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Eurogamer: NX = portable w/ carts, detachable controllers, Tegra, TV Out, no BC, Sept

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thefil

Member
Nintendo has said that the NX is a new way to play and isn't intended to replace the Wii U or the 3DS. They might be just saying that not to cannibalize sales but it sounds like it will be like Apple selling a phone but still selling laptops.

I think NX will be cheap and will get Wii U ports and vise versa and 3 years from now, Nintendo will release their new console. NX is just a hold over and experiment.

Were you around for the Nintendo DS as "third pillar"? That messaging is probably just a hedge.
 

Gleethor

Member
Nintendo has said that the NX is a new way to play and isn't intended to replace the Wii U or the 3DS. They might be just saying that not to cannibalize sales but it sounds like it will be like Apple selling a phone but still selling laptops.

I think NX will be cheap and will get Wii U ports and vise versa and 3 years from now, Nintendo will release their new console. NX is just a hold over and experiment.
Ah, the third pillar.

Wii U is done after Breath of The Wild, and that's only still coming so that people who bought the system for Zelda are less pissed.
 

Inuhanyou

Believes Dragon Quest is a franchise managed by Sony
I don't think so. The industry is already moving towards and iterative hardware cycle (think iPhone 3-4-5) and Nintendo seems to be thinking the same thing with their SCD patent.

But I also believe Nintendo can and probably is releasing a console derivative of this.

This is a console derivative, otherwise there would be no TV output
 

emag

Member
The more I dwell on this, the more worried I become. It's a cool concept on paper, but one that seems so easy to screw up. In the quest to launch NX at a mass-market price, I can see Nintendo cutting a lot of corners. Even though this should easily be able to outperform Wii U, the insistence on strong battery life and ultra-low power consumption makes me think it's not going to perform as well as many of us would like. I also don't believe the base station is going to be used in a way that enhances the system's capabilities. Nintendo likely isn't going to add anything that increases the mass-market price they're aiming for. And even with years to prepare a great first-year lineup, delays are still a harsh reality of this business and I can see a bunch of titles meant for the launch window being pushed back. The early software selection is going to make or break this device.

Uggh, I'm starting to have doubts.

I'm sure we'll see a large number of Wii U and possibly 3DS ports right off the bat -- Smash 4, Splatoon, Mario Maker, Pokemon Sun/Moon, LoZ BotW, Fire Emblem Fates, SM3D World (and that's just Nintendo's own games!) -- supplemented with ports of indie games/Android apps. Exclusive content may take a while to come through the pipeline, but there should be plenty of new experiences for anyone who doesn't already own a 3DS + a Wii U + an Android/iOS device.
 

Krowley

Member
Guys, what if Nintendo releases a Gear VR equivalent headset and you can stick the NX on your face for VR.


You know what? That would make sense too.

Controllers in hand would work well with that setup. If they have plans for that, I'd bet they'll put it into the advertising right away.
 

Eradicate

Member
Found the WSJ corroboration but cant read the article without signing in

Not sure if they have a separate source but it seems like they are indeed backing up the Eurogamer story

Going to check IGN/Kotaku next

If you ever want to read a WSJ article that you ordinarily can't, there is a Google trick. Copy the URL, clear your cookies, go to Google, paste it into the search bar, and click the link through there. It'll take you right to it if you did it right!
 
Since certain people are having trouble finding the corroborating reports:

Kotaku:

http://kotaku.com/report-nintendo-nx-is-a-portable-console-1784314749

Unlike many previous NX rumors, this Eurogamer report has weight. Although Kotaku has not yet been able to confirm the details with our own sources, we’ve heard similar rumors and have seen some secondhand corroboration on specifics including the NX’s portability and use of cartridges.

IGN:

http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07...d-console-with-tv-dock-less-powerful-than-ps4

Details appear to have leaked about the upcoming Nintendo NX console, saying that it is a high-powered handheld which can plug into a TV docking station, features two detachable controllers, will use cartridges and is less powerful than current-gen hardware.

Eurogamer (which claims a number of sources) says that Nintendo's pitch is simple - that you can "take your games with you on the go". That's borne out by the reported design, a high-powered handheld. Controls are attached to either side, and can be detached as two smaller controllers for use in local multiplayer. IGN has also verified this information from a separate source.

MCV:

https://twitter.com/BenParfitt/status/757957637266812930

Ben Parfitt said:
An unnamed colleague has had word from an unnamed senior source that Eurogamer's story is 100% spot on, as if there was any doubt.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/nintendo-nx-the-pros-and-cons-of-a-transforming-portable/0170297

As a friend of MCV said on Twitter last night: “Let me get this straight. Nintendo, undeterred by its console-with-portable-aspirations, is making a portable-with-console-aspirations?” Wii U’s hybrid experiment was such a failure that you really must admire Nintendo’s intention to give it another go. You’d think the biggest trick here will be to ensure the mixed and confused messaging that surrounded the Wii U from day one is avoided.

MCV has spoken to one person with hands-on experience with the machine. Their assessment? "It feels like a bit of a novelty."

WSJ:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/nintendo-swings-to-loss-1469604309

Nintendo’s outlook also depends on the reception of its new console, code-named NX, which is expected to hit the market by the end of the current fiscal year that ends in March 2017.

A person familiar with the matter said NX would be a handheld-console hybrid that would be compatible with its own smartphone games.

A Nintendo spokesman declined to comment on the details of NX.

If you think this is just Eurogamer, you're either not paying attention or in denial.
 

oti

Banned
Guys, what if Nintendo releases a Gear VR equivalent headset and you can stick the NX on your face for VR.

The resolution would have to be very high for that. That's why mobile phones use 4K displays now. They make no sense in regular use but they're needed for VR. Unless you want to be one with the pixels.
 

Fisty

Member
Would you class a Vita 2 as a roided up Vita because this is generally around the level a new Sony handheld would be hitting.

...yes? If a Vita 2 was ARM and a decent spec bump, yes I would class it as a roided-up Vita. I mean, this rumor says its basically a Vita 2 with clip on controls and a docking station for hdmi out. Unless im missing something...

Wii was a roided-up Gamecube, WiiU was a roided-up Wii. It happens.
 

Insaniac

Member
sporting a 10 minute battery life!

I like the sound of it so far, if i can get a Wii U experience in handheld, i'm down. Battery life and weight/size are my main concern at this point. How "Portable" are we talking?
 

Mandelbo

Member
Colour me interested in what these rumours say the NX will be like - this could be very cool if Nintendo actually pulls it off, and I don't care that it won't be comparable to the PS4/XB1 in terms of power because I already have a PS4, so I don't need another console to fill the same kind of space. I was thinking earlier about how the console could work, specifically with regards to the detachable controllers. The Eurogamer report says that the console is bookended by two separate controller halves, but I don't really see how that could be achieved while keeping it ergonomic and portable. I'm assuming each half can't be used independently of the other, since the report doesn't specify that and it seems like doing so would be extremely limiting.

So, I decided to join the mockup bandwagon - what if the NX had a form factor similar to the PSP Go, in that it's comprised of two halves, one being the display and the other being the controller? Incredibly quick and dirty mockup:

GGwrI1W.jpg

The controller would slide behind the screen when not in use so as to make it more portable, and sliding it out would reveal a button to release the controller from the screen. When you want to reconnect the two you'd just slot it back in. Personally I prefer that over the idea of a wider console with two controller halves either end, since in that scenario I don't think you'd be able to make the controllers big or wide without compromising either portability or the size of the screen, which means that when joined together they probably wouldn't be very ergonomic. Also, while there's still a risk of losing the controller, you'd at least only have to keep one whole controller safe rather than two halves.

Just not really sold on the idea of having two separate controllers attached to the console despite all the reports saying exactly that :p
 

IGN - Legit
Kotaku - 50/50
MCV - Legit but MCV... I dont know much about the publication
WSJ - Legit i suppose

Not saying the info is bad or uncorroborated entirely. Just saying its lacking in variety of details being added to the conversation

Makes me think that the early dev kits are all anyone has seen outside of whatever the best Eurogamer sources were
 



Right.

I don't think EuroGamer would put themselves on the spot if they weren't confident in this information.
 
sporting a 10 minute battery life!

I like the sound of it so far, if i can get a Wii U experience in handheld, i'm down. Battery life and weight/size are my main concern at this point. How "Portable" are we talking?

Likely in the ball park of I-pad Size. So You can stuff it in a bag or something. But you won't be able to put it into your pocket.
 

Oregano

Member
...yes? If a Vita 2 was ARM and a decent spec bump, yes I would class it as a roided-up Vita. I mean, this rumor says its basically a Vita 2 with clip on controls and a docking station for hdmi out. Unless im missing something...

