Topic: Nintendo Needs Another Revolution

[JusDBerube]

Ten years ago, something special was brewing within Nintendo.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/editorial/37620/nintendo-needs-another-revolution

Ten years ago, Nintendo started a revolution that paved the way for some of their best-selling systems of all time. At E3 2004, Nintendo held what can easily be considered their best press conference ever. The GameCube was clearly struggling and the company promised to talk about a new dual screen handheld device.

At the start of the event, a new face hit the stage. It was Reggie Fils-Aime, and he said, “My name is Reggie, I’m about kickin’ ass, I’m about taking names, and we’re about making games.”

This one line managed to reinvigorate Nintendo fans worldwide. It was a boost of energy. You see, Reggie made it seem like Nintendo was going to come back swinging at their competitors harder than ever. Even during the press event, Reggie directly bashed Sony and Microsoft. This is what Nintendo fans wanted to see and hear.

Then, not only did Nintendo showcase a ton of first and third party software across both the GameCube and Game Boy Advance, we were shown the future of portable gaming in the form of the Nintendo DS. We were told about its many functions, backwards compatibility with Game Boy Advance, touch screen, local and Wi-Fi wireless multiplayer, its games, and more.

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata also took the stage to talk about how proud he was of Nintendo’s past successes, and how DS would change the industry all over again. He then went on to talk about the future of Nintendo console gaming, and how the device would create a gaming revolution.

At the end of the presentation, Nintendo revealed a new Zelda title, Twilight Princess, with more realistic graphics. This was clearly an attempt to satisfy fans that didn’t like Wind Waker’s art style, but at the same time, it told fans Nintendo was listening and ready to deliver what they wanted.

The end result was that the Nintendo DS and Wii (Revolution) ended up being phenomenally successful devices that brought great wealth and prosperity to the company. Nintendo delivered on all their promises, like them or not.

So here we are, 10 years later. The 3DS is doing all right, but the Wii U is in a worse position than the GameCube ever was. During that press conference at E3 2004, Reggie Fils-Aime also said, “It’s a new day. A new day for me, and a new day for Nintendo.” Well Nintendo, we need to have yet another new day. The fans need another boost of energy, and another revolution. Hopefully, we hear something about it at E3 in a few days.

[Triforce Hermit]

Its not coming this E3. It could, but I doubt it.

[smallsharkbigbite]

Actually I think this is a big part of Nintendo's problem.  They knocked it out of the park once, so now they are determined to knock it out of the park again.  They are the homerun hitter that keeps striking out because they refuse to knock the single into the opposite field.  I think they just need to focus on doing the simple things right.  Video games aren't rocket science.  Provide customers what they want and they'll buy it.  They don't need to copy the competitors, but they don't need to be the anti-competitors either.


I'm not saying they can't work to innovate, but more innovations fail than make it and they are fools if they think they can catch the Wii innovation train even every other generation. 


Too bad about Reggie.  I used to think he had power, but it's pretty clear he was the Western figurehead.  He doesn't even seem to speak anymore. 

[Evan_B]

Good article, Justin. Sums up how I've been feeling about Nintendo.

The Wii was a magical time for me, because despite all the negativity surrounding the console, there were obscure gems that I'm still discovering and loving so very much. The Gamecube felt like a very small library to me- I'm sure I owned most of its best titles.

Same with the Nintendo DS. There's still so many games I've yet to play for the system, and it's making this year's game drought on 3DS that much more bearable. But on the flipside, I don't know what to be excited for with the Wii U. Even the 3DS feels like it has run out of steam, which is weird, since it had such a fantastic 2013. You'd think localizations would be a big push. Obviously I'm thrilled for new characters in Smash and X does look like a dream come true, but they feel like figments of my imagination right now- so far off, and nothing is filling the gap right now. I mean, Mario Kart 8 is, but that's just a Kart racer.

I won't lie, I do remain both hopeful and skeptical about Nintendo's NFC plans, because I still believe that they have the ability to create a NFC program that doesn't adhere to the cheap and annoying Skylanders and Infinity models. But the minute they end up doing something similar with the technology, I will throw in the towel.

It's a shame to me, because I don't like sitting at a computer to play games. The freedom of a couch has always been more appealing to me- even the Gamepad off-TV play feels more satisfying. But without something truly magical to play, I might just be done with gaming altogether.