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[Hero of Legend]

Some games might work better in Japan on portables but they might work better on consoles or having a bigger audience on consoles in the west.
Like Monster Hunter where local multiplayer is key to making the portable version desirable but in the west local multiplayer isn't as common on portables so fans there would likely prefer better controls and online play.

Yep, I see MH as one of the highlights if not the main one utilizing this. MH3G (and P3rdHD) were like the prototypes of sorts to this.

Monster Hunter 5 would be the perfect game to do this from the ground-up; made for the handheld but more easily brought to the console in1080p and 60fps than ever before.

 

[Pokemaniac]

As far as Virtual Console goes, it may not be an issue for the NX Handheld until you get to the GameCube & the Wii. And even then, later iterations of the NX Handheld may be up to the task.

This is exactly my point. Why limit the platforms which can be added to VC when you have hardware capable of running them?

 

[Neoxon]

Yep, I see MH as one of the highlights if not the main one utilizing this. MH3G (and P3rdHD) were like the prototypes of sorts to this.

Monster Hunter 5 would be the perfect game to do this from the ground-up; made for the handheld but more easily brought to the console in1080p and 60fps than ever before.

I feel like Monster Hunter 5 could be a perfect proof of concept for the NX Platform's native cross-play between the console & the handheld. And like you said, scaling the assets should be a breeze.

 

[Roo]

Imo you should always release with a new IP, so I hope they have something ready.

But you seem to mention primarily the console games. There are a lot of traditional handheld games that also sell well and have their unique audiences. In a shared platform would count just as much. Tomodachi Life, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Pokemon (hey, you never know), Luigi's Mansion, Paper Mario, Fire Emblem, ... All million sellers. With one of those game every three months you can fill the first 3 years, add the "minor" games in between and you have yourself quite a line-up imo, especially if capcom/level5/bandai/square are on board with at least 2 releases a year.

I agree and I think you're right. I'm focusing too much of the console side of this.
If anything, you're only teinforcing my point.
They don't need to go all out at launch with their biggest IPs when they have a plethora of those that go from the very AAA experiences to niche yet amazing gems for all tastes.

Granted, handheld games like those you mentioned still will sell the best on the handheld variation of NX due to people being used to them for gaming on the go but if they're available for the console as well the gaps between big releases are even smaller.
To that, add the amazing support from indies and whatever 3rd party developers decide to throw our way you have a solid and I even dare to say outstanding launch.


All of that obviously if the shared library concept is true.

 

[Hiltz]

It wouldn't really be just some games can be played on both. It will probably actually end up being most game are playable on both.

Forcing 100% of the library to be shared doesn't really make sense. Even disregarding the difference in power, there are some games that simply don't work on handhelds. At least not without becoming very different games. Stuff like Wii Fit, Rock Band, or a wide variety of things built around motion controls. Not allowing those games to be made just because they wouldn't work on the handheld is is pointlessly limiting.

If we bring the power gap into the equation, there are also things like massive open world games, cheap AAA ports, and potentially even some Virtual Console stuff that you'd miss out on.

Good points brought up there, Pokemaniac. I found a quote from Miyamoto about how Pikmin 3 development was experimented on with a prototype for DS and 3DS before it was ultimately moved to Wii U:

“The truth is we were doing prototype tests of Pikmin for the DS and 3DS but it turned into unit management with only the touch pen and no matter what it just didn’t seem like Pikmin. We concluded that Pikmin is a game that revolves around action based on its controls and the strategy sits on top that. Although there are elements that are built on the strategy, there are other overall things that have to be well considered. This complete experience is an important elements of Pikmin.”

“The truth is when we made [Pikmin] 1, we were trying to make the easiest to control 3D game around. The focal point was Olimar walking around on screen but the majority of the interface was those controls. They didn’t interfere with anything else. There weren’t many 3D games that were that simple to move around in since you could play without even having to control the camera.”

http://gamerant.com/pikmin-3-running-on-3ds-before-wii-u/

 

[James Scott]

I feel like Monster Hunter 5 could be a perfect proof of concept for the NX Platform's native cross-play between the console & the handheld. And like you said, scaling the assets should be a breeze.

If they make it with this in mind they can just compress textures and leave the console textures uncompressed. Kind of like MH4U which has higher res textures on N3DS. I wonder if that's the closest case we've seen that's similar to the supposed NX situation

 

[Neoxon]

Honestly, the only issue with Nintendo's potential shared library concept would be getting western third parties on board with it. Obviously most of them won't be on board with the NX Platform at all early on, but should it prove successful, the only issue left is scaling their games down to the NX Handheld. This could go a number of ways...

• Nintendo offers to help scale down said AAA third party games for the NX Handheld themselves.
• The NX Handheld is close enough in power to the NX Console to where this isn't an issue.
• Nintendo allows western third parties to keep their games NX Console-exclusive.
• Nintendo disregards said third parties entirely.

 

[Toadthemushroom]

If they make it with this in mind they can just compress textures and leave the console textures uncompressed. Kind of like MH4U which has higher res textures on N3DS. I wonder if that's the closest case we've seen that's similar to the supposed NX situation

I wonder if they are going to offer something like "App Slicing" in place if they plan to let developers offer a single game file to download on both, as assets for NX console are going to be much larger as you can imagine.

There are three different mechanisms that developers can use to make these apps smaller. The first, App Slicing, is the most significant. Each iOS app binary you download contains a whole bunch of code for a whole bunch of devices—assuming it's an up-to-date, universal iOS app that supports the iPhone 6 Plus and runs on 32-bit and 64-bit devices, the app contains assets for literally every supported iOS device whether your device needs all that code or not.

Say you have an iPhone 5C, which uses a 32-bit CPU and a GPU that doesn't support the Metal API. Download a modern universal game, and that binary includes 64-bit code, iPad and "3x" iPhone 6 Plus assets, and Metal API code that it doesn't need. It only needs the 32-bit code, "2x" iPhone-sized assets, and the OpenGL graphics code. App Slices will let your device download just the chunks your device needs.

 

[Neoxon]

If they make it with this in mind they can just compress textures and leave the console textures uncompressed. Kind of like MH4U which has higher res textures on N3DS. I wonder if that's the closest case we've seen that's similar to the supposed NX situation

I was thinking of the exact same thing, but wouldn't this be how most games will handle scaling games to the power of each NX system?

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

There are going to be processing power differences. You can't expect to see GTA5 on the portable NX. The processing ceiling will be much higher on the console than the handheld. People already bemoan Nintendo for cutting Ice Climbers from Smash Wii U because of the 3DS. Now imagine that on a more prolific scale.

Ok so instead for no ice climbers only one version will have ice climbers? That is a seperation of the fan base there. You can already feel it sometime when people downplay 3DS smash.

Instead of making one game and having it sell to one audience, they can make one game sell to their entire fan bases while still doing what they normally do.
3DS ate into the Wii U's lunch and vice verse, I can see them trying to make a lot of titles like the Wii U's platformers work on both while new console Zelda/Xenoblade 3 would be just on the console.
Though I could see this as detrimental to the portable system by having less exclusives it should still result in more games.

I really do not get it. So developers, even Nintendo's own will still be making seperate games? Even after Xenoblade 3D the NX portable still will get a seperate xeno game? Because I cannot see a ful scale xenoblde game working on the portable without being tremendously downgraded like Xenoblade 3D even the what would be the point? Even Zelda like so they will make a seperate handheld game again? If a game is mainline, say Zelda. The development process between games wouldnt be solved of teams are still making seperate games.

The point is for developers to be able to make the choice between one or the other or both as they see fit without any issues.

More less the same I said above..

This exact same situation happens on iPad and iPhone too. Some devices are better suited to some things than others.

Yeah but that feel like an uneeded seperation. That means some people will only buy this game and some only buy that. So some will buy the portable for X game and some the home console for X game. Do yall realize how many people on this forum even just buy a 3DS and dont need Wii U because of the games. Some exclusive titles will break the point of cross play, shared OS in my opinion. The goal shouldnt be to be like apple but to do your own version of it. These arent 7$ games they're making here with graphics that can easily be scaled. Especially as some of you wish for XB1/PS4 type of hardware whats the point if the decision is to make games that scale well?

The point is that most games can be played on both with a select few exceptions. As for the scrolling shoulder buttons, they seem doable on the NX Handheld.

Look above

It wouldn't really be just some games can be played on both. It will probably actually end up being most game are playable on both.

Forcing 100% of the library to be shared doesn't really make sense. Even disregarding the difference in power, there are some games that simply don't work on handhelds. At least not without becoming very different games. Stuff like Wii Fit, Rock Band, or a wide variety of things built around motion controls. Not allowing those games to be made just because they wouldn't work on the handheld is is pointlessly limiting.

If we bring the power gap into the equation, there are also things like massive open world games, cheap AAA ports, and potentially even some Virtual Console stuff that you'd miss out on.

I honestly dont think it makes sense at all. Atleast I get a little sense being made at the accesory type of games. I feel like the style of thinking for games to be scaled is ill-advised. It could cause problems in the long run.

Im just having discussion so no hard feeings to anyone here. I like you all

 

[Hiltz]

Honestly, the only issue with Nintendo's potential shared library concept would be getting western third parties on board with it. Obviously most of them won't be on board with the NX Platform at all early on, but should it prove successful, the only issue left is scaling their games down to the NX Handheld. This could go a number of ways...

• Nintendo offers to help scale down said AAA third party games for the NX Handheld themselves.
• The NX Handheld is close enough in power to the NX Console to where this isn't an issue.
• Nintendo allows western third parties to keep their games NX Console-exclusive.
• Nintendo disregards said third parties entirely.

I don't want to sound like I'm downplaying the importance of what you said from a technical perspective, but I don't think it's going to be as big an issue for Nintendo to deal with third parties compared to the problem third parties have with hesitating to support Nintendo platforms in fear of not having a supportive Nintendo audience that's willing to buy their games. Of course, another factor that contributes to this is how Nintendo markets its platforms for kids and families, whereas Sony and Microsoft target older games even though there's non-mature games that sell just fine on Xbox and PlayStation platforms. It also doesn't help that Nintendo has two decades of a general lack of third party IP association to its home consoles in particular. Nintendo has a steep hill to climb out of, and even if Nintendo abandoned the toxic Wii brand, it obviously still won't be a magic solution to its problem, just as it was not for GameCube.

 

[Father_Brain]

Honestly, the only issue with Nintendo's potential shared library concept would be getting western third parties on board with it. Obviously most of them won't be on board with the NX Platform at all early on, but should it prove successful, the only issue left is scaling their games down to the NX Handheld. This could go a number of ways...

• Nintendo offers to help scale down said AAA third party games for the NX Handheld themselves.
• The NX Handheld is close enough in power to the NX Console to where this isn't an issue.
• Nintendo allows western third parties to keep their games NX Console-exclusive.
• Nintendo disregards said third parties entirely.

Unless you count Lego games and the TTL genre, you'll never see Western AAA games on the platform anyway.

 

[Silent_Ocarina]

I'm more skeptical about the number of shared games NX will have than some of you are, but maybe I'll be proven wrong. I appreciate you guys taking the time to discuss it with me.

 

[Pokemaniac]

Ok so instead for no ice climbers only one version will have ice climbers? That is a seperation of the fan base there. You can already feel it sometime when people downplay 3DS smash.


I really do not get it. So developers, even Nintendo's own will still be making seperate games? Even after Xenoblade 3D the NX portable still will get a seperate xeno game? Because I cannot see a ful scale xenoblde game working on the portable without being tremendously downgraded like Xenoblade 3D even the what would be the point? Even Zelda like so they will make a seperate handheld game again? If a game is mainline, say Zelda. The development process between games wouldnt be solved of teams are still making seperate games.

More less the same I said above..

Yeah but that feel like an uneeded seperation. That means some people will only buy this game and some only buy that. So some will buy the portable for X game and some the home console for X game. Do yall realize how many people on this forum even just buy a 3DS and dont need Wii U because of the games. Some exclusive titles will break the point of cross play, shared OS in my opinion. The goal shouldnt be to be like apple but to do your own version of it. These arent 7$ games they're making here with graphics that can easily be scaled. Especially as some of you wish for XB1/PS4 type of hardware whats the point if the decision is to make games that scale well?

Look above

I honestly dont think it makes sense at all. Atleast I get a little sense being made at the accesory type of games. I feel like the style of thinking for games to be scaled is ill-advised. It could cause problems in the long run.

Im just having discussion so no hard feeings to anyone here. I like you all

I don't really see the issue with scaling games. PC developers do it all the time, and it would be easier than that on NX since the hardware levels would still be fixed targets. You'd be able to play the same games on both, but with better graphics and potentially extra features on the console. For games which, for whatever reason, can't scale, you keep them exclusive to one form factor. That way you can get the best of both worlds.

