Nintendo NX Rumors: Tegra X2, EA And Modular Controllers

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It seems that every day there is some new and exciting news about the Nintendo NX console and the plans Nintendo has for its next-generation console. If you thought today was going to be any different, I am pleased to say you are wrong, as a few new plans/features are being talked about that could change everyone’s perception of what the NX will be or offer.

Nintendo NX and the Tegra X2 Chip

As recent as yesterday, the Nintendo NX was being compared to the likes of the PlayStation Neo, and in many reviewers’ eyes, it was falling short due to the lack of power provided by the Tegra X1 chip. However, new information recently reported by wiiudaily.com, Tweeted by @DirectFeedGames, and confirmed by individuals working on the NX suggest it will feature a Tegra chip, but it won’t be the X1. Instead, the Nintendo NX will be propelled to a new level of power thanks to the Tegra X2 chip.

It is apparent that most rumors until today based the Nintendo NX’s performance on the Tegra X1 with its four ARM Cortex-A53 cores and Maxwell-based graphics unit. However, with the Tegra X2 chip having four ARM Cortex-A57 cores and two Denver cores, plus Pascal architecture for its GPU, it will offer much faster communication between the CPU and GPU.

So does this mean that the Nintendo NX will be more powerful than the PlayStation Neo? Has Nintendo added the X2 Chip to be able to take advantage of virtual reality gaming? Watch this space; as soon as we know, we’ll let you know.

EA has plans for the NX

Recent rumors about Nintendo and its continued mission to get publishers on board before the launch of the Nintendo NX have reportedly been fruitful with a handful of top developers throwing their caps into the ring.

One of those publishers is EA, and while there does seem to be some level of cooperation between them both, there could be a problem or two. EA Vice President Patrick Soderlund recently spoke to the Game Informer about the company’s plans for the Xbox Scorpio, PlayStation Neo and Nintendo NX. While he had a lot to say about Sony’s and Microsoft’s offerings, his response concerning the Nintendo NX can only be described as diplomatic. He praised the company’s iconic status in the gaming world and its stable of impressive IP, but tabled other questions with a “wait and see” approach for his company’s support of the NX.

Here’s what he said:

“Nintendo is such an instrumental part of our whole industry. They deserve to be successful, and they deserve to be a major player in the business, given their pedigree. It’s not only the machines that they’ve built but also the IPs they’ve brought to market. There are very few companies like Nintendo. Whenever they bring something to market that we see an addressable market for, we’ll be there. Given that they haven’t announced [a new console] officially or shown it, I can’t comment specifically.”

Some commenters are suggesting that the above means EA is not thrilled at the thought of supporting a hybrid mobile/console. However, I would prefer to believe that EA is playing a waiting game and wants to see what Nintendo brings to the table with the NX device.

Nintendo NX could feature customisable buttons
Image Source: Nintendo Life

Next-gen Nintendo NX with modular controllers

Over the last few days, news has leaked about a Nintendo patent that suggests the device will come with modular controllers. The patent clearly shows a diagram of a central control unit that can be customized by a user, enabling the switching in and out of buttons, d-pads and analog sticks.

However, what is now known about this patent is whether the idea is something Nintendo is testing, thinking about, or actually plans to put into action with the Nintendo NX. I prefer to take this patent at face value and assume that the NX will come with fully modular controllers. The question, however, is whether they will be any good.

Rich McCormick of The Verge has taken the idea one step further and tried to imagine what the Nintendo NX’s controllers will be like to use. I have to say the idea is quite provocative, as the controller will enable users to break the cycle of buttons on the right and stick on the left which has been around for years.

Final thoughts

It looks like everything we thought we knew about the Nintendo NX could be thrown out the window if the Tegra X2 and modular controller rumors are accurate. Personally, I am starting to like the idea of a mobile/console hybrid that is not only powerful but also has a string of developers already on board and is customizable. Are you?

Do you have anything to say about the latest Nintendo NX news above? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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