A discussion of what could be. My ideas.
- A new philosophy for Nintendo hardware, Nintendo tablet aims to bring together Nintendo and tablet software together rather than taxing Nintendo with having to support another platform. It's a new third pillar which allows them to bring their 3DS/Virtual Console/and even Wii U games to a new expanded audience that prefers a tablet form factor. It's designed for people's lifestyles and how they game today. April 2015 launch in Japan.
- It will be cost effective, but relatively powerful. Something 2x the Vita with 2GB of RAM. But it will have a relatively small screen -- 5.7 inches or so at a solid 1280x720 resolution. Multitouch, single screen, does work with a stylus (like the bigger Samsung phones). Slider design perhaps, physical controls (dual analog + buttons). ARM core, similar chipset to other tablets, customized a bit for gaming.
- It will run a heavily forked and customized version of Android. However, like Amazon's Kindle, it will have only access to Nintendo's eShop. This way Nintendo can control which and how many Android apps/games are available and they can also charge a royalty fee for those apps if they see fit (ie: Candy Crush Saga will be on the system, but at $2.99 lets say with Nintendo collecting a $2 royalty fee per download). CNN, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Google Maps, WhatsApp, etc. etc. are available from day 1 ... requires no effort to port these apps.
- $199.99. No TV out to begin with, but maybe in 2016 there can be a home dock that allows for TV play (this is to give the Wii U some breathing room).
- It can run Wii U engines reasonably well just at a lower resolution (540p). It can run 3DS engines in HD, no problem. Games like Monster Hunter look great on it.
From day 1 (launch) the system will offer a selection of titles from various different sources as for every taste:
- Mario Kart 8, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Dragon Quest X (Wii U ports)
- Monster Hunter 4G HD, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (3DS ports)
- Madden NFL, Minecraft, FIFA, NBA 2K, Tekken x Street Fighter, Final Fantasy IV/V/VI (third party)
- Brain Training University (original title)
- Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds Star Wars, Cut the Rope 2 (Android games)
- Super Metroid, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Bros., NES Remix (VC Console/Wiiware games)
Library will grow rapidly over months as Nintendo can draw on multiple sources of games, so no droughts. Aim is not to be an iPad killer (impossible), but to augment Nintendo's poor existing financial status with a new hardware line that can infuse 10-20 million in new hardware shipments per year and to offer Nintendo a way to squeeze more software sales from Wii U/3DS software.
