200°

Is Nintendo Secretly Planning A New Console?

CCC Says: "We’ve been bringing you the latest on the apparent nose dive that Nintendo seemingly finds themselves in these days. It started with the apology that President Satoru Iwata had to provide to investors recently, with the company slashing sales predictions for the early part of the year due to their failing Wii U console (thus causing a significant drop in stocks as a result). Fueled by cryptic comments by Iwata himself regarding “new business structures,” many have been led to believe as of late (myself included) that Nintendo could be re-evaluating their position in the home console market. Was this a sign they would just embrace the strangle-hold they currently hold over the mobile gaming market and just plow a row in the new direction from now on? Frankly, it seemed inevitable. That is, until this latest rumor leaked. A rumor that is almost too unimaginable to believe, yet it’s out there."

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dispatches.cheatcc.com
XiSasukeUchiha4177d ago

Yep they are and its called Nintendo Fusion!

MeknSence4177d ago (Edited 4177d ago )

Actually, I think it would be a smart move if they:

1) Making it backwards compatible
2) Offer a discount for trade in the Wii U towards the new system.

If the specs is correct or surpasses both PS4 or Xbone it would stand a big chance of taking 1st or 2nd place. Nintendo need to quit the kiddie gimmicks systems. I don't know about everyone, but I wouldn't mind buying a next gen Nintendo system with Mario, Zelda, Metroid etc. They can keep making the kiddie games, with new technology, but a lot of parents are keeping up with what's current for their kids!

4177d ago
_QQ_4177d ago

Nintendo if you release a new console before 2017, your done. Consumer trust is the most important thing.

BosSSyndrome4177d ago

Dont know why you got disagrees. Lost faith in the brand is what killed Sega.

mzupeman4177d ago

Eh, not exclusively. There was a loss in faith in Sega's brand for sure, but it was more than that.

Sega stretched themselves pretty thin by releasing and supporting a bunch of different pieces of hardware at the same time. Every time we turned around, Sega released another add-on which they then had to subsequently support with another branching library of games, most of which weren't received very well.

The Dreamcast was Sega's best shot at climbing out of the rut they placed themselves in, but they unfortunately had to go head to head with the N64 and Playstation. The rest from that point on is history, and because the Dreamcast couldn't help Sega out of their financial mess - which was already spiraling down before that console's release - they had to get out of the hardware business and do something else.

Nintendo is in nowhere near the same position as Sega was back then. They're down for the third year in a row, yes, but unlike Sega, they still have a fortune to live off of for quite some time.

Anyway, I'm not sure Nintendo WILL release a new console before 2017. Anything is possible, but the Wii-U has only been out for what, something like 14-15 months? They still have some of their biggest first party titles yet to come. I'm certain this wont' help them sell as many units as they'd like to, but they'll take less and less a loss as time goes on as these games are released. As Zelda, Smash Bros and Mario Kart are released, we'll see more and more consoles being sold.

Of course, Nintendo can also do a few things to help themselves out NOW: Better marketing, first and foremost. AGGRESSIVELY inform people what the Wii-U actually is.

Next, stop supporting the Wii. They've already pretty much done it - The original Wii is gone, and has been replaced with a useless Wii-Mini. Just pull the Mini, so people have no other options on the shelf besides the Wii-U.

Get multiplayer right, and put our purchases on our accounts, and not strictly our hardware.

Get more virtual console titles out... like now.

Outside of that, the only other things they can possibly do, are more proactive than reactive... steps to ensure their longevity.

For starters, work on getting third party support back. That ship has sailed for this gen, but they can start asking devs from other studios what they want out of the next console today, and allow the devs themselves to help shape the next console. If Nintendo keeps releasing their own hardware that's behind on specs and solely focuses on some gimmick to sell software, they're going to find themselves alone yet again.

Invest more and more money in dev teams that are willing to be first/second party. If Nintendo ARE forced to go it alone once again, they need to ensure they have a library of games that provides lots of options. This trickle of games is full of quality, but the quantity is weak. There's only a handful of games coming in the next 6 months, and it's sad.

