430°

Nintendo NX Will Be ‘Dead In The Water’ If It Costs $399 – Michael Pachter

"If the NX is really a handheld with a docking station, it could have trouble getting noticed," says Pachter.

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gamingbolt.com
Neonridr3192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

Wouldn't be a day at N4G if we didn't get a Doom and Gloom prediction from Pachter regarding Nintendo.

"but I don’t want to guess" - isn't that all you ever do Mikey?

DillyDilly3192d ago

The Sony fans will agree with him if he says something positive about Sony though lol

3192d ago
3192d ago
wonderfulmonkeyman3191d ago

@ Shin
Dunno about you, but I don't care if Fudge-Pachter is praising or dissing; he's cancerous to the community, and I just want someone to use several dozen rolls of mouth-restraining duct tape on him.

"Silence is Golden, Duct Tape is Silver."

Aenea3192d ago

Pachter's predictions are either totally crap or so easy that my cat could have predicted it!

Don't listen to this guy!

badz1493192d ago

your cat is possessed!

NecoTehSergal3192d ago

It's a logical analysis. Nintendo sales are at majority, from the Casuals, the soccer moms, the kids who ask for the next Nintendo console. If it's too overpriced to the majority-demographic (Obviously not the hardcore gamers/fans) then it won't sell, just as Wii U didn't sell - no matter how hard they tried to milk the 'Wii' name to the next-generation. Wii U was overpriced in their individual-markets eyes, and thus no one bought it. The 'screen controller gimmick' was not enough to convince the casuals that they needed it. Nintendo is in a position where they can only release a console that's $199-$299 max - if they go higher? It'll be Wii U all over again in terms of sales.

Neonridr3192d ago

There is no sales figures to back up that claim with the Wii U. Clearly it did not attract the casuals, only the ones who actually knew about the system.

Plus I don't know how many prior to the original Wii would have bought a Nintendo system.

I will agree with your point about $299 though. It can't cost as much / more than a PS4 Slim if it's not as powerful. Regardless if you can take it with you.

I would have to think $249 would be the sweet spot for Nintendo if they can somehow manage it.

Omnislashver363192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

Well they could have released a $299-$399 home console that would have attracted core gamers. There are TONS of PS4/Xbox gamers that would throw down on a Nintendo if they came up with a competant home console. This mobile/console hybrid idea though is going to be too underpowered and overpriced for core gamers to care.

NecoTehSergal3192d ago

@Neon - The thing is, it doesn't matter if Nintendos' console is weak or strong - the only complication with that is the variability on if they can strike up 3rd-party deals again, cause if they don't? They're still going to fail due to a lack of games. Prior Nintendo consoles, prior to the Wii, were successes due to the insane library of games it had, from Non-Nintendo Golden Sealed games to Pro-Nintendo or 1st party or 2nd party exclusives. They lost a LOT of friends and allies because of the Wii and Wii U, which is bad coming from the part that Activision and EA basically dropping them is a huge red flag.

To me, Nintendo has to make games that can appease the hardcore - which isn't too hard imo - but also make games that the children would go crazy for outside of Pokemon, and likely to make games that are cemented at Half-Price. Think of it as a smart strategy where if Nintendo sported games that no one would be wiser in differentiating quality between the consoles? But Nintendo/Mario/Zelda games were $30-$40? Where their software to sell the hardware was 'Not as high as rival platforms'? They'd simply win on that alone in my mind - at the same time try to come up with more new IPs like they did with Splatoon. The only game they themselves made prior was Pikmin and that was basically a decade ago, it took them too long to make a new game IP instead of just BUYING IP's from other studios and taking it under their wing.

$249 would be a sweet spot. Just, as Yahtzee puts it? They can't stroke off both the hardcore and casual at the same time, they keep convincing themselves that they know what they're doing - but it's clear they don't and using the Charmful label of them being innovators can only remain true for as long as the chloroform-stained-rag remains effective to put victims to sleep and the time it takes before they wake up.

gedden73192d ago

Wrong it was because it was not on the same level (graphically) as the other systems but costed the same.... Nintendo fans spend a lit of money on Nintendo products... U got be kidding.

