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Nintendo (IMHO) is missing out on a huge potential revenue source by not releasing its old IP on a Windows/Mac/iOS/Android version of the virtual console. Sega

Nintendo (IMHO) is missing out on a huge potential revenue source by not releasing its old IP on a Windows/Mac/iOS/Android version of the virtual console. Sega seems to have been at least mildly successful re-releasing Genesis era games on these platforms. Do they really feel re-releasing something like say Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) for iOS would detract from Wii U sales? Nintendo has the best back catalog in the industry, and with today's microprocessors, emulation makes that catalog fully portable.

jzelinskie 12y ago
I'm fairly certain that Nintendo is simply scared to release their IP on a platform that they do not control. The last (and only) time they did was the Phillips CDI which they now entirely cease to acknowledge. That and the fact that their IP drives the sales of their hardware.
- Apocryphon 12y ago
  It's almost as if Nintendo and Apple have very similar cultures that cause them to always act as iconoclasts, choosing formats and channels different from their competition, and betting big on innovation. It's remarkable how both the original Wii and iPhone were both released within a year of each other. What I don't understand is why both companies like to use the same distinctive off-white color. Maybe it makes their products look like porcelain, something classical and timeless.
  - Synaesthesia 12y ago
    Well it's clearly a strategy which has worked for them, and they stick to what they know works. A pure white color is notoriously hard to manufacture well, even with expensive equipment, or so I've heard.
  - Thimothy 12y ago
    Yeah, I have always chuckled at the irony that the apple followers criticize Nintendo for not releasing its IP on other platforms. Because, of course, I can install OS X on my custom computer and Safari on my Android. The strategy of Nintendo makes as much sense as Apple's, and anyway, I have always though that it is far more likely for Nintendo to launch an Android smartphone where you could play their games (And only there).
- rocky1138 12y ago
  CDI may have been the last time they released their IP on a platform they do not control, but they have done this more than once. An example would be Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong for the Atari 2600.
  - LukasMathis 12y ago
    Nintendo also released PC software, e.g. Mario Teaches Typing. And they've released a Pokédex for iOS.
LukasMathis 12y ago
I think they can keep the prices for their old games up by keeping them on their own platforms. On iOS, Super Metroid would look expensive at 8 bucks. On the 3DS, that's just what games cost.
mushishi 12y ago
One reason could have to do with very strict sense of quality. If the games would run on wide variety of platforms, Nintendo couldn't make sure that the experience for user is exactly what they want it to be, unlike when games are played in their own specific emulation hardware and gamepads. I think a Mario game played without guaranteed tight controls could hurt the expectation what Mario games are.
Tomte 12y ago
I'm not so sure. I'm curently thinking about getting a new console (very light/casual gamer). I've got the PS3 mostly for playing Blu-ray and never found a compelling game. The Wii U is extremely interesting, not only because of its price, but primarily because of the games. I have no idea about the business case, but releasing the games elsewhere would certainly cannibalize their own console. And while it may be profitable, I think a Nintendo without a viable console on its own would be in very dire straits. That's why I have always seen the disappointing sales figures for the Wii U in the past with a crying eye, even though I was not looking to buy a console. The Nintendo empire is kind of precious.
emsy 12y ago
To me, Nintendo is the Apple of the Gaming world. They want to control the experience and the hardware it runs on. They are also very secretive and try to control what information reaches the press (for example how cautios Reggie Fils-Aime answers questions or how they controlled what Dan Adelman, their indie spokesperson, tweeted). But above all, they seem very conservative, technically as well as policy wise. They were late to acknowledge indies, their digital distribution seems old fashioned and the hardware usually follows the "withered technology" paradigm. So, do I think we will ever see Nintendo games on Smartphones? In my opionion not unless they build their own smartphone. Personally I'm happy about it, because Apple does not seem to really acknowledge gaming. They are still "apps" after all, and they don't really improve their gaming services. Their controller API seems like a second thought. Android's hardware fragmentation will make it virtually impossible to keep the quality you are used from Nintendo games (Even though I think Google takes gaming much more serious than Apple).
kitsune_ 12y ago
At least Nintendo is still Nintendo. Sega is just yet another app and game publisher. As a kid from the 80's remembering the Sega vs. Nintendo wars, this is a sad state of affairs. If you own the platform, you can really push your IPs. I don't think that Halo, which in my opinion was a rather generic shooter when it was first released, could have become this multi-billion dollar franchise without the help of MS.
- hoggle 12y ago
  I would love for SEGA to really push on their tradition of delivering pure arcade experiences and build out-of-this-world adrenaline pumping VR spectacles now that we have the right technology for it.

jzelinskie 12y ago

I'm fairly certain that Nintendo is simply scared to release their IP on a platform that they do not control. The last (and only) time they did was the Phillips CDI which they now entirely cease to acknowledge. That and the fact that their IP drives the sales of their hardware.