 

[Neoxon]

I don't want to sound like I'm downplaying the importance of what you said from a technical perspective, but I don't think it's going to be as big an issue for Nintendo to deal with third parties compared to the problem third parties have with hesitating to support Nintendo platforms in fear of not having a supportive Nintendo audience that's willing to buy their games. Of course, another factor that contributes to this is how Nintendo markets its platforms for kids and families, whereas Sony and Microsoft target older games even though there's non-mature games that sell just fine on Xbox and PlayStation platforms. It also doesn't help that Nintendo has two decades of a general lack of third party IP association to its home consoles in particular. Nintendo has a steep hill to climb out of, and even if Nintendo abandoned the toxic Wii brand, it obviously still won't be a magic solution to its problem, just as it was not for GameCube.

Unless you count Lego games and the TTL genre, you'll never see Western AAA games on the platform anyway.

I agree with you guys 100%, but I'm only speaking on the 12% chance that western third parties see the NX Platform as successful & give it a chance.

 

[Pokemaniac]

I'm more skeptical about the number of shared games NX will have than some of you are, but maybe I'll be proven wrong. I appreciate you guys taking the time to discuss it with me.

You can already see Nintendo moving in this direction. Smash 4 and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars both appear to be experiments for their future endeavors with shared games.

 

[doctor_zzim]

I don't understand why people think NX could possibly be a console/handheld hybrid? I've actually seen people say Nintendo can easily just figure out how to make it affordable. Like Nintendo can just easily revolutionize hardware and make it 50% cheaper to produce. Even with a magic solution like that, why the hell would they bundle two pieces of hardware for like $300 when they could sell a $200 console and a $100 handheld? Bundling extra expensive things to your product is just a sure way to alienate the majority of people, because most people statistically just aren't going to be interested in both.

All they need to do is synchronize everything well, make them feel like they're part of a whole but don't force people to buy them together, that makes no sense to me. Basically, they need to do what Sony is doing but progress on it further. I think in the very least the next pair of Nintendo devices will be geared toward more stuff like Smash 4 and Monster Hunter 3U. And let people play across devices! Playstation All Stars lets you play across devices, Smash Bros should too.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

What would be the point of 2 systems but only some games can be played on both?? Thats a seperation right there. They need to have all the games the same.

There isn't any point. All games will be playable on both systems. I'm calling it. It really makes no sense for it to be anything else. All it would do is bring even more confusion. Nintendo will mandate both portable and home versions for all games (likely all on one cart.)

 

[……forgetit]

There isn't any point. All games will be playable on both systems. I'm calling it. It really makes no sense for it to be anything else. All it would do is bring even more confusion. Nintendo will mandate both portable and home versions for all games (likely all on one cart.)

Lol, this isn't happening. If they did that the co sole would be severely underutilized.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I don't understand why people think NX could possibly be a console/handheld hybrid? I've actually seen people say Nintendo can easily just figure out how to make it affordable. Like Nintendo can just easily revolutionize hardware and make it 50% cheaper to produce. Even with a magic solution like that, why the hell would they bundle two pieces of hardware for like $300 when they could sell a $200 console and a $100 handheld? Bundling extra expensive things to your product is just a sure way to alienate the majority of people, because most people statistically just aren't going to be interested in both.

All they need to do is synchronize everything well, make them feel like they're part of a whole but don't force people to buy them together, that makes no sense to me. Basically, they need to do what Sony is doing but progress on it further. I think in the very least the next pair of Nintendo devices will be geared toward more stuff like Smash 4 and Monster Hunter 3U. And let people play across devices! Playstation All Stars lets you play across devices, Smash Bros should too.

A handheld for 99$ that plays console games?? That sounds more unrealistic than a hybrid. Even if true what the games gonna look like? at 99$??

 

[Lonely1]

I can imagine the function-over-form draw with some consumers, how about price, though? And from there on, what's the incentive for devs to create content targeting a device that clearly will be sold to a very niche market?

I'm not saying that approach has mass market appeal or even makes business sense. Just stating that the OG Shield was a love letter to handheld consoles enthusiasts. The dream device for all the people that were hacking PSP for homebrew software, imported a GP2X from Korea and were discussing which PocketPC had the less awful buttons configuration back in 2003 (or just get a Zodiac), like my younger self .

