Nintendo NX Console Release Rumors: Specs Leak Claims NX Will Use Cartridge Media, With Several Launch Titles Revealed


Nintendo has laid out the release schedule for their upcoming NX console, with plans to officially unveil the console later this year and release it in early 2017. With that in mind, Nintendo is keeping largely tight-lipped around the new console, but specification leaks have provided plenty of information to go by. The latest round of those leaks suggest that Nintendo will be returning to using cartridge based media with their next home console, much like they currently use with their handheld devices.

According to the Nintendo Inquirer, mounting evidence points towards the Nintendo NX using cartridge based media, over the discs that Nintendo has opted for in recent years. The rumor stems from Nintendo of America’s recent trademark filing for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As pointed out by an enterprising trademark detective, the filing for this particular game lists both cartridge and discs. This is in contrast to filings for Wii U games, which were only listed for use with video game discs.

Nintendo Shows Off The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for NX at E3 2016
Nintendo Shows Off The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for NX at E3 2016 [Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images]

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to be released on both Nintendo’s current Wii U and the upcoming NX console. If the aforementioned patent application is anything to go by, it seems likely that the disc listing for this game is for use with the Wii U, whilst the NX version will opt for cartridge use.

That being said, it’s difficult to be certain that Nintendo plans to opt for cartridges with their upcoming console. After all, patents aren’t always a clear indication of exactly what a product will be, but instead, a way for the manufacturer to cover all basis when it comes to their product. Given that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to be a pretty prominent release for Nintendo, it’s also likely that the company is going to want to cover all basis with their patent application.


RELATED STORIES ON THE INQUISITR:

Nintendo NX Release Date Rumors: Leak Claims NX Will Have A New Controller And Boosted Specs

Nintendo E3 2016 Announcements: Treehouse Live Stream Shows Off The Legend of Zelda For NX And New 3DS Pokémon Games

Nintendo E3 2016 Announcements: No Appearance From NX, Nintendo’s E3 2016 Games Focus On 3DS And Wii U


Whilst Nintendo are remaining pretty tight-lipped when it comes to details around the NX, that hasn’t stopped several titles being revealed. According to IGN, headlining Nintendo’s NX line-up is the aforementioned Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The title was unveiled for both Nintendo’s current Wii U and the upcoming NX at E3 earlier this month. Whilst Nintendo has also penned the title in for a release in March 2017, providing a somewhat clear indication of when they plan to release their upcoming console too.

Ahead of its official announcement, a number of other planned releases for the NX have surfaced. Leading the console’s third party support at launch will be the latest installment in Ubisoft’s Just Dance series, Just Dance 2016. However, Nintendo will hope to pick up further third party support to prevent the same mistakes the Wii U made.

As far as other publishers go, many appear to be holding back their support for the NX and that’s no surprise considering they’ll want to see if the console is a success or a flop, much like its predecessor the Wii U. However, Square Enix has hinted at bringing a number of titles in its Dragon Quest series to the NX, including the tenth and eleventh installments in the series, which is big news considering the gravitas of the series in Japan.

Nintendo is likely to show off many of its own launch titles for the NX when it officially unveils the console later this year, with a lot of differences between the NX and Wii U to be expected.

[Image via Nintendo]

Share this article: Nintendo NX Console Release Rumors: Specs Leak Claims NX Will Use Cartridge Media, With Several Launch Titles Revealed
More from Inquisitr