Why do you think Nintendo has survived so long as a platform holder?

[SvennoJ]

IcaroRibeiro said:

Two main reasons

First, it's the only company that cultivated a dedicated audience of handheld gamers

Sony tried but their studios are simply better doing cinematic stuff that plays better on TVs. Third parties who wanted to cater portable gaming all went to mobile which essentially left Sony alone


Second reason is their appeal to older audiences. Yes older, not kids. Kids play anything you show them. What Nintendo caters is their parents who think Nintendo is a safe choice. Humans are product of habit, and no company exploit habits better than Nintendo

Yep, the handheld dedicated audience saved the Wii U debacle. Switch is primarily focused on that handheld audience, while giving the much smaller dedicated Nintendo console audience a way to keep playing on TV.

And indeed, Nintendo is seen as safe and reliable. No need to provide your kids with a TV either to play, keep em 'pacified' in the car etc.

Also Nintendo refuses to lower game prices and sticks to physical, keeping the perceived value of games high while other platform holders race to the bargain bin. That way Nintendo has been able to keep profits up and not get that much backlash for 'expensive' remasters.

Part of it is also long running series, Mario Zelda in particular with all the off shoots. Young and old enjoy the same ever green franchises together.