Why I Haven't Owned A Nintendo Console Since The N64 Days

Nintendo makes fantastic games, but ever since the N64 there hasn't been anything that has interested me in getting a Nintendo console. To me there haven't been games like Golden Eye, Mario Kart 64, Super Mario 64 or even the original Super Smash that have appealed to me. Exclusives have always been excellent and polished, but ever since the Gamecube, Nintendo consoles have seemed to not peak my interest at all. It's the overall experience that makes me interested in a console.

When the 6th generation of gaming console were coming out, nothing interesting came from Nintendo that caught my eye. Instead of trying something new, I felt they were doing a lot of the same games that they were before. Therefore I didn't buy the Gamecube and got a Sony console for the first time instead. The PS2 had third party support, lots of different games and a DVD player installed in it. Gamecube didn't have any of that.

After that, came the Wii. The Wii had an appeal with allot of people because of the Wii Sports games that you could play with others, otherwise there wasn't really anything that caught my attention for it. I played the Wii Sports games, and it was fun when you had someone you could play it, but you couldn't play online and playing just alone wasn't really appealing. It had its share of good games, but again it lacked in third party support. Even though it had games like Zelda, Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart, Last Story, etc. There wasn't really anything making it appealing for me as a gamer, while the 360 and PS3 had games like Arkham City, Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, etc. It was still releasing the same old games on that console.

Now we have the Wii U. Now it's not just the games and the library that is lacking, it's the attitude towards its audience. Gamers who love Nintendo want to show it off their videos online, but they're not allowed to with out going through some major hoops. Nintendo is stuck with their old ways. Don't get me wrong, not everything that's old is bad. Like not releasing DLC for every game is good, you know you get a full game when you buy Nintendo. Even with their good practices on releasing good games, this doesn't excuse them from being anti-consumer when it comes to the online world and videos, something that is a major draw for gamers. It seems that some companies like Nintendo don't get that. That's the biggest reason why I haven't given them any money. They frankly don't deserve it from my point of view.

I don't hate Nintendo, I actually admire Nintendo and the way they make games. But that doesn't excuse them from making an outdated console that's a fraction as powerful compared to the other two consoles that Sony and Microsoft have released. If they can listen to developers and the consumers more, I think more people would actually buy their games and consoles.

Well to each their own. Personally I can't really see a time where I don't own a Nintendo console. While the SNES was the last time a Nintendo console was my main I've always been more then happy having it as a complemetary system. All their mainstay franchises like Mario, Zelda, Smash Bros., Metroid, Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Fire Emblem, etc. all continue to be excellent games. Then there's the odd third party title such as Bayonetta 2, The Wonderful 101, Xenoblade Chronicles, etc. that are fantastic as well. There's also the Virtual Console which I really like although it does need more games. The Xbox One may be my main system right now but I'm very content having the Wii U as a secondary system so I can enjoy it's excellent games as well.

All great points. Let's hope the NX is atleast on par with next gen Sony/MS. I sincerely doubt it though.............

i kinda doubt it

I would say that owning a Nintendo system is close to mandatory to anyone who loves videogames. Yet, to someone who has just one system, I can see why ownin a console with close to none 3rd party support isn't a first option.

As for the anti-consumer thing I have no clue on what are you talking about. Has Nintendo released any broken/unfinished games? Because if it's just the youtube thing I don't see them as a problem for consumers. Just search for Nintendo videos and you'll find them. Although guys like Angry Joe have successfully manage to convince many ppl that these are anti-consumer policies, they aren't really being honest. This is a problem between professional Youtubers and Nintendo. A business disagreement between both parts - consumers have nothing to do with it.

what i am talking about here is the youtube thing and how they deal with anyone using their footage without their consent and the horrible program they have which does not include Bayonetta 2 or Smash Bros

I've been on and off of Nintendo. Like I had a NES and SNES then I skipped the N64 in favor of the Playsation, then got the GameCube but then I bought a PS2 but I have more found memory of the GC, I skipped the Wii in favor of the 360 and PS3 then I bought a 3DS and felt in love with Nintendo once again to the point that I bought a Wii U not long after and since then I only play Nintendo system. Sony and Microsoft haven't made anything Worth it to me this gen. The 3DS give me enough JRPG for a long time and the WiiU is always fun to me ... while on PS3 and 360 I was more consumming game, once I finished the story mode the game didn't have any value anymore which isn't the case on Nintendo system because there is still stuff to unlock !!!

@The_Last_Ride: As far as I can understand everyone is free to upload Wii U videos to youtube, if the video isn't monetized. For example, nothing stops Angry Joe from uploading Nintendo videos for free. So it's not a problem to the consumer, it's a problem between Nintendo and Youtubers.

I skipped the Gamecube and got the ps2 instead with little regrets. I'm thinking about skipping the Wii U and getting the ps4 instead.

I never owned a Nintendo system PERIOD. I don't have anything against the company, I just never been into any of thier exclusives.

