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[Interceptor]

Actually, this part...

...implies that the NX will be as we speculated, a platform with multiple form factors (EX: an NX Console & an NX Handheld).

No need to speculate on that. Actually it´s pretty much the only thing we know for a loong time now.
No more droughts. Everything is NX. (Well not everything, but 90%)

Mind you, I don't think your idea is bad, not that, and it certainly looks like something Nintendo would do, but it reminds me of stuff like doing a promo in the Nintendo World Store instead of something global like Amazon.

Ok. I think it´s their smartest way to keep at least some space at retailers aside from amiibos.

 

[Obliterator]

No need to speculate on that. Actually it´s pretty much the only thing we know for a loong time now.

Which is how we know we are looking at NX hardware here. It follows everything Nintendo has stated in public about what it envisions "NX" is.

This is Nintendos new hardware. Got to be. Exciting stuff indeed

 

[OrbitalBeard]

This. Think of NX how you think of Android. Not that this is a mobile phone but in that NX is more of a platform for multiple pieces of hardware more than it is a single device.

Essentially Nintendo is unifying their ecosystem by the looks of it

It certainly seems like it. And many of us Gaffers have been saying exactly this for over a year now.

 

[Interceptor]

Which is how we know we are looking at NX hardware here. It follows everything Nintendo has stated in public about what it envisions "NX" is.

This is Nintendos new hardware. Got to be. Exciting stuff indeed

Yep. It´s all about the Nintendo Experience now.

 

[bon]

cartridge based consoles making a comeback?

 

[Escalario]

Yep. It´s all about the Nintendo eXperience now.

Fixed

 

[Oriel]

That "Game Card" slot has to mean the return of cartridges utilising flash memory.

 

[BY2K]

Not sure what's so great about cartridges making a comeback, but it sure would feel nostalgic.

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Please have NX be a code name and at the last minute call it Wii Mii. God that'd be glorious!

 

[Oriel]

Not sure what's so great about cartridges making a comeback, but it sure would feel nostalgic.

Well I sure would prefer a cartridge to a disc that is prone to getting scratched like fuck all the time. And I try my best to take care of my discs. I just hope a return to carts doesn't mean shitty cardboard boxes are coming back as well. Games should come in decent quality plastic casing. SNES and N64 package was just crap.

 

[Sandfox]

But there's also the following issues...

• Pissing off retailers
• People with limited access to the internet
• People with data caps
• Possible DRM issues (are you games truly your games?)

You could bypass the internet issue by offering cards that hold the games you can install at stores, but then you'd step on the XB1 landmine. Either way, there needs to be an offline solution to obtaining games or people will riot against the console.

Retailers would probably just continue to sell download cards, but on a larger scale or something.

Please have NX be a code name and at the last minute call it Wii Mii. God that'd be glorious!

NX is clearly a code name, but they will more than likely move away from their old product names and come up with something new.

 

[Calamari41]

Which is how we know we are looking at NX hardware here. It follows everything Nintendo has stated in public about what it envisions "NX" is.

This is Nintendos new hardware. Got to be. Exciting stuff indeed

So many people told me that Iwata was straight up lying about this because "he said they'd never develop mobile games, too." Feels good to see that it appears to be true.

 

[Shang]

Not sure what's so great about cartridges making a comeback, but it sure would feel nostalgic.

Well, if we're talking 3DS-style carts, then they're much more portable, durable and (potentially) have more storage room

 

[Alebrije]

You guys keep thinking downloadable, but they're going back to carts.

Would love a cards format again , believe !!!

 

[CrazyHorse]

NX is both a handheld and a dedicated home console judging by the patent. Now its not a hybrid system, they are both dedicated stand alone hardware. But the OS is universal and made to function on different pieces of hardware. Similar to a mobile OS

How do you know that?

That would only harm sales. People will buy on or another.

However if it is a hybrid then it saves costs for Nintendo.

 

[Ansatz]

I was wondering how they'd solve the problem of purchasing one game for $60, say Mario Kart 9, and this title works on all my NX hardware systems. Well here it is

How do you know that?

