N64 could never had been a disc based console to begin with, because Nintendo never believed in the technology from the very start when they were still working with Sony and some other companies to create a CD-console. And the piracy risks were so high, that Nintendo made sure not to adopt it. Was it the smartest move? Coming from Nintendo, who was invincible in that niche market for that time, yes. The thing that really hurt Nintendo the most, was their capacity to change to the market after losing the throne. And Nintendo still feels like a fish out of the water, still choosing the most uncommon/odd technologies. And at that, they're not being smart.








