Poll: Should Nintendo Stop Making Consoles?

[F4LL3N]

If they do continue they should at least give their consoles better graphics...

Cartoon-ish graphics aren't 'worse', they're different. In some ways they're actually better. In 50 years time, you'll be able to buy a Nintendo console/game from today's day and age, and it'll look just as good as the new age technology that'll be on offer then.

Whereas non-cartoon graphics developed today will probably look like crap 50 years from now. Games released even 2-3 years ago look like crap today.

 

[Epona]

The 3DS was a complete disaster, yes.

Complete and utter falsehood. It outsold its predecessor's launch year sales in two-thirds the time with half the library. I do personally think it was released six months early, but it is a "disaster" by absolutely no measure.

Sales aren't the only thing that matters. People talk about the success of the Wii too, in terms of sales but in terms of usage, the Wii collects dust more than the other two console. People on gaming boards would rather game on their smartphone than the Wii. Now, if sales are all that matter, then do you think Nintendo should just make another Wii? Well, they are and there is already a lack of enthusiasm around it. It won't sell like the Wii did because people won't get burned twice.

The 3DS may have more sales than the DS but an $80 price drop a few months after release may be responsible, not that people love their 3DS. Just like the Wii people ran out to buy it but how many were disappointed? How many use it to play DS games because they can't bear to see such an expensive toy collect dust, like their Wii?

Final Fantasy XIII was the fastest selling Final Fantasy game, does that make it the best? No.

Sales are only one way to look at something and alone, aren't very helpful.

True. But you can't say that for certain. Sure, go on any gaming forum and you'll see people saying they haven't touched their Wii or 3DS in months or years. But people who go on gaming forums are but a small minority of the people who actually buy such hardware. Even people who say such things on a gaming forum are but a minority of the people who actually own one (and go on such forums).

The Wii is aimed mainly at non-gamers and kids. You won't find either of them on a gaming forum. Besides, I have 500+ hours on my 3DS and often prefer playing that over my 360.

Let's just ignore the people who do post on gaming sites and guess what those who don't post on gaming sites think?

Brilliant.

 

[Epona]

If they do continue they should at least give their consoles better graphics...

Cartoon-ish graphics aren't 'worse', they're different. In some ways they're actually better. In 50 years time, you'll be able to buy a Nintendo console/game from today's day and age, and it'll look just as good as the new age technology that'll be on offer then.

Whereas non-cartoon graphics developed today will probably look like crap 50 years from now. Games released even 2-3 years ago look like crap today.

Wrong, all non HD games no longer stand up. Once you go HD with your PC, 360 or PS3, it's painful to go back to SD.

You can play Wind Waker but it looks horrible stretched. You can play it in a box but I won't and I won't in 50 years.

In 50 years, 480p is going to look alot worse than it does today (it looks bad today on an 1080p tv). Of course in 50 years time 1080p isn't going to look good either.

 

[Dragonpit]

The answer I can offer is ye-no! I can semi-understand people's frustrations with the motion controls, but I can only think the video game industry would start stagnating like any rotting corpse if they only stuck to games. It's like they're that one kid in high school that no one can seem to classify, the other students throw him into the misc. bin, also labeled 'freak', even though and maybe because he can probably revolutionize the school system.

Okay, so the simile was a bit extravagant, but you get my point, right? Nintendo is doing something different and in my book, this is a solid reason to keep them around.

 

[n00beffect]

I think it's actually good that companies like Nintendo and the rest, are making efforts at inovation and such; however, I do think the OP is right. Nothing that was done by the release of the Wii, has improved gaming significantly, or at all for that matter. To me, companies like Nintendo, and most big developers, are all just money-hungry has-beens, who have forgotten the real reason they got into this, in the first place. You want evidence to that? Check the number of the newest sequel you bought recently, and if it's above '3', then I am probably right.

All they've been doing up until now is just more milking of their own franchises, and introducing expensive, gimmicky toys that do nothing to please they're customers, at least not for a longterm period, anyway. That's why I am a PC gamer, because I'd prefer buying a new processor now and again, or a sligtly newer graphics card, than hauling six/seven different-colored VCRs with me, everywhere I go. Yes, there are some games I'd like to play on consoles, but I have friends for that, who will gladly supply me with my gaming needs at their houses.

But I got sidetracked. As I stated my opinion already, I'll just shut-up now.

 

[Kingpopadopalus]

My opinion is kinda mixed, I think they should remake the Super Nintendo but with Internets. After that they can stop making consoles and then make everything 16x cooler.

 

[implodinggoat]

They say that the Wii U is going to be powerful enough to go toe to toe with the 360 and PS3.

There's just one problem with that....

The Wii U isn't going to have to go toe to toe with the current Xbox and Playstation. Its going to have to go toe to toe with the next gen Xbox and Playstation.

So the Wii U is going to end up just like the Wii an underpowered current gen console masquerading as a next gen console.

I love Nintendo's games; but I have no desire to buy one of their underpowered gimmicky consoles.

 

[Worgen]

Chances are nintendo will be the last manufacturer of a traditional console, I will bet money that the next xbox and playstation will be pushing the digital route and will be trying to get people to give up physical games all together, I also wouldn't be surprised if they did something to kill the used game market. If anyone is comfortable making a game console that is a game console its nintendo. So really if you like consoles, you should hope they keep making them since they will probably be the last ones doing it.

 

[FinalEngon]

-

 

[deadish]

Chances are nintendo will be the last manufacturer of a traditional console, I will bet money that the next xbox and playstation will be pushing the digital route and will be trying to get people to give up physical games all together, I also wouldn't be surprised if they did something to kill the used game market. If anyone is comfortable making a game console that is a game console its nintendo. So really if you like consoles, you should hope they keep making them since they will probably be the last ones doing it.

I don't mind if Sony and MS when all digital. Optical drives are a major point of failure on modern consoles.

I don't see the big deal with needing physical media, at least not on physical media as fragile as optical discs - blurays are OK though, they are almost indestructible, but the optical drives that read them aren't however.

 

[F4LL3N]

Let's just ignore the people who do post on gaming sites and guess what those who don't post on gaming sites think?

Brilliant.

Or we could just ignore the fact 80+ million people own a Wii, and simply go off the few hundred on gaming sites who just so happen to agree with you.

Even more brilliant!

 

[Korolev]

Eh, the Market will decide whether or not Nintendo should stop making consoles. If they want to continue to make them, why not? It's their money. I have a Wii, and no, I haven't used it since... 2008 (although I might get Xenoblade, I heard that's good). I'm not that interested in the WiiU, although I am willing to give it a shot depending on its price (If it costs about 200~300 Australian dollars, I'll definitely consider getting one, but I doubt it'll be that cheap).

The Wii wasn't exactly the console I hoped it would be, but it was quite successful for a number of years. Nintendo definitely have the incentive to produce another console and hopefully make lightning strike twice.

Besides, competition is a good thing. So what if some of us don't like the Wii, and have reservations about the WiiU? It's existence doesn't hurt anyone. And a new Nintendo console will keep Sony and Microsoft on their toes in order to compete for market share. Competition is a good thing. Why shouldn't Nintendo make another console? It's their money. Let em spend it how they wish.

 

[Worgen]

Chances are nintendo will be the last manufacturer of a traditional console, I will bet money that the next xbox and playstation will be pushing the digital route and will be trying to get people to give up physical games all together, I also wouldn't be surprised if they did something to kill the used game market. If anyone is comfortable making a game console that is a game console its nintendo. So really if you like consoles, you should hope they keep making them since they will probably be the last ones doing it.

I don't mind if Sony and MS when all digital. Optical drives are a major point of failure on modern consoles.

I don't see the big deal with needing physical media, at least not on physical media as fragile as optical discs - blurays are OK though, they are almost indestructible, but the optical drives that read them aren't however.

Ultimately its about control, publishers want total control, so not only will they push all digital, they will also push cloud gaming once broadband becomes more wide spread. Right now the one thing that consoles have over the pc is a simple used game market, once you get rid of that, there isn't much point in having a standard console anymore.

 

[Epona]

Let's just ignore the people who do post on gaming sites and guess what those who don't post on gaming sites think?

Brilliant.

Or we could just ignore the fact 80+ million people own a Wii, and simply go off the few hundred on gaming sites who just so happen to agree with you.

Even more brilliant!

So, here we go back to counting ONLY sales numbers again.

Not so brilliant.

Look, it's not in dispute that the Wii sold shitloads but what is in dispute is how many people are happy with their purchase and how many still use the bloody thing. Now, we can speculate about all the soccer moms but it's pointless. Most gamers have left the Wii behind, dusting it off to play Skyward Sword and that's it. In fact, I would bet that most people play Virtual Console or Gamecube games on the Wii more than they play actual Wii games. Ya know, that's when they actually turn the thing on.

 

[Heaven's Guardian]

Why do we need three identical consoles? While I have no intention of buying a Wii U, primarily because I think the new controller is ridiculous, there are certain things the Wii does that neither Microsoft or Sony does or needs to do. It's not as though Nintendo's flagship franchises are improved by putting them on regular controllers, and in Zelda's case they might actually be diminished after Skyward Sword. Also, you're asking them to give up billions in revenue and control over the platform for their games. There is no chance they do that. Other than Nintendo flagships, just don't buy other games for the Wii. Of course those versions are worse; that isn't what the Wii is for.

 

[Magmarock]

I would normally say yes but the truth is I hate all consoles and I think only the PC should have games made for it because consoles are for babies that can't use a keybored lol,

 

[mega48man]

i kinda wanna say yes because of the huge porportion of console sales are the wii instead of something good like the 360 or something great like the ps3 (i try to persuade parents in the gaming aisle of whatever store i'm in, i feel like i'm fighting 3dog's good fight). but if nintendo stops with the wii, they'll end up getting set back YEARS in terms of software development. Cliff blenzinski form epic games, whom i've been told i look like which is awesome, said something a little while back about revolutionizing the way modern video games are programmed by tricking the software or something. i know epic games has the funding and the know how to do what ever the hell cliff was talking about and this could bring a new wave of technologically superior games in 3-4 years, maybe even 2 years. if nintendo still has a premium console that's cheap and inferior to the 360 and PS3 by then, they will be in for a super mario world of hurt.

