Nintendo NX Will be VR Based

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With rumours of the Wii U's demise abound, and all talk about the next console, it was only a matter of time before we started to see the first details of their next console, the Nintendo NX. We've been patiently waiting for news on the system since it was first announced last year, and today the Big N finally gave us the news we were waiting for. The NX is coming later this year and will be called the "New Wii U", keeping in line with Nintendo's current naming conventions for their console range. The NX name will live on however.

One of the big things that has been talked about is the fact that the console will be a hybrid of mobile and home console and that is indeed true. The big feature with the New Wii U is the optional VR unit, similar in scope to Sony's PlayStation VR or Oculus' Rift unit. The difference though is that the headset can operate on its own. The device, which has been named the NX after the internal codename for the new console, has the ability to be connected wirelessly to Nintendo's new console, adding much needed power via 3 co-processing units in the headset itself (one dedicated to physics and two to add some graphical grunt). If you're on your way out and want to play on the move though, the unit is portable and can play self contained games, which can be installed on the device's 768mb of flash storage. 

Saisho Fourtsuki, spokesperson for Nintendo stated:

"The Wii U has been a great success, with games such as Mario Kart 8, Super SmashBros Wii U and Splatoon already available and brilliant games such as Star Fox Zero and Paper Mario Color Splash coming later this year. Nonetheless, our customers have been very clear with us in what they wanted. This is why we will be bringing a more powerful experience with the New Wii U, giving four times the graphical power of the Wii U and a format that can be taken anywhere.

The New Wii U VR unit

As part of the Pokémon 20 celebrations, the device will launch with an exclusive Pokémon game, dubbed Pokemon VR. As expected, the latest entry in the Legend of Zelda franchise, now officially dubbed Zelda VR, will be a launch title for the New Wii U as well as one of the last major releases for the Wii U (where it will be just called The Legend of Zelda). A WarioWare and Mario Tennis game are also expected for launch, as of yet we don't have any more details on these. 

The console is backwards compatible with Wii and Wii U titles, but not with earlier systems. The control pad and VR unit will not be purchasable separately at launch, but Nintendo were tight lipped as to whether this would change during the life of the console or not. Previous control pads, Wii Remotes and USB controllers will be usable on the device, but no other accessories. 

The console will be available from November 28th in Europe and North America, with a Japanese release two weeks earlier on the 14th. There will be multiple bundles available at launch:

• The "New Wii U Bundle" comes with a Wii U Control Pad and an as yet unnamed game.
• The "New VR Wii U Bundle" comes with the VR unit and a game but no control pad. Players can use existing Wii Remotes to control games.
• The "New Wii U Bundle VR"  comes with a Wii Remote, control pad, VR unit and a game.
• The New Wii U VR Bundle" comes with a Wii Remote, vertical stand, VR unit and a game.
• The "VR New Wii U bundle" comes with the VR unit, control pad, a Wii Remote, a game, a 2gb memory card and a vertical stand. This edition comes in red to match the colour scheme of the VR unit itself, all other models are white.

Remember to keep an eye here on GameGrin and we will bring you more news of the latest creation from Nintendo as it comes in.