Why Does Nintendo Get Free Passes?

[Guest]

Forewarning to Nintendo fans: this may make you a little annoyed if you are a fanboy. I love Nintendo, but I ask you to look at this objectively.

 

All the time I hear people say that they don't buy Nintendo consoles for third party, but instead for Nintendo games. Many people believe this is an acceptable justification for the Wii U. And clearly as sales say... It's not. I've never heard anyone buy a Playstation for the exclusives and then get an Xbox for all the rest (though I do know it happens, my point is it's not as common). I own the Wii U myself and I can honestly say that Nintendo tried to get third party and just gave up. Why is it okay for Nintendo to give us a system that is significantly less powerful and can't handle third party?

 

On top of this, many people claim the Wii U is the "cheapest" system so it's justified. Ummm... No it isn't. Let's look at a PS4:

 

In the box:

 

-Headset

-System

-Controller

-Cables

-Charge cable

-Game

 

If you look around you can find game deal PS4s for the same price as the ones without. I got the GTAV model that included TWO games for $399 (I actually paid $299 because I had a coupon for 25% off).

 

 

I got my Wii U with the Windwaker pack. Now that is the 32GB deluxe system, unfortunately even at the price of $349, I still would need more stuff right after I got it:

 

-Wiimote $30-50 if you shop around

-Numchuk $10-20

-Rechargable batteries - About $10

-External Hard drive - Around $40-50 depending on the size, because let's face it that internal isn't going to store shit.

 

At the end of the day, the Wii U ends up being more expensive than the PS4, even if you already had wiimotes. And don't say "well most people already had wiimotes" that's not a good defense. The system should have come with everything it needs to play. Considering SOME GAMES NEED WIIMOTES, you should include them!

 

I'm not even counting all the expensive crap you need if you want to play Smash bros "the way it was meant to be played" (such as that overpriced gamecube adapter).

 

Why does Nintendo get a free pass for being so expensive but giving us less powerful hardware?

 

 

And finally: amiiboos, and the upcoming amiiboo cards. They are micro-transactions. Literally that's all they are. They unlock little extra goodies in games.  They are just microtransactions that they charge about $10 for. And the cards add a new problem: microtransactions that are not even permanent because those cards are going to get ruined eventually, they're just paper.

 

Why is it okay for Nintendo to disguise micro-transactions and charge an arm and a leg for them, but when any other company does it, it's a sin to gaming everywhere? I'm not hating on Nintendo, I am just asking the question.

[Gestum 2,493]

Because Nintendo has a lot of fanboys that defends them from any criticism. 

[Night Mist 151]

Because no one has thought of them as micro-transactions. You're getting a little figure with data so it feels like a fair price. Not sure how much the cards will be but they'll be just as collectible like trading cards I'm sure.

[09thRoad 104]

Nintendo has NEVER gotten a free pass from me, and I've been very vocal outside of this community about their many missteps over the last few years. Speaking specifically about the Wii U, I understand Nintendo's desire and fascination with being known for their innovation, as opposed to directly competing with the PS4 and Xbox One in terms of raw performance power. However, innovation only works when you either solve a problem or directly meet consumer demand. The Wii worked so well because it came out right at the onset of consumer interest in motion controls. Combine said interest with a lineup of great first party titles and you have yourself a smash hit. Now fast forward to the Wii U. This time, we get an attempted replication of the dual screen experience provided by the immensely successful 3DS. However, the market demand was just not there. The gaming community at large was already opposed to the idea of tablet gaming before the Wii U even hit the market. Also, Nintendo launched with none of their usual first party franchises, and only had a handful of remakes, last gen ports, and indie games. On top of all of that, Nintendo really shot themselves in the foot in terms of marketing by calling it the Wii U. It wasn't clear to the average consumer that the Wii U was a new console. Nintendo did the same exact thing by following up the 3DS with...wait for it...the 2DS. Oh but wait, after the 2DS we got the...New 3DS XL. 

 

Now, all that aside, Nintendo has done a lot of good in recent years as well. For example, I can appreciate their approach to DLC. I won't touch the Amiibo fiasco because it's been discussed to death, but look at games like Splatoon. Since it's launch almost two months ago, the game has received numerous free and frequent updates that have added new content. With Mario Kart 8 Nintendo has added 16 new tracks to the game at a very reasonable price. Super Smash Bros. 4 has slowly been adding in new characters that fans have asked for, again at a reasonable price.

 

So, at the end of the day, Nintendo's refreshing approach to DLC does not excuse the huge blunder that was the Wii, nor the poor marketing decisions made across the board. However, I have some hope that their next console (the NX) will be more successful.

[Guest]

Because no one has thought of them as micro-transactions. You're getting a little figure with data so it feels like a fair price. Not sure how much the cards will be but they'll be just as collectible like trading cards I'm sure.

But what more is that than micro-DLC with a little figure? All it really does in game is like adds a costume and crap.

 

 

Nintendo has NEVER gotten a free pass from me, and I've been very vocal outside of this community about their many missteps over the last few years. Speaking specifically about the Wii U, I understand Nintendo's desire and fascination with being known for their innovation, as opposed to directly competing with the PS4 and Xbox One in terms of raw performance power. However, innovation only works when you either solve a problem or directly meet consumer demand. The Wii worked so well because it came out right at the onset of consumer interest in motion controls. Combine said interest with a lineup of great first party titles and you have yourself a smash hit. Now fast forward to the Wii U. This time, we get an attempted replication of the dual screen experience provided by the immensely successful 3DS. However, the market demand was just not there. The gaming community at large was already opposed to the idea of tablet gaming before the Wii U even hit the market. Also, Nintendo launched with none of their usual first party franchises, and only had a handful of remakes, last gen ports, and indie games. On top of all of that, Nintendo really shot themselves in the foot in terms of marketing by calling it the Wii U. It wasn't clear to the average consumer that the Wii U was a new console. Nintendo did the same exact thing by following up the 3DS with...wait for it...the 2DS. Oh but wait, after the 2DS we got the...New 3DS XL. 

 

Now, all that aside, Nintendo has done a lot of good in recent years as well. For example, I can appreciate their approach to DLC. I won't touch the Amiibo fiasco because it's been discussed to death, but look at games like Splatoon. Since it's launch almost two months ago, the game has received numerous free and frequent updates that have added new content. With Mario Kart 8 Nintendo has added 16 new tracks to the game at a very reasonable price. Super Smash Bros. 4 has slowly been adding in new characters that fans have asked for, again at a reasonable price.

 

So, at the end of the day, Nintendo's refreshing approach to DLC does not excuse the huge blunder that was the Wii, nor the poor marketing decisions made across the board. However, I have some hope that their next console (the NX) will be more successful.

The Wii U's name was something I criticized instantly. It was not clear it was a new console to consumers. At the end of the day though, the Wii audience was those casual gamers, and they moved on to smartphones and tablets. Nintendo was hoping to get that casual market back, but it just didn't work. That market has NO brand loyalty so you can't win them back by going "but we're Nintendo!" they move from one thing to the next without much care.

 

I really hope Nintendo gets their act together with the NX and delivers a system that is powerful with the hardware to compete with the PS4 and Xbox One, otherwise it really is just a matter of "why bother then?" if it's more or less just going to be a Wii U without the tablet?

[Night Mist 151]

But what more is that than micro-DLC with a little figure? All it really does in game is like adds a costume and crap.

 

I collect Pokemon figures and I don't get DLC for them. Amiibos are just like them only you get something extra.I don't think many people who buy them even take them out of the package. Its just a collectible. You're right if you are getting them for the extra data they are miro trans, but they're also collectibles which is how most people have been seeing them. 

[Guest]

I collect Pokemon figures and I don't get DLC for them. Amiibos are just like them only you get something extra.I don't think many people who buy them even take them out of the package. Its just a collectible. You're right if you are getting them for the extra data they are miro trans, but they're also collectibles which is how most people have been seeing them. 

