Nintendo Still On Top Despite Some Slowdown in Sales

[Geekyfanboy]

If you're looking for Nintendo to drop its price soon for the highly popular Wii gaming console or its DS handheld game system, in the words of Tony Soprano, "Fo-getta-bout It!"

"I don't think that model [price cutting] is correct," company president Satoru Iwata said.

The current U.S. price for the Wii console retails for around $250 (USD). Some big discount stores are selling them for about $25 less.

Nintendo is holding fast to current pricing despite the fact that sales of the DS looks to be starting to slow-down a bit, and at the same time its main competitor — Sony Playstation 3 — is beginning to drastically cut its pricing on their 20 G-byte consoles. This is expected to bring a gain for Sony, but Nintendo stays convinced it is only a temporary advantage because Wii is the console of choice for most of the world's avid gamers.

"Our biggest fear is for people who have bought the DS to shut it away in a closet," Iwata said. "We want people to use it in their everyday lives.

Concerning last year's tremendous growth when compared to the slow down thus far experienced in the first quarter of 2008 Iwata added, "The speed last year was beyond our expectations."

The company has readjusted and lowered their net profit expectations for 2008, but still remain confident that by the end of the last 2008 quarter, Nintendo will still be the reigning winner of the console wars.

Nintendo has plans to release several new games before the summer of 2008, including a racing game called the Mario Kart Wii. Also, the Wii Fit exercise game, which has sold extremely well throughout Japan, will also make its debut in the U.S. and European markets later this year.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I think, imo, that Nintendo has won this generation of gaming consoles.  Despite Gamecube's setback, I had guessed that the next gen would either break nintendo or put it back on top.  After 20 years of doing this, I had bigger hopes of success.  I think that the Wii has won the hearts of consumers with XBox360 2nd and PS3 3rd. 

King

[Blackride]

I think, imo, that Nintendo has won this generation of gaming consoles.  Despite Gamecube's setback, I had guessed that the next gen would either break nintendo or put it back on top.  After 20 years of doing this, I had bigger hopes of success.  I think that the Wii has won the hearts of consumers with XBox360 2nd and PS3 3rd. 

King

I am not sure PS3 is behind in sales in the World market. I thought the 360 was...anyone know?

[Trekkygeek]

For me, the next console I buy will be the Wii. My children are coming up to the age where they will soon be wanting to geek it out by gaming. I think the Wii is the obvious choice. It is a far more child friendly console. It will be far more natural for them to have a nunchuck that they can wave around rather than those fiddly buttons on a complex controller that is way too big for their tiny little mitts. The games are also more on their level.
  There is also the social element to the Nintendo Wii. When I do buy it, we will invite the family and neighbours around to play some Wii fit and Wii sport, I don't believe any of the other consoles come anywhere close to offering such wide gaming fun.
  However, If I was a single bloke without other mouths to feed, then as well as the Wii, I would have to get the PS3 too. Up until recently I was seriously considering the 360 as my next Gen. console, but since Blu-Ray won the battle against HD DVD, then I think the PS3 is the only way to go. It contains a pretty good Blu-Ray player which is also upgradeable via the Net unlike some stand alone players, so that would be my choice along with the Wii.
  But since these are pipe dreams and I cannot justify two next gen consoles, I'll just have to get the Wii and enjoy a different way of gaming that I have not experienced before.

[Blackride]

Just a FYI. The PS3 is almost always the highest rated BluRay player out there. It's one of the only that was upgradeable to the next version and loads discs faster than most, not to mention the DTS HD support now! woo hooo

[Blackride]

I also wanted to say that each one of the consoles are great and each have their audience. It's a good time for hardcore gamers. Unfortunately that's not me anymore :)

[X]

I don't consider the Wii Next Gen. Neither does Nintendo. It doesn't have anywhere near the power or graphic muscle as the 360 or the PS3. It's a slightly modified Game cube with a few new bells and whistles.

While cheaper than the big boys, it's more expensive than it should be for the specs. 88 megs of system memory. Max resolution of 480p. I have handheld PCs with more power.

My 360 has become a center piece of my home entertainment system. We rent and watch 720p movies with it. Buy Enterprise and TOS shows in 720p. You can delete them for space and then get them again when you want.

With my HD DVD addition, I've been watching HD DVD movies and using that drive as my movie drive just to save wear on the primary game drive.

While the controller isn't small, my daughter uses it to play her games and we have video conferences with my family in other parts of the country or friends just to keep in touch.

I don't see the Wii ever being able to match the connection with my family that isn't in my house that the 360 has given us.

She gets to see her grandmother, uncle, or cousins when she wants and we get to talk to them and other friends.

The Wii is a good toy, but it just doesn't hold up when you compare the features and the benefits of the 360.