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Nintendo Takes Aim at Apple as 'Enemy of the Future'
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I totally agree. Rather than attempt to attack Apple head-on, I'd say cultivate them as an ally and rely on strong software sales through the store. I was playing Super Street Fighter II Turbo last night on a big LCD thinking how much I miss the SNES games. If Nintendo developed a controller that docked with an iPhone/iPod, I'd happily spend $50 to buy one and then buy old school SNES games for $10+ each, especially if they all supported bluetooth multiplayer.
Just imagine it -- the controller could cost between $50-100, it would give you some perks like a big battery inside it to provide supplemental charge, supplemental speakers, and maybe an audio port. The controller would be shaped like an SNES controller--no crazy joysticks like the current games.
Then Nintendo takes lots of its older games like those from SNES and even NES and ports them to the iPhone. They retain their classic looks. NES games sell for $5, SNES games for $10, and then newer hotter games go for higher prices. The only updates would really be to make various games multiplayer-capable.
Apple gets more profit to its store from sales of games and also gets to raise the flag at the ultimate gaming platform. Nintendo can focus on making games, which is really its bread & butter AFAIK (they might actually make more on hardware, but their reputation is their software). Nintendo gets to take advantage of all the perks of the iPhone platform. It's really a perfect merger, rather than Nintendo aiming its guns at Apple.
If you can't beat them, join them. Besides, who wants to carry around two gaming devices when you can have just one?
This is the future, Nintendo! Don't think of it as losing a war, think of it as gaining a very powerful ally so you can keep making awesome games.
I think I'll have to write a letter to Nintendo.
Seems like a repeat of 1984. You go Nintendo, get on your bad self.
"Today, we celebrate the first glorious anniversary of the Information Purification Directives. We have created for the first time in all history, a garden of pure ideology. Where each worker may bloom secure from the pests of contradictory and confusing truths. Our Unification of Thoughts is more powerful a weapon than any fleet or army on earth. We are one people, with one will, one resolve, one cause. Our enemies shall talk themselves to death and we will bury them with their own confusion. We shall prevail!"
"Today, we celebrate the first glorious anniversary of the Information Purification Directives. We have created for the first time in all history, a garden of pure ideology. Where each worker may bloom secure from the pests of contradictory and confusing truths. Our Unification of Thoughts is more powerful a weapon than any fleet or army on earth. We are one people, with one will, one resolve, one cause. Our enemies shall talk themselves to death and we will bury them with their own confusion. We shall prevail!"
The article specifically mentions consoles as well.
"That, say analysts, may be premature. Last Christmas, almost twice as many Wii consoles were sold in the US as the PlayStation3. But games developers increasingly see Sonys machine as having a large enough base of users to justify not making titles for the Nintendo machine."
I think this is all a disinformation campaign by both Nintendo and Apple. What they are really doing is preparing us for a big surprise: that Nintendo and Apple are joining forces, and Nintendo will release an iPod/iPhone capable controller shortly, and Nintendo will sell hundreds of old-school and new-school games on the App Store starting in July.
It's the only thing that makes sense. Nintendo going head-to-head against Apple is a lose-lose situation.
It's the only thing that makes sense. Nintendo going head-to-head against Apple is a lose-lose situation.
Nintendo has already lost the war and they might be starting to realize it. The DS was cool, 6 years ago ... but that is all over now.
Seriously, why would anyone want to buy a DS ? Sure, you have physical controls ... but thats about it.
Think about it. I know plenty of parents who have limited cash and have kids that want a music device, game system and phone. Why not just buy 1 device for it all ? A device that works damn well. Also, many parents I know that get their kids iPhones use MobileMe to keep tabs on the kids.
The initial cost of a DS is far less, don't get me wrong. But look at the cost of games, $20 - $40 EACH. Look at how many iPhone games you can get for that same price. Hell, look at how many playable demos there are and how many free games there are. Most DS games carry less than 10 hours of game play, not all that exciting for the cost.
When the iPhone game center comes out, its only going to get way worse for Nintendo. Friend codes are nice to protect kids, but for adults its worthless and silly. Adults don't want that crap.
I have a Wii and there are a few good games for it. I love Mario Kart, excellent game for drunken parties. Wii sports, same deal ... lots of fun for parties. But solo at home, I am going to play something else.
The Wii is dying very quickly, right along the DS.
Seriously, why would anyone want to buy a DS ? Sure, you have physical controls ... but thats about it.
Think about it. I know plenty of parents who have limited cash and have kids that want a music device, game system and phone. Why not just buy 1 device for it all ? A device that works damn well. Also, many parents I know that get their kids iPhones use MobileMe to keep tabs on the kids.
