Post by: bonestormer on April 07, 2003, 08:31:40 AM
They cut it a whooping 18%, to 66 billion yen (about 550 million USD) down from the 80 billion yen they stated in November, 2002.
If Nintendo only sees a 66 billion yen profit, that will only be a little more then half of what they recorded last fiscal year (106 billion yen). They REALLY need to do something to fix this trend... fast.
http://www.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?storyID=2518143&ric=7974.OS&infotype=news&compname=NINTENDO
(All you 'diehards' don't bother trying to jump on me. I'm just the messanger. Plus I'm not forcasting any kind of doom for Nintendo. Just expressing concern.)
Post by: jarob on April 07, 2003, 09:29:48 AM
http://news.com.com/2100-1043-995783.html?tag=lh
All you people saying so what if this or that game gets cancelled, had best wish it does not continue. Now N's profits are going down.
All I hear is that Nintendo makes money. True, but if there are not enough machines out there, those profits will go down. N does NEED 3rd part support people! Eventually if things do not turn around soon...
Post by: misterd on April 07, 2003, 10:02:31 AM
The GCN had a great deal of support for most of the last year, and many expected the RE exclusives to be sure fire sellers. Nintendo is now losing its support (like Sega sports) because of the poor sales. For whatever reason Nintendo has been unable to capitalize on the release of a number of smash games the past year - RE1, RE0, Metroid Prime, Mario Sunshine, Animal Crossing and Eternal Darkness alone offer more than enough quality titles, and there was plenty of filler for those "between" months. What is hurting Nintendo, at least in the states, is its image, and I don't know anything they can do to overcome that.
Post by: Squall on April 07, 2003, 10:29:14 AM
Post by: Cap on April 07, 2003, 10:29:46 AM
Post by: mouse_clicker on April 07, 2003, 11:31:34 AM
Not sayig this is wrong or anything, but I really don't remember Nintendo forcasting 10 millions units, and if they did I doubt anyone there really expected to reach it. Just an odd note.
But I completely agree that Nintendo needs a TON more marketing. They may make more profit than Sony or MS, but if that profit doesn't have much potential, they could easily be overtaken. Basically, if the product isn't KNOWN, it won't SELL. Sure, sure, you can say MS is evil and they're underhanded with their marketing, but you have to admit that it WORKS. MS's first console has sold very well considering it's their first endeavor, even better than the Gamecube in some cases. I really think Peter Main leaving was a bad decision (and probably Arakawa, too).
Post by: rpglover on April 07, 2003, 11:47:41 AM
not only that but nintendo has their huge lineup out now with mario, link, and samus- all on the gamecube
if people would see some of nintendos marketing it may help them sell more- but i am not sure
people still go on how the gamecube is kiddy and nintendo sucks and on and on and on
it gets real annoying
but to be honest- nintendo is making the most money out of all 3 major consoles- and i think that is what counts to nintendo
they may be in last place in the number of consoles sold, but they do make the most money off of each one sold
nintendo just saw a huge jump in gc selling mostly due to zelda and a free game with the console
i have seen nintendo a little more aggressive though with their marketing now- i see nintendo commercials every day on espn
hopefully nintendo keeps dishing out the good games so i can be one happy gamer
Post by: Tycoon__ on April 07, 2003, 11:53:19 AM
GC in Japan does have more support then GC in USA FYI............
Post by: Tycoon__ on April 07, 2003, 11:56:33 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: rpglover
yeah nintendo should be marketing more- i mean they do have some great games on the gc that could use some help with marketing
not only that but nintendo has their huge lineup out now with mario, link, and samus- all on the gamecube
if people would see some of nintendos marketing it may help them sell more- but i am not sure
people still go on how the gamecube is kiddy and nintendo sucks and on and on and on
it gets real annoying
but to be honest- nintendo is making the most money out of all 3 major consoles- and i think that is what counts to nintendo
they may be in last place in the number of consoles sold, but they do make the most money off of each one sold
nintendo just saw a huge jump in gc selling mostly due to zelda and a free game with the console
i have seen nintendo a little more aggressive though with their marketing now- i see nintendo commercials every day on espn
hopefully nintendo keeps dishing out the good games so i can be one happy gamer
huh.. so all those zeldas went to non regular gcers? not ot mention how some others bought it ahead of time.......................
Post by: Scyth3r on April 07, 2003, 12:55:31 PM
Post by: VideoGamerX on April 07, 2003, 12:58:11 PM
For Nintendo to make only half of the profit they've made previously doesn't mean they're failing. It means they're having to spend more and compete more with a third competitor in the market. It's nearly impossible to meet the expectations they had with Microsoft throwing its weight around.