Yep4177d ago

Would you guys stop spreading rumors? Next thing you know people are going to hold off buying a Wii U thinking that Nintendo is going to can it.

JohnnyTower4177d ago

Its already happening Aces. Gamers are waiting for a price drop or new platform, and Nintendo doesn't want to take any more losses on Wii U by dropping the price. There is a Lord of the Flies mentality around gamers. We just circle and pick on whoever is down. This week is Nintendo, next week Xbox, after that Steambox.

mzupeman4177d ago

Rumors are definitely harmful in this arena. You know, people always say that 'bad press is good press', but not when it comes to selling expensive pieces of hardware. At this point, with all the media coverage out there, public perception - from anyone noticing and reading the article headlines - is that the Wii U is going to fail and that Nintendo are likely going to yank support sooner rather than later. Regardless of the games they have yet to come, all this translates to most of your average consumers, is that they're going to wait and not spend $300 for a console that's dying. It's a shame, I have a lot of fun with my Wii U.

4logpc4177d ago

Idk about secretly...its pretty obvious. Just like Microsoft and Sony, I'm sure they are in the early phases of their next systems.

mzupeman4177d ago

It's obvious that companies begin development on their next generation of consoles really early... a matter of months after a new gen is released, in many cases. However, these rumors are likely bogus because Nintendo are pretty tight-lipped about most everything. They can keep secrets pretty well, and they often surprise us by revealing a game only a year before it's released, or sometimes when the game is only mere months away.

DC7774177d ago

Not sure why some think there are "rules" like you can't sell two consoles at once. Hell MS and Sony are doing it right now and selling a boatload of software porting to both. Had they only had support for X1 and PS4 right now their software sales would be in the toilet because nobody is buying nearly as many as they are for last gen. Yet you expect Nintendo who cannot port games to the Wii to not try and take a similar path.

If Nintendo came out with a high end more adult themed console and ported most games to both they would be golden.

Or they can just stick with the generic vision and hope and pray but as fun as Wii U is the Wii/underpowered/3rd party bashing stigma is not going to go away.

maniacmayhem4177d ago

Yea, but Sony and MS never sold another console two or three years after their first launch.

Sega did with the Dreamcast (I believe it came out 4 years after the Saturn launched)and it killed them financially. They burned their user base, 3rd party developers and retailers.

Nintendo needs to stick it out with the Nintendo WiiU. There is no reason they can't at least turn it around and gain some profitability on it. No need for them to strive to be number one at this point. Just get the unit moving and out there.

DC7774177d ago

I don't doubt it but they still could have a higher end system to keep things rolling instead of just waiting till the bell tolls someday.

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190°

While Layoffs Hit the Industry, Nintendo Retains 98% of Staff Including 78 With Disabilities

TNS: Based on its most recent ESG data, Nintendo boasts a remarkably low staff turnover rate of just 1.9%, with virtually no reported layoffs.

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thenerdstash.com
Jin_Sakai2d ago

Because Nintendo makes great games.

Yesyes1d 7h ago

It’s unreal that people are downvoting this when they consistently have the best scoring games on metacritic.

2d ago
rlow12d ago

Well it doesn’t surprise me. As much money as they make and how they value their employees. It’s a great company in that regard.

2d ago Replies(1)
drivxr1d 23h ago

Well, when your games remain full price many years after release.

And you make profit off of outdated hardware.

I would be shocked if they couldn't afford to retain their staff.

lodossrage1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

I didn't want to say anything but drivxr is right.

Nintendo always sells at a profit because they purposely use tech that's always 5 or more years behind. And it's also true their games hardly ever get price decreases.

Don't get me wrong, it's great they kept most of their workforce, but making a point to have your tech specs behind everyone else affords that luxury.

Darkegg1d 18h ago

I don’t think it’s their purpose to use old tech. It’s their purpose to make value of software and know their value. Nobody makes games like them that’s for sure. I just don’t appreciate their customer unfriendly policy.

