This year, we’ll finally hear a little more about Nintendo’s impending new console, currently codenamed the NX. We know very, very little about the machine, but given the Wii U’s market stagnation, it’ll have to be spectacular to get your average gaming consumer interested in the big N again.
According to some new rumours, it may be quite interesting indeed. As we run up to E3 this year, it’s safe bet to assume that we’ll be bombarded with rumours surrounding the console, all of which should be taken with great big sacks full of salt. This latest rumour is a little interesting though, because it comes from a source with a few more hits than misses. Mystical source Geno – who was on the money regarding Pokémon X&Y, Microsoft’s Hololens and some of the PlayStation 4’s details pre-release has released a list of details about Nintendo’s new console.
Speaking to DualPixel, here’s the information that Geno’s divulged. Once again, take it with a grain or eleven of salt.
- It has a wireless HDMI dongle that attaches flush to the back of the device. A user can pull it out and insert it into any display with a normal sized HDMI output and the devices uses an evolved version of the Wii U’s streaming tech to display in HD to the TV screen.
- Allegedly the analog controls for movement has small motors in them for full haptic feedback. Meaning if you control a character and hit a wall, the sticks move away from the direction of that wall to simulate running head first into it. This can also be used for jerking when firing a gun, taking damage, moving over rough terrain, ect.
- It can literally Bluetooth synch with everything, especially smart phone and tablets to the point where one feature is that it can answer phone calls and display text messages from your phone onto the screens itself so you don’t have to stop and answer your smart device.
- The closest in terms of “power” it gets to is the Xbox One, but an app idea is Wii U x50 and PlayStation Vita x100. The key is that all the tech is exactly the same hardware layout as the PS4 and Xbox One which then combine it with the OS’s strong emulation functions and compiler means that any game that can run of a Playstation 4 or Xbox One can easily run on the NX with near-zero modification to the original source code, especially if it runs in Android OS or Unreal Engine 4. This is allegedly why Nintendo has given out the dev kits so late, as one 3rd Party dev put it “It’s the easiest device we’ve ever developed for. You just take your code, compile it and it works.”
- Look to Pokemon GO to get the idea of the type of social features that will be in NX that will take multiplayer, AR and the StreetPass concept to a whole new level.
- The real strengths of the device is its usability and ease of use. Developers have described to me more than once that it visually and functionally looks as if “Samsung and the Nintendo 2DS” had a baby, in that it looks friendly but unlike what most people visualize a Nintendo device to typically look.
- The operating system, named NintendOS alone is very powerful and has so many modern features of mobile operating systems today that Nintendo is trying to be very careful in showing it off for fear that it would be mistaken as running Android. It also has a very strong networking functions as it ties into multiple devices and services allowing a very competent and pervasive eco-system designed to constantly involve the consumer’s lives.
That sounds….interesting, I suppose. The hardest thing to believe, as somebody who uses and loves Nintendo products is that it has something resembling a contemporary OS with modern and forward thinking networking. This list of information says nothing of it being a hybrid system, which is what most seem to be expecting from Nintendo’s new console.
I think it’s important to note though that the NX and Nintendo as a company will have to play nicely with third parties if it has any hopes of succeeding; only the most ardent fans will buy a brand new console just for those wonderful exclusives. Again.
Last Updated: February 29, 2016
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 29, 2016 at 08:35
Meh…. the Big N should rename to Mehtendo
Ottokie
February 29, 2016 at 08:35
Step 1: Bring out a new console
Step 2: Release Pokemon MMO on new console
Now stand back and watch as the money rolls in.
VampyreSquirrel
February 29, 2016 at 08:35
So… not very powerful then? 😛
Just trolling… just keep trolling…
freddy_uk
February 29, 2016 at 10:30
haha waiting for someone to say that
Umar
February 29, 2016 at 08:40
To be perfectly honest, Geno’s ‘leaks’ can come off as really well educated guesses and predictions. That said, it doesn’t sound too outrageous and does kind of line up with the what we’ve been hearing so far, but if it is AS powerful as a Bone or even a PS4, it’s going to be in a bit of trouble as it’s going to be almost 3 years behind…And gimmicks only get you so far, unless what they’re planning to release is truly revolutionary.
Paladinrja
February 29, 2016 at 11:04
Not if one considers an eco-system of devices that allows the adopter to tailor their experiences and are relatively cheap. I don’t think that there will be another standard console, even abstract like the Wii U, from Nintendo. I think that after 2017 when another platform would be due, will be an expansion unit that is essentially a reboot concept Famicon, or PC aimed to help that eco-system provide new experiences.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 29, 2016 at 08:41
But does it have CLOUD POWER?
Mistake Not...