The initial cost of a DS is far less, don't get me wrong. But look at the cost of games, $20 - $40 EACH. Look at how many iPhone games you can get for that same price. Hell, look at how many playable demos there are and how many free games there are. Most DS games carry less than 10 hours of game play, not all that exciting for the cost.
When the iPhone game center comes out, its only going to get way worse for Nintendo. Friend codes are nice to protect kids, but for adults its worthless and silly. Adults don't want that crap.
I have a Wii and there are a few good games for it. I love Mario Kart, excellent game for drunken parties. Wii sports, same deal ... lots of fun for parties. But solo at home, I am going to play something else.
The Wii is dying very quickly, right along the DS.
I think you need to seriously look at User Interaction on these devices and decide if going back 20 years is really where we should be going? I think Apple has made it clear, that touch is going to be where the interface is moving forward (otherwise, they wouldn't have built the damn iPad).
Personally, I think gaming needs to move to a different philosophy that doesn't require a 'click, click, pound on the controller to get it to move' type of behavior from the user.
Take a look at X-plane or Real Racing HD on the iPad, THAT is where gaming is headed. How cool would it be to have iPad motion that controls a player in Madden 201X that you'd be looking through the helmet of the player instead of the top of the field. You and your 10 buds could play in a virtual NFL game against other teams of players. Now, that's entertainment!
I guess I'm just old fashioned, but I still prefer my DS for gaming.
I'm afraid that everyone is going to abandon traditional controls and go with motion/touch based. Innovation is great and all, and some games are certainly well served by those controls, but abandoning buttons and control pads completely is a mistake.
It reminds me of the same thing that happened when 3D became widespread. Suddenly nobody wanted to make any proper side scrolling games, they completely abandoned entire genres simply because a new technology was available. Thankfully, that trend is being reversed and we're starting to see some really high quality side-scrolling titles (Metroid: The Other M, Shank, etc.)
I'm afraid that everyone is going to abandon traditional controls and go with motion/touch based. Innovation is great and all, and some games are certainly well served by those controls, but abandoning buttons and control pads completely is a mistake.
It reminds me of the same thing that happened when 3D became widespread. Suddenly nobody wanted to make any proper side scrolling games, they completely abandoned entire genres simply because a new technology was available. Thankfully, that trend is being reversed and we're starting to see some really high quality side-scrolling titles (Metroid: The Other M, Shank, etc.)
Great point
Apple may have developed a platform that games can thrive on, but it isn't the sole purpose of the company. That's why it's on Nintendo to start the war...even if no one shows up to fight it.
But I agree that Sony and Nintendo HAVE to get a mobile software platform. The disk thing is dead for mobile. If they get a decent device with mobile store function they can keep the 9 year olds happy. I really don't think anyone over the age of 20 would want to hang with a video game system...except of course for video game programmers. ; >
Apple may have developed a platform that games can thrive on, but it isn't the sole purpose of the company. That's why it's on Nintendo to start the war...even if no one shows up to fight it.
But I agree that Sony and Nintendo HAVE to get a mobile software platform. The disk thing is dead for mobile. If they get a decent device with mobile store function they can keep the 9 year olds happy. I really don't think anyone over the age of 20 would want to hang with a video game system...except of course for video game programmers. ; >
ranReloaded said:
Really ?
I think it says Nintendo of America on that cartridge. And I'm pretty sure that's not a Nintendo hardware platform cartridge.
You beat me to it. Also not too many people know that Mario started before the NES...
One amazing company
Apple have to be an amazing company; they are shaking up so many industries. First, music, then movies , then apps and even books. No wonder Google tries to copy them, Nokia wants to sue them and even Nintendo of all companies is shivering in their boots. Apple has only 1 phone against all the other phones that Nokia, Microsoft, Motorola, Blackberry, LG and others have; it is embarrassing that Apple's one phone is beating them all. What will happen once Apple decides to create different types of phone for multiple carriers?
I do think it is wise for Nintendo to be concern because if Apple ever decides to turn their Apple TV into a gaming device, it won't be long until Nintendo disappears.
Apple have to be an amazing company; they are shaking up so many industries. First, music, then movies , then apps and even books. No wonder Google tries to copy them, Nokia wants to sue them and even Nintendo of all companies is shivering in their boots. Apple has only 1 phone against all the other phones that Nokia, Microsoft, Motorola, Blackberry, LG and others have; it is embarrassing that Apple's one phone is beating them all. What will happen once Apple decides to create different types of phone for multiple carriers?
