Nintendo is in a particularly strong position in the games industry at present - it's a hugely popular, talked about brand, and the company is still selling tens of millions of systems each year that - by this stage - will be increasingly inexpensive to produce. When you take relatively old, readily available technology and sell it at a hefty margin, you get staggering profits.
But, of course, you don't have to go back far to find a time when it was very different for the company. The last generation, in fact, when the 3DS launched so poorly that only a drastic price cut in its first year and some key heavy hitting games helped to turn it around; nevertheless it still didn't get close to matching its portable predecessor. At the same time there was the Wii U, which also had a disastrous start that was never reversed - unless you want to bring the Virtual Boy into it, that's Nintendo's biggest hardware failure as a company.
We bring this up for two reasons - one is that it's recent history, and it's worth remembering that Nintendo wasn't - and won't always be - all-conquering. Secondly, it would have been unsurprising if Nintendo had been excessively cautious in the Switch era having been burned so recently; yet, actually, it's not gone that way.
Some aspects of Nintendo's activities are very cautious, it can be argued - we've seen our share of sequels and ports, that's for sure. Yet when you look over recent years Nintendo has also had a healthy amount of creativity and quirky ambition. Sometimes it's not resulted in notable sales, but it highlights a culture of innovation and fun that still exists within Nintendo's walls, which reflects well on senior executives and the upcoming stars of the company.
Some flames have sparked briefly before seemingly being snuffed out due to limited success. Yes, we're thinking of Nintendo Labo, the quirky cardboard-based construction kits that created all sorts of wacky controllers and minigames. If we were to nit-pick a flaw in strategy it was perhaps there were too many packs over a relatively short period, which were pricey and perhaps distorted the market a little. The first kit did pass one million sales, but it felt like Nintendo rushed out follow-up packs too quickly, reducing any sense of anticipation and making the endeavour feel very expensive.
Some of the constructions were delights, however, such as a wheel that could be used in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or a piano that actually worked. The VR pack was also fascinating, albeit the basic technology was always going to have a limited impact.
Yet one legacy of Labo VR, in particular, is Game Builder Garage, an extended spin-off from the pack's software. Game Builder Garage is still quite new on the market and we'll see how its sales work out, but at the very least it's an interesting and effective toolset that allows pretty much anyone to make and then share games. Some of the creativity we've seen from users of the software is outstanding, with eager budding programmers producing homages to classics and all-new clever games.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit was another off-the-wall release - for many the reveal would have triggered the following reaction: "ooh, Mario Kart! Oh, it's... got little toy cars". With a relatively high price and the inherent restrictions of the format (the need for space and being bothered with the setup) it was an interesting toy that didn't take off with headline-generating sales, but in Nintendo's financial results it did hit 1.27 million global sales up to the end of March. This is well below the outrageous 10.62 million sales of the evergreen Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the last financial year, but as a relatively pricey toy product it's still not bad. Products like that, even if they aren't among Nintendo's best-sellers, all contribute to ongoing brand awareness.
A quirky project that did truly take off, no doubt helped by the unique circumstances of 2020, was Ring Fit Adventure. Let's be accurate about how strange this product is - it's a relatively standard Yoga Ring with a Joy-Con attachment, along with a leg strap. What sells it, of course, is that a Yoga Ring alone is rather dull and meaningless without some kind of exercise group, lessons or yoga knowledge. Ring Fit Adventure blends that simple accessory with other activities (helped by that leg strap + Joy-Con) and a colourful, entertaining set of minigames and even a story mode. It's classic Nintendo - take simple, off-the-shelf items and transform them through software and hardware.
Ring Fit Adventure is classic Nintendo - take simple, off-the-shelf items and transform them through software and hardware.
Ring Fit Adventure's total sales, helped along by 7.38 million units in the last financial year, were 10.11 million as of 31st March.
It's also pleasing that Nintendo is keeping a focus on new franchises moving forward, even as it revisits the past to keep fans happy with the likes of Metroid Dread and Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. Nintendo is being vocal in saying it's always seeking new ideas that can be 'staple series' of the future. ARMS may not have achieved that in recent times, but let's not forget that Splatoon overcame the Wii U's struggles to become a big brand.
The good news is that the success of Ring Fit Adventure, and even the modest return of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, should ensure that Nintendo the toy company continues in earnest. And while Nintendo Labo came and left all too soon, for some of us that jumped in it it's been a memorable part of this generation. These sorts of projects matter, too, because they're typical Nintendo, something different from what's on offer elsewhere.
That's a unique selling point, which is great news for Nintendo's shareholders, ultimately. More importantly, it should mean that the company's creative teams can continue to shine.
Comments 64
As much stick Nintendo gets for thing like overpriced ports and hardware and failed gimmicks, let's just remember that the people behind it DO try hard to make us fans happy.
I feel that Nintendo's core business is games, with consoles second. But they are spending to much time on gimmicks. But they are a business and their first priority is to make money, not games, games are now second or third. After theme parks, movies,TV etc.
If you took away the onslaught of indi games and second rate 3rd party games Nintendo would be hard pressed to keep pace.
Ring Fit sold that well and they’ve processed to do nothing else for it, what a shame this is the reason why I’m not surprised that they’re letting AC collect dust .
Nintendo Labo was the reason I got a Switch in the first place. The moment I saw the ad I said "Shut up and take my money!" I am a proud owner of all 4 Kits, Mario and Luigi Live Circuits, and of course the Ring Fit Adventure.
I love the physical+digital exploration that Nintendo keeps working on since I have a special interest in physical games design and recently in digital games design as well.
Nintendo is the most innovative gaming company, and they focus on creating new experiences, and new ways to play and have fun.
If you always appeal to the masses, that means you are being too safe, and not pushing forward to uncomfortable places.
No risk, no glory.
Nintendo is the only company to make cardboard look appealing, so that's saying something.
Quirky and unusual games are selling point from Nintendo.
Keep going !
Nintendo always was full of weird and "out there" ideas, it's what makes them unique. I don't see other 2 major players being brave enough to put out and back up products Nintendo has. It might be risky, but in my opinion it us what kept them alive (and very near if not on the top) even if they are not leading tech innovation.
If anything, while rest is innovating technology, Nintendo is innovating concepts and what it could mean to play and be entertained.
Nintendo a company willing to take risk and be Innovative. That's for me. Companies failing to do this is why xbox is last in console sales. I'll state this for record if Nintendo didn't bring the NES to NA in the 80's gaming consoles would not be where they are now. The NES help restart the console gaming and people forget this BIG investment they did to bring back gaming that alot take for granted now. So this review missed the boat by historical means failing to give credit for Nintendo Innovation of the NES that brought gaming back to life.
That's why we love this company. Because they innovate and do things that other companies don't do and they are different.
That feeling when you realise that Ring Fit Adventure has outsold every Zelda game except BOTW (not counting Zelda remake sales)
Everything Nintendo does is quirky. The Switch itself is quirky. We've just got used to some of these ideas: Mario in a go-kart: sells 35 million, game where you wonder around speaking to animals and planting trees: yes please. Platform fighting game? Online water gun battles? Interactive board games? All of this stuff is mad. And long may it continue!
I'll defend the Wii U ports, selling like they do is enough to show it was a good idea. The other consoles do it, new xbox is mostly a library of last gen releases and PS5 has 2/3ish non-port exclusives.
The gimmicks are hit and miss and Nintendo usually backs the wrong tech. They have tried making cardboard and exercise fun.
If you don't try, you'll never know, and who knows, you might stumble across the next big thing for gaming.
Many times you get absolutely flabbergasted with Nintendos "stupid" decisions and their unwillingness to follow what is considered "normal": like a good online functionality, HD-graphics, lower game prices, "high end" hardware...
Other times you wonder if Nintendo is the only force that keeps gaming to become something only for Bro Gamers.
Would there be a Portal if not for Nintendos use of "simple" graphics?
Would there be a Sack Boy, a Borderlands, a Rocket League, an Overwatch, a Fortnite, a Cuphead, a Ratchet & Clank, an Astro Bot without Nintendo?
Or would everything be dark and grey and brown and "realistic" and filled with guns?
LABO was a ton of fun, though maybe not in the traditional video game sense. Would have been a great pandemic release... hindsight, eh?
