[Brazil]

Yes. Not looking forward to that thread. You know, I really think that Nintendo should ave tried to make GF make B2/W2 a DSi-exclusive title. Tat would have given them the best of both worlds. DSi/XL has a sizable install base, and the people who don't have either would get a 3DS.

What would they gain by alienating the DS/DS Lite crowd?

[electroplankton]

Some Vita game called Ciel Nosurge: Ushinawareta Hoshi e Sasagu Uta is being released this week..and it's doing well for pre-orders at Amazon Japan.It could even make the top 5 going by sales there. The Vita also seems to be doing better at Amazon.co.jp (and the 3DS worse)..as usually most colours of the 3DS outsell Vita..but the last few days Vita has been above all 3DS models. ..although considering the only other Vita game in the top 100 is Persona 4 (not due until June 14th)..I don't expect there to be much to shout about after Golden week.

That's why I said no relevant.
Cielo no Surge might give a bump, but it's not something that you can call a system seller. A Top 5 when number 2 is at 19k is not something significant as well. Fire Emblem: Awakening was a relevant release, for comparison.

[BurntPork]

I think they do what they want to do, With minimal interference by Nintendo.

I know. I guess "convince" would have been a better word.

[Man God]

You know, given that Fire Emblem sells better than Kingdom Hearts and Resident Evil, maybe some publishers should consider reviving their strategy RPGs. : P

Onimusha Tactics 3D, a twofer revival!

[The_Darkest_Red]

I really hope the Vita can pick up the pace at some point, I'd hate to see so much potential go to waste. It's been a strange experience for me personally, going from the excellent launch (to me, at least) to the completely barren present and bleak future.

[BurntPork]

This logic makes no sense. What would they gain by alienating the DS/DS Lite crowd?

It would be more for Nintendo's benefit. 3DS is still selling badly outside of Japan; so badly in fact that Nintendo's prematurely releasing NSMB2 to geta boost. Pokemon is exactly what 3DS needs in the west right now.

[Exterminieren]

You know, I really think that Nintendo should ave tried to make GF make B2/W2 a DSi-exclusive title. Tat would have given them the best of both worlds. DSi/XL has a sizable install base, and the people who don't have either would get a 3DS.

Nah. DSi is every bit as dead as the other DSs. If you're sticking with a dead console anyway, it makes no sense to arbitrarily limit the install base; either put it on the console which has a future, or the massive install base.

It would be more for Nintendo's benefit. 3DS is still selling badly outside of Japan; so badly in fact that Nintendo's prematurely releasing NSMB2 to geta boost. Pokemon is exactly what 3DS needs in the west right now.

Or because they're bringing out New Super Mario Bros. Mii at Wii U launch, and releasing two NSMB games at the same time will limit the games' effectiveness.

Come on, BP, you're jumping to conclusions again.

[Sammy Samusu]

Tomorrow morning in Japan for their 2011 fiascal results.

"Fiascal" as in "fiscal results" or "fiasco results"?

[Mpl90]

Zelda/AC Maybe DKC? It did well for the Wii.

I've started thinking about DKCR the moment I saw NSMB2 would have been released in August. There's a space for a 2D platform game for next Holiday left. I don't think Nintendo will release just Animal Crossing for the end of the year. It needs another very big seller.

[Nirolak]

Onimusha Tactics 3D, a twofer revival!

It can be an iOS tie in to Spark's reboot.

[Lord_Byron28]

I think that's what NSMB2 was for.

They anounced NSMB2(not by name) last investors meeting. They also gave away quite a bit of info about what they plan on doing with the Wii U and 3DS online plans.

Zelda/AC Maybe DKC? It did well for the Wii.

No clue, if info is to be believed Retro is working away at a Wii U title. I'd think a Zelda title would be too soon. Oni training and NSMB2 will be summer 2012. Luigi's Mansion 2 could be an October release, Animal Crossing could be November and Super Paper Mario for December but I don't think that will be hard hitting enough. Perhaps MH4 or a major 3rd party game could come for Japan. In the west same lineup with perhaps 3G as the major 3rd party title. I'm not sure.

I don't think last year's situation is comparable because Nintendo had a whole lot of titles without dates(3D Land, Animal Crossing, Kid Icarus, Paper Mario, etc.). This year Nintendo only has Luigi's Mansion, Paper Mario and Friend Collection without dates. Friend Collection is almost guaranteed to not make it out this year due to Animal Crossing.

