The conflict between Nintendo and Amazon just keeps getting stranger.

For almost two years now, Amazon has not been selling Nintendo's gaming hardware first hand. You can buy a 3DS or Wii U from the massive online retailer, but it will be sold through a third party. Amazon won't sell Nintendo hardware themselves. And neither Nintendo nor Amazon will say why. (UPDATE: As some readers have noticed, it looks like Amazon is directly selling the Cosmo Blue 3DS, but they don't sell other 3DS models or the 3DS XL.)

I've been following this story with quite some interest over the past couple of years, and here's a new wrinkle: now, as spotted by Kotaku tipster Danny, Amazon is actually shilling for other consoles on Nintendo console pages.

"Also consider the PlayStation Vita," Amazon writes on their page for the 3DS:

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"Wait a minute," you must be saying. "Surely that's a standard practice for Amazon's listings? I bet the Vita also encourages you to go check out the 3DS."

Nope.

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And what of the Wii U, Nintendo's newest gaming machine?

Well, that Amazon page tells you to consider buying yourself an Xbox 360. Or maybe a PS3. And hey, did you know that Sony just announced the PlayStation 4?

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Weird, don't you think? I've reached out to both Amazon and Nintendo to ask what's up.

Do you know anything about what happened between Amazon and Nintendo?

http://kotaku.com/oh-wow-amazon-really-hates-nintendo-consoles-465285000

Could have sworn awhile back they had issues with Nintendo fixing/reinbursing them when the 3DS had the hinge issues and lots of people were returning their products. Amazon got pissed at the return process and decided to stop carrying Nintendo products.

Either way It's a bigger loss for Nintendo, as Amazon is a rather huge market for online buying. Though when it comes to the 3DS, not so much considering the insane market share it has over the Vita.

I knew about this MONTHS ago. I think I even made a thread about it.

It's just Amazon promoting items that they actually sell though. Nothing to do with Nintendo hate.

I love Amazon and the Vita needs the help lol. Besides is a little box saying to consider another system going to sway you if you're really planning on getting 3DS? I mean unless you had no clue as to its existence before then and get interested instead. PS4 box could hurt WiiU if they see the gameplay videos from the conference and didn't see the conference so they don't know it's coming out yet.

Huh.

Why do I find this funny.?

there is a simple logic behind that, if amazon doesn't sell the stuff itself it makes sense they will tell you "consider a vita, ps3 or 360 which is sold by us" instead of "please check other nintendo stuff we don't sell". at least that's how it looks without checking it out.

Damn Nintendo really must be doing something bad for multinational companies to hate them so much

I hear it's because Nintendo stood up to Amazon and won't let them take over the online store for the Wii U. Nintendo is blameless, of course. It's all Amazon's fault and has nothing to do with Nintendo's policies or practices. Amazon probably entered into a secret pact with third-party publishers and developers involving blood magic and rice crispy treats.

Besides the rumor that Amazon was unhappy with the way Nintendo handled returned product, which was cutting into Amazon's margins, I've also heard that Amazon was very unhappy that Nintendo wasn't giving them the same price they gave Wal-mart. The latter wouldn't surprise me, as Wal-mart is notorious for demanding, and getting, better wholesale prices than anyone else.

Honestly, though, this probably hurts Nintendo more than Amazon. The margins on hardware are very slight.

The reason is Nintendo didn't give any love to Amazon.