@Paddle1 Year, but you are just not making it look like a tablet like that, when it does not have touch screen. Nintendo is not stupid.
If it does not have a touch screen, you would just leave those controllers on permanent, and have some spare controllers in the box.
If you can't interact with it without controllers, then they would not be removable. Nobody want a dumb screen, and kids are expecting touch screens today. It wont sell, if there is no touch screen.
Fine. Great games that suits touch screens should definitely be released on mobile platforms. It makes sense.
More quality games without micro transactions is more than welcome on all platforms.
I play on my phone and on my 3DS. I enjoy both. Some games just doesn't work very well on touch-only devices, while others are a perfect match.
That is the reason why I always need a dedicated handheld gaming device in my life.
But I will never understand the hatred against mobile games. Sure, there is a lot of crappy games on those platforms, but also some fine gems here and there. Great gaming experiences are platform independent, after all
Your guess is as good as mine. It could well be that you are right about anything.
But I am just trying to look at it from a business and logical point of view, while not letting myself misleading by all the wishful thinking going on.
Where can Nintendo go from here? The Wii U have been a disaster, and all the big western publishers have abandoned the sinking ship. If Nintendo did not also own a very profitable handheld business, the Wii U would have been the company's “Dreamcast”. They could have been out of the console business by now. Looking at it from a business point of view, it simply doesn't make sense to keep going on with home consoles.
As i mentioned before, the core gamers all left Nintendo. Most of them do not care about Mario and Zelda anymore, and Sony and MS have build up more appealing brands for that audience. Nintendo is still the less appealing “kiddy” and family oriented company for most of them. Only us diehard fans are still hanging on, and the sales numbers of the Wii U just shows how few we are.
I hear so many delusional wishful thinking fans in here, that really believes that if just Nintendo released a top power console, that would be on par with PS4 and X1, then the NX would fly from the shelves, and all the big publishers would return to the fold.
But Nintendo already tried to compete with Sony and MS a decade ago with the GameCube. And although the GameCube offered similar power than its rivals, it was not successful for Nintendo. EA and all the big western publishers were supporting it to the end, and there were many great first party titles by Nintendo, but it was not enough.
Why do people think that it would be any different today? It makes no sense anymore. And Nintendo’s position is even worse today, where all the publishers has left, and the company playing an even smaller role among the core gaming crowd.
Nintendo haven’t really competed with MS and Sony since the GameCube. But since then they have released more casual oriented consoles, and had huge success with the Wii and DS. Today Apple and Google are Nintendo's real rivals for the family friendly and children oriented gaming experiences.
Smartphones and tablets are competing with the 3DS and Nintendo's core audience. But Nintendo’s handhelds have still proven somewhat competitive, and offers much better potential in the future. Nintendo simply still have a healthy business here.
So looking forward, Nintendo needs to compete even more with tablets and mobile devices. Offering a cheaper and more gaming oriented alternative to the iPad, but with similar functionalities and media consumption options, would provide a fantastic opportunity for Nintendo.
The affordable 8-inch Nvidia Shield tablet was exactly the kind of device that Nintendo needs to produce with the NX. Offering an enhanced chip for gaming, it was a fantastic gaming tablet, but simply lacked the huge gaming catalogue that a company like Nintendo could provide. But Nintendo could really be successful with a similar device.
A Nintendo Shield like tablet, with the new Android powered Nintendo OS, Tv-play and connectable controllers. It makes so much sense.
Nintendo will never market the NX as an “Android” console, and they will never mention this at the presentation. It’s not important to the general public, and will only get in the way. Nintendo will just show off all the great stuff of the new “Nintendo OS”, and iPad like features. Running on Android will only be important to mobile developers, who then easily can port their content.
There was nothing wrong with the concept off the Ouya. Running on a forked Android powered OS was a great idea. But the final product lacked power and support. It could only work if a big gaming company like Nintendo or maybe Sega were behind it. But the concept was fine.
Your disgust against a gaming tablet is a bit ridiculous though. What is the big difference between the 3DS, and a Nintendo gaming tablet with attachable controllers? The tablet just offers newer and better functionality.
The 3DS could spoil kids just as much as tablet’s. You can get the same seductive content on the 3DS. It’s not the device fault, but the parents responsibility.
Sorry, but your “hatred” against tablets just doesn't make sense to me.
Moving away from Home Console, is like moving away from Wii U like devices. Being a gaming tablet and manly handheld device, with TV play capabilities, is something different. And mobile developers would be very enthusiastic about such a device.
"Shinya Takahashi from Nintendo EPD said: 'During the development of NX, we listened to many opinions from developers about what it is that they would want to see (in NX hardware). It's focused on being developer friendly.'"
Developer friendly has nothing to do with “new and exciting”. Nintendo could still make a great developer toolkit, where it would be easy to port existing Android games, and enhance them to use the full potential of the NX hardware. That would be exciting stuff for any mobile developer. And maybe Shinya Takahashi was talking about mobile developers? We don't know?
The thing is, I do not believe Nintendos retraction on the matter. They just had to go out and deny all the rumours about an Android based console at that time, even if the rumour was true. If they didn't respond to the Android rumours, it would have gotten out of hand too early, before Nintendo could show the device to the public, and really explain what the NX is.
It will be Android based, but with Nintendo’s own OS customizations on top. It will be very different to any Android based system out now, and that is hard to explain to people, if they just have the “Android console” term in their head.
The NX will be a handheld device, because the Home Console business doesn't make sense to Nintendo anymore. It will offer TV play and connections though, to keep their home console user's somewhat happy.
I expect to see a 7-8 inch tablet device, with connectable controllers. And a device more dedicated to gaming than normal iPads / Android tablets. But to pull that off, Nintendo needs a capable OS to compete. And I simply can't imagine that they can make one from the ground by themselves. They just lack experience in that area. A forked version of Android as foundation, is the only thing that would make sense.
You can't really compare it like that. Nintendo properly made a good deal with Apple, for the timely exclusive rights on Super Mario Run.
But eventually it will come to Android to. This is just a smart business move from Nintendo, because the iOS platform promises a better revenue.
And if NX will be based on Android, it will not have much in common with Google's Android. Stock Android will just be used as an underlying layer for the NX OS, and Nintendo will only use it for its features and compatibility. It's just a Android based OS, and nothing to do with supporting the Google Android platform.
So Nintendo could do the same in the future. Releasing their mobile games on NX E-shop, then iOS, and later Google Play Store, if this is what makes the most financial sense.
If Nintendo wants to compete in the tablet market, they can't use nothing else but Android. Developing a capable OS for multi touch devices is no easy task, and Nintendo doesn't have the resources for that. So using Android under the hood will bring them a huge step forward. iOS is a fully closed system, that only Apple can use, so Android is the only possible option.
And Nintendo can make the NX as stable as they want, only allowing software from the E-shop. Making it as closed as iOS, if that's what they want. Using Android is not preventing that.
It will also be easier to tailor and optimize Android, because the NX is based on only one specific hardware setup. Nintendo is not going to have to support thousand different mobile devices.
The funny thing is, that Nintendo as been exactly that for a decade. The lesser powerful console for the family and the "kiddies". They have always been the core target for Nintendo, and there is nothing wrong with that. It have served them well.
Not since the Game Cube have Nintendo competed with Sony and MS. And I am fine with that. I enjoy all consoles, and do not want the same experience on them all. It would have been so boring.
NX could exist perfectly fine next to a PS4/X1, being the handheld and offering a totally different experience.
I think the Wii U will be the last real home console from Nintendo. Competing with Sony and MS doesn't make sense anymore, and haven't done in a while now. There's just no room for a third console in that market.
The core gamers all left Nintendo, and only us diehard fans are still buying their home console. Even if Nintendo released a console, that would be on par with PS4 and X1, it wouldn't sell much better than the Wii U.
I hear so many in here, that really believes this would be the solution to it all, and that the NX will fly from the shelves, if just Nintendo makes a top power console. I think this is very naive, and more wishful thinking than anything else.
Mario and Zelda is not enough these days, and many core gamers doesn't care anyway. They just care about the next cod, FIFA, Elder scrolls. And because most of the big western publishers have left Nintendo, you will not find many of those games on the NX. No matter how powerful.
Nintendo has always been a family oriented company, with a “kiddy” image. Something that has helped them a lot the last decades, but also have made them less appalling among teenagers and many core gamers, sadly.
The last couple of years, smartphones and tablets have been Nintendo's biggest rivals as the primary gaming platform for children and families. Nintendo's handhelds have still sold well, although with lesser margins than before. But it has been profitable, and shown much better potential than their home consoles.
Therefore I think, that the NX primarily will be a handheld device, with some smart TV-play functions. But this will mostly be to lure in Home console gamers.
