Take a wild guess- what is the NX's gimmick?

The NX is a brand new concept- it is a brand new concept that Nintendo is so zealous about, they are holding off on sharing any information about it, to ensure that competitors can't get the jump on them.

But what is it?

• We know it's something unrelated to either the DS, 3DS, Wii, or Wii U, meaning it's entirely new, and not a continuation of anything those systems did;
• We know it's something 'entirely new';
• We know it's not VR;
• We know it's not them fusing their console and handheld into one unit, because they have explicitly confirmed they are not doing that;
• We know it's nothing that either Microsoft or Sony are doing, since Nintendo is convinced that they have got there first

So what can it be? What are we missing? Is there something that no one has thought of? What will this new concept, this new gimmick be? And how much will it actually affect anything?

It will be the next-gen game and watch games.

Whatever they do, i hope they get have better online functionality (Please get rid of nintendo ID's) and make the console region free. As long as they get rid of their draconian policies, I will not hesitate to purchase one.

I thought it was just going to be the console-handheld merger? Unless there's something else to it.

Why does it have to have a gimmick? Just because it's Nintendo?

... Okay, I see what you mean.

It's going to be a helicopter.

I've read the reports and I spoke to a few Nintendo insiders, this is 100% true.

They've confirmed that they're looking at removing region locking with their next systems.

What's wrong with Nintendo IDs?

There's supposed to be more to it- and it's not a handheld/console merger, there will still be two discrete systems, they just have similar hardware, software, services, and games.

Because they said it will have one...?

brb, pre-ordering

It's the first videogame system to dispense ice-cream.

...I'd buy it.

They did? But that is so unlike them!

True cross platform play with saves syncing across the cloud. You save the game, turn off your console, then plug the cart into your handheld and keep playing without missing a beat. But I think that the big thing will be that both the handheld and console will have other marketplaces besides Nintendo's eshop. I wouldn't be shocked if it has access to ios and android and eventually amazon marketplaces.

...

Nintendo do talk about mobile gaming a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.

Your dpad will effectively be a giant moustache you attach to your face and steer with.

I expect the innovative route of yearly Mario rehashes, last gen ports of Zelda and a market strategy aimed at struggling to hit 15 million units. With this strategy Nintendo will continue their long history of releasing the worst console available in the generation for the fifth time.

@khoofia_pika: Yes, I'm sure control freaks like Apple will license their OS and App Store to Nintendo.

It's going to double as a cock warmer...so in that case, day one buy.

This is the conventional way of doing things, why would you get rid of it?

NX Handheld - 4G Handheld device. Play pokemon anywhere.

Console/handheld hybrid device, that's the only way I see them winning this thing. They'll never get strong third party support in the West as a console or handheld. But if it has handheld capabilities, that along with the fact Sony said they've no plans for a Vita successor, that means it's could get an avalanche of Japanese support... again, only if it fills that need for a handheld in the Japanese market. That means games have to be scalable, which kind of makes me wonder about that patent someone posted on here while back talking about their graphics optimization tool, making me wonder if it's indeed for this purpose of scaling between a handheld version and a some kind of docked and hooked up to a TV console setup for the NX that gives it more power to display properly to an HDTV.

A controller unlike any other.

My guess is that most of the gimmick as you call it is not in the hardware but in the software.

We know the first sentence is not true, because Iwata explicitly denied it, and the second sentence is so vague as to mean anything. I am asking what the newness will entail in this case.

They've already stated explicitly it is not a hybrid.

It has a 3D printer built in. Simply insert your CC into the front of the machine and your console will print you a life sized Mario or Princess Peach sex toy. Consumers beware though, Nintendo plans to charge your CC for each thrust.

I really think they're fusing their home console with their handheld. The latest 3ds may be the last one.

Christ almighty, I'm getting tired of repeating this, but:

They've explicitly stated it is not a hybrid.

I am putting this in the OP.

@charizard1605: Twist: It's gimmick is that it has no gimmicks! :O

THE HORROR!!

Gesture control, you'll be able to play games without needing to hold a controller at all. No Wii mote, no gamepad etc. your hands will be completely empty.

It will be something completely new and amazing. Nintendochievements. You will get them for completing certain tasks in games. But only if you buy the according Nintendochievement-Amiibos.

Mind control, console receives your brain wave inputs, no controller required. You are now one with the console, kind of like bluetooth pairing but now it is human brains that can pair up with the console. I'm onto something I can feel it....

One more failure from nintendo.

Plot twist: There will be no gimmick.

@GarGx1: no shit ? Isn't that what Kinect is supposed to be ?

Even with a Kinnect there is still the need for a controller.

Unified operating system which lets you purchase one game across both handheld and console platform.

Scalable graphics allow console version to display at 60fp 1080p while still allowing for handheld version of the platform to be sub $250 and feasible to create.

The gimmick is that 3rd parties won't be able to resist Nintendo's strong handheld market and by making games for the handheld Nintendo has essentially strong-armed them into making games for the console.

Plus allows for all of Nintendo's development teams to make ONE game. Console version of Pokemon will sell this console. Can you imagine it launching with Zelda and Pokemon, two franchises that I don't think would cannabalize each other.

As long as it isnt this....

I think it is simply a new console which will be a restructuring of how Nintendo chooses to be percieved. A Nintendo version of ITunes, of sorts.

My complete shot at the dark with little concern for cost or impact on gaming or even if it's already been done without me knowing? Something like Google Glass sans much computing power in the glasses itself i.e. Their take on AR part two with a bit of WiiU inspiration. For what purpose? Who knows~? Could be a simple HUD off-load. Could be reading power levels of enemies you see on your TV screen. Could be somehow applied to Metroid which a few people would want.

An all encompassing ecosystem that could either make Nintendo relevant well into the next lifetime or make them go bankrupt.

@aigis: Agreed. A controller that lacks grips or physical face buttons would be horrid. Also, if they try to include one with every NX, the console's performance would likely suffer due to budget constraints...

@aigis said:

As long as it isnt this....

And if it is..........this...??

Holograms.

@AtariKidX said:

@aigis said:

As long as it isnt this....

And if it is..........this...??

I'll be sad I guess?

A WIIU adapter.

WIIUNX

@charizard1605: Char, can you find the actual quote from Iwata denying that NX is a console-handheld hybrid? The wording which he used may provide some insight into the exact relationship of the console and handheld portions of NX.

I always personally felt the gimmick was the ability to use the handheld NX as a controller. That seemed like the logical evolution of the direction they were heading with the Wii U gamepad. The Wii U gamepad could not act as an independent piece of hardware, but I presume the NX gamepad can.

Cupholders

Something unique among the other consoles, like a library of decent exclusives.

A handheld that doubles as the controller and cross-save/cross-buy/cross-play as the central selling point.

The twist? Nintendo will also sell non-handheld controllers, aka Wii U pro controller.

High bandwith memory? :P