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[sonycowboy]

Nintendo DS Looks to the Future After a Powerful Holiday Season; Millions of Owners Will Enjoy Wild New Games

2005 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--The video game industry closed 2004 with a rush to portable game systems, and especially a rush to Nintendo DS(TM). The new year starts much the same way, with the 1.3 million new Nintendo DS owners in North America experiencing games and interacting with one another in ways never before possible. From the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nintendo announces that new games planned for the first quarter of 2005 will expand this community even more by demonstrating that there's more to hand-held video games than pretty pictures.

"Publishers and game players have only just begun to tap the potential of Nintendo DS," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "2005 will continue the excitement we've experienced in 2004."

The trend in consumer electronics is for music players, telephones and all manner of organizers to become portable, and video games are no exception. The future of video games will be characterized by innovation - by which games and systems can give players the best adventures and the newest ways to play. The dual-screened Nintendo DS defines this trend with a touch screen, wireless communication and voice recognition.

Nintendo DS represents a third, distinct product line for Nintendo, and it's the cornerstone of Nintendo's approach to the future.

Publishers have more than 120 games planned for Nintendo DS. Key titles due in 2005 include Need for Speed Underground(TM) 2 from Electronic Arts, WarioWare(TM): Touched!, Pokemon(R) Dash and Yoshi Touch & Go(TM) from Nintendo and Retro Atari Classics(TM) from Atari. Thanks to backward compatibility with Game Boy(R) Advance SP titles, Nintendo DS already boasts a library of more than 500 games.

But Nintendo DS is just one element of Nintendo's strong holiday season. 2005 will herald new games for Game Boy Advance SP and Nintendo GameCube(TM).

Game Boy Advance continued its dominance by selling more than 8 million units in North America in 2004, making it the year's best-selling video game system. Key upcoming titles include WarioWare(TM): Twisted!, The Legend of Zelda(R): The Minish Cap, Mario Party(R) Advance, Fire Emblem(TM): The Sacred Stones and Pokemon(R) Emerald from Nintendo, Ace Combat Advance(TM) and Klonoa(R) 2 from Namco and Banjo Pilot(TM) from THQ(R). More than 125 games are expected this year for Game Boy Advance SP.

Nintendo GameCube heads into 2005 with strong momentum after solid sales during the holidays. In the coming months, the graphical powers of Nintendo GameCube will shine again as Star Fox(R): Assault, Geist(TM), Donkey Konga(TM) 2 and Donkey Kong(R) Jungle Beat from Nintendo join top titles like Resident Evil(R) 4 and Killer 7(TM) from Capcom, NBA Street V3 from Electronic Arts, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell(R) Chaos Theory from Ubisoft and Mortal Kombat(R): Deception(TM) from Midway. And a new adventure for The Legend of Zelda(R) series remains in development. More than 60 games are expected this year for Nintendo GameCube.

The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems. Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy(R) Advance SP, Nintendo DS(TM) and Nintendo GameCube(TM) systems extend Nintendo's vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.9 billion video games and more than 336 million hardware units globally, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid(R), Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

 

[Wario64]

There better be more than a press release to counter the PSP annoucement

 

[Sho Nuff]

This is like in the Bond movies when the bad guy says "Oh, your weapons don't scare me, Mr. Bond" but inside, he's secretly thinking "SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!"

 

[radioheadrule83]

Nintendo DS represents a third, distinct product line for Nintendo, and it's the cornerstone of Nintendo's approach to the future.

They keep saying it... as much as people try and see it differently, DS isn't their new Gameboy.

Obvious tricks, stats and omissions in this one. We get a number for GBA but not for Gamecube. I'm sure the Gamecube performed above it's consistent month on month sales, as it should for a holiday period, but it's also pretty certain it came third. Unless of course shortages were that bad.

Other than that, I have nothing to add in response. Other than 2005 actually looks really great on Gamecube IMO.

 

[mumu]

More than 125 games are expected this year for Game Boy Advance SP.

What? I need a list.

Nintendo GameCube heads into 2005 with strong momentum after solid sales during the holidays.

They really need to cut that momentum crap. GC is dead, except for a few games, now get over it and move on.

 

[Guns N' Poops]

Nintendo GameCube heads into 2005 with strong momentum after solid sales during the holidays. In the coming months, the graphical powers of Nintendo GameCube will shine again as Star Fox(R): Assault, Geist(TM), Donkey Konga(TM) 2 and Donkey Kong(R) Jungle Beat from Nintendo join top titles like Resident Evil(R) 4 and Killer 7(TM) from Capcom, NBA Street V3 from Electronic Arts, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell(R) Chaos Theory from Ubisoft and Mortal Kombat(R): Deception(TM) from Midway. And a new adventure for The Legend of Zelda(R) series remains in development. More than 60 games are expected this year for Nintendo GameCube.

That's damn poor. The GBA is also dead beginning in the second part of this year. But they have the right to praise the DS, it's pretty hot.

