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Nintendo have got a problem, not a massive problem that requires much thought, yet a problem nevertheless. The problem is Christmas, and yep this is a problem. The main attraction to Nintendo’s console over the others is simple, if you want just a games console then why not pick up a Gamecube as opposed to the expensive DVD player/games consoles otherwise known as the PS2 and X-box. Well as of late it has gone slightly wrong; price cuts from both Sony and Microsoft mean that Nintendo’s console is only slightly cheaper than the opposition. The concept of paying an extra £30 and getting a DVD/CD player as well is very promising and Microsoft have just gone and made it worse.
When you buy a console you don’t simply think of the console price, you think of the games prices as well because lets face it how good is a games console without any games? Well Microsoft have realized this and for no extra cost they have thrown two games in with the system. That is an X-box, which can be upgraded to a DVD player and two games (Jet Set Radio: Future and Sega GT 2002) for £160. Well it only gets worse when you realize that Nintendo’s game bundle deal is Gamecube with Super Mario Sunshine is £165 you get less and it costs more. Now naturally the game that is bundled with the Gamecube carries a little more weight than Microsoft’s two (not only is it a better game but it is far more famous despite how incredible Jet Set Radio is) yet it does mean from a parents point of view that they will be getting their son/daughter a far larger present this Christmas. So what are Nintendo playing at, why are they taking so long to reduce the price of the Gamecube? It isn’t as if the company cannot afford it, the Gamecube in Japan is approximately £106 so why can’t a similar price cut be done over here?
Naturally it isn’t just the price that sells the system although for the naïve parents it is a major factor, it is also to do with the games. Nintendo has the upper hand over Microsoft in EVERY area this Christmas regarding the triple A games. Nintendo tend to always have 3 major titles under their development belt whereas it used to be Mario, Zelda and Perfect Dark it is now Mario, Zelda and Metroid. Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda and Metroid Prime are not only the three Gamecube games they are also currently the 3 biggest games full stop. And for those who don’t know Metroid Prime is being released to coincide with the American Christmas market, The Legend of Zelda is being released for the Christmas market in Japan and Super Mario Sunshine was released within the Christmas quarter of this year in Europe. Now the effects of these games will be felt more dramatically in Japan, quite significant in America but only partially in Europe. Super Mario Sunshine was release far too early (did I just say that?) the game should have been released around now to truly affect the Christmas market and instead Nintendo are relying on the popular, good yet not ground breaking Starfox Adventures, Eternal Darkness and Mario Party 4. Flooding the release list with Second Party titles isn’t necessarily a bad thing yet can any of these three stand up against GTA Vice City? From a Nintendo fans point of view it could yet not in terms of how much they will sell.
Yet not is all lost for Gamecube this Christmas, the fun feeling generated by the Gamecube will be another factor in selling the Gamecube. The Christmas period is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable period and the Gamecube is depicted as a very fun console. Mario Sunshine is also seen as one hell of a lot of fun (which it is) and this means despite it being on the market for a month and a half will probably see a surge in sales in the run up for Christmas. This is why bundling it with the console is a very good idea. But why no price cut? Well there will be one although it is difficult to understand why Nintendo are waiting. There are many possibilities, maybe Nintendo are planning to spring one on us just before December and catch the Christmas sales period at its peak. Second is maybe they are not planning one this year at all. Think back to the N64, what did Nintendo do regarding that? They gave gamers the option, N64 with Goldeneye for a set price of N64 with Mario 64 for a set price. Now Nintendo maybe planning a similar idea, they already offer a bundle with Mario Sunshine but this won’t be pulling in teenage and adult gamers (despite teenage magazines awarding the game highly such as Kerrang, the dark and aggressive magazine gave Mario 5 K’s the highest award it offers and slated Microsoft’s Blinx and awarded it just 2 K’s). So what game could Nintendo be waiting for? Surly Resident Evil or Eternal Darkness would do the trick? Well in fact it wouldn’t despite them being great titles that have sold very well a bundle including them would only work in Japan (Japanese style game, there is a Resident Evil bundle in Japan, Eternal Darkness being made by a western developer won’t enjoy the same exposure). The type of game that would get a bundle in Europe would be a first person shooter and that is why I believe Nintendo are waiting for next year’s release of Metroid Prime. I think they Console will cost either £100 or £130 and be avalible in two’s, a purple Gamecube with Mario and a Black Gamecube with Metroid.
This offer would sell extremely well but with Metroid only just being done in time for the American Christmas market it means we won’t see it this year and it means the deal could not be done for this market. Is the price cut immanent? Definatly! But this Christmas Nintendo may have to rely on the GBA to shift Gamecube’s.
Dringo.
When you buy a console you don’t simply think of the console price, you think of the games prices as well because lets face it how good is a games console without any games? Well Microsoft have realized this and for no extra cost they have thrown two games in with the system. That is an X-box, which can be upgraded to a DVD player and two games (Jet Set Radio: Future and Sega GT 2002) for £160. Well it only gets worse when you realize that Nintendo’s game bundle deal is Gamecube with Super Mario Sunshine is £165 you get less and it costs more. Now naturally the game that is bundled with the Gamecube carries a little more weight than Microsoft’s two (not only is it a better game but it is far more famous despite how incredible Jet Set Radio is) yet it does mean from a parents point of view that they will be getting their son/daughter a far larger present this Christmas. So what are Nintendo playing at, why are they taking so long to reduce the price of the Gamecube? It isn’t as if the company cannot afford it, the Gamecube in Japan is approximately £106 so why can’t a similar price cut be done over here?
Naturally it isn’t just the price that sells the system although for the naïve parents it is a major factor, it is also to do with the games. Nintendo has the upper hand over Microsoft in EVERY area this Christmas regarding the triple A games. Nintendo tend to always have 3 major titles under their development belt whereas it used to be Mario, Zelda and Perfect Dark it is now Mario, Zelda and Metroid. Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda and Metroid Prime are not only the three Gamecube games they are also currently the 3 biggest games full stop. And for those who don’t know Metroid Prime is being released to coincide with the American Christmas market, The Legend of Zelda is being released for the Christmas market in Japan and Super Mario Sunshine was released within the Christmas quarter of this year in Europe. Now the effects of these games will be felt more dramatically in Japan, quite significant in America but only partially in Europe. Super Mario Sunshine was release far too early (did I just say that?) the game should have been released around now to truly affect the Christmas market and instead Nintendo are relying on the popular, good yet not ground breaking Starfox Adventures, Eternal Darkness and Mario Party 4. Flooding the release list with Second Party titles isn’t necessarily a bad thing yet can any of these three stand up against GTA Vice City? From a Nintendo fans point of view it could yet not in terms of how much they will sell.
Yet not is all lost for Gamecube this Christmas, the fun feeling generated by the Gamecube will be another factor in selling the Gamecube. The Christmas period is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable period and the Gamecube is depicted as a very fun console. Mario Sunshine is also seen as one hell of a lot of fun (which it is) and this means despite it being on the market for a month and a half will probably see a surge in sales in the run up for Christmas. This is why bundling it with the console is a very good idea. But why no price cut? Well there will be one although it is difficult to understand why Nintendo are waiting. There are many possibilities, maybe Nintendo are planning to spring one on us just before December and catch the Christmas sales period at its peak. Second is maybe they are not planning one this year at all. Think back to the N64, what did Nintendo do regarding that? They gave gamers the option, N64 with Goldeneye for a set price of N64 with Mario 64 for a set price. Now Nintendo maybe planning a similar idea, they already offer a bundle with Mario Sunshine but this won’t be pulling in teenage and adult gamers (despite teenage magazines awarding the game highly such as Kerrang, the dark and aggressive magazine gave Mario 5 K’s the highest award it offers and slated Microsoft’s Blinx and awarded it just 2 K’s). So what game could Nintendo be waiting for? Surly Resident Evil or Eternal Darkness would do the trick? Well in fact it wouldn’t despite them being great titles that have sold very well a bundle including them would only work in Japan (Japanese style game, there is a Resident Evil bundle in Japan, Eternal Darkness being made by a western developer won’t enjoy the same exposure). The type of game that would get a bundle in Europe would be a first person shooter and that is why I believe Nintendo are waiting for next year’s release of Metroid Prime. I think they Console will cost either £100 or £130 and be avalible in two’s, a purple Gamecube with Mario and a Black Gamecube with Metroid.