@eltomo Yeah. Nintendo just has very different view on gaming than MS and Sony have. The Playstation 5 and XBOX Series are basically the exact same thing (except a handful of exclusives) they are boring gray boxes that sit under your TV without an option to play anywhere else. (and no, I don't count streaming as an option)
Nintendo makes gaming portable, accessable and fun.
I’ve always thought that Labo was freaking cool. I’ve never had the space, time, or money to fill my house with chunky cardboard contraptions, but I find myself strangely glad that they exist.
In a world where tech has surpassed traditional status signifiers like jewellery and clothing in the desirability stakes, there’s something audacious about launching a product range made from that unsexiest of materials: cardboard. The shell that houses the tech becomes the tech itself, brought to life through ingenuity, imagination, and pure playfulness. There’s perhaps never even a better example of Nintendo’s ‘withered technology’ mantra than it conjuring pianos and mecha-suits from literal tree pulp.
Of course, me admiring Labo’s inventiveness from afar did nothing to help Nintendo’s bottom line, and its hardly the company’s most lucrative experiment. But it goes to show that the commitment to ‘play’ in the broadest possible sense is still alive and well. In an otherwise po-faced tech world, it’s strangely comforting to see Nintendo dance to the giddy beat of its own drum.
I’ve read numerous articles attempting to tackle the question, ‘is Nintendo a video game company, or a toy company?’.
To me the answer has always seemed obvious:
Yes. Both.
And that’s something I’m very grateful for.
@sanderev it might be different legacies and places these companies are coming from. Sony and MS are building a movies/music and PC alternative gaming experience. Nintendo is creating toys.
Toys use different incentives to entertain user, focusing on interaction vs. pure audio/visual stimulus.
Gaming would be worse off without nintendo.
This is honestly why I continue to be a Nintendo fan despite their missteps. Sony and MS hardly ever misstep, because they hardly ever step off the well-beaten path. With Nintendo you never know what's going to happen next, and that's exciting.
What other console maker could have made freaking user-assembled interactive brown cardboard peripherals and toys? I defy anyone out there to come up with one (non-Nintendo) example of a concept as wild as LABO that console makers actually went through with. I'll wait.
As far as portability goes, Nintendo are king, always have been, but they haven't used gimmicks on their handheld consoles nearly as heavily as on they home consoles, which are usually centered around ridiculous gimmicks.
I don't care about Nintendo's silly home console gimmicks, i found Nintendo's choice to use carts instead of CDs a bit stupid, same when they used mini discs, i couldn't be bothered to wave my arms around to play games and i genuinely didn't think having a tablet as a controller was particularly fun.
Thats the N64, GameCube, Wii and Wii U, the only one that was actually successful was the Wii and that was due to the motion controls fad which died off by early 2009.
You all rave and rant about how innovative they are but bet money, as a business, if Nintendo could redo those silly mistakes on those consoles, they would have done.
@FarsanBaloo That’s a pretty narrow view of gaming, you got there.
Game Builder Garage sales will be very interesting to follow, especially as a $30 game.
@SwitchForce There would be no Nintendo without John Logie Baird so let's all thank him for inventing the television without which there would be no gaming at all. All hail the television. Huzzah.
@Maxz Labo is a fire hazard.
@WhiteUmbrella now that's a Real NintenDoomed fandom ...Let's also mention without Franklin we would have no electricity to power the TV.
@zool
The focus on games is pretty much where most of these complaints stem from. Nintendo could easily make all of their games 1080p 60fps, but their focus on games resulted in that sacrifice.
I'm pretty sure that the Steam Deck is going to eat into Nintendo hardware sales, however even I think it's a bit too soon to be writing a eulogy.
@Restryder You don't think the DS and 3DS count as Nintendo-style gimmicks? A dual-screen stylus-controlled clamshell design with weak processor and tiny, low-res screens, using cartridges AGAIN, going head-to-head with an exploding mobile gaming scene and Sony's sleek, powerful PSP that practically had I AM THE FUTURE written on the box?
And then doing it all over again with glasses-free 3D?
These were totally "Nintendo" devices. No other company would have made things like them. Everyone else would have bet on power and future-proofing.
Nintendo is like the mad scientist you see in movies that always have some cool invention under their sleeves, that is why I admire them as a company, I love their culture of continuously thinking outside the box and risk taking.
