Given the Wii U is not doing so great and the 3DS is selling very well Nintendo could try a hybrid machine. This might not be such a bad idea, having a console you can place in a docking device at home which links into your T.V. and charges the unit. Then you could detach the console and take it with you on your travels. Sounds great, plus having a single platform means all of Nintendo’s production efforts can be focused on its software lineup and they can keep their innovative edge over the competitors. The console should keep the dual screen clamshell design of the 3DS so it is backwards compatible with Nintendo’s latest handheld.
However there are a few drawbacks to a console like this. Nintendo thrives on having two main revenue streams, home and portable. Having just the one main source of income means if it fails it will hit Nintendo harder than just the Wii U not selling great. Another issue I can see is size and weight because it’s a portable home console a hard drive will be necessary, and a good size one at that, if it has to store virtual console as well as downloadable versions of games on top of save and extra-content data. The console must also push graphical ability that is at least as good as the current generation machines.
I know this a pure speculation piece but I think Nintendo should go down this path, How about you?