Say Nintendo finally quit console making and released higher quality versions of Zelda or Metroid on XBOX or PlayStation wouldn't they make so much more money than they are now? I mean with the new generation coming it seems like Nintendo is once again last in line, even in the handheld market they have to compete against phones. I just can't see the direction they're going help them keep up with the competition. As someone who grew up with Nintendo I really hate to see some of my all time favorite characters not in the spotlight any more. I would much rather them get the proper treatment they deserve.

Right this second? Probably. But in the long term? Probably not. Everyone was saying that Nintendo should become a third party developer after the Gamecube, too. And then they came out with the Wii and DS, both of which made Nintendo more money than they ever hope to make as a software house. Now the Wii U is stumbling a little bit, and everyone is saying the same again. Not only is it far too early in the Wii U's lifecycle to write it off completely, but it's also highly plausible that they could pull off another Wii-style success with future consoles. Never rule out Nintendo. Just when they seem on the backburner, they tend to pull off something spectacular.

Maybe. But maybe they should start releasing higher quality versions of Zelda and Metroid on their own systems?

They should get out of console and go full force into handhelds. Their handhelds are alway a million times better than any console.

Those games are the reason people buy their consoles and they all sell fantastically. And if I recall Nintendo makes money on each unit of hardware so as it stands they'd probably make less money overall.

I am not sure the math is as straightforward as some would suggest. Nintendo gets a bunch of money from being a platform vendor in terms of licensing and fees and access to services it provides to ISVs. That stuff goes away if they go with making software as a third party.

Nope

Never bet against nintendo.

1. Nintendo makes Pokemon a console RPG franchise.

2. Millions of copies sell the first minute its out.

3. Nintendo makes a fuck ton of cash from video games and not hardware and starts to learn that game innovation > hardware innovation

4. Satoru Iwata passes away :(

5. Nintendo re-brands, becomes game focused

They would make less revenue or volume, but they would increase their margins. It's up to them what they prefer. I think they prefer their own platforms so they can have more control and stability within the market; remember that they basically got their start in the ashes of the crash. They probably have little confidence in the long term profitability of their competitors machines.

Ninty Makemore Money If... ?

Why do people constantly bring up this fucking idea? Nintendo makes so much god damn money that it is mind boggling, and to suggest that they should stop doing that in order to destroy their own company image is idiotic. Just watch the Final Bossman and you will see how stupid this post is. Last year (which was a bad year mind you) Nintendo posted earning over 600 Billion Yen, which equivocates to about 8 Billion Dollars, and that was their first loss in the 30 years that Nintendo had started posting earnings. So aside from last year, every year prior has been a PROFIT for Nintendo for the last 30 years. They could make 2 more failing consoles and still be alright. They are one of Japan's most valued companies up there with Panasonic, Sony, and Toyota...and all they make are video games. Those other companies I mentioned make a variety of things (aside from Toyota), and some of them are barely touching Nintendo's level of success. Seriously, stop insisting that Nintendo should go third party. They have so much money in their war chest, and they would never cowtow and lower themselves and their own image into something that they are not.

No

@neoepoch: I agree, how dare that guy ask that question? can't he see how stupid he is? What a complete piece of shit. Maybe we should find out where he lives, go there and burn the place the ground with him in it so that they may never again go on a website and post a question. The fucker.

People always seem to forget just how successful nintendo is. They literally have BILLIONS of dollars. They are worth more than EA and the Xbone.combined. Nintendo is fine. Of any and all video game companies, nintendo is doing the best, by far.

Here is (one of) the problem I see. Unless they stop making handhelds too, they are still in direct competition with Sony. Their only competition in Japan. Sony is unlikely to let them publish as long as that is true. So they'd have to abandon the entire Japanese console market to do this.

@druminator: I hope you know that the original Wii outsold the Xbox360 and the PS3 right? Sure we might look at them from gamers and developers POV as last place, but sales figures says something different.

I think of Sony could get their hands on some major Nintendo franchises for the home console I bet they would let them slide on having a handheld out there with Pokemon and stuff on it.

Yeah that fucking question that has been asked constantly on a probably weekly basis, by people who don't fucking understand how Nintendo works, or how much money Nintendo has, or are for some reason butthurt that Nintendo games aren't on other platforms. Seriously fuck right off.

For Wii U games absolutely. That console's sales are so abysmal they aren't even reaching half the numbers Sony had 7 years ago during their FIVE HUNDRED NINETY NINE US DOLLARS madness.

But Nintendo would probably just make handheld games before going multiplatform if their business was no longer successful enough on their home consoles.

I never know what they're doing or what they should be doing. Shit, I would've axed the Wii and thought the DS was a bit of a weak concept.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna let them figure it out.

@pr1mus: How much money was Sony making on the console per unit and how much money Nintendo is making now on WiiU. Its pretty important if you try to compare them

sky's falling duders :(

@neoepoch: No you don't understand, I'm on your side! Wow, I didn't realise that he doesn't understand how Nintendo works. Great googly mooglies !! Seriously everyone, don't we screen the people before they post questions here? I thought I was part of a gated online community where everyone knows how Nintendo works, like I do. Next thing you know, we'll be letting people in who don't understand Sega! So, ya I'm with you, we should gather all these non-nintendo-understanding motherfuckers up right now and just try and make them feel as stupid as possible, cause I know that's how I get my jollies at the end of a long day :)

What? How does console making interfere with this? The games are already world class.

They would make more money if they ignored consoles and doubled-down on the 3DS (and, if really desperate, mobiles and tablets). I've been saying it for a while and I'll say it again, don't expect the WiiU's lack of sales to be a one off. The Xbox One and PS4 are going to struggle a bit too. Remember, Nintendo leaving Nintendo consoles would cost them a tonne of customers who only buy Nintendo consoles (and only for Nintendo games). And I doubt they would gain enough back on other platforms to make it worth it.

The Wii outsold its competitors by roughly 22 million units at last count.

They've never been "last in line." Not remotely close.