Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has informed analysts and investors that its recently released Nintendo 3DS hasn’t sold as well as the company had initially expected.
Satoru Iwata has blamed less than stellar sales for the Nintendo 3DS on the public not understanding the value of the 3DS or how to use the consoles inbuilt applications.
“Nintendo 3DS was launched in late March. The sales were high in the initial week, but sales fell below our expectations after the second week. Nintendo 3DS has not been selling as expected since the second week, and this is not just in the Japanese market but also in the United States and Europe, where no direct impact from the great earthquake has occurred.”
“Therefore, we recognize that we are in a situation where we need to step up our efforts to further promote the spread of Nintendo 3DS.”
“The value of 3D images without the need for special glasses is hard to be understood through the existing media. However, we have found that people cannot feel it just by trying out a device, rather, some might even misestimate it when experiencing the images in an improper fashion,” he said.
“People need to be taught to adjust the slider to suit them. We need to enhance the contents which can be enjoyed passively by non-active users, like a 3D video distribution service. We will promptly work on this after the currently planned hardware update.”
“Also, people aren’t properly clued up on all of the console’s features, such as StreetPass, SpotPass, Augmented Reality and Mii Maker. This needs fixing.”
“It is now clear that the combination of these new features is not necessarily easy-to-understand by just saying one word to those without experience,” said Iwata. “We have found that not all Nintendo 3DS users enjoy this software. There seems to be more than a few consumers who have Nintendo 3DS hardware but don’t know about this software and possibly haven’t had a chance to get interested in it.”
– Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata
Maybe once more games are realeased, more people will buy as the launch line up isn’t very big
The issue here is the crappy games on offer. I got my 3DS on release day but have literally played it 3 times because SFIV isnt anything I haven’t seen before and the rest of the games blow.
I’d have rather waited for them to release it when there were some decent titles available.
I’m pretty sure releasing some ‘good’ games would help the sales.
Nintendo’s mistake was the launching titles. honestly, the only game i found interesting is Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition.
in reviews i’ve read, i’ve seen Pilotwings Resort is very cool but VERY SHORT…
Nintendogs + cats… really?
Steeldiver… is not a strong title, in my opinion
i think Nintendo 3DS is a wonderful device, i’m dying to get one, but those launching titles are not helping!
like many others, i’m waiting for Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Mario Kart 3DS and Super Mario.
Pilotwings is both those things precisely. Beautiful, but tech-demo-ish.
I’m hoping that when the 2 GB cap on their 8 GB game cards is removed Nintendo will release Pilotwings and Steel Diver on one card. It would be worth the value then.
In the meantime, for any deal that involves a free game with a new 3DS, people should get either Pilotwings or Steel Diver for free and then buy the other one.
Nintendo’s fault really lies in giving 3rd-Parties the control while launching lesser titles of their own. It could have worked, and I applaud them for the consideration. I also appreciate that Nintendo is attempting to spread their releases throughout the year instead of having one cluster of quality titles with a drought most of the time.
There’s just one problem: Capcom was the only good 3rd-Party they picked!
They gave the majority of the leadway to EA and Ubisoft (especially Ubisoft), and the 2 companies’ overall lack of effort is hurting the 3DS’ image. WIth the rumor that one particular company is just planning to release poor 360 ports, I’m hoping we get the quality games we know Nintendo and Co. have soon.
pilotwings is very fun and the 3d aspect is way to strong, i can’t play on max for more than a few seconds. but for those of you who like total completion… this game is for you, i’ve put 24 hours into it and i have to get perfect score on the tougher half of the missions other than thaat i did everything else.
A lack of information is a big problem, especially in the US. The most important thing Nintendo can communicate here: IT’S NOT JUST ANOTHER DS ITERATION!
It’s the next generation, something Nintendo hasn’t capped off since the SNES (or GBA, but they didn’t have any real competition then), and people are used to seeing Sony or Microsoft release a console which hangs its hat on being “next-gen” so boldly it can’t be ignored.
Pulling the DSi off shelves might also help, as I saw people continuing to buy them even the day before the 3DS demo unit was installed at Best Buy.
As far as features, they should pre-install a walkthrough app in a firmware update (pre-installed in new units) that would show people exactly what they’ve bought and how to navigate it.
Completely agree with all of you, the games and the lack of completed product (no 3DS store, for one), really makes it a hard first buy for some people. I love mine like crazy, but its hard to argue against someone waiting for a more completed product AND possible price drops AND better games.
I am not surprised, either. I got my 3DS on Launch, love it, but the lack of great launch games will hurt the sales. Fortunately, after next month, especially after the eShop and Internet release, the sales will pick up. :)
In other countries, like mine: Mexico, they’re selling the Nintendo 3DS TOO EXPENSIVE >=(
I really wanted to buy it from day one but retailers like Game Planet, Gamer’s retail and some other big ones like Liverpool, Sanborns, Walmart, etc they’re selling the 3DS almost at the double of the official price -_-
Nintendo makes good efforts to offer a really great entertainment system to a good price but all the retailers in my Country just want to make more money in no time -___-
I just can’t believe they want to gain so much extra money and I don’t want to buy it this expensive ¬¬
I’ll wait until new colors for the consoles are available, some kind of package or something to buy it ¬¬
order one from the internet
Not only is it the lack of games but also the lack of upcoming games. Kid Icarus was promised to be a launch, then in a 3 month window. Now it’s TBA. Zelda ONLY JUST gets in there. No idea about Starfox either.
Sure the earthquake in Japan has delayed a lot of games but still.
Not to mention the lack of great games on launch. The best titles being Samurai Warriors and Ghost Recon. Both of which are going pretty un-noticed by the public (or bashed by negative reviews…if they do review it.)
Starfox 64 comes out in Japan July 14. Given that Ocarina of Time comes out in the US June 19th, 3 days after Japan, it shouldn’t be too long before we get Star Fox.
They also just confirmed that development on Star Fox 64 3D is 100% complete.
Not surprised. Only game I have for it is Super Street Fighter IV. It’s been just over a month, Nintendo. Give it more time & some more games and you’ll be rolling in cash.
It’s definitely because of the lack of good games at launch. I’d love a 3DS, but I don’t want to get one until there is actually a game I want. The launch games were crap.
Since i bought mine iv used it for ds games but when iv given it to others to show them they havent got the foggiest on how to use it and usualy dont like being told how to use it. Maybe if there were more 3DS pods or maybe more adverts (seen more for just dance 2!) then people would understand, maybe when the film catalouge gets released on it… also am i the only person in the world who has found out that you can use streetpass with the music player?!? seriously look at it
It’s definitely the lack of good launch games.
I bought the 3DS the day it launched and, now a month later, I don’t have any 3d games because they all suck. Once LoZ: OoT comes out though, I predict an increase in sales
It’s because the three big franchises hasn’t been on the 3DS yet.
There’s been no Mario, Pokemon, Zelda, Metroid yet.
Agreed, total lack of games so far. Even got me into buying Rayman 3D what a piece of junk/ 10 year old PC port. Pilotwings is very neat but very short.
Got three 3DS”es in my household so get these multilayer games out there! Mario Kart anyone?!
BULL, BULL, BULL| I love my 3ds, but what Mr. Iwata does not seem to understand is, most people know what the 3ds is. The problem however is the lack of an internet browser, no eshop, