Nintendo doesn’t believe in the ‘home console’

The late Iwata would routinely think about the nature of our definitions and so we must. Aside from how they are consumed, what is a home console?

It is nothing more than a box connected to a TV. A controller is also connected to that box for input. This is all it is. The handheld game console has the input and output tied directly in it (which means handheld consoles are closer to arcades in that definition).

With the Wii U, Nintendo has severed the TV. What if Nintendo made a console that allowed you to change display outputs like you can with control inputs? That would be revolutionary!

I dislike handheld gaming only because of the controls and the tiny screen. But with the creation of the Super Gameboy and Gameboy Player, Nintendo seems to understand this issue.

What I am seeing from that patent (and it is only a patent which may mean nothing) is that Nintendo is allowing the player to play how he or she wants. Why should any game you buy be tethered to ‘home console’ or ‘handheld use’ strictly? It’s dumb.

Look how fast handheld technology has changed!

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Above: PSP and DS came out in 2004. Ipod 4, which contained color PHOTOS, came out in 2004. This was where the technology was at then. (PSP came out Spring 2005)

Above: Ipod 5 came out in 2006 which had video playback. Ipod 5 becomes a direct competitor to PSP for the ‘video space’.

Above: The iphone came out in 2007.

Above: ipad came out in 2010.

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Above: 3DS came out in 2011 as did the iphone 4s.

Above: Vita came out in 2011-2012.

Today is the year 2015. The capability of mobile computing devices HAS TAKEN OFF. If you remove 3d from the 3DS, you get a very cheap product.

To sum up, here is where I see things going with the NX:

-Nintendo will not incorporate 3D hardware output in the NX.

-NX will be the successor to both 3DS and Wii U. (Note that Nintendo has not said it is one or the other!)

-Nintendo has absolutely no business reason to continue the traditional home console as sales of it have tanked in both Japan and in the West.

-The future points to the West becoming more like Japan due to crushing mini-recessions. Handheld gaming is soon becoming more and more widespread in the West especially for Nintendo hardware.

-All we know about the NX is that Iwata has said it will change the structure of the dedicated home console system.

Is the NX going to be like the Vita Home version? Doubtful. I am curious if it will be more like the Turbographx-16…

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You could use a Turnographx-16 cartridge for home console or for handheld use!

The big issue for Nintendo for Generation 9 seems to be unifying the home and handheld departments. Whether this results in a unified console remains to be seen. I don’t see Nintendo going wildly Blue Ocean like the Wii or anything like that. I think Nintendo is more concerned about reducing costs to boost profits. The best way to do that is to eliminate the home console ‘war’.

I see Microsoft and Sony following suit soon. Microsoft is already on that path with Windows 10. Windows 10 at home, Windows 10 in the handheld, etc.

Microsoft is to operating systems as Nintendo is to hardware consoles. Windows 10 is to Microsoft what NX may be to Nintendo.

There will be many NX form factors that all share the same basic architecture. There will a dedicated home console, a handheld, and possibly digital only devices. In NA traditional home consoles are as popular as ever given the sales of the XB1 and PS4 which are both outselling the 360 and PS3 during the same time frame.

However, sales for dedicated gaming handhelds have been decreasing throughout the world, so I totally disgree with your assumption that dedicated gaming handhelds will gain more popularity in the west. The 3DS is not even going sell half as many units as the DS did and we all know how disappointing Vita's sales are.

The NX will have a removable piece for gaming on the go.

Nope, again it isn't a hybrid.

Hopefully its 3ds style cards that can be used interchangeably with both the console and handheld.

NX will be the reincarnation of Jesus and will save us all.

You mean the reincarnation of Iwata?

Why do i feel the NX will be just a WIIU with a docking bay for 3DS games?

I think NX will be an upgraded Wii U that can play 3DS, Wii U, N3DS, and NX games. Nintendo would be wise to allow Sony and Microsoft to make the next move first while they just sit back and gauge the market. The market is changing fast and Nintendo doesnt want to be copied again.

The reason N3DS was made was for developers who wanted a more powerful machine, NX will be the same, it will probably be for developers who want a more powerful machine. This will allow developers to continue to develop Wii U and NX games since NX will also be able to play the less powerful Wii U ones.

NX could also be able to play 3DS and N3DS games on the home console but without 3D. This will enable Nintendo to support all systems a little longer until they can better gauge what the market wants and still keep the competition from coping them like they always do.

