It's worked for them ever since they hit the portable gaming market....
It's dribble like this that makes me wonder whether people really knew what Nintendo was capable of or not. This isn't anything new. Nintendo have been doing this since the 90s.
Discuss: The new 3DS and the emergent "split userbase"... is this a good trend?
- Thread starter Amir0x
- Start date
It's worked for them ever since they hit the portable gaming market....
It's dribble like this that makes me wonder whether people really knew what Nintendo was capable of or not. This isn't anything new. Nintendo have been doing this since the 90s.
You realize it was a counter to another post? Some people don't care, some do. I use a shitty 4 year old android phone and haven't had much trouble with compatibilty. And people complain all the time when their 2-3 year old iphone doesn't run something, Its shit.
DrROBschiz
Member
I totally understand the feeling of the millions who feel left in the dust for this
Should have just been a new system entirely... which it kind of is... well its more of a half step
That said I never fully invested in the original hardware myself and now this is the jumping point i need to finally start getting into the 3DS
Should have just been a new system entirely... which it kind of is... well its more of a half step
That said I never fully invested in the original hardware myself and now this is the jumping point i need to finally start getting into the 3DS
DragonSworne
Banned
TThe "new iPad" was very confusing to people. Apple had the benefit of mass media and news outlet to help explain the stupid name.
Nintendo doesn't have that luxury.
Kabuki Quantum Lover
Member
"What do you mean it doesn't work on my 3DS? It says 3DS on the box."
"No, no, no, that's New 3DS."
You'd think Nintendo would've learned from the Wii U. You'd think that.
AwakenedCloud
Member
I'm fine with it, but I just don't get who it's for. I don't think most consumers are going to treat their handheld gaming console like a phone where they want to upgrade models, especially when their old model has most of the functionality of my new one. I don't think that it's going well draw in many new customers either, as most people who were on the fence about buying a 3DS probably wouldn't swayed by any of the new features.
The most baffling thing though is that it isn't getting released until late next year at the earliest. If they released it in November before Black Friday or maybe if they announced it after the holiday it would be somewhat understandable.
The most baffling thing though is that it isn't getting released until late next year at the earliest. If they released it in November before Black Friday or maybe if they announced it after the holiday it would be somewhat understandable.
Wait... it's actually called New 3DS... *head bangs on desk*
Then the question "why buy it on launch day" becomes even more prevalent than ever, I have zero regrets buying a 3DS in the launch window, and I thought nothing of when the 3DS XL and the 2DS came out however a game I wouldn't have minded buying for a handheld is locked on a variation of a handheld I already own and is only willing to buy once, just turns me off when they announce their next handheld for fear of this bullshit happening again, especially if it becomes more of a thing.
Now I've never owned a Gameboy or a Gameboy Colour, but I was always under the impression they were 2 different handhelds (seriously), the naming was distinct, the game boxes actually had Gameboy Colour on the spine, and i can visibly see the difference between a Gameboy game and a Gameboy colour game (think Nes to Snes), the more you know.
Then the question "why buy it on launch day" becomes even more prevalent than ever, I have zero regrets buying a 3DS in the launch window, and I thought nothing of when the 3DS XL and the 2DS came out however a game I wouldn't have minded buying for a handheld is locked on a variation of a handheld I already own and is only willing to buy once, just turns me off when they announce their next handheld for fear of this bullshit happening again, especially if it becomes more of a thing.
Now I've never owned a Gameboy or a Gameboy Colour, but I was always under the impression they were 2 different handhelds (seriously), the naming was distinct, the game boxes actually had Gameboy Colour on the spine, and i can visibly see the difference between a Gameboy game and a Gameboy colour game (think Nes to Snes), the more you know.
And you'd think they would've learned that from the N64 expansion pak....
They have done this with the GBC and the DSi but the handheld landscape was so very different back then. The GBC was basically a new handheld with BC and there was no real alternative for handhelds out there. The DSi came out when handhelds dominated (mobile) gaming sales in Japan. Nowadays they're already struggling against the mobile phone market and splitting the user base even further just makes no sense.
Who are they trying to appeal to?
Hardcore Nintendo fans who will buy any kind of Nintendo hardware just because? Those swappable face cover plates seem to indicate so, seeing as some people are already buying multiple 3DS and XL just because they have fancy limited edition covers.
They certainly won't reach a new audience with this as I believe the 3DS has already hit saturation in Japan and that's nothing a slight CPU bump with a super confusing name will change.
