Nintendo’s next console might be handheld-console hybrid that uses cartridges

Nintendo’s upcoming NX console is set to be a throwback in some respects.

According to a new report from Eurogamer, the NX will be a portable device equipped with a built-in display. However, unlike the 3DS or other Nintendo’s past portables, the NX will feature controllers that can detach from the device, allowing users to play games on their television using a docking station.

In an interesting twist, this report also indicates that the NX will utilize cartridges instead of discs, a move Nintendo made in the mid 90s with the Nintendo 64, despite the fact the entire industry already shifted to CD-ROMs with significantly more storage space.

It isn’t the 90s anymore though and thanks to the introduction of affordable flash storage, it’s much easier to pack multi gigabyte games into a tiny cartridge, with Nintendo reportedly recommending developers use a 32GB cartridge. It’s worth pointing out, however, that this number is still small when compared to the size of most modern Blu-ray-based games.

In terms of hardware, the console will reportedly be powered by Nvidia’s Tegra mobile processor and is set to feature a proprietary Nintendo-developer operating system and not Android as previous reports indicated. The console also reportedly won’t feature backwards compatibility with the Wii or Wii U, though there is a possibility we could see ports of notable Wii U titles like Splatoon and Smash Bros.

With the NX in general, it seems like Nintendo is sacrificing graphical parity with the Xbox One and PS4 in an effort to ensure the NX’s hardware fits inside a portable device.

Other than this information, we know that the NX is expected to launch next March and will feature The Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild, the next entry in the iconic franchise and a stark departure from what fans traditional expect from the series.

[source]Eurogamer[/source]