Nintendo, Playing it safe?

[gamelife]

Quite a good read - http://cube.ign.com/articles/561/561400p1.html

Being a very big Nintendo fan over the years i pretty much agree with this article. What do you all think about it?

This is the reason why i sold my Gamecube and jumped ship to the XBox - it's been worth every penny so far. Ninja Gaiden alone blows any Cube game out of the water IMO, though i loved Metroid Prime

[Leon Retro]

These are my thoughts, just a few things I feel a about Nintendo.

Nintendo claim to cater for the family, but they obviously don't. They should have clear and distinctive ranges of games aimed through advertising at different groups.


Range 1: Aimed at children, such as Pokemon and educational titles which people know little kids of both genders can enjoy.


Range 2: Games aimed to appeal to everyone, such as Mario games and Zelda titles.


Range 3: More advanced games that have appeal to the older game such as Metroid, but with a new catalogue of titles aimed specifically at this group as well.


The most important change Nintendo need to make is regarding their perception of online gaming. Whereas the industry is geared more and more towards this side of gaming, Nintendo bosses refuse to adapt and embrace this new phenomenon. If Nintendo do decide to take their machines and games online, they will surely reap many rewards.


A lack of new franchises is really holding Nintendo back. Before every new console launch they make claims that the new machine will play host to many new franchises, only for these to ring hollow as things fail to materialise; the only significant new game being Pikmin this generation.


Nintendo advertising is abysmal. It doesn't make sense to advertise in the same way towards kids and adults alike. Nintendo need to spend more money targeting specific groups, only then can they stand a chance of losing the childish image that many adults hold of them


Finally, as much as I like the look of the GC, it really isn't going to appeal to the mass-market. Nintendo need a machine that sits comfortably with the whole market. The PS2 and Xbox, despite their faults, are powerful modern looking machines.


Nintendo need to stop relying on core fans, children, and embrace the whole market (No this doesn't mean abandoning their core values) Only when they refocus and wake-up to the 21st century will they have a chance of competing with Sony, and Microsoft

[KempStar]

Ninja Gaiden alone blows any Cube game out of the water IMO, though i loved Metroid Prime

This statement alone makes anything else you say null and void.

[Valken]

It doesnt make his statement null and void but it doesn't make him right either, especially with just an IGN article to back him up.

In any case as a Nintendo fan since the NES I think I have been very well catered for over the past few years. The fact that they're a "niche" company in some people's eyes doesn't worry me. I'll let others analyse "the industry".

[Flompy]

I'll be honest, I was always a Sega Kid whwn growing up but did enjoy Nintendo games at friends houses etc. However, with the G3 Nintendo have finally messed up .For every 10 PS2 games we sell in my shop, we'll sell 8 Xbox games, 5 Gameboy/5 PC games, and 1 G3 game. Nobody ever talks about it in the shop, barely anybody asks about new releases or upcoming titles on it, and I have noticed our collection of used G3's is getting very high. And we are not biased against it- we still reccomend it in the right situation. The problem is nobody wants it. Which I think is good, because hopefully Nintendo will try harder next time around instead of rely on Mario Party 6378.

[Mr Ono]

I still maintain that Nintendo are correct in waiting for online gaming to mature before plunging in head first. Whilst more gamers are online with consoles than ever it must be a small minority compared to the overall console owning fraternity. They can learn from their competitors' mistakes and apply that knowledge to the next generation. Having said that, I do think that the next gen is the time to implement online gaming and if they don't I fear the worst.

As for playing it safe - yes I do agree to a point with their games and to stay competitive, in the Western market at least, they have to start thinking about a change in company image. Get away from the plasticky Cube design ethos and go with a mean looking chrome design or something. Something which looks like it means business. Something that your mainstream gamer would lust after. Had the Panny Q been the de facto design (with DVD playback) for the Cube I am sure, cost permitting, it would have stormed into the hearts and minds of gamers.

Whatever happens to Nintendo this generation at least they have the GBA/SP as a huge cash cow - but come late this year they actually have a serious rival in the sector so can't sit back any rely on that anymore.

[Ady]

::yawn::

Variations on this theme pop up time and time again. However, what people fail to realise is that unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo is in profit.

Yes, the Gamecube is limping along in third place as far as the "console war" is concerned, but Nintendo's shareholders have nothing to worry about.

I also fail to see how becoming a poor man's Sony (a la Microsoft, it could be argued) will suddenly make them more popular. The last thing we need is three consoles on the market all trying to do exactly the same thing.

As for the online thing... Nintendo is certainly doing the right thing. The fact is most gamers don't really care for online gaming, as such Nintendo would only be throwing money away if they jumped on that bandwagon.

Of this gen, I have a PS2 and a GC at home so I have no allegiences either way, but I really am tired of hearing this.

[recipher]

Nintendo is in profit

For now. Sega made a profit once. The interesting question to ask is "if there was no GB(A), would Nintendo make a profit?" I suspect it would be yes, but not by much and not enough to innovate to the degree they do now.

The fact that they are in profit is neither here nor there if there are no games for it sitting on the shelves because no-one except Nintendo are developing anything for it. What's "everyone" excited about now*. Half-life 2. Halo 2. GTA:SA. PC. Xbox. PS2.

* Obviously, there's MP2 (and others). But is it capturing the imagination? And how much is it gonna sell (in relation the other 3) ?

