Nintendo Reportedly Preparing Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon for NX Launch

Nintendo is apparently making sure that it has many of its big-name titles ready for the launch of the NX. A new report by MCV today states that in addition to the NX version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo is preparing a new Mario game and working with Game Freak on bringing Pokemon to the platform. All three titles are expected to launch within the first six months of the NX's lifespan.

MCV's anonymous sources back up previous NX reports, which call for a Nvidia Tegra-powered portable console that can also be hooked to a television. The system's graphical capability is reportedly "somewhere between a PS3 and PS4". In addition, those sources are pointing to existing NX partnerships with Sega, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Activision, and Warner Bros.

"It's a nice bit of kit, a bit of a novelty, but a good one," an executice-level source told MCV. "It won't appeal to PS4 fans. Nintendo seems set on trying to upgrade smartphone gamers. That's going to be a big job for the marketing department."

As I pointed out in a previous article, an NX that's essentially a Nvidia Shield Tablet with Nintendo backing is an enticing proposition. Vita and 3DS consumers have something to upgrade to, smaller developers can utilize the platform without worrying about costly HD asset creation, and even mobile titles can be brought over to the platform.

My guess is some of those NX partnerships above will involve ports of mobile titles, especially in the case of Square Enix, who has a number of premium mobile games that could fit well on NX, including Mobius Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest of the Stars, Breath of Fire 6, and Final Fantasy Grandmasters. I'd also guess that the Pokemon game will potentially be a port of Pokemon Sun/Moon, perhaps with additional content.

Regardless, these are still reports and rumors. Hopefully, Nintendo will dish with the good details soon.