Welcome to another edition of the Game Ranter Banter. Five of our writers take a few minutes out of their busy schedules to give their opinions on some of the most compelling and controversial recent news stories of the game industry. This week, the Game Rant team discusses the recent outburst of Nintendo-related news, from Skyward Sword’s surprising length, the 3DS Slide Pad details, and classic series that could use a little revitalization.
Our readers are as knowledgeable and opinionated as our own writers, so here is the place for all of you to discuss these stories as well as any others that may have piqued your interest throughout the week.
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Jeff Schille
Down, Not Out
It’s been another tough week for Nintendo. Sony’s Vita is all but walking away with TGS, while Nintendo’s pre-TGS press event left practically everyone cold. There is no question that Nintendo hasn’t looked this bad publicly, maybe ever.
But are things actually that dire? Pay cuts and sales slides aside, Nintendo remains an enormously wealthy, profitable company, and the publisher of many of the best selling, most financially successful games of all time. Wii Sports alone has sold over 76 million units since its release in 2006, to say nothing of other first-party Wii and Pokemon games. What do you think that does for the company’s profit margin? Nintendo may look bad now, but they can afford to.
I wouldn’t begin to suggest that Nintendo is infallible — just look at the 3DS Slide Pad. That said, with the Slide Pad comes Monster Hunter 4, a game of massive importance in Japan — and one that currently isn’t slated to come to Vita. Furthermore, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 are right around the corner, and all but destined to be system-selling hits. Yes, Nintendo may be down right now — but only a fool would count them out.
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Dwayne Holder
Assembly Required
Across the country Nintendo fans are shaking their heads in disbelief. The company they had grown up with has now seems to have lost its mind. The most recent confirmation of the additional Circle Pad for the 3DS doesn’t help improve consumer confidence. To many this seems like an idea that didn’t make it into final build of a rushed product — and they’re probably right. Though I feel people might be jumping the gun, looking at this the wrong way.
The additional Circle Pad really should be viewed at in the same light as the Wii Zapper or Classic Controller. Nintendo has always been about giving the gamer various control options to enjoy their games. They did it with the Wii by supporting GameCube controllers and by selling the Classic Controllers and I feel this Circle Pad is falling in line with that tradition.
Nintendo knows that in order to be competitive in a dual-analog world, especially with more popular titles like Call of Duty, they needed an extra circle pad. Until they release a revised 3DS, the Big N is giving gamers the option to purchase this peripheral. Also, just because they’re launching this add-on doesn’t mean the games that support it will be impossible to play without it.
Could this circle pad been implemented better? Sure! Nintendo had an opportunity to extend the life of the 3DS battery, or design this attachment to drain less power and not require a AAA battery.
This whole situation makes you wonder what other additions Nintendo is planning for the the 3DS.
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Anthony Mole
Innovation or Redundancy?
Each time new Nintendo hardware is announced, gamers get excited about the next Mario, the next Kirby, the latest Zelda, etc. Nintendo has been riding off the success of these franchises for decades, yet aside from Nintendo critics, these games are welcomed with open arms. Why? Similar moves would see any other company become the most hated publisher on the internet. So what makes Nintendo the exception? Innovation.
While Nintendo releases many Mario games within each generation, they are not necessarily the same as their predecessors. For example, Super Mario Galaxy is a different beast than Super Mario World. Their latest Kirby title, Kirby’s Mass Attack is much different than Epic Yarn, which is much different than earlier titles in the series. This gives the franchises new life in a world where redundancy is frowned upon.
If Nintendo keeps innovating their franchises instead of just banking on familiar gameplay, they will always be able to find success in the gaming industry.
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Anthony Taormina
The Great Green Hope
While my colleagues will most assuredly be waxing poetic about the mistakes Nintendo has made in recent weeks/months, I would like to take this time to provide a slightly positive look at the company. Though I am disappointed by the circle pad attachment and Nintendo’s lack of strong third-party support for the 3DS, I am still willing to give them a chance for one reason: Zelda.
Yes, after a very long wait, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is finally releasing in just two months, and I am extremely excited. One could argue that the wait has been pretty excruciating, but with a 50-100 hour experience, I think the end will justify the means. It’s always a long development with the Zelda series, but gamers stand by and wait patiently because both the fans and Nintendo know they will.
Now, this isn’t to say that Zelda will forgive all, but it does ease the pain. From Zelda forward though, I expect Nintendo to get their act together and give the gamers what they want.
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Alex Sebenski
When will Nintendo go the way of Sega?
As Nintendo sees sales of their hardware and profits decline, it seems fair to talk about a back-up plan. Nintendo shouldn’t be swearing off the mobile market but should think of it as a contingency for when they need to step away from the hardware industry. If their next hardware innovation fails to sell it could be time to put Mario on the iPhone.
