Support NeoGAF

[Eusis]

Not that Nintendo consoles got those games even when they were competing in the tech race.

GTA and MGS2 both got ported to the XBox, but not the Gamecube.

I do wonder how things would've gone if it supported DVDs though. Probably wouldn't see GTA, but MGS2 might've been on the table just because of Twin Snakes.

I only get annoyed if it feels like going just an extra step or two would've gotten then far further. The Wii's THE example of this, though the resolutions of the GBA and especially DS apply too (come on if you were 240p we'd have perfect or near perfect NES/SNES games!), and the aforementioned DVDs, along with select and second Z buton, could've done a lot more. It's too early to tell for Wii U, though it does look to be a tiny bit ahead of the 360/PS3 with the controller eating much of the cost. Though it helps they weren't content to go for JUST 512 MB of Ram, so I don't doubt that in the long run the Wii U will go far further than the 360/PS3 did in many ways. Otherwise, well, as long as I get the games I want I'll be happy.

 

[bluehat9]

I actually wish they would go back to SNES sprites, especially on 3DS. WiiU games look fine to me and I'll be sticking with 1st party stuff and using other systems for 3rd parties like always so I don't really care if it doesn't match the new MS and Sony consoles.

 

[Oppo]

Of course longtime Nintendo fans will find their recent pattern frustrating. They were hot shit technically with the N64, partner with Silicon Graphics for the design, 64 bits, was a big deal. Mario 64 was a watershed. GameCube was a bit of a stumble but still on par, some ways better than PS2. Wii was a total sidestep further into Toyland and away from pure content, and Wii U further still.

As you get older you simply start looking for different, interesting, yes edgy and/or provocative content, and I don't mean "dudebro" fare (which btw makes some hardcore Nintendo fans look really ignorant when they classify all HD games as unenlightened, shiny drek this way) but rather things like Heavy Rain or LA Noire, or Unfinished Swan or Papo Yo, or Limbo, or any number of other off-the-beaten-path ideas that frankly Nintendo seems way too timid to support much less pursue.

I just don't trust them to give me anything other than candy.it may well be gourmet candy, but I can't eat candy forever. And they are not interested in selling anything stronger, which is fine. But it's also why they are very uninteresting to me as an older player these days. And I also have this pez dispenser called an iPhone which fills some of my candy needs, as it were.

 

[giggas]

I remember reading Nintendo Power back in the day and they always went crazy about the speculation of the new console. The n64 previews were particularly prescient, taking about CG style graphics. The GameCube previews also showed off its power and was beast as well, only hindered by the storage media.

It wasn't until the Wii that all that went out of the window. Under Iwata, Right now Nintendo is known for not pursuing bleeding edge tech, and while I understand the reasoning in economics, I do miss Nintendo's previous design philosophy.

So as an older fan, I never got justifying weaker systems. I thought the Wii's original design philosophy was severely disappointing, especially after getting an HDTV.

No, because Gamecube aside, their consoles have always been under powered. Their design philosophy has always been about making money on hardware vs the actual power behind it. The NES, SNES, and Wii in particular were all under powered machines. Sure the SNES (in some cases) ran circles around the Genesis, but it was still low end hardware compared to the NEOGEO which had been out for a while before the SNES hit. The N64, again in some cases, was more powerful than the PS1, but lets be honest the thing was never really much of a beast. Arcade games at the time were blowing it away and it only took two years after the N64 launch for the Dreamcast to come along and make it look like a relic.

Gamecube seems like it was their most powerful machine, and look what that did for them in the end. With the Wii they pretty much followed the NES philosophy to a T, and it paid off for them handsomely.

 

[mgcastro]

All we have left are the games.

For some reason I enjoyed the core Wii era games just the same as old times. I played many games on PS3, PC and 360, and yes, I was blown away by both new graphics and gameplay, but Wii core games never felt outdated or anything due to lack of shaders, motion blur, etc.

By the way, isn't Nintendo eventually in the tech race along with MS and Sony? They pushed in motion controls last gen and the new lag-free screen streaming tech this gen.

 

[AstroNut325]

I don't find any Nintendo games fun anymore.. So no. But overall I value tech more than games. So if the Wii U had AMD 6850 level hardware (along with better specs in general).... I would strongly consider getting one.

Good games can be had regardless of platform. So why settle for something that undermines the key foundation of the art... Tech.

 

[jett]

It's a bit disappointing that despite their vast resources of cash they don't really take that kind of chance. The Wii U will find itself in a similar situation to the Wii, or worse.

