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[SanSebastian]

I think a mix of the Vita and DS Lite would look cool.

Hopefully they won't build another fisher price tablet, but some really good looking hardware.

That's how i hope it will look like:

 

[Graphics Horse]

It's entirely possible they've scrapped that idea but let's imagine they're still going to use them. What would the point of having a standard screen size and shape be when it undoubtedly costs more to manufacture?

What do you mean it costs more to manufacture?
There are advantages to using a 16:9 screen as it matches the TV resolution, although I would be happy to see them go for a superwide format for handheld. I like the 3D mockup with the rounded corners too.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

My issue with most of the mock ups so far are that they aren't considering the possibility of using Sharp free-form displays.

It's entirely possible they've scrapped that idea but let's imagine they're still going to use them. What would the point of having a standard screen size and shape be when it undoubtedly costs more to manufacture?

Huh? Standar screen sizes and shapes would be way cheaper. They can just mass order whatever existing mass produced screen that's in the size and specs they want rather than paying for custom ones.

And a 16:9 screen is a near given since all games will run in portable mode and docked mode in the tv. Nonsense on devs having to make sure games work fine in two different aspect ratios.

 

[Earendil]

I think a mix of the Vita and DS Lite would look cool.

Hopefully they won't build another fisher price tablet, but some really good looking hardware.

That's how i hope it will look like:

This looks really nice. Though I'm not sure how the controllers would work. But nice work over all.

 

[Aceshighhhh]

I keep asking this of different posters and I still haven't got a good answer: if a portable with detachable controllers and hdmi-out doesn't qualify as "hybrid," what would a true "hybrid" look like to you?

I'm honestly just trying to understand what people mean when they say this.

A hybrid, to me, would imply that the "dock" contains an external GPU and/or CPU that would potentially upgrade the performance or graphic fidelity of the games

 

[Lady Siara]

What do you mean it costs more to manufacture?
There are advantages to using a 16:9 screen as it matches the TV resolution, although I would be happy to see them go for a superwide format for handheld. I like the 3D mockup with the rounded corners too.

Huh? Standar screen sizes and shapes would be way cheaper. They can just mass order whatever existing mass produced screen that's in the size and specs they want rather than paying for custom ones.

And a 16:9 screen is a near given since all games will run in portable mode and docked mode in the tv. Nonsense on devs having to make sure games work fine in two different aspect ratios.

I was referring to Sharp's free-form displays costing more to manufacture. If they're going to use those, a display that can be molded into all sorts of shapes and sizes, why would they make it a standard size and aspect ratio?

Sorry if that was unclear.

 

[BD1]

I can already see the "more powerful NX console" is going to be a MacGuffin for those who don't want a hybrid Nintendo system. It's started already.

 

[Maiar_m]

This looks really nice. Though I'm not sure how the controllers would work. But nice work over all.

Everything but the sticks on the controller is a screen, so buttons adapt depending on usage.


[insert physical button crisis here]

 

[SanSebastian]

This looks really nice. Though I'm not sure how the controllers would work. But nice work over all.

I would go with something like this:

Me beef on the controller. Implying both controller is one.

Features:
-Not reactangle screen
-L/R Knob (rotation)
-Screen charger/Plug to controller.

But instead of pulling the screen/console from the upper side, i would pull the two "controllers" to the side, take the screen off and then push the controllers back.

 

[Kwame120]

The big thing I'm hoping for - though it seems unlikely for a current lack of it's mentioning - is dual screen, in some portable form. In my mind the best way this could turn out is if the dock itself could provide some supplemental power and the handheld, portable form ends up dual screen - creating a modular system. The latter seems increasingly unlikely but I've always preferred handhleds, hence the hopefulness.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

I was referring to Sharp's free-form displays costing more to manufacture. If they're going to use those, a display that can be molded into all sorts of shapes and sizes, why would they make it a standard size and aspect ratio?

Sorry if that was unclear.

Ah, got you.

In that case, the direction they seem to be going would just mean they moved away from the free form display thing. It makes no sense to have a free form handheld if all the games have to be playable on the TV--and indeed when people in the west will probably mostly play them on the TV.

The free form tech went out the window when they decided not to have a dedicated portable and console. Hell, it they were probably just looking into it for a tablet controller before the Wii U bombed and they dropped plans for a follow up console with game pad type controller. Free form display makes a lot more since for a controller than the main viewing screen for gaming.

 

[Leatherface]

I think a mix of the Vita and DS Lite would look cool.

Hopefully they won't build another fisher price tablet, but some really good looking hardware.

That's how i hope it will look like:

My only real problem with this design is that hard edge on each of the controllers. It looks like it would make for some seriously uncomfortable play sessions when detached.

