Nintendo Cuts Price of Handheld System
Posted by malebolgia on 16 August 2005 - 19:17 · 29 comments & 2660 views
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#1 Posted by Fedorpheux on 16 Aug 2005 - 20:23
- Um, got a typo there on the news source....i think you mean "SiliconValley.com" instead of "SiliconValle.com"
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#2 Posted by Joshie on 16 Aug 2005 - 20:49
- That's kind of risky of them, isn't it? Aside from being an admission of concern in terms of PSP's competitive capacity, it also puts them on shaky ground considering the slowly decreasing popularity of handheld systems. If consoles truly are sold at a loss, Nintendo definitely would be pressured to sell a good number of games.
Eh, we'll see. Still, can't help but foresee Nintendo going the way of Sega sooner or later.
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#3 Posted by mikeyj on 16 Aug 2005 - 20:56
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maybe nintendo should cut the prices in half and we all could buy old technology 
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(4 replies)
#4 Posted by Patchou on 16 Aug 2005 - 22:08
- Old technology? oh, you're talking about all the old PS1 and PS2 games Sony is releasing on PSP to avoid developing something new then? at least at Nintendo, they know how to make games, Sony only knows how to make money (yeah, an internet browser on my PSP, how cool is that).
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#4.1 Posted by Liquid on 17 Aug 2005 - 00:11
- Dont turn this into a PSP vs DS war please. Being a Sony fan I know what sony is like. They dont make money on PSP at all right now. Games arnt selling due to a lack of good ones. Each PSP sold is losing them money. And how many billions of dollars are they in dept?
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#4.2 Posted by deiong15 on 17 Aug 2005 - 02:20
- if it wasnt for sony and teh psp youd still be playing the crudey sprite based junk. so either way at lesat nintendo is forced to innovate a little
as for the nintendogs. good luck with that. just cause that stuff is hot in japan doesnt mean itll be hot here anywhere else. reminds me of those neopets that failed here and was hot over there. this c ultur is just more adult game then kiddie game oriented -
#4.3 Posted by Danrarbc641 on 17 Aug 2005 - 03:16
QUOTE if it wasnt for sony and teh psp youd still be playing the crudey sprite based junk
That 'crudey sprite based junk' is still better than most of the crap out there. Sorry you're too much of a graphics whore to see that.-
#4.4 Posted by Wiser87 on 17 Aug 2005 - 21:16
QUOTE as for the nintendogs. good luck with that. just cause that stuff is hot in japan doesnt mean itll be hot here anywhere else. reminds me of those neopets that failed here and was hot over there. this c ultur is just more adult game then kiddie game oriented
I've got one word for that.... "tamagotchi"
Also, last I checked, you're not going to get much of a larger customer base if you only focus on the "adult games." Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling that we're not the only generation of people who want to play videogames.
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(2 replies)
#5 Posted by obake on 17 Aug 2005 - 01:02
- Since when is "Nintendogs" an anticipated title?
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#5.1 Posted by Joel on 17 Aug 2005 - 02:06
QUOTE Since when is "Nintendogs" an anticipated title?
Since people started anticipating it. Just because you're not waiting for it doesn't mean it doesn't have a following already.-
#5.2 Posted by Danrarbc641 on 17 Aug 2005 - 03:14
- Just stand back and watch the DS demo units with that game in it in a store.
Everyone takes at least some notice. I think it'll do better than a lot of people think. Especially with women, plus there's the in-built audience of people that like Sims games and even stuff like Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon to at least some extent.
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#6 Posted by VLR on 17 Aug 2005 - 11:22
- If you don't like something doesn't mean it won't sells good.
It's wait and see & buy if you like.
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(12 replies)
#7 Posted by MBonaccors on 17 Aug 2005 - 17:51
- You guys are all crazy,
First of all, Nintendo isn't "feeling the heat" from the PSP - the Nintendo DS has been incredibly sucessful for Nintendo in USA, Japan, and Europe. The price cuts are a product of Nintendo being able to manufacture the units cheaper now and passing the savings onto the consumer - which will entice more people to purchase the unit, with my friend being an example.. He was holding out on getting a DS but now he's getting on that they are lowering the price.
Secondly, Nintendo isn't planning on becoming a SEGA and discontinuing hardware sales. They never have been. Nintendo has been making plenty of profits from their systems, and the DS and the upcoming Revolution will make for a better 3 year future for Nintendo than the GameCube / GBA SP generation.
