Nintendo console decline vs Nintendo handheld incline

[zorg1000]

Dunban67 said:

zorg1000 said:

Wait, I'm a little confused, the numbers in parentheses aren't the totals, that's splitting up the Gameboy sales between Gen 4 & Gen 5 numbers since it was a 2 generation device. So during the 4th Generation (April 1989-March 1996) Gameboy sold 54 million and during the 5th generation (April 1996-March 2003) Gameboy sold 64 million.

I think we're on the same page now, I just wanted to clarify just in case.

thanks for the clarification i think im tracking w you now

Good deal

Another thing I want to point out, is that in each of those 4 pre-Wii/DS generations, the software sales (about 500 million units of software per generation) and the hardware breakdown per region has been consistent as well.

Americas-50 million, Japan-25 million, Others-25 million give or take a few in each region.

Right now, 3DS+Wii U in Japan & Others are set to hit those numbers. It's literally only America that is showing a decline and they are on track to sell about 30 million in the Americas this generation or about a 40% decline.

I have a theory for that as well. In America, it is far more expensive to get both pieces of hardware than it was in previous generations at this point in their lives.

In 1988, NES-$100, G&W-$20 each so an NES and 3 G&W=$160, adjusted for inflation that's about $325

In 1993, Super Nintendo-$130, Gameboy-$90, total-$210, adjusted for inflation that's about $350

In 1998, Nintendo 64-$130, Gameboy Color-$70, total-$200, adjusted for inflation that's about $290

In 2003, Gamecube-$100, Gameboy Advance SP-$100, total-$200, adjusted for inflation that's about $260

New 3DS XL-$200, Wii U-$300, total-$500, so to get both it costs about 40% more than it did in previous gens.

So a 40% decline in sales and a 40% increase in price, is that a coincidence? Maybe. Also why does this only affect America and not other regions?

Well historically, Japan & Others have only picked one or the other, so price of both combined isn't nearly as big of a factor while in America Nintendo consoles & handhelds have both been popular at the same time and people are more likely to buy both devices so the combined price to get the full Nintendo experience is much more relevant in America than it is in other regions.