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fenome3192d ago

It just depends on what it is, I skipped out on the Wii U but I'm hoping they pull me back in with their next console. They're great for local co-op and that's something that's definitely lacking on other systems.

Nintentional3192d ago

A $199 console would not be powerful enough to get 3rd parties on board to make games, Michael Pachter -__-
Does this guy not think before opening his mouth??

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3191d ago
Maybay3192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

That "$399" price depends on a number of factors. It could be a device that functions like a console, which could then be turned into a handheld platform for on the go gaming. There could be a "basic model" and "premium edition," (like the Wii U had) which the latter nets you two gaming platforms for the $399 price point.

The "must haves" for Nintendo's NX platforms are;

1.)Region-free hardware

2.)Speedy OS

3.)Frequent Nintendo developed software releases

4.)Up-to-date online system (offer free service, with a subscription option for those that want retro classics and such)

5.)Third party support

Number 5 is more of a wish than reality (yes they will have third party titles, though the likes of The Witcher and such might not be expected), though if Nintendo can make their console developer friendly, they can dig out a niche market for third parties who'll make a decent enough amount to make releases more abundant.

gameseveryday3192d ago

Despite the feature set, the NX needs to be $349. If Sony cuts the price of both PS4 and Pro, then NX will have an uphill battle.

ninjazfistz3192d ago

I expect them to sell NX in two pieces. The handheld which most people will start out on, and the NX base station which will upscale and improve graphic fidelity. Handheld will probably be $299 or less. The base station/controllers could be expensive as its optional.

_-EDMIX-_3192d ago

@Rashid- agreed.

@ninjaz- I think that's very likely as well but I personally think it's a bad idea. I think they're probably better off just making a handheld with the ability to out to the TV.

I agree that the base to upscale or increase performance needs to be optional and I personally believe that the handheld for most should have the ability to play on the TV without the base station.

To try to lock the feature to out to the TV on the base station I think it's going to be a bad idea and will leave consumers feeling that they're being ripped off especially considering the PSP 2000 and 3000 have the ability to play off of a TV relatively simply.

It's not going to look like you need the base station to play it on the TV it's just going to look like Nintendo wants to make you pay extra for a feature they very much easily could have included on the handheld natively.

ninjazfistz3192d ago

I agreed with you because you want that as an option...but that doesn't mean they would have to sacrifice a base station console connection to allow a regular output. They could probably sell a small adapter as well. We shall see soon enough.

NotEvenMyFinalForm3192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

@ninjazfistz, never thought about it like that but that'd be kinda smart.

iTechHeads3192d ago

It's a handheld. Think: 4DS.

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Veneno3192d ago

It also has to have backwards compatibility. I think casuals care about this feature.

FreeSpeech693192d ago

It can't be backwards compatible to Wii U, but they may include 3DS backwards Compatibility if it really is a handheld.

CrimsonWing693192d ago

Number 5 is the only thing that will keep them afloat. They cannot survive on only first party games.

FreeSpeech693192d ago

I disagree because Nintendo fans don't buy 3rd party games. They Only need 3rd Party games if their goal was be the dominate console like 360 was and PS4 is. Clearly as long Nintendo's console is weak and doesn't have basic online functionality nobody will buy the multiplats on it.

wonderfulmonkeyman3191d ago (Edited 3191d ago )

Well, until you can prove that Sony and Microsoft gamers would go to NX for their third party multiplats instead, there's no evidence proving that third party multiplats are what will keep it afloat.
The install bases from the PS4 and XB1 aren't going to magically jump ship to Nintendo for multiplats that they can already get on their current none-Nintendo system.

What Nintendo needs are new IP's and exclusives, alongside more collaborative projects, like Hyrule Warriors, which will get these big names used to working with Nintendo again after three gens of doing a lot of things wrong towards Nintendo fans, up to and including ignoring them entirely.

