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The Nintendo NX, the Haus of Mario's next dedicated gaming platform, remains shrouded in mystery. It's set to remain that way until 2016, but we now at least know what it's not: a replacement for either of the company's current consoles.

Following a Nintendo investor briefing, officially translated here, president Satoru Iwata says that although the NX will be "a dedicated video game platform with a brand new concept," he does not "intend it to become a simple "replacement" for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U."


Talking further on how consoles and handhelds are currently seen, Iwata added "When it comes to how dedicated game systems are being played, the situations have become rather different, especially between Japan and overseas." "Since we are always thinking about how to create a new platform that will be accepted by as many people around the world as possible, we would like to offer to them [a new concept] by taking into consideration various factors, including the playing environments that differ by country. This is all that I can confirm."

Nintendo has history in claiming new hardware isn't a replacement for old. Prior to the release of the original Nintendo DS in 2004, the company claimed the untested, radically different hardware was planned as a "third pillar" to stand alongside its home console business and the Game Boy handheld family. The success of the DS rapidly saw it supplant the Game Boy Advance (backwards compatibility with GBA cartridges helped), so Iwata's claims that the NX isn't a replacement should perhaps be taken with a pinch of sodium crystals.

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However, Iwata did clarify that the unusually early announcement for the NX, made at the same time its partnership with DeNA on mobile games was revealed, was to re-affirm the company's commitment to dedicated games machines. "I intentionally chose to announce the development of NX so early because I wanted to confirm the fact that we are developing a new dedicated video game platform, that we have never lost passion regarding the future for dedicated video game systems and that we have bright prospects for them."

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One bright note regarding the NX though is that it may not be region locked. In a later question asking Nintendo's stance on the practise, which restricts players from importing games from other regions, Iwata reponded "My understanding is that it is not realistic on the existing video game systems because unlocking them after they are already on the market poses a number of hurdles."

He continued, "On the other hand, regarding NX, we understand that many consumers hold such opinions and such suggestions exist in the market, and although we have nothing concrete at the moment, we are internally analyzing what hurdles exist to lifting region locks. That is the situation right now. We acknowledge your request, and I personally want to give it positive consideration."


Considering region locking portable consoles in particular -- as the 3DS -- is in WIRED's opinion ridiculous, this is potentially very good news. Even if the NX isn't a handheld, the opportunity for players to get their hands on niche titles that may not see a release in their own region would likely be warmly received.

Iwata last week hinted that Nintendo's planned new membership service may finally allow players access to their digital purchases on more than one console. Speaking on the replacement for the current Club Nintendo, he said "with this new service, our members will be able to visit Nintendo’s website and log in with one ID, and they will receive various services including the ones based on their past purchases and gameplay records as well as services that will be an improved version of the current loyalty program."

Whatever the Nintendo NX actually is, be it home console or handheld or some hybrid of the two, it's sounding like a positive step forward for the company, with potential for a far better end user experience.