200°

Nintendo Should Become A Pure Software Developer

"Nintendo have put themselves in a precarious position in terms of hardware releases. With the Wii and now the Wii U looking to be well weaker than their generational counterparts, Nintendo are forcing gamers to buy more than one console to appreciate a good variety of gaming. " | Explosion.com

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explosion.com
animegamingnerd4517d ago

did people forget why sega had to become software developer?

Gazondaily4517d ago (Edited 4517d ago )

Completely disagree with the article. The Wii U hasn't even gotten off the ground yet and people are making knee jerk reactions of gloom and doom. By this logic and the PS3's rocky start, Sony should have thrown the towel too.

Like it or not, it is Nintendo that pushes the boundaries as far as innovation is concerned. The industry needs the likes of Nintendo to add something fresh and to innovate in terms of hardware. Nintendo's departure from the hardware game would be a COLOSSAL loss for the industry.

nukeitall4517d ago

Nintendo often has a strategy that ensures survival even if their platform tanks.

That said, it is just too soon to judge the Wii U out. Similar to how Nintendo turned the 3DS fortune around and look at them now.

FriedGoat4517d ago (Edited 4517d ago )

That "innovation" is what has totally put me off Nintendo, I loved the N64, I loved the Cube and everything before it, The Wii on the other-hand just wasn't for me, every game I played seemed like a dumbed down version of its predecessor. I liked galaxy and G2 don't get me wrong, but I preferred Mario 64, I'm still waiting on a sequel.

Its things like warioware, have you played the wii version? It has like NO content at all, after playing twisted on the GBA Warioware wii is like less than a quarter of the game. The control schemes actually tended to ruin the games for me, skyward sword is one of the only Zeldas I have stopped playing, mainly because there was no exploration and it just generally was nowhere near the quality of past Zeldas.

The 3DS is the same, had one since launch, the games are like 30+ quid and not even 5 hours long (kid icarus being the exception.) I feel really screwed over by Nintendo for my 3DS purchase, £250 for something that just attracts dust.

I do know one thing, If the WiiU does do badly it will be good for us, because Nintendo will start focusing on games again instead of attracting casuals and moms wanting to get fit.

2pacalypsenow4517d ago

used to be the same for Ps3 , with time it will pass

OccludedGamer4517d ago

Careful Septic that's a lot of sense your making there, it's borderline dangerous round here.

Seriously though, I don't blame the gamers for the reception the Wii-U is receiving. I blame the journalists. Gaming media is the cause.

Unless the standard for gaming journalism is raised then we're gonna be stuck with these sorts of crappy baseless opinions springing up all over the place.

I'm not even on about the writing skills, that's not even the issue. I would happily read an article with bad spelling etc. provided the author took the time to make a well thought out article with a genuine point.

squarecircle4516d ago

How do you expect it to get off it's feet when there are 2 more technically powerful consoles on the horizon which everyone is waiting out for?

PS3 could afford a price cut and was one of the last to launch, which meant it had time to recover without other consoles looming over it.

The Wii U is in neither of those positions the PS3 was in. It can't afford a price cut or that would mean they need to sell 3 or 4 games with each console to make a profit and they have 2 highly anticipated machines on the horizon; which everyone is waiting for.

Gazondaily4516d ago

Nintendo doesn't need the power. So what if the other two consoles are technically superior; it doesn't undermine Nintendo's ability to deliver great games.

AAACE54516d ago

I used to think it would be good for them to drop consoles, but seeing the direction the games industry is going... we need them more than ever!

Because of ms and sony. Lots of developers are gone. Cost are up on consoles and games. Pc's require a lot more power just to say they have the superior game. We have less choice in variety of games and releases per year. And that will only get worse in time as developers wont be able to afford development and investors will only want to put their money on AAA games and very few new IP.

Nintendo keeps things in reality. By trying to show us that you dont need a super powerful console to have fun!

ahronith4516d ago

This whole talk about Nintendo consoles dont have enough power...By that logic the PS2 should have tanked. And Septic, i agree with you 100%

herbs4516d ago (Edited 4516d ago )

Anyone who disagreed with what Septic stated in his first post doesn't have a good grasp of the gaming industry strait up.

DomceM4516d ago

lol. Old hardware is innovation? nah. Nintendo is one gimmick ahead of everyone else. wish they just made a normal console with good hardware and their ips.

Wii mote was a gimmick and still is.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4516d ago
FlyingFoxy4516d ago

You can't use the Sega argument here with the Wii U, Dreamcast was ahead of it's time for at least a year and then some. games were much better looking than N64 and it had plenty of perfect and better arcade ports as well as a handful of very good exclusives.

Wii U is only a bit better than last gen which started a long time ago, so it's a completely different kettle of fish here. Sega had to go into developing software because the hype of PS2 killed off the DC, not because it was a bad system.

Zodiac4517d ago

Want to play PlayStation games? Buy a PlayStation.

Want to play Xbox games? Buy and Xbox.

Want to play Nintendo games? Buy a Nintendo console.

If people want to play a certain companies game, but won't buy the hardware, then you probably don't want to play it that badly.

Nintendo is not going to stop production of hardware because the consumer would rather play Zelda on the 360.

Sure, they would get more money by going third party/publisher, but the companies put a lot of pride into these consoles. Sure, the industry is all about money, but then people forget why they went into the industry to begin with. They love to play and make video games.

The only way for Nintendo to leave hardware is if they go bankrupt, which is probably not going to happen with over 15 billion dollars in cash reserves.

PopRocks3594517d ago

"If people want to play a certain companies game, but won't buy the hardware, then you probably don't want to play it that badly."

I think this part of it sums it up best for me. I mean hey, I already get labeled as a fanboy all too consistently on this site, so I may as well be honest.

I don't mind buying Nintendo hardware for Nintendo games, mostly because I know what I'm getting out of it is a fun experience for myself. Other people have typed back to me how it's a waste of money for one reason or another, but as long as I'm enjoying myself and I'm satisfied with the end result how is it a waste?

It's not like Microsoft and Sony are forever cutting edge with their hardware either; the PS1 and PS2 were the weakest consoles of their generation and PCs almost always outdo new consoles within a few years, sometimes months.

You would not ask for Sony and Microsoft to make their games on PC for this reason (though Microsoft has occasionally tried to take a bite out of the PC crowd before, but nothing too ambitious).

FriedGoat4517d ago

lol Microsoft has tried to take a bite out of the PC crowd before? Microsoft was a PC only company all but 12 years ago.

And Sony still publish games on the PC, Planetside for instance.

Oh_Yeah4516d ago

Gears of war, halo, fable, Alan Wake, crackdown, they're all on pc..The only exclusive AAA franchise that Microsoft didn't put on pc is Forza And pc's are always more powerful than consoles...chu smoking on?

ahronith4516d ago

Zelds on 360...that just sounds wrong.
*throws up in mouth a little*

jacksheen00004517d ago

The problem is Nintendo lack the resources to make quality games.

All Nintendo really have under their belt is Retro; which I m afraid to say isn't enough manpower to crank out games in a timely manner.

Now we all know that the Wii U is a underpowered gaming console, but to say its was the fault of the weak CPU/GPU is not realistic thinking.

Realistically, what seem to be the case here,is They're stubbornness to take on the gaming with very little game development resources was suicide.

All this could have been prevented a long long time ago. They're strict low cost policy seems to get them in trouble every single time.

Sadly, They can't seem to let go to the fact that going beyond the outter limitation to spend more money is key to stay on top of business market.

Next time, Nintendo stay away from making any bold statements in the future.

Nuff said!

animegamingnerd4517d ago

what you mean they lack resources to make quality games have you seen the scores both mario galaxy's got and what about monolith many people consider xneoblade to be one of the bets RPG'S this gen

jacksheen00004517d ago (Edited 4517d ago )

xneoblade and Mario galaxy are both excellent game.

But what I meant is Nintendo don't have the manpower/enough R&D divisions to support all of our gaming demands, both causal and core.

Recently, Just about every game released by Nintendo so far is either Mario, rehashed(games/DLC), causal games, mini games, etc.

And the only way I think Nintendo is going to dreamcast their way out of this sh_t hole is buy more game studios or hire more experienced DEv. Hiring THQ employee was a good start.

