Topic: No Disk Drive?

I think the entire console is just a placeholder, because the patent doesn't really seem to be about the hardware. The entire patent just talks about measuring the speed of a HDD, non-volatile memory (flash/SSD), memory card and an external disk. Then deciding which one to run the game from depending on what speed that software is set to run at. There's also talk of checking whether data is corrupted and then automatically fixing it over the internet.

I suspect the controller was in there just to make it clear that it was a game console patent. And I guess they omitted the optical disk because the process didn't involve an optical disk. So I reckon the topic was started because of a misunderstanding. Doesn't make the topic pointless though.

......... also, I'm nowhere near as cynical about the screen in a controller idea. I think it would be a shame if they didn't keep it.

I have a real treat for you then. Pick up a Playstation Vita and/or Nintendo 3DS today and enjoy some of the better games of the generation.

Just because Nintendo hasn't released an ceiling tracking device to the public, doesn't make it meaningless. It gives an insight into the train of thought at Nintendo and what ideas they are working on. I expect a prototype has been in use at Nintendo HQ, maybe for a different reason than to try and make it a saleable product for a DS.

I wouldn't be surprised if NX lacks an optical drive.

I'm all for doing away with physical media and yep - I hope a controller with a screen is here to stay, one way or another.

@skywake: Me too. I hope they make it more comfortable and better designed, along with fixing what the GP did wrong. My image in my head is a pro controller, with free form glass in the middle. It curves on the bottom and acts like the curve on the Samsung edge, where you easily access apps or see notifications. Of course, that is just my wishful thinking.

It would make sense for them to do a touch screen again, for if NX is a family-of-devices platform, it would help with cross platform (double screens on both devices).

The problem with going digital is the region issue. If the NX is again region locked, then making payments can be such a chore.

I wish that it would have prepaid cards. Because honestly, that's how I get digital games since I'm not from US or UK even.

I don't think nintendo would be thick headed enough to region lock the NX.

http://kotaku.com/nintendo-wont-make-the-3ds-region-free-but-...

HUZZAH

The more I hear about the NX the move the Wii U will be my last Nintendo console lol.

reasons why this might be GOOD:

• cheap launch price: if the new console comes without a disk drive, then they can launch it for a very competitive price. The console won't need drives, lens etc. No need for exclusive optical format. Etc.
• cheap launch price = that even people who have invested in a WiiU, PS4 or XB1 already might be able to afford it, even just out of curiosity. Everybody knows Nintendo makes smashing games but not everybody is willing to fork out $350 to play said games, especially IF they think other consoles have better offerings.
• they will be forced to create a bigger online service - hopefully without region locking, a fair ethical procedure they say, while in reality we know it's just a big scam to keep the prices as artificially inflated as possible.
• the need people have for physical purchases will be hijacked from optical media to amiibo, toys, cards and general merchandise. Nintendo has proven they can make cheap plastic lamps in the shape of a mushroom and people would fork out $50 on ebay. They can make figurines worth $0.05 of plastic, sell them for $14.99 and people would fistfight to death to get one.
• no more stupid "deluxe editions" and even stupider "pre-orders" needed. You won't be charged $20 more to get your copy of the game in a fancier cardboard box with a worthless 10 page pamphlet they call "art book".

I feel like we're overlooking the possibility of Cartridge based gaming making a comeback.

@Darth_Vader: which is totally possible. The example system has a slot for such medium and would help with physical cross-buy with the NX handheld.

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't cartridges a bit more expensive than CD's when manufacturing them?

I'm expecting the NX to look something like this. No separate console.

Yes, but who still uses CD's for games these days?

Yes. Discs are made for literally pennies. Carts are significantly more. You as a consumer can buy a 32GB SD card for as low as about $9, but I'm sure if Nintendo bulk orders 100 million of them, cost would drop down to a fraction of that.

On the other hand though, a console with a blu-ray drive is an expense as well. It must be licensed from the BDA.

You are aware that you can download 3DS games and play them using a flashcart, correct?

Nah, even worse. There's those homebrew stuff in there that makes it easier without the carts.

@CaviarMeths: I don't get it. You saying that carts are cheaper or expensive? Its a bit confusing when you said I could buy one for about 9$ but if Nintendo buys a chunk, it'd be expensive?

And speaking of blue rays, I don't think doing those would benefit Nintendo by a LOT unless they can do interesting things with it

That's not what I'm saying.

Ever been to Costco? You can get a pretty good deal on stuff if you buy them in bulk. Not sure why you'd ever actually need 20 bottles of ketchup at once, but a deal's a deal.

Except Nintendo isn't buying 20, they're buying 100,000,000,000. Nintendo wouldn't be paying $9 for a 32GB cart. They'd probably be paying closer to $1. The actual cost of the components themselves are dirt cheap. The vast majority of the cost at consumer level is retail markup.

As for piracy on 3DS, yes of course it's possible, no system is ever pirate-proof. But firmware updates have never been far behind any known exploit.