I suppose that is a fair assessment. I still don't like though how parts of games are locked out unless you get them though. Kind of annoying because I like buying a game and owning the WHOLE game. I know half the time they are just little extra costumes and stuff, but it's really frustrating that parts of the game are locked out like that unless you buy these figurines. I don't like figurines, I don't like collecting them but I do like video games so I think it's annoying for those of us who just want to play the games that we're being forced to collect these things if we just happen to like having completed games.

[Megas 27,764]

*holds flame-shield for fanboy accusations*

 

As far as the Wii controllers go(or the external hard-drive similarly), it's because they assume you already have the Wii, or have some laying around, and according to my brother(who lived in Japan for a good while), it's unfortunately a common practice in Japan for businesses to assume you had an older devices from the same companies(hence the whole New 3DS charger stuff). It's bullshit, but common.

 

With the Super Smash Bros Adapter, it's a completely optional thing that Nintendo only included to satisfy the "Hardcore" or Tourney Smash fans.

 

With Amiibo, I see it with two perspectives

 

1) with the exception of Smash Bros(where it's actually used as a Toys-to-Life thing), and really bad cases of poor-implementation/actual-locked content(like Hyrule Warriors items or locked missions in Splatoon, topped with the fact that some of them are frustratingly difficult to come by), the content behind amiibo has mainly been purely cosmetic and doesn't effect the game itself other than having characters look different(and personal opinion, but cosmetic micro-transactions never bothered me anyway)

 

2) Amiibo doubles as merchandise for Nintendo fans and collectors(kind of the same reason I want to get Disney Infinity figures despite not having the games), as many fans never even use amiibos and just have to show case. I mean think about it this way, this will probably be the only chance people will have to actually be able to get Earthbound/Mother merchandise in the US

 

Really, the only issue I have with Amiibo is that Nintendo has been awful at supplying them in the US(apparently it's not so bad in Japan), and the fact that they haven't made a full game utilizing them(again, like Disney Infinity)

[Guest]

*holds flame-shield for fanboy accusations*

 

As far as the Wii controllers go(or the external hard-drive similarly), it's because they assume you already have the Wii, or have some laying around, and according to my brother(who lived in Japan for a good while), it's unfortunately a common practice in Japan for businesses to assume you had an older devices from the same companies(hence the whole New 3DS charger stuff). It's bullshit, but common.

 

With the Super Smash Bros Adapter, it's a completely optional thing that Nintendo only included to satisfy the "Hardcore" or Tourney Smash fans.

 

With Amiibo, I see it with two perspectives

 

1) with the exception of Smash Bros(where it's actually used as a Toys-to-Life thing), and really bad cases of poor-implementation/actual-locked content(like Hyrule Warriors items or locked missions in Splatoon, topped with the fact that some of them are frustratingly difficult to come by), the content behind amiibo has mainly been purely cosmetic and doesn't effect the game itself other than having characters look different(and personal opinion, but cosmetic micro-transactions never bothered me anyway)

 

2) Amiibo doubles as merchandise for Nintendo fans and collectors(kind of the same reason I want to get Disney Infinity figures despite not having the games), as many fans never even use amiibos and just have to show case. I mean think about it this way, this will probably be the only chance people will have to actually be able to get Earthbound/Mother merchandise in the US

 

Really, the only issue I have with Amiibo is that Nintendo has been awful at supplying them in the US(apparently it's not so bad in Japan), and the fact that they haven't made a full game utilizing them(again, like Disney Infinity)

Yeah, and like I said, I get the whole argument of "they are just cosmetic items" but it is still a pet peeve of mine to have ANY of a game locked out unless I buy extra crap. Especially when that crap is figurines that I don't want and take up shelf space that I do not need taken up.

[Night Mist 151]

I suppose that is a fair assessment. I still don't like though how parts of games are locked out unless you get them though. Kind of annoying because I like buying a game and owning the WHOLE game. I know half the time they are just little extra costumes and stuff, but it's really frustrating that parts of the game are locked out like that unless you buy these figurines. I don't like figurines, I don't like collecting them but I do like video games so I think it's annoying for those of us who just want to play the games that we're being forced to collect these things if we just happen to like having completed games.

I completely agree with you there. I've never liked extra data being locked away. I'm rather irked about needing the cards with Happy home designer. Up until now the amiibo have just unlocked costumes which I could kinda overlook since I saw them as collectables. With the cards though? They really from what I understand have key parts of the game. But I also know people will collect them like baseball and Pokemon cards. So no Nintendo doesn't get a free pass from me, I'm just more forgiving and look at it from other view points. 

[Guest]

I completely agree with you there. I've never liked extra data being locked away. I'm rather irked about needing the cards with Happy home designer. Up until now the amiibo have just unlocked costumes which I could kinda overlook since I saw them as collectables. With the cards though? They really from what I understand have key parts of the game. But I also know people will collect them like baseball and Pokemon cards. So no Nintendo doesn't get a free pass from me, I'm just more forgiving and look at it from other view points. 

Which blows for me because I love the Animal Crossing franchise! It really sucks that it's more or less being given the whole "here let's make people buy a lot of unnecessary crap to fully enjoy the game" treatment. Hopefully this means New Leaf will keep a strong community though.

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

Nintendo doesn't lie to its fans. It doesn't release half completed games only for you to have to buy DLC to have a complete game. There's no mandatory subscription service. Early models are back compatible. Mario, Zelda, Not every game is either a third person shooter, or a fighting game or a racing game. Family friendly.... And in the long run it is cheaper, even when you have the buy the extras. The DLCs and subscription service adds up rather quickly.

 

So all in all..... It's just a superior gaming experience.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

I've seen Nintendo get criticized just as much as Sony and Microsoft. And guess what? All their fanboys react the exact same way to them: By rushing to their defense ignoring any flaws. Heck, I even acknowledge that the games I like have flaws, but I don't let them hinder my enjoyment of them. If you want something that I see as not as criticized, see Steam. (Not that I'm hating on that, I happen to also like Steam).

[Guest]

Nintendo doesn't lie to its fans. It doesn't release half completed games only for you to have to buy DLC to have a complete game. There's no mandatory subscription service. Early models are back compatible. Mario, Zelda, Not every game is either a third person shooter, or a fighting game or a racing game. Family friendly.... And in the long run it is cheaper, even when you have the buy the extras. The DLCs and subscription service adds up rather quickly.

 

So all in all..... It's just a superior gaming experience.

Well while I am sure in your opinion it is a superior gaming experience, I must respectfully disagree.

 

Most of Nintendo's major games are single player. There is VERY LITTLE in terms of multi-player. So I wouldn't say that subscription services should count towards the costs, however if we are counting them consider what else you get with those services that Nintendo's free service is not offering:

 

-Parties

-Chat that works across games (which Nintendo's only works in the one app and isn't very good)

-Global achievement system

-Discounts on virtual store items

-Free games every month

-Far superior online experience

 

 

So yeah, you get Nintendo Network for free... But you basically don't really get much with it.

 

Also their competitors have waaaaaaaay more games. If you don't like Nintendo's first party games there is no reason to get a Nintendo system. There is no reason to get a Nintendo system if you are a hardcore gamer, which as the sales are saying: is a lot of people. The Wii U is dead last in sales for a reason.

 

And like aren't Nintendo's big three multiplayer games a: fighting game, racing game, and third person shooter? Pretty much the only games I hear people talking about multiplayer wise are those three.

 

I consider a superior experience where I get all the services I need to communicate with my friends, set up games with ease with them, having the hardware to support modern graphics, being able to talk to my teammates and getting the latest games.

 

The Wii U still lacks many of the third party games their competitors have. You can't tell me that they "don't matter". Call of Duty still sells a crap ton every year, and they are not getting Black Ops 3. Even the PS3 and Xbox 360 are getting that game, but the Wii U isn't. That's not good. BIG HUGE FRANCHISES passing up on the Wii U means it's NOT the "superior" experience. It means developers are considering it irrelevant.

