Nintendo's New Console Is Not "Next Version of Wii or Wii U"

While Nintendo will not divulge specifics about its upcoming system, codenamed NX, until next year, the company's new president has now shared some insight into how it'll be different than the Wii U. In a wide-ranging interview with Time, Tatsumi Kimishima called the platform "different" and "new."

"As far as NX goes, I've said it's different and obviously a new experience," he said. "If you look back to the beginning of our conversation today, we talked about the transition from Wii hardware to the Wii U hardware and how difficult it is to explain to the consumer base what is different and new about the new hardware. It's difficult to convince them to switch from their current platform to the next platform.

"That being said, I can assure you we're not building the next version of Wii or Wii U," the executive added. "It's something unique and different. It's something where we have to move away from those platforms in order to make it something that will appeal to our consumer base."

Also in Time's interview, Kimishima talked about the origins of the NX codename.

"As for the codename NX, I don't believe that there's any real meaning behind it, and to be perfectly honest, I don't know where it came from," he said with a laugh. "Or perhaps Mr. Iwata had meant to tell me and then never got the chance."

Recently, a Wall Street Journal report claimed that the NX would be a console/mobile hybrid with "industry-leading" technology. According to another recent report, this one stemming from production sources in Japan, Nintendo plans to ship 12 million new NX systems in 2016.

The NX was first revealed in March 2015 on the same day that Nintendo announced plans to make smartphone games. The announcement of the NX was purposefully made so people would understand that Nintendo remains committed to the console space. Then-president Satoru Iwata, who passed away in July, referred to the NX as a "brand new concept."

The Wii was an overwhelming success, selling more than 100 million units worldwide, outpacing the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. More than three years into its life cycle, the Wii U has sold 10.73 million units as of September 30.