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Nintendo DS News is a News and downloads site for All Nintendo Handhelds and Consoles including the Gameboy, NES, N64, Snes, Gamecube, Wii, WiiU, NDS, 3DS, GBA and Snes, We have all the latest emulators, hack, homebrew, commercial games and all the downloads on this site, the latest homebrew and releases, Part of the
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THE LATEST NEWS BELOW
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November 28th, 2006, 17:14 Posted By: wraggster
Nintendo shifts over 600,000 Wiis in North America, casting doubt over Microsoft's claims that 360 came out on top last weekend
Nintendo has divulged its launch week North American Wii sales numbers, revealing that its next-gen console has shifted over 600,000 units over the past week.
With just the sales of first party games and accessories taken into account, Wii became a $190m USD (£97.7m GBP) business in just one week.
Nintendo's first week Wii numbers almost doubled the amount of Xbox 360s Microsoft managed to shift during its entire launch month, although that obviously suffered from some severe shortages.
Microsoft website MSN previously claimed that retailers and analysts had confirmed that the Xbox 360 was "the hottest selling gaming console this past weekend" in North America, which - unless Nintendo managed to shift a significantly smaller chunk of its 600,000 sold units on its Sunday launch day - in hindsight might look like a pretty dubious claim to some.
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said of the sales figures: "Even with sales already in excess of 600,000 units, demand continues to exceed supply, as it's clear this is one of the 'gotta-have' products for the holiday season. We've shipped retailers several times the amount of hardware the other company was able to deliver for its launch around the same time -- and we still sold out. Given the inclusive nature of Wii game play, we're seeing this new form of video gaming is already a huge hit with gamers and newcomers alike. It continues to be a phenomenal launch."
Additionally, Nintendo's flagship Wii title Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess flew off North American shelves in the order of 454,000 units, meaning that over 75% of Wii owners picked up Link's latest adventure.
Sony is yet to announce its official US launch numbers for the PS3, though it is expected to experience a similar console shortage hit as the Xbox 360 last year.
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November 28th, 2006, 05:35 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via cinemablend
It has been no surprise that the next generation of Brothers In Arms is nothing short of impressive. While it’s still a ways off from release, every gamer is probably questioning whether Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway is going to make its way to the Wii? Well, with the success of Call of Duty 3, another World War II shooter probably wouldn’t be a bad addition to Nintendo’s lineup.
Utilizing advanced physics (much like Midway’s Stranglehold), BIA: Hell’s Highway offers a whole new level of military combat and immersive warfare. So I contacted a representative at Gearbox to see if the developers had a little something cooking in the oven for the Nintendo Wii. Even though I hate to be a buzz-kill, the PR commented that... “Currently, Gearbox hasn't announced anything regarding Hell's Highway and the Wii,
Although, given that Ubisoft is a heavy third-party supporter for Wii that doesn’t mean there won’t be a Brothers In Arms for Nintendo’s new system. The representative from Gearbox continued on to say... “as you likely know, we will certainly be developing on the Wii platform (we just haven't really said what and when yet”
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November 28th, 2006, 04:03 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via ign
Australia, November 27, 2006 - Christmas came early for the IGN AU office this year. There wasn't a single jingling bell to be heard, and nary a fat, bearded man in sight, yet one of the greatest presents we could have ever scrawled at the top of our wish list arrived this morning.
IGN AU received its retail Australian Nintendo Wii.
Arriving in an unassuming carton, which once had the dubious honour of containing multiple copies of Brain Training, the appearance of the Wii was enough to send our resident Nintendaddict Patch Kolan into a fit of giggling, shaking and all-round girliness. Anyway, enough chatski, let's get on with the unpacking of the Australian Wii, so you can see what to expect come December 7.
great news for austalia's nintendo fans. They will be getting there hands on a nintendo wii soon
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November 28th, 2006, 04:02 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via ign
Two more PS2 titles make the Wii their port of call.
Australia, November 26, 2006 - Conspiracy Entertainment Europe is joining the flood of ports headed to Wii, with both Baja Mania and Baja Destruction headed to Nintendo's new console. Originally developed for the PS2, both titles will feature "an alternative control system, designed exclusively for the Wii platform, utilising the Wii remote's tilt detection to steer and control the vehicles' speed."
Baja Mania is the more realistic of the two titles, and is based upon the specialist racing series found in the Baja region of California, where four wheels is not the norm. Reflecting this is the game's inclusion of three dune buggies (four wheels), three "cats" (six wheels) and three trucks (eight wheels). Off road racing is the order of the day, and drivers must select their own route through the open levels, ensuring they hit certain checkpoints along the way.