That would only harm sales. People will buy on or another.

However if it is a hybrid then it saves costs for Nintendo.

They simply can't support two distinct platforms essentially by themselves. Next gen will not have two unique Mario Karts like 7 and 8, there will be only 9. I would doubble dip if the two systems share save files.

 

[Symphonia]

I'm not liking the idea of a digital only console one bit.

90% of my PS4 library is digital. I welcome a digital-only console with open arms.

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

People in this thread really think high density memory cards are a financially viable distribution method for a home console...? Come on guys. I can go on Amazon right now and buy 50GB BD-Rs for $2 a disc (Wii U is using single-layer BD-derived 25GB discs). Even a shitty 32GB SD card is going to run you $9. To actually beat a dual layer in storage you're going to need $20 a pop for a barely decent card. In what world is a company going to jump on a storage medium that's 10 times more expensive for similar storage? That's a massive cut.

 

[RockTurtle]

Games in a crystal

 

[Fox_Mulder]

cartridge based consoles making a comeback?

 

[Alebrije]

This. Think of NX how you think of Android. Not that this is a mobile phone but in that NX is more of a platform for multiple pieces of hardware more than it is a single device.

Essentially Nintendo is unifying their ecosystem by the looks of it

So you could run a Mario game in your Galaxy phone if you can install NX on it ?

 

[Obliterator]

How do you know that?

That would only harm sales. People will buy on or another.

However if it is a hybrid then it saves costs for Nintendo.

Well we know its multiple hardware as the patent in the OP outright states how the OS works and that its designed to work on different types of hardware.

As for it not being a hybrid I think Nintendo themselves shot that down? Could be wrong though maybe I'm not remembering right though

So you could run a Mario game in your Galaxy phone if you can install NX on it ?

No idea. Only thing we can for sure take away from the patent is it supports multiple devices for, I assume, some universal content between them. How deep that goes probably only Nintendo and some developers know

 

[Branduil]

People in this thread really think high density memory cards are a financially viable distribution method for a home console...? Come on guys. I can go on Amazon right now and buy 50GB BD-Rs for $2 a disc (Wii U is using single-layer BD-derived 25GB discs). Even a shitty 32GB SD card is going to run you $9. To actually beat a dual layer in storage you're going to need $20 a pop for a barely decent card. In what world is a company going to jump on a storage medium that's 10 times more expensive for similar storage? That's a massive cut.

Nintendo doesn't pay $9 for their game cards. And most games probably wouldn't need that much space anyway.

 

[GDGF]

How do you know that?

That would only harm sales. People will buy on or another.

However if it is a hybrid then it saves costs for Nintendo.

I would think that the sales performance of Smash Bros Wii U/3DS taught Nintendo that most people will buy one or the other regardless. And I still think those games were research for Nintendo's new strategy. This new strategy saves on hardware R&D over the long run and game development/opportunity costs in the short term which probably trumps all or they wouldn't be going through with it. My assumptions of course.

 

[Neoxon]

How do you know that?

That would only harm sales. People will buy on or another.

However if it is a hybrid then it saves costs for Nintendo.

Not really. It won't be about people buying one or the other, it'd be about increasing the userbase overall. By having the console & handheld share the same games, we'd have fewer software droughts, more variety in first party games, & more people playing said games. So rather than 6m people on a handheld Mario Kart & 3m people on a console Mario Kart, you'd have 9m people on one Mario Kart game. Plus there will be people who buy both out of convenience or those who want to play their games no matter what (people already do this via Cross-Buy with the PS4 & the Vita). Also, we already know that the NX isn't a hybrid, so there's no use in speculating about that. Couple that with the patent outright mentioning software supported by multiple form factors of hardware, the writing's on the wall.

 

[ec0ec0]

Also, internal power supply!

oh!! didn't realize about this when reading the patent.

