The Nintendo NX is arguably the most important console that the Japanese gaming giant is set to release. After the massive failure of its current flagship console, the Wii U, and the relatively weak sales of its flagship handheld, the New 3DS, the NX has some pretty big shoes to fill.

If rumors do prove accurate, however, Nintendo's upcoming console seems to be up for the challenge.

Nintendo NX Specs

While Nintendo has been pretty tight-lipped about the specs of its upcoming console, speculations are very high that the NX would be a powerful console on its own. In fact, many Nintendo fans believe that, unlike the underpowered Wii U, the NX would have enough horsepower to offer a premium gaming experience to players.

Among the most persistent rumors state that the Nintendo NX would be utilizing the x86 architecture that is used by industry leaders PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S. Apart from this, speculations are also high that the NX would be using a NVIDIA Tegra processor, in order to give it enough graphics power to compete with the best.

Nintendo NX Features

Recent leaks about the Nintendo NX show a device unlike anything that has been released to the market thus far. If the leaks are accurate, the Nintendo NX would be a hybrid console -- something that allows players to transition from portable to console gaming seamlessly. The leaked images of the console show this, from detachable controllers and a dock that converts a tablet-like device into a full-fledged gaming console.

Apart from this, there are also persistent rumors that the Nintendo NX would be a very capable VR device, to the point where it would be able to provide gamers with a virtual reality experience that rivals those of industry leaders in the world of virtual reality. A dedicated camera on the device, which might be used in such a setup, has also been rumored.

Nintendo NX Release Date

Nintendo has been pretty transparent about the release date of the NX, stating that the new console would make its official debut early next year. However, recent speculations point to an earlier unveiling, possibly within the last quarter of 2016. Doing so actually makes sense for the gaming giant, since it would give the company some much-needed attention in 2016. Over the course of the year, Nintendo has been eclipsed by its rivals, Sony and Microsoft, and their respective consoles, the PS4 Neo and the Xbox One S.

Thus, there is a pretty good chance that the public might lay its eyes on the Nintendo NX pretty soon.