So listen, i am a big nintendo fan and also like to disregard Forbes contributors opinions just as everyone else, but it is becoming clear that NX will either have the fastest launch ever or will just not release in March.

Look to the data below, the only company to ever announce and launch within 6 months is Microsoft.
Even then, there was always plenty of ''unofficial'' but reliable leaks, which actually always feel like proposital, and are completely different than the wild rumors that are around the NX currently.

But it gets worst. Even if you believe in a 6 month window between annoucement and launch, that window itself is pretty much gone as we are just a few days from October.

While i can't say it is impossible, there is no data or historical evidence that support this March release. People really to temper their expectations towards NX release in March (and possibly Zelda too).

Nintendo Wii
- Announced: E3 - May, 2005
- Official name/presentation: April, 2006
- Official Launch: November, 2006
Total timeframe: 7 months after official name

Wii U
- Announced: E3 - June,2011
- Official Launch: November, 2012
Total timeframe: 16 months

Nintendo DS
- Announced: January, 2004
- Official Launch: November, 2004
Total timeframe: 10 months

Nintendo 3DS
- Announced: March 2010
- Official Launch: March, 2011
Total timeframe: 12 months

PSP
- Announced: May, 2004
- Official Launch: March, 2004 (NA)
Total timeframe: 10 months

PS VITA
- Announced: January, 2011
- Official Launch: February, 2012 (WW)
Total timeframe: 13 months

PS3
- Announced: E3 2005
- Official Launch: November, 2006
Total timeframe: 17 months

PS4
- Announced: February, 2013
- Official Launch: November, 2013
Total timeframe: 9 months

Xbox 360
- Announced: May, 2005
- Official Launch: November, 2005
Total timeframe: 6 months

Xbox ONE
- Announced: May, 2013
- Official Launch: November, 2013
Total timeframe: 6 months

RESULTS:
Nintendo average - 11.25
Sony average - 12.25
MS average - 6
Handheld average - 11.25
Home console average - 10.16
8th Gen average - 10

Edit: Because Nintendo said it was coming March 2017 back in April during their investors meeting - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-27-nintendos-nx-console-will-launch-march-2017-globally

Also, considering there is almost nothing announced for the Wii U for 2017 besides Zelda, an early release is the only thing that makes sense. They aren't going to delay that if they don't absolutely need to.

People keep freaking out that more time is needed. One of the many things Nintendo has said that lead to the Wii U's failure was revealing it too early. In today's instant social media news cycle do you really need more than 2-3 months to reveal a console? Maybe, but I'm sure 4-6 months is more than enough time.

Well, the only issue here is Nintendo sort of announced they were working on their next console over a year and a half ago; it'll be 2 years in March. It may not have been revealed, but it'll have been a huge length of time between their initial statements about it and it's eventual release. I think this to some degree has skewed the numbers, as the NX has been in the public eye for a very extended period, even if not officially.

I also don't think Nintendo's shareholders will be too happy if they put off a release any longer. The Wii U has tanked, and while the 3DS is doing alright, it's clear from this year's drought that development efforts have moved on to the NX. Nintendo can't upturn their revenue again till the NX is released, so you can bet the pressure is on to make that happen.

I also don't think it will hurt for Nintendo to reveal closer to the release date than usual. The general public likes to jump on new tech when the hype is high these days, and you spend less on marketing over a shorter period. Perhaps they're hoping they can do a more condensed marketing push closer to the release date? Maybe they're feeling extremely confident about it?  Or maybe they're just doing what they have to do under tough circumstances. No one knows but Nintendo!

If they don't release something pretty major before March 2017 then their year is fucked financially, right? Pokemon Sun and Moon will help some, but what else? It will look awful for them if they don't do something to make some financial strides. They're probably going to hold the Wii U version of Breath of the Wild to release alongside the Nx version.

Because I hate myself and would like to be optimistic for once when thinking about Nintendo's future.

This is not my theory about March release date, this area clear facts:

-Because Nintendo itself said March and several times after that they confirmed March like release month.
-Nintendo itself said Wii U was reveal too early, and they also said they don't want to reveal NX too early because of competition.
-Also comparing time between reveal and launch with past Nintendo systems does not make to much sense today because we liveing in time where you dont need year or more to reveal your system before launch, today all tech companies are looking more at Apple and how Apple manage things.
-Also just look last few consoles, XB1 3 years ago was reveal 6 months before launch, PS4 Pro is reveal 2 months before launch, so NX could whitout any problems easily have revel around 5 months before launch or even less.

This are pretty strong points why people don't need to doubt in March release, if we don't hear anything in October about NX from NIntendo, I would start doubting and not to be so sure any more about March like release date, but for now there is no reason to doubt about March.

I hope not, its a really bad moment to start promoting your console in march, no details yet, the internet is full of awful rumours people will find when searching for the product, there is already a negativity towards nintendo because of the Wii-U they need to promote it more and longer and really have a good showing.

After I didn't see it at the Tokio Game Show I realized if they want to do it right, they will launch it later.
I don't think it will be march because I think Nintendo is smarter then that

We recently learned that Nintendo is going to continue supporting the 3DS so I guess they don't need the NX in March and can instead wait til November.

In tech industry 3-4 months of very good and strong marketing is much better than having 6-12 or even months of usual marketing. All rumours will be totaly ireleveant (even now they are reveleant just for hard core gamers) moment Nintendo officially revel NX, same goes for negativity about Nintendo (not to mentione that Nintendo actualy have positives staffs in recent time not negativies, huge win on E3 with Zelda, Pokemon GO win, Mario at Olympics announcement and Super Mario Run, they are all very positive staffs, not negative).

Nintendo can (and most likly will) revel NX in October and launch it in March and do it right.