AdvanceWarsSgt4516d ago

Intelligent Systems is chop liver now??? They just released arguably the best Fire Emblem in the franchise, created and developed the awesome Advance Wars series, and have made good-great games on all of Nintendo's handhelds.

Adnan_rules4517d ago

nintendo dont make quality games? sony and microsoft dont compare to sonys first party franchises

RFornillos44517d ago

"The problem is Nintendo lack the resources to make quality games."

yes, that's the problem of Nintendo. they don't make quality games. they only have 3 or more games in the top 10 video games of all time in most listings and reviews, with the 2 or 3 in the top 5, one of which is the no. 1.

shame nintendo, shame. next time, aim for 10 out 10...

Kos-Mos4517d ago

Why do you still comment after your nuff`said ????????????????????????

jacksheen00004517d ago

Simple.

If someone ask me to explain my commit further to get a better idea on what I m trying to say, than I do it.
Anything out side of that I will simple just ignore it.

does that answer your question?

VikTheStampede4516d ago

LOL, what? XDD

If anything where nintenod falls behind in its hardware, they more than make up for it with its fantastic software.

Realplaya4516d ago

Yu have a point but I don't think they have a lack of resourses. The mario games are ok to me Nintendo is the king of 2d and 3d platformers but what hurts them is they jumped on the HD bandwagon so late that there basically playing catch up hell they even admitted it. With that said they now are gaining experience I will go on record and put this out there what ever mario game they create next will look sexy amd play like a beast.

deafdani4516d ago

You really have no idea of the ridiculous amount of game studios that Nintendo owns, do you? They're easily one of the biggest game publishers out there, if not the biggest.

Your argument isn't grounded in reality at all.

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WeAreLegion4517d ago (Edited 4517d ago )

I understand the "If you want to play Nintendo games, buy a Nintendo system." mentality, but there are so few games on the Nintendo platforms that I want to play. I can't justify paying so much for a system when there are only a few games I will play. My Wii U was a gift, so I will never sell it. I just wish there were more quality games coming out for it. :/

TechnicianTed4517d ago (Edited 4517d ago )

I can understand that. I didn't buy a ps3 until 3 years after it launched, because there was nothing on it I wanted to play until then. And the price was way too high.

At the end of the day though it's all down to preference. The Nintendo systems have always had games on them I loved that the other systems didn't offer.

Not everyone is going to have the same tastes, it doesn't mean a system is bad because you don't like the games on it, it just means you don't like the games.

I'm sure things will pick up for the Wii U, it's just got off to a very slow start. Nintendo won't give up on it though, it will just take time for the libary to build up.

TruthbeTold4516d ago

Well, since you never buy Nintendo consoles, and your Wii U was a gift, then hopefully between the Wii games you've missed, and the games for Wii U that you like, you'll have plenty of good gaming to supplement whatever your other favorite(s) are.

Look on the bright side. :D

schlanz4515d ago

Its called time.

Give it some time.

The ps3 didn't start rocking until mid to late 2009.

Better example perhaps is the 3ds, it started off awfully weak but is now shaping up to be more than a worthy successor to the sublimely awesome DS. Systems dont become must-own overnight.

WeAreLegion4515d ago (Edited 4515d ago )

Good responses, guys! I did actually own a Wii and have played most of the great Wii games. In fact, I just bought Metroid Prime 3 yesterday. It's one that I loved, but never finished. :) The Weird thing is...for me, the PS3 was a hit from day one. I played RFOM online for months! Motorstorm and the great PANEL games helped, as well. I'm easily pleased by Sony, it seems.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4515d ago
millzy1024517d ago

i don't see it as forcing me, ive been playing nintendo longer than playstation and xbox, does that mean there forcing me to buy there consoles for there games, no. i like nintendo games so i buy nintendo hardware, i like sony games so i buy playstation and i used to like xbox games so i had an xbox, its about what i want as a gamer/ consumer and like the dude said above if people want to play nintendo games but not on nintendo hardware then they don't to play them that much. i never own just 1 console i like to have them all anyway.

besides nintendo would go purely hand held before 3rd party.

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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 9h 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)
drivxr2d 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 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h 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 20h 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 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

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

DivineHand1251d 16h 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 10h ago

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

LoveSpuds1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h 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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 21d ago
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.