More details of the rumored new video game console from Nintendo reveal that the system will launch as early as next year.

The Wall Street Journal reported that sources said the console coded "Nintendo NX" has begun distributing a software development kit for the platform that will allow third-party developers to modify existing Nintendo games as well as the ability to create their own titles. It's believed that the company will begin NX software distribution so that games will be ready to launch when it starts selling the console, possibly in 2016.

It was previously rumored that the video game system would not roll out until 2017, which would mark five years after the launch of Nintendo's Wii U console. This would make sense since the general life cycle of consoles is about five years.

"We are increasingly of the idea that Nintendo might launch the NX in 2016 because of the softness of 3DS and Wii U," Macquarie Capital Securities analyst David Gibson told the WSJ (subscription required).

The specs of the NX are still unknown, but sources said that the video game console would be equipped with industry-leading chips since the Wii U failed to match up against competitors, with games that will support cross play.

There are also rumors the NX will feature a console and a handheld unit to separate itself from Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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