Nintendo & HORRIBLE marketing.

[Yoshi_5]

This is just sort of a conversation starter, but here are a couple of things going through my mind lately about the BIG N, and how completely backwards they do things sometimes.

On one channel I see a commercial for the NEW game from Nintendo 64: Resident Evil 2, blah blah blah. On the next channel: Resident Evil 3!! Both being released for seperate competitive systems, with the big N's falling a whole "sequel #" behind Sony's release. Even if RE2 was a N64 release only, it makes no sense to me why anyone would play the 2nd version of a game, when the 3rd is out. RE2 should have been released MONTHS ago, if even released at all.

In stores for the holiday season here in the US is the Donkey Kong 64 "Jungle Green" nintendo system with game, and expansion pack. Mind you, this isn't at all a horrible idea, but not the best for the times right now. Anyone have a guess at what the HOTTEST thing going around now a days is? Especially for kids, and even some adults I know? You got it, Pokemon. Nintendo is shooting themselves right in the million dollar idea FOOT. Last I saw, Pokemon Stadium isn't slated for release until March now. N would make a major killing right now with a US release of Pokemon Stadium. And, why is it taking sooooooooo long? There are 2 releases of the game in Japan, I'm sure they have their reasons, but come March 2000, pokemon might be dead. Most kids would love a Pikachu N64 console system. Just think, a bright yellow N64 with rosey red sides with Pikachu somehow animated on the console. Included would be Pokemon Stadium, not Pokemon Snap, who wants to take pictures of them? In the cartoon, they battle with their special powers, which is what they do in Stadium. March? Come on... Donkey Kong I'm sorry to say isn't as BIG of a name any more. It will still sell, but Pikachu wins this battle.

These are just some thoughts, please feel free to reply.

Yoshi_5

[ceril]

just shows u that non of the big 3 really dont care about the other markets as much just being #1 in japan . look at psx theres over 2000 japanes games lil over 600 us.

[luna_securit]

The marketing in europe/GB is even worse
they've just released super smash brothers here. And the release schedule is even worse
good job ive got my Z http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Neouni]

Let me teach you something

"they released pokemon here first because children needed to know what pikachu was so they would know that super smash brothers is a good game"

^^^^^^this is a qoute from a Big N employee^^^^^^
^^^^^^ which i can of course can't tell the name ^^^^^^

[Neouni]

Let me teach you something

"they released pokemon here first because children needed to know what pikachu was so they would know that super smash brothers is a good game"

^^^^^^this is a qoute from a Big N employee^^^^^^
^^^^^^ which i can of course don't tell the name ^^^^^^

[This message has been edited by actraiser (edited 12-05-1999).]

[luna_securit]

Ah but what about jigglypuff and the lad from earthbound - isn't he in it ? - earthbound wasn't released at all in the uk...

[Vertigo]

I think I said some time before as far as Europe goes Nintendo doesn't give a fuck. Only Nintendo have a non-English Europe website and no official presence in the UK, only a distributor, whose Nintendo Hotline's favourite answer is "it's just a matter of practice" but when I ring the US automated line it gives all in depth information for their latest releases.
The adverts in this country are also shit and I still don't understand why when a game actually manages to come out on all formats at the same time there is one advert for PS/PC/DC and Nintendo decides not to license their names for the adverts and then produces some lack lustre gobshite a few months later. I mean, what the fuck are the GBC magazine adverts going on about? Adverts generally don't work on me because I'm so cynical but they do need to get their act together pretty fucking pronto if they don't want to lose out even more than they already have. What should they do this time with hardware to destroy the competition again? How about a 50/60Hz hardware switchable mode in bios or otherwise, and worldwide releases for 60Hz programmed games? Us in PAL territories don't still own old wood veneer TVs from the early 80s, but it's taken them 15 years to still not realise.

[luna_securit]

Ive got a wood veneer stereo from the very early eighties - still works great - good sound too :O !!

