There is still not much known about the Nintendo NX, which is apparently due out in March 2017 worldwide. Nintendo are due to have their own event for the console later this year, where we will finally learn more about the enigmatic system, and exactly what it entails, but until then, any specific details regarding the system are thin on the ground.
But according to this new, highly detailed rumor by GameBlog.fr, Nintendo’s original strategy was not going to be this- the system was instead set for a November 2016 launch worldwide, and Nintendo had even committed to a massive publicity budget, before backing out abruptly at the last minute. True to what Nintendo said, the primary reason for this appears to have been games- Nintendo simply wanted to launch the system with a marketable launch lineup, something that the 3DS and Wii U both lacked, and were therefore willing to push the system into 2017 if necessary.
Among the games that were delayed, causing Nintendo to push the NX into next year, were three major third party games, including by Square Enix and Capcom. These two are apparently a part of an alliance of developers and publishers that Nintendo have formed as part of what is apparently internally being dubbed as ‘Operation Reconquer.’ Major third party games, including exclusives, are expected as a result of this strategy. Right now, Nintendo are expected to announce the NX in a major event in September, with a release in March 2017.
What Nintendo will not admit to is the PS4 Neo and Xbox One Scorpio both having thrown a wrench in their plans, as well, at least to an extent. Nintendo don’t want to release a system that is as utterly dwarfed by the competition as the Wii U was with the NX, especially since they are launching mid generation- so some tinkering of the specs has apparently also taken place, with the final system set to be close to the PS4 Neo in specs, but allegedly dwarfed by the Xbox One Scorpio.
Finally, the system will apparently allow eight native controllers to be connected to it at all times, which is a departure from the Wii U, which only allows for one primary controller (although a combination of up to eight controllers of multiple types can be connected to the Wii U as well, the only game to truly utilize this functionality was Super Smash Bros.). The system is therefore speculated to not have a controller like the Wii U, although GameBlog does note that the NX will apparently be ‘interesting and surprising.’ Apparently, developers, including European developers, are all rather positive on the NX.
Nintendo is interested in making it the cheapest machine on the market, but they will also apparently not discount it too heavily- which makes it sound like they are unwilling to take too much of a hit on the hardware.
All in all, this rumor sounds feasible, sensible, and believable to me- and in terms of what the NX is, it also sounds like it would be the best case scenario for Nintendo. Whether or not it is true remains to be seen- but for now, this rumor seems to paint a promising picture.
[Thanks to NeoGAF for the translation]