The blue ocean strategy was really just Nintendo’s return to its roots and proper form. After the downfall and departure of Yokoi, Yamauchi took Nintendo toward what could be seen as a “red ocean strategy” which didn’t work out for them.
The blue ocean returns to low cost and innovative ways to use less expensive technology to capture an underserved or unserved demand. This is in line with the withered technology to capture new market share strategy of the past. So, in another way, it was an update to the strategy from the golden age of Nintendo. It helped them enter their second golden age.
The Switch 2, in a way, is still following the strategy because Nintendo still delivers a product its competitors do not. Had Microsoft or Sony marched into hybrid territory, it would be a different story. Then it would be mean Nintendo’s next move would be to research and pursue new innovations. But, when they pursue different directions without cause and just to be different from before, it leads to disaster: as was shown with Wii U, and the 3DS to a lesser extent. But equally, trying to pursue someone else’s direction will lead to disaster → as demonstrated by the Gamecube. Some criticize the Switch 2 as following the safe path, but that doesn’t take away the fact that it is the correct path. The ocean is still blue.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