I do think it is wise for Nintendo to be concern because if Apple ever decides to turn their Apple TV into a gaming device, it won't be long until Nintendo disappears.
They're sub-atomic particles that passes through ordinary matter, no matter how dense. I learned that from SG1 Season 3, ep 21 Crystal Skull
You mean Jack was wrong?
Frankly I'm shocked it took Nintendo this long to wake up to the impending threat from Apple portable devices.
I also have some advice for Nintendo. If you want to make a quick bundle of cash then release your software for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
I also have some advice for Nintendo. If you want to make a quick bundle of cash then release your software for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
1) how is Google copying Apple? ebooks? wouldn't that be copying amazon?
2) Apple sues other companies, why is it OK for them to sue and not Nokia?
3) it's embarrassing that you think Apples one phone is beating them all. by which measurement are you going to use to prove that.
4) yes, Sony is going to just disappear like Microsoft did. really? a marketcap of 3Trillion and Apple is going to spell their demise.
It's this very same arrogance that allowed Sony to dethrone Nintendo during the PS1/PS2 era, and it was Sony's arrogance that allowed Nintendo to come back now.
Nintendo would be absolutely foolish to dismiss Sony (and Microsoft for that matter) and claim Apple to be their "new rival".
Nintendo would be absolutely foolish to dismiss Sony (and Microsoft for that matter) and claim Apple to be their "new rival".
I'm not talking about simply ebooks. I'm talking about Apple business model. The app store on a mobile device that has a phone, rich email, soon ebooks, high quality games.... All the companies are changing to Apple's model and the ones that don't are finding their profit fall (like Nokia). If Apple changed to the other companies model, then I would say their phones are the best but since companies like Google and the rest are following Apple, then the iPhone and soon iPad reign supreme.
That's exactly what I don't get about some of the comments in this thread. The DS is much bigger than all the iDevices put together, is still growing faster, and a lot more money is made in that market. Even quite a few iPhone developers started porting their successful games to the DS, or create new games for the DS from the ground up. The much cited GTA Chinatown Wars, probably the biggest iPhone game, is just a port of a PSP game, which was a port of an old DS game. Chaos Rings is a joke compared to SquareEnix' DS or PSP offerings. It's cheaper, sure, but it's also much shorter and smaller in scope.
I'm also not convinced Nintendo is afraid of losing market share to Apple - the DS has hit a saturation point, or will hit it in the near future, so Nintendo wants to break into Apples market. Not with the DS, but probably with the 3DS. Which will be revealed around the time Apple reveals their next generation devices.
Nintendo is behind apple for sure
Well if you need to go the store to buy a 50USD game, for sure apple will kill nintendo on pocket devices, as they even have free/share ware.. and many more games than nintendo, easy to develop.
I believe Nintendo will copy apple's idea some how for their devices also in the nintendo wii (probably coming something else soon), as they have the wiis now for movie rental.. they will try to provide as many services with the new coming gaming console, but they better hurry up, apple is unstoppable.
Anyhow, i hope this coming wii is good for being hacked as the nintendo wii, never bought a single game
Well if you need to go the store to buy a 50USD game, for sure apple will kill nintendo on pocket devices, as they even have free/share ware.. and many more games than nintendo, easy to develop.
I believe Nintendo will copy apple's idea some how for their devices also in the nintendo wii (probably coming something else soon), as they have the wiis now for movie rental.. they will try to provide as many services with the new coming gaming console, but they better hurry up, apple is unstoppable.
Anyhow, i hope this coming wii is good for being hacked as the nintendo wii, never bought a single game
Aside from the fact that DS retail games are not $50 (more like $20 to $40) and usually too big to conveniently download anyway (128MB to 512MB), Nintendo also has an Appstore equivalent on the DSi, with games and a couple of applications ranging from $0 to $10. The main difference is that the level of entry is much higher for DS developers, so the library is a lot smaller and the games are (slightly) more expensive, but the average quality is also a lot higher. It's quality over quantity.
One cool thing about Nintendo and Apple is both of them became successful in part by creating a controlled ecosystem. Nintendo with their lockout chips and developer quotas. Apple with their app approval process.
Ha, i didnt know that, i dont have a DS, thought it was like old fashioned game boy. But yeah, probably developing games for DS is way more expensive than developing for os x. But yeah, ds' games are better quality than apple's, that is a fact, i would say they didnt mean to have the os x for games and it suddenly turned to that and they added on the last ipod touch a better gpu, however, they need to improve a lot their games, even so, more people have ipods and well nothing to do about it!
Units sold:
iPhone: 50 million
iPod Touch: 20 million
Nintendo DS: 128.89 million
(all sourced from Wikipedia)