In an interview with Reuters Thursday, Nintendo´s president Satoru Iwata made it crystal clear that they intend to return to a leadership position in the next generation race. and will have a successor to the GameCube ready for 2005.
Nintendo is far behind Sony in the current console race, with Sony having a year and a half head start with it´s PlayStation 2 console. Iwata feels that if GameCube had launched at the same time, "the result would have been very different."
While the new machine is planned for 2005, it will likely depends on when developers can have software ready, which may push the machine into 2006.
Nintendo has firmly denied rumors that they would follow the lead of Sega, which pulled out of the console hardware market to develop only software. "When we withdraw from the home game console, that´s when we withdraw from the video game business," Iwata said.
In an effort to shore up hardware and software sales in the current generation, Nintendo will be releasing more software that will take advantage of the Game Boy Advance´s ability to link up with the GameCube, including new Pokemon games for each system. "Our focus for 2003 is to offer new types of games which allow consumers to play both on the GameCube and Game Boy Advance," Iwata said. Nintendo is also considering another price cut, although the plans are not immediate.
Steven says: If Nintendo would advertise the GameCube and its game with the same force that Microsoft does, this probably wouldn´t be happening. Oh well, at least I can look forward to the Okama Nintendo GameSphere in 2006.
Rick says: Have I mentioned lately how much of a breath of fresh air Iwata is? He´s a completely different type of leader than Yamauchi. Iwata is not going to allow Nintendo to rest on it´s previous glory, and is set on returning Nintendo to greatness. All of the announcements you´ve heard in the last year, all of these uncharacteristic movements from the company, they never would have happened under Yamauchi.
So now the big question has to be asked . .. when will they reveal the console to the world? Could it be as soon as E3? 2005 is only a couple years off, and this would be the time we usually start hearing rumblings. Although, I think it´s more likely that Nintendo will keep mum until at least 2004, as they usually want to have impressive software to show with any new hardware unveiling.
Mike H. says: I think that if they still care about GameCube sales, they´ll hold off on discussing too much about N2005 until next year. They´ve always withheld from talking up the future business because it slows present-day sales.
But that was their thinking under Yamauchi´s reign. It looks like we´re going to be seeing a new Nintendo. It may be time to dip into the ´ol 7 billion dollar bank account and start taking names. It´s nice hear that the company sees their shortcomings and has the beginnings of a plan in place to turn it around.
Daniel says: Actually, if Nintendo really wants to get a jump on Sony, showing off first details of the next system at E3 might not be such a bad idea.
David says: Launching at the same time as the PS3 is key to attaining victory. However, I´m afraid the XBox2 planners are thinking the same thing. If this is the case, how will Nintendo get consumers to ignore the momentum of the previous race?
Daniel says: By beating them both of course.
David says: It´ll take more than just games. Nintendo needs an image overhaul if they´re serious about taking the top spot.
