They know they lost third parties with a stand alone console so now if this WSJ bit is verifiably correct it plays well into much of that rumor cycle about the handheld, the console, and scalable tech where they both run the same stuff (in a way like say the Nvidia Shield tablet vs the Console.) I see the 3DS being the end of the stand alone just as the WiiU is too(to their benefit.) They need to play to what strengths they have left, and that would be going more into the one system multiple directions micro-console like setup with good beefy weight behind it, but as a lower priced all inclusive machine that'll run all sorts of stuff and having an open eShop market people wantt o publish for. If the stories keep being more true than false rumor and Android had a hand in it, (Nintendo had been looking for awhile now for android and ios developers(clearly for what's out now/coming but perhaps more?) perhaps it will be a derivative of that so porting would be a snap. Think of it like another google play, ouya, amazon store front of sorts with controlled Nintendo games, and knowing their control freak fantasy no allowances for sideloading junk too. I'm now really intrigued as WSJ isn't in the childish rumor business, they're about real business.

[PizzaKat]

I'm really looking forward what launch games will be released. I can't wait for next year. I hope they actually do an E3 since they will probably be the talk of E3. 2016 will surely be interesting.

[Tanooki]

I'm waiting with curiosity too. If there interest in Android has anything to do with this scalable system between handheld and console huge doors could open up again to them getting third party games, and not necessary from the stuck up pricks who have shunned them going on a decade now for one lame illogical reason or another from old era bad blood to being cool to ignore them to some legit budgetary reason. I'd rather see them have a console/handheld that gets a whole slew of new game makers than the usual trolls re-running the same shit every system, every year or two. Yet as the same time I don't want it to just be an Android me-too box against the Nvidia Shield and so on, it needs some happy middle ground between the microconsole and high priced console that's well priced and easy as pie to make games or port games up to.

[The 1 2 P]

Regardless of how the system's hardware turns out the key question will be can they once again get third party support on par with the other systems. They should already be working on deals and agreements in the background.

[kai123]

I think the other thing that people are ignoring about the NX is that the other 2 guys will have a very nice back catalog of games and maybe another price drop. They will also be pushing their VR headsets as well. I mean never say quit and all but I just don't see that many casual consumers choosing it over the other guys. It will have to be around the price of the other guys and offer something very unique or I just don't see it working out.

[Tanooki]

Regardless of how the system's hardware turns out the key question will be can they once again get third party support on par with the other systems. They should already be working on deals and agreements in the background.

I think they can, just not the traditional ones as it's gone on long enough with the same laundry list of highly childish reasons to hate on the company and giving it B-team garbage or a total snub it would have to be the new generation of game makers and the more niche level guys who still do throw them quite a bit of love in the handheld circles (like Atlus.) I think you're more likely to see the notable guys who make quality Android and iOS games making Nintendo stuff than EA and Capcom to come crawling back. A few I think would do it who did still support them like Lucasgames (now Disney) and Activision who still gave Nintendo COD love all over the Wii and a few WiiU games too, but mostly it'll be the newer blood who don't have some arrogant chip and prejudice on their shoulders against Nintendo. The big fish console gamers know third parties going back to the 80s and 90s, they're just lost, they need to be blown, their balls tickled, and need to have console maker kiss their ass and meet every single demand in hardware to be graced with their presence and Nintendo clearly will not do that the last 2 systems and I doubt they will ever again.

Nintendo lost interest in that market and they lost interest in them too. The fanboys screwed NIntendo and NIntendo enabling them screwed themselves too right along side of the garbage game makers pulled too...a trifecta of failure. Nintendo I think only sees a future going different, getting into more of the micro-console like market where it's mass downloads of freemium and cheap games along side of full blown cheaper games on physical media+downloads side by side with a system having a capability of like the Nvidia Shield Consoel can pull off, maybe a bit more so it has room to survive more than 3 years. They won't be running out there with a $400+ dollar system and trying to match the other guys again as it will get them nowhere as that ship sailed.