❗Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe) voice:
"Thank God for you", Nintendo.
Bought Ring Fit Adventure a couple months back and finally got round to starting it today, bought Mario Kart Live about a week ago and started it yesterday (but only because it was reduced to £45). Both are pretty good so far, I don’t often tend to go for the quirkier titles such as these, but no regrets as of yet.
Did any Indie even support any of these things?
Glad to see articles like this. Theres been a lot of talk recently on the internet that "classic quirky nintendo" died with the switch era, and yet when I look at Nintendo's output over the last four years I still see the goofball publisher that we all know and love.
This goes beyond wacky gimmicks too, even when it comes to new IP and collaborations I'd say Nintendo is still burning strong. Arms, Astral chain, miitopia, snipperclips, cadence of hyrule, mario and rabbids, etc Nintendo still cares about new IP and new partnerships to bring different experiences to its platform. Not everything sticks, obviously, but I always appreciate the effort.
the thing i like about the switch is that in terms of controlls it for the most part gives you a variety of options on how you want to play the game, compared to the wii (and certain wiiu games) where it felt like often it was a case of me enjoying games despite the controller rather than because of it.
with switch you are starting to even see first party releases offering a choice between using motion or button controls meaning the games can support a variety of controllers which for most is a convenience though i imagine for some it could end up being a big accessibility bonus.
it still means that nintendo can experiment with wacky peripherals and the like but this time they arent the default controller (joy cons could technically be considered this but the base systems controls are rather standard)
Gimmick is not a bad word.
This article's everything I love about nintendo. These weird, fun ideas are never just thrown out there- they feel like it, but they aren't. Its always something well thought out and crazy innovative. A lot of times they don't blow the market away, but i get one, i'm pretty much never dissatisfied.
Sony and Xbox will never fail at things like this because they'll never attempt anything like this. The next xbox and PS will be the same as the current except with more power and better graphics. That's it. Any change to that will be when Nintendo has a big hit, like when the wii introduced motion controls.
So Nintendo will always be the one innovating. and I will still look forward to whatever new wacky add on they do, and I will still reminisce about things of the past. My e-reader, Gameboy camera, Power Pad, Donkey Kongos, wiiFit scale will always hold a special place in my gaming memory- and some of those I still use frequently.
Weird Nintendo is the best Nintendo.
@JamesR They became popular by a cartoon man whose body grew and shrank at a rate that would probably be quite alarming to most physicians, all so he can save the human princess of a land of mushroom people, from a fire-breathing turtle.
@WhiteUmbrella I'm pretty sure that the Steam Deck is going to eat into Nintendo hardware sales, however even I think it's a bit too soon to be writing a eulogy.
Man we are digging deep in the slug aren't we. I think there's more going on here then Nintendo and Nintendo isn't it the problem here. Deck requires Internet to run and download that is going to kill it sooner then later when people find out oh forgot to tell you - you must pay a ISP to have access to our Steam options. That will kill Deck faster then anything.
If it wasn't for Nintendo gimmicks or risks, they wouldn't be their where they are today (the longest running Video Game company) and we wouldn't have the games that we have.
@SwitchForce What are you talking about? There are plenty of Switch users pay an isp for internet, likely most of them. Without internet you don't get any updates or patches. I know you were in the comment sections of articles where physical vs digital only was debated, so you know that there are also plenty of Switch gamers that download many if not all their games.
Like the Switch, it will require a check in if switched to offline mode i.e. access to the games would require a sign in after a period of time, but you don't need to be online all the time to play everything, something I'm sure you already know but just like spreading misinformation.
Besides that, there's nothing stopping anyone who purchases the Steam Deck and has the technical knowhow, from installing an operating system of their choosing and playing game files that aren't connected to Steam at all. It's an open system, in stark contrast to Nintendo's reaction to someone cracking their system (which wouldn't be necessary if they hadn't locked it down) which was to alter the hardware entirely and ban anyone that modified their own system from connecting to their network.
Here's a few other points of contrast, since you seem to want to debate the various merits of the two pieces of hardware.