Baja Destruction takes the soul of Mania, but combines it with a sci-fi setting reminiscent of Mad Max. Vehicles in Destruction bristle with high-powered weaponry, allowing victory to be gained by vaporising the opposition, and several of the courses take place in low-gravity environments.
Expect both titles to hit the Wii in the first quarter of 2007.
screen via comment
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November 28th, 2006, 03:59 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via newsfactor
Although there's much talk about the game console wars between Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, and Sony's Playstation 3, the Wii actually appeals to a somewhat different audience. Nintendo's Wii costs about half as much as the PS3 and the Xbox. And the Wii is geared more toward kids and new users, rather than hardcore gamers.
es, it was a good weekend for the Wii, though not so joyous for some shoppers. Reports from around the U.S. indicate that Nintendo's new game console, which competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony Relevant Products/Services's PlayStation 3, sold out quickly. Many would-be buyers went home empty-handed, in spite of braving long lines and cold weather to purchase the much coveted game console.
Leading retailer Toys 'R Us declined to comment on the specifics of Wii sales as a matter of policy, but company spokesman Bob Friedland noted that Nintendo's new console is moving briskly. "The Wii is a hot seller at Toys 'R Us," he said.
"We'll be receiving shipments for the Wii throughout the season and expect to have them throughout the holiday," said Friedland.
A Sony Shortage
With so much demand and a gift-giving season upon us, choosing and then actually finding the right console can be tough.
Most experts believe Sony's PlayStation 3, with its bleeding-edge graphics and a built-in Blue-ray DVD drive, dominates the console market. But a production snag has led the Japanese firm to cut U.S. shipments by hundreds of thousands of units, leaving a steep shortage of PS3 units.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 could benefit from Sony's bad luck, since the Xbox vies with the PlayStation for the best graphics and sleekest effects. However, a recent snag with the Xbox 360 Live service hampered sales over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Apparently, many users who tried to download games, movies, and TV shows ran into extra-long or failed downloads.
A Different Kind of Console
Nintendo's Wii is looking better and better to plenty of gamers who don't live and die by Gears of War or Madden NFL.
In fact, the Wii is designed to reach a different market completely, one that warms to its modest price tag and balks at the price of the other, more expensive consoles. At $250, Nintendo's Wii is less than half the cost of Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox. Its games are kid- and novice-friendly, geared more towards new users and not the hardcore-gamer crowd with overly muscular thumbs.
The Wii also has a few features the others don't, including the Wiimote, a motion-sensing remote control that lets users play games simply by waving their arms through the air. Just hold the Wiimote and pretend you're swinging a golf club or shooting a gun, and your on-screen character will do the same.
The bottom line? This season's gaming king is yet to be crowned -- but the battle for consumers' hearts and hands will certainly be every bit as fierce as a good round of Thrillville, Urban Chaos, or the brand-new Bully.
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November 28th, 2006, 03:58 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via cubed3
Darren Reid, author of the best selling Fantasy/Science Fiction fusion novel The Lord of Darkness and Shadow: The Chronicles of the Shadow Book One, today announces the release of a free ebook library for Nintendo Wii, DS and Sony PS3. The free ebook library contains a collection of short stories, novels and novellas which have been optimized for use with the browsers in the Nintendo Wii and DS. The first title released is The Genesis of the Shadow, a prequel novella to the best selling novel The Lord of Darkness and Shadow which is out now.
Over the coming months a number of titles will be lanuched including Two Wizards: A Chronicles of the Shadow Prequel, Xevicom Forever (a graphic novel) and an unnamed special project (TBA). These titles and others will be launched through Q4 2006 and 2007.
Darren Reid is the author of the bestselling fantasy series The Chronicles of the Shadow which has gained an international following and rave reviews from readers the world over. The story Cell was adapted into an audiobook (available on iTunes) by Parsec award winning podcast producers Variant Frequencies and the anticipated follow up to The Lord of Darkness and Shadow is due out February 2007.
Commenting on the release of Wii, DS and PS3 enhanced versions of the free ebook library Darren said "I am delighted to share my free stories and allow next-gen console owners the chance to read them as well"
The Genesis of the Shadow: The Chronicles of the Shadow Book Zero is out Monday 27th of November.
