Nintendo Admits 3DS Marketing is "Tricky"

[Vohn_exel]

Thing is, this isn't just another variant of the DS...this is the next handheld, too. This isn't like the DS, the DS Lite, the DSi, and the DSi XL.

This is to the DS what the GBA was to the...GB.

ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD THE 3DS IS....wait a second. See, thats just it though. It's just the addition of 3D, the same way the GBC was just the addition of color to the GB. GBA was an entire upgrade to everything. New graphics, new ways to make games. This is an upgrade to the existing handheld, not an entirely new thing. Heck, if we're being picky, the Gamegear almost did what the GBA did in like 94. The only reason I'll eventually buy one is because new games won't work on the DSi anymore.

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

Well, there's always retail kiosks. It might not be the best way to reach the masses, but it'll demonstrate the 3D to any passer-by's.

 

[The Grim Ace]

At E3 they had those ladies with 3DSs strapped to them. Have them in every major mall they can find and that will be an obvious marketing bonanza.

 

[Breaker deGodot]

This is probably the biggest "No shit, Sherlock" thing that Nintendo has said in a while.

 

[Rubashov]

Thing is, this isn't just another variant of the DS...this is the next handheld, too. This isn't like the DS, the DS Lite, the DSi, and the DSi XL.

This is to the DS what the GBA was to the...GB.

ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD THE 3DS IS....wait a second. See, thats just it though. It's just the addition of 3D, the same way the GBC was just the addition of color to the GB. GBA was an entire upgrade to everything. New graphics, new ways to make games. This is an upgrade to the existing handheld, not an entirely new thing. Heck, if we're being picky, the Gamegear almost did what the GBA did in like 94. The only reason I'll eventually buy one is because new games won't work on the DSi anymore.

Um...no, no it's not. Just as the GBA/GBA SP line was an upgrade to the GB/GBC line, so is the 3DS an upgrade to the DS/DSi/etc line. As in, the graphics are greatly improved (to slightly-above-PSP level). It's not just the DS plus 3D.

 

[Rubashov]

We see the cliche 3D events in movies. In a video game, they will become more cliche and turn into a gimmick, especially on hardware like a Nintendo. Maybe when 3D games like Metro 2033 become more prevalent, and just rely on environment for immersion, 3D gaming will be better. Because that is the point, right? Immersion. But this is just another invitation for Nintendo to make more of the same, but different, games, because they can't make an original IP for the modern era unless its tied to their hardwares gimmicks.

You sir, are frankly high. I would like to point you to an article [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.127546-Nintendos-Unsung-IPs-A-Treatise-On-the-Idiocy-of-A-Particular-Critique] I wrote several months ago, which should prove your post entirely wrong.

Why can't Metroid be enjoyable in 3D? Why does it have to be a shit-brown shooter like Metro 2033? Bagging on Nintendo doesn't make you cool: it just makes you seem like a misinformed dolt.

I didn't mean the game wouldn't be enjoyable. I meant it wouldn't help Nintendo do new things. Because now they'll have games like New Super Mario Bros. 3D and stuff. Metro isn't shit brown by any means, btw. Also, I'm not going to read that- I won't be swayed on 3D.

The article isn't about 3D. It's about Nintendo's various IPs.

 

[Simalacrum]

They're really going to have to stock 3DS demo's in as many places as possible... every retail game store possible, naturally, but also booths, etc.

Also, I think word of mouth is actually a lot better a form of advertising than many people realise... while adverts are certainly affective, they still lack the intimacy, and you might be inclined to believe that the product might not be as good as you believe.

If you hear about a product from a friend who gives it high praise, however, your far more likely to buy it.

With all these journalists giving it high praise, I think that will help it sell more than anything really. glowing 3rd party opinions, if advertised, can give a very powerful message - "this product is awesome and other people agree with us too!"

 

[Anticitizen_Two]

Everyone who has used it reports that it works. So, unless everyone behind the Escapist, G4, Gametrailers, and any other place I've heard reports from is conspiring against me, I think I'm safe to buy it.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

If it truly deserves favorable word of mouth, it should sell very well.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

*shouts* New NDS *hordes of zombies come out of the wood work to buy 2 each* ...you NEED to market such a thing?

 

[BlueHighwind]

Why not simply have a vague advertisement showing a couple of bowing Japanese businessmen getting sucked into their Mario game? Its certainly better than every ad Sony has shown for the last five years at least.

 

[Infinatex]

I have never been interested in the DS, or any portable gaming device and I'm going to buy one of these on launch day. Clearly they are doing something right in the marketing department.

 

[SirCannonFodder]

Thing is, this isn't just another variant of the DS...this is the next handheld, too. This isn't like the DS, the DS Lite, the DSi, and the DSi XL.

This is to the DS what the GBA was to the...GB.

ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD THE 3DS IS....wait a second. See, thats just it though. It's just the addition of 3D, the same way the GBC was just the addition of color to the GB. GBA was an entire upgrade to everything. New graphics, new ways to make games. This is an upgrade to the existing handheld, not an entirely new thing. Heck, if we're being picky, the Gamegear almost did what the GBA did in like 94. The only reason I'll eventually buy one is because new games won't work on the DSi anymore.

Right, because this is totally something the DS would be capable of:
Like the GBA to the GB, the 3DS is a totally new system.

Also, if we're being picky, the Atari Lynx [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Lynx] almost did what the GBA did in like '89.

 

[ultimasupersaiyan]

It really is a conundrum Nintendo has on their hands. Demo stations seem to be the major bet but has any videos of the 3DS been made with a game being played on it? I think their best bet would be giving them to reviewers and let the professionals do the talking. The hardcore gamers usually respect the reviews and even endorse some of them, so yeah word of mouth. A public event with demo 3DS' and cameras recording peoples comments could work.

 

[BboyTeddyBear]

if i can get some money i might buy this if the game line up suits me. the problem for me with big consoles such as 360 and ps3 are the per game costs. But handheld systems were what i grew up on. Dragon warrior 1 and 2, super mario land of the golden coins (name?) ect. Anyway on topic

the 3ds doesn't need marketing. As they said word of mouth with prevail. the day that nerds are essentially everywhere is near and it's hard to walk anywhere and not run into someone who is incredibly tech savvy. If you want a sure fire blanket advertising move, get about 5 3DS stations at every store and replace them accordingly for damage for like the first 2 months. Done. that's my 2 pennies and a nickel

 

[Beartrucci]

umm I saw this video on youtube. "what 3DS could look like" ; He manages to show 3D quite well, maybe they should try this!

While that looks really good, I've read that you won't be able to hold the 3DS in that sort of position if you want the 3D effect because then the two screens wouldn't be able to send the image to your eyes that gives the 3D effect.

 

[VondeVon]

Well, people bought the DSi (eye roll) just because it was new and on the shelf. Those same people will probably buy the 3DS and *then* discover the '3D' bit.

 

[Aurgelmir]

Just another Meh nintendo product anyways....

Oh well I might get one if the Pokemon game is good

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Why don't they just use door-to-door sales?