The Nintendo NX will be a hybrid home-handheld console
Yesterday, the Pokémon Company’s CEO confirmed Nintendo NX was going to be a home-handheld console hybrid. Tsunekazu Ishihara also disclosed his company would create exclusive Pokémon games for the system.
Since Pokémon’s release in 1996, the franchise has become one of the most popular video game series of all time. Having sold over 279 million units worldwide, Pokémon is also the third best-selling video game only bested by Mario and Tetris.
Sales of Pokémon products have risen even further after mobile game Pokémon Go became a global phenomenon, having been downloaded on smartphones more than 500 million times all over the world since its launch in July.
Therefore, Nintendo wants its next-generation hybrid, to combine features of traditional consoles and handheld devices, to offer attractive game titles from the get-go. So, Nintendo is counting on affiliate Pokémon+ to replicate its success on the NX.
Pokémon Go has been very profitable
Nintendo, 32% owner of The Pokémon Company, claimed Pokémon Go would have limited impact on its earnings because the company does not outright sell the game. However, the augmented reality title added $9 billion in market value to Nintendo.
Additionally, research firms such as App Annie estimate the smartphone game has generated over $700 million in revenue. Despite being free to download, Pokémon Go allows players to pay for in-game items like Poké Balls to catch the creatures or incense to lure them.
Player-vs-player battles and character trades are some of Pokémon Go’s upcoming features. Niantic is going to release the features slowly. The company is going to wait until the players totally adapt to the new combat system in Pokémon Go.
Nintendo wants to seize Pokémon’s momentum
The Japanese multinational is looking to pair its next game system with Pokémon games as soon as the codenamed Nintendo NX hit stores in March 2017. Although Ishihara confirmed his company would make Pokémon titles for the NX, he did not say if they would be available when Nintendo’s hardware launches.
Pokémon Go has attracted new consumers and recaptured old fans of the franchise that could turn their attention to other Pokémon titles like the new Nintendo 3DS exclusives Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon due out on November 18.
Source: The Wall Street Journal