Man gone a month a 3DS goes to hell in a hens basket, what all did I miss?

[demonfox13]

RolStoppable said:

Machina said:

RolStoppable said:

Put simply: Nintendo catering to the industry instead of their customers. This is the root of all evil and it's also way the Wii U is so damn dangerous for Nintendo.

What is it about the 3DS that makes you think they're catering more towards the industry than their customers though? I can see that with the Wii U but not really the 3DS.

The industry wants technologically impressive hardware, because better graphics make it easier to sell generic games. Based on this, Nintendo had two choices: either put out a handheld with processing power similar to the PS Vita or a normal generational jump combined with stereoscopic 3D. Because Nintendo's developers like 3D (and because it was supposed to become the next big thing, pushed by 3D movies in cinemas), they went with the latter option. But in the end, both choices would lead to drastically reduced battery life and a notable price increase, so neither approach is good for the customers. Also, history has shown time and time again that battery life is much higher valued than graphics. Essentially, the 3DS is a handheld you would have expected being made by a competitor of Nintendo.

Considering how strong the DS brand was, Nintendo only had to make the generational leap from Nintendo 64 to Gamecube level graphics without stereoscopic 3D and nobody (talking customers here) would have really complained. Battery life would have been like usual for a Nintendo handheld (around the ten hour mark) and it could have been sold easily for $199 or less from the get go while giving Nintendo a healthy profit margin on the hardware. On top of this, Nintendo could have avoided all the bad press about 3D health warnings.

Admittedly, the 3DS is by far not as industry-centric in its approach as the Wii U, but the damage done is significant already. It doesn't seem like Nintendo put much thought into what is good for their customers when designing the 3DS.

Listen, I do not mean to come off like a d.....k in my previous post, but as a knowledgeable member and veteran that I see you as, I am confused. By stating that both the 3DS and Wii U are not catering to their customers. Furthermore, I am sure you are aware that the Gamecube actually made Nintendo good money despite such a low marketshare. THOSE were Nintendo's customers along with the NES, SNES and/or N64 era. It is those people that kept Nintendo afloat through the software purchase. Not to mention Nintendo doesn't apply a razor and blades model so they were fine. Nintendo looked for a novelty with the Wii, launched a buncha mini game compilations and laughed their way to the bank. You can dispute this all you want but it is true. The moment NSMBW, Mario Galaxy, and Pokemon were released, the DS and Wii ended up seeing insane software and hardware sales. Once again I cannot stress enough how important it is for Nintendo to release a system with a main Mario title out the gate. Not only does this sell you millions of systems off the bat, but also attracts developers further to release high profile titles. Want to know why? Because it is the people who buy a console for Mario who are more likely than not the actual Nintendo core gamers.

Now I personally have 3 categories for gamers as far as I see it:

Casual Gamer: can be the college frat boys that turn around and play Halo, COD, Resistance, or Wii Sports local multiplayer once in a blue during a fun drinking party, and don't pick up the system until the next party most likely. It can also be auntie and grandma doing Wii fit twice in the week and letting it collect dust.

Core Gamer: The gamer that actually decides to walk into a gamestop sometimes when he/she is passing by to see what games they have out for there system of choice. These gamers usually tend to know that Nintendo is synonymous of Mario, Metroid, Zelda, among a few other titles that have been with Nintendo for many years. These are also gamers that tend to play their games to completion at least once, and purchase a few games a year.

Hardcore Gamers: Simply put, US on this forum. Many of us visit forums, sometimes start fanboy wars, but all in all we are constantly informed about what is coming out 2 years from now. Most of us tend to play games for platinum trophies, the 1100/1000 achievements, or to get everything you can Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime Trilogy,etc. We also will most likely forego buying new sneakers/shoes because the next Halo, Mario, Uncharted, *insert system fabulous franchise here, is around the corner and we HAVE to preorder it.

All in all Nintendo didn't start the Wii by catering to their core nor hardcore but went straight for blue ocean and casuals. The same thing Gamecube did, minus the motion controls with the promise of giving people an exercise experience.