Steam Deck is vastly superior in power, supports bluetooth 5.0, can use a usb c hub in place of a dock just fine, doesn't require an annual fee for online play, supports voice chat natively and doesn't require a phone, has a friend list and messaging service, also has free cloud saves, has achievements, access to xbox gamepass, the largest game library possible. Also as a bonus, anyone who purchases the Steam Deck has immediate access to the library they already had, no matter how long ago they purchased the game. If the device is no longer supported in the future or stops working, the entire library of games will still be available to the user. Tell me, how are you enjoying your 3DS, Wii and Wii U e shop purchases on your Switch? Oh sorry you can't do that, because Nintendo wipes your library every generation, except for some titles between Wii and Wii U, when they charged a transfer fee.
@WhiteUmbrella
Hard to eat into Switch sales to begin with when Valve has no retail presence and has already sold-through their first 10 months worth of SteamDeck supply via preorders.
Nintendo's "Blue Ocean" Switch games:
> 1-2 Switch
> Nintendo Labo Kit 1-4
> Ring Fit Adventure
> Brain Training for Nintendo Switch
> 51 Clubhouse Games
> Mario Kart Live Home Circuit
> Game Builder Garage
Solid lineup so far, though of these games only Ring Fit Adventure has become a genuine blockbuster success.
Regardless, it's always interesting to see what other quirky ideas Nintendo comes up with.
ARMS and Ring Fit Adventure are my favorite original Nintendo games of the Switch era until Metroid Dread releases to likely take one of their crowns. When Nintendo is creative, specifically the weird creative, and dials in personality, for the most part I feel that's when they really create a memorable experience and at times a surprise hit that is among their best.
I like Sony. I like Microsoft. I like Nintendo.
However, I do not want them all to be the same. Nintendo's quirkiness adds variety to what would just be an all out power race.
I hope they continue as they are ..... minus a little bit of the stubbornness and slowness that they have seemed to show in more recent years.
I've been playing Nintendo since the 80s so recent years to me are the last 10-15.
Nintendo for my taste is for everyone and anybody. Just take a look at their genre offering it ranges from age to age and gender to gender. This is how a company survives and developers survive if you can't market to everyone then you clearly missed the ball. Why else are indies and games for the female gender is growing on Switch and this isn't stereotyping. It's if there is a market the developers will make games for that console to draw more non-traditional gamers. This is about putting the cart before the horse so you get buyin.
@westman98
51 Clubhouse Games:
3.14 million
1-2-Switch:
3.18 million
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit:
1.27 million
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit:
1.31 million
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_Nintendo_Switch_video_games
In the Switch era, I’ve noticed Nintendo just putting out things like Labo, Ring Fit and Mario Kart Live just to see what they do in the marketplace. Unlike the Wii era, where Wii Music would be a focus title and something of a tent pole release to Nintendo. They just seem to want options for this device.
If anything, there has been a focus on game variety rather than the previous consoles (not counting handhelds). I’m thinking of titles like Astral Chain, Daemon X Machina and the return of No More Heroes. The fact Nintendo lets these titles just breath with one release is a commitment. Whereas Microsoft where release two Halo, three Gears games and several Forza releases (the vast majority being the Horizon series) in a generation. I’m an Xbox fan right behind Nintendo, so I feel like Microsoft just rushed out so many Xbox games that made a thud on the floor. Now, Gears 5 and the Forza Horizon games are fun; I enjoyed Halo 5, but the perpetual releases on those titles over exploration of other franchises left me scratching my head.
@FarsanBaloo
None of those titles are anywhere nearly as successful as Ring Fit Adventure, which has sold 10+ million copies - more than all the other games combined.
@SwitchForce I don't see what Switch has to do with gender, really. I'm curious what your native language is. Mine is English, but I also speak Spanish and know quite a bit of German. In studying languages, national idioms has become fascinating to me, and "digging the slug" doesn't really work in English, so I'm guessing that's an expression from another language.
Also the expression "to put the cart before the horse", I can see why you might choose to use that, but in English that expression is a negative one, meaning "to do things the wrong way round".
Agreed. While some core gamers want Nintendo to just release another cut and paste power console like the other guys, at least the Switch brings something unique to the table and that's partially why the Switch has been such a success.
The Steam Deck has gotten some positive responses and I'm interested in one myself but would it even exist without Nintendo bringing the hybrid concept to the market and it being a runway success?