The NX will be a full blown attack on the tablet market. A cheaper option than the iPad, with more focus on dedicated gaming, but also offering the usual tablet media consumption options, and all the cheap casual mobile games.
It's is likely that Nintendo will fork Android, clean it from anything 'Google' connected, and use it to build their own platform on NX. The latest hardware rumors about the NX also indicates that it will be an Android driven device.
Stock open-source Android can be molded to whatever you want it to be, and Nintendo will have full control of it. They can develop their own unique skin for it, make their own default apps and apps-store like E-shop, and call it Nintendo-OS. Amazon did something similar with their Kindle devices.
Using Android will make it easy for developers to port their Android games, and release them on the E-shop. And also companies like Netflix and HBO will follow up with apps.
I am also not sure, that the NX will be more powerful than the Wii U. Being a handheld and all. But it could be as powerful.
I would probably hold on to the Wii U for some time though. It could prove to be the better platform to fully enjoy the new Zelda game.
Well yes. But if you are cynical, you could say the same for all traditional platformers as well
All runners are not the same, and all have there own unique feel and mechanism. Rayman Jungle Run is a particular well done runner, with some really great levels and art style.
‘Super Mario Run’ has to be fantastic, to take the title as 'best runner'. I really encourage people to try Rayman Jungle Run, if they haven't yet. But I really hope that ‘Super Mario Run’ is just as good, if not better. I just can't see it yet.
Seriously, the only platform experience that is great with touch-only inputs, are runners. So obviously Mario for mobile would be a runner. As I have predicted before.
There are already excellent runners on mobile, like Rayman Jungle Run, Subway Surfers or Sonic Dash. It will be interesting what new stuff Nintendo can bring to the table.
Right now, ‘Super Mario Run’ looks like a total ‘Rayman Jungle Run’ rip off. And it doesn't even look better or more interesting.
It’s Mario though, and it will sell well. But i can’t really see what new Nintendo is doing here. It will be interesting to see, if there is anything special about this game.
But hey, all Android users itching for some ‘Super Mario Run’, just go grab ‘Rayman Jungle Run’. It is probably even a better game?
No, that will never happen. Stop being silly.
Both Nintendo and Apple are very closed companies, and likes full control of their own hardware and software.
The two companies are very similar. Stubborn, closed, both innovative and conservative at the same time, and have a long history with great quality products. But I do not think that they would be great at working together. Both companies are bullies, and like to be in full control
Apple doesn't need Nintendo at all either, and are only interested in Nintendo as a developer for their own closed app store. It is here where they generate all their revenue. Why should they share this with Nintendo. Apple doesn't seem very interested en a dedicated gaming platform either.
iOS is also such a closed system, that only Apple control, and they will never let anybody else have a look at it. That's for sure.
It's is actually more likely, that Nintendo will fork Android, clean it from anything 'Google' connected, and use it to build their own platform on NX.
Stock open-source Android can be molded to whatever you want it to be, and Nintendo will have full control of it. They can develop their own unique skin for it, make their own default apps and apps-store like E-shop, and call it Nintendo-OS. Amazon did something similar with their Kindle devices.
Sorry, but that’s just stupid and poor fanboyism from your side.
No company is releasing games for a platform out of sympathy, but only because it makes financial sense.
Even if your numbers are right, 20% of Pokemon Go's earnings are still a whole lot of money, and would be an important revenue for any company.
Nintendo is also hopping for the synergy effect here. These mobile apps can also reach new customers for their Console business, and make Nintendo relevant again among a lost audience. For that purpose, Android is just as important than iOS.
You said it yourself: "Both Xbox 360 and PS3 were exponentialy more powerful than the original Wii." That is what I referred to, when i wrote "Cutting Edge". From a purely technical or "Raw Power" point of view, Nintendo has never been "Cutting Edge".
But Nintendo have been the most innovative, when it comes to reusing old cheap hardware, and use them in exiting new ways. That has always been Nintendo's strength. That is how they always made fantastic consoles.
And by the way. I loved the Wii, and think it was a fantastic console. It outsold PS3 and xbox360, because it had the most exiting concept.
Nintendo has never been cutting edge. Except maybe in the beginning, when they released the NES. In all other generations there were superior devices on the market, from a technical point of view.
Is this the truth? I have no idea. But the iOS app store simply can't be as regulated as you claim. The sheer number of apps is impossible to fully control.
@NinChocolate
@Nintendian
Please keep your iOS / Android fanboyism out of this forum.
There are just to much of it on the net already. Here we are all Nintendo fans.
We are some who do like the openness of Google's platform. Let there be room for all of us.
There are just to many Android users out there for Nintendo to ignore. These Mobile apps from Nintendo are some kind of gateway to Nintendo's own platforms and wallet garden. Mobile apps is not Nintendo's primary business.
Nintendo's Goal for these apps, is to reach out to as many potentially new customers as possible. And therefore all major platforms are important to them.
@Mario-Man-Child Hmm... I am pretty sure the Xbox was more powerful than the GameCube.
I have the PS2, GameCube and the Xbox. And while the GameCube was more powerful than the PS2, and had some really impressive first party titles, I think all the multiplatform games where all way superior on the Xbox.
I understand, If Nintendo doesn't want to open it up for all countries to begin with. If they just open it up to more countries down the road, then I'm fine with it.
I hope they soon will open up for more countries. Those county restrictions just doesn't fit in our time and age, with a global web without boundaries.
16 countries is just not enough, but hopefully this will change sooner than later.
As Scandinavian I have felt like a second grade customer for a decade. I could never join Club Nintendo. If I am also left out of "My Nintendo", I will simply stop buying any new Nintendo stuff in the future.
I have been looking so much forward to a unified account system, with my bought content linked to it, and not my devices. If I can't have that, because of my residence, then I am not supporting Nintendo anymore.
As you can see, the numbers increase little by little over the years.
And some of the later years had bigger growth, than previous years:
December 2002 - December 2003 : Around 20 million units sold.
December 2003 - December 2004 : Around 12 million units sold.
December 2004 - December 2005 : Around 20 million units sold.
We know, that PS4 is selling way better than PS3 after two years. And PS3 reached 80 million doing it's lifespan. So PS4 can easily reach 100 millions.
After Christmas 2015, PS4 could have reached 40 million units sold.
The PS4 was released only two years ago, and is one of the fastest selling consoles ever. PS1 and PS2 didn't have better sales numbers, two years after their release.
When it comes down to lifetime sales, PS4 will probably sell way more than PS3, and more than 100 million units. Wii U will not even reach more than 15 million units in it's lifespan.
In 10 years' time, the sales numbers could look something like this.
N64: 33 million PS: 102 million
GC: 21 million, PS2: 155 million
Wii: 101 million, PS3: 80 million
Wii U: 14 million, PS4: 110 million
Better late than never... But it's worrying, that companies are so damn slow with these inexpensive digital releases in all regions. Is it really so much of a hassle?
They already made all the translations work for the west, by releasing it in the US. So it should be the most logical thing, to release it as soon as possible in EU as well ?!?
You would think, that the companies would try to get as much out of their investment as they could, by making it available to everyone. But are the sales numbers of European E-shop games so bad, that it doesn't pay off?
Moon Chronicles was released in the US back in February, and we still haven't seen or heard anything about a EU release !!! Dementium Remastered will probably never see a EU release as well .
The developer made a lot of effort to create these remastered games for the 3DS. But obviously doesn't see any financial benefit in making an inexpensive digital EU release!!! That's very worrying,
Under normal circumstances, you would think that releasing the game in Europe would be the most obvious thing in the world. Getting some money back from your effort and investment, by making a much smaller investment in an inexpensive European digital release. It's not like they have to do a lot of translation work, as with Japanese titles. And still they can't be bothered.
E-shop games must really sell bad in Europe. That's the only possible explanation I have. Or the management of Renegade Kid aren't that smart when it comes to finance?
"For some, there comes a point in life when you realize you can't play it all anymore, and trying to is just going to waste a lot of money in a mountain of backlog. "
I have to realize this ^^^ My game backlog is growing and growing... and I use way to much money on games I'm probably never gonna play... I have to stop wasting money...
In my opinion, this is the best Sonic game ever made, and one of my favorite games of all time. It's also better than Sonic 3, I think. This game deserves a 10!
The stages have a perfect length, and contains so much variety. The worlds are also all different, with their own theme, gameplay and great music. And the bosses are fantastic too.
When this game first came out, it was just mind-blowing. I am so happy to finally play it on my 3DS
It’s sad to read, that so many think it's all about the specs and being as powerful as PS4 / X1.
