[DaSorcerer7]

THE LAST TIME NINTENDO RELEASED A CONSOLE there was no such thing as the iPhone. The Wii was launched in November 2006, and since then Apple has heralded a smartphone and tablet revolution. There have been five generations of iPhones, three generations of iPads, and multitudinous Android smartphones and tablets. These have broken radical new ground in gaming demographics, and subsequently brought in sweeping changes to the development industry. Game consoles must have the dubious honour of being the slowest-iterating consumer hardware products in the world. As a result, consumers expect any next generation of any console to be a truly drastic improvement on the former, and if those expectations aren’t met, it could spell financial doom for the manufacturer, just as it did for Sega. Unsurprisingly then, the impending release of Nintendo’s Wii U is cause for the world’s gamers to collectively hold their breath. Gameplanet spoke with Nintendo’s Katsuya Eguchi, the mind behind numerous high profile Nintendo titles such as Wii Sports, Animal Crossing, Star Fox and Yoshi’s Story, and more importantly, hardware producer on the Wii U. Katsuya Eguchi, Nintendo senior producer and Wii U hardware producer. Hardware guru by day, and mild-mannered fun-park aficionado by night, Eguchi-san is uniquely qualified to present Nintendo’s vision for the Wii U. He is one of the passionate developers working to keep the massive Japanese company at the top of the sales charts. After all, the Nintendo Wii is arguably the most successful current gaming console. Its worldwide sales figures exceed its nearest competitors by at least 30 million, a startling lead due in no small part to its low price point, critically and commercially successful first-party titles and Nintendo's focus on casual gaming and novelty experiences - success now being mimicked on phones and tablets. Despite this, there are a number of gaps in its otherwise successful campaign. Nintendo has lost some of the dedicated gaming market to Sony and Microsoft, who boast a multitude of high profile third-party titles, often featuring more mature themes. None of this has been lost on Eguchi. Working his way up from a graphics programmer and level designer, he created the incredibly popular Animal Crossing franchise; one of the earlier efforts to mainstream casual gaming on consoles. Now, as the head of hardware on Nintendo's upcoming Wii U console, he also leads its flagship launch title, NintendoLand. But Eguchi will forever be lauded for his work on one of Nintendo's biggest successes, Super Mario Bros 3, nearly a quarter of a century ago: "It ended becoming a really big game. But I wasn't really thinking about that when I was working on it. My job was to draw level maps by hand. I was so focused on making the game and creating these fun levels, I didn't really think at the time about what a big game I was working on – it was more having fun making it." By the early ‘90s, Eguchi was directing and designing his own games, including Star Fox and Yoshi’s Story. Solely dedicating himself to the Animal Crossing franchise for a number of years, Eguchi then designed Wii Sports, the bundled launch title for the original Wii. "Wii Sports was very fun, but there was a desire to have experiences […] that had a bit more depth or longevity to them," says Eguchi. "Something that more passionate game fans might be able to sink their teeth into a little bit more." NintendoLand is looking to distance itself from its predecessor’s simplicity, as well as providing a broader variety of experiences. This is all tied together with the concept of a theme park. "I really love going to smaller scale theme parks, even carnival, old-style theme parks," continues Eguchi. "Within it there are these miniature worlds that you can dive into for just a short period of time and lose yourself in the style and the atmosphere of that particular world." NintendoLand brings together classic Nintendo characters such as Luigi, Donkey Kong and Eguchi's own Animal Crossing, for a series of mini-games that show off the capabilities of the Wii U. Many of these games fall somewhere on the spectrum between casual gaming, and classic Nintendo or arcade gaming. Some, such as the throwing star game Takamaru’s Ninja Castle, are motion oriented and clearly designed to demonstrate creative integration of the unique controller, as well aiding gamers to familiarise themselves with its many uses. Indeed, by examining the Wii U's new GamePad controller, it's easy to identify the kinds of novelty elements that traditionally set Nintendo apart from its competitors. The controller features an embedded touchscreen, not unlike the Nintendo DS. Its touch sensitivity is definitely a big selling point for a number of games, just as motion control was for the Wii. "When we made Wii, we were really focused on making it very clear to the user what was different about the system. Focusing on these games that relied on some kind of motion without getting too complicated, because it was such a new concept." With these concepts now firmly established in the market, it appears Eguchi is free to explore more interesting applications of Nintendo’s technology. Despite paving the way with these ideas, Eguchi acknowledges growing competition and the limitations of the original system. “At the time, other platforms were pushing HD," notes Eguchi. "It was a new development in the industry. Developers are passionate about pushing the next big thing. It was hard to get a lot of game creators to aggressively push games for our platform and get really excited about developing when they were chasing other things.” Aside from increasing its specs (although its actual performance numbers are obfuscated) a big change in development is the new Pro controller for the Wii U, one designed for gaming experiences more akin to those on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. “Adding a Pro controller may make it easier for multi-platform games to come out on the system,” says Eguchi. “Wii remotes don't have things like analog sticks. To make it as easy as possible to enjoy certain multiplayer experiences it was important to have that Pro controller.” “We're all gamers as well and we appreciate the interest of those [hardcore] gamers, and we don't want them to feel left out, so we're making big strides and changes in that area.” Over the course of this generation, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have become living room media centres, and with the Wii U, Nintendo intends to challenge Microsoft and Sony’s dominance. For Eguchi it comes back to one question: “How do we make things that people do in everyday life more simple or more enjoyable?” The new battle for primacy in the living room is also likely to put Nintendo into competition with companies such as Apple in the near future. Even so, Eguchi doesn’t believe this calls for a radical new strategy from Nintendo: "From long ago, Nintendo has always been about creating entertainment and surprising customers. One thing that has changed is the scale of the company and the scope of everything we do." "What we want to achieve as a company has not changed."

