Back in March, Nintendo revealed that a new Nintendo console is in the works, codenamed “NX”. According to a recent report by Japanese publication Nikkei, the console will use an operating system based on the Android OS.

Nintendo previously stated that they wouldn’t officially reveal the new NX console until sometime in 2016, but Nikkei reports that the console operating system will be created based on the Android OS by Google, citing a “certain party of interest” as their source. Due to the vague source, we’ll tag this as a rumor for the time being, although Nikkei have a track record of being on the mark with their Nintendo reports.

If the Nintendo NX were to run on an Android-based operating system, this would make it much easier for developers to participate in making games for the upcoming console, and it would also make it possible for compatibility with smartphones, tablets, and various other devices.

It bears mentioning that Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has stated in the past that Nintendo’s future devices will utilize operating systems inspired by iOS and Android devices, which lends credence to the Nikkei report. Last year, Iwata stated: “Apple is able to release smart devices with various form factors one after another because there is one way of programming adopted by all platforms. Apple has a common platform called iOS. Another example is Android. Though there are various models, Android does not face software shortages because there is one common way of programming on the Android platform that works with various models. Nintendo platforms should be like those two examples.”

Nikkei’s report also goes on to mention how Nintendo released the Wii U back in 2012, but since then, it hasn’t been as compatible compared with other consoles, and many developers have voiced their concern about the issue of development cost and difficulty in making a profit unless the game is being made exclusively for the Nintendo console.

Again, keep in mind that we’re looking at this report as a rumor for now, but also that Nikkei have been right about Nintendo rumors on several occasions in the past, including leaking the Nintendo 3DS XL, months prior to Nintendo’s announcement.

Via: Hachima Kikou