Random Gaming Thoughts

[CRTGAMER]

Why would Nintendo make a smartphone.

Nintendo has some of the best brand recognition on planet Earth and is more liked than Samsung or Apple. I would also say Nintendo has the same if not better brand loyalty than Apple. To me this is a no-brainer if Nintendo can put together a decent product and network.

Apple has such a lucrative market share of the Smart Phone. No kidding, I saw a a beggar at a street corner asking for money with white corded headphones plugged into his iPod or iPhone.

I still use my ancient non smart phone due to more compact in the pants pocket size. Well it is a Samsung so maybe I'm not too many stages behind the trend?

[isiolia]

Last, but not least, if Nintendo introduced a smartphone would you not be craving to buy it?

Probably not. Nintendo's hardware has, time and again, used older tech to keep things cheap on their end. They've been behind the curve with online functionality, accounts, and so on. The platforms that have dominated mobile push tech out fast, and leverage their app marketplaces.

The minor competitors at this point are the likes of Microsoft/Nokia, Blackberry, etc. Companies that actually have significant experience in the market, and still put out objectively good products that still struggle to compete.

Nintendo does not have nearly the level of brand loyalty that Apple does either. Or, at least, the sheer numbers. Apple sold more iPhone 6s on launch weekend than NIntendo has sold Wii Us at all, for instance.

Now, seeing them do a "store within a store" type deal with Apple and/or Google, and maybe seeing some special edition phones come out with Nintendo branding...sure. Not their own phone platform and all though.

[noiseredux]

if Nintendo made a phone the chance of me buying it would be zero. If Nintendo published games on Android the chance of me buying them would be pretty good. If Nintendo published games on PC the chance of me buying them would be very good.

[RCBH928]

Why would Nintendo make a smartphone. Yeah, let's go from making systems and handhelds where we are at least somewhat in the running, if not dominating (handheld market) and go into a market where we hold zero percent and could not even contend with companies like Samsung and Apple.

If you read the previous posts between me and Ack, he predicts that there will be no consoles in the future and Nintendo might be a software only company. My opinion is that if Nintendo will not make it in the console world where there are only 2 competitors, they have no chance of selling dedicated hand-helds especially when everyone owns a smartphone/iPad and can run games just as good. Its redundant and more expensive. Nintendo has to evolve or just turn into software only.

I would like to clarify that the Nintendo phone should be something different. Its not going to be one with Miis and "kawaii" icons. It can be a serious phone like Firefox OS, WebOS and Android.

if Nintendo made a phone the chance of me buying it would be zero. If Nintendo published games on Android the chance of me buying them would be pretty good. If Nintendo published games on PC the chance of me buying them would be very good.

Why would you buy a Nintendo hand-held that plays games only but will not buy a Nintendo hand-held that play games and is a smatphone too?

[noiseredux]

Why would you buy a Nintendo hand-held that plays games only but will not buy a Nintendo hand-held that play games and is a smatphone too?

I wouldn't be buying any new Nintendo handheld either. Like Ack, I see the concept of closed console hardware antiquated.

What would be the benefit of buying a Nintendo phone? There's already huge install bases for folks with iOS or Android devices. These are OS's that have had years to refine, and build up a library of apps. Why would those folks want to ditch the devices they've been using happily and probably have bought many apps for in favor of a phone made by Nintendo who not only has no experience with making phones, but as isiolia pointed out has a history of making low-tech hardware and has fumbled with the concept of online communities?

Personally I think that Nintendo (and all gaming companies) should seriously be thinking about shifting focus to PC and mobile markets. As we've all said consoles are becoming more like PC's now.... except they can only play one kind of software. And PC's are finding ways to comfortably live in the living room (Steam Big Picture mode, etc).

[o.pwuaioc]

You pay for a handheld once (when you buy it). A smartphone requires—generally—a contract to use the phone part. Without the phone part, it would just be a miniature tablet, and look how well that's working out for them now.

[Luke]

What would be the benefit of buying a Nintendo phone?

What is the benefit of buying an iphone?

Terrible coverage, close to zero customer service, high price rates and a clunky device. But hey! All the kids are buying them and it is trendy!

[noiseredux]

What would be the benefit of buying a Nintendo phone?

What is the benefit of buying an iphone?

Terrible coverage, close to zero customer service, high price rates and a clunky device. But hey! All the kids are buying them and it is trendy!

I wouldn't buy an iPhone either.

[prfsnl_gmr]

My wife and I have iPhones. I think that they're pretty cool...

[Luke]

We're getting close to the "Are You a PC or a Mac?" conversation.

So we have the uptight business dude, and then the stereotypical cool dude who is far from cool.

So much marketing wiggle room with this. Even if it's "Hot Asian Chick!" you have the money and room to market a new product. And who also owns a tons a phones? KIDS!

If I had the keys to the Nintendo car, there would already be a Nin-Phonedo. But I've have someone come up with a better name.

People don't use their phone to talk (well, some of us do, but the majority of people don't). It's an application device used for entertainment. Nintendo could easily become the "Target" of smart phones. Great design, trendy, cheap. They have the financial backing to do so. Plus phones, even outside of contracts, have an incredible profit percentage. And you could play your games from you phone on your tv via blu-tooth. So many opportunities.