I attribute these lowered expectations to Microsoft doing better than anticipated over the long stretch. North America is going to be a dog fight. Here's to hoping Nintendo can continue to outsell for the next several months and into the holiday season!
Post by: Mingesium on April 07, 2003, 01:21:37 PM
Fiscal year 2002 - 5.6 million
Fiscal year 2001 - 3.8 million
Total - 9.4 million
Iwata said in Jan that they were going to miss their forcast by 10% so 9.4 million is about right.
The price cut and lackluster sales of GameCube systems lowered Nintendo's profit. I think that Nintendo didn't expect to cut the price of the GameCube so soon.
Post by: Perfect Cell on April 07, 2003, 04:11:49 PM
Quote
Nintendo blamed the sluggish performance of GameCube and its software to rising popularity of such PlayStation 2 titles as Grand Theft Auto
Thats from IGN Cube..... Seems like Nintendo finally "Got it" If this is the reason for their lack luster sales then i see more of the GTA type games appearing on the cube, and less of the pikmins and Mario sunshines. Nintendo is changing.... The Nintendo of the future isnt your NES nintendo folks.... Its almost quasi historic.
Post by: unicron5 on April 07, 2003, 05:00:42 PM
Your numbers are false. Nintendo projected to sell 10 million for fiscal 2002-03 *alone* (not total userbase). At one point last year, Nintendo actually raised this to 12 million before dropping it again to 10 million. In January Mr. Iwata warned that sales would be off by 10% or so, I think this was more of a pre-emptive PR move to warn stockholders that sales would be lower than expected without really letting on how bad things were.
The GameCube really experienced little growth in North America and actually managed to sell less in Japan in fiscal 02-03, despite having a full 12 months on store shelves and games like two new Bio Hazards, Mario Sunshine, Zelda: TWW, Mario Party IV, etc.
Post by: Duriez on April 07, 2003, 06:12:54 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: bonestormer
Even with the recent boost Nintendo has been receiving with the release of Zelda TWW and the GBA SP, Nintendo has once again lowered profit expectations for this year.
They cut it a whooping 18%, to 66 billion yen (about 550 million USD) down from the 80 billion yen they stated in November, 2002.
If Nintendo only sees a 66 billion yen profit, that will only be a little more then half of what they recorded last fiscal year (106 billion yen). They REALLY need to do something to fix this trend... fast.
http://www.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?storyID=2518143&ric=7974.OS&infotype=news&compname=NINTENDO
(All you 'diehards' don't bother trying to jump on me. I'm just the messanger. Plus I'm not forcasting any kind of doom for Nintendo. Just expressing concern.)
No biggie, at least they are making healthy profits, unlike Microsoft. Everyone in the industry has been lowering profit expectations. It's a common trend. Why focus on just Nintendo's lowered profit expectations?
Post by: misterd on April 07, 2003, 07:42:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: unicron5
Ming --
Your numbers are false. Nintendo projected to sell 10 million for fiscal 2002-03 *alone* (not total userbase). At one point last year, Nintendo actually raised this to 12 million before dropping it again to 10 million. In January Mr. Iwata warned that sales would be off by 10% or so, I think this was more of a pre-emptive PR move to warn stockholders that sales would be lower than expected without really letting on how bad things were.
The GameCube really experienced little growth in North America and actually managed to sell less in Japan in fiscal 02-03, despite having a full 12 months on store shelves and games like two new Bio Hazards, Mario Sunshine, Zelda: TWW, Mario Party IV, etc.
Right. I remember after their Euro launch last year Nintendo had projected 16 million cubes total by the end of the fiscal year. Had they hit their 10 million, it would have been pretty close.
Post by: bonestormer on April 07, 2003, 07:47:42 PM
And I don't see nearly a 40% drop in profits in one year as 'healthy'. Sure there could be a number of factors affecting this, but overall I think it has to concern Nintendo. The fact alone they lowered low expectations from just 6 months ago can't be a good sign. Especially with this coming right after (and really during) a nice boost from sales of GBA SP and Zelda TWW.
Xbox is a bad comparison. MS is spending everything just to get a foothold in the market since they are a new comer (to consoles). Nintendo has been around a long time now. They can focus more on being profitable.
Post by: Marufy007 on April 07, 2003, 08:02:33 PM
the interesting thing though is, once a company lost its image it usually never rebounded. once Sega's dropped, it was downhill for them. same with Atari. we have yet to see a console maker rebound after losing marketshare. maybe Nintendo will be the first. HA, maybe? they BETTER!
