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Report: NX Handheld Dimensions, Layout Info, Lack of Region Lock

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Vena

Member
I imagine Nintendo will quickly kill Wii U production soon after NX lauches. It'll be interesting ot see what they do with the 3DS though.

They'll keep the 3DS alive and well as a leverage in Japan at the very least.

Moreover, its actually gotten something of a late "wind" behind it with GO, the recent deals, and Sun&Moon.
 

Dystify

Member
I think it's very likely NX presentation date will be unveiled next week. But I guess most people would predict the same by now...

They'll keep the 3DS alive and well as a leverage in Japan at the very least.

Moreover, its actually gotten something of a late "wind" behind it with GO, the recent deals, and Sun&Moon.

Nintendo 2DS release in Japan will surely help them for a while.
 

Josh5890

Member
I think Nintendo had to back track after Sony announced their press conference a month ago. They probably want a little space in between console announcements.
 

10k

Banned
I think Nintendo had to back track after Sony announced their press conference a month ago. They probably want a little space in between console announcements.
Nintendo isn't competing with Sony or Microsoft so why would they care? The audiences are different and can handle two press events a couple weeks apart.
 
I think it's very likely NX presentation date will be unveiled next week. But I guess most people would predict the same by now...



Nintendo 2DS release in Japan will surely help them for a while.
Yeah, it has to be next week. This 3DS direct kind of caught most of us off guard this week + they may have wanted to wait after Sonys meeting (maybe?) to announce it.
 

KrawlMan

Member
I think Nintendo had to back track after Sony announced their press conference a month ago. They probably want a little space in between console announcements.

Not sure why. Systems are announced back to back at E3.

Not to mention if Nintendo is truly differentiating their product from the rest on the market, and previewing a wealth of release and future content, they won't have any issues with visibility.
 
Remember when Aonuma brought up a few years ago about changing the conventions of Zelda? It was the January 2013 Direct.

One of the things he listed way "play by yourself" as a convention he wanted to look at. Considering the NX will have two controllers, maybe there will be a bigger role for a second player than previously thought?
 
To not expect a drastic change in terms of western third party support for NX.
Heh. I missed that. Which thread was that?

Nintendo is probably going for a, "if you build a nice size userbase (unlike Wii U) and have tolerable tools to port, most/some will come," approach. Considering the situation, I think that is reasonable.
 

KrawlMan

Member
Heh. I missed that. Which thread was that?

Nintendo is probably going for a, "if you build a nice size userbase (unlike Wii U) and have tolerable tools to port, most/some will come," approach. Considering the situation, I think that is reasonable.

Who is Matt? Just wondering why his vague comments are acknowledged.
 
If the TV out is on the handheld then you don't need the dock at all?
i talked about this previously:
  • The TV connector, could be the physical connection for video out when the system rests in the dock.
  • Since the system is portable there's a chance the user could move the NX to a house withouth a dock, if the user wants to play multi in the friends TV there needs to be a way to connect it.
  • Related to the above, the dock power supply could be modular, so you can charge the system when on the move.
  • The dock might have USB ports for extra peripherals and expanded storage.
  • The dock is also a simple way to recharge and store the system.
  • The dock could play a role with motion gaming or biometrics if Nintendo choses to use the camera in some way.
  • The dock could be used for an standby mode. The system could send real time notifications to the user via it's screen even with the TV off. They could even use the camera to detect motion an trigger those notifications.
  • Even with this TV connector, let's hope the dock is Wifi enabled to wirelessly receive video signals.
 

KrawlMan

Member
This has been Nintendo's problem for years now. It is not that much of a stretch to assume that will be the case again with the NX unless the thing sells like gangbusters.

I'm not saying it's an unreasonable thing to assume, I'm just curious why anybody would care about what he said in a previous post. Most comments in these threads are forgotten the moment the page turns, yet Matt's comment provokes a "what was his response in the other thread?"