February 29, 2016 at 08:46
Still a Nintendo.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 29, 2016 at 08:46
If it is smaller, and cheaper, they will sell a lot
(oh, and internal psu…)
Pariah
February 29, 2016 at 08:52
But can it run Crysis?
Paladinrja
February 29, 2016 at 09:29
Pure epiphany but I feel as if Xbox One power references may strongly indicate MS Hololens compatibility is a goal for NX, indirectly. MS and Nintendo AR partnership likelihood has long been speculation.
crizz1066
February 29, 2016 at 10:13
Can’t see that happening, it’ll be behind x1 and ps4 so needs to be more powerful, especially if there only aiming to match the x1. Or does that mean it’ll be more TV centric like m$ vcr
Paladinrja
February 29, 2016 at 11:09
I think its just one of many devices that form a system. It makes sense this would just offer parity. Nintendo are determined to monetize Wii U and thats good. So speculating a new console late 2017 early 2018 as an expansion on NX capabilities makes more sense. By that time AR/VR will necessitate it. So I am thinking it will be PC-like the console version, hopefully upgradeable parts.
crizz1066
February 29, 2016 at 12:54
Good points, though I doubt it will be modular as this would then create a 2 tier system. Those who can afford to upgrade quick and those who don’t. Still it’ll be interesting, Nintendo always come up with easy games to waste hours 🙂
Paladinrja
March 1, 2016 at 06:27
Hmm ordinarily I would agree but people need to be mindful of progressively scaleable architecture and all that implies. The current generation of consoles pretty much proves the need for platforms based on soft aimed eco-systems and be modular based on affordability.
I feel thats initially why Nintendo’s new framework was focused, in the short term, on combining internal development under a single framework.
Yes they certainly do. One of my daughters coined a term for them “whimsy-cool”, I think its apt. 😉
crizz1066
March 1, 2016 at 15:59
So long as they come out with something I’ll be happy. I’ve got a PS4 n PC but there’s something about Nintendo and they’re games such fun. If could add that to line up have all the bases covered.
freddy_uk
February 29, 2016 at 10:29
never rumours only brings disappointment !
Graeme Selvan
February 29, 2016 at 10:31
I want to love Nintendo so bad, but after the WII U it went out the door. First console I have EVER sold. They are going to have to do more than show me a new console to win me over. I want games (not one or two) but a good 15-20 first party. And some nice 3rd party support.
I wont be an early adopter like a I normally am.
CypherGate
February 29, 2016 at 11:24
If they pushing for X1 sort of power then im sorry… that is quite a let down. Sure they most probably looking at that sort of power because it most probably has become A LOT cheaper to buy/build etc, but waiting so long for them to reveal their new console only spells disappointment in my eyes cause people are eagerly waiting for the news.
shadus
February 29, 2016 at 17:05
they are pushing for xbox one power levels because it sounds like they are pushing for a portable form factor. Even if they use 14 nm chips they will be extremely lucky to get “xbox one” performance in a portable without a massive increase in weight or a horrible battery life.
CypherGate
February 29, 2016 at 17:22
Personally if they going full mobile then that could kill their other markets (3DS etc) Unless they sticking to the home console with option to use a portable device like the WiiU tried. The other thing is I wonder how that will work. The main console having all the grunt and the portable device? Possible cloud computing?
shadus
February 29, 2016 at 17:46
I agree but this rumor seems to suggest other wise.If this wireless dongle rumor is true why would Nintendo put it on something that would sit right next to a tv anyway? What I had imagined was a base portable unit that could handle say 480p or slightly higher. They would then sell a secondary unit that that would act as dock for the tv. Inside this unit would be a more powerful gpu that could scale the textures and games up higher to 900p or so (earlier rumors).
CypherGate
February 29, 2016 at 18:58
Honestly all these rumours gives me a headache lol they really should start giving solid details now cause if it’s similar to what you Said then it could be a bit of let down. Imagine a dongle thats compatible with smartphones, tablets etc
shadus
February 29, 2016 at 19:35
I agree a few rumors builds interest, constant rumors ultimately leads to customer expectations being let down. The truth is because of the expected price range , there is a very low ceiling on what we can expect the NX to do.
Russ Palk
February 29, 2016 at 15:09
They forgot to mention the NX can use Cloud Computing like the XBone
shadus
February 29, 2016 at 16:56
The big question here is whether the decrease in transistor node sizes will allow for “xbox one power” at a low enough TDP to actually be what sounds like a portable device. A little extra weight over a controller is fine but in a portable device every little ounce can matter. Guessing that it wont be passively cooled its going to need a fairly good size battery to power everything
Charles - The Great and Powerf
February 29, 2016 at 18:23
So what you are saying is that it will be more powerful than PS4 since Xbox One is more powerful in every way shape and form to PS4.