The Nintendo NX has been teased for a release date sometime in 2016 yet it remains unknown if the gaming machine is console that will replace the Wii U or a handheld that will serve as the sequel to the 3DS. But in a new report, it appears that the NX will be built around Mario.
As Nintendo's most popular gaming character, the Japanese company is looking to package the NX with Mario, saying that "Mario continues to be Nintendo's lead videogame character." Essentially, whatever NX has to offer Mario will be the centerpiece, Nintendo developer Takashi Tezuka was reported by Express.co.uk as saying.
One likely title that comes to mind is a new edition of the Super Mario Galaxy that was earlier rumored for the Wii U. Now the same report is suggesting that Nintendo developers would find it easier to come up with a new take on the game title for the NX platform.
It was mentioned too that the Nintendo NX will extend the shelf life of the game maker's current title hits such as the Super Smash Bros 4, which marked Nintendo's initial and successful foray to the DLC gaming sphere.
But other than Nintendo, game developers have expressed interest on supporting the NX and among them, Express said, is the Pokémon creator.
Yet the more pressing question is: What really is the Nintendo NX?
As far as Nintendo is concerned, the mysterious product is a new concept that is more than the successor to both the Wii U and the 3DS. Fans are speculating that the company is building yet again a console that will match Sony's PS4 and Microsoft's Xbox One.
Or it could be a significantly upgraded 3DS that is boosted with Wii U-like functions and features.
But coming directly from Nintendo: "Nintendo is currently developing a dedicated game platform with a brand new concept under the development codename NX," according to Crossmap. The report added that the device will be likely powered by Android but the company has already ruled out this possibility.
Another possible killer feature of the Nintendo NX is its rumored built-in support for augmented and virtual reality that will make the product a disruptive machine, likely leading to commercial success.
As for the release date, the compass points to 2016 but Crossmap noted that being a new concept product that its maker is claiming it to be, it is fair to expect the Nintendo NX unboxing in 2017 instead.