PlayStation 4.5, Xbox Neo, Nintendo NX: Speculation from the Rumor Mill

 PlayStation 4.5

Rumors have been flying that PlayStation 4K (also called PlayStation 4.5 or PlayStation NEO) is already in existence. As the name indicates, a major piece of the gossip surrounding the PS4K is that it will be able to display native 4K-resolution video, although this has been disputed by a recent Digital Foundry report. Other reports indicate that games released after October 2016 will output in two modes: Standard and NEO. What will this mean exactly? While it’s not entirely clear, the assumption is that the NEO version will take advantage of the improvements offered by the following rumored improvements to hardware specs:

• CPU: 8 Jaguar Cores at 2.1 GHz
• GPU: Improved AMD GCN, 36 CUs at 911 MHz
• Memory: 8 GB GDDR5, 218 GB/s
• 4K Image Output

True 4K gaming would be an amazing coup for the PlayStation 4. Already dominating in sales, they could be preparing tech to seal the deal for the mid-generation bump.

Xbox NEO

Fewer details are surrounding the Xbox Neo but the little we do have is juicy indeed. Although Microsoft’s Xbox chief Phil Spencer has said the company isn’t interested in an “Xbox One and a half,” several FCC filings have been discovered that seem to contradict Spencer’s statement. These filings suggest Microsoft is testing a new Xbox One wireless chip with a new model number. While external photos and other key details are being kept under NDA, the agreement is set to expire on June 25^th, exactly 12 days after Microsoft’s Xbox press conference at E3 2016. Hmmm.

Between the two juggernauts, Xbox One has been the clear loser in this generation’s console wars. How they handle (or don’t handle) the mid-generation pivot could either help to right the franchise or make it even more of an afterthought.

Nintendo NX

Not to be left out of the rumor mill, there has been plenty of gossip surrounding Nintendo’s next console coming in March 2017. Dubbed the Nintendo NX, the console is rumored to sport the AMD Polaris GPU chip, which would make it slightly more powerful than Sony’s PS4. Flying in the face of this, Emily Rogers has stated that the system will forego Polaris, making it much more akin to Xbox One’s power.

There has also been much speculation regarding the Nintendo NX controller. Leaked patent documents seem to reveal a stand-alone portable system that becomes more powerful when docked to a TV. While this didn’t work out so well for the WiiU, a more well-considered integration of handheld and console could show remarkable foresight in appealing to both casual and hardcore fans.

With launch titles rumored to include Zelda NX and Smash Bros. NX, there is little doubt that when March arrives, the Nintendo faithful will come running.