Nintendo announced last night the Nintendo NX, a new console the Japanese video game company would release in March 2017. The news comes as a big surprise to the gaming industry after it was believed that Nintendo might stop making new consoles entirely to focus on games and mobile games.
The announcement wasn’t made at a big event, on TV, or even on Twitter–instead Nintendo buried the NX news on page three of their quarterly financial report. This is literally the only sentence mentioning the console’s existence:
For our dedicated video game platform business, Nintendo is currently developing a gaming platform codenamed “NX” with a brand-new concept. NX will be launched in March 2017 globally.
So let’s dig a bit deeper to give you some more information and facts on the mysterious console.
Nintendo NX Release Date
We know that Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo NX will released in March 2017 (at least that was what they wrote in their quarterly report).
The Nintendo NX will not debut at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this June. Instead, Nintendo will make the upcoming Zelda game their focus.
Nintendo NX Controller
At this point in time, it’s too early to say for sure what exactly the Nintendo NX controller will look like, but there a couple of hints we can publish that should help satisfy your curiosity.
First off, above you’ll find a patent application that Nintendo filed in December 2015. It shows a oval-shaped controller with a left joystick, and a button on the right. The rest of the controller is a full screen.
Nintendo NX Games
Nintendo announced that the new Zelda game will release simultaneously on the Nintendo NX and Wii U.
As far as a Smash Bros title, gamers should also expect a new title (not a rehash) for the launch.
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 / Kantan Games Inc. (@serkantoto) January 28, 2016
The Verge has also confirmed that Dragon Quest XI, the next entry in Square Enix’s long-running RPG series, is planned for the NX
Nintendo NX Rumors
Handheld or Mobile Console?
The fact that the Wii U sold disastrously low units, coupled with the thought that Nintendo has made it known they’re looking to get dominate mobile and handheld games, leads us to believe that the Nintendo NX will somehow straddle the world of console and mobile gaming.
And there’s some physical proof that could be the case, too. In the summer of 2013, Nintendo merged its console and handheld teams under one roof, pushing for more collaboration between the two.