This offer would sell extremely well but with Metroid only just being done in time for the American Christmas market it means we won’t see it this year and it means the deal could not be done for this market. Is the price cut immanent? Definatly! But this Christmas Nintendo may have to rely on the GBA to shift Gamecube’s.
Dringo.
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Dringo wrote:
> It doesnt matter people are starting to see through that specially
> older teenagers. Nintendo can survive in Europe if they cut the price
> next year.
I'm not doubting Nintendo can survive, and I think a fair few people misunderstnad my criticism of Nintendo.
Nintendo have a good product in the GC, better than the PS2 in terms of visuals, sheer playability and design, and better in some ways than the Xbox. Nintendo have some great games out now, and coming. But a good product could be made a lot better if Nintendo made some changes. for instance, Mario Party 4 looks to be strong enuogh to have been an online launch title, but it isn't and there's no official word from Nintendo on online play. Similarly the gap between US and UK release for major titles is getting stupid. On the Xbox tow major releases, Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell, will have only a two week gap in release dates. Look at Timesplitters 2 - two weeks after all other formats.
With some changes Nintendo could give Sony a really good fight. Slaes figures are not the be all and end all- i.e. just because you're selling the most does not mean you're the best - if this were true then we'd assume that Gareth Gates is the greatest star this year.....clearly a blatant lie if ever there was one !
~~Belldandy~~
> It doesnt matter people are starting to see through that specially
> older teenagers. Nintendo can survive in Europe if they cut the price
> next year.
I'm not doubting Nintendo can survive, and I think a fair few people misunderstnad my criticism of Nintendo.
Nintendo have a good product in the GC, better than the PS2 in terms of visuals, sheer playability and design, and better in some ways than the Xbox. Nintendo have some great games out now, and coming. But a good product could be made a lot better if Nintendo made some changes. for instance, Mario Party 4 looks to be strong enuogh to have been an online launch title, but it isn't and there's no official word from Nintendo on online play. Similarly the gap between US and UK release for major titles is getting stupid. On the Xbox tow major releases, Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell, will have only a two week gap in release dates. Look at Timesplitters 2 - two weeks after all other formats.
With some changes Nintendo could give Sony a really good fight. Slaes figures are not the be all and end all- i.e. just because you're selling the most does not mean you're the best - if this were true then we'd assume that Gareth Gates is the greatest star this year.....clearly a blatant lie if ever there was one !
~~Belldandy~~
It might happen yeap :)
Belldandy wrote:
> £99.99 with memory card and do 2-3 different bundles - or do it
> so retailers can insert game of customers choice - do;
>
> Star Wars Rogue Leader or Clone Wars bundle
> Mario Sunshine Bundle
> Eternal Darkness Bundle
>
> Why no Metroid ? Not out until after Xmas when it'll be too late. If
> Nintendo has a bad Christmas this year it cannot recover a lead in the
> UK or Europe baring a miracle. Metorid, Sunshine e.t.c are all great
> games, unfortunately they're Nintendo branded games, and amongst a lot
> of potential buyers Nintendo = kids. Sure, most of us on here know
> otherwise, but it's a general image, willingly continued by retailers
> - I know Dixons, Comet, Woolworths, Game and Amazon all give the GC
> this kind of image.
It doesnt matter people are starting to see through that specially older teenagers. Nintendo can survive in Europe if they cut the price next year.
> £99.99 with memory card and do 2-3 different bundles - or do it
> so retailers can insert game of customers choice - do;
>
> Star Wars Rogue Leader or Clone Wars bundle
> Mario Sunshine Bundle
> Eternal Darkness Bundle
>
> Why no Metroid ? Not out until after Xmas when it'll be too late. If
> Nintendo has a bad Christmas this year it cannot recover a lead in the
> UK or Europe baring a miracle. Metorid, Sunshine e.t.c are all great
> games, unfortunately they're Nintendo branded games, and amongst a lot
> of potential buyers Nintendo = kids. Sure, most of us on here know
> otherwise, but it's a general image, willingly continued by retailers
> - I know Dixons, Comet, Woolworths, Game and Amazon all give the GC
> this kind of image.
