Support NeoGAF

[Brofield]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Nintendo is strategically spreading out first party line up to encourage a steady flow of games. If the Switch moves enough units to render the 3DS obsolete, then more people will be focused into a single console pillar of success. It's one thing to consolidate the developer teams, but to also get the customers into one stream? It'll be enormous.

There are a lot of ifs and buts involved, but if Kimishima can channel Iwata's vision successfully, navigate the narrow cliff path, and then continue to build on it, he may yet be right.

Or fall so far down the chasm that Nintendo is forced to go third party to avoid yet another console flop and bankruptcy. Only since Iwata's death do I now legitimately fear Nintendo going 3rd party, and I believe that hinges qutie heavily on the Switch's success or failure.

 

[Gaogaogao]

ha

 

[AquaWateria]

I mean if I were to tell my past self that the Cubs won and Trump would become president I'd probably think it was a sick joke.

I mean who knows miracles can happen and most people thought the Wii wouldn't be big lmao.

 

[massoluk]

Damn, that front page is giving me some pre-Wii release flashbacks.

Ex.

http://www.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=127196

 

[aadiboy]

The only way this happens is if they get the casuals. And a 1,2 Switch that isn't a pack-in won't get the casuals in the west, that's for sure.

 

[Spirit Icana]

It'll come down to the software, but the potential for becoming a big hit is there. I'm expecting more of a modest start like the Nintendo DS, but eventually picking up as the software rolls in. Wii started off ablaze because it continued the Touch Generation direction of the DS, and motion controls were best suited for the home while trying to answer problems like motivation for working out, or simplifying the complexity of today's controllers.

 

[kewlmyc]

Haha, no. It'll probably do better than the Wii U at least.

 

[Owari]

https://twitter.com/serkantoto/status/826970477562171392
https://twitter.com/serkantoto/status/826971158197047296

 

[Kataploom]

Well, I'd rather have them being this confident than saying "we can't compete so whatever".

I won't say it will happen (nor that it won't), but they should have some data on their hands to, at least, have a good insight of Switch reception on the audience they aim for... Also, this is Kimishima, who never trusted Wii U... Also, they will be able to reduce price and being upgraded specs versions on the run... Also, GAF is the last place where I'd check for Switch hype tbh, seems like the target audience is somewhere else...

With the right marketing and advertising (as they've been doing), I think it's possible to have some good numbers (80MM+)... Not that it WILL happen, but it's not like it's just impossible because some core gamers don't like the thing... I stay open to expect whatever anyway.

 

[GuitarGuruu]

I had to laugh. Its great to be optimistic but I see this falling in line with sales around the same mark as the Game Cube. Perhaps a little bit higher.

 

[Spirit Icana]

I will add that I think it'll be disappointing for Nintendo if the Switch does not outsell the Wii in Japan. Wii did okay there, but it was the rest of the world that made it a big phenomenon.

 

[DragonGirl]

Well, it's good to aim high. I don't feel it will quite manage that, but I also think it'd be foolish to write such a statement off. I do feel the Switch is going to do very well for itself.

 

[Crayon]

It is possible. Not even that outlandish. I would guess less at the moment but I can see the path to 100+.

 

[killatopak]

I'm willing to bet a bazillion dollars it won't have the same sales as the wii.

 

[ASIS]

Well, I'd rather have them being this confident than saying "we can't compete so whatever".

I won't say it will happen (nor that it won't), but they should have some data on their hands to, at least, have a good insight of Switch reception on the audience they aim for... Also, this is Kimishima, who never trusted Wii U... Also, they will be able to reduce price and being upgraded specs versions on the run... Also, GAF is the last place where I'd check for Switch hype tbh, seems like the target audience is somewhere else...

With the right marketing and advertising (as they've been doing), I think it's possible to have some good numbers (80MM+)... Not that it WILL happen, but it's not like it's just impossible because some core gamers don't like the thing... I stay open to expect whatever anyway.

Nintendo has Data,yes, but I'm not confident that they get the right info from the data. The Wii U should have never happened.

 

[haimon]

What is he expected to say?

We are releasing a console that's gonna sell like shit?

 

[Spirit Icana]

I mean if I were to tell my past self that the Cubs won and Trump would become president I'd probably think it was a sick joke.

I mean who knows miracles can happen and most people thought the Wii wouldn't be big lmao.

Most thought the DS would lose out to the PSP as well. Nintendogs did better than any expected. Brain Training (Brain Age) was thought to be a Japan only lightning strike.

Switch has potential. The joy-cons are the long awaited successor to the Wii Remotes. Many people will be demoing the system from their friends at school or wherever. Two joy-cons and the stand right out of the box, will make mobile multiplayer possible for a potential audience who don't own one.

It's all about the games. Games, games, games. The right games will bring the audience in.

 

[Mr. Pointy]

I hope so. For the lulz, of course.

 

[Nimby]

I think if they play their cards right, it will do about as well as the 3DS. But I'll eat crow if not, and gladly so.

 

[The Adder]

I don't expect a Wii-like success, but judging from my non-gamer circle's buzz combined with the general gamer negative reaction, we have the exact same storm brewing as there was in 2006. It's going to do gangbusters, though not Wii well.

 

[BarringGaffner]

I mean if I were to tell my past self that the Cubs won and Trump would become president I'd probably think it was a sick joke.

I mean who knows miracles can happen and most people thought the Wii wouldn't be big lmao.

This is true. We are living in alternate universe.

 

[GODREALMS]

I think Switch will sell very well, but I can only hope it sees the same number of sales as the Wii. I'm rooting for Nintendo!

 

[CarbonFire]

What is he expected to say?

We are releasing a console that's gonna sell like shit?

Wii sales>>>>>>>>>>>>Reasonable/realistic sales expectations>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>sell like shit>>>>>WiiU sales.

They're just setting themselves up for failure with a bar that high. Hell Sony will be lucky to sell that many, and they are crushing it like they haven't since the PS2 days.

 

[killatopak]

What is he expected to say?

We are releasing a console that's gonna sell like shit?

Temper their expectation. Like say it's gonna sell really well or significantly better than the last.

Expecting it will sell the same as one of the best selling console will just lead to disappointment and derision from everyone when they're coming from a rough gen.

 

[kyser73]

Yeah, I can see the OAPs queuing round the block for a Switch.

 

[Ansatz]

Has nobody mentioned the possibility that he could be thinking about the combined sales of Switch (home console, the aspect we've already been introduced to) and the inevitable 3DS-like successor, which would both belong to the same hardware family and share most of the games? A 70M + 30M split between the two form factors is perhaps on the optimistic side, but not entirely unrealistic.

 

[shounenka]

Christ. Mistranslation for the friggin loss.

「Ｗｉｉ程度の販売になる可能性がある」との見方を示した。

Kimishima indicated in an interview that he believes the Switch has the POTENTIAL to reach Wii-level sales, not that he expects it to.

Let the investors eat it up though.

Did not read all the posts so disregard if it has already been pointed out.

 

[Haines]

I do think that people under estimate the strength of the Nintendo name when marketed properly.

They could easily make a system that passes wiis sales numbers. That system wasn't even that good.

Is that system the switch? Time will tell.

 

[Golgo 13]

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Yeah, no.

 

[calc84maniac]

Christ. Mistranslation for the friggin loss.



Kimishima indicated in an interview that he believes the Switch has the POTENTIAL to reach Wii-level sales, not that he expects it to.

Let the investors eat it up though.

Did not read all the posts so disregard if it has already been pointed out.

I think we've all learned a valuable lesson tonight. Or at least I hope so.

Spoiler

GAF gonna GAF till the end of time

 

[Felensis]

I think it's absolutely possible.
Why?

- Because Switch already seems to appeal to more people than Wii U ever did

- Because Switch sales will combine handheld and home console. Not only because it is a hybrid, but because there will be another hardware join the family with the same OS, Nvidia Tegra and software.
A 3DS successor (Switch mini). Just as Iwata said a few years ago.

