What are you thinking Nintendo

[Super Cyborg]

I'm a big fan of Nintendo. Love their games even if many others think it's the same game all the time. Most of the time (for the exception of Other M), the games I want always come out great if not excellent. I am willing to talk about their positives at times when many are only talking about their negatives. They seem to be doing quite well on the line-up of games for their systems, and I'm happy about that. With all that said, dear lord Nintendo, you got some problems you need to fix.

After some of the news stuff that has happened lately, there are things you really need step up on. Items that many people want sell out way to quickly for the actual people to buy them. Amiibos are sold out in a number of characters, with people left in the dark about any restock. Special bundles are sold out so Scalpers can sell them for $2000 plus to those who didn't know. You also decide that in some bundles, instead of the physical copy, you just have the game pre-loaded onto the system.

When it comes to pre-ordering stuff, there is a solution that will be much easier. At the direct, make an announcement about it, but don't have them set-up for pre-order. Let people know about it, then announce a date that people should be readily available to try to pre-order, and give a time and places they can pre-order online. Once that happens, not everyone will be happy, but at least they have the opportunity to try. If it's popular enough, try doing a second release and after that. Also be more open about the Amiibo stuff, as people are still wondering what's going on with that.

For the bundles, just include a physical copy. The big problem with your systems is the lack of memory space, so having the game come pre-loaded on the system takes away valuable space. Many of your games take low space, but with your low memory space, it still doesn't justify it. People are usually buying the bundle for the look of system, not the game.

In general, better communication can help with some of this stuff. If there was better communication, things would be smoother, and you would have a lot less complaints.

You are doing a lot of good things, but there are things you are messing up way too much. Get on that, and improve on the things you can.

PS. I know other have a plethora of other problems with Nintendo, but I'm just pointing out the problems related to the Nintendo direct, things that should not be a problem for them.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I know other have a plethora of other problems with Nintendo, but I'm just pointing out the problems related to the Nintendo direct, things that should not be a problem for them.

Another would be retailer-exclusive amiibos. Meta Knight will be exclusive to Best Buy? And Shulk will be a GameStop exclusive? And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet (while continuing to ignore a large part of the Smash roster)?

 

[Super Cyborg]

I know other have a plethora of other problems with Nintendo, but I'm just pointing out the problems related to the Nintendo direct, things that should not be a problem for them.

Another would be retailer-exclusive amiibos. Meta Knight will be exclusive to Best Buy? And Shulk will be a GameStop exclusive? And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet (while continuing to ignore a large part of the Smash roster)?

That's pretty bad. Love the game, but for something that's supposed to be a large part of the game, they are really slipping here. There's already Skylanders and Disney Infinity, which has the whole toy thing incorporated, so they should already be able to have an idea of what should be done. If Amiibos become a limited quantity thing and they then allow the rest of the masses just to get cards that they will be rolling out at some point, then that will be even more stupid.

 

[NPC009]

The big problem with your systems is the lack of memory space, so having the game come pre-loaded on the system takes away valuable space. Many of your games take low space, but with your low memory space, it still doesn't justify it.

Just get a new SD card (3DS)/external HHD (Wii U)?

All the other stuff: I agree. The situation seems to be the worst in North America, though. The shortages in Europe are much less severe and they don't do retailer exclusive deals over there.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

They, along with retailers, have been really bad about preorders for many things disappearing within seconds of them being listed. Why haven't they enact limits on purchases yet? Other items that are no where near in demand as much as Nintendo's stuff have had order limits.

They knew about this issue with the Amiibos, then the Majora's Mask 3D limited Edition and know the MM New 3DS. Search for Nintendo scalpers on the Twitter. There was already plenty from today alone. But, NOA has yet to apologize that preorders have sold out within minutes, or even acknowledge the scalper situation or the fact that new items are already listed on ebay (before they have even hit the stores). Ninty might be working on a solution and doesn't feel ready to announce it, but unless they really flood the market with extreme amounts of merchandise, get stores to limit purchases or do the Club Nintendo only preorder idea I heard about today, you will not be able to get what you want for sure without paying the early birds or lucking out and being one yourself.

