Nintendo’s upcoming console, the NX, was originally planned to enter mass production in mid-2016. The NX’s mass production schedule has been postponed by about half a year to early 2017. According to related sources in the upstream supply chain, the delay came about because Nintendo wanted to further improve the video-game/handheld-game-integrated experience of its upcoming system. They also said that the company wanted to add VR (virtual reality) functionality into the system to gain advantages in the next round of console and mobile video games.
The sources also said that the supply chain had received notifications from Nintendo telling them to begin producing molds for the Nintendo NX in the middle of 2015, and that the system would then enter mass production before launching in mid-2016. More recently they were given a new mass production schedule from Nintendo, calling for them to start mass producing key components of the NX at the end of 2016.
The Nintendo NX will be assembled by Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), but Foxconn declined to comment on matters concerning its clients or products. Although Pegatron Technology has been aggressively looking to take some of the Nintendo NX orders from Foxconn, Nintendo still decided to give Foxconn over 40% of the orders, while the remaining is handled by Japan-based Misumi and Hosiden. Taiwan-based component suppliers for Nintendo NX include Foxconn Technology, Macronix International, Pixart Imaging and Delta Electronics.
Also of interest is the fact that Nintendo originally planned to order about 20 million units for the NX’s first year in the market place. However, they are now only planning to order 9.5-10 million units. The sources cited a recent shrinking trend in the video game console market, along with the fact that the Wii U has not sold as well as Nintendo would like as possible reasons for this reduction in Nintendo’s shipment target for the upcoming NX system.
The related supply chain sources also said that the Nintendo NX combines the console and mobile gaming experiences, featuring a 5-7 inch display controller, and joystick for mobile play, and can also be connected to your TV like a standard gaming console.
Nintendo’s smartphone games have received positive feedback from gamers. Since Nintendo’s launch of its Miitomo, the number of players of the game has already surpassed 10 million, while Nintendo’s Animal Crossing, which involved social activities, also sold over 20 million units on the company’s 3DS system.
