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Fresh reports have added credence to the belief that Nintendo’s next games machine will be a cross between a traditional home console and a portable.
According to sources speaking with Eurogamer, the NX will consist of an integrated display with built-in controls.
At the heart of the box is Nvidia’s Tegra mobile processor, which is said to focus on versatility rather than graphical prowess. This will work with a custom-made operating system, rather than the device using an Android-based platform as with Nvidia’s own handhelds.
Even more intriguingly, games are expected to run from cartridges as with the 3DS and DS family of portables, or the N64 on the home console side. Rumours suggest that the carts will hold up to 32GB of data. Digital downloads will unsurprisingly also play a major part in getting titles onto the system.
Without a doubt, the biggest piece of news from these new reports is the suggestion that the controls at either end of the NX will be able to be detached, with the main body then connecting to a TV to function as a traditional home console – or propped up using the built-in folding stand and used as its own display.
This core design will also play into Nintendo’s marketing for the system; in an effort to avoid the confusion seen in the wake of the Wii U’s release, the NX will simply stick to the message that players can take their games with them.
Asked about the reports, Nintendo remained shtum.
“Nintendo has not made any new official announcements regarding NX which is due to launch in March 2017," it said.
"As such [we ‘re] unable to comment on the various rumours and speculations circulating.”
UPDATE: One of our colleagues over at MCV has since had the reports provided to Eurogamer verified by an anonymous senior source.
