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Many years ago now a stupid stuck up company messed around with a CD giant, a giant that wanted a piece of the gaming market. Because of this said CD giant murdered the market, SEGA fell and Nintendo were forced to retreat from their headlined position. Sony was here.
Nintendo's survival depended on three things, their unique, totally different style to Sony meant Nintendo offered something Sony didn't. Nintendo also have the hardest dying fan base you'll ever see, a fan base filled with us lot. These two factors help but it was the Gameboy, a franchise left untouched by Sony's rampage that meant Nintendo could re-group and re-build.
Nintendo hid in their niche market, their fan base and their Gameboy franchise allowed them to soldier on as Sony's user-base tripled, quadrupled and whatever came after that. Could anyone stop this jugganaught?
Enter Microsoft. The biggest, richest company in the entire world... and all of a sudden Sony didn't look that strong. Microsoft has slowly chipped away at Sony over the past 2 years, eating more and more into both their and Nintendo's user base. Microsoft are a company that, no matter how hard they try, Sony cannot defeat even in their elevated position.
There is no room for 3 consoles, it is time for Sony to finish off Nintendo once and for all.
And this was the perfect time to do it. Despite unbelievable sales of the Gameboy Advance the Gamecube was falling. Nintendo's die hard fan based were annoyed, the company they loved so much was fiddling with franchises and ultimately creating games that were not up to the usual standard. Wind Waker, Sunshine and Pikmin... the Gamecube's self-proclaimed lead titles were, to some Nintendo fans, disappointing. Only Mario Kart and Metroid Prime proved that Nintendo did indeed still have it. The sale of Rare to Microsoft was another massive blow to Nintendo's fan base, the constant loss of third party developers every week made Nintendo appear doomed to failure.
Enter the death nail, the killer blow.... The PSP.
If Sony want to fight Microsoft then a handheld is the key. A platform that is said to be the future of gaming, a handheld would not only extend the already strong Playstation userbase but also cripple Nintendo beyond repair. Getting a massive head start over Nintendo's next Gameboy, introducing MP3 playability and what looks set to be the sexiest piece of kit ever created.
E3 2004
How Sony didn't expect this. Suddenly everything changed. Nintendo's third parties may be leaving but what at first seemed like a weak first party line up became stronger than ever. The die-hard Nintendo fans were happy with a line up that featured a brand spanking new realistic Zelda game, a fantastic looking Metroid Prime and what is set to be the best Resident Evil title ever made. With Mario Tennis, Donkey Kong, Geist, Starfox, Pikmin 2 and Paper Mario 2 all on the release list it was safe to say Nintendo have protected their die-hard assets.
Nintendo will also launch the next Gameboy before the end of the year.... sorry I mean the 'DS' before the end of the year... undercutting Sony. The DS may not look as cool as the PSP but for pure functionality the system is cool. The games looked gorgeous, the new way of holding games is fantastic and backward compatible with the GBA. Brilliant.
The PSP is launching with GT, Tekken and Metal Gear Solid. Despite those 3 games being some of the biggest in the world their popularity (a bit like Mario's) have taken a knock after their dissapointing latest outings. The PSP also needs to implement a jog proof system for the CD based hardware, a laser as well as an inbuilt memory. Could battery life be a problem? Yes the Playstation name sells, but can Sony sell a handheld console to an adult market? I won't underestimate them, they can do it but there is no way they can have as many PSP gamers as they have PS2 gamers... handheld gaming just is not popular with the adult gamers. Just look at the N-Gage. The DS is launching with Mario’s, Metroid and even Sony’s own Final Fantasy. It is also launching with Nintendo’s first full online mode, boasting touch screen, Wireless connection, a protected clam shape and an in-built microphone. Not all of that may appeal to the casual gamer. But some of it will.
Confessingly the Playstation Pocket looks more dangerous than I originally thought. It looks utterly stunning, lacks clutter (something the DS suffers from) with a beautiful screen. This alone could sell the system... but with the GBA SP set for a large price cut before the end of the year can the PSP defeat Nintendo’s massive, 95%, handheld empire?
If Nintendo are going down they are not doing it without a fight. If Sony’s PSP is forced out by the Gameboy, a system that has forced out many of Nintendo's competitors before, what can Sony do to stop Microsoft?
Dringo.
