The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
There's no disputing the fact that the XBOX and GCN have lost the race. They'd probably lost it before the thing had even started. The Dreamcast died out due to sheer anticipation of the PS2, the universally recognised brand, the machine that makes games trendy and cool...in fact, the Gameboy Advance is probably the nearest challenger. Microsoft seem to be desperate not to fail, clutching at pack-in deals for less than £200, and splashing out on companies like Rare that seem to have lost a little of their pull...but despite the neediness that is exhuded by the XBOX, it's attractive pricing and killer apps such as Halo, along with the enticing option of Xbox Live, have seen it overtake the GC. Many gamers are upset, seeing Nintendo as the only lasting original company after the demise of consoles from the likes of 3DO and Sega...but do Nintendo deserve to falter? Sega have had a comeback of Alan Partridge proportions after going software-only, would it benefit Nintendo?
The big issue really is where you are. Japan is the home of Nintendo, and they get everything first. In fact, they're enjoying Zelda right now, along with a pair of bonus discs for pre-ordering customers. But what of Europe? It's no secret that Nintendo still don't regard the East of 'the West' as a main priority, concentrating more on home and America, traditionally the biggest electronics-buying countries. Here we won't be getting Zelda for a fair few months, and that's not just a single sob story to try and convince you. Metroid Prime is slowly chugging its way to release, despite most Americans having bought it and seen all three endings (and not because it's short, either). Think back to the release of the console itsself - we were the last to get a go on the Gamecube. It really hurts Nintendo's image when they build up big games such as Mario Sunshine, and then announce that it won't be here for half a year...in fact, the only people it really helps are the exact types Nintendo are strictly opposed to: Sony and Microsoft, who ply customers with classics instantly available, and importers and chippers, who provide the means for European gamers to get the games when they should.
So what does this all mean for Joe Public? Well, the most sought after Gamecube accessory isn't the Wavebird (again, released here long after the Japanese and Americans got their hands on it), but the Freeloader disc, which is nothing more than a modchip on a dinky DVD, really...although the ironic thing is, its release date has slipped into TBC land. Let's look at the alternatives - right now you could go out and buy a Playstation 2. For games, you could buy GTA:Vice City or Pro Evolution 2; both leaders in their respective fields. If you opted for an XBOX, you'd be given the choice of Halo (the best console FPS ever), Jet Set Radio Future (a sleeper hit) and Splinter Cell, the critically acclaimed challenger to MGS which won't come out on the other consoles for a few months, IF Microsoft don't lock it down for exclusive rights. The Gamecube's best games are usually cited as Mario Sunshine (which, despite many being dissapointed, is probably the best platformer of the year), Super Monkey Ball (in which you roll monkeys around in balls) and Eternal Darkness, which seems to have no choice but to limp into shopping trolleys through word of mouth due to criminal under-exposure from Nintendo. And then Resident Evil, the inexplicably popular game, is available with worse graphics on the PS1 for around a tenner.
Not bad, but then when you ask someone if they'd rather play football and kill people, shoot aliens, skate around and save the world or bounce around, negotiate mazes and stay sane they'll probably snub the Gamecube. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad system - it has the quality. But the makers seem to be determined to fail. Take the Panasonic Q, a Gamecube with multi-region DVD player capabilities. Do Nintendo license it for America and Europe? Nope. And they don't seem that bothered about their kiddie image either. You can have all the Resi adverts you like, when your main franchises involve a fat plumber, monkeys and a young man wearing a green tunic, you're not sounding mature. Having a purple console doesn't help either. No matter what people say about the content counting, people are put off by having a child's toy when they could have a cool PS2 or big bad Xbox...and Nintendo need to figure out that until they change this, they're not going very far.
Then the Game Boy Advance. Here Nintendo started off quite well - complete backwards compatibility creating an almost infinite library of games, tonnes of great updates of old classics like Doom and Super Mario World, audacious ports from more complex games such as Medal of Honour and SSX Tricky, and more of those new Nintendo must-buys like Metroid Fusion. It's even compatible with everything, due to no regional lock-out! Unfortunately, nobody bothered to mention the dark screen which has been the butt of an untold amount of jokes. It's taken independent companies to do what everyone has wanted Nintendo to do, and that's give the GBA a backlit screen...and when everyone's excited about this new piece of handheld hardware, it turns out they recycle a SNES idea and create a GBA player for the GCN.
At almost every turn, Nintendo seem determined to show everyone how bad they can be. Be it neglecting an important market, almost not bothering to release games in certain areas, not doing enough about their image, and I haven't even touched on Nintendo's reluctance to move into the lucrative online avenue. With the Microsoft/Rare deal Nintendo won't be going bankrupt anytime soon, and with Pikmin 2 and Mario 128 said to be in 'the future' and the likes of Metroid Prime and Zelda:TWW yet to come, there's lots of good gaming to be had there. But should Nintendo be left behind by the Xbox? I think so. Here's hoping they try harder next time round...it'd be terrible to see another giant fall.
Thanks for reading, your thoughts are appreciated.
-El Blokey
The big issue really is where you are. Japan is the home of Nintendo, and they get everything first. In fact, they're enjoying Zelda right now, along with a pair of bonus discs for pre-ordering customers. But what of Europe? It's no secret that Nintendo still don't regard the East of 'the West' as a main priority, concentrating more on home and America, traditionally the biggest electronics-buying countries. Here we won't be getting Zelda for a fair few months, and that's not just a single sob story to try and convince you. Metroid Prime is slowly chugging its way to release, despite most Americans having bought it and seen all three endings (and not because it's short, either). Think back to the release of the console itsself - we were the last to get a go on the Gamecube. It really hurts Nintendo's image when they build up big games such as Mario Sunshine, and then announce that it won't be here for half a year...in fact, the only people it really helps are the exact types Nintendo are strictly opposed to: Sony and Microsoft, who ply customers with classics instantly available, and importers and chippers, who provide the means for European gamers to get the games when they should.
So what does this all mean for Joe Public? Well, the most sought after Gamecube accessory isn't the Wavebird (again, released here long after the Japanese and Americans got their hands on it), but the Freeloader disc, which is nothing more than a modchip on a dinky DVD, really...although the ironic thing is, its release date has slipped into TBC land. Let's look at the alternatives - right now you could go out and buy a Playstation 2. For games, you could buy GTA:Vice City or Pro Evolution 2; both leaders in their respective fields. If you opted for an XBOX, you'd be given the choice of Halo (the best console FPS ever), Jet Set Radio Future (a sleeper hit) and Splinter Cell, the critically acclaimed challenger to MGS which won't come out on the other consoles for a few months, IF Microsoft don't lock it down for exclusive rights. The Gamecube's best games are usually cited as Mario Sunshine (which, despite many being dissapointed, is probably the best platformer of the year), Super Monkey Ball (in which you roll monkeys around in balls) and Eternal Darkness, which seems to have no choice but to limp into shopping trolleys through word of mouth due to criminal under-exposure from Nintendo. And then Resident Evil, the inexplicably popular game, is available with worse graphics on the PS1 for around a tenner.
Not bad, but then when you ask someone if they'd rather play football and kill people, shoot aliens, skate around and save the world or bounce around, negotiate mazes and stay sane they'll probably snub the Gamecube. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad system - it has the quality. But the makers seem to be determined to fail. Take the Panasonic Q, a Gamecube with multi-region DVD player capabilities. Do Nintendo license it for America and Europe? Nope. And they don't seem that bothered about their kiddie image either. You can have all the Resi adverts you like, when your main franchises involve a fat plumber, monkeys and a young man wearing a green tunic, you're not sounding mature. Having a purple console doesn't help either. No matter what people say about the content counting, people are put off by having a child's toy when they could have a cool PS2 or big bad Xbox...and Nintendo need to figure out that until they change this, they're not going very far.
Then the Game Boy Advance. Here Nintendo started off quite well - complete backwards compatibility creating an almost infinite library of games, tonnes of great updates of old classics like Doom and Super Mario World, audacious ports from more complex games such as Medal of Honour and SSX Tricky, and more of those new Nintendo must-buys like Metroid Fusion. It's even compatible with everything, due to no regional lock-out! Unfortunately, nobody bothered to mention the dark screen which has been the butt of an untold amount of jokes. It's taken independent companies to do what everyone has wanted Nintendo to do, and that's give the GBA a backlit screen...and when everyone's excited about this new piece of handheld hardware, it turns out they recycle a SNES idea and create a GBA player for the GCN.
At almost every turn, Nintendo seem determined to show everyone how bad they can be. Be it neglecting an important market, almost not bothering to release games in certain areas, not doing enough about their image, and I haven't even touched on Nintendo's reluctance to move into the lucrative online avenue. With the Microsoft/Rare deal Nintendo won't be going bankrupt anytime soon, and with Pikmin 2 and Mario 128 said to be in 'the future' and the likes of Metroid Prime and Zelda:TWW yet to come, there's lots of good gaming to be had there. But should Nintendo be left behind by the Xbox? I think so. Here's hoping they try harder next time round...it'd be terrible to see another giant fall.
Thanks for reading, your thoughts are appreciated.
-El Blokey
Page:
No. Not fail in Europe and America, simply "not quite a phenomenally blistering success in Europe and America".
The GC and Xbox are only failing when you compare their sales to the PS2, and that's not exactly the lowest selling product in the world right now...
The GC and Xbox are only failing when you compare their sales to the PS2, and that's not exactly the lowest selling product in the world right now...
Whitestripes wrote:
> About the failing thing, it gets on my nerves that people still don't
> know about this, and have it the wrong way round really. How can you
> ask if Nintendo will fail when they have sold more Gamecubes worldwide
> then Microsoft have sold XBoxes?
OK, OK. Fail in America and Europe, then? The post is more about how Nintendo doesn't seem to care about the PAL region anyway, but whatever.
> About the failing thing, it gets on my nerves that people still don't
> know about this, and have it the wrong way round really. How can you
> ask if Nintendo will fail when they have sold more Gamecubes worldwide
> then Microsoft have sold XBoxes?
OK, OK. Fail in America and Europe, then? The post is more about how Nintendo doesn't seem to care about the PAL region anyway, but whatever.
Ashley wrote:
> I was going to buy an X-box before i bought my game cube. Then i
> realised that it would infact be the best console if it wasn't for the
> fact that so many of its games are available on the PC a format that
> many people own. Halo and Splinter cell are the only to games worth
> having on the X box which aren't available on the PC.
Oh gawd. Project Gotham Racing? Jet Set Radio Future? There's two more. And Halo for PC will be out about the time Halo 2 for XBOX is. So that's hardly a minus for XBOX.
> Look at all
> the games on the PS2 are single player, or have had a very poor
> attempt at a two player bit thrown in. The only to games worth having
> for someone with a friend are Pro evo 2 and Timesplitters 2 (which is
> far more fun on GC and Xbox duee to there actually being 4 controller
> sockets).
Conflict Desert Storm, Virtua Tennis 2, Red Faction 2, WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth...the list goes on.
> As much as i would like to have
> the GTA series 6 months early I can wait for it to be released on PC
> as it plays so much better on PC and also VC is sad to have
> multiplayer ability for the PC so this is more than worth the wait.
Yeah, they said that about the last GTA PC port. Go figure. It was a buggy port, with the only extras being your own mp3 radio station and better targeting, plus mods.
> GC is well designed and although it does not have a
> huge quantity of games it has to be observed that it has exclusivity
> in games such as Mario which is the top of its field, in arguably the
> most important category of gaming bar shooters.
Sports is probably most important, and Mario is only just at the top, with many gamers, even die-hards, leaning towards the fresher likes of R&C, and Sly Raccoon.
> X box has the best
> variety of shooters as it has Halo and Timsplitters 2
It has two shooters, one multi format. Fair play though, Halo is a classic. And then at the start of the topic you said it was pointless getting an XBOX for shooters, as Halo is coming out on the PC.
> with GC running
> second as it has a version of TS" which is far more playable than
> its PS2 counterpart.
I don't think the GCN has ANY exclusive FPSs.
> I have to conclude that if you own a good PC the
> Gamecube is the console to buy. If you don't I would say it is a toss
> up between the X-Box (as so many shootem ups are new to you then, such
> as unreal, hitman and the likes) and the Game cube. I have to say to
> anyone thinking of buying a ps2 they are really frittering there money
> if grand theft auto is their only real incentive.
Firstly, the majority of people don't have a good PC. Secondly, what you're saying is stupid. All the consoles have enticing exclusives. The PS2 has PES2, an unrivalled football sim. It has Ratchet and Clank, a brilliant platformer. It has GTA, a brilliant game. Et cetera, et cetera.
I'm sorry if this sounds a little harsh, this isn't a personal attack, just one on your post ;-) but what relevance does your reply have re: this thread?
> I was going to buy an X-box before i bought my game cube. Then i
> realised that it would infact be the best console if it wasn't for the
> fact that so many of its games are available on the PC a format that
> many people own. Halo and Splinter cell are the only to games worth
> having on the X box which aren't available on the PC.
Oh gawd. Project Gotham Racing? Jet Set Radio Future? There's two more. And Halo for PC will be out about the time Halo 2 for XBOX is. So that's hardly a minus for XBOX.
> Look at all
> the games on the PS2 are single player, or have had a very poor
> attempt at a two player bit thrown in. The only to games worth having
> for someone with a friend are Pro evo 2 and Timesplitters 2 (which is
> far more fun on GC and Xbox duee to there actually being 4 controller
> sockets).
Conflict Desert Storm, Virtua Tennis 2, Red Faction 2, WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth...the list goes on.
> As much as i would like to have
> the GTA series 6 months early I can wait for it to be released on PC
> as it plays so much better on PC and also VC is sad to have
> multiplayer ability for the PC so this is more than worth the wait.
Yeah, they said that about the last GTA PC port. Go figure. It was a buggy port, with the only extras being your own mp3 radio station and better targeting, plus mods.
> GC is well designed and although it does not have a
> huge quantity of games it has to be observed that it has exclusivity
> in games such as Mario which is the top of its field, in arguably the
> most important category of gaming bar shooters.
Sports is probably most important, and Mario is only just at the top, with many gamers, even die-hards, leaning towards the fresher likes of R&C, and Sly Raccoon.
> X box has the best
> variety of shooters as it has Halo and Timsplitters 2
It has two shooters, one multi format. Fair play though, Halo is a classic. And then at the start of the topic you said it was pointless getting an XBOX for shooters, as Halo is coming out on the PC.
> with GC running
> second as it has a version of TS" which is far more playable than
> its PS2 counterpart.
I don't think the GCN has ANY exclusive FPSs.
> I have to conclude that if you own a good PC the
> Gamecube is the console to buy. If you don't I would say it is a toss
> up between the X-Box (as so many shootem ups are new to you then, such
> as unreal, hitman and the likes) and the Game cube. I have to say to
> anyone thinking of buying a ps2 they are really frittering there money
> if grand theft auto is their only real incentive.
Firstly, the majority of people don't have a good PC. Secondly, what you're saying is stupid. All the consoles have enticing exclusives. The PS2 has PES2, an unrivalled football sim. It has Ratchet and Clank, a brilliant platformer. It has GTA, a brilliant game. Et cetera, et cetera.
I'm sorry if this sounds a little harsh, this isn't a personal attack, just one on your post ;-) but what relevance does your reply have re: this thread?
I agree entirely, there isn't a game on the XBox I want that I couldn't jsut get for my PC instead, and of course GTA gets released on the PC a few months after the Playstation as well. The Gamecube probably has the most 'real' exclusives, because you won't find any of them on PCs either.
About the failing thing, it gets on my nerves that people still don't know about this, and have it the wrong way round really. How can you ask if Nintendo will fail when they have sold more Gamecubes worldwide then Microsoft have sold XBoxes?
The lead in Japan is so great it more than makes up for Microsoft's lead in America and Europe, and because of the amount of price drops and bundles, Nintendo are making a far greater profit.
Unless Microsoft suddenly dominate Japan, there is nothing to worry about.
About the failing thing, it gets on my nerves that people still don't know about this, and have it the wrong way round really. How can you ask if Nintendo will fail when they have sold more Gamecubes worldwide then Microsoft have sold XBoxes?
The lead in Japan is so great it more than makes up for Microsoft's lead in America and Europe, and because of the amount of price drops and bundles, Nintendo are making a far greater profit.
Unless Microsoft suddenly dominate Japan, there is nothing to worry about.
El Blokey wrote:
>
> Thanks for reading, your thoughts are appreciated.
>
Even mine?
I was going to buy an X-box before i bought my game cube. Then i realised that it would infact be the best console if it wasn't for the fact that so many of its games are available on the PC a format that many people own. Halo and Splinter cell are the only to games worth having on the X box which aren't available on the PC. However splintercell is coming out in 3 weeks time and Halo has been confirmed for the PC, so the X box from a PC owners point of view isn't worth having. Now the Lonely Plastation 2 was the other option. God only knows how this was successful. This consoles whole basic concept is based around the fact that some people have no friends. Look at all the games on the PS2 are single player, or have had a very poor attempt at a two player bit thrown in. The only to games worth having for someone with a friend are Pro evo 2 and Timesplitters 2 (which is far more fun on GC and Xbox duee to there actually being 4 controller sockets). God only knows what moment of sheer incompetence persuaded Sony to only put one controller socket in it, as it just encourages the production of single player games. As much as i would like to have the GTA series 6 months early I can wait for it to be released on PC as it plays so much better on PC and also VC is sad to have multiplayer ability for the PC so this is more than worth the wait. PS then rolls of a list of substandard single player games and some how manages to lead in the sales figures. I find it quite incredible that this is the case. GC is well designed and although it does not have a huge quantity of games it has to be observed that it has exclusivity in games such as Mario which is the top of its field, in arguably the most important category of gaming bar shooters. X box has the best variety of shooters as it has Halo and Timsplitters 2, with GC running second as it has a version of TS" which is far more playable than its PS2 counterpart. I have to conclude that if you own a good PC the Gamecube is the console to buy. If you don't I would say it is a toss up between the X-Box (as so many shootem ups are new to you then, such as unreal, hitman and the likes) and the Game cube. I have to say to anyone thinking of buying a ps2 they are really frittering there money if grand theft auto is their only real incentive.
>
> Thanks for reading, your thoughts are appreciated.
>
Even mine?
I was going to buy an X-box before i bought my game cube. Then i realised that it would infact be the best console if it wasn't for the fact that so many of its games are available on the PC a format that many people own. Halo and Splinter cell are the only to games worth having on the X box which aren't available on the PC. However splintercell is coming out in 3 weeks time and Halo has been confirmed for the PC, so the X box from a PC owners point of view isn't worth having. Now the Lonely Plastation 2 was the other option. God only knows how this was successful. This consoles whole basic concept is based around the fact that some people have no friends. Look at all the games on the PS2 are single player, or have had a very poor attempt at a two player bit thrown in. The only to games worth having for someone with a friend are Pro evo 2 and Timesplitters 2 (which is far more fun on GC and Xbox duee to there actually being 4 controller sockets). God only knows what moment of sheer incompetence persuaded Sony to only put one controller socket in it, as it just encourages the production of single player games. As much as i would like to have the GTA series 6 months early I can wait for it to be released on PC as it plays so much better on PC and also VC is sad to have multiplayer ability for the PC so this is more than worth the wait. PS then rolls of a list of substandard single player games and some how manages to lead in the sales figures. I find it quite incredible that this is the case. GC is well designed and although it does not have a huge quantity of games it has to be observed that it has exclusivity in games such as Mario which is the top of its field, in arguably the most important category of gaming bar shooters. X box has the best variety of shooters as it has Halo and Timsplitters 2, with GC running second as it has a version of TS" which is far more playable than its PS2 counterpart. I have to conclude that if you own a good PC the Gamecube is the console to buy. If you don't I would say it is a toss up between the X-Box (as so many shootem ups are new to you then, such as unreal, hitman and the likes) and the Game cube. I have to say to anyone thinking of buying a ps2 they are really frittering there money if grand theft auto is their only real incentive.
El Blokey wrote:
> Interesting points Strafe...but surely it would be nice to be known as
> the dominant company like the old days, rather than the little company
> (to the casual market, anyway)?
If it was that easy then yes.
But taking Sony's position is way beyond marketing - MS have tried EVERYTHING and are still left in the dust.
Nintendo are playing safe with a secure garaunteed future and although they seem small compared to MS and Sony, they're a lot bigger than they were back in the days of the Snes, they just haven't grown as quickly as the market has.
> Sony and MS do not have a stranglehold really, if Nintendo tried hard
> enough they would get more profit. I'm not saying ditch their existing
> user-base, as it's pretty big, but really Nintendo should stop relying
> on the fans they already have and go for new customers if they want to
> improve.
I know that MS and Sony don't have a stranglehold, and Nintendo are dipping in with games like Metroid, Eternal Darkness and Resident Evil so it's not like Nintendo have ignored that side of the market.
They shouldn't concentrate on it either though.
Besides, one of Nintendo's strongest pulling points is the nostalgia that most people had with Mario games back on the Snes.
To ignore their franchises just to jump on the "mature" bandwagon would be stupid, especially when their unique specialty is family games.
> Yes, but that was just one way to sum it [Eternal Darkness] up. I'm not sure how else to
> put it in one sentence...kill demons?
A survival horror game with cool insanity effects (sounds better than "game where you need to keep your sanity" :-P).
> Interesting points Strafe...but surely it would be nice to be known as
> the dominant company like the old days, rather than the little company
> (to the casual market, anyway)?
If it was that easy then yes.
But taking Sony's position is way beyond marketing - MS have tried EVERYTHING and are still left in the dust.
Nintendo are playing safe with a secure garaunteed future and although they seem small compared to MS and Sony, they're a lot bigger than they were back in the days of the Snes, they just haven't grown as quickly as the market has.
> Sony and MS do not have a stranglehold really, if Nintendo tried hard
> enough they would get more profit. I'm not saying ditch their existing
> user-base, as it's pretty big, but really Nintendo should stop relying
> on the fans they already have and go for new customers if they want to
> improve.
I know that MS and Sony don't have a stranglehold, and Nintendo are dipping in with games like Metroid, Eternal Darkness and Resident Evil so it's not like Nintendo have ignored that side of the market.
They shouldn't concentrate on it either though.
Besides, one of Nintendo's strongest pulling points is the nostalgia that most people had with Mario games back on the Snes.
To ignore their franchises just to jump on the "mature" bandwagon would be stupid, especially when their unique specialty is family games.
> Yes, but that was just one way to sum it [Eternal Darkness] up. I'm not sure how else to
> put it in one sentence...kill demons?
A survival horror game with cool insanity effects (sounds better than "game where you need to keep your sanity" :-P).
Interesting points Strafe...but surely it would be nice to be known as the dominant company like the old days, rather than the little company (to the casual market, anyway)?
> As to their image, Nintendo promote their good games.
> They promote Resident Evil and Mario Sunshine as the big hit games
> they are, who cares if some of the games are aimed at younger gamers
> too.
> Besides, Sony and MS have got strong holds on the adult market so
> Nintendo would have to be pretty stupid to simply jump the bandwagon
> and put all their efforts into "adult" games.
Sony and MS do not have a stranglehold really, if Nintendo tried hard enough they would get more profit. I'm not saying ditch their existing user-base, as it's pretty big, but really Nintendo should stop relying on the fans they already have and go for new customers if they want to improve.
> By the by, saying that Eternal Darkness is mainly about keeping your
> sanity is as misleading as saying that the best thing about GTA3 is
> that you can walk around a city at your own free will (psh! I can do
> that in the REAL world...), the sanity is just one of the clever
> features in the game which would still be fantastic without it!
Yes, but that was just one way to sum it up. I'm not sure how else to put it in one sentence...kill demons?
> As to their image, Nintendo promote their good games.
> They promote Resident Evil and Mario Sunshine as the big hit games
> they are, who cares if some of the games are aimed at younger gamers
> too.
> Besides, Sony and MS have got strong holds on the adult market so
> Nintendo would have to be pretty stupid to simply jump the bandwagon
> and put all their efforts into "adult" games.
Sony and MS do not have a stranglehold really, if Nintendo tried hard enough they would get more profit. I'm not saying ditch their existing user-base, as it's pretty big, but really Nintendo should stop relying on the fans they already have and go for new customers if they want to improve.
> By the by, saying that Eternal Darkness is mainly about keeping your
> sanity is as misleading as saying that the best thing about GTA3 is
> that you can walk around a city at your own free will (psh! I can do
> that in the REAL world...), the sanity is just one of the clever
> features in the game which would still be fantastic without it!
Yes, but that was just one way to sum it up. I'm not sure how else to put it in one sentence...kill demons?
Nintendo don't deserve failure, because very few do.
I disagree with the idea of a kiddy image - anyone whose old enough for supposedly mature games - whose content is often not far removed from teen flicks like Scream e.t.c - should really be mature enough to see the system for what it is. I bought a Gamecube for the games, I bought an Xbox for the games, and after Christmas I bought a GBA for the games.
Games are the be all and end all now. I don't think a larger release for the Q Cube could help because the DVD manufacturers would not be happy about it ! Nintendo does seem to regard the West as a poor relative, or at least Europe anyway, but we get the games eventually. Nintendo is always going to be strong in Japan, and abroad as well - nothing will change that.
Maybe, though, Nintendo don't want to be another Sony - sure the PS2 enjoys wide success, alongside bucketfulls of cheap crap games and an increasingly large age range for its user base. Microsoft and Sony reps in Edge's pre Christmas issue both stated that in Europe and the US a majority of games sales were still gift driven - which had implications for the PS2's mass market future.
Think about it. Mr Developer can;
a) produce well though out, 3 years in development, brilliant concept drop dead gorgeous graphics game, and probably see a month or two of success with the more mature gamers before they all go out and buy the next 9/10 mature game
OR
b) hammer out a bright colourful kids license in six months, get it on the shelves alongside three similarly quickly cheaply developed games, sell them all for £29.99 or less, and watch sales rise as kids get the "wonderful" cheap games bought to go with their new PS2.
Sure, a few will take option a), but most are doing similar to b), does anyone want the GC and Xbox to be this popular ? I don't !
I disagree with the idea of a kiddy image - anyone whose old enough for supposedly mature games - whose content is often not far removed from teen flicks like Scream e.t.c - should really be mature enough to see the system for what it is. I bought a Gamecube for the games, I bought an Xbox for the games, and after Christmas I bought a GBA for the games.
Games are the be all and end all now. I don't think a larger release for the Q Cube could help because the DVD manufacturers would not be happy about it ! Nintendo does seem to regard the West as a poor relative, or at least Europe anyway, but we get the games eventually. Nintendo is always going to be strong in Japan, and abroad as well - nothing will change that.
Maybe, though, Nintendo don't want to be another Sony - sure the PS2 enjoys wide success, alongside bucketfulls of cheap crap games and an increasingly large age range for its user base. Microsoft and Sony reps in Edge's pre Christmas issue both stated that in Europe and the US a majority of games sales were still gift driven - which had implications for the PS2's mass market future.
Think about it. Mr Developer can;
a) produce well though out, 3 years in development, brilliant concept drop dead gorgeous graphics game, and probably see a month or two of success with the more mature gamers before they all go out and buy the next 9/10 mature game
OR
b) hammer out a bright colourful kids license in six months, get it on the shelves alongside three similarly quickly cheaply developed games, sell them all for £29.99 or less, and watch sales rise as kids get the "wonderful" cheap games bought to go with their new PS2.
Sure, a few will take option a), but most are doing similar to b), does anyone want the GC and Xbox to be this popular ? I don't !
Nintendo won't be failing.
Sure, out of the three current consoles, they're going to sell the least units. They know it and have known it for a long while.
They're still going to make a very tidy profit though, just like they did with the N64.
People tend to class the N64 as a failure simply because it wasn't as successful as the phenomenally big Playstation. On the contrary, Nintendo made a VERY healthy profit out of it, despite losing status as market leaders.
MS and Sony go for long term commercial plans.
They sell at huge losses, spend a fortune advertising and make a giant loss in the first year or so, and then as the user base is installed they make a GIANT profit from software sales.
Nintendo, however, make a minimal loss on the hardware sales (or possibly even a profit) and go easy on promotion costs so that they make a steady profit.
That's why MS and Sony need the big sales in order to make their money back while Nintendo can make a neat profit out of relatively small sales.
They won't own the market that way but they don't need to, besides, MS haven't exactly found toppling Sony the easiest task in the whole world...
As to their image, Nintendo promote their good games.
They promote Resident Evil and Mario Sunshine as the big hit games they are, who cares if some of the games are aimed at younger gamers too.
Besides, Sony and MS have got strong holds on the adult market so Nintendo would have to be pretty stupid to simply jump the bandwagon and put all their efforts into "adult" games.
By the by, saying that Eternal Darkness is mainly about keeping your sanity is as misleading as saying that the best thing about GTA3 is that you can walk around a city at your own free will (psh! I can do that in the REAL world...), the sanity is just one of the clever features in the game which would still be fantastic without it!
I think that answers your topic nicely. :-)
Sure, out of the three current consoles, they're going to sell the least units. They know it and have known it for a long while.
They're still going to make a very tidy profit though, just like they did with the N64.
People tend to class the N64 as a failure simply because it wasn't as successful as the phenomenally big Playstation. On the contrary, Nintendo made a VERY healthy profit out of it, despite losing status as market leaders.
MS and Sony go for long term commercial plans.
They sell at huge losses, spend a fortune advertising and make a giant loss in the first year or so, and then as the user base is installed they make a GIANT profit from software sales.
Nintendo, however, make a minimal loss on the hardware sales (or possibly even a profit) and go easy on promotion costs so that they make a steady profit.
That's why MS and Sony need the big sales in order to make their money back while Nintendo can make a neat profit out of relatively small sales.
They won't own the market that way but they don't need to, besides, MS haven't exactly found toppling Sony the easiest task in the whole world...
As to their image, Nintendo promote their good games.
They promote Resident Evil and Mario Sunshine as the big hit games they are, who cares if some of the games are aimed at younger gamers too.
Besides, Sony and MS have got strong holds on the adult market so Nintendo would have to be pretty stupid to simply jump the bandwagon and put all their efforts into "adult" games.
By the by, saying that Eternal Darkness is mainly about keeping your sanity is as misleading as saying that the best thing about GTA3 is that you can walk around a city at your own free will (psh! I can do that in the REAL world...), the sanity is just one of the clever features in the game which would still be fantastic without it!
I think that answers your topic nicely. :-)
Bah. READ THE THREEEEEEEEAD.
Page: