Topic: What if Nintendo kept the Wii U and released another powerful console?

Yes, that's it, 2 home consoles at the same time. Sounds weird, so let me explain...

I just got two GAME brochures. One is the "regular" and the other is for kids.

In the former you find little of Nintendo compared to other systems. Makes sense when for example in the Far Cry 4 page you can see the 5 boxes for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox ONE and PC and not for Wii U. Well, that's the state of things, at this point you buy a Wii U if you are a Nintendo fan, you like Nintendo games a lot and/or if you are covered by other options (have a PC or another console).

Then there's the other brochure for kids, with games and all (spot the differences, labyrinths...) and here it is almost all Nintendo, mostly the 3DS, some Wii U games, basically the same that appear in the other.

And this got me thinking: what if Nintendo had two different consoles for different markets? One for the so called hardcore market (yeah, we know hardcore can have different meanings for us, but let's leave at it for simplicity) and one for the casual/family/kids one?

I mean, imagine: the "Nintendo Pro" (or whatever), the most powerful console they can come with at a reasonable price, bundled with the Pro controller only, focused on mature 14+ or 16+ games. They could give it its own look/brand (different game cover design for example), spend little on advertisement (hey, it's for gamers, not unaware casuals, we spend a lot of time on gaming sites, forums, videos, magazines,... we should well know about it anyway thanks to news, reviews, comparisons, rants...), make it easy to work with for third parties and give them some "love" (progressive fees, advertisement...).

Then the "Nintendo Family", which is basically the Wii U, focused on famous colorful family-friendly Nintendo IPs (Mario Kart, Mario World, Mario Bros., Pikmin...), family/party games, simple games for the casual (like Wii Sports) and so on... Games that should work with the Wiimote Plus, nunchuk, Gamepad... This is where most Nintendo first party games would be released although there's nothing stopping Nintendo from releasing "mature" or more graphically ambitious games for the Pro.

And here's the trick: you can play all the Nintendo "Family" games in the Nintendo Pro, with Gamepad/Wiimote support, so even if this is the console you pick you don't miss any great Nintendo game. If you are of the "hardcore" type, with the Pro you could be playing the latest CoD one day and Splatoon the other, Driveclub and Mario Kart... Parents could give their children a Family and when they grow up they could transition to the Pro as natural progression (keeping their library, controllers...).

They already have the Wii U, it's great as it is. Keep it and focus it as the family/party/kids best gaming option and of course for Nintendo fans. No need for hyper-realistic, massive, bloody games there. Nintendo should just focus on performance with the Pro and let third parties drive it for the most part.

There would be no excuses. Third parties could argue that the Family is underpowered, but no so the Pro. Fanboys could keep arguing the Family is kiddy, not so the Pro. Nintendo could be the best choice for almost everyone.

OK, this is just a rush idea. A lot can be say about the way I described it, but I hope you get my idea. What do you think? Could a two consoles strategy work?

LOL.

This whole wall is one big LOL.

TLDR he wants Nintendo to go SEGA way and lose money on nonesense.

First, why would you buy a console for "hc gamz" if you already can have it? For the sake of the brand? And why would you even make the gimped version, when you can have it all with the pro?

It's just so mindblowing how many experts we have on the interwebz.

I think this is a good idea. However, it'd have to be next generation, not this generation. Renaming the Wii U would cause even more confusion/ having three consoles would be mad.

EDIT: It would also be a really bad idea, for many reasons

No because they'd be stretched to thin development wise and competing against yourself is beyond dumb.

Not that the current Wii U marketing strategy worked. Even some people that sell it still don't know what the gamepad is, they think is just a tablet. So outside of the gaming world (here for example) I think a new campaign for the Wii U with a different focus could actually work better. They people that could get confused, are mostly already confused.

Nah. I don't think it's economically feasible.

This.

Right now, Nintendo's model isn't capable of supporting more than one home console simultaneously. A "Nintendo Pro" would just outcompete the Wii U and spread their development resources too thin.

That said, if Nintendo changes their model to be more similar to the computer or phone market, then sure, a Nintendo Pro would be possible. But in that case, we would probably see a new iteration every year, again, like the computer or phone market. But in that case, I'm not sure the people interested in consoles would be interested in that model.

