How do Nintendo get back to the top of their game?

[kj]

I'm trying to see a way for Nintendo to genuinely compete with Sony and MS over the next couple of years but cant see how... i know the hardware isnt available yet and neither are the games, obviously, but the two former companies have such a vast customer base built up already and some of those will be afraid to move to another platform, especially Nintendo...

I'm a pretty dedicated Nintendo fan though, having had all previous consoles at some point in time except the GameCube, i'll be looking to get their new console. The GBA is an awsome little machine and does what its meant to, play games...

At a recent press conference Nintendo praised the technology in MS's new console and also the PSP but also added that they are meant to be complete home entertainment systems whereas Nintendo want to focus purely on games and keep coming out with original and inovative ideas; which i think is great. But if they want to tap into a mass market of casual gamers then surely they need to add something extra.

I'm a cruiser and the amount of people i've seen buy the PSP and install it into car head rests and dash boards, and even steering wheels is crazy. Nintendo needs to come up with something thats semi universal, aims for a wider audience and also caters for the adult casual gamer. Its frustrating....


But playing Super Mario Advance eases my pain.

what do you folk think?

[RealR]

Sadly i think its the end. I think in many ways Nintendo and Sega, the two old rivals, are completely different gaming to Sony and MS. Nintendo and Sega had a certain charm about their games but the day of that has gone and that was also present in the consoles. Hard to explain but apart from the components there is something else that is "different" to the more recent companies. I still personally prefer N&S games but i guess times change. Ninetendo either need to change, which would be a shame, or go games only, which is also a loss.

[kj]

i dont know how SEGA are doing financially now that they are a software producing only company. would be interesting to see how they are fairing now over when they were producing consoles.

Nintendo have one thing that the others have in abundance and that is innovation... the new PS3 and XBOX 2 are basically beefed up versions of their predecessors whereas Nintendo are claiming that their new console is innovative and adds new slants to the technology they are using. For one i cant wait to get my hands on a DS and this Nintendogs which seems to be taking the States by storm.

[humndislocation]

I think the problem is that Nintendo seem reluctant to licence games on their console that aren't family friendly. They need to have more of a mix of titles, by all means produce innovative titles, but allow titles like Grand Theft Auto.

Of course, this is assuming that they're reluctant to licence these games, it could just be that developers/publishers are ignoring Nintendo consoles due to lack of market share.

Either way, they need more casual friendly titles, like GTA, in addition to their more innovative games.

[chrono]

I'm very confident. I think Nintendo are starting to learn their lessons.

Firstly, unlike other companies, they have the relative security suplied by the handheld market. Despite being derided in some quarters on release, the DS has been a resounding success so far, even though its games lineup only really started to pick up steam in the last few months. Additionaly, Nintendo can release something like the Gameboy Advance Micro, essentially the third reincarnation of the same machine, and still sell 150,000 units in the first week of release in Japan. Nintendo own the handheld market (yes they do Mr. PSP) and this gives them a financial security that SEGA never had.

Now onto the Revolution. This seems at first sight to be something very new, and a lot of people are saying this is a big risk and one that may signal the end for Nintendo. I think the opposite is true. I believe that if Nintendo tried to match Sony and Microsoft like for like, they would end up in a distant third place. As much as I adore my Cube, it is essentially the same as the PS2 and the XBOX in terms of ideas and gameplay mechanics. And it has suffered by the comparision. By releasing something radically different from Sony and Microsoft's new machines, i think the Rev will be the second console of many consumers who will choose EITHER the PS3 or XBOX360 as their more "mainstream" console. I know that's my current line of thinking.

And I feel that the Nintendo online service and the ability to download their entire back catalogue is the ace up their sleeve. This alone will shift a VERY large number of units.

Of course the the usual Nintendo problems remain, but I believe they are getting better and far more savvy after the one two punch delivered by Sony and Microsoft. I am very optimistic about Nintendo's future!

[Rebelius]

first off: I have never owned a nintendo of any sort, so i'm not the most experienced in this area. My first and only console has been my PS2.

Whenever people talk about nintendo, they talk about innovation innovation innovation... As far as i can see, the only good nintendo games are Mario games, Zelda games, Rhythm games, Goldeneye.

People always say they're far more innovative than the rest. What about EyeToys and Dance Mats? they seem pretty innovative to me. So what have Nintendo done that's so fantastically innovative up to now? (i.e. not including their new controller system).

The most imaginative game i've played recently has been psychonauts which is available for PC, PS2 and XBox.

[chrono]

Don't quote me on this but i think Nintendo innovations include the D-pad, multiple face buttons, shoulder buttons, analog control, rumble features and wireless controllers. That's control-wise anyway.

In terms of gameplay... yeesh! that could take a while!

[Caliban]

[quote=kj]Nintendo needs to come up with something thats semi universal, aims for a wider audience and also caters for the adult casual gamer. QUOTE]

The reason nintendo is the only one of the big three to post a profit in the last 5 years is precisely because they have avoided this market. Try to think outside of the UK, nintendo, has and allways will cater for a connoisseur market.

[Caliban]

Originally Posted by Develion

Ninetendo either need to change, which would be a shame, or go games only, which is also a loss.

The majority of innovation and profit for nintendo has come from hardware innovation. Why would they shelve their most profitable sector?

[Caliban]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

What about Dance Mats? .

Nintendo did a dance mat in the 80's it was shit, they binned it.

[FuriousGeorge]

they are making a mario themed dance game but dont know if its an actual dance mat game.

[chrono]

Oh yeah and if you want proof of Nintendo innovation look no further than ROB

[Hat Of Cheese]

Originally Posted by FuriousGeorge

they are making a mario themed dance game but dont know if its an actual dance mat game.

It is, and it's already out in Japan.