 

[Maedhros]

A hybrid, to me, would imply that the "dock" contains an external GPU and/or CPU that would potentially upgrade the performance or graphic fidelity of the games

But that's completely unnecessary for it to be a freaking hybrid. It's more like a bonus, not a necessity.

 

[Dagobert Duck]

What if its way easier then we think and it has the 3DS form factor for the screen (16:9 topscreeen) aund the half underneath is the controller (maybe ergonomic) you jsut detach the screen, this way the brains would remain in the controller...

 

[Aldric]

I keep asking this of different posters and I still haven't got a good answer: if a portable with detachable controllers and hdmi-out doesn't qualify as "hybrid," what would a true "hybrid" look like to you?

I'm honestly just trying to understand what people mean when they say this.

Personally l envisioned a hybrid as a fully realized evolution of the Wii U, a home console with a portable like controller you can take everywere with you. NX just sounds like a handheld to me.

l realize this is purely subjective and essentially semantics.

 

[SanSebastian]

My only real problem with this design is that hard edge on each of the controllers. It looks like it would make for some seriously uncomfortable play sessions when detached.

These are the edges of the DS Lite/3DS.
So it shouldn't be too uncomfortable.

 

[Subaru]

http://wccftech.com/nvidia-drive-px-dual-chip-tegra-x1-revealed/

Here we have 2 X1 working in paralel (like a SLI maybe?)

 

[Leatherface]

These are the edges of the DS Lite/3DS.
So it shouldn't be too uncomfortable.

I'm talking about the edges of the side that clips into the screen.

 

[bs135]

A hybrid, to me, would imply that the "dock" contains an external GPU and/or CPU that would potentially upgrade the performance or graphic fidelity of the games

Exactly this. If the dock simply turns out to be a charger and TV out, the NX is just handheld with TV out. If the dock enhances the abilities of the NX in a meaningful way, then the hybrid description makes sense.

 

[stilgar]

From 3 pillars to 1.

Let's hope this leg is a strong one, Nintendo.

 

[SanSebastian]

I spent some more time playing with the idea and concepts being thrown arround so I updated my previous mockup.

I now think that the deattachable controllers could be nice for casual multiplayer on the go, but I am still trying to find a good use for the screen while docked.

I really don't want the screen go to waste like that while in console mode. Especially considering wireless transmission could liberate the (NX) screen for use while still making possible to display the game on the TV

Wow, i really like your concept.

Customizable controllers would really be nice for handicapped people or left-handers. Also it has a touch of the Xbox-Elite controller.

Imagine you could choose if you want to use a controller with a digi-pad, analog-stick or if you want to have the buttons on the right/left and up/down.

My only concern is the stability. How would you fix them to the screen/console?

 

[sinxtanx]

From 3 pillars to 1.

Let's hope this leg is a strong one, Nintendo.

it's shaped like a pyramid this time

if you refer your friends to buy NX games you get discounts

 

[Father_Brain]

New MCV article on the WSJ report has a few new tidbits and some additional context for the price story yesterday:

A Eurogamer report earlier this week blew the lid off Nintendo’s NX plans. The console will be designed to be portable for play on the move, but will also dock with a base station at home to allow for traditional TV play. The unit will have two controllers that can be attached to either side of the device, which houses a screen. These can also be removed and the screen propped up for multiplayer gaming when out and about.

MCV has corroborated all of these facts from its own sources, as revealed yesterday.

MCV has not been able to confirm what chipset will be used, although we do understand that Nintendo is prioritising price when it comes to NX development, which leans toward a version of Tegra 1. Our source claimed that the games they had played, to their eyes, visually seemed perhaps ahead of PS3, but not approaching PS4 standards.

A price point was also speculated, although this was based on assumptions from presentation statements and not on firm numbers from Nintendo. The figure, however, was far cheaper than any recent console launch price.

 

[Prisoner KSC2-303]

Exactly this. If the dock simply turns out to be a charger and TV out, the NX is just handheld with TV out. If the dock enhances the abilities of the NX in a meaningful way, then the hybrid description makes sense.

Surely that's a question of transforming, rather than hybridisation? Whether it changes when placed in one state or the other is entirely separate from the idea of being a hybrid, which is that it's able to combine the core of both handheld and home console designs.

 

[Graphics Horse]

The depressing thing about good looking mockups is the real product tends to look worse.

 

[bs135]

Surely that's a question of transforming, rather than hybridisation? Whether it changes when placed in one state or the other is entirely separate from the idea of being a hybrid, which is that it's able to combine the core of both handheld and home console designs.

If we are using that definition then any handheld that had TV Out would also be considered a hybrid. In my mind it makes the NX nothing unique at all. It's Nintendo simply getting rid of the home console.

 

[Armigr]

I think a mix of the Vita and DS Lite would look cool.

