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Soundwave on 24 February 2015
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zorg1000 said:
shikamaru317 said:

It's likely, but the point remains. Nintendo could theoretically have both a console and a handheld with different hardware instead of shared hardware, and still maintain the Fusion philosophy. The handheld could play the same games as the console but with significantly downgraded graphics and resolution. Development would be fairly challenging and mainly 1st and 2nd party developers would attempt it, but if Fusion is just a tablet that let's you play games on your tv over wi-fi, it's not going to attract 3rd party developers anyway since the specs of a handheld would hold back PS5, Xbox 4, and PC far too much. But, if they give the Fusion terminal it's own hardware that's closer in specs to the PS5, Xbox 4, and PC, while also using the same x86 architecture, Nintendo should at least get some 3rd party multiplat support.

The point of the unified platforms is so that Nintendo can be more self-reliant without facing software droughts, also having all games on either device ensures that the console will get all the Japanese 3rd party support that their handhelds recieve. That along with Nintendo's continued support of indies will give them a strong software library.

Even if Nintendo goes all out on trying to get the AAA western market, they likely won't succeed so they will try their best to maintain strong support without them. Nintendo 1st parties+Japanese 3rd parties+western indies will be the main software focus, any potential support from the likes of EA/Activision/Ubisoft/Warner Bros is welcome but not the main focus.

Basically in terms of hardware, I expect to see something like this

Handheld-moderate boost over Vita that can handle Wii U level visuals on a small screen and lower resolution. Similar to the difference between PSP-3DS-Wii.

Console-slight upgrade over Wii U that can produce Wii U level visuals at a higher resolution with some extra effects. Similar to the difference between GC-Wii.


I think Vita+ is setting the bar pretty low for the handheld. 

Last years old iPhone 5s chip (something Nintendo could have for peanuts now) significantly outperforms a Vita. 

I think the handheld will be more powerful than the Nintendo norm, because it will be the first Nintendo handheld designed to play *all* Nintendo games, not just the watered down portable spin-offs.  It will have to be able to run things like Mario Galaxy 3 (theoretically) or the next 3D Zelda and Metroid adventures without handcuffing the designers and forcing them to make a ton of compromises. So that has to factor into its design. 

So I think the handheld being on par with the Wii U (maybe even ahead in certain areas like more modern lighting/shader effects and more RAM) makes more sense IMO. 

I suspect Nintendo also wants to be able to port Wii U engines/games to the portable side without the headaches they encounter today, so cheaping out on the chip really isn't benfitting them much.

They maybe have to drop stuff like the 3D screen and dual screen setup for something more functionally cheaper though. The screen is what's expensive on handhelds anyway ... not the chip.