Apocryphon 12y ago
It's almost as if Nintendo and Apple have very similar cultures that cause them to always act as iconoclasts, choosing formats and channels different from their competition, and betting big on innovation. It's remarkable how both the original Wii and iPhone were both released within a year of each other. What I don't understand is why both companies like to use the same distinctive off-white color. Maybe it makes their products look like porcelain, something classical and timeless.
- Synaesthesia 12y ago
  Well it's clearly a strategy which has worked for them, and they stick to what they know works. A pure white color is notoriously hard to manufacture well, even with expensive equipment, or so I've heard.
- Thimothy 12y ago
  Yeah, I have always chuckled at the irony that the apple followers criticize Nintendo for not releasing its IP on other platforms. Because, of course, I can install OS X on my custom computer and Safari on my Android. The strategy of Nintendo makes as much sense as Apple's, and anyway, I have always though that it is far more likely for Nintendo to launch an Android smartphone where you could play their games (And only there).
rocky1138 12y ago
CDI may have been the last time they released their IP on a platform they do not control, but they have done this more than once. An example would be Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong for the Atari 2600.
- LukasMathis 12y ago
  Nintendo also released PC software, e.g. Mario Teaches Typing. And they've released a Pokédex for iOS.

LukasMathis 12y ago

I think they can keep the prices for their old games up by keeping them on their own platforms. On iOS, Super Metroid would look expensive at 8 bucks. On the 3DS, that's just what games cost.

mushishi 12y ago

One reason could have to do with very strict sense of quality. If the games would run on wide variety of platforms, Nintendo couldn't make sure that the experience for user is exactly what they want it to be, unlike when games are played in their own specific emulation hardware and gamepads. I think a Mario game played without guaranteed tight controls could hurt the expectation what Mario games are.

Tomte 12y ago

I'm not so sure. I'm curently thinking about getting a new console (very light/casual gamer). I've got the PS3 mostly for playing Blu-ray and never found a compelling game. The Wii U is extremely interesting, not only because of its price, but primarily because of the games. I have no idea about the business case, but releasing the games elsewhere would certainly cannibalize their own console. And while it may be profitable, I think a Nintendo without a viable console on its own would be in very dire straits. That's why I have always seen the disappointing sales figures for the Wii U in the past with a crying eye, even though I was not looking to buy a console. The Nintendo empire is kind of precious.

emsy 12y ago

To me, Nintendo is the Apple of the Gaming world. They want to control the experience and the hardware it runs on. They are also very secretive and try to control what information reaches the press (for example how cautios Reggie Fils-Aime answers questions or how they controlled what Dan Adelman, their indie spokesperson, tweeted). But above all, they seem very conservative, technically as well as policy wise. They were late to acknowledge indies, their digital distribution seems old fashioned and the hardware usually follows the "withered technology" paradigm. So, do I think we will ever see Nintendo games on Smartphones? In my opionion not unless they build their own smartphone. Personally I'm happy about it, because Apple does not seem to really acknowledge gaming. They are still "apps" after all, and they don't really improve their gaming services. Their controller API seems like a second thought. Android's hardware fragmentation will make it virtually impossible to keep the quality you are used from Nintendo games (Even though I think Google takes gaming much more serious than Apple).

kitsune_ 12y ago

At least Nintendo is still Nintendo. Sega is just yet another app and game publisher. As a kid from the 80's remembering the Sega vs. Nintendo wars, this is a sad state of affairs. If you own the platform, you can really push your IPs. I don't think that Halo, which in my opinion was a rather generic shooter when it was first released, could have become this multi-billion dollar franchise without the help of MS.

hoggle 12y ago
I would love for SEGA to really push on their tradition of delivering pure arcade experiences and build out-of-this-world adrenaline pumping VR spectacles now that we have the right technology for it.