Nintendo

Iwata revealed sparse details of the new "dedicated game system" during a joint announcement of its partnership with Japanese mobile gaming company DeNA. The partnership will result in the development of smartphone games starring Nintendo characters along with a new multi-platform platform software service.

"Nintendo, together with DeNA, will jointly develop a new membership service which encompasses the existing Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems, the new hardware system with a brand-new concept, NX, and smart devices and PCs, and Nintendo will be the primary party to operate this new membership service," Iwata said via official translation. He also said that NX is not directly related to the service platform.

"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,'" he said. "It is too early to elaborate on the details of this project, but we hope to share more information with you next year."

That's... quite a lot to process. The notion of a "new concept" could simply be marketing speak, or it could be the company showing it's unfazed by the Wii U's problems and it will continue to innovate. But what of the Wii U? Does this mean The Legend of Zelda may not be the savior of the console but instead its swansong? This is made less likely by the membership mentioned today spanning Wii U and NX, though it's not impossible.

Years ago, Nintendo referred to the DS as the "third pillar" of its entertainment business, bridging the gap between consoles and handhelds. What if this is a new vision, in which the Wii U and 3DS are for the more committed gamers, with the NX being a new phone-like creation? Nintendo has said it's scared of losing 3DS sales if it made titles available on mobile platforms and the codename, "NX" could easily imply "Nintendo crossover."

Of course, the biggest hint we have to go on is the phrase "dedicated game system," which certainly seems to imply a new home console. Iwata said the announcement of the NX during the press briefing served as to proof to fans that Nintendo's step into the smartphone game market isn't a sign that it has lost its "passion or vision" for dedicated game systems. He was adamant that the mobile expansion has only made Nintendo's passion and vision for video game hardware even stronger.

Jenna Pitcher is a freelance journalist writing for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter