According to an English translation of Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima’s Q&A session with investors (via GameSpot), it was revealed that the company wanted to take their time with the console to ensure that everything was done properly to avoid pushing out a product that they know that their customers will be able to enjoy for a long time.
Kimishima was quoted as saying, “We want consumers to continue to play this game system for many years, so we believe that in the beginning it is most important to make sure that everything is in order at launch. In that sense, our approach is that we should wait until we can provide a fully realized experience rather than rushing to launch in the holiday season, and this approach has not changed.”
As for pricing of the console, it still remains a mystery but Kimishima notes that they will not be selling it at a loss, or at least that’s what they’re trying to avoid. “We are not thinking of launching the hardware at a loss. When Wii U was launched, the yen was very strong. I am assuming that situation will not repeat itself. Selling at a loss at launch would not support the business, so we are keeping that mind in developing NX.”