Nintendo didn't want to 'rush' NX launch, says system won't be sold at a loss

Nintendo has shared some new details on its upcoming NX system. The English translation of Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima's Q&A session with investors was published today. As part of this, someone asked if the NX would be sold at a loss like the Wii U was in 2012. Kimishima said this is not expected to be the case -- and explained why.

"We are not thinking of launching the hardware at a loss," he said. "When Wii U was launched, the yen was very strong. I am assuming that situation will not repeat itself. Selling at a loss at launch would not support the business, so we are keeping that mind in developing NX."

It is not uncommon for gaming hardware to be sold at a loss, with the money made back by more margin-rich things like games and accessories.

The NX, or whatever it ends up being called, is slated to launch in March 2017. It is not expected to have much of presence at E3 2016 in June.

Some had expected Nintendo to launch the system in time for the busy year-end holiday shopping season. Kimishima said one of the reasons why Nintendo chose March 2017 as the NX's release window was to ensure that "the software lineup will be ready in time for the hardware launch."

Responding to another analyst's question about the NX release window, Kimishima again stressed that having a solid launch lineup is important.

"We believe that when launching hardware, the amount of quality software for consumers to play that is available at launch is important, and that we ought to determine our launch dates based on this," he said.

"The fact that consumers spend more money in the holiday season may be a big factor in why launching then is a good way to start. However, our hardware and software business structure does not end in that year. We want consumers to continue to play this game system for many years, so we believe that in the beginning it is most important to make sure that everything is in order at launch. In that sense, our approach is that we should wait until we can provide a fully realized experience rather than rushing to launch in the holiday season, and this approach has not changed."

You can read Nintendo's summary of Kimishima's Q&A session here on Nintendo's corporate website.

The NX has been described by Nintendo as a "brand-new concept." According to a Wall Street Journal report, it will be a console/mobile hybrid that uses "industry-leading" technology.

In other Nintendo news, the company has confirmed that the new Legend of Zelda, previously only announced for Wii U, is also coming to the NX. You can catch up on all the big Nintendo news in this new roundup.