New rumors are claiming that the Nintendo NX, the next console of Nintendo, could be released in July 2016 and that the console would feature specifications that allow it to keep up with its competition in the video game industry, namely the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
However, it is more likely that these claims are untrue, as Nintendo continues to keep the wraps around the project.
The new rumor of a July 2016 release is being claimed by DigiTimes, with the website reporting that Nintendo has asked supply chain partners to begin pilot production of the Nintendo NX by October. In addition, the report states that Nintendo is looking to sell 20 million units within the console's first year.
The report is very unlikely to be true, according to Forbes. With Nintendo previously stating that there will be no information about the Nintendo NX revealed until next year, it seems too short of a time from a possible announcement from January 2016 to a release in July 2016. Also, typically, new consoles are released in the fall right before the shopping-heavy holiday season.
The Nintendo Wii U is currently struggling in the market, but it is unlikely that it will only be given a four-year shelf life of 2012 to 2016 by Nintendo. Such a fast schedule is also not of the style of Nintendo, as gamers would also rather have the company take its time on developing a console than to rush it out into the market.
In addition, the 20 million units predicted by Nintendo for the Nintendo NX on its first year is too high of a number, especially considering that sales for the Nintendo Wii U has not reached 10 million units over its lifespan.
According to Forbes, the more likely release date for the Nintendo NX would be 2017.
Nintendo loyalists are hoping that the Nintendo NX packs power that could make it on par, and even surpass, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. However, that is also unlikely, as Nintendo is not showing any desire or even capability to do such a feat. Setting the Nintendo NX on equal footing with the power of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One could help, but only for a few years until the next generation of consoles by Sony and Microsoft are set for release.
Another issue that could plague the Nintendo NX is the rapid deterioration of the relationship between Nintendo and third-party publishers, as games for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii U are very hard to develop due to "must have" features of using motion control and the Nintendo Wii U's gamepad. Publishers have decided simply not to bother with releasing titles for the Nintendo Wii U as a result, a limitation that could extend to the Nintendo NX if Nintendo decided to keep such features in the new console as opposed to reverting to the traditional console-controller setup.
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