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Soundwave on 21 May 2014
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spemanig said:
Soundwave said:

I kinda think it will be similar, but I think the "console" will simply be the handheld chipset (likely ARM based) just doubled up perhaps (2x the CPU cores, 2x the GPU cores, 2x the RAM) to be able to run the same games only at a higher resolution. 


So I think you will be looking at a micro-console ... think something the size/form factor of a Vita TV or the Amazon Kindle console, about the size of a deck of cards.

 

That's such a Nintendo-ey idea, they are gonna want to make a micro-console and it's possibly today using smartphone components like ARM processors.

The handheld variant will cost more ($200-$220) because of the cost of a 5+ inch LCD display and battery, the home console variant will be cheap, cheap, cheap ($169.99) and both will have graphics roughly equivalent to a Wii U, just at a lower resolution for the handheld.

They will be able to play a monstrous back catalog of Nintendo games too, including a lot of HD remasters of 3DS games, DS games, some ports of key Wii U titles, Wii titles, GameCube, GBA, NES, SNES, etc.

You'll have Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, etc. and a bunch of other apps there too (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). They will just make one game from now on and it will work on both devices, I think the only difference will be if you buy the "TV version" you pay a little more and get to play at home at a higher resolution (on top of being able to play on the road). 


Nintendo won't make a micro console. That isn't "nintendo-y" at all.

People aren't doing to buy a new system if it isn't more powerful than the Wii U. The new system will be much more powerful than the Wii U. Maybe it'll have a small formfactor, but alienware's steambox proves that you can have a smaller box with PS4/XBO power. Nintendo isn't stupid enough to develop new hardware four years removed from it's predesessor, without providing a signifigant graphical leap. By winter 2016, it will be entirely economic for Nintendo to release a $300 box that matches/exceeds the PS4/XBO in power, while still making a profit.

And the hand held won't cost more than $200. Even $200 is a bit steep. If the price fluxuates, it'll be down, not up. They won't repeat another 3DS situation. 

As for HD remasters, I don't think that'll happen, but I think the handheld and console will be able to upscale everything to 720p/1080p.

I still think there will be hand held and console exclusives, but you will be able to stream one to the other. You'll be able to stream the next Zelda game on the go, but only if you have the game at home. similarly, you'll be able to play your hand held games on the home console, but only if the hand held is "docked" onto the home console. Not having exlusives to each platforms removes the need to own both. Most people won't buy one system soley on the luxury of playing the same games on the other.

I agree on the apps, especially the social ones.

I think Nintendo will market the "microconsole" as more of a companion for the handheld ... like hey, you have these handheld games, now you can play them on your TV too for a cheap, impulse buy price.

A $300 Nintendo console probably doesn't work period. No one but Nintendo fans will pay that price just to play (primarily) Nintendo games anymore. That time (if it ever existed) is over. 

The model of higher specs requiring more development time coupled with a low fanbase doesn't make economic sense either. If they can cap budget at the Wii U range (still expensive mind you) but spread those games out between two platforms that simply makes more sense for Nintendo. 

I understand from a fan POV Nintendo fans will always want a more powerful PS4-killer type console ... I just don't think that desire is shared by Nintendo at all. They can make a Mario Kart game that looks almost as good as their CGI box art these days ... for Nintendo I think that's good enough. I don't think they have any drive to make games that require resources beyond that even if you gave them the hardware to do so.