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[Smellycat]

This isn't the first time that we have had this rumor: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1215139

But our fellow Gaffer Atheerios found this:

So, I don't know if this is the right thread to mention this, but I can't create a new one yet, so here it goes... I found something interesting while browsing the US trademark system.

For Wii U games, you can see that in the categories for the trademark mention game discs, but not cartridges.

On the other hand, 3DS games do mention cartridges in the description:

However, for Breath of the Wild, there's something different, it also lists video game cartridges:

I don't think this is a random decision or mistake, as Nintendo has never assigned video game cartridges to a Wii U game before (unless it also has a 3DS version). However, we already know there's going to be a NX version of this game, so this could be a strong indicator that NX will, in fact, use cartridges.

What do you guys think? It is interesting that Zelda BOW mentions BOTH discs and cartridges. However, Ever Oasis mentions game discs and it is a 3DS game....soooo this might not mean much.

 

[SoulUnison]

Probably the physical media that the handheld version uses - something akin to the DS and 3DS's "Game Cards."

 

[Ashodin]

I'll believe it when I see it. Cartridges coming back? WHUAA?

 

[joe2187]

Probably the physical media that the handheld version uses - something akin to the DS and 3DS's "Game Cards."

My thoughts as well.

 

[N.Domixis]

Sold, pre ordered and day 0'd.

I miss carts.

 

[KingBroly]

Probably the physical media that the handheld version uses.

If the software can run on both, why would you have 2 different production methods?

 

[(mat)]

Interesting find. It will certainly be interesting if that's the route they take. I wouldn't mind in the least.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Hybrid is real yall, lets argue and discuss now

 

[Neiteio]

The same cartridge format could work nicely with both a next-gen console and next-gen handheld. No need for an optical disk drive when you've got cartridges!

I look forward to hearing the satisfying clunk of snapping in a cartridge!

 

[YianGaruga]

This makes sense if games are compatible with both a handheld and a home console. Otherwise I really don't see what benefit cartridges would have.

I look forward to hearing the satisfying clunk of snapping in a cartridge!

They probably will be tiny SD-card/Vita/3DS sized. Not like SNES/N64 cartridges.

 

[IntelliHeath]

Also I noticed that there is Video Game Memory Cards in the list as well. I checked Toad's list and it wasn't there.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

According to these listings, Ever Oasis is using video game discs.

So, I don't think this necessarily means anything. It could though. Certainly an interesting find.

 

[Iriscomeback]

Would mean much faster load times.

I can get behind that. Not sure about storage space though.

 

[Talyn]

Hope this is true. I've always hated optical media, I much prefer solid state.

 

[KingBroly]

Hybrid is real yall, lets argue and discuss now

What are you going to say when it's revealed to not be a hybrid?

 

[Phediuk]

Obviously the NX will be either a console-portable hybrid or two devices with a shared library.

cartridges would fit into that plan.

 

[KAP151]

I have zero idea what the cost of carts (obviously at mass manufactured level) would be today?

Could a large capacity cart be cost efficient?

 

[BrettHeazy]

pass me the inhaler!

 

[Smellycat]

According to these listings, Ever Oasis is using video game discs.

So, I don't think this necessarily means anything. It could though. Certainly an interesting find.

AHHHH

Good catch. I didn't even notice that. Bummer.

 

[Crono27]

idk why.. but part of me is excited...

 

[liquidtmd]

Unless it offers some kind of new benefit or feature over cartridges in generations gone by, I'd say they would be insane to do it

 

[Neoxon]

I guess this explains Macronix hyping up their relationship with Nintendo this fiscal year & Panasonic not saying anything. Plus this would allow for physical cross-play between the next console & handheld.

 

[Pancakes R Us]

If the software can run on both, why would you have 2 different production methods?

Wii U version.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

What are you going to say when it's revealed to not be a hybrid?

Nothing much, probably wont even acknowledge it. 😜

 

[Madchad]

Im alright with it if it:

1: Does not make them stupidly over priced.
2: Are about the size of the current 3DS cards/SDCard.

 

[Kingpin Rogers]

What would the benefits of cartridges be?

 

[TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared]

Awesome, I'm down with that.

 

[Rich!]

Makes sense.

Rom memory is cheap too nowadays.

