Nintendo Announces Next-Generation "NX" Console And Details Plans For Smartphone Games

''Mario'', a character in Nintendo Co Ltd's ''Mario Bros'' video games, is seen at the company's showroom in Tokyo July 28, 2011. Reuters/Toru Hanai

Nintendo has officially announced that development of its next-generation console hardware, codenamed “NX,” is underway. The company has also stated that it’s working with mobile game specialist DeNA to develop smartphone and mobile games based on Nintendo IP and create a new membership service.

The “NX” hardware was announced during a press conference in Japan by Nintendo’s President and CEO Satoru Iwata. A recording of the conference can be found on the Nintendo Japan YouTube channel, during which Iwata also announced the company’s partnership with DeNA.

“As proof that Nintendo maintains strong enthusiasm for the dedicated game system business, let me confirm that Nintendo is currently developing a dedicated game platform with a brand new concept under the development codename 'NX.' It is too early to elaborate on the details of this project, but we hope to share more information with you next year,” said Iwata.

Siliconera reports that the new membership service, jointly developed by Nintendo and DeNA, will connect Nintendo gamers across multiple platforms such as the 3DS, Wii U, PC’s, smart devices and the upcoming “NX” next-generation console. Iwata also states that DeNA will have access to all of Nintendo’s IP without restriction for the creation of their smartphone games. He added that the companies would make a concerted effort to avoid overcharging consumers via questionable monetisation schemes.

Since the release of the Wii in 2006, Nintendo has more or less marched to the beat of its own drum. The Japanese hardware and software giant has made a habit of releasing its new console hardware slightly off-cycle, avoiding the high-tech slugfest Microsoft and Sony routinely engage in. Nintendo has also stuck to its guns regarding its vision for mobile gaming, choosing to create games for its specialised hardware, the Nintendo DS and 3DS, while minimising the importance of a robust online infrastructure such as Xbox Live or PSN.

As recently as last year, revered Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto seemed pessimistic about a smartphone-focused future for the company. In a 2014 shareholder meeting covered by Gamasutra, Miyamoto expressed his fear that smartphone games would become the norm for video games due to the low barrier to entry. However, he added that despite the proliferation of smartphone gaming, traditional games would always have a place in the industry.

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