Nintendo’s NX Needs Games, Not Gimmicks

Hey Poor Player's Francis DiPersio writes - "All signs seem to point to Nintendo’s next piece of hardware, currently known as the Nintendo NX, releasing later this year. While there are plenty of people who would agree that the time is right for Nintendo to shift their focus from the foundering Wii U, which has struggled to keep pace with the competition from the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One despite its year-long head start this console generation, recent language from Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima has me worried that the longtime console manufacturer could be doomed to repeat the same mistakes as its recent predecessors."

[derkasan]

Agreed. I really like the Classic Controller for the Wii U - wish they'd go with a controller like that for the next system.

[dead_pixels]

I just wish Nintendo would stick with making great games rather than pigeonholing themselves with awkward peripherals and hardware that scares away third party support.

[BrickHardcastle]

Gotta agree there. Also some more first party games that aren't aimed just at the "family friendly" market might be good for enticing older gamers.

[never4get]

Add Steam or Nintendo home console business would end.

[N4g_null]

If the leaks are true and they are sticking to what I've seen then the gimmick is more games and BC with power to play on both machines.

Other rumors are they are making a super Nintendo Zelda for the anniversary and extending all wiiu games with nintendo TV content.

Lots of news coming down the pipe.

[Jag-T1000]

Wait, you want games too?

[tamriilin]

I like a lot of the second- and third-year Wii u games, and that's what those are mostly -- games first. Sm3dw, Mario kart, bayonetta... And 2015 was an astounding year for the Wii u. Let's just hope Nintendo understands what people really like about their games.

[Stealth20k]

Do you know what we need? Real articles that understand the difference between features and gimmicks.

Star Fox was the first game to have rumble. Was that a gimmick? Zelda had a save feature, was that a gimmick? Kirby Canvas Curse used the touch screen, was that a gimmick?

Features that are used in games are not gimmicks. Thank god Nintendo ignores articles like this and the people on this site.

[dead_pixels]

I have a lot of trouble identifying waggle and manically tapping superfluous touch screens features.

[Concertoine]

And yet both touch screens and motion controls are supported every platform this gen, and dont seem to be going anywhere.

And please describe any game where one has to "maniacally tap superfluous touch screens"

[dead_pixels]

What? Neither the Xbox One or Playstation 4 use touch screens. The PS4's touch pad is hardly the same thing as a touch screen.

If you think for one minute no 3DS or Wii U games have unecessarily implemented shoddy touch controls then I don't know what to tell you.

[Concertoine]

Well the PS4 doesn't (although i could reach and point out the remote play gimmick which uses touch screen controls), but the Vita does have that touch screen gimmick, and the Xbox One has the SmartGlass gimmick.

And no, don't ignore my question by asking me why i don't know your answers. I want to know what Nintendo games have bad touch screen controls. Note: Nintendo games.

Although motion controls took a while to get rolling, hardly anyone argues that the 2nd screen/touch screen was a pointless introduction by the DS. Instant access to menus, maps, etc. made for a seamless experience that almost everyone enjoys.

[superchiller]

No, the article is on point; all recent Nintendo hardware has had gimmicks cobbled into them, to try to entice people to buy. 2nd screen on DS/3DS, waggle controls on Wii, 3D effect on 3DS, and gamepad controller for Wii U, we're all gimmicks that failed to deliver a better gaming experience (but instead resulted in inferior base hardware in every case).

If the NX follows the same pattern as their previous gaming hardware, they're done in the gaming hardware business.

[user8966828]

Sorry to disappoint you but Nintendo is not going anywhere

[deafdani]

Was rumble a gimmick? Yes.
Was save feature a gimmick? Yes.
Was touch screen a gimmick? Yes.

Here's the thing. A gimmick isn't necessarily a bad thing. People need to understand what the word gimmick really means. It's thrown around in a negative light waaaaay too often by many people here, including yourself.

Here's the full meaning of the word, according to Merriam-Webster:

----------------------------- ------------------------------- -----------------

Full Definition of gimmick
1
a : a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus
b : an ingenious or novel mechanical device

2
a : an important feature that is not immediately apparent
b : an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle
c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention <a marketing gimmick>

----------------------------- ------------------------------- -----------------

If you pay attention, you will see that those features you listed above fall under one or more of that criteria.

[superchiller]

Everyone knows what gimmick means in reference to Nintendo's products. You have it right there in your definition:

2c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention <a marketing gimmick>

[deafdani]

Leave it to superchiller to cherry pick one of the various meanings of the word and twist it into something negative against Nintendo.

How predictable.

[Coachkeys]

A Metroid or Zelda NX bundle would sell amazingly.

