Topic: The Biggest Software Lesson Nintendo Should Have Learned

@arnoldlayne83 and @BinaryFragger
These 'safe' games are again to appeal to that family friendly demographic, which Nintendo need to cater to, without obsessing over like they almost do now. Like I said, I really don't mind 'safe' games providing that they compliment other releases as opposed to near replacing them. There is room for cute alongside grit, as Sony and Microsoft are capable of, but cute alone gets tedious and off putting.

Sony in particular are widening their scope by introducing traditionally PC genres (MMO, Indie, Experimental) onto their console ALONGSIDE the usual console genres, capturing the interests of a greater amount of customers. Nintendo is trying with Indies on the eShop but still need to give it more effort and have a long way to go yet. Sure, people are going to tell me that you should only buy a Nintendo machine to play Nintendo games but a niche market just isn't viable on a global scale. Nintendo won't last longer on the profits from a handful of supporters so like it or not, they really need to evolve with the times and start trying to appeal to the masses.

@Jimtaro: Exactly. And the result of mainly (if not exclusively) aiming at the family friendly target as you called them, is that now a vast portion of Nintendo "aficionados" do not care, or at worst they like to joke about, more "modern" and/or "violent" games. So, even if a part of Nintendo lovers as me and you, ask for "new, gritty too" things, another part seems just caring about the new "Mario whatsoever jumping game"....

So it is a big mess, to me. I do not really now how Nintendo should move and success, wherever you look at the thing, you make someone happy and you piss someone else, sort of....

@arnoldlayne83:
The solution shouldn't be too difficult; just give us cute alongside the grit, appealing to both tastes rather than dividing them. Nintendo don't even have to develop both genres, they can do cute while encouraging third parties to come and develop the grit. Then both fans have titles they like and the consumer base is effectively doubled for Nintendo = profits.

@Jimtaro: Yes you are right.... I guess that was their intention with WiiU at the beginning, or at least the first six months.... But unfortunately everything started to get wrong already prior the console launch...

@arnoldlayne83:
And that's another trait that Nintendo needs to change, like I said in my rant, Nintendo just seems to give up and abandon things too quickly at the first sign of trouble or them not working out. How does that elicit confidence from the consumers? Look how many are put off buying an NX at launch after being disappointed with the Wii and Wii U. Nintendo has a lot of work ahead but I truly hope that they succeed.

@Jimtaro: I trully hope too..... they won't deserve to finish as Sega, and the Videogame industry still needs Nintendo.

On the other side, if I think just with my purse, having a future Nintendo as a solid software house developing for playstation is not too bad... but as I said, this is a heartless thought.....

Exactly! I think that the best thing to happen for Nintendo has been the rise of Sony and Microsoft, and the best thing for them has been the legacy of Nintendo. Three core companies builds a healthy competition, that Nintendo needs to rise to and not bow out from.

It's refreshing to talk to a fellow Nintendo fan who is realistic about the future. A lot of regular fans attack those who hold realistic views because we don't paint a perfect pretty picture, but we love Nintendo just the same and only want improvements so that it succeeds once again.

The same for me and it was a great conversation, thanks ) I know what you mean, unfortunately on this site if you do not agree that Mario Makers is the greatest innovation in the gaming history you are a troll or a xbot without any gaming taste.... well let's hope we will play together some good new Nintendo game soon. And good luck for your health. Now my working day is over, I'll drive back home and play some game!

They used to have their own sports franchise, but never kept up with the years, and they seemed to end at the beginning of the N64 era. Wave Race and 1080 ended after Gamecube.

Other than that, it seems that they need more quantity and variety of games. They should at least start more sports titles and sports compilations, but also try some new themed games...even if they have to use their characters (because something new that they usually makes, ends up flopping...Fling Smash, Wii Music, Battalion Wars 2). They also need to stop having sequels to some of their classic franchises come out with each new system, not wait for 4-5 systems down the road. Startropics would be a nice addition, since we haven't gotten anything else in it since the NES era...Kid Icarius would be nice on a console too, not just a handheld. What they also need to do, is have a more variety, for more than just children. Have T and M rated games. I don't care about what the ratings are, but if that brings back some of those hardcore gamers that only care about the rating, then it would help them. What they also need to do, is focus on getting 3rd parties back, and getting 3rd parties to make exclusives to JUST THEM. Nobody wants to pay $50-60 for a game that's 2 years old and is now only a few dollars on the other consoles, they want something new to play.

@skywake: I think Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess and one of the Kirby titles were hits over there too...not sure, but I thought I read that somewhere. Wasn't animal crossing also a hit in Japan?

Dude this kind of flame war is unnecessary and childish. Fanboys like that exist everywhere.

You can say that again

That's people's problem, not Nintendo's problem. Apparently their games still sell well at full price, and there's no reason to drop the price. I'm sure they'll do a ''Nintendo Selects'' re-release for several Wii U games eventually, just like they did with the Wii . However, keep in mind that the first Nintendo Selects game was released in 2011; the Wii was already 5 years old by then, the Wii U isn't even 3 years old as of now.

@Octane: That's why it is a lesson they should have learned. The entire reason I purchased a Gamecube when I already owned a Playstation 2 was because I could get it for $99 a decent library at $20 or $30 a pop. It ended up being the system I owned the most games for, all because I could buy in cheap. It wasn't just the Nintendo stuff that because Player's Choice either, and eventually that console replaced the PS2.

Most people are going to buy a XBO or PS4. So cut the cost of the system at this point and put the games out there at a bargain price. There are a ton of people that would buy in at a bargain pricepoint. While each sale is less profit, it is better than the zero profit they are making now and it might actually breathe some life back into their console.

I think Nintendo should be trying to get more Wii-mote/nunchuck compatible games out there. The GamePad and Pro controller work fine for a lot of people, but the Wii remore is still there and hasn't been used nearly as much as it was on Wii, for obvious reasons, but it's still a worthwhile option for people to have access to.

This still has to do with supporting a new platform (which Sony has also had trouble with in supporting Move on PS4), but an abundance of Wii remote compatible titles, all around, would be very welcome.

Wii U doesn't even use the camera on the GamePad for much, either, so more features like that is what I'm talking about.