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Forums - Nintendo - 8th gen Nintendo published titles, could Nintendo support themselves with a unified concept?

Soundwave on 08 April 2015

I think $229.99 would be a good launch price for the portable. It's just a small step away from the standard $199.99 that people already pay for a 3DS, and if push comes to shove, you should be able to drop to $199.99 after 8-9 months if you really need to anyway.

The extra $30 gives you a lot of breathing room in terms of the type of chipset, RAM, etc. you can use though.

Just make sure you have a good launch lineup. Mario Galaxy 3 (or whatever its equivalent is) should already be earmarked for launch and be in development right now. 



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se7en7thre3 on 08 April 2015
Soundwave said:
KingdomHeartsFan said:

If they did this, only the really hardcore people are gonna buy both the console and handheld, most people are just gonna buy the cheaper option, which is gonna be the handheld and their console sales are gonna plummet even lower than the Wii U.  In this cause they have to sell their big AAA Zelda U for $40 on handheld and make way less money per copy sold.  For every pro theres another con.

And how is that different from now? Most people choose to buy the Nintendo handheld and to not buy the console period. The bottom line is they simply can't support two platforms on their own and third parties don't give a shit about them. 

There are different pricing options they could have for software too to make this setup work. 

For example the way they could work with Zelda I could see it like this 

NX Portable, NX Console

You can buy the portable version for $39.99. But if you want to play the home full HD version it's $59.99. 

Now if you buy the portable version first, but later on you buy the home NX too, surely you don't have to pay $59.99 to play the same game right? Nintendo can offer the option of if you pay $20 on the eShop, you can download the home version that has 1080P + added visual effects for TV play. 

I can see something like that working on the software side. Nintendo kinda already does this on the eShop ... if you have Mario 64 on the Wii VC you can transfer it to the Wii U VC for an extra charge, but lets you then enjoy the game on the Wii U with off-TV play. 

In addition to that, I don't think NX Console + NX Portable will be the exact same system. They will share a lot of the same games and be built from the same CPU/GPU architecture IMO, but I think the NX console will likely have some kind of new controller gimmick that Nintendo will bet on to differniate it from the handheld. The way Iwata/Miyamoto are talking about the platform suggest an emphasis on "new ways to play" (read: a non-conventional game platform). 


i know you may be just indulging that  post a bit, but IMO  would be a horrible idea. The whole point of a $200-250 barrier for a home version of HW, is to get those added benefits, but then adding cost on to that would REALLY make people settle for the HH version.  I know something similar has already been in play; upgrading wii to wii u version VC titles for a few bucks, but even that would seem like petty nickle and diming.   

Nintendo, as we've been spec-ulating, wil pump the brakes on pushing graphics yet again.  If in fact their baseline (home con.) comes in just shy of XB1 level power, in '16 or 17, and esp. under a united dev. front, their games should at the most, cost $49.99.  Anything higher, would be paying a premium for Ninty's arrogance, as they want to enjoy the benefit of next-gen pricing, with near 2 gen old specs and not even close to those AAA budget titles.  I already squirm when I pay 60 for U titles.



Soundwave on 08 April 2015
se7en7thre3 said:
Soundwave said:

And how is that different from now? Most people choose to buy the Nintendo handheld and to not buy the console period. The bottom line is they simply can't support two platforms on their own and third parties don't give a shit about them. 

There are different pricing options they could have for software too to make this setup work. 

For example the way they could work with Zelda I could see it like this 

NX Portable, NX Console

You can buy the portable version for $39.99. But if you want to play the home full HD version it's $59.99. 

Now if you buy the portable version first, but later on you buy the home NX too, surely you don't have to pay $59.99 to play the same game right? Nintendo can offer the option of if you pay $20 on the eShop, you can download the home version that has 1080P + added visual effects for TV play. 

I can see something like that working on the software side. Nintendo kinda already does this on the eShop ... if you have Mario 64 on the Wii VC you can transfer it to the Wii U VC for an extra charge, but lets you then enjoy the game on the Wii U with off-TV play. 

In addition to that, I don't think NX Console + NX Portable will be the exact same system. They will share a lot of the same games and be built from the same CPU/GPU architecture IMO, but I think the NX console will likely have some kind of new controller gimmick that Nintendo will bet on to differniate it from the handheld. The way Iwata/Miyamoto are talking about the platform suggest an emphasis on "new ways to play" (read: a non-conventional game platform). 


i know you may be just indulging that  post a bit, but IMO  would be a horrible idea. The whole point of a $200-250 barrier for a home version of HW, is to get those added benefits, but then adding cost on to that would REALLY make people settle for the HH version.  I know something similar has already been in play; upgrading wii to wii u version VC titles for a few bucks, but even that would seem like petty nickle and diming.   

Nintendo, as we've been spec-ulating, wil pump the brakes on pushing graphics yet again.  If in fact their baseline (home con.) comes in just shy of XB1 level power, in '16 or 17, and esp. under a united dev. front, their games should at the most, cost $49.99.  Anything higher, would be paying a premium for Ninty's arrogance, as they want to enjoy the benefit of next-gen pricing, with near 2 gen old specs and not even close to those AAA budget titles.  I already squirm when I pay 60 for U titles.

Who knows the home console could honestly be cheaper than the portable. 

No LCD touch panel, no battery ... even if the console had 2x-3x the chipset and more RAM ... LCD displays and batteries are larger cost components. 

NX Tablet Portable - $229-$250

NX Home Microconsole - $199.99

New 3DS XL - $149.99-$169.99 (for budget shoppers)

I could see that. After 10-12 months they could bring the portable down in cost too if they wanted to. 

That said whether people want it or not I think the NX console variant will probably have some gimmick controller tied to it, so that's going to eat up some of the hardware cost, though Nintendo likely isn't stupid enough to try a $100 controller again. 



zorg1000 on 08 April 2015
se7en7thre3 said:
Soundwave said:

And how is that different from now? Most people choose to buy the Nintendo handheld and to not buy the console period. The bottom line is they simply can't support two platforms on their own and third parties don't give a shit about them. 

There are different pricing options they could have for software too to make this setup work. 

For example the way they could work with Zelda I could see it like this 

NX Portable, NX Console

You can buy the portable version for $39.99. But if you want to play the home full HD version it's $59.99. 

Now if you buy the portable version first, but later on you buy the home NX too, surely you don't have to pay $59.99 to play the same game right? Nintendo can offer the option of if you pay $20 on the eShop, you can download the home version that has 1080P + added visual effects for TV play. 

I can see something like that working on the software side. Nintendo kinda already does this on the eShop ... if you have Mario 64 on the Wii VC you can transfer it to the Wii U VC for an extra charge, but lets you then enjoy the game on the Wii U with off-TV play. 

In addition to that, I don't think NX Console + NX Portable will be the exact same system. They will share a lot of the same games and be built from the same CPU/GPU architecture IMO, but I think the NX console will likely have some kind of new controller gimmick that Nintendo will bet on to differniate it from the handheld. The way Iwata/Miyamoto are talking about the platform suggest an emphasis on "new ways to play" (read: a non-conventional game platform). 


i know you may be just indulging that  post a bit, but IMO  would be a horrible idea. The whole point of a $200-250 barrier for a home version of HW, is to get those added benefits, but then adding cost on to that would REALLY make people settle for the HH version.  I know something similar has already been in play; upgrading wii to wii u version VC titles for a few bucks, but even that would seem like petty nickle and diming.   

Nintendo, as we've been spec-ulating, wil pump the brakes on pushing graphics yet again.  If in fact their baseline (home con.) comes in just shy of XB1 level power, in '16 or 17, and esp. under a united dev. front, their games should at the most, cost $49.99.  Anything higher, would be paying a premium for Ninty's arrogance, as they want to enjoy the benefit of next-gen pricing, with near 2 gen old specs and not even close to those AAA budget titles.  I already squirm when I pay 60 for U titles.

I agree with u on this, the high-end titles should be $50, then u can still have ur mid-budget titles for $30-40 like we have seen with games such as Captain Toad, Kirby Rainbow Curse or Luigi U and then of course the eShop exclusives for $10-15. I also think cross-buy/cross-save should be incorporated.



When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.

Soundwave on 08 April 2015

I think this pricing structure would be fair. Every game is basically released in two versions (available through retail 3DS sized cartridge or eShop download):

$49.99-$59.99 for "high end" version - You buy this one and it plays on the console and handheld, simple, straight forward. 

$29.99-$39.99 for the "portable only" version - You buy this version and its only for the handheld. But you can "upgrade" it via the eShop any time for an additional $10-$20 anytime (similar to how Nintendo handles VC download transfers on Wii to Wii U ... you pay an extra fee) if you choose to buy the home version NX and want to play on your TV down the line. 

Fusion being a different type of platform concept would require a little more thought given to software pricing, but that's not a bad thing, it just means its different. 



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zorg1000 on 08 April 2015
Soundwave said:
I think this pricing structure would be fair. Every game is basically released in two versions (available through retail 3DS sized cartridge or eShop download):

$49.99-$59.99 for "high end" version - You buy this one and it plays on the console and handheld.

$29.99-$39.99 for the "portable only" version - You buy this version and its only for the handheld. But you can "upgrade" it via the eShop any time for an additional $10-$20 anytime (similar to how Nintendo handles VC download transfers on Wii to Wii U ... you pay an extra fee).

Idk, I just think that kinda confuses things too much, just release a single 3DS-like cartridge that can play the game on either device and allow cross-buy/cross-save if u buy the game digitally.



When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.

Soundwave on 08 April 2015
zorg1000 said:
Soundwave said:
I think this pricing structure would be fair. Every game is basically released in two versions (available through retail 3DS sized cartridge or eShop download):

$49.99-$59.99 for "high end" version - You buy this one and it plays on the console and handheld.

$29.99-$39.99 for the "portable only" version - You buy this version and its only for the handheld. But you can "upgrade" it via the eShop any time for an additional $10-$20 anytime (similar to how Nintendo handles VC download transfers on Wii to Wii U ... you pay an extra fee).

Idk, I just think that kinda confuses things too much, just release a single 3DS-like cartridge that can play the game on either device and allow cross-buy/cross-save if u buy the game digitally.

I guess the issue there though is ... are people willing to pay $49.99-$59.99 if they only play on the portable?

Cross-save and all that is a given though. 



zorg1000 on 08 April 2015
Soundwave said:
zorg1000 said:

Idk, I just think that kinda confuses things too much, just release a single 3DS-like cartridge that can play the game on either device and allow cross-buy/cross-save if u buy the game digitally.

I guess the issue there though is ... are people willing to pay $49.99-$59.99 for some portable games ... I dunno. 

Cross-save and all that is a given though. 


Well I don't think there should be $60, right now it's $40 for 3DS and $60 for Wii U, I think they can find a common ground of $50 for the big games. And ya I think $50 isn't too much for the high-budget or huge selling franchises. Most likely, the next handheld is going to have to be $50 for high-end games regardless since it will be pushing Xbox 360-Wii U level HD visuals.

$50 high budget or big sellers, Zelda, Mario, Smash Bros, Xenoblade, Pokemon, Mario Kart, Metroid Prime, Fire Emblem, Donkey Kong

$30-40 medium budget, Kirby, Yoshi, Animal Crossing, Captain Toad, Mario/Pokemon spinoffs, 2D Zelda, 2D Metroid, remakes/ports

Then u also have ur smaller budget eShop titles for $15 and under



When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.

zorg1000 on 08 April 2015

Take a look at the price of mainline Pokemon games the last few generations for example

GBA-$29.99
DS-$34.99
3DS-$39.99

The price for these titles has been growing yet the series hasn't declined during these generations. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, Diamond/Pearl, Black/White, X/Y are all (or will be) in the 15-18 million range when going by Nintendo's official shipments. So a jump I'm price isn't likely to hurt sales.



When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.

Dunban67 on 08 April 2015

The OP is way oversimplifying  how a hand held and HC might be unified and how you might extrapolate production for both going forward

IF all those games were made for a hc then it would take a lot longer therefor more time , more money and less production

There are many qustions how theymay unfy the systems but Iwata has already said they did not intend on doing  something like your op discusses

Eithe way I do not think Nintenod can carry themslves succesfully for very long - they need 3rd parties