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November 28th, 2006, 03:56 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via blogcritics
A strange mix of EA Sports Big SSX series and long forgotten ESPN Extreme Games on the PS1, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam is a complete departure for Activision's franchise. This new spin on the game is a fantastic run that feels fresh, unique and different enough to make it a worthy addition to Tony Hawks's paycheck. Activision has crafted a winner.
Instead of a focus on absurd goals and tricks, Downhill Jam is a racing title. The superb sense of speed across a rapidly changing level design is the addictive hook that keeps you playing. The basic trick system is in place, and occasionally crucial depending on the style of the race.
The single player game is about advancing through different tiers of challenges, earning new boards to increase stats and gaining new medals to level up. Challenges vary from races, to destructive runs, to knocking over as many pedestrians as possible. Each proves different enough to make them feel separate even when barreling down a familiar track.
Controls are tailor made for the Wii. The remote is held sideways, and turning it logically turns your skater. Tricks are performed with the 1 and 2 buttons, while a special trick can be activated with the A button when a meter has been filled. There is also a boost available that fills as you trick. Shaking the remote activates it, though it has a tough time registering and it's difficult to turn and tip at the same time.
Downhill Jam is geared for a younger audience. It's nearly impossible to wipe out when landing. Randomly pressing buttons can get you through the early races as long as you pay attention to the turns. Damage is dealt by other riders who can knock you over or by hitting stationary objects that are unbreakable. Getting reset requires a rapid shaking of the controller.
Levels are crammed with shortcuts, and in later runs, you'll need to know the position of each to make it through. Exploration is a heavy risk however. Going even slightly off course can result in race altering disorientation, and it's far too difficult to recover after hitting a wall. You're better off wiping out since resetting on the track requires a press of the - button which is deep on the remote and hard to hit without losing precious seconds.
With a wicked sense of humor that makes pre-race interviews worth watching, Downhill Jam is rarely off. The stylized character design properly sets the tone, while the real life skate videos that occasionally play don't seem to mesh well. It's still inviting as the outrageous and colorful levels keep you playing to try and find any missed areas that could lead to more shortcuts (and higher medals).
Multi-player is split screen only unfortunately, as it's set up perfectly for some Wi-Fi action. Four players can play in any of the single player race modes along with two additional choices. On bases the winner on how long they were in first place, and the other knocks out racers at certain points if they're in last. There's nothing radical or innovative, though the game's simplistic combat engine can lead to fun times in tight contests.
If you're expecting to show off your skills in Tony Hawk's standard style, you're going to be disappointed. Downhill Jam puts everyone on equal footing, ignoring the countless and arguably convoluted changes the core Tony Hawk games have endured over the years. It's a nicely designed and welcome departure, at least until it's milked in what will undoubtedly years of sequels.
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November 28th, 2006, 03:46 Posted By: gunntims0103
news via tgdaily
Redmond (WA) - In plain shipment numbers, Nintendo's Wii can claim to have had the most successful launch week. The manufacturer today said that more than 600,000 consoles were sold in the first eight days after launch, generating sales of more than $190 million. Meanwhile, Ebay is experiencing brisk PS3 and Wii activity with sale prices having settled around $1200 and $400, respectively.
Shipments of the $250 Nintendo Wii outpaced sales of the Xbox 360, which sold about 400,000 units during its launch week in November of last year, by more than 50% and Sony's Playstation 3, according to early estimates, by about 100%. Just like the Xbox 360 and the PS3, the Wii created a buying frenzy and sold out in a matter of minutes when it was launched on November 19. Including first-party software and accessory sales, the console has brought in revenues of about $190 million in the U.S. alone, Nintendo said.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has become the most successful Wii game so far, selling about 454,000 units.
Website NexGenWars, which tracks sales of game consoles, corrected early estimates of more than 600,000 Wii's sold on launch day. The site currently estimates Wii sales at about 561,000, PS3 sales at 316,000 and Xbox 360 sales (since November 2005) at about 7.6 million.
Ebay released its traditional Black Friday sales numbers, which included sales of next-generation game consoles and highlighted the frenzy around the Playstation 3 and Wii. The online auction house said that 14,765 PS3s were sold between November 17 and November 24 for an average price of $1186.39. Including pre-sales, which started on October 17, 28,233 PS3s changed hands through Ebay with an average price of $1369.90. At the time of this writing, 60 GB PS3s are selling at a pace of about $1000.
