NX to meld mobile, console gaming with seamless syncing

Nintendo's unannounced NX hardware may feature a new "two parts of the same whole" kind of approach to games: smaller mobile-esque companion games for the handheld portion for on the go play, and full AAA games on the home console version--all on the same cartridge.

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For a long time I was thinking how Nintendo NX's hybrid hardware would work in terms of games: how would Nintendo effectively make a single game playable on a handheld and a home console? Now I might've found my answer. Ubisoft has told popular YouTuber Boogie2988 about the NX:

"Let's say you could play Assassin's Creed once you have your handheld plugged into your console. And then, you could then detach the thing and take it with you and play the Assassin's Creed mobile game out of your pocket. And then when you get back home, plug it directly in and now it attaches back to the... That's brilliant. That's smart, right? Taking a form of the game with you as you go. So he says it's a dream to code for," Boogie said at the Retropalooza convention.

So based on Boogie's quotes, the NX will have two parts: a dedicated home console, and a handheld. Both platforms may feature cross-platform syncing so you can easily transfer your content or save files to and from the console and handheld at whim.

The console would play full games and deliver traditional AAA gameplay, whereas the handheld would have smaller games that are specifically designed for mobile devices. But both of the "games" would be on the same cartridge, and still be tied into the same game--but the games would provide different experiences on either platform. This fits neatly with the reports that the NX's games will be cartridge based, and gamers could easily swap the cart from their console and handheld portions.

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(Photo credit: Tiny Cartridge)

The real magic here is that the games wouldn't be different--they'd be two sides of the same coin; if you're playing, say, Zelda Breath of the Wild on the NX home console, you'd still be playing Breath of the Wild on the handheld, but it'd just be a smaller, different version. The handheld version would be optimized for the mobile technology, with specific features and mechanics befit of the platform.

Read Also: Ubisoft says Nintendo will be 'back in the race' with NX

Basically think of the handheld version of an NX game as a dynamic mini-game of sorts that's built specifically for mobiles. I'm thinking that every section of NX games will have their own mobile section, effectively offering two games in one, and they'd interact with one another.

So if you took Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the go with the NX's handheld portion, you could play and unlock items or weapons or whatnot and then plug it into the console when you get home to keep on playing. It'd be seamless syncing, and I think it'd be absolutely fantastic for gaming.

Read Also: Nintendo NX might support Pokemon Go and other games

This seamless syncing could perfectly compliment each bit of hardware and fit right into the hybrid approach of Nintendo's new hardware. Plus it wouldn't absolutely kill Nintendo's super popular 3DS handheld lineup, as the 3DS would offer its own distinct on-the-go experiences.

Also remember that Nintendo hasn't unveiled anything just yet, and this is pure speculation on my part.

Nintendo is expected to unveil the NX sometime this month, especially if it wants to launch in March 2017.

Check below for everything we know about the NX so far, but remember that most of this info is unconfirmed and Nintendo hasn't revealed the system just yet.

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Everything we know about the Nintendo NX so far:

• Nintendo NX might be transforming hybrid handheld, not a console
• Nintendo NX to have AAA games from Square Enix, Ubisoft, Activision
• Pokemon CEO hints Nintendo NX is console handheld hybrid
• Pokemon games coming to Nintendo's next-gen NX console
• Nintendo expected to reveal its NX console in October
• Bethesda games could show up on Nintendo's new NX
• Nintendo NX dimensions and design possibly leaked
• Nintendo NX may have split D-pad and share button
• Nintendo admits it has to communicate better with the NX
• NVIDIA's new 'Parker' SoC should power Nintendo NX
• NX getting a MMORPG hints at home console component
• Nintendo NX graphics are between PS3 and PS4
• NVIDIA's new 'Parker' SoC should power Nintendo NX
• Nintendo NX will have Zelda, Mario and Pokemon games within 6 months
• Nintendo NX might support Pokemon Go and other mobile games
• Nintendo successfully patents external console upgrade box, could support the NX
• Ubisoft might've dropped some major Nintendo NX clues
• Nintendo is officially researching VR
• Nintendo NX might use both cartridges and discs
• Nintendo NX launches March 2017 globally
• Nintendo NX will launch with a 'full software lineup'
• Nintendo focusing on 'greatness of games' over hardware performance
• Nintendo says Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be an 'immediate reason' to buy an NX console
• Nintendo NX will powered by an NVIDIA Tegra processor, not an AMD chip
• The NX is rumored to feature gaming at 900p 60FPS with 4K video support
• The NX is rumored to use AMD's new 14nm Polaris GPU
• Devs claim the NX is incredibly easy to develop games for
• The NX won't have a disc drive, games will be on cartridges
• The console will also have a portable Wii U-like controller that allows gaming on-the-go somewhat like a 3DS
• The NX will support Frostbite, Unreal Engine 4 and Unity
• Nintendo's new console will also interact with smartphones and PCs as well as existing Nintendo hardware like the Wii U and 3DS handheld