Nintendo NX

[Drowsy Emperor]

Hello people. 

 

With the upcoming reveal of the console I thought we could summarize the rumors and what is already known.

 

So far it is all but confirmed that its either some sort of handheld/traditional console hybrid or a handheld with a docking port for HDMI play. Apparently it will feature a handheld screen with detachable controllers, presumably for multiplayer gameplay on one device, backwards compatibility with things like motion controls or simply to allow for the use of specialist controllers.

 

It will likely launch with the new Zelda game which has some interesting implications for the WiiU (which is also getting the same game).

 

Launching the first proper Zelda installment (since Skyward Sword on the Wii) on the NX implies that Nintendo wants to give the new device a push at the expense of the WiiU. Even though the WiiU is getting its own version, this signals that key first party support is going to go to the NX and that just confirms what we already know - that the WiiU is dead. 

 

There are two speculations about the way the new console works:

 

1. That the dock will just be a dock and little else - that would make it essentially just a handheld

2. That the dock will feature additional processing/gpu power (how this would work is anyone's guess)- that would make the NX a hybrid device, where you would play the latest AAA games on the TV and handheld ones on the move

 

The first theory is much more likely. But it also means something interesting - if this handheld is the device Nintendo will be depending on the for the next few years that means that for the first time they're definitely out of the mainstream console gaming scene. For power reasons, a pure handheld is not going to be able to run the majority of the popular games which means it will depend on Nintendo's first party support and the kind of third party support that the 3DS had - a separate market for a separate product in a nutshell.

 

The second theory would theoretically be something great as it would allow Nintendo to stay somewhat competitive with the PS and XB and, more importantly, it would unify Nintendo's handheld and console studios around a single device, which would insure more first party games than ever before.

 

Thoughts?

Edited August 29, 2016 by Drowsy Emperor

[eimatshya]

Since I have to move countries for work every year or two, I have been avoiding region locked consoles. If the NX is region locked like other recent Nintendo products, it won't be practical for me to purchase. Should it be region free, I'll take it into consideration. I miss playing Nintendo games. 

[Drowsy Emperor]

They do love their absurd protection schemes don't they.

[the_dog_days]

I've owned a Gameboy, a Gameboy Color, a Gameboy Advance, a DS, and now a 3DS. If Nintendo makes a 3DS 2, for example, it's a day one buy for me. But their home consoles? Thank you, but I'll pass.

[Drowsy Emperor]

This is supposed to be a bridge between the two. Even though they're still going to "support" the 3DS and the WiiU its likely that all Nintendo first party teams will focus on the NX if it is indeed both a handheld and a console. 

 

What I'm trying to say, either way, its all you're going to get from Nintendo for a while.

 

 

I have a feeling the separate handheld and console business is becoming unsustainable for Nintendo, so I think they'll try to offer both in one package but default to a more handheld type experience if that fails. Nintendo has an immense amount of money and can afford expensive mistakes but its consoles were treated as a string of commercial "failures" ever since the SNES, with the sole exception of the Wii.

So, maybe they've had enough of trying to compete with a specific device in that arena.

[Hurlshort]

I feel like handhelds are a dying breed, really.  10 years ago, half my students had handhelds.  Now they all have phones or tablets, and maybe one has a handheld.  

 

That being said, I liked the Wii U controller and I don't mind that they are building on how that was used.

[the_dog_days]

This is supposed to be a bridge between the two. Even though they're still going to "support" the 3DS and the WiiU its likely that all Nintendo first party teams will focus on the NX if it is indeed both a handheld and a console.

 

What I'm trying to say, either way, its all you're going to get from Nintendo for a while.

 

 

I have a feeling the separate handheld and console business is becoming unsustainable for Nintendo, so I think they'll try to offer both in one package but default to a more handheld type experience if that fails. Nintendo has an immense amount of money and can afford expensive mistakes but its consoles were treated as a string of commercial "failures" ever since the SNES, with the sole exception of the Wii.

So, maybe they've had enough of trying to compete with a specific device in that arena.

The problem with the NX is that I and a decent number of other people want a hand held system, but not at the price of a home console. If they force my hand, I'll give in because it's the only way to play Fire Emblem and Pokémon. I'm gearing up for the staring contest, hoping they blink first.

[the_dog_days]

I feel like handhelds are a dying breed, really. 10 years ago, half my students had handhelds. Now they all have phones or tablets, and maybe one has a handheld.

 

That being said, I liked the Wii U controller and I don't mind that they are building on how that was used.

From what I've heard, mobile gaming, including hand helds are a huge market in Japan. The NX in particular is trying to cater to the Japanese market.

[Drowsy Emperor]

I think handhelds would be dead if it weren't for Nintendo using its first party games to push them. Sony's line is all but dead. Personally my smartphone seems like a space shuttle compared to the 2DS I have, even if it was three times the price. 

But the 2DS has a huge games library and the smartphone has 90% shovelware junk that's impossible to sift through. 

