The Nintendo Switch is flying off store shelves all over the world, which would suggest that the concept of a home console you can take with you anywhere has found favour with the games-buying public.
This is just the tonic Nintendo needed after the dismal commercial performance of the Wii U, a system which struggled to find an audience and was largely shunned by retailers - including UK specialist GAME, which has just posted its latest financial numbers.
The chain saw profits slump by 27 percent after a weak Christmas, but it wasn't all bad news - the arrival of the Switch means that the second half of GAME's financial year is up by 20 percent.
Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, GAME CEO Martyn Gibbs explained exactly why the chain has so much confidence in the console, given that Nintendo's previous machine did so poorly:
Gamesindustry.biz: Speaking of Nintendo, you seem to have high expectations for Nintendo Switch going forwards, which is notable considering the rather poor performance of Wii U. Why do you have such confidence?
Martyn Gibbs: The appetite that we have seen for the Switch console has, I think, been driven around the usability and exactly what the console is. You only have to play Zelda on-the-move - as you will have done - and you get it in a nanosecond. For me, it is worth the money just to get that [Zelda] experience in a large-screen mobile version. The concept is very strong and obviously having a launch game with a Metacritic of 97 is wholly helpful. I think the fact that we know what games are coming - we know we have Mario Kart, and then Splatoon 2 and then Super Mario Odyssey - is a good reason why people want to buy the console.
Launching with a game of Zelda's quality will no doubt have helped, but it's encouraging to see that consumers have embraced the core concept of the Switch; hopefully that appetite will continue to drive sales through 2017 in the same way that the Wii's motion controls captured the attention of players a decade ago.
Comments 69
Lame GAME. You're dead to me and you are quite literally dead too in Ireland.
Whilst I have not really seen GAME's presence in Adelaide for a couple of years it does not hurt to hear companies having confidence in a system they want to sell. It is in their best interest really. From what most people are saying, and from the experience that this CEO explained (the magic of something like Zelda BotW being portable), the Switch could very well be something special. I look forward to its future.
This is so very true. That's the primary reason I got BOTW on the Switch instead of the Wii U. I might would have held off on getting one otherwise, but the appeal of being able to play the scale of a game on the go was too much.
When I was purchasing my Switch, everyone in line said they were buying it because of Zelda as well.
Game over for GAME. The local one where I live has shut down, switch won't save them. If profits are down over Christmas period then one would say it's the end. I stopped using game years back, it was always cheaper to order online
GAME are so expensive! Literally the worst retailer.
As for Switch I reckon I'll get one when Odyssey comes out...
10-12 M consoles by march 2018 ! For the holidays, a good bundle and Mario Odyssey will help the switch to sell like hotcakes.
By the end of the year the lineup will have Zelda, Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8D, Arms, Mario Odyssey and more surprises revealed for E3 I guess (Smash port, pokemon stars, retro's game ?), it's HUGE for a first year imo.
@NintySnesMan They're basically on extended life support already. They've already withdrawn entirely from Scandinavia and presumably other countries aswell.
The failure in sales of the Wii U was a blessing in disguise. I preferred the ds and 3ds to the wii and wii u anyways but the sales situation warranted a closer internal look at Nintendo's strengths. The Switch is closer to what i've always wanted from a system
The best thing about the switch is how clear the message is. You don't need to hold one in your hands to understand how cool this concept is, unlike the wii u in which people are still confused. Can't wait for more games.
@Danpal65 Yeah, it's been ages since I've seen any sign of game. All I remember is that there used to be a GAME store in Colonades (Noarlunga) that used to go to. Never bought anything though because they were more expensive than EB games, and that's saying something.
@NintendoVideoGa Ya, they're gone 5 years ago from Ireland. They were a horrible company anyway, always were a rip-off. I don't know how Gamestop are still open. They're just as bad, actually probably worse.
I enjoyed GAME more than GameStop(or EB Games as they were known back then) when we had both in Denmark.
The magenta/wood interiors were a lot more appealing than the black/red/WEBUYYOUROLDGAMES thing GameStop is pulling, and their employees were less agressive with pushing preorders on people.
@Eric258 The message being clear is probably one of the biggest differences between the Switch and the WiiU.
I think I remember the one at Colonnades. There used to be one at Marion as well. I had the same experience though. EB was always better value, and I felt the staff knew what they were doing a bit more, although merchandise and collectables were better at GAME.