I’ve noticed that Nintendo this gen has pretty much had one major innovation a year: Arms, Labo, Ring Fit, MK Live, GBG.
@sanderev funny you don’t count streaming as an option - if anyone lets you play anywhere (pun intended) is Microsoft. PC, cross-gen, smartphone, soon smart tvs. Nintendo is their way or nothing.
@zool You may feel that they don't put games as the top priority, but the data doesn't support your feelings unless you think Nintendo should be releasing two first party titles a month rather than a number closer to 1.5 per month.
Not to mention, I imagine Nintendo paid to get Monster Hunter Stories 2 and Rise on the Switch as console exclusives as well.
As a longtime Nintendo gamer, I have almost never enjoyed Nintendo's gimmicks and have always wished they'd just stick to standard formats. I have never liked Nintendo for their "innovative" gimmicks, I have liked them for their game franchises themselves.
So I can't agree.
@Casco Streaming doesn't count because it requires an active fast internet connection. I can't stream while in a train, bus, tram or when I'm somewhere outside.
All places I can play on my Switch.
@roboshort Monster Hunter Stories 2 is not an exclusive.
One new Nintendo game a month would be good. And I don't mean Wii or Wii U ports.
And games like Mario Golf should be released as a complete game and not half a game with DLC added at some future date.
Yeah innovation is vital to Nintendo. Every single generation that Nintendo has just iterated on the previous one they've actually became less and less successful. With the smallest drop being SNES --> N64 where they were doing something new with 3D gaming, The only solace was that the Gameboy managed to expand the overall audience far above the NES making up for dropping home console sales.
They were going
NES > SNES > N64 > GC
N/A - GB/GBC > GBA
Until the Wii and DS which reversed the trend. Then the iterated(WiiU, 3DS) and shrank, and now the Switch reversed that trend once more.
If Nintendo had tried to follow the GC up with a standard HD console or the GBA with a PSP-like Gameboy. It'd be hard to believe they'd have reversed the trend especially because they'd be directly competing against two Megacorporations who didn't mind if they lost money on system sales because gaming isn't their only revenue.
Whereas for gaming-only Nintendo its vital that they profit on hardware.
@KryptoniteKrunch The Razer Edge used pretty much the same concept in 2014.
Nintendo is the only one of the big 3 that is actually doing anything to truly advance the medium. Sony is busy making interactive movies, and Microsoft is obsessed with getting as many people to play the same game as possible for the longest amount of time, but only Nintendo is trying to take gaming to the true next level, and it's with these quirky experinces.
Articles like this remind me why i LOVE nintendo
@KryptoniteKrunch agreed. Nintedno hasnt been in the power race for 15 years, and as for steam deck? kinda like the wii's motion conrtol: it got imitated because it succeedd.
@SwitchForce exactly. The deck is not going to eat up nintendo's audience
@Harmonie I agree. Options are and have did way more for Nintendo than gimmicks. Sony and Microsoft moved the gaming industries forward at break neck speed and now the industry is suffering the downsides of that choice, however Nintendo stayed grounded and affordable but even they make bad decisions with overpriced ports, controllers, and content locking and stealing Amiibo.
Even as the weaker console switch will still have a place but it needs to stop punishing consumer loyalty with greedy decisions. Build your own mario kart is a good idea but couldnt they have got way more out of the idea with cheaper pricing character crossover and maybe optional affordable AR glasses for first person racing.
In light of the steam deck or any future competition and just in terms of expanding switch flexibility to the point of maximum value it offers I think switch needs budget tv only device and a in expensive pricing model for legacy ports going forwardward. Imagine Nintendo snubbing the December deck release with a release of its own via an even more afforable switch option, then boom it comes with enhanced wii sports and Nintendoland. (Both also and purchase able on eshop at 20 bucks), but to keep the price of the bundle down it should come with a non pricey joycon controller soo........................perhaps 2 bundles. A motion bundle with wii sports and Nintendoland both that offer non motion options because Options and a non motion bundle which comes with the threepeet bundle of Metroid prime trilogy which also supports motion controls because options.
The real icing on the cake though could be a new model of gamecube games on the eshop for all switches at 15 bucks and wii and wii u games at 20 bucks.
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