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Nintendo's New System Likely a Console/Portable Hybrid (arstechnica.com)
An anonymous reader writes: The Wall Street Journal reports (paywalled) that Nintendo has begun issuing software development kits for its new console, codenamed NX. The company hasn't provided any details publicly about how the console will work, but people who have gotten access to the SDK say it will likely include both a console and some kind of portable/mobile hardware. The intent is to be able to take some aspects of gaming with you when you leave the living room. Nintendo is also looking to step up its hardware efforts in response to criticism that the Wii U's capabilities were notably lower than those of the PS4 and Xbox One. In what ways do you think a console should be partially portable?
Nintendo is looking to step up it's hardware efforts in response to criticism that the Wii U's capabilities were notably lower than those of the PS4 and the XBox One...
Really? Why do people always jump to this conclusion? In the history of Nintendo, they make what they make for their target demographic, and don't try competing against Sony and MS. This shouldn't need revisiting EVERY TIME someone releases a console.
So... a Constable?
The thing is, their hardware is going to have better performance capabilities than an iPad.
PS: I don't reply to ACs.
This would make sense. The gaming market, especially in Japan, has a lot of potential competition from people playing on their mobile phones. You're not just competing with Microsoft/Sony, you're competing with Apple/Google/etc. Being able to produce a product that competes with both, that you can play at home on the full console, but also detach and take on the go with you, would be an attractive proposition - sort of like buying a console and getting a 3DS thrown in free.
Of course, that assumes they can pull it off, and don't just wind up with a product that sucks as both a console and a mobile gaming device.
In what ways do you think a console should be partially portable?
Well, I think you should be able to lift and carry the console to another location so you'd need handles, but make it heavy enough so that you wouldn't do it too often. Like a filled up ice chest.
Nintendo is looking to step up it's hardware efforts in response to criticism that the Wii U's capabilities were notably lower than those of the PS4 and the XBox One...
Really? Why do people always jump to this conclusion? In the history of Nintendo, they make what they make for their target demographic, and don't try competing against Sony and MS. This shouldn't need revisiting EVERY TIME someone releases a console.
They only recently became profitable again after a slump - and it's said that's also likely because of them making some big changes (tl;dr - licensing characters externally, making games for mobile platforms).
Nintendo for years was like Apple - above reproach and doing it their own way, but now it's having to play everyone else's game for the sole reason that not enough people were playing their games.
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Considering that both my kids play with a 3ds right now somehow makes me believe that they indeed know what it is.
A console that you can push around from place to place? Or maybe it will even have an engine.
"In what ways do you think a console should be partially portable?"
Subject says it all. Note, I said PSOne, not PSX.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
You are all Cows. Cows say Baaaaaah. BAAAAAAAAH Cows BAAAAAAAH! Baaaaaaaaah! Baaaaaaaaaah say the cows. YOU SHEEP COWS!!!
That's rarely true for long. Any half decent smartphone or tablet these days is faster than Nintendo's current portables.
"the Wii U's capabilities were notably lower than those of the PS4 and Xbox One"
Is this really true?
Did the other consoles have:
Off-TV lag-less play?
Games supporting up to eight controllers?
Two generations of backward compatibility (not emulation)?
Couldn't they just make a DSi that replicates the functionality of the WiiU gamepad?
It will be an ARM/Tegra based device, ala Nvidia Sheild, with a TV/charger dock.
Why do you assume this? None of their current systems are faster than an iPad, and iPad performance has continued to have an amazing pace. Plus iPads are always going to cost more than any Nintendo portable. Nintendo can't charge $500+, consumers will balk.
This is even less interesting to me than the Wii-U system was (and I didn't think that could be possible.) Why try to push two consoles on me at once? They should just keep doing what they were doing when they were at the height of their success: making a major home console and also making a smaller portable console, two completely separate things. The only possibly way they could improve on that formula would be to make the same line of games work on both consoles. It seems like that's what they *want* to do, but that they run into some kind of barrier getting their. And for Nintendo I can imagine that barrier: their own weird strict demands on themselves. Like when the N64 was still in cartridges because Nintendo was afraid of load times.