 

[TheSchaef]

Voted no. Full disclosure: this has been a Nintendo household since the NES replaced our Intellivision in 1986, but we also procured a PS1 to play FF 7/8, Tekken 2/3, Fear Effect 2 and before Twin Snakes was released, the original MGS. We also borrow the brother-in-law's PS2 to play GoW, Jak, Ratchet, Kingdom Hearts, etc.

I don't understand the notion that Nintendo would ever want to stop making hardware. For starters, they won't stop on the notion that it's not profitable for them. They are the only company that always always always sells their consoles at a profit (don't know if this still applies to the 3DS post-price-drop, but that would be the exception that proves the rule). Between the money they make on consoles and the money they pull down for controllers and peripherals, why would they cut off their own arm?

For another, they won't stop on the notion that it won't sell. The Wii console destroyed the other two in sales, selling almost 90 million so far while XBox and Playstation are still trying to crack 60 million.

Lastly, they won't stop on the notion that nobody wants motion control. Step outside the console market, and you'll see that there is a new generation of gamers and gaming on the rise. People are playing games on a touch screen phone. They're reading books on a touchscreen e-reader. They're loading apps on a touch screen tablet. While motion control is not strictly analogous to touch control, the overarching idea is that people are migrating to intuitive interfaces and - to a point - haptic feedback. We're on the cusp of Minority Report style interfaces, and that's how I expect my two young boys will grow up in the world. In light of that move, it would seem odd and a bit archaic to leave consoles rooted in button controls forever. And anyway, motion controls were such a gimmicky flop on the Wii that Sony and Microsoft only went and ginned up their own versions of it.

The technology is not perfect; it's developing over time. The difference between original Wii controls and Motion Plus is significant enough after only two years from their initial launch. WiiU is going in the direction broader interface technology is going, and I would say look more for the other companies to follow suit than to stick rigidly to button-only controls. Meanwhile, if The Conduit and No More Heroes are not adequate experiences for you, if it's too much to ask to let your hair down and enjoy Kirby or Rabbids on their own charm, it doesn't bother me at all, you'll always have Call of Duty and Madden and Halo churning out the same stuff every year. EA and Microsoft et al are only too happy to oblige you on that front also.

 

[hcig]

(IMPORTANT: the following is a deceptively short read, but should not be consumed by fanboys, as it will induce raging, emotion based arguing, and general butthurt. I like any manner of game and have no hate against any console, i like the same stuff you like, i just also like nintendo games, and admire their contributions old and new to the industry. You have been warned)
Nintendo console dies, nintendo games die with it, when nintendo games die, the console industry stagnates and dies.
this is the ONLY equation, and the only solution, and its because nintendo is the only shepard among an industry of sheep.

Gaming is in DIRE need of another crash, its a stale, boring pile of clones trying to get a leg up one another, and it needs to stop. indie and nintendo gaming are the ONLY places where games seem to be made for fun anymore. mario isnt half covered in blood, holding a chainsaw gun and taking a hand picked team on a suicide mission... but he doesnt have to do that, because the games are fun without it. big stories, gore, teen appeal, they are all compensating for their poor and VERY mortal gameplay, meanwhile, mario, tetris, packman, they will all be played for EVER because the gameplay is appealing, its actually (god forbid) fun and engaging, while still lacking everything the "hardcore" (the rednecks of gaming) deem NECESSARY for a good game.

In 5 years, i want you to play your favorite "hardcore" game of this gen... skyrim, assassins creed, uncharted, mass effect, etc, and i want you to be honest with yourself... does it still feel good to play? do you still feel engaged by it? and how does it stand up next to the games of 2016/7? then do this again in 15 years... then 20... then 25....
few games have stood that test of time... not nostalgia required, your game WILL NOT. you know it right now, deep down. you know it because you already feel uncomfortable playing many of the so called "perfect" "hardcore" games of 5 year gone by.

That difference is in nintendo, it always has been, that difference has reached beyond software... nintendo has changed the way we played games not once (mobile gaming), twice(thumsticks), not even three (touch screen),but FOUR times (motion) and they will do it again in a year, where we enter an era of gaming where we are no longer tethered to a tv, we are no longer crowded by menu screens or huds, and where EVERY manner of play is available and encouraged. Nobody can make ideas work like nintendo, because nobody thinks like nintendo, and most importantly, nobody takes risks like nintendo, they can herd sony and microsoft around on leashes all damn day, because they own them, they have the secrets to the big money, and the balls to use them. in the next few years, when xbox and playstation release new consoles using psVitas and tablets as controllers, youll probably do just as you did this year, and pretend like they dont spend every day changing the game... and thats fine, ill laugh while you spend your days hating when you could be playing.

Also, "a real console"? OP must be 13 years old.

 

[Phisi]

Some people are not hardcore gamers and just want to play something with gimmicky controls and you think this is bad and that the company that provides these should stop? Well these people also help the medium and Nintendo has also been producing 'casual' games for a long time, think about Mario for a moment, I have seen many internet flash games that are more complex than it.