Nintendo's upcoming next-gen console, the Nintendo NX, might be the first console in years to come without an optical disc drive and completely rely on downloads and online martketplace.

According to a report from NeoGAF, which spotted a series of patent applications, filed in February by Nintendo, the Nintendo NX is described as a console that "is not provided with an optical disc drive." This means that Nintendo NX will need an Internet connection and will rely on online marketplace for game shopping.

Both Microsoft and Sony have a similar thing with their Xbox Live and Playstation Network but still decided to keep an optical drive on their current-gen consoles. This move could help Nintendo in the battle with piracy but on the other hand could also backfire as there are plenty of users that want to game when not online.

Nintendo could also provide an external optical drive but since the console is scheduled to launch in 2016, we still do not have all the information.



Source: Techpowerup.com.