And the Android ecosystem was supposed to pickup the software side of things.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

Lol, this isn't happening. If they did that the co sole would be severely underutilized.

You'll see.

 

[……forgetit]

You'll see.

I really doubt I will. Don't expect the next big console Zelda to be on the handheld, or the next Xenoblade, Star fox though, you can count on it.

 

[AcademicSaucer]

There isn't any point. All games will be playable on both systems. I'm calling it. It really makes no sense for it to be anything else. All it would do is bring even more confusion. Nintendo will mandate both portable and home versions for all games (likely all on one cart.)

thats a good way to ensure third parties dont come back.

 

[atbigelow]

If the NX handheld is in the ballpark of Wii U graphics power but with an improved CPU, I think having a "handheld mandate" would be easier to swallow.

I don't personally think it will happen. You can only scale things down so far. In this case, the lower the screen resolution Nintendo can get away with, the better.

There is the chance Nintendo will entirely bow out of the race to the top other consoles are attempting. If they find they can make do with a console that can render NX handheld games in 1080p and 4xMSAA, they might just go for it.

thats a good way to ensure third parties dont come back.

Third-parties will make games if they can make money.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

There isn't any point. All games will be playable on both systems. I'm calling it. It really makes no sense for it to be anything else. All it would do is bring even more confusion. Nintendo will mandate both portable and home versions for all games (likely all on one cart.)

This what people are underestimating. Confusion. That shit is real. Nintendo should be simplifying not adding more junk. Yes we gonna buy it but guess how many people gonna get confused by that? DS, 3DS, New 3DS, 2DS (how the hell you go backwards??) , Wii, Wii U, wii mote, gamepad, classic controller, amiibo, amiibo reader. That is too much man.

 

[udivision]

There isn't any point. All games will be playable on both systems. I'm calling it. It really makes no sense for it to be anything else. All it would do is bring even more confusion. Nintendo will mandate both portable and home versions for all games (likely all on one cart.)

Game Freak: That's an interesting proposition...
...
...
Game Freak: Pokemon Gen 7, exclusive to iOS/Android!

No way Nintendo would mandate such a thing.

 

[Nanashrew]

I really doubt I will. Don't expect the next big console Zelda to be on the handheld, or the next Xenoblade, Star fox though, you can count on it.

Yep! And Tetsuya Takahashi has been listening to fan feedback and wants to apply some to the next game. One of the comments talked about wanting to explore outer-space and I can easily see that being in the next Xenoblade game and they'll make it a real spectacle that likely won't be able to work on handhelds.

 

[Pokemaniac]

There isn't any point. All games will be playable on both systems. I'm calling it. It really makes no sense for it to be anything else. All it would do is bring even more confusion. Nintendo will mandate both portable and home versions for all games (likely all on one cart.)

This what people are underestimating. Confusion. That shit is real. Nintendo should be simplifying not adding more junk. Yes we gonna buy it but guess how many people gonna get confused by that? DS, 3DS, New 3DS, 2DS (how the hell you go backwards??) , Wii, Wii U, wii mote, gamepad, classic controller, amiibo, amiibo reader. That is too much man.

The problem with a handheld mandate is that that leaves the console underutilized. Allowing for console exclusives wouldn't be any more confusing than having DSi or New 3DS exclusive games. Consumers handle iPad exclusive iOS apps just fine, I don't see why they couldn't do the same for NX Console exclusive games.

 

[Sorta Maximus]

No matter what happens with the NX, I have a solid 200 games on Nintendo systems in my collection since 1985 (some third party support in there). Tons of gems in there. I think Nintendo has the cash on hand to buy the specific types of talent they lack and could surprise everyone if they really wanted to.

 

[Trevelyan9999]

The problem with a handheld mandate is that that leaves the console underutilized. Allowing for console exclusives wouldn't be any more confusing than having DSi or New 3DS exclusive games. Consumers handle iPad exclusive iOS apps just fine, I don't see why they couldn't do the same for NX Console exclusive games.

I agree on this point.

Nintendo could simply do this, just like Sony:

Anything that doesn't say this would be a console or handheld exclusive. Think that could work guys?

 

[Adam Tyner]

Consumers handle iPad exclusive iOS apps just fine, I don't see why they couldn't do the same for NX Console exclusive games.