Third, I wasn't terribly excited for Nintendogs - seemed sort of like a tamagotchi with dogs type game. I played it at Nintendo World in NYC tho, and I gotta say it's fun - plus my girlfriend and another girl I know are BUYING a Nintendo DS just to play the game. Nintendo's games are always really really fun, nobody disputes it - it's just that it requires that you actually PLAY them for about 20 minutes before you make a judgement. Everybody who bashes Nintendo for making kiddie games just looks at the box cover - yeah, they could use some better marketing to an older audience, but anybody who's played Super Smash, Mario Tennis, Mario Kart etc. with a bunch of their college buddies will tell you that the games are incredibly fun and addictive. I'm not playing video games to make a statement about my image, I'm playing video games because after work I wanna sit on my ass and have fun. -
#7.1 Posted by Joshie on 17 Aug 2005 - 18:17
- Uh, the reason nobody's all that hopeful about Nintendogs is cuz it's already been done. For dogs AND cats. It was, I believe, called Dogz, and Catz. There was even a compilation, called Petz. They were all really cool. I enjoyed the concept. But then the novelty wore off. And it ultimately was never as compelling as flying toasters.
Edit:
Yanno, that just made me realize how much I'd be willing to spend for a flying toasters game. Damn you, Afterdark! WHY DID YOU LEAVE US!? *weeps* ~homebrews~ -
#7.2 Posted by eilegz on 17 Aug 2005 - 19:11
- finnally some good words i completely agree with you MBonaccors.
If nintendo its lowering the price people should be happy instead of this people continue bash nintendo this its sad.... -
#7.3 Posted by Sage_Override on 17 Aug 2005 - 23:53
QUOTE Everybody who bashes Nintendo for making kiddie games just looks at the box cover
...My first system was a Nintendo. I WAS a huge supporter of Nintendo games and it's systems, however, when I started realizing the truth about Nintendo marketing, I realized it is all a cleverly devised plan by the company to sucker people like you, Mbona, into buying thier sh*t because you realize the simplicity and accept it. You don't care to get down to the economics of it, though. With every new generation of Nintendo systems, they step back a full system, recycling old games from previous systems and making them seem innovative. Nintendo is like the Mcdonald's of consoles; thier games and accessories are cheap and affordable, but they never fill your palette and leave you hollow inside, unless you're a little kid that just cares about pretty colors.-
#7.4 Posted by MBonaccors on 18 Aug 2005 - 16:32
- The truth about Nintendo marketing sage? All Sony DOES is marketing, 3rd party games, marketing their hardware, they don't actually develop anything, except the hardware.
Sage, you mentioned getting down the "economics of it", I didn't see any economics in your post at all, just useless banter.
Every new generation of Nintendo systems is a full step back with recycling old games? Hardly. Let's see, the current generation of Nintendo consoles brought completely original games like Pikmin, Wario Ware, Advance Wars, Paper Mario, Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing, Meteos to name a few. They also expanded upon their current franchises (Mario, Zelda, Metroid etc.). Not to mention, all these games have been rated over 9/10 or better by the top review media. Of course there's also great 3rd party titles, but there's great 3rd party stuff for all systems.
A step back hardware wise with each release? Let's see, Nintendo was the first to utilize Rumble Packs, Wireless Controllers, Touch Screens, Voice Recognition, and Gyroscopes. This seems a little more innovative than the upgrades Sony made between the PS1 and PS2 controllers.
I don't like Nintendo games because I've fallen into what you say is a "cleverly devised plan designed to sucker people." I like Nintendo games because they're excellent games I can't play on my PC. I've played a lot of great games for PS2 and XBOX, don't get me wrong, but I only have the time and money to focus on one console - and the polish and long lasting value of Nintendo's games have kept me coming back to the big N.
You bash Nintendo for making their games cheap and affordable, I guess that you're the one who's bought into Sony's marketing tactics. Enjoy paying $500 for your PS3, while I play those games on my PC. -
#7.5 Posted by Joshie on 18 Aug 2005 - 18:25
- I wouldn't call those features innovations, though. Touch screen gaming is something that has been explored several times before, and perhaps most recently on PDAs. It also really shouldn't be hailed as all that great, anyway:
All console makers have fiddled with different input methods for gaming. From mice to dance pads to cameras, it's hard to tell what's a gimmick and what's actually giving you a better gaming experience. When it comes down to it, though, when you're playing a game, you only want to deal with one input device the whole time (unless you're on a PC and living the mouse+keyboard life). Switching your 'grip' at any given time is a distraction. So when is that touchscreen going to actually prove useful? Unless you use your thumbs on it, but anyone who's used a PDA for a while knows that a stylus is the best way to ensure the life of your screen.
Anyway, I don't believe Nintendo is a marketing machine. They don't seem to spend a whole lot on advertising. But they sure do have a lot of die-hard fans, trapped in a team mentality where only Nintendo can deliver something of quality, and anything, no matter what it is, that Sony dishes out, is a piece of crap. You could probably get into a flamewar with a fanboy over which company has a more functional logo, and within the first three pages of it, it'd turn philosophical.
Hell, I firmly--firmly--believe that if the Revolution had the PS3's boomerang controller, it'd be hailed by fans as the greatest input innovation of all time. Copying Sony? Nah! More like doing 'right' where Sony tried and failed. You'd hear it all.
But that's fandom.
At any rate, Nintendo is going the way of Sega. Seriously, think about it. Look at your own posts. What do you praise from Nintendo? The games. That's all. Nintendo fans prance around saying hardware doesn't matter, next-gen specs don't matter, it's all about the quality of the games. Games games games.
If even the Nintendo fans are indirectly admitting that Nintendo isn't a heavy player in the console hardware arena, clearly their presence as a console contender is starting to fade. Before long, they'll have to decide between Sony and Microsoft. And they'll probably choose Microsoft, if only out of pride. -
#7.6 Posted by MBonaccors on 18 Aug 2005 - 19:27
- Most games that use the DS touch screen only use the touch screen - no buttons. This makes it really easy to use, and there are tons of games that utilize it perfectly, which turns into a great "new" gaming experience.
Yes, alot of Nintendofans talk about how it's all in the games, and they're right - it IS in the games, but the games do play on hardware. When I say it's not all about specs it's true, it's not all about the specs, it's about how well the hardware works and fits with the software, how easy it is for the developers to create games for the hardware, how the process of getting a game published by Nintendo differs from Sony or Microsoft, How involved the publisher is, what leways do they give the developers, what are their standards etc.
Saying Nintendo's going the way of SEGA would be a lot more of a deal than Nintendo just deciding to create games for other systems. And why would they even want/need to? Their revenue and working capital has increased every year since NES was released, unlike Sony and Microsoft, both of whose gaming departments couldn't have survived if they didn't have money supporting them from thier huge electronics/software empires.
I never stated that there aren't great games for all the systems.. There are, I just don't understand why people are bashing Nintendo for a DS pricecut, and saying they're going the way of SEGA.. -
#7.7 Posted by Sage_Override on 18 Aug 2005 - 23:27
- What? You want a pie chart? Go on CNN or watch the stock market. Banter? What the hell are you? Some kind of Sci-Fi dweeb? I don't own a playstation, dumb sh*t. You assume waaaaaaaay too much. Joshie slams you into the ground. Only intelligent and true post I've seen about Nintendo's dynamics. Mbon, give it up and stop shrouding yourself and admit that you are backing up Nintendo because your girlfriend likes it. Even if that isn't the case, you are backing up Nintendo period. Again, if you want statistics, go on those forums you love so much and have other nerds pull up some marketing analysis spreadsheets to satisfy your wormy, relying-only-on-numbers-from-textbooks-and-other-IT-nerds persona. The Nintendo DS is the poorest attempt by Nintendo yet at diversity, but it doesn't change the fact that it still has recycled games from the Nintendo 64 and some games from the Gamecube. Wow...New games? Hardly, but to the untrained brain they are. Sony markets a hell of a lot more than Nintendo. Big deal. At least Sony doesn't have handhelds that are obsolete a couple of months after they come out (Gameboy Advance never stood a chance, Virtual Boy had me in stitches and Gameboy Color was laughable). Now, let's have fun with the rest of your absurd post:
QUOTE They also expanded upon their current franchises (Mario, Zelda, Metroid etc.). Not to mention, all these games have been rated over 9/10 or better by the top review media
Expanded? Well, if you call working with a different graphics engine expanded, sure, that works. They rate them 9/10 because they don't know what else to do after looking at all those pretty colors. It's like trying to argue with a rainbow for being beautiful.
