According to a new report from Japanese financial paper Nikkei, Nintendo’s next game console will run Android.
The report follows hot on the heels of the news that Nintendo will start making mobile games which feature its iconic characters. Now it seems that a foray into mobile gaming might be just the beginning.
Nintendo to adopt Android operating system
Nikkei believes that the next move for Nintendo may mark a massive departure for the company. Any switch from its proprietary operating system to Android would be game changing.
Both the Nintendo Wii and the Wii U use an operating system which Nintendo developed itself, but it is considering a move to adopt Google’s Android system. The Nikkei report cites an unnamed insider who claims that the move is partly designed to attract more developers to the platform.
However there are fears that this could lead to mixed results for Nintendo. Android is a hugely popular platform with developers, but most of them have never created a game that is as high quality as a home console game. Nintendo could risk a plethora of sub-standard games being released on its new console and dragging down the reputation of the brand, or it could encourage a wave of innovative developers to raise their standards.
Home consoles continue to evolve
It is thought that the next Nintendo home console is codenamed Nintendo NX, but very little details are known about it at this moment. The existing Wii U has proved to be unpopular with consumers, and analysts believe that the company is pressing on with the development of the next generation console as a result.
Despite alleged plans for a quicker than usual release of the new console, it is not thought that it will be ready for the E3 video game conference this year. Speculation about what will be revealed at the conference is heating up, with attendees expecting major announcements from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.
Home consoles continue to become increasingly integrated with other forms of technology that we use everyday.