The lack of physical copy in bundle has a reason (just not a good one in the eyes of the consumer). For the 3DS the carts still cost money to make, while there is already an SD card with more than enough space included the bundle. It's a cost cutting measure. I think the Wii U bundles still come with discs in full sized DVD cases though. (My SM3DW/Nintendo Land bundle did.) The other systems embrace the internets and the larger hard drives, so they probably don't even bother with it on some bundles.

There are many bad things for us, though. If your game isn't even installed, you have to download it using a code card from in the box, so internet is required. If your have that issue or it is already installed, your still using up space. Finally, without a physical copy, you have no way to trade in the game if you wish.

 

[kilenem]

I love how everybody bitches about scalpers but they do not say any thing about Nintendo Sony or Xbox building things in the Foxicom plant. Like scalpers are the most morally wrong people in the industry. This is capitalism people.

 

[MetalShadowChaos]

And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet (while continuing to ignore a large part of the Smash roster)?

They aren't redesigning anything. They're releasing different versions based on similar designs from another game, meant to support said other game. but nothing is being redesigned. And if you really think there was going to be an Amiibo for every single character in Smash Bros you may want to tone down your expectations a bit, because that was never going to happen.

 

[CrystalShadow]

The lack of physical copy in bundle has a reason (just not a good one in the eyes of the consumer). For the 3DS the carts still cost money to make, while there is already an SD card with more than enough space included the bundle. It's a cost cutting measure. I think the Wii U bundles still come with discs in full sized DVD cases though. (My SM3DW/Nintendo Land bundle did.) The other systems embrace the internets and the larger hard drives, so they probably don't even bother with it on some bundles.

That's not really a surprise. You can see why if you compare the nearest equivalent 'blank' versions of the game media.

Compare the cost of a blank DVD with that of a memory card... I'd be surprised if the memory card wasn't something like 50 times as expensive...

(And while costs are lower for bulk made items, this would apply to both, and probably doesn't change the relative cost)

Cartridges were pure evil in this regard though. I love them, but they are evil.

I heard N64 cartridges cost about $34 per game to make... That's not development costs, just purely the physical cost of the cartridge... Which is insane when you think about what they sold for (and think that the CD which was just becoming fashionable around that time cost about $0.10)

Solid state memory has come a long way, but it is still rather expensive compared to optical media.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet (while continuing to ignore a large part of the Smash roster)?

They aren't redesigning anything. They're releasing different versions based on similar designs from another game, meant to support said other game. but nothing is being redesigned. And if you really think there was going to be an Amiibo for every single character in Smash Bros you may want to tone down your expectations a bit, because that was never going to happen.

Why not? They made amiibos of superfluous characters like Wii Fit Trainer and Villager.

 

[xaszatm]

And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet (while continuing to ignore a large part of the Smash roster)?

They aren't redesigning anything. They're releasing different versions based on similar designs from another game, meant to support said other game. but nothing is being redesigned. And if you really think there was going to be an Amiibo for every single character in Smash Bros you may want to tone down your expectations a bit, because that was never going to happen.

Uh, they stated that they were going to make an Amiibo for every character. It's happening.

I know other have a plethora of other problems with Nintendo, but I'm just pointing out the problems related to the Nintendo direct, things that should not be a problem for them.

Another would be retailer-exclusive amiibos. Meta Knight will be exclusive to Best Buy? And Shulk will be a GameStop exclusive? And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet (while continuing to ignore a large part of the Smash roster)?

Like others have said, the Super Mario Amiibos aren't redesigns. Especially since those Amiibos are the most stocked Amiibos. And of course they haven't finished the Smash Roster yet. There's like 50 characters.

I'm a big fan of Nintendo. Love their games even if many others think it's the same game all the time. Most of the time (for the exception of Other M), the games I want always come out great if not excellent. I am willing to talk about their positives at times when many are only talking about their negatives. They seem to be doing quite well on the line-up of games for their systems, and I'm happy about that. With all that said, dear lord Nintendo, you got some problems you need to fix.

After some of the news stuff that has happened lately, there are things you really need step up on. Items that many people want sell out way to quickly for the actual people to buy them. Amiibos are sold out in a number of characters, with people left in the dark about any restock. Special bundles are sold out so Scalpers can sell them for $2000 plus to those who didn't know. You also decide that in some bundles, instead of the physical copy, you just have the game pre-loaded onto the system.