You only have to look at the majority of these comments to see the problem with GAME.
I lost confidence in them the Xmas before this one. I'd planned to purchase some digital eShop downloads for each of my kids the day before Xmas, when I discovered they'd put the prices up for said games by £5 each, clearly trying to capitalise on the fact that stores were closed. They also sell things like Skylanders and Amiibo characters well above MSRP, which is their loss because I walk into my local GAME several times a month and say to my kids "put that back, I'm not spending an extra £5 when I could have it tomorrow from Amazon".
They lost me as a loyal customer a long time ago, I only purchase from them now if it benefits me.
If Switch is getting more floor & shelf space in high street retail outlets then that can only promote it further.
Success breeds success.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE It even hurts you to hear a company having confidence in a system they want to sell? You really are the definition of the word "moaning".
Here's a video I just watched that I think more people need to see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6q96pkpLFI
I think we really should be worried about third party support on Switch because right now it's genuinely looking like it could actually be in a worse position than Wii U—once you properly break down that infographic and realise who's actually making games and exactly what those games are—and that is just bad.
I genuinely want the Switch to be great, it has so much potential to be so, but I'm more worried about its future than ever (in terms of its software library outside of a handful of great first party games and some indie titles).
To myself, this is still not a reason to fork over the amount of money to get the system yet, but I have hopes in E3 with more announcements on the way, and have hopes that the virtual console side of the E-Shop will soon be available with goodies that haven't been on the Wii/3DS and Wii U over and over again. So far, I still only see 3 games that would get me to even get the system (Zelda, Snipperclips and Mario Odyssey) and the later isn't even out yet. If Animal Crossing is coming, and some other goodies (Pikmin), then I'll decide on if I will purchase it, but after the fiascle and disappointment I had with the Wii U, and the fact that even with the 3DS (in the fact of the 3DS barely having many games coming out throughout the last few years...there's been some goodies, but without nintendo, a vast drought each year). If 3rd parties are still on board within the next few years of the console, and the price of the console and accessories go down (or at least a nice bundle by the holidays), then I'll purchase the system...up until then, the PS4 is keeping myself, wife and kids extremely happy, and the Gamecube is still hooked up getting much play.
Chainsaw profits! Rrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzz!
@Cosats I didn't say anything about Switch, I merely commented about GAME as a company in general. But then I expect no less an imbecilic comment from you.
So much hate for GAME...
They managed to get me a Switch on release day in exchange for £279.99 - can't be all bad.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Why do you have such free reign on this site? You go from topic to topic with your hatred and putting down of Nintendo and the Switch and now you just call people names because they're tired of it.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
What ? Lame ??
Why don't try Ebay or playasia ?
@impurekind Oh man, that YouTuber comes off as such a snarky arrogant tool. lol. Couldn't watch the whole thing, but I got the gist.
I'm not sure what the big controversy is there.
If you saw a big list of "Nintendo Switch partners" and thought, "All those companies are bringing exclusive games and all their best AAA games to Nintendo Switch at launch!" I don't know what to tell you. It says "partners" and nothing about launch window. To now be indignant that they don't all have big exclusive games on it immediately. I don't know what to tell someone like that.
This YouTuber guy just sets up some straw man about this infographic meaning something it never meant that could only be taken that way by someone jumping to conclusions without thinking. He keeps saying, "is it this game? Or that? No, it's THIS one" as if Nintendo had made some sort of a promise about what each developer was providing.
I had some hope that third parties might take a gamble on Switch but it was clear very early on that they did not. They are taking the wait and see approach which, after the losses they took on the Wii U is completely understandable. I already have more games than I can play right now on the Switch and, so far, the launch is going quite well by all indicators (but it's too early to tell much anyway), so I'm happy, myself. Maybe third parties will come around but no one should count on the big games coming for another year at best.
Evil bait and switch marketing and heads rolling, though? We are on different planets on that one.
@MisterDude Again, I didn't say ANYTHING about Nintendo or Switch in this story. And I didn't call anyone any names either. I said the comment above was imbecilic, big difference.....some people, love to have a moan at me constantly.....I despair sometimes. Get your facts right if you're going to have a go at me.
I said numerous times now, I don't hate Nintendo, I love them. I wouldn't be here otherwise or post stories in the forums or to the site. I hate some of the decisions they make. Again, massive difference.
