Reggie Debates Whether Nintendo Should Keep Making Consoles

In the latest episode of DeadLock, MatPat was joined by Reggie to debate Nintendo’s future in the video game industry. This is certainly a topic on the minds of many gamers.

[rlow1]

Fun

[Moonman]

First of all, before I even state my opinion....Nintendo is NOT bleeding a dime. They are making so much money and their stock price is higher than it was when Wii U debuted. So IF this was to happen it wouldn't be because they needed money or were forced because of money. But I say to the younger gamers who take everything for granted anyway, you little ungratefuls...lol. Nintendo is an icon because of what they brought NEW in hardware particularly controllers every generation. Regardless of power or specs. They innovated, and they are still innovating with Switch. Nintendo deserves to make their own hardware because they are damn fine game developers. They are damn fine to this day and if the games were bad, I would ask why make hardware? You see what I did there? It's the games that get me to buy the hardware. And the hardware is always memorable and well built along with these damn fine games. Nintendo is Nintendo when they are doing Nintendo.

[Captain_Tom]

A fundamental misunderstanding of how publicly traded businesses work.

It doesn't matter if Nintendo is technically not "losing a dime". Investors buy stocks to make money over time, not to let it sit there and rot. If investors perceive that Nintendo is on a downward trajectory they will jump ship, and Ninty will lose FAR more than just a dime lol.

Keep in mind that investors have been begging Nintendo to release games on Android/iPhone for a very long time (Real games, not the Mario Run / Pokemon Go fads). Switch needs to sell 75 - 100m to convince investors they were wrong buddy.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Won't anyone stop and consider what Adam said for just a minute?! :o

[creeping judas]

Well said Moonman!

[MultiConsoleGamer]

They're already thinking about their next console, already working on their new portable.

And yes, the Switch is not their new portable.

[superchiller]

No, they aren't. There won't be any more portable consoles from Nintendo, the Switch is it. And they aren't going to make any more home consoles, because they are unable to compete with Sony and MS. They don't have the technical expertise to produce a cutting edge console (or handheld), and they are unwilling to open their wallet to finance that kind of hardware. You're living in a fantasy world if you desperately cling to some vague hope for future gaming hardware from this company. The Switch will be the last one.

[quent]

Neither does Sony or M$ have the "technical Expertise" to do so, that's why they contracted AMD and Nintendo Nvidia.

Oh and btw PC mid range hardware equivalent from 2012 with a modified tablet CPU running in both the ps4 and xb1 is hardly cutting edge

[Utalkin2me]

@quent

Cutting edge for consoles, yes it is. Funny how those console games can hold up so well to your 2k PC though isnt it.

[FyBy]

You forgot Nintendo mass - formed motion gaming? Now they have advanced tech in their hd rumble controller. Sony last gen it was cell - cooperation between Sony and ibm . It was revolutionary. But now it's "only" some old x86 CPU from amd with glued gpu. What's cutting edge on that? I really don't understand you. It seems to me more cutting edge to make portable big console with cutting edge portable chipset from nvidia.

[patchzon]

I totally agree.

[conanlifts]

"Last one". You realise could make another 3-4 failed consoles before they struggle as a company. They have billions in available cash and bonds. Even if switch fails i think they will still make another console.

[Bahamut]

While the idea of Nintendo leaving the console world is depressing to me, the idea of Mario, Zelda, and Metroid going multi-platform cheers me right up. That's assuming they continue making games, which I wouldn't see why not. Those never had an issue selling... just the consoles themselves.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

You are absolutely, positively, completely and totally wrong.

Sorry if that bothers you.

Oh and BTW, Nintendo doesn't compete with Sony and MS. That's a fanboy delusion spread by places like LOLOLOL neogaf. Nintendo exists in their own market.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Do you have a link to prove this? Because I haven't heard anything official by Nintendo regarding either of what you just posted.

Reality is if this company is unable to sell a significant amount of this product there literally is no Financial reason for them to keep spending money on Hardware that is not selling which in turn causes their software to also not sell.

As it stands spending billions on Hardware just sell a software doesn't make as much sense as....Well

Spending zero $ on Hardware and selling the most possible software on multiple install bases.

Software makes more money than Hardware so why exactly would have company struggling to sell Hardware risk losing money on software, the thing that technically makes them the most money in the first place?

Nintendo's reasoning behind putting their games on mobile is actually going to be the exact same reasoning that puts their games on Xbox PlayStation and PC.

[superchiller]

"Oh and BTW, Nintendo doesn't compete with Sony and MS. That's a fanboy delusion spread by places like LOLOLOL neogaf. Nintendo exists in their own market. "

This is some of the funniest fanboy drivel I've seen. Only in an alternate Fantasy Island world is Nintendo not competing with Sony and MS. They make gaming hardware and games, so they absolutely do *try* to compete, but they've been doing a very poor job of that, for quite some time now.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Look up blue ocean before you embarrass yourself any further.

