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Nintendo Finally Considers Smartphone Move After Third Straight Annual Loss
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This is a typical example of how modern media and ease of access to Internet and list of hardware specifications and nonsense surrounding it is read into way too much.
Nintendo Wii U's biggest problem is not its hardware, its more than capable enough of outputting the games Nintendo are going for. Have anyone actually seen the Wii U games in it's HD glory? It looks downright magnificent and still there is no problem with the frame rate so its obviously good enough as it is.
Yet people seem to be completely stuck in their mindset, people is led to believe that hardware is king. You NEED to have the most powerful console, everything else automatically sucks in-comparison because hardware is the end all, be all of todays brainwashed Internet consuming community. Its funny how everyone seems to have forgotten that software is equally, if not more important than raw hardware because without the software to utilise it the hardware is sitting there completely useless.
Its quite clear that for the software and games Nintendo are producing the hardware of the Nintendo Wii U is not whats holding it back. Its more about horrible branding (Wii U? Come on..), severe lack of marketing and a too over-the-top approach with this tablet gaming controller which people have a really hard time seeing the point with, which is actually more confusing to work with than fun and when gaming companies have such a hard time actually figuring out what to do with the thing it becomes a huge mess.
Also Nintendo need to get their wheels spinning in terms of producing games. There is a complete lack of third-party support for Nintendo gaming wise these days so they have to be producing games like hotcackes if they want to stay somewhat relevant. I've got a Nintendo Wii U and it has some really stellar games but they are few and far between and most of them are very centralised towards local multiplayer so they are less fun to play on your own. This is simply not good enough in todays market.
Nintendo needs to accept the fact that they are not capable of producing enough good games fast enough and do something about it, or they need to alter their desktop gaming approach completely by making yet another more traditional gaming console that competes with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 with a somewhat regular controller so Nintendo can get some decent third-party support and get all the mainstream blockbuster games like a proper FIFA, Call of Duty and whatnot in order to stay relevant.
With the Nintendo Wii U things have become too niche for it to sell in huge numbers and it will probably stay that way as the markets goes more towards mainstream media than anything else.
Nintendo Wii U's biggest problem is not its hardware, its more than capable enough of outputting the games Nintendo are going for. Have anyone actually seen the Wii U games in it's HD glory? It looks downright magnificent and still there is no problem with the frame rate so its obviously good enough as it is.
Yet people seem to be completely stuck in their mindset, people is led to believe that hardware is king. You NEED to have the most powerful console, everything else automatically sucks in-comparison because hardware is the end all, be all of todays brainwashed Internet consuming community. Its funny how everyone seems to have forgotten that software is equally, if not more important than raw hardware because without the software to utilise it the hardware is sitting there completely useless.
Its quite clear that for the software and games Nintendo are producing the hardware of the Nintendo Wii U is not whats holding it back. Its more about horrible branding (Wii U? Come on..), severe lack of marketing and a too over-the-top approach with this tablet gaming controller which people have a really hard time seeing the point with, which is actually more confusing to work with than fun and when gaming companies have such a hard time actually figuring out what to do with the thing it becomes a huge mess.
Also Nintendo need to get their wheels spinning in terms of producing games. There is a complete lack of third-party support for Nintendo gaming wise these days so they have to be producing games like hotcackes if they want to stay somewhat relevant. I've got a Nintendo Wii U and it has some really stellar games but they are few and far between and most of them are very centralised towards local multiplayer so they are less fun to play on your own. This is simply not good enough in todays market.
Nintendo needs to accept the fact that they are not capable of producing enough good games fast enough and do something about it, or they need to alter their desktop gaming approach completely by making yet another more traditional gaming console that competes with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 with a somewhat regular controller so Nintendo can get some decent third-party support and get all the mainstream blockbuster games like a proper FIFA, Call of Duty and whatnot in order to stay relevant.
With the Nintendo Wii U things have become too niche for it to sell in huge numbers and it will probably stay that way as the markets goes more towards mainstream media than anything else.
A Nintendo phone is an absolutely awful idea, an expensive boondoggle that will set them back years.
Custom Nintendo controllers for phones, tablets, and hopefully Apple TV would be great (probably not conforming to the MFi standard though).
Custom Nintendo controllers for phones, tablets, and hopefully Apple TV would be great (probably not conforming to the MFi standard though).
To me, that's what makes nintendo games worth the asking price - lack of story.
I rented both Bioshock Infinite and the new Tomb Raider for $3. Beat both in a day - and because i'd completed the story - there was nothing else to keep me playing. Subsequently both these (well reviewed) games, were, to me, only worth $3 rental.
Whereas a decent mario game i'll keep going back to for months (even years - i still go back to mario galaxy 2, to try to get one more extra star).
As for the story - misquoted nonsense.
Well kind of. One difference is many people are deciding they only want to carry one gadget with them. When making that decision, the phone is going to win the battle almost every time, and increasingly so. No one wants to leave their phone at home to carry a DS, PSP, etc., when the phone they already have is capable of handling the job (especially with better controllers). Same reason why the point and shoot camera market is getting hammered.
I agree Nintendo is far from done and don't have to support phones and tablets yet if they choose not to. But it's an increasingly tough sell.
I really hope they will make thier games available for iOs with controller support.
But what is probably of more interesting to them is to: create a controller for iPhone/iPad. Port most wanted games to iOs. (Mario kart, ocarina of time, smash bross, windwaker, metroid) Charge for the controller and they would become the nr 1 game supplier for apple games. If prices are reasonable.
I think it would be a smart move for apple to subsidise them into making thier games work natively for apple gear only.
But what is probably of more interesting to them is to: create a controller for iPhone/iPad. Port most wanted games to iOs. (Mario kart, ocarina of time, smash bross, windwaker, metroid) Charge for the controller and they would become the nr 1 game supplier for apple games. If prices are reasonable.
I think it would be a smart move for apple to subsidise them into making thier games work natively for apple gear only.
Does no one else here see the parallels with 'Apple should just make OSX for PC and licence it or they are doomed' style nay saying?
Speaking as quite a casual gamer (I have an Xbox 360 and am not very skilled...) that image in the article is the first time I have seen a Wii U (or it's controller). That probably means something.
This is not the way forward, they have a fabulous first party catalogue and that is what they should be pushing. Keep the 3DS for exclusives as it sells well, but open up to other platforms for everything else. A Mario or Zelda for example on Xbox or Playstation would sells in the millions.
I think Nintendo could earn a **** load of money of they send out their old 2D catalog on cell phones.
They wouldn't loose anything for their current consoles, but they would suddenly have a user base of more than 100 million buyers. It is actually quite stupidly stubborn that they haven't done so already.
But a Nintendo phone makes no sense. No way they would be able to compete with the top manufacturers.
They wouldn't loose anything for their current consoles, but they would suddenly have a user base of more than 100 million buyers. It is actually quite stupidly stubborn that they haven't done so already.
But a Nintendo phone makes no sense. No way they would be able to compete with the top manufacturers.
how does sony with their vita compare? perhaps they are missing the entire point, i.e their console is bad.
anyway, nintendo need to up their game. they can no longer have just the mario-pokemon-training games combo and expect to rival sony and microsoft. the whole wii thing was cool when kinect1 was worthless, but as sony and MS are closing the gap, what does nintendo have? people expect more than just the "a wild pikachu appears!" game. they need to get exclusive titles that are comparable to the others (forza and GT comes to mind) while being as good with other "regular" games (like BF4).
anyway, nintendo need to up their game. they can no longer have just the mario-pokemon-training games combo and expect to rival sony and microsoft. the whole wii thing was cool when kinect1 was worthless, but as sony and MS are closing the gap, what does nintendo have? people expect more than just the "a wild pikachu appears!" game. they need to get exclusive titles that are comparable to the others (forza and GT comes to mind) while being as good with other "regular" games (like BF4).
I can see their predicament, the Wii U is primarily the problem, not the 3DS. But it's as if people are saying that if Nintendo are to succeed the Wii U needs to go mobile. I love the big TV immersive format of Nintendo console games - it would be a shame to see them reduced to a smartphone size.
Their are so many ways they could go with it. It'll be interesting to watch and I wish them well.
I'll honestly buy a Wii U once there's at least 5 or 6 good games for it, but currently, there kind've isn't.
Their are so many ways they could go with it. It'll be interesting to watch and I wish them well.
