They can't pander to casuals even if they wanted to anymore. I think they've lost touch with that crowd.

That crowd has gone to Apple, and casuals are fickle, they stay with one trend for a while and then move on.

They're the girl at the nightclub who's hot, but she's only up for a one night stand, then she's tired of you and moves on to the next exciting thing. Plus the guy she really wants isn't you but the big-wig doctor (Apple).

Nintendo is the one who's stuck at the nightclub the following Friday waiting for her to show up, but she's a no show.

So now they have to cater to us, the core players (the girl that'll always be there for them, lol).

Ever since Wii Music, they really have not be able to duplicate the initial success there of Brain Training/Nintendogs/Wii Sports/Wii Fit. They talked about that vitality sensor thing but it went no where.

Wii Fit in 2007/08 is really the last monstrous new casual hit they created, and that's more than 4 years ago now. Maybe it's coincidence but since the summer 2007 iPhone launch they have not created a big new hit casual gamer IP outside of Tomadachi Collection, which is really a Japan-only type thing. 

Nintendo is a business they aim to MAKE MONEY and they do just that!.. they take risk and try different things..

and its all about a different experience and NOT do the same as their competitors! simple enough?

They all do that. But I am explaining something a little conservative about them that you aren't getting.

Obviously people are going to favor one company or one console over another. That's inevitable.

But I have been struck by the amount of venom directed at Nintendo on sites like IGN and GameSpot, and even here where posters are infinitely more intelligent and more reasonable.

I would really like to get to the heart of the issue. And I don't think it's just because of the success of Wii, which I imagine rubs many video game players the wrong way since the Wii succeeded by winning over the hearts and minds of "amateur" video game players. In other words, the Wii won because it embraced everything video game hardware and software should NOT be.

But the issue is older than that. SNES, however great, was usually considered the less "cool" system. N64 darkened in the shadow of PS1. And GCN was a punchline. So Nintendo has been mocked for about 20 years, for being "kiddy," for being "out of touch," and, most recently, for inviting in a group of novice fans unworthy of membership in the brotherhood of video game veterans.

So why do some people despise Nintendo? Two reasons, I think. One is elitism, which teaches that Nintendo games and fans are part of a lower social strata. And the other is custom: people hate Nintendo because it is fashionable to hate Nintendo.

I would suggest this to those that spend a disproportionate amount of time belittling Nintendo and it's fans: use that time and energy to rent and play a few Nintendo games; you might actually like them.

Dafuq? .. LOL  

so your are saying the hardcores are the boring ones that you pick up and becomes obsessed with you and already starts planning your marriage after the first date? uhm..........

I hate those types girls!.. no wonder hardcores are whiny obsessive little bitches!.. they cry when they dont get enough attention and its all about ME ME ME! .. LOL

(I think this anology is not working out well for you man.. LOL.. like i said you guys are fun!) =)

It is funny how many people regress into little children when talking about Nintendo, especially those who acts like Nintendo killed their mother or something

Yeah, I don't think I'll ever understand people who rob themselves of a good game because it "looks kiddy". Absolute foolishness...

HAHA this is so true as with the Bayonetta 2 example.. I could not believe even with the so called professional game journalist crying murder!! for Nintendo taking their game!.. funniest thing to watch!..

I truly hope there are more of these types of scenario in future wiiU releases where a game gets exclusive on the wiiU... fun times ahead!

Hardcore gamers are loyal, they stick around, so yeah, they're the girl that will be there for you and wants a long term relationship. She's cute though, it's not like there's anything wrong with her. But you gotta put in time and effort with her, she is not some push over. 

Casual gamers ... they're the party girl. She likes to have fun, she's hot, superficial, and gets hit on by a 100 guys every night at the bar. No way she'd ever settle down with you. There are million things going on in her life, you're just a passing fancy. 

Nintendo is the guy looking for a relationship though. They were banking on the party girl settling down and falling in love with them, and now are left abandoned by her, and the loyal girl is mad at him too, lol. 

It was great while it lasted for Nintendo (those profits in 2007-2009), but now I think they're coming back to reality. 

Casual gamers are not a reliable market. They will drop you like a bad habit once they've had their fun. I think this is a bit of a shock to Nintendo, because they're used to making hit game franchises, but those franchises stick around. For a looooooooong time. Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Donkey Kong, etc. none of these IP are less than 15 years old and they've be able to sequelize those over and over again. 

Nintendogs? Done. Brain Training? Empty. Wii Fit? Nintendo's gonna probably find out that audience is gone too. 

But after being rejected by the girl who wanted a relationship twice because he wasn't rich enough no wonder he goes after the party girl that actually gave him some attention even though it didn't last