Nintendo NX In Next 12 Months? GameStop Survey Latest To Point To Release Window


The latest indicator that the Nintendo NX will launch in 2016 comes from GameStop. A survey leaked on Sunday points to the console being released sometime in the next 12 months.

The GameStop survey has been captured by GoNintendo and asks users how likely are they to purchase a number of devices over the next 12 months. The Nintendo NX, “or a new Nintendo console,” is listed along with virtual reality products Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and Samsung Gear VR.

Nintendo NX GameStop Survey
[Image via GoNintendo]
Interestingly, neither the PlayStation 4 nor the Xbox One were mentioned. It’s likely the survey is interested in new hardware only to gauge interest from consumers regarding upcoming launches.

Does this mean the Nintendo NX will launch this year? It’s unclear if GameStop has definitive knowledge that the new console will launch in 2016. However, it is just the latest in a string of indicators pointing to a 2016 launch.

Nomura Securities analyst Junko Yamamura predicted the console will launch later in 2016, as Inquisitr previously reported. He also stated Nintendo will reveal the concept of the NX sometime between March and May with a full reveal happening at E3 in June.

David Cole from DFC Intelligence said, “A new Nintendo console system will not launch in 2016 as Nintendo learns from past mistakes and focuses on getting many developers on board with top-end content for a stellar launch.”

Meanwhile, Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter added, “The NX won’t come out in 2016. Nintendo has a history of announcing consoles in one year and launching the next, and I don’t see the NX as deviating from that pattern.”

Two other analysts would not make the call on whether the Nintendo NX will be released in 2016, but agreed that it would be better to launch in 2017 with a number of launch titles ready for the system.

Wii U Pro Controller
[Image via Nintendo]
There have been reports of suppliers gearing up for a 2016 production run along with rumors the Nintendo NX may be going digital-only. The success of a console is ultimately determined by the games it produces along with support from developers and publishers.

Nintendo NX developer kits were delivered to various developers in October, as covered by Inquisitr. The kits are necessary for developers to begin bringing their games to consoles, and the more time they have with the developer kits, the more likely it is they will have games ready for launch.

Suspected titles for the Nintendo NX so far include an open-world The Legend of Zelda title that Nintendo delayed to a 2016 release. Dragon Quest XI is also a possibility; although, Square Enix seemed to be waiting for more information at the time the game was announced.

The Nintendo NX will come with a complete revamp of the Nintendo Network. The company partnered with mobile company DeNA to build a new network for the platform to support smartphones, tablets, PCs, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and the new console.

Rumors are flying about the Nintendo NX are flying left and right as interest grows and the potential release date approaches. Some rumors are fairly unbelievable such as a recent survey suggesting the NX would run games at 900p and at 60 frames per second. Additionally, another survey covered by IGN included an eye-brow raising claim the console would work with the PlayStation 4.

Other rumors that don’t have to be taken with a huge grain of salt include free online multiplayer with a premium subscription option similar to PlayStation Plus and Xbox LIVE. The subscription is rumored to include the ability to download and play a selection of games for free, just as the competing services offer. Backwards compatibility with the Wii U is also mentioned.

[Image via Nintendo]

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