Nintendo boss Iwata has explained a little more about the Nintendo NX in a recently translated interview as part of Nintendo's financials.
In the interview, he states that the new system will be "a dedicated platform with a brand new concept" and explains that he wanted to reveal it early to head off any assumptions that Nintendo's recent smartphone move would mark an exit for the company from more dedicated hardware. Iwata says he intentionally announced the system early to confirm, "that we have never lost passion regarding the future for dedicated video game systems and that we have bright prospects for them".
So what's the deal? Iwata explains: "I have confirmed that it will be 'a dedicated video game platform with a brand new concept,' it should mean that we do not intend it to become a simple 'replacement' for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U". Where things get interesting is when he talks about how "dedicated games systems" are being played, saying that "situations have become rather different, especially between Japan and overseas". Because of these differences, he says, Nintendo is, "thinking about how to create a new platform that will be accepted by as many people around the world as possible [...] by taking into consideration various factors, including the playing environments that differ by country".
Whatever this new global-friendly console's going to be, it looks like it might be region free. When asked about region locks Iwata said that while nothing was going to change for current systems, Nintendo was "internally analysing what hurdles exist to lifting region locks" with the NX. There's nothing "concrete" on that yet but Iwata says, "I personally want to give it positive consideration".
And that's it for now. Iwata confirmed that there won't be anything about the new system (or mobile games) at this year's E3, finishing up by saying, "I hope you will understand that if you expect us to discuss NX during the upcoming E3 show, you will just end up being disappointed".