Games any more are getting so large, I have to ask what is the realistic future of gaming. Cartridges can only hold so much data without getting unrealistically expensive. But if you want something that will play on both a larger at home console and a smaller portable console, it seems like the way to go.
Of course, mini discs can do the job as well. According to wikipedia, mini blu-ray discs can hold 15 GB. That seems sufficient for the current generation of gaming.
Also, the question rises in my mind as to why a person would want the larger console version when they already have the portable one. I suppose if you want a drive for huge storage and back-up (which I feel like has becoming the market standard) then you have to have a console. But is there any other reason? It seems to me that video driving hardware has been reduced pretty well to a tiny little device, going by the size of my laptop's graphics card that can send a signal out through an HDMI port. So for video purposes, you could just have a wall-wart powered portable with a kickstand and an HDMI port and be good to go if you're not concerned about backing your games up.
And if Nintendo makes the discs cheaply enough, there you go, you don't have to worry about backing them up in case the disc gets damaged. And they could probably focus on that bottom line if they weren't trying so hard to come up with such weird crap.
So I guess what I'm saying is Nintendo should just commit to a portable console that can be plugged into a big screen and act as home entertainment. Why the hell not? Save all that money that would have gone into developing and producing this weird hybrid crap and just make a super powerful portable console. And let the user supply an SD card (preferably not forcing them to use mini-SD) as their memory stick. Then they can have all their game save data in a portable fashion as well.
Another good reason to focus on a single, portable console is that more time and thought can be put into making it use the least amount of power possible so the user gets the most play time out of it.
Any ways I'm not going to give yet another hybrid a second thought any more than I did the Wii-U. All I'm convinced of now is that Nintendo appears to not be learning from their mistakes and might be doomed. That's sad because I was kind of hoping to see the promised Wii 2 eventually.
"Stratigraphically the origin of agriculture and thermonuclear destruction will appear essentially simultaneous" -- Lee
Here's what Nintendo should do. Design their SDK with the specific intent of eventually using it to build cross platform (as in iOS and Android via NDK) applications. Have requirements for the developers for capabilities like dynamically adjusting to any size display, touch-only input, and encourage in-app purchases using Nintendo's API. As an "excuse" for no hardware controls, release a portable gaming system like the DS that can flip around so only the screen is visible. That is the motivation for a touch-only mode of input.
Then, after a couple years, and you've built up a good library of games, you spring the bombshell - you provide the software libraries for iOS and Android needed for all these game publishers to seamlessly and effortlessly build for those platforms without having to modify their sources at all. Of course, Nintendo branding and licensing would apply to use those platform-specific SDKs and they would receive a cut, as it saved the developers a huge amount of money they would have had to have spent to support diverse platforms.
Now if Nintendo really wanted to play hardball, they sneak in a generic provision in the license agreement with the developers, and Nintendo releases all titles to those platforms (iOS and Android) directly on behalf of the developers, and funnels 90% percent of the revenue back to them while keeping a 10% slice.
Why, you ask, would Nintendo do something to promote gaming on other platforms? Because Nintendo knows that is inevitable either way, and this scheme would get them a cut on that action. They provide the premiere cross-platform gaming API that works on iOS, Android, Nintendo's next gen console, and their next-gen DS, and since developers have no other option (which is the way it has always been) to develop for Nintendo anyway, why not leverage their effort on other platforms too and increase profits?
Better known as 318230.
I was trying the DS version of Paper Mario the other day, using one of my daughter's older DS units (she's got one of the big 3DS now, so she said I could use the old one to see if I'd like it). So I'm playing this game, and my old eyes are squinting at the screen... and I thought "right now it'd be great if I could "airplay" this on our 47" television".
I could see a device that basically is more of a smart hub, rather than a standalone console in its own right - one that would give users the option to play their handheld games on the big screen, with some additional new distributed processing options where, if a bunch of users are in the same room with their 3DSXLs (or a new iteration similar to that), they could tie into this hub and play console-like games - but still be able to take that portable controller with them on the bus and play mobile games.