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

I think they should. Kids love Nintendo consoles. I've accepted the fact that Nintendo no longer focuses on power but innovation. I'm older now so graphics are not as big a concern for me as it is for someone who grew up only knowing PlayStation 2 as old school. I buy Nintendo consoles primarily for my kids then for my found memories of Mario, Zelda, and Metroid. I may not agree with every move Nintendo makes but for Nintendo to go the way of Sega would be a very sad day in the history of gaming.

[SinkingSage]

Sure, if you call wiggling around a stick "innovation".

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

I'd call the first analog stick on a console innovation. And yes I'd call motion controls innovative which is why Sony tried so hard to mimic it with PS move and to a degree MS with Kinect. You can deny all you want what Nintendo has brought to the table but you would only be lying to yourself. I'm no fan of motion control or VR but let's give credit where credit is due...

[Juiceid]

To be fair, knowing potentially how many ice cubes you may have is kinda cool!

.....sarcasm indeed

[Goldby]

@BLK
Prinztronic/Acetronic/Interto n was the first followed by atari 6 years later.

[Omnislashver36]

Wrong, kids love Nintendo games. They have no opinion on the console. Put it on PS4 and their parents will be happy they don't have to buy two consoles, kids will be happy it has better graphics. It's a win all around.

As far as PS2 being old school, I played everything from NES to PS4-Pro, and definitely appreciated the graphics update on Kingdom Hearts recently. Awesome art style mixed with awesome graphics was a win all around. I don't even understand how there's a debate on the issue. Nintendo doesn't innovate, they create gimmicks. There is no reason they can't have graphics at the same or even lesser of a price if they'd just get rid of the gimmicks.

[JasonKCK]

OmnislashVer36 you do know Nintendo makes a killing off those little toys right?

[Omnislashver36]

@ Jason

You do know they'd make a ton more if they weren't on crappy hardware right? And they obviously didn't make a killing off Wii U...

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

Wrong MY kids know and love NINTENDO Consoles not PlayStation or Xbox.

[Omnislashver36]

@BLKxSEPTEMBER.

Good for you. That anecdote only works for you and a few others though. The rest of the market disagrees with you heavily. Wii U didn't even break 15 million sold. So while your kids may like it, everyone else's kids didn't and would gladly play Nintendo games on their PS4s if possible. Nintendo would make a killing by going third party, that's a fact. Far more people would play Nintendo games.

[JasonKCK]

OmnislashVer36 and you're obviously here to troll

[_-EDMIX-_]

They loved the Wii U? Because the sales show otherwise.

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

Kids don't buy consoles adults do. And in my home my kids love Nintendo games. I can guarantee you can't name a single PS or MS game mascot or game more popular than Mario. Go ahead I'll wait...

[_-EDMIX-_]

Blk- that's irrelevant.

clearly those same adults did not purchase the Wii U.

What is the relevance of this popularity if people are clearly not that much infatuated with such mascots to actually purchase the hardware in the first place?

Of course not many people could name a mascot from PlayStation or Microsoft that is as relevant because neither of those companies continue to rehash the same characters to Oblivion as much as Nintendo, maybe with the exception of Microsoft with the HALO Series.

I actually believe it's this milking of the same characters that is actually alienating new consumers and what is causing them to be selling less Hardware every generation and is causing their install base of actual customers to shrink.

You may recognize Mario more than any other gaming mascot but maybe that concept is probably what is hurting them in regards to capturing new audiences.

There is no mascot on the PlayStation that is anywhere near as recognizable as Mario but maybe that is why the PlayStation series of consoles is the best selling console Series in the history of Gaming.

There is no prerequisite before you purchase a PlayStation , you don't need to have known of any particular property to enjoy the platform and this type of concept I honestly believe is likely what is actually ironically hurting Nintendo.

Nothing is wrong with Mario but this preconception that you have to know this particular characters that have any value from the platform is likely what is causing consumers to not purchase their Hardware because they have this idea that if you own one Nintendo platform you've seen all that there is that this company has to offer, that in my opinion it's what is resulting in their shrinking install base.

That is like hoping a person will start to play Call of Duty simply because you expose them to the previous Call of Duty's have you not considered that maybe once they burnt out on such a concept that they believe they have an understanding of the future releases enough to not purchase?

The preconceived notion that someone already has a general idea of what a Mario or is Zelda is going to be like I believe is going to hurt the company

I believe clearly they still need to released those properties but I believe they need to start creating other properties and marketing them as much as they do Mario and Zelda to start bringing in a new consumer base.

Nintendo is losing lots of consumers in regards to people who purchase their Hardware, I believe it might be to them maintaining the exact same image which is resulting in people believing that they fully understand what they're walking away from and I believe that's a terrible.

You cannot hate Uncharted because of Jak and Daxter you cannot make your decision on inFamous because of Sly Cooper and it's very difficult to say you won't purchase Horizon zero Dawn because of Killzone they are all brand new properties different from the properties that those teams worked on previously.

ie get rid of your preconceived notions.

That is why on average the PlayStation console moves in the ballpark of 90 to 100 million consoles every generation.

I can't tell you what my favorite game will be on PlayStation 5 simply because I don't know what new properties Sony will have their teams create. But I'm pretty damn positive if I didn't like the previous Mario Platformers or previous Zelda games I've already made my decision before Nintendo has even announced their next platform or even the switch.

this is a dangerous thing because they are not adapting to the market.

[C_Ali88]

Ed ???? because his kids comprise of 15 million individuals?? WEAK argument brah!!!!!

[_-EDMIX-_]

@C_A- "clearly those same adults did not purchase the Wii U"

"those same adults"

"same" ie like, similar.

Where did I literally say BLKx bought all the Wii U's literally?

My point is merely that those that liked Wii U, might be the same that are interested in the Switch. So it is relevant to question this, as those same folks that might like Switch, might just be the same that own a Wii U.

I'm sorry buddy, but its relevant.

I just don't see much in the Switch that I didn't see from the Wii U. How many die hards will buy a device that is more money then other consoles, less games then other consoles and basically the biggest reasons to buy are Mario, Zelda etc?

That actually isn't a hard guess....do you know if I'm talking about Wii U or Switch? because from where I stand, the situation is very, very similar ie..."same"

So yes, its not that hard to guess that the same individuals that bought Wii U, might buy Switch. The only more I see buying it , are those that own a 3DS and want the sequels to those games, my issues is Nintendo's marketing is so out there, that many that own 3DS may not see this as a reason to buy it based on several factors. Nintendo has not called this their next handheld, instead they've used the terms "handheld mode"

3DS is getting games still.

Nintendo has not confirmed that this is replacing 3DS. The issue with such a thing is, it leaves the install base with one foot in the door and one foot out. They might as well wait, that isn't really going to help Nintendo if they are also hoping for more sales in the future lol Catch 22.

Nintendo is waiting for more sales to support Switch more.
3DS gamers are waiting for another portable based on Nintendo poor marketing.

Because that, I don't see this selling more then 3DS....its still in question if this will even sell more then Wii U imho.

[Kurdishcurse]

they shouldnt, since they are unbelievabely laughable at it.

[Realplaya]

What ???

[gamer7804]

one failed console so far doesn't mean that, while i'm not impressed with the switch, if they had made some key changes to it it could be a massive success, such as making the doc have a full GPU in it for it to be able to play 3rd party games, similar to how the Surface Book does it. They can work on their online infrastructure. I'd love an online nintendo space that works and has chat , achievements, multiplayer gaming, fun social activities, stuff for kids etc. such potential is there with nintendo to make a fantastic home console and portables.

[gamer7804]

@KingCosmic The first 2 weren't failures, but everything at the time couldn't match the playstation in sales, but that doesn't mean they were failures. Without each of these 3 consoles we wouldn't be where we are today, they've each brought things to the table, whether its iconic ips and forward thinking gameplay , tons of quality games and exclusives, or unrivaled online features, we need these big three around to push each other forward.

[CrimsonWing69]

One failed console? Have you looked at each consoles life time sales? I'll give you a hint they decline each gen except for Wii. The Wii U being their lowest.

[Vegamyster]

KingCosmic

Just because they don't outsell the competition doesn't mean the system was a failure, i dunno about the Wii-U but the N64, Gamecube & Wii all made a profit and had a number of great games.

[_-EDMIX-_]

?

[mcstorm]

Just because sales are less than the top seller dose not mean it was not a success. Was the ps3 a flop because it did not match the ps2 sales? Come on it's all about £. If Nintendo Microsoft and Sony are all making £ they are all a success. We all know £ is made on the sales of games and Nintendo's IPs sell very well looks at smash bros and Mario kart on the wiiu for example.

Nintendo don't need the switch to outsell the ps4 or Xbox one they just need it to sell well enough and have people buying their games. The casual gamers won't go over to the switch and this is the market Sony now have. The casual buy the same IPS year on year to. Look at the charts you will see cod, FIFA, gta, ect in the top 10 yoy and this is no the core gamers buying them it's the casual.

The switch is looking good for Japan which is where Nintendo always sell best but it could also sell well in the us and Europe as a replacement for the 3ds of Nintendo can do that with game like Pokémon then Nintendo will of hit the market they wanted.

[Vegamyster]

@NiteX

No because at the end of the day the company only cares about profits, Underachieving & failure are not the same thing, the Virtual Boy would be an example of a failure since it sold poorly hardware/software wise and lost Nintendo money.

[DillyDilly]

All Reggie kept saying was "We bring new ideas" as pointed out in the video those ideas can be brought to life via accessories & mid gen console upgrades would work in Nintendos favor also Reggie had no rebuttle for that point

[Miss_Weeboo]

Let me guess, he said: No! We shouldn't!

[XXanderXX]

If whatever reason Nintendo decides to stop making a console , I will gladly buy their games to play on Xbox should they go 3rd party .

[Bronxs15]

Playing banjo kazooie on Xbox now and it's pretty cool!

[XXanderXX]

Very cool game , hoping for MS to give a new game or a massive remaster.

[Bronxs15]

@XxanderXx

I'm hoping for the same. I'd love to see banjo a big deal character on Xbox like master chief or Marcus Phoenix.

Now that I think if it. Conkur would match the more mature theme of the other characters. But would still like to see banjo.

Hopefully MS could over time develop a roster of characters (more franchises) and have their own smash bros and all stars type came

[DillyDilly]

If you think about it all of Nintendos ideas are basically accessories which can be easily plugged into anything

[Bronxs15]

Going back to duck hunt. And this Congo drums on the GameCube for donkey Kong

[superchiller]

Let's hope that Nintendo exits the gaming hardware business, their products have been low-spec, feature-lacking, and crippled by gimmicks for many years. The Switch is likely to be their last piece of gaming hardware, judging by the response it has gotten in the gaming industry and community.

[porkChop]

Outside of N4G the Switch is actually very popular, and well received. Many think the price could have been a bit lower, sure, but they still like the system.

@superchiller
I'm not talking about websites. I'm talking about the community itself. N4G is heavily against the Switch. But outside of N4G the gaming community seems to be very positive towards the Switch. Not completely, of course. There are quite a few questionable decisions regarding the Switch. But saying the Switch is going to be Ninty's last console based on response just doesn't make any sense. The response is mostly good.

[StormLegend]

It has no games, only Zelda at launch and a Mario kart port in April.

[superchiller]

@ porkChop - You do realize that N4G just gathers articles from other gaming websites out there? Most of the early opinions about the Switch are not really very positive. Only the most diehard Nintendo websites are praising them for the many questionable design decisions in the Switch (small amount of RAM, small amount of on board storage, tiny controllers, expensive peripherals, low-res screen, poor battery life, etc).

[jmc8888]

By what metric? Views of a video? That's a long ways away from plunking down $299 plus everything else needed to use it.

People still aren't going to know what it is. I've yet to see a single commercial on TV yet. This is supposed to be a console, that cannot play the console games most want, yet is priced higher then those who can. Why, because it's portable.

There's lots of people where that isn't going to make any sense. Throw in the chat over smartphone, and other issues, and there's legitimacy in the argument.

People now look around and say the 'gamepad' was such a confusing issue. But back in 2012, most scoffed at that.

Also most people couldn't give two craps about portability, especially when the compromises are basically every AAA Western 3rd party game that is on a console to do it.

People can disagree with reality, but it is. It's confusing, it's overpriced, and when mom and dad see it on the shelf next to Sony and MS, the stark differences in price/graphics/games/value for Switch's competitors are going to make the Switch look like a real bad deal. I also can see the salespeople talking alot of people out from buying one by asking questions like. Does your kid like Call of Duty? Well.... that's not on Switch.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Just like the Wii U?

[BrandanT]

Superchiller, you do realize that the people on this site define what's popular on here.

[C_Ali88]

he realizes it but it defeats his point of denying this circle jerk of a gaming community.

[MasterCratosKong66]

Let's hope all 3 do. The best of them are just poser PC's anyway. If people actually cared about resolutions and fps they would want a PC only or even a one upgradable console future where none of the current companies are making the hardware, but offering software services which is where the competition should be.

[Dafreakzo]

This was nothing but Reggie pushing Switch features. He did not answer one of the questions with a response related to the questions asked.

[kangolkyle]

Was kind of surprised the guy actually grilled him. Reggie's a real one for saying "Let us worry about our financials, you just worry about Ganon and Bowser" . But he was totally in PR mode.

[Firebird360]

Bullshit click bate article. There was no debate, Reggie flat out says they will continue making hardware, there's no debate about it.

[superchiller]

They're not going to continue making hardware if the Switch bombs, and it doesn't look good for the new handheld right now.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Yes they will, or would if the Switch was gonna fail, which it won't. If low sales were enough to stop them, they'd have bowed out after the Gamecube.
You're never gonna play Breath of the Wild on PS4. Get the fuck over it.XD

[Wallstreet37]

@wonderful

With so many ps4 games coming out wtf would anyone worry about botw? Lol especially with games like Horizon coming out next month lol get over yourself, i orderd it but it doesnt look that serious lol

My god here you go again with your delusional visions of nintendo grandeur. Mad at so many (yes many) ppl that dont see switch or its weak lineup as a good investment. Mad because you had faith and once again Nintendo let you down with weak hardware thats over priced. Get over it man your defense bs is sad and annoting :) We see through you.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@wonder- buddy I just do not physically see Nintendo continuing to create Hardware if the switch fails.

It financially doesn't even make any sense in fact they're probably even going against the wishes of their own shareholders but even continuing to do such a stupid thing the goal of any company is that actually make money and it cost billions to roll out a console and regards to development, research ,marketing the games that are being developed for the platform on top of other expenses.

All this to just inevitably sell less software the main thing they're trying to profit from?

Spend billions on Hardware to make less money?

Or

Spend zero on Hardware to make the most money on the largest possible install base?

I'm sorry that you haven't really given a real definitive answer on why this company would continue to entertain wasting more money just to sell a software.

The Mario Kart on the Wii went on to sell something ridiculous like 30 million units .. but that could only happen when you have something like a 100 million install base

Now I want you to consider the cost for Nintendo to produce such a massive install base...

Technically speaking they will make more money from a Mario Kart on an install base that they had to spend zero money in regards to Hardware on than they did on the actual Wii's MarioKart.

Those are the type of returns their shareholders clearly want to see.

I believe many of them are questioning exactly why this company continuing to entertain the idea of being a hardware manufacturer when it is very clear that there are better Hardware manufacturers that exist and the install base has essentially chosen those manufacturers by choice.

I'm sorry but I would hold off on saying "never".

Because for all you know in 3 years this system could fail and Nintendo could very well announce that would PlayStation 5 and the next Xbox release is that they're planning to become a software company as a person that owns my own business I believe it is very likely that already have a contingency plan or in layman's terms a plan be and that might very well be to go multi-platform consider there already multi-platform because they're already making games for Apple and Android companies they clearly do not own.

Zelda is not coming to the Playstation or Xbox yet Pokemon Mario and Animal Crossing are going to mobile? I'm sorry but I'm not sure you understand what you're talking about and I believe that it is very possible that you probably believed you would never see Mario on an Android phone so who is to say you're not going to see those properties on other platforms?

Software makes more money than Hardware.

How are you going to have another Mario Kart that sells like the one on the Wii if your system continues to keep failing? So keep wasting money and ignore that and install base of hundreds of millions already exist somewhere else?

I'm sorry but it just sounds stupid and it's probably why you've yet to actually really have a definitive reason on why they should keep risking their company's finances just to give you a plastic box.

[C_Ali88]

LOL @wallstreet37 haven't turned on my ps4 for months and I am eagerly awaiting BOTW don't delude yourself otherwise in order to try and look cool. BOTW is not in danger from ANY ps4 game. period....

@EDMIX

Tell that to Xbox divi of Microsoft..They have never won a generation nor have a competent handheld business.. Xbox loses money hand over fist for Microsoft try not to be so biased. Nintendo will continue because everybody seems to ignore how successful their portables are and have been.

And your argument is a fallacy, You won't see Nintendo games on other hardware. They would go portable only or belly up rather than sell out. 3 years or 4.... keep trying. The argument would be given your argument there is a demand for the software (as evidenced by that lengthy response I could've mistaken for a book) and their finances aren't dire not even remotely so. As bad as you want to make it seem Sony wasn't doing too well in the ps3 era and made a pretty good turnaround hence and not once did they consider selling out. Why would Nintendo? Xbox has been a journey of failures and losses yet why haven't they sold out? PSP has been a constant failure in comparison to Nintendo portables have they sold out? To say Nintendo is MORE likely to sell out and go software only, than any of the other 2 console manufactures is a bias you're trying to spin into an acceptable argument when everybody knows it isn't acceptable or remotely a possibility.

Software, 3DS and Amiibo are still making plenty of money for Nintendo yet.....DOOOOM
10 years ago Wii was basically printing money for Nintendo..... DOOM
13 years ago Ds was printing money for Nintendo..... DOOOM
20 years ago Gameboy raked in cash for Nintendo.... DOOOOOM

Get over it, the Doom or Nintendo.... but Nintendo isn't going anywhere no matter how many arguments you think sound good in your head. You're so wrapped up in your own belief that you fail to even understand that Nintendo is STILL financially stable.. Japan will eat up the Switch it will outsell the ps4 in the first year in Japan as Ps4 just surpassed Wii U in Japan like in September LOL!!!

http://en.rocketnews24.com/...

[_-EDMIX-_]

@C_A- "You won't see Nintendo games on other hardware"

We already do, on iOS and Android. Did Nintendo buy Apple and Android? huh?

" They would go portable only or belly up rather than sell out"

Except the Switch is a portable that can play on the TV as an option...sooooo they've already decided to go Portable only.

I don't see them looking to destroy their business so they don't have to make games on other platforms as that doesn't really make sense. That isn't really logic as you have zero proof, that is actually emotional, immature, bitter fanboy talk.

Yet they have games on ios and soon android? Whats next? Steam? PS, XB?

Please. Nintendo is a business like any other.

160 million DS

vs

60 million 3DS

This is clear that THIS DEVICE is their last straw, if they can't produce huge numbers, they are very likely to CONTINUE going multiplatform on OTHER platforms they don't own. I'm not even going to say they will "go 3rd party" i'm simply gong to say they are going to go "further" as they are already making games on install bases they don't own.

Sorry but Nintendo is making Switch ie (portable that can play on TV) because they can't afford making 2 devices.

They are making Switch because handheld is their largest install base. If they can't succeed with Switch, they have no business spending MORE MONEY to make LESS MONEY!

I'm sorry but crying, tears, name calling etc is not going to really help your claims, it lacks any real financial evidence.

Spend more money to sell less software.....?

or

Spend zero on hardware, to sell the MOST software across PS, XB, PC, ios, android.

Software makes more money then hardware bud. Who made Nintendo make games on phones? I mean....probably the same person that is likely going to make them continue to go software only on install bases they don't own.

Sorry but, if they continue to sell less, they will leave the hardware market and continue to just make software on other platforms. They exist to make money, not lose it.

When was the last time Mario Kart sold 30 million units? LMFAO! You can't do that when you don't sell hardware bud, but you can do that even without the cost of hardware like literally ZERO $ by coming on PS, PC and XB. Sorry but it will happen if Switch fails.

[Orionsangel]

They haven't been making traditional consoles since the Wii. The emphasis is always on the gimmick. Yes the Wii was successful at first but turned out to be a fad that came and went. Since then they haven't stopped chasing the success of the Wii. Wii U and Switch are just an evolution of the original Wii. They should go back to basics. A console. A gamepad controller and focus on games. We wanna play great Nintendo games not change the way we play them.

[gbsrnctaln]

This has me wondering WHO is in charge at Nintendo? Who does the buck stop with in making these final hardware decisions? It cant be the CEO, because CEOS have changed since the Wii and WiiU were released. These baffling decisions scream of one man's vision, not the decisions of a collective group of highly intellectual individuals. I dont see how an entire group of people can be this blind and stubborn. I dont know who it is, but until they are gone, we are going to have to suffer from their senility.

[Einhander1971]

The Sony,M$ fanboys are out to play again there's a surprise didn't see that coming Lol. Oh and
By the way switch won't be the last. Here's food for thought if and when Sony release PS5 and it possibly fails Sony stand more chance exiting the console business, they can't afford to bleed money no more than Nintendo. Be careful what u wish for, a game world dominated by Microsoft no thanks!!

[Orionsangel]

The Wii U failed. You'd think Nintendo would change it's strategy, but no...the Switch is just an evolution of the Wii U. It's more of the same. What good is pushing innovation if it's just tweaking more of the same failed garbage? Nintendo should focus more on their popular franchises an new original games. Is it so hard to understand that we still love playing Video Games in a traditional manner with a gamepad?

[Wallstreet37]

Lol ignorance is bliss. Your statement has to be the funniest ive heard. Its fanboy dribble. Out of all the companies Playstation more than any of them will keep making consoles and games. Their gaming division isnt bleeding them money and out of all their divisions playstation has always did good for Sony. As a matter of fact if you took off your degensive fanatical shades you would see that Sony has pushed Playstation to the forefront and now it is the face of the gigantic company that is Sony. They are putting all their backing into it :)

[C_Ali88]

Because Sony was bleeding cash but guess what?? Your "degensive" fanatical shades won't let you see that it is actually Nintendo that would be the last to go.... lol Doesn't matter how much money the PS brand brings to Sony that is their saving grace and Nintendo isn't even close to being as desperate as to axe numerous studios and consolidate an arm of its company to the forefront to keep it from going under.

[FlyingFoxy]

Nintendo made a bunch of great consoles, but they really should've tried to be so close to XB1 as a base with the Switch though, third party support wouldn't have been any issue then. People who say "Doesn't matter, it's powerful enough for Nintendo games" well yes, but how much better would it sell if it could play major third party games on the go like RDR2 or GTA 5? I think it might be a mistake charging for online play as well, how many titles do Nintendo expect to have with online MP?

And on that point, there's really no reason for any of the consoles to have paid for online either, it's just another way for the companies to take money.. PC has always had free online play and cheaper games to boot, that's the way it should be. With PSN/XBL you're paying on average what? An extra 200 quid in 5 years just for online charges.. ha.

[jmc8888]

For $299-349, the price of Switch they could of easily gotten around 3TFlops, and packed in a 500 GB hard drive and a pro controller. Instead we got Switch.

They could of done it. They CHOSE not to. But they are still competing with Sony and MS, and adding in Tablets/Smartphones. They aren't competing well against anyone with Switch. Each of their competitors have some major advantages over them. That's simply reality some may deny, but it IS reality.

Switch is a niche device for people who think they can get enough enjoyment from Japanese devs and Nintendo first party. Those that typically bought both Nintendo handhelds and Nintendo consoles.

That's the target market, a niche.

Some people simply can't do anything else but project themselves. So most people on here think Switch is great because THEY think it's great FOR THEM.

I can understand a personal viewpoint of it. The problem is, it's been shown over and over again that these people are in the vast minority. It's great for them, but when success has to be much better sales wise then what they did last time with Wii U+3DS, this doesn't look like it will do that. It's not going to be 50 percent over that. It may struggle just to be 50-60 percent OF that, not 50 over it.

So this is what those people can't see. The decisions that led to poor sales were doubled down, but people seem to think the same people who rejected the previous iterations will somehow flock to it. Even though it's now more expensive then PS4/XB1S. Even though it has paid online. Need a smartphone to chat/etc. No pro controller. 32GB's storage.

Nintendo needs to make a device that will sell huge numbers, and get the average person back into the fold. If they can't, they'll bleed more sales. They won't if the Switch won't have the games they want, and the few they do are downgraded. This isn't good for Nintendo.

[C_Ali88]

But you're projecting also it will be great for some and useless for others, what makes your opinion more valid? Clearly you have an issue of believing because it is bad FOR YOU it can't be a great console for MANY, you can profess it a bad choice and proclaim it should have been THIS and THAT buuuut it is your opinion albeit one shared by many of the n4g community!!..... Your whole argument boils down to "I'm so entitled that even though I won't buy it and nobody is forcing me to, I'll take it upon myself to disparage everything I dislike about it and refute and repudiate anybody who disagrees"..... Lol nobody cares if you hate it, just watch from the sideline.... and shut up.

And it has to do better than the Wii U not the 3DS as they can continue it with another iteration of DUAL SCREEN portables which as you see the Switch is not.... So argue that the switch is a portable but that does not INHERENTLY kill the 3ds business. As iPads don't kill off iPhones business because it exists.... (I worked for apple and knowing how minutely different they are is quite amusing)

ipad, ipad Air, iPad pro

DS, Switch, Switch 4k or Ultra...... All within a family of devices.

And lastly are you using "niche" as a Noun? then you aren't going to quite get the meaning you're trying to convey as that could mean that they are going for "a comfortable and suitable position" and if their target market is comfortable and suitable I'd say that is a fine accomplishment... Now if you meant it as an adjective you may need to reformat that sentence.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

"but how much better would it sell if it could play major third party games on the go like RDR2 or GTA 5?"

Probably not much better at all, because AAA third party multiplats cannot move Nintendo hardware so long as their biggest fanbase numbers are raised outside of Nintendo consoles.
To do so, to reach the same software sold numbers from other consoles, they'd have to have the current fanbases for those games pick up a Switch to play them.
But they won't do that because of the barrier called brand loyalty. Not even higher power can change that, so the Switch being below the PS4 and upcoming Scorpio really doesn't factor in at all.

[_-EDMIX-_]

???

What you just argued for is actually suggesting that Nintendo doesn't even have the market any longer to sell those type of games so why exactly are you making it sound as if they could continue to afford to sell Hardware to a market that doesn't even want them?

Buddy, you cannot Proclaim that the install base would not purchase Nintendo Hardware if those games appeared on that platform and then suggest it still has a place in the market.

Who exactly? Nintendo's hardcore? Where were those hardcore for the Wii U and 3DS? To my understanding both of those platforms sold less than their predecessors

I'm sorry but your own post ironically proves that this platform and this company just can not get rid of their alienating image.

They might be better off as third-party publishers.

[C_Ali88]

No he did not argue that they don't have the market for it, he succinctly argued that they will not buy a Switch for the sole purpose of playing games that are on multiple consoles. Exclusives have been what made companies what they are, some are abandoning such things but at the moment people want Nintendo IP. That much is evident, and just like apple it will take a realization that Nintendo makes things how they wish and if you want to play/use what they make you will have to buy it from Nintendo....

Half of that philosophy is already instilled into the portable fanbase,Nintendo devices may have always been technically inferior to Sony devices but that is disregarded because Nintendo owns the portable console space and thus gets the major support regardless.

[SR388]

No otherwise no more amazing games

[EmperorRosko]

What I'd give for Mario and Zelda at 4K on my PS4 Pro or PC. Quit making consoles and make those unique brilliant games multiplatform. I don't know why the hell Nintendo haven't realised sooner that that is the way to get the jackpot they keep searching for.

[C_Ali88]

Because soon fools and the like will really realize you aren't going to play that anywhere else........ get it? If not continue asking.... or wanting.... or expressing what you'd give.....

[Tankbusta40]

Nintendo needs to get rid of this guy

[TheColbertinator]

As long as Nintendo has Fire Emblem and Metroid,they can do as they please.

[ziggurcat]

if they refuse to keep up with the times as far as specs go, maybe not.

[Derceto]

Protip Reggie: It shouldn't.

[aaronaton]

If i was the head of Nintendo, i would of pushed the idea of creating a Gamecube 2. For the past 2 generations there has always been a spot for Nintendo because of their exclusives, the ultimate gamer would have a PS4, a PC and the latest Nintendo.

[NotanotherReboot]

We need Nintendo to keep making consoles, so Sony can continue to steal their ideas

[superchiller]

Nintendo hasn't had any ideas worth "stealing" for over a decade. And Sony has done a much better job of designing hardware than Nintendo for an equally long time. Who cares?

[NotanotherReboot]

they stole the vita and ps4 cross functionality from wii u

[TheGamingArt]

@Frinker, are you joking?

[captainexplosion]

You are an idiot. PSP did that before the Wii U and the Vita released before the WiiU as well. And remote play works anywhere in the world with wifi. The gamepad only works in the same room as the Wii U. Why the hell would you need remote play if you are in the same room as your console. Sony hasn't stolen anything from NIntendo except the Move, which was a dumb thing to steal. It amazed me how Nintendo fans go back over 20 years to say the joystick on the N64 was the first. Other consoles and arcades had joy sticks and one stick is basically unusable anyway. Sony did the dual sticks that all consoles still emulate.

[Mrveryodd]

Of course they will .... They could sell there die hard fans a shoe box ... They would eat it up.

[Einhander1971]

I love it all from Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo that's why most generations I have to buy more than one console :)

[alfcrippinjr]

they should keep supporting a console or portable and not killing it off

look at the wii also the wii u a good piece of gaming and they kill it off and remove the online play for the wii

also the nds was a nice portable gaming system but hardly any games out for it now
which is a shame.

now we have the the Switch which i can hardly wait to hear people say the battery life on this machine sucks
its not a portable as they said it was.
also the game line up really do suck

[shockwave4life]

Simple! They should stop making consoles all together! Theyve been fucking morons for the past 20 yrs everybody should agree on that! They should do what Sega did after the Dreamcast bombed and just make games. PS4 and Xbox One are the dominant consoles, everyone always buys Nintendo as their secondary console, why wouldn't everybody want all the 1st party Nintendo games on their PS4 or Xbox One!?!? I mainly only buy Nintendo consoles for Zelda anyways I mine as well just buy Zelda for my Xbox One.

[AirJohnston]

I have nothing important to add other than I'd love if Nintendo made their big games for Playstation. I'm a PS guy but grew up on both and I'll always love Nintendo first party games

[Bjorn-c-blocker]

Nintendo will be making hardware for playing games on long after Sony and Xbox have left the hobby behind.

[superchiller]

Nope, the Switch is likely to be their last piece of gaming hardware. Once it bombs out, Nintendo will finally go software only, and we won't be subjected to their gimmicks and substandard hardware anymore. That's certainly something to look forward to, don't you think?

[Stevonidas]

Every.
Nintendo.
Article.

You're an obsessed psychopath. Or a paid Sony shill. Take your pick.

[Captain_Tom]

That was a pathetic defense by Reggie. Let's be honest about his 3 main points:

1) The Wii did well.

And? Besides the Wii, every successive Nintendo console has done worst than the previous one. Also the Wii sold less software than the PS3, and it alienated 3rd parties; setting up the unprecedented failure that was the Wii U.

Bringing up the Wii is just what Nintendo people do when they don't want to admit Nintendo has been creating fail after fail for a long time now.

2) Innovation.

What innovation? Reggie brings up the virtual boy like they deserve a cooking. VB was a massive failure in every facet of its design. PSVR is actually selling, and so Sony deserves the VR credit - That is unless you think Sony deserves the credit in motion controls with their PS2 era camera system.

It wasn't a deadlock - Reggie sounded like a robot.

[Bronxs15]

am i a sucker? i didn't see this coming but reggie made me switch my mind. i think i'm gonna pick up a switch now.

[shockwave4life]

Just stop making consoles. Only make games. And put your games on the PS4 and Xbox One! Simple. Easy. Do what Sega did. I want Zelda and Super Smash Bros on my Xbox. You know a good system with good online, good 3rd party support, no stupid ass small joy cons,

[SilverClock]

They will always target the largest audience to get their product to the most people. Not a bad plan. Just not a fit for me. Used to love them, but gonna stick to PS4.

[Perjoss]

Some of these comments are hilarious, people get really mad at Nintendo and then people get really mad at the people getting mad :D

[shadowfax33]

to be frank..i haven't bought any Nintendo product since Gameboy advance SP, however im looking forward for Nintendo switch, i think its a great idea and might bring me back to Nintendo bandwagon..

the price is oki-ish, might wait for holidays 2017 when there will be price drop to 250$

[C-H-E-F]

TBH I think the switch is more their lane now, for whatever reason they've been behind in hardware since the dreamcast/PS1/PS2/Xbox came out. Innovation way ahead everyone, however the lack in hardware leads to the lack of third party support. This could be the lane for them, they also need to rebrand the Switch to be a handheld console that can act as a home console. instead of what they are doing now, because that's more-so what it is. My friend also went this weekend to play the switch at one of the conventions and sad the game looks better on the handheld then being docked. He said it's still really cool and he can't wait until launch. So, after playing it he still thinks it's worth what they are asking. I'm sitting on the fence, and waiting until he gets me his post launch impressions lOl.

[Npugz7]

No! Please stop! Your consoles are a joke!!!

[Tross]

Reggie is only the head of the NA branch of the company, but that's interesting regardless. I think the Switch is a last-ditch effort to stay relevant in the console market while combining the best of their console and handheld systems, only the latter of which they've done reasonably well with. I can see Ninty holding onto the handheld market, especially since Sony has pulled out of it as they would be the only ones producing a dedicated handheld system. As far as consoles though...I don't think they can afford to have another one bomb.