Post by: greenwood on April 07, 2003, 08:25:28 PM
Also, you can't compare this year to last year. The previous fiscal year (March 2001-March 2002) they launch the GCN in 3 separate territories. Sales are always much larger at launch.
Plus, The GCN's not selling as well as you'd expect considering the quailty of titles available.
One last thing, you say you can't compare MS to Nintendo in terms of profit. Why not? MS is not some new business that just fell off the truck 2 days before the Xbox launch. They went out and hired the best people they could get to help run their video game division. This is not an excuse for Nintendo, rather this is praise for MS. So what if they're a newcomer? Yes, the Nintendo name has helped sell some GCN's but at the same time it's also stopped some people from buying it. There are people out there that refuse to buy a GCN because "it's a kiddy console" and all that crap. Also, the N64 left a bad taste in some people's mouths and that has also made some wary of buying a GCN.
MS as a newcomer doesn't have to deal with any of that. I really dislike when people use that to hate on GCN sales. It's a double-edged sword.
One (truly) final thing, why do people justify MS losing tons of money on Xbox as being okay because "they're just getting their foot in the door for the next gen" yet turn right around and go on about how Nintendo makes most of their profit from the GBA and try to use that as being a bad thing or a reason why Nintendo should stop making home consoles?
Post by: Mingesium on April 07, 2003, 09:26:47 PM
Quote
Citing poor demand for its mainstay GameCube console at home and abroad, the company trimmed its group sales estimates to 500 billion yen from 600 billion yen. "Demand for the GameCube console was significantly lower than our expectation," a company spokesman said, putting console sales for the full year at 5.6 million units, far below its target of 10 million units.
The reason why they didn't make as much money is because of lackluster GameCube sales.
Post by: Hybrid Hunter on April 07, 2003, 11:19:49 PM
Especially with a Pokemon GCN game coming out.
Post by: Nintendo on April 08, 2003, 12:51:38 AM
One source says something different from the other, look at this:
$4.2 billion sales (profit=$547 million) VERSUS $4 billion sales (profit=$550 million)
Which is true?
Post by: Perfect Cell on April 08, 2003, 05:38:47 AM
Post by: jarob on April 08, 2003, 05:52:21 AM
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 08, 2003, 06:02:24 AM
Hate to say it, but Nintendo needs to release something that can one-up Halo. That could have been Metroid Prime, had they actually had a brain in their head and worked in some killer multi-player deathmatch. Don't get me wrong, Metroid Prime was amazing, but once I beat it I put it on the shelf. Mind you I don't own Halo, but I guarantee if I did I'd still be deathmatching my buddies on a regular basis. Heck, I still play TimeSplitters 2. And don't even get me started on how Nintendo dropped the ball as far as online goes.
Nintendo is no longer cutting edge. They're known as the company that makes cartoony, Disney-type stuff and shoves Mario and Zelda down your throat. Rehashed game after rehashed game. I'm the biggest Nintendo mark out there and even I'm getting tired of Mario and Zelda. Mario Sunshine is Mario 64 with better graphics just like Wind Waker is Ocarina of Time with better graphics. Gameplay is exactly the same and doesn't offer anything different. Both of those franchises are getting stale, and frankly I wish they would just retire them. That's heresy but it's my honest opinion. Why do you think everybody loved the new look of Link at Spaceworld 2000? Because that was something hip, that was something new. Then we get Wind Waker, a game that's exceptionaly but basically aimed at kids. I'm far from a kid anymore and that's why I enjoyed Eternal Darkness a million times more than Wind Waker...ED's story wasn't dumbed down so that "everyone" could enjoy it (read: so that 10-year-old kids wouldn't get confused). Yeah, Wind Waker uses the cool cel shading, it sold a million copies, but come on people - it's all been done before.
Gee, Nintendo is losing money because of PS2 titles like GTA. DUH. Never would have imagined that. Your company losing money because your competitor outsells you 10:1 and has cooler products and a cooler image? Astonishing. Still, Nintendo seems content to sit back and say, "We're losing money because the buying public is stupid, and they don't appreciate our works of art". Whatever Nintendo. Can't wait to play Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Mario Pachinko, Mario Poker, Mario Swimming, Mario Freestyle Skiing, Mario BMX, Mario Othello, Super Mario Moonshine, Mario Kart 8, Zelda: The Sleep Inducer, and maybe you could throw in yet another Kirby sequel, 1080 sequel, F-Zero sequel and Donkey Kong Country sequel. Oh, you're already working on those? Great. Excuse me while I move to PS2 and X-Box, where they actually make new games because they don't have 50,000 franchises to fall back on.
silks (drinking gallons of Haterade)
Post by: godwheel on April 08, 2003, 07:33:16 AM
Post by: couchmonkey on April 08, 2003, 07:38:40 AM
I don't believe a lack of originality or new games is Nintendo's problem, the fact is most people want more of the same old crap. I just listed three of Nintendo's new franchises for the past year, but they were all easily outsold by recognized franchises like Mario and Zelda.