Nintendo games does not really need that much power to be great. Thier art style and gameplay work perfectly well with less powerful hardware. I am very satisfied with the performance of the Wii U, and I think Mario Kart, Smash Brothers, Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong, Pikmin and Splatoon turned out to be great games, with beautiful HD graphics in 60fps. What more do you want as a Nintendo gamer???
I also love the hardware invention from Nintendo. Being it Wii’s motion control or the Wii U GamePad. I simply like their different and unique approach to gaming.
PS4 and X1 are almost identical machines, offering the same kind of content. I like them both, but I do not need my Nintendo console to offer the same stuff. I buy Nintendo consoles for their unique games, and you simply can't find similar stuff anywhere else.
But I would love it, if Nintendo implemented some of the features from the other consoles. Like a better and universal account system, Achievements, and greater online gaming functionalities. Nintendo are really behind in those areas, and they need to do it better.
Nintendo will not gain anything, if they just try to compete with Sony and MS on pure hardware specs. They actually tried to do just that with the GameCube long time ago, and that was not a huge success.
There is simply no market for three consoles, competing for the same niche audience, that is the “Core male gamer” between 14 - 45 years old. There is absolutely no growth in that consumer segment, and the competition is enormous.
The Playstation and Xbox brands are also much stronger when it comes to that segment, where Nintendo has a more “Family friendly” and “Childish” image. That makes it more difficult to compete with the other brands.
Since the NES and Gameboy, Nintendo has always tried to appeal and make games for everyone. Both casual and core gamers have always been among Nintendo consumers, and their "Family friendly" approach have served them very well. For decades Nintendo almost had the casual and family gamer market for themselves. And they have made huge profits of it.
When Sony and MS entered the console business, and captured almost all the core gamers, Nintendo looked elsewhere. Instead of joining the arms race, they tried to expand the whole gamer market by targeting everyone else but the core gamer. They created the DS and Wii, and those where a great financial and consumer successes for Nintendo.
But in the last 7-8 years or so, a new competitor has entered the gaming market. Smartphones and tablets have captured the casual gamers and kids, who all played on Nintendo DS and Wii a few years earlier. But this have also expanded the gaming audience to new heights, where people who never played games before, know are playing everyday on their smart devices.
That is both a problem and opportunity for Nintendo. While they have lost many consumers to smart devices, this fast and ever growing part of the gamer segment also promises great financial success for Nintendo, if they can get back into the “game”, and become relevant again.
Miyamoto recently said:
“I think unfortunately what ended up happening was that tablets themselves appeared in the marketplace and evolved very, very rapidly, and unfortunately the Wii [U] system launched at a time where the uniqueness of those features were perhaps not as strong as they were when we had first begun developing them.”
The above statement tells us, that Nintendo doesn't see Sony and MS as their main competitors anymore. Apple and Google are the new competitors for Nintendo's main target audience.
I think, that the Wii U will be Nintendo's last dedicated home console, and the NX will be a hybrid console that will both replace the Wii U and 3DS over time. It will probably be some sort of tablet console, with a conventional controller built in.
The NX will either be build on a forked Android foundation, with the e-shop as only “App store”, or at least provide an Android compatibility layer. This will help developers to port their mobile games to the NX platform, and provide it with a huge amount of content.
Parents will again buy a dedicated gaming console from Nintendo for their kids. Because it will provide them with Mario and Pokémon, as well as cheap touch based mobile games like Minecraft and Clash of Clans. At least the sales of the 3DS have showed us, that the demand for Nintendo games and content still exist among consumers.
Hopefully all this will bring back the much needed profits for Nintendo. And we can all continue to enjoy their great games in the future.
Wow, so many disillusioned Nintendo fans in here, who thinks it’s all about the specs and being as powerful as PS4 / X1. Why haven't you guys switched to Sony or MS long time ago???
Nintendo games does not really need that much power to be great. Thier art style and gameplay work perfectly well with less powerful hardware. I am very satisfied with the performance of the Wii U, and I think Mario Kart, Smash Brothers, Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong, Pikmin and Splatoon turned out to be great games, with beautiful HD graphics in 60fps. What more do you want as a Nintendo gamer???
I also love the hardware invention from Nintendo. Being it Wii’s motion control or the Wii U GamePad. I simply like their different and unique approach to gaming.
PS4 and X1 are almost identical machines, offering the same kind of content. I like them both, but I do not need my Nintendo console to offer the same stuff. I buy Nintendo consoles for their unique games, and you simply can't find similar stuff anywhere else.
But I would love it, if Nintendo implemented some of the features from the other consoles. Like a better and universal account system, Achievements, and greater online gaming functionalities. Nintendo are really behind in those areas, and they need to do it better.
Nintendo would not have gained anything, if they just tried to compete with Sony and MS on pure hardware specs. They actually tried to do just that with the GameCube long time ago, and that was not a huge success.
There is simply no market for three consoles, competing for the same niche audience, that is the “Core male gamer” between 14 - 45 years old. There is absolutely no growth in that consumer segment, and the competition is enormous.
The Playstation and Xbox brands are also much stronger when it comes to that segment, where Nintendo has a more “Family friendly” and “Childish” image. This makes it more difficult to compete in that market.
Since the NES and Gameboy, Nintendo has always tried to appeal and make games for everyone. Both casual and core gamers have always been among Nintendo consumers, and their "Family friendly" approach have served them very well. For decades Nintendo almost had the casual and family gamer market for themselves. And they have made huge profits of it.
When Sony and MS entered the console business, and captured almost all the core gamers, Nintendo looked elsewhere. Instead of joining the arms race, they tried to expand the whole gamer market by targeting everyone else but the core gamer. They created the DS and Wii, and those where a great financial and consumer successes for Nintendo.
But in the last 7-8 years or so, a new competitor has entered the gaming market. Smartphones and tablets have captured the casual gamers and kids, who all played on Nintendo DS and Wii a few years earlier. But this have also expanded the gaming audience to new heights, where people who never played games before, know are playing everyday on their smart devices.
This is both a problem and opportunity for Nintendo. While they have lost many consumers to smart devices, this fast and ever growing part of this gamer segment also promises great financial success for Nintendo, if they can get back into the “game”, and become relevant again.
Miyamoto recently said:
“I think unfortunately what ended up happening was that tablets themselves appeared in the marketplace and evolved very, very rapidly, and unfortunately the Wii [U] system launched at a time where the uniqueness of those features were perhaps not as strong as they were when we had first begun developing them.”
The above statement tells us, that Nintendo doesn't see Sony and MS as their main competitors anymore. Apple and Google are the new competitors for Nintendo's main target audience.
I think, that the Wii U will be Nintendo's last dedicated home console, and the NX will be a hybrid console that will both replace the Wii U and 3DS over time. It will probably be some sort of tablet console, with a conventional controller built in. And it will probably offer some sort of content streaming technology, that also would make it work as a home console.
The NX will either be build on a forked Android foundation, with the e-shop as only “App store”, or at least provide an Android compatibility layer. This will help developers to port their mobile games to the NX platform, and provide it with a huge amount of content.
Parents will again buy a dedicated gaming console from Nintendo for their kids. Because it will provide them with Mario and Pokémon, as well as cheap touch based mobile games like Minecraft and Clash of Clans. At least the sales of the 3DS have showed us, that the demand for Nintendo games and content still exist among consumers.
Hopefully all this will bring back the much needed profits for Nintendo. And we can all continue to enjoy their great games in the future.
Yes, I know, but it's so silly. It has nothing to do with Google vs. Apple.
You would probably not even notice if Android ran under the hood of the NX. It's totally irrelevant. NX will still be uniquely Nintendo, no matter what they choose to use as foundation.
Nintendo does not need to have anything to do with Google if they decide to fork basic Android, and use it as a building block for the NX. They don't need Googles permission or partnership for that.
Anyone can use Android as they see fit, and modify it as they want. As long as they do not include Google Play services and Store, they do not need to follow Googles guidelines. Amazon did exactly that when they created their Kindle smart devices, and switched Google Play Store with their own App Store. Nintendo could just do the same, building a new unique OS for the NX with Android as foundation.
It would also be a ridicules move from Nintendo, if they decided to use Google play store or Amazon's AppStore in NX. How would Nintendo earn its money?
The only Store you will find on a Nintendo system is the e-shop, as we know it from Wii U and 3DS. Using Android would not change that. It would only provide developers an easier way to port their games to the e-shop, and make use of other game engines and tools like Unity, that is already available through Android.
@Moon
Not much. I have a little low end device under my TV called "Nexus Player" . It runs Android, and it does it very well and smooth. Here are the hardware stats: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_Player
Many new TVs have build in Android, and the Wii U hardware whould easily run Android if the architecture would support it.
@JaxonH
Yeah, but you never really know if that statement is the truth either. With Nintendo you never know.
