Some people put forward the idea that NX will be a "fusion console", functioning as both console and handheld.

Others have suggested it's not hardware, but something more like Steam, or other similar "platforms".

Still others think it's just the next home console. Or the next handheld.

And then there's the "third pillar" ideas. And a few even think it's a mobile system of some sort.

So... what exactly will it be, and why? Is it just how you want it to be? Or do you have some evidence you want to put forward?

Me? I'm starting to wonder if it might not be a third pillar of a different kind. Reggie has recently made a point to observe that the current VR plans are "not fun", "not social", "just tech". What if NX is Nintendo's second foray into VR? Perhaps Nintendo decided that trying to add VR to an existing system as a peripheral just wouldn't work, and are deep in development of their own VR system.

What's more, VR would be the perfect target for a "third pillar" system. You have home consoles, which are really there for the multiplayer experience, and handhelds, which are good for gaming on the go, where you need a small form factor and the ability to play anywhere without risk. And then there's VR - the system that is the natural choice for single-player experiences and online play.

Of course, one of the challenges to VR is making the input process feel natural. I can't imagine standard controllers giving you a particularly effective control scheme - sure, you're seeing things virtually, but you're still shooting a gun by pressing a button that you can't see. On the other hand, more "intuitive" systems like Wiimotes, etc, run the risk of user injury due to not being able to see where they're swinging their hands. I could imagine this being one of Nintendo's key efforts towards NX, and also why they'd be avoiding making VR just a peripheral for an existing system.

It would also explain why they refer to it as a "platform" rather than a "system" (or other similar terms), and why they'd even think about holding Metroid off until NX (Metroid would *have* to be a launch title on such a system), while making sure to release Zelda on the Wii U.

Remember that mysterious tech acquisition Nintendo made? Early 2014? A year later, they announce the existence of NX. What if their mystery acquisition was something to do with VR?

Anyway, that's what I think NX is going to be.

Look at the 1,000 other threads on the topic for my predictions on that, until I do my dedicated NX console prediction thread.

I think the NX will be the Fusion idea. It could help both handheld and home console branches, and with a new account based system and mobile as good advertisement and finantial support, Nintendo could get enough hardware sales to sell their games and make very good profits.

Also, could you make a poll with the possible options, please?

I'm sorry, but I am getting sick of these NX threads left and right.

Anyways, I'm just hoping NX ends up being a standard traditional console, but that probably won't be the case.

99$ console
2-3 years on market until a new model comes (similar like iphone and tablets)
power of Wii U :(

i hate everything i just said.

I'm thinking it the Fusion approach more or less with two basic SKUs.

That said, Nintendo seems to be referring to the platform as a singular entity ... so I don't know.

Maybe Nintendo's best play is to do something really crazy. The more different the platform is the more attention it will get.

No idea, but I'm hoping it's a home console or handheld

I think it's Fusion concept, makes no sense for it to be a wild and hazardous gamble on something they don't know and where they have no pedigree, they need something stable that makes at least a decent profit, jumping into VR or a Steam like environment with the paltry digital systems and sales figures they have would be a huge mistake imo. This would entail massive costs for R&D, on top of the huge losses they already suffered in the 8th gen, this is the second least likely thing for the NX to be (the least likely is the one right below).
There are those who think it's a new OS for existing devices, the problem with that is that it is quite simply impossible since it would entail installing a brand new OS on old consoles and program games for the new OS that would not work on units with the old one, especially the 3DS would need for their owners to physically deliver them to someone who could install the OS and features and even if they made new SKU's of Wii U and 3DS with the new OS as standard; that would make the older units obsolete and useless.
I honestly don't understand how anyone could ever think that this was an option.

NX is likely a successor to both 3DS and Wii U, an early release is less of a gamble than sticking with historically slow sales and low profits, besides angry gamers, Nintendo have investors to cater to and they're likely the ones who have made the push towards mobile as well.

So... A handheld streaming to the tv? Wii U and DS without the stand alone console.

A normal console... i hope.