Nintendo working on new games console for release in 2017

Nintendo has confirmed it is working on a new games console that will be released in March 2017.

The Japanese gaming giant has long been rumoured to be working on a device called the NX, and in its latest financial results confirmed that the console was currently being worked on, though added in a tweet from the official company account that NX remains just the project's codename.

"For our dedicated video game platform business, Nintendo is currently developing a gaming platform codenamed 'NX' with a brand-new concept. NX will be launched in March 2017 globally," the company's financial release said.

Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima refused to reveal what type of machine the NX was.

"At this current stage, I'm not able to say," he told Japanese news outlet Nikkei.

"However, it's not merely the successor to the handheld 3DS or stationary console Wii U. This will be hardware that's been made with a new way of thinking. I'd like to announce more particulars regarding its specs and how it works another time this year."

It will be the first new console since the Wii U was launched in 2012. The company also currently makes the 3DS handheld gaming system.

The Super Mario creator also said that the NX was not launching until next year, to allow time for enough games to be ready for the new system.

There were also reports that Nintendo will also not focus on the new system at this year's E3 video games convention in Los Angeles, instead showcasing a new Legend of Zelda game that will also launch in 2017 and is expected to be released on both the current generation Wii U console and the NX.