If you describe everything in such basic terms, then you can argue that every sequel is essentially the same as its predecessor. Every game in a series is basically the same (and apparently frowned upon?). I could literally say that every first-person shooter is the same game with different maps and guns. But that would be unfair.
Cool! So shipped (vs sold) for launch versus previous HD console launches in their debut quarters:
Totally agreed there. Nintendo needs to do some thoughtful price cutting/SKU reshuffling timed with the spring software launches to push U out of Gamecube territory. It's sad, but it really is like 3DS all over again.
I'll let you guys play console fanboys, I'll play and enjoy both
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I don't think it's a simple analogy to the 3DS.
It's not an exact repeat, but there are clear and obvious parallels (generally seen as overpriced, 1st party hardware driver delays, barren post launch drought, sales dropping off a cliff after launch, word of devs scaling back support, etc). And to turn the ship around I think it's going to take similar bold moves on Iwata's part in the short term (price drops, 3rd party moneyhats, co-production/outsourcing to make 1st party deadlines), and it really needs to be done sooner rather than later.
I wouldn't say that, at least their coming 1st party Wii U lineup looks stronger than 3DS did in 2011.
One important thing that people need to remember when looking at these two gifs is that the Zelda demo isn't a graphics demo, it's a dynamic lighting and shadows demo. It uses GameCube assets unless I'm remembering incorrectly..? Probably better to compare and contrast the Japanese Garden demo instead.
As for the topic at hand I'd say that Nintendo are in a better position now than they were when Sony only had 4GB of GDDR5 under the hood. A really daft decision and one that Sony is going to regret. Seems they still haven't learnt any lessons from the PSP, PS3 and Vita. Releasing a high powered and expensive console isn't the best way to success, even if we weren't in the middle of the worst recession in donkeys years. And Sony aren't exactly in the best position to sell each console at a huge loss either.
Nintendo won't be too bothered, all they need to do is release the delayed titles like Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3, Lego City Undercover, Wii Fit and then release two or three of their big guns such as a 3D Mario, Retro's new game and/or Mario Kart in November. They probably won't even need a price cut, but if they reduce the price of the Wii U by 50 dollars you could end up seeing the PS4 being almost twice as expensive as the Wii U.
Sony's Gaming Division is the only part of the company that's making them any profit (unless I'm mistaken?), if the PS4 performs as badly as the PS3 did when it launched and Vitas continue to sell as poorly they could be looking at a very bleak future.
Microsoft must be laughing hysterically about the choice of RAM for the PS4.
Brain-Age was summer 2012 in Japan, Q1 2013 elsewhere. Wii U also has Lego GTA, Pikmin 3, Yoshi, Wii Fit/Party, Wonderful 101, Game & Wario and possibly Bayonetta 2, a Retro game and (for Japan) X. There's definitely a fuller, more diverse potential lineup on the table for Wii U than 3DS had. Plus, as you pointed out, it's two launch titles (NSMBU, N-Land) were a bigger deal than what 3DS had (Nintencats, Pilotwings, Steel Diver).
There are parallels that can be drawn; but the actions that can be taken and the consequently the resultant outcome don't necessarily follow.
One important thing that people need to remember when looking at these two gifs is that the Zelda demo isn't a graphics demo, it's a dynamic lighting and shadows demo. It uses GameCube assets unless I'm remembering incorrectly..? Probably better to compare and contrast the Japanese Garden demo instead.
As for the topic at hand I'd say that Nintendo are in a better position now than they were when Sony only had 4GB of GDDR5 under the hood. A really daft decision and one that Sony is going to regret. Seems they still haven't learnt any lessons from the PSP, PS3 and Vita. Releasing a high powered and expensive console isn't the best way to success, even if we weren't in the middle of the worst recession in donkeys years. And Sony aren't exactly in the best position to sell each console at a huge loss either.
Nintendo won't be too bothered, all they need to do is release the delayed titles like Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3, Lego City Undercover, Wii Fit and then release two or three of their big guns such as a 3D Mario, Retro's new game and/or Mario Kart in November. They probably won't even need a price cut, but if they reduce the price of the Wii U by 50 dollars you could end up seeing the PS4 being almost twice as expensive as the Wii U.
Sony's Gaming Division is the only part of the company that's making them any profit (unless I'm mistaken?), if the PS4 performs as badly as the PS3 did when it launched and Vitas continue to sell as poorly they could be looking at a very bleak future.
Microsoft must be laughing hysterically about the choice of RAM for the PS4.
Sony's Gaming Division is the only part of the company that's making them any profit (unless I'm mistaken?), if the PS4 performs as badly as the PS3 did when it launched and Vitas continue to sell as poorly they could be looking at a very bleak future.
Microsoft must be laughing hysterically about the choice of RAM for the PS4.
I don't think the 3DS not getting the advantage of a holiday launch equates to the Wii U doing better. The 3DS never sunk to the lows we're currently seeing for the Wii U (~11K/week Japan, US); at its lowest iirc it was selling about twice as much at least.
Well, I'm not suggesting an identical response either, just a similarly dramatic one. Nintendo not only needs to change the sales themselves, but the narrative going with them. Timing played a big part in that for 3DS (in one day Nintendo shifted Vita from contender to overpriced), they'll need to do something similar for Wii U this spring.
Likewise, 3DS didn't have a post holiday drop either though. For NPD, Wii's 57k came after doing 890k in 5 weeks. The holiday pushed U launch higher upfront, but it also directly led to a more severe decline following it. It sort of works both ways.
Uh... you're going to have to explain what you mean by that.
OWouldn't that amount to a $50 price cut on an already negative margin, while simultaneously eliminating a source of revenue (probably ~$25 or so per unit?) by giving away NSMBU. They'd also need to clear that Basic stock somehow as well.
I think the announcement of both MH3G and MH4 coming to the platform essentially reassured consumers that the 3DS was the place to be for that sort of support. And I still see third party being the driver of success; regardless of the strength of Nintendo when it comes to first party.*
You're pulling numbers out of your ass in terms of costing.