But as I wrote above, what kind of OS the NX is based upon shouldn't really bother anyone. Since when have this been important for consoles??? Being it build on pure UNIX, Linux, a forked Android version, or FreeBSD like on the PlayStation. It does not matter.
The amount of great games, graphics performance, and overall system functionalities are important. Nintendo can choose whatever foundation they whant for their OS.
And the silliest commet of the year goes to Gold_Ranger for this:
"If the NX OS is based on Android I will NEVER buy it!".
What kind of OS the NX will be based on shouldn't really matter. Have you ever really considered what kind of underlying OS other Nintendo consoles was based on before you bought them?
The only thing that matter's is what great games and functionalities the new system will have.
If the Wii U OS had a forked Android underneath, but looked and felt the same, with all the same great games, would that really bother you? The only difference would have been better portability options for developers, and therefore even more games for the system.
People act like morons when they hear "Android". What building blocks Nintendo choses for their next OS should not play a role. What kind of hardware they choose is much more interesting.
I'm so tired of Apple fanboys, who in their hatred for everything Google or Android, can't see the possibilities here.
Please understand ....
Nintendo NX would still have its own unique interface made by Nintendo. There wouldn't be any trace of Google or Google services, because Nintendo would just fork the basic Android system. You would probably not even notice that its Android running underneath, doing the heavy lifting as the basic OS.
No matter what people are saying about Android, it is a fantastic system, that runs great on the right hardware. And Nintendo only needs to make the system work on one or two particular hardware setups. Not thousands of different phones or tablets!!
Nintendo doesn't need Googles permission to fork the basic Android system, witch is Open Source and free to use.
Only if you want to use Google Play store, services and apps, you need to follow some specific rules made by Google. And Nintendo would probably not use Google services at all.
And buy the way, Unity has nothing to do with Android. Its two completely different things. Unity also runs on Android.
Nintendo would still make their own dev tools for this new system, that would allow developers to get the best out of the console hardware, and make great optimized games. Android underneath as base system would not change that. But Android could provide NX with a lot of great features under the hood, and make it easy to port commonly used software to the Nintendo e-shop.
Its disappointing, because Android as a base system for NX could help Nintendo a lot. Nintendo simply does not have the skills to make a proper OS.
The concerns mentioned in the article are not valid at all: "Security and managing content to cater for families and children were potential concerns"
Android would only be used as base system. There would be no trace of Google Play store, Google services and no way to install Android packages by your self. It would be a totally closed system made by Nintendo, where you could only get you software through the Nintendo e-shop. The quality control of the system and software would be the same as on Wii U and 3DS.
Android as a base system would not change that at all. Piracy and content concerns would not be an issue here. But it would still help developers to easily port their Android games and software to the e-shop, where Nintendo would quality test and monitor everything, as they do today.
@Hordak
No, as you can see in the comments, there are other ill-informed and confused individuals like you. Why are you uncomfortable and let down by this?
Android can be an fantastic foundation, and help Nintendo in areas where they do not have the skills. Look how awful and buggy the Wii U OS is.
Nintendo NX would probably not look much like Android, but have its own interface made by Nintendo. There wouldn't be any trace of Google or Google services, because Nintendo would probably just fork the basic Android system.
No matter what people are saying about Android, it is a fantastic system, that runs great on the right hardware. And Nintendo only needs to make the system work on one particular hardware setup. Not thousands of different phones or tablets!!
This would make so much sense, and its great news. The OS on the Wii U is buggy and slow, and it is obvious that Nintendo lacks the skills to make a proper console OS. It can only get better with Android underneath.
Android can be what you want it to be. It could be the perfect base system for a new Nintendo Console.
Basic Android is Open Source, and you do not need to use Google services if you don't want to. Nintendo could easily fork Android, and use the good parts as base system, while putting their own layers and modifications on top of it. Amazon does the same with their devices, and have their own shop etc. Nintendo would probably do it the same way.
Nintendo would still make their own dev tools for this new system, that would allow developers to get the best out of the console hardware, and make great optimized games. Android underneath as base system would not change that.
Great game.... makes me want to play Panzer Dragon Orta for the Xbox. Would really like to see a HD remaster of that masterpiece. Get on with it SEGA !!!
This is a smart move from Nintendo. It is going to complement their console business very well. It will give Nintendo some much needed visibility among casual mobile gamers.
A few year ago, all children played on a Nintendo console, but now many use mobile and tablets instead. Nintendo does not play any role for these children, and that could really hurt them in the long run. This initiative will bring Nintendo back on the radar.
I think we're going to see some small mobile spinoffs with Nintendo characters, like SEGA has done with Sonic Jump and Sonic Dash. Games that fit the format.
"Rayman Jungle Run" is also good example of what I think we're going to see from Nintendo. It is a really good runner game, made for mobile and tablets. It is using the same artwork / style as the console game "Rayman Legends", and you really want to play "Rayman Legends", after some time with Jungle Run. Nintendo will probably try something similar with Mario, Kirby, Donkey Kong etc.
@DESS-M-8
No, no, not really...
The Master System and Game Gear where technical better machines than the NES and Gameboy. The SNES where perhaps a bit better than the Mega Drive, but that's it. Nintendo's dominance has always been about their great games, not better hardware.
Well.. it all sounds very good. But maybe they should start rethink their VC strategy first? Why not make these games cheaper as well? I think they would sell a lot more then.
And why did they not publish GBA games for the VC on 3DS a long time ago? And DS games? I would love to buy them on my 3DS. I have no interest in playing these games on my Wii U. On the Wii U i would rather have N64 and GameCube games.
Nintendo's VC strategy is a mess, and doesn't make sense at all. They should really focus there first, and listen to consumers and fans.
Comments 526
Re: Parent Trap: Nintendo Switch Takes on Tablets
@Paddle1
Year, but you are just not making it look like a tablet like that, when it does not have touch screen. Nintendo is not stupid.
If it does not have a touch screen, you would just leave those controllers on permanent, and have some spare controllers in the box.
If you can't interact with it without controllers, then they would not be removable. Nobody want a dumb screen, and kids are expecting touch screens today. It wont sell, if there is no touch screen.
Re: Parent Trap: Nintendo Switch Takes on Tablets
Of course does the Nintendo Switch have a touch screen. Please people, don't be foolish.
Why else does it have removeable controllers? Why should you need a dumb little screen without touch input?
If it didn't have a touch screen, those controllers would not be removable!
Re: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Makes the Jump from DS to Smart Devices
Fine. Great games that suits touch screens should definitely be released on mobile platforms. It makes sense.
More quality games without micro transactions is more than welcome on all platforms.
I play on my phone and on my 3DS. I enjoy both. Some games just doesn't work very well on touch-only devices, while others are a perfect match.
That is the reason why I always need a dedicated handheld gaming device in my life.
But I will never understand the hatred against mobile games. Sure, there is a lot of crappy games on those platforms, but also some fine gems here and there. Great gaming experiences are platform independent, after all
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
@ThanosReXXX
Your guess is as good as mine. It could well be that you are right about anything.
But I am just trying to look at it from a business and logical point of view, while not letting myself misleading by all the wishful thinking going on.
Where can Nintendo go from here? The Wii U have been a disaster, and all the big western publishers have abandoned the sinking ship. If Nintendo did not also own a very profitable handheld business, the Wii U would have been the company's “Dreamcast”. They could have been out of the console business by now. Looking at it from a business point of view, it simply doesn't make sense to keep going on with home consoles.
As i mentioned before, the core gamers all left Nintendo. Most of them do not care about Mario and Zelda anymore, and Sony and MS have build up more appealing brands for that audience. Nintendo is still the less appealing “kiddy” and family oriented company for most of them. Only us diehard fans are still hanging on, and the sales numbers of the Wii U just shows how few we are.
I hear so many delusional wishful thinking fans in here, that really believes that if just Nintendo released a top power console, that would be on par with PS4 and X1, then the NX would fly from the shelves, and all the big publishers would return to the fold.
But Nintendo already tried to compete with Sony and MS a decade ago with the GameCube. And although the GameCube offered similar power than its rivals, it was not successful for Nintendo. EA and all the big western publishers were supporting it to the end, and there were many great first party titles by Nintendo, but it was not enough.
Why do people think that it would be any different today? It makes no sense anymore. And Nintendo’s position is even worse today, where all the publishers has left, and the company playing an even smaller role among the core gaming crowd.
Nintendo haven’t really competed with MS and Sony since the GameCube. But since then they have released more casual oriented consoles, and had huge success with the Wii and DS. Today Apple and Google are Nintendo's real rivals for the family friendly and children oriented gaming experiences.