He either works in the industry or has close ties to it.

Thanks.
 

Thraktor

Member
To be fair to 10k, there are 5 different models of the 3DS, so it's hardly an outlandish statement. Personally I'm still of the opinion that there's probably a stationary console in development, even if we don't see it for a while. They could have put together a perfectly capable handheld/hybrid device with Mali, PowerVR or Adrendo graphics, and probably saved money in the process, but they went with the only vendor who can provide both mobile and desktop-class chips with the same graphics architecture. Why do that if you're not planning on putting out a home console as well?
 
To be fair to 10k, there are 5 different models of the 3DS, so it's hardly an outlandish statement. Personally I'm still of the opinion that there's probably a stationary console in development, even if we don't see it for a while. They could have put together a perfectly capable handheld/hybrid device with Mali, PowerVR or Adrendo graphics, and probably saved money in the process, but they went with the only vendor who can provide both mobile and desktop-class chips with the same graphics architecture. Why do that if you're not planning on putting out a home console as well?

Yeah, I don't see how there can't be a console. This NX hybrid is the successor to the 3DS first, but powerful enough to be a light successor to the Wii U. The 3DS successor was due anyways with the Wii U successor following it. Difference now is they'll all fall under the NX umbrella.

This hybrid could flop. Upgradeable docks wouldn't save it because they're optional.
 

Thraktor

Member
Yeah, I don't see how there can't be a console. This NX hybrid is the successor to the 3DS first, but powerful enough to be a light successor to the Wii U. The 3DS successor was due anyways with the Wii U successor following it. Difference now is they'll all fall under the NX umbrella.

They may well be waiting to see the reaction to the handheld/hybrid before deciding how to position the home console (meaning it could be 2018 or later), but I have no doubt they're at least working on prototypes. One advantage of using the same architecture/tools/APIs across multiple devices is that you can bring them to market much quicker. There's still a tape-out process that you have to run through for the SoC, but developers wouldn't need anywhere near as much time with the hardware to have games ready for launch.
 
I'm not getting it, how can you have shoulder buttons on the screen? How would you reach them when using the sticks?
Well to be fair to people suggesting the above, we still don't know the physical dimensions of the detachable parts. But stimating 1.5'' width, it would certainly be hard to reach those shoulder buttons. Also, depending of the physical characteristics of the device, those buttons could be operated with the middle fingers since they have more reach but again without actual ergonomics or design goals to use as refeence, is hard to say.

With that in mind it could be a trade off depending on how important would be for Nintendo to add extra input functionality when the NX is in touch screen only mode. And advantage to do this is that it would retain some physical inputs while making the device more portable.
 
They may well be waiting to see the reaction to the handheld/hybrid before deciding how to position the home console (meaning it could be 2018 or later), but I have no doubt they're at least working on prototypes. One advantage of using the same architecture/tools/APIs across multiple devices is that you can bring them to market much quicker. There's still a tape-out process that you have to run through for the SoC, but developers wouldn't need anywhere near as much time with the hardware to have games ready for launch.

Lines up with Iwata's "brother" rhetoric.
 

MuchoMalo

Banned
Yeah, I don't see how there can't be a console. This NX hybrid is the successor to the 3DS first, but powerful enough to be a light successor to the Wii U. The 3DS successor was due anyways with the Wii U successor following it. Difference now is they'll all fall under the NX umbrella.

This hybrid could flop. Upgradeable docks wouldn't save it because they're optional.

They aren't treating 3DS like an EoL system, though. Even had an argument with someone earlier who is convinced that today's direct definitively debunked all of the rumors and got mad at me for not agreeing with that and that this has all been a massive clickbait conspiracy.
 
