Nintendo NX Release & Specs: No 2016 Console Launch; Nintendo President Confirms 'Brand New Concept' [Report]

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Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima released a Christmas message addressed to the company's shareholders over the weekend and, among the important points, the executive confirmed that Nintendo is indeed working on the NX console.

The message was posted on the official site for Nintendo and Kimishima told shareholders that the company is "currently developing a gaming platform codenamed 'NX' with a brand-new concept." He also added that new console will usher in maximized use of how its gamers navigate around the Nintendo IP. "Our unique software-led hardware-software integrated business will continue to constitute the core business for Nintendo," Kimishima added.

Following the president's message, analysts predict the NX console isn't actually coming in 2016. "The NX won't come out in 2016. Nintendo has a history of announcing consoles in one year and launching the next, and I don't see the NX as deviating from that pattern," said Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities via Games Industry.

His sentiments were echoed by David Cole of DFC Intelligence, who stated in the same report that aside from no launch in 2016, Nintendo will not make grand revelations about its new console. "Nintendo learns from past mistakes and focuses on getting many developers on board with top-end content for a stellar launch," Cole stated.

On the other hand, Billy Pidgeon, an independent analyst, is more optimistic about Nintendo's plans. "I believe Nintendo's new network and hardware will deliver an evolved multiplayer gameplay experience. NX will rightly be positioned as a system and network separate from Wii U and 3DS," he predicted. Inquisitr reported that Nintendo NX could go with a digital-only game production and it's already tapping support from third-party game developers and producers.

In fact, software developer kits for the console were given to different companies back in October, per The Wall Street Journal. This will enable game developers to modify existing games or create new ones in preparation for Nintendo NX's launch.

Softpedia reported that the Nintendo NX is set for test run this coming spring, while full production is set to start later in the season in time for a presumed summer launch. More official revelations to the gaming console might come from the company by February or March 2016.

The news outlet also suggested the console will be distributed with 12 million units to compete with current console leaders Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One. Expected titles for the launch will include the gaming company's famous titles like "Mario" and "Zelda."