Smartphones and tablets are competing with the 3DS and Nintendo's core audience. But Nintendo’s handhelds have still proven somewhat competitive, and offers much better potential in the future. Nintendo simply still have a healthy business here.
So looking forward, Nintendo needs to compete even more with tablets and mobile devices. Offering a cheaper and more gaming oriented alternative to the iPad, but with similar functionalities and media consumption options, would provide a fantastic opportunity for Nintendo.
The affordable 8-inch Nvidia Shield tablet was exactly the kind of device that Nintendo needs to produce with the NX. Offering an enhanced chip for gaming, it was a fantastic gaming tablet, but simply lacked the huge gaming catalogue that a company like Nintendo could provide. But Nintendo could really be successful with a similar device.
A Nintendo Shield like tablet, with the new Android powered Nintendo OS, Tv-play and connectable controllers. It makes so much sense.
Nintendo will never market the NX as an “Android” console, and they will never mention this at the presentation. It’s not important to the general public, and will only get in the way. Nintendo will just show off all the great stuff of the new “Nintendo OS”, and iPad like features. Running on Android will only be important to mobile developers, who then easily can port their content.
There was nothing wrong with the concept off the Ouya. Running on a forked Android powered OS was a great idea. But the final product lacked power and support. It could only work if a big gaming company like Nintendo or maybe Sega were behind it. But the concept was fine.
Your disgust against a gaming tablet is a bit ridiculous though. What is the big difference between the 3DS, and a Nintendo gaming tablet with attachable controllers? The tablet just offers newer and better functionality.
The 3DS could spoil kids just as much as tablet’s. You can get the same seductive content on the 3DS. It’s not the device fault, but the parents responsibility.
Sorry, but your “hatred” against tablets just doesn't make sense to me.
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
@ThanosReXXX
Moving away from Home Console, is like moving away from Wii U like devices. Being a gaming tablet and manly handheld device, with TV play capabilities, is something different. And mobile developers would be very enthusiastic about such a device.
"Shinya Takahashi from Nintendo EPD said: 'During the development of NX, we listened to many opinions from developers about what it is that they would want to see (in NX hardware). It's focused on being developer friendly.'"
Developer friendly has nothing to do with “new and exciting”. Nintendo could still make a great developer toolkit, where it would be easy to port existing Android games, and enhance them to use the full potential of the NX hardware. That would be exciting stuff for any mobile developer. And maybe Shinya Takahashi was talking about mobile developers? We don't know?
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
@ThanosReXXX6
The thing is, I do not believe Nintendos retraction on the matter. They just had to go out and deny all the rumours about an Android based console at that time, even if the rumour was true. If they didn't respond to the Android rumours, it would have gotten out of hand too early, before Nintendo could show the device to the public, and really explain what the NX is.
It will be Android based, but with Nintendo’s own OS customizations on top. It will be very different to any Android based system out now, and that is hard to explain to people, if they just have the “Android console” term in their head.
The NX will be a handheld device, because the Home Console business doesn't make sense to Nintendo anymore. It will offer TV play and connections though, to keep their home console user's somewhat happy.
I expect to see a 7-8 inch tablet device, with connectable controllers. And a device more dedicated to gaming than normal iPads / Android tablets. But to pull that off, Nintendo needs a capable OS to compete. And I simply can't imagine that they can make one from the ground by themselves. They just lack experience in that area. A forked version of Android as foundation, is the only thing that would make sense.
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
@upsidedownjim
You can't really compare it like that. Nintendo properly made a good deal with Apple, for the timely exclusive rights on Super Mario Run.
But eventually it will come to Android to. This is just a smart business move from Nintendo, because the iOS platform promises a better revenue.
And if NX will be based on Android, it will not have much in common with Google's Android. Stock Android will just be used as an underlying layer for the NX OS, and Nintendo will only use it for its features and compatibility. It's just a Android based OS, and nothing to do with supporting the Google Android platform.
So Nintendo could do the same in the future. Releasing their mobile games on NX E-shop, then iOS, and later Google Play Store, if this is what makes the most financial sense.
If Nintendo wants to compete in the tablet market, they can't use nothing else but Android. Developing a capable OS for multi touch devices is no easy task, and Nintendo doesn't have the resources for that. So using Android under the hood will bring them a huge step forward. iOS is a fully closed system, that only Apple can use, so Android is the only possible option.
And Nintendo can make the NX as stable as they want, only allowing software from the E-shop. Making it as closed as iOS, if that's what they want. Using Android is not preventing that.
It will also be easier to tailor and optimize Android, because the NX is based on only one specific hardware setup. Nintendo is not going to have to support thousand different mobile devices.
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
@iflywright
The funny thing is, that Nintendo as been exactly that for a decade. The lesser powerful console for the family and the "kiddies". They have always been the core target for Nintendo, and there is nothing wrong with that. It have served them well.
Not since the Game Cube have Nintendo competed with Sony and MS. And I am fine with that. I enjoy all consoles, and do not want the same experience on them all. It would have been so boring.
NX could exist perfectly fine next to a PS4/X1, being the handheld and offering a totally different experience.
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
I think the Wii U will be the last real home console from Nintendo. Competing with Sony and MS doesn't make sense anymore, and haven't done in a while now. There's just no room for a third console in that market.
The core gamers all left Nintendo, and only us diehard fans are still buying their home console. Even if Nintendo released a console, that would be on par with PS4 and X1, it wouldn't sell much better than the Wii U.
I hear so many in here, that really believes this would be the solution to it all, and that the NX will fly from the shelves, if just Nintendo makes a top power console. I think this is very naive, and more wishful thinking than anything else.
Mario and Zelda is not enough these days, and many core gamers doesn't care anyway. They just care about the next cod, FIFA, Elder scrolls. And because most of the big western publishers have left Nintendo, you will not find many of those games on the NX. No matter how powerful.
Nintendo has always been a family oriented company, with a “kiddy” image. Something that has helped them a lot the last decades, but also have made them less appalling among teenagers and many core gamers, sadly.
The last couple of years, smartphones and tablets have been Nintendo's biggest rivals as the primary gaming platform for children and families. Nintendo's handhelds have still sold well, although with lesser margins than before. But it has been profitable, and shown much better potential than their home consoles.
Therefore I think, that the NX primarily will be a handheld device, with some smart TV-play functions. But this will mostly be to lure in Home console gamers.
The NX will be a full blown attack on the tablet market. A cheaper option than the iPad, with more focus on dedicated gaming, but also offering the usual tablet media consumption options, and all the cheap casual mobile games.
It's is likely that Nintendo will fork Android, clean it from anything 'Google' connected, and use it to build their own platform on NX. The latest hardware rumors about the NX also indicates that it will be an Android driven device.
Stock open-source Android can be molded to whatever you want it to be, and Nintendo will have full control of it. They can develop their own unique skin for it, make their own default apps and apps-store like E-shop, and call it Nintendo-OS. Amazon did something similar with their Kindle devices.
Using Android will make it easy for developers to port their Android games, and release them on the E-shop. And also companies like Netflix and HBO will follow up with apps.
I am also not sure, that the NX will be more powerful than the Wii U. Being a handheld and all. But it could be as powerful.
I would probably hold on to the Wii U for some time though. It could prove to be the better platform to fully enjoy the new Zelda game.
Re: Talking Point: The Inevitability of Super Mario Run, Nintendo's Ace for the Mobile Market
@Henmii
Well yes. But if you are cynical, you could say the same for all traditional platformers as well
All runners are not the same, and all have there own unique feel and mechanism. Rayman Jungle Run is a particular well done runner, with some really great levels and art style.
‘Super Mario Run’ has to be fantastic, to take the title as 'best runner'. I really encourage people to try Rayman Jungle Run, if they haven't yet. But I really hope that ‘Super Mario Run’ is just as good, if not better. I just can't see it yet.
Re: Talking Point: The Inevitability of Super Mario Run, Nintendo's Ace for the Mobile Market
@Henmii
Seriously, the only platform experience that is great with touch-only inputs, are runners. So obviously Mario for mobile would be a runner. As I have predicted before.
There are already excellent runners on mobile, like Rayman Jungle Run, Subway Surfers or Sonic Dash. It will be interesting what new stuff Nintendo can bring to the table.
Right now, ‘Super Mario Run’ looks like a total ‘Rayman Jungle Run’ rip off. And it doesn't even look better or more interesting.
It’s Mario though, and it will sell well. But i can’t really see what new Nintendo is doing here. It will be interesting to see, if there is anything special about this game.
But hey, all Android users itching for some ‘Super Mario Run’, just go grab ‘Rayman Jungle Run’. It is probably even a better game?
Re: Poll: Share Your Thoughts on Super Mario Run and the Delays to Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem on Mobile
@Al_Godoy
No, that will never happen. Stop being silly.