 

[Dark Cloud]

AHHHH

Good catch. I didn't even notice that. Bummer. Lock thread lol

Why lock thread? The Wii U games don't say video game cartridges other than Zelda.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

AHHHH

Good catch. I didn't even notice that. Bummer. Lock thread lol

Nah, I think it's still an interesting find. I just don't think it confirms anything.

Why lock thread? The Wii U games don't say video game cartridges other than Zelda.

And no 3DS games say "video game discs" other than Ever Oasis.

 

[foxuzamaki]

Unless it offers some kind of new benefit or feature over cartridges in generations gone by, I'd say they would be insane to do it

Cartridges today can hold way more data now plus they dont break or scratch easily, thats all they need to do.

 

[Interceptor]

Hybrid is real yall, lets argue and discuss now

It´s not a hybrid.

Obviously the NX will be either a console-portable hybrid or two devices with a shared library.

cartridges would fit into that plan.

We actually know the answer to this. No need to guess.

 

[Hermii]

This makes sense if games are compatible with both a handheld and a home console. Otherwise I really don't see what benefit cartridges would have.


They probably will be tiny SD-card/Vta/3DS sized. Not like SNES/N64 cartridges.

Faster load times, the drive would be much smaller, no moving parts are three obvious benefits.

 

[Neiteio]

What would the benefits of cartridges be?

You could take the same game and play it on both a console and a portable, since neither device would need an optical disk drive.

Speaking of which, leaving out an optical disk drive saves on production costs for the hardware and is less failure prone.

Also, load times could be really nice with cartridges!

 

[HUELEN10]

What would the benefits of cartridges be?

Load times, durability, no moving parts, card art, anti-piracy, smaller retail packaging, built-in special hardware, ETC.

 

[Corleth the Fey]

The same cartridge format could work nicely with both a next-gen console and next-gen handheld. No need for an optical disk drive when you've got cartridges!

I look forward to hearing the satisfying clunk of snapping in a cartridge!

Hmm. It will probably be quite a small cart. 3DS sized. Do you get a clunk with that kinda cart?

Makes sense to me. Nintendo always made most of their money making carts for third parties. Trouble is third parties hate them for it.

 

[Rich!]

Load times, durability, no moving parts, card art, anti-piracy, smaller retail packaging, built-in special hardware, ETC.

Anti piracy isn't really a suitable argument anymore for cartridges, as the 3DS has well and truly proven.

 

[munchie64]

I welcome on card-based future.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

It´s not a hybrid.

There's a percent chance its a hybrid

 

[YianGaruga]

Faster load times, the drive would be much smaller are two obvious benefits.

Load times from HDD are barely an issue these days, and the cost saved on a disc drive wouldn't outweight the cost of carts

 

[Shaanyboi]

what kind of capacity would be possible on a cartridge?

 

[Neiteio]

Hmm. It will probably be quite a small cart. 3DS sized. Do you get a clunk with that kinda cart?

Makes sense to me. Nintendo always made most of their money making carts for third parties. Trouble is third parties hate them for it.

They should make a big cartridge format just for nostalgia's sake. While they're at it, they should give the NX clear plastic casing in a variety of colors.

 

[MattKeil]

Faster load times, the drive would be much smaller are two obvious benefits.

Benefits that don't nearly offset the extra cost of cartridge media large enough to hold something on the level of a PS4 game. This has to be a case of just listing every possible scenario for the registry.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Nah, I think it's still an interesting find. I just don't think it confirms anything.



And no 3DS games say "video game discs" other than Ever Oasis.

Meh. Too many signs are pointing to a cartridge based NX. I'm on the NX cartridge train.

 

[antonz]

I am all for Cartridges. Size is no longer an issue and it can offer a compatibility between handheld and console. On top of that is less moving parts, size reduction etc that can be afforded to the console

 

[HUELEN10]

what kind of capacity would be possible on a cartridge?

An amount that would be a non-issue if the price was right.

Expect 30-64 GB game cards.

 

[Calm Mind]

I can't see the photos because of Chrome having issues with the sites SSL, can someone rehost them please?!!

 

[KingBroly]

There's a percent chance its a hybrid

0.00% is a percent, yes.

 

[Neiteio]

An amount that would be a non-issue if the price was right.

Expect 30-64 GB game cards.

Wow, 2TB cards are a thing? O_O

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Meh. Too many signs are pointing to a cartridge based NX. I'm on the NX cartridge train.

There's nothing more I'd love than a new cart-based home console from Nintendo but I refuse to get my hopes up.