Analyst: NX doesn't need to compete against PS4 & Xbox One to be successful

[zorg1000]

potato_hamster said:

zorg1000 said:

I know that u are opposed to the idea of Nintendo unifying their consoles and handhelds but I remembered this article from earlier in the year and found it interesting.

http://dromble.com/2015/02/04/what-do-game-developers-want-from-a-future-next-generation-nintendo-handheld/

Many of these developers expect and actually want Nintendo to go this route, here is a quote from a developer at Shin'en who has 15+ years experience working on Nintendo devices.

“First of all, we think it would be wise to unify the mobile and console platforms. There was already some talk about that from Mr. Miyamoto, and it would be certainly a step into the right direction. Of course mobile chip-sets can’t compete with desktop chips in terms of bandwidth, but already by simply using a lower resolution for mobile than on desktops, it could make it happen. Using 480p compared to 1080p means already nearly 80% bandwidth reduction.

A priority for a new handheld should be a GPU on par with the Wii U GPU, in terms of capabilities, but not necessarily bandwidth. Also its’ multicore setup would make sense on handheld platforms. This would already allow Mario Kart 8 or Nano Assault Neo visuals on a handheld, which would make everyone pretty happy I guess. More important than GPU and CPU specs would be a new form factor. Merging physical and touch controls into something unique and exciting is something that we would love to see from Nintendo.”

Two of Nintendo's recent patents actually could point to such a thing, a handheld that is the equivalent to Wii U that 3DS/N3DS are to Wii, meaning able display similar level of visuals and ports at a lower resolution that can be connected to a "secondary device" to allow those games to be displayed at a higher resolution with increased performance. Plus the idea of a control input that blends together the touch controls of mobile with the psychical buttons of consoles has also recently been patented by Nintendo.

What do u think of such a setup?

I think if Nintendo does go with this route it's not how many people think. It will be the same console in mutliple form factors - Let me explain. Picture a Wii U gamepad with dual screens, and the console built into the gamepad. Picture a docking station that connects to the TV and handles things like multiple controller inputs from things like WIi U gamepads sold seperately. No performance improvement, maybe minor image upscaling of the top screen with some image smoothing effects, similar to how Blu-ray players upscale DVDs.

Along side that, picture Wii-U style console with the exact same specs as this new handheld, but has all the functionality of the dock built into a single unit, and uses the wii u gamepad as the controller, but multiple gamepads are supported as secondary controller.

Both the handheld and the core system would be functionally equivalent in terms of a development point of view, with very very minor additional testing needed. One version of the game. One standard for inputs. One standard for outputs.

 

I agree for the most part, I don't think we will see a Wii U level handheld along with a PS4 level console and expect them to share a library, to me that is unrealistic. When I say improved performance I'm only talking something similar to the N64 expansion pack that for the most part upressed games from 320x240 to 640x480 and sometimes increased frame rate and a few games had exclusive features that reguired it.

Also what do u feel are realistic price points for the devices u outlined above?