Hedra42 on 20 June 2015
There was ambiguity about what form the NX would take from the start.
Iwata called NX a "dedicated game platform with a brand new concept". On the same page, there is a slide describing the NX as a "dedicated game system". Both can be seen here http://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2015/150317/03.html
To me, that suggests a likelihood that it will be hardware of some sort, and that it will run alongside Wii U and 3DS under the new membership service, at least for the short term.
