Nintendo to Lift Veil on NX Videogame System

TOKYO—Nintendo Co. said it would show a short video clip of its next-generation videogame system, code-named "NX," at 10 a.m. New York time on Thursday.

"This preview trailer will serve as Nintendo's preliminary announcement of information regarding the platform," the Kyoto-based Japanese game company said.

Analysts say a successful launch of new game hardware is crucial for Nintendo, which has struggled in the recent years with its latest console, the Wii U platform. It has sold slightly more than 13 million units of the Wii U since it was introduced in 2012, far short of the 40 million units sold for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 4 and 20 million units for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox One. Those two consoles were released in 2013.

Sony and Microsoft have been improving network services, such as downloads of game updates, in an effort to bring in recurring revenue to smooth out hardware-introduction cycles. Nintendo, meanwhile, is trying to give its well-known game characters—like Mario the plumber—more exposure to attract new consumers to its console business.

The Nintendo effort includes developing smartphone games with DeNA Co. and collaborating with theme-park operator Universal Parks and Resorts, a unit of Comcast Corp. In its most recent publicity stunt, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared as Mario at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Since the introduction of the code name NX for the new console, in March 2015, Nintendo has only said it would release the product world-wide by March 2017.

According to people familiar with the matter, NX will be a hybrid hand-held device and console, allowing users both to play in their homes and carry the device outside. They say the machine will use flash memory as a software medium instead of optical discs. Nintendo has declined to comment on the NX's features.

The three-minute-long video on the new console would be available on Nintendo's website, the company said.

Write to Takashi Mochizuki at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 19, 2016 23:55 ET (03:55 GMT)

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