Nicalis: Nintendo Finally Gets Digital With the eShop

The eShop, I feel, has really turned things around for Nintendo on the digital side because the storefront is heavily feature-driven. Any publisher can still produce whatever it wants, similar to iOS in both regards. However, given the feature-oriented nature, the eShop is quasi-curated without being some lame PR line like, 'consciously developing a curated portfolio' .That's a steaming pile of PR right there, but that's another story altogether.

If we look back at WiiWare, that system was broken because it was trying to be fair and feature nothing. WRONG. In the WiiWare system all games were created equal, but life's not fair and all games are NOT made equal. Some suck hard, particularly on WiiWare. However, that doesn't matter much in a system like the WiiWare shop because customers aren't being directed anywhere.The top 20 is the easiest filter and being on the top 20 doesn't mean a game is good/great, it just means they sell. Frogger, really?

I'm pretty certain that the number of total downloads (across all games etc) on most platforms typically hovers around the same rough figure. So, say you have 200 total customers to a given service per day, in the case of WiiWare, they're getting lost in an ocean of blah. Other services, like eShop, have systems in place to control what people get to see and, to me, this is ideal.

Since the eShop is heavily feature-driven, this not only helps promote titles, it forces publishers and developers to make better games, hopefully. You want to get featured? You better have something good to show, curated or not. Will this change in the future? I have no idea as I'm not Mr.Iwata, but I do know that compared to how we did on WiiWare and DSiWare, eShop has a much better outlook.Destructoid

Personally, I agree. The eShop has excellent content (VVVVV, Pushmo, FreakyForms, Mutant Mudds, Mighty Switch Force, Sakura Samurai, Zen Pinball and more), and the interface, while certainly leaving a lot to be desired, is a big step over the DSiWare and WiiWare storefronts. The addition of demos, videos, and features like Nintendo Show 3D also enhances the experience.

Also, this makes it very clear that VVVVV in fact sold very well on the eShop.

SOURCE

The top 20 is the easiest filter and being on the top 20 doesn't mean a game is good/great, it just means they sell. Frogger, really?

charizard1605

OHHHHHHHH GIRL

KBFloyd incoming.

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]

The top 20 is the easiest filter and being on the top 20 doesn't mean a game is good/great, it just means they sell. Frogger, really?

Cherokee_Jack

OHHHHHHHH GIRL

KBFloyd incoming.

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]

The top 20 is the easiest filter and being on the top 20 doesn't mean a game is good/great, it just means they sell. Frogger, really?

charizard1605

OHHHHHHHH GIRL

KBFloyd incoming.

He likes all the true cIassics from the 80s and 90s, like Frogger, Simpsons Arcade, Super Mario Bros 3. You know, the hits.

the store needs more content... I want them to put more GB/GBC/GBA games up on it.

the store needs more content... I want them to put more GB/GBC/GBA games up on it.

zarshack

Nintendo finally heading in the right direction

[QUOTE="zarshack"]

the store needs more content... I want them to put more GB/GBC/GBA games up on it.

charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="zarshack"]

the store needs more content... I want them to put more GB/GBC/GBA games up on it.

zarshack

[QUOTE="zarshack"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] This I can agree with. I now it's getting Game Gear games soon.Enforcedspot

[QUOTE="Enforcedspot"][QUOTE="zarshack"]I just want LttP: four swords version. xD

zarshack

While I'm here I wanted to mention this, Four Swords on that cart was developed by Capcom, just fyi! :P Nintendo obviously liked it as it did a followup release for GC-GBA later on. I know this from buying, and thought I could help spread the word. :cool:

Capcom also made The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, as well as being involved with the creation of the older GameBoy Zelda : Oracle of Seasons/Ages games, for those interested in Capcom's contributions to Zelda and Nintendo. :P

I'm glad to see Nintendo is trying to improve! I hope the Wii U really shows a step up above the 3DS still though. I want something at least a little better than PSN(SEN?) and still be free.

Charizard, how you liking the 3DS?

As long as VVVVVV sells well I won't be scared about the world tomorrow will bring.

[QUOTE="zarshack"]

[QUOTE="Enforcedspot"] its free right now, you can look it up on eshop.SolidTy

While I'm here I wanted to mention this, Four Swords on that cart was developed by Capcom, just fyi! :P Nintendo obviously liked it as it did a followup release for GC-GBA later on. I know this from buying, and thought I could help spread the word. :cool:

Capcom also made The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, as well as being involved with the creation of the older GameBoy Zelda : Oracle of Seasons/Ages games, for those interested in Capcom's contributions to Zelda and Nintendo. :P

I'm glad to see Nintendo is trying to improve! I hope the Wii U really shows a step up above the 3DS still though. I want something at least a little better than PSN(SEN?) and still be free.

Charizard, how you liking the 3DS?

AmayaPapaya

[QUOTE="AmayaPapaya"]

I'm glad to see Nintendo is trying to improve! I hope the Wii U really shows a step up above the 3DS still though. I want something at least a little better than PSN(SEN?) and still be free.

Charizard, how you liking the 3DS?

charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="AmayaPapaya"]

I'm glad to see Nintendo is trying to improve! I hope the Wii U really shows a step up above the 3DS still though. I want something at least a little better than PSN(SEN?) and still be free.

Charizard, how you liking the 3DS?

zarshack

[QUOTE="zarshack"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] Me? I'm loving my 3DS. It's my primary system right now. I love the games, love the interface, love the social features, love the media functionality, it's all really come into its own. Most of all, I love SwapNote. :Dcharizard1605

I havnt downloaded any games yet, need to download Pushmo soon. Will probably get a points card tonight and do that. Also, I'll add you guys (2 Char and zar) tonight and I'll throw up my FC. Not many friends on mine right now so thought I'll add a few.

Content is alright, but it needs a more stable design. There are times where some games are in one place, and then other times when they are some place else. You'd think Zelda would be in the VC section, but then you have to go to the special 25th anniversary section for it.

It was about time.

I havnt downloaded any games yet, need to download Pushmo soon. Will probably get a points card tonight and do that. Also, I'll add you guys (2 Char and zar) tonight and I'll throw up my FC. Not many friends on mine right now so thought I'll add a few.

vtbob88

Content is alright, but it needs a more stable design. There are times where some games are in one place, and then other times when they are some place else. You'd think Zelda would be in the VC section, but then you have to go to the special 25th anniversary section for it.

Heirren

Nintendo late as usual. Sony was way ahead of them.

Are devs still not allowed to have demos or pricedrops on e-shop, dsiware and wiiware?MFDOOM1983

"That's a good boy Nintendo, here's a biscuit."

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]Are devs still not allowed to have demos or pricedrops on e-shop, dsiware and wiiware?charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]Are devs still not allowed to have demos or pricedrops on e-shop, dsiware and wiiware?MFDOOM1983

Are you sure? I don't see any e-shop demos outside of those two retail games. Seems like MS is the only one that "gets" DD games. MFDOOM1983

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]Are you sure? I don't see any e-shop demos outside of those two retail games. Seems like MS is the only one that "gets" DD games. JLF1MarkII

[QUOTE="JLF1MarkII"]

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]Are you sure? I don't see any e-shop demos outside of those two retail games. Seems like MS is the only one that "gets" DD games. MFDOOM1983

Aren't most demos PSN+ only anyway?charizard1605

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]

[QUOTE="JLF1MarkII"]

There's plenty of demos on PSN.

charizard1605

Just early beta access.

MFDOOM1983

Hmm, it looks like there was a two year period of no demos for wiiware(jan. 2010-12). Nintendo should have mandatory demos for e-shop games in their guidelines somewhere. As a consumer sifting through the garbage is much easier and imo it pushes devs to release better product. MFDOOM1983

I just checked PSN and there are some or in this case one PSN + exclusive demo(house of the dead 3).:oops:

Aren't most demos PSN+ only anyway?

charizard1605

The e-shop is definitely much better the Wiiware and DSiware. I love the Nintendo 3d show ( and the hot girl that host it...shes seems she loves video games more then the people that do the Nintendo week show) Plus Swapnote is the best app ever!!!! Its show much better then texting lol. Ony hope their are more apps for the 3DS soon. Its shaping up to be a great multi media device.

P.S Charizard I added you so if you would please add me back :D

FC: 1762-3186-6480

[QUOTE="zarshack"]

the store needs more content... I want them to put more GB/GBC/GBA games up on it.

charizard1605

heh, and with the 3DS add on which makes the device bulkier you can now EXPERIENCE the Game Gear!

The e-shop is definitely much better the Wiiware and DSiware. I love the Nintendo 3d show ( and the hot girl that host it...shes seems she loves video games more then the people that do the Nintendo week show) Plus Swapnote is the best app ever!!!! Its show much better then texting lol. Ony hope their are more apps for the 3DS soon. Its shaping up to be a great multi media device.

P.S Charizard I added you so if you would please add me back :D

FC: 1762-3186-6480

Mantleman

Nintendo late as usual. Sony was way ahead of them.

Barsy7

The quality of the games on the eShop, seems to really be under much better management it seems. Despite it being just the DSiWare shop in the beginning, which mostly had games ranging from terrible to great, the eShop seems to have more 3DS exclusive games that average more on the good+ side (let's say AA or 4+ stars on eShop) and the DSiWare was mostly in the middle of mediocre titles with a very rare and fun game few and far between.

I think the eShop is turning out well, and it looks like Nintendo does some things right. Namely, naming a game in their "features" of some sort. Whether it's "Great games under $5," "Top rated games by YOU," "X person's pick/Staff Pick," etc. It really does give games a longer lifetime to shine, and make sure great titles are not forgotten few and far between.

There are some problems with this though. It's tough to browse titles. In fact, you kind of can't browse a catalog of games. I understand why this may not be in place. For XBL/PSN it becomes a bit overwhelming to the consumer at times. It can be hard to really focus on what you want, and know what's great. If you don't have a bit of guidance, it can be too much.

Still, if you want to find something, it's hard to really get it down. I find the search feature even isn't that great, when you try and filter things. In fact, filters almost don't seem to work, and you have to leave it open to everything. When I tried searching Capcom games a while back, on 3DS, it wouldn't even return RE: Mercs, (before RE: R released and it's page was created on the eShop.) It was baffling, but the moment I set no restrictions, it popped up. O.o

Also, remember those short animation videos you could buy? Yeah, where did they go? Not featured anymore. I am sure they didn't sell well, maybe, but then again if Nintendo wants to expand to videos and other things like this, it needs to really think about how it's shop is managed. It would be nice if we could filter things out, from genres, to ratings, and even go into sub categories like "Featured, Weekly, Monthly" and so on. Also, when Demos start to continue to roll out, how will we even find those? The eShop is ok in it's current state, but it could use some improvements to fit better for the future I believe.

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="zarshack"]

the store needs more content... I want them to put more GB/GBC/GBA games up on it.

LegatoSkyheart

heh, and with the 3DS add on which makes the device bulkier you can now EXPERIENCE the Game Gear!