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[GDGF]

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.

Bingo. There is no third pillar. The GBA line will continue to sell for some time (hell, it's cheap, and the software library is probably the best this gen), but the NDS (already a great success, better than anyone imagined, except for me ) will replace it. It's happening.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Bingo. There is no third pillar. The GBA line will continue to sell for some time (hell, it's cheap, and the software library is probably the best this gen), but the NDS (already a great success, better than anyone imagined, except for me ) will replace it. It's happening.

And GBA2? It will replace NDS? :lol 2year life span for handhelds now.

 

[Deg]

They both compliment each other and both will continue to coexist. Very clever move by Nintendo because it expands the market and at the same time they is more choice.

 

[pkasho]

it can be a third pillar as long as software support continues for gba until gba next

 

[GDGF]

it can be a third pillar as long as software support continues for gba until gba next

I just find it hard to call it a third pillar when it plays GBA games as well! Perhaps it's the third pillar for games that use the GBA link up cable, but that's a very long title indeed

 

[Deg]

I just find it hard to call it a third pillar when it plays GBA games as well! Perhaps it's the third pillar for games that use the GBA link up cable, but that's a very long title indeed

People like you forget that they are both Nintendo consoles. The GBA playback feature only helps both to compliment each other.

 

[GDGF]

People like you forget that they are both Nintendo consoles. The GBA playback feature only helps both to compliment each other.

Trust me when I tell you that I wouldn't forget that they are both Nintendo consoles :lol

I still believe that this 'third pillar' talk was a nice escape plan if the NDS failed (as was their decision to not brand it as a Game Boy) If Nintendo knew then what they know now, the NDS would have been called the Gameboy DS.

 

[Deg]

Trust me when I tell you that I wouldn't forget that they are both Nintendo consoles :lol

I still believe that this 'third pillar' talk was a nice escape plan if the NDS failed (as was their decision to not brand it as a Game Boy) If Nintendo knew then what they know now, the NDS would have been called the Gameboy DS.

How do you explain their product and market positioning then?

 

[Grubdog]

How do you explain their product and market positioning then?

What? They can't change their minds and call it the Gameboy DS, it's too late.

 

[Deg]

The DS was guaranteed success but i am sure the design was different at first from what it was now. Touch screen has been pushed effectively.

 

[Aika'svyse]

Nintendo has some smart people in marketing, not saying the DS isn't great, but they know how to hit their target consumer.

 

[GDGF]

What? They can't change their minds and call it the Gameboy DS, it's too late.

True that. They made their bed, and now have to lie (Ha) in it. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that.

 

[Deg]

Nintendo has some smart people in marketing, not saying the DS isn't great, but they know how to hit their target consumer.

Given what the device is. They did an amazing job. I didnt think it would do this well. I think people do want something different. They always do. This is how the big stuff come.

 

[GaimeGuy]

I think people do want something different. They always do. This is how the big stuff come.

It actually is.

Super Mario Bros.

Mario 64

Tetris

Pokemon

Final Fantasy 7 (RPG with cinematic graphics. Technically a marvel for people to look at)

GTA 3


Just a few examples of things that were new and different that were huge successes.

Three of the games I listed were sequels and were also THE big games: Mario 64, FFVII, and GTA3

However:

Mario 64 set the standard for 3D platformers, and also made standard the objective based system that has been used in many platformers since.

Final Fantasy 7 introduced high-end CG movies and advanced musical scores, (even a few orchestral tunes) into games, and RPGs in general.

GTA3 introduced the huge, free-roaming gameplay of this generation. It took everything from GTA1 and 2 and improved upon it and expanded upon it and provided a true free-roaming game (well, a huge leap, at least, at the moment).


People DO want something new and innovative, but when they hear about it presented to them like that, they think that it's much more radical and out of this world than it really is, and that they DON'T want change, or new things, that they just want good games.

But every big hit has brought something revolutionary to the table. Change is good; it's just a matter of striking gold with a specific formula.

 

[KeithFranklin]

If it is truly 3rd pillar then the plan would be to encourage people to purchase a GBA, a DS and a GC.

Now what consumer in his right mind would feel that they should have both a GBA and a DS?

 

[AniHawk]

Now what consumer in his right mind would feel that they should have both a GBA and a DS?

Two reasons:

1. The NES SP is the fucking sexiest system ever*
2. When playing GBA games, you can charge one system as you play on the other.

*= might be an exaggeration.

 

[soundwave05]

If it is truly 3rd pillar then the plan would be to encourage people to purchase a GBA, a DS and a GC.

Now what consumer in his right mind would feel that they should have both a GBA and a DS?

Well that's sort of like saying a car company should only release one model of car.

Nintendo has simply just picked up on something -- there's different levels of consumers out there for portable machines.

The GBA SP is the uber-portable, super cheap, device that's perfect for those that just want to blow some time here and there but don't want to pay big $$$ on a portable.

The DS is for someone looking for a more advanced experience and has a bit more $$$ to shell out.

I bet there will be a PSP revision within 2 years as well, one that is smaller/slimmer with a different design (flip out perhaps) and a longer battery life.

No one really complains when Apple releases i-Pod, i-Pod mini, and now i-Pod Photo. Most people are clamouring for an i-Pod Video (oh you know its coming). Revisions are just part of the portable market, people expect a new model in a year or two.

 

[john tv]

R.O.B. is looking to the future too:

 

[JJConrad]

If it is truly 3rd pillar then the plan would be to encourage people to purchase a GBA, a DS and a GC.

Now what consumer in his right mind would feel that they should have both a GBA and a DS?

I don't know why so many people are hung up on these 3rd pillar comments. Nintendo clearly plans to support both the GBA and DS for some time. The DS wasn't intend to outright replace the Gameboy. Regardless, to whether you can understand the difference between the GBA and DS, the fact that they are support both makes the DS the third tier.

Part of the distinction is do to marketing. Nintendo want to get to the "mature" market before Sony did. Have the DS associated with the Gameboy would hinder that. Now it's "I play the DS. My kid brother plays Gameboy." Even if the DS has a completely similar lineup as the GBA has, the opportunity to market them different now exsists.

The GBA will still a good number of units, even if it takes on the identity of the cheaper, kiddie system. Infact, the GBA has been so popular Nintendo probably could kill off the system if they tried. Backward Compatibilty is an assist that Nintendo would have been foolish not to take advantage of.

Also, don't assume that Nintendo plans on keeping all 3 pillars indefinately. When the GBA2 is released, Nintendo will likely consolidate the two lines back together. The success of the DS will determine how long before that happens.

 

[GaimeGuy]

R.O.B. is looking to the future too:

:lol

 

[GDGF]

R.O.B. is looking to the future too:

Burn it now! :lol

 

[Aika'svyse]

I have to be honest I though It'd do okay, but Nintedo just doesn't miss a beat handheld wise. They know what they are doing. That coming from a hardcore Xbox fan.

 

[TheTurtleTitan]

R.O.B. is looking to the future too:

Did you set that up? :lol