They should ditch backwards compatibility with the NX. Just kill off the Wii line and start fresh. I don't see them sticking with the archaic Power architecture they have been using since the Gamecube, so I don't see how BC would be feasible unless they somehow can include the Wii U's processor without increasing the cost too much.

@emgesp: Too many good games to quit on, they could never leave Smash Bros, Mario kart, Splatoon etc behind, they are too fresh. They need these games to help launch the NX.

@emgesp: Nintendo needs to ditch that dinosaur of an architecture. If they move over to a regular x64 processor, they can always do emulation for the previous games. Microsoft is doing it for Xbox 360 on Xbox One, so I don't see why Nintendo couldn't do Wii U on the NX. Given that it's powerful enough, of course. Gamecube and Wii games can also be done. If Nintendo's picky about allocating a team, they should look into hiring the people behind Dolphin. They already have a lot of the Gamecube/Wii stuff figured out.

The NX will most likely launch with the new Zelda game so it won't need to rely on BC. They could always release NX ports of the games you speak of.

Wow, get a gripe! It's still an iPhone and used as an example

It's starting to seem like it will be something like this, which to me is very much a "hybrid" console despite whatever Nintendo wants to say.

I think it's very dangerous territory for Nintendo to explore. The problem with Wii-U was it's lack of identity. People didn't even recognize it was an all new console. If they release a tablet like device that outputs to the TV (wirelessly?) that is neither a handheld nor a console, even if it's very much "new", it might again be something that the average person doesn't know what to do with. They'll just stick to their tablet - which can also already be streamed to the TV. By the way, this output switching from a tablet has already been done - it's called Airplay/Chromecast/Firestick, etc. I don't think that's a strong or compelling enough feature, particularly if the hardware quality is low and less powerful than competing devices.

I agree, it will launch with Zelda Wii U via backward compatibility.

Nintendo really needs to start fresh, both from a hardware and brand perspective. There's always emulation or hd ports down the road, though i'll be keeping my Wii U of course.

I'm pretty sure the NX will get it's own version...i mean isn't the writing on the wall for that? I could possibly even see them cancelling the Wii-U version outright (but I only see them doing that if it gets pushed past 2016). Most likely outcome is that they will release two separate versions for 2016.

@Chozofication: I think they will start fresh, but they will also continue to be Nintendo and separate themselves from the competition. They need backward compatibility to do so. I could see them offering digital downloads of games from the eShop and using the Wii U to check what you previously bought. Then just boot your NX and download from your new integrated account that works across all systems.

Im hoping NX will be cartridge based for better reliability. Parents and fans love cartridges anyway, so its a perfect match.

There will probably be NX ports of Splatoon and Smash Bros, to keep the online communities alive. Doubt the system itself will have BC.

Well, they could have done that with Twilight Princess, but instead Nintendo released two separate SKUs, so why would Nintendo only release a Wii U SKU when they could also release an NX version with additional features?

I dont think they will, i dont think NX will provide any new experience for them to release two versions. I think they will just release on Wii U and have it backward compatible with NX.

@2Chalupas: Canceling the Wii U version this late would be a huge money sink. If they're cooking up an NX version, they'll launch on both to maximize profit like they did with Twilight Princess.

That would be a horrible idea, especially if you're trying to sell a new console. What are they going to put Wii U games in with NX titles on the same shelf at Gamestop? It would confuse a lot of buyers. Nintendo needs to distant the NX as far away from the Wii U as possible. If NX launches in 2016 then its gonna get its own port of the new Zelda game.

@emgesp: Yes, just like theyre doing with 3DS and N3DS.

Do you honestly think the NX is just going to be a slightly modified Wii U? That is ridiculous.

@emgesp: Yes i do, it will be basically an upgraded Wii U to compete with PS4 and Xbox One and give developers something more powerful to port their games to.

But that alone wont work, just being as powerful as PS4 and Xbox is not enough, those people are attached to their systems, you also have to be different and set yourself apart from the competition.

Thats where being able to play 3DS and N3DS will help them. Will make it the perfect console for those who dont care to buy a 3DS, N3DS, and a Wii U to play Nintendo games. They can just buy a NX and enjoy it all on their TV.

It needs to be more than a slightly updated hardware revision of the Wii U to compete with the PS4 and XB1.

@emgesp: Yeah, like i stated above, i think it will be. Just being able to play multipats will not help like people think. People will still stick to their consoles, but if Nintendo can steal them over by other ways, then we can hook them better.

They will think they are coming over for lunch, but they will soon find out, they are staying for dinner.