You can't buy an incompatible game on iOS, though, and the retail element does complicate things to some extent. If 90% of what's on the shelf will play on handheld and console, and if the marketing hinges on the idea of "play how/where you like", those console-only releases would muck up the works. Nintendo had issues conveying that the Wii U wasn't just a peripheral; I'm definitely not confident in their ability to convey "all NX games can be played on handheld and console except the ones that can't, which are probably the ones you want to play the most."

I might be blowing this out of proportion. Maybe it's no different than games that require a separate peripheral. I know there weren't a lot of DSi-only titles and only one N3DS exclusive (right?), but I don't remember hearing any horror stories about people being confused there.

 

[Trevelyan9999]

You can't buy an incompatible game on iOS, though, and the retail element does complicate things to some extent. If 90% of what's on the shelf will play on handheld and console, and if the marketing hinges on the idea of "play how/where you like", those console-only releases would muck up the works. Nintendo had issues conveying that the Wii U wasn't just a peripheral; I'm definitely not confident in their ability to convey "all NX games can be played on handheld and console except the ones that can't, which are probably the ones you want to play the most."

I might be blowing this out of proportion. Maybe it's no different than games that require a separate peripheral. I know there weren't a lot of DSi-only titles and only one N3DS exclusive (right?), but I don't remember hearing any horror stories about people being confused there.

Well they could simply put NX Home on the left, NX Cross Buy/Play in the center, NX Portable on the right if we are talking about store shelves at least. For the eShop it could just be a category to pick.

 

[dity]

Well they could simply put NX Home on the left, NX Cross Buy/Play in the center, NX Portable on the right if we are talking about store shelves at least. For the eShop it could just be a category to pick.

Look, if they are going to go with two separate systems (as everyone is adament on "because Iwata said so") they absolutely can't do a setup like you're thinking. It'd be an absolute retail nightmare. Non-savvy people already think Wii and Wii U, as well as 3DS and 2DS and New 3DS, are too confusing already as it is.

 

[Roo]

You can't buy an incompatible game on iOS, though, and the retail element does complicate things to some extent. If 90% of what's on the shelf will play on handheld and console, and if the marketing hinges on the idea of "play how/where you like", those console-only releases would muck up the works. Nintendo had issues conveying that the Wii U wasn't just a peripheral; I'm definitely not confident in their ability to convey "all NX games can be played on handheld and console except the ones that can't, which are probably the ones you want to play the most."

I might be blowing this out of proportion. Maybe it's no different than games that require a separate peripheral. I know there weren't a lot of DSi-only titles and only one N3DS exclusive (right?), but I don't remember hearing any horror stories about people being confused there.

They could always use the "ONLY FOR NX CONSOLE" tag.
People are not buying Xenoblade 3D and expect it to run in a original 3DS simply because it is advertised to work only for N3DS.
Why can't they do the same for NX?

Nintendo literally can't force anyone to work on two version of every game if developers don't see it financially feasible and you bet there will be exclusive games tied to an specific NX SKU.

 

[dity]

But everyone knows mothers are immune to video game case labels. Their vision blocks out any and all platform labelling.

 

[Trevelyan9999]

Look, if they are going to go with two separate systems (as everyone is adament on "because Iwata said so") they absolutely can't do a setup like you're thinking. It'd be an absolute retail nightmare. Non-savvy people already think Wii and Wii U, as well as 3DS and 2DS and New 3DS, are too confusing already as it is.

Ok, so if it's that difficult, care to share an idea of how you think they could differentiate the two systems better?

I've never heard anyone having much problem with Ipod/Ipad:

I think the main problem Nintendo has had is shelve placement; like having stores mix 3DS games in with Wii U games on the same shelf, or Wii consoles under Wii U games. In my point of view, Nintendo needs to make sure the stores have the banners correct, the product colors different, and the names separated.

 

[Gsnap]

Obviously the digital stores wouldn't have a big problem separating things. Whatever hardware you have is the games you have access to.

But retail is difficult. Of course retailers could divide shelf space properly, and Nintendo can add something to the boxes the says "Only for! etc., etc." like they've always done, but like others have said, marketing can be confusing (especially the way Nintendo does it), and of course the average consumer doesn't care enough to actually learn what the difference is.

I suppose they could maybe have different colors for their boxes depending on the game. But then that's 3 different colors if you actually want to distinguish between home, portable, and both, and still doesn't necessarily tell the customer anything unless they're already knowledgable.

