Poll: Should Nintendo Stop Making Consoles?

[ConstantErasing]

I liked the Wii and if the Wii U is an improvement, great. Even if its not I don't think they should stop making new consoles. Innovation and progress are good. I just wish they would stop making them so frequently then having large numbers of games that I want exclusively for those consoles.

 

[Varanfan9]

No. Nintendo tries something new with every console they make. Sometimes its gimmicky and sometimes its innovative. Nintendo is a company that takes more risks than most people think. Plus I generally just like them better than microsoft and sony.

 

[Eternal_Lament]

I could care less either way if Nintendo decided to stop making consoles. I don't hate them or think they should kick the console bucket, but at the same time I don't think much would be lost if they stoped making consoles. Maybe I just feel this way because I've never really been seduced by their games or consoles. Sure they've released stuff that I've enjoyed, but never stuff that I would call game-changing or amazing. I certainly would never include a Nintendo game on my top 10 or top 50 list, plus none really have influenced me in ways that non-Nintendo games have. I've never owned a Nintendo home console, and frankly if it weren't for a few sole titles not even made by Nintendo I'd just give up on my DS (with the exception of ONE game I see no purpose for me to get a 3DS ever). But maybe that's why I don't care if they stop making consoles and just make games, because while I hold no malice, they've yet to capture my interest, making no difference to me in what dirrection they go in. It's all just noise to me.

Also, I`m not convinced that Nintendo stepping out of the ring of console development will have as drastic an effect as everyone else here says. True, it would probably cause a shock to developers, manufacturers, and consumers alike, but I`m not sure this would be long-lasting. Further, seeing as Nintendo has greater gaps in their spurts of "innovation" (not really innovative, but certainly something that most probably don`t think about), yet the industry seems to continue fine during these gaps, I`m not convinced that Nintendo stepping out would also stagnate the industry somehow.

 

[F4LL3N]

I think Nintendo are the only ones who actually care about making games, and the gaming industry in general. Obviously, they also do it for the money. But I think they care a hell of a lot more than most other game/console makers. That's why they never bend over backwards to target the most popular thing at any given time. They do their own thing. That's ultimately what we need.

yes..another mario/zelda is EXACTALLY the revolutionay "kick-in-the-ass" the industry needs right now

I'm playing Super Mario 3D right now and love it. Also loved Mario Kart 7. And I've heard the new Zelda is one of the best ever made. So I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Vault101]

I think Nintendo are the only ones who actually care about making games, and the gaming industry in general. Obviously, they also do it for the money. But I think they care a hell of a lot more than most other game/console makers. That's why they never bend over backwards to target the most popular thing at any given time. They do their own thing. That's ultimately what we need.

yes..another mario/zelda is EXACTALLY the revolutionay "kick-in-the-ass" the industry needs right now

I'm playing Super Mario 3D right now and love it. Also loved Mario Kart 7. And I've heard the new Zelda is one of the best ever made. So I don't know what you're talking about.

my point is mario and zelda are good and all..you know if thats what you like

they arnt what the industry "needs" to combat the "brown FPS shooty multiplayer" over saturation we have

we need less COD

and more:

Portal 2
Dark souls
Deus Ex HR
Skyrim
and others....

 

[F4LL3N]

my point is mario and zelda are good and all..you know if thats what you like

they arnt what the industry "needs" to combat the "brown FPS shooty multiplayer" over saturation we have

we need less COD

and more:

Portal 2
Dark souls
Deus Ex HR
Skyrim
and others....

Well, I think Zelda deserves to be on that list too. But that's subjective...

I'd love an open world RPG/JRPG done by Nintendo in the same league as Skyrim. I'd also love an open world/MMO 3D Pokemon.

I'm not denying they stick too much with their core title. But then again, their main target audience isn't Western gamers, nor is their style.

 

[I.N.producer]

Seeing as how the industry could be extremely stagnant if just Nintendo sat on their hands, no.

Nintendo at least tries to be creative. Sony and Microsoft just followed the whole motion control thing after it was tested by Nintendo and looked lucrative. Granted, Microsoft did take the idea a bit further.

Even when Nintendo "rehashes" something, they add something new. Look at Skyward Sword and just try to say it's just another Zelda and has no originality. Look at Super Mario Galaxy and say there's no innovation.

Plus taking Nintendo out of the console race would make people like Shigeru Miyamoto have less influence. I don't think anyone in their right mind would want that.