Sorta like what the Wii U attempted to do, but carried further to where it's the handheld devices that are primary rather than the console. Bonus points if, at some level, the model would work with existing 3DS hardware or even Nintendo-written iPad/Android apps.
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In my opinion, the problem with Nintendo hardware-wise is that they are out of step with the industry when it comes to under-the-TV consoles (and by that I obviously mean MS and Sony - I'm not counting the various Android boxes etc).
So, when they release, their hardware could be amazing compared to what's out there. But they are fighting a large installed user-base of systems that the high-profile games developers are targeting. This means the games looks very similar to the competition on their more powerful new system. So nobody will switch unless they are die-hard fanboys and absolutely require the software that Nintendo produce in-house.
This will go on for a few years (while the systems with the large installed user-base are better understood and exploited) and then the main players will announce their new systems and Nintendo will then be playing catchup with exclusives on their now-underpowered hardware for a couple of years.
In summary: In the console's early life it will be relying on exclusives. In the console's mid-life it will be also-ran. In the console's later life it will be relying on exclusives. They lucked out being early with the Wii, mainly due to the controller - IMHO they are still chasing that.
I think Nintendo should just get out of the console hardware business (not necessarily hand-held, they are still holding their own (no pun intended) against phones and tablets but perhaps that is also becoming difficult) and do what Sega did to become software only. As an old-school Nintendo fan (my last console was the GameCube, which is still sometimes worth booting up for a quick game of Monkey Ball), I'd love to play some of the newer games but I just won't buy an expensive piece of hardware just for that privilege when everything else I play is on a different system.
... asses in here. Lots of people talking about how Nintendo is a failure because Sony and Microsoft keep saying so. Lots of people claiming the Wii-U is a terrible console who've never owned one. Lots of people claiming they have good advice for Nintendo who wouldn't be a Nintendo customer even if Nintendo followed every single one of their puerile, sophomoric suggestions.
Go buy a Wii-U assholes, and a copy of Smash Bros Wii-U. Don't want to spend lots on the controllers? Just buy some used Wii ones. Don't want to demean yourself by buying a console that only costs half of what Sony or Microsoft is charging? BUY TWO. Stop complaining and be happy. You know all those extra on-paper specs don't actually make you enjoy Sony or Microsoft's offerings more, neither does their exorbitant prices. If they did, you'd be playing your XBone or PS4 instead of in here slamming Nintendo products you haven't tried for three generations.
The ds and sony's psp (yes even the psvita) were both popular enough that no one would ask what they were they already knew.
Today nearly three years after the wiiu release I still have people asking me what it is.
How much is the tablet? What do you mean it doesn't work without the system?
If I have to explain to someone what it is they aint going to buy it. Like chromebooks no one knows what they are either. But everyone always asks...
Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
I would gladly buy a device with same form factor as current Wii U touch controller, but able to function independently, away from home and TV.
When the mobiles grow an analog stick and some buttons maybe.
Until then,nintendo games are absolutely unplayable on mobiles for the most part, given how horribly imprecise the touchscreen is for fast paced action games due the lack of tactic feedback that tells you when the buttons/stick/dpad is actually being pressed/pressed on the right direction.
Wow, much convince! You must have gone to the APK charm school.
And have been since the days of the Game Boy, EASILY.
Don't fall for marketing, people. You're only seeing the word 'hybrid' because it's a popular buzzword right now.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
I've heard rumors all the way back to the old Nintendo fusion of a console portable hybrid. Honestly I'm quite excited I don't have time for quote on quote hardcore gaming and I enjoy playing more casual Nintendo games. I'm in my thirties and work full time and have a family so my gaming time in general is limited it would be really nice to play something on my lunch break or between clients. Portable games don't quite cut it for me, but if I could do the new Zelda for example and take my game with me that would be cool.
Dreamcast memory cards had a little screen and buttons. So you could take some mini-game with you on the go and the progress would count toward something in the main game too. Pic: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Sega-Dreamcast-VMU.jpg
That console was so awesome and ahead of its time. It's really a shame that it wasn't a bigger success.
The Wii U has shipped approximately the same number of units as the Xbox One.