Both Nintendo and Apple are very closed companies, and likes full control of their own hardware and software.
The two companies are very similar. Stubborn, closed, both innovative and conservative at the same time, and have a long history with great quality products. But I do not think that they would be great at working together. Both companies are bullies, and like to be in full control
Apple doesn't need Nintendo at all either, and are only interested in Nintendo as a developer for their own closed app store. It is here where they generate all their revenue. Why should they share this with Nintendo. Apple doesn't seem very interested en a dedicated gaming platform either.
iOS is also such a closed system, that only Apple control, and they will never let anybody else have a look at it. That's for sure.
It's is actually more likely, that Nintendo will fork Android, clean it from anything 'Google' connected, and use it to build their own platform on NX.
Stock open-source Android can be molded to whatever you want it to be, and Nintendo will have full control of it. They can develop their own unique skin for it, make their own default apps and apps-store like E-shop, and call it Nintendo-OS. Amazon did something similar with their Kindle devices.
Re: Poll: Share Your Thoughts on Super Mario Run and the Delays to Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem on Mobile
@Nintendian
Sorry, but that’s just stupid and poor fanboyism from your side.
No company is releasing games for a platform out of sympathy, but only because it makes financial sense.
Even if your numbers are right, 20% of Pokemon Go's earnings are still a whole lot of money, and would be an important revenue for any company.
Nintendo is also hopping for the synergy effect here. These mobile apps can also reach new customers for their Console business, and make Nintendo relevant again among a lost audience. For that purpose, Android is just as important than iOS.
Re: Talking Point: My Nintendo and Its Account System Start The Process of Unifying Platforms
@akaDv8R
You said it yourself:
"Both Xbox 360 and PS3 were exponentialy more powerful than the original Wii."
That is what I referred to, when i wrote "Cutting Edge". From a purely technical or "Raw Power" point of view, Nintendo has never been "Cutting Edge".
But Nintendo have been the most innovative, when it comes to reusing old cheap hardware, and use them in exiting new ways.
That has always been Nintendo's strength. That is how they always made fantastic consoles.
And by the way. I loved the Wii, and think it was a fantastic console. It outsold PS3 and xbox360, because it had the most exiting concept.
Re: Talking Point: My Nintendo and Its Account System Start The Process of Unifying Platforms
@JpGamerGuy90
Nintendo has never been cutting edge. Except maybe in the beginning, when they released the NES. In all other generations there were superior devices on the market, from a technical point of view.
Re: Editorial: The Weird World Discovered When Searching for Miitomo on Google Play
@norwichred
Its ok to love your Apple devices. They are great products. But don't be blind and believe anything.
Here are some interesting information for you:
http://bgr.com/2015/11/11/app-store-malware-ios-vs-android/
Is this the truth? I have no idea. But the iOS app store simply can't be as regulated as you claim. The sheer number of apps is impossible to fully control.
Re: Editorial: The Weird World Discovered When Searching for Miitomo on Google Play
@NinChocolate
@Nintendian
Please keep your iOS / Android fanboyism out of this forum.
There are just to much of it on the net already. Here we are all Nintendo fans.
We are some who do like the openness of Google's platform. Let there be room for all of us.
There are just to many Android users out there for Nintendo to ignore. These Mobile apps from Nintendo are some kind of gateway to Nintendo's own platforms and wallet garden. Mobile apps is not Nintendo's primary business.
Nintendo's Goal for these apps, is to reach out to as many potentially new customers as possible. And therefore all major platforms are important to them.
And just for your information. Both iOS and Android are like "The Wild West":
http://bgr.com/2015/11/11/app-store-malware-ios-vs-android/
Re: Video: It's Fun To Learn About The Game Boy's CPU
@Mario-Man-Child
Hmm... I am pretty sure the Xbox was more powerful than the GameCube.
I have the PS2, GameCube and the Xbox. And while the GameCube was more powerful than the PS2, and had some really impressive first party titles, I think all the multiplatform games where all way superior on the Xbox.
Re: You Can Now Register for a Nintendo Account
@KJ85
That is great news.
I understand, If Nintendo doesn't want to open it up for all countries to begin with. If they just open it up to more countries down the road, then I'm fine with it.
Re: You Can Now Register for a Nintendo Account
@Kimite
I really hope you are right about this.
I am ok with these restrictions for now, if they plan to remove them in the near future. No problem.
I just don't wan't to be left out this time around, like with Club Nintendo.
Re: You Can Now Register for a Nintendo Account
I hope they soon will open up for more countries. Those county restrictions just doesn't fit in our time and age, with a global web without boundaries.
16 countries is just not enough, but hopefully this will change sooner than later.
As Scandinavian I have felt like a second grade customer for a decade. I could never join Club Nintendo. If I am also left out of "My Nintendo", I will simply stop buying any new Nintendo stuff in the future.
I have been looking so much forward to a unified account system, with my bought content linked to it, and not my devices. If I can't have that, because of my residence, then I am not supporting Nintendo anymore.
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo is Right to Move On From the Wii Family Name With NX
@shani
Here are the sales numbers by year for the PS2:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2_sales
As you can see, the numbers increase little by little over the years.
And some of the later years had bigger growth, than previous years:
December 2002 - December 2003 : Around 20 million units sold.
December 2003 - December 2004 : Around 12 million units sold.
December 2004 - December 2005 : Around 20 million units sold.
We know, that PS4 is selling way better than PS3 after two years. And PS3 reached 80 million doing it's lifespan. So PS4 can easily reach 100 millions.
After Christmas 2015, PS4 could have reached 40 million units sold.
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo is Right to Move On From the Wii Family Name With NX
@shani
Your comparisons doesn't make any sense.
The PS4 was released only two years ago, and is one of the fastest selling consoles ever. PS1 and PS2 didn't have better sales numbers, two years after their release.
When it comes down to lifetime sales, PS4 will probably sell way more than PS3, and more than 100 million units. Wii U will not even reach more than 15 million units in it's lifespan.
In 10 years' time, the sales numbers could look something like this.
N64: 33 million PS: 102 million
GC: 21 million, PS2: 155 million
Wii: 101 million, PS3: 80 million
Wii U: 14 million, PS4: 110 million
Re: Acclaimed 3DS Shooter Steel Empire Finally Cleared For European Landing
Better late than never...
But it's worrying, that companies are so damn slow with these inexpensive digital releases in all regions. Is it really so much of a hassle?
They already made all the translations work for the west, by releasing it in the US. So it should be the most logical thing, to release it as soon as possible in EU as well ?!?
You would think, that the companies would try to get as much out of their investment as they could, by making it available to everyone. But are the sales numbers of European E-shop games so bad, that it doesn't pay off?
Re: Dementium Remastered Launches on the North American 3DS eShop on 3rd December
Moon Chronicles was released in the US back in February, and we still haven't seen or heard anything about a EU release !!! Dementium Remastered will probably never see a EU release as well .
The developer made a lot of effort to create these remastered games for the 3DS. But obviously doesn't see any financial benefit in making an inexpensive digital EU release!!! That's very worrying,
Under normal circumstances, you would think that releasing the game in Europe would be the most obvious thing in the world. Getting some money back from your effort and investment, by making a much smaller investment in an inexpensive European digital release. It's not like they have to do a lot of translation work, as with Japanese titles. And still they can't be bothered.
E-shop games must really sell bad in Europe. That's the only possible explanation I have. Or the management of Renegade Kid aren't that smart when it comes to finance?
Re: Feature: Reflecting On Three Years With The Wii U - Part One
@KrakenSoup
Here you go:
Wii U Game Pad Battery Pak - Higher capacity for longer play time! - $39.99:
https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?productId=prod150204
Re: Feature: Reflecting On Three Years With The Wii U - Part One
"For some, there comes a point in life when you realize you can't play it all anymore, and trying to is just going to waste a lot of money in a mountain of backlog. "
I have to realize this ^^^
My game backlog is growing and growing... and I use way to much money on games I'm probably never gonna play...
I have to stop wasting money...
Re: Sega Themes Are Coming To Your 3DS This Week
Love these themes... 3DS is almost a SEGA console withe all these great classic 3D games and themes. I am a happy old SEGA-fanboy
Re: Nintendo Download: 12th November (Europe)
Finally we get the Sega themes in Europe... I will get them all..
With all the great classic 3D Sega games on the 3DS, it almost feels like a SEGA console. And now even more, with these great SEGA themes!
Loving it
Re: Video: Jessica Chobot Is Samus Aran In This Lavish Fan-Made Metroid Short
Hmm... I think Scarlett johansson would be great as Samus. Her voice would fit Samus perfectly.
I really like her in the role as Black Widow, who also is a strong and confidant character. Or just watch her in the movie "Lucy".
