NX Reveal Soon? Also Some Rumour Round Up

Yep its time for more NX chatter... we know we're rather bored of it at this point too but since MS is being ultra vague about Scorpio and the PS4-Pro is kinda disappointing, the NX is the only mystery hardware we have ahead of us. Hey! At least we're not digging up old forum posts, Harassing Zelda Williams, or talking about mysterious (and evidence free) Miyamoto sightings at Universal Studios.

Update: Turns out I missed more details from the Gameblog rumour, jump to the bottom to see the updated list.

Original Story: So onto today's chatter. Wall Street Journal's technology reporter Takashi Mochizuki believes that NX details are on their way.

Speculation is Nintendo would unveil NX details in coming week. I guess all we can do is just wait. No announcement from company yet.

— Takashi Mochizuki (@mochi_wsj) October 16, 2016

As you can see Mr Mochizuki is only relaying speculation, however he used this in the past and was right about Nintendo ending the Wii U's production in 2016. It stands to reason that we should hear about the NX soon other sources such as an damming report from Macquire Group, an investment banking firm (downgrading Nintendo's status) claiming details was coming (then) 'next week' and of cause Nintendo has an shareholders meeting on the 27th of this month. It would be very hard to ease the concerns of investors with Super Mario Run; which is exclusive to half the mobile base and will probably be skipping China (estimated to be 60% of the mobile gaming market by Macquire). 

There is also been chatter for a while that Nintendo will reveal the NX in a special direct on the 21st which just so happens to be this week, before the Nintendo shareholders briefing and the 5th, and the anniversary of the first ever Nintendo Direct. Boy is there going to be a lot of red faces if there is still no NX by next Monday.

Rumour Round Up

Hey Link.... Wait a minute!?

First up we have developer FDG Entertainment confirming their Wind Waker inspired mobile game Oceanhorn (now an enhanced version is on X1 and PS4) is coming to PS Vita and 'A Nintendo console'. Its unclear if the dev has an NX kit or if they just want to port their game to it whenever it arrives.

Next up with an unnamed retailer claims to be leaking various details about the NX. Here's their wide range of information in handy bullet point form.

Marketing

• “Interact with your game on the go.” phrase seen on a poster.
• Strong co-branding effort with a Mario launch title.
• Console is currently set to launch with least 4 titles on deck (assumed Nintendo titles).
• Stores should be receiving demo units around February.
• Base price point is sitting at $299.99 *

Bundle

• The NX is set to have a bundle but the contents of this bundle is currently unknown however its price is currently $399.99 * (Falls line with the price range by Macquire) 

Packaging

• The packaging for the NX will be slightly larger than the Wii U’s packaging.
• The packaging is relatively clean and simple and is similar to the Wii U in terms of package design.
• The color scheme for the packaging is white and blue (compared to the Wii U’s blue and black).
• The packaging seems to be an prototype as it still says “NX” however there is still no indication if this is a placeholder or the final name and he areas of the packaging that would usually depict the hardware were blurred by Nintendo in attempt to keep it hidden.

Features and Specs

• Games will be on cartridges (heard this before)
• 4k streaming has been mentioned. – What this likely means is playback of content such as Netflix, etc. Not gameplay. (heard this before)
• 1080p and 60fps are being used by the marketing teams in relation to gameplay on to the console portion. I’ve heard unconfirmed rumblings of 900p for the infamous hybrid part of the device.(hey this too!)

Next up we have an report from Gameblog.fr who has been right AND WRONG before. They mostly reported old details we've heard before and then added some extra to it, which hey is here.

• “Sure about 20 games in development” Their sources are currently developing on the platform and have devkits 
• “You’ll be able to verify these leaks very soon” but not aware of the actual reveal date. 
• Nintendo hasn’t shared all of the NX “gimmicks” with their dev yet Hybrid confirmed but not the only “surprise” 
• Confirmed there are detachable controllers 
• No real dock where you plug the handheld, but a wireless ‘dongle’ 
• Upscaling for the TV, The handheld game is the same as the “docked” game Games look good on the handheld screen (780 – 900p), about PS4 level Ports should be easy despite the different architecture 
• Very positive feedback on the dev tools 
• Breath of the Wild looks nicer on NX 
• Smartphone connectivity maybe possible 
• VR not out of the question but first tests aren’t satisfying. 
• Lots of remasters planned (Skyward Sword, MK8, Splatoon, Smash 4, N64 and Wii games) 
• FFXV and FFVII Remake are coming to NX 
• Platinum Games and Capcom are in. (PLEASE be Monster Hunter, Street Fighter and Bayonetta) 
• Ubisoft with BG&E 2 discussed but not confirmed, Splinter Cell and a Yoshi / Rabbid Rabbits crossover being discussed too

Abe's Take
SHOW US THE THING! Mainly because I want to see it but also I'm tired of reporting on these rumours.

I would imagine if Nintendo doesn't reveal the NX before their meeting on the 27th then its possible it wont be till after Christmas.