If they decide they want to make Switch's launch such an event where the thing launches on the exact same day in all three major markets and countries, we could actually see a Saturday launch even if Nintendo's now used to release stuff on Friday in both Europe and US (Thursday in Japan is the classic day for everyone). That's because Saturday is when major launches happen in Japan: games like MH, DQ, Pokemon and brand new hardware as well.
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Kimishima: 2 million Switch units shipped by FY's end
- Thread starter FZZ
- Start date
If they decide they want to make Switch's launch such an event where the thing launches on the exact same day in all three major markets and countries, we could actually see a Saturday launch even if Nintendo's now used to release stuff on Friday in both Europe and US (Thursday in Japan is the classic day for everyone). That's because Saturday is when major launches happen in Japan: games like MH, DQ, Pokemon and brand new hardware as well.
Zelda and Mario Kart for the West, Splatoon for Japan. That's really the ideal launch scenario for Switch to get the biggest sales at the start. Dunno if that's their plan though.
are there any other big adventure/rpgs slated for march '17 that we know of?
Skyward Sword
Release date(s)
EU: November 18, 2011
NA: November 20, 2011
JP: November 23, 2011
AUS: November 24, 2011
Skyrim
Release date(s)
WW: November 11, 2011
DriftingSpirit
Member
Yep.
SporeCrawler
Member
I suspect that. 2milliions are what they will ship on day one. Seems quite a lot for march
Its not holiday season so id say its appropriate for the first month
Its not holiday season so id say its appropriate for the first month
Dark Cloud
Member
I think this is what Nintendo needs to focus on. Focus on what games are coming out after the launch months. Show consumers you will still have games 9 months later and there won't be droughts.
Smiles and Cries
Member
as long as I get one
If you mean historically, I think TWW was a March release. This past year, TPHD, but that's a remaster.
Godzilla's Left Toe
Member
And they moved off that for a reason.
you think skyrim caused wii owners who would have bought zelda to NOT buy zelda and instead buy skyrim on 360 or ps3?
Not to contradict what I just said, but I am skeptical of just how much impact the system will have on kids in Japan where 3DS is king. Relatively, the Switch looks unwieldy, overly large, and not conducive to being thrown into a backpack or played on the train/bus/car/together with friends after school outside (regardless of what the preview footage would have you believe).
If price ends up being a factor (It would be a miracle if the unit is priced at 200 USD) and only early adopters (re: adults) end up driving the initial sales spurt in Japan, I think you'd be looking at 30K-40K units sold in Japan by the end of March. Other territories would have to carry the rest.
OOT3D is sitting at over 5m now. The public loves Zelda, it just has to be the right Zelda.
ShockingAlberto
Member
Hmm. So I had heard about a month or two ago that something had slowed production down, but they were still on track for March and were planning to make it up in January.
Two million for launch is not absurdly low, but it's not particularly high, either. That's well within the "You had best preorder" range.
Two million for launch is not absurdly low, but it's not particularly high, either. That's well within the "You had best preorder" range.
TheFuzz
Member
Lol. This is hilarious.
2m shipped worldwide in March sounds like a reasonable number.
The problem won't be convincing Nintendo fans and the definetly have more than 2 million of them.
Price will be 299$ imo, no way they can make a profit with a hardware with so many components and pieces at less than that price even if the specs are weak as a home console.
The problem won't be convincing Nintendo fans and the definetly have more than 2 million of them.
Price will be 299$ imo, no way they can make a profit with a hardware with so many components and pieces at less than that price even if the specs are weak as a home console.
digita1alchemy
Member
Fair point, but the impressions for BotW so far is that this is exactly the Zelda game people have wanted Nintendo to make for a very, very long time. It captivated everyone during E3, and in a way the more recent entries have not. If previews and reviews are favorable, I think the hype surrounding the game will far surpass any previous Zelda titles back to at least OoT, and we know how that turned out. Of course, I base this on nothing but my own opinion and observations.
no, i was wondering if skyrim kept potential new customers from buying a wii+ss - and if there are any big titles slated for march that might be competitive enough in the adventure/rpg genre to keep potential new customers from making the jump for nsx+botw; choosing instead to stay with their current platform.
VendettaRed07
Member
Nintendo was always going to play on the conservative side with Switch after how disastrous the Wii U's initial order went.
Iwata WAY over estimated how the WiiU would do it's first year. They still haven't sold through their original production units
Iwata WAY over estimated how the WiiU would do it's first year. They still haven't sold through their original production units
Will def preorder but yea 2 mil is fine
Knowing Nintendo it will release Friday March 31st anyways lol right on the last day of March
Yeah I got no problem with that at all, though I'd like if it was Splatoon so they can promote a new IP more
i wonder how much storage space for all those unsold wii u's cost them over the years. does the jesnet acquisition help them in this area?
http://venturebeat.com/2016/08/26/nintendo-acquires-japanese-distribution-company-jesnet/
Dark Cloud
Member
The bundle game should be Mario Kart Switch or Splatoon Switch if they're the same Wii U games with extra features at $299.