Link

[Mailenstein]

Thanks for sharing. I hope that's not just him tho thinking that way.

[playingwithfire]

"Wii Sports was very fun, but there was a desire to have experiences […] that had a bit more depth or longevity to them," says Eguchi. "Something that more passionate game fans might be able to sink their teeth into a little bit more."

When he compares Wii Sports to Nintendo Land it makes me think it's also designed to be a pack-in game with the system. I really think it needs to be... But having said that, if Nintendo Land is deeper and longer than Wii Sports, perhaps it wont be.

[Pharros]

I feel as though NintendoLand was supposed to be a big hit and seller for Nintendo at launch as a fleshed out full retail title. But after feedback and such it sounds as though they are seriously contemplating packing it in with the system. I sincerely hope they do.

[Diddy Kong]

Good read.

[Jackano]

"From long ago, Nintendo has always been about creating entertainment and surprising customers. One thing that has changed is the scale of the company and the scope of everything we do."

That quote OMG... Badass video game philosophy? ^^"

I thought about this, but the Nintendo Land problem is that mini-games games (!) are really considerated like a cheap genre of games. And Wii Sports wasn't quietly mini-games, but more a sports game, it hadn't the same problem.

[AntMurda]

I feel as though NintendoLand was supposed to be a big hit and seller for Nintendo at launch as a fleshed out full retail title. But after feedback and such it sounds as though they are seriously contemplating packing it in with the system. I sincerely hope they do.

You rather be forced to pay $50.00 extra for the hardware like Nintendo of America did with the Wii? Packaging it in doesn't mean it is free, it just means you are forcing the user to buy that specific game.

But Nintendo Land is strong enough to stand on its own legs, and sell millions because of its "smash brothers / mario kart / mario party" all-star theme. Better to give the consumer a choice.

[tkscz]

I really hope the U sells well, not to just casual crowed, but the core as well, but if gaf is anything to go by, that won't happen. Too many people here who bitch just because the name Nintendo is on something.

[ClovingWestbrook]

I really hope the U sells well, not to just casual crowed, but the core as well, but if gaf is anything to go by, that won't happen. Too many people here who bitch just because the name Nintendo is on something.

Or because many here have been burned by Nintendo home consoles for the last few generations and aren't willing to jump back on the bandwagon so easily and quickly?

