Nintendo Is Hurting :(

[Retrogamer0001]

Some of these analysts really don't seem to see the whole picture. Wouldn't dumping old games as well making new software for mobile devices just hurt dedicated handheld sales even more? That's the one area where they're doing well even if it's a decline from previous handhelds.

It's the home console market and the Wii U's swing-and-miss where the problem lies. I think they need to focus on making the next console with competitive hardware, a reasonable price, and keep the "gimmicks" optional. Work on western third party relations some more and voila.

I also think the hybrid system architecture is the answer as well. What I mean by this is 2 platforms, but the library of software is compatible with both. You could have a cheap handheld with a 540p screen where the games are relatively cheaper than what they're priced at now. Then you have a home console with full 1080p capabilities and PS4 competitive hardware. The games are made with both in mind and it just depends on what version you want to buy. This essentially doubles the software library for either system. Sell the handheld versions for $19.99-$29.99 and the console versions are the full $59.99 but come with a download code for the handheld version. Save files and VC games are cross compatible. If you happen to own both systems then you can get your "gimmicky" dual screen support for certain games as well. And throw in a yearly VC pass for $50 for unlimited access while you're at it.

Put this hardware family out at the end of 2016 and I think they would do well with it. Probably all a pipedream but whatever.

Or just re-release the original SNES with 1080p output and original games

[irixith]

and cheaper memory cards.. I'm not sure why they just didn't roll with SD or Micro SD slots.. That was the biggest mistake IMO..

They already rolled back the prices of the memory cards, it's an old, boring complaint. There was no way they could have used SD technology, due to the copy protection they implemented being tied in part to the card itself. They weren't going to have a repeat of what happened to the PSP, and they haven't so far. Unfortunately, piracy has an interesting side effect -- it sells more hardware. If a hack was announced for the Vita today, sales would skyrocket. It's just the way things are.

[ZeroAX]

They already rolled back the prices of the memory cards, it's an old, boring complaint. There was no way they could have used SD technology, due to the copy protection they implemented being tied in part to the card itself. They weren't going to have a repeat of what happened to the PSP, and they haven't so far. Unfortunately, piracy has an interesting side effect -- it sells more hardware. If a hack was announced for the Vita today, sales would skyrocket. It's just the way things are.

People who pirate games don't bother buying a lot of original games anyway. And the use of proprietary cards won't stop them from making flash cards sooner or later. Might as well use SD cards and bring the cost of manufacturing and selling legit physical games, lower.

[CavZee]

They already rolled back the prices of the memory cards, it's an old, boring complaint. There was no way they could have used SD technology, due to the copy protection they implemented being tied in part to the card itself. They weren't going to have a repeat of what happened to the PSP, and they haven't so far. Unfortunately, piracy has an interesting side effect -- it sells more hardware. If a hack was announced for the Vita today, sales would skyrocket. It's just the way things are.

People who pirate games don't bother buying a lot of original games anyway. And the use of proprietary cards won't stop them from making flash cards sooner or later. Might as well use SD cards and bring the cost of manufacturing and selling legit physical games, lower.

SD cards for Vita are never coming it seems, unfortunately. I buy most games physically anyway so it doesn't hurt me too much.

[Konacha]

Another thing most of these analysts are saying is that Nintendo should cut the Wii U and go back to the drawing board and come out with something else. Michael Pachter gave a long talk about this (of course the guy has been wishing for Nintendo to die since the Gamecube days) how they should just leave now and come back later and I'm thinking the guy is insane. The problem is Nintendo is stuck right now with the Wii U and they need to do something right now. I blame a good portion of it on the Wii U ads since they are crap, but it is simple. If Nintendo does what Pachter says then they are going to be doing a Sega 32X and look what happened to Sega when they did that. However, with the 3DS falling behind and other companies becoming more and more grim I think we might be seeing a gaming crash soon but that whole line of discussion is for another day.

[Retrogamer0001]

we might be seeing a gaming crash soon but that whole line of discussion is for another day.

How does this constitute a gaming crash? PS4 and XB1 are doing fine, and we're just leaving arguably the most successful generation in gaming ever (Wii/DS/PSP/PS3/360). Just because Nintendo's newest console is having a rough start doesn't mean the entire industry is going to collapse.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

The industry is a bit large and a bit too regulated for a full on crash to happen I think.

