A leaked online survey has given hints to users that the Nintendo NX gaming console could arrive within the next 12 months.

According to Go Nintendo, the online gaming retail store GameStop released a consumer survey that asked the question, "How likely are you to buy the following device(s) in the next 12 months?," with the choices being the HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR and the Nintendo NX.

Fans are now speculating that this survey could be a sign that the Nintendo NX could be arriving 12 months from now or even sooner. Although, there are those that also believe that the period given by the survey is only a theoretical estimate and not necessarily a realistic one.

However, all the other options, which all happen to be virtual reality devices, have been confirmed to have 2016 releases except for the Samsung Gear VR, which is already available in the market so this gives fans reason to believe that the NX should also be launching within the year.

According to analyst Junko Yamamura of Nomur Securities, the Nintendo NX will be made available in time for the holiday season of 2016. The analyst believes that the company could be making announcements on the Nintendo NX's concepts in the period covering March and May in preparation for an unveiling in June 2016, and then a launch some time in October and November.

Nomura Securities also believes that the Nintendo NX could cannibalise the market for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. "We had previously thought that the NX launch would have only a limited impact on 3DS and Wii U sales as it is not being positioned as a successor to either console, but we have now altered our view because 3DS sales have been weakening a little recently, particularly in terms of software, as the machine enters its sixth year, and to factor in a harsher competitive climate and what happened to other existing consoles when new machines were launched in the past." Nomura said.