[Octorockin']

Nintendo made some innovative strides with the Wii, and I hope to see an evolution of that and then some on the WiiU. Eguchi's design philosophies seem traditional, yet also forward-thinking. As a result of that, I think Nintendo Land could be a fun game and a good opener for their new system.

[Pharros]

You rather be forced to pay $50.00 extra for the hardware like Nintendo of America did with the Wii? Packaging it in doesn't mean it is free, it just means you are forcing the user to buy that specific game. But Nintendo Land is strong enough to stand on its own legs, and sell millions because of its "smash brothers / mario kart / mario party" all-star theme. Better to give the consumer a choice.

We have no idea how much they would up the price based on a pack in game. $25.00 sure I'd be all for it, $50.00, like you said, no. I understand what you're getting at but I'll stand by wanting it as a pack in. The casual crowd can get familiar with some new franchises and likely end up picking up more games due to a new familiarity with said characters as well.

Also, don't get me wrong, I believe Nintendo Land could sell bundles as a stand alone title as well.

[Kai Dracon]

As far as Nintendoland and goes, I agree that a problem is the stigma attached to 'mini-game collections'. The thing is, what people are calling mini-games could be essentially fully fledged arcade style games. There is potential to the concept of a virtual arcade venue full of complete games.

We don't know yet how deep the games in Nintendoland go. For instance, if they're serious about marrying accessibility to deeper experiences, the games could expand on the concept they've toyed with already: the more you play and the better you perform, the more advanced a version of the game you unlock.

I really hope the U sells well, not to just casual crowed, but the core as well, but if gaf is anything to go by, that won't happen. Too many people here who bitch just because the name Nintendo is on something.

"Hardcore" prejudice against Nintendo right now is widespread, and often ignorant to the point of being retarded. As I've remarked on before, I've had actual conversations with people before to the effect: "Hey, check out Red Steel 2. It actually shows the Wii's potential off." "Oh yeah, I saw that, now that looks like an awesome game. But I won't play it." "Why not?" "Because Wii is just a toy." "But... you OWN a Wii." "Yeah, I disconnected it, it has no games."

Except the hardcore game I just told you about that you agreed looked awesome *$)*@&$FUUUUU*

There's something about a fundamentally bored, apathetic audience that seems to create a paradox. People bitch about wanting something new, different, or 'more'. But they won't actually ever try anything different because it's too far out of the comfort zone (sheer laziness) that they've grown into.

So yeah, I'm wondering... even if say, Wii U hits and takes care of basically every bitch and gripe people have had about Nintendo, if they can't even complain about the online functionality anymore, if it does have fresh, interesting games aimed at the core gamer... a ton of people who previously bitched about Nintendo will still ignore it. Because it'll just be easier to buy 5 hour corridor FPS #1488, sink deeper into the couch, and stare at the pop up targets. (Then go online to bitch about the fact that there's too many shooters.)

[Glorified G]

You rather be forced to pay $50.00 extra for the hardware like Nintendo of America did with the Wii? Packaging it in doesn't mean it is free, it just means you are forcing the user to buy that specific game. But Nintendo Land is strong enough to stand on its own legs, and sell millions because of its "smash brothers / mario kart / mario party" all-star theme. Better to give the consumer a choice.

Forced to pay an extra $50? For all we know Nintendoland has very little impact on how Nintendo would price the Wii U, it's possible that the development of the game was primarily made to be packaged with the Wii U at launch. You shouldn't speak so definitively unless you work for Nintendo.

I really hope the U sells well, not to just casual crowed, but the core as well, but if gaf is anything to go by, that won't happen. Too many people here who bitch just because the name Nintendo is on something.

"Hardcore" prejudice against Nintendo right now is widespread, and often ignorant to the point of being retarded. As I've remarked on before, I've had actual conversations with people before to the effect: "Hey, check out Red Steel 2. It actually shows the Wii's potential off." "Oh yeah, I saw that, now that looks like an awesome game. But I won't play it." "Why not?" "Because Wii is just a toy." "But... you OWN a Wii." "Yeah, I disconnected it, it has no games." Except the hardcore game I just told you about that you agreed looked awesome *$)*@&$FUUUUU* There's something about a fundamentally bored, apathetic audience that seems to create a paradox. People bitch about wanting something new, different, or 'more'. But they won't actually ever try anything different because it's too far out of the comfort zone (sheer laziness) that they've grown into. So yeah, I'm wondering... even if say, Wii U hits and takes care of basically every bitch and gripe people have had about Nintendo, if they can't even complain about the online functionality anymore, if it does have fresh, interesting games aimed at the core gamer... a ton of people who previously bitched about Nintendo will still ignore it. Because it'll just be easier to buy 5 hour corridor FPS #1488, sink deeper into the couch, and stare at the pop up targets. (Then go online to bitch about the fact that there's too many shooters.)

Do you ever get tired of playing the victim? Is it possible for you to understand that some people are just not interested without Nintendo without having some blind bias attached?

[PdotMichael]

I really hope the U sells well, not to just casual crowed, but the core as well, but if gaf is anything to go by, that won't happen. Too many people here who bitch just because the name Nintendo is on something.

poor Nintendo, I will buy two Wii U's if it makes you happy.

[Ryoku]

Forced to pay an extra $50? For all we know Nintendoland has very little impact on how Nintendo would price the Wii U, it's possible that the development of the game was primarily made to be packaged with the Wii U at launch. You shouldn't speak so definitively unless you work for Nintendo.

No, he means that if it's a pack-in, then the price of the console will likely be jacked up $50.00 or $60.00, just as it was jacked up $50.00 for pack-in Wii Sports in the US. Wii was $200.00 in Japan because it didn't come with Wii Sports as a pack-in, compared to $250.00 in the US.

[Alextended]

No, he means that if it's a pack-in, then the price of the console will likely be jacked up $50.00 or $60.00, just as it was jacked up $50.00 for pack-in Wii Sports in the US. Wii was $200.00 in Japan because it didn't come with Wii Sports as a pack-in, compared to $250.00 in the US.

As if things are always priced based on the exact exchange rate.

[ClovingWestbrook]

"Hardcore" prejudice against Nintendo right now is widespread, and often ignorant to the point of being retarded. As I've remarked on before, I've had actual conversations with people before to the effect: "Hey, check out Red Steel 2. It actually shows the Wii's potential off." "Oh yeah, I saw that, now that looks like an awesome game. But I won't play it." "Why not?" "Because Wii is just a toy." "But... you OWN a Wii." "Yeah, I disconnected it, it has no games." Except the hardcore game I just told you about that you agreed looked awesome *$)*@&$FUUUUU* There's something about a fundamentally bored, apathetic audience that seems to create a paradox. People bitch about wanting something new, different, or 'more'. But they won't actually ever try anything different because it's too far out of the comfort zone (sheer laziness) that they've grown into. So yeah, I'm wondering... even if say, Wii U hits and takes care of basically every bitch and gripe people have had about Nintendo, if they can't even complain about the online functionality anymore, if it does have fresh, interesting games aimed at the core gamer... a ton of people who previously bitched about Nintendo will still ignore it. Because it'll just be easier to buy 5 hour corridor FPS #1488, sink deeper into the couch, and stare at the pop up targets. (Then go online to bitch about the fact that there's too many shooters.)

People don't want new just for the hell of it being 'new' and I am sorry, but there isn't anything new about motion controlled games. Do you know what was new? Wii Sports. THAT was new. It's one reason it took the world by storm. After that, most of the Wii games were your average game with motion control tacked on.

Also, realize that for many, a game may look good but not everybody enjoys motion controls. I thought Super Mario Galaxy LOOKED great but I couldn't enjoy it because I don't enjoy motion controls. Many 'hardcore' gamers are the same. It's not about being stuck in the past. It's not about refusing to move forward. It's not about hating innovation. It's about liking and enjoying what we enjoy.

And I like how you make this generalization of people who don't appreciate the Wii U at this stage as simply wanting the dudebro shooters. Many of us don't get off on the next Call of Duty. Many of us are as tired of the genre as you are. But just because a game doesn't fit in the dudebro category doesn't mean its a quality title or a good shooter.

I really enjoyed Battlefield 3. I played it on the PS3 and was turned off by some of the limitations. Played it on the PC and loved it. But right now, the games that I am playing are Witcher 2, Day Z, Rayman Origins, etc. I want immersion. I want something new and Day Z is just that. Minecraft is just that. Nintendland? Like hell. New Super Mario Brothers 2? No.

I would love to see Nintendo return to their glory days of the NES, SNES where third party support was just as important as first party. Unfortunately I don't see that happening. And you can blame it all on the third parties and you'd be wrong.

Do you ever get tired of playing the victim? Is it possible for you to understand that some people are just not interested without Nintendo without having some blind bias attached?

Exactly.

[TheGreatDivide]

I don't want Nintendoland at all. I bought Wii to play with family and friends. Those days are gone now, no one gives a shit anymore. Just give me real games.

[jman2050]

Exactly.

Well I know for me the point of contention isn't do these people exist, it's more how many of these people exist compared to those who at least maintain interest in what Nintendo does?

Not that that really applies to how you or any other individual personally feels.

[Tenki]

Hardcore gamers gave N64/GCN the cold shoulder, Nintendo found a new crowd in the casual gamers and those hardcores who didn't buy N64/GCN (and probably won't buy the Wii U either) are bitching because Nintendo "is not hardcore anymore".

If you really like Nintendo games, I don't think you can say this generation has been bad.

[ClovingWestbrook]

Hardcore gamers gave N64/GCN the cold shoulder, Nintendo found a new crowd in the casual gamers and those hardcores who didn't buy N64/GCN (and probably won't buy the Wii U either) are bitching because Nintendo "is not hardcore anymore". If you really like Nintendo games, I don't think you can say this generation has been bad.

Ask yourself WHY people didn't buy the N64 in droves. Just ask yourself. Perhaps it was Nintendo's fault? Perhaps by using cartridges while Sony used discs, they screwed themselves? Perhaps by ignoring third party support they screwed themselves? Ask yourself what Nintendo did with the gamecube. Mini customized discs? REALLY? When Microsoft and Sony were using DVDs.

[Plinko]

I really hope the U sells well, not to just casual crowed, but the core as well, but if gaf is anything to go by, that won't happen. Too many people here who bitch just because the name Nintendo is on something.

GAF is usually what not to "go by" when it comes to popular opinion.

[Ryoku]

Hardcore gamers gave N64/GCN the cold shoulder, Nintendo found a new crowd in the casual gamers and those hardcores who didn't buy N64/GCN (and probably won't buy the Wii U either) are bitching because Nintendo "is not hardcore anymore". If you really like Nintendo games, I don't think you can say this generation has been bad.

"Hardcore" gamers didn't give N64/GCN the cold shoulder. Developers did, and for understandable reasons. As such, their games mostly released on competing platforms, to which the "core" crowd followed.

[SMT]

Hardcore gamers gave N64/GCN the cold shoulder, Nintendo found a new crowd in the casual gamers and those hardcores who didn't buy N64/GCN (and probably won't buy the Wii U either) are bitching because Nintendo "is not hardcore anymore". If you really like Nintendo games, I don't think you can say this generation has been bad.

Haha, more like Nintendo gave hardcore gamers the cold shoulder Junior. We've got a new joker on the forums.

[TheGreatDivide]

Hardcore gamers gave N64/GCN the cold shoulder, Nintendo found a new crowd in the casual gamers and those hardcores who didn't buy N64/GCN (and probably won't buy the Wii U either) are bitching because Nintendo "is not hardcore anymore". If you really like Nintendo games, I don't think you can say this generation has been bad.

I was Nintendo only until Wii. This gen has been bad.

Mostly, it's because once you grow up you can afford to buy all consoles, and you realise the world doesn't revolve around Nintendo. As a teenager N64 was fine, I only got 2-3 games a year and there was always games I wanted. Once you can afford to buy whatever you want, Nintendo isn't enough anymore.

[ClovingWestbrook]

Hardcore gamers didn't give N64/GCN the cold shoulder. Developers did, and for understandable reasons. As such, their games mostly released on competing platforms, to which the "core" crowd followed.

Exactly. Nintendo got too big for its britches. They got cocky. They wanted to go alone and they did and many of those who were dedicated fans of the NES and SNES went where the games were.

[mentalfloss]

Nintendo is really good at dismissing criticism and then cavalierly echoing those sentiments years after the fact.

"We thought people might like a more in depth experience..."

[JordanLMiller]

I was Nintendo only until Wii. This gen has been bad. Mostly, it's because once you grow up you can afford to buy all consoles, and you realise the world doesn't revolve around Nintendo. As a teenager N64 was fine, I only got 2-3 games a year and there was always games I wanted. Once you can afford to buy whatever you want, Nintendo isn't enough anymore.

...I uh...

[Bending_Unit_22]

You rather be forced to pay $50.00 extra for the hardware like Nintendo of America did with the Wii? Packaging it in doesn't mean it is free, it just means you are forcing the user to buy that specific game. But Nintendo Land is strong enough to stand on its own legs, and sell millions because of its "smash brothers / mario kart / mario party" all-star theme. Better to give the consumer a choice.

No, he means that if it's a pack-in, then the price of the console will likely be jacked up $50.00 or $60.00, just as it was jacked up $50.00 for pack-in Wii Sports in the US. Wii was $200.00 in Japan because it didn't come with Wii Sports as a pack-in, compared to $250.00 in the US.

I recall reading that the Wii was going to be $200 in the US but after the Gamecube stores were refusing to stock it without a bigger cut thus forcing it to be $250. So to compensate Wii Sports was packed in.

As for Japan it was 25,000 yen, which was $215 at the exchange rate. Even so, someone with more knowledge can and should correct me, but I thought Japanese companies generally price at 100 Yen = $1 = 1 euro so it basically would have been priced at $250. Heck at recent exchange rates the Wii was priced at almost $315, without Wii Sports.

[WillyFive]

Exactly. Nintendo got too big for its britches. They got cocky. They wanted to go alone and they did and many of those who were dedicated fans of the NES and SNES went where the games were.

Not that they got too big for their britches, but they refused to change themselves when competition arrived. They thrived when they could treat third-parties like sheep and have them jump through hoops to make games for their systems, but when competition came along that didn't do that, it was natural that publishers and developers jumped ship.

To this day Nintendo is still behind in dealing with third-party relations and making it easier for them to make games for their systems.

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

Hardcore gamers gave N64/GCN the cold shoulder, Nintendo found a new crowd in the casual gamers and those hardcores who didn't buy N64/GCN (and probably won't buy the Wii U either) are bitching because Nintendo "is not hardcore anymore". If you really like Nintendo games, I don't think you can say this generation has been bad.

I owned all those consoles.....

I would say it is more like Nintendo gave the cold shoulder to developers....

Developers are like woman. You got to wine and dine them before you get them in the sack...Nintendo expected developers to be just 20 dollar whores that would come to them....

Nintendo's competition wine and dines developers, so developers go to them....

Though it seems like Nintendo has bringing their A game for this gen and wining and dining devs.

[jmls1121]

Is this how every Wii U thread is going to be up until launch? Jesus, people. Its like Nintendo raped your mother or something.

[ClovingWestbrook]

Not that they got too big for their britches, but they refused to change themselves when competition arrived. They thrived when they could treat third-parties like sheep and have them jump through hoops to make games for their systems, but when competition came along that didn't do that, it was natural that publishers and developers jumped ship. To this day Nintendo is still behind in dealing with third-party relations and making it easier for them to make games for their systems.

Thats what I meant to big for their britches. They got cocky. They felt that their name alone would carry them to success every generation. That they didn't need third party support. It was this cockiness that allowed Sony to get its foot in the door in the first place.

[JordanLMiller]

Is this how every Wii U thread is going to be up until launch? Jesus, people. Its like Nintendo raped your mother or something.

It will be this way forever.

[Mako_Drug]

Something which will be interesting is Nintendo seems to be a very Japan focused company philosophy wise and when they released the Wii the ideals and philosophies of the system transcended the cultural barriers and became a worldwide hit, even if it burned out relatively quickly. The question is does the Wii U also appeal worldwide in the same way?

It appears as if Nintendo's pitch this time is families are fighting over the main living room screen, how can they alleviate that issue as well as bringing the local multiplayer vibe that the Wii had going (A situation that seems to be more exclusive to Japan in relation to the selling points of the Wii). However, when the Wii was selling out shortly after its launch it was being shopped as Simpler/Intuitive, Active/Healthy and a new experience which would appeal to those who had no interest in traditional gaming.

I'm struggling to think how they can convey why people who, let's face it, don't care about gaming unless its shoved in there face as the new must have thing have to go out and try this console. There doesn't seem to be those simply catchy hooks the Wii had, asymmetric gaming just isn't going to make people buy this in droves like last time.

Then again time will tell!

[Mr.LightMan]

Well it didn't take long for this thread to go that way so i'll be leaving.
Thanks for the article it was a good read.

[Ryoku]

I recall reading that the Wii was going to be $200 in the US but after the Gamecube stores were refusing to stock it without a bigger cut thus forcing it to be $250. So to compensate Wii Sports was packed in.

You're right--mostly. They packed in Wii Sports in order to justify the $50.00 price increase that retailers were demanding.

[jmls1121]

Well it didn't take long for this thread to go that way so i'll be leaving. Thanks for the article it was a good read.

Yeah, I'm out as well. Some of you are just ridiculous.

[Anth0ny]

"Wii Sports was very fun, but there was a desire to have experiences […] that had a bit more depth or longevity to them," says Eguchi. "Something that more passionate game fans might be able to sink their teeth into a little bit more."

"So we made Nintendoland"

AHAHAHAHAHAHAA

[Teknoman]

Ask yourself WHY people didn't buy the N64 in droves. Just ask yourself. Perhaps it was Nintendo's fault? Perhaps by using cartridges while Sony used discs, they screwed themselves? Perhaps by ignoring third party support they screwed themselves? Ask yourself what Nintendo did with the gamecube. Mini customized discs? REALLY? When Microsoft and Sony were using DVDs.

I'd say it was third party more than anything, since the N64 could still put out some nice looking 3D graphics when pushed. At least compared to the PS1. I wonder...with the expansion pack, would a cartridge based version of...say...X-men vs Street fighter have been possible? I mean Capcom managed to get RE2 and Megaman Legends (64) on the system.

[Bending_Unit_22]

Is this how every Wii U thread is going to be up until launch? Jesus, people. Its like Nintendo raped your mother or something.

And after launch. Not much new, it goes in cycles it seems. A year or so ago every 3DS thread it seemed turned into either "I want this game on Vita/smart phone" or "HAHAHA, 3DS is Vita/smart phone food". A couple years before that just about every thread about a Wii game turned into "I want this on PS360, can't play games in SD anymore, hate wiimote, why are they being stupid and putting it on Wii, etc." Every now and then there will be a mass banning which cuts it down for a time.

[Shiggy]

Ask yourself WHY people didn't buy the N64 in droves. Just ask yourself. Perhaps it was Nintendo's fault? Perhaps by using cartridges while Sony used discs, they screwed themselves? Perhaps by ignoring third party support they screwed themselves? Ask yourself what Nintendo did with the gamecube. Mini customized discs? REALLY? When Microsoft and Sony were using DVDs.

3rd parties can be easily ignored as the success of the Wii showed. And you cannot be series about the disc format having an impact on whether to buy a console or not. It's the first time I hear someone say that he didn't buy a GCN because it featured mini discs.

I bought a Wii for the games Nintendo produced. As of today, Nintendo has yet to announced a similar output with products that are both innovative and of high quality.

[gamergirly]

Well, it's evident they've thought quite a bit about what they were going to release....

