• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Is Nintendo a premium brand? (Quality)

A fair amount of their games/IP are, but in terms of hardware (especially with consoles) they've arguably been entrenched as being a "secondhand" platform for over a decade as of now.
 
GabeTheGrouch76 said:
A fair amount of their games are, but in terms of hardware (especially with consoles) they've arguably been entrenched as being a "secondhand" platform for over a decade as of now.
Click to expand...
They need secondhand prices then, unfortunately. The 3DS was great, but it's severely outdated now. If they priced the Switch at similar numbers, $200ish, it'd have a much higher chance of success
 
Nintendo makes Premium Software, but absolute not Premium Hardware. When the Switch launches it will be priced the same or higher than base PS4/X1 models, have more expensive peripherals, less horsepower, and lack the volume of software and apps that people expect from consoles. Yes, I know, it's a hybrid. But the fact is Nintendo is setting themselves up for a jack of all trades scenario where the Switch fails as a Portable because it doesn't have the allure of the 3DS/DS line, and fails as a console because it doesn't have the allure of the PS4/X1.
 
Nintendo sets itself up as a premium brand. This is seen in its pricing and how it holds itself. The brand has a lot of value.
 
of course they are. They're poorly managed but they are a premium brand.

Should just go multiplatform and free their staff from the prison that is their system ecosystem tho
 
neurosisxeno said:
Nintendo makes Premium Software, but absolute not Premium Hardware. When the Switch launches it will be priced the same or higher than base PS4/X1 models, have more expensive peripherals, less horsepower, and lack the volume of software and apps that people expect from consoles. Yes, I know, it's a hybrid. But the fact is Nintendo is setting themselves up for a jack of all trades scenario where the Switch fails as a Portable because it doesn't have the allure of the 3DS/DS line, and fails as a console because it doesn't have the allure of the PS4/X1.
Click to expand...

I'd limit "Premium Software" to their games because I remember getting pretty frustrated by the limitations of the Wii U's operating system.
 
Bought Xbox 360 and it failed on me so now I don't buy Microsoft consoles.

Bought 2 PlayStations (PS3 and Vita) and neither had problems so there's no reason to doubt their quality.

I've bought like 10 different pieces of Nintendo hardware and all of them work perfectly to date so I think that's a sign of them making quality hardware for sure. Preliminary reports say that Switch's hardware feels good, it has a good screen and is pretty powerful for a portable device. So yeah I'd say Nintendo is a brand you can trust in that sense.
 
Yes I'd say so. I was playing my Snes earlier, with the same console and controllers we've had since 1992. Work perfectly. As do my original NES, N64, Gamecube, Wii and Wii U consoles and controllers. Never had a single failure. In terms of build quality, it's unquestionably premium in my eyes. I'm already on my second DS4 after a couple of years and my 360 red ringed twice.

I was unpleasantly surprised at the increased costs of the Switch controllers. It's more than I want to pay, but I have more confidence in a Nintendo controller standing the test of time and being a sturdier product than I would a PS or Xbox controller, plus I think it's pretty impressive how much tech these have this time round, so it makes it less difficult for me to justify.

Still an eye-watering amount when I pre-ordered the console, pro controller and limited edition Zelda though.
 
AgeEighty said:
The problem for Nintendo is that the gaming public doesn't place a great emphasis on hardware reliability when it comes to assessing brand value.

You can see that going both ways: Nintendo hardware is famously durable, but doesn't sell as well. Xbox 360 on the other hand was famously unreliable, but still sold tremendously well (ironically, this was probably at least in part because of said unreliability). In short, other factors like game library are much more important to people, and they see reliability issues as a secondary or tertiary factor.
Click to expand...


Weird that you put the 360 as an example because on that generation Nintendo outsold it by a very large margin...
 
No, compare 3DS build quality to the vita. there's a stark difference.

Nintendo hardware is just expensive regardless of value/quality
 
Raet said:
Eh? The original 360 was ugly, loud, had a low build quality and an external power supply.
Click to expand...

True, I mean more in the sense of the hardware it launched with at the time. Unified shaders weren't shipping on a desktop GPU you could pay for for another year for instance.
 
Solid SOAP said:
They need secondhand prices then, unfortunately. The 3DS was great, but it's severely outdated now. If they priced the Switch at similar numbers, $200ish, it'd have a much higher chance of success
Click to expand...

That would make the Switch look cheap, not appealing. Also for the amount of hardware in the Switch, Nintendo would be nuts to price it that low.
 
ronaldthump said:
of course they are. They're poorly managed but they are a premium brand.

Should just go multiplatform and free their staff from the prison that is their system ecosystem tho
Click to expand...

Yeah. Did wonders for Sega. Look at all the quality games they're making without dealing with a console.
 
Nintendo invented their whole 'premium brand' thing through marketing and their 'seal of quality'.

It's just marketing nonsense. They're no more 'premium' than MS or Sony.

But they're certainly more premium than Ouya.
 
Not to me OP.

The only time I have received a "Premium" feeling was the first time I was holding a PSP (1000 Model) in my hands with the PS Vita (1000 Model) coming to a close second but other than that most Console and Handhelds have always given me a plactic toy feeling.
 
The Switch is the best piece of modern tech Nintendo has produced since the Gamecube. Gaf likes to shit on it because it's not a portable PS4, something that would be impossible to do well with current tech, but just about everyone who has actually used the thing admits that the tech itself is fairly impressive.

Of course, it'll eventually be outpaced by other popular portables but not for awhile, not at that price, and not with the benefit of the joy-cons.
 
DonMigs85 said:
No such thing. I would say the last sturdy systems were the N64 and the original GBA.
My GameCube developed a bum drive and faint diagonal lines in the video output, my Wii also got a noisy drive and there were many cases of sleep mode frying GPUs, my DS Lite had unresponsive buttons and developed a cracked hinge on its own, paint can scratch or peel off the OG 3DS and New 3DS XL, screens can be misaligned or dust gets under at the factory... The list goes on
Click to expand...
You got really unlucky with the GameCube. That thing can take a serious beating.
 
I don't think the premium quality of Apple relies solely on its reliability. Branding, tech, usability, and software are all a part of what makes apple products like the iPhone premium. Nintendo isnt close to approaching Apple levels of offerings when compared to their competitors.
 
I think they are going by the OP.

Even tho I remember the NES blowing cartridges thing, lol.

Even the Wii U I can understand why the system cost what it did and why they dont want to really cut the price. That gamepad....


People mentioning handhelds, yea...I agree with those saying not handhelds. I didnt have a PSP but the Vita just screams high quality vs the 3DS.
 
It's definitely a premium gamble when you buy a new 3DS XL. Having two different screen manufacturers with one option being completely inferior is bullshit.
 
Inuhanyou said:
Sure, i've never had any other Nintendo product crap out on me, but that doesn't make Nintendo any more deserving of more money than anyone else competing for it
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure.

I might be willing to pay a bit more if I only need to buy one N64 vs multiple Playstation One's (which were notorious for crapping out).

That said, the jury is still out on the Switch, and I fear it won't be as solid as the Wii-U gamepad.

The gamepad may look like a plastic toy, but all that plastic ensures you can drop it from four feet on asphalt and the controller will survive without a scratch.
 
I have no problem paying $80 for a pair of joycons, not only for the tech they offer but especially because in addition the the pair packed in with the Switch will by all intents and purposes and for most multiplayer games allow 4 player interactions.

In some ways you are buying two controllers for multi with the $80 package.
 
Nintendo hardware is prone to failure like anything else. It's just a perception that Nintendo's hardware is premium because they purposely keep their prices high.
Is their new controller worth $80? Personally I don't think so. I feel prices are getting out of hand. Especially for a family that wants to play together.
 
I don't know if I'd use the word premium? But I definitely get the most for my money from Nintendo, be it hardware or software. I never have any qualms about paying up.
 
Their games? Easily. Hardware? So and so.

I think the Switch is fairly priced for what you're getting in that tiny ass tablet.

More powerful than 360, PS3, and Wii U but not that much bigger than your phone.
 
Hardware, maybe so. Never had a Nintendo product failed on me. But then again never a Sony or Microsoft products either.

Software? It's a mixed bag. They have great first party support but it's been kind of underwhelming sometimes. Third party? Oh god no. Not even close to premium. Which I think hurts their 'premium image' overall
 
I guess it really depends on what you see as 'premium'. The Switch seems premium to me because I find it impressive they have all that tech in a small sleek looking form factor and the Gamecube seemed premium to me because of how durable it was.
 
evilalien said:
Nintendo has had their fair share of quality issues as well. I've personally experienced artifacting on my launch day Wii, and a cracked hinge on my DS lite both of which are fairly well known problems.
Click to expand...

Is this a semi joke post? That part I'm highlighting is usually a software problem. I mean come on, why are you reaching so hard there?


ShinUltramanJ said:
Nintendo hardware is prone to failure like anything else.
Click to expand...

Nintendo is prone to less hardware and software failure than their competitors.
 
AgeEighty said:
Being a "premium brand" is about perception. It doesn't matter if Nintendo's hardware is typically of high physical quality—less prone to breakage and malfunction, or whatever other aspects you want to associate with being "premium"—if the marketplace doesn't view them that way.

And for the most part that perception, either fairly or unfairly, is not there.
Click to expand...

Ahhh the Hyundai Equus faces similar thought process. $60k for a Hyundai vs $60k for a Mercedes/BMW with less "options"... people mostly get the Mercedes or BMW.

I think Nintendo is a major brand, not a premium brand. They don't have premium level hardware in their consoles. They are trying for premium level Portable hardware in the same box being called a home console first and portable second, which is underpowered as a console. I'd say vs. competition, but Nintendo says they don't compete.

They are not a premium brand.
 
I have a 3ds and it's a piece of shit, the build quality is doubtful and the un-ergonomic design hurts my hands. So no.
 
Neoxon said:
I guess you could argue that from the standpoint of Nintendo's products standing the test of time rather than from a pure horsepower perspective. That plus the metric shit-tons of tech that they packed into the Joy-Cons & the Switch Pro Controller.

Still a bit too pricey for my blood. Not to the point where I won't get their stuff, but it's just a nuisance (especially for a college kid with not a lot of income).
Click to expand...

I heard it said that the price of the console allows them to get a decent profit and lower the price point later (or presumably keep bundles at the same price point).
 
kinda

Their platforms are the only ones I hesitate to do trade-ins on. In 5 years there's a strong chance I'll return to Bayo 2 or Mario Galaxy or Metroid Prime.

Probably not with say- God of War or Uncharted. Not that they're bad games though.
 
rtrbad said:
I heard it said that the price of the console allows them to get a decent profit and lower the price point later (or presumably keep bundles at the same price point).
Click to expand...
Don't worry, Nintendo keeps getting that profit margin through the life of the console.
 
Nintendo certainly wants to be the Apple of game consoles, but outside a few nostalgia inducing franchises the quality of their hardware and software output is nowhere close to the premium they're asking. They have the problem of wanting to be the low cost family friendly option in the console space, and asking for ridiculous margins for their products at the same time.
 
guek said:
The Switch is the best piece of modern tech Nintendo has produced since the Gamecube. Gaf likes to shit on it because it's not a portable PS4, something that would be impossible to do well with current tech, but just about everyone who has actually used the thing admits that the tech itself is fairly impressive.

Of course, it'll eventually be outpaced by other popular portables but not for awhile, not at that price, and not with the benefit of the joy-cons.
Click to expand...

It is. It's just hard to be positive about the good stuff when there's so much that I find so disappointing.
 
Software...yes. I'd say Nintendo is maybe the most premium brand when it comes to software.

Hardware is a different matter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

PROJECT HELIX - A premium product for a new demographic
2 3 4
158
1K
AeonGaidenRaiden replied
Is Xbox Game Pass Premium overlooked?
2
50
1K
Jinxed replied
Wccftech - Apple Is Now Being Forced To Pay A 230% Premium For Each 12GB LPDDR5X RAM Chip Found On Its Premium iPhone 17 models
2
95
1K
CentralScrutinizer replied
Switch Insane Bundle! What happened to Nintendo's Seal of Quality?
7
2K
Wolzard replied
DLSS 5 Drunken prediction: it will be a premium GeForce NOWstreaming service feature at launch
10
218
Shogmaster replied
Top Bottom