[BurntPork]

Nah. DSi is every bit as dead as the other DSs. If you're sticking with a dead console anyway, it makes no sense to arbitrarily limit the install base; either put it on the console which has a future, or the massive install base.

The point was that people would end up buying a 3DS, basically making it a 3DS game/system seller without forcing Game Freak on 3DS before they're ready.

Or because they're bringing out New Super Mario Bros. Mii at Wii U launch, and releasing two NSMB games at the same time will limit the games' effectiveness. Come on, BP, you're jumping to conclusions again.

It would have made more sense to delay it until next year in that case.

And I don't think 3DS's sales in the US can be described as anything other than lukewarm at best.

[Hero]

You know, given that Fire Emblem sells better than Kingdom Hearts and Resident Evil, maybe some publishers should consider reviving their strategy RPGs. : P

I would do almost anything for a legitimate, true Final Fantasy Tactics 2. But for some reason I don't think the majority of the staff from the first game are still together at any particular team. Prove me wrong, GAF.

[Zeer0id]

Wait, I'm confused. What possible benefit is there in making a game DSi-exclusive? I mean, unless you're really banking on some AR functionality in Pokemon. Which, I guess, would admittedly be cool, but they're already doing that with the 3DS apps/games.

[hardcastlemccormick]

Wait, I'm confused. What possible benefit is there in making a game DSi-exclusive? I mean, unless you're really banking on some AR functionality in Pokemon. Which, I guess, would admittedly be cool, but they're already doing that with the 3DS apps/games.

No piracy?

EDIT: Well not none, but less. It still cuts the sales down a ridiculous amount.

[Exterminieren]

The point was that people would end up buying a 3DS, basically making it a 3DS game/system seller without forcing Game Freak on 3DS before they're ready.

You're talking about an install base of 37 million consoles vs an install base of about 12 million.

Making BW2 DSi exclusive brings precisely no benefits that the 3DS software and a round of bundling wouldn't easily overhaul.

I'm not saying it again.

Saying it once might help.

Convincing reasons to slash the install base only, please.

[BurntPork]

Wait, I'm confused. What possible benefit is there in making a game DSi-exclusive? I mean, unless you're really banking on some AR functionality in Pokemon. Which, I guess, would admittedly be cool, but they're already doing that with the 3DS apps/games.

I'm not saying it again.

You're talking about an install base of 37 million consoles vs an install base of about 12 million. Making BW2 DSi exclusive brings precisely no benefits that the 3DS software and a round of bundling wouldn't easily overhaul.

I'm not talking about Japan. It's fine there.

Hm. I wonder if they could make it DSi-exclusive outside of Japan...

[cyberheater]

I think if its sales trends don't change drastically within its first 2 years.

Surely one or two months of this and Sony has to drastically reduce the price to get things going.

[BishopLamont]

The point was that people would end up buying a 3DS, basically making it a 3DS game/system seller without forcing Game Freak on 3DS before they're ready.

Then you'd lose out on the massive DS install base, not everyone will buy a 3DS for Pokemon.

The way Nintendo is doing means anyone who is a hardcore gamer enough will buy a 3DS for Pokemon if they need a new DS, and the kids who already have a DS will just buy the game. Win/win situation.

[Man God]

You're talking about an install base of 37 million consoles vs an install base of about 12 million. Making BW2 DSi exclusive brings precisely no benefits that the 3DS software and a round of bundling wouldn't easily overhaul.

Not entirely true. DSi has double the RAM and clockspeed of the DS and DSL. If someone wanted to they could tap that power to do things the baseline DS could not handle.

Sales wise? It's a dumb idea, which is why no one thought of doing it.

[ShockingAlberto]

The point was that people would end up buying a 3DS, basically making it a 3DS game/system seller without forcing Game Freak on 3DS before they're ready.

The 3DS apps are already incentive for the type of people who would be interested in a numbered sequel to a Pokemon game.

Your plan has too many steps of presumption of what X person would do. They'd probably just buy a cheaper DSi or avoid the game altogether, cutting out valuable revenue from the project.

[The_Darkest_Red]

Surely a one or two months of this and Sony has to drastically reduce the price to get things going.

I'm not convinced a price cut would do much (which is how I've felt since the Vita launched). I still think the primary issue is a lack of compelling software, and I can't imagine a lower price offsetting that problem in any significant way.

[frankie_baby]

Surely a one or two months of this and Sony has to drastically reduce the price to get things going.