 

[Mael]

please explain the bolded part here Marc...?

Compare AC3 with AC3: Liberation.
Even more to the point : CoD BO2 and that other shit Vita got.

 

[mentalfloss]

mentalfloss
Wii U has a horrible, slow CPU.
(Today, 01:59 PM)

Mods just hate my pimpin arguments.

It's a bit disappointing that despite their vast resources of cash they don't really take that kind of chance. The Wii U will find itself in a similar situation to the Wii, or worse.

My Wii library is roughly equal to my 360 library, so I have no problem with that.

 

[Bgamer90]

I definitely do miss the days in which Nintendo was more edgy. I remember the "Now you're playing with super power" ads and the SNES is still my favorite system of all time.

I definitely do feel that a more powerful system would have helped Nintendo. For one thing, it would have helped in terms of future 3rd party support. Overall though, games on the system would just be better/more impressive.

Due to Nintendo going the "low power route" again, I feel that the system isn't future proof. Outside of anticipated Nintendo exclusives, I can't see how the system would impress people after 2014. Then again, Nintendo games are the main reason why a lot of people buy the system.

Also, power isn't just graphics. I see a decent number of people saying this. Power also means bigger features in modes and gameplay, as well as easier implementation of those said features.

Overall, Nintendo currently reminds me of a student who doesn't study for a test since they feel that they are going to get an "A" anyway. I don't really see a great amount of effort in their main home consoles anymore; especially in comparison to what they did/pulled off on the SNES during its time.

 

[Hanmik]

Compare AC3 with AC3: Liberation.
Even more to the point : CoD BO2 and that other shit Vita got.

But the WiiU isn´t a portable handheld console..?

 

[AOC83]

Just noticed who you were. What a waste of time.

Waste of time? No. You actually learned something. Do that more often and you may be able to discuss like a intelligent human being some day.

 

[RurouniZel]

I wouldn't care, but the vast majority of GAF cries about it so fucking much that I'd like Nintendo making an ungodly powerful machine so that they just might stop complaining,

Otherwise I was totally fine with the Wii and still am, I love all of the systems for their games, not their graphics.

 

[Metazoid]

It's a bit disappointing that despite their vast resources of cash they don't really take that kind of chance. The Wii U will find itself in a similar situation to the Wii, or worse.

They lose money on the Wii u so I don't see how they aren't taking a chance.

 

[phosphor112]

Paging Amirox

 

[test_account]

Not really. I wish that we would see a true 2D sprite based Mario game instead of missing more powerful hardware.

I am a fan of games, not tech.

But the tech is what makes the games possible =)

 

[GuessMyUserName]

Big Nintendo fan, what frustrates me about Nintendo is region-locking and the online situation / tying accounts to consoles. I appreciate their love of doing things more unique, like Miiverse and all that comes with it, but it's frustrating how much they resist learning from competitors sometimes and they can be quite stubborn about it. Friend Codes lasted this long and we STILL have accounts that are tied to systems? Heck, them resisting Achievements is frustrating too. I also wish they had more faith in localizing games, too many I've craved that never came over... so now I'm planning on just living in Japan in the future. >_>

Graphical capabilities don't bother me at all, I'd hate to ignore games for not having enough eyecandy. I still enjoy playing plenty of old games a lot and I can often find them very charming and attractive on their own. Although it does frustrate me how third-parties can't settle for low budget releases these days, it's either go AAA or go handheld. Wii had lots of great games for me (my largest library of all consoles ever in fact!), but it really sucked for 2011 and 2012 getting pretty much nothing. 2010 was amazing though!

 

[trixx]

To me no. I buy Nintendo consoles both for their games and also because they always push local multiplayer. I used to play n64 with my older brothers and their friends and i loved it. My older brothers don't play video games as much anymore but i have 3 younger siblings to play with. Nothing better than playing their games with friends and family in the same room, never gets old.

I also have a decent pc but if games are appealing i will buy either ps4/720. To be honest i don't think it would be feasible for Nintendo to compete with microsoft and sony. From a power standpoint i could care less where it stands. Yes wii was far less powerful than xbox 360, ps3 but at the end of the day so long as i had fun it doesn't matter what the game looks like.

To be fair my favourite video game is the ugly (by today's standards) super mario 64, and i still play it from time to time.

 

[BlackJace]

It's not so much their tech I'm frustrated with. It's their near incompetence when it come to online services and infrastructure, especially freaking region locking. If they can really dig deep with the Wii U and let the NN evolve into something on par or superior to PSN and XBL, I couldn't really give two shits how many triceratops its GPU produces.