Wii was a roided-up Gamecube, WiiU was a roided-up Wii. It happens.

Fair enough. It's just usually when someone says a "roided up x" they mean "a marginal improvement over x" but I get what you mean about sharing architecture.
 

Meffer

Member
Nintendo has said that the NX is a new way to play and isn't intended to replace the Wii U or the 3DS. They might be just saying that not to cannibalize sales but it sounds like it will be like Apple selling a phone but still selling laptops.

I think NX will be cheap and will get Wii U ports and vise versa and 3 years from now, Nintendo will release their new console. NX is just a hold over and experiment.
It's obvious they're not focusing on the WiiU anymore.
 

Subaru

Member
My Nintendo NX mockup (using a previous model as base and poor editing skills - sorry =X):

ZrV2wgq.jpg


3 modes:

1) Classic gaming (like PS Vita)
2) 3DS/DS Virtual Console emulator (to acomodate 2 screens)
3) Mobile gaming

I guess this is why the controllers are detachable.

EDIT:

Looking now, there is a problem with the speakers. But the speakers could be on the controllers pieces - so it will be like a Wiimote that can receive sound ;-)
 
My Nintendo NX mockup (using a previous model as base - sorry =X):

ZrV2wgq.jpg


3 modes:

1) Classic gaming (like PS Vita)
2) 3DS/DS Virtual Console emulator (to acomodate 2 screens)
3) Mobile gaming

I guess this is why the controllers are detachable.

Going to suck not having a Nintendo D-PAD
 
If it turns out to be the X2, with what systems can we compare it then? Will that be nearing Xbox One or even PS4?

It would presumably near the Xbox One. The Choice between X1 and X2 is where the device falls into between Wii U and Xbox One. There's also a couple other reasons like Power consumption and the like.
 
My Nintendo NX mockup (using a previous model as base and poor editing skills - sorry =X):

ZrV2wgq.jpg


3 modes:

1) Classic gaming (like PS Vita)
2) 3DS/DS Virtual Console emulator (to acomodate 2 screens)
3) Mobile gaming

I guess this is why the controllers are detachable.

EDIT:

Looking now, there is a problem with the speakers. But the speakers could be on the controllers pieces - so it will be like a Wiimote that can receive sound ;-)

Looks good. I would be on board with this.
 

Anth0ny

Member
I realized that some of you are having problems visualizing the concept so I made this mock-up explaining all of the possible uses for the NX concept based on the original drawing from Eurogamer.

In this first picture, you can see the NX in its most basic form a simple device that can play simple games like Professor Layton or even Mario Kart with its motion sensors and touch screen.



If you turn it in portrait mode the NX plays mobile games (ported or created for mobile like Nintendo upcoming mobile games.) like a champ.



Once things get more complex let's say, Zelda, you slide in the control modules.






(I think that sliding it instead of attaching it will help with durability) as you can see in this picture each of the controller pieces being connected have their own simple gyros as well and could be used as a Wii-Mote.

In this form, you can play games as you would with a 3DS (but with a full set of buttons) when not using the main unit you slide the controllers in a simple shell in order to have a standard controller.



Now you can use the main unit in its base connected to a TV or use the main unit as a monitor.



And using the stand you can enjoy video apps.



Finally, when connected to its doc outputting to the TV the screen could show some basic info (like the gamepad) or be turned off (like the gamepad) in order to charge faster .

I hope this helps to illustrate the NX concept.

this is what I'm visualizing as well

and I wouldn't be surprised if, in the end, the most popular use of the device is in its touch only, phone-esque form for mobile game experiences

that's assuming it hits big with the more casual audience, of course. I think there's also a pretty good chance people look at the thing and go "nah, I have a phone for mobile games, I'm good" and just pass on it entirely. I think the biggest market this device could hit with is the ipod touch market, in other words, kids who want a mobile device to play mobile games but are too young to own a phone (or their parents don't give them a hand me down)
 

Easy_D

never left the stone age
Going to suck not having a Nintendo D-PAD

Yeah, slap a D-Pad on that mockup and it's pretty fucking great. Would be a really smart way for it to handle 3DS ports.


...yes? If a Vita 2 was ARM and a decent spec bump, yes I would class it as a roided-up Vita. I mean, this rumor says its basically a Vita 2 with clip on controls and a docking station for hdmi out. Unless im missing something...