You do the work, edit, play the game and upload it and you get nothing? Yeah, thanks but no thanks

To each their own, as Archangel said. Even so, you've missed out on a lot of amazing games throughout the years.

As mentioned to each their own.

But i agree and i wouldn´t buy a WiiU at this point, that console is dead and is only being kept alive until Nintendo announces its next big console.

agreed, and this is a blog after all :3

Nintendo didn't make Goldeneye, that was the Free Radical staff of Rareware.

And MK8, SSB4 and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are all far better games than the ones you mentioned. You should give them a go, because I highly doubt you have.

How is the battle mode for MK8?

I don't think their policies are good but they are NOT anti-consumer. Sorry to repeat my self but at best they are anti-youtubers. But they do get something for their hard work, 60% if I'm not wrong. But there are thousands of people that do that just for the pleasure of doing so, I've done that my self. The funny thing is that the Angry Joe thing was a gameplay stream, that demands absolutely no work.

No they get 60 after youtube is done and then Nintendo takes additional 40%. Also if that's so not ok, why is everyone else ok with this practice?

It was still an exclusive mate, meaning Nintendo paid for it, meaning Nintendo made it.

That's your opinion

@The_Last_Ride: Very few people are Ok with Nintendo's policies, but it is their intellectual property. And between Youtubers, consumers and Nintendo, it's Nintendo that loses the most. If Nintendo doesn't wants the free publicity it's their right. But why not complain against Youtube/Google too?

Who cares? I play racing games to race.

Because Youtube and Google have no say in this. It's the same on daily motion, vimeo, etc

I was making reference to the big chunk Google/Youtube take out of the total revenue. Why not complain about it too?

That's like saying you're a part time chef or race car driver, or only watch part of a movie. I don't see how anyone can call themselves a gamer without playing Nintendo games.

Cause it's their site and people make money of the site. It's also the biggest site. I would like there to be another site like it, but there's not. That doesn't make what Nintendo's doing less shitty

Correct and that is what makes it so much fun to listen to people like TB, Sterling and the swedish muppet.

They are basically angry over the fact that they cant make tons of cash on someone elses IP. Because Nintendo isn't saying you cant upload what you want, they are just saying that if you want to monetize the videos, you need to give them a share since its their hard work.

You can be 100% sure that Sterling, TB and muppet all feel the same way about their work even though they make a living of other peoples work.

LOL nice ironic post.

To each their own I guess. I always get Nintendo's console first every generation, because they always guarantee the best first party games every single generation they've been around. The other two console manufacturers rarely if ever touch that quality. If Nintendo had 3rd party support, I'd game exclusively on their hardware, but alas, I buy two consoles every gen now because of this reason.

It's weird you didn't jump on Gamecube. It's pretty much a superior N64 because it had rather strong 3rd party support in addition to some of Nintendo's very best offerings (Metroid Prime, Smash Bros. Melee, Pikmin, Paper Mario, F-Zero GX, Wind Waker, etc)

To clarify, a Gamer is a person who just plays games. Simple as that, not the brand whoever they maybe.

@The_Last_Ride While I'm not really a Nintendo fan, the purpose is to owning a Nintendo console is mainly for there exclusive games which is why I own a Wii U, just there games and not there 3rd party games. That said, I don't see myself getting another Nintendo consoles since I hardly play my Wii U and I put a lot of money into my 3DS with over digital 11 games on it. That said, I'm just going to focus on there handhelds since there's more value then there consoles.

hehe yep but its so easy to miss on the game forum and when there is so few good posts lately, yours stand out

But PS2 was way superior

I haven't owned nor felt the need to own a Nintendo console since the N64.

Just some of the games you've missed out on over the years:

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Bayonetta 2, The Wonderful 101, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy, The World Ends With You, Shin Megami Tensei IV and Devil Survivor 1 and 2, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Link Between Worlds, Xenoblade Chronicles, Metroid: Other M, Eternal Darkness, Mario Kart DS, Super Smash Bros for Wii U or 3DS, Mario Kart 8, Star Fox Adventures and Assault, Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door, Pandora's Tower, The Last Story, Pokemon X and Y, Hotel Dusk Room 215, Phoenix Wright, Professor Layton, Super Mario 3D World and Land, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Bravely Default, Persona Q Shadow of the Labyrinth, Luigi's Mansion, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze, Pikmin 1 -3.

Now I'm not saying you'd have to like or want to play all of those, but you absolutely can't deny there are some you wish you could enjoy.

Nintendo's account system is anti-consumer, as is forcing people to buy the same game more than once on different systems. Region locking is not consumer friendly. They are guilty of some of the worst anti-consumer policies out there.

OT, Nintendo's pretty much dead to me. They've turned into a company that turns out the same games I've been playing since I was eight. Ocassionaly they will produce something truly spectacular (Mario Galaxy 2 and Pikmin 3 are the last two I've felt this way about), so I'll keep tabs on them always, but this is becoming more and more a rarity. Franchises that defined them to me have been left in limbo. They've become so Japan-centric it's a turnoff. Everything they do is so conservative and non-aggressive. They don't want to compete.