It doesnt matter people are starting to see through that specially older teenagers. Nintendo can survive in Europe if they cut the price next year.
Yes, and Sony and Microsoft already make a loss on their consoles. They all do that so they can make it back on the software sales.
Apparently (and this is from numerous reliable sources) Nintendo only make £10 on each GameCube at the current price. So if they reduced it by a tenner they would only break even and if they reduced it further they would be at a loss.
auf deutsch wrote:
> Or if they just wanted a Gamecube, then reduce that to £100.
On the deal that I had in Dixons on the 4th of May I got the gamecube, 4 games, 2 controllers, and a memory card all of £285, that means that when I got it the GC was priced at £100 only on that deal.
> Or if they just wanted a Gamecube, then reduce that to £100.
On the deal that I had in Dixons on the 4th of May I got the gamecube, 4 games, 2 controllers, and a memory card all of £285, that means that when I got it the GC was priced at £100 only on that deal.
I kneeeeeeeeew it.
:-)
:-)
£99.99 with memory card and do 2-3 different bundles - or do it so retailers can insert game of customers choice - do;
Star Wars Rogue Leader or Clone Wars bundle
Mario Sunshine Bundle
Eternal Darkness Bundle
Why no Metroid ? Not out until after Xmas when it'll be too late. If Nintendo has a bad Christmas this year it cannot recover a lead in the UK or Europe baring a miracle. Metorid, Sunshine e.t.c are all great games, unfortunately they're Nintendo branded games, and amongst a lot of potential buyers Nintendo = kids. Sure, most of us on here know otherwise, but it's a general image, willingly continued by retailers - I know Dixons, Comet, Woolworths, Game and Amazon all give the GC this kind of image.
~~Belldandy~~
Star Wars Rogue Leader or Clone Wars bundle
Mario Sunshine Bundle
Eternal Darkness Bundle
Why no Metroid ? Not out until after Xmas when it'll be too late. If Nintendo has a bad Christmas this year it cannot recover a lead in the UK or Europe baring a miracle. Metorid, Sunshine e.t.c are all great games, unfortunately they're Nintendo branded games, and amongst a lot of potential buyers Nintendo = kids. Sure, most of us on here know otherwise, but it's a general image, willingly continued by retailers - I know Dixons, Comet, Woolworths, Game and Amazon all give the GC this kind of image.
~~Belldandy~~
Kastro wrote:
> I hope a price cut happens soon as i am planning on buying a gamecube
> before christmas.
Great choice mate. You should pick up a copy of Nintendo Official Magazine, to aid your purchase. Alternatively, you could check out my buyers guide:
http://ukchatforums.reserve.co.uk/ (SPACE) display_messages.php?threadid=59967&forumid=132
> I hope a price cut happens soon as i am planning on buying a gamecube
> before christmas.
Great choice mate. You should pick up a copy of Nintendo Official Magazine, to aid your purchase. Alternatively, you could check out my buyers guide:
http://ukchatforums.reserve.co.uk/ (SPACE) display_messages.php?threadid=59967&forumid=132
Sry maddmun i was assuming the 10 hypothetical people would all be under 20 yrs of age but as you rightly say im sure that if 10 'older' people (say 30 year olds) were asked to name a console then Nintendo would indeed figure high up the list.
I dont know if Nintendo can ever get that back, im not entirely sure that they need too, there was always room for Sega and Nintendo back in the days when games were frowned upon and only spotty boys or the unemployed played them, as ignorance dissapeared the market grew and introduced a much vaster playing field for the Console boys to exploit.
I dont know if Nintendo can ever get that back, im not entirely sure that they need too, there was always room for Sega and Nintendo back in the days when games were frowned upon and only spotty boys or the unemployed played them, as ignorance dissapeared the market grew and introduced a much vaster playing field for the Console boys to exploit.
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