Home Gaming Nintendo lost $97 million last quarter

Nintendo lost $97 million last quarter

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Money down the drain

The console market really is a strange thing. I think back to last generation, where the Wii caused all sorts of havoc, outselling it’s competitors even though the console could never keep up in the pixel pushing department. This generation however, we have the Wii U, and It is barely struggling along. This seems to be really hurting Nintendo, as they have lost a whopping $97 million in the last quarter alone.

The recent launch of Mario Kart 8 was pretty successful, becoming the fastest selling game on the console (according to Wiki). Nintendo previously said that the game would help turn the fate of the Wii U around, something which Geoff wasn’t convinced about, and it looks like his scepticism wasn’t misplaced. It seems that even the Nintendo mascot is struggling to keep the console going.

The 3DS, although still selling quite well, performed worse when compared to last years sales (via Games Industry)

The period saw a big drop off in sales of the 3DS, which shifted 820,000 units compared to 1.4 million in the first quarter of 2013

The next few months will hopefully give an indication as to whether Nintendo will reach an upswing with the launch of their next big IP, Super Smash Bros. It is worrying, I still can’t quite get my head around that loss. The console lost some life even though Mario Kart 8 clearly sold well. I love Nintendo, so I’m hoping they can turn things around somehow.

(Header Source)

Last Updated: July 30, 2014

12 Comments

  1. This is really sad to hear. The hard truth is that Nintendo isn’t as popular as it should be due to the fact that kids don’t want to play “kids games” which is pretty much what Nintendo revolve around.

    Kids nowadays want to play COD and Battelefield type games. They are also more interested in MOBAs and other competitive games online. The entire industry has shifted in expectation. Kids aren’t as interested in good old fun “family friendly” gaming.

    The sad truth is our new generation of gamer doesn’t support the older generation. That’s how it goes unfortunately. Every industry changes according to each new generation.

    We grew up in an era of focused family values. So we had far more family focused content and games (Mario, Sonic, etc). As we grew up we started playing more violent games. Our current younger generation doesn’t go through that same phase because parents allow their kids to play age inappropriate games. So where is the market for Nintendo? Sadly Pokemon and Mario, as popular as they are, are not enough to maintain Nintendo. The library of games that are popular enough on the platform is really too small.

    It’s sad and very depressing as I still love games that come out on the Nintendo platform but I don’t see myself purchasing Nintendo products. Why? They are too expensive to properly invest in due to the PC platform and the huge variety of games that come out on PC. The same is true for both XBox and Playstation owners I am sure.
    What do I mean exactly? Sure it’s not as expensive as PC, Xbox and PS but the money we all spend on our primary gaming platform really prevents most people from wanting to get another secondary platform such as a 3DS or Wii-U. We’ve already invested our money on one of those 3 platforms (If not in some cases 2)

    So we have the older generation who simply won’t invest in the Nintendo platform due to the expensive nature of their primary platforms and the huge amount of choice they have on it (So we really don’t need to supplement it)
    And we have our younger generation who are being allowed to play games way above their maturity level so why would they get a “kids” console and games.

    It’s a recipe for disaster for Nintendo unfortunately.
    Just my 2cents worth anyway

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Dovahkiin

      July 30, 2014 at 21:02

      You are up late for your standards…

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief Dovahkiin

      July 30, 2014 at 21:02

      More like 222 cents?

      😛

      Reply

    • Brian Murphy

      July 31, 2014 at 05:45

      It should be noted that their 97 million loss is quite easily covered by their absolute ridiculous pile of money still leftover from the Wii’s hayday. Wii U may be a blow to them, but Nintendo’s usually good at rebounding.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      July 31, 2014 at 07:40

      Well the “new generation” can suck a diarrhea milkshake if DOTA and COD is going to be the be all and end all that gaming is to become.

      Reply

    • CAE9872

      July 31, 2014 at 09:32

      Ever heard of War and Peace – big thick book! Your competing?

      In all seriousness though it is a well made point re: kids. My son, turns 7 soon, plays iPad, Vita, 360, PS3/4 as dad has those. He would no doubt love to play some games on WiiU but isn’t “lost” as he has many other choices.

      I think the mobile games industry is way, way bigger than most of us here perhaps truly know! And that is where everyone is – quick 5 minute games, a fad here or there, move onto something else.

      Nintendo HAVE to start looking at the industry in a more innovative way – they cannot assume people will come to house of Mario because its Mario. That is no longer the case. I won’t quite advocate they jump ship with hardware and only make software, which would be GREAT as then we have best of all worlds, but their next hardware has to relook at their strategies if they want to be successful.

      I am not convinced that simply bringing out a console with the power of One and 4 will do it – they need 3rd parties involved again! And THAT is where they lost the race – Wii was so successful that they didn’t overly care about 3rd parties…and now those guys are gone to more powerful hardware platforms. So why should they come back when it must be costly to try and make a game to cater for every platform.

      My 1 and 1/2 cents worth.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew

        July 31, 2014 at 12:26

        Couldn’t agree more. Also, that thick book has nothing on the volumes I’ve written on Lagz 😛

        Reply

  2. Willem Swanepoel

    July 31, 2014 at 06:37

    I do not see Nintendo bouncing back with their current hardware on the market. PS4 / XBOX One is just far superior and as a gamer with a limited budget. I do not see the point to buy a Nintendo when you can get a lot more with a PS4 / XBOX One …

    Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    July 31, 2014 at 07:41

    They need theirs party support, more games dammit!

    Reply

    • Praise Lord GabeN

      July 31, 2014 at 10:09

      I think they need another gimmick like the wii-mote. The tablet didn’t work out that well imo.

      Reply

  4. Xx_-Gaben_of_Gamen-_xX

    July 31, 2014 at 08:14

    Wiiiiiiiii down the toilet

    Reply

  5. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    July 31, 2014 at 15:13

    This news depresses me…. 🙁

    Reply

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