'Nintendo NX' Specs & Release: Console Coming Mid-2016 With Only 10-12 Million Units, Tatsumi Kimishima Promises 'A New Experience'

Nintendo's upcoming console, the Nintendo NX, isn't going to be the next version of the Wii or Wii U. The company's CEO Tatsumi Kimishima revealed that its newest gaming platform will provide users a "new experience."

Kimishima revealed the details of the Nintendo NX in an interview with Time and confirmed that the company has chosen to move away from the Wii and Wii U in building the NX. He said that it's "a next step in our dedicated device strategy, the core and primary focus of our business."

The CEO does see that some of Nintendo's loyal consumers may find that it will be challenging transitioning from the Wii to the NX. "It's difficult to convince them to switch from their current platform to the next platform," he said further. However, Kimishima promises gamers that, if they hang around and give the new product a chance, then they will discover how "unique and different" the NX is. The company intends to make more announcements about the system by the time 2016 rolls.

Back in March, Nintendo already hinted that the NX will surely be a huge surprise for gaming fans. "In some shape or form, we're always thinking about how we want to surprise players as well as our desire to change each person's video gaming life," said Nintendo President Satoru Iwata via IGN.

Meanwhile, Techno Buffalo reported that Nintendo is set to begin mass production of the NX first quarter of next year. The timeline indicated that the NX could be ready in time for the annual E3 event by mid-2016. However, the news outlet also said that there are only about 10 to 12 million units for shipment based on the company's suppliers' analysis.

Digitimes reported that the number of units is what researchers have pegged, considering Nintendo is up against bigger players like Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation. These companies ship 13 to 18 million units yearly.

A source from Foxconn Electronics, apparently, also said that shipments could begin by the second quarter. "The new console is estimated to enter mass shipments in the second quarter. In addition to Foxconn, suppliers such as Foxconn Technology, Macronix, Pixart Imaging, Coxon Precise Industrial, Nishoku Technology, Delta Technology, Lingsen Precision Industries and Jentech will also supply components for the device," per Digitimes.

Meanwhile, Kimishima candidly revealed that "NX" is actually just a codename. Hence, there's a possibility the new console might still get an official name. "I don't believe that there's any real meaning behind it, and to be perfectly honest, I don't know where it came from," he told Time. "Or perhaps Mr. Iwata had meant to tell me and then never got the chance."