Topic: Would this be enough to help Nintendo reclaim the #1 position?

[Rhoq]

Throughout this current generation of consoles and even in the previous one, we often hear the same thing:

Sony is in first place because their machine came out first, before their competition. Due to this headstart, they were able to have a nice-sized library of available titles by the time Nintendo and Microsoft launched their new consoles. Ultimately, it was this headstart and the selection of games already available that helped Sony beat Nintendo and Microsoft and remain in the #1 position.

If we were to listen to (and believe) all of the current rumors regarding the next generation of consoles, Nintendo's successor to the GameCube might see a Fall 2004 launch in Japan following a stateside release in early to mid-2005. If Nintendo does in fact have a new machine ready for release this early, they will most likely launch before Sony and Microsoft. I have read some reports that indicate Sony's PlayStation3 won't be ready until 2006. Microsoft has yet to even announce a successor to the X-Box, even though it's widely speculated that there will be one (we all know it's coming).

If Nintendo does in fact launch in 2005 before Sony and Microsoft, will this be the beginning of the Big N's return to glory? It's quite obvious that they are learning their lesson from the past 2 generations and now see the importance of delivering a new machine first. Will following the example set by Sony, and more or less fighting them with a taste of their own medicine lead Nintendo to victory?

Although an earlier launch could mean a less powerful machine (less powerful than PS3/X-Box2) similar to how the PS2 is inferior to the GameCube and X-Box, they could use the early launch to their advantage. This would allow them to have a wide selection of games already available by the time Sony and Microsoft are ready to launch their new systems. With proper 3rd party support and quality games, Nintendo could finally prove to all of the nay sayers out there that they are still in the game and kicking ass!    

[Ian Sane]

Being the first out of the gate doesn't usually make much a difference.  Genesis was out almost three years before the SNES and in the end the SNES "won" (though that was a close race).  In the US the Saturn launched months before the Playstation and it still got killed.  The Dreamcast was the first "128 bit" console by two years and it was dead before the Cube and Xbox even launched.  The PS2 is a rare exception in that it basically got a whole year without any competition.  But that isn't the only reason the PS2 is in the lead.  It helped but I'm pretty sure that even if all three consoles launched at the same time the PS2 would be ahead thanks to GTA3 alone.

If Nintendo launches first there is no guarantee that it will bring them to number 1.  It will make it easier for them to compete with Sony but it won't give them instant victory.  I think launching early is still a good idea but Nintendo has to make sure they give people a reason to buy their console first and not wait for the PS3.  If they "pull a Gamecube" and launch with Luigi's Mansion 2 and have no games for six months then launching early will do nothing for them.

[BigJim]

What Ian said.

The PS2 also was a cheap DVD player for Japan, had brand recognition for consumers, and had developer confidence.

I don't know where folks got the idea Nintendo plans to beat competitors to the market. I don't think anybody actually expects that either. They simply said they wouldn't give them a headstart... meaning anything from matching launches to launching a matter of months after a competitor, rather than a year.

Simultaneous launches are cool for gamers because we all want to see blood shed, but I bet Nintendo will wait a few months after Sony makes their move. Simul. launches cost more money (marketing), and the end result is still a split of revenue between the two systems, meaning less for both. And I think Nintendo will always look out for the bottom line first.

If history is any indication, there won't be any killer apps for PS3 right out the gate. Nintendo is more capable of producing a killer app(s), so I think it'd be an interesting strategy to let PS3 have its moment... and once people see there's nothing they really need to play, Nintendo launches with their gloves on.

[rodtod]

BigJim, of course there will be killer apps for the PS3 launch. Just look at the Xbox's launch. Halo, anyone?

[Nintendo Gamecube]

We all should guess by now that X-Box will be the heavy favorite in winning the visually stunning category for the next systems.
This leaves the market open for direct gaming. PS2 has ultimately stumped Nintendo in this category for the last two generations. Not because their games are better (or worse) their marketing and image has helped them destory and direct competition to them.

What Nintendo needs to do is open their 6+ billion dollar vault and us some of that cash in marketing. Let the people know what goods they have. I remember when a year before Nintendo launched GC, my friends had no idea what the hell Gamecube was. They thought I was on crack. But they did know that Microsoft was making a whole new system and they were all going to buy it. (All of them already owned a PS2).

The mainstream media needs to know Nintendo is out their and what goods they have. All Nintnedo needs to do then is deliver killer games and sell, sell, sell!!!

[BigJim]

Unless you're being sarcastic, what does Xbox's launch have to do with PS3's launch?

[Mario]

Quote
What Nintendo needs to do is open their 6+ billion dollar vault and us some of that cash in marketing.

Its not that big anymore. Last i heard it was at 4.5 billion...

[ThePerm]

you know i think Nintendo's fortune is greatly undercalculated. I remember a few years back people talking about it being 20 billion. Now i don't think they have shrunk alot. I think that alot of its money is moved around and it is really confusing. How could Nintendo have made 6.5 billion dollars on Pokémon one year and then suddenly stop spending as much money? At the same time GBA is a 2 billion dollar a year industry. God knows what they make in profit on gamecube...im actually going to get bored an calculate how much money theyve made(first party).

oh fuck it..i just found some articles that just depressed the hell out of me....