thanks for the clarification i think im tracking w you now

Good deal

Another thing I want to point out, is that in each of those 4 pre-Wii/DS generations, the software sales (about 500 million units of software per generation) and the hardware breakdown per region has been consistent as well.

Americas-50 million, Japan-25 million, Others-25 million give or take a few in each region.

Right now, 3DS+Wii U in Japan & Others are set to hit those numbers. It's literally only America that is showing a decline and they are on track to sell about 30 million in the Americas this generation or about a 40% decline.

I have a theory for that as well. In America, it is far more expensive to get both pieces of hardware than it was in previous generations at this point in their lives.

In 1988, NES-$100, G&W-$20 each so an NES and 3 G&W=$160, adjusted for inflation that's about $325

In 1993, Super Nintendo-$130, Gameboy-$90, total-$210, adjusted for inflation that's about $350

In 1998, Nintendo 64-$130, Gameboy Color-$70, total-$200, adjusted for inflation that's about $290

In 2003, Gamecube-$100, Gameboy Advance SP-$100, total-$200, adjusted for inflation that's about $260

New 3DS XL-$200, Wii U-$300, total-$500, so to get both it costs about 40% more than it did in previous gens.

So a 40% decline in sales and a 40% increase in price, is that a coincidence? Maybe. Also why does this only affect America and not other regions?

Well historically, Japan & Others have only picked one or the other, so price of both combined isn't nearly as big of a factor while in America Nintendo consoles & handhelds have both been popular at the same time and people are more likely to buy both devices so the combined price to get the full Nintendo experience is much more relevant in America than it is in other regions.

You quoted the wrong post. :)

Everybody knows that excluding Wii, Nintendo consoles have declined. The general thought is this is due to the added competition from the likes of Sega, Sony & Microsoft coming and stealing their audience. Well I have another theory, Nintendo wasn't losing their audience to the competitors, their audience was gradually shifting from Nintendo consoles to Nintendo handhelds. Let's take a look at Nintendo hardware sales per generation pre-Wii.

NES-62 million, Game & Watch-43 million

SNES-49 million, Gameboy (89-96)-54 million

Nintendo 64-33 million, Gameboy (97-03)-64 million

Gamecube-22 million, Gameboy Advance-81 million

Each generation sold 100 million give or take a few million, with the handheld sales increasing at roughly the same rate as console sales declining. So what exactly would be the reason for people shifting from from one to the other?

Nintendo's best selling games and consoles are ones that emphasize on simple, pick up and play, casual experiences. As consoles became more complex by adding more face buttons, shoulder buttons, triggers, analog sticks, the games became more complex by default. Nintendo handhelds on the other hand retained their simple, casual style thus consoles began to decrease and handhelds increase.

With Wii & DS, Nintendo created the ultimate casual experiences thus sales exploded, with Wii U & 3DS they have reverted back to making more complex control schemes and games thus it is on track to becoming the worst selling generation in Nintendo history.

This just proves that Nintendo can only afford to fully support one console at a time.  The Wii was a fluke that sold on its gimic alone.

This just proves that Nintendo can only afford to fully support one console at a time.  The Wii was a fluke that sold on its gimic alone.

I love how everyone now tries to dismiss the Wii as if it never happened.

Sorry mate, but it happened and the DS sold about as much as the PS2 in less time!