According to the Wall Street Journal, Nintendo Co. has begun distributing software development kits of their upcoming console. The code name for the hardware in development is the Nintendo NX. We have heard talk about it from the recently passed President of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata back in March of this year. To see that they're already shipping out development kits means that a need for new games has already started. There is a good chance that news like this could reveal a new Nintendo console as early as next year.

Those who have received the kits have stated the shape of the Nintendo NX is unclear, but that it will likely include a home version along with a portable counterpart somewhat similar to the Wii U. It'd be interesting to see the console evolve to a point where you can pause the game, grab your gamepad on the way out the door, and pick up where you left off on the bus or train. That's a way of gaming I could totally get behind! It's also been discussed that Nintendo will be including top of the line graphics processing chips in their new console. Graphical limitations were one of the major complaints about the Wii U system, and competing against the PS4 and Xbox One will be difficult without these improvements.

It will be interesting to hear more about the Nintendo NX in the coming months, and I'll be surprised if we don't see something about it at E3 2016. In the mean time all we can do is wonder what the future of the Wii U will look like and where that shiny new Legend of Zelda game is going...

Source: Wall Street Journal