They're just not the same company today that I fell in love with so many years ago, and it saddens me. I'm starting to resign myself to the fact that things will not change for the better, not until this management leaves. The worst thing I can say about Nintendo is that they make gaming boring to me. Most of what they put out feels so obligatory, rote, and ho-hum. They never truly wow me anymore, and that magic spark that used to define them (and that Sony and MS fight to equal) I'm finding lacking.

@MirkoS77:

Of course Nintendo isn't the same company from decades ago nor should we expect or want them to remain the same. What we should want and demand is for the company to be better than it was. Use the technology available and become something even better than what we remember from growing up but I don't feel that is the case. Nintendo walks to the beat of its own drum w/o seriously addressing the concerns of consumers. Nintendo always knows best which is why the current Wii U is is dire straights. No one can argue against this company knowing how to make a game but this company is like Rocky fighting Clubber for the first time w/o being hungry thus causing him to lose.

@Zen_Light: The TC is mainly talking about their consoles. Other than the hinge problem their handhelds are fine.

I couldn't go without Nintendo systems.

nothing there appeals to me ecept for the Mario Kart series

If Nintendo were the same as it was back in the day with what it had today to work with, it'd be magnitudes better than what it is. They've not only not improved, they've gotten actively worse.

@The_Last_Ride: That's just as ignorant as those blind Nintendo fanboys who think all third party games are not worth playing. Imagine someone saying they weren't interested in any of those games, what would you think? You'd think they're either ignorant about a lot of games or in denial.

Just as I think that about you, I'd also laugh at anyone who said games like Bioshock, Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto, Halo, The Witcher, Dragon Age, God of War, Gears of War, Fallout, Deus Ex, Far Cry, The Elder Scrolls etc didn't interest them.

On either extreme, it's just nonsense to deny yourself great games if you truly are a game fan instead of a brand fan.

It doesn't have to be so complicated. Most people buy the PS4 for better resolution, the Xbox One for brand, and the Wii U for fun according to a Nielsen Study: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/study-people-buy-ps4-for-graphics-xbox-one-for-bra/1100-6425537/

Lol, its not Nintendo's fault that "fun" is not the priority of most gamers these days.

No it's not, because none of those games appeal to me.

I wouldn't laugh at them, that's your problem, not mine. Making fun of someone's taste in games is not cool mate

Not if i don't like the games

But how do you know you don't like them if you haven't played them and are unfamiliar with them?

I think it'd be more believable if you just said you can't afford to buy every system instead of pretending you oddly don't like a large number of games on different systems.

Take me, for instance--I'd like to play some games that are made for high end gaming PCs, but I simply can't justify spending around a grand just to enjoy them. I know you said systems are more expensive where you're from, so that's a perfectly good excuse not to play certain games.

You don't have to buy every game and every system, but even so, I own all consoles and handhelds, and a mid-ranged laptop to ensure I don't miss out on too much, and I wish I could afford to buy and play everything if time would allow it.

It just seems closed minded and dense to claim an entire library doesn't appeal to you. That's not even respect worthy coming from a fellow gamer.

If you haven't owned a Nintendo console since the N64, then you have simply missed out on 15 years of some of the best console and handheld games in the entire industry.

That's debatable.

The Gamecube had the superior version of every PS2 multiplat, and the Gamecube's top games are at least on the same level as the PS2's top games. Then again, the PS2 had a lot of great JRPGs, so it really depends on what sort of games you are into.

Yeah I couldn't imagine having to pick either just the Gamecube or PS2. Loved Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, Final Fantasy X and XII, Okami, SMT: Nocturne and DDS 1 & 2, Disgaea 1 and 2.

Why would that be closed minded and dense? Nintendo games are not really that different and original any more and most are sequels to already existing IP´s. That for anyone who ever had a Nintendo console is well known.

Nintendo do make decent games but they also stick to their recipes like a old granny who is making the same applepie she has done for decades. And when there isen´t any real 3rd support. I get why people will jump over the WiiU and leave it at the store.

Nintendo is at fault for not adapting and appealing to the masses though. This company releases the games and software which is apparently being overlooked by the masses.

The Gamecube > N64.

Pikmin and Animal Crossing are 2 of those IPs I can think of that doesn't appeal to enough people. Wonder how things would be like if they put out Starfox U or F-Zero U instead of Pikmin 3.

Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about. ie a situation where some untrained person is trying to talk about flying a plane.

Because i've seen gameplay and i know if i am going to enjoy the game or not

No... I didn't like them what's so hard to believe about that...?

No, i play games that i like

why does that matter? You don't need to own everything to enjoy gaming.

wow dude... Just wow, you're just insulting me now so i am done before i say what i have to say to that ignorant shit you spewed