[09thRoad 104]

I've seen Nintendo get criticized just as much as Sony and Microsoft. And guess what? All their fanboys react the exact same way to them: By rushing to their defense ignoring any flaws. Heck, I even acknowledge that the games I like have flaws, but I don't let them hinder my enjoyment of them. If you want something that I see as not as criticized, see Steam. (Not that I'm hating on that, I happen to also like Steam).

 

Steam gets criticized all the time. It is pretty much universally accepted that Steam/Valve has one of the worst customer support departments of any online service. Aside from that no one really criticizes the DRM aspect of Steam because Valve, despite their horrible customer support, is still seen as a bastion of honesty and integrity when it comes to running a business. They take good care of their employees, their offer incredible gaming sales on a weekly basis, their platform is lightweight and functional with no unnecessary bloat, and have numerous highly acclaimed and successful franchises under their belt. I mean, look what they are doing with DotA 2 Reborn. Valve is essentially rebuilding the entire game using a new engine, as well as moving most of the online traffic onto their own private global network. Simply put...that's amazing.

[Unikitty 1,212]

*shrugs* I dunno mang. I just like the games they release, and have long loved their first party IPs. I easily feel justified in buying the console. Nintendo has also avoided the problem I have with the other platforms, which is how games seem to all come out behind paywalls and with much of it locked through DLC. Sure, Nintendo has had their fair share of DLC, but to me it's always been worth the price, and the applicable games have always been satisfyingly complete before any add-ons.

As for Amiibo, I have no problem with them. Sure, they may seem like micro-transactions/paywalls, but this is hardly the case. Unlike other similar processes(*cough*Skylanders*cough*) Amiibo have never locked off key content from the games. And Following that, you can use many Amiibo across multiple games, sometimes repetitively. So it doesn't feel like a one-use micro-transaction or content unlock. The worst I've seen this for is Splatoon, where it gives some extra gear and missions. But the missions aren't key, and I've easily had enough fun without ever getting them. The gear also doesn't outclass gear you get normally, so it's not like people are at any sort of advantage/disadvantage.

Nintendo can 'get away' with these because unlike so many other companies, their extra content has always been either free, or at a reasonable price. Which is how extra content should be handled. Not as a game to hold for ransom against the player.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Unikitty

[Guest]

*shrugs* I dunno mang. I just like the games they release, and have long loved their first party IPs. I easily feel justified in buying the console. Nintendo has also avoided the problem I have with the other platforms, which is how games seem to all come out behind paywalls and with much of it locked through DLC. Sure, Nintendo has had their fair share of DLC, but to me it's always been worth the price, and the applicable games have always been satisfyingly complete before any add-ons.

 

As for Amiibo, I have no problem with them. Sure, they may seem like micro-transactions/paywalls, but this is hardly the case. Unlike other similar processes(*cough*Skylanders*cough*) Amiibo have never locked off key content from the games. And Following that, you can use many Amiibo across multiple games, sometimes repetitively. So it doesn't feel like a one-use micro-transaction or content unlock. The worst I've seen this for is Splatoon, where it gives some extra gear and missions. But the missions aren't key, and I've easily had enough fun without ever getting them. The gear also doesn't outclass gear you get normally, so it's not like people are at any sort of advantage/disadvantage.

 

Nintendo can 'get away' with these because unlike so many other companies, their extra content has always been either free, or at a reasonable price. Which is how extra content should be handled. Not as a game to hold for ransom against the player.

I feel it's more of a matter of Nintendo knows how to "hide" the costs better than others.

[Discordian 6,015]

Nintendo doesn't lie to its fans. It doesn't release half completed games only for you to have to buy DLC to have a complete game. There's no mandatory subscription service. Early models are back compatible. Mario, Zelda, Not every game is either a third person shooter, or a fighting game or a racing game. Family friendly.... And in the long run it is cheaper, even when you have the buy the extras. The DLCs and subscription service adds up rather quickly.

 

So all in all..... It's just a superior gaming experience.

There are very few games that are incomplete if you don't buy DLC.