QUOTE A step back hardware wise with each release? Let's see, Nintendo was the first to utilize Rumble Packs, Wireless Controllers, Touch Screens, Voice Recognition, and Gyroscopes. This seems a little more innovative than the upgrades Sony made between the PS1 and PS2 controllers.
I never said a step back with hardware, I looked in my previous post, but, for the sake of argument, let's work with this: rumble packs were clunky and annoying, on top of the already oversized 64 controller; Wireless controllers? Well, just because they utilized it first doesn't mean it was successful. As a matter of fact, they flopped harder than Janet Jackson's breast; PDA's were first. Nice try; voice recognition has been around long before Nintendo came up with the idea. Good try; Finally, as you would say, "Show me how they used gyroscopes." Personally, I don't give a flying f*ck about hardware associated with controllers; just how well the games play on the system, if they're worth a damn and if they hold my attention more than pretty colors and Italian plumbers.
QUOTE I don't like Nintendo games because I've fallen into what you say is a "cleverly devised plan designed to sucker people." I like Nintendo games because they're excellent games I can't play on my PC.
.....what? Uhh, heard of emulation? Geez...Besides, your explanation is like a retard begging for an Oreo.
QUOTE and the polish and long lasting value of Nintendo's games have kept me coming back to the big N.
Long lasting...that's why Nintendo has been one-step behind Sony and Microsoft, eh? You'll probably tell me that people don't appreciate the dynamics and enginuity of Nintendo games. Pfft. Every system, EVERY SYSTEM, created by Nintendo has gone tet's up. Regular Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Regular Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Virtual Boy and Nintendo 64. Missed any, please, feel free to inform me. The systems out right now will feel the wrath of failure soon, too. Only a matter of time. It must not take a lot to please you.
QUOTE You bash Nintendo for making their games cheap and affordable, I guess that you're the one who's bought into Sony's marketing tactics. Enjoy paying $500 for your PS3, while I play those games on my PC.
While you're foolishly racking up costs for those $20-50 dollar PC games and Revolution discs, I'll get those free and when the PS3 and Xbox 360 comes out, I'll get those free, too, with the help of the mod chips that will, no doubt, come out after the PS3 is released and play them on my PC. Enjoy living electronicly legit; it gets you nowhere, but in denial.
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#7.8 Posted by threedaysdwn on 19 Aug 2005 - 02:59
QUOTE While you're foolishly racking up costs for those $20-50 dollar PC games and Revolution discs, I'll get those free and when the PS3 and Xbox 360 comes out, I'll get those free, too, with the help of the mod chips that will, no doubt, come out after the PS3 is released and play them on my PC. Enjoy living electronicly legit; it gets you nowhere, but in denial.
So you can rob from hard-working software developers like myself... please explain how that supports your argument that Nintendo can't deliver quality products.
Also, do you think that companies like Sony/MS/Nintendo should base their planning and products around the few thousand people like you with modchips and emulators? I would think not.
I think Nintendo has made mistakes recently. But that doesn't mean they won't learn from them. Nintendo realizes that they can't compete with Microsoft and Sony when it comes to pushing the envelope with regard to new technologies for powering their systems. So they've made smart marketing choices downplaying the importance of that advantage.
I think leveraging Nintendo's library of historic, brilliant games is a good thing for the company. So long as they don't blow it when it comes to execution (ever try to play the Ocarina of Time port they did for the GameCube?), it's a good idea.
Most people have fond memories of games like Mario 64. Getting the chance to relive those memories on new platforms is an opportunity that many gamers welcome.
QUOTE Expanded? Well, if you call working with a different graphics engine expanded, sure, that works.
I'd say Metroid Prime was a bit more than a different graphics engine, wouldn't you?
I don't know if Nintendo will be able to successfully compete with the X360 and PS3. Certainly, if they keep the price point on the Revolution down, they'll at least survive with a strong niche - not unlike the N64.
Which would you say was more successful, the GameCube or the N64?
I'd say the N64 was a better Nintendo console. It did Nintendo stuff very well. It just lacked third-party support. I can't think of a single non-Nintendo/Rare game for N64. But I fondly remember Mario 64, the Zelda games, GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, Mario Kart, Smash Bros, and even DK64.
