IWATA ON DITCHING 3D: Ditching??

"I think there could be a Nintendo 3DS software title which does not use the 3D feature at all, and I believe Nintendo will develop such software. nstead, other features of the Nintendo 3DS should be focused on. It might be a communication feature, or other functions (such as the gyro sensor or the motion sensor). The important thing is that each respective software title has its own characteristics, and appeals to the consumers in a way that fits the software. So I am not worried in a way like, 'The value of the Nintendo 3DS will decrease when the novelty of 3D wears off.... But I do not think consumers would be satisfied if every software title we release in the next year only focuses 3D. So, I believe we have to implement new proposals focused on another appealing feature of the Nintendo 3DS, which is the communication feature."



As I read these words flooded throughout the internet, I was baffled. Gaming sites had played off this as though they had agreed with Nintendo's strategy. I asked myself, "What, are you all gamers or is this a system of kissing butt to keep favor with Nintendo as a means of getting more free software and getting an invite to E3?" As a gamer myself, I was frustrated and aggravated with this statement that Nintendo were curling up under a rock and giving up the ghost.

Look at this photo. Nintendo CEO Saturo Iwata has this smug look on his face as he proudly displays the 3DS to an audience that's excited to see the device. He talks it up and even takes a stab at Sony by saving Nintendo have devised a glasses free 3D gaming experience. Game reviews of games that have been in 3D has continuously been rated rather well from critics throughout the web. So, what have Nintendo decided to do in the wake of a massive tidal wave of poor sales? Iwata came out and personally apologized for things and even announced a price drop. What will Nintendo do now? It would appear now that Iwata and Nintendo no longer want to focus on 3D anymore. Iwata in the statement made spoke of even Nintendo developing games for their 3DS with lack of 3D. "When the novelty of 3D wears off."

The lack of 3D isn't going to solve Nintendo's problems. In fact, I believe it could deepen the wound Nintendo already has. When we look at the 3DS, it suffers from several different issues. It was expensive, though you can't blame Nintendo for that as gaming is pretty much all they do unlike Sony that has their foot in about everything technologicalwise and Microsoft has their Windows. Nintendo has to make a hefty profit yet, perhaps they became too greedy with the 3DS. Secondly, is the issue with a weak launch. So they've always said "You never have a second chance to make a good first impression" and Nintendo blew it unlike the 3DS' older brethren, the Wii and DS.

Thirdly, as a hardcore gamer, I still think the continual launch of 3DS games have been incredibly weak and a means of milking games to their max. Nintendo's 3DS biggest games have all been remastered remakes of games we've already seen tagged with a 3D. Super Street Fighter IV 3D, Ridge Racer 3D, Rayman 2 (Dreamcast) 3D, Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D, Metal Gear Solid 3D, Star Fox 3D, Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. I mean, come on these are all remakes. There isn't anything original and I'm trying to figure how everyone's allowed themselves to be suckered into shelling out another $40 for a game Nintendo should put on the store for $20 to download. The instances with the Resident Evil: Mercenaries haven't really helped either with a single game save as a means of preventing trade-in. The game was sub-par at best and that feature only inflamed gamers even more.

The fact of the matter is, its the 3D that sets this device apart from the pack. A unique feature with impressive tech. (Still in its infancy but, impressive.) Without this sort of thing, why do I want to upgrade from my DSi at all? The DSi not only focus' on all points of the hardware but, has original titles and not a ton of remakes. Nintendo need to continue to focus on the strengths of the 3DS and evangelize it. Continue to show confidence in their device and start cranking out quality and unique titles. Otherwise, Nintendo will continue to see a downward spiral and take an even bigger hit when the Vita comes to market. Nintendo fans don't buy games for the graphics. They buy them for the experience. Nintendo are in a whole, similarly to the PlayStation 3 at launch with a lot of bad business decisions. But, Sony went back to their first-party and devised a way to dig themselves out and a price drop and emphasis on more unique games like Uncharted 2 gave them that nitrous boost and have continued to build on that momentum.