Nintendo Wii sales were more frequent in the consoles first week between November 19 and November 24. According to Ebay, 26,708 Wiis were sold for an average price of $412.53. Including pre-sales, which began on October 19, 29,451 Wiis were sold for an average of $427.82. Activity for Microsoft's Xbox 360, which is available in most electronics stores at any time, was dramatically less: Between November 12 and November 24, 331 Xbox 360 units were sold on Ebay. The average price was $420.62, according to the auction site.
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November 28th, 2006, 00:21 Posted By: wraggster
News/release from Shortfuse:
DS-X Manager
The point of this problem is to facilitate the use of your DS-X. This allows you to trim roms (to save more space) when copying to the DS-X. It's meant to be like a syncing application, as you would use iTunes/Winamp for your MP3 player.
Supports Zip files
Asynchronous Transfers
Just download it and try it. It's less than 100KB.
Notes on colors in DS-X window.
Green = Trimmed to smallest, safest size possible
Yellow = Can be trimmed more
Red = Overtrimmed
*REQUIRES .NET FRAMEWORK 2.0
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November 28th, 2006, 00:16 Posted By: wraggster
Heres the info:
The Nintendo DS hardware offers a variety of possibilities for creating music as well as interacting with music. TheRain first had the idea of using the DS as a MIDI controller and created the DSMIDI, a DS cartridge that added a standard MIDI port to the DS that could be used by homebrew DS software.
But since making a DSMIDI requires soldering skills and is rather dangerous, we came up with another idea: Using the DS as a wireless MIDI controller. The MIDI signals are sent to the computer via Wifi, and a server program forwards them to MIDI applications.
So what is DSMIDIWifi exactly?
DSMIDIWifi consists of
libmidiwifi
An open source library for DS homebrew development that makes it easy to write DS software that acts as a MIDI controller.
DSMIDIWiFi Server
An application that runs on the computer and forwards the MIDI messages received via Wifi to MIDI applications.
More details --> http://dsmidiwifi.tobw.net/
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November 28th, 2006, 00:01 Posted By: wraggster
Via DSfanboy
ZOO Digital, responsible for publishing past DS titles such as Sudokumaniacs and Snood 2: On Vacation, are at it again and look to bring their newest game, Lionel Trains on Track, to the DS. The game focuses on building a train empire from the ground up, asking the player to build virtual cities and fill it with glorious mass transportation. Players will also be able to research into new properties, allowing them larger and more impressive structures as their city grows.
Some of the game's other features include:
Cargo Chains: by taking your train to multiple towns and improving its cargo hold, you can gather each town's specific goods and sell it for a profit at a town in need
The game will feature 3 modes of play: Campaign, Freeplay, and Sandbox
You'll eventually unlock new trains and structures through the game by research
Screen Via Comments
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November 27th, 2006, 23:58 Posted By: wraggster
Via Dsfanboy
Fantasy author Darren Reid will be offering a free e-library, filled with short stories, novellas, and even novels optimized for use with console browsers for the DS, the Wii, and Sony's PS3. Of course, since the U.S. is painfully without a DS browser as yet, we'll be limited on this feature to our Wii browsers. In Europe, however, Ninty fans will be able to wield the power of the written word on the DS for portable reading.
We'd love to see this become a regular thing -- with dozens of authors and leaning virtual towers of books available for perusal from the comfort of the sofa, or on the go with the DS.
More Info
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November 27th, 2006, 23:50 Posted By: wraggster
RyanB has posted a new releaseof his excellent Genesis Emulator for the Nintendo DS, heres whats new:
Added Max Media Dock FAT support (thanks chishm/Bonic)
Added EZ4 FAT support (thanks cory1492/Rudolph)
Reduced memory usage, 3MB ROMs should work again
Added EXPERIMENTAL support for using the additional RAM on SuperCard SD carts to load ROMs larger than 3MB. This comes with the standard warning that this feature may cause file corruption on your SD card. The SCSD may also keep the Genesis ROM in GBA ROM space after a reboot, causing PicoDriveDS to see it as an appended ROM and crash on startup - to fix this issue simply power down, take the SCSD out, and wait a few seconds.
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November 27th, 2006, 23:33 Posted By: wraggster
Taito's bubble-blowing dinosaurs, Bub and Bob, have spent much of their recent gaming years as characters in the popular Bust-A-Move puzzle series. However, Rising Star Games is bringing them back to their roots--as the main characters in a new Bubble Bobble platformer.
The European game publisher, a subsidiary of Japan's Marvelous Interactive, has announced that it will release Bubble Bobble Double Shot for the DS in early 2007. A North American release date has yet to be confirmed.