The GameCube has been less successful as a Nintendo console, in my mind. Mario Sunshine was a disappointment. Zelda: Wind Waker was only half a game. SSB:Melee was a good game, but only because it's exactly the same as the N64 one. I think Metroid Prime is the only truly successful GameCube game from Nintendo.
So the N64 sucked with third-party titles, the GameCube got better but lost what made it Nintendo. Maybe with Revolution they'll figure out how to do both.
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#7.9 Posted by Joshie on 19 Aug 2005 - 04:22
- I didn't realize I slammed anyone into the ground. o.O Just thinking out loud, more or less. You're way too passionate about this, Sage. It's hard to read your posts.
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#7.10 Posted by Sage_Override on 19 Aug 2005 - 05:36
- Rational posts usually are.
Three, it wasn't meant to support anything; it was meant to piss off that other guy. Rob from hardworking companies...jesus...Greedy, loathing, pig-headed slobs that would rob YOU of all your hard earned dough by overcharging for their products? Those guys? Oh, ok. -
#7.11 Posted by threedaysdwn on 19 Aug 2005 - 08:09
QUOTE Three, it wasn't meant to support anything; it was meant to piss off that other guy.
What was it you were just saying about rational posts?
QUOTE Greedy, loathing, pig-headed slobs that would rob YOU of all your hard earned dough by overcharging for their products? Those guys? Oh, ok.
Excuse me? How exactly are we overcharging you? Of course, not even that would make it right. If a grocery store started overcharging customers for food, would you start stealing from it? I'd hope not.
Just because you don't SEE the hard work that goes into creating a piece of software doesn't mean it just rolls off the magical assembly line.-
#7.12 Posted by Sage_Override on 19 Aug 2005 - 20:37
QUOTE If a grocery store started overcharging customers for food, would you start stealing from it? I'd hope not.
No, but I'm sure others would. I might if it got that bad. I'm sure a person of your naive calibur would just go with the flow and conform because you're a sheep.
QUOTE What was it you were just saying about rational posts?
I was saying that you're a douche bag. Everything in a post doesn't have to back something up. I'm thinking YOU ALSO rely on numbers and if you sense even the slightest smidgeon of rhetoric or ranting, you omit the entire post. Get real, pal.
QUOTE Just because you don't SEE the hard work that goes into creating a piece of software doesn't mean it just rolls off the magical assembly line.
Gee, I thought maybe leprechauns and gnomes made them. Shos wut i no; GADUH!
Hard work or not, YOU don't set the prices for the software of hardware. Again, pig-headed, greedy, don't-give-a-****-about-quality and whether or not average people can afford their products corporate scumbags set the prices and people like you buy into it. Besides, I never said that it isn't hard work; stop assuming and stick to what I said in my posts. It isn't hard, even for you.
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(3 replies)
#8 Posted by Sage_Override on 17 Aug 2005 - 23:40
- Who gives a sh*t? Nintendo, you are OLD AND RECYCLED. Playstation is mopping up the handheld market right now and Nintendo refuses to get with the times. Face it, kid; go back down in the basement, lick your wounds and play with your toys because the big boys of Sony will run the show for ya.
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#8.1 Posted by Laser_iCE on 18 Aug 2005 - 04:15
- Which is why Sony are on debt and Nintendo are making profit? Oh, and with age comes wisdom, and if they're "recycled", then at least they're good for the environment -- can't say that about the PSP and its habit of draining out batteries like it's a chocolate milkshake.
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#8.2 Posted by MBonaccors on 18 Aug 2005 - 16:34
- How is Sony mopping up the handheld market? Nintendo's DS has more than twice the current penetration rate of the PSP! And where are the awesome games? Hey, at least you can use your PSP as a web browser now - now you can get some use out of it.
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#8.3 Posted by Sage_Override on 18 Aug 2005 - 23:33
- Read reviews on the DS. That double split-screen bull**** is used for nothing other than a map for most games. It's a useless feature. It's just Nintendo's desperation to appeal to the knucklehead fan base that they have. Did Sony have all that fancy ****? No. The PSP is simple, very nice display, decent to excellent games and the library will only grow and grow. There's nothing special about the DS, except maybe that it appeals to kids. Why any card holding young-adult/adult would even find Nintendo's games and graphics impressive is laughable, except if they have kids. In that case, it's another ball game.
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