Nintendo’s Downfall Is Imminent

With Their newest handheld, the 3DS, and the upcoming WiiU struggling, The question is; is will the company survive?

And if not, (after the recent nubageddon nightmare), what will happen to Nintendo.

[xhedleyx]

Oh Nintendo, you have fallen so far.

[xhedleyx]

I've heard all this doom and gloom before, especially during the Gamecube's twilight years. I see Nintendo making a big come back pretty soon.

[fluffydelusions]

Yeah, even if the Wii isn't selling like it once was it's still selling and so are the games and quite well may I add.

[-Alpha]

But isn't it funny how despite the fact that they've come back from the Gamecube that all their success since then is ignored as if Nintendo's fate depends on how they do right now at this very moment?

[ProjectVulcan]

Isn't Nintendo still one of the biggest japanese companies :-/ certainly an article about potential future challenges for the company is relevant, but melodramatic headlines of doom and downfalls are premature...

[Micro_Sony]

I know Vchartz is crap but if this is anything to go by how is it doomed?

Worldwide Weekly Chart Week Ending 10th Sep 2011

3DS - 223,000 (+3%)
PS3 - 208,885 (+11%)
X360 - 122,217 (-1%)
Wii - 97,694 (-10%)
DS - 86,591 (-7%)
PSP - 78,086 (-8%)
PS2 - 30,234 (-3%)

"and the upcoming WiiU struggling" how is the upcoming struggling when its not even out yet?

Gamejudgement can I borrow your time machine.

[Tanir]

buuuut, gamecube sorta flopped. barely any good exclusive games, last console of that gen and first console to stop getting games.

the 3ds's launch is a massive fail but if they play cards right people will eat up the dual analog re-release of the console cuz well games will be out by then and the console will be finished.

good games are coming along in a year so maybe in a year the 3ds will be ready for a correct release and people can enjoy the console

[Anon1974]

Here's the thing people forget about the Gamecube. While the Gamecube didn't perform badly, it didn't really perform all that well and yet Nintendo survived. Why was that?

Because Nintendo was making the bulk of their money off the Gameboy. Even with the Wii's success, look at Nintendo's financials sometime. Far more money was coming in from the portable market. And that market has drastically changed. With the DS dirt cheap and disappearing, the lukewarm response to the 3DS and developers choosing the "wait and see" attitude before committing to the platform and the Wii behemoth finally slowing down - what is Nintendo going to replace that revenue with?

Do we really expect the 3DS to suddenly do DS or GB type numbers in an age when everyone has a smart phone capable of playing games? That's the majority of Nintendo's revenues right there. Do we really think the Wii-U is going to hit even close to the Wii's level of success? And even if it could, the loss of the portable gaming market due to a changing marketplace - how are they going to replace that revenue?

When Reuters is referring to the 3DS as a flop already - and the portable market was the bulk of your business - you know you're in trouble.

[Dwalls1171]

They are to be honest doing really bad , wii is soon gone and absolutely no interest in wii u .... But they do have an ace up there sleve POKEMON and mario for the 3ds will be huge

[ATi_Elite]

Looks at Nintendo's 12 month stock snapshot.....

Oh shite it went from $38 down to $19 in 6 months

Yeah I say Nintendo is in trouble especially seeing how investors know a whole lot more about what's going on internally than we do.

http://finance.yahoo.com/ec...

[Jihaad_cpt]

to be fair most stock prices have fallen given the times.

[ATi_Elite]

to be fair Apples and Microsoft have all gone up. Sony's has gone down but only because of devastation to their factories in Japan (Tsunami, Earthquake, Nuclear Radiation) and England during the riots.

yes most prices have fallen a few dollars but when a stock price cuts in HALF it means major problems.

Nintendo unlike Sony and M$ do not have multiple products to keep them afloat when the gaming side is bad. the 3DS is over saturated and the WiiU so far is not mind blowing. If these two products flop then What? By then PSVita, Xbox720 and PS4 will be on the shelves.

Eventually Nintendo will be just a software developer and a maker of Kiddie educational hand helds like Vtech!

[Titanz]

Is the website's name with a "+" at the end.Click on it, then vote for the quality of the site.

[N4g_null]

I logged in just to say I'm almost done with this site. I'm not sure if n4g compition is trolling these articles or not but the gamer opinion here are not even worth reading now. The few gamers he doesn't even justify even being a part of this site any more.

You guys ever looked into stock investor devaluing stock on purpose just to make money? Most investors don't have a clue what markets are doing what the only have rumors and the little info gives out.

This gen by far has been the lamest group of gamers ever. Simply because of sites like this, ign, joystick and the king kotaku have been worst than pc gaming sites before it's collapse. The media and fans are hurting gaming way more than any hardware gamer ever could.

There is so much irrational thinking here that is just is not a good place to come any more. There is a vast chunk of articles else where that are way more informative on nintendos moves and even ms future ideas.

In an attempt to act some some thing you can some times destroy your self.

[Kamikaze135]

I say people wait at least a year before trying to predict a consoles' doom.

[pat_11_5]

I'm still waiting for the inevitable 3DS redesign. That abomination of an extra thumbstick is ridiculous looking.

[iamnsuperman]

How annoying is that going to be for current 3DS users. The gave an sorry bundle of games before. I wonder if it will happen again if there is a redesign

[Tanir]

well u know, its gonna be the typical, gamestop will offer credit bonuses for trade in towards the finished 3ds.

so gamestop can rip off customers and sell the beta 3ds's used and make money's!

in turn, consumers get Effed over and sellers and nintendo get ur money, and the happy nintendo fanboys dont even mind, though thankfully lots of them smartened up

[browngamer4]

What a b.s. flamebait article...

[Shok]

Another doom article huh? Funny, 3DS sales go up 260%, starts to actually get games worth playing, and the doom articles start popping up.

So basically, things get better, but MORE hate articles come out. Hilarious.

I also love how the author of the article judges the Wii U's fate already when it's a good year from release.

Sad.

[CDbiggen]

This better not be approved. It's totally pointless.

[CDbiggen]

Damn it...

[Micro_Sony]

LOL...Asking for people on N4G not to approve flamebait articles is like asking Bobby Kotic to stop making a Call of Duty game every year....POINTLESS.

[theonlylolking]

LOL that was a good analogy.

[TruthbeTold]

Really tired of this kind of crap here at N4G...

[Ddouble]

They got 2 monster hunter games, they'll be alright

[ChickeyCantor]

Add up DQ-X...and then the WiiU version as well...

[Venoxn4g]

..and first Dragon's quest full remake on 3DS! :)

[Stealth2k]

At least 14 million in sales its first fiscal year. Thats goign to be impressive

[news4geeks]

Die Nintendo, Die!

...

That's German for 'The Nintendo, The'... and no one who speaks German could be an evil man.

[Pozzle]

A+ reference! :D

[AWBrawler]

lol Simpsons

[clrlite]

Steve, is that you?

[IM_A_NINJA]

Nintendo is fine and will continue to be fine. The Wii, 3DS and DS are all selling very well. Even the Gamecube which sold poorly, made a ton of money. I am looking forward to the Wii U, hopefully it's got a sweet price point. How many people would seriously turn down a next generation console if it's selling for $299? That's just my opinion, but I think Nintendo is going to continue to be fine.

[Disccordia]

From what we know so far it's hard to label it as a next generation console

[IM_A_NINJA]

Well you could technically say the same thing about the Wii over the Gamecube, but in fact it was still next gen and still brought something fresh and new to the forefront.

Developers have been pretty up front saying it has fill 1080p and is more powerful then current consoles...so it's next gen in my eye.

[bangoskank]

pat_11_5 has his head up sony's ass. Sh!t for brains is imminent.

[silvacrest]

what he said is probably going to happen

the hardware specs are so far behind the vita nothing can be done about that now, but they can at least release a redesigned 3DS with another nub at the very least

[IM_A_NINJA]

Have you not noticed how far ahead in specs the PSP was in comparison to the DS? Nintendo doesn't win on horsepower. In fact, no company has ever won a generation with the most powerful console. It's always innovation and fun games, mixed with affordability.

I own a 3DS, wanted one when they first came out, but I thought $250 was too expensive for a handheld, so when they dropped the price I got one. I would like a Vita as well, but $250 is just too expensive for me.

[bangoskank]

@silvacrest
Remember the Atari jaguar.

At first I was hesitant to buy a 3ds but with the price drop and new exclusives announcements I may be buying one soon. The vita is only an option for people with $.
Same goes for most Sony products. That's why I held off buying a ps3 until about a year ago.

[silvacrest]

your right but i wouldn't say inferior specs + cheap price will always be the deciding factor,

plus the specs gap between the DS and PSP is nothing compared to the 3DS and PSV

that ugly second nub accessory is a deal breaker for me and might be for others too, i still find it hard to believe that nintendo missed that out

sooner or later customers will simply want more for their money

price drops will happen for the vita as well, in the UK we can already preorder the vita for £220

@bangoskank, the vita can be had for cheaper if your willing to look

i dont want the 3DS because of the games it has, the shortsighted nub accessory and the 3D screen

[NESpower]

Stupid articles like this will just make Nintendo's big holiday win that much sweeter. WiiU has recently made many gamers who weren't as excited are getting excited from developers comments. 3DS is the #1 console worldwide for weeks and will continue this fall and winter. It's hard being the king.

[silvacrest]

"It's hard being the king"

the way in which it got there is probably why we are getting these articles, the extra nub accessory doesn't help either

[Venoxn4g]

If people don't want, they don't have to buy that accessory.. I'm OK with my model 3DS and devs will have to make games with an old control options and if they'll want with accessory too

[Joegrine20]

ahhhh these ARTICLES are getting annoying N.4.G - NOT 4 GAMERS. This site has a bunch of fools on it. STOP APPROVING RIDICULOUS ARTICLES PLZ!

[bangoskank]

Seriously. I find myself relying on joystiq more often because this site is becoming increasingly annoying.

[STGuy1040]

Honestly, I think this doom and gloom is a bit premature. Nintendo's stocks are dropping because 1.) They announced the Wii U and people who were interested in the original Wii are waiting, and 2.) Nintendo took a profit loss on the 3DS when they reduced the price to $169.99.

I say we give it 12 months before trying to predict anything.

[superman]

Wow... seriously wow!!

[kx11]

nintendo is going to die ?? BS

but i agree that WiiU doesn't look promising it looks like a ps3 that got upgraded for 100$ not to mention the hardware specs of WiiU that are so outdated

[SebasBRS]

Is that the case every console from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will always be outdated

[ChickeyCantor]

"not to mention the hardware specs of WiiU that are so outdated"

No specs are given you tool.

[Optical_Matrix]

Nintendo have two Mario titles coming out for 3DS this winter as well as the next main entry Zelda title. Together the 3 of them will sell millions. Nintendo have also aquired exclusive games in the Dragon Quest and Monster Hunter series' in Japan, not to mention having Pokemon and have hinted at Final Fantasy being on it's way to 3DS. Japan's 4 most popular gaming franchises exclusive or playable on Nintendo's 3DS and you're talking about Nintendo going down? Oh please. Don't even get me started on the fact that the next main entry Dragon Quest title is exclusive to Nintendo platforms.

Nintendo aren't going anywhere and you shouldn't talk about it as if it's good news either. Despite all the hate I've directed towards them since I bought the 3DS, I've kept the system, I'll buy all of the great games coming to it, I'll buy Skyward Sword..I'll just keep supporting Nintendo as they provided 50% of my gaming experience growing up (Sony the other 50%).

[Venoxn4g]

well said.. my gaming history is the same.. and I want and will support Ninty too as long as they'll make games that I love and care... WHERE'S MY new METROID 3DS?!? :)

[josephayal]

PLZ dont die

[Chnswdchldrn]

nintendo is all about useless gimmicks, though they may not have a total downfall of consumers buying their shit, the true nintendo fans are turning away from them now

[Venoxn4g]

those 'useless gimmicks' are often being copied by other companies, that other gamers are using :)

[Knushwood Butt]

Yeah, look at all those Wii Speak rip offs...

[Knightofelemia]

Nintendo won't die they have been around for a very long time their hardware is almost bulletproof Nintendo has many memorable characters that generations of gamers have grown up to. The Wii-U is not even released yet and the doom articles are getting stupid they did the exact same kind of articles when Sony released the PS3 the PS3 doomed articles were an everyday thing. Sony fixed that and now the PS3 is a great system the 3DS maybe a flop but its still a great system to play and Nintendo lowering the price is breathing new life into the console specially when they release a Pokemon game onto it. The 3DS should have still had the Gameboy Advance feature to play those old games they were great. I don't see the 3DS being like the Virtual Boy now that red system was a flop every company has a flop look at Sega when they released the Pico many years ago or when Panasonic released the 3DO with such a stupid high price. Nintendo won't die if anything they might have a new change in management if people want to say the Wii-U will flop well I say don't buy one then if they want to say the 3DS will flop again I say don't buy one. The thing I want to see Nintendo come up with is a new line of original characters that a new generation can grow up to.

[gumgum99]

So imminent, it still hasn't happened. :V

[pcz]

with this bullshit article. Really, just give up writing now.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

Totally true. He would better off writing about 2012 doomsday or maybe sticking a remote up his a** like that guy in the Kirby video.

[Apex13]

Such a dumb article needs no attention. Kill these people who never made it into the industry and stand by talking S

[supergameboy]

I think I will join the sane people and comment on how stupid this article is. As someone who is more than aware of Nintendo's shortcomings, I still find this article to be embarrassing. It's sad that anyone can write about anything and it will still get attention on here if the title is worded well enough to get everyone's attention.

"Nintendo’s Downfall Is Imminent" - How desperate for attention are you?

[stragomccloud]

I can't believe how popular these articles are getting.

[Jason143]

the xbox 360 fanboys like xbox because its multiplatform titles and social perks. Wiiu is more powerfull and the ports will run better so any gamer can see the advantage for multiplatform gaming. I personally will be picking one up as I normally dont buy multiplatform titles but only exclusives. wiiu will be a champ, any gamer can see that. With vita coming out and having the same capability as the controller it will be interesting to see what happens.

[Droid Control]

I think Nintnedo may fall farther than in the gamecube days.

At least back then they had the gameboy to prop them up.
With disappointing 3DS sales and attack of the PSV and iPhone games, Nintendo really are in for a bad time.

The Wii U will not sell as well as the Wii. No way. I see it being another gamecube once the PS4 and 720 come out...

Maybe even a Dreamcast!

[user858621]

Another mindless "Nintendo iz teh doomed" article nothing to see here folks...

[JonnyBigBoss]

I think the 3DS and Wii U look like garbage, but I'm sure there are some people out there who like both...

[InYourFace]

Do you have any idea just how many people out there are dying to play games like Mario and Zelda and Metroid in HD? I'm sure Wii U is very much hotly anticipated.

[Kingx2]

Lol the wii u doesn't even exist yet how can it be struggling? You might as well say the next sony system is doomed now instead of later.

[Shnazzyone]

Personally... I'd rather see the downfall of sony. They rarely innovate the industry. Plus their simply grimy. Not to mention, Never count out Nintendo, Never think you can predict what they'll do next. If you attempt to do that, you are doomed to look foolish.

Only N4g would snub a HD capable handheld with a glassesless 3ds and seem to already dismiss WiiU even when it's going to become the most graphically powerful console, and you will be able to play your games in HD even if your parents want to use the TV.

[for we are many]

You sir have nailed it, couldn't agree more with any comment on N4G.

[ssb3173]

This is the same as what happened with the virtualboy. It was a complete failure however nintendo managed to salvage what they had and create a new and better console that sold millions. Even though Nintendo looks weak now, they will rise up again.

[AWBrawler]

i don't get that. how do they look weak now? they look stronger than ever now if you ask me.
They dominiated this console gen
DS dethroned PS2 as highest selling game system
3DS is up 260% and has big franchises coming
DQ and MH exclusives
regaining 3rd party support..

unless you're a stock holder, i don't see any place where nintendo is looking weak except maybe online structure.

[ssb3173]

That is sort of the point i'm trying to make. What i was trying to say but i guess i may have not been completely clear is that although nintendo is currently dominating the market with the wii and ds, the stocks on bloomberg are almost as low as when they were with the release of the wii. However, nintendo made a huge rise with the sales and now the wii is dominating the current gen. the point i'm trying to make is that even though poeple doubt that the wii u and 3ds wil fail, they will dominate the market.
Nintendo will rise again and make this gen as good, if not better, than the last.

[xX-Jak-Xx]

Nintendo will focus on the Wii U more than the 3DS
so these 2 morio games maybe the last on 3DS

[Ayer99]

Okay, there should be a tab on N4G titled "Haters". Just because you are jealous of Nintendo doesn't mean you need to hate on them.

[Bimkoblerutso]

Did the grammar alone not give away the fact that this is a completely disreputable website and article?

[kcuthbertson]

One word...

Pokemon.

That is all.

[Technical World]

Unless this articles from the future I'm pretty sure a system can't be struggling if it hasn't been released yet. And people need to hold off and give the 3DS at least a full year untill they can determine it'sa failure. I don't see them being number one this generation but I don't think they're meeting their downfall. Nintendo is definately in a rut but at most they're revisiting their Gamecube days. They're trying to bring out advanced hardware like the Wii U that's so much more powerful han the current system and their going to have mature games. But for some reason people don't care. Even when Nintendo admits their wrong and makes a system similar to competetors in terms of games and graphics, people still won't buy it. Why do people think the Gamecube suffered? For some reason even though it's not people think the name Nintendo automatically means kiddy. Get over yourselves.

[Technical World]

That was a really jumbled up Nintendo rant right there. XD but even though they won't be even close to number one this gen. I highly doubt they'll meet their end is all I'm saying.

[Reborn]

Lool..

Really this article is... wow.

[NLGSean]

3DS will be at 5 million systems sold worldwide by next week... Yeah that is a fail... LOL who writes this nonsense BS? Oh wait... this website does....

[Knushwood Butt]

I love how before the recent Monster Hunter articles, the Nintendo defenders couldn't stop citing how Mario 3DS and Mario Kart 3DS were going to save the 3DS. Now, those first party games never get a mention and now Monster Hunter is the 3DS's saviour (despite the fact that nobody outside of Japan cares about the series).

Nintendo releasing that Monster Hunter 3DS game a couple of days before the launch of the Vita: great to see the handheld market leaders so scared, and the funny thing is it is entirely their fault.

[Ayer99]

Actually, a lot of people outside of Japan care about the series. Games aren't released unless A LOT of people are going to buy them. Look at operation rainfall. So much protest, so much demand, no one budged. Video Game companies are often treated like they are stupid, when they really do actually think things over.

[AWBrawler]

wow, I'm nobody now? I use to import all the MH games.

[ArtificiallyYours]

Okay this "NINTENDO'S BIGGEST MISTAKE" thing is becoming nothing more than media sensationalism at this point. Even SONY wasn't lambasted this much for the PSP Go.

[matey]

tyypical n4g the 3ds starts doing 10x better and they start putting pointless fake biassed articles same with wiiu patcher saying its a wii HD oh that has to be the biggest joke yet that Zelda/Bird tech demo is impossible on pc let alone ps3/360 and a far cry from wii

[MasterCornholio]

Now while Nintendo has made a lot of mistakes with the 3DS (poor launch, high price, circle pad acessory) it will not turn into another virtuaboy. Thats right as long as Nintendo has their franchises such as Mario and Zelda they will never fail because their fans will always buy their devices.

Although i have to admit that Sony is doing a much better job with the vita this time around. Unlike the PSP the vita will have a ton of games to play covering all genres and catering to all types of gamers. Plus with an incredible online multiplayer games should be a blast with the vita.