Will Nintendo's reliable focus on quality translate into sales?

Michael French:

I bumped into an analyst friend on the train home the other day. Conversation about industry matters turned, as you expect, to the Wii U.

We both confessed a little bemusement at Nintendo’s take on a next-gen machine – but neither of us were willing to condemn it.

Never write Nintendo off. That’s what people often say in this business. Why?

[dedicatedtogamers]

No, it won't translate into sales....not if Nintendo is focusing on the wrong games.

Look at the New Super Mario Bros series. The first DS one was good because it had been SO LONG since a proper 2D Mario. NSMBWii was good, not just because of the features but because it was the first 2D console Mario game in forever. But with NSMB2(3DS) and NSMB U, it's obvious that they're phoning it in. There's no passion nor effort to step things up a notch. If Nintendo is focusing on quality, we certainly are NOT seeing it with their flagship 2d Mario games.

Instead, Nintendo insists on pouring their "quality" into games that are niche in comparison. Why does Super Mario Galaxy get full orchestrated music and beautiful graphics while a game (NSMBWii) that sold more than double BOTH SMG games combined gets goofy "bah bah bah" circus music? Why does the trailers for the Wii U Zelda look amazing when NSMB U gets the same ol' jungle/ice/lava/desert/grass worlds?

I mean, hate them all you want, but at least Activision understands their fanbase. "Oh, you like Call of Duty? You like it such-and-such way? Okay, we will make more CoD". How can Nintendo look at the tremendous sales of games like Mario Kart, NSMB, Wii Fit, Wii Sports Resort, Donkey Kong Country Returns, etc and then turn around and think "Gee, I wonder what our fans want. I bet they want more Pikmin and Luigi's Mansion and Pilot Wings, right?"

[Neonridr]

I am confused by your argument. You are complaining about the New Super Mario Bros type of game, yet then you compare it to CoD. The reason why the developers keep making CoD games the same way is because it sells. New Super Mario Bros games have sold ridiculously well, so hence the reason why the developer is making them. Clearly people are buying them for a reason, and there's no indication to think that the Wii U version won't sell millions upon millions of units as well.

I would agree with you about "phoning" it in if it was getting terrible review scores. However NSMBU currently holds an 84 on Metacritic with 38 out of 42 reviews listed as positive meaning 80 or above. To me that sounds like a pretty good game to me.

The style of game also dictates the style of music. The Mario Galaxy games are more epic in nature so it's understanding that they would get a more significant soundtrack. Zelda has always gone for the legendary orchestra, so no surprise there. The New Super Mario Bros games are more casual style - drop in and out gameplay that focuses on fun and frantic gameplay. I think the music totally suits it.

[wampdog29]

Thank you... now I don't have to bother saying what you just said.