Just for comparison, Wii was announced (as Revolution) 18 months before it's release.  The next system being announced at E3 would follow that perfectly for a Q4 2011 launch (and also follow Nintendo's usual 5 year console cycle).

Now, I'm not 100% they'll do something like this, but it's not exactly unprecedented or even unlikely.  Nintendo tends to formulate their plans around Japan, and Japan is looking like it's very much in need of Wii refresh...

Wii Hi-Fi might make sense. We have not seen any screen shots/video on the new Zelda game. Maybe the reason for this is that it is being produced for the new console. This would be bad ass to see Zelda in Hi Def. Not that I am saying this will happen but it does make sense. I would not put it past Nintendo to step up their game to really destroy the competition when the competition is just trying to catch up with motion controls…

Discuss.

I'm sorry, but that 3DS "screenshot" looks ridiculously laughable. Seriously? It's just a simple photoshop.

I'll wait until next Tuesday when we get to see the real deal.

It's not a screenshot. It's a photoshop based on the sketch. RTFA

Yeah, I started a hypothetical thread a while back with this theory in mind.  Nintendo is definitely in a powerful position at the moment.  They have demolished Sony and Microsoft this gen as far as pure financial success as a company, and selling almost as many systems so far as the other two combined, one with a year's head start.

Point being that Wii is already a success for Nintendo, so to me it is certainly possible that they could go for the unexpected and announce new hardware for 2011.  Do I think they will?  Probably not.

I do however hope the rumors of the 3DS's power are true.  I expected close to GC capabilities but this would be even better.

The 3DS will have a little analog stick

Did you read my post?? I just said it's a photoshop.

What does it matter? Wait until Tuesday. It's not difficult to do.

Exactly. Its highly sensible, except the predicted specs. I imagine such a thing would outstrip the 360. Not considerably, but enough to be noticeable.

if the next Nintendo console will have the power of a 360, then Microsoft and Sony will just extend the life of their current systems.

The next console has to be more powerful. Otherwise Nintendo would effectively be releasing like a gamecube was to xbox but 4years after the competition released there systems.

I knew it was fake right when I read that it would have similar power to 360. 360 is outdated. If Nintendo puts out a new console in 2011 it's going totrump the competition. This is ignoring that they're not going to announce a stupidly named "hi-fi" right on top of 3DS and that they keep these things to themselves for as long as possible.