The new game will feature a third character, Babu, and players will need to switch between the three cuter-than-thou reptiles to defeat enemies. The single-player campaign will feature more than 100 levels and cooperative multiplayer modes supporting up to three participants.
Bub and Bob have platformed on the DS before. Taito's Bubble Bobble Revolution was released in October, but was met with abysmal reviews.
No price or rating has been announced for the game.
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November 27th, 2006, 19:01 Posted By: wraggster
New From Play Asia:
features
Bluetooth Wii Remote Control
Maximum controller connections: 4
Operating distance: 5 meter
Size: 148mm (L) x 36.2mm (W) x 30.8mm (D)
Pointer: Pointing function
Motion sensor function
Oscillating function
Buttons: A, B, - (Minus), + (Plus), Home, 1 and 2
Extension unit connectable
Speaker
Player indicator
Buy here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1q85.html
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November 27th, 2006, 18:57 Posted By: wraggster
A new Gamecube Game release that also plays on the Nintendo Wii:
Heres the details:
Sonic Riders (Player's Choice)
features
All-new air board racing. New blend of snowboarding, surfing and high-speed racing combat.
Innovative “Turbulence” air-system. Catch the drift of your opponents and leave them in your wake!
Insane tricks. The more difficult trick you pull off, the more points you get!
4-Player Ultimate Battle. New rival group, the Babylon Rogues sets the stage for scorching head-to-head multi-player battles up to 4 players.
Over 13 outrageous tracks, plus multiple modes, and tons of bonus unlockables.
Collect and customize your Extreme Gear with over 40 unique types of equipment to choose from, as well as equipment upgrades.
Unravel the mystery in Story Mode. You’ll play as two opposing teams, complete with cut-scenes.
description
Dr. Eggman has thrown down the gauntlet, calling out Sonic and friends to join his World Grand Prix. But, just what is the egg-shaped genius really planning? And who are the legendary riders known as the Babylon Rouges that beat Sonic to the signup? At unparalleled breakneck speeds, you’ll catch the turbulence air stream of your board-bound opponents and blaze past them while busting out wild stunts and tricks. Take full advantage of your characters’ talents in Speed, Power, or Flight and challenge up to three friends to find out who really is the fastest rider in the world!
More info / buy here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1pzo.html
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November 27th, 2006, 18:57 Posted By: wraggster
A new Gamecube Game release that also plays on the Nintendo Wii:
Heres the details:
Sonic Riders (Player's Choice)
features
All-new air board racing. New blend of snowboarding, surfing and high-speed racing combat.
Innovative “Turbulence” air-system. Catch the drift of your opponents and leave them in your wake!
Insane tricks. The more difficult trick you pull off, the more points you get!
4-Player Ultimate Battle. New rival group, the Babylon Rogues sets the stage for scorching head-to-head multi-player battles up to 4 players.
Over 13 outrageous tracks, plus multiple modes, and tons of bonus unlockables.
Collect and customize your Extreme Gear with over 40 unique types of equipment to choose from, as well as equipment upgrades.
Unravel the mystery in Story Mode. You’ll play as two opposing teams, complete with cut-scenes.
description
Dr. Eggman has thrown down the gauntlet, calling out Sonic and friends to join his World Grand Prix. But, just what is the egg-shaped genius really planning? And who are the legendary riders known as the Babylon Rouges that beat Sonic to the signup? At unparalleled breakneck speeds, you’ll catch the turbulence air stream of your board-bound opponents and blaze past them while busting out wild stunts and tricks. Take full advantage of your characters’ talents in Speed, Power, or Flight and challenge up to three friends to find out who really is the fastest rider in the world!
More info / buy here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1pzo.html
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November 27th, 2006, 18:53 Posted By: wraggster
Today's top slot on the hottest gaming video charts is occupied by the vomiting Wii that we showed you earlier (we're convinced it's another new Nintendo game innovation called Chase the Disc, making the gamer get even more active), so we're moving down to number two -- a way to hack your Wii and surf the web before the browser comes out.
The Wii won't officially have it's Opera 9 browser until later, but clever individuals have figured out how to "hack" the settings on the Shop Channel (which is basically a stripped-down browser), and venture out onto the web. It's not the prettiest solution, but it'll get you surfing until the real thing finally drops.
