Nintendo’s Next Dedicated Videogame Platform Is Codenamed “NX” [Update]

Nintendo may be teaming up with DeNA to create games for smartphones, but that doesn’t mean they intend to stop creating games for dedicated videogame platforms. In fact, their next dedicated videogame hardware is codenamed “NX,” company president Satoru Iwata revealed at a press event today.

Iwata said it is currently too early to reveal details on NX, but that more details on this device will be shared next year. He did not provide any further details regarding what shape the device would take, but has said in the past that Nintendo’s next home console and handheld will both share a similar architecture and operating system.

During the joint press conference with DeNA, Iwata clarified that Nintendo will not port videogames created for dedicated consoles to smart devices. He went on to say that Nintendo intends to use smartphone games to draw consumers to their dedicated videogame platforms, and that the company maintains its passion for dedicated game devices and game experiences that offer good value to customers.

Update: During a Q&A session, Iwata was asked why the company chose to announce its next dedicated videogame console during a press conference about their partnership with DeNA. He replied that Nintendo chose to make the NX announcement so people would understand that Nintendo are not exiting the dedicated videogame business, and that the company “will be progressing with dedicated videogame devices with passion”.