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[Kon Tiki]

My question is, with the Revolution most likely launching in the same general time frame as the PS3, will Nintendo's console prevent Sony from purposely under shipping? If a kid walks in to buy a PS3 only to find that they are sold out and he wont be able to get one for ATLEAST a couple weeks, what are the chances he will walk out with a Revolution instead?

I hope not. The defect rate on Sony consoles is high enough as it is, we do not need them to rush more consoles to retail.

 

[civilstrife]

Mario called. He wants you to stop dragging his formerly good name through the mud.

I... like... his... games?

Sony whipping boy: DOES NOT COMPUTE.

 

[DrGAKMAN]

Another thing to consider (while we're speculation insane theories) is the fact that it's probably much easier to produce Revolution's at a faster rate (smaller, less parts, less powerful overall, etc.). That could be a factor in adoption rate...let's say Sony has 1M PS3's ready for NA launch, but Nintendo has 2M Revolution's readily available at launch 'cos they're easier/cheaper/faster to manufacter...don't you think that could be a factor maybe?

 

[Azelover]

That's the point -- everyone thinks Nintendo doesn't stand a chance, just as everyone thought Sony would fail. Markets have a way of surprising people with quick turnarounds.

That having been said, there's no way that Nintendo will experience the same kind of rise to the top that Sony did in the upcoming generation. If it happens, it would be way in the future.

You can't say that because, first, you don't know the appeal a remote controller would have with the masses. We're in square one with the Revolution controller, the NES controller was just as weird compared to the Atari controllers and yet very few people could have predicted it would catch on. Second, what we know about Revolution is extremely basic, the PS or NES never started being taken seriously just by design and controller. We have more waiting to do before we pass judgement on what "there's no way" will happen.

 

[imastalker co.]

let's say Sony has 1M PS3's ready for NA launch, but Nintendo has 2M Revolution's readily available at launch 'cos they're easier/cheaper/faster to manufacter...don't you think that could be a factor maybe?

it would be a factor if Nintendo could sell them all at launch, or within a very short time span. a launch before, or after PS3 will also be an enourmous gigantic factor.

but there's no way that Nintendo will have 2 mil systems at north american launch. if they ship by sept in the us, there's a chance that they could push that many in the us in 2006. we're talking hot cakes for Nintendo at that point though.

 

[Oblivion]

You think if Nintendo was the market leader they would be trying to release something like the Revolution? I doubt it, they'd probably be releasing a more conventional console with a variation of a more conventional controller.

I thought that as well. Of course, Nintendo was market leader during the SNES days, yet they still went and created a radically different controller for the N64 when they could have easily made a more conventional one.

Course, I'm not saying they still WOULD have done that, but there's just no guarantee that they wouldn't have either.

 

[Xrenity]

The Revolution impacting Sony's strategy? That's interesting since the exact opposite is what happened in reality. You think if Nintendo was the market leader they would be trying to release something like the Revolution? I doubt it, they'd probably be releasing a more conventional console with a variation of a more conventional controller.

How would you explain the change GBA -> DS?

 

[Dragmire]

How could anyone know that Sony spurred Nintendo's creation of the DS? Sony gets more credit for it than Nintendo, but Nintendo innovated in the NES era when competition was comparatively weak. It's a good business move that expands the market.

And it's blind to think that the next generation automatically belongs to Sony. That's the kind of thinking a lot of people had for Sony with the PSP, and it's clearly not dominating.

 

[Ponn]

How would you explain the change GBA -> DS?

Intro of PSP into the market. They knew they had to do something.

 

[The End]

Intro of PSP into the market. They knew they had to do something.

Truth. Remember, the original "DS" was a N64-level GBA with one screen, no touch, and no wi-fi. The DS in its current form is the result of Nintendo trying to not get killed by the PSP.

 

[Scrow]

I didn't call, and no I don't!

The wholly independent and unbiased Drinky Crow Commission is not affiliated with Mister Raoul Duke Esquire, although we believe him to be a man of strong logic and public widom.

zomg! a drinky crow misspelling preserved for future generations to marvel at! :O

 

[P90]

Exactly. right now MS have everything to prove. I think the technical underpowered issue will bit them in the back.

You arent going to hear much about PS3 since Sony know PSP and PS2 will dominate this christmas anyway.

I think it will be 360 and DS both leading in their respectable markets.

 

[argon]

You think if Nintendo was the market leader they would be trying to release something like the Revolution? I doubt it, they'd probably be releasing a more conventional console with a variation of a more conventional controller.

I think they would. They are a videogame developer first and foremost, and it's apparent with the Gamecube that they have become a bit bored with traditional gaming.

They followed up the GBA with the DS.

They released the Virtual Boy at the height of their success with the SNES, and the N64 had a ton of new unproven features.

And don't forget, the Game Boy was quite risky for its time. No other handheld with interchangeable cartridges had been successful, and there were no guaruntees it would catch on. It was basically creating an entirely new videogame market.
Of course, Tetris helped a bit =)

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

I think it could impact their strategy but not in the way that you're thinking. I think if Sony puts its pride on the shelf for a moment we could see their own 'Revolution' controller being released at some point. The banana controller is probably being redesigned right now. What's to stop them from attempting a 3D space controller?

 

[gamergirly]

Truth. Remember, the original "DS" was a N64-level GBA with one screen, no touch, and no wi-fi. The DS in its current form is the result of Nintendo trying to not get killed by the PSP.

Yes, and they arent getting killed either. DS is not the gaming hardware that is concerned about selling this holiday season

In any case, it would be a mistake for either company(MS or Sony) to come out and admit that Nintendo is not a competitor. Once Revolution is finally revealed and it gets public and retail exposure, the media isnt going to forget. So, they'll be forced to acknowledge Nintendo if they hadnt already.

Revolution isnt talked too much about bc the non-Japanese audience(ie, casuals) has gotten little word of the system. There's no point in either MS or Sony bringing up Nintendo right now. Sony has to build up hype for its PS3 console and rebuke MS's claims and MS's 360 is coming out now with PS3 looming on the horizon. Revolution isnt going to factor in until Spring of next year.

 

[KeithFranklin]

Lets see in 2001 mighty Nintendo couldnt outsell the XBOX at launch (or ever besides a couple of months since), yet some people actually think the Revolution will outsell the PS3. Nintendo is going the route of the niche console. There will be 2 Video Game consoles and 1 Nintendo game console. Nintendo will be happy to sell thier profit on day 1 hardware while Sony and MS go for the big $ and press.

 

[_bla_]

Nintendo is going the route of the niche console, yes. But if you look at DS software sales in Japan, especially for titles like Brain Training, than you should notice the possiblity that that 'niche' could be pretty big. Maybe even as big as the mainstream market. And while there is strong competition in the mainstream market by Sony and Microsoft, competition in the 'niche'/non-gamer market is rather small, not unlikely the NDS is the biggest competitor to the Revolution in that market.

 

[Spike]

Intro of PSP into the market. They knew they had to do something.

Nope. They could have just as easily released the micro, and ridden off the sales of the SP+Micro+GBA.

The DS was the next logical step in the progression of Nintendo handhelds:

GBC = NES
GBA = SNES
DS = N64

DS was not a response to the PSP. The GBA:Next, though, will be.

 

[Chrono]

The DS was the next logical step in the progression of Nintendo handhelds:

GBC = NES
GBA = SNES
DS = N64

DS was not a response to the PSP. The GBA:Next, though, will be.

GBA:Next = Wind Waker on a handheld... @_@

 

[JJConrad]

Nintendo is going the route of the niche console, yes. But if you look at DS software sales in Japan, especially for titles like Brain Training, than you should notice the possiblity that that 'niche' could be pretty big. Maybe even as big as the mainstream market. And while there is strong competition in the mainstream market by Sony and Microsoft, competition in the 'niche'/non-gamer market is rather small, not unlikely the NDS is the biggest competitor to the Revolution in that market.

Then the "niche" isn't exactly niche is it?

Actually, don't believe anyone that spouts out crap about "niche-this" and "niche-that." It's a word purely intended to be derogatory. It means anything the user wants, but it's most common usage is in reference to us hardcore gamers.

 

[Duckhuntdog]

http://nintendo.about.com/library/sonysfall/blSony1.htm

Oddly enough some analyist comes out with Nintendo's role in Sony's fall.

 

[capslock]

http://nintendo.about.com/library/sonysfall/blSony1.htm

Oddly enough some analyist comes out with Nintendo's role in Sony's fall.

That is without a doubt the worst 'analysis' I have ever read.

 

[Particle Physicist]

The Revolution impacting Sony's strategy? That's interesting since the exact opposite is what happened in reality. You think if Nintendo was the market leader they would be trying to release something like the Revolution? I doubt it, they'd probably be releasing a more conventional console with a variation of a more conventional controller.

because thats exactly what they did with the n64.. :/

 

[Kolgar]

Actually, don't believe anyone that spouts out crap about "niche-this" and "niche-that." It's a word purely intended to be derogatory. It means anything the user wants, but it's most common usage is in reference to us hardcore gamers.

First of all, "niche" is, if anything, a word frequently used in marketing circles to describe a product or market that is specialized, i.e., not mainstream. It is hardly used most commonly with regard to hardcore gamers.

Secondly, it is not derogatory, unless you take it that way. And if you do, then you may be a bitter Nintendo fan longing for the 1980s when the company was tops in consoles.

Thirdly, back on topic, Nintendo's moves are not Sony's primary concern. Clearly, Nintendo is targeting young people and non-gamers, which is quite a bit different from Sony's demographic of older gamers and technology enthusiasts. It's Sony and Microsoft who are after the same audience, while Nintendo carves out its own niche in the console market.

And personally, I don't see Nintendo's strategy being all that different from their strategies in the past. They're still targeting kids and their core followers, but now they're also trying to pull in non-gamers with their newfangled controller. A gamble, but it makes sense seeing as Sony and Microsoft are competing so hard with each other for the traditional console segment.

 

[vitaflo]

I can't wait for PS3 to lose some market share to 360, just so I can see some decent PS/Xbot flame wars. All these stupid Nintendo threads are getting boring. *yawn*

 

[Ranger X]

How could anyone know that Sony spurred Nintendo's creation of the DS? Sony gets more credit for it than Nintendo, but Nintendo innovated in the NES era when competition was comparatively weak. It's a good business move that expands the market.

And it's blind to think that the next generation automatically belongs to Sony. That's the kind of thinking a lot of people had for Sony with the PSP, and it's clearly not dominating.

I know what you mean but i think your comparison is off. The PSP wasn't backed by a 80 000 000 &+ userbase as the PS3 is...

Brand recognition is 50% of your success, at least.