News – Is This Confirmation That The Nintendo NX Uses Cartridges?

You may remember last month we spoke about the rumours surrounding Nintendo’s possible return to cartridges with the NX. As with any rumour though, especially one with such loose evidence as this, we were all understandably a little skeptical. Well, it looks like this retro infused pipe dream may actually be all but a reality at this point.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

You see, whilst Nintendo is still yet to announce whether the Nintendo NX will use cartridges or not, that hasn’t stopped one eagle-eyed NeoGAF user from spotting something strange within a US trademark filing. What’s more, that US trademark filing is for none other than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A game that is billed to be both the final Wii U title, and the first for the NX.

So what did NeoGAF user Atheerios find then? Well unlike the last time, the evidence is pretty strong on this occasion. That’s because within the latest Zelda’s trademark filing, under the category labelled goods and services, both of the terms “video game cartridges” and “video game memory cards” can clearly be found alongside the term “video game discs”.

Now obviously “video game discs” is clearly referring to the Wii U version of the game. However, whilst this could also refer to the NX release, this wouldn’t explain the cartridges and memory cards reference. Namely because the only platforms that the console is currently in development for, are the Wii U and the NX. What’s more, check any Wii U release and you won’t find a single reference to cartridges or memory cards.

As such, rather than being the far reaching conclsion, we’re actually left with the most convincing scenario being that the Nintendo NX uses cartridges. Although, before we all get ahead of ourselves, you can find some rather odd disc references hidden within some 3DS listings. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the odds on favourite with the bookies must now be that the Nintendo NX uses cartridges.

The Case For Cartridges

It’s not just retro-tinged nostalgia that’s driving the reporting of these rumours either. First of all, it wouldn’t be all that strange of Nintendo to take a different road when it comes to physical media. After all, just look at the Nintendo 64, which kept cartridges at a time when the industry moved to CD-Rom, or even the GameCube’s bespoke discs.

What’s more, Nintendo returning to cartridges would actually be a decision that makes a lot of sense. Unlike back in the 90s, nowadays cartridges and memory cards are a lot smaller, cheaper, and hold vast amounts of data. They’re also a lot sturdier, and in turn last a lot longer. Just take a look at Nintendo’s Portable consoles and the PS Vita for evidence of this.

Still though, it would be one hell of a u-turn, and one that any retro fan could get behind. So there you go, that’s the latest from the rumour mill surrounding Nintendo’s mysterious NX console. What do you think retro fans? Are you ready for a return to the true gaming platform?