Sure, Sony and Microsoft are "hardcore." Does it matter? In that usage it's a label to distinguish yourself from "lesser" gamers who don't have your exquisite taste.
Personally, I would call myself a hardcore gamer, and that is only because of my dedication to gaming. Hardcore gamers truly love gaming. There is no other requirement.

 

[Deathmageddon]

If Nintendo stops making consoles, then Microsoft and Sony would have to increase output of shitty casual games to meet the demand. Hardcore gamers need Nintendo to distract the casual crowd.

 

[Steampunk Viking]

No way. Think about this, they currently have the monopoly on the handheld market despite Sony getting in on it. Ok, the Wii wasn't a great competitor for the hardcore gamers, but it sold really well with the casual gamers... a bit of a con you may think? I disagree.

The Wii is not dead when it comes to games, the Skyward Sword is actually a contender for my personal game of the year (along with Skyrim, Deus Ex and The Old Republic), plus the Mario Galaxy games were good fun... not enough to justify buying the console, but they work incredibly well with the system regardless.

This brings me to my next point. Nintendo have used their consoles to pioneer a lot of inventions that Sony and Microsoft have both used. Their lack of faith from gamers comes from most of these innovations, but without Nintendo to throw them out there, Microsoft and Sony would spend longer coming up with the ideas to improve on. Let's look at a little list of "gimmicks" that originated on Nintendo consoles (I'm not saying they didn't exist before, but on "consoles" specifically):

The D-Pad
Shoulder Buttons
FX Chips
Rumble Pack
Analogue Control Stick
Analogue Shoulder Buttons
Lightgun
Motion Controls
Rechargeable Controller Batteries
Wireless Controllers
3D Graphics
Touch Screen

etc. etc. etc.

Whether people love them or hate them, they should be seen as either great innovators, or a necessary evil. Don't like their consoles? Don't buy them. Simples!

 

[Grygor]

The D-Pad
Shoulder Buttons
FX Chips
Rumble Pack
Analogue Control Stick
Analogue Shoulder Buttons
Lightgun
Motion Controls
Rechargeable Controller Batteries
Wireless Controllers
3D Graphics
Touch Screen

Nintendo did not invent all of those or introduce all of them to consoles.

The first console lightgun was invented by Ralph Baer in the '70s for the Magnavox Odyssey. (It was also the first console peripheral.)

The first analog stick on a console was either the Atari 5200 controller or the Vectrex controller (both 1982).

The first gaming system with a touch screen was the Game.com from Tiger Electronics (1997).

As far as 3D graphics goes, on the hardware-based front the 3DO, Playstation, Saturn, and Jaguar all came out before the N64 and the Virtual Boy. On the software-based side, 1991 saw the releases of the NES port of Elite, the SNES port of Drakkhen, and the Genesis port of Hard Drivin'.

The first wireless controller for a console was the CX-42 for the Atari 2600. The XBox 360 controller is the first one to have a rechargeable battery pack option, and the PS3's SixAxis is the first to have a built-in rechargeable battery pack - though end users have had the option use their own general-purpose rechargeable batteries as long as there have been rechargeable batteries.

The first console motion controller, the Power Glove, was not actually made by Nintendo, but designed by a third-party team and manufactured by Mattel.

Analog shoulder buttons were introduced by the DualShock 2 (2000).



Nintendo does get credit for inventing the D-Pad (invented by Gunpei Yokoi), adding shoulder buttons (the SNES controller, the template upon which most controllers since then have been based), introducing on-cartridge graphics accelerators (most notably the SuperFX chip, though the first is arguably the MMC5), and bringing haptic feedback to consoles (the Rumble Pak), as well as giving us the first handheld with a built-in rechargeable battery (the GBA SP) and the first console with four built-in controller ports (the N64).

 

[RatRace123]

No.

The Wii was actually a revolutionary device, without it I'm positive the Kinect and Move wouldn't exist. Sure it housed a lot of gimmicky shit made by cheap 3rd party developers but Nintendo has proven time and again, that it knows what to do with its own hardware.
I don't expect the Wii U to be any different. Plus the touch screen opens up a lot of new possibilities, especially for UI. For the first time would could have a console with as much freedom of control as a PC, which could be huge if utilized correctly.

Beyond that aspect, having Nintendo stop making consoles means that there's one less choice out there, and with less choice brings less competition, and with less competition brings less innovation, as I said I'm positive the Kinect and Move wouldn't exist without the Wii.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I never really agreed with the hardcore argument. Making the control scheme require more movement is more brutal than button-n-stick games. That being said I FREAKING HATE The Wii-Mo. I don't use the motion controls the 3DS is capable of and am thankful those are optional. As for the WiiU tab, that one at least has buttons, triggers, command cross and, analog sticks going for it so hopefully the games made for it won't all be motion controlled.

Honestly, I'd love to see Nintendo re-open their SNES/ NES department. It seems like there's still demand for classic games and what would be better than re-releasing those old carts again and maybe even developing new ones? Probably a lot of things but I'll continue to dwell in my little bubble.

 

[crazyarms33]

I seem to be the only person in the world who doesn't enjoy their "awesome" games. I have never been able to get into a mario or zelda game after the snes. (Even those one I am pretty sure its just nostalgia that I enjoy.)

So I don't care what system they make games for

You and me both man! The exception being that I LOVE Mario Kart 64.

OT: *SHOULD* nintendo stop making consoles? Absolutely. Will they stop making consoles? When Hell freezes over. The problem is that Nintendo fans are so devoted to them that Nintendo could poop on a rock and sell it for $50 and people would buy it, and they would RAVE about it. I dont think there is a more loyal fan base out there, as far as gaming companies go, but at some point I would think that they would have to take a breath and stop buying things just out of hype and devotion and look at actual product quality. I'm not holding my breath though...

 

[crazyarms33]

Honestly, I'd love to see Nintendo re-open their SNES/ NES department. It seems like there's still demand for classic games and what would be better than re-releasing those old carts again and maybe even developing new ones? Probably a lot of things but I'll continue to dwell in my little bubble.

Not to be rude, but isn't that essentially what they do anyway? I mean...what mario cart game are we on now, 7? And wasn't Ocarina of Time just recently released for the DS? There haven't been many drastic changes in a long time to the hardcore franchises that Nintendo has in Zelda, Mario, and Metroid(aside from the first person). Sure they have been graphically enhanced but they don't really challenge the formula. Not there is anything wrong with making money but Nintendo are the masters of the rehash. You can also buy almost all of their "classics" on the Wii market place.
Also as a real question, how would the re-release of a classic like Super Mario World work? It's a 2-D platformer that would have to undergo SIGNIFICANT changes in order to appeal to anyone but hardcore fans of the game. And after all the changes, is it still the same classic game?

 

[crazyarms33]

No way.

The day Nintendo decides not to continue making consoles is the day gaming innovation comes to a screeching halt or at least a major slow down. Nintendo has been the constant pioneer of new video gaming styles and taking huge risks in the field. Sometimes it works, like with Wii (whatever your thoughts on motion controlling, you can't deny it turned the gaming world on its head). Other times it doesn't, like with the Virtual Boy. However, they have never shied away from trying to explore uncharted ground with risky ideas. Sony and Microsoft's innovations in their consoles have usually been media quality-oriented; enhanced graphics, better audio, faster load times, etc. All important things, mind you, but very safe and all about making existing norms slightly better. Most of the major gaming innovations of the recent years (motion controls, touch screen, glasses-free 3D, etc) have been brought to the mainstream because of Nintendo and their deviations from the hardcore gamers norm.

Once Nintendo leaves the console race, you better be prepared for a straight-up graphical quality dick waving contest for at least the next three generations.

To me though, Nintendo's latest innovation is irrelevant. I don't WANT any of the things that they tried to do with the Wii, nor the game cube for that matter. Loved me some Nintendo 64 though.
But the reason that Nintendo can get away with all of this is because of their (in my opinion ONLY) incredibly, ridiculously silly fan base. Nintendo can claim to be innovative all they want but all I see is Zelda 12, Mario Cart 23 and Super Mario 54. If we are going to criticize all modern games as being generic copies of each other then surely Nintendo is one of the BIGGEST culprits. They can just re-release an old game on a new system and if their "innovation" turns out to be terrible its a financial wash. For example, the 3DS has Ocarina of Time...which was released originally for the N64, and it sold like crazy! Which is good because the 3DS isn't that great a device. An example of how this could work with the Wii U would be if they released the Wii U and it wasn't doing so well and they re-released Skyward Sword for it. People would RE-BUY THE SAME GAME and Nintendo still makes a profit. The same cannot be said for Microsoft or Sony. They simply don't have that back catalog of games to draw on. Not that I blame Nintendo for making money, but I wish they would really try and get away from the tried and true franchises, which they know will sell and really put forth a new original effort.

 

[Steampunk Viking]

The D-Pad
Shoulder Buttons
FX Chips
Rumble Pack
Analogue Control Stick
Analogue Shoulder Buttons
Lightgun
Motion Controls
Rechargeable Controller Batteries
Wireless Controllers
3D Graphics
Touch Screen

Nintendo did not invent all of those or introduce all of them to consoles.

The first console lightgun was invented by Ralph Baer in the '70s for the Magnavox Odyssey. (It was also the first console peripheral.)

The first analog stick on a console was either the Atari 5200 controller or the Vectrex controller (both 1982).

The first gaming system with a touch screen was the Game.com from Tiger Electronics (1997).

As far as 3D graphics goes, on the hardware-based front the 3DO, Playstation, Saturn, and Jaguar all came out before the N64 and the Virtual Boy. On the software-based side, 1991 saw the releases of the NES port of Elite, the SNES port of Drakkhen, and the Genesis port of Hard Drivin'.

The first wireless controller for a console was the CX-42 for the Atari 2600. The XBox 360 controller is the first one to have a rechargeable battery pack option, and the PS3's SixAxis is the first to have a built-in rechargeable battery pack - though end users have had the option use their own general-purpose rechargeable batteries as long as there have been rechargeable batteries.

The first console motion controller, the Power Glove, was not actually made by Nintendo, but designed by a third-party team and manufactured by Mattel.

Analog shoulder buttons were introduced by the DualShock 2 (2000).



Nintendo does get credit for inventing the D-Pad (invented by Gunpei Yokoi), adding shoulder buttons (the SNES controller, the template upon which most controllers since then have been based), introducing on-cartridge graphics accelerators (most notably the SuperFX chip, though the first is arguably the MMC5), and bringing haptic feedback to consoles (the Rumble Pak), as well as giving us the first handheld with a built-in rechargeable battery (the GBA SP) and the first console with four built-in controller ports (the N64).

Wow, I'm impressed with some of the lesser known ones there. Good job.

Of course you know you are wrong on a couple of those right?

Dualshock 2 didn't have analogue shoulder buttons, it was in or out. I know, I had one. The Gamecube was the first console to have them, followed by the XBox 360 and then the Playstation 3 (Sixaxis).

I worded my "rechargable controller batteries", I was on a bit of a streak, what I meant was that it made the first rechargeable batteries for gaming... I had input battery recharger for my very first Game Boy and the Game Boy SP was the first with a built in rechargeable battery.

When I said 3D graphics, I meant true 3D, as in the 3DS - sorry if that wasn't clear. I don't remember the Jaguar having that...

Also, the Atari had an analogue control stick? Is this actually true? I knew it had a control stick, as to whether it's analogue or not... hmmmm...

Essentially, however, this is all irrelevant. The point is you had to dig into some pretty deep, dark and mostly unknown history to prove me wrong, which means that Microsoft and Sony are hardly likely to delve into the failed gimmicks to base their designs on, surely? What prompted Sony to make their analogue control sticks for the Dualshock 2? The N64 or the Atari? Which prompted the motion controller movement? The power glove (hah!) or the Wii-Mote? The point I'm making is that, whether they base it on a previous idea or not, Nintendo always seem to refine the idea and advertise it better than previously... plus they make them work.

 

[Steampunk Viking]

Double post due to net messing up, ignore me!

 

[PeaceRider]

No they won't, because there will always be a place for them.
Will people ever stop making Madden Games? Not unless american football goes away for good, same with any other sports game from NFL, to NBA, to WWE.
Wii has good games, and not all war games and shooter games are good, yet people still make them, even if they are basically the same every time.
World doesn't revolve around Modern Warfare and Angry Birds, and Nintendo knows that. Miyamoto knows that.
They will keep doing what they are doing to bring gaming to anyone who can use a controller or a pencil. They bring the innovation Sony and Microsoft build off of. Nintendo has made gaming legends that have stood the test of time, while Sony has lost their stale Hedgehog who has to be on multiple systems just to survive, while Microsoft's Master Chief is loosing thunder himself.
In short, Nintendo won't stop making consoles.
Don't like Nintendo? Oh well.

 

[zefiris]

The 3DS was a complete disaster, yes. Still, Nintendo isn't done for. They simply need to learn from their massive fail and do better next time.

I personally wish Nintendo would just not screw with the consumers so much. The 3DS really is the epitome of it, from region locking it to failing to bring out games for it. The 3D effect is both unneeded and unwanted.

The Wii, too, lacks interesting games. The only ones I really want to play again are Xenoblade, Muramasa, and the two Zeldas