I'll honestly buy a Wii U once there's at least 5 or 6 good games for it, but currently, there kind've isn't.
sonic was actually a very good series on the genesis and NOT mediocre. sega also had incredible arcade games (many ported over to the genesis or now on compilation discs for current gen consoles) like shinobi, outrun, after burner, altered beast and many many more. phantasy star was also a great RPG series, not mediocre
Did you miss the part about scaling back the 3DS forecast by 5 million units? It may have been the best selling, but Nintendo makes a good chunk of its money from hardware sales (Versus Sony and Microsoft who either break even or take a loss.) So that is a big problem even if it sold more than home consoles and the Vita which is already failing.
I think their real problem with the 3ds is hardware size. The 3DS is just too chunky to carry around with me all the time. Give us a more premium 3DS Slim for the older crowd and I would be all over that. As it stands now I only take my 3DS where I take my laptop, so it has limited exposure.
I think Nintendo bet the farm on a family, kid friendly game system. The Wii was initially successful in this endeavor but once the Xbox (and to a lesser degree the PS3) caught up, the lack of graphics and performs doomed the Wii. The Wii U looks horrible I can't see how this would ever be popular.
Sadly, I think the time has passed Nintendo and getting into smartphones is a desperate attempt that will probably not work.
Licensing their game portfolio ala Sega may be in the future.
Sadly, I think the time has passed Nintendo and getting into smartphones is a desperate attempt that will probably not work.
Licensing their game portfolio ala Sega may be in the future.
Nintendo was going to work with Apple before! My favourite two companies coming together! 
Integrate Nintendo with Apple TV and iOS and launch a Nintendo controller to go with it! Play on the go on iOS or at home using Apple TV and controller! Thats pure addiction!
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Damn that was good! Dreamcast was pure class! Tragedy it came a little to late!
Integrate Nintendo with Apple TV and iOS and launch a Nintendo controller to go with it! Play on the go on iOS or at home using Apple TV and controller! Thats pure addiction! ----------
Damn that was good! Dreamcast was pure class! Tragedy it came a little to late!
The handheld market does not subsidize Nintendo's console business...the Wii made more profit than any Nintendo product in history and not a single Nintendo console has been unprofitable.
It's one thing to be wrong about this, but you're spewing it as fact.
I don't want to turn this in a console fight (I also own all Nintendo consoles since the NES, except for the Virtual Boy) but I can't understand what you wrote about SEGA.
Have you ever played SEGA in the arcades or at home before the year 2000?
SEGA arguably did some of the finest arcade games of all times, not just the software, but also the associated high-end arcade hardware with moving parts etc.
Their consoles (except for the 32X and then the Saturn in the West/outside of Japan flops) and software titles were mostly great, especially the arcade conversions.
Their last effort, the Dreamcast, was a particularly interesting console in my opinion, especially considering its short lifespan. Others already mentioned titles like House of the Dead, Sonic, Shenmue, Phantasy Star...
The Dreamcast was ahead of its time (online gaming on consoles with player avatar and stats, VMU hardware in the gamepad, basically a precursor for the second screen mantra used today) in my opinion.
SEGA just never had the financial stability or cash liquidity mattress to sustain losses as Nintendo (still) can, but the writing is on the wall for Nintendo long-term.
They either launch new business units (eg. theme parks in Asia could be an idea) or pull another original-Wii-like surprise rabbit out of their pocket soon...
I don't see much of their IP working well on iPads or tablets because of the traditional control schemes. Some IP like Pokemon might work fine.
The problem with Nintendo is they are slow to react to changes, which is a problem in today's world with yearly HW cycles on tablets and smartphones.
They correctly identified Apple as a new competitor in 2010 but didn't act on it (at least not successfully), same for attracting more third party content on the Wii U, that was already a problem on the original Wii and before...it's 2014 and both problems are not resolved.
Nintendo could very well be forced to do a SEGA move a few years from now (or someone buys them out, but given their company shareholder structure and Japanese corporate laws this is next to impossible).
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Iwata has destroyed the company as a very conservative man ever since he replaced Yamauchi. During the N64 and before, Nintendo had incredible hardware support and was a worthy adversary of both Sony and Sega.
Since Iwata came into the picture, Nintendo has degraded itself to bargain-bin quality kids crap (with the exception of a few very good 1st party titles).
Nintendo doesn't just need smartphone support, which is long overdue, but requires a complete business rewrite to become market leader in the games industry once again. Believe me, if Nintendo would make the Super NES 2 or anything along those lines, with strong 3rd party and 2nd party support, Sony and Microsoft would not stand a living chance.
EDIT: There are strong rumors that Sega is returning to the hardware business, which I hope will come to fruition because the market has become stale with just Sony and Microsoft in the game.
Since Iwata came into the picture, Nintendo has degraded itself to bargain-bin quality kids crap (with the exception of a few very good 1st party titles).
Nintendo doesn't just need smartphone support, which is long overdue, but requires a complete business rewrite to become market leader in the games industry once again. Believe me, if Nintendo would make the Super NES 2 or anything along those lines, with strong 3rd party and 2nd party support, Sony and Microsoft would not stand a living chance.
EDIT: There are strong rumors that Sega is returning to the hardware business, which I hope will come to fruition because the market has become stale with just Sony and Microsoft in the game.
Hang on a sec... I can't remember whether it's was xbox1 or PS4, but not all of the games are 1080p. Every Wii U title is full 1080p.
The problem is that most 'gamers' want unimaginative, cliche shooting games like CoD or the other games that are pretty much exactly the same. If the Wii U was open to the games like that or FIFA I could imagine it selling a lot more due to it being half the price as Xbox and PS4. I myself am going to buy a wii U in the next few weeks (there's apparently a pokemon wii u game coming)
The problem is that most 'gamers' want unimaginative, cliche shooting games like CoD or the other games that are pretty much exactly the same. If the Wii U was open to the games like that or FIFA I could imagine it selling a lot more due to it being half the price as Xbox and PS4. I myself am going to buy a wii U in the next few weeks (there's apparently a pokemon wii u game coming
)How about they just create a *true* modern console?
It just sounds like the company is focussed on making a ridiculous amount of money than doing anything for the gaming industry.
The Wii U has potential but like the Wii; is severely limited on the technical front.
No, it's not that. People do not want to pay £200+ for out dated hardware without much support. Typical Nintendo fanboy reply; IT'S ABOUT THE GAMES. Damn right it is; hence why the Wii U hasn't sold jack-all and developers have no interest in trying to push 7th generation-specced piece of equipment.
The N64 was a game changer; Nintendo pushed the boat out on that one & fought Sony back hard. Now; they only care about one thing - money.
It just sounds like the company is focussed on making a ridiculous amount of money than doing anything for the gaming industry.
The Wii U has potential but like the Wii; is severely limited on the technical front.
Hang on a sec... I can't remember whether it's was xbox1 or PS4, but not all of the games are 1080p. Every Wii U title is full 1080p.
The problem is that most 'gamers' want unimaginative, cliche shooting games like CoD or the other games that are pretty much exactly the same. If the Wii U was open to the games like that or FIFA I could imagine it selling a lot more due to it being half the price as Xbox and PS4. I myself am going to buy a wii U in the next few weeks (there's apparently a pokemon wii u game coming
No, it's not that. People do not want to pay £200+ for out dated hardware without much support. Typical Nintendo fanboy reply; IT'S ABOUT THE GAMES. Damn right it is; hence why the Wii U hasn't sold jack-all and developers have no interest in trying to push 7th generation-specced piece of equipment.
The N64 was a game changer; Nintendo pushed the boat out on that one & fought Sony back hard. Now; they only care about one thing - money.
Exactly. The Wii U is, very abstractly put, a GameCube 3.0 using the same internals for over 12 years, just with higher clock speeds. And why? To keep the costs down? Last time I checked a Wii U was just over 100 cheaper than a PS4.
If Nintendo wants to get their act together, all they have to do is develop a mature console and gather developers. They already have a strong 1st party line up, they've always had that. It will only work to their advantage.
I would dance in the streets if this were true, but all the previous rumors were wrong, and there were many since the demise of the Dreamcast.
SEGA even scaled back much of its IP development (a lot of IP orphaned, less titles per year) and distribution outside of Japan in recent years, so it's looking very bleak even for the software side of things.
On the other hand, Ouya and MadCatz (Mojo) both managed to launch consoles with limited financial means recently...so in theory it could be possible.