Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Nintendo's Mobile Push to Focus on Marketing Demos, Not Full Games
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Here's what will happen:
Millions of Nintendo games downloaded on iOS/Android. Less than .1% purchased for Nintendo Consoles.
Following Year
Nintendo goes bankrupt or Nintendo starts selling Mobile Games on iOS/Android and comes out more profitable than EA.
I'd love a Mario Cart and Zelda game for iOS.
Millions of Nintendo games downloaded on iOS/Android. Less than .1% purchased for Nintendo Consoles.
Following Year
Nintendo goes bankrupt or Nintendo starts selling Mobile Games on iOS/Android and comes out more profitable than EA.
I'd love a Mario Cart and Zelda game for iOS.
No one's going to install an App that does absolutely nothing. Kids will move on to the next playable thing. Today's generation is impatient and want things now. It's amazing to see Nintendo fail to grasp that and lose out on a ton of potential sales. He talks about Mario as if it is sacred.
I don't see why Nintendo doesn't want their games on other platforms. From research, consoles take a big hit in profit margins. Eliminating that and being a 100% software developer would be a much better standpoint, especially with all the kids owning iPod Touches and smartphones.
Then, you have to factor in that a majority of pre-teens are all on Call of Duty/Battlefield. I can't play a single match without a baby being on it screaming. Who wants to play a little Italian man jumping on turtles, when they can join in on the popular thing? Shooting people over and over mindlessly.
Nintendo will become Sega.
I don't see why Nintendo doesn't want their games on other platforms. From research, consoles take a big hit in profit margins. Eliminating that and being a 100% software developer would be a much better standpoint, especially with all the kids owning iPod Touches and smartphones.
Then, you have to factor in that a majority of pre-teens are all on Call of Duty/Battlefield. I can't play a single match without a baby being on it screaming. Who wants to play a little Italian man jumping on turtles, when they can join in on the popular thing? Shooting people over and over mindlessly.
Nintendo will become Sega.
Also, Nintendo has been addicted to profit from hardware sales for too long on the console side. Others have given up the idea that the money comes from the console, and embraced a break even strategy with the profits to come later on the software and licensing. It's so very Japanese to be this stubborn. 
----------
Mario is sacred to me, but honestly, he's only sacred if you grew up on him. And if you grew up on a phone, you miss that chance to ride the next generation's influence.
----------
Mario is sacred to me, but honestly, he's only sacred if you grew up on him. And if you grew up on a phone, you miss that chance to ride the next generation's influence.
You cannot explain this by just saying that the current products are doing fine or not. You need to take a broader look at what is happening in the market. Smartphones have become devices that can now provide a similar experience to the 3DS and have games that are able to provide similar experiences as on that device for a much lower price. This was different 4 years ago when the ads was introduced. At that time the iPhone was still in its 3GS to iPhone 4 transition phase and the real gaming evolution still had to begin.
The playing field for Nintendo has changed. The iPad and the iPhone have now become much more mainstream and most families have at least one of these lying around. Kids grow up now with Angry Birds and Mario et al are moving to the background.
It's easy to say Nintendo is currently doing fine and that they have much cash in the bank (not that you specifically said this last thing), but Nintendo's investors will demand a much more coherent strategy than just "The 3ds compensates for the losses of the Wii U, and we have a lot of money. Eventuelly we will get another hit, just wait.".
Also, Nintendo has been addicted to profit from hardware sales for too long on the console side. Others have given up the idea that the money comes from the console, and embraced a break even strategy with the profits to come later on the software and licensing. It's so very Japanese to be this stubborn.
So like Apple?
Nintendo haven't figured out that they need to get out of the hardware business. If Nintendo games came to IOS, they would make a killing with in-app purchases. Alas, their management isn't too bright.
I bet Nintendo will circle the drain for a few years, and eventually Disney will buy them out. Disney just LOVES buying franchise characters. Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones...
So when that happens you can count on Mario-themed rides at Disney parks and all platform games. Just, unfortunately, the consumer has to bide time and watch the company bleed out.
So when that happens you can count on Mario-themed rides at Disney parks and all platform games. Just, unfortunately, the consumer has to bide time and watch the company bleed out.
i thought game demos died out with the ps1. oh well thats about the same year nintendo was last relevant.
The iPhone and the iPad aren't hurting Nintendo's handheld sales. People buy dedicated consoles for dedicated gaming, not an endless runner. Nintendo's handhelds will continue to do well as long as they continue to be smart about their marketing and supply of games. You can't compare a game like A Link Between Worlds with Jetpack Joyride. It simply doesn't work.
Nintendo MUST change their home console strategy. That much is true. But they don't need to eliminate it altogether and devalue their IP by putting it on iOS. Like I said earlier, the proposal is no different than telling Apple to license out iOS or OS X because the iPhone 5c didn't sell as well as expected.
ok, don't be ridiculous. the wii sold 20 million more than the 360 or PS3. and the DS outsold PS portable 2 to 1.
Last edited:
People saying that Apple or anyone is going to just buy Nintendo is very ignorant as to Nintendo's position. First off, though the Wii U is doing poorly, the 3DS is doing amazing. Second of all, Nintendo will go under before they sell out to another company. They're just that stubborn.
The Wii U is having problems, but the company itself is doing just fine. Like Apple, they have a large cash reserve. I believe their market capitalization just eclipsed Sony's a while ago.
The Wii U is having problems, but the company itself is doing just fine. Like Apple, they have a large cash reserve. I believe their market capitalization just eclipsed Sony's a while ago.
Nah. Sony and Microsoft have products that are more premium than the Wii U in almost every way. Nintendo's console brand equity is more like Dell.
This could work. All Nintendo has to do is keep making money off other platforms but keeping the hot IP for it's own and people will dump their iPhonies in the millions.
Imagine if Apple had listened to people like you back in the 90's... I guess Steve Jobs was stupid for not bringing Apple out of the hardware business before it was too late...
Wow, such hate nowadays...
Maybe demo games are just so that Nintendo can get its feet wet developing for Android and iOS.
Then, full games and Nintendo Virtual Console to come later...
Nintendo likes to control their hardware for their games. Their consoles are not going anywhere...
Maybe demo games are just so that Nintendo can get its feet wet developing for Android and iOS.
Then, full games and Nintendo Virtual Console to come later...
Nintendo likes to control their hardware for their games. Their consoles are not going anywhere...
Maybe we live in different regions, but in my neck of the woods the 3DS-es are gathering dust and children are playing with the iPhones or iPads of their parents or their own. My niece has her own iPad and my nephew an iPod Touch and they are not the only ones (they also both have 3DS-es). Small kids are learning their touchscreen skills on iPads, not on 3DS-es. And we all know how important experiences at young ages are.
It's in many cases not the quality of the games, but the quantity. You wouldn't believe the amount of (free!!!) dog and cat training games my niece has on her iPad. And you are forgetting or not mentioning that iOS has some very engrossing games of near console quality that surpass the 3DS capabilities by far (Infinity Blade, Real Racing 3 etc..).
You are right that Nintendo should be smart about its marketing, but this news is a great example that they are shooting blanks.
I didn't say that, but I agree with you. It doesn't have to be a matter of licensing. Nintendo could issue small games on iOS that could serve as gateways or extensions to their established console games. They don't need to sell or license anything. And before you mention Apple's 30% fee: Apple will definitely lower that fee with the pull that Nintendo would create towards iOS through an exclusive agreement.
Last edited:
Why would I want to install an app to watch a video about the next Smash Bros for example when I can do it over YouTube (and the official site)?
If they don't want to make a full and amazing Mario or Zelda game for iOS, it's understandable, but they should at least make some decent puzzles or mini games involving the Mario, Zelda or Pokémon universe; something silly but fun like Nintendoland for iPad.
If they don't want to make a full and amazing Mario or Zelda game for iOS, it's understandable, but they should at least make some decent puzzles or mini games involving the Mario, Zelda or Pokémon universe; something silly but fun like Nintendoland for iPad.