Well, word is that they're going with x86 architecture instead of the PowerPC they've been using for ages anyways. Backwards compatibility wouldn't be possible regardless. The industry standard is x86, and that's where they'll need to go to be able to gain multi-platform titles.
Exactly, especially if deals have been negotiated with manufacturers (which they obviously would be) for mass production.
@kraenk12
Sure it is, there just won't be as many triangles as people have come to demand from their games. Obsession with graphics will smash the gaming industry into a wall, and we're all watching it happen now. How long until development costs will no longer justify the effort necessary to recuperate?
From what I gather, Nintendo is incredibly strict and demanding of second/third parties. The head talent at Retro left for a reason, that's for sure.
Darkfist, that's like saying that all you do in all 2D Mario games is run and jump and beat Bowser, therefore they suck. Of course that's what you do, it's how the game works. Star Fox isn't for everyone, that's the whole point I don't think people are taking away from this. It's an on-rails arcade shooter. Arcade, as in playing the same levels over and over to try to memorize every detail and acquire a better score. It seems people expected too much more than that...
Darkfist, that's like saying that all you do in all 2D Mario games is run and jump and beat Bowser, therefore they suck. Of course that's what you do, it's how the game works. Star Fox isn't for everyone, that's the whole point I don't think people are taking away from this. It's an on-rails arcade shooter. Arcade, as in playing the same levels over and over to try to memorize every detail and acquire a better score. It seems people expected alot more than that.
Xenoblade Chronicles is probably one of the greatest games ever made. I really wish more people could have gotten to play it.
Skyward Sword was amazing; The controls were absolutely fantastic. When I was playing it, I became saddened at the realization that any Zelda game afterward would be a step back in gameplay mechanics.
I believe that Nintendo truly underestimated the time and resources necessary for HD game development. That's why we received a low powered console and saw many game delays. Nintendo handed out their IP to third parties quite a bit this generation, to help offset the work load required. You are most likely correct: They knew it was going to be bad soon after launch.
Zelda is life my friend.
I left this in another comment below, but wanted to let everyone know: Most of the head talent that developed the Metroid Prime series are no longer with Retro. Game director Mark Pacini, art director Todd Keller, and principal technology engineer Jack Matthews left Retro Studios to start Armature. You figure, those were probably the people making most of the heavy decisions and had the most influence in the Prime series. They're gone. Those three guys were responsible for some of the gre...
I've learned the reason we haven't seen another Prime game since 2008, is that most of the head talent from Retro are no longer with the studio. The lead game designer, the lead art and graphic designer, and their head tech engineer (basically, the top three people in a studio running a game, director, head of art, and head programmer) all left after Metroid Prime 3 to form Armature Studios. The team that created Prime exists in name only now.
That 100 million was irrelevant. Grandmas rushed out in droves to buy the Wii, not because it was a game console, but because it was an innovative and fun product. It was viewed as a toy. Granted, if you dig, the Wii had some absolutely fantastic games. It would be more accurate to compare the Wii U to the gamecube I feel.
Well, their President just died, remember? He had plans it seems, to move the company in a particular direction, and it feels like new management decided to turn the car around.
I think playing Mario on a Playstation (because even if Nintendo went third party, they'd probably never touch XBox. I'm not sure if Nintendo really cares about the American market. Also, now I think of it, I imagine Nintendo stepping out and lending their IP to Sony would probably end up with Microsoft stepping out as well. Woohoo monopolies!) would just feel like shame and defeat.
The day Nintendo goes 3rd party is the day the dream truly dies.
I bought it, and I'm actually playing the game right now. It's pretty awesome. The controls took a bit to click, as they did with The Wonderful 101, but I find it like second nature now. This game is just as good, if not better than Star Fox 64. Either you like the series or you don't. It's an on-rails, short arcade shooter. Not for everyone.
To be fair, I don't think Nintendo actively anticipated having absolutely zero third party support for an entire generation, nor did they know that the other two consoles would leave them so far behind. Same with the new iterations of the supposed Xbox and PS4 consoles. I think technology is beginning to move forward quicker than the industry knows what to really do with.
I don't think Nintendo really gives a crap about E3. I've been thinking about it, and at this point, it just seems to be tradition.
If they have a great deal with a manufacturer, it might actually save them money on hardware costs. No moving disk parts to read a disc, and since games won't necessarily have to be stored on the hard drive, they can offer a more modest internal memory, with the option to upgrade to a third party external.