SpokenTruth said:
Need to add a year. They've never anounced and released a new home console the same year. Unless we want another post launch software drought, they need at least another year. |
We don't know where they are in the development process. Maybe they could have shown it this year even, but opted not to because Wii U/3DS sales are so bad that they can't damage them further.
The way I see it they very clearly are sitting on the next 3D Mario and the "real" Animal Crossing for NX. IMO Mario Kart 9 probably is also well into development too most likely. I also think they are totally going to do the "Twilight Princess" launch for the next Zelda (that it'll be for both the NX and Wii U).
Also with a unified platform, if that's where they're going, a post launch lull is much more unlikely.
We also need to understand something ... handhelds are the CORE part of Nintendo's business. Handhelds have outsold Nintendo consoles for 20 years now more or less. The 3DS is already 4 years old and fading fast (only 7.6 mill in shipments forecast this year, which is incredibly low for Nintendo).
The 3DS turns 5, next year, it needs to be replaced, and as NX is likely (IMO) the successor to both the 3DS and Wii U, that means NX needs to be ready to go next year. So I would not be surprised with a launch next year. Nintendo has not had hardware sales this low since the advent of the NES/Game Boy except for in 1995 I think.
The main reason Nintendo suffers from droughts is because they have to support two platforms instead of one. If you eliminate that need, then droughts will be far less commonplace.