I've recently started to use GAME more often. I got a Switch from them over Nintendo.co.uk because buying things from online, no matter where from, you aren't always likely to get it when you want it. I knew GAME would have them in store, and I was able to pick it up at midnight.
I've also started buying Nintendo eShop cards from them - because, while you don't get much in the way of reward points, it adds up, and eventually I'll be able to cash in the reward points for a free £10 on the eShop. Why not? I'd be putting the money on there anyway.
@Niinbendo You probably are, 2012 still feels like a couple of years ago to me. It does pretty much leave us with EB though, and in some places GameTraders.
@impurekind
Wow. Great link, I liked it lots so I subscribed. When he put it across like that it don't look good for switch but what the hell he was a funny guy. Thx for the link. I can see some ppl beating down on this guy but let's face it he has a switch, he was just pointing out facts. Also at the end he did say there were other developers working on switch, leaving it with a positive.
@Danpal65 Electronic Boutique are still around? They were here in Ireland many years ago, then GAME took them over, before going belly-up. I still have my old EB loyalty card.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE While we're talking about things that are lame, it's also lame to go on an article about GAME just to give a generic criticism about the company without discussing anything about the article itself.
On topic, it's not surprising for a company to be positive about an item they're trying to sell, but positivity is still nice to see.
@impurekind I agree more people should watch the video. I'm hoping we all get surprised at e3
Best hardware ever. Period.
Whether the market gets it and the games start to come is another thing all together.
Before Switch:
I'm at work, looking forward to being home in the evening and carrying on playing Zelda (potentially NHL 18, Battlefield 5, Black Ops 4 etc etc etc)
Now, with But Switch:
I plant my Switch on my desk, feet up with joycons in hand.... I am straight into where I left off playing the exact same HD home console game, but in my dinner break. (Potentially, I can manage my EA sports HUT card trades during the day from anywhere, or get an extra online league game in, I could play some deathmatches and unlock more weapons at a faster raw than before when I HAD to play at home only... now I can play my games literally anywhere.)
But this console
@aaronsullivan To be fair, I removed some of that stuff I said because I actually thought this was the only infographic Nintendo put out to basically show people everyone developing games for the Switch—and in that scenario it would have been very manipulative and misleading (much more so that it actually is, which is it still a little bit)—but Nintendo did put up the other infographic that specifically showed the various games in development, and that one is obviously much clearer in that respect. I'm still very worried about third party support on the system though, particularly new AAA stuff, as I think we all should be. I'd like to pretend the Switch is ultimately going to deliver all the amazing content we could ever want, but in my heart I feel like it won't, sadly.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE lol that's old.
@DESS-M-8 Yeah, it's definitely a system with a whole load of potential, but it really needs more of those big third party games to truly deliver on all its potential imo. I'm not sure Nintendo's first games and a bunch of smaller indie third parties can carry, at least not for me; it certainly didn't with the likes of the Wii, for the most part, and definitely not with Wii U. So, it's still to be seen if this console with all the potential in the world will ever truly be all it can be. . . .
I gotta stop reading the comments here... seriously. This community/site used to be good.
@UK-Nintendo Very old. Could be 20 years old, probably more.
@ghostjoshu there's one every two blocks in NYC I exaggerate but there are a quite a few. Two near me in fact.
I go in occasionally, browse and leave.
I think hey need to take a leaf out of successful book store's erm, book. More events and experience you can't get online.
@bolt05 here's * a big hug *
@SLIGEACH_EIRE definitely over 20 years
@crimsontadpoles
There are many comments on this article beating up on GAME. Just like many others you have singled out SLIGHEACH-EIRE and none of the others, using him as a punch bag, well I for one think that is lame and not justified when there are many similar comments. One could say it's a form of bullying, if it's justified then fair enough but in this case it isn't justified
Just get those games out Ninty, E3 better be delicious!
I think GAME CEO Martyn Gibbs should really get out more and view his stores as they are currently hiding the switch next to the wii u on one stand at the back of the store out of the way....
Was in a Game yesterday and they weren't doing much to promote the Switch. Also, their pricing is just way off their competitors. Even for pre-owned.
@Robotron2084 Ah yes Peats. Another retailer that's gone, a good few years too. It was many moons before they shut that I last stepped through their doors. They just couldn't compete on price. They were competitive once upon a time. I may have got my Atari 2600 and Commodore 64 there.