I tend to agree that Nintendo's main weakness is marketing. Microsoft is marketing the hell out of Xbox, and sales show that it is paying off. Nintendo may be profitable, but to ensure the long-term profitablitity of the company, it needs to take some risks. I should be seeing ads for GameCube games new and old 24 hours a day everywhere I go. The company should be working with third parties to ensure that every major new release is announced loud and clear. Games like Beach Spikers and Resident Evil could have been capitalized on far better by Nintendo.
But in the end, none of us know how to "fix" Nintendo any better than anyone else. Honestly, if we could have seen where the GameCube is today two years ago, we all would have wet our pants and said, "Wow, GameCube is going to kick ass! Metroid, Zelda, Mario, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil!" I think Nintendo has answered virtually every problem the N64 faced (yes, including the "mature games" problem) so how come the GameCube isn't outselling the other consoles? We can all theorize, but I don't believe we know the answer.
Post by: thecubedcanuck on April 08, 2003, 10:21:57 AM
I cant imagine we are the only 2 people who feel this way, this is a serious issue for the Big N because falling sales on a yearly basis are never a good thing.
Post by: mac<censored> on April 08, 2003, 03:37:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: thecubedcanuck
I know one thing is for sure. If nintendo doesnt start making more FPS or games in the style of GTA for example them this will be my last Nintendo console. Games like Zelda could have been so so great. The graphics were great, the game play great, the depth of the dungeons unmatched, however the game was clearly targeted at little kids. Everystep you made there was something telling you exactly what to do next. I know my brother in law has already said he will not but another Nintendo system. I cant imagine we are the only 2 people who feel this way.
Probably you're not the only ones who feel this way, but that doesn't make you the majority either. There are lots of styles of gameplay, and each ones has it's fans; if you're a FPS fan, well, great, maybe you should go for the Xbox or something. Indeed, look at the wild success of console RPGs in Japan, many of which are are far worse than zelda in terms of `hand holding.'
Personally I love Zelda, it just has this great `feel' that most other games come nowhere near capturing, and manages to seem far freer than a typical console RPG (despite the same general system of linear or semi-linear goals). So, Nintendo: more Zelda please!
[as for `clearly targeted at little kids', that's just silly; I suspect this comment says more about you than about the actual game]
Post by: Cap on April 08, 2003, 04:02:56 PM
what does that mean? i know zelda's a great game, and i know grand theft auto is a great game. i'm going to assume you simply mean more "m" rated games, seeing as how zelda was cleary targeted at children. i also know that there are many first person shooters for gamecube(nightfire, timesplitters, metroid, die hard, red faction, hitman2(still coming i hope) & medal of honor off the top of my head). do you actually want grand theft auto and halo on gamecube? sorry, its not going to happen. if your unhappy with your gamecube, get rid of it.
Post by: JoeFalco on April 08, 2003, 04:32:30 PM
Post by: thecubedcanuck on April 08, 2003, 04:49:48 PM
I already have an X-box and a PS2, I had bought the Gamecube to play the Nintendo Classics like Mario and Zelda. However I found the new versions of these classics very boring, especially WW and Metroid, sunshine was just plain bad IMO.
So unless Nintendo makes a few original shooters, or vastly improves on its classics, I wont be back next gen.
As for GTA I would love to see it run on the cube.
Post by: WesDawg on April 08, 2003, 06:12:04 PM
Quote
seeing as how zelda was cleary targeted at children
Jeesh, when will people stop saying stuff like this. WW isn't targeted at children. It's not targeted at any age group as far as I care. It's just Zelda, and the its the best Zelda ever I think. Anyways, Nintendo refuses to make games that glorify the things GTA or even Conker's did. That doesn't make the games for kids, it just makes 'em moral.
Post by: jarob on April 08, 2003, 06:25:53 PM
Post by: Cap on April 08, 2003, 07:03:52 PM
cubedcanuck, i honestly dont know what to say. if you cant enjoy at least one of metroid, zelda, or mario, you should just sell your gamecube. obviously nintendo makes a different style of games then you are looking for.
