Nintendo NX: 9 Things It Needs To Avoid Another Wii U Failure

5. A Physical Disc Drive

Yes, the dominant form of media consumption is no longer physical but digital, as people are becoming ever-warmer to the idea that games don't require a plastic case for you to claim ownership of them. Nintendo seems to be taking this onboard with the NX, which the grapevine suggests will not feature an optical disc drive by default. But this could be a big mistake. The appeal of physical discs runs deeper than just the novelty value or appeal for collectors, even if their importance has diminished in recent years. Unlike on PC, digital games downloads on consoles are pretty much monopolised markets. Everything you buy on Nintendo's, Microsoft's or Sony's digital stores doesn't have anyone to compete with, and so will inevitably be pricier than the physical disc version. To be completely tied in to buying games off Nintendo's tightly-regulated, region-restricted online store will feel make many gamers uneasy, whereas being able to own games on discs means we can shop around for competing prices, buy some titles abroad that are unavailable in our own countries, and generally have more control over our games purchases. Hopefully the rumours of no physical disc drive (or an optional one) prove unfounded, because unless Nintendo starts allowing third-party retailers to start selling digital codes for their games, then gamers won't react well to being forced into using the Nintendo eShop as their sole means of acquiring games.