A price cut aint gonna do shit though without a good line up of games to back it up

[Gravijah]

Hm. I wonder if they could make it DSi-exclusive outside of Japan...

man what

[cyberheater]

I'm not convinced a price cut would do much (which is how I've felt since the Vita launched). I still think the primary issue is a lack of compelling software, and I can't imagine a lower price offsetting that problem in any significant way.

I think they need to cut price and provide games folks want to play. Games alone won't do it by themselves.

[Lord_Byron28]

A price cut aint gonna do shit though without a good line up of games to back it up

On top of the fact that it will make Sony bleed more money which they can't afford to do.

[bigtroyjon]

PSP(2011 YTD)= 751,974
PSP+PSV(2012)=545,614

Looking ahead to Week 17, PSP did 77,225 in 2011.

3DS+DS(2011 YTD)=1,296,528
3DS+DS(2012 YTD)=1,493,854

Looking ahead to week 17, 3DS+DS did 45,551 in 2011.

All handhelds(2011 YTD)=2,048,502
All handhelds(2012 YTD)=2,039,468

[BurntPork]

Then you'd lose out on the massive DS install base, not everyone will buy a 3DS for Pokemon. The way Nintendo is doing means anyone who is a hardcore gamer enough will buy a 3DS for Pokemon if they need a new DS, and the kids who already have a DS will just buy the game. Win/win situation.

I know, but looking a 3DS's sales in the NPD threads always makes me feel concerned.

At the very least, they better have some 3DS bundles and accessories.

PSP(2011 YTD)= 751,974 PSP+PSV(2012)=545,614 Looking ahead to Week 17, PSP did 77,225 in 2011. 3DS+DS(2011 YTD)=1,296,528 3DS+DS(2012 YTD)=1,493,854 Looking ahead to week 17, 3DS+DS did 45,551 in 2011. All handhelds(2011 YTD)=2,048,502 All handhelds(2012 YTD)=2,039,468

It's shocking how much Vita is dragging the market down.

[Aostia]

Great opening for Fire Emblem, oh my...
Really happy for the title and for the future of the franchise.
Very good 3ds software situation.
Good and solid 3DS hw numbers.
Curious about Vita VS Wii in the next weeks.

[frankie_baby]

Not entirely true. DSi has double the RAM and clockspeed of the DS and DSL. If someone wanted to they could tap that power to do things the baseline DS could not handle. Sales wise? It's a dumb idea, which is why no one thought of doing it.

I always wondered how good looking a proper effort dsi exclusive game could've been, something we will never know

[ShockingAlberto]

I know, but looking a 3DS's sales in the NPD threads always makes me feel concerned. At the very least, they better have some 3DS bundles and accessories.

Oh right, you went on record that the Vita will beat the 3DS in the NPD this month. That should be an interesting result.

[jman2050]

It would be more for Nintendo's benefit. 3DS is still selling badly outside of Japan; so badly in fact that Nintendo's prematurely releasing NSMB2 to geta boost. Pokemon is exactly what 3DS needs in the west right now.

Once again, stop this. Seriously.

What would they gain by alienating the DS/DS Lite crowd?

Personally I thought that by the point of release the 3DS userbase would be big enough that they can get away with doing a 3DS game, but I guess Nintendo doesn't feel the same way.

[Emitan]

Oh right, you went on record that the Vita will beat the 3DS in the NPD this month.

...

What?

Why would anyone think this? Like sales were just going to magically stop following continuing trends and reverse for no reason...

[BurntPork]

Oh right, you went on record that the Vita will beat the 3DS in the NPD this month. That should be an interesting result.

No, I realized the huge hole in my logic later and even posted in the thread mentioning it. Now I'm expecting 3DS to sell twice as much as Vita this month. lol

... What? Why would anyone think this? Like sales were just going to magically stop following continuing trends and reverse for no reason...

Yeah, I'm an idiot.

[muu]

there isn't enough benefit to make Pokemon BW2 DSi enhanced. For the reduced userbase (and the utter confusion it'd cause w/ kids that can't figure out why their DS Lite won't play the game) they'd might as well release as a 3DS exclusive.

Surely one or two months of this and Sony has to drastically reduce the price to get things going.

We've seen time and time again that price cuts alone only provide a temporary jump. Even in the 3DS' case it took the MH3G announcement to stabilize the jump in sales that gradually began a decline once again.

[Nibel]

BP.. why..

