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Writer's pictureD2K Prime

More Bounce To The "Ounce?"




I see a lot of chatter online about the RUMORS of what the code-name of Nintendo's next console is, or what the code-name means, or speculation on what names Nintendo is using to describe the device with close partners such as Sega and Atlus referring to it as "Switch 2" or "New Switch." Some people are taking that literally as proof that it will be called one of those two things.   For starters, those are general-terms used in casual conversation between partners. You know it's going to be another hybrid-console, so regardless on what the code-name is or what the final retail name will be, calling it "Switch 2" or "New Switch" is just an easy way to discuss it to not confuse it with the current Switch. It's not that serious folks. Now, onto the serious stuff. The code-names for Nintendo consoles almost always reflect one of two things. 1. The form-factor and functionality of the device. or... 2. The name of the chips used in the device. For example. The code-name for the Switch was "Project NX." What does that stand for? Nintendo "Cross." The X refers to a "cross" and this is describing the fact that the console would be a "cross" between a home console and portable console, just like the late former President of Nintendo of Japan Saturo Iwata said it would be way back in 2014. The code-name of the Wii U was "Project Cafe." What does that stand for? The CPU in the Wii U was called "Expresso," and the GPU was called "Latte." Two drinks commonly served in a cafe' environment. The code-name for the Wii was "Nintendo Revolution." What does that stand for? The Wii-Mote was a "revolutionary" device by Nintendo to incorporate motion-controls into gaming. It wasn't AS revolutionary as Nintendo planned for it to be, but motion-control while greatly subdued, still exists to today with Nintendo, Sony, and even some PC-hybrid manufacturers. The code-name for the GameCube was "Project Dolphin." What does that stand for? This one is a little tricky, but bare with me. The name of the CPU was "Gekko." Now, a gekko is a small, cute reptile commonly seen in insurance commercials. What does that have to do with dolphins? Well, the word "gekko" sounds a lot like "Ecco" which was the name of a popular video-game for the Sega Genesis featuring, a dolphin. Obviously, for copyright purposes Nintendo could not use that name outright, but since it was a code-name, everyone knew what "Gekko" meant. The reason why I can take this leap is because of the name of the GPU which was "Flipper." That was the name of a famous TV show from the 1960s that once again featured, a dolphin. Even though that was the actual name of the dolphin in the show, the term "flipper" is not something you can easily copyright because many creatures have flippers. Plus, they could be just referencing the flipper of a dolphin and not the actual animal from the 1960s TV show. The code-name of the N64 was "Project Reality." What does that stand for? Well, this one is a little loose as well. You obviously are going from the 2D sprite world (for the most part) and into a 3D world with graphics that are more "realistic." You also have the N64 hardware based on the powerful Silicon Graphics computers that were used to produce bleeding-edge visual FX in motion-pictures like Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park.   So, in regards to the rumored code-name of the next console being "ounce" or "OZ," I have no idea. If history follows as it has been established, the code-name will refer to the chip-set in the device rather than the functionality or form factor. "Ounce" could be the name of the APU in the device. With this being a heavily-customized variant of the T239 chip, I think the most logical explanation is that even though it won't be in the same class in terms of raw horsepower as the PS5 and XSX, it will be something that is more powerful than it probably should be considering the size, and the power disparity won't be an issue in regards to overall performance. It has been mentioned by Doctre81 that it may not be about the word "ounce" but the letters, "OZ." Credit: Doctre81 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfwzNk53SW4 When you see the term "OZ," what is the first thing that comes to mind? The movie The Wizard of Oz. He feels that the code-name could be hinting at the "wizardry" of being able to get high-level performance out of a smaller chip-set. That is very possible, but I would take it a step further. Just who was The "Wizard" of Oz? He was a scientist from Kansas that got swept away in his hot-air balloon to the land of Oz, but once he got there, he used his technological-prowess to create an image of himself that was more grandiose than the reality of who he was. Even though the image he created was not the reality of who he was, in the end he still gave Dorothy and the others what they had been searching for and longing for in ways that they weren't expecting. Even if it was just having enough wisdom to illuminate that the answers that they were searching for were inside of them the whole time. With all the craziness in the gaming industry today, it is VERY reminiscent of the gaming crash of the early 1980s. It was the Famicom that turned things around back then and saved gaming. It may be the next Nintendo console that saves this generation as well. It's not about pushing hardware to the absolute breaking-point at the expense of completely unreasonable and unsustainable project budgets. It's about taking what you already have, and making it the best it can be. The next Nintendo console may be more powerful than expected, but it seems like nVidia MAY......have found a way to give the "illusion" of high-end gameplay without the cost and sacrifice of the "reality" of high-end gameplay. That is, IF the rumors turn out to be fact, and I want to stress that because these rumors while seemingly credibly and reasonable are still highly speculative at this point. The ran-away success of the Nintendo Switch is proof that the experience is what matters most above all.

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