Nintendo's survival depended on three things, their unique, totally different style to Sony meant Nintendo offered something Sony didn't. Nintendo also have the hardest dying fan base you'll ever see, a fan base filled with us lot. These two factors help but it was the Gameboy, a franchise left untouched by Sony's rampage that meant Nintendo could re-group and re-build.
Nintendo hid in their niche market, their fan base and their Gameboy franchise allowed them to soldier on as Sony's user-base tripled, quadrupled and whatever came after that. Could anyone stop this jugganaught?
Enter Microsoft. The biggest, richest company in the entire world... and all of a sudden Sony didn't look that strong. Microsoft has slowly chipped away at Sony over the past 2 years, eating more and more into both their and Nintendo's user base. Microsoft are a company that, no matter how hard they try, Sony cannot defeat even in their elevated position.
There is no room for 3 consoles, it is time for Sony to finish off Nintendo once and for all.
And this was the perfect time to do it. Despite unbelievable sales of the Gameboy Advance the Gamecube was falling. Nintendo's die hard fan based were annoyed, the company they loved so much was fiddling with franchises and ultimately creating games that were not up to the usual standard. Wind Waker, Sunshine and Pikmin... the Gamecube's self-proclaimed lead titles were, to some Nintendo fans, disappointing. Only Mario Kart and Metroid Prime proved that Nintendo did indeed still have it. The sale of Rare to Microsoft was another massive blow to Nintendo's fan base, the constant loss of third party developers every week made Nintendo appear doomed to failure.
Enter the death nail, the killer blow.... The PSP.
If Sony want to fight Microsoft then a handheld is the key. A platform that is said to be the future of gaming, a handheld would not only extend the already strong Playstation userbase but also cripple Nintendo beyond repair. Getting a massive head start over Nintendo's next Gameboy, introducing MP3 playability and what looks set to be the sexiest piece of kit ever created.
E3 2004
How Sony didn't expect this. Suddenly everything changed. Nintendo's third parties may be leaving but what at first seemed like a weak first party line up became stronger than ever. The die-hard Nintendo fans were happy with a line up that featured a brand spanking new realistic Zelda game, a fantastic looking Metroid Prime and what is set to be the best Resident Evil title ever made. With Mario Tennis, Donkey Kong, Geist, Starfox, Pikmin 2 and Paper Mario 2 all on the release list it was safe to say Nintendo have protected their die-hard assets.
Nintendo will also launch the next Gameboy before the end of the year.... sorry I mean the 'DS' before the end of the year... undercutting Sony. The DS may not look as cool as the PSP but for pure functionality the system is cool. The games looked gorgeous, the new way of holding games is fantastic and backward compatible with the GBA. Brilliant.
The PSP is launching with GT, Tekken and Metal Gear Solid. Despite those 3 games being some of the biggest in the world their popularity (a bit like Mario's) have taken a knock after their dissapointing latest outings. The PSP also needs to implement a jog proof system for the CD based hardware, a laser as well as an inbuilt memory. Could battery life be a problem? Yes the Playstation name sells, but can Sony sell a handheld console to an adult market? I won't underestimate them, they can do it but there is no way they can have as many PSP gamers as they have PS2 gamers... handheld gaming just is not popular with the adult gamers. Just look at the N-Gage. The DS is launching with Mario’s, Metroid and even Sony’s own Final Fantasy. It is also launching with Nintendo’s first full online mode, boasting touch screen, Wireless connection, a protected clam shape and an in-built microphone. Not all of that may appeal to the casual gamer. But some of it will.
Confessingly the Playstation Pocket looks more dangerous than I originally thought. It looks utterly stunning, lacks clutter (something the DS suffers from) with a beautiful screen. This alone could sell the system... but with the GBA SP set for a large price cut before the end of the year can the PSP defeat Nintendo’s massive, 95%, handheld empire?
If Nintendo are going down they are not doing it without a fight. If Sony’s PSP is forced out by the Gameboy, a system that has forced out many of Nintendo's competitors before, what can Sony do to stop Microsoft?
Dringo.
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Nintendo games aren't epic titles... the only epic title Nintendo make is Zelda... and that is truly epic. Oh maybe Metroid
The eighty various mario franchises sum up Nintendo perfectly.
Sure there isn't the layers of beauty that exists in your average X-box title... but the company reek with character.
The eighty various mario franchises sum up Nintendo perfectly.
Sure there isn't the layers of beauty that exists in your average X-box title... but the company reek with character.
I always found Halo to be good fun.
The only issue I had with it was how the level design tended to get extremely tediously repetitive.
The multiplayer was great.
It always seemed a little empty with just 4 players, but even then, sniping, sneaking, driving... there were just so many ways of playing and each one gave you a nicely balanced, fighting chance of getting a point.
But yeah, not as instantly playable as your average Nintendo game. :-)
The only issue I had with it was how the level design tended to get extremely tediously repetitive.
The multiplayer was great.
It always seemed a little empty with just 4 players, but even then, sniping, sneaking, driving... there were just so many ways of playing and each one gave you a nicely balanced, fighting chance of getting a point.
But yeah, not as instantly playable as your average Nintendo game. :-)
Bonus wrote:
> and still no where near as good as Halo or Unreal
> Championship (if you have Live).
Halo this, Halo that. Why do all Xbox fanboys still praise this game. I bought it for the PC and it's nothing special at all. The graphics are nothing above average (even on the PC at full specs) and the game itself gets tedious and boring. I admit I enjoy the co-op on Xbox (Damn PC version with no co-op) but that's about it.
And as far as Unreal Championship goes, yes it's a great game, but give me UT2004 instead any day.
And owning a GC, PS2, PC and playing the XBOX regulary, the most fun games are on the GC, and that my friend is FACT!
Gameplay beats graphics.
They also say that Nintendo gamers are the smarter ones :P
> and still no where near as good as Halo or Unreal
> Championship (if you have Live).
Halo this, Halo that. Why do all Xbox fanboys still praise this game. I bought it for the PC and it's nothing special at all. The graphics are nothing above average (even on the PC at full specs) and the game itself gets tedious and boring. I admit I enjoy the co-op on Xbox (Damn PC version with no co-op) but that's about it.
And as far as Unreal Championship goes, yes it's a great game, but give me UT2004 instead any day.
And owning a GC, PS2, PC and playing the XBOX regulary, the most fun games are on the GC, and that my friend is FACT!
Gameplay beats graphics.
They also say that Nintendo gamers are the smarter ones :P
I've not read all the replies to this topic but from skimming:
Unless a game is so appealing to the casual audience that EVERYONE wants it after playing it once (like Goldeneye or GTA3) then it'll only count towards good reviews and critical acclaim for the hardcore gamers.
The Sony's brand is stronger than Nintendo's, but the Gameboy is still pretty strong and can hold up reasonably well.
As to the looks of the console, I've not looked at either properly, but I hear the PSP gets the advantage there too.
The thing is, I might be wrong, but I've also heard that the DS is launching £150 less than the PSP so the PSP will have to show something REALLY special to make it seem worthwhile.
Wireless Goldeneye/Perfect Dark (complete with touch screen "analogue stick simulator") could wipe the floor with the opposition, depending on which side Rare devellop for, and if they get it out early enough to decide who wins the war! :-)
Unless a game is so appealing to the casual audience that EVERYONE wants it after playing it once (like Goldeneye or GTA3) then it'll only count towards good reviews and critical acclaim for the hardcore gamers.
The Sony's brand is stronger than Nintendo's, but the Gameboy is still pretty strong and can hold up reasonably well.
As to the looks of the console, I've not looked at either properly, but I hear the PSP gets the advantage there too.
The thing is, I might be wrong, but I've also heard that the DS is launching £150 less than the PSP so the PSP will have to show something REALLY special to make it seem worthwhile.
Wireless Goldeneye/Perfect Dark (complete with touch screen "analogue stick simulator") could wipe the floor with the opposition, depending on which side Rare devellop for, and if they get it out early enough to decide who wins the war! :-)
Bonus wrote:
> Being a typical Nintendo fan you seem to think that "games"
> might actually have somthing to do with the sales of these things
This is actually the stupidest thing that you have EVER said.
> Being a typical Nintendo fan you seem to think that "games"
> might actually have somthing to do with the sales of these things
This is actually the stupidest thing that you have EVER said.
Yes, they are more than likely mad.
Still think it wil sell on the basis of being a playstation branded item.
The fact that all of the PS2 games are more than likely to be ported will help people who actually read mags and look for games on the net, but for the majority of the PS audience who just want to walk into a shop and buy the first thing put into their hand, the PSP will sell an absolute load.
Still think it wil sell on the basis of being a playstation branded item.
The fact that all of the PS2 games are more than likely to be ported will help people who actually read mags and look for games on the net, but for the majority of the PS audience who just want to walk into a shop and buy the first thing put into their hand, the PSP will sell an absolute load.
My major argument Bonus is that Sony are selling a handheld console to an adult market...
Are they mad?
Are they mad?
It's the real exclusives that are selling the PS2, though. I doubt many people bought PS2s so that they could just listen to music or watch DVDs, because that would have been quite stupid, seeing as they could pick up a DVD or CD player for a cheaper price. And if you're advertising, you'll advertise the games. So although Gamecube and Xbox may indeed have better exlcusive games (and I agree with that point), Sony's PS2 is being sold, on the whole, by the games.
Advertising no doubt has played a major part in Sony's domination of the console market, but the gaming side of the equation has helped them to do so. Put simply, they couldn't really advertise without the games to back this up. The PS2 has done well because games like HGrand Theft Auto: Vice City, Gran Turismo 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 have been hyped up and have sold a lot of copies, also selling the PS2 at the same time. Their sales may have been due to advertising, but the advertising has been for the games, and this in due course has sold the PS2.
Your points have a basis on truth, but I'm still going with the option that suggests games sell consoles.
And of course, due to my belief for this point, this is why I think the DS, if dealt with properly prior to release, can easily see off the PSP and claim Nintendo its place as the leaders in the handheld market at least.
Advertising no doubt has played a major part in Sony's domination of the console market, but the gaming side of the equation has helped them to do so. Put simply, they couldn't really advertise without the games to back this up. The PS2 has done well because games like HGrand Theft Auto: Vice City, Gran Turismo 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 have been hyped up and have sold a lot of copies, also selling the PS2 at the same time. Their sales may have been due to advertising, but the advertising has been for the games, and this in due course has sold the PS2.
Your points have a basis on truth, but I'm still going with the option that suggests games sell consoles.
And of course, due to my belief for this point, this is why I think the DS, if dealt with properly prior to release, can easily see off the PSP and claim Nintendo its place as the leaders in the handheld market at least.
AfroJoe wrote:
> (yes Bonus, games sell
> games consoles)
I don't necessarily agree.
Of the three consoles out at the moment I would say that the Ps2 probably has the least number of AAA titles games. It's just the top ones which are marketed well, and the Playstation brand is unchallenged as a marketing force in the console industry.
Everyine knows the PS2 is the hardest of the three platforms out at the moment to develop for, resulting in the lowest quality of games across the board, only the top games show the potential of the system.
As for AAA titles, the PS2 doesn't have as ood a platformer as the little better than average Sunshine, doesn't have an adventure game as good as Zelda, which has some long boring bits in it, it doesn't have any good FPS at all other than Timesplitters 2, done better on the Xbox, and still no where near as good as Halo or Unreal Championship (if you have Live).
Put simply, as much as I like my PS2, I do think that the games for the Xbox and the Gamecube between now and Christmas 2005 make them better platforms, but I'll put everything I own on the PS2 still outselling them every single week between now and then.
That makes me think that the PSP will succedd regardless of the game released for either system.
It's not possible to take the maybe released games at launch into account yet, because no one knows what they will be.
> (yes Bonus, games sell
> games consoles)
I don't necessarily agree.
Of the three consoles out at the moment I would say that the Ps2 probably has the least number of AAA titles games. It's just the top ones which are marketed well, and the Playstation brand is unchallenged as a marketing force in the console industry.
Everyine knows the PS2 is the hardest of the three platforms out at the moment to develop for, resulting in the lowest quality of games across the board, only the top games show the potential of the system.
As for AAA titles, the PS2 doesn't have as ood a platformer as the little better than average Sunshine, doesn't have an adventure game as good as Zelda, which has some long boring bits in it, it doesn't have any good FPS at all other than Timesplitters 2, done better on the Xbox, and still no where near as good as Halo or Unreal Championship (if you have Live).
Put simply, as much as I like my PS2, I do think that the games for the Xbox and the Gamecube between now and Christmas 2005 make them better platforms, but I'll put everything I own on the PS2 still outselling them every single week between now and then.
That makes me think that the PSP will succedd regardless of the game released for either system.
It's not possible to take the maybe released games at launch into account yet, because no one knows what they will be.
If Nintendo can get the major third parties behind the DS before it launches (and already it looks as if they have been able to do so), then I honestly believe the DS will have an advantage over the PSP when the two are both released.
Sony's handheld is releasing with Gran Turismo 4, which we've all seen before three times, Tekken, ditto, and a Metal Gear Solid game, which although should be impressive, will doubtless be original and groundbreaking. As well as this, they're going to have a high launching price (£250-300), and for a handheld, despite all the extras they're including, this may be just a little bit too much. And battery life has been another issue Sony are apparently having problems with - 10 hours for gaming, although isn't bad, isn't exactly that welcome either, and the 2 hours suggested for movie playback is a bit of a joke, and unless they sort that out, there will be many frustrated customers come release. The PSP will do well due to the fact that it's made by Sony and that it'll host the usual games that always sell well for Sony. But it's never going to reach the heights of the PS2, simply because aiming a handheld console at an adult market has never before worked. Sony might try and change this, but as far as I can see, it isn't going to happen - not at first, anyway.
Meanwhile, the DS offers everything the handheld market needs. A cheap, £100 price is an excellent incentive to buy for all-round gamers, while it also appeals to younger gamers as the price isn't very steep at all. And for the Nintendo hardcore gamers, the price is simply a great excuse for them to pick one up on release. Plus, the array of Nintendo exclusives set for release even outdoes Sony in terms of quantity, and obviously, quality. A Mario 64 update (apparently boasting loads of innovation and new ways of playing), a Mario Kart update (featuring 8-player link-up) and Waio Ware DS, which we all know about. As well as this, expect some great third-party titles, hopefully also boasting innovation in some way or another, and Nintendo themselves no doubt have more stuffed up their sleeves. An on top of all this, Nintendo are even planning online (sort of) features which will help the handheld appeal even more.
Basically, although the PSP has the Sony name to it, and has a sleek and attractive design, the DS has the games (yes Bonus, games sell games consoles), as well as the low price, the innovation, and the Nintendo seal of quality on it. Unless something goes drastically wrong, Nintendo should regain their place as the handheld market winners.
Sony's handheld is releasing with Gran Turismo 4, which we've all seen before three times, Tekken, ditto, and a Metal Gear Solid game, which although should be impressive, will doubtless be original and groundbreaking. As well as this, they're going to have a high launching price (£250-300), and for a handheld, despite all the extras they're including, this may be just a little bit too much. And battery life has been another issue Sony are apparently having problems with - 10 hours for gaming, although isn't bad, isn't exactly that welcome either, and the 2 hours suggested for movie playback is a bit of a joke, and unless they sort that out, there will be many frustrated customers come release. The PSP will do well due to the fact that it's made by Sony and that it'll host the usual games that always sell well for Sony. But it's never going to reach the heights of the PS2, simply because aiming a handheld console at an adult market has never before worked. Sony might try and change this, but as far as I can see, it isn't going to happen - not at first, anyway.
Meanwhile, the DS offers everything the handheld market needs. A cheap, £100 price is an excellent incentive to buy for all-round gamers, while it also appeals to younger gamers as the price isn't very steep at all. And for the Nintendo hardcore gamers, the price is simply a great excuse for them to pick one up on release. Plus, the array of Nintendo exclusives set for release even outdoes Sony in terms of quantity, and obviously, quality. A Mario 64 update (apparently boasting loads of innovation and new ways of playing), a Mario Kart update (featuring 8-player link-up) and Waio Ware DS, which we all know about. As well as this, expect some great third-party titles, hopefully also boasting innovation in some way or another, and Nintendo themselves no doubt have more stuffed up their sleeves. An on top of all this, Nintendo are even planning online (sort of) features which will help the handheld appeal even more.
Basically, although the PSP has the Sony name to it, and has a sleek and attractive design, the DS has the games (yes Bonus, games sell games consoles), as well as the low price, the innovation, and the Nintendo seal of quality on it. Unless something goes drastically wrong, Nintendo should regain their place as the handheld market winners.
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