While Nintendo once again rolled into this year’s E3 with nothing more than a video montage, there are some who still give them the nod as having the most well-rounded presentation over all. So is this going to be enough to equal real success in the coming year?
Some may think so, but one industry insider suggests a much more drastic change will be required (beyond things like Amiibos and new Zelda games). Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot touts that it’s all about the Benjamins in this case, suggesting a price drop is the magic bullet the company ultimately needs. “With Mario Kart , Wii U made one step and we expect with Smash Bros. it will also do more. If Nintendo put the right price on the machine then they will probably have a chance to do further. The Wii U currently starts at $299, a full $100 less than the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.” He says
This is certainly an interesting concept, and one that is not unfamiliar to Nintendo. If you remember, the original Wii’s price tag is credited as a significant factor leading to its huge success (rivaling the 360 and PS3). Could it perhaps be time for Nintendo to once again evaluate the landscape and take a drastic step, one that could pay off huge?
Guillemot does echo a slight sense of desperation, stating that, “Nintendo has to perform this year; otherwise they will have less games. Justifying investing in the machine needs a larger install base.”