Nintendo made a lot of big announcements early this morning, as they released their financial reports in Japan. The first bombshell stated that their new NX system would be released in March 2017.
March 2017 the next generation of #Nintendo arrives! #NX pic.twitter.com/xrAOSk0tLm
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 27, 2016
Of course, they still haven’t even said what NX really is yet. No confirmation if it’s a home console, a portable, or a combination of the two (as some rumors suggest). And are they really going to launch a system in March? Nintendo consoles have traditionally launched in autumn (generally September through November), so it remains to be seen if they really stick to this.
Then they announced that Zelda Wii U will be delayed again, until 2017! It will be released simultaneously with a NX version–much like how Twilight Princess was a dual GameCube/Wii release.
The new Legend of #Zelda will be the focus of #E3 2016. It will launch simultaneously on both Wii U and NX in 2017 pic.twitter.com/icfBlybnkm
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 27, 2016
That is a big disappointment. Not only because I’ve been really looking forward to the game, but also, this means the Wii U will be in its 5th year before it finally gets a Zelda game (that isn’t a port of an older game). That’s just so typical of how poorly Nintendo has supported Wii U throughout most of its lifetime. Once Wii U was released, Nintendo never seemed to shift their focus from 3DS to Wii U, often treating Wii U (and Wii U owners) like an afterthought, while they continued to pump out 3DS games constantly.
And with no Zelda in 2016, what exactly do Wii U users have to look forward to for the rest of the year? It’s looking pretty bleak. For Nintendo’s sake, I hope they support NX better than they’ve supported Wii U.
And then there was this:
More #Nintendo apps are coming to smart devices, including Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing! pic.twitter.com/ZLsHirPltM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 27, 2016
Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing apps are coming to smart devices. “Apps” is the key word here, and we don’t really know what that means. Will they be full games, spin-offs, or something else entirely? We don’t know.
A press release from Nintendo UK states that the Animal Crossing app will “be connected with the world of Animal Crossing for dedicated gaming systems.” That seems to indicate the app may not be a full Animal Crossing game on its own, although it also states it will “have more prominent game elements” than Miitomo.
Saying that it will connect with the world of Animal Crossing for dedicated gaming systems seems to imply that a full AC game is on the way as well (presumably for NX). The app is scheduled to be released later this year.
The app could potentially be the third consecutive Animal Crossing spin-off (after Happy Home Designer and Amiibo Festival) since we’ve last seen a full game in the series. And I’m not particularly excited about the app, but it’s hard to have much of an opinion on it until we know what it is.
This is pure speculation, but I could see it including the ability to create and customize your character (including hair and skin color), shop for clothes and accessories each day, and so on. Or maybe it will allow you to design your house, yard, or even the layout of your town! That would be cool. And then when the full game comes out, you could import that data. At this point, only Nintendo knows.
But if a new, full Animal Crossing game is on the way, that is what I’m really looking forward to. What about you? Are you excited about the apps? Mad about the Zelda delay? Curious about NX?
Typo: “Will U”
Fixed. Thanks.
Animal crossing for sure! I’m a huge Zelda fan and it’s slightly disappointing but if we can get a definite animals cords in on the NX…. All forgiven.
MY (VERY LONG) THOUGHTS ON THE NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
I think that the NX will be a combination of the two myself.
As for Zelda being delayed, I’m sad but not surprised. I suspected it would happen anyway because Nintendo has liked to delay quite a few of their games on the Wii U.
As for the Animal Crossing app… HYPE! I don’t care for Fire Emblem. After being disappointed in Miitomo (hardly a game than a social space) I am hoping that this will live up to the series’ reputation. (When will we hear more about Pokemon Go?)
The Wii U will end with the same fate as the Wii. Apart from Skyward Sword, the Wii had almost no interesting games released for the final year of its lifespan. I mean sure, we have Paper Mario: Color Splash, but that looks like a rip-off of Sticker Star which was a terrible game. And we have Mario & Sonic at the 2016 Olympics but that series got stale after what, the first two games? I’m surprised people are still buying them, they’ve gone on long enough.
R.I.P. Wii U. Fun, but cannot and will not compare to the N64, GameCube or Wii. (WHEN WILL WE HAVE ANOTHER “PROPER” 3D MARIO????)
P.S. Sorry that this is REALLY long, good luck reading all of it without falling asleep xD
Yeah, the combo is intriguing. If that’s what it ends up being, I’m interested in hearing the details of how it will work.
Zelda games often seem to get delayed repeatedly. I think the problem is just that Nintendo announces them too early, when development has likely only just begun.
Yeah, as much as I love Splatoon and a few others, Wii U seems to have the weakest library of any of Nintendo’s home consoles. When a system has very little third-party support, a strong first-party lineup is even more important, and Nintendo didn’t deliver. If NX is truly a combo system, that should help: All of Nintendo’s resources could go into one platform.
I’m guessing I’m the only one not excited for smartphone Nintendo games. I’d much rather have an actual game, than a smartphone one. They take up too much battery, and a system optimized for the game style is what I think the games should be put on. A small scale AC spinoff would be fine…but if they’re putting all the AC attention onto a smartphone game, I won’t be too happy.
Miitomo is ok but it seems to use a lot of data on my iPhone. But If the AC app is cool I’ll get it. And I hope they make it for the NX! Nintendo made us wait for the 3DS. And really disappointed us with the Wii U version. Hopefully we won’t need to wait for the NX version and we can get a real AC game ASAP! And maybe Nintendo can bring in some games like Call of Duty. I had COD Ghosts for the Wii U but I sold it because it wasn’t to good like it was on the PS4. And would you like to see a Splatoon on the NX?? I am not sure about that one… But who knows what will come in 2017! But I think Nintendo would do good if they made a new Splatoon and Mario Kart bundled with the NX.. And maybe even an Animal Crossing!
I would love to see a Splatoon sequel on NX, but not right away. In my opinion, the NX needs a true 3D Mario (whether it’s Galaxy 3 or something brand-new) and a new Animal Crossing near launch. Splatoon 2 would be great for the NX’s 2nd year or so.
I think Mario Kart is getting a bit stale. I’d rather see a new F-Zero, Wave Race, or something new as their first NX racing game.
I just hope whatever they do with AC, they do it well. All this ‘side’ stuff like the AC plaza for Wii U, HHD and Amiibo has got me really fed up, and NL is getting old for a lot of people now. They need to release a new full game soon or the hype will get old, too.
Yeah HHD and Amiibo fest are boring. And yes ACNL is getting old now
If they do end up making it both portable and a home console I feel that they will either use cartridges (3DS size) or maybe make it all digital downloads.
I’ve been hearing a lot of stuff on the NX personally I never got a Wii U because none of the games looked interesting to me by the time games that looked fun.(to me)were out the Wii U already was on its 3rd or so year. I was disappointed on the New 3Ds XL (they didn’t even come up with a new name) the only feature on it that is cool is the built in amiibo support. I’m hoping (if anything) that The NX is either a home and travel system or a home system I would hate if they came out with another handheld system mostly because I just got my New 3Ds XL a year ago and they already released the 2ds. I’m very exited for the animal crossing app I dknt think they will do a full ac game for free so hopefully they do a free demo and then charge for the full version rather pay for a full new game then get something like HHD or amiibo festival for free (it can’t cost that much as an app)
Anyway thank you for reading! Sorry it was so long. I had a lot to say. XD