Nintendo likely to unveil new hardware at E3

Nintendo looks likely to reveal some new hardware at this year's E3 in June, according to several reports.

Peer Schneider of IGN claims to have heard from multiple sources that Nintendo is "absolutely" planning to show off some new kind of hardware at the event.

He claims someone who used to work at Nintendo and someone from a third-party developer have both told him the same thing.

Hardware is a broad term that could refer to anything from a new console to a minor peripheral, but a separate report on VideoGamer claims it could be something big.

They cite a third-party publishing source that links the new hardware rumours to allegedly leaked technical specifications that surfaced in January.

Those tech specs are apparently for consoles called 'Fusion DS' and 'Fusion Terminal', said to be successors for the Wii U and 3DS.

The VG report also states that the new hardware and games will be playable at E3.

Nintendo has so far refused to comment on the stories, saying it doesn't comment on "rumour and speculation".

If true, a new home console release would basically be Nintendo admitting the Wii U is a failure.

It has continually failed to sell well anywhere in the world with less than 6 million units being shipped as of 31 December 2013, over a year since its initial launch.

By comparison, the PlayStation 4 hit that mark in a matter of months.

The situation has become so bad that third-party publishers like EA are refusing to create games for the console until sales pick up.

Fans were hoping upcoming games like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. U would improve the Wii U's outlook, but Nintendo could already be planning for the future.

We'll bring you more as soon as it breaks.