Splatoon is needed for Japan atleast. In America they probably can bundle Mario Kart because it will also show off the "two-player" multiplayer on the go aspect.
This is if Nintendo isn't planning a Nintendo Land or Wii Sports type of game, then they should use either Splatoon or Mario Kart for the pack in game.
I disagree with this. To the general public who didn't give a crap about Wii U or even know what it is Splatoon and Mario Kart come off as brand new games. Mario Kart is a huge IP recognized by casuals.
Zelda will never happen of course.
Splatoon is needed for Japan atleast. In America they probably can bundle Mario Kart because it will also show off the "two-player" multiplayer on the go aspect.
This is if Nintendo isn't planning a Nintendo Land or Wii Sports type of game, then they should use either Splatoon or Mario Kart for the pack in game.
I disagree with this. To the general public who didn't give a crap about Wii U or even know what it is Splatoon and Mario Kart come off as brand new games. Mario Kart is a huge IP recognized by casuals.
Zelda will never happen of course.
Nah, it's not great unless it's Zelda. $299 with a game is better than $249 if the game is worth $50. Take for example Nintendo Land. While a great game, it has never offered the perception that it provides a good discount.
Mario Kart and Splatoon for Switch, while great games to have at launch are still practically kind of ports/remasters which don't offer a value easily recognisable.
Well Kimishima, show me your game then.
I already have Mario Kart and Splatoon, i'm not sure Zelda will be better to have on Switch and only one Mario is not enough at launch.
And having to learn what it will be two months before the thing is coming out does not help either...
I already have Mario Kart and Splatoon, i'm not sure Zelda will be better to have on Switch and only one Mario is not enough at launch.
And having to learn what it will be two months before the thing is coming out does not help either...
I think that would be a mistake.
This platform is never going to appeal to technology enthusiasts on the strength of its compute hardware. There will always be far more appealing choices out there in that regard, simply because of the hybrid form factor.
Given that, in my opinion they should focus on providing a technically competent portable hardware platform (which by all indications they are doing, and which the 3DS wasn't really at the point of its release), a very solid software and development platform, and a market which reduces obstacles for developers as much as possible. And then put the lowest price on it they can to quickly build a customer base.
Vyse The Legend
Member
Tons of assumptions in here, but Zelda would be a terrible pack-in. It needs to be a game with a multiplayer component with universal appeal, and that's Mario Kart, remaster or not.
If Mario Kart and Splatoon didn't make you buy a Wii U, their Switch ports won't make you feel like you get a $50 discount. If you have a Wii U, it would be even much of a value. So while they will be great games to pack the Switch with, they wouldn't justify $50 added to the price.
See my above post, I think they are good games to pack in the bundles, I just don't think they make a $299 price any more appealing.
TheFuzz
Member
I disagree. $299 with Mk Switch would be well worth it. At the price, you have a game with a huge user base as well as something with years worth of replay left. And I own MK8.
If I can get a full Switch console with MKS and BOTW at launch for $350, that will be good enough.
yongeandcollege
Member
Nintendo's forecasts have been abysmal. I have no opinion on whether 2 million is good or bad but I will not trust Nintendo's guidance until they prove trustworthy.
Serenitynow
Member
How many of the Marios would you like?
For $349 yes it will happen
They will have a limited edition Zelda bundle, but def will be limited
I think Switch will be $299, and I feel they will have a game with it no reason to not have one after Wii and WiiU both came with games packed in, people are gonna expect it with Nintendo consoles
Vyse The Legend
Member
Both those games launched years after the Wii U released. Years. By then, the writing was on the wall, and the system had long lost any resemblance of steam and/or interest.
Despite that fact, Mario Kart 8 was the highest selling game on Wii and Wii U; it absolutely pushed units for both of them, but obviously, its impact was muted on the Wii U for a multitude of reasons.
Personally, I don't think the core SKU will have a pack-in, but a bundle with Mario Kart would easily be the more popular version among the hardcore and mainstream by very long shot. It won't even be remotely close.
Nintendo now release games on Fridays, even the NES Mini is coming on a Friday so, I expect a Friday for Switch March - 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th or 31st
I'm curious as to what your opinion is on the cartridge factor. Obviously, cartridges haven't been a hindrance for the portable market, but for "big games" and developers who focus on consoles, aren't cartridges significantly more expensive than CDs? Is that price difference not really that big? Or is Nintendo going to take the cost upon itself?
The game cards Nintendo has used for the DS line and which is almost certainly the same technology they're using for the Switch aren't prohibitively expensive compared to BDs.
What are the odds this lines up with the Parker/Pascal delays/slowdowns we heard about a few months ago?
Don't mix your preferences with what can be successful on the market.
I bought a Wii U at launch. I will buy a Switch even if it's as expensive as the Wii U. That doesn't mean that everybody will do the same.
You have currently on the market Xbone S and PS4 at $299 and both have numerous bundles with new games. Even big AAA ones. It's a very tough market.
I see. I thought that the console-focused developers and publishers may have needed to reallocate costs in their budgets in order to account for cartridge prices, but if what you say is true, then that wouldn't be necessary.