I actually have never been in a GAME store. I walked past a few but my mate warned me against even going down that path. I can't say whether they are bad but I never have been warned against another store from my mate, not even GameStop.
As for the Switch, every person and company that has faith in it is great. For me, everything I hear are empty platitudes. Nothing and I mean NOTHING matters to me anymore except concrete games announcements and E3. I love the Switch, it still gets more play than Mass Effect(which im not sure whether I really like or not yet), but I am focused on E3.
Nothing will get consumers to have confidence and buy in like big announcements of concrete games.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE @NintendoVideoGa @NintySnesMan
I heard GameStop was closing 190 stores in the US because of low profits.
So I guess they're on the same boat, then.
@NintySnesMan
This dumb site is chock full of bullying, arguments, deadly debates, and extreme pessimism. Everybody hates each other here, and everyone else just hates everything.
Or that could just be me, I dunno.
@NintySnesMan Sligeach's comment was at the top, and was therefore the first one I saw. If someone else had the first comment giving a generic and unrelated insult about GAME, then I would have replied to them instead.
@ghostjoshu
The failure in sales of the Wii U was a blessing in disguise. I preferred the ds and 3ds to the wii and wii u anyways but the sales situation warranted a closer internal look at Nintendo's strengths. The Switch is closer to what i've always wanted from a system
Thats... very true. And I agree. Wii U backed Nintendo into a corner and now they're clawing their way out. It's great
@crimsontadpoles
OK no problem
@ProjectCafe
Lol, yep just about every article I go in is like that. The Yooka-laylee with that JonTron is a good example of this never-ending situation, shame really because there are some good discussions to be had. Anyways about the previous comment you made, I wonder with gamestop and Game over here are struggling because more ppl are going digital or maybe more are just buying online like myself
@NintySnesMan
Considering the fact that it's 2017, it could well be the case that everybody's going digital. Or simply relying on Amazon far more than they ever have before. Probably both.
I don't think it's penetrated the gaming market the way this guy thinks, but this is just based on how tech magazines still don't care it exists and most people don't consider it a real player against PS4 or even XB1.
If he's right, the challenge is getting it into people's hands. People who don't really care what Nintendo is up to anymore. But who knows, they could pull that off with some clever marketing.
Game is overly expensive and you get a vastly different experience depending on which branch you go in. If anyone is in the Manchester UK region I recommend the one on the fort. Those guys know what they are talking about and although I'm not a fan of small talk from retailers those guys always manage to rope me into a debate about some section of the industry.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE That card Is probably as old as I am
In Australia EB is pretty much the main game sore, I think it's owned by GameStop, our only other real alternative is places like JBHIFI, which is a general electronics store.
@ProjectCafe @SLIGEACH_EIRE @NintySnesMan I'm not surprised. International game retailers appears to have trouble staying afloat, presumably due to concurrence from on-console downloads and the increased presence of price-comparing websites. Atleast in Scandinavia.
@KIRO thanks mate. Too much negativity and although discussion and disagreement are fine and shohld be encouraged, theres too much of both bullying and trolling going on. Such is interwebs forums sigh.
@impurekind
"I'm still very worried about third party support on the system though, particularly new AAA stuff, as I think we all should be."
I'm not particularly. Big AAA stuff would be a bonus but like everyone else I already have machines to play them. I see a machine with the potential to replace 3DS, Wii U, and Vita combined. AAA games would be another string to its bow but alone won't decide whether it succeeds or not.
@electrolite77 Exactly! Who needs a vita , 3ds, or Wii U when you have a switch? And the vita was an indie game paradise. Hoping all those devs jump ship to the switch
I like my local Game store, they did a good job of the Switch launch and didn't pressurise when selling up. Seriously they didn't....
I posted the other day about getting a Nes Classic from there, it was funny....
I follow them on twitter and they posted that they had one Nes classic on sale, I got to town and rushed as fast as I could to get there. Thinking Id have no chance of getting the one and only Nes they had, as I got to the store a guy went in and I thought he was after that Nes. He asked the assistant if they had any Switch and they said no, it was my turn and I bought the Nes!
Nintendo stay loyal to Game, if they do people will walk off the streets to ask that question "Do you have any Switch" and they will say "Yes" hopefully... And get much needed Sales.
Also I went past a shop today in the same town, it's a second hand store that sells games, consoles (Not Gnx*) anyways they had a Switch second hand for £330.00!
