PixlBit

 

Hello everyone, how are you? So rumor mill started spinning again about the NX, except this time we might have a better idea of what it may be, courtesy of Eurogamer and follow up here. 

According to the image, it'll be a "mobile/portable console" with detachable controllers. Which might imply what the X in NX means, as the X sometimes means Cross in Japan. A cross of console and handheld. Nintendo Cross. Take that image as you will. It looks like it will be like the Wii U Gamepad, except you can detach the button bits for multiplayer or something. The portable is said to function as a high-powered handheld when on the go. It will also function as a console when you are using it at home like a traditionl console, yes on tv via a docking station.

It is said that it wont be powerful, as the XB1/PS4, rather it's using the power to run everything on the new device. The device is said to use Nvidia's Tegra processor, which according to what I've read is used on mobile devices. The NX will use cartridges as some earlier rumors stated. And wont be backwards compatible this time around. For a better understanding of this thing, Digital Foundry has put together a video on this:

                      

Here's what I think: I think this can work and can be amazing, if Nintendo can pull it off. For years we would have to buy a console and a handheld in order to play the different games on those devices. With this, we'll have the best of both worlds as we'll no longer have to buy 2 different things.

That and it brings up my next point: kids. While the 3DS has done quite, it has been losing ground to mobile devices in recent years. Let's think of it this way, a phone is around what, 300-500 bucks. A handheld is around 200 bucks, and a console is what, 250-400 bucks. Prices on smartphone games are from either free to 1-5 bucks at most. A 3DS game is 40 bucks while a console game is 60 bucks. The parent of a kid will most likely get their kid what will be a better investment and cheaper. We can say a handheld/console is better obviously, but remember all the factors to a new console/handheld, it's 40-60 bucks everytime we buy a full priced game, if it's a new release. It's an investment, we are investing in it to get the most out of it.

To me, the NX is a way to entice kids back to Nintendo products, and what better way than by having a system that you can play on your tv and take with you on the go? According to some sources, Nintendo is planning to go after the kids market and this is the perfect way to do so. That and the thing looks like a tablet when you detach the controller bits.

This isn't the first time Nintendo has tried this concept, as you can see from that image. I think even Sega tried it with the Sega Nomad in some form, and the Super Gameboy allowed you to play your Gameboy Games on your Super Nintendo, heck let's bring in the Gameboy player from the Gamecube as well. But it has never been done on this scale of it being your dedicated device.

People are already saying that it wont be a powerhouse, true. The only other problems I see with that is that third-parties will be left in the dust again, as in they wont be able to port the same games as the PS4/XB1 to the NX and that people say it wont compete with Sony and Microsoft. I don't think Nintendo even cares to compete with them. As for the third-party stuff, I heard that the Tegra chip can run games fine on it, it will require some work on third-parties though, but that remains to be seen if they plan to do that.

Another thing people forget is that docking station mentioned in the rumor. Nintendo actually had a patent or something of the like not too long ago called a supplimentary computer device or something. From what I read somewhere today, it can actually beef up the NX, which might make sense since you can use your portable as a console, which solves that problem. Considering if Nintendo uses it for that purpose.

Other than that, everything sounds really exciting. The thing I am bummed out about is no backwards compatibility with Wii U games since it's running different internals. I'm hoping it is backwards compatible with 3DS games though, it's a handheld that will use cartridges, so I don't see why it wouldn't. Nintendo seems like it wants to move away from Dual Sreens on portables, but maybe they wont completely abandon it. Maybe just do something different since the NX in a way, can use 2 screens.

For every new thing (rumor) we learned today, it just raised more questions (and concerns) about the NX. It does align with the previous rumors but again, the best thing we can do is wait for the official announcement on September.

So, that's my thoughts on what we learned today about the NX. I did this on the quick, so it might not be well put. What are your thoughts on the NX news? Thanks for reading and later.