My source inside Nintendo--can't even give a hint as to what department he/she is in for fear or reprisal--has given me some valuable info about Nintendo's plans. In the wake of their dismal forecasts for the year, they've gone all out to address longstanding issues that have been holding them back.
Here we go:
- Nintendo's next handheld is going to be a phone co-developed with Samsung called the Galaxy N. It will be an ARM-based device based around a customized version of Android aimed at kids, running more powerful specs than the Vita's. The N's detachable control pad will come with dual analog sticks and shoulder buttons, along with a share button allowing kids to share gameplay footage on a kid-friendly "Nintendo World" website being built around the N.
The N will cost $699 unlocked, and $199 through an exclusive 2-year contract with Verizon. It will come bundled with several Virtual Console games, alongside new free-to-play titles developed exclusively for the N.
- Nintendo is going to abandon the WiiU in 2015. X, Bayonetta 2 and the new Zelda game will be moved to their next console; Smash U will be the last first party title to come out for it.
- Nintendo started working on their next console, called Ultra Nintendo Entertainment System, in early 2013, as soon as the WiiU started tanking. A powerhouse system designed based on feedback from developers, the UNES will feature 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, a customized i7 processor from Intel, and a graphics chip from Nvidia more powerful than the PS4's based on the new "Maxwell" architecture. Those cancelled titles that were supposed to be on the WiiU? They'll be launch titles for the UNES.
The UNES will launch in the holiday season of 2015, for $499.
- Nintendo has hired J Allard to do a complete overhaul of their network functionality. The first phase of this will be the addition of cross-buy and VC games that work across the 3DS and WiiU, which will be announced later this year. The removal of region-locking will come in Winter.
- The next proper Zelda title will be a gritty, bloody M-rated adventure game meant to be a "Skyrim-killer". This is part of a broader initiative by Nintendo to shed their "kiddy image", and go after the core gamer in a big way after losing them with the Wii and WiiU. Most of their more family friendly fare will end up on the Galaxy N mobile device.
- The next Metroid FPS will be developed not by Retro Studios, but by Bungie, who is set to start preliminary work on a series reboot once Destiny is released. It will be available in the first year of the UNES's life cycle, with a similar "persistent world" design centered around co-op multiplayer.
- Smash Brothers will be getting a complete overhaul. The game will be redesigned from the ground up as a more traditional fighting game, which will be co-developed with Capcom. Expect several guest appearances from Street Fighter and the like.
- Speaking of Capcom, Nintendo plans to buy the rights to Mega Man and develop new entries for both the UNES and the Galaxy N. The former will likely be a subscription-based MMO, while the latter is a free-to-play platformer supported by in app purchases of upgrades and weapons.
That's all I have for now. I'll let you know if my source digs up anything else.
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