sounds about right. People seem to forget that Sony doesn't have that good of a history with build quality. First iterations of their systems don't last more than a couple years typically (seriously, how many people had to buy replacement PS2s?). Still, I'll give it a week to see how widespread this is. But in any we do know one thing: that the PS4 is not the messiah of gaming, it's just another console.

That has nothing to do with mario today, and everything to do with you back in 1996.

Bowsers presentation in mario galaxy is LEAGUES beyond mario 64's bowser in every asset you mentioned.

My son was absolutely TERRIFIED of tentaclops or whatever the name of that squid haired boss is in skyward sword.

These people are suffering arrested development. Nothing has changed the way they are trying to make it seem.



ITS ALWAYS been targeted at children. And its ALWAYS, been of a high enough game quality to also be enjoyed by adults, who are not repressed manchildren. UNLIKE other productions, who pander to children by treating them like morons, and make games that thus PLAY moronically, look at KLANK.

The only difference between then and now is you have 17 years of gaming experience. THAT is what has changed. Well, that and the long as crap tutorials. But guess what? Those tutorials arent for the children...  Sad but true.

I think about this way: Nintendo is just completely honest about what games are. And what are games? Games are TOYS and toys must be primarily aimed at the young. This call for "dark" or "gritty" stuff reminds me of a thirteen-year-old thinking he can't watch cartoons anymore. There's a reason that C.S. Lewis quote is such a slap in the face to such idiots.

As Tyrion Lannister answered "But..."

And Tyrion's answer was proven wrong in the long run.

I didn't say anything about 'younger' blood. I said new. As in new to Nintendo. There are a lot of really talented smaller scale studios in Japan that Nintendo could work with. Many of which founded by people who made huge franchises for other major publishers but got pissed off and left. If they truly are expanding though, then I don't think they're doing it at fast enough pace. I said it before and I'll say it again, Nintendo had no excuse for delays because they didn't know what HD development would take. They should have been prepping for it as soon as the Wii U was on paper. 

Here's the thing: they WERE prepping for HD development. And guess what? That STILL wasn't enough because NO ONE IN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY COULD PREPARE FOR HD. That's just a simple fact. Despite how much you THINK you need it won't be enough. And even when preparing for the worst the worst will probably STILL happen. Not their fault, it's just a quirk of the world.

Furthermore, here's another thing: Nintendo doesn't like to buy studios or scout talent from other studios because most of the time said people will leave without warning. Look at Retro; a TON of staff have left over the years. Not because the environment was bad or they were being mistreated, but just because they felt like it. That's not a system Nintendo really likes so there's a reason they avoid bringing in entire studios.

Have you ever owned any other console at launch before? Because I would consider this to be pretty normal to slightly below par for a first year. If you're expecting them to get a new exclusive game for every year then you're going to be sorely disappointed with the other two systems. Speaking for first party, just because they have one development team at work on a Wii U game doesn't necessarily mean all the rest are ready as well. Nintendo does have another device to make games for and teams finish up work at different times so not everyone is able to begin working on their Wii U games at once.

 

Take Sakurai for example. Last year he was still busy at work with Kid Icarus until around March. Even if he jumped straight off of that project and on to Smash Bros. then he's still had less than two years to work on the game. It's going to be amazing if we see that game ready any time before fall or winter of next year. That being said I do think that Nintendo needs to work on expanding their staff and getting more studios under their belt as much as possible. Especially since third parties are basically giving the Wii U the finger. They can't rely on just Miyamoto and Sakurai forever. This is where I agree with Rich in that they do need to get new blood in to their company. Not necessarily people who are going to try to 'westernize' or CoD up Nintendo, I don't think anyone with half a brain wants that, but at least new people with new ideas. Nintendo needs a few more Retros and a few more close, almost second party, partners like Platinum.

Uh, they ARE expanding; they HAVE been expanding for quite a while now. However, they're also not in a rush with it as it's one of those things best done in moderation over an extended period of time. So, Rich talking about "new blood" is late to the party. "Fresh blood" is nothing more than a buzz term people who are ignorant about development throw around to make things dramatic. Thing is, young dev teams aren't all that great.  Contrary to popular myth, they DON'T typically make fresh ideas, they just copy older ones and forget to find way to spice them up. It's ironically the older guys who are able to come up with new ideas more frequently.

Good post.  I don't think Nintendo has to abandon what they are doing, but..

As Benjen Stark said "Nothing before 'but' really counts"; Nintendo are not going to force themselves to be something they are not. They are not interested in M-rated BS or insecure "darker" schlock. They have ONE mission statement: to make games that are FUN and that people of all ages, walks of life, and skill levels can enjoy.

To be fair, I've been watching for Reviewtech for a long time now, and Rich is a lot of things but he's no pony. He's actually one of the few people who has honestly given the Wii U a fair shot and sees it for both the goods and the bads. In fact, I'd say he has been one of the systems' strongest supporters outside of people who just come across as pure fanboys. He's not exactly wrong when he said they had a shot of knocking it out of the park this gen (There were going to be some things against them as always but they could have been so much more prepared). 

 

Where he is wrong though is acting as if there is something wrong with what Nintendo is doing based on nothing more than aesthetics, which is what I got out of that video. Whether or now people want to admit it, this industry NEEDS Nintendo. They need Nintendo to pump in fresh ideas and new concepts as well as basically being the only major company to go after the younger demographic and not treat them as second class consumers. Why in the hell would it be smart for them to give up doing what has made them money and instead try to compete for a demographic that is already getting so oversaturated that sales are going down? Do I think Nintendo could make a 'mature' game? Sure, and maybe that's what these guys are so annoyed about. They want to see one of the biggest and very best company show everyone else how it's done. But it's not their forte and that group is already well cared for.

 

Nintendo is basically the DIsney of gaming. They have the most iconic characters and appeal to the young while not abandoning the truly mature (C'mon, we all know you guys love to watch some classic Disney). They don't need to make gritty action movies because they already have their niche and they excel at it. 

it's not even just that; whenever it comes to talking about business he clearly has no clue about how Japanese businesses work and he has trouble understanding that (or just admitting it). I still remember when he whined about Nintendo saying they needed to 'fire Iwata' and "get fresh blood in there." Dear Buddha, read up on Japanese corporate culture, ya fool. It's a problem that a LOT of people have when it comes to Nintendo: they don't understand that Nintendo operates differently and there's no REASON for them to change that especially when the system they have works and they're still profitable. It's just so bloody overdramatic

y'know, Rich typically does have a good head on his shoulders and does make intelligent comments and opinions...but when it comes to Nintendo this guy turns into a friggin' silly pony. He just doesn't seem to get how the company operates and them being successful seems to irritate him. He's basically asking for Nintendo to stop being Nintendo and that is STUPID and ignorant. Oh, they don't offer any of shallow, insecure grim 'n gritty stuff? Whoop-dee-doo, neither do a lot of studios. To me this is a classic example of man acting like HIS problems are Nintendo's. They're not. It's not Nintendo's fault that you steered towards the "mature" games out of some desperate need for approval.

How the gaming industry changed... so sad tbh..

the fact that people have resorted to crap like "1080p" means one thing: that they've officially ran out of LEGITIMATE claims to argue with. This has gotten pathetic.

the sad thing is he's completely serious. Man, gaming journalists and analysts are pathetic

Neither; nothing either one has interests me and I doubt that's going to change in the immediate future. I'm quite happy with my current setup.

The Wii U was a hit during the holiday season too (just below the 2006 Wii levels), and look at it now.

 

My point is that launch hype is a great way to start off, and I'm sure it will sell tons of systems. However, you guys have to ask yourselves this question, will Sony be able to keep that momentum, considering the post-launch drought, lack of innovation and absence of top-tier exclusive titles? I doubt that.

 

The whole situation just sounds too Wii U-ish and Vita-ish to me. We'll see.

I think about it this way: take ten minutes to look at sales history in the past 15-20 years and see the trend going on. Or, barring that, do this simple equation: as good as you WANT the launch year to be, subtract a lot of positive expectations and prepare for the worst. Why? Because that's what happens EVERY. SINGLE. LAUNCH YEAR.

Nothing wrong with accidentally leaving a couple million on some 3rd parties doorsteps....Perhaps they could also forget the keys to their brand new cherry red Ferrari 

 

C'mon Iwata... the Wii U is tanking, Its time to throw good business morals out the window

Except that's nothing more than a short term solution that ultimately solves NOTHING. Moneyhatting never, ever works.

Anyway, Iwata being more interested in garnering good relations is probably the best. Too bad most 3rd parties are a bunch of whiny, spoiled brats who demand to be accommodated 24/7

I dunno, I assum it's because Nintendo doesn't pander to the insecure idiot demographic that is plaguing gaming right now. And As 3Dude mentioned, basically journalists BELIEVE Nintendo is flopping left and right so they keep reporting such despite logic and facts proving otherwise. Gaming journalism SUCKS.

Actually, Sony are afraid of doing anything truly new.  They are also afraid of actually evolving some of their more popular IP's.  They have fallen into the same rut over the last few years of doing the same things with a different coat of paint that major publishers have been.

 

Interestingly, Nintendo do something new, quirky, unique, or just fun that with any other character would be a new IP, but because they use Mario haters gon' hate.  There is a big difference between making a new main title just to make it look different from the last 15 of the same game you published, and making something different but putting a familiar and extremely marketable face on the cover.

 

Also, W101 is a new IP, Pikmin is an IP that hasn't seen the light of day for over 6 years, Bayo 2 was a dead IP that Nintendo brought back to life. 

I just find that "new ip" is a lazy buzzword nowadays. Oh, ya mean you've made a game with a NEW NAME? Whoop-dee-doo, how does it play? Does it actually do something different? Let's face it, saying "new ip" is meaningless. Nintendo actually understands that a new IP must be more than just a name. It actually has to do something different and exciting to truly stand on its own. If it's just a new creation in name only then it's utterly meaningless.

Sales figures over the last few generations would say otherwise regarding Mario. Also, if you think ever third party is going to go full stop on last gen development to pick up on PS4/XB1 immediately following launch, you are mistaken. Just like the WiiU those systems need a user base to make it attractive to publishers. When all is said and done after all of the analysts have their word, profit potential is what counts to them, not hardware specs or DX/OGL versions.

that is the thing, if you take five minutes and examine gaming history there's been one thing too many people overlook: that first years for a console are never, ever that big, They have an initial boom for the release....and then slow to a crawl for the rest of the time because history has proven that most are in no rush to buy new hardware. it's been the same time and time again for nearly twenty years and it's a pattern that's not that hard to miss.

I agree with the marathon not a sprint... but seriously i am tired of Iwata. We only hear from him in one of two situations. 1. promising some unannounced games coming or unprecidented games... or 2. apologizing for failing or not enough games to enable demand for the console. I just want a new management in place.... this one will never change or push the company forward. take some damn risk Nintendo.

Unfortunately, that's not gonna happen. Japanese companies work a bit differently from Western ones, but it's obvious that the West in general can't wrap its head around that. The only way Iwata is going to leave is when he resigns and that's going to be a very, VERY long time. As for you talking about him apologizing, again, that's just how Japan is. That's how they have ALWAYS been. Better to be humble than arrogant

As for your talk of risk, here's a little secret: that's a load of crap. You can't tell me the Wii, the DS, the 3DS, and the Wii U weren't risks. Furthermore most "risks" in gaming aren't worth it. They're not bold, just stupid. Nintendo has rightfully taken one look at the current gaming landscape, noticed all the morons who are close to bankrupting themselves or have closed and have said "screw that, we're taking it slow." And they'll be all the better for that.

can't exactly blame Nintendo for doing this; people have repeatedly proven that they can't be trusted to act responsibly so of course they suspend the service because they'd rather not be sued. Hopefully they figure something out, but for now them's the breaks

He is not wrong in the slightest. They are struggling to get a couple high profile games out within the first year. The needed a killer app about 6 months ago with mariokart coming out this Christmas. Thy also need to be communicating their plans for the OS itself. Where's cross game chat? Where's the online infrastructure for the games coming out? I understand they are behind on a lot of these things because of the Wii, but at least tell us what we are going to get and what your plans are instead of quietly releasing updates. MARKET the thing!!! Of course you can't do that until you actually have things you want to share with us about it (see my comments on the OS). Now that they have an HD system they have to spend money to make money and hey just aren't spending the money.

This console will probably turn into that console with a few prestigious games that the really hardcore will have to play and hats about it. It blows my mind that Nintendo thinks Wii fit is a viable profit booster/ potential system seller.

It's a marathon, not a sprint. It's not like if they miss a few deadlines like things are forever lost. Thinking in the short term will only cause problems.

well, a lot of this isn't out of the realm of possibility. The resolution thing is iffy (probably BS, but I'm no tech expert so maybe I'm missing something), but everything else is plausible.

Network issues: Admittedly this is really just pointing out the obvious. Let's face it, there are ALWAYS issues with networks whenever they go online because of the big, glowing elephant in the room: millions of people playing at once is a LOT different than testing it in a controlled environment. The first year for a network is pretty much a beta as they gets the kinks worked out.

DRM: Again, completely plausible. Let's face it, the last three gens have been about who can pander to 3rd parties the most and the BIGGEST way parties were pandered to was the XB1's DRM. It makes sense that Sony would want to do something similar as to not piss off 3rd parties, but after seeing the backlash even an idiot could see the writing on the wall with THAT one. I mean, the XB1 has to have a day one update to get rid of DRM so it's not out of the question that the PS4 would require it if this proves to be true.

Upgrade Program: Probably BS. Though Sony HAS done stupider (PSPGo, anyone?)

I just recently heard some news about Capcom declaring that they don't have enough money to make a port of SF4 to the next gen consoles. 

And you pretty much heard it WRONG; Ono was referring to his TEAM, and MANPOWER, not money. It's not that bad of a situation as resources are always finite

Whoa whoa whoa. Who did what now?

people are taking a Tweet Ono posted WAAAAAY out of context. Basically someone asked if he was doing a fighter for the next-gen consoles and he said "I'd like to try, but we don't have the resources." People then interpreted it as Ono saying CAPCOM doesn't have the money. Which if anyone took the TIME to think about it they would realize that's a load of bull. Thing is, Ono was referring to HIS TEAM, not CAPCOM as a whole, and to MANPOWER, not money. It's ridiculous. If CAPCOM is in danger of going under then companies like Square-Enix, EA, Take 2, and Sony (especially Sony) should have been dead AGES ago.

http://gaminrealm.co...xt-gen-fighter/ This what you get for overpricing DLC, Milking games and not listening to your fans. I wonder who Capcom going to blame it to?

uh, that Tweet is taken SEVERELY out of context. It has more to do with Ono's team, not CAPCOM as a whole and MANPOWER, not money. Furthermore, if CAPCOM is going under then companies like Square Enix, EA, Take 2, and Sony (especially Sony) should have been dead AGES ago. CAPCOM is not doing that bad, they're about on the same level as SEGA right now; they need to improve, but it won't be an uphill battle unlike Sony's messy state. The guy who wrote this article obviously thought taking five minutes to learn the situation was too much trouble. A fine example of sloppy research

it amazes me that Gamefreak has to reiterate this CONSTANTLY to people who just can't get the message through their thick skulls. The franchise is a handheld franchise. It is not going anywhere and Gamefreak have said time and time again that they're not INTERESTED in making a console Pokemon. People just need to stop wasting their energy on this and get over it.

It's at that point that anyone with brain realizes that those third parties really don't have a problem with the Wii U. their issue is with Nintendo period.

They are trying to strong-arm a company that won't be dictated to. Nintendo is stronger than they think. And the fact that Nintendo is loyal to their own brand is what keeps customers loyal to them.

Third parties could learn a lot from working with Nintendo. Instead, they continue to play the same roulette game with Sony and MS with nothing ever changing. It's asinine.

No kidding; it also doesn't help that those Sony and MS audiences will inevitably shrink due to neither company being all that interested in expanding their user base. The only way 3rd parties are going to wake up and realize the error of their ways is if something big happens.