FreeSpeech693192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

Region Free Hardware has Basically no effect on sales. "Speedy OS" this means absolutely nothing, Wii U is Unix based I'd figure that would be the same for NX. "Frequent Nintendo developed software" this is already the case with Wii U. "Up to date online system", that will never happen but I doubt that's really hurting Nintendo given how successful Splatoon was even with it's shitty online system. "Third Party Support", Wii didn't have much 3rd Party support that anyone cared about and still sold more than 360/PS3, Gamecube had good amount of 3rd Party Support but failed. What Nintendo needs to do is make a console that excites people. More of the same will fail.

wonderfulmonkeyman3191d ago

Making it region free, in this case, actually would have a positive effect on sales, IMO.
Know why?
Image.
It would change a part of Nintendo's image in the public eye, and that in and of itself would help sales.
All those people in the states that want the Japanese versions of games due to differing content between versions?
They'd have the option without buying a separate regional console.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3191d ago
DefenderOfDoom23192d ago

Pachter admitting not enough info about Nintendo NX to give a real prediction about NX . Sounds right to me .

I think the majority kids over 10 are going to ask their parents to buy them Sony VR for holidays . I was amazed by Sony VR demo and i am in my late 40's . Kids must be very excited for Sony VR.

3192d ago Replies(6)
DefenderOfDoom23192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

I did say 'kids over 10' . But good to know that N4G community is concerned about child safety .

3192d ago
superchiller3192d ago

Well, it doesn't bode well for the NX that Nintendo is too afraid to even announce it and provide specs/details about what it actually is. It's kind of pointless to talk about the price when no details about the NX have been released.

At this point, the vast majority of the gaming community has moved on from Nintendo products, as the 8th generation of consoles matures and evolves. There really isn't much room for Nintendo's gaming products in the market anymore, sadly.

Neonridr3192d ago

lol.. besides in the top selling game charts and award categories right?

TheUndertaker853192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

WiiU is "top selling"?

Must've missed that memo along the times of both PS4 and Xbox One passing it in sales after coming out a year later.

Neonridr3192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

@TheUndertaker85 - I know asking people to actually read a post can be both time consuming and boring for some, but my sentence was short enough that expecting someone to read the words "top selling GAME charts" shouldn't be too much to ask for, should it?

Their GAMES sell in droves.

TheUndertaker853192d ago

@Neonridr: Oh I know. It must be difficult to accept the WiiU doesn't top any charts and actually counts as a Nintendo product.

Pulling ones nose out of Nintendo's ass shouldn't be that difficult either. Nor stating a fact.

Neonridr3192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

@TheUndertaker85 - you know what? That their games sell in droves? Or that you didn't bother reading my comment to begin with?

So their hardware is weak, and sells a fraction of the others. Yet their first party stuff sells millions more than the competition even though less people have the opportunity to buy it. Not to mention how many games like Mario and Zelda have won GOTY and gone on to sell millions upon millions of copies?

Wanna wager that Breath of the Wild is going to be in the running for GOTY next year? Oh and that title was developed for the Wii U, demoed on the Wii U at E3.

At the end of the day, clearly you don't like Nintendo and that's fine. My Wii U sits happily along side my PS4. I get some amazing titles out of both machines... nothing wrong with that.

TheUndertaker853192d ago (Edited 3192d ago )

@Neonridr: Selling "in droves" again, does not make Nintendo the top software nor hardware seller with the WiiU.

We could always talk about the Virtual Boy too. It sure sold both hardware and software "in droves". How about the iteration of the 3DS known as 2DS? N64 and GameCube also weren't top selling.

Oh sorry. I see you'd much rather be choosy about what is affiliated with Nintendo and continue to steer the conversation in another direction so long as Nintendo comes out on top.

iplay1up23192d ago

People do not look at the fact that Wii U only has sold 13 million, but the attachment rate for their games is insane! Also Nintendo owns the hand held market, no hater can say they don't.