Wii was a roided-up Gamecube, WiiU was a roided-up Wii. It happens.

Dude, the gap between 3DS -> Vita is way wider than the gap between Gamecube -> Wii :p. Same with Wii -> Wii U
 

emag

Member
If it turns out to be the X2, with what systems can we compare it then? Will that be nearing Xbox One or even PS4?

nvidia hasn't released any meaningful information on the X2 (assuming it's not just Parker, which is totally unsuitable for hand-held devices or even laptops). So, honestly no idea.

That said, it's not likely that we'll see XBO or PS4 level graphics from a ~10W or even ~20W part.

Ever consider that the WiiU is the docking station?

How would that even make sense? What would the Wii U offer in that scenario? How would it even connect? Why would Nintendo so limit the market?
 

Instro

Member
If it turns out to be the X2, with what systems can we compare it then? Will that be nearing Xbox One or even PS4?

Without knowing how the device functions we can't say really. Even if it is using an X2, if the device is built purely to run as a handheld, therefore not running at peak performance to conserve battery and limit heat, and doesnt have some sort of console power profile that unlocks when the system is docked, then it would certainly not be approaching the power of an Xbox One.
 

tr1p1ex

Member
Maybe the Tegra chip is a placeholder for smartphones/tablets. And in reality this is just a fancy controller/dock/cart slot for mobile products that will sell for $100.

The UI for the carts will be a free app. When the cart is inserted a link pops up showing the app to download. You download it and the app reads data from the cart.

Nintendo bypasses the app store.
 
I think we're talking 27gigaflops (but i read somewhere 50 for the gpu) for the Vita versus more or less 500 gigaflops for the NX.



The 50gflops figure is at 400mhz. But we know the GPU clockspeed in Vita is far lower than this. In the 200mhz range.
As for 500gflops NX, that is at fullspeed clock, there's no way it's 1ghz in handheld mode. Expect more like 500mhz or even lower. Basically, 150 to 250gflops.
 

Easy_D

never left the stone age
Maybe the Tegra chip is a placeholder for smartphones/tablets. And in reality this is just a fancy controller/dock/cart slot for mobile products that will sell for $100.

The UI for the carts will be a free app. When the cart is inserted a link pops up showing the app to download. You download it and the app reads data from the cart.

Nintendo bypasses the app store.

Nah. I'm sure Nintendo wants every user to have the same experience, I'm certain they'll sell their own HW. Besides, using tegra as placeholder for a smartphone would be odd since the vast majority doesn't use the chip

The 50gflops figure is at 400mhz. But we know the GPU clockspeed in Vita is far lower than this. In the 200mhz range.
As for 500gflops NX, that is at fullspeed clock, there's no way it's 1ghz in handheld mode. Expect more like 500mhz or even lower. Basically, 150 to 250gflops.

Yeah I'm certain that whatever the dock does, it'll at the very least assist with cooling and power, making the chip able to run at full speed, which will make a difference
 

emag

Member
Maybe the Tegra chip is a placeholder for smartphones/tablets. And in reality this is just a fancy controller/dock/cart slot for mobile products that will sell for $100.

The UI for the carts will be a free app. When the cart is inserted a link pops up showing the app to download. You download it and the app reads data from the cart.

Nintendo bypasses the app store.

The only phones that offer even close to Tegra X1 (or even Wii U) performance are modern iPhones and this year's crop of top-end Android devices. There's no way this kind of scheme can work with Apple's locked-down devices. There's no way that Nintendo would be able to deal with the diversity of the Android market or make a successful console that interfaces with just a couple models of Android phones.
 

Zoon

Member
The 50gflops figure is at 400mhz. But we know the GPU clockspeed in Vita is far lower than this. In the 200mhz range.
As for 500gflops NX, that is at fullspeed clock, there's no way it's 1ghz in handheld mode. Expect more like 500mhz or even lower. Basically, 150 to 250gflops.

But, wouldn't that(if not more) be achievable if they are using the X2?
 

martino

Member
so far if i understand dominant opinion well:

sony releasing handled with power between last gen and current gen ---> no doubt, impressive
nintendo releasing handled with power rumored between last gen up to really near current gen --> impossible or can do better

what is for sure is that label on products have huge effects on perception when based on wind
(but i understand disappointment for those like me hoping fo a home console)
 
But, wouldn't that(if not more) be achievable if they are using the X2?


