Was Nintendo right to opt out of the graphics arms race?

[BraLoD]

Wyrdness said:

Soundwave said:

It's too early to discount anything at this point. 

Secondly, you're not even correct on what you're talking about, Nintendo had upgraded DS model as well (DSi) which had more RAM and a new CPU design, they also did it with the Game Boy, so that's 3 times, not once. The 3DS was not the first or only time they did that at all. 

But even that is relatively meaningless, the new hardware team is nothing the DS/3DS era, they're not honor bound to do anything the same way. They can do whatever they want. The people who were primarily making the final decisions for hardware 20-25 years ago at Nintendo are largely long gone. 

While the GBC is counted as a GB model that scenario is unique in that the new model was essentially a new platform to succeed the old model which is different from the context of a Pro model here in the execution of the PS4 and PS5 which have to coincide with the base model where as GBC was to fill the void left by the failure to release the GB2 project which eventually was inherited by the GBA.

DSi is no different to the 3DS example as the changes were very inconsequential to the big picture that few games required them especially as it came in the last two years of the DS' life and it certainly did nothing in regards to closing the gap in the power difference between the DS and the PSP that job went to the 3DS which ironically all of this backs the point being highlighted in that no Pro model like the PS5 Pro is coming because Nintendo would rather just release a successor instead even back with the GBC and different people in charge the same philosophy was present as it is now.

GBC is a separate system with BC, not a "pro" model of the GB, it has many exclusives, as many games as the Nintendo 64 had in Japan, if I recall it right. It just had a crossgen period which was new back then, but it's like other systems have since some time now.

Devs wanted to support the old system with games because of its existing userbase, just the same as they want now. It's even the same with Switch 2 where Switch 2 games carts that are crossgen can be used on Switch 1 physically, as were the black carts for Gameboy Color back then.

Even the best game on GBC, Pokémon Crystal, can't run on a GB, people that say both are the same say because Nintendo combined both system sales, but they are definitely two separate systems, like the Switch 1 and 2 are now.