[The 1 2 P]

I didn't really mean paying for third party exclusives as that practice has been dying out for a while. What I mean is are they talking to Activision, EA, Ubisoft, etc to make sure that the NX will be powerful enough and the online network capable enough to get versions of their biggest games. Even if you don't want to play Call Of Duty, Star Wars: Battlefront and Assassin's Creed on an Nintendo system I would hope that Nintendo is doing everything they can to make sure that a third or more of the largest video game releases don't completely skip their next system as most titles seem to have done this generation on the Wii U. We all know that people still buy Nintendo systems for Nintendo games(mostly) but having more options of what to play on the system definitely isn't a bad thing. But Nintendo really needs to be working on that stuff now.

[Leo_A]

The problem with that is the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

Only very recently have we really started to see those be left behind by 3rd parties, yet Wii U support evaporated years ago at a time when most major 3rd party projects supported those platforms and would be supporting them for several years yet.

Why would franchises like Call of Duty be coming back just because Nintendo created a more powerful console more in line with the specifications of the competition? It will undoubtedly help if this appears and 3rd parties don't have to go greatly out of their way to support it (Not only horsepower wise, but the general architecture, too).

But as seen by the Wii U and its technical capabilities that are in the ballpark of the PS3/360, the reasons for the lack of 3rd party support goes much deeper than the lack of power or being too different technically from the competition.

[Tanooki]

I didn't really mean paying for third party exclusives as that practice has been dying out for a while. What I mean is are they talking to Activision, EA, Ubisoft, etc to make sure that the NX will be powerful enough and the online network capable enough to get versions of their biggest games. .

Well I'd rather they did do it so I could try and go one system a generation again. But reality is Nintendo doesn't care anymore and have shown that with both Wii systems. They were given a chance this gen to get support and chose to go low and with a tablet instead and in turn got roughly dumped. I think this plays into their new routemof one internal group and not twos merging handheld and console and also their move into working with dena and the tablet is games.

[Nz17]

My guess is that the NX will be out in 2017. The commercial-advertisement hype train for it would already be rolling if it were going to launch in 2016. Would I like to get one? Yeah. But due to my situation, I typically lag many, many years behind on console acquisitions, so I don't foresee myself picking one up anytime before the 2020's. But that's OK. I've got about 2000 games to keep me company as is, and in another few years, I might pick up a Wii U. I've already got a list of games which I want to pick up for that, so I'm good to go when the time is right.

Speaking of the NX though, apparently Namco is very busy at work for the next Nintendo console (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rumor/41858/smash-bros-other-bandai-namco-titles-in-development-for-nx).


A noted Japan-based analyst has hinted that Bandai Namco has several titles in development for the NX platform, including a Smash Bros game.

No specifics were given beyond what was contained in the Twitter post, but the hint is that the Smash Bros game would be available at launch. Given the short turnaround from the last Smash Bros title, it is more likely that the game would be a "Game of the Year Edition" style release rolling up all of the existing DLC, but an original Smash Bros game has launched close to a system with Super Smash Bros Melee in 2001.

Bandai Namco is currently developing several NX titles. Smash Bros is planned to be a launch title. I am not sure about the date - yet ;).
— Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) January 28, 2016

In a fast follow-up (https://twitter.com/serkantoto):

To follow up on my last tweet: I haven't heard if it's a completely new (numbered) Smash Bros or not. Otherwise, source situation is solid.

[Leo_A]

If NX is a handheld instead of a console, they usually don't have such long lead times from unveiling to release.

And this isn't business as usual for Nintendo. I could see them not wanting to take away anything from the last Christmas for the Wii U and the New 3DS by taking the lid off things back last Fall. In a more routine Nintendo generation, they'd openly be willing to sacrifice some soon to be last-gen sales for the sake of publicity for their upcoming hardware launch.

But this is different and calls for different approaches all around. So a more condensed calendar that kept Christmas the domain of their products that were on store shelves while keeping the NX front and center every few weeks for 6-8 months prior to launching doesn't strike me as unlikely compared to well over a year with sometimes months between news of any substance like we've traditionally seen Nintendo do.

Works well for the competition at least...