[Forever]

Thats what I meant to big for their britches. They got cocky. They felt that their name alone would carry them to success every generation. That they didn't need third party support. It was this cockiness that allowed Sony to get its foot in the door in the first place.

Right up until your last sentence I could've sworn you were describing present day Sony.

[apana]

There were a variety of reasons why we saw the decline in sales and developer support with N64 and Gamecube and it wasn't simply because Nintendo got arrogant. That was a part of it but doesn't come close to telling the whole story. The relationship between third parties and Nintendo won't be solved with the Wii U but I do see it improving.

[Effect]

I feel as though NintendoLand was supposed to be a big hit and seller for Nintendo at launch as a fleshed out full retail title. But after feedback and such it sounds as though they are seriously contemplating packing it in with the system. I sincerely hope they do.

With how they presented it at E3 I was thinking the same thing. When the reaction wasn't what they expected I would hope things would have changed. It does worry me though that they honestly thought people would go crazy over it. Even if the confetti worked at the end of the presentation.

[Bending_Unit_22]

You're right--mostly. They packed in Wii Sports in order to justify the $50.00 price increase that retailers were demanding.

Right, retailers were demanding a $50 price hike so Nintendo added Wii Sports to make it palatable. It wasn't Nintendo added Wii Sports and then added $50 to justify the pack in as was said.

[Tenki]

I was Nintendo only until Wii. This gen has been bad. Mostly, it's because once you grow up you can afford to buy all consoles, and you realise the world doesn't revolve around Nintendo. As a teenager N64 was fine, I only got 2-3 games a year and there was always games I wanted. Once you can afford to buy whatever you want, Nintendo isn't enough anymore.

In the last 3 gens I've been multiplat (N64-PSX, GCN-PS2, WII-X360) and Nintendo only has never been enough.

What I meant is that their sales were decreasing, so they tried out with the casual market. But people seem to be annoyed because of Wii Sports, Wii Fit and all that stuff, but don't realise they still make good games (like Galaxy 1 & 2, DKCR, Sin & Punishment...).

The GameCube scenario was pretty much the same and it's like the holy grail of video games. A lot of people complain about Wii, praise the GCN and hope Nintendo will come back to that route, which was sometimes even worse.

[ClovingWestbrook]

3rd parties can be easily ignored as the success of the Wii showed. And you cannot be series about the disc format having an impact on whether to buy a console or not. It's the first time I hear someone say that he didn't buy a GCN because it featured mini discs. I bought a Wii for the games Nintendo produced. As of today, Nintendo has yet to announced a similar output with products that are both innovative and of high quality.

Where did I say that I didn't buy a GCN due to the mini disc? I didn't. I said that for DEVELOPERS, it made it more difficult to port their games to the GCN. This is probably the first generation EVER that Nintendo has come out and admitted that it needs the support of third parties. Its a breath of fresh air but I am holding my breath.

[Effect]

In the last 3 gens I've been multiplat (N64-PSX, GCN-PS2, WII-X360) and Nintendo only has never been enough. What I meant is that their sales were decreasing, so they tried out with the casual market. But people seem to be annoyed because of Wii Sports, Wii Fit and all that stuff, but don't realise they still make good games (like Galaxy 1 & 2, DKCR, Sin & Punishment...). The GameCube scenario was pretty much the same and it's like the holy grail of video games. A lot of people complain about Wii, praise the GCN and hope Nintendo will come back to that route, which was sometimes even worse.

Nintendo is bad with communication and presenting themselves. There are a lot of good games on the Wii for those that don't consider themselves casual. The problem is that Nintendo allowed themselves to be seen as the company for casuals, soccer moms, etc only. They are a company that taget everyone but they don't want to present themselves as such. So people only see Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Just Dance when they think of the Wii instead of Wii Sports, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit, Metroid Prime 3, Just Dance, Sonic Colors, Skyward Sword, etc. A large part of that can be blamed on Nintendo of America here in the US. They are horrible when it comes to marketing their brand and that should be their main function. Look at Skyward Sword. That game was a success but not because of NoA as they handled it horribly. Had they been more competent it could have done even better.