Slashdot Mirror


Nintendo To Launch New Machine Next Year?

EvilDonut writes "According to Bloomberg.com, Nintendo intends to launch a new machine in Japan next year, in order "to boost sales". There are no details as to wether the machine will be hand-held or not, but Bloomberg does describe it as a next-generation console. This is pretty odd, as Nintendo has previously stated that the GameCube successor wouldn't be out until 2005, and the GBA is doing so well that I can't imagine they'll replace it as early as next year. The article also mentions the Nintendo iQue, so it's pretty clear this is not just a mix-up regarding the new, China-only system." Update: 11/13 23:44 GMT by S : GameSpot has a very cryptic clarification from Nintendo, that "the new product will be a unique item that is different from any traditional machine", and will be "be [neither] a home console nor a portable machine."

3 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So Which Is It? by BabyDave · · Score: 3, Informative

    It's both -that's the point. The summary says that the "new machine in Japan" (which we know nothing about) is not the same thing as the "new, China-only system" (the iQue)

  2. I don't think this is news....... by TomHandy · · Score: 4, Informative
    Nintendo had previously said at E3 this year that they are working on a new machine for next year, but they also made it pretty clear it was something they wouldn't classify either as a console or handheld. I think that is what this article is really about, and therefore isn't really news. But it seems that Nintendo has already made it clear that whatever this new machine is, it is something they consider to be a new type of device that they wouldn't classify as anything like a GameCube or GBA successor.

    -Tom

  3. Re:Genesis release by Babbster · · Score: 3, Informative

    Which, by the way, worked out quite nicely for Sega until they had Saturn development fall behind causing them to market upgrades (32x and SegaCD) to the Genesis that nobody wanted. The Genesis did VERY well and delayed real excitement about the SNES for solid interval (the fact that early SNES games didn't take full advantage of the system didn't help, either). If the Saturn had made it out a year earlier than it did, Sega might still be in the console business since the Dreamcast wouldn't have been the "make or break" situation that it was.