Muahahaha.

OK, how exactly is the NX going to play 3DS games if its just a tweaked Wii U hardware revision? The whole point of the NX is for all future platforms to share a common architecture like iOS products. Iwata has confirmed this already.

@emgesp: All future Nintendo products.

I fail to see how exactly the NX would be able to play both Wii U and 3DS titles. You can do one, or the other, but not both. 3DS and Wii U utilize totally different architectures.

If the NX home console and NX handheld can play the same games then I don't see how either of them will be backwards compatible with either Wii U, or 3DS software.

@YearoftheSnake5 said:

@mesome713 said:

Thats where being able to play 3DS and N3DS will help them. Will make it the perfect console for those who dont care to buy a 3DS, N3DS, and a Wii U to play Nintendo games. They can just buy a NX and enjoy it all on their TV.

O im ready, i was born ready.

I'm greatly anticipating the reveal of the NX. It's going to be a shit storm of debate and further speculation, no doubt. They said '16? E3 '16?

Not to mention it would piss a lot of us off haha

I'd rather have it on NX with max detail/draw distance/1080p though.

Oh yeah, same here. Assuming the NX is at least as powerful as the other consoles, there should be a big difference in quality. Like going from Oblivion on the Xbox 360 to a gaming PC. Same game, but with a better framerate, object distance, draw distance, lighting, textures, AA, and more.

If you have nothing to discuss on the topic, then leave! No one is asking you to bitch about a picture, hell no one here that contribute to my OP doesn't care but you. It's still an iPhone regardless.

if they combine handheld and console....isnt that taking away nintendo's biggest moneymaker?

Change display outputs huh? Like the Sega Nomad. A home console and handheld in one! Revolutionary indeed.

I just hope Nintendo keeps churning out good games for NX, and the console gets third party support that is a little less than GameCube level. Then it will be an instant buy for me.

@FireEmblem_Man said:

What if Nintendo made a console that allowed you to change display outputs like you can with control inputs?

Is the NX going to be like the Vita Home version? Doubtful. I am curious if it will be more like the Turbographx-16…

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You could use a Turnographx-16 cartridge for home console or for handheld use!

Seems like a progression from the VITA and as you've mentioned, Turbographx. Maybe more as an evolution than a revolution.

VITA allows you to just do that though but with not complete access to the VITA library. Since the NX could be designed for such, it would seem just like the VITA-VITA TV relationship but most, if not all games, are shared.

One media; two ways to play ---> VITA/VITA TV.. and maybe soon: NX platform.

DS3/DS4 + TV + VITA game or VITA handheld + VITA game.

Even the PSP technically gave you this (2K/3K). You can plug it into the TV if you want (official feature, not hacked. Hacked allowed USB A/V out). The PSP Go evolved in a way that you can use a DualShock 3 wirelessly and use a A/V out simultaneously.

@j2zon2591: Something like the GBA adapter would be better i think.

Just hook that bad boy up and enjoy your GBA games on your TV. Its also had a GBA Cable that allowed the GBA to be used as a second screen and as an extra controller. Would be a perfect combo to have NX use the Wii U Gamepad and N3DS/3DS as second screens.

@mesome713 said:

@j2zon2591: Something like the GBA adapter would be better i think.

Just hook that bad boy up and enjoy your GBA games on your TV. Its also had a GBA Cable that allowed the GBA to be used as a second screen and as an extra controller. Would be a perfect combo to have NX use the Wii U Gamepad and N3DS/3DS as second screens.

N3DS as second screen might not seem a great idea for HD games since AFAIK, the N3DS only renders 400x240 (otherwise squished 800x240/wrong aspect ratio).. the UI might not be easy to read. Maybe for their next gen handheld.

As for the NX home console that has an NX handheld cartridge slot and optical disc drive.. maybe they can do that. Perhaps the optical disk drives are more for 3rd party games but IDK.

Just have a feeling NX would be sharing a game cart for simplicity and that the home console version would be cheaper than the Wii U (they said to be targeting "emerging markets".. but IDK what that really means.. I assume developing countries -/+).

@j2zon2591: It could still work as a second screen for N3DS and 3DS games though. Gamepad would handle the more graphical games. If you want to play handheld games on your TV youll most likely want a touch screen.

Them trying to make NX affordable would be why they would need to support older controllers and touch devices to help lower that cost.

..considering the ONLY thing that Nintendo could technically take credit for is rumble controllers. *rolls eyes*\