To say it’s a tad unusual to know nothing about an upcoming console that’s roughly seven months away would be an understatement. But somehow, that’s the exact position we’re in with Nintendo’s NX console. Is it really a console/handheld hybrid with detachable controllers? Your guess is as good as mine.
But we do know a few things. We know that the NX will be at least as powerful as the Wii U, and probably on par with the PS4 and Xbox One. We’ve also heard about a handful of game announcements, as well as a few more projects rumored to be in the works.
And that’s where this list comes in. We’re going to keep track of all the NX announcements (and rumors) in one place so you don’t have to.
Officially Announced
Dragon Quest X
Square Enix has announced they’ll bring their popular MMORPG to the NX, though it’s only confirmed for a Japanese release as of now. Dragon Quest X doesn’t have a release date, but Producer Yosuke Saito said it would be available before Dragon Quest XI: In Search of the Departed Time.
Dragon Quest XI: In Search of the Departed Time
With Dragon Quest X approaching its fifth birthday next year, Square Enix is currently hard at work on the next game in the long-running franchise, which will be a return to its single-player roots. Dragon Quest XI: In Search of the Departed Time doesn’t have an official release date, though it too is only currently confirmed for a Japanese launch.
Just Dance 2017
Ubisoft’s dancing franchise has kept people moving on the Wii and Wii U since 2009, and they plan to continue the tradition on the NX next year. The 2017 edition will feature music from Queen, Sia, Justin Bieber, and many more.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo’s flagship game for the NX’s first year, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild expands the franchise in a new “open-air” direction, while also giving Link the option to tackle the game’s many challenges in a variety of different ways. As Link explores the “ruined kingdom” of Hyrule, he’ll be able to climb mountains and soar off into the sky with a glider. He’ll also be able to run through fields and chop down the mightiest of forest, as well as go swimming and manipulate the environment to confuse enemies.
Project Sonic
Sega plans to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary next year with a brand new game from Sonic Team that is currently known as “Project Sonic.” Like 2011’s Sonic Generations, Project Sonic will see the Blue Blur teaming up with Classic Sonic to topple Robotnik’s latest scheme. Project Sonic will be released in Fall 2017.
In Development, But Unannounced
Next Super Mario Bros.
It seems likely that at least one new Mario game has been in development within the walls of Nintendo since 1985. And sure enough, the consolemaker revealed that Takashi Tezuka and his team have been brainstorming new ideas for the next Mario game since last year. There’s no word yet on if this particular Mario game is in development for the NX, but Nintendo has never launched a new console without a Mario game being far behind.
Pikmin 4
The legendary Shigeru Miyamoto first revealed that Pikmin 4 was in the works for the Wii U back in 2014, and even said it was “very close to completion” a year later. Yet, here we are in 2016, and the game has still yet to materialize. While Nintendo hasn’t officially shifted it to the NX, or offered up a Zelda-like dual release, I think it’s a safe bet that Pikmin 4 is no longer a Wii U exclusive.
Unannounced Koei Tecmo Title
Koei Tecmo has at least one game officially in development for the NX.
Unannounced Ubisoft Titles
In addition to Just Dance 2017, Ubisoft executives have confirmed they’ve got other games in development for the NX.
Rumored
Pokemon
Rumor has it that Game Freak is hard at work on a Pokemon game for the NX. Interestingly, Game Freak has never produced a Pokemon game for one of Nintendo’s home consoles, which means there’s a real possibility this rumored new entry in the series won’t be a spinoff and could be a full-fledged Pokemon RPG.
Rive
Two Tribes will release their side-scrolling, Rive, for several platforms this September. However, the development team is rather disappointed in the performance of the Wii U version, which may force the game onto the NX.
Splatoon
Super Mario Maker
Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
This trio of Wii U remasters was first floated in a rumor back in April. Since then, Nintendo confirmed that Zelda: Breath of the Wild would be pulling double duty on the Wii U and the NX, so why not some of the Wii U’s earlier hits?
Unannounced Activision Title
Unannounced WB Games Title
Megapublishers Activision and WB Games eventually launch games on nearly every platform, so their rumored support of the NX isn’t exactly surprising. We don’t yet know which titles they might bring to Nintendo’s next console, though Lego games (from WB) and Skylanders (from Activision) seem like safe bets.
