There has been a lot of movement over in the Nintendo camp this week, some of the news has received overwhelming praise (Wii U price cut and Zelda themed Wii U) and others have received mixed reviews (2DS). What are your overall thoughts about the movement over in Nintendo’s camp? Is this just a taste […]
Essel Pratt·August 30, 2013
There has been a lot of movement over in the Nintendo camp this week, some of the news has received overwhelming praise (Wii U price cut and Zelda themed Wii U) and others have received mixed reviews (2DS). What are your overall thoughts about the movement over in Nintendo’s camp? Is this just a taste of what is to come, or a minor appeasement to us fans? Should this news be enough to make Sony and Microsoft squirm a little? Share your thoughts below!
Share your perspective. Keep it thoughtful, welcoming and on topic.
I'm a lifelong Nintendo fan, and I have no idea what to make of the 2DS. Very bizarre, but I'm sure it will sell. No clamshell though…. very odd.
I'm not sure the Wii U price cut will matter much. $300 is still a lot of money, and once again fans who bought at launch get burned. It's much lower than new XBox, but not really that much lower than PS4. For those who want better graphics and like third party titles, $100 isn't a big deal.
The Wind Waker themed console should sell some units though. But I'm skeptical that it will sell beyond the already established Nintendo base.
I'll give Nintendo credit for at least trying something, but I doubt Sony feels any pressure here. Their pre-sale data shows strong demand, so why? Microsoft may feel some pressure to lower price, but if so they're not showing it yet.
My prediction is Microsoft and Nintendo will learn a painful lesson this round – don't force peripherals onto the consumer. Sell gamepad and kinect as add-ons and keep the base console price lower. Sony messed up with PS3, but look strong again.
This is a little off topic, but do people routinely use the 3D feature on the 3DS? When I look at my kids' 3DSs, the have the 3D slider turned down (off). They've never complained about any adverse 3D effects, yet it doesn't seem like they really use the feature. Also, Nintendo said there was going to be 3D movie support for the 3DS and that never materialized.
It makes sense to offer a cheaper version if a number of people don't use 3D for games and Netflix/Nintendo aren't going to support 3D video content.
@Thomas
I like the 3D feature, but most aren't using it apparently.
For Super Mario 3D land it was nearly essential, but it isn't for most games. I've been using it for Fire Emblem, but it's not like you need it at all for that game obviously.
I got a Wii U at launch and have yet to really use it. (Wind Waker may change that.) I am using the crap out of the 3DS though. But I can count on one hand the number of times I've used it with 3D.
I will admit that I'm a little ticked (at myself, more than anything) for getting the Wii U early. I want that Zelda Wii U! AND with a lower price? Argh!
@Lou
Well, Wii was the most successful console of the last generation and it "forced peripherals" on us with the motion controllers in general. So, I honestly don't think that has too much to do with it.
I guess my point didn't come across clearly. The gamepad allegedly makes up $100 of the Wii U price. Why make everyone buy that?
The nunchuk controller is the primary Wii controller. For everyone. For basically every game.
But the gamepad isn't. It's not needed for most games. And like the kinect, is expensive. Plus very expensive to develop, thus no money to develop launch titles.
We've recently learned that very few are using the 3D on the 3DS. No one is buying the gamepad. My friends that have XBox 360's never use the kinect, even the few who actually paid money for it.
The nunchuk was brilliant in its simplicity. Why are they making this so complicated?
Everyone I know who actually does own a Wii U (only like 3 people, but still) actually REALLY like the gamepad. And it's actually essential to a lot of games so far. Sure, there are games that allow for use of the pro controller, but there were SEVERAL Wii games that allowed for use of the classic controller, and even GameCube controller.
I think that Nintendo's internal surveys show that most people play with the 3D turned off.
On-topic: it will be interesting to see what happens this holiday now. The Wii U is even more appealing on the price front, will have many more games (with a healthy number of Nintendo exclusives) and a more diverse selection in general. Plus, the 2DS changes the portable dynamics not because of the lack of 3D, but as the least expensive (and pretty reasonably affordable) entry-level system with a HUGE game library that is to compatability with DS games should someone be just joining that bandwagon.
Off topic: I have had the 3DS since launch and, truth be told, was a fan since announcement. I LOVE glasses-free 3D. I do not think it "revolutionizes" anything in gaming (or cinema for that matter) nor that it will ever introduce some element that cannot be accomplished without it, but it significantly adds to the experience nonetheless. I also know that I play all of my games with the 3D on, usually on max, and with any other 3D enhancers that are available turned on (like RE: Revelations).
I also want those 3D movies. REAL, feature-length, 3D movies. I am sure Nintendo and other companies are hesitant because of the lackluster performance of UMD movies for the PSP AND the rampant piracy from the DS, but I think that right now (before the system is hacked and while there are not many good options for portable 3D content) would be the perfect time to make something happen.
The difference between Wii U and PS4 is actually $150 since Wii U comes with a game, and then it's $250 away from XBO.
The $50 comes 10 months after launch, so it doesn't bother me. I've been using my Wii U pretty much every single day since launch and I'm happy with my purchase. Since it's the only console with Backwards Compatibility, I sold one of my Wii and used that to purchase a deluxe Wii U.
All the people that go "My Wii U is gathering dust" or "I've yet to play it" are either extremely picky or don't really own a Wii U and are only jumping on the bandwagon to hate on Nintendo.
On the 2DS… the 2DS is NOT for us! It's for parents so they can get their kids a sturdy portable without 3D so it doesn't affect their eyes, and it targets the 3-6 year-old demographic on the same day that Pokemon launches. Parents can get their kids a 2DS and Pokemon for the same price they would pay just for a 3DS. The 2DS will EXPLODE this holiday season and put the 3DS family waaaay ahead of Vita while also giving Nintendo the profit they need to offset the Wii U price cut.
I'm a lifelong Nintendo fan, and I have no idea what to make of the 2DS. Very bizarre, but I'm sure it will sell. No clamshell though…. very odd.
I'm not sure the Wii U price cut will matter much. $300 is still a lot of money, and once again fans who bought at launch get burned. It's much lower than new XBox, but not really that much lower than PS4. For those who want better graphics and like third party titles, $100 isn't a big deal.
The Wind Waker themed console should sell some units though. But I'm skeptical that it will sell beyond the already established Nintendo base.
I'll give Nintendo credit for at least trying something, but I doubt Sony feels any pressure here. Their pre-sale data shows strong demand, so why? Microsoft may feel some pressure to lower price, but if so they're not showing it yet.
My prediction is Microsoft and Nintendo will learn a painful lesson this round – don't force peripherals onto the consumer. Sell gamepad and kinect as add-ons and keep the base console price lower. Sony messed up with PS3, but look strong again.
This is a little off topic, but do people routinely use the 3D feature on the 3DS? When I look at my kids' 3DSs, the have the 3D slider turned down (off). They've never complained about any adverse 3D effects, yet it doesn't seem like they really use the feature. Also, Nintendo said there was going to be 3D movie support for the 3DS and that never materialized.
It makes sense to offer a cheaper version if a number of people don't use 3D for games and Netflix/Nintendo aren't going to support 3D video content.
@Thomas
I like the 3D feature, but most aren't using it apparently.
For Super Mario 3D land it was nearly essential, but it isn't for most games. I've been using it for Fire Emblem, but it's not like you need it at all for that game obviously.
I got a Wii U at launch and have yet to really use it. (Wind Waker may change that.) I am using the crap out of the 3DS though. But I can count on one hand the number of times I've used it with 3D.
I will admit that I'm a little ticked (at myself, more than anything) for getting the Wii U early. I want that Zelda Wii U! AND with a lower price? Argh!
@Lou
Well, Wii was the most successful console of the last generation and it "forced peripherals" on us with the motion controllers in general. So, I honestly don't think that has too much to do with it.
I guess my point didn't come across clearly. The gamepad allegedly makes up $100 of the Wii U price. Why make everyone buy that?
The nunchuk controller is the primary Wii controller. For everyone. For basically every game.
But the gamepad isn't. It's not needed for most games. And like the kinect, is expensive. Plus very expensive to develop, thus no money to develop launch titles.
We've recently learned that very few are using the 3D on the 3DS. No one is buying the gamepad. My friends that have XBox 360's never use the kinect, even the few who actually paid money for it.
The nunchuk was brilliant in its simplicity. Why are they making this so complicated?
Everyone I know who actually does own a Wii U (only like 3 people, but still) actually REALLY like the gamepad. And it's actually essential to a lot of games so far. Sure, there are games that allow for use of the pro controller, but there were SEVERAL Wii games that allowed for use of the classic controller, and even GameCube controller.
I think that Nintendo's internal surveys show that most people play with the 3D turned off.
On-topic: it will be interesting to see what happens this holiday now. The Wii U is even more appealing on the price front, will have many more games (with a healthy number of Nintendo exclusives) and a more diverse selection in general. Plus, the 2DS changes the portable dynamics not because of the lack of 3D, but as the least expensive (and pretty reasonably affordable) entry-level system with a HUGE game library that is to compatability with DS games should someone be just joining that bandwagon.
Off topic: I have had the 3DS since launch and, truth be told, was a fan since announcement. I LOVE glasses-free 3D. I do not think it "revolutionizes" anything in gaming (or cinema for that matter) nor that it will ever introduce some element that cannot be accomplished without it, but it significantly adds to the experience nonetheless. I also know that I play all of my games with the 3D on, usually on max, and with any other 3D enhancers that are available turned on (like RE: Revelations).
I also want those 3D movies. REAL, feature-length, 3D movies. I am sure Nintendo and other companies are hesitant because of the lackluster performance of UMD movies for the PSP AND the rampant piracy from the DS, but I think that right now (before the system is hacked and while there are not many good options for portable 3D content) would be the perfect time to make something happen.
The difference between Wii U and PS4 is actually $150 since Wii U comes with a game, and then it's $250 away from XBO.
The $50 comes 10 months after launch, so it doesn't bother me. I've been using my Wii U pretty much every single day since launch and I'm happy with my purchase. Since it's the only console with Backwards Compatibility, I sold one of my Wii and used that to purchase a deluxe Wii U.
All the people that go "My Wii U is gathering dust" or "I've yet to play it" are either extremely picky or don't really own a Wii U and are only jumping on the bandwagon to hate on Nintendo.
On the 2DS… the 2DS is NOT for us! It's for parents so they can get their kids a sturdy portable without 3D so it doesn't affect their eyes, and it targets the 3-6 year-old demographic on the same day that Pokemon launches. Parents can get their kids a 2DS and Pokemon for the same price they would pay just for a 3DS. The 2DS will EXPLODE this holiday season and put the 3DS family waaaay ahead of Vita while also giving Nintendo the profit they need to offset the Wii U price cut.