 

IMO handhelds are definitely on their way out for casual gamers.

 

Maybe Nintendo realizes that and that's why they're trying to play both fields. 

 

However, what's interesting is that the NX will have a 6 inch screen on its handheld unit and that's huge if you factor in the size of the pads as well! It may be portable but it sure as hell won't be pocketable.

We'll see how it works out for them.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Drowsy Emperor

[Amentep]

I've owned a Gameboy, a Gameboy Color, a Gameboy Advance, a DS, and now a 3DS. If Nintendo makes a 3DS 2, for example, it's a day one buy for me. But their home consoles? Thank you, but I'll pass.

 

Wasn't the "New 3DS" the "3DS 2" essentially?

[Drowsy Emperor]

Yes it was even though its a miniscule update overall

[Keyrock]

 

I've owned a Gameboy, a Gameboy Color, a Gameboy Advance, a DS, and now a 3DS. If Nintendo makes a 3DS 2, for example, it's a day one buy for me. But their home consoles? Thank you, but I'll pass.

 

Wasn't the "New 3DS" the "3DS 2" essentially?

 

More like the 3DS 1.1

[Volourn]

I remember when I used to love Nintendo. 

[Katphood]

I own a Wii U and a new 3DS.

 

While I do love the Wii U a lot, Nintendo pretty much announced it dead about a week ago when they were talking about their "marketing mistakes" during the Wii U launch. So I guess wait and see if the NX is worth buying or not. I can play the new Zelda game on the Wii U.

[Drowsy Emperor]

Have you seen the Zelda Breath of the Wild WiiU gameplay videos? It really looks like the console is struggling to play the game at 30fps and the rendering distance is surprisingly small for a game that should have been built for it.

[Katphood]

Have you seen the Zelda Breath of the Wild WiiU gameplay videos? It really looks like the console is struggling to play the game at 30fps and the rendering distance is surprisingly small for a game that should have been built for it.

Yeah, I've seen those. From what I've heard the overworld is being made by the same team who made the Xenoblade Chronicles games. Having played about 10 hours of Xenoblade Chronicles X I can testify that it is definitely playable:

 

 

The way I know Nintendo, there is no way they would release a game with performance issues. Guess the NX version will be the definitive version but I'll get it on the Wii U unless the NX has an exceptionally good lineup of launch titles.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Katphood

[Bartimaeus]

It might depend upon the method of input. The Gamecube version of Twilight Princess is pretty widely considered the definitive version, not the Wii version...so it might depend.

[Katphood]

It might depend upon the method of input. The Gamecube version of Twilight Princess is pretty widely considered the definitive version, not the Wii version...so it might depend.

 

That was mostly because of the controls but the Wii version did have sharper visuals if you had a component cable. The world was mirrored though and that felt sort of stupid I guess. 

[Bartimaeus]

Yeah, Link is supposed to be left-handed. The Wii version is obviously non-canon.

[Katphood]

A 4th timeline? Why not! 

[Drowsy Emperor]

 

Have you seen the Zelda Breath of the Wild WiiU gameplay videos? It really looks like the console is struggling to play the game at 30fps and the rendering distance is surprisingly small for a game that should have been built for it.

Yeah, I've seen those. From what I've heard the overworld is being made by the same team who made the Xenoblade Chronicles games. Having played about 10 hours of Xenoblade Chronicles X I can testify that it is definitely playable:

 

 

The way I know Nintendo, there is no way they would release a game with performance issues. Guess the NX version will be the definitive version but I'll get it on the Wii U unless the NX has an exceptionally good lineup of launch titles.

 

 

Its going to be playable for sure, but recent WiiU gameplay videos don't look like the game is running anywhere close to its full potential: poor rendering distance, no anti-aliasing, low res shadows etc.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Drowsy Emperor

[Drowsy Emperor]

In semi related news, Nintendo partners up with Apple for a Mario iPhone game. Mario keeps on running and all you do is control the jump with the touch controls. (we have actually managed to regress from Super Mario Bros 1983 edition)

 

This is less about making money and more about Nintendo's latest strategy of leveraging smartphone popularity to draw people back into core gaming and the upcoming NX. In other words, the real sequels will be on the consoles and handhelds while mobile games will get simplified titles.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Drowsy Emperor

[Drowsy Emperor]

There is a distinct possibility that all we "know" about the NX right know is wrong/deliberate disinformation. Whatever the case may be Nintendo thinks it has something big and they're doing their best not to let the rest of the industry know (which may explain the relatively small period between reveal and getting it on the market).

 

Anyway, the Tokyo Game show starts on Thursday and the reveal will likely happen there (allegedly on the second day).

[Drowsy Emperor]

Nintendo is not showing up on the Tokyo Game show, the NX reveal is up in the air although the thing is still set for release on March 2017.

 

Its either going to be a very short marketing campaign or release is going to be postponed.

[Katphood]

Nintendoes what it wants!