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November 27th, 2006, 18:48 Posted By: wraggster
Via Newyorker
Fifteen years ago, the video-game industry was ruled by one player, Nintendo. The company had machines in a third of American homes, and it was Japan’s most profitable electronics company. The title of a 1993 book summed up the situation: “Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World.” Then the Sony PlayStation arrived, and everything changed. Today, Sony is the dominant force, and its chief rival is not Nintendo but Microsoft, which makes the Xbox. Two weeks ago, the début of Sony’s PlayStation 3 was greeted by crowds of hysterical consumers anxious to get their hands on the new console, billed as the most powerful gaming machine ever. When Nintendo’s new console, the oddly named Wii, appeared, a few days later, there were excellent reviews and expectations of good sales, but no more talk about world conquest. If Sony and Microsoft are the major-party nominees, Nintendo is more like a cool third-party candidate.
You might expect, then, that Nintendo would be struggling to stay afloat. After all, the prevailing wisdom is that companies need to be market leaders, or face disaster. This approach was famously institutionalized by Jack Welch, who, when he took over as C.E.O. of G.E., laid down a rule that he described as a “central idea” of his tenure: the company would quit any business in which it was not No. 1 or No. 2. The lesson that people took away from this was clear—third place is for losers. “First prize is a Cadillac Eldorado,” Alec Baldwin’s character says in the film “Glengarry Glen Ross.” “Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you’re fired.” Nintendo, though, has not just survived out of the spotlight; it has thrived. It has five billion dollars in the bank from years of solid profits, and this past year, though it spent heavily on the launch of the Wii, it made close to a billion dollars in profit and saw its stock price rise by sixty-five per cent. Sony’s game division, by contrast, barely eked out a profit and Microsoft’s reportedly lost money. Who knew bringing up the rear could be so lucrative?
Sony and Microsoft are desperate to be the biggest players in a market that, in their vision, will encompass not just video games but “interactive entertainment” generally. That’s why the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 are all-in-one machines, which allow users not just to play video games but also to do things like watch high-definition DVDs and stream digital music. Sony and Microsoft’s quest to “control the living room” has locked them in a classic arms race; they have invested billions of dollars in an attempt to surpass each other technologically, building ever-bigger, ever-better, and ever-more-expensive machines.
Nintendo has dropped out of this race. The Wii has few bells and whistles and much less processing power than its “competitors,” and it features less impressive graphics. It’s really well suited for just one thing: playing games. But this turns out to be an asset. The Wii’s simplicity means that Nintendo can make money selling consoles, while Sony is reportedly losing more than two hundred and forty dollars on each PlayStation 3 it sells—even though they are selling for almost six hundred dollars. Similarly, because Nintendo is not trying to rule the entire industry, it’s been able to focus on its core competence, which is making entertaining, innovative games. For instance, the Wii features a motion sensor that allows you to, say, hit a tennis ball onscreen by swinging the controller like a tennis racquet. Nintendo’s handheld device, the DS, became astoundingly popular because of simple but brilliant games like Nintendogs, in which users raise virtual puppies. And because Nintendo sells many more of its own games than Sony and Microsoft do, its profit margins are higher, too. Arguably, Nintendo has thrived not despite its fall from the top but because of it.
Nintendo’s success is not an anomaly, either. The business landscape of the past couple of decades is replete with companies that have flourished as third wheels, and with companies that have struggled to make money despite being No. 1 in their industries. (Today, would you rather be Honda or G.M.?) And while it’s true that in many industries there is a correlation between market share and profitability, one doesn’t necessarily lead to the other. A recent survey of the evidence on market share by J. Scott Armstrong and Kesten C. Green found that companies that adopt what they call “competitor-oriented objectives” actually end up hurting their own profitability. In other words, the more a company focusses on beating its competitors, rather than on the bottom line, the worse it is likely to do. And a study of the performance of twenty major American companies over four decades found that the ones putting more emphasis on market share than on profit ended up with lower returns on investment; of the six companies that defined their goal exclusively as market share, four eventually went out of business.
The point is that business is not a sporting event. Victory for one company doesn’t mean defeat for everyone else. Markets today are so big—the global video-game market is now close to thirty billion dollars—that companies can profit even when they’re not on top, as long as they aren’t desperately trying to get there. The key is to play to your strengths while recognizing your limitations. Nintendo knew that it could not compete with Microsoft and Sony in the quest to build the ultimate home-entertainment device. So it decided, with the Wii, to play a different game entirely. Some pundits are now speculating, ironically, that the simplicity of the Wii may make it a huge hit. Nintendo wouldn’t complain if that happened. But, in the meantime, third prize is looking a lot better than steak knives.
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