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After a seven-year hiatus from Nintendo products, I was re-lured into the fold by the advent of the DS, which had some cool and interesting new game concepts as well as the ability to play GBA games. Hundreds of dollars and three systems later, I have now become a total addict. Good job, Reggie and company.
Sands of Destruction, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, Maboshi's Arcade
Super Mario Bros. 3, Chrono Trigger, WarioWare: Mega Microgame$
Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M, Sin and Punishment 2, Dragon Warrior IX, Sigma Harmonics, Shantae: Risky's Revenge, Dragon Warrior X
NTSC, Intelligent Systems, Grasshopper, Level-5
Nintendo Power
Nintendo's main strength is its ability to have creative control over both hardware AND software. By designing games specifically for self-created hardware and interfaces, especially newer ones like the DS and upcoming Revolution controller, the company assures that the software takes full advantages of a system's features, and therefore stays at the forefront of the industry in some respects. This also enables Nintendo to develop titles which would be considered too risky and "out there" for third-party software companies, many of which duplicate these same concepts later on, after they have become proven moneymakers.
NCL's biggest weakness right now is the inflated importance that it gives the Japanese market. While this market is important, no question, it is quickly becoming less and less relevant in amount of dollars (yen) spent. Nearly all of Nintendo's decisions are based on Japanese market trends and cultural mores. While most American localizations of Nintendo games are good, if not stellar, the company should consider giving its American and European branches more input into decisions, and perhaps allow for more first-party software development overseas (meaning, not in Japan).
1. If the DS and Wii are trying to reach new markets, why is it that all the advertisements are in the same old places? I DO read non-gaming publications and watch the occasional television program that defies my demographic, and I rarely see any Nintendo products advertised there. Put some commercials in unexpected places, like during Law and Order, Desperate Housewives, or the World Series. (They're working on this one, but we still need to do better!)
2. Keep software prices low, and consumers will flock. Right now, console games are relatively inexpensive to program but more expensive to produce. People will take more risks on cheaper games---the DS to some extent has proven this. If Wii games can continue to average ten to twenty dollars less per title this generation, it will be a huge plus. (Touch! Generations titles are generally cheaper, let's keep the trend up!)
3. Release some more non-games to expand the user base. Nintendogs has already shown up big in the West; now let's see some form of DS Brain Training over here. (Hey! They did it!)
4. Don't listen to the critics---using mascot characters to "familiarize" new game genres is okay. Also, remember that there are a lot of underutilized characters from the 8- and 16-bit eras to substitute for Mario and Samus.
5. Get some more gear over here! In Japan, there is literally TONS of Nintendo memorabilia available to consumers, but in America, things are a lot more dry. Don't forget that marketing characters via TV progrms is all right, too. Bring back the Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
6. Make a WarioWare RPG. These characters are ripe for a bizarre, no-holds-barred game of their own, and it doesn't have to necessarily include microgames.
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