So from a Nintendo point of view it would be better if someone got a Sony or Microsoft instead of "the other" Nintendo? I think it is better to be your own competition and still have your products sell. Not to mention that in the scenario I described both consoles should be targeted to very different markets. The casual/general public shouldn't even know there is that "another" Nintendo. It's not intended for them anyway.

...Honestly they should just do it mainly to teach all these "hardcore gamers" a lesson. lol

I don't think you know how businesses work

But that model should be designed with 3rd parties in mind, just like the other consoles: powerful, simple (no Gamead/Wiimote from the start, just optional). I think Nintendo priority should be the Family, as it is where they shine, colorful fun games everyone can enjoy, and let the so called hardcore games for the other console and second and third parties. And if they feel like it, when they have the time and resources they could also release one or two games for it.

Anyway, there are no Nintendo games for the PS4 or Xbox ONE either and they still sell.

And do you? I'd love to hear you. Seriously.

So a few problems with this model.

1. Nintendo now needs to split their development resources across three platforms. That also means learning to optimize for three platforms. This makes development less efficient.
2. What about all the 8 year olds who gradually want more gamer oriented experiences as they grow older? Now they just have to buy a brand new system?
3. This could easily be confusing for people. Especially with price thrown into the mix. Each system has to be described by the games it plays.
4. What about all the gray areas. Games like Garden Warfare, Splatoon, and Zelda all apply to wide audiences. 3rd Parties now have to choose between systems.
5. In regards to power, if developers want to take full advantage of the Nintendo Pro's power, they have to give up an install base. The above mentioned points show why its risky to limit games to only the Pro.

Because they are two VERY different markets? isn't that the point of the 3DS too in fact? Or their QOL platform? There is always more than just one market. With home consoles they already lost the casual (because bad marketing and other reasons) and the "hardcore" (because of lack of third party support).

if Nintendo releases another console within the next 2 years....it will be a disaster. the reality is, they will need to focus on the new console, and as such....all wii u owners will feel abandoned. which, they, in a way, will be. it will cause distrust. who in the world wants to buy a new nintendo console after they just messed up and abandoned the wii u. it would be very bad for business.

nintendo is smarter than this. they know they need to ride the wii u out and make it as successful as possible. and so far, it looks like they are trying to do that.

now lets get some new tecmo super bowl games....and some new gauntlet games!

The other console is for low budget stuff, isnt it?
For countries like China to be able to afford the games?

isn't that the point of the 3DS too in fact?

Umm.... No. Because they don't do the competition for themselves, like you insist they should do.

Or their QOL platform?

No. Or yes. Still there is little info about it.

There is always more than just one market

That's why they have more than U or consoles in general.

You clearly don't know what you are talking about

1- Nintendo should focus, say, 80% on the family oriented console and 20% on the gamer oriented and leave it for the 2nd/3rd parties for the most part. Then of course you should be able to play the "Family" games on the "Pro" console.
2- It's the same with the Wii U. When they want that "more gamer oriented" experience they'll have to pick a new system. And it'd be a Sony, a Microsoft or a PC, not a Nintendo, as there is not Nintendo with that experience.
3- The Pro is for gamers, I don't think they'll get confused, they'll get all the info in sites like this and a dozen others, in magazines, in videos... Gamers can easily know. Those that can get confused are the non-gamers, the casuals, and first they are already confused by the Wii U marketing, and second, focusing the Family console only on them if anything could help.
4- 3rd parties already have to chose, and they are choosing to leave the Wii U out.
5- Well, they are already still developing for 5 platform: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox ONE and PC. I don't think they should focus on the Pro, just have it as another option. Unlike the Wii U.

No.

I can't see why some of you think it is better that buyers pick a Sony or Microsoft over a Nintendo just because Nintendo would competing with themselves.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but someone who knew a few things about marketing said it himself:

Be your own competition

• Steve Jobs

And in other words:

You need to disrupt yourself before your competitors do

• Mark Zuckerberg

Even if you don't like those people, you can't deny they know what they are talking about.