Post by: bonestormer on April 08, 2003, 07:56:39 PM
But that's hardly the point.The way I look at it is if I were on the market to buy a system (be it PS2, XBox, or GC), would I actually get a GC over the other two? Keeping in mind that most diehard Nintendo fans that are big fans of the Zeldas, Marios, ect already probably have a GC, then my answer is 'no'. That can't be a good thing.
GC/Nintendo's image needs a huge boost. It needs a MUCH better selection/variety in games. Sure it has a few violent bloody games, a few RPGs, a few fighters, ect. But it could use much more. 3rd parties listen up! Most still GC as either kiddy or a machine just to play the next Mario. It doesn't matter if it's true or not, it IS its percieved image.
And no matter what Sprite says, image IS everything (in terms of marketing).
Post by: greenwood on April 08, 2003, 08:07:48 PM
The reason why they didn't make as much money is because of lackluster GameCube sales."
Are you talking to me? Because I clearly stated that unmet sales expectations of the GCN were one of the reasons why Nintendo didn't make as much money. That's right, it's only one. Nintendo's not going to say, "We're paying Capcom x dollars for some exclusive RE games." or "We're paying Konami x dollars for Metal Gear Solid-whatever it turns out to be" or "We're eating x dollars on the Oot/MQ disc". They're also reached an agreement with Namco to publish 6 Japanese games and Bandai to publish however many games they're making, plus they made a deal with (I think it's) Natsume to publish the Harvest Moon GCN/GBA games. Plus, they made a deal with Ubi Soft to bring Rayman 3 out earlier on the GCN and the EA deal. And we also know that Nintendo is trying to reach similar deals with other 3rd parties.
But we won't mention any of that because I'm sure it didn't cost Nintendo a dime.
Post by: Mario on April 09, 2003, 01:44:10 AM
Quote
Can't wait to play Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Mario Pachinko, Mario Poker, Mario Swimming, Mario Freestyle Skiing, Mario BMX, Mario Othello, Super Mario Moonshine, Mario Kart 8, Zelda: The Sleep Inducer, and maybe you could throw in yet another Kirby sequel, 1080 sequel, F-Zero sequel and Donkey Kong Country sequel.
You forgot Mario Ping Pong, Mario Handball, Mario Cricket, Mario Baseball, Mario Soccer, Mario Chess, Mario Volleyball, Mario Hockey, Mario Wall Ball, Mario Lawn Bowles, Mario Hangliding, Mario Swimming, Mario Shotput, Mario Pushups, Mario Rowing, Mario Sailing, Mario Archery, Mario Badminton, Mario Bobsledding, Mario Rugby, Mario Wrestling, Mario Skateboarding, Mario Snowboarding, Mario Cheerleading, Mario Bullfighting, Mario Polo, Mario Cockfighting, Mario Skiing, Mario Tug-of-war, Mario Table Tennis, Mario Camel Racing, Mario Equestrian, Mario Diving, Mario Fencing, Mario Fishing, Mario Canoeing, Mario Softball, Mario Martial Arts, Mario Running, Mario Squash, Mario Windsurfing, Mario Gymnastics, Mario Track & Field, Mario Surfing, Mario BMX, Mario Walking, Mario Dodgeball, Mario Boxing, Mario Weighlifting, Mario Dog Racing, Mario Cycling, Mario Arm Wrestling, Mario Basketball, Mario Envelope Folding, Mario Thumb Wars, Mario Netball, Mario Triathlon, Mario Judo, Mario Target Practice, Mario Carwashing, Mario Billiards, Mario Pong, Mario Hot Potato, Mario Gold Digging, Mario Heads Down Thumbs Up, Mario Figure Skating, Mario Gladiators, Mario Syncronised Swimming, Mario Lacross, Mario F1, Mario Scootering, Mario Backgammon, Mario Dominoes, Mario Skydiving, Mario of Honor, Mario Spear Fishing, Mario Tips, Mario Slippery Dip, Mario Bird Watching, Mario Mountain Biking, Mario Slalom, Mario Brandings, Mario Hunting, Mario Trampoline or Mario Flower Picking and Mario Bowling.
Mario will take over the world!
Post by: Termin8Anakin on April 09, 2003, 01:54:45 AM
Nintendo had better cash in on all of this!
Post by: thecubedcanuck on April 09, 2003, 02:26:27 AM
Quote
It is kinda sad. That games like GTA3 sell so well while great games like Metroid and Mario Sunshine
Mario Sunshine is far from a great game. IMO it is the worst 1st party game Nintendo has released this generation, possibly of all time.
As for what I said about Zelda being geered for children.
I mean that everytime you walk into a room they point out exactly what you need to do. Either someone is in the room to tell you or your stupid rocks starts flashing. This IMO took away all the excitment of trying to figure out what to do next. If this isnt done for children then who is done for? Does Nintendo think we are all that stupid?
