The NIntendo-haters should be afraid off what Nintendo does next

Ask sony for help... or just buy them

Well there are rumours that elements in Microsoft want to sell off Xbox. Could you imagine the shitstorm from all the dudebros if Nintendo bought Xbox? Could you imagine the panic from Sony if Nintendo had 3 consoles at once: Wii U for kids/families, 3DS for handheld, Xbox for sports fans?

Obviously never gonna happen, but just imagine the chaos if it happened.

Chaos for Nintendo maybe. 2 loss leading platforms right after making a few hundred million dollar aquisition. Their shares would plummet. Add on to the fact that they would have to pay tons of new employees. I think sony would encourage it. Take out both rivals in one swoop

I cant see they can really do anything now.

The only way would be if they brought out something MORE POWERFUL than PS4 in a couple of years, but even then they have Sony's first party devs to complete with

Stick to handheld gaming perhaps.

Fair point.

But let's make a few a assumptions here:

1)Xbox is acquired as a complete business, in 2-3 years time, and is managed separately from Nintendo. IE. not directly under Iwata's management.
2)Nintendo are not financially responsible for the R&D of Xbox One. Microsoft have either recouped it, or are so desperate to lose the division that they eat that cost.
3)As we're talking a few years down the line; Wii U is profitable, not hugely, but it's recouped initial costs and has a reasonable install base; largely composed of families using it for Mario Kart and Wii Fit. Business is comfortable but not booming.

If that is what the situation looked like and Nintendo purchased Xbox, then Sony would panic. Nintendo bringing up kids on Mario etc. then graduating onto Xbox with higher specs, more direct competition with Sony.

If they bought Xbox today, well...

Obviously, all completely baseless speculation.

Although......


Part of me wanders whether the 3 console idea wouldn't work for Nintendo... If they opted for power in gen 9, especially if they got the jump on Sony and Microsoft, I wander if they would keep the Wii U going as a 'starter console'.

They probably won't without the support of third-party publishers and developers. As it stands now, the Wii U lacks games and it lacks variety. It won't be long before the PS4 and Xbox One blow past it in regards to both criteria. Nintendo will win the platforming genre, they'll do fairly well in the family entertainment department, but that's about it.

They would have to change their approach to have the best selling console. However, it might be a better idea to stay in their niche. The best profits aren't always in the most sales.

Take back from whom? They still have it the better question would be how to keep it.

Well, as a few people said, Nintendo hasn't really lost the sales crown, and people are getting a little prematurely excited about early PS4 and XBOne sales. People are already talking about Nintendo's NEXT console and it's very early for that. That said, there is no question Nintendo dropped the ball with Wii U, and Sony is doing a great job with PS4. I think MS has done the worst job of all with XBOne, and I would be surprised if the next MS CEO wants out of consoles, but I digress.

The first thing I would say is that any issues with Wii U have nothing to do with the console's power. It's all about content and image so far, so Nintendo really needs to up its game in games and in branding. Actually, since we're talking about being the market leader and not just doing well, upping the game isn't good enough, they need to take drastic steps. So they should:
-Buy 3rd parties. I think 2 key ones would do the trick. Capcom and Square have a combined value of about 3.2 Billion US$, so I fork out about $1.7B and take a controlling interest in both. All games now become Wii U exclusive so titles like Deep Down, RE7, FFXV and KH3 are on tap for the next year or so for Wii U. This also makes competitive platforms seem way less appealing, and should really drive sales in Japan. Other titles like a new Mega Man, Street Fighter, Tomb Raider and Dragon Quest will be on their way to really drive later gen sales. FF7 remake would be initiated right away. Both companies - especially Square - would be streamlined and focus on what they do well. MMO's and mobile would be dropped with the exception of a new FFOnline made for the next home console. Hironobu Sakaguchi would be offered good money and prestige to come in and restore glory to his artwork and lead a FF team.
-Starting with e3 2014 the total image of Wii U would be re-branded. With MK8 and Smash having recently launched, there would not be a single mention of Mario at the conference. Zelda would take center stage as a mature title even if it isn't ready until 2015. But the conference would focus on it and the coming fall line up of very serious games such as X, FF15, Deep Down and RE7. There would also be specific mention of COD:2014 and some other 3rd party games.
-In keeping with the above, I would really push COD and Wii U's free online. Even if it cost some significant money, I would ensure that every casual gamer new that COD was on Wii U, and I would have a Christmas bundle with the game heavily promoted.
-Wii U would get a re-design. The console would look more distinct from Wii with some nice touches like some LED lighting. The Gamepad would get a new version that is a little smaller and curvier in an ergonomic way. The screen would lose about an inch in diagonal size.
-The Wii U name and logo would be changed a little. It would be something like Wii U HD, with the U kinda tiny. I wouldn't drop the name, but a casual customer could just call it a Wii HD if that roles off their tongue better.
-Major new marketing campaign which doesn't focus on kids or families... or anyone really. It just promotes Wii U as a really cool product with lots of cool features. Maybe something funky or obnoxious like the old Crash Bandicoot ads. I show sexy women having fun with the camera and touchscreen, I show guys enjoying COD, and I really push the games. And I promote the low cost and I really explicitly push the free online. I spell it right out to customers that they can save about $400 and still play COD online just like on other systems.
-Essentially I go for the jugular, target the core gamer that loves rpg's and adventure games. I hit up those that like real games and offer them more games on a system that is cheaper and has free online access. I make the system seem cool to adults. If they come to Wii U, others will follow, and the family friendly content is already there. If I can convince adult males that Wii U is the system to have, kids will think it's cool and want to too. And if I secure those groups I make a push for the ladies and really advertise neat iPad like experiences. Achievement Unlocked: Market Domination. Oh yeah, I also have achievements in place by the fall.

Jizz_Beard_thePirate said:

Unless it's the 3DS of course...in which case, NINTENDOMINATION!