To be fair to 10k, there are 5 different models of the 3DS, so it's hardly an outlandish statement. Personally I'm still of the opinion that there's probably a stationary console in development, even if we don't see it for a while. They could have put together a perfectly capable handheld/hybrid device with Mali, PowerVR or Adrendo graphics, and probably saved money in the process, but they went with the only vendor who can provide both mobile and desktop-class chips with the same graphics architecture. Why do that if you're not planning on putting out a home console as well?
That's not being fair, it's ignoring what he posted.
4-5 devices in 4 years.
No.
Oh yeah, no.
By the way, no.
 

Enduin

No bald cap? Lies!
i talked about this previously:
  • The TV connector, could be the physical connection for video out when the system rests in the dock.
  • Since the system is portable there's a chance the user could move the NX to a house withouth a dock, if the user wants to play multi in the friends TV there needs to be a way to connect it there.
  • Even with this TV connector, let's hope the dock is Wifi enabled to wirelessly receive video signals.

I'm torn on this as I really think it will be a missed opportunity if they don't require the Dock for TV play in order to have a higher clock speed and not worry about battery life of the system. If they allow for wireless play that basically kills the idea of true 1080p rendering when played on TV and instead we'll get the same performance at all times and thus a 720p picture.

Second screen experiences are nice for some games, but let's be honest it's more of a quality of life feature than something that really any game has used in a meaningful and worthwhile way. Such a feature is especially superfluous if the trade off is between greater graphical performance vs the convenience of a second screen for maps and menus.

It's one thing to keep the TV Out on the handheld and allow for TV Play without the dock when you're at a friends house or something and the system runs it at handheld specs. It's not likely a feature many will use, but it's a quality of life feature that doesn't really impact much. But have the dock specifically act as a relay between the handheld and TV wirelessly and developing games with a second screen in mind runs in direct conflict with positioning the device as a real console experience with the added benefits that traditionally come with a console, ie greater graphical fidelity and performance.

To not actually make the handheld and console experiences distinct in that regard and fully utilize the system's capabilities when used as a console would be a huge mistake in my mind. It's 2016, 720p for a console, even if it is a hybrid, is not really acceptable.
 

Thraktor

Member
That's not being fair, it's ignoring what he posted.
4-5 devices in 3 years.
No.
Oh yeah, no.
By the way, no.

It took 3DS a little over 3 and a half years to reach five models. There's no reason to assume they wouldn't do the same with this, especially when you add any potential home console to the count.
 
Stationary - only NX isn't happening. It's like the bottom screen only DS, no Gamepad Wii U, or wave bird instead of remote Wii that people have begged for over the years. It would be throwing away the differentiating factor of the system and just releasing an underpowered vanilla box.
 
They aren't treating 3DS like an EoL system, though. Even had an argument with someone earlier who is convinced that today's direct definitively debunked all of the rumors and got mad at me for not agreeing with that and that this has all been a massive clickbait conspiracy.
Sorry, I'm not sure what EoL means.
 

Snakeyes

Member
Stationary - only NX isn't happening. It's like the bottom screen only DS, no Gamepad Wii U, or wave bird instead of remote Wii that people have begged for over the years. It would be throwing away the differentiating factor of the system and just releasing an underpowered vanilla box.

2D - only 3DS isn't happening. It's like the bottom screen only DS, no Gamepad Wii U, or wave bird instead of remote Wii that people have begged for over the years. It would be throwing away the differentiating factor of the system and just releasing an underpowered vanilla box.

Believe it or not, there are people that literally won't give a shit about the NX's portable features and would rather buy a cheaper TV-only system bundled with full-sized controllers instead of paying extra for the latter on top of paying for portability they won't need.
 
End of life.
End of Life

That's what I thought, but I wasn't too sure lol

They aren't treating 3DS like an EoL system, though. Even had an argument with someone earlier who is convinced that today's direct definitively debunked all of the rumors and got mad at me for not agreeing with that and that this has all been a massive clickbait conspiracy.

It's basically replacing it though and they're still leveraging it because Wii U is dead. They need to pull money from it and all they're really doing is porting Wii U games too it. Yeah, they did announce the new Pikmin game, but even that doesn't look like something much money went into.

I'm not going to complain because people always say Nintendo never supports their systems once they move on to the next.

I think they'll have NX hybrid launch in March and pulling some cash from 3DS by porting more Wii U games too it (Tropical Freeze anyone?) until they release their true successor to the Wii U in 2018. Emily did say they plan on supporting 3DS until 2018. That tells me they're planning on introducing something new by 2018. That's just my speculation though.
 

Doctre81

Member
Nintendo isn't competing with Sony or Microsoft so why would they care? The audiences are different and can handle two press events a couple weeks apart.

BeneficialDopeyKrill-size_restricted.gif
 

L Thammy

Member
Stationary - only NX isn't happening. It's like the bottom screen only DS, no Gamepad Wii U, or wave bird instead of remote Wii that people have begged for over the years. It would be throwing away the differentiating factor of the system and just releasing an underpowered vanilla box.

One major difference though. The bottom screen only DS, the Wavebird Wii, and (to a much lesser extent) no Gamepad Wii U would require either different games or games being notably modified in order to work for the system. I'm pretty sure most people who are talking about a stationary-only NX are talking about one which shares the handheld's library and similar controller; part of the thinking is that Nintendo doesn't have to make any games specific for the platform at all.


Maybe they're just taking old Kaz Hirai quotes too seriously.
 

NateDrake

Member
They aren't treating 3DS like an EoL system, though. Even had an argument with someone earlier who is convinced that today's direct definitively debunked all of the rumors and got mad at me for not agreeing with that and that this has all been a massive clickbait conspiracy.
That guy spoke nonsense. They debated with me and then vanished once his "common sense" was proven inaccurate.
 

ggx2ac

Member
I can see a portable only NX happening first before an home console NX.

One thing to keep in mind is what is the third party support like for the NX. What point is there releasing a home console unless it has the backing of AAA western publishers?

It would seem pointless because it needs some selling points, hence mentioning the AAA publishers.

If NX's largest third party support comes from mobile game developers, I would see a tablet only NX and a portable only NX before I see a home console only NX.

This isn't even taking account whether the home console will just be a PS Vita TV equivalent or a PS4 Neo equivalent. They'd probably need a Wii/DS success to risk doing the latter.
 
To not expect a drastic change in terms of western third party support for NX.

Yeah and good for them.

Trying to adopt the policies that would make them attractable to third parties will more than likely will kill their possible Japan homefield and kids especially with the absence of the Vita. The money and time required just isn't worth it, and the audience doesn't care or have separate platforms to get their needs.

Really, all it needs is the Sports titles from EA.
 
It took 3DS a little over 3 and a half years to reach five models. There's no reason to assume they wouldn't do the same with this, especially when you add any potential home console to the count.
Don't think that's right. Pretty sure Nintendo released a new model ever year and a half unless you count the simultaneous released New 3DS as different models.
 

Thraktor

Member
Don't think that's right. Pretty sure Nintendo released a new model ever year and a half unless you count the simultaneous released New 3DS as different models.

There's the 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, n3DS and n3DS XL. The last two may have been released at the same time (outside of the US, anyway), but they're physically distinct from each other and from the previous three models, so you're still looking at five different ways of playing 3DS games in under 4 years.
 

Azoo

Neo Member
If the handheld can make it's controller pieces connect somehow (probably via centerpiece sorta thing?) into a traditional one and then just use the dock for TV play, then there isn't really much need for a home-only version.

Well, unless it were advertised as a cheaper and simpler alternative. But that's a lot more sensible then expecting an eventual console build having any more power behind it.
 
Who is Matt? Just wondering why his vague comments are acknowledged.
Someone else answered this eariler, but I will also add that Matt was the one who said that the next handheld screen resolution was, "more than you expect, but less some were hoping for." a long time ago.
 
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