NX, BOTW day 1!

Neonridr3192d ago

@TheUndertaker85 - the Virtual Boy? Jesus you really are grasping at straws. How about the R.O.B. the Robot attachment for the NES, that sold like shit. Nintendo must be a crappy company because of it.

Give me a break. N64 gave us arguably two of the greatest games ever created in Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time. If you want to be that guy that can disagree with that, then enjoy your time on that lonely island.

Again, we are still talking about software sales, always have been.. so not sure why we are steering into hardware. But you think Sony sits back and is proud of the Vita and how much it has "accomplished" it has barely sold more than the Wii U, which by your stretch is such a disaster. The 3DS is killing the Vita week in and week out in the sales charts, but No, oh no, ignore that fact. Let's bring up the 2DS instead like that is some sort of bargaining chip.. :/

FreeSpeech693192d ago

Wii U failed, get over it.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3192d ago
CorndogBurglar3192d ago

That isn't true at all. If Nintendo would put out a proper console, that was powerful enough to hang with the current gen, then it would do fine. But it needs to get away from the gimmicks.

The last good console they put out was Gamecube. Even the Wii, which sold gangbusters, drew the interest of the non-gaming crowd. I mean, we had people's grandparents buying it, if for nothing else than the exercise games.

However, if Nintendo wants to truly compete, they need to quit with the gimmicks and do a proper console that has the hardware to back up it up. They've already got the exclusives. Those aren't going anywhere.

V0LT3192d ago

Give me a proper Mario Tennis and I'd pay 399.

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60°

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 devs praise games like Space Marine 2 for "lowering the barrier"

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 developers discuss the huge success of Space Marine 2 and its effect on the series as a whole.

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videogamer.com
220°

Phil Spencer Teases 2026 As A "Really Special Year" For Xbox

2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and Phil Spencer has teased it as a "really special year" for the games division.

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twistedvoxel.com
TheEroica14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

You got downvotes by pathetic gamers for feeling hopeful about good games coming out next year. Imagine how small your brain must be to downvote someone excited for future gaming joy? It is pretty neat to see people's world view blow up in front of them as they realize Microsoft has put themselves in a driver's seat that Sony hasn't been able to touch all generation.... What's even more pathetic is the same people downvoting you are the same people wishlisting Microsoft games on their ps5s 😂

P_Bomb11h ago

“Imagine how small your brain must be to downvote someone excited for future gaming joy?”

My dude your post history shits on EVERYTHING. You never have a good thing to say about anything lol! 🤣

PanicMechanic3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

“Getting ready for those GaaS reveals! Sony is a shadow of themselves this gen.”

You literally said this a couple of days ago. Start applying the clown make up, you hypocritical jester

derek12h ago

Yep we'll see, they have alot releasing next year.

RaidenBlack9h ago

NGL, next year might be one of the best years in gaming ... starting off with RE9 and GTA VI ...
and then all the good games that's been cooking
Pragmata, Sands of Time, Saros, Gears E-Day, 007 First Light, Blood of Dawnwalker,
Mortal Shell II, Onimusha, Marvel1943: Rise of Hydra
current-gen only Infinity Ward's CoD, Duskbloods
+ My guess: Wolverine, Exodus, Mudang, Crimson Desert, Clockwork etc ...
~ seems like it might get too stacked

1Victor7h ago

@rokos:”Hopefully “
I downvoted you not for been hopeful but because I have seen the same “NEXT YEAR WILL BE SPECIAL “ comment for the last 10+ and hasn’t seen anything special from Microsoft.
I hope next year will be the one that everyone been waiting for since the last 3 years of the Xbox 360, it have to be after over $80 billions spent on acquisitions.

Lightning776h ago

So the new excuse is they don't count because it's from the ABK now huh. I guess all those 3rd party games count even less because they don't own them. According to your always crappy logic.

