undefined | Better HN

0 pointsHlessClaudesman3y ago0 comments

Also Nintendo's whole philosophy is all about doing more with less. They make money on every device by not putting out overly engineered / performant systems. So they have always been lagging in terms of cutting edge hardware, but they make up for it by focusing on joyful content.

0 comments

7 comments · 2 top-level

ProfessorLayton3y ago· 3 in thread

I wouldn't say that's always been the case. Both the N64 and Gamecube featured relatively cutting edge tech during their time. Of course, those two are their weakest selling home consoles, so they've definitely shifted their strategy afterwards.

But for two generations, they did try and keep up with their contemporaries.

elromulous3y ago

> those two are their weakest selling home consoles

Wii U would like a word.

ProfessorLayton3y ago

Oh wow I just checked wikipedia, and I knew it did poorly, but did not know the Switch has outsold it by 10x (!!)

What a turnaround!

(My Wii U is collecting dust, though I did enjoy it)

3 more replies

zirgs3y ago

They made some stupid decisions back then. N64 was cartridge based and didn't play CDs like its competitors.

The PS2 was the cheapest DVD player that also could play games, but GC could not play DVDs - its games were released on weird mini-DVDs that could store only ~1.4 GB.

Dalewyn3y ago· 2 in thread

I would argue Nintendo has their priorities straight.

Joe Schmoe doesn't know and doesn't care about hardware. Ohled? Gigglehearts? Flame rates? WTF are you talking about, he'll say to you.

What Joe Schmoe does know and does care about is whether the game he's playing is fun. This is where Nintendo focuses their energy.

Fricken3y ago

There is a reason why Hollywood doesn't put technical people in charge of it's films.

A successful film director needs to prove their ability to deliver powerful experiences on next-to- no budget at all before anyone puts them in charge of a $150 million dollar blockbuster.

Schiphol3y ago

Joe Schmoe and me both

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse