I’ve been hard on Nintendo in the past, and I’m not the only one. While the Wii was ingenious in many ways, the Wii U was just a terrible idea. That’s my opinion, of course, but the sales sort of reflect that assessment.
Now, we’re seeing journalists and analysts calling for Nintendo to basically “adapt or get out.” There’s no doubt that the legendary game company should feel a sense of urgency. Wii U projections for the fiscal year were slashed from 9 million to 2.8 million and with the PS4 and Xbox One blowing up, the Wii U’s downward trajectory may worsen.
Therefore, the situation does require Nintendo’s attention. But what’s with these people saying Nintendo should just bow out entirely?
Video games without Nintendo…does not compute
For the record, I have not owned a Nintendo console since the SNES. I was all into JRPGs during the original PlayStation days, so the N64 didn’t really do it for me, and neither did the GameCube. I thought what Nintendo did with the Wii was fantastic, but it really wasn’t my bag. And yet, despite my criticism of the company’s horrendous decision concerning the Wii U, I will always love the Mario creator.
That SNES is still hooked up in my bedroom. Know why? Because it holds a certain purity and simplicity that I can’t find today; it’s well beyond a nostalgic connection. It’s an homage to the past, when video games weren’t just simpler, they were a completely different form of entertainment. Obviously, Nintendo wasn’t the only game company that epitomized an era. Sega should be mentioned, along with Atari.
It’s just that Nintendo is synonymous with video games. Always has been, always will be. While some may call that unimportant, I call it critical.
Times have changed but nobody forgets Nintendo
I don’t really play their games anymore, and I doubt I’ll ever buy another Nintendo game console. They’re catering to a different demographic these days and frankly, I’m too old for that audience. I’m not saying they make games only for kids; I’m just saying they have an emphasis on family-friendly entertaiment, and that’s fine. It’s just that in terms of what I want, I’m a little beyond Mario and Zelda right now. Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what Nintendo brings to the table.
You should never want to give up on an icon. You should never want to besmirch a legacy with heated words of bitterness. You should never hope to see the demise of a legend, especially if you were around when that legend began its reign. The gaming world doesn’t even remotely resemble the world where Nintendo ruled, but what Nintendo signifies is what’s important here.
I never want Nintendo to disappear, and neither should you. I can’t see how that would benefit the industry and in fact, those of us who grew up with Nintendo would view it almost as a death in the family. Perhaps not quite that emotional, but you get my point. I don’t love what Nintendo has done recently.
That doesn’t change the fact that I will always love what Nintendo stood for, currently stands for, and will (hopefully) continue to stand for in the future.
Published: Jan 22, 2014 08:06 pm