Post by: StRaNgE on April 09, 2003, 07:42:25 AM
Nintendo sales topic
also in the 1st post there is a link to an NBC site which does nothing but make the cube again look like it's going down. Why don;t news people just stick to reporting things they know about?
Post by: Luciferschild on April 09, 2003, 09:13:26 AM
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 09, 2003, 10:21:40 AM
COUCHMONKEY - Vice City is a total rehash, I'll agree with you there (and that's why I don't own it). But I'd say that Grand Theft Auto III is the title that REALLY started selling PS2s, and like Metroid Prime, it was the first GTA to go 3-D. So even though it was the third in the series, it was essentially a brand new gaming experience.
As for Mario Sunshine, sure it was the first Mario game in six years, but its gameplay was virtually identical to Mario 64. Sure you had the FLUDD and all that, but at its core it was Mario 64 all over again.
Pikmin and Animal Crossing? Two more cutesy-looking games that were embraced by hardcore adults and 10-year-old kids, but shunned by teenage males.
Better marketing would help tremendously, but I think overall Nintendo needs to be more unpredictable. They always tend to tell the public what they want instead of listening to what they want and giving it to them. "You don't need DVD-ROM, all you need is our 1.5GB Mini-Discs".
MACSHIT - by "Clearly targeted at little kids" I mean "the story is dumbed down so that a child can understand it". For example, compare the story of Metal Gear Solid 2 to Wind Waker - I think the target audiences differ a little bit. Not that I want Zelda to turn into MGS, but for once could Link show maybe a little emotion? Maybe have somebody close to him die, causing him to want revenge? A little rounding out of his character? Something a little different from the "Ganon comes back (AGAIN) and kidnaps a female relation (AGAIN)" story they do EVERY time? Zelda is like a fairy tale - as a kid you like fairy tales, but when you're an adult you want something a little more meaty. Without a good story backing it all up the gameplay is just a meaningless exercise to me.
That's why I loved Eternal Darkness - I was playing the game to find out how the story ended. The story MATTERED. With Zelda, you know how the story ends: you go through your eight dungeons, beat the bosses (and all the bosses probably take three hits to kill), then you fight Ganon (and he probably changes form a few times), your rescue Zelda/sister and that's it. What's the point? Where's the surprise?
MARIO - hahaha, I can't wait for Mario Thumb Wars. Mario Spear Fishing should be pretty dope too LOL
I think my overall beef is that Nintendo needs to get off its high horse. They aren't making their games to be displayed in the Smithsonian as paradigms of video gaming, they're making their games to be played by teenage males. If teenage males like Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Halo, why not make some games like that? What's WRONG with that? Don't sit there and infer that the buying public is stupid and low-brow because they love those games and buy them like hotcakes.
I'm not asking for porn, I'm asking for games that have deeper plots and themes that appeal to adult audiences. We shouldn't be thankful and appreciative when Soul Calibur 2 is released for Gamecube - it shouldn't even be an issue. Game releases like that should be a given.
I'm not saying Super Mario Sunshine and Zelda: Wind Waker suck, because they don't, but games in that vein are practically ALL that Nintendo has been releasing for the last six years. Compare the variety of games on SNES to N64 and Gamecube...it's downright depressing.
silks
Post by: PIAC on April 09, 2003, 10:32:33 AM
anyways, im in the opposite opinion of silks, i want nintendo to stay their current tack, but perhaps second/third parties (which they are doing) to create "mature" titles. if nintendo change to make gta3 style clones it will be a black day indeed. unfortunatly i seem to be the minority =\ i dont like "mature" games with gore and sex etc, i would much rather play zelda, mario, yoshi styl e games etc.
also to luciferschild, erm, if you dont like the purple last time i checked there were 3 other colour posibilities, i personally got the purple one, its a console not a car, colour really isn't that imporant, its mearly asthetics that dont effect gameplay
Post by: WesDawg on April 09, 2003, 01:07:39 PM
Post by: Mingesium on April 09, 2003, 01:22:18 PM
Post by: kennyb27 on April 09, 2003, 02:03:42 PM
Quote
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nintendo blamed the sluggish performance of GameCube and its software to rising popularity of such PlayStation 2 titles as Grand Theft Auto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats from IGN Cube..... Seems like Nintendo finally "Got it" If this is the reason for their lack luster sales then i see more of the GTA type games appearing on the cube, and less of the pikmins and Mario sunshines. Nintendo is changing.... The Nintendo of the future isnt your NES nintendo folks.... Its almost quasi historic.