The Wii came out of the gate first with an innovative control system that attracted a very broad audience and sold better than any other system for years. The 3DS attempted to innovate with glasses free 3D but has put up poor sales numbers which most would blame on the lack of titles. Nintendo is trying to rectify after the fact by announcing a slew of upcoming 3DS titles at the Tokyo Game Show but it could be too little too late. For Nintendo’s next hardware release they plan to offer a tablet controller, but is that really innovative? There are several companies that are releasing tablet hardware and Apple even plans to offer a similar gaming experience to the Wii U using the iPad 2 to Apple TV AirPlay Mirroring.
After the 3DS failed to meet sales expectations and now with Wii U entering a tablet gaming market which could soon see itself dominated by Apple, the day that Nintendo goes the way of Sega and becomes a software developer could be not that far off.
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What are your thoughts on the news this week? Share with us in the comments, on Twitter @GameRant and Facebook.com/GameRant.
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Well said Alex Sebenski.
50-100 hours gameplay… What I’m thinking about is, Grind? I mean, nintendo made you grind when you got to the end of wind waker.
That’s not grinding. Play sin and punishment and talk to me about grinding lol.
I played FFXI. I know grinds.
Jeff, I agree with you sir.
On the tablet gaming topic: I’d much rather prefer (and I know I’m not alone) buttons and the like over pure touchscreen. The Wii U has those, plus a touch screen. That would make it, gaming-wise, superior to the iPad.
I love my Xbox 360, I play it much more than my Wii these days cause it fits my currant hamming preferences better… But the day I can buy Mario and Zelda on xbox Live will be a tragic day in the History of Video Games, anf I have no doubt that I will shed a tear or two…
Ahem, current Gaming preferences that is… Darn autocorrect
Do you really want Nintendo to go the way of sega and churn out a Mario game like sonic and the secret rings? Seriously, nintendo is going nowhere in the hardware business so no néed to cry wolf. And I personally have faith that nintendo will provide some jaw dropping moments before wii u is launched.
If you truly believe The Big N is about ready to hang up its Kuribo shoes and exit the hardware market, I think maybe you should reconsider your day job. Nintendo is not going anywhere. You said it yourself, “The Wii came out of the gate first with an innovative control system that attracted a very broad audience and sold better than any other system for years.”. Just because the 3ds didn’t come out like gangbusters does not mean Nintendo is dead. I have a Virtual Boy, Power Glove, and my buddy ROB that proves it.
Im not saying the Wii U won’t sell, but Im worried for them. Fans like you will keep them alive for a while, but for how long?
As long as there is Mario, Link, Samus, Donkey Kong and Pokemon. As long as you need a Nintendo to play these games, there will always be a Nintendo. As long as they make fun games that people want to play. I have all three systems and the Wii is the one I play the least. But give me a 50-100 hr. Skyward Sword and I’d buy the whole system over again. Software sells Hardware. As long as Nintendo has these tried and true gems, they will be fine. Shoot, all they have to do is put Wii in front of anything and they have a 20+ mil, system seller on their hands (Wii Fit, Wii Play). They are getting ready to launch the Wii U and they are still selling the Wii (ALOT)!. It’s not just “fans like me” buying Nintendo products (Yes, I waited in line for 16 hrs on launch), it’s Grandma, that scary German Guy and your Uncle Ned. The Wii was a PHENOM! How could you even suggest that Nintendo is down for the count? If you dont like Nintendo don’t buy it. But don’t suggest they are in such dire straits that Apple TV is going to destroy them. Nintendo can afford a few flubs here and there. It’s not just a gaming company, it’s an institution. When was the last time you seen Furry Kratos Slippers, a Master Chief Snuggie or Gears of War Underoos? Nintendo will do just fine!
Jeff, I grew with you sir.
On the topic of tablet gaming: I’d much rather prefer (and I know I’m not alone) buttons and the like over pure touchscreen. The Wii U has those, plus the touchscreen. In this aspect the Wii U is superior to the iPad.
hail to the king baby
I can’t wait to get my hands on Skyward Sword! I think it is going to be somewhat of a surprise and remind gamers how fun Zelda games can be. That being said, I’ll probably end up playing Skyrim first.
Jeff, I agree with you sir.
On the topic of tablet gaming: I’d much rather prefer (and I know I’m not alone) buttons and the like over pure touchscreen. The Wii U has those, plus the touchscreen. Gaming-wise, the Wii U will be superior to the iPad, so I don’t see Apple beating Nintendo here. They’ll probably even have apps for the new controller, from what I saw at E3.
There’s one problem with the whole “Nintendo going the way of Sega” thing.
iPad 2 = $500 new.
Apple TV = $90 new.
So, that combo is $590, before tax, whereas the Wii U will likely be $350-450.
And the logic of “If their next hardware innovation fails to sell it could be time to put Mario on the iPhone.” is not only not thought through, it’s incredibly unrealistic. Why on God’s green earth would Nintendo have to close its doors if ONE system happens to not catch on? The N64 never caught on. The GameCube never caught on. I don’t see them closing their doors. Do you? o_o