The 5 Smartest Moves Nintendo Made This Year

Pokemon Frenzy

Okay, so having Pokemon’s 20th anniversary fall in 2016 wasn’t entirely in Nintendo’s control. Time is just funny like that, you release something in 1996, wait 20 years, and voila it’s 2016. However, few companies manage to capitalize on such an important milestone as Nintendo has this year. We thought they knew how to make something last for 12 months during that entire Year of Luigi phase, but the company went a step further and showed that it means business when it comes to its larger properties.

From the moment the year started, it became very clear that this would be everyone’s favorite monster-catching RPG’s year. Trailers and information were provided slowly throughout the year leading up to a new, and highly impressive installment to the beloved franchise. But, leading up to that release was the instantly popular Pokemon GO, introducing millions of players across the world to the franchise all for free. It helped the brand stay at the forefront of gaming throughout the year and has carried on until the very end. 

Taking Mobile Seriously

While Nintendo has had apps on mobile prior to 2016, they were very simple and didn’t utilize the company’s larger properties. It’s understandable that the gaming giant would hold its bigger IP close to its chest, as those are the breadwinners, but expanding their availability is one way to generate revenue while also building a greater awareness.

Of course, porting their games over to other consoles isn’t the right move. The one major advantage that Nintendo has over Sony and Microsoft is the celebrated exclusive library that includes the likes of Mario, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda. Mobile, however, provides a way to create new experiences on a platform that hundreds of millions have access to, without worrying about giving up everything. Pokemon GO showed that they can make something unique yet still bank on the name, generating tons of money and creating new fans. Their upcoming release, Super Mario Run, will only further push the company in front of the masses.

It’s great to see the current underdog of the “Big Three” start to make these moves. At one point Nintendo was playing catch up in the mobile space, but it quickly became clear that they had the star power in their IP that would allow them to dominate mobile devices.

Nintendo Switch

The fate of the Wii U hasn’t been a great one. While it did offer quite a bit of innovation and some of the best video game experiences in recent years, Nintendo’s most recent console was doomed almost from the very start. A confusing message that made it difficult for consumers to know what they were buying into, gimmicks that didn’t serve every game, and a lack of the support needed to grab those who may not be hardcore fans of Nintendo’s offerings, left the Wii U to trail far behind its competition. Adding insult to injury is just how far it’s trailing even though it launched a year prior to the PS4 and Xbox One.

Although the Wii U hasn’t had the longest life, the company finally decided that it was time for the next thing – enter the Switch. A mobile/console hybrid that looks like it’s given up on the second screen gimmick in exchange for modular controllers and the ability to play anywhere. While not much is known about the technical specifications of the device, it’s clear that the company realized they needed to make a big change to get them back into the race, something they’ve never seemed to really care about before. It’s offering a way to bring the console experience with you on the road, to share with friends without buying another controller, and to see what the company can do once it lights a fire under its ass.

While it is still very early to say whether or not this endeavor will be a success or not, it’s definitely a step in the right direction as all eyes turn to the Switch next spring. 

Regaining Faith From Third Parties

The Wii U’s shortcomings weren’t just how it was received by consumers and the trouble with its message. Major developers jumped ship soon after the console’s release when they saw it just wasn’t going to sell as well as anticipated. Coming after the record-breaking Wii, the Wii U was an undeniable flop in the industry’s eyes. Plus, there was no doubt that Sony and Microsoft were cooking up something powerful, so they decided to wait on that. This worked out well for developers as the PS4 and Xbox One have sold over 75 million consoles combined so far.

It’s difficult to sell a console when everyone knows that it will never get the biggest games on the horizon. No Call of Duty, no Mass Effect, no Fallout, no anything outside of some niche titles and first party goodness. Nintendo needed that support if it was to appeal to the masses again, and they managed to regain it. During the reveal of the Switch there were a lot of big names in Nintendo’s corner including Take-Two and Bethesda. We’ll have to wait and see what this support actually means, but it’s definitely an exciting time for the company. 

They’re Getting Out There, Mingling With the People

Nintendo hasn’t always had the best track record when it comes to sharing with the public, and we honestly can’t blame them. Leaks are more common now than they’ve ever been, and controlling the message that goes with a product is becoming much more of a difficult task. But it made the company seem less… human. Sure, you have the Nintendo Directs which put the head honchos in direct communication with the fans, but what about the people who aren’t already fans? That’s when you need to get out there, become a company of the people, have some fun with it.

Reggie’s recent appearance on The Tonight Show was a perfect example of what the company needs to keep doing. The push to involve more than just fans is what will help them soar in the coming months, and everyone who loves video games would love to see that happen.