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Nintendo NX Will Use Cartridges, Report Says

Nintendo's next console could use cartridges instead of discs, much like the 3DS.

369 Comments

Nintendo's NX using cartridges has been reported in the past. Now, it sounds even more likely as the Wall Street Journal has heard from "people familiar with the matter" that the company's next console will pass on discs.

It's important to note that Nintendo's current handheld, the 3DS, also uses cartridges, meaning we could see something similar to that as opposed to the larger cartridges used by the Super Nintendo and N64.

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Now Playing: Nintendo NX: Everything We Know - The Lobby

The main problem with cartridges is that they normally carry less data than discs--PS4 and Xbox One game discs can store up to 50 GB of data and often require further installs on the consoles' hard drives. It's currently unclear how much data an NX cartridge will hold, if real.

Other reports have said the NX is a powerful handheld device with detachable controller modules--these attach to both sides of the screen. Additionally, the system can be docked and used on televisions.

This news comes a day after Nintendo's latest Direct, which focused on the 3DS. Several games were announced including 3DS versions of Super Mario Maker and Yoshi's Woolly World, in addition to new Pikmin and Mario Sports titles.

The NX is expected to release in March 2017. The next games in the Legend of Zelda series, Breath of the Wild, is set to launch simultaneously next year on both the NX and Wii U.

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Thanatos2k

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You wanted $70 games? Nintendo's got you covered.

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Elranzer

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@Thanatos2k: Don't be stupid. You know as well as I that flash media is about as cheap as Blu-Ray to produce nowadays.

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Bickle2

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@Elranzer: umm, not in the slightest. Blu-Ray media costs under $1.50 shrink wrapped and out the door. 32GB of flash is $3-4 for the media alone, in bulk, as in millions of units, but thank you for playing.

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Thanatos2k

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@Elranzer: I mean, you're completely and I mean COMPLETELY wrong, but yeah.

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Bickle2

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Edited By Bickle2

@Thanatos2k: Except I'm not, you're just a fanboy who knows nothing about media production. Nintendo fanboys are truly just as desperate as a young earth creationist to justify your allegience

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Thanatos2k

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Edited By Thanatos2k

@bickle2: ........What are you even talking about? Do you even notice who I was replying to?

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Bickle2

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@Thanatos2k: my apologies

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Moonco

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Edited By Moonco  Moderator

@Thanatos2k: I never really thought about the price. N64 cartridges were more expensive than PSX and Saturn titles back in the day. Damn, looks like I have to go back to work to afford NX games :-(

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Dark_Mits

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@Moonco: Not to mention that Saturn / PSX cds could hold 700MB of data, while N64 cartridges up to 64MB at best. But loading time was significantly lower too.

7 • 
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game4metoo

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Edited By game4metoo

So basically it's a nvidia shield.

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iandizion713

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Edited By iandizion713

Cartridges? What is this, the 80s. This shat gone fail worst then Vita.

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Iconoclysm

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@iandizion713: Uhh, the Vita used cartridges...even though the PSP used optical discs. Think on it.

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Thanatos2k

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@Iconoclysm: Handheld games are small, that's why they have bad graphics and crippling system limitations.

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deactivated-64efdf49333c4

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@iandizion713: They're way more reliable than discs and their respective players. None of my cartridge consoles have ever had problems (other than the stupid design decision with the NES, but replace that thing and it's fine).

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Thanatos2k

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@Barighm: You've never had to blow into a cartridge? Because that counts as a problem.

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KillerCondoms

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Edited By KillerCondoms

@Thanatos2k: I've blown many cartridges in my day

Best not take that out of context pervs :P

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deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

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Then maybe Sony can bring back MiniDiscs in the PS5.

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Moonco

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Edited By Moonco  Moderator

Make them Neo Geo size instead of those tiny DS cartridges, which always seem to get lost in the washing machine

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Thanatos2k

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@Moonco: "What's that clattering sound?"

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Moonco

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Edited By Moonco  Moderator

@Thanatos2k: I was looking high and low for Gunstar Super Heroes and then remembered it was my pants pocket, which were already in the wash. Think I lost 6 games that way lol

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