Johansson would be a better choice as Samus than Charlize Theron, I think.
Re: Rumour: Dataminers Dig Up eShop Listings For Super Mario Galaxy, Zelda: Skyward Sword And Metroid: Other M
Hopefully we will one day see Excitebots on the e-shop.
It was never released here in Europe, and I would really like to try it.
It would just make so much sense, if Nintendo released such games on the e-shop.
Re: Review: 3D Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (3DS eShop)
In my opinion, this is the best Sonic game ever made, and one of my favorite games of all time. It's also better than Sonic 3, I think. This game deserves a 10!
The stages have a perfect length, and contains so much variety. The worlds are also all different, with their own theme, gameplay and great music. And the bosses are fantastic too.
When this game first came out, it was just mind-blowing. I am so happy to finally play it on my 3DS
Re: SEGA and M2 Reflect on 3D Classics Series and Name a Project for the Wishlist
We definitely still need Golden Axe arcade version. I would love this in 3d.
Other games I would love to see released:
Vectorman 1 + 2, Headdy, Sonic 3, Ristar, The Revenge of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer, Comix Zone and Alien Storm.
Re: Talking Point: Raw Power Isn't Vital to Nintendo's NX, But It Does Matter
It’s sad to read, that so many think it's all about the specs and being as powerful as PS4 / X1.
Nintendo games does not really need that much power to be great. Thier art style and gameplay work perfectly well with less powerful hardware. I am very satisfied with the performance of the Wii U, and I think Mario Kart, Smash Brothers, Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong, Pikmin and Splatoon turned out to be great games, with beautiful HD graphics in 60fps. What more do you want as a Nintendo gamer???
I also love the hardware invention from Nintendo. Being it Wii’s motion control or the Wii U GamePad. I simply like their different and unique approach to gaming.
PS4 and X1 are almost identical machines, offering the same kind of content. I like them both, but I do not need my Nintendo console to offer the same stuff. I buy Nintendo consoles for their unique games, and you simply can't find similar stuff anywhere else.
But I would love it, if Nintendo implemented some of the features from the other consoles. Like a better and universal account system, Achievements, and greater online gaming functionalities. Nintendo are really behind in those areas, and they need to do it better.
Nintendo will not gain anything, if they just try to compete with Sony and MS on pure hardware specs. They actually tried to do just that with the GameCube long time ago, and that was not a huge success.
There is simply no market for three consoles, competing for the same niche audience, that is the “Core male gamer” between 14 - 45 years old. There is absolutely no growth in that consumer segment, and the competition is enormous.
The Playstation and Xbox brands are also much stronger when it comes to that segment, where Nintendo has a more “Family friendly” and “Childish” image. That makes it more difficult to compete with the other brands.
Since the NES and Gameboy, Nintendo has always tried to appeal and make games for everyone. Both casual and core gamers have always been among Nintendo consumers, and their "Family friendly" approach have served them very well. For decades Nintendo almost had the casual and family gamer market for themselves. And they have made huge profits of it.
When Sony and MS entered the console business, and captured almost all the core gamers, Nintendo looked elsewhere. Instead of joining the arms race, they tried to expand the whole gamer market by targeting everyone else but the core gamer. They created the DS and Wii, and those where a great financial and consumer successes for Nintendo.
But in the last 7-8 years or so, a new competitor has entered the gaming market. Smartphones and tablets have captured the casual gamers and kids, who all played on Nintendo DS and Wii a few years earlier. But this have also expanded the gaming audience to new heights, where people who never played games before, know are playing everyday on their smart devices.
That is both a problem and opportunity for Nintendo. While they have lost many consumers to smart devices, this fast and ever growing part of the gamer segment also promises great financial success for Nintendo, if they can get back into the “game”, and become relevant again.
Miyamoto recently said:
“I think unfortunately what ended up happening was that tablets themselves appeared in the marketplace and evolved very, very rapidly, and unfortunately the Wii [U] system launched at a time where the uniqueness of those features were perhaps not as strong as they were when we had first begun developing them.”
The above statement tells us, that Nintendo doesn't see Sony and MS as their main competitors anymore. Apple and Google are the new competitors for Nintendo's main target audience.
I think, that the Wii U will be Nintendo's last dedicated home console, and the NX will be a hybrid console that will both replace the Wii U and 3DS over time. It will probably be some sort of tablet console, with a conventional controller built in.
The NX will either be build on a forked Android foundation, with the e-shop as only “App store”, or at least provide an Android compatibility layer. This will help developers to port their mobile games to the NX platform, and provide it with a huge amount of content.
Parents will again buy a dedicated gaming console from Nintendo for their kids. Because it will provide them with Mario and Pokémon, as well as cheap touch based mobile games like Minecraft and Clash of Clans. At least the sales of the 3DS have showed us, that the demand for Nintendo games and content still exist among consumers.
Hopefully all this will bring back the much needed profits for Nintendo. And we can all continue to enjoy their great games in the future.
Re: Nintendo Reportedly Pitched NX To Third Parties During E3 2015
Wow, so many disillusioned Nintendo fans in here, who thinks it’s all about the specs and being as powerful as PS4 / X1. Why haven't you guys switched to Sony or MS long time ago???
Nintendo games does not really need that much power to be great. Thier art style and gameplay work perfectly well with less powerful hardware. I am very satisfied with the performance of the Wii U, and I think Mario Kart, Smash Brothers, Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong, Pikmin and Splatoon turned out to be great games, with beautiful HD graphics in 60fps. What more do you want as a Nintendo gamer???
I also love the hardware invention from Nintendo. Being it Wii’s motion control or the Wii U GamePad. I simply like their different and unique approach to gaming.
PS4 and X1 are almost identical machines, offering the same kind of content. I like them both, but I do not need my Nintendo console to offer the same stuff. I buy Nintendo consoles for their unique games, and you simply can't find similar stuff anywhere else.
But I would love it, if Nintendo implemented some of the features from the other consoles. Like a better and universal account system, Achievements, and greater online gaming functionalities. Nintendo are really behind in those areas, and they need to do it better.
Nintendo would not have gained anything, if they just tried to compete with Sony and MS on pure hardware specs. They actually tried to do just that with the GameCube long time ago, and that was not a huge success.
There is simply no market for three consoles, competing for the same niche audience, that is the “Core male gamer” between 14 - 45 years old. There is absolutely no growth in that consumer segment, and the competition is enormous.
The Playstation and Xbox brands are also much stronger when it comes to that segment, where Nintendo has a more “Family friendly” and “Childish” image. This makes it more difficult to compete in that market.
Since the NES and Gameboy, Nintendo has always tried to appeal and make games for everyone. Both casual and core gamers have always been among Nintendo consumers, and their "Family friendly" approach have served them very well. For decades Nintendo almost had the casual and family gamer market for themselves. And they have made huge profits of it.
When Sony and MS entered the console business, and captured almost all the core gamers, Nintendo looked elsewhere. Instead of joining the arms race, they tried to expand the whole gamer market by targeting everyone else but the core gamer. They created the DS and Wii, and those where a great financial and consumer successes for Nintendo.
But in the last 7-8 years or so, a new competitor has entered the gaming market. Smartphones and tablets have captured the casual gamers and kids, who all played on Nintendo DS and Wii a few years earlier. But this have also expanded the gaming audience to new heights, where people who never played games before, know are playing everyday on their smart devices.
This is both a problem and opportunity for Nintendo. While they have lost many consumers to smart devices, this fast and ever growing part of this gamer segment also promises great financial success for Nintendo, if they can get back into the “game”, and become relevant again.
Miyamoto recently said:
“I think unfortunately what ended up happening was that tablets themselves appeared in the marketplace and evolved very, very rapidly, and unfortunately the Wii [U] system launched at a time where the uniqueness of those features were perhaps not as strong as they were when we had first begun developing them.”
The above statement tells us, that Nintendo doesn't see Sony and MS as their main competitors anymore. Apple and Google are the new competitors for Nintendo's main target audience.
I think, that the Wii U will be Nintendo's last dedicated home console, and the NX will be a hybrid console that will both replace the Wii U and 3DS over time. It will probably be some sort of tablet console, with a conventional controller built in. And it will probably offer some sort of content streaming technology, that also would make it work as a home console.
The NX will either be build on a forked Android foundation, with the e-shop as only “App store”, or at least provide an Android compatibility layer. This will help developers to port their mobile games to the NX platform, and provide it with a huge amount of content.
Parents will again buy a dedicated gaming console from Nintendo for their kids. Because it will provide them with Mario and Pokémon, as well as cheap touch based mobile games like Minecraft and Clash of Clans. At least the sales of the 3DS have showed us, that the demand for Nintendo games and content still exist among consumers.