[Vertigo]

Well I went to the NOE site to check the distributor for another thread and while they have actually put some English on their site, they've also stupidly given in to Flash, so first it takes a year to get in the site and secondly there's nothing there that couldn't really be done in normal HTML or using Java. Apart from the big advert you get before actually getting into the site of course. OK if you're bored and want something corporate to laugh at, go to nintendo.de and when you eventually get in click on Service and then Europe. What a load of bollocks. The English pages have German telephone numbers on. hehehe check this out: "The Nintendo homepage has changed yet again! As of this moment you can now be amazed by the Nintendo Online English version." Or alternatively you could just go to NOA and skip Nintendo's marketing delay. And here's another one: "Here's the incredibly favorable ticket for the third dimension and the portal in Miyamoto's world of miracles: In the Nintendo64 Mario Pak you'll find the Nintendo64 Console with its built-in adapter for 4 players, the controller with the analogous 3D joystick and the game of games: Super Mario 64, one of the best video games ever (also according to the opinion of the trade press). And, the best of all: The Nintendo64 Mario Pak is exceptionally well-priced at DM 249,- only (suggested price)! That means you'll get everything you need for a hot video game session - and at an absolutely stunning price!" Since when did the N64 have a built-in 4-player adapter? 'favorable'? 'analogous'? Someone at Nintendo should wake up or it's the end for them as far as PAL support goes, and I'm sure the marketing is just as bad in the US, I've seen the laziness here just showing US Pokémon adverts in the UK. I don't think the apparent 'failure' of the N64 according to the media is enough to wake them up. Already it seems NOA is handling the next-gen, we don't know if that's good or bad yet, but I'm not sure how well Nintendo will do if they stick with this disrespect they have for consumers.
Once again sorry about the long rant.
Oh and for probably not the last time, it's pronounced 'Pockaymon', NOT 'Poakeemahhn'. You don't say 'Poakeet Mahhnsters' do you?

[This message has been edited by Vertigo (edited 12-05-1999).]

[tWiSt]

Nintendo have always been fucking rubbish full stop with their advertising campaigns.

They're aiming at the wrong market totally. They always go for kids (Pokemon, Mario, etc) who don't even have the bloody cash to spend on games! Their only just beginning to realise, and we're seeing games like Resi 2 and Shadowman being released (pity they've been elsewhere for a while) and have got a few more in the pipeline with Miss Dark, etc. Still it's few and far between, I recently bought my 2nd PSX (for 40ukp with 2 analogue control pads) just for the sole reason I wanted to play 'Silent Hill' and FF8.

Another thing - who else thinks that N's new machines title (the 'Dolphin') backs-up this POV? Fucking hell! Why didn't they just go all out and call it the 'Pink Fluffy Bunny Rabbit'! :p

Sorry for the strong language, but it's a subject that's close to my heart - I know Ninty could piss all over Sony, if they only pulled their fingers out of their arses and stopped living in the 80s!

Let's hope they drop the crap title for the 'Dolphin', spend some serious cash on aiming it straight at the 18-25 year old market, and make the games to go with it...!

peace,
tWiSt

[racerx]

damn twist, relax the dolphin name is a code name Like the n64's was project reality. I kinda like the dolphin name as its really original tho and would make sega look real bad if nintendo had a game on the dolphin that beat the shit out of ecco the dolphin

[Neouni]

vertigo: i don't know if it helped what you said but www.nintendo.de (http://www.nintendo.de) is now also in english

[^TeR^RoR^]

How can i type with bold letters in here? http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/wink.gif

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"Nobody is perfect, but i´m pretty fucking close"
// ^TeR^RoR^

[Vertigo]

Isn't that what I just said up there?
Well I've given NOA a bollocking about it a few times before so maybe that was a contribution. The site's still crap though, takes ages to load because of all the Flash and other shit, it really is like they got some kid to write it who's just discovered Flash and graphics. No consideration for anyone who wants a quick in/out for some new info.
Twist> I think the things you said is the reason why NOA have control over the next-gen as far as talking about it is concerned. They've said a hell of a lot more about it than NCL so maybe they've been given the reins this time, there's a lot bigger partnerships with western companies this time around also I notice. Perhaps NCL realised they needed better marketting, and who better than Americans to shout about something?

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"Your shots now stun other players..."

[This message has been edited by Vertigo (edited 12-09-1999).]