 

[Alebrije]

People in this thread really think high density memory cards are a financially viable distribution method for a home console...? Come on guys. I can go on Amazon right now and buy 50GB BD-Rs for $2 a disc (Wii U is using single-layer BD-derived 25GB discs). Even a shitty 32GB SD card is going to run you $9. To actually beat a dual layer in storage you're going to need $20 a pop for a barely decent card. In what world is a company going to jump on a storage medium that's 10 times more expensive for similar storage? That's a massive cut.

Thai is true if Nintendo buy its cards at Office Depot or Amazon.

 

[Kataploom]

It isn't digital-only, but rather the cartridges replacing the disc.


Significantly faster loading times, fewer moving parts, can share a physical format with the handheld.

Also, removing the disk drive the system keeps the tempeture much better so they can focus more on power since a heat generator factor is out, IIRC.

 

[Oriel]

Well, if we're talking 3DS-style carts, then they're much more portable, durable and (potentially) have more storage room

I look forward to having to blow into them again,

 

[thefro]

People in this thread really think high density memory cards are a financially viable distribution method for a home console...? Come on guys. I can go on Amazon right now and buy 50GB BD-Rs for $2 a disc (Wii U is using single-layer BD-derived 25GB discs). Even a shitty 32GB SD card is going to run you $9. To actually beat a dual layer in storage you're going to need $20 a pop for a barely decent card. In what world is a company going to jump on a storage medium that's 10 times more expensive for similar storage? That's a massive cut.

You're assuming that the model is 1 SD card for every game box, which isn't what should happen.

You should just buy a Nintendo SD card and you can put as many games on it at the store (or on your NX at home) as you have space on the card. The stuff you buy at retail should just be a code for the game.

You need it if you just don´t want to download 20+GB on your handheld. And maybe special shop discounts. I like the idea. The kiosk could double as an actual demo station as well, doesn´t need much space, the hardware would be cheap and can be updated via the net and retailers are happy to still get a share. win win.

Yeah, the more I think about it the more I like the concept. You've got a captive audience while the game downloads that can be shown trailers, can play demos of upcoming games. It's perfect for the loyalty programs that Iwata hinted at last year.

Third parties would definitely be more likely to support the console when they don't have to worry about losing money on inventory. People could buy eShop games from Gamestop, download them right to their Nintendo Card, load it up with a few games and take them to a friend's house to play.

The actual kiosk could just be a custom NX with a multi-TB HD with all the game data, plus a TV/audio. That week's new games & updates could be either downloaded over the net to the kiosk or some sort of physical device could be shipped weekly with the new data for the week.

Game codes could be activated by cellular in areas where Internet access is crappy.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

You have to try pretty hard to scratch up a blu-ray.

 

[Oriel]

Also, removing the disk drive the system keeps the tempeture much better so they can focus more on power since a heat generator factor is out, IIRC.

Yeah, disc drives in the main are just awful and have outstayed their welcome.

 

[Retromelon]

I digitally download everything i can so this means nothing to me -

internal power supply

Fuck yessss

 

[To Far Away Times]

People in this thread really think high density memory cards are a financially viable distribution method for a home console...? Come on guys. I can go on Amazon right now and buy 50GB BD-Rs for $2 a disc (Wii U is using single-layer BD-derived 25GB discs). Even a shitty 32GB SD card is going to run you $9. To actually beat a dual layer in storage you're going to need $20 a pop for a barely decent card. In what world is a company going to jump on a storage medium that's 10 times more expensive for similar storage? That's a massive cut.

SD cards should have really fast access times so data shouldn't need to be repeated on the cartridge as opposed to how many disc based games are designed. There's also the question of if you want or need to beat 25 or 50 GB.

And lastly, Nintendo would be paying nowhere close to $9 for 32 GB. Your local retailer is probably buying them for a little over $4.50 or so (1.5-2x markup is pretty standard), and not nearly in the bulk Nintendo would.

Is it as cheap as optical media? No. But it might be close enough to not matter much.