[Team Andromeda]

::yawn::

Variations on this theme pop up time and time again. However, what people fail to realise is that unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo is in profit.

Yes, the Gamecube is limping along in third place as far as the "console war" is concerned, but Nintendo's shareholders have nothing to worry about.

I also fail to see how becoming a poor man's Sony (a la Microsoft, it could be argued) will suddenly make them more popular. The last thing we need is three consoles on the market all trying to do exactly the same thing.

As for the online thing... Nintendo is certainly doing the right thing. The fact is most gamers don't really care for online gaming, as such Nintendo would only be throwing money away if they jumped on that bandwagon.

Of this gen, I have a PS2 and a GC at home so I have no allegiences either way, but I really am tired of hearing this.

Oh IGN know jack sh8t, but you missing the point.

Yes NCL are in profit and they'll never be in any danger of going out of the Hardware market (they have enought loyal fans to make sure of that).

But generation after generation NCL have been loosing market share, and 3rd party in the MassMarket console business. That is worrying part.

Many people care about Online gamming, more so I bet that Link up mode with the GBA.

[JibberX]

They might be losing market share, statistically, but I don't think they are losing the physical install base in a 1 on 1 numbers way.

[Kotatsu Neko]

This is the reason why i sold my Gamecube and jumped ship to the XBox - it's been worth every penny so far. Ninja Gaiden alone blows any Cube game out of the water IMO, though i loved Metroid Prime

I think it's a real shame that you think that way. Not just because Ninja Gaiden is generic over-rated tosh (my opinion), but because the Cube has some of most memorable gaming highlights this generation.

Animal Crossing is worth the price of admission alone, then there is Wind Waker, Pikmin 1 & 2, Super Monkeyball, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 0 and 1, Viewtiful Joe and one of my personal favs, PN03. Metroid Prime 2 and Resident Evil 4 look pheonomenal, and there is also the small matter of a new Zelda game in the pipeline...

Sure they could branch out some more, and it wouldn't hurt to get some more adult titles on board, but for the price of a Cube everyone can afford to own one as well as one of the other mainstream consoles. The thing is tiny too, so you can even tuck it away in a corner.

Perhaps next time they will try to make a console which can be an only system for people. Or perhaps not. They will survive either way, as Apple have hung on in the PC market. There will always be people who want quality unique products over mainstream availability.

[Leon Retro]

Ady, you have made some factual points, but we are talking about the future.


Sony is surging further ahead of the competition. The Playstation name has become synonymous with gaming, and one of the most important things is the fact that the machine is wanted by kids, seen as cool by teenagers and also attracts adults.


Microsoft?s Xbox will most likely become a stronger brand in the next gen. It has already become well renowned amongst all age groups, with its broad range of games and cutting-edge Live service.


Nintendo on the other hand have become stale. The console itself, whilst appealing to fans, only draws negative thoughts when placed against its rivals. The lack of new appealing franchises makes Nintendo seem bygone, even to a lot of people that like Nintendo. The lack of titles that appeal to the adult gamer is a major issue, and one that Nintendo doesn't seem too bothered about.

The lack of commitment for online gaming this gen or next, only casts further negativity over the Nintendo name. Whilst online gaming isn't for everyone, there are no doubts that it is a major driving force in the industry now and through the next gen.


Yes, Nintendo make great games. That isn't enough it seems in today?s market. Nintendo need to build upon their strengths and play the opposition at their own game. By being brave and focused, Nintendo may have be able scrape back the ground they have lost over the past few years.

[gamelife]

I think it's a real shame that you think that way. Not just because Ninja Gaiden is generic over-rated tosh (my opinion), but because the Cube has some of most memorable gaming highlights this generation.

A shame it may be, but Ninja Gaiden was one of the most challenging games i've played in ages. I would'nt say it was over-rated having played the game to death.

Don't get me wrong, i had fun with my Gamecube and enjoyed many of the games i had for it. I just fancied a change as i was'nt realy feeling the same predictable line up from Nintendo. Now that i'm playing games like Outrun 2, NGaiden, Fable and soon to be released Halo 2 i can't see why i'd ever want to go back.

Many of my friends are in the same boat. We grew up with Nintendo and now where just sick and tired of the same old thing. I'm hoping that next time round Nintendo can really shake things up and impress people with something fresh and exciting.

[df0notfound]

Many people care about Online gamming, more so I bet that Link up mode with the GBA.

Not really, only geek who hang out on internet forums and annoying 13 year olds.
Hardly a lucrative market.

[Ady]

For now. Sega made a profit once. The interesting question to ask is "if there was no GB(A), would Nintendo make a profit?"

That's beside the point though. The fact is, they're not losing money, so they're pretty far from "doomed".

The fact that they are in profit is neither here nor there if there are no games for it sitting on the shelves because no-one except Nintendo are developing anything for it. What's "everyone" excited about now*. Half-life 2. Halo 2. GTA:SA. PC. Xbox. PS2.

* Obviously, there's MP2 (and others). But is it capturing the imagination? And how much is it gonna sell (in relation the other 3) ?

The machine is far from perfect, but I still maintain Nintendo stand to lose more than they could possibly gain by becoming Sony mk III.

Many people care about Online gamming, more so I bet that Link up mode with the GBA.

Likewise, "many people" like Country and Western (unfortunately). I don't think it'd do, say Radio One's listening figures any real good if they started playing it.