@famousringo: Didn't Nintendo that same sort of thing with Endless Ocean?

OT: I don't think they need to overall, but I think they should for some areas where they are weak. Getting a great FPS (TimeSplitters) that would really show off the Wii's superior controls would be worth it. I'd also like to see them acquire a Western RPG as currently they are all on 360 (Oblivion/Mass Effect/Fable). Same with some are genres where Nintendo themselves may not have any compelling IPs or core compentency but would expand the Wii library / base.

radioioRobert said: Soriku said: This gives the Wii: -A horror game (FTLF),-A survival-ish/hunter/RPG/whatever game (MH) -RPGs And now all that's left is: -A GOOD action adventure (unless you count MH as AA) -Shooter The other thing the Wii needs is an excellent driving game. I'm all about MKWii, but a good racing game without banana peels has got to come soon as well.

Agreed. Nothing wrong with MK or Excite Truck, but Wii lacks the "serious" exclusive driving game, like Gran Turismo and Forza. Or Motorstorm for that matter. There's Wii Motorsports coming, but it's a big question mark what the game will be. If it's "Wii series" game, it could be as well a simple racing sim or a fun to play non-sim or anything between, but not current trends kind of racing sim. But, it may as well turn out to be "non-Wii series" game.

radioioRobert said: Soriku said: This gives the Wii: -A horror game (FTLF),-A survival-ish/hunter/RPG/whatever game (MH) -RPGs And now all that's left is: -A GOOD action adventure (unless you count MH as AA) -Shooter The other thing the Wii needs is an excellent driving game. I'm all about MKWii, but a good racing game without banana peels has got to come soon as well.

Agreed. Nothing wrong with MK or Excite Truck, but Wii lacks the "serious" exclusive driving game, like Gran Turismo and Forza. Or Motorstorm for that matter. There's Wii Motorsports coming, but it's a big question mark what the game will be. If it's "Wii series" game, it could be as well a simple racing sim or a fun to play non-sim or anything between, but not current trends kind of racing sim. But, it may as well turn out to be "non-Wii series" game.

That Guy said: Why? Sega already makes games for Nintendo The problem with buying out companies is 1) You share the companies financial troubles, (i.e. Sega) 2) If all the programmers leave, then you're stuck with just a name, (i.e. Rare and the guys who left to make TimeSplitters)

 Exactly.

By investing in the games developers make, rather than the developers themselves, Nintendo reduces its own risk and helps keep themselves fit and flexible. This way, if the situation changes, Nintendo can just stop signing these kind of agreements, instead of being stuck with a ball-and-chain that they need to lug around. 

So, for this generation. Nintendo has already payed (or at least, we can almost say for sure) for:

1) Monster Hunter 3. This is a big one, for it was a 'monster' hit on the PSP and it was a former PS3-exclusive that people were actually waiting for. 

2) Fatal Frame 4. This is one of the most appreciated, and actually scaring, horrorgames out there. Maybe a niche-title. But a good addition to the Mature-games on the Wii!

 

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Furthermore, Nintendo isn't stupid. There are rumors that they have games in the works at other developers about their own IP's (like they did with F-zero GX and Sega or something...)

Also the rumour that KH3 is coming to Wii could be true (with or without a little cash help from Nintendo).

Games from Capcom, maybe a RE game that continues where RE4 stopped or something...

 

But that's all speculation. Nintendo has more in the pipeline, stuff that Matt sometimes hints to, but can't speak about!... Payed or not payed for, maybe we'll never know! But Nintendo has loads of cash and they sure as hell ain't just sittin' on it! 

 

I am just amazed that Nintendo hasn't announced an online Pokemon RPG that connects with Diamond and Pearl. That would be a huge money maker.

CrashMan said: I am just amazed that Nintendo hasn't announced an online Pokemon RPG that connects with Diamond and Pearl. That would be a huge money maker.

People talk about an MMO franchisethat could compete with World Of Warcraft not existing! Pokemon could easily become a major competitor if Nintendo was to throw it into the fray. I'm talking the long awaited legendary fully 3D online Pokemon game! People have been waiting since the N64 days to see a fully 3D Pokemon game and one would certainly mx up the MMO market!

Back to topic people mention buying exclusive games from developers. This works sometimes but can often go sour. Because once the game is a success the company is worth more and will do more to protect that success. Nintendo in the past with Retro, GameFreak , SiliconKnights and many Japanese studios has bought the studios out right to gain control of their future IP's. Not waiting for the studio to make that big hit but buying them before they do and controlling that big hit.

So now were talking actually buying studios. But liscensing franchises is fairly cost effective and really beneficial to the console. For years Sony ruled only because it bought IP liscenses from Square-Enix and RockstarGames as well as used their wealth to invest in third parties to bulster their support.

So what could Nintendo buy?

A couple exclusive Sonic games

An exclusive GTA

The next KH game exclusive

Monster Hunter 5, 6

A few games from Bungie (Exclusive new franchise)

Call Of Duty 5

StarWars anything

 

 

Well I think that Nintendo does not need to sigh with any 3rd party developers. They make there own games and people buy them up like hot cakes. So they can keep making there games and people will buy there system. I know you still need other companies games to make a console good, but Nintendo does not need to buy anything.

I don't think Nintendo should buy 3p support. Frankly, I think their console's userbase is attractive enough as it is that they don't need to give anyone incentive to work with their machine. If people want to make money they'll work with Nintendo.

I think they should buy a few exclusives to help out.

KH3
Timesplitters
New Viewtiful Joe (a good one this time, like the originial)
Soul Calibur 5 (please!)
Phantasy Star MMORPG