Figured I might as well start this thread since a lot of rumors came out about it lately. First off, in case anyone doesn't know, the Nintendo NX was announced during their press conference to announce thier partnership with DeNA to create games for mobile platforms (i.e. Smartphone). Nintendo has been tight-lipped about it, stating that they will reveal details in 2016. Now, even though Nintendo themselves have been tight-lipped, certain things have came out. First off, there were a couple of patents that Nintendo recently filed. First is a patent was for a console with no optical drive. On one hand, some people speculated that device in question wound entail that the NX will be a digital only console. On the other hand, since the device includes a slot for an SD card, other people, like this dude.... [video=youtube;M5cxcP05RFU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5cxcP05RFU[/video] ...speculate that the NX will use cartridges. Also, there's the patent for a controller that not only has a screen in the center (much like the Wii U's current main controller), but also clickable wheel buttons for shoulder buttons. Now, it's been reported that Nintendo has distributed dev kits for the NX. Ever since then, there have been two big reported rumors. Rumor number one -- the Nintendo NX will be a console/handheld hybrid with "industry leading chips". Second, the Nintendo NX COULD be more powerful than the Playstation 4. Thoughts?
Being more powerful than the PS4 is not a very impressive feat going into 2016. The PS4 is a 2014 re-release of low to mid end PC hardware from 2011, with a less powerful CPU. If the NX is a. a console, and b. more powerful than the PS4, then my guess is that it uses an APU based on AMD's forthcoming Zen line. The Zen line is scalable, so AMD can just add and remove components to the core depending on the specific application. It can scale all the way up to a 32 core server class CPU, so a low power variant that would go into a gaming console would be possible. I don't believe the cartridge idea, as that seems silly, but Nintendo does despise load times in the same way we do. An SD Card based physical media would make sense. An improved eShop would make sense also, though they really need to revise their store layout and unify the NNID on all devices. If I buy it in the eShop, I should be able to play it on all Nintendo devices, period. The timing of a 2016 release seems somewhat coincidental with the delay of the upcoming Zelda game. There's also a hidden eShop listing for Twilight Princess HD. Maybe Nintendo is releasing Twilight Princess HD for Wii U as a consolation prize, and moving the new Zelda game to the NX? Wouldn't be the first time they did this; the Wii's launch titles were ports of canceled Gamecube games.
The cartridge idea, in my opinion, would be far from silly. I think it'd be great marketing tool as it could give people nostalgia to the old (S)NES days. As for the part in bold, that just may happen since during the meeting where they announced the NX and the partnership with DeNA, crossplay seemed to be emphasized.
Millennials don't buy nostalgia, and parents are too busy parenting for video game nostalgia. I don't believe cartridges are in the mix here. That idea makes no sense to me.
SD Cards aren't cartridges. So how are you thinking of an SD-based cartridge? Like a cartridge-shaped adapter that you plug the SD card into? That would be unnecessarily complex.
Needlessly complicated with no benefit. There are now rumors that the NX is both a portable and a console, though, so perhaps you're on the right track in regards to putting a smaller thing into a bigger thing, but instead you dock the handheld into the console part, or something.
I'm more excited about Nintendo releasing content on iOS. They've always been a great mobile gaming company, this is just icing on the cake. I haven't bought any of their products for years but I'd definitely consider it on iOS. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Also, if Nintendo would partner with Apple for the Apple TV, that'd be great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
To what end? Also, the last time Apple paired with someone to make a TV device, it didn't go so well.
Anything is better than nothing for me. I'd love Apple's hardware and software with Nintendo's content. Yeah, yeah I know but that was soooooooo long ago. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How so? They're innovative, no doubt, but they could easily partner with the Apple TV, develop content for it and sell peripherals for it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No, they couldn't. I'm sorry, but no, Nintendo would not benefit from surrendering control of their hardware and becoming a second party to another company that isn't nearly as committed to gaming as they are. There is zero upside for quality in your scenario.
I get what you're saying, they shouldn't relinquish too much control. Probably just wishful thinking on my part. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Remember that the best Nintendo games take advantage of their unique, or unique-at-the-time hardware. Mario 64 took advantage of the analog stick, Pokemon used the link cable, Mario Sunshine and Wind Waker used the C stick, etc. Now these features are totally commonplace, but when Nintendo implemented them and made games around them, they were unique and led to amazing games. Surrendering design control to Apple is as anathema to Nintendo as it would be to Apple. Apple would never (now) surrender a given product to the control of another company. That's why Apple products are Apple products. And it's why Nintendo games are Nintendo games.
Right, but those are all peripherals. Point still taken that Nintendo and Apple like to have full control over their products. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's still hardware, though. That was really all my point was, that Nintendo builds their games around their hardware, and they won't be as good if they're building around another's hardware. It'll be really interesting when the NX is finally announced.
Nintendo doesn't really do E3 these days. They do Nintendo Directs. Well, that was under Iwata. The new CEO did one Nintendo Direct recently, but that was previously scheduled. No clue if they're going to continue doing those. I think they need to do something at E3 regardless.
If they don't attend E3, it'll just confirm my belief that they couldn't care less about third party support, online multiplayer and attracting more gamers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Attracting third parties is done in private meetings throughout the year, not at E3. Let's see what the new CEO does.
Possible NX controller? http://wiiudaily.com/2015/12/new-nintendo-patent-surfaces-with-freeform-display/
Yeah but what better way is there to drum up support from fans and advertise third party games for Nintendo? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I hope not, because touch buttons lack the precision of physical buttons. Nintendo Directs are already slathered in 3rd party titles. And there's nothing stopping those 3rd parties from advertising their own Nintendo platform games. In fact, that's how it's expected to work. A great showing at E3 can be helpful, I'm just saying that I wouldn't expect Nintendo to follow the herd.
And some more rumors. http://nintendoinquirer.com/blog/2016/02/28/rumor-large-list-nx-features-supposedly-leaked/
The next Nintendo Direct is on March 3, 2 PM Pacific (3 PM Mountain, 4 PM Central, 5 PM Eastern). The focus is Wii U and 3DS titles for the rest of 2016.
Honestly… I played Pokemon Blue back in The Day, I Caught Them All, and I even got Mewtwo and Missingno. And now? I just can't care anymore. Just… can't. But I hope my eventual kids enjoy the series if Nintendo is still around in 15 years or whenever. A new Paper Mario game would be fantastic. I'd settle for an HD remake of The Thousand Year Door, though. Or a remake/sequel of Super Mario RPG.