Reggie ponders the Brazilian market 5 years after Wii U, Microsoft/Sony copying

[mike_intellivision]

Squilliam said:
Nintendo are bold but they also have a tendency to do things backwards as well. They seem to have the twin vices of introducing new things quickly but keeping some older technologies and features for too long. Some of the best examples are cartridges for the N64, resistive touch screens, old layouts for handheld buttons for backwards compatibility, etc.

I don't think the difference in what they do is really made with innovation, they are simply bold enough to take steps quickly that other companies fear to tread. Whilst I don't doubt for instance that Sony experimented with motion controls far earlier than the Wii's announcement, they simply were not bold enough to take the steps required to bring it to market without Nintendo making the first move (pun intended). Now that the competitors know that Nintendo has a touch screen for their console, it is easy to simply chuck that in because Nintendo solved the chicken/egg problem of support for the accessory by making it a default addition to their console. The same pretty much applies for dual shock, Sony could throw that in because Nintendo made it easy for them.

It is funny how backward compatability went from a MUST HAVE to a VICE depending upon which company decided not to offer it.

While I agree with most of the comments regarding Nintendo's conservative approach to technology, I must file an OBJECTION! with the inclusion of this item in the list.

 

Mike from Morgantown