Nintendo NX Is Kinda Going To Be A Portable Console, Kinda Not
Nintendo NX will be a portable, handheld console with detachable controllers… On the move, NX will function as a high-powered handheld console with its own display… Then, when you get home, the system can connect to your TV for gaming on the big screen. A base unit, or dock station, is used to connect the brain of the NX – within the controller – to display on your TV. -Eurogamer
Well this is interesting. I feel like we’ve seen a few mockups on the NX already that have hinted towards a setup like this, but Eurogamer is all but confirming that the Nintendo NX is going to be a console-handheld hybrid, taking the WiiU’s controller-console relationship to a whole ‘nother level.
I can’t say that I’m shocked Nintendo is going balls to the wall with this new design here. They’ve been getting closer and closer to making the WiiU and the 3DS feel like cohesive platforms for a while, and if they can release something that covers both markets? Great. Fantastic.
But here’s the thing – are you shelling out $500-600 for a handheld? And how big is this thing gonna be? Do people already ride the trains and public transit and school buses with $500 electronics? Sure – we call those smartphones and tablets. But carrying a high-powered next-gen console in my hands just sounds and feels like a totally different animal.
Aside from that, Nintendo isn’t exactly hurting in the handheld department. The 3DS is still doing great, and sure – the Vita exists out there too, but… Does it really? It feel like Nintendo still has the handheld market by the balls, so do they really need to condense their hardware into a singular release? I think it’d be interesting for Nintendo to move forward with a console/handheld hybrid, but continue to update the 3DS platform for a more cost-effective alternative. It seems like they’ve done that anyway with their previous handhelds. Eurogamer also has a comprehensive teardown of Nvidia’s Tegra chip, which is rumored to be at the heart of Nintendo’s new console.
Only time will tell on Nintendo’s plans – but where do you stand? Do you want a handheld-base station console, or are you hoping that Nintendo sticks with something more traditional? Let us know on Twitter at @WickedGoodGames.