It depends on which part of the world you're in. PlayStation 4 is beating Xbox One and Wii U combined globally, in Europe, and in the rest of the world. In North America, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have each outsold Wii U by roughly 2 to 1. But in Japan, Wii U is in the lead and Xbox One is a rounding error.
Figures from VGChartz:
PS4: NA 9.60; EU 9.93; JP 1.67; ROW 4.25; total 25.45
XbOne: NA 8.61; EU 3.63; JP 0.06; ROW 1.58; total 13.88
Wii U: NA 4.70; EU 2.40; JP 2.52; ROW 0.65; total 10.27
I'm not sure why everyone is quick to qualify the Wii U as a disaster and the Xbox One a success.
Because you've only talked to Americans.
When the mobiles grow an analog stick and some buttons maybe.
Go look at some JXD tablets.
Until then,nintendo games are absolutely unplayable on mobiles for the most part
True, a literal translation to an on-screen gamepad is unplayable, as I discovered when I tried to play Pixeline and the Jungle Treasure (free version) from Google Play Store on my Nexus 7 (2012) tablet. It's a very Super Mario-style platformer, and I kept whiffing (pressing outside the active area of any button) until I paired a keyboard and used that. The flat sheet of glass that is a modern mobile device's input is even worse for this purpose than the widely panned Turbo Touch 360 by Triax, whose touch surface at least provides tactile position feedback through being recessed and having ridges. Plus the Turbo Touch still has traditional physical action buttons.
But a game that uses a mouse, trackball, spinner, or stylus on another platform can be straightforwardly adapted to touch control. This includes shmups (try AirAttack HD), point-and-click adventures (such as those that run in ScummVM), switching-type block puzzle games (such as FreeCell or Klotski or Bejeweled or Puzzle League), shooting galleries (try Fruit Ninja), and even reportedly first-person shooters. Furthermore, some fans of Android and iOS gaming have assured me that games designed for a gamepad can be reengineered to use the seven gestures that are available under each thumb: tap, long press, swipe up, swipe down, swipe left, swipe right, and long swipe. Map these to the two halves of the screen for fourteen actions in all, the same as the number of buttons on an original PlayStation 1 controller.
The device you want is a JXD S7800B tablet.
The Wii did well, but not because of its low spec visuals, rather in spite of them. People found it to be an interesting gimmick, and bought them in droves. However the attach rate (amount of games bought per console) wasn't that great so while it was a good money maker, it wasn't the dominant force they might hope.
With the Wii U they decided to go for a gimmick again, this time the tablet controller. However people don't seem to be interested. Everyone who wants a tablet has a tablet and it just doesn't seem to bring much to games. So Wii U sales have been slow. None of the current gen consoles have been flying off the shelves, but the Wii U is lagging in third place at less than half of the PS4's sales. That is despite being on the market for a year longer than the PS4.
So I'm sure Nintendo is doing some serious thinking about what they want to do with their next system. Particularly since unlike Sony and MS, they don't really have other markets to fall back on. That doesn't mean they'll go with high spec graphics, but it may be a consideration particularly since the Xbone and PS4 were more modest this time around and the PC gaming uptick has been pushing some better looking games.
They need to do something different at any rate, because the Wii U just isn't doing all that well.
What tends to suck is the lack of consistency between phone designs. Not that all phones should be the same - especially between brands - but standardizing on something like - say - having the charge/microUSB port on the bottom would be nice and could help a lot in the accessories market.
Low 6 digit UID that doesn't know who APK is???
Jesus.
I got a Wii after the first price decrease, and it was absolutely great. Pair that with a ceiling mounted projector and a handmade light bar, and we got a really immersive thing for parties (Then there's the time when a Wii Boxing tourny turned into an actual brawl, but that happens). 4AM Brawl in various altered states was hilarious. The Wii U was basically less of the same. One person would have a tablet controller, or not. No Gamecube controllers for brawl. The new games felt like they could've been running on the Wii just fine. Meh.
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I think the iphone is a console. I think Nintendo has the casual gamer, however so does Apple. If Apple really wanted to, it could launch official gaming peripherals for the iphone, and hurt Apple.
Can go fuck themselves along with their IP.
...finally catching up to the Dreamcast?