If you were to say, we're going through a transition period, then I would agree. The gaming landscape will probably shake up a bit over the next few years as things go more towards a digital, all-in-one cohesive environment but I don't think any crash will be happening. I don't know where that will leave Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft really.

[CavZee]

Anyone who says they need to drop the Wii U immediately doesn't even have a clue. The fan backlash would be overwhelming and gamers in general will be vary of purchasing any future Nintendo hardware because of it. They're just going to have to tough it out for another 2-3 years and keep developing quality software. There's no other choice really.

Gaming has definitely been changing for better and for worse and Nintendo who is easily the most traditional and old-fashioned of the three hardware makers is realizing this the hardest. They are fully capable of righting the ship though, so it all just depends on where they steer it really.

[Gunstar Green]

If Nintendo does what Pachter says then they are going to be doing a Sega 32X and look what happened to Sega when they did that.

The circumstances of the 32X and the Wii U are not the same in the slightest. If anything the Saturn would be a more apt comparison at least in the west with Bernie Stolar's asinine marketing and "the Saturn is not the future of Sega," quote.

Anyone who says they need to drop the Wii U immediately doesn't even have a clue. The fan backlash would be overwhelming and gamers in general will be vary of purchasing any future Nintendo hardware because of it. They're just going to have to tough it out for another 2-3 years and keep developing quality software. There's no other choice really.

Gaming has definitely been changing for better and for worse and Nintendo who is easily the most traditional and old-fashioned of the three hardware makers is realizing this the hardest. They are fully capable of righting the ship though, so it all just depends on where they steer it really.

As someone who loves the more traditional side of gaming I want to see the Wii U succeed. I really do. But I'm not as confident as you in their ability to "right the ship" at this point. I just don't see what they can do to salvage this. The generation just started and the Wii U had a head start on its competitors. Now it's bleeding money.

In the short term they can continue as usual and hope for a miracle, but how many years into this generation can they keep trying and failing to sell the Wii U before they're forced to do something else? Furthermore, how long will the stockholders put up with it?

I really hesitate to compare it to the Dreamcast like many people do since I don't think it's quite the same situation. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having flashbacks though.

The industry is a bit large and a bit too regulated for a full on crash to happen I think.

If you were to say, we're going through a transition period, then I would agree. The gaming landscape will probably shake up a bit over the next few years as things go more towards a digital, all-in-one cohesive environment but I don't think any crash will be happening. I don't know where that will leave Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft really.

I think we are in for a major shift sometime during this generation. I don't know if it will come from the Steam Box or other companies like Google or Amazon or maybe even Apple jumping into the game but something's going to give. I agree there's going to be a transition. Nobody expected Sony to appear and smash the Sega and Nintendo rivalry. Lots of people thought Microsoft entering the console market was a joke. The next big thing is on the horizon.

[Konacha]

If Nintendo does what Pachter says then they are going to be doing a Sega 32X and look what happened to Sega when they did that.

The circumstances of the 32X and the Wii U are not the same in the slightest.

I agree that the circumstances are different but I'm mainly talking about how the 32X support was dropped within a year and got a lot of people who brought it mad because they announced another system. Of course, this also can be said with the Sega Saturn too with how pissed off EA got with Sega.

The fan backlash would be overwhelming and gamers in general will be vary of purchasing any future Nintendo hardware because of it.

^^^ This is the point I was making with the 32x, there was a fan backlash from Sega in the US.

The industry is a bit large and a bit too regulated for a full on crash to happen I think.

If you were to say, we're going through a transition period, then I would agree. The gaming landscape will probably shake up a bit over the next few years as things go more towards a digital, all-in-one cohesive environment but I don't think any crash will be happening. I don't know where that will leave Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft really.

OK, maybe not like a "crash" per say like the early 80s but their are some major studios that are not doing so hot right now. Capcom comes to mind in a second which I think will be dead soon. It is becoming too much to make a game in today's market since most are hitting multi-million dollars to just make the game and it must sell x amount of money within a few days to just make cost and too many game companies are putting all of their eggs in one basket. What would happen if GTAV did not sell or the sales numbers were much lower than Rockstar had hoped for? They would be hit big time.