OtterX18h ago

Always with the "next year..."! 😂

neutralgamer199216h ago

I don't know they have delivered this year and even last year. And they have a lot more content in the pipeline right now than anyone else. We can't just keep hating on MS

Indiana Jones
South of midnight
Avowed
Flight simulator
Hell Blade 2
Minecraft update
Gears of war reloaded
Indian Jones:expansion
Gears E day
Clockwork revolution
Fable
Doom the dark ages
The outer worlds 2
Grounded 2
Call of duty

OtterX16h ago

How many of those titles were just buyouts of companies that were going about making their games anyways? *Throws cash - "Oh look what we made!"

dveio16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

This list, that's been posted again, and again, and again in every single topic like this, contains almost nothing, literally almost nothing from Microsoft's own creational thoughtprocess.

It's a bunch of former 3rd party IPs.

Now even slowly returning to Playstation in some cases like Indiana, Hellblade, probably Starfield soon too, after they were made exclusively to Xbox on purpose.

Due to Microsoft's lack for own IP material except Halo & Forza. Which, the lack of, was the sole reason for all of it to happen in the first place anyway. Please don't pretend it wasn't.

And just look at all the games that come from Obsidian alone.

You really think Obsidian wasn't already working on Avowed and South of Midnight even without Microsoft buying Zenimax?

Microsoft delivered nothing but cheques.

OtterX16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

@dveio THIS. Lol, this dude thinks Call of Duty wouldn't exist without Microsoft! smh 😂

neutralgamer199216h ago(Edited 16h ago)

Common narrative I see often — that Microsoft shouldn’t get credit for the games its studios release because they “just bought them.” But this viewpoint ignores key context and sets a double standard that other platform holders aren’t held to

No one is saying these games wouldn't exist at all without Microsoft. But let’s not pretend that having a trillion-dollar company backing a studio doesn’t make a massive difference. Obsidian never had AAA funding before the Xbox acquisition. Pillars of Eternity was crowdfunded, and their resources were always stretched thin. Now they’re working on Avowed, with proper support behind it.

Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was made by around 20 people, using borrowed equipment and doing mocap in a boardroom. It was a passion project held together by tape and willpower. Today, Hellblade II exists because they were given resources, time, and freedom — something many developers don’t get unless they’re owned by a company that believes in their vision.

ZeniMax (Bethesda’s parent company) was in real financial trouble before the Microsoft acquisition. Reports and insider accounts have pointed out how much they needed a cash infusion. And while some people want to write off Xbox’s ownership of Bethesda titles, they forget the alternative could have meant layoffs or even closures.

The same goes for Activision Blizzard. Would you really prefer the company to stay under Bobby Kotick, after all the documented workplace misconduct and toxic leadership issues? Say what you want about Microsoft, but their acquisition brought accountability and change to a company that desperately needed it.

At the same time, Xbox gets hated on for doing what every major company does. Sony bought Housemarque, Bluepoint, Insomniac — but no one says Spider-Man 2 “doesn’t count” because of that. Why does Xbox get treated differently for acquiring struggling or undervalued developers and giving them a chance to thrive?

And the idea that Xbox locks games away is outdated. They're pushing cross-platform releases, cloud gaming, Game Pass, and backward compatibility more than any other platform holder. They're not forcing all studios into live service. If anything, their upcoming lineup is less GAAS-heavy and more focused on narrative and creativity — Avowed, South of Midnight, Clockwork Revolution, Fable, Perfect Dark, Towerborne, and others show real variety.

Whether people like it or not, Xbox is now the biggest publisher in the industry and owns the most gaming IPs. But what matters more is how they treat their studios. Most of these teams were previously stuck making AA games with limited scope — now they’re getting the tools and support to aim higher.

So when people say “Microsoft didn’t make those games,” they’re missing the point. It’s not about who started the studio — it’s about who enabled them to do their best work. You don’t have to love Xbox to admit they’ve helped a lot of developers and are taking a player-first approach.