You are like a new person in these MC threads, really

[BishopLamont]

No, I realized the huge hole in my logic later and even posted in the thread mentioning it. Now I'm expecting 3DS to sell twice as much as Vita this month. lol

lol. oh god.

[The_Darkest_Red]

I think they need to cut price and provide games folks want to play. Games alone won't do it by themselves.

How can you be sure? I'm pretty sure you and I have had this exact same conversation in the past but it always brings me back to one point --- we don't have any evidence from the past to back your statement up. When the 3DS was $250 and struggling the lineup was severely lacking, and we have no idea how it would have sold with the current software lineup if the price was kept at $250.

The 3DS never took off until it got a few very high profile games. Until the Vita has a similar lineup of software (if it ever does) it's impossible to know whether or not it can succeed at $250.

[Man God]

I always wondered how good looking a proper effort dsi exclusive game could've been, something we will never know

Shantae is the closest thing unfortunately.

[Sadist]

SMH

[Help Me!]

Sorry for the ignorance, but what is "golden week"?

Nice FE numbers....I hope it's better than the last one I played, GBA, I think.

[Lord_Byron28]

Personally I thought that by the point of release the 3DS userbase would be big enough that they can get away with doing a 3DS game, but I guess Nintendo doesn't feel the same way.

I don't think it has to do with install base. Gamefreak had been repeating the same line for over a year now that they plan on still supporting the DS and had anouncements to show for that. I think this will be their last DS title though.

[frankie_baby]

Once again, stop this. Seriously. Personally I thought that by the point of release the 3DS userbase would be big enough that they can get away with doing a 3DS game, but I guess Nintendo doesn't feel the same way.

When it comes down to it pokemon is a niche, a pretty damn huge niche but still at least half the market wouldnt be seen dead playing it, the 3ds needs a pretty damn big userbase beforr it'll get its own pokemon game

[ffdgh]

I say congratz to fire emblem.
I do hope sony can breath some life into the vita.

[Exterminieren]

I know, but looking a 3DS's sales in the NPD threads always makes me feel concerned.

Just keep repeating that it's tracking well above the DS, and breathe. Kneecapping one of your evergreen titles with an arbitrary limitation like the DSi restriction will do nothing but limit the sales power of that title and damage the brand.

At the very least, they better have some 3DS bundles and accessories.

Considering they've already unveiled a set of BW2-compatible apps for 3DS, I don't see any scenario in which this doesn't happen.

[Bruno MB]

The next overperforming Nintendo title will be Paper Mario 3D. I can see it being a million seller if Nintendo pushes it hard.

I know there has not been a portable Paper Mario entry, up to now Nintendo only had released Mario & Luigi games.

Mario & Luigi RPG 3 sold 745,701, it almost doubled Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time sales.

The best selling Paper Mario title is Super Paper Mario with 505,491 units sold. The Nintendo 64 title sold 425,609, a great figure for a late release.

[Emitan]

When it comes down to it pokemon is a niche, a pretty damn huge niche but still at least half the market wouldnt be seen dead playing it, the 3ds needs a pretty damn big userbase beforr it'll get its own pokemon game

They sell like 25+ million copies. Is CoD. A niche? Is Mario?

[hammster]

(excuse my ignorance) but what is the cause of this inevitable bloodbath at the investors conference?

[Hero]

Sorry for the ignorance, but what is "golden week"? Nice FE numbers....I hope it's better than the last one I played, GBA, I think.

Many Japanese take paid time off on the intervening work days, but some companies also close down completely and give their employees time off. Golden Week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese jobs. Two other holidays may also be observed for most or all of a week: Japanese New Year in January and Bon Festival in August. Golden Week is an extremely popular time to travel. Flights, trains, and hotels are often fully booked despite significantly higher rates at this time. Popular foreign destinations in Asia, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, and major cities on the west coast of North America, such as Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, and Vancouver, as well as in Europe and Australia, are affected during these seasons by huge numbers of Japanese tourists

From Wiki. Basically the biggest holiday periods of the year for Japanese. Pretty sure kids get a bit of money too for the holidays so usually they go out and buy new games.

[Exterminieren]

When it comes down to it pokemon is a niche, a pretty damn huge niche but still at least half the market wouldnt be seen dead playing it, the 3ds needs a pretty damn big userbase beforr it'll get its own pokemon game

If Pokemon is niche, then damn near every game series ever made would kill to be niche.

By this argument, CoD is niche because of the amount of people too young to play it.