 

[Memles]

For two systems essentially doomed, the 2005 lineups of both the GBA and the GCN are really quite good. Both, IMO, trump the lineup of the DS Big Time.

 

[fugimax]

GC is dead? wtf..

Zelda, Starfox, Mario 128, DK:JB, RE4...

 

[radioheadrule83]

I wouldn't call it dead. Sales are flatlined, wobbling above and below the 100k mark every month. During the holidays they would have sold more obviously. It's certainly last place. And they shouldn't be using the word momentum, when Xbox is the one getting all the progressively increasing attention over that side of the pond.

Now in the UK, that's nearer death. And even then, the big game stores will still be carrying it next Christmas, and people will still be buying it. Next year is probably it's best year for games too. It's a real shame. Ah well, at least those who do buy will get a cheap deal.

 

[kitchenmotors]

What? I need a list.

They really need to cut that momentum crap. GC is dead, except for a few games, now get over it and move on.

When you can show me solid numbers that GC is doing less than console that are already retired, then you can pronounce it as dead.

So?

 

[GamerDiva]

I think the GBA will only get stronger in the second half because it will drop in price and reach even more consumers.

 

[GDJustin]

Anyone complaining about what this PR says is a moron. It's a PRESS RELEASE. They're SUPPOSED to talk about the great 2004 all three systems had, and outline the basics of whats coming in 2005. That's it.

WTF do you expect? Nintendo to say "The GameCube underperformed significantly against the competition in 2004, but we have some great games to look foward to in 05" ? Ugh.

 

[Link316]

There better be more than a press release to counter the PSP annoucement

they're just getting in their licks while they still can

 

[Wario64]

I find it interesting that Castlevania DS isn't mentioned in the PR

 

[teiresias]

Everyone just wishes Nintendo would cut to the chase and get to the "Going 3rd Party" PR already.

 

[Guns N' Poops]

I think the GBA will only get stronger in the second half because it will drop in price and reach even more consumers.

I'm calling it dead in terms of software support (or saying more killer apps), but it will sell pretty good for a long long time.

 

[AirBrian]

That's damn poor. The GBA is also dead beginning in the second part of this year. But they have the right to praise the DS, it's pretty hot.

If by "dead" you mean "continues to outsell PS2" then yes, you are correct. GBA shows no signs of slowing down and until it does, I would not proclaim it dead at a certain time.

EDIT: OK, I see you're talking about software. :|

 

[radioheadrule83]

Everyone just wishes Nintendo would cut to the chase and get to the "Going 3rd Party" PR already.

Where everyone means 'select idiots'.

 

[Kobun Heat]

Ah well, since Nintendo is showing at CES they had to put out SOME sort of press release, even if the only new information they had to reveal was a subtitle for Fire Emblem. It's not as if this is some attempt at turning the GC's fortunes around -- just the sort of obligatory release that gives some insight into where Nintendo is at right now.

 

[GamerDiva]

I'm calling it dead in terms of software support (or saying more killer apps), but it will sell pretty good for a long long time.

Oh I see. Doesn't their new machine play GBA games too? Maybe this will allow for more games than you think if it can also play GBA games as well.

 

[ge-man]

Anyone complaining about what this PR says is a moron. It's a PRESS RELEASE. They're SUPPOSED to talk about the great 2004 all three systems had, and outline the basics of whats coming in 2005. That's it.

WTF do you expect? Nintendo to say "The GameCube underperformed significantly against the competition in 2004, but we have some great games to look foward to in 05" ? Ugh.

Don't bother, the concept of PR goes over most people's head it seems.

 

[fugimax]

Z E L D A

M A R I O

GC/GBA are not dead.

 

[Jibber Hack]

Those are some pretty lackluster titles coming for the DS. They better get some hard hitting titles coming out soon or I'm going to be waiting for a long time before I pick it up. I build up this great desire to go out nd buy one, then I see the release list and my senses come back to me. ATARI CLASSICS!?!

 

[gofreak]

There better be more than a press release to counter the PSP annoucement

There had? I wasn't expecting anything from Nintendo for the PSP announcement. There are rumours of an announcement to coincide with the US launch, however, but who knows.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Everyone just wishes Nintendo would cut to the chase and get to the "Going 3rd Party" PR already.

Everyone? Let's not forget how well 3rd party went for Sega.

I think you're the only person from the list that doesn't like Nintendo.

 

[Kobun Heat]

I find it interesting that Castlevania DS isn't mentioned in the PR

The games mentioned are all Q1 releases.

 

[Wario64]

Hah, oops.

 

[Sho Nuff]

Haw haw haw

 

[ManaByte]

There had? I wasn't expecting anything from Nintendo for the PSP announcement. There are rumours of an announcement to coincide with the US launch, however, but who knows.

So Nintendo's going to announce that they're going third party in March? Aside from announcing Zelda on the PSP, there's nothing that can save them.

Everyone? Let's not forget how well 3rd party went for Sega.

I think you're the only person from the list that doesn't like Nintendo.

No, the people wishing Nintendo would go third party LIKE Nintendo and would like to still play their games especially on a system where the controller wasn't designed by Fisher Price.

If Nintendo doesn't go third party, they'll go away eventually. The handheld market is Nintendo's money maker and that is dead to them now. Not even Pokemon will save them from Sony this time.

Anyone who doesn't see the PSP as a repeat of 1994/95 but in the handheld market obviously was living in a cave when the PSX was released.

I'm just waiting for Reggie to launch their "Who needs a new handheld?" campaign to fight the PSP just like they did "Who needs a new console?" to put up a silly fight against the PSX.

 

[The End]

I think most top-tier development has fled the GBA. They'll still get plenty of shovelware for the younger crowd, but all of the stuff we'd like to play is going to the DS or PSP.

 

[mumu]

Aside from announcing Zelda on the PSP, there's nothing that can save them.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Aside from announcing Zelda on the PSP, there's nothing that can save them.

Come on now. PSP is not that bad.

 

[mumu]

If Nintendo doesn't go third party, they'll go away eventually.

Did you hapen to like SEGA more than another company at some point in your life?

 

[Soulbrighter]

Wow Geist reappeared on the list. Good news.

 

[paul777]

Why must Nintendo insist on ignoring January when they "look to the future" god damn it. I want to buy a new DS game before February and I want it to be Wario Ware.

 

[king zell]

GC, GBA, DS

all lineups are great

how come a console to get Star Fox - RE4 - DKJB in Q1 is doomed?

some people here makes me :lol

 

[ManaByte]

how come a console to get Star Fox - RE4 - DKJB in Q1 is doomed?

Because major third parties have abandoned it and consumers are oblivious to it.

 

[Memles]

Because any supporters have abandoned it and fellow posters are oblivious to it.

Why ManaByte is doomed. Tone down the rhetoric and drop the charade. The PSP is not a death knell.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Because major third parties have abandoned it and consumers are oblivious to it.

You do realize that two of those three games are major 3rd parties, right?

 

[ManaByte]

You do realize that two of those three games are major 3rd parties, right?

RE4: Capcom also going to PS2
StarFox: Nintendo developed by Namco. NINTENDO is publishing.
DKJB: Nintendo.

Only one is a third party and it's not exclusive anymore.

 

[fugimax]

NINTENDO is publishing.

That's akin to saying Metallica isn't putting out albums, it's Elektra Records.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Wow, Nintendo bought Namco? Well I guess you can count Tekken 5 on GCN now.

 

[SantaC]

RE4: Capcom also going to PS2

10 months later. This press release was for Q1. The only way to play RE4 before next-generation to roll in is to buy a cube dirt cheap.

 

[fugimax]

Wow, Nintendo bought Namco?

I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet. Nintendo should try if they haven't.

 

[Sen²]

Namco would be pretty expensive.

 

[teiresias]

Everyone? Let's not forget how well 3rd party went for Sega.

I think you're the only person from the list that doesn't like Nintendo.

Quite possibly, but lest it be forgotten that I was strictly on Nintendo's side in the Nintendo vs. Microsoft debate pre-Xbox and GC launch. I simply couldn't see how Microsoft could break past Nintendo in any meaningful way. Seeing Nintendo completely lose any semblance of business and marketing sense this generation though makes me realize they completely deserve what they've gotten themselves into this gen. Microsoft deserves their success and Nintendo deserves the beat down they've gotten (of course I don't own either an Xbox or a GC, but that's because Xbox has no games I want, and I can wait for GC to drop in price a bit more since I only really want to play Metroid).

It happened so quickly too. I was watching the live updates of whatever show it was that Nintendo revealed the Gamecube and was posting over at PlanetGamecube. The minute they showed the casing it was obvious someone over there had lost it because I knew right then and there that the downward spiral had begun - and I let those bots over at PlanetGamecube know it when they weren't seeing the forest for the trees.

 

[TheTurtleTitan]

Haha, I remember that image! Did Nintendo make that? That was the year GC lowered their price, right?

 

[Sho Nuff]

Haha, I remember that image! Did Nintendo make that? That was the year GC lowered their price, right?

Nintendo had it drawn for them last year when the price dropped, I think. Just goes to show ya something...what, I don't know, but something.

 

[KeithFranklin]

Nintendo DS represents a third, distinct product line for Nintendo

Ya know Nintendo can keep telling me this, but I dont know one person who bought one of these things for thier kids that feel it is something they would want in addition to a GBA. Every parent I know that bought one of these looked at it as the next generation GBA. Its like Honda and Toyota calling thier Hybrid cars a distinct product line. Yeah right they are just cars.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Ya know Nintendo can keep telling me this, but I dont know one person who bought one of these things for thier kids that feel it is something they would want in addition to a GBA. Every parent I know that bought one of these looked at it as the next generation GBA. Its like Honda and Toyota calling thier Hybrid cars a distinct product line. Yeah right they are just cars.

Well, it will make more sense when GBA next comes out, sans BC. The third pillar will continue on next generation. The NDS playing GBA games was a way for Nintendo to get out of BC on GBA2.