Instead of writing off everything they do, maybe try recognizing the good they’re doing for both devs and gamers. At the end of the day, we should want more studios to succeed — no matter who owns them

BeHunted15h ago

I'm surprised Clockwork Revolution (BioShock meets Dishonored) isn't getting more media attention. The game looks interesting and reminds me of the old RPG games.

anast15h ago

The only good game on that list is Flight sim. The rest are either average or will be average. It's not a good look for MS.

TheEroica14h ago

My god.... Look how many comments are upset about microsoft's successes... 😂 This may be my new favorite thread. Not one gamer saying thanks for all the goodness coming their way, just bitter anger and downvoting the very games they themselves will purchase throughout 2026.... Sony really worked you guys over this generation.... Condolences.

DivineHand12513h ago

@neutralgamer1992 You said what needed to be said.

I have heard for years from older gamers that fanboys are the biggest issue with any fanbase. They will defend or gloss over negative news as long as the correct logo is on the box and they bash the competing platform no matter how much good they are trying to bring.

Right now their advocacy for PlayStation is elevating that platform so high that Sony no longer believes they need to do anything to satisfy their loyal fanbase like they did in the PS4 days.

I just hope most of them will eventually start advocating for themselves and encourage others to do the same. No one should blindly support one platform because these companies do not care about anything other than profit.

neutralgamer199213h ago

Hunted

And first proper game done by the studio with proper AAA budget and saying it will be released when ready

Anast

I believe we went through this before that you are objectively wrong. Meta critic, user reviews, game sales. In Playstation top 10 best selling games were 5 from Microsoft studios

Otter

No this dude is saying so many other studios wouldn't be thriving without MS money and people would be getting abused physically and mentally with Bobby kotick and his side kicks

Also maybe look up how the original founder of Bethesda and zenimax was kicked out of his own company by his best friend lawyer. So that was always a shady place and had been struggling financially before MS paid a premium of almost 7 billion

Eroica

I use to be a die hard Playstation fan and now I only have a Pc. I see how these fans are so toxic. They just can't handle any positive news regarding Xbox. When the best selling games on playstation are Xbox titles. Look at Forza horizon being best seller and that's years old game by MS. I guess ms don't deserve credit for that success too since they are the only company in gaming making acquisitions

Forget the fact Sony paid 3.6 billion for bungie and MS 6.9 for zenimax. Which investment has turned out better

Destiny and marathon with a lot of controversy

While zenimax output is nothing short of amazing compared to what bungie has released

crazyCoconuts13h ago

Yeah it's tricky. "Xbox" has morphed to mean different things to different people.
Console, now Windows, GamePass, and the cross platform games. There's a mix of attitudes towards all those things individually, and maybe an overarching attitude towards MS. But can't argue that the game companies MS recently bought continue to flourish, and GamePass PC has been a great value over the last year.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 13h ago
Lightning7714h ago(Edited 14h ago)

They've had good output so far. So waiting for those games shouldn't be a problem.

Who cares if they're buy outs of companies or whatever excuse you want to make. They're games that are being distributed to other console. Play the games and enjoy it instead of fanboying or complaining.

ocelot0716h ago

They going to be a he best and biggest publisher on Xbox, Playstation and PC next year. They not really said anything about Switch 2 though spite claiming to be big supporters.

quenomamen15h ago

If you call making one last Xbox before going full Sega, as Great. Then yea.

TheEroica14h ago

Doesn't feel like you're paying attention to what's happening.

RhinoGamer8815h ago

It will be, his net work will hit 50 million and he plans to buy a new mansion in Cape Cod. Thanks everyone! #failup

Show all comments (36)
80°

The Witcher 3 Immerse Gamepack — Product Introduction with Marcin Przybyłowicz

Join Marcin Przybyłowicz, Expert Composer at CD PROJEKT RED and the mind behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt OST, as he sets up Immerse Gamepack on PC and dives into Geralt's adventures like never before — with spatial audio powered by Embody.

2d ago