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3DS

Nintendo of America Comments on Lack of 3DS Virtual Console

by Neal Ronaghan - May 12, 2012, 5:52 pm EDT
Total comments: 38 Source: (Nintendo)

Basically, they say there is a whole bunch of other content out there.

While we're now aware that Nintendo of America's two-month 3DS Virtual Console drought will end next week with Kirby's Block Ball, here is Nintendo of America's comment to us in regards to the lackluster support in 2012 for the service:

"Each week Nintendo makes available a mix of Nintendo eShop, Virtual Console, WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare games. Combined, these services currently provide gamers with hundreds of fun and interesting downloadable games to choose from. There is no preset schedule as to how many games will become available in a given week, but many more are on the way via all of these digital-delivery systems."

Nintendo is saying that they give gamers options, defending the original content-heavy release schedule by saying that the eShop (and the Wii Shop, for that matter) has hundreds of games already.

How do you feel about Nintendo's comments? Would you rather have more Virtual Console than original eShop games? Or vice versa? Let us know in the Talkback section below.

Talkback

broodwarsMay 12, 2012

I think Nintendo's statement is indicative of their biggest problem with these online services: they view them all as all appealing to the same audience, competing and taking dollars from each other.  I don't own a 3DS, and I doubt I ever will.  But Wii Virtual Console titles will definitely sell to me, if they're titles that interest me.  Some people may not care much for titles on the Wii Virtual Console, but they're interested in the portable classics so 3DS Virtual Console titles will sell to them.  Nintendo of America doesn't seem to understand that having an audience that's cross-platform doesn't mean you only kind of support one platform and ignore the others in turn.  Nintendo's "mix" of titles every week is 1-2 to one service and 1-2 to another, and usually the titles available just aren't enticing to most gamers.  No wonder Nintendo is often seen as out of touch.

joshnickersonMay 12, 2012

I wonder if this is sort of a concession to third parties on the eShop... let's say a third party game (we'll leave out any snide comments about quality control just for the sake of argument) is gearing up to be released on the eShop, the developer is getting excited and what's this? Nintendo decides to drop Wario Land 3 the same week. Which one do you think will be getting more attention?

EyothrieMay 12, 2012

I just want gb, gbc, and gba games, not NES games.  The 3DS is a handheld, and its VC should reflect that

supergttMay 12, 2012

they need to realize that if they put stuff, people can buy it whenever they want. they don't have to worry about shelf space, stock, etc. if they suddenly do a sale later on (yea, right) they don't have to stock up to meet demand.

they need to get people in management who understand the world where supply is infinite, where shelf space is unlimited. bascially they need to go hat in hand down the street to valve and beg gaben and his people to teach them how to turn digital into giant, massive, scrooge mcduckian piles of cash.

broodwarsMay 12, 2012

Nintendo also doesn't seem to known how to drum up fan anticipation for the Virtual Console in particular.  One week, we'll have total silence from them, and the next a random game will drop on the service with no fanfare whatsoever.  Considering the sheer volume of noteworthy software on the service, that is kind of inexcusable. 

This is one aspect where I think Sony (and possibly Microsoft to some extent, though I don't know of many older games hitting their service) has the situation figured out much better.  Every week, we get a series of blog posts about upcoming games, including PS1 and PS2 games when they hit PSN/SEN.  And these games often get dropped in the same week as other new and notable PSN titles, such as the case with Persona 3 FES a few weeks back.  Sony even managed to get the fans salivating for the release of the PS1 game Legend of Dragoon a few weeks back, a game I wasn't aware had fans until a few weeks back.  Really, Nintendo?  Your Virtual Console PR effort has been bested by a PSN release of Legend of Dragoon?  That's just...sad, really.

joshnickersonMay 12, 2012

I will agree with you on that Broodwars. It's almost as if they're shy about announcing these things, as if they're worried it would come off as bragging.

"I say, I don't want to bother you much, but we do have some nice games coming out this week. Yyou can check them out if you like, but if not, that's okay too. No pressure. Sorry to bother you."

But yeah, a bit of pumping up fans in anticipation would be nice to see. Perhaps it's time Reggie or someone gets a blog. *L* To be fair though, they do pimp their releases and promotions via Facebook and Twitter, so they're not completely in the stone age here.

Personally, I would prefer more original content. Of course, this is rather selfish of me, since I already own most of these VC releases in their original form, complete in box to boot.

Quote from: supergtt

they need to realize that if they put stuff, people can buy it whenever they want. they don't have to worry about shelf space, stock, etc. if they suddenly do a sale later on (yea, right) they don't have to stock up to meet demand.

they need to get people in management who understand the world where supply is infinite, where shelf space is unlimited. bascially they need to go hat in hand down the street to valve and beg gaben and his people to teach them how to turn digital into giant, massive, scrooge mcduckian piles of cash.

In a world where shelf space is unlimited, then what's important is "discoverability," which is how likely someone is to even see your product when there's a smorgasbord of other competing products on this "infinitely" long shelf. People's attentions, time, and energy are not infinite! iOS and Android games definitely suffer from this problem as well. In that sense, I suspect that Nintendo is still trying to figure out a good way to give the products that come out on what sounds like their collective services sufficient time and attention to shine.

supergttMay 12, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

In a world where shelf space is unlimited, then what's important is "discoverability," which is how likely someone is to even see your product when there's a smorgasbord of other competing products on this "infinitely" long shelf. People's attentions, time, and energy are not infinite! iOS and Android games definitely suffer from this problem as well. In that sense, I suspect that Nintendo is still trying to figure out a good way to give the products that come out on what sounds like their collective services sufficient time and attention to shine.

Open the steam client, pretty much done right there. There is a middle ground between throwing everything up there and never talking about it, and never putting anything up at all.

In the world of digital distro, I think companies of all stripes would be best served by looking at what valve has done, and using that as a starting point. Lets be honest, nintendo isn't building this thing in a vacuum.  at this point there is a decade or so of work done up to this point they could look at.

Steam customers are a different demographic than Nintendo customers. Right now, 30% of Nintendo 3DS owners haven't even connected their systems to any form of internet, at all! And that's supposed to be an improvement over before! Steam doesn't have that problem.

The problem is not just the functionality of the storefront, it's the extra steps console users currently have to take to even reach the storefront, as well as the basic shopping and usage behavior of the customers themselves.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorMay 12, 2012

Quote from: broodwars

I think Nintendo's statement is indicative of their biggest problem with these online services: they view them all as all appealing to the same audience, competing and taking dollars from each other.

This.  So much this. Nintendo has this problem in all aspects of their marketing philosophy.  Release one major game across all platforms per month (except holiday seasons, if we're lucky).  Nintendo fanboys don't tend to suffer from this as much, as we have all the current systems... but others notice.

supergttMay 12, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

Steam customers are a different demographic than Nintendo customers. Right now, 30% of Nintendo 3DS owners haven't even connected their systems to any form of internet, at all! And that's supposed to be an improvement over before! Steam doesn't have that problem.

The problem is not just the functionality of the storefront, it's the extra steps console users currently have to take to even reach the storefront, as well as the basic shopping and usage behavior of the customers themselves.

that has much less to do with the system and more to do with nintendo themselves. why not a video that plays the first time you open the system that takes you through the features and shows the shops? why not advertised sales? why not a free VC game when you buy a new games kind of deal? or, 20$ eshop credit with every new 3ds? that's just off the top of my head. They could do anything to raise awareness outside of their news following faithful(ie us) and they chose to do... nothing.

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusMay 13, 2012

Nintendo doesn't have enough games released to even consider the infinitely long shelf discovery problem yet. Releasing 0-3 "items" a week is not going to flood your service into uselessness. The Eshop isn't the most usable thing out there by a long shot, but it not remotely in danger of getting flooded.

I haven't brought a single thing from it yet only because there hasn't been anything that screamed fuck yes, I need this now. If they are only looking at that 30% right now, they are being incredibly short sighted by holding back. Like a console, it is games that drive the sales and it is no different for a virtual store front. It's not helped by the unwanted "Wallet" system either adding another step and preventing me from paying the exact price for the item. People feel like they are getting ripped off, even if it is a couple cents at a time. It's the action, not the magnitude of it that annoy.

Quote from: supergtt

Quote from: Kairon

Steam customers are a different demographic than Nintendo customers. Right now, 30% of Nintendo 3DS owners haven't even connected their systems to any form of internet, at all! And that's supposed to be an improvement over before! Steam doesn't have that problem.

The problem is not just the functionality of the storefront, it's the extra steps console users currently have to take to even reach the storefront, as well as the basic shopping and usage behavior of the customers themselves.

that has much less to do with the system and more to do with nintendo themselves. why not a video that plays the first time you open the system that takes you through the features and shows the shops? why not advertised sales? why not a free VC game when you buy a new games kind of deal? or, 20$ eshop credit with every new 3ds? that's just off the top of my head. They could do anything to raise awareness outside of their news following faithful(ie us) and they chose to do... nothing.

Those are fine ideas, but they may not be what Nintendo wants to do. Are you ready for you to sell customers a system that plays them commercials and shows them ads as soon as they turn them on? Do you really want to teach consumers not to pay full price for your software despite arguing against the devaluation of games at GDC 2011.

And actually, they are giving away free VC and download games with purchases (see: Club Nintendo,3D Classics Kid Icarus promotion). And whereas they haven't given people a $20 eShop credit with every 3DS, they HAVE created free services that consumers only benefit from if they take their console online, like Nintendo Video and Swapnote. (However, unlike an eShop gift certificate, which attempts to "push" consumers to go online, these benefits are invisible until someone does go online.)

But you're right, these are problems because of Nintendo. They're because Nintendo is concerned about things that other companies aren't and they sell to consumers that other companies ignore.

I'm not saying they're perfect. And I'm not saying there aren't things I wish they'd steal wholesale from other companies. But there IS a Nintendo difference, for better AND for worse, and that's one of the things that shapes what they do.

That said... I still want my Wii U home screen to be something akin to the Nintendo Channel though. I just want to set it on infinite play so the ads, previews, trailers, and content give me a nice steady stream of game-related background noise!

Quote from: oohhboy

Like a console, it is games that drive the sales and it is no different for a virtual store front.

That's a great point actually. The download services right now are sort of not driven by Nintendo first-party software.

I guess that's one reason to look forward to Nintendo releasing most of their future major releases as downloadable as well as retail: Nintendo first-party titles could drive traffic to their download services and just generally increase user flow to those services period.

leahsdadMay 13, 2012

I think another problem here, maybe the biggest one, has a name:  Reggie.  NCL and NOE have released much more VC than NOA has.  Then, NOA has been more original content heavy than NCL and NOE.  I think it's because NOA has a very different marketing plan or strategy than anyone else.  They don't want to put out Wario Land.  They want to put out Sudoku.  And IOS ports.  And occasionally, really good games like Mighty Switch Force and Mutant Mudds.  A lot of people are comparing NOA to Valve/Steam, saying NOA should look more closely at their model.  I think they have.  And Apple's.  And I think NOA/Reggie are trying their best, within their limited power and scope (because at the end of the day, NCL is still in charge) to craft this kind of sucky Steam/App Store hybrid, where they can sell I Must Run to IOS converts and VVVVVV to Steam converts.  And VC, well, that just doesn't fit the model, because hey, Apple doesn't do it, and Steam doesn't do it, so it must not work.  So screw the old games that give the eshop a unique character, because the customers that they're trying to win over don't like old games.


UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorMay 13, 2012

I bet Apple and Steam WOULD do Nintendo VC ports if they could...

AVMay 13, 2012

I think Nintendo is trying to be anti apple and NOT have an overwhelming choice of content, but to give a select few a chance to shine every week.


it's playing a little too safe, and it feels like they are not even trying instead of giving the focus to a few.


I don't know about anyone else but if I see something i want I'll buy it, and while I'm buying that I might also get something else. That whole " people who buy this usually buy this too" mentality works well on me and when I spend some money I spread the wealth around. I rarely just get ONE song off itunes, I usually get a few cuz if I am going to spend I might as well get this one too.


sort of like a vending machine, I spent 50 cents on a dr. pepper and still got 50 left so I might as well buy some lays while I am here.


For e-shop, if a game I want pops up I want like  Kirby Tilt n' Tumble (optimised for 3DS's gyro sensor) released and at the same time a demo for x 3rd party game is also on, I'll get that demo too. I'll play both and that demo may lead to a purchase. I wouldn't be interested in the demo itself but because I got something I wanted and that too it lead to me spending more. If they keep putting stuff up I don't care about or know about I'll keep ignoring it and they won't get my money, but lure me in with something every week and I'll spend more than.


just a random thought of mine

If they could just commit to one game, and only one game, every single week, it would provide a steady flow while not overloading the market.

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

If they could just commit to one game, and only one game, every single week, it would provide a steady flow while not overloading the market.

There IS the possibility that they actually might just not have that many games in the pipe to begin with.

supergttMay 13, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

Quote from: supergtt

Quote from: Kairon

Steam customers are a different demographic than Nintendo customers. Right now, 30% of Nintendo 3DS owners haven't even connected their systems to any form of internet, at all! And that's supposed to be an improvement over before! Steam doesn't have that problem.

The problem is not just the functionality of the storefront, it's the extra steps console users currently have to take to even reach the storefront, as well as the basic shopping and usage behavior of the customers themselves.

that has much less to do with the system and more to do with nintendo themselves. why not a video that plays the first time you open the system that takes you through the features and shows the shops? why not advertised sales? why not a free VC game when you buy a new games kind of deal? or, 20$ eshop credit with every new 3ds? that's just off the top of my head. They could do anything to raise awareness outside of their news following faithful(ie us) and they chose to do... nothing.

Those are fine ideas, but they may not be what Nintendo wants to do. Are you ready for you to sell customers a system that plays them commercials and shows them ads as soon as they turn them on? Do you really want to teach consumers not to pay full price for your software despite arguing against the devaluation of games at GDC 2011.

And actually, they are giving away free VC and download games with purchases (see: Club Nintendo,3D Classics Kid Icarus promotion). And whereas they haven't given people a $20 eShop credit with every 3DS, they HAVE created free services that consumers only benefit from if they take their console online, like Nintendo Video and Swapnote. (However, unlike an eShop gift certificate, which attempts to "push" consumers to go online, these benefits are invisible until someone does go online.)

But you're right, these are problems because of Nintendo. They're because Nintendo is concerned about things that other companies aren't and they sell to consumers that other companies ignore.

I'm not saying they're perfect. And I'm not saying there aren't things I wish they'd steal wholesale from other companies. But there IS a Nintendo difference, for better AND for worse, and that's one of the things that shapes what they do.

That said... I still want my Wii U home screen to be something akin to the Nintendo Channel though. I just want to set it on infinite play so the ads, previews, trailers, and content give me a nice steady stream of game-related background noise!

you have great points, and I'm not saying ads, I'm saying more like a video that says 'here is how you connect, the eshop is this thing, here is how you set parental controls, here is how you make folders'. and then at the end, go check out the eshop, here, have some credit there, see how it works.

and as far as not wanting customers to pay less, that ship has sailed. and sales and bundles increase revenues by large factors. Steam has done the leg work here. if NES games were 1 or 2 dollars a peice, I'd probably own 30 or 50 dollars by now, instead of the... well, zero dollars worth I have now. and during a sale, I spend way more than usual during a steam sale. and it's not like valve or the publisher is out a copy sold at a discount that otherwise would have sold at full price, that's the magic of digital.

On a very fundamental level, nintendo just does not understand digital. they don't get it.

Pixelated PixiesMay 13, 2012

It is a pretty frustrating situation for those who would like to see a steady flow of VC games. In recent months in Europe we've had the opposite situation. We weren't getting eshop content like VVVVVV, Mutant Mudds, Sakura Samurai etc. but we were getting frequent VC releases. It seems that Nintendo (at least in North America and Europe) are just unable or unwilling to run multiple download services concurrently. It really shouldn't be a zero-sum situation, gamers I'm sure would prefer more choice not less, but NOA and NOE clearly think differently.

I'm not very familiar with Japan's download release schedule, but from the few occasions I've seen their weekly VC, WiiWare & eShop release lists it seems to me that they get a more steady stream of content for all services. Can anyone verify whether or not this is the case? If so, doesn't that make this statement kind of ineffectual?

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusMay 13, 2012

It's a really silly situation. You can't sell what you are not offering. Every time they try to be "Clever" with online, they score an own goal. They don't have enough items to have a schedule. Steam doesn't get enough games to have a "schedule". Just sell the games and be happy with the money.

Quote from: supergtt

On a very fundamental level, nintendo just does not understand digital. they don't get it.

Yeah, Nintendo definitely... does not view the digital retail space the same as everyone else. I'm not particularly surprised at this, I suspect that a lot of their developed strength over the years comes from knowing how to do retail, and of course Nintendo customers are more retail-oriented compared to the other console's demographics.

I think one of the things about Nintendo is that they straddle so many roles: developer, publisher, now retailer. Valve may make games, but you almost forget that when looking at Steam, they seem to be in full retailer mode there selling other people's games. However, with Nintendo you can see that even when they sell digital download, they are still intensely concerned with the selling price of their own games.

ejamerMay 13, 2012

Nintendo will continue doing things the way they are now. Because it works. Because they continue to earn profits (ok, rare exception this past year) and because don't feel any need to change their business philosophy based on short-sighted feedback from analysts or fans.

Unfortunately, Nintendo earns a profit despite their business philosophy - not because of it. If they didn't consistently create and exclusive provide some of the best gaming experiences around, they would've been sunk a long time ago because so many of their current strategies are ass-backwards.  Maybe their decisions will come back and haunt them anyway.  I have no interest in buying Wii U, or another 200 odd games for the platform like I did with Wii.  I'm probably not the only "serious" customer they've alienated this past generation either.

Quote from: supergtt

and as far as not wanting customers to pay less, that ship has sailed. and sales and bundles increase revenues by large factors. Steam has done the leg work here. if NES games were 1 or 2 dollars a peice, I'd probably own 30 or 50 dollars by now, instead of the... well, zero dollars worth I have now. and during a sale, I spend way more than usual during a steam sale. and it's not like valve or the publisher is out a copy sold at a discount that otherwise would have sold at full price, that's the magic of digital.

On a very fundamental level, nintendo just does not understand digital. they don't get it.

Right, they would have your money instead of not having your money. But then again, maybe they wouldn't have made as much on their games from people like me, who buy them as they come, as I feel like playing them that week. Mane people like me would likely start waiting for sales instead of paying the full price.

supergttMay 13, 2012

Quote from: Pandareus

Quote from: supergtt

and as far as not wanting customers to pay less, that ship has sailed. and sales and bundles increase revenues by large factors. Steam has done the leg work here. if NES games were 1 or 2 dollars a peice, I'd probably own 30 or 50 dollars by now, instead of the... well, zero dollars worth I have now. and during a sale, I spend way more than usual during a steam sale. and it's not like valve or the publisher is out a copy sold at a discount that otherwise would have sold at full price, that's the magic of digital.

On a very fundamental level, nintendo just does not understand digital. they don't get it.

Right, they would have your money instead of not having your money. But then again, maybe they wouldn't have made as much on their games from people like me, who buy them as they come, as I feel like playing them that week. Mane people like me would likely start waiting for sales instead of paying the full price.

there is no reason you can't still buy them as they come out. but you can't do that if they don't put things out. and steam data says the better the sale = even more overall money. you get people in the door, get them invested in your digital ecosystem.

valve has the highest profit per employee of any company on earth(something like, 2.5M per employee).  they didn't get that way selling half-life, it's all from taking a cut from items sold on steam. They are doing it right. Nintendo wouldn't go wrong to copy some of their ideas.

CericMay 13, 2012

Quote from: supergtt

Quote from: Pandareus

Quote from: supergtt

and as far as not wanting customers to pay less, that ship has sailed. and sales and bundles increase revenues by large factors. Steam has done the leg work here. if NES games were 1 or 2 dollars a peice, I'd probably own 30 or 50 dollars by now, instead of the... well, zero dollars worth I have now. and during a sale, I spend way more than usual during a steam sale. and it's not like valve or the publisher is out a copy sold at a discount that otherwise would have sold at full price, that's the magic of digital.

On a very fundamental level, nintendo just does not understand digital. they don't get it.

Right, they would have your money instead of not having your money. But then again, maybe they wouldn't have made as much on their games from people like me, who buy them as they come, as I feel like playing them that week. Mane people like me would likely start waiting for sales instead of paying the full price.

there is no reason you can't still buy them as they come out. but you can't do that if they don't put things out. and steam data says the better the sale = even more overall money. you get people in the door, get them invested in your digital ecosystem.

valve has the highest profit per employee of any company on earth(something like, 2.5M per employee).  they didn't get that way selling half-life, it's all from taking a cut from items sold on steam. They are doing it right. Nintendo wouldn't go wrong to copy some of their ideas.

Here's a link to the original Forbes article that says that. It is a big claim so I thought it would help the case if the source of the information was found and linked.

Quote from: supergtt

valve has the highest profit per employee of any company on earth(something like, 2.5M per employee).  they didn't get that way selling half-life, it's all from taking a cut from items sold on steam.

While I'm sure that Nintendo wants profits, I still think they see themselves first as a developer, second as a publisher, and then only after all that as an online retailer. It just might not be in Nintendo's psychology to prioritize earning royalties off of other people's products over enabling themselves to make and sell the sort of game experiences that they want to make. That's why Nintendo is the most first-party centric of the three hardware manufacturer's.

supergttMay 13, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

Quote from: supergtt

valve has the highest profit per employee of any company on earth(something like, 2.5M per employee).  they didn't get that way selling half-life, it's all from taking a cut from items sold on steam.

While I'm sure that Nintendo wants profits, I still think they see themselves first as a developer, second as a publisher, and then only after all that as an online retailer. It just might not be in Nintendo's psychology to prioritize earning royalties off of other people's products over enabling themselves to make and sell the sort of game experiences that they want to make. That's why Nintendo is the most first-party centric of the three hardware manufacturer's.

that's true, but they are leaving money on the table and upsetting their most loyal fans. that money on the table, it could enable them to release awesome hardware (don't kid yourselves that it's an 'artistic choice' to go with weaker hardware, nintendo was all about the specs back before they started to drop in market share') it could allow them to take more risk creatively as developers(how nice would that be to see again). I don't want to see them backed into making safe, samey games all the time.

The fact of the matter is they are at a crossroads mobile and social are eating their casual lunch, they aren't even in  the universe of the hardcore. they either get on board with the future and suddenly have the problem of not having enough moneybins, or stay 10 years behind the curve forever and wither away slowly.

Mop it upMay 13, 2012

This is pretty much the answer I would expect from Nintendo.

FZeroBoyoMay 13, 2012

So basically, "keep playing what you have until we bring out another big game."


Suppose that can be done. Won't stop the whining, though.

plufimMay 14, 2012

Wonder what the Nintendo Australia excuse is?


"You're having no new content what-so-ever again this week because... uh.... selling videogames is hard, guys."

soberanalystMay 14, 2012

They want the ratio of old/new games to make the eshop look like it's "fresh" with lots of "new" games.

They also don't want to compete too much with 3rd party *new* releases developed specifically for the 3DS and it's hardware.

They are also willing to upset die-hard nintendo fans for these very things ... it's a shame. They should do a big-silent release of old GB and GBA games ... they can advertise and market the 3rd party and *new* titles more, but i want to purchase old Nintendo software!

Basically, they're using a very old business model ... the music industry seems to be ahead of nintendo's thinking - if you can believe that.

Nintendo still strikes me very much as a toy company instead of a tech company.

... That's why I love them so. ^_^

Quote from: plufim

Wonder what the Nintendo Australia excuse is?


"You're having no new content what-so-ever again this week because... uh.... selling videogames is hard, guys."

Fact: Nintendo Australia has more GB VC games than North America

Ian SaneMay 14, 2012

The easiest way to look at this is the rule of Nintendo: the more routine and obvious the solution, the greater the chance of Nintendo fucking it up.  I'm amazed they figured out how to properly harness electricity to make their products work in the first place considering how conventional that idea is.

A big problem with owning Nintendo systems is that the crappy third party support makes for slim pickings.  You can go months without a title interesting you being released.  Of course if you bring this up with Nintendo they'll be all "what are you talking about?  We released..." and then they'll list everything released in the last year.  Of course they'll include games for both their console and handheld and online games and any sort of re-release or remake.  Remember how all the NPC games came out in a blob during a time where the Wii had like no games for months and months?  In Nintendo's mind those "counted" even though someone who already owns the Gamecube versions probably doesn't want to buy them again.

Other things Nintendo fails to realize:
-Not everyone owns both their handheld and console
-Not everyone is interested in buying old games
-Not everyone shops online
-Not everyone has the same tastes

Nintendo just lumps us all into a big group.  That's why they sucked at releasing "mature" games.  That's why they really don't seem to get this core gamer vs. non-gamer thing.  That's why they don't really seem to understand why third party support matters.  A good videogame system accomodates many tastes.  So you'll have different titles that appear to different skill levels, different ages, different genders, interest in different genres, etc.  Nintendo talks a lot about being an "everyone" console but there is no videogame company that outright sucks at that more than them.

They blob us all together and then come to the conclusions that if they're not careful the different products will eat into each others profits.  That can happen but only when those products are all aimed at the same market.  Xenoblade and Wii Fit DO NOT EAT INTO OTHER.  The crossover market for that is limited to Nintendo fanboys.  The two games are so different that a demographic that liked one would almost certainly dislike the other.  They think if they release too many VC games that people won't buy new games, which is nuts.  Not everyone likes the same stuff.  You can't completely prevent games from eating into each other's sales but pleasing NO ONE by assuming every title has the same appeal to everyone is worse.

ToraMay 14, 2012

I know how Nintendo gets with there online systems.  Wii Virtual console was really lackluster in it's latter quarter. 

It makes one think that the 3DS's apparent "no new VC games" this early a good thing.  At least Nintendo will hopefully have a balance life cycle of games for the 3DS. 

Anyhow, I don't have a 3DS yet, waiting for my birthday/E3 before I get one.  :P:

SMWizMay 15, 2012

A lot has been said, and it seems a lot of people have strong opinions. In regards to the original question in the article, which do I prefer, I'd have to say that I prefer good Virtual Console releases. That having been said, I;m not saying anything against the eShop--there are many great titles there--but this boils down to a matter of opinion for gamers everywhere. What I would say on the subject of "what Nintendo should do" is that the voice of the consumer should tell them what to do. It's good business. Let the 3rd party and indy people handle the eShop--Nintendo has a responsibility to us Virtual Console shoppers.

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