(* I might have spelt this wrong)
I think I have played so much on games while on the go because of the Switch. When I got back from work, I plugged it on the dock for the big screen. But most of the time I played it on my bed while wiggling my legs. So much joy.
I would use the dock for multiplayer. When travelling with my little brother or playing with my little cousins, the small screen on the Switch still does its job.
My PS4 has been sitting there in my drawing room for sometime now and I have yet to finish Horizon Zero Dawn game that I bought on day one, as I am constantly on mobile and the Zelda game still got me hooked! The open world on Zelda is just so much to do and see.
All and all, I have actually understand now that our modern world is all about mobility now. We need to get the heck out from our potato couch and see the world. Which is the Switch is the answer to this. I have also learned the graphics is not everything but gameplay is. At the end of the day, what plays in my mind before I am knocked out on the bed is the GAMEPLAY, not graphics!
So, I do not mind the little down-scaled graphics for the Switch, as long as I can at least PLAY the game on the move.
I am all geared up with powerbank and hard pouch. Ready to go and play!
Excited to see what E3 2017 adds to the mix.
Game and GameStop are the last major high street retailers left. The writing is on the wall for them but it will be sad to see the dedicated stores go. When you walk down the high street all you'll have will be women's cloths shops.
Zelda has definitely been the deciding factor in me picking up a Switch, if it wasn't for that then I daresay I probably would have waited until something like that had come along. But since I've had that to start me off I've really become addicted to the console's portability, and am now steadily getting more and more excited about the other game sin the pipeline. It's all about momentum with the Switch - if Nintendo can keep making me want to put the console in my backpack every day then I'm gonna keep playing and picking up more games.
ahhhh GAME. if only you supported the gamecube when that was out. i would still be supporting you today.
But no, minimal shelf space, no advertisements and since the cube nintendo has never had a decent share of your stores. Your no better than EA. Oh look nintendo are succeeding lets finally advertise and promote this thing.
Good riddance
EDIT not to mention me having to buy the grey switch even though i preordered, I asked in store if they had any neon versions and they replied, Yes but we arent selling them.
I only go to GAME to buy Steam Wallet vouchers, because I don't have a debit card.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Have a go at you? Well, that proves exactly the kind of troll you are, that that's your reaction. Because you look like that's exactly what you want with a lot of your comments. Though I don't know how you get free reign on semantics to call someone elses post imbecilic. When if someone called yours cancerous to the site, you'd probably tattle and report it.
And whatever tally you're keeping with "Wii U +1" is like keeping track of how many twitches a dead body makes. Get your facts straight - the Wii U failed, is dead and abandoned.
Your own personal experience in your own little world isn't the status quo. I've seen a lot of Switch commercials. They aren't available to buy here. People who don't game know about it. It's more like the Wii here, where its known because its the cool new thing (as opposed to some bizarre non-tablet failure of a console that somehow managed to bleed for 4 years before finally dying, when someone should have just shot it to put it out of its misery).
You claim you love Nintendo, but not their decisions. I don't believe that for a second, because your comments aren't constructive. Pointing out "Oh look, the Switch is failing" every time the slightest thing tips toward being bad isn't constructive. They're written in a way to trigger responses for people to 'have a go' at you. And you can tell that because you have other posts that are witty, well thought, well-phrased and contribute to a conversation, but they change form when it comes to the Switch and any decision Nintendo makes. There's no other conclusion to make other than you want it to fail and want to poke people about it. You even say how people like to have a moan at you. But won't even consider why that is. They're all wrong and you're right, all the time.
Anyway, guess I should probably add you to ignore list now or find another site where you're not everywhere.
@electrolite77 But, regardless of how you feel personally, I think lacking all the big AAA third party games is a big deal beyond those loyal fans who would likely pick up the system no matter what anyway. And I want this thing to be both a proper sales success and a genuinely satisfying console for everyone, not just something the hardcore fans only are happy with, like the Wii U.
@impurekind I'm not questioning the lack of software.
But this console should be the first home of every new game coming to market. With a Sony and Microsoft spending billions to dominate the market and retail presence, Nintendo are On a constant uphill battle that may see the general consumer denied the single greatest piece of video game hardware ever made.
Third parties should take a leap, Nintendo should take a loss on their licensing, get everyone involved. Get the volume up and then sit back and let the Switch speak for itself
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...