Nintendo fires back at critics who say they rehash their games

[F0X]

 

F0X said:

Why do that? Xenoblade was one of the best Wii games and its sales weren't so hot.

The fact that it took Rainfall to even localized the game in the west shows Nintendo themselves didn't fully believe in the product. Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower felt more of a filler more than anything.

Remember Monster Hunter for Wii? That's not Nintendo owned yet Nintendo advertised that game to the fullest. Now, that's establishing an IP anomalous to Wii demographic. They believed in it.

 

Overall, I think Nintendo is holding themselves back. If we have more Nintendo-developed IPs with great production value, that'd give us as gamers more choices. In addition, this will eliminate the questions in their seriousness in attracting the core demographic.

Operation Rainfall didn't localize the game by any means. Xenoblade was planned for release in Europe well before Rainfall took place (the reaction was based on Nintendo of America's apparent lack of plans). Once the game was localized in English (not to mention receiving much praise and admiration by European reviewers) it became much easier for NoA to profit off a North American release. Nintendo has every reason not to expect solid sales - it was an unproven IP and a Japanese-developed RPG.

Contrast with Monster Hunter. MH was hugely popular in Japan, so it was a much safer bet. Also it already had a dedicated fanbase due to the PSP entries.

Even so, I agree. Nintendo could have more new IPs and market them more aggressively. Or they could get their act together and bring back more well-missed older ones, because there's no point in having dormant, irrelevant brands like Sony.