The problem is at the rumored $199 price I fail to see how the specs could possibly be better than either of those two devices.
They can't afford anymore flop consoles though.
It would also kill what Nintendo is. Mario being a Nintendo exclusive is no different to OS X being a Mac exclusive. The hardware is the price of admission. The hardware price keeps both companies in business and they can make sure the hardware is totally optimised to use the software at it's full potential.
Apple has good hardware, that is the difference. Nintendo hasn't had a hit since the Wii. And even sales of that dropped off after a year. They cannot keep up with Sony or Microsoft in the console side, and the iPhone will start eating into the handheld market.
The WiiU has finally got Nintendo out of the red and into profit again. That's what Nintendo are after (I assume). What Nintendo call a hit and what everyone else calls a hit are two vey different things. Profit wise Nintendo is keeping up very well with Sony's gaming division. Actually it was Nintendo that found profit again before Sony's gaming division did.
But what is the lasting power of Nintendo systems now, long gone are the days of the N64 or Super Nintendo. Do they have the titles to outlast the hype. Where people enjoy it for a few months and then get bored of it. That's what happened to the Wii.
The 3DS in general. Pokemon series http://gematsu.com/2016/03/pokemon-main-series-sales-top-200-million . Amiibo sales in the billions of dollars. The Wii U in profit. Miitomo as a top selling app.
So they sold consoles but are people still playing the system? Are they selling a lot of titles compared to Sony?
Yes, because their titles still sell in the millions. Nintendo games retain their value in the second hand market too because people are less likely to sell them on to begin with. Console games still sell in the millions - just because cheap, small, addictive mobile games exist doesn't mean big games have dried up (regardless of console). Just look at the PS4!
Yes, I linked you to the Pokemon one. Also of note Splatoon and Mario Kart are owned by something like 1/3 to 1/2 of all Wii U owners.
Mario Kart is the go to game at this point. But are they playing anything else. Nintendo doesn't have a big enough catalog anymore to satisfy hard core gamers. Does Nintendo want that market or are they happy going after the teenagers only?
You'll have to ask those people. A lot of us here seem to be playing Mario Kart 8, Mario 3D World, Smash Bros, Splatoon. I'm playing the new Zelda as well as those games, and some virtual console titles. As for what market Nintendo wants, you'll have to ask them too.
You could also say "does any console have games that outlast the hype?" Sony and MS are in the same boat as Nintendo is here. Most of the PS and Xbox games do not outlast the initial hype. This is something all modern game developers need to worry about. I would say Nintendo is doing the best at it with it's DLC packs. Super Smash Bros, Hyrule Warriors and Splatoon (just to mention 3) are relatively popular months after they were released thanks to the DLC slowly coming over the months to keep the gamers interested.
That's very true. I must be on that other half. I really like the WiiU games I own. I do not own Splatoon or MK8. I have zero interst in these two games. I do understand how popular they are though.
Nintendo is going for quality over quantity. You have Smash Bros 4, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, Star Fox Zero (soon), Monster Hunter 3U (and a few others too) for the more intense gamers to enjoy. That is without taking a look at all the good eShop content on the WiiU. Nintendo is specifically going for the hardcore gamer with the WiiU. They know the casual market (ie Wii) is not a sustainable market long term. It is much to volatile. That's why Nintendo made the shift back to the more intense gamer with the WiiU. The NX I am sure will keep this trend happening.
Steve Jobs comment about always needing trucks comes to mind. I am sure you know exactly what comment I am referring to. It's very true. Sure the truck market is a lot smaller, but without it, the rest would come falling down. The truck market is the core, the foundation that everything else is built upon. Small, but very important.
Exactly, that's why I can't get my head around these comments. I can't work out if this is another "we don't need any games manufacturers - only iPhones and Apple TVs" type post or what.
I completely forgot about those other games, haha! But I get ya. I go back to Mario Maker every weekend, it's a nice Saturday morning type game. Big fan of Nintendoland when friends are over, and Captain Toad is good for winding down with too.
Never heard that but that's a really good quote.
) so they looked outdated as soon as the newer gen hit the shelves while being not that much cheaper - as a secondary console should be. So including the touchpad was a bold move, which cost them customers, I would agree there. On the other hand, I would have never gotten the touchpad were it not included and think it's totally awesome and besides the fun games of Nintendo makes the Wii U a truly great and unique console (that sadly nobody owns).
I agree that it's too expensive compared to Ps4 / X1. Nowadays it's "all" about graphics comparisons (of stills mostly, framerate, what is that?
The problem with the lack of third party is all about chip architecture I'd say though. That was just a plain wrong decision by Ninty and the nail in the coffin.