 

I'd greatly argue against Nintendo being a superior gaming experience. It's exactly the same as every other company. The main difference is that Nintendo doesn't have nearly as many games as other consoles. Nintendo offers little variety compared to other consoles and what's there doesn't impress the gaming community.

[Unikitty 1,212]

I feel it's more of a matter of Nintendo knows how to "hide" the costs better than others.

 

As long as I feel I'm getting my value out of what I pay for, I have no issue with it. And so far, only Nintendo has managed to achieve that for me.

[Guest]

As long as I feel I'm getting my value out of what I pay for, I have no issue with it. And so far, only Nintendo has managed to achieve that for me.

Well I'm glad you get your fill, I sincerely am, however for me I do not feel like I am getting my value. I feel like I'm being nickeled and dimed for every little morsel Nintendo can get out of me, and I don't like that.

[Shanks 10,816]

Actually I have seen Nintendo get criticized ALOT in recent years, some of it quite warranted. There are some things Nintendo is doing right, it took a while to release games for the 3DS but they did a great job making it up to consumers that bought it early with the Ambassador Program. Today the 3DS has a ton of games to suit various tastes but they seem to be taking their sweet time with the Wii U. They screwed up with the Wii U big time, not that many games for it and the rather unfortunate name confused a lot of casual gamers that may are not keeping up with gaming news as much as hard core gamers. As has been pointed out Nintendo is not releasing half completed games full of glitches which has become common place for many gaming companies, but that is just common sense. 

[Unikitty 1,212]

Well I'm glad you get your fill, I sincerely am, however for me I do not feel like I am getting my value. I feel like I'm being nickeled and dimed for every little morsel Nintendo can get out of me, and I don't like that.

 

I suppose it's up to the individual. For instance, I feel absolutely ripped off by Destiny. I went in expecting a huge, rich universe to explore. Something on a level untouched before. I expected to see the world around me grow as I was pulled into a deep storyline that was full but ever growing.

But instead I got half a game and three times the base cost in expansion packs. A lazily built world covered in limited interactions, and broken textures. A game where rather than slowly revealing the lore as you played, instead gave you miniature achievements which unlocked the lore as readable content on their website. To me, this game is trash and one of the best examples of AAA titles gone wrong.

...and yet I have seen many who'll disagree with me on that. Who, despite all the flaws I see, will believe that their money is well spent. People who genuinely are loving the game.

So I don't think it's a case of one company getting special privileges over another, and more so just different communities seeing completely different sides.

[Castle Bleck 19,378]

They don't "get free passes"; they just do more-original stuff in contrast to just spamming 1st- and 3rd-person shooters and such.

Edited July 17, 2015 by A.V.

[Guest]

I suppose it's up to the individual. For instance, I feel absolutely ripped off by Destiny. I went in expecting a huge, rich universe to explore. Something on a level untouched before. I expected to see the world around me grow as I was pulled into a deep storyline that was full but ever growing.

But instead I got half a game and three times the base cost in expansion packs. A lazily built world covered in limited interactions, and broken textures. A game where rather than slowly revealing the lore as you played, instead gave you miniature achievements which unlocked the lore as readable content on their website. To me, this game is trash and one of the best examples of AAA titles gone wrong.

...and yet I have seen many who'll disagree with me on that. Who, despite all the flaws I see, will believe that their money is well spent. People who genuinely are loving the game.

So I don't think it's a case of one company getting special privileges over another, and more so just different communities seeing completely different sides.

Some people literally will justify their money spent to the point where they will ignore being dissatisfied. I am not kidding it's a physiological thing. People don't like admitting they made a mistake or that they got ripped off, so they will convince themselves something is good to not have to admit that. I have a feeling that's what is going on with a lot of this. People just don't want to admit that they may have been swindled.

[09thRoad 104]

They don't "get free passes"; they just do more-original stuff in contrast to just spamming 3rd-person shooters and such.

 

I would hardly call rehashing the same half-dozen IPs over and over again "original". Splatoon was the most original thing Nintendo has done in a long while and, oh hey, it's a third person shooter.