A Look at the Nintendo Dark Ages (2011-2017)

[Jumpin]

bigtakilla said:

curl-6 said:

For Sega maybe, and it was definitely the gen when Nintendo lost their grip on power and their fortunes took a turn for the worse, but the N64 era was still brighter for Nintendo than the Gamecube or Wii U era.

The negative impact of the N64 era is still being felt today, as for Wii U era there is a lot there that actually has helped Nintendo greatly which is reflected in is gen. GameCube era was just awkward.... 

But yeah I'd say forcing the company out of being a traditional console manufacturer and still having 3rd party devs avoid you like the plaque earns N64 the top spot.

I agree with the N64, while there were some bright spots, I don't think any collapse felt more brutal than 1997 for hardcore Nintendo fans. Especially those of us who were into import games and the emulation scene to play foreign games... Fire Emblem 4 (Genealogy of the Holy War) and following that game using a translation FAQ is a gaming experience I will never forget... a REWARDING one though.

All the third party support lost was like getting a swift kick to the sternum after getting kneed in the nuts. While there was still Rare, DMA (to an extent), and an innovative Nintendo, so much of what made Nintendo recognizable was stripped away. And I feel like the Gamecube's technically lower point is mainly a result of the fallout of the N64. Wii U was a sad state too, but it didn't feel nearly as long as the stretch between SNES and DS Lite/Wii. Especially since pretty much after it was clear the Wii U was a failure there was a bright "Nintendo NX" light at the end of the tunnel.