Hopefully all this will bring back the much needed profits for Nintendo. And we can all continue to enjoy their great games in the future.
Re: Rumours Surface of Android Emulation On The Nintendo NX and Potential Deals With Amazon and Disney
@Splatburst
Yes, I know, but it's so silly. It has nothing to do with Google vs. Apple.
You would probably not even notice if Android ran under the hood of the NX. It's totally irrelevant. NX will still be uniquely Nintendo, no matter what they choose to use as foundation.
Re: Rumours Surface of Android Emulation On The Nintendo NX and Potential Deals With Amazon and Disney
@Kuhang @Politoed @Henmii
Nintendo does not need to have anything to do with Google if they decide to fork basic Android, and use it as a building block for the NX. They don't need Googles permission or partnership for that.
Anyone can use Android as they see fit, and modify it as they want. As long as they do not include Google Play services and Store, they do not need to follow Googles guidelines. Amazon did exactly that when they created their Kindle smart devices, and switched Google Play Store with their own App Store. Nintendo could just do the same, building a new unique OS for the NX with Android as foundation.
It would also be a ridicules move from Nintendo, if they decided to use Google play store or Amazon's AppStore in NX. How would Nintendo earn its money?
The only Store you will find on a Nintendo system is the e-shop, as we know it from Wii U and 3DS. Using Android would not change that. It would only provide developers an easier way to port their games to the e-shop, and make use of other game engines and tools like Unity, that is already available through Android.
Re: Rumours Surface of Android Emulation On The Nintendo NX and Potential Deals With Amazon and Disney
@Moon
Not much. I have a little low end device under my TV called "Nexus Player" . It runs Android, and it does it very well and smooth. Here are the hardware stats:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_Player
Many new TVs have build in Android, and the Wii U hardware whould easily run Android if the architecture would support it.
Re: Rumours Surface of Android Emulation On The Nintendo NX and Potential Deals With Amazon and Disney
@JaxonH
Yeah, but you never really know if that statement is the truth either. With Nintendo you never know.
But as I wrote above, what kind of OS the NX is based upon shouldn't really bother anyone. Since when have this been important for consoles??? Being it build on pure UNIX, Linux, a forked Android version, or FreeBSD like on the PlayStation. It does not matter.
The amount of great games, graphics performance, and overall system functionalities are important. Nintendo can choose whatever foundation they whant for their OS.
Re: Rumours Surface of Android Emulation On The Nintendo NX and Potential Deals With Amazon and Disney
And the silliest commet of the year goes to Gold_Ranger for this:
"If the NX OS is based on Android I will NEVER buy it!".
What kind of OS the NX will be based on shouldn't really matter. Have you ever really considered what kind of underlying OS other Nintendo consoles was based on before you bought them?
The only thing that matter's is what great games and functionalities the new system will have.
If the Wii U OS had a forked Android underneath, but looked and felt the same, with all the same great games, would that really bother you? The only difference would have been better portability options for developers, and therefore even more games for the system.
People act like morons when they hear "Android". What building blocks Nintendo choses for their next OS should not play a role. What kind of hardware they choose is much more interesting.
Re: Despite the Rumours, Nintendo NX Will Not be Android Based
I'm so tired of Apple fanboys, who in their hatred for everything Google or Android, can't see the possibilities here.
Please understand ....
Nintendo NX would still have its own unique interface made by Nintendo. There wouldn't be any trace of Google or Google services, because Nintendo would just fork the basic Android system. You would probably not even notice that its Android running underneath, doing the heavy lifting as the basic OS.
No matter what people are saying about Android, it is a fantastic system, that runs great on the right hardware. And Nintendo only needs to make the system work on one or two particular hardware setups. Not thousands of different phones or tablets!!
Re: Despite the Rumours, Nintendo NX Will Not be Android Based
@Artwark
Nintendo doesn't need Googles permission to fork the basic Android system, witch is Open Source and free to use.
Only if you want to use Google Play store, services and apps, you need to follow some specific rules made by Google. And Nintendo would probably not use Google services at all.
And buy the way, Unity has nothing to do with Android. Its two completely different things. Unity also runs on Android.
Nintendo would still make their own dev tools for this new system, that would allow developers to get the best out of the console hardware, and make great optimized games. Android underneath as base system would not change that. But Android could provide NX with a lot of great features under the hood, and make it easy to port commonly used software to the Nintendo e-shop.
Re: Despite the Rumours, Nintendo NX Will Not be Android Based
Its disappointing, because Android as a base system for NX could help Nintendo a lot. Nintendo simply does not have the skills to make a proper OS.
The concerns mentioned in the article are not valid at all:
"Security and managing content to cater for families and children were potential concerns"
Android would only be used as base system. There would be no trace of Google Play store, Google services and no way to install Android packages by your self. It would be a totally closed system made by Nintendo, where you could only get you software through the Nintendo e-shop. The quality control of the system and software would be the same as on Wii U and 3DS.
Android as a base system would not change that at all. Piracy and content concerns would not be an issue here. But it would still help developers to easily port their Android games and software to the e-shop, where Nintendo would quality test and monitor everything, as they do today.
Re: Rumour: Nintendo NX Could Use Google's Android Operating System
@Hordak
No, as you can see in the comments, there are other ill-informed and confused individuals like you. Why are you uncomfortable and let down by this?
Android can be an fantastic foundation, and help Nintendo in areas where they do not have the skills. Look how awful and buggy the Wii U OS is.
Nintendo NX would probably not look much like Android, but have its own interface made by Nintendo. There wouldn't be any trace of Google or Google services, because Nintendo would probably just fork the basic Android system.
No matter what people are saying about Android, it is a fantastic system, that runs great on the right hardware. And Nintendo only needs to make the system work on one particular hardware setup. Not thousands of different phones or tablets!!
Re: Rumour: Nintendo NX Could Use Google's Android Operating System
This would make so much sense, and its great news. The OS on the Wii U is buggy and slow, and it is obvious that Nintendo lacks the skills to make a proper console OS. It can only get better with Android underneath.
Android can be what you want it to be. It could be the perfect base system for a new Nintendo Console.
Basic Android is Open Source, and you do not need to use Google services if you don't want to. Nintendo could easily fork Android, and use the good parts as base system, while putting their own layers and modifications on top of it. Amazon does the same with their devices, and have their own shop etc. Nintendo would probably do it the same way.
Nintendo would still make their own dev tools for this new system, that would allow developers to get the best out of the console hardware, and make great optimized games. Android underneath as base system would not change that.
Re: Video: Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies Shines On Wii U
Great game.... makes me want to play Panzer Dragon Orta for the Xbox.
Would really like to see a HD remaster of that masterpiece. Get on with it SEGA !!!
Re: Natsume Suggests That Nintendo's Moving Away From SNES on Wii U Virtual Console
Just give me GBA and DS games for my 3DS. How hard can it be?
These games er perfect for the 3DS format. I do not want to play them on Wii U, but on a handheld system where they where meant to be played.
Re: Guide: Everything We Know So Far About Nintendo's Deal With DeNA, Smart Device Plans and More
This is a smart move from Nintendo. It is going to complement their console business very well. It will give Nintendo some much needed visibility among casual mobile gamers.
A few year ago, all children played on a Nintendo console, but now many use mobile and tablets instead. Nintendo does not play any role for these children, and that could really hurt them in the long run. This initiative will bring Nintendo back on the radar.
I think we're going to see some small mobile spinoffs with Nintendo characters, like SEGA has done with Sonic Jump and Sonic Dash. Games that fit the format.
"Rayman Jungle Run" is also good example of what I think we're going to see from Nintendo. It is a really good runner game, made for mobile and tablets. It is using the same artwork / style as the console game "Rayman Legends", and you really want to play "Rayman Legends", after some time with Jungle Run. Nintendo will probably try something similar with Mario, Kirby, Donkey Kong etc.
Re: Video: Fan Manages to Port F-Zero to the Mega Drive
@DESS-M-8
No, no, not really...
The Master System and Game Gear where technical better machines than the NES and Gameboy. The SNES where perhaps a bit better than the Mega Drive, but that's it. Nintendo's dominance has always been about their great games, not better hardware.
Re: Nintendo Looking To Offer Affordable Smartphone-Style Games And Remakes Of Past Classics On 3DS
Well.. it all sounds very good. But maybe they should start rethink their VC strategy first? Why not make these games cheaper as well? I think they would sell a lot more then.
And why did they not publish GBA games for the VC on 3DS a long time ago? And DS games?
I would love to buy them on my 3DS. I have no interest in playing these games on my Wii U. On the Wii U i would rather have N64 and GameCube games.
Nintendo's VC strategy is a mess, and doesn't make sense at all. They should really focus there first, and listen to consumers and fans.