When it comes to pre-ordering stuff, there is a solution that will be much easier. At the direct, make an announcement about it, but don't have them set-up for pre-order. Let people know about it, then announce a date that people should be readily available to try to pre-order, and give a time and places they can pre-order online. Once that happens, not everyone will be happy, but at least they have the opportunity to try. If it's popular enough, try doing a second release and after that. Also be more open about the Amiibo stuff, as people are still wondering what's going on with that.

For the bundles, just include a physical copy. The big problem with your systems is the lack of memory space, so having the game come pre-loaded on the system takes away valuable space. Many of your games take low space, but with your low memory space, it still doesn't justify it. People are usually buying the bundle for the look of system, not the game.

In general, better communication can help with some of this stuff. If there was better communication, things would be smoother, and you would have a lot less complaints.

You are doing a lot of good things, but there are things you are messing up way too much. Get on that, and improve on the things you can.

PS. I know other have a plethora of other problems with Nintendo, but I'm just pointing out the problems related to the Nintendo direct, things that should not be a problem for them.

Honestly, this lack of supply is probably because Nintendo wants to avoid having these special edition 3DS's dusting in a warehouse. It happened with a lot of the 3DS and 3DS XL hardware. So instead, they've decided to lowball it in order to save profits. Unfortunately, this brought out a bunch of scrapers. What they should do is start remembering that back-orders are a thing. This "money-saving" thing is also why the New 3DS XL isn't coming with an adapter (cheaper to ship the smaller 3DS box + box full of chargers) and why the New 3DS isn't coming to America (Nintendo has a bunch of 3DS and 3DS XL wasting away in storehouses). It's unfortunate but there is a logic behind what Nintendo is doing. What SHOULD be happening is that Nintendo needs to allow back-ordering for this stuff. Like, tell the people you will be getting the stuff a while (1-2 weeks) after its release but allow them to buy the stuff THEN go back and make these special editions. Nintendo would probably the only company that could do it given that they have the best pre-order to satisfaction thing of all the game companies.

 

[Barbas]

[HEADING=2]Why do you wanna know anyway? Shut up, I'm going back to my Amiibo fort. This house is a fucking prison![/HEADING]

Oh. Oh yes, I see. Right.

I thought misdirection and keeping people on tenterhooks was a fundamental and effective aspect of Shrewd Business 101? Then again, it could just be incompetence. They could be doing lines of coke as we speak.

...But it could also be genius. Total. Fuckin'. Geeeeenius.

Perhaps Nintendo simply underestimated the demand for Amiibos and such. Maybe they're simply trying to maximize the intake of sweet cash by fiddling with what characters they're releasing and how many they are, keeping the public in the dark about just how long certain characters will be available for, thus ensuring that there is a constant frothing demand for them. I almost want one to sellotape to my wall and stare at, and I don't even have a wiiabu.

Blame capitalism.

Surreptitiously seconded.

 

[MetalShadowChaos]

Uh, they stated that they were going to make an Amiibo for every character. It's happening.

I'll believe that when you can find evidence, because frankly I don't think any logical man would think they could put Amiibos out at this rate for every single character. They'd still be releasing them in 2016 at this rate and by then, as much as they'd like to hope, Smash isn't going to stay THAT popular THAT long.

 

[Plucky]

And apparently they're already redesigning amiibos that haven't even made it to the shelves yet

To be fair, the only Amiibo they "redesigned" before release was Bowser, and even then, it's more like a variant. it's likely that the core Mario cast will eventually come to the SMB Amiibo collection. i wouldn't be surprised if characters like Rosalina were added to the SMB variants, though an Overalls Wario would be pretty sweet which is truly a true variant for all intents and purposes. my main issue with Amiibos currently is that the games they're used in is too sparse. Toad works in Captain Toad and adds hide&seek pixel toads, whilst Link/Zelda/Toon Link/Sheik (and presumably Ganondorf) has weapon-giving effects in Hyrule Warriors whilst other Amiibos give random items/Rupees.


tiny fact, the Bowser SMB Amiibo is supposedly a reprint mold of the Bowser from a Mario Chess Set, but at slightly higher quality, also the Mario pose is the 3D render of him from the Boom/Fortune Street box art; a game co-developed by Square-Enix. there's also Samus's Amiibo, it might be a remold of her Other M Figma, unless it's based on an existing render. (HISTORY!)