 

[Projectjustice]

Waste of time? No. You actually learned something. Do that more often and you may be able to discuss like a intelligent human being some day.

LMAO, thanks for the laughs.

 

[AOC83]

Can you elaborate?

What´s there to elaborate? Have you ever played some 360/PS3 games? If not, do it and you´ll see what i mean.

 

[jett]

They lose money on the Wii u so I don't see how they aren't taking a chance.

That's what they said, but I can't see how is that possible to be honest.

 

[JDSN]

It bothers me more than they act like their network is from 1999.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Only because it's hampering the third party development. I would like to cripple the urge to push excessive tech. I would say tech in consoles should be limited to $300.

 

[AOC83]

LMAO, thanks for the laughs.

PS2 wuz wieker hmmkay?

 

[mentalfloss]

That's what they said, but I can't see how is that possible to be honest.

I'm sure the cost of the gamepad has something to do with it.

 

[Bgamer90]

It's not so much their tech I'm frustrated with. It's their near incompetence when it come to online services and infrastructure, especially freaking region locking. If they can really dig deep with the Wii U and let the NN evolve into something on par or superior to PSN and XBL, I couldn't really give two shits how many triceratops its GPU produces.

Yeah, this too. It's really mind boggling to me that a new console released in 2012 has so many issues when it comes to online gaming/features.

 

[javac]

Of course longtime Nintendo fans will find their recent pattern frustrating. They were hot shit technically with the N64, partner with Silicon Graphics for the design, 64 bits, was a big deal. Mario 64 was a watershed. GameCube was a bit of a stumble but still on par, some ways better than PS2. Wii was a total sidestep further into Toyland and away from pure content, and Wii U further still.

Nope, Nintendo's games have only gotten better. Sure Mario 64 was a watershed moment, but 3D gaming was still very primitive back then. Are you trying to say Mario Galaxy doesn't hold the same effect today? Its not an innovative and unique game?

And what do you mean by Toyland? You know "To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. "

And pure content? Nintendo is the only pure game company of the big 3.

As you get older you simply start looking for different, interesting, yes edgy and/or provocative content, and I don't mean "dudebro" fare (which btw makes some hardcore Nintendo fans look really ignorant when they classify all HD gsmes as unenlightened, shiny drek this way) but rather things lie Heavy Rain, or Unfinished Swan or Papo Yo, or Limbo, or any number of other off-the-beaten-path ideas that frankly Nintendo seems way too timid to support much less pursue.

Again, that's not the case for me and many others. As I got older I had less time for tedious stuff like Heavy rain that tires to be grown up and emotional, and instead played games that attracted me and interested me for that alone, the gameplay. A lot of people don't have the time to watch 15min cut-scene. Not to say I don't like story games, but being able to play 'kiddy' games is a lot more appealing to me.

And yeah, there's a lot of them type's of experiences you talk about on Nintendo systems. No need to get into a list war, I'm sure you can look up a Wikipedia list (Trine 2, Little kings story, world of goo etc).

 

[entremet]

How can you be frustated with Nintendo for taking the low tech route?

Nintendo have always taken the low tech route, it is what they do.

It's like being mad at the sky for being blue.

That's incorrect for consoles. Wii and Wii U are outliers.

 

[JAYSIMPLE]

I remember when the game and watch line was out, they used old LCD watch technology to create games. Nintendo has always been about using tech that has been around a bit to create a system that they can use to their liking.

 

[phosphor112]

How do you figure? Online is greatly improved on the Wii U and Miiverse is a great addition. Black Ops 2 plays great online.

Getting in the online space a "generation" late means a paltry couple thousand people on COD to play with.

And as the number one selling franchise, that's pathetic.

 

[jett]

I'm sure the cost of the gamepad has something to do with it.

It appears that way, but fact is that it's a cheap LCD screen.

 

[gconsole]

You ask Ninty fan and you can expect the answer. There is the reason why they are called Nintendo fan.

Anyway, for me. Long time Nintendo fan. Stop being their fan since Wii era. I still enjoy Nintendo game. But hardware, no. It becomes a toy. Seriously. 1 generation behind is not acceptable. Considering that I'm quite an early adopter gamer/tech user (even though I still end up buying Wii twice). You can still be innovative while keeping yourself up to speed with your competitor. Not exactly as powerful (spec wise) but not this 1 generation behind. This is stupid. And it completely separate Nintendo console from the rest. Now they won't get any good 3rd party support. I don't deny they have good 2nd party. But still, that's not enough.

I don't think it's about being frustrated. Since I no longer care about them. I bought 3DS just for Revelation. And maybe WiiU for Monolithsoft X.

 

[Shig]

I definitely did when their system was SD while everyone else's was HD, and when their handheld's 3D software took us back to sub-PS1 levels of polys. Now that they've cleared those hurdles, I'm fine with where they are, hardware-wise.

Although if we're talking online functionality too, yeah, they've got a lot of work to do there.

 

[nbthedude]

I am definitely annoyed by their low tech, but more annoyed by their laxk of innovation and retreading their series withput taking any real chances. Animal Crossing, NSMB, Mario Kart, Mario Party, etc. They have become the biggest franchise milker this side of Capcom and that is sad.

 

[Blades64]

I'm more frustrated with their online infrastructure if we're talking consistently. As far as tech goes...sometimes I do think about it, and I definitely wish that they would just "get wid it" sometimes, but ultimately I just enjoy their games.

That's why I bought a PS3 for my graphics wants, and more than likely will buy a PS4 or build a PC this coming gen for my graphic wants.

 

[Projectjustice]

It's not so much their tech I'm frustrated with. It's their near incompetence when it come to online services and infrastructure, especially freaking region locking. If they can really dig deep with the Wii U and let the NN evolve into something on par or superior to PSN and XBL, I couldn't really give two shits how many triceratops its GPU produces.

Good point, I really hope they fix their online service. I dont care much for region locking these days anymore but they really need to match PSN and XBL on some levels.

 

[MYE]

No. Graphical potency is at the endish part of the hierarchy when it comes to deciding what to buy.

 

[pargonta]

I always loved that they cared more about gameplay and the software instead of tech... but it is getting a bit tiresome the further technology advances.

 

[ArtHands]

what I find frustrating is when I see companies ignoring Nintendo "low tech" and then going out of business because they could not afford to have a single failure when making high spec games

Hard to feel sorry for them though, if they insist to bite more than they can chew

I am frustrated with their online infrastructure as well. Where are all the digital games for the 3DS? Where are the (Disney/Warner Bros) 3D movies that they teased us when they shows off the 3DS?

 

[sajj316]

I'm resolved to the fact that Nintendo will not push hardware boundaries ..

 

[soundahfekz]

You're full of shit. It looks better than 90% of games on ps360 (aka any game that isn't a linear corridor shooter).

Joking right?

 

[mentalfloss]

Hard to feel sorry for them though, if they insist to bite more than they can chew

And considering that tech experts like Tim Sweeney are saying that next gen development costs will be at least 2X current gen, it's going to be difficult for devs to make a profit on next gen consoles.

 

[entremet]

What's with the n64 revisionists history? It was limited by its paltry video RAM, draw distances be damned lol and catridge format, but stuff like Wave Rave, Banjo, F-Zero X looked great at the time. The n64 was not considered an underpowered system by a long shot.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

I'm sure zelda will look gorgeous and although I could use more, I'm not unhappy. That's what my PC is for.

 

[Metazoid]

What´s there to elaborate? Have you ever played some 360/PS3 games? If not, do it and you´ll see what i mean.

I've played plenty. I like how you assume I've only played Nintendo games when nothing could be further from the truth. Which games look better than this?

 

[AOC83]

I've played plenty. I like how you assume I've only played Nintendo games when nothing could be further from the truth. Which games look better than this?

Red Dead Redemption for example.

 

[demidar]

Hard to feel sorry for them though, if they insist to bite more than they can chew

I am frustrated with their online infrastructure as well. Where are all the digital games for the 3DS? Where are the (Disney/Warner Bros) 3D movies that they teased us when they shows off the 3DS?

I honestly think when the other two next-gen consoles come out, more bodies are gonna drop. It's gonna be raining blood.

 

[javac]

It appears that way, but fact is that it's a cheap LCD screen.

With a camera, sensor bar, 9 axis gyroscope, Customised version of Miracast , stereo speakers, a battery, traditional buttons etc...

Kidding aside, its got some good tech in there and the screen actually looks great. Nice colours and the resolutions looks great surprisingly, I use a Nexus 7 everyday and although its not the most hightech tablet, its screen is on paper a lot more superior to the Wii U Gamepad, and yet I find the Wii U Gamepad screen great.

 

[Metazoid]

Joking right?

Prove me wrong.