The two most heavily pirated systems were the PS1 and PS2, I would even argue piracy was a big help in establishing the playstation brand. They are also the most successfull. Wii and DS are following that model.
I pirate games and I buy games. The only companies that are losing money on me are rental chains. Games that are worth owning I buy. Just like with music I got sick of being screwed.
Nintendo has always been smart, if you sell consoles at a profit you make money off of pirates.
Don't get me wrong, people selling counterfeit goods is bad for everyone, but the money lost from free information transactions is $0. Sorry Nintendo.
And for those buying second hand you do have a secondary influence on the gaming market. You take a used copy off the market making them harder to come buy and maintaining a higher price for the used copy. This makes the new copy and it s universal availability and stable price more attractive.
For example SSBM routinely sells used for over its $30 player's choice price.
Nintendo is moving in the right direction. Profit from its consoles , must have peripherals, experiences difficult to replicate on computers (touchpad, Wiimote) and the VC.
The VC does provide the ease, immediate satisfaction and reasonable price. Now they just need to put every game ever published on there and allow downloadability to the DS. After that the only excuse to not buying people will have is unwillingness to spend money, and there is nothing you can do about that.
Final* Word on Game Delays:
The game will not be any better or include more content then planned. Any commnets that say so are just PR hogwash to make you feel better for having to wait.
Delays are due to lack of proper resources, skill, or adequate planning by the developer.
Do be thankful that they have enough respect for you to delay the game and maintain its intended level of quality.
*naznatips is exempt
