10 years since NX’s reveal!
Today, 17th of March 2025, marks 10 years since Nintendo announced their next major console, the “Nintendo NX” is what they called it.
Many believed that this console would be a disaster, especially considering how underprojecting the Wii U was in hardware and software sales. However, Satoru Iwata firmly believed and pushed for the ‘NX’, believing that it would be a revolutionary system that will forever change the gaming industry. Because of his belief, during the years Nintendo struggled with the Wii U’s life-cycle, he reduced his pay in half so that no one was fired, as well as keeping morale high within Nintendo for the ‘NX’.
The ‘NX’ was the code name for the Nintendo Switch console. A hybrid between a home system as well as a portable handheld console that can be taken anywhere. This system has many accessibility features such as natively coming with two controllers, a durable battery as well as the ability to play every single game either on TV mode or on the go. As Iwata believed, the Nintendo Switch became a pioneer console for the gaming industry, allowing for 3rd party developers as well as many indie developers to have a platform for visibility as well as rebuilding the trust in the consumers with regards to Nintendo.
However, sadly Iwata could not see the release of this console. He sadly passed away almost two years before the release, but his business practice and ideas that he brought to the table were the biggest reason as to why Nintendo was able to succeed with this console.
As a reference to Iwata’s impression within Nintendo employees, in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there is a hidden mythical creature by the name of “Satori”, a mythical horse that is believed to be a reference to the afterlife. This horse can’t be damaged, can only be found on specific phases of the moon, as well as can’t be registered as a horse owned by the player. This optional side “quest” is more than just a world building aspect within this version of Hyrule, it’s a love letter for Iwata’s impact for the entire gaming industry.
As we currently look towards the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, we can only but imagine how Iwata’s beliefs will carry on with the future of Nintendo, as the Nintendo Switch 2 is projected to be as huge as the Nintendo Switch as well as feature much more powerful titles that will revolutionise the modern gaming industry like they have been doing since 2017 with the Nintendo Switch.
Link to original posting of the NX’s reveal: