Nintendo’s next console, the NX, rumoured to be powered by Android

According to Japanese business site Nikkei, and translated by NeoGAF, Nintendo’s next console will be powered by an Android OS.

The console, codenamed the “NX”, is supposed to be more open to developers, hence the Android architecture – it’s something Android is particularly good at.

It’s apparently an appeal to third party developers, many of whom abandoned Nintendo during the Wii’s era.

While, granted, Android is primarily designed for touch screen devices, Android TV (and more specifically NVIDIA’s Shield Android TV device) as well as the Ouya are in no way touch screen devices, are powered by Android and work as regular consoles, of sorts.

NVIDIA Shield Android TV

Who knows, Nintendo will likely write a lot of custom, proprietary functionality in Android.

And remember, Android’s architecture doesn’t limit what hardware Nintendo uses, nor does it prevent them from creating the same quality first party titles, but what it does do is allow an easily coded platform for third party developers.

Also, excitingly, it should mean the growth of Android as a gaming capable OS as more developers gain experience with Android.

It also means a much easier time for Nintendo to develop mobile titles, something they’re looking into, as well as more uniformity between their tech and everything else in your house.

Or is the NX perhaps the next mobile console from Nintendo?