And lastly, let's face it, a return to cartridges would be awesome.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Yeah, the more I think about it the more I like the concept. You've got a captive audience while the game downloads that can be shown trailers, can play demos of upcoming games. It's perfect for the loyalty programs that Iwata hinted at last year.

Third parties would definitely be more likely to support the console when they don't have to worry about losing money on inventory. People could buy eShop games from Gamestop, download them right to their Nintendo Card, load it up with a few games and take them to a friend's house to play.

The actual kiosk could just be a custom NX with a multi-TB HD with all the game data, plus a TV/audio. That week's new games & updates could be either downloaded over the net to the kiosk or some sort of physical device could be shipped weekly with the new data for the week.

Game codes could be activated by cellular in areas where Internet access is crappy.

Nintendo's already done specifically this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Power_(cartridge)

It worked out okay, but they ultimately couldn't convince enough stores to carry the copier.

I don't see that being any better now and I definitely don't see that being doable in the US and Europe.

 

[Calamari41]

Thai is true if Nintendo buy its cards at Office Depot or Amazon.

Yeah seriously. Something tells me that they might get a slight break on the unit price if they put in an order for 100 million cards as opposed to an order for one card.

 

[Obliterator]

I'm so curious what the specs are for the home console. Wonder if its the same range as Xbone / PS4 or quite a bit under

 

[Fisty]

Controller with a display screen and no optical drive makes me feel slightly less stupid for going all-digital on Wii U. Dont let me down, Nintendo!

 

[Neoxon]

I'm so curious what the specs are for the home console. Wonder if its the same range as Xbone / PS4 or quite a bit under

The NX Console would have to be within close proximity to the competition (or above) to optimally support Unreal Engine 4. Not supporting said engine would be suicide for the NX platform's Japanese third party support.

 

[Mory Dunz]

I'm so curious what the specs are for the home console. Wonder if its the same range as Xbone / PS4 or quite a bit under

My random guess is worse than PS4 and comparable to Xbox. Leaning towards a little under Xbox


I'm fairly confident in random guess though.

 

[CO_Andy]

Does this mean games will be stored on Amiibo?

 

[FyreWulff]

The NX Console would have to be within close proximity to the competition (or above) to optimally support Unreal Engine 4. Not supporting said engine would be suicide for the NX platform's third party support.

UE4 runs on basement quality Android phones. It's not a matter of power.

 

[Terrell]

I just want to take this moment to say something:

CALLED IT.

 

[rekameohs]

UE4 runs on basement quality Android phones. It's not a matter of power.

Not only that, but UE4 is even coming to Wii U with the Bloodstained port.

 

[Sandfox]

Does this mean games will be stored on Amiibo?

It would be funny to see that if it was possible.

 

[AniHawk]

I just want to take this moment to say something:

CALLED IT.

if nintendo's aim was to make something where the gimmick was multiple form factors for a single 'platform', there were very few choices since dvd/cd/blu-ray disc sizes would be too difficult for handhelds.

so it really just makes the most sense. not running dvd/blu-ray probably won't be a knock against it as long as streaming services are up and running on the machine(s).

 

[Neoxon]

UE4 runs on basement quality Android phones. It's not a matter of power.

But that's an optimized version of UE4 for mobile. While that would cover the NX Handheld, it wouldn't work as well for the console. Correct me if I'm wrong, of course.

 

[AmFreak]

And lastly, Nintendo would be paying nowhere close to $9 for 32 GB. Your local retailer is probably buying them for a little over $4.50 or so (1.5-2x markup is pretty standard), and not nearly in the bulk Nintendo would.

Is it as cheap as optical media? No. But it might be close enough to not matter much.

No, it is not even close to be close enough.
We are looking at a 1-2 orders of magnitude price difference.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

My random guess is worse than PS4 and comparable to Xbox. Leaning towards a little under Xbox


I'm fairly confident in random guess though.

Which would be fine considering ps4 and xbox one pretty much got the same games and same graphics other than some resolution differences.

 

[Obliterator]

It seems to me at least digital only would make running things between platforms a hell of a lot easier than supporting physical media.