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Multitap #10: Nintendo, Nintendo, Nintendo.

October 15, 2003 By Glenn Turner

Each week unitdaisy and peccaui take a sarcastic glance at the gaming world within the span of three questions. Why? That's just the way we work.

And this week unitdaisy took a long walk off a short pier (or so I assume) and was unable to join us so I roped a lost soul from the Red vs. Blue Forums named The Tick for a Nintendo-centric week. Drink up our banter!


Nintendo of America's marketing development decides to adopt those of their European cousins by taking their 'Who are you?' campaign to the streets and sidewalks - literally. Do you think this will help, hurt or do nothing for good ol' NOA?

The Tick: I certainly hope that it works, or spending that 50 million on this ad campaign is going to drop them even deeper into the red.
peccaui: Considering how well the Gamecube is selling in the UK now, I wouldn't be surprised if these ads and stunts did more harm than good.
The Tick: Well, whether people think its good or bad it's getting Nintendo noticed. I think, coupled with the price drop that they are on the right track
peccaui: But with the price drop, I'm kind of curious as to whether the hardcore are buying their third and forth Gamecube's or whether people are actually buying it because they think it looks like a swank console.
The Tick: That would have to be pretty hardcore! I like to game and all, but I don't see the need to have a Gamecube in every room. One is enough.... as swank as it is.
peccaui: You don't want to play LAN games against yourself?
The Tick: I could learn to play with my feet I guess. At least I'd always win.
peccaui: Come on - multiplayer Kirby's Air Ride against yourself is the shizzimcbiz. And make sure to wipe off your Wavebirds when you're done.
The Tick: Seriously though, the ad campaign worked for me. It's the first Gamecube ad that I can remember looking at... but owning one, that doesn't do Nintendo much good.
peccaui: I kind of liked the ads of people passed out in various locations that they placed over a few of the local club's urinals. Granted, they weren't as good as The Getaway posters that talked to you.
The Tick: I think the aggressive ad campaign is what they need in the states though, too many people still consider the Gamecube and Nintendo a 'kids' console.
peccaui: Yeah, and I don't think making people reminisce on their golden Nintendo moments with their favorite characters is going to do much to change that opinion.
The Tick: very true. Maybe a street version of Resident Evil. Jill can jump out of an alley and shoot a zombie apart.
peccaui: But knowing Nintendo, they'd probably just do a sidewalk puppet show re-enacting Eternal Darkness and call it 'Mature'.
The Tick: Well, that fits with the game mechanics, because I think that would push me towards the insane.
peccaui: I can feel my sanity meter dropping just thinking about it.


Rumors are floating around that Dead Phoenix, the infamous cancelled game from the Capcom 5 (P.N. 03, Dead Phoenix, Resident Evil 4, Killer 7, and Viewtiful Joe), will be resurrected in one way or another as the next Kid Icarus. Thoughts?

peccaui: I certainly hope that it sees the light of day - after all the recent talk that Capcom is going to drop Gamecube exclusives it'd be nice for them to actually follow through with the 'Capcom 5' in one manner or another.
The Tick: Whatever form Dead Phoenix takes, I hope its more Viewtiful Joe and less P.N. 03.
peccaui: Anything less P.N. 03 is good - for both ourselves, and for the world. I have a hard time looking at Dead Phoenix and seeing Kid Icarus though. I see Panzer Dragoon more than just about anything else, even if it's just the engine from Dead Phoenix that will be used.
The Tick: That might be the big guns, last time I checked the Greeks and Romans didn't have big guns. Maybe if it was Adult Icarus. And he was transported through time.
peccaui: And encountered zombie pirates! Who ride dinosaurs! ...nah, I still don't see it.
The Tick: Well, if they make an Icarus game, I'd watch for it. I admit it - I bought the 'Cube for its character titles.
peccaui: I just hope if it does get released that it doesn't get pushed back to, what's it being called now - the N5?
The Tick: Well, whatever it takes for them to have a strong release. They'll need to get out early and strong for the next console wars.
peccaui: Very strong. When was the last time they had a good launch? The original Gameboy?
The Tick: The Gamecube had a weak launch, but they sold plenty of copies of Luigi's Mansion. Just ignore that there was nothing else to choose from. I know that why I bought my copy, you can't buy a system with no games.
peccaui: Yeah, you can only stare at the configuration screen for a few hours until the effects start to wear off.
The Tick: Come on, the Gamecube's config screen is tons of fun. There's that great mini game "Set the Clock again".
peccaui: I like the 'Spin the Cube around as fast as you can' game. But poor launches seem to be the name of the game nowadays. Except for Halo, the Xbox launch was pretty sad. And the PS2 launch games?
The Tick: I think that trend is going to change. With all three console coming out together - it's all about launch.
peccaui: Or launch hype. I know I'm getting the PS3 first - it has the power of 200,000 computers and uses telepathy for multiplay!
The Tick: Well, even if it's not thought powered, any type of multiplay that reaches beyond one room would be good for Nintendo. Maybe if they sold really long LAN cables.
peccaui: Does the bathroom count as a separate room?
peccaui: So - Kid Icarus in 2005/2006?
The Tick: I'm for it. I still say give him a gun. It worked for Jak.


Two bits of news this week about Nintendo's financial status - first, sales of the Gamecube have quadrupled since the price drop, and second - for the first time since Nintendo has went public they have posted a financial loss, citing slugging GC sales. Do you think the price drop will help the GC get an edge on the Xbox or will it just convince users that the GC is on it's way out and not to be bothered with?

The Tick: Well, if sales actually went up by a factor of four, then I'd say that the price drop worked.
peccaui: Perhaps - or maybe Nintendo is actually selling the Gamecube at a loss now.
The Tick: Playing the Microsoft game now. But, hell, if it gets consoles into homes, it's worth it.
peccaui: Well, you do have to wonder if at this point in time Nintendo has just given up on the GC and are investing most of their current energy into the next console
The Tick: I think that's a given. But they have to save face. People don't buy a system if they think it's on the way out. Unless it's a Dreamcast.
peccaui: Still - it's quite a shocker that they dipped in the red. They've been through this before, with the legal problems and low console sales and were still profitable. It does rattle my faith a bit, I have to say.
The Tick: I was shocked too, but my faith is un-rattled. I just can't see Nintendo dying. Worst case scenario I see is they pull an SNK and hide in Japan. XBox still hasn't made a dent in the Japanese market.
peccaui: Well, as stated earlier - hopefully these new sales are for new users and those that are finally getting reacquainted with Nintendo, and that the sales continue at this pace. I suppose all will be revealed with the holiday sales figures.
The Tick: I think that at 100 bucks a pop, Nintendo is easily the holiday favorite. And if you go by Sony, everyone that's a gamer already has a PS2. I think that the big problem with Gamecube sales has to do with the lack of good third party support.
peccaui: True. If not the kid's favorite, then certainly the parents. It's certainly a lot better than the N64 - and more titles are on the way. Hopefully the ports will improve...
The Tick: And huge portion of those games are part of the 'connectivity' strategy. With so many people owning GameBoy Advance's coupled with the price drop of the Gamecube, maybe the 'connectivity' thing they are going with will pay off.
peccaui: Yes, especially with Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles coming out.
The Tick: Don't forget Tetra's Trackers. You gotta love a game where the objective is to run around a Zelda map touching pirates while the Gamecube tells you your a great player.
peccaui: I need more personal reassurance from my consoles.
The Tick: Two sides to that coin though, being ridiculed by a game made for six year old might cause some serious mental damage. Just look at the screen and say to yourself "No matter what you say or do to me, I still a worthwhile person."
peccaui: I have some Stuart Smalley tapes right next to my TV for just that occasion.

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