Nintendo Q1 Financials

I apologize, but I have a problem with the Wii being compared with PS3 and X360. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy the different branches of Nintendo are making money hand over fist, but I don't see much of anything to compare it to the high-tech consoles.

To me comparing the Wii to the PS3 and X360 is like comparing a VTech V.Smile game console or worse to the Wii. Personally, I just don't see how the Wii compares. It almost seems like comparing a 25" Magnavox 480p TV to a 70" Sony 1080p HDTV. I mean they both display a picture and can have a player hooked up to it, but would you really try to compare the two?

It just seems weird...that's all. Anyway, good job making that money Nintendo!

 

As I've said before, my analogy to the situation is...

PS2 = VHS
PS3 = D-VHS
Wii = DVD

 

I would probably change the D-VHS to HD DVD or better yet...Blu-ray. But, even 5 Wiis don't equal the PS3 in power. That might need to be changed to HVD.

 

I'll explain the analogy as quickly as I can...

PS2 = VHS => Dominant movie format (Dominant Console)
PS3 = D-VHS => High Definition VHS (More of the same in HD; something very few cared about)
DVD = Wii => New convenient features (No bulky tape, rewind, etc) Doesn't support HD

 

What does technical specification have to do with anything? You think that if two products aren't identical technically then they shouldn't be compared? Wii/360/PS3 are compared because they are all current generation consoles. They compete for a lot of the same cash, they all have serious developer support and retail shelf space.. simple really. Think a bit longer before you make comparisons would be my advice.. Especially when likening the difference in specs between Wii and 360/PS3 to the difference between a V-Smile (or worse apparently) and Wii...

 

No analogies from me sirs. The below link leads to a comically obvious story that has some relevance to this thread. I'll add that I'm a proponent of the USD currency troubles causing some supply restraint from Nintendo.

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/04/nintendo-averag.html

 

Did I say anything about "identical technically"? No. The X360 and PS3 are, obviously, NOT "identical technically". However, they are in the same class. The V.Smile is current generation as well. Would I compared it with the Wii? Not seriously. I guess you didn't "get" the TV analogy. It pretty much just like that. Would you, also, say that Ford Focus sales decently impact BMW M5 sales? That might get you laughed at.

I don't believe they compete for a lot of the same cash. I believe the Wii is a suppliment to the other consoles. There is no proof that I've seen that shows the Wii is competing for the "same cash" any more than a VTech V.Smile competes for the Wii's cash. Sure some people might only buy a V.Smile for their kids and not a Wii. But, that would not be a huge number of people.

So, I guess you might need to think about this a little more before the emotion makes it's way to word form.

 

The car anthology doesnt work because there is a very big difference in price. A focus is in reach for a fair amount of people, a M5 not unless they will make serious consessions in other places and than they still might not be able to buy one. This isnt the case with consoles. Anybody able to afford 250 euro's for a wii is very likely to be just as able to afford 400 euro's for a ps3 (afterall the difference in price is only a little over 2 games). And in the end they are on the same market, those of videogames and for the far majority they will be fighting for the same customers. Its not like the wii is a fundamentally different thing, its still a game console even though there is a different way of controlling the games its not that different. Nor are the games that different.

You could compare it with the DS and the PSP. Its kind of the same thing. PSP was the high tech machine that surely would kick ass the DS with its outdated tech and gimmicky touchscreen. Both were competing for the handheld market space. Now we all know how that turned out. Nobody can be botherd by the psp games and the only reason its not a complete failure is because it now mostly sells as a portable media device but the intention was to compete with nintendo for the handheld gamer.

Its the same with the Wii and ps3 (and x360). Both are competing for the gamers to buy their product. Now they might aimed their products at slightly different groups in the beginning but at the end of the day all are after the casual gamer because that is by far the biggest group and both nintendo and sony always aimed at that group.

 

Maybe I should have said the Ford Focus clientele against the Lexus GS350 clientele instead. That would definitely match the launch price difference between the two (even with a price drop included). Do you think they interfere with each other's market?

Yes. In the end, they are aiming for casual gamers. Like I have said in another thread, it's a difference in strategies. MS and Sony seem to have a top to bottom strategy. Nintendo seems to have a middle to bottom strategy (or just a bottom strategy). There are many more people at the low end of the price spectrum than above that level.

The real question is...do you believe that the GAMERS that by the Wii don't or won't buy one of the other two offerings from MS and Sony?

 

Yes I believe they dont have to buy a x360 or ps3. I'm a ''gamer''. I have a Wii and I dont feel the need to buy a ps3 or x360. Sure, I would like to have one, and I might buy one, but I dont need one to feel satisfied. For me there are enough quality games (coming) to keep me happy. Though I dont have that much time to game. But if time is not a problem basically the only console you want is either the ps2 or x360 the ps3 game offering isnt exactly great either.

You could also reverse the question, wouldnt ps3 and x360 owners need/want a wii? Because any real gamer would appreciate the unique things wii have to offer even if the amount of games still is a bit low.

 

The V.Smile is a current gen console? Dear me.....

The car analogy doesn't work at all so I won't bother with that.

You can believe whatever you want mate. What I believe is that you have a narrow and cliched view of this market. For instance personally my 360 is a suppliment to my Wii (both are suppliments to my PC ).