People are throwing X2 as a magic word but we dont know the specs yet.


so far if i understand dominant opinion well:

sony releasing handled with power between last gen and current gen ---> no doubt, impressive
nintendo releasing handled with power rumored between last gen up to really near current gen --> impossible or can do better

what is for sure is that label on products have huge effects on perception
(but i understand disappointment for those like me hoping fo a home console)



Funny thing is if the leak is true and X1 happens, it would be the same upgrade from Vita you'd expect from Sony. People expected 3DS successor to be barely a Vita+, it seems to go for Vita 2+ level.
The gap between Vita and X1, even underclocked, is a good generation leap. Underclocked to 500mhz, it would be on PS3 level, but slightly faster and at 540p, it would shine even more. Vita on the other hand was trying to mimic PS3 graphics but was vastly below that... And not even native res in demanding games.

Not only that, the gap between 3DS and X1 underclocked is gigantic. It'll be like two generations apart. Especially at 540p.

And Wii U ? Underclocked to 500mhz, it would be faster than Wii U, but aiming at a lower res. Basically, a faster Wii U which targets a smaller res.
 

khaaan

Member
One thing that the locked FFVII NX thread got me thinking about...

A while ago there was an "announcement" of Dragon Quest XI NX but shortly after the PR swooped in and said that it was being considered. I see a bunch of possibilities happening:

-A lower level port is announced. Assuming the NX is @ Tegra X1 levels of performance then I could see it being worth Square's time to make a NX + PS3 port of the game. The PS3 still has enough weight to get some prolific ports for Japanese games, and putting it on the NX would appeal to portable-centric Japan. Of course, by the time the game is ready the PS3 may very well not be worth their time regardless of region.

-The NX
and Vita
get a port of the 3DS version.

-NX da king gets both versions of the game.

-Square Enix says "nah" to the NX.
 
People are throwing X2 as a magic word but we dont know the specs yet.

Sure we don't know what the exact specs are, but we can ballpark it. Just like we knew the ps4 would be significantly more powerful than the ps3 (before any specs leaked) based on precedent and inductive reasoning, we can surmise a signific jump between the X1 and X2 based on the same logic.

Tegra X2 will be an entirely new generation in the Tegra line based on Pascal architecture, and the X1 was already half the FLOP count of the Xbox One. It wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that the X2 would be in the same ballpark as Xbox One in terms of FLOPS based on the info we have on X2 so far.
 

SpokkX

Member
Why could the tegra just not scale resolution when running on battery/power

For example

the tegra runs @500mhz with a res of 720p/600p in handheld mode = 200gflops

And when docked be clocked @1000mhz and then run in 1080p = 400gflops
 

CronoShot

Member
Honestly, even if they are using the X2, Xbox One level performance in a handheld sounds like a pipe dream, unless you want like 2 hours of battery life or a $400 price tag. We can always talk about the magic dock, but that's simple speculation. And again, would probably mean an expensive price tag if included, or fragmentation if sold separately, both of which Nintendo seems keen on avoiding.

Nintendo is, very obviously, abandoning the tradition console business model. They're betting on their own IPs, indies, and mobile developers with NX. And honestly, as someone who already owns a PS4 and a decent PC, I'm fine with it. I'm more excited about all of Nintendo focusing development on one platform, and being able to play games like BotW on the go.
 

Kikorin

Member
I hope they take care of the heat, I can't use my smartphone to play games because after 20 min it's like a fireball in my hands. Ok for the power, but don't sacrifice the usability.
 
Honestly, even if they are using the X2, Xbox One level performance in a handheld sounds like a pipe dream, unless you want like 2 hours of battery life or a $400 price tag. We can always talk about the magic dock, but that's simple speculation. And again, would probably mean an expensive price tag if included, or fragmentation if sold separately, both of which Nintendo seems keen on avoiding.

Nintendo is, very obviously, abandoning the tradition console business model. They're betting on their own IPs, indies, and mobile developers with NX. And honestly, as someone who already owns a PS4 and a decent PC, I'm fine with it. I'm more excited about all of Nintendo focusing development on one platform, and being able to play games like BotW on the go.

I would be incredibly happy with an NX that has even the same power of the Wii-U in handheld form. BotW on the go would destroy my social life, but I'm ok with that.
 
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