See, I have the opposite opinion. I think it's ridiculous for Nintendo to "blame" their sales on the rise of popularity of other games. I don't exactly have a quick-fix solution for Nintendo for this. But I believe it is immature to throw the blame at something else. In my opinion, it's time for Nintendo to pick up the slack.
Post by: Michael8983 on April 09, 2003, 02:46:09 PM
It seems to me that the economy should get almost all the blame. Nintendo expected people to run out and buy its consoles in droves each time a "big" game came out and they did just that years ago in the Clinton years when the economy was great but things have changed a lot since then. The economy is bad in the US and really bad in Japan.
People just want to buy "safe" systems like the PS2 and GBA. The PS2 because it has such a huge selection of games and is "trusted" and the GBA because it's so cheap. I actually think one of the GCN's biggest problems is that parents are buying GBAs for their kids instead of consoles for that exact reason.
Who knows. Maybe the economy will get better in coming years and Nintendo's consoles sales will go WAY up. Or maybe Bush will blow up the world and console sales won't matter anymore anyway. For now, Nintendo will just have to settle for making a massive ton of money as opposed to making a massive, MASSIVE ton of money while just about everyone else in the gaming industry is losing millions and facing possible death. How I pity Nintendo!
Post by: Armed on April 09, 2003, 04:31:22 PM
Doesn't it get annoying that they keep blaming other companies for their losses!
Post by: Perfect Cell on April 09, 2003, 04:59:46 PM
Post by: almondblight on April 10, 2003, 05:55:36 AM
Seriously-no one here finds it amusing that the things that make up a "mature" game are things that most people would find immature? I'm glad that Nintendo doesn't have games where random sex and violence, or poor drama is thrown in just so some teens with low self esteem can feel like they aren't playing a kiddy game. I liked Conkers Bad Fur Day, that was a fun game, it was juvenile though. Rogue Leader didn't have sex and violence, but it was by no means a kiddie game. Good games stand on their own, I fully support nintendo for having integrity and not just make random "M" rated games to appease some 11 who can't get access to pronography.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 10, 2003, 06:16:09 AM
The GBA SP, on the other hand, is a huge mainstream success. The other day, a co-worker of mine that couldn't be a more casual gamer walks into my office, shows me his brand-new GBA SP and says, "Look what I got". It really amazed me. While the GBA SP has buzz all over (I've seen it written up in Maxim, Wired, MSN.com, CNN.com), the Gamecube is an afterthought.
Sadly, what really needs a makeover is the Gamecube. People can't take it seriously when it looks like a lunchbox, no matter what color it is. For its next console Nintendo needs to color it black, and design it so that it looks like a slick piece of stereo equipment. The public would eat that up.
As for GTA not having a deep plot...sure, it wasn't War and Peace, but it least it was a refreshing change of pace. It touched a genre that hadn't really been explored before and presented it in a unique way. You gotta admit that nobody had even come close to the "immersive real world" stuff on a console before GTA 3. Sure, it was done on PCs long ago, but it was always with D&D/fantasy content that just doesn't appeal to the mainstream.
silks
Post by: PIAC on April 10, 2003, 10:16:49 AM
or perhaps... have a number of designs? say a mainstream style then a diehardNfan style, you see what im driving at (i dont think it should happen, but its an idea)
Post by: thecubedcanuck on April 10, 2003, 10:57:56 AM
They have the hard part covered already, the loyalist who loves their 1st party games.
The easy part would be having a mass amount of 3rd part games regardless of what the 1st party fans thought of them. Games with mass appeal.
Why is this so much trouble for them?
You cant build a product based on the minotities wants and expect majority sales, it just isnt realistic.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 10, 2003, 11:29:01 AM
PIAC - Howsabout this...sell the next console in default black, but have a detachable outer casing that you could replace with new "shells" only sold on Nintendo.com. That'd be brilliant. You could have any color of the rainbow. Nintendo could release new shells to commemorate key game releases, like a solid gold shell with a TriForce symbol on it to commemorate the release of the next Zelda game. Just like the Metroid Prime emblems that were packaged with the Prime bundle in Europe, only taken to the next level.
Now THAT would be cool.
silks
Post by: Luciferschild on April 10, 2003, 11:43:13 AM
Post by: mouse_clicker on April 10, 2003, 01:11:15 PM
Post by: Perfect Cell on April 10, 2003, 01:53:16 PM
The Gamecube is popular but its not popular enough.... The Common gamer says its kiddy and discards it, and just doesnt give it a chance... If Nintendo doesnt gain an increase soon, then they will have problems eventually.... You do this by doing more "violent" games, and less enfasis on the General Audiences games, and changing your advertisements to emphasise more on the Mature titles and less on the general ones.
