New Nintendo System coming March 2017

[SciFiFan]

Nintendo is launching a new system in March. It is currently code named Nintendo NX. Here is an article on it.
It doesn't give a lot of details on the system but it does seem that Nintendo is once again pushing the boundaries.

 

[marsneedswomen2008]

I haven't owned a Nintendo console since the Gamecube. I could never get into the Wii and WiiU, I just like standard controllers too much. Let's hope this one is better than those systems.

 

[CABAL]

Huh, sounds like it might use cartridges. As finicky as they could be, I miss the lack of loading screens.

I haven't owned a Nintendo console since the Gamecube. I could never get into the Wii and WiiU, I just like standard controllers too much. Let's hope this one is better than those systems.

There were some really good Wii games, but many times more that had horrid control schemes. Just because you can use the gyroscope doesn't mean you should. And a bunch of the good ones that weren't by Nintendo wound up on other consoles anyway.

 

[SciFiFan]

In my opinion, Metroid Prime was an excellent game. They used the geoscope with it but, it was a fair balance. They used it only where it made sense to use it. Some games went too far with it. This new console is said to use a chipset that will put it in line with PS4 and XB1. I will be monitoring it and will post any new info as it becomes available.

 

[kjc733]

There were some really good Wii games, but many times more that had horrid control schemes. Just because you can use the gyroscope doesn't mean you should.

Agreed. I loved the wii-mote system for a flight simulator, but they used it in Call of Duty for this stupid hand-to-hand grappling system where you had to proceed through the sequence or redo from the previous checkpoint... which was usually quite a way back. It pretty much became random chance if you succeeded or not.
The other problem with the Wii was processing power. There was one Call of Duty mission which the box could barely run due to the sheer amount of tracer flying around. I do wonder sometimes if anyone tests games software anymore before release!
Anyway, I wish Nintendo well, but I probably won't be getting one. Games consoles are waaaay too expensive for my taste.

 

[CABAL]

The other problem with the Wii was processing power.

I have the Wii version of The Force Unleashed and the limitations of the console made that game spectacularly disappointing. All those features they showed off before release, like physics that would cause items to break dynamically or AI that caused enemies to grab onto each other and have some personality? Gone because the Wii couldn't handle them. The Wii only supports 480p and doesn't have real software shader support, so the game was pixelated and missing most effects (closeups were absolutely hideous). The shaders were something that Nintendo figured out how to work around, but they never did tell anybody how. It became a fairly mediocre action game that looked like a lazy PS2 port of a PC game.

 

[SciFiFan]

The biggest problem with the wii is that it was developed with the younger generation in mind. There were some games that really had no business being on the wii.

 

[CABAL]

The biggest problem with the wii is that it was developed with the younger generation in mind. There were some games that really had no business being on the wii.

*cough* No More Heroes *cough*

 

[marsneedswomen2008]

Yeah there was a move toward "casual" games that also put me off. Also the Wii and Wii U really lacked in the graphics department. Kinda shocking considering the 3DS had pretty impressive graphics for a handheld.

 

[CABAL]

Also the Wii and Wii U really lacked in the graphics department.

The Wii just uses slightly upgraded GameCube hardware. The virtually identical hardware, and the inclusion of GCN controller and memory ports, is why it has perfect backwards compatibility. They had previously pulled a similar backwards compatibility trick by embedding the GBC CPU in the GBA. The WiiU was designed to be competitive, power wise, with the 360 and PS3, but it was too little too late.

This next console will either need to have similar capabilities to the XB1 and PS4 or turn out like the Wii, a cheaper system for Nintendo games. The Wii sold a lot of units, but it didn't sell a lot of games; since people tended to buy the Wii in addition to a 360 or PS3, people just bought multiplatform games that were available on the Wii for their more powerful system and a small number of Zelda, Mario, and Metroid games for the Wii. More casual gamers tended to get Wii Sports and a couple other things. The low number of game sales actually made Nintendo less money off of the Wii than Sony or Microsoft made off of their consoles, if I remember correctly, despite it being the fifth best selling console of all time, so being an 'companion' type may not be a good idea for the NX.

That said, it may be too late for Nintendo to release an XB1/PS4 competitor and expect it to sell. Considering that both the GameCube and WiiU largely failed to sell, plus the issues with the Wii, if the NX isn't a hit, Nintendo may need to go third party on consoles to stay afloat. Though, they do continue to dominate the handheld market, despite the efforts of Sony, Google, and Apple, so who knows.

 

[marsneedswomen2008]

Maybe handhelds should be Nintendo's only focus. They pretty much are the kings of that market. Yeah I loved the Gamecube, but I always felt it was held back by some odd choices (mini-discs, no dvd player, little in the way of online gaming.)

 

[CABAL]

Official trailer for the new Nintendo Switch.

It appears to be a gaming tablet with a dock to play on the TV and removable side grips that can turn into a separate controller which is capable of several different formfactors. An Xbox-like controller is also available. Games are confirmed to be on small cartridges. Interestingly, it seems that Skyrim is available on the system, which neither Bethesda or Nintendo has mentioned at all.

Edit: A couple pics, courtesy of a Redditor.

 

[SciFiFan]

Beat me to it.

 

[marsneedswomen2008]

Nice to see controllers make a comeback. So far the anticipated games list doesn't wow me, I hope to hear more about that in the future.

 

[CABAL]

The Wii U will cease production later this week in favor of Switch production, so if you want to get one, you should probably get on that.