Have they given up on first party 3DS development? How are they going to manage the split between old 3DS, New 3DS and Wii U development when they can barely develop for the 3DS and Wii U at the same time? Or will all new first party games be exclusive to the New 3DS? I don't think they can expect third parties to willingly make games for what's probably going to be a miniscule user base. Why did they not wait two years and make a real successor to the 3DS with a sizable hardware upgrade? Better CPU or not, games will still look like ass on that scanline-ridden, 400x240 res screen.
Who are they trying to appeal to?
Hardcore Nintendo fans who will buy any kind of Nintendo hardware just because? Those swappable face cover plates seem to indicate so, seeing as some people are already buying multiple 3DS and XL just because they have fancy limited edition covers.
They certainly won't reach a new audience with this as I believe the 3DS has already hit saturation in Japan and that's nothing a slight CPU bump with a super confusing name will change.
Have they given up on first party 3DS development? How are they going to manage the split between old 3DS, New 3DS and Wii U development when they can barely develop for the 3DS and Wii U at the same time? Or will all new first party games be exclusive to the New 3DS? I don't think they can expect third parties to willingly make games for what's probably going to be a miniscule user base. Why did they not wait two years and make a real successor to the 3DS with a sizable hardware upgrade? Better CPU or not, games will still look like ass on that scanline-ridden, 400x240 res screen.
The average American has a hard enough time knowing what Roman numeral goes where. Why confuse them even more with the reintroduction of the Greek alphabet!?
We're not in the car industry, you know!
And how exactly is the customer screwed?
Just bought my fucking 3DS last year for Pokemon...
And where is the problem? Do you enjoy your 3DS now less, or what?
There is currently one SINGLE game exclusive to the New 3DS. And it's only a port of a 4 year old game.
metalslimer
Member
Also I think people are overreacting. This device definitely means we won't be seeing a 4DS in 2015, but I don't really see this as any different from the DSi. The only difference is Nintendo is actually making a game exclusive for it whereas the DSi exclusive option kind of went unused. Nintendo is hopefully not dumb enough to try and ride this out for 3-4 years more. The hardware is still weak as hell in comparison to current mobile devices and the screen resolution is trash.
Those were bundled with the games and it's a mere attachment. You can't just attach something to the 3DS and be able to play the new exclusive games, you need to buy a NEW handheld entirely. Totally different.
3 out of 4 Nintendo handhelds had similar half-steps, and the only one that didn't likely would have had Sony not threatened Nintendo's golden goose. I get the feeling you'll be waiting awhile.
I expect a hardware (and) handheld successor not to appear on the rumour scene until the late 2016s, if not 2017+
Starwolf_UK
Member
The marginal differences in pricing suggests this new model is completely phasing out the old. Seems like instead of going with a price drop on the old they'll just maintain the price by an upgrade. Makes me wonder if newer models with better CPU is the future. It works on phones I suppose but sure is confusing on a games system.
I wonder if people are overreacting and upset because a exclusive piece of software shown. The fact the software is liked is one thing but it is still a port and frankly the least of my concerns for exclusive content. Given how little first party GBC or DSi exclusive software there was (SMB DX...wait that is a port, Face Traini...wait that is a port) I don't think content is a huge worry.
I wonder if people are overreacting and upset because a exclusive piece of software shown. The fact the software is liked is one thing but it is still a port and frankly the least of my concerns for exclusive content. Given how little first party GBC or DSi exclusive software there was (SMB DX...wait that is a port, Face Traini...wait that is a port) I don't think content is a huge worry.
There was a whole shop of DSiWare though which you could say were exclusive.
I can;t believe people are comparing this to the Gameboy Color. That was a new handheld gen, this isn't.
People that already own a 3DS can't play certain 3DS games.
People that already own a 3DS can't play certain 3DS games.
metalslimer
Member
2017+ and the mobile market will have crushed the rest of Nintendo's handheld market. Of course Nintendo might actually think that NFC is going to be the next big thing on handhelds.
gutterboy44
Member
This will certainly make the Media Creates threads more interesting. It seemed to be pretty doom and gloom in there regarding the slow down of 3DS this year. I wonder if this iteration opposed to a completely new "4DS" is going revitalize their sales or just create another row in the charts with disappointing numbers? We're the 2DS numbers ever listed separately? I wonder if this will get its own separate chart entry?
Actually I think adding a new moniker or two under the 3DS umbrella would be more confusing than what they're doing, which is refreshing 2 out of the 3 devices offered. It'll still be 2DS/3DS/3DS XL on the store shelves, new consumers won't be confused past what they've been able to buy already. Would not be surprised to see the 2DS get a refresh sometime next year to keep the devices uniform.
this
they have come to a screeching hault lately.. i guess they are just waiting for smash? but i was never buying it on 3ds anyway because of how bad it looks graphically (dont kill me)
it was never released there.
Starwolf_UK
Member
It was increased CPU power and RAM just like the DSi and I presume New 3DS (they only said CPU...). So how is the GBC a new gen but DSi, not?
I seem to recall buying it separately because I had no game in my possession that benefited from it - it was purely out of the rental market which saved me money in the long-run. But maybe it was different outside of PAL regions.
That doesn't excuse the fact that Nintendo have dabbled with this method of "new "advanced" hardware" that caused certain games required to be played on those devices. Whether it takes off compared to the Satellaviews or N64 DDs is another issue entirely - maybe they are see it more akin to the Nintendo DS vs Nintendo DS Lite where they can dictate the handheld market more astutely.
I love the mobile market as much as anyone having both Apple & Android devices, but I feel that humanity is a bit more sane in regards to the reception of playable products on devices. Whether that means Nintendo continue with their own hardware, or revolutionize their hardware, or accept the succor and jump onto smartphones is something that rational people are not willing to gamble on. Nintendo are their own beast. They'll find their own feet and it's an interesting time to see what they choose to do.
lol just like mobile games were going to kill off the new console generation?
mobile gamers and handheld/console gamers are seperate markets. they might have some bleed over, but consoles and handhelds (from nintendo, atleast) will always sell regardless of how well mobile gaming is going.
It was a very brief new handheld gen, if you're going by that metric. And it's not like the GBC was unsuccessful.
It's still the same generation, they won't stop making games for the 3DS. Seriously, what's up with you people, you sound like Nintendo just rendered your current 3DS handhelds useless...
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I see this as Nintendo trying to extend the shelf life of the 3DS hardware by using more or less the same cheap components with incremental improvements aimed primarily at allowing for easier porting of GameCube and Wii generation titles that will be used to flood the 2015 and beyond market. They're trying to hold off committing to a true successor by fluffing up the 3DS with a revision. As the system somewhat flounders in the West I do not think this revision will make a significant dent in the market: the changes are welcome but long overdue, and do little to nothing to alleviate majority of the concerns/observations as to why dedicated portable gaming hardware has stumbled in modern times due to the advent of mobile gaming. I feel the appeal of the 3DS LL is maybe too heavily reliant on what the 3DS XL and 2DS already had: a combination of those aware of yet hesitant to buy finally doing so, and early adopters looking to upgrade. Neither of these markets are particularly big and so, again, these seems like an effort to desperately extend the core 3DS shelf life instead of really hit the market hard with something new and appealing.
My concerns are as followed:
- Reliance on ports over new, exclusive software. I maintain the hardware upgrade will lead to a ton of GCN/Wii ports, and while that interests me somewhat I would like to see new stuff.
- Long term software support. Nintendo is historically fucking atrocious at committing long term to any device or peripheral that fragments their market. It's nice to talk shit about a better CPU and exclusive software, but proof is in the quantity. I would not be in the least bit surprised to see this release, get a bunch of ports, then die shortly after.
- Shitful marketing. 3DS LL sold alongside 2DS and 3DS XL and 3DS? Recipe for disaster.
I'm going to hock off my XL (which is one week old, fuck) soon and intend to get one of these whenever they hit Australia. But yeah. Not a move I'm confident in at all.
My concerns are as followed:
- Reliance on ports over new, exclusive software. I maintain the hardware upgrade will lead to a ton of GCN/Wii ports, and while that interests me somewhat I would like to see new stuff.
- Long term software support. Nintendo is historically fucking atrocious at committing long term to any device or peripheral that fragments their market. It's nice to talk shit about a better CPU and exclusive software, but proof is in the quantity. I would not be in the least bit surprised to see this release, get a bunch of ports, then die shortly after.
- Shitful marketing. 3DS LL sold alongside 2DS and 3DS XL and 3DS? Recipe for disaster.
I'm going to hock off my XL (which is one week old, fuck) soon and intend to get one of these whenever they hit Australia. But yeah. Not a move I'm confident in at all.
gutterboy44
Member
Wow, I completely forgot it never hit Japan. Derp. Lurking in the MC threads is really the extent of my Japanese gaming interests these days. Do you suspect this will have separate numbers. The Vita + Vita TV numbers are all one sales, but they do then offer the split numbers. Is viewing the sales of New 3DS completely separate than 3DS sales going to be indicative of anything?
I can only really speak from my perspective, so keep in mind this response is biased and filled my opinion.
I hate it. It's basically releasing a new handheld, while kicking all the excitement out of the launch.
The price doesn't really matter one way or the other to me... what is annoying is that they're releasing two models at once. I still haven't even caught up by getting a 2DS. Having multiple viable models of a product on the market at once is frustrating, especially when Nintendo's digital purchase and play history logs don't sync across devices at all.
I would love it if they had highlighted the differences. The way they've designed and branded it is very much 'this is a 3DS still', which could have been totally avoided. I think it would be easier to avoid confusion. It will probably do pretty well though; it works for the mobile market, though I have no idea why people embrace it there. Though that has the advantage (I think?) of the online shop being able to tell you when software won't work on your hardware.
I hope we never see more of it. But is it a good strategy? Hard to say. This gives Nintendo a way to move hardware forward without increasing the price by a lot, and without needing to scramble to get more games made (especially for launch). As long as "new" 3DS games are clearly labeled I think people will be fine with it, ultimately.
If nothing else, I really wish they would change the name. That's the worst name since "New Super Mario Bros."
semiconscious
Member
so much this. don't have any snappy alternatives readily at hand, but 'new'?! i'm thinking '3ds ultra', 3ds deluxe', anything else'd work better than 'new'...
personally, i haven't used my 3ds in a while, & see no reason that'll be changing any time soon, so i guess i'm solidly in 'wait'n'see' mode
...metalslimer
Member
MC will track the 3DS,3DSXL, New 3DS, New 3DSXL for sure. Them being tracked separate only says that it is a new model.
DSi had a ton of exclusive games. They're called DSiWare and it's still getting releases to this day. DSi also had four retail exclusive releases although only one being first party (EU version of Face Training).
I generally agree NN3DS will be more similar to that than GBC. A handful of retail exclusives, probably a ton of digital exclusives (you can bet this thing is souped up enough for Webkit/Unity indies, maybe more Virtual Console platforms) and a good amount of "NN3DS enhanced" cross-compatible titles.
I can already see the advertisement:so much this. don't have any snappy alternatives readily at hand, but 'new'?! i'm thinking '3ds ultra', 3ds deluxe', anything else'd work better than 'new'...
personally, i haven't used my 3ds in a while, & see no reason that'll be changing any time soon, so i guess i'm solidly in 'wait'n'see' mode
"The new "new 3DS" is available now!"
It's been awhile but I'm pretty sure both the GBC and DSi quadrupled the RAM.
No, it was not a new Generation. There were barely any exclusive games on it.
Currently one single game, which is a port of a 4 year old Wii game. There won't be many exclusive games.
In general you won't be able to play new games if you don't own new hardware. E.g. you can't play PS4 games, when you only own a PS3. But considering this is only a very minor upgrade and of course not the same as a new generation, so you won't miss out on a lot.
gutterboy44
Member
Well, I will be looking forward to the release week MC thread. That should be a fun one.
Give War A Chance
Member
It's fine for my phone (I'm a iPhone duder).
It's fine for my handheld as well. Especially considering all of my current 3DS games will work on the new console. However, I would like them to try to steer clear of "new 3DS" exclusives.
Oh, what the hell, I'm going to buy the new one no matter what... I guess maybe I'm part of the perceived problem?
As long as there aren't a ton of new 3DS exclusives... I'm okay with a thing like this. It could get hairy if there are though. Won't affect me, but will affect a lot of people. I think they'd be killing their own sales of those games though.
It's fine for my handheld as well. Especially considering all of my current 3DS games will work on the new console. However, I would like them to try to steer clear of "new 3DS" exclusives.
Oh, what the hell, I'm going to buy the new one no matter what... I guess maybe I'm part of the perceived problem?
As long as there aren't a ton of new 3DS exclusives... I'm okay with a thing like this. It could get hairy if there are though. Won't affect me, but will affect a lot of people. I think they'd be killing their own sales of those games though.
People were salty as fuck over the DSi...mainly for dropping GBA BC. Some were also worried about the new region lock.
You seem to have confused Nintendo and 3DS with Sony and Vita.