Are you kidding? M$ is a huge company. If anything, it would happen the other way round first.

No way, MS and Sony have multiple products but are unable to make any of them hugely sucessful on the same level as nintendo is doing right now. For example, ever since MS got involved in the console business the Windows side of the business has got worse, they have lost market share and influence to apple, sony got off to a disastrous start with PS3. They don't benefit from clarity of focus or dedication. Nintendo does hence why they are so successful.

IMO A Nintendo theme park in Japan would be hugely successful. It might even rival Disneyland Tokyo.

I mean picture the rides: A 3D adventure with Link, a Super Mario roller coaster, an F-Zero Roller coaster, a ride in an Awring (sp?) from Star Fox, an insane indoor ride from Metroid with robotic bosses, a Donkey Kong water ride.

Basically it would be Disneyland with Nintendo characters, and it would be amazingly successful in Japan. Not to mention, it would have game stores, wifi stations for DS's, Wii stations to play demos, etc etc.

You got a point there NintendoMan.

It can be (and often is) argued both ways. Having a diverse product line can help a company weather bad times in a single product line (think what would happen to Nintendo's financials if the video-game business went into a real slump).

On the other hand, companies that stray outside their "core" businesses often waste money and resources trying to break into new markets, and then eventually back out again with a big deficit on the books. This isn't always the case... Apple seems to be doing well getting into new markets right now.

So take your pick... it can be good or bad, depending on market conditions and the company's ability to execute.

They should make a range of playing cards. Strange animals that live in balls can be pitched against one another in arenas.

They could have a Tag line like "Gotta Catch Em All" and release so much merchandising that they make more money in a single year then Sony made in the lifetime of the PS1.

They could have a run of movies based on the concept and really milk it.

But Nintendo would never ever think to do anything like that

They only make video games.

Let me see:

Movie business => Mario the movie comes to mind and it was awfull

Anime business => now that would be great, they already have experience with Pokemon. F-Zero was also turned into an anime series before.
And they could expand that with other franchises like Custom Robo or Fire Emblem, Pikmin, etc...
And also create new anime franchise. So they have exclusive rights for the upcoming games with the same name.

amusements park => Hell yeah! Mario Kart race circuits, Luigi's ghosthouse, Pokemon Casino, Metroid rollercoaster, Zelda ranch.. with guest appearances of Sonic... why not his own rollercoaster ride..

Software market => Nintendo could be successfull with educational programs for the pc, see it as more professional versions of Brain training or other training games

Electronics => there is little room in this business for a newcomer. But a Nintendo cellphone would kill the iphone and even ipod.

Food => Watch out Kellog's!

Like someone earlier in this thread said; A Nintendo themepark would be ever so awesome! And preferably one on each continent... I know I'd visit it at least once in my life!!!

Nintendo phone ~ Not so much, Apple wouldn't like... Nintendo is really well at what it does, what it does it does best... So why start making other tech stuff?! Also, they only have like 3000-4000 employees...

Nintendo makes cards and sch and a few games and clothing too i believe, but if they do more they will lose their focus on games which is what the company is all about.

But I still like the idea of a theme park. Huge varerity- from kart racing to pokemon rides. Shops exclusively for Nintendo. It should be first based at Japan.