Post by: kennyb27 on April 10, 2003, 02:01:03 PM
Post by: Perfect Cell on April 10, 2003, 03:28:41 PM
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 11, 2003, 08:25:40 AM
It would also be nice if Nintendo designed their controllers to be more amicable to fighting games...one of the strengths of the PS2 is their standardized controller design. Sure, Nintendo's controllers are always ergonomic marvels, but their wacky layouts are too geared towards 3-D platformers.
MOUSE_CLICKER - Sure, the GameCube has sold alright, but since the market is so large now the popularity criteria has changed a little bit. The GameCube is in third place behind PS2 and XBox, consoles from two companies that didn't have anything to do with video games prior to 1995. That's pretty sad. Nintendo has definitely fallen behind the times and it's really hitting them hard now. Saying you're going to sell 10 million GameCubes and then only selling 5.6 million is embarrassing.
silks
Post by: NiteWalker on April 12, 2003, 08:37:28 AM
Post by: NiteWalker on April 12, 2003, 08:45:29 AM
Post by: NiteWalker on April 12, 2003, 08:46:26 AM
Post by: thecubedcanuck on April 12, 2003, 08:53:19 AM
Quote
*sigh* This is an appearance driven world...
or maybe some people just dont like Nintendo games?
Has anyone ever thought of that?
Maybe they dont think Zelda is a fun game to play, or sunshine or prime. Maybe they really enjoy GTA vice city, or DOA vollyball, maybe they think these games are fun regardless of what you think?
Why is that fact that some people dont like what you like such a stumbling block around here?
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 12, 2003, 11:03:40 AM
silks
Post by: thecubedcanuck on April 12, 2003, 11:23:10 AM
I agree 100%
GTA 3 is a great game.
Post by: Mingesium on April 12, 2003, 11:42:58 AM
The funny part is Microsoft is also going to probable miss their forcast by a lot.
Post by: mouse_clicker on April 12, 2003, 01:54:55 PM
Silks: I'm not saying the Gamecube shouldn't be MORE popular, just that a lot of people are really painting out the situation a lot more dire than it is. We shouldn't be discussing why Nintendo's doing bad, because they're most certainly not doing bad, not with the Gamecube- we should be discussing why they're not doing BETTER.
"Saying you're going to sell 10 million GameCubes and then only selling 5.6 million is embarrassing."
I'm fairly certain that Nintendo meant they sold 5.6 million Gamecubes *last year* and they forcasted *total* Gamecube sales to be 10 million by now. I think total sales are actually like 9 million so far (which is still pretty far from their prediction).
Post by: AlphaDragoon2002 on April 12, 2003, 04:12:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: thecubedcanuckQuote
*sigh* This is an appearance driven world...
or maybe some people just dont like Nintendo games?
Has anyone ever thought of that?
Maybe they dont think Zelda is a fun game to play, or sunshine or prime. Maybe they really enjoy GTA vice city, or DOA vollyball, maybe they think these games are fun regardless of what you think?
Why is that fact that some people dont like what you like such a stumbling block around here?
First off, nobody could actually like DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball for the gameplay. If somebody said so I'd call them a liar.
Anyway, people may not like Nintendo's games. But more often than not, it's not because of the actual game rather the fact that it's Nintendo and it's not "cool" to play their games. And that, my friends, is sad. Besides, anybody who liked stuff like Halo and other FPS games should love Metroid Prime. BTW, I have a PS2 as well, so I'm not just trashing the games on it.
mouse_clicker: You're right, Nintendo's actualy sold somewhere in the 9 million range for GC.
Post by: greenwood on April 12, 2003, 07:53:21 PM
Fiscal year ending March 2003- 5.6 million
Fiscal year ending March 2002- 3.8 million
I don't think there's any doubt that Nintendo meant 10 million total. Look at all the money MS lost trying to sell Xbox's and, according to that report, they're on pace to sell 8 million (their fiscal year ends June 2003). 8 million is a great number but they lost a lot of money getting there.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 13, 2003, 08:19:09 AM
For the fiscal year ending March 2003, Nintendo wanted to sell 10 million GCs. They only sold 5.6 million, missing their target by 44%. So they've sold 9.4 million total when they really wanted 13.8 million.
Overall, Nintendo definitely isn't in dire straits. GBA is making money hand over fist and they're still making profits. It's just really frustrating to watch them sit there and scratch their heads about why their consoles aren't selling when they're supposed to be the industry veterans that know how to make games better than anybody else.
silks