Hopefully they won't build another fisher price tablet, but some really good looking hardware.

That's how i hope it will look like:

This looks pretty cool, though my guess is that the D-Pad would look more like a Dualshock D-Pad. That way it could function better as a set of four buttons when the left side is used a solo controller.

 

[ProtomanNeo]

Many mockups seem to be forgetting it's supposed to have two detachable controllers.
Here's a quick drawing of what this could be.

 

[DrROBschiz]

This looks really nice. Though I'm not sure how the controllers would work. But nice work over all.

Yup they would just need to give it some nice contours and have all the buttons

Also 5 inch screen

 

[G.ZZZ]

That report say that there are two controllers that can be attached to either side of the screen, but it doesn't say that they are attached at the same time, which make a lot more sense.

 

[Darryl]

If we are using that definition then any handheld that had TV Out would also be considered a hybrid. In my mind it makes the NX nothing unique at all. It's Nintendo simply getting rid of the home console.

if it can be exclusively used as a mobile console, or as a home console, then it's a hybrid. it's looking like it can, just for absolute comfort you're probably gonna need a pro controller at home. don't get all weird on us

 

[yoonshik]

I came up with an idea of how to implement shoulder buttons (L/R) for both configurations while mantaining symmetry and ergonomics by adding a protective rim around the unit wich would hide the buttons and obviously protect the system from falls. I would like to know your opinion about it. And man, what a ride! We are pretty much designing a system now and I am willing to bet NX it is going to end up being nothing like it.

This
+

Detachable buttons and detachable controllers. Problem solved.

 

[Prisoner KSC2-303]

If we are using that definition then any handheld that had TV Out would also be considered a hybrid. In my mind it makes the NX nothing unique at all. It's Nintendo simply getting rid of the home console.

It's Nintendo combining both form factors together, as in, a hybrid. A handheld that simply has a TV out is designed as such, with a supplemental feature that's not a key selling point and entirely secondary. The NX, by the sounds of it, is designed from the ground up to include all major design ideas of both handheld and home console - pads, TV connectivity and portability.

Would you consider a home console, that had a GamePad-like controller that could be taken away and used as a separate device, to be a hybrid? By your take on things, I'd assume not?

 

[stilgar]

it's shaped like a pyramid this time

if you refer your friends to buy NX games you get discounts

I have to make a phone call

 

[FunkyDealer]

But will it have Pokémon Snap 2?

 

[stilgar]

This
+

Detachable buttons and detachable controllers. Problem solved.

Ohhhhh I completely forgot about this patent. It goes too well into the puzzle.

 

[Samemind]

Many mockups seem to be forgetting it's supposed to have two detachable controllers.
Here's a quick drawing of what this could be.

I think it would be difficult to design the controllers in a way where the presumably unused half of either side doesn't get in the way of a comfortable grip.

 

[gofreak]

It's Nintendo combining both form factors together, as in, a hybrid. A handheld that simply has a TV out is designed as such, with a supplemental feature that's not a key selling point and entirely secondary. The NX, by the sounds of it, is designed from the ground up to include all major design ideas of both handheld and home console - pads, TV connectivity and portability.

Would you consider a home console, that had a GamePad-like controller that could be taken away and used as a separate device, to be a hybrid? By your take on things, I'd assume not?

Did we consider this to be a home console, or a hybrid home console?

Well, I didn't.

If the dock does something substantial in terms of boosting the machine's power, then I'll accept it as a hybrid. If not I think it is just a slightly qualified retreat from the home space.

 

[the androgyne]

Well, this is so much fun (trying to guess what the NX will be).
So, now I'm thinking about SKUs.

Since everybody is saying that is a hybrid and it will have a dock, some people (like me) is thinking about the dock having extra hardware to improve quality. But this would also make the NX more expensive, so it may not be a good idea. So I was thinking about something like this:

1) Portable SKU

2) Expansion dock (could be in a bundle with portable SKU to be less expensive)

3) Complete hardware "console"

I think everyone is overlooking that they could sell the touch screen alone, very cheaply, with some basic hardware enough for them to target young children('s parents) who currently buy their kids el-cheapo tablets. Controller is an SCI, Dock is one too. $50 screen only + $100 controller and you've got yourself a $150 handheld. $100 more buys the dock and you've got a console. This would literally be trying to offer something for everyone...

At least that's my idea until i start thinking of how they'd handle software and software costs. Would the screen alone have enough juice to play all the games (greatly reduced settings, motion and touch control only)? Or do they only let you buy $5 throwaway games when they detect you're just using the screen? Sounds too confusing and complicated.