[gleepot]

I don't know about a Metroid bundle. Metroid has a devout fan base sure, but it's never ever been a system seller, let alone a huge seller.

[Coachkeys]

And hopefully the gimmick will be more in the system itself as opposed to the controller. I think we've learned by now that the controller, which they helped perfect, is good enough.

[Relientk77]

Agree with title

Give me a Legend of Zelda NX bundle

[gedden7]

I agree 100% "Simply put, Nintendo needs to focus on games rather than gimmicks to rekindle the faith of their consumers and third parties."

Please nintendo focus on games. Your new way to play should be all gaming not a gimmicky control scheme. PLEASE NINTENDO.

[SweatyFlorida]

Ever since the wii (or maybe even DS) they've been trying to strike gold with new gimmicky ways to play, doubt they'll change honestly as even when Nintendo went "core" they didn't sell a lot (nintendo 64, gamecube)despite those systems having amazing games.

As much as I love playing their games on simple controls and nice engines, I can see why they flop around with new tech every hardware launch.

[RedCloud88]

Am I the only one that thinks the nx is not what we think it is?

[superchiller]

If it isn't an entirely new console, and you're right that no one knows what it will be, then Nintendo is in big trouble. They desperately need a new piece of gaming hardware with genuinely competitive specs and features; if that isn't what the NX really is, they might as well just not bother.

[RedCloud88]

Ok, so follow my logic for a sec.
maybe I'm crazy but I saw the patent that showed a box capable of taking power from other connected boxes(i.e. The new console drawing power from a connected wii u or some sort of upgrade box), and I heard the projected sales of 20 million units by the end of 2016.

Now a, consoles don't sell that many units in six months(oct-march), so even if they mean fiscal 2016 that's absurd. And b, as you said, they need this to be a console. From that patent, and their need for a new machine, I can't help but think that the NX is actually the code for an operating system that will run across the wii u, new 3ds and the next gen Nintendo, allowing the new system to take power from the other two if they're connected. If I'm right, then they could be coming the 11million wii u's and however many new 3ds' in with the protection of 20 million units sold.

But I could just be bugging, who knows.

[finite]

Ill get it just for mario and zelda :P

[Ferrethat22]

NX needs to be more powerful than PS4

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Not if that drives the price up beyond reasonable ranges, it doesn't.

It needs to accomplish a lot of power at a reasonable price; if trying to out-pace the PS4 by a gen's worth of power means sacrificing the price tag or selling at a loss for years on end, then that's not a concession they should be making.

[I3loggs24]

Say the NX was more powerful and could run games at 60fps @1080p with atleast 2xAA, If the NX is marketed correctly as a true next gen console and boasts about its power, im postive it could be easily sold for $100-$200 more then the competition.

[StormLegend]

Totally agree! It needs more Nintendo games.

I don't buy Nintendo to play mulitplats
It's 2 other systems that play those better.

[benji101]

There is one other system that plays them infinitely better.. but yeah.. you are talking consoles..

[recto85]

Moar power, games and backward compatibility (with old controllers). Nintendo is the only way to play trv Japanese games on home console, don't blow this up like ps3/4 did.

[MilkMan]

What gimmick? Cloud computing is the future. Is that the gimmick? Power and innovation?

[GrimDragon]

I really hope they finally launch a decent metroid game with it.

[jessionpc]

Gimmick is a strong word in the gaming community. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying new things, one day people are going to experience something that changes gaming for the better, for all. But it won't happen unless we get some, "gimmicks".

I'd say the problem though, is these closed market console makers seem to give up on these, "gimmicks", the moment they don't sell millions of copies.

Take the Wii U. Why did they even make a tablet if for the most part people are just going to buy a pro controller and toss that aside?

Gotta go all in, or don't even try.

[LAWSON72]

Love how everyone just wants a more powerful PS4 that plays Nintendo games. As an owner of all the current systems that would be extremely disappointing.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

This article needs to be much more precise;

The NX needs a selling hook, and exclusives.

Emphasis, especially, needs to be put onto exclusives.

You see, multiplats are nice, heck some would say they're a necessity.
But multiplats won't move NX's the way they move the other two systems.

Why, you may ask?

Simple: because at this point in time, no one is used to buying Nintendo systems for multiplats.

Everyone's friends who also play said multiplats are all on other systems; it'd take more than just the same old multiplats to get them to change to a new system when they don't know if their friends will do the same.

Hence, they need a good amount of exclusives from third parties, at launch, to supplement the multiplats.

When you get people looking at the NX for two or three killer exclusives that they can't live without, and the NX also has stuff like Batman, AC, and CoD to entice them alongside it, that's when you'll see the NX start shifting units.

NX-exclusive AAA games from third parties are probably the #1 thing that they NEED in order to sell systems.

The second thing it needs, is a hook.

Say what you want about "gimmicks", but it's a fact that the system needs something, even if it's optional, that will set it apart from the other two.
Something that Nintendo can set focus on and make people want, then make two separate bundles, one with the hook and one without, to entice people and see how the hook bundle sells.

Tradition is nice, but the same old things in hardware gets old after a while.
Just because it isn't broke doesn't mean it can't be improved, and we need something different than first person helmets that cost an arm and a leg.

[WickedLester]

"You see, multiplats are nice, heck some would say they're a necessity. But multiplats won't move NX's the way they move the other two systems."

They will if it's the best place to play them!

[Ark_]

PC is the best place to play multiplats. And X1 and PS4 play them good enough as well. There is really no need for a third multiplat console.

Good Nintendo games and a new gaming experience (new kind of controlls or interactivity) is what I personally whish for.

That's why I jumped on the WiiU in the first place as a complement to my gaming rig.
There is still not enough exclusives (I am interested in) on either PS4 or X1 to justify me purchasing one. Would like to play the master chief collection and bloodborne ... maybe uncharted. That's about it for now.

[WickedLester]

@Ark

Totally different markets! Yes, we ALLLLLL know PC's yield the best graphics. However not everyone is interested in playing on PC. I'm speaking strictly consoles here. If, say the NX comes out and its powerful enough to run Fallout 4 or Tomb Raider at a constant 1080p/60fps with superior textures, lighting, particle effects, etc I know I would take a serious look at it, provided Nintendo doesnt completely screw up the controller design!

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Here's the thing about that; saying "This is the definitive version!" doesn't work for Nintendo.
They tried that on Wii U with games like Need for Speed, but it didn't help at all.

Like it or not, if people continue seeing the same multiplats that the NX gets appearing on other systems, with nothing new on the NX to draw them to it outside of said multiplats that they already plan to own on their current systems, then they'll simply stick to the other systems for multiplats.

One of the bigger reasons for that, is because that's where all of their buddies are playing them, so why would they switch?

Also, after how third parties treated the Wii U, NO ONE is expecting the NX to get the best versions of any multiplats.
Sony has greased too many palms for that to happen, as has Microsoft.

No, whether anyone likes hearing it or not is beside the point; exclusives are the best bet the NX has.
Multiplats are of secondary importance in comparison, if not Tertiary importance after including Nintendo's first party games.

[WickedLester]

Agreed 100%! Nintendo's GAMES are what drives me to buy their consoles, not their gimmicks!

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

wait I thought you wanted more power, features and another console like the other two not games?

[Stealth20k]

Nintendo does not do gimmicks, they innovate with new features, big difference. This article, like the commenters here do not know anything

[superchiller]

Gimmicks are exactly what Nintendo is known for in their gaming hardware. It's right in the definition of the word:

2c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention <a marketing gimmick>

Unfortunately, their marketing gimmicks don't add to the gaming experience, they interfere with it. The Wii was crippled by the waggle gimmick tied to cheap hardware, the Wii U was ruined by the gamepad gimmick, and again featured substandard hardware. The DS featured a useless 2nd screen, and the 3DS added the silly 3D gimmick.

[Stealth20k]

They do not use that word ever. You know nothing about Nintendo dude.

"The DS featured a useless 2nd screen"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

[Stealth20k]

The Nintendo haters have invaded another comment section.

[JunMei]

All I hear is, "oh my god, change! I can't take it! Anything more than what I've used for the past 20 years is just too much for me! Are you crazy Nintendo? I can't adapt to NEW innovations! Anything new is bad! Damn you for trying to push interface technologies forward when we should just do the same thing for the next 20 years!"

Geez you guys. As a PC Gamer, Nintendo consoles truly are the ONLY consoles that are must have because of their unique interfaces AND legendary software. If you can't enjoy both because of one or the other, then you're really missing out on something wonderful.

[superchiller]

Please, no more of those "PC+Wii U are the only way to go" false arguments. We're talking about console gaming, not PC gaming. Most gamers prefer consoles for many reasons, and in the console market, the Wii U has proven to be a complete failure. Most people would much rather have a PS4 or XB1 than the Wii U; in fact, most people would even prefer a 360 or PS3, since the Wii U is really more a part of that generation in terms of hardware.

Nintendo's "innovation" really is nothing more than making the cheapest possible hardware, then throwing in a gimmick to try to reel people in. No one wants these gimmicks, they just want solid gaming hardware. If Nintendo doesn't learn that lesson for their next console, they're done in this industry.

[JunMei]

I didn't say the only way to go. I said, only must have. PS4 would be a nice companion. Just not a must have because 99% of the library is the same as PC.

[marloc_x]

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