Apologies in advance if this has already been de-confirmed somewhere. But assuming it's still possible, the idea of NX being a two-in-one console/portable hybrid sounds pretty cool. I just wanted to mull over the idea a bit more.
Again, I don't know if it's plausible. I'm no expert on tech, so don't take this as the musings of some obnoxious know-it-all. It's just for fun, inspired by cryptic Kimishima comments on NX that suggest it's neither a straight WiiU successor nor 3DS successor, as well as the Emily Rogers rumor on eliminating software redundancy, and the talk of cartridges.
The concept:
Imagine if they found a cost-effective way to give us one SKU that includes both a console component and portable component, right out of the box. Say each component lacks a costly/failure-prone optical disk drive, and instead uses a propriety high-capacity cartridge format for retail games. Let's say you can still install the games to an HDD or SSD, as well.
In this scenario, you could buy Zelda NX on a cartridge and it'd work with both the console and portable that came in the same box. You could plug it into the console and it'd output at "high" settings on your TV — let's say specs comparable to PS4. You could also plug it into the portable and it'd output at "low" settings — let's say comparable to WiiU.
You could save your progress to the card, so continuing where you left off would be as simple as popping it out of one and into the other. You could also still save to the system itself, or maybe the cloud if they introduce that service with MyNintendo.
At home, the portable could double as the GamePad for the console, allowing you to play games that take advantage of both screens. And when you're on the go, playing only on the portable, the HUD could have a tab in the corner of the touchscreen that brings up an overlay of what a second screen would display, i.e. the map in Splatoon.
The idea is to eliminate redundancy in Nintendo's development efforts and fill gaps in their release schedule by making 100 percent of Nintendo's output next generation playable on both their console and portable. You buy one game, and it works on both systems, dialing the settings up or down like a PC game. Play on the console for higher resolution and framerate, improved AA and lighting, etc. Or play on the portable at lower settings prioritizing framerate.
The discussion:
Would this work? How practical would it be?
Again, I know it's not an original idea, but I just wanted to see the latest thoughts from everyone on the subject, in light of the recent cartridge rumor and the Emily Rogers rumor about reducing software redundancy.
Personally, I'd love the idea, if it's possible. Imagine how much better Nintendo's prospects would look this year if the WiiU and 3DS shared the same library. That one system would've already had Fire Emblem Fates, Pokken Tournament and Star Fox Zero, among others, with a slew of RPGs (including Pokemon Sun and Moon) on the horizon. It would also seem to address Japan's preference of portables and the West's predilection for consoles.
Anyways, just some thoughts. Share yours!
Again, I don't know if it's plausible. I'm no expert on tech, so don't take this as the musings of some obnoxious know-it-all. It's just for fun, inspired by cryptic Kimishima comments on NX that suggest it's neither a straight WiiU successor nor 3DS successor, as well as the Emily Rogers rumor on eliminating software redundancy, and the talk of cartridges.
The concept:
Imagine if they found a cost-effective way to give us one SKU that includes both a console component and portable component, right out of the box. Say each component lacks a costly/failure-prone optical disk drive, and instead uses a propriety high-capacity cartridge format for retail games. Let's say you can still install the games to an HDD or SSD, as well.
In this scenario, you could buy Zelda NX on a cartridge and it'd work with both the console and portable that came in the same box. You could plug it into the console and it'd output at "high" settings on your TV — let's say specs comparable to PS4. You could also plug it into the portable and it'd output at "low" settings — let's say comparable to WiiU.
You could save your progress to the card, so continuing where you left off would be as simple as popping it out of one and into the other. You could also still save to the system itself, or maybe the cloud if they introduce that service with MyNintendo.
At home, the portable could double as the GamePad for the console, allowing you to play games that take advantage of both screens. And when you're on the go, playing only on the portable, the HUD could have a tab in the corner of the touchscreen that brings up an overlay of what a second screen would display, i.e. the map in Splatoon.
The idea is to eliminate redundancy in Nintendo's development efforts and fill gaps in their release schedule by making 100 percent of Nintendo's output next generation playable on both their console and portable. You buy one game, and it works on both systems, dialing the settings up or down like a PC game. Play on the console for higher resolution and framerate, improved AA and lighting, etc. Or play on the portable at lower settings prioritizing framerate.
The discussion:
Would this work? How practical would it be?
Again, I know it's not an original idea, but I just wanted to see the latest thoughts from everyone on the subject, in light of the recent cartridge rumor and the Emily Rogers rumor about reducing software redundancy.
Personally, I'd love the idea, if it's possible. Imagine how much better Nintendo's prospects would look this year if the WiiU and 3DS shared the same library. That one system would've already had Fire Emblem Fates, Pokken Tournament and Star Fox Zero, among others, with a slew of RPGs (including Pokemon Sun and Moon) on the horizon. It would also seem to address Japan's preference of portables and the West's predilection for consoles.
Anyways, just some thoughts. Share yours!