Could they do tiered same-software prices. ie Mario Kart 9 is a single game with 3 offerings:
- screen/motion controls only experience $10 (some mini-game esque component of the full game)
- handheld experience $40 (buys you the full game with low end assets)
- console experience $60 (full game high end assets)
Course if you buy the dock for console experience, and you previously bought a bunch of handheld-tier games... you're looking at software upgrade fees.

 

[GifGafIsTheBestGaf]

what if the attachable controllers help juice up the machine as well? that could be one way to look at it

 

[March of the Crabs]

Pokemon Go has given Nintendo to really capitalize on nostalgia to help this see success.
I've noticed a massive increase in people posting about Nintendo things on social media since Go launched. It's cool again. People who never would have cared before were sharing info on the NES Mini, people are showing excitement about Animal Crossing on mobile. If they market this right, they can capture the nostalgia crowd while they're still on this nostalgia high.

 

[Hakai]

perhaps ahead of PS3

And people don't understand why a bunch of us are disappointed with it. The thing has better graphics than a PS3 (Wii U says Hi) MAYBE.

Getting a portable Wii U is not exciting and will not justify the move, actually if those games look like they could be running on the Wii U, as a consumer I will be annoyed by the fact that I will need to change the machine only for the sake of changing.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Did we consider this to be a home console, or a hybrid home console?

Well, I didn't.

If the dock does something substantial in terms of boosting the machine's power, then I'll accept it as a hybrid. If not I think it is just a slightly qualified retreat from the home space.

No, because you need an external pad to play?

NX promises everything you need to use it as a console, so it's a true hybrid. The extra power of the dock could also led to significant boost in power.

 

[Anth0ny]

Did we consider this to be a home console, or a hybrid home console?

Well, I didn't.

If the dock does something substantial in terms of boosting the machine's power, then I'll accept it as a hybrid. If not I think it is just a slightly qualified retreat from the home space.

exactly.

this thing is their new handheld, and it happens to have tv out. they aren't making a console successor to the wii u.

and that's cool. i guess.

 

[gofreak]

No, because you need an external pad to play?

NX promises everything you need to use it as a console, so it's a true hybrid. The extra power of the dock could also led to significant boost in power.

Well afaik you didn't need the separate pad, it was just an optional if you didn't want to use the controls on the unit.

But yes, I admit we don't know yet what the dock is about. I hope it does indeed turn into something more like what would be possible in a modern stationary console at TV resolutions.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Did we consider this to be a home console, or a hybrid home console?

Well, I didn't.

If the dock does something substantial in terms of boosting the machine's power, then I'll accept it as a hybrid. If not I think it is just a slightly qualified retreat from the home space.

That doesn't come with any detachable parts, unless you're really forceful.
2 in 1 laptops-tablets are often called hybrids and I am bewildered that anyone is objecting to the term for this proposed device.

 

[Plinko]

And people don't understand why a bunch of us are disappointed with it. The thing has better graphics than a PS3 (Wii U says Hi) MAYBE.

Getting a portable Wii U is not exciting and will not justify the move, actually if those games look like they could be running on the Wii U, as a consumer I will be annoyed by the fact that I will need to change the machine only for the sake of changing.

A portable with graphics better than PS3 and a possible $149-$199 pricepoint is disappointing? Sorry--it's a beast of a handheld. A beast. I'll take that any day. Sorry--If you want a PS4-level handheld, be ready to pay $300 at least and deal with potential overheating issues.

As for the home portion of it, if the SCD patent stays true, they could easily upgrade the power of the home console with future iterations.

 

[Hakai]

Just wait until reveal. They all of a sudden have sources. Wsj said industry leading and demo that had to run on high end pc's. Just wait for nintendo.

I will wait and I will buy the thing anyway. I'm just assuming the worst case scenario so I don't get real bummed out at the true reveal of NX.

Could you point out when WSJ said that? Not doubting you, just curious to see the whole article.

A portable with graphics better than PS3 and a possible $149-$199 pricepoint is disappointing? Sorry--it's a beast of a handheld. A beast. I'll take that any day.

What if I don't care about handhelds? What if I want to only play the newest Nintendo games?

I don't want a ps4 level handheld, I want a ps4 level console from Nintendo, I mean ps4 is 3 years old already...

 

[Kurt]

Wasn't the gameboy the first handheld that you already could connect to a tv with an extra cable? I remember playing some games for it on tv.

(edit : i'm not talking about the snes emulator card which i owned.)

 

[Jackano]

If the dock does something substantial in terms of boosting the machine's power, then I'll accept it as a hybrid. If not I think it is just a slightly qualified retreat from the home space.

The dock can at least de-lock the downclocking (for autonomy and heat reasons).

Maybe part of the plan is that another form factor, closer to an actual home console, is to replace the default NX "March 2017" hybrid dock with an actual hardware. Or potentially merge them together, SLI/crossfire/SCD like.