E3 2016 has long since come and gone, and as expected, there was no news regarding the Nintendo NX – the company’s upcoming console, set to launch sometime next year. However, as Sony confirmed the existence of it PlayStation Nee just before E3, and Microsoft revealed Project Scorpio, the company’s next big console, the Nintendo NX is certainly in store for some major competition from its rivals.
Yesterday, a rumor surfaced that new Pokémon, Mario, and Zelda titles could potentially be released for the Nintendo NX within its first six months on the market. Despite this potentially game-changing initial line-up from first-party developers, Nintendo is also working with third parties to aid in rounding out the lineup. Additionally, the report stated that the supposedly “mobile-home hybrid console” would have graphical horsepower that fell somewhere between the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. All of these rumors beg the question as to just how much gamers should be expecting to pay for a console that’s not quite up to current-gen standards.
Nintendo NX To Be Cheaper Than Rivals?
According to a group of UK videogame retailers, the Nintendo NX should sell for a sub £200 (about $260) price point. As stated in a report by MCV, the website surveyed a number of UK retailers (the exact number isn’t noted) believe that this price range is “essential” for Nintendo to find success again after the disastrous retail performance of the Wii U.
Nintendo has traditionally offered its consoles at lower prices than the competition. At the time of its release, in the United States, the Nintendo DS retailed for $149, while the Wii launched at a $250 price point, despite the breakthrough technology it offered.
Initial reports suggested that the NX was going to retail at a similar price point to those of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, since the console was originally rumored to be as powerful as a PS4. “When the Wii U was launched, the yen was very strong,” said Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima. “I am assuming that situation will not repeat itself. Selling at a loss at launch would not support the business, so we are keeping that mind in developing NX.”
Success To Come By A Cheap Price Point
However, a recent report disputes this and suggests that upcoming console may actually be a lot cheaper than expected. “This is a machine that is targeting the mass market price,” Ben Parfitt of MCV writes. “Price is one Wii U mistake Nintendo is determined not to repeat. This could NX’s single biggest win.”
“The games industry sorely misses a strong Nintendo,” said one major UK buyer. “If the NX reports are true, I’m optimistic. But only if the machine is significantly cheaper than PS4 and Xbox.”
Another retailed executive said that he believes that the “NX could be exactly what the market needs. A £150 to £200 price point would guarantee a far stronger start that either the Wii U or 3DS.”
Nintendo has not yet confirmed or denied the widespread rumors that the NX will be playable both at home on television sets as well on the go, let alone comment on what they plan to sell the console for. The company has reportedly planned a release date for some time during March of next year. Some recent reports have linked the console to a full, official unveiling sometime next month, potentially at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show.