Would you be just as big a Nintendo fan if they went "software" only?

[Screamapillar]

AnthonyW86 said:

Screamapillar said:

AnthonyW86 said:

Just to clarify though, i think they could actually do both. They could release software on any platform and still release pieces of hardware if they have a really good idea for it. The Wii would still have sold 70m-80m atleast even if Nintendo games hade not been exclusive to the system, it was the motion controlls that made the most sales. Wii did not compete with PS3 and X360 directly for the most part.

And that's what is going wrong with the Wii-U, they hade to release a new system because the old one wasn't selling anymore. Why? They could just have released software on PS4 and next xbox, Ipad etc. and would still have sold loads of software. Then maybe in a few years if they hade another great idea, they could have released a new system, or an add-on for the other systems.

Are you serious?  No.  Absolutely not.

SSBB, Galaxy 1 & 2, Wii Fit, Zelda, Mario Kart, and Wii Sports are why Wii sold in such high numbers.  You're severely undervaluing the effect of first-party software if you think Wii would have sold without first-party exclusives.  Motion controls helped, but they were merely a tool in which to play attractive software you couldn't get anywhere else.  Without the games to make use of it,  the Wii Remote and balance board were merely expensive paper weights.

You don't get it, i'm saying they could still have released the Wii including Wii sports and Wii Fit, that's why i said if they have a good idea for new hardware witch is not available on other systems they should release it themselves. And they could also still have released SSBB, Zelda etc. for Wii, just also release Mario, Zelda games for other platforms. And when a system stops selling like the Wii they shouldn't be forced to release a new system just to be able to keep selling software.

And you are severely understemating how many people bought a Wii just for the motion controls, atleast 60m-70m of the 100m Wii are from casuals buying it for Wii bowling and such. And games like Mario Kart sold an incredible amount because of that large install base, how much more would it have sold if it was also released on PS3 and X360? I would have definitely bought it. But i didn't want to buy a Wii just for one or two Nintendo games i really like. How much do you think Mario Kart would have sold if they hade released it on PS2? Yeah, a lot. Maybe even more than Mario Kart Wii sold.

Again the point is if Nintendo keeps their software exclusive on their own platforms, they are forced to release new platforms(including the necesarry investments and risks) just to be able to sell software.

I don't really understand why you feel Nintendo is a special case when Sony and Microsoft are not. They are all first-party platform holders that provide their consoles with high-profile first-party games that set their consoles apart from one another.  I don't see why you think Nintendo games would be more successful on competitors platforms.  If anything, the opposite is true, as it's generally accepted by most people that the audience for Nintendo games is relatively unique in that they are less interested in FPS and sports titles than Playstation and Xbox players.   So games like Mario Kart and Zelda would actually sell less on other platforms, and in addition, Nintendo's own consoles would at the same time also lose their own competitive advantage.  So it just doesn't seem to make much sense.   Think of it this way:  SEGA games like Sonic and Monkey Ball sell better on Nintendo platforms than on Playstation and Xbox.  Certain SEGA properties share similarities with Nintendo's own games and they appeal to the same audience.   There's lots of overlap there.   I'm not sure there is nearly as much overlap for Zelda or Mario Kart appealing to fans of Halo or Uncharted.