It’s not impossible to take their status. Companies need to have a selection of 8-bit and 16-bit. Now imagine a split screen for 8 player game for SNES Mario kart and selling at $9.99. The problem is that it doesn’t make profit. So many companies won’t invest in “old” technology. Everyone guns for triple AAA modern technology software but honestly we can enjoy modernized 16-bit creative ideas that allows 8-player mayhem. It’s a pipe dream, possible but impossible.

Shane Kim1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

If they ended up kicking people out after all of that stated above, it would be truly shameful.

DivineHand1251d 14h ago

Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Tesla and Meta are all trillion dollar companies yet they are laying people off in large numbers.

I believe the reason Nintendo layoffs off less workers may be a result of their culture. It seems Japanese companies believe in giving their workers long term or life long employment opportunities and will exhaust all options before laying off workers. This is something we don't see much of in the west unfortunately.

Rdeal1d 8h ago

might be something to do with the fact all those companies hire more than 20x the employees than Nintendo

LoveSpuds1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

What the hell are you talking about? It has nothing to do with how profitable they are. Its completely cultural, MS and Sony make stacks of cash and still lay folks off. Nintendo chose not to lay off staff for the same reason their execs took pay cuts to increase staff pay instead; because they value their staff and view them as colleagues, and respect them as such.

If Sony weren't so US centric I fancy they'd fare better too, they should get shot of US and European leadership and go back to when Japanese execs were running the show if you ask me!

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470°

Nintendo Switch 2 sales shatters records, most-sold console in 24-hour period

The Nintendo Switch 2 has set a new record by selling over 3 million units within 24 hours, tripling the PlayStation 4’s previous launch day sales.

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tweaktown.com
Jin_Sakai23d ago

Crazy. Switch 2 is going to do very well.

darthv7222d ago (Edited 22d ago )

No doubt, but.... the current price is out of the realm of the average parent / kid to buy like the SW1 was. So this launch achievement is from those of us with more disposable income.

The number of SW2 specific titles pales in comparison to the variety of SW1 games that get a performance boost right out of the box on this. And like the SX and PS5 before it, you can bet the majority are going to be using it as a means to better enjoy their existing titles that can benefit.

This may have been quick out of the gate... so was the WiiU. I quite enjoy it for what it is, but am keeping my expectations in check.

GenoPurpel22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

The Switch 2’s price point is great and fine and it’s still cheaper than the current gen of consoles aside from the Series S.

The only place I think they will fall short is their software sales, which also in turn may affect the hardware sales but not significantly. Parents will be fine paying for the system for their kids, but one look at an $80-$90 price tag for a single video game, that is where a lot of people will draw the line. Maybe not so much the people who are in the “willing to pay because I buy deluxe editions anyway” crowd, but for parents specifically, more sacrifices are gonna need to be made in their choices of gifts for their kids.

OtterX22d ago

As a parent of 3 with a very modest income, it was very affordable bc I already had an immense library of games, and the Mario Kart bundle came out to only about €50 more than a standard bundle. Both Zeldas were upgraded w Family Expansion Pass that I already had. Many games were upgraded for free. The only additional game I bought was Fast Fusion for 14.99 which was a great purchase!

Killer2020UK22d ago

People seem to forget that the Switch was $299 at launch which in today's money is roughly $400. That makes the Switch 2 a $50 increase when inflation is taken into account compared to the original.

Yes, people have less spending power on average compared to 2017 (Switch launch year) but this is not the MASSIVE price hike that people are making out Nintendo to be doing.

raWfodog22d ago

“No doubt, but.... the current price is out of the realm of the average parent / kid to buy like the SW1 was. So this launch achievement is from those of us with more disposable income.”

It could also be many people rushing to buy to avoid any possible tariff hikes in the future, but I think it’s still a good sign that many people still want physical consoles. Congrats to Nintendo! I’m not getting one at this time though (unless I get it for a Xmas present for one of my kids).

