I can see the reasoning behind this. Nintendo had a strong niche in the North American market especially with the N64, and then Microsoft came in with a console that was basically 100% North America focused and sort of forced Nintendo out.

Though my guess is that Nintendo's move towards a more Japanese orientation started with Iwata coming in simply because of how badly the PS1 thrashed the 64 on its home turf and especially in regards to Japanese third parties, creating a fixation of Nintendo's that hasn't gone away even as the Japanese home console market loses relevance.

Nintendo's big miss that few people talk about, though, is emerging markets, although it's harder to see that on VGC since a lot of key Nintendo fans are from the "margins," like Austrian Rol or Ecuadorian Morenoingrato.

Nintendo is in no danger of leaving the console making business for a good long while. Even if the Wii U fails they still have plenty of cash on hand to reinvest.

Yeah that too, once Halo come around, Nintendo's days as being the FPS console of choice were basically over.

Most of the time I do not agree with you, but bloody hell these are the few shining moments I just want to kiss you lad!

On a serious note, I really don't mind Microsoft coming in to the market, but the negative things they came with really felt like as a gamer I got into a dirty-pleasure that took my innocence...

Cripes, I feel stained. -_-'

I can't believe this, I totally agree.

I tend to think the focal points of Europe are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK and France, though i suppose Austria and Switzerland would then be so easy to lump in with the others as no matter.

In summary they make one hell of a distraction for Sony so Nintendo can pick up the pieces. LOL

I disagree. I'm very happy to see someone keeping Sony on its toes and more or less letting Nintendo be... well... Nintendo.

i sort of agree with this post and at the same time i don't. I don't necessarily wish the non-exsistence of microsoft so much as i wish there were only 2 consoles. Imagine buy 2 consoles and therefore having all system exclusives. I very much agree with the FACT that competition breeds creativity which is why i don't go all out and say just one system. I actually had this bit of "dread" when i heard about the playstation, (then sega died) and again when i heard about microsoft.... no casualties YET. Anyway, that's my perspective.

I agree in some ways. While Microsoft has made major innovation in the terms of online gaming, they also are completely responsible for the presence of "hardcore" gamers that play games more based on source material than gameplay. This is the reason I prefer Nintendo and Sony over Microsoft. They also charge for online service among other things. This is a main reason Nintendo and Sony aren't doing as well as they could in America. Some ignorant western gamers that don't want to play Mario or LBP because it's viewed as "kiddy".

It's a sad day in gaming. But they're more important things happening in the world right now; Third parties are killing the Wii U, African kids are staving, and not to mention Asians and their never ending pursuit to not look Asian. Yep, all the World's ills, sitting on chrome 24-inch worlds.