- Pokemon. Mario. Zelda. Animal Crossing etc

Time will tell, but if this turns out to be true Switch can reach at least 60 million combined hardware sales in it's lifetime.

 

[ChouGoku]

LOOOOOOOOOOOL, I mean if I'm wrong I will admit it, but I HIGHLY doubt that. I doubt it's going to sell at a higher rate than the ps4

 

[JeTmAn81]

Newp

 

[SURGEdude]

Unlikely even if all goes well.

That's not s Switch slam, but the Wii was a phenomenon. Those happen very rarely.

 

[MoonFrog]

I highly doubt that. I will be happy if it sells 40 million. Quite pleased if 50 million.

I expect 15-55, depending on its success as a handheld with regards to keeping that market afloat and gaining Japanese support for it.

 

[jackal27]

Shoot for moon.

I don't think it's going to happen,but I think it's more likely than some other folks do. Really interested to see how this does. Could go either way honestly.

 

[jj984jj]

Christ. Mistranslation for the friggin loss.



Kimishima indicated in an interview that he believes the Switch has the POTENTIAL to reach Wii-level sales, not that he expects it to.

Let the investors eat it up though.

Did not read all the posts so disregard if it has already been pointed out.

There seems to be so many threads based on this interview just because of these translations honestly.

 

[reelbigtink]

Not happening.

Cut it in half and we've got us a stew going

 

[Schnozberry]

There seems to be so many threads based on this interview just because of these translations honestly.

One guys interpretation of the interview.

 

[n0razi]

He also says he wants to add VR to Switch

https://twitter.com/serkantoto/status/826842861878468608

Yeahhhh... VR on a 720p 60fps panel powered by a mobile SoC...

Man needs to take his pills

 

[DangerMouse]

Perfect.

 

[jj984jj]

One guys interpretation of the interview.

It doesn't seem to be correct based on what some are saying in here and the 3DS successor thread. So it'd be misinterpretation. But I can't read it to tell you first hand.

 

[-Mutsukki-]

Christ. Mistranslation for the friggin loss.



Kimishima indicated in an interview that he believes the Switch has the POTENTIAL to reach Wii-level sales, not that he expects it to.

Let the investors eat it up though.

Did not read all the posts so disregard if it has already been pointed out.

I think the guy only read the headline

任天堂社長「スイッチ、Ｗｉｉ並みの販売期待」

with my limited knowledge of japanese, this can be read as "Nintendo Chief "We expect the Switch to reach Wii sales""

But I think the key point here is "expect". I can't read the entire article, but I'm pretty sure it's more in vein of "hopes" than actual expectations like a sales forecast.

I wouldn't trust this guy with your japanese translations, I see already another tweet around in this thread...

Edit: I mean of course the guy lives in Japan and has absurdly more knowledge of the language than me. That's obvious, but he seems more like he's trying to get quick news out instead of properly analyzing their context

 

[SolarPowered]

This is never happening lol

 

[shounenka]

I can't read the entire article, but I'm pretty sure it's more in vein of "hopes" than actual expectations like a sales forecast.

You'll be glad to know that your interpretation is right on the money. The nuance in "kitai" in the title of the article is "hope," not "expect." Sales expectations/forecasts use different terminology ("yosou," "mitooshi," etc.)

 

[GabeTheGrouch76]

Switch will likely do better than Wii U / GameCube numbers if it pans out to be successful, but become a phenomenon in sales like the Wii was?

Good luck.

 

[Sky Chief]

That's delusional

 

[watershed]

He really should have set his expectations lower. I think the Switch is gonna do well. I think the hardware is attractive, it is going to get great games, the appeal is clear, and the marketing has been great. But its not gonna reach Wii levels and Nintendo shouldn't plan for that.

Edit: Nevermind, hoping for Wii like sales is fine.

 

[opricnik]

Good luck, it's not impossible though if it can beat 3DS right?

No