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1Victor22d ago

Congratulations Nintendo on finding the happy medium between their weak console and their invincible handheld plus learning from Sony and clearly defining the new console from the old unlike their Wii and Wii U just add a higher number simple yet effective 👍👍

victorMaje23d ago

Are people that keen on $90 games?
Is it true some remasters will also be $90?

DankSinatra22d ago

Tell me you don't research without telling me you don't research.

victorMaje22d ago

Nope. I didn’t research, I don’t own any Nintendo consoles and I had read on here something about $90 games on switch 2, so I guess it’s good now, people can calm down. Have a nice day :)

1nsomniac22d ago

I bought the Switch 2 I won’t be buying games at MK prices. I don’t ever pay over £45 for my games. Even my Nintendo switch exclusives I never paid more than £33 for.

franwex22d ago

I think the typo you put was meant to be $80.
Anyway, the answer to those questions seem to be yes.

victorMaje22d ago

Looks like I’ve been enlightened about the amount. Happy to see it’s not $90.

Sgt_Slaughter21d ago

Don't get your news from clickbait TikTokers/YouTubers, only go to the source (Nintendo) or reliable new outlets like IGN.

No game is $90 on the Switch 2, and they will never go there. Most games will be under $80, too.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
gold_drake23d ago

cool
wasnt expecting it not to sell well

Profchaos22d ago

Its crazy that it's both the highest selling console on day 1 and people can walk into a store and buy it with no pre order

Ashunderfire8622d ago

Yup while I was waiting in line from Best Buy for Switch 2, like I did for Switch 1 back in 2017, every waiting 12am was going to get a Switch 2! I was in the no preorder line too!

My friend manage to get 4 Switch 2s at his GameStop store, that was lowkey not busy at all. Got them all for himself and his family. Super easy to get a Switch 2 over PS5.

Profchaos22d ago

The struggle to get a ps5 was real had mates wait over 2 years for stock i got lucky and got it day 1 but still

Ashunderfire8622d ago

I know and I also struggled getting a preorder for the PS5, when Walmart, Best Buy among other retailers open their preorders a day early before most of us realize it. I got my PS5 launch day thanks to YouTube Live Streamer Jake Randell. He helps people get preorders and launch consoles.

Neonridr21d ago

the PS5 also released during a global pandemic.

Ashunderfire8621d ago

It’s funny how I got disagrees for speaking the truth for what I experienced getting the Switch 2. Nintendo had more copies of Switch 2 than Sony for the PS5.

Don’t be butthurt about this very fact. People on here disagreeing with crazy reasons lol

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hiawa2322d ago

Doesn't that mean Nintendo made sure they had plenty of stock available at retail.

Profchaos22d ago

Yeah it's nice to see they prepped for it

adamwparker22d ago

Yeah, I remember reading an article over two years ago with Nintendo stating that they were going to do all that they could to make sure their next console didn't have the PS5/XBox reseller swiping /no stock fiasco happen to them.

Looks like they made sure production met demand. Refreshing to see that the reseller thing didn't trend and I hope a lot of people who bought multiple units for the sole reason to resell then at $1000 are now stuck with them.

jznrpg22d ago

It also means there isn’t a chip shortage when PS5/Xbox came out during pandemic

gold_drake22d ago

to be where fair, we had a current gen come out during covid ha

repsahj22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

I remembered I tried 7 pre-order events during the PS5 launch. I gave up and ended up buying 1 from a scalper. But now, I already secured 1 pre-order Switch 2 unit in my country very easy and without problems.

Neonridr21d ago

kudos to Nintendo for ensuring a healthy amount of stock.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
Terry_B22d ago

Unlike the Switch 2 , the Playstation 4 was not sold on the same day in most regions.

22d ago
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80°

Nintendo Has Confirmed It Will Be Attending GamesCom 2025

Company skipped last year's event.

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nintendolife.com
Obscure_Observer42d ago

Not surprising at all.

I mean, they´ll be releasing a new console in a few weeks.

repsahj41d ago

I hope they show new Switch 2 exclusive games.