After events this year, we're all thinking, what's the future for Nintendo? We've been covering the ‘3DS success story‘ for months now with both sides are still claiming truth, but ultimately, the 3DS wasn’t quite the game changer that Nintendo had hoped for even if it has had 'strong sales.' But how do they plan to boost the selling power of the 3DS, especially not that they've got the pressure of the Wii U on their backs?
The company believes the answer lies in popular franchise games. Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo’s head of American operations said the likes of Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario Bros. 3D and Mario Kart 3D will help drive 3DS sales during the holiday season. The plan is based on previous DS handsets which saw steady but unimpressive sales boosted dramatically by big titles like Nintendogs. Sales also shot up when the lite was launched.
I’m no head of American operations, but I can’t see people rushing out to by a 3DS just to play Mario Kart 3D or S.M 3D, they are hugely popular titles though and if Nintendo had waited and released the 3DS alongside Super Mario titles the launch may have went a lot better. Oh, and how long until we see a 3DS lite? (with guaranteed less migraines than the original.)
You could easily think that all is well for Nintendo, the Wii and DS are strong and their replacements are beginning to take shape but the 3DS is more of the novelty twin of the DS rather than a serious progression and the Wii U? Let's be honest it sounds stupid and, what can it offer that the Wii can't? Only time will tell. Call me cynical but I see big problems for Nintendo in the not too distant future.