GameStop: Nintendo NX Will have Physical Media - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 20 June 2016 / 7,637 Views
Video game retailer GameStop have revealed Nintendo's upcoming console, the NX, will have physical media.
"I would say that the fact that there are rumors of that type just confirms for you that this is an important console for next year," said GameStop CEO Paul Raines in a recent earnings call attended by Destructoid. "It will have physical media, we will play a role in it, our pre-owned business will also play a role. So we’re excited about that.
"And of course we love Nintendo IP. So it's all good news."
GameStop did not reveal what physical media the NX will use, however, he did say if it went with cartridges it is easier to refurbish and resell.
"The only difference would be on the refurbishment and pre-owned side," said GameStop's Mike Mauler. "And actually, cartridges are much simpler to refurbish and repackage. So there is somewhat a little bit of an advantage if it went in that direction on used."
There was a recent rumor that Nintendo would ditch optical discs in favor of game storage similar to the Nintendo 3DS for the NX.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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I really hope they go for cartridges. It's time to get that format back on home consoles, plus it would be the best way to push the hybrid console.
Lol.That would be very dumb. First, the NX won't be a hybrid console. Second, it will use discs.
Well that's certainly cool to hear! I love physical media :)
Good.
Good to know.
COME ON, I need the NX now!
please let it be cartridges.... pleaseeeeeeee.
DISCS!
Now just be a success.
Day one buy if carts. Maybe buy if disc. No buy if digital. Blagh.
Hey, there's up and down votes in here......... Bye.
"Hi, guys, this is Ray Stochel on for Dave. Good afternoon. What level of insight can you share on rumors the new Nintendo console is shifting from disc-based games to cartridges? And if you can't specifically comment on that, can you discuss any historical economic differences between cartridges and discs for the pre-owned business?
Paul Raines, GameStop Corporation - CEO [39]
We saw those rumors, and so obviously we can't comment on them. I don't think we know anything about it anyway.
But certainly for us, physical media is a good thing, right? As far as the historical, guys, anybody have any thoughts on that?
Rob Lloyd, GameStop Corporation - CFO [40]
I don't remember anything distinctly different between economics of pre-owned whether or not it was disc or cartridge based. Mike, do you?
Mike Mauler, GameStop Corp - President of International [41]
The only difference would be on the refurbishment and pre-owned side. And actually, cartridges are much simpler to refurbish and repackage. So there is somewhat a little bit of an advantage if it went in that direction on used.
Paul Raines, GameStop Corporation - CEO [42]
But it is early, guys, and we have got to all keep cool heads. Certainly I would say that the fact that there are rumors of that type just confirms for you that this is an important console for next year. It will have physical media, we will play a role in it, our pre-owned business will also play a role. So we're excited about that.
And of course we love Nintendo IP. So it's all good news."
That's the actual quote. Note the line where the CEO says that they don't know anything about it, anyway. He's speculating. "Physical media" could just mean NFC cards.