But maybe, even though they're supposed to be "Brother systems" or whatever Iwata said, the way to do it would be to actively make the separation between the home and handheld console more obvious and easy to understand, despite allowing a large majority of games to work on both. I don't know. Or maybe, the cross platform stuff will only be one way. Maybe all home console games will be exclusive and all handheld games will be cross platform. The colored cases would work much better that way. Then all home console games could come in red cases with a white logo and all handheld games could be the opposite. Then when you see a white case you know it goes with both, but red cases only go with the home console.

I don't know. It's a tough situation.

I think the main problem Nintendo has had is shelve placement; like having stores mix 3DS games in with Wii U games on the same shelf, or Wii consoles under Wii U games. In my point of view, Nintendo needs to make sure the stores have the banners correct, the product colors different, and the names separated.

Might be difficult when people (including the people who work in the stores) care more about phones than they do about video games. Every wal-mart I've been to mixes stuff up. Not just Nintendo stuff. It's so annoying trying to find a PS4 game there since they're just sitting randomly with the PS3 games.

 

[dity]

Ok, so if it's that difficult, care to share an idea of how you think they could differentiate the two systems better?

I've never heard anyone having much problem with Ipod/Ipad:



I think the main problem Nintendo has had is shelve placement; like having stores mix 3DS games in with Wii U games on the same shelf, or Wii consoles under Wii U games. In my point of view, Nintendo needs to make sure the stores have the banners correct, the product colors different, and the names separated.

Apple has had a different impact on how consumers think and have kept up dedicated product lines, unlike Nintendo. You have to remember that the iPod was released 9 years thereabouts before the iPad even existed and since introducing the "i" line of products Apple has successfullly been able to communicate the difference between its new product and its other products in a sentence or so in marketing.

Nintendo could possibly be introducing two new products with a very similar name that possibly will play different games with some that work on both(?) at the same exact time. They'd definitely need to name them differently or not make some games only compatible with one of the NX's and not the other. However I'm fairly certain if they named them similarly and released them at separate times people will likely think the second release is an accessory for the first.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

The problem with a handheld mandate is that that leaves the console underutilized.

So...? Besides Xenoblade, Zelda U, Splatoon, and Smash 8 Player Nintendo doesn't really push their current home consoles much besides graphics and 60FPS, which would still be there since power levels will likely be somewhat different. Not to mention the chances of a big boost in their next portable. Nintendo will design the games to work on both with the home system having more graphics and local multiplayer on the same system where the portable would be, well portable.

Having some games locked off to either or would be a nightmare. If the whole 3DS/DS/Wii/WiiU stuff caused confusion then the confusion of some NX games only working on one or the other would probably be the most confusing, stupid, and outright legendary thing Nintendo could do to confuse consumers. I would be astounded if they thought they could do it without confusing consumers.

 

[GamerJM]

But the Miis were used on the 3DS, that alone proved that the Miis have moved beyond the Wii branding.

The DS brand was intrinsically linked to the Wii brand, the two complimented each other. NX will probably be a complete brand reboot.

 

[Nanashrew]

So...? Besides Xenoblade, Zelda U, Splatoon, and Smash 8 Player Nintendo doesn't really push their current home consoles much besides graphics and 60FPS, which would still be there since power levels will likely be somewhat different. Not to mention the chances of a big boost in their next portable. Nintendo will design the games to work on both with the home system having more graphics and local multiplayer on the same system where the portable would be, well portable.

Having some games locked off to either or would be a nightmare. If the whole 3DS/DS/Wii/WiiU stuff caused confusion then the confusion of some NX games only working on one or the other would probably be the most confusing, stupid, and outright legendary thing Nintendo could do to confuse consumers. I would be astounded if they thought they could do it without confusing consumers.

Most of the confusion came from keeping the Wii name and not differentiating too much from the previous model. Easy way to avoid confusion is they choose better naming and model conventions. Abandoning the Wii name is already a start, so you have two options, either keep making systems with new names attached or start attaching numbers at the end of the name like PlayStation 1-4 or iPhone 1-6, those work and people know what they are and will recognize them as new systems being different from the last.

 

[gamerforever]

I think nintendo should have just brought out a wii hd capable of competing with sony and microsoft. The problem with the wii u is most people thought that it was an accessory for the wii.

The dual screen approach will end nintendo imo and it is something just not worth doing.

What nintendo need is a powerful console capable pf playing their whole back catalogue.

 

[Roo]

I think nintendo should have just brought out a wii hd capable of competing with sony and microsoft. The problem with the wii u is most people thought that it was an accessory for the wii.

The dual screen approach will end nintendo imo and it is something just not worth doing.

What nintendo need is a powerful console capable pf playing their whole back catalogue.

Wii U already does that just fine. They don't need a powerful console for that.

 

[CaviarMeths]

Game Freak: That's an interesting proposition...
...
...
Game Freak: Pokemon Gen 7, exclusive to iOS/Android!

No way Nintendo would mandate such a thing.

A main series Pokemon game is approx. 600,000x more likely to be on a console than it is on mobile.

You make it sound as if Game Freak would have the freedom to just put Pokemon on whatever they wanted if they weren't happy with Nintendo.

 

[Griss]

Wii U already does that just fine. They don't need a powerful console for that.

No it doesn't. It doesn't emulate Gamecube.

Prior to the Wii U's launch when we didn't know what it would be Gamecube games on the VC was widely wished for and speculated upon.

 

[dity]

Wii U already does that just fine. They don't need a powerful console for that.

Speaking of "playing their whole catalogue", I hope Nintendo really embraces VC on the NX. It feels like they've been really reluctant to do so on the Wii U and 3DS due to the separate stores - new VC game platforms being released on the Wii U feel like a test. Y'know?

And I reslly hope GCN VC becomes a thing. Skipping GCN for Wii digital releases on the Wii U? Damn it Nintendo, give me my Billy Hatcher! lol

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I don't think the Wii U failed because the name confused people.

I think the Wii U failed because people didn't want it.

 

[Pokemaniac]

You can't buy an incompatible game on iOS, though, and the retail element does complicate things to some extent. If 90% of what's on the shelf will play on handheld and console, and if the marketing hinges on the idea of "play how/where you like", those console-only releases would muck up the works. Nintendo had issues conveying that the Wii U wasn't just a peripheral; I'm definitely not confident in their ability to convey "all NX games can be played on handheld and console except the ones that can't, which are probably the ones you want to play the most."

I might be blowing this out of proportion. Maybe it's no different than games that require a separate peripheral. I know there weren't a lot of DSi-only titles and only one N3DS exclusive (right?), but I don't remember hearing any horror stories about people being confused there.

I think that a good deal of the confusion will be avoided by the fact that they're probably completely redoing their branding. There will be no legacy platform names to confuse people.

There are several approaches that they could take regarding differentiating exclusives. I think that making sure the two form factors have clearly distinct names/logos, and using a visually distinct banner with an "only for" on it would do a pretty good job by itself. They could also do things like add physical tabs to the cartridges to prevent them from being inserted into the handheld.

Assuming there are no handheld exclusives, one other thing they could do is to put console exclusive games on optical discs.

I'm not a marketing guy, but I'm sure this isn't an unsolvable problem.

So...? Besides Xenoblade, Zelda U, Splatoon, and Smash 8 Player Nintendo doesn't really push their current home consoles much besides graphics and 60FPS, which would still be there since power levels will likely be somewhat different. Not to mention the chances of a big boost in their next portable. Nintendo will design the games to work on both with the home system having more graphics and local multiplayer on the same system where the portable would be, well portable.

Having some games locked off to either or would be a nightmare. If the whole 3DS/DS/Wii/WiiU stuff caused confusion then the confusion of some NX games only working on one or the other would probably be the most confusing, stupid, and outright legendary thing Nintendo could do to confuse consumers. I would be astounded if they thought they could do it without confusing consumers.

The fact that there are relatively few instances where Nintendo wold truly need the extra power is part of what will make the approach work. If too many of the big games were barred from the handheld, then it might be seen as a second class citizen. By allowing for a relatively small number of console exclusives, they avoid limiting their creativity and keep their options more open in terms of Virtual Console, peripheral-based games (think Rock Band or Wii Fit), motion controls, and third party relationships.

 

[dickroach]

No it doesn't. It doesn't emulate Gamecube.

Prior to the Wii U's launch when we didn't know what it would be Gamecube games on the VC was widely wished for and speculated upon.

it runs Gamecube games
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=927094