Portable console gaming is dead

[zorg1000]

loves2splooge said:

kristianity77 said:
I dont think portable gaming is dead, its just that whoever makes the next one has got to offer serious value for money. Mobile gaming, despite the general consensus that 99% of the games are garbage, is continually on the rise because of the lure of gaming for a few pounds a pop.

The Vita would have fared better if it offered backwards compatibility with the PS2 for instance (I know its not possible for a handheld to emulate the hardware, but would it have been impossible to incorporate hardware to run games natively?)

If Nintendo release another handheld, would it be 3D? If not, then that pretty much ruins backwards compatibility for 3DS titles (or hampers them somewhat.)

They should release a handheld which gives gamers a lot more of what they want at prices that compete with mobile device. Instant access to all 8 bit and 16 bit Nintendo systems for a start with games being priced for the old systems competitively. A full collection of N64 titles as well. How about one up from that, Gamecube compatibility. They aren't huge in file size so space shouldnt be a problem. Imagine having a Nintendo store full of GC games to play on the go?

All this extra stuff in addition to new games being made on the console would be brilliant. I just dont think that one or two games a month on a mobile platform cuts it anymore, especially at near console game prices for the most part. They need to compete with mobile, and introducing players to literally hundreds of older games at mobile game prices is a good way to start.

Yes there is not enough value for money right now in the handheld console gaming space. Other than killer apps like Pokemon, $40 USD for a 3DS game is a tough sell to consumers. And Nintendo took more than 2 1/2 years to come out with a cheaper sku ($130 2DS). Due to wages not keeping up with inflation, $170 USD is probably still too much for a Nintendo handheld.

Just yesterday with the Boxing Day sales here in Canada, I noticed that Final Fantasy Theatrythm Curtain Call sold out after a $20 price cut ($45 Canadian to $25 Canadian). And other 3DS games on sale were sold out. The regular sticker prices for 3DS games are too high.

If Nintendo launched with a $150 USD 2DS in 2011 (instead of a $250 3DS and later $170 3DS), $30 premium games (that's how it used to be at one point!), $20 budget games and cheap Nintendo eStore titles to compete with the Apple App Store and Google Play and they lowered game budgets by getting rid of stereoscopic 3D, Nintendo would not only have a larger market share but their financials would look a lot better.

I agree with this, software prices are a big problem, $30 should be the maximum. Hardware price is pretty reasonable but could be better, 3DS XL is almost 2.5 years old and is still at its launch price.

2DS, $99.99

3DS XL, $149.99

Retail Software, $19.99-29.99

Digital only software, $14.99 maximum

In this scenario sales could very well be better but it might be in Nintendo's best interest right now to keep premium prices in order to maximize profits for the rest of the generation and start fresh with their next-gen hardware. Hopefully Nintendo has learned a thing or two from the mistakes they made with 3DS & Wii U and comes out strong next-gen.