Tencent Digital Faced with the underwhelming performance of the Wii U, Nintendo has redirected its efforts toward developing a new gaming system called NX. While details about this next-generation console remain scarce—except for the fact that it won't run on Android—a recently revealed patent might offer some clues about Nintendo's vision for the future.

The patent outlines an "independent game console" that relies solely on hard drives and external memory cards for storage. This would mark the first time in 20 years, since the release of the Nintendo 64, that a console does not include a disc drive. According to Nintendo, faster internet speeds have made optical drives obsolete. Players could simply download games directly to their devices with just a few clicks, making physical media unnecessary. Why carry around discs when you can access everything online?

Although this patent is not directly linked to the NX console and doesn’t guarantee that it will lack a disc drive, the idea of a digital-only console isn’t far-fetched. Especially for a device that may not launch within the next couple of years, moving away from optical drives could make sense. Current consoles still rely on them, but this outdated technology is gradually being replaced. It adds cost, slows down the process of updating games, and limits flexibility. By eliminating the need for a disc drive, Nintendo could keep prices competitive while embracing a more modern, digital-first approach to gaming.

As the industry moves toward cloud gaming and downloadable content, Nintendo’s decision to explore a disc-free model could position it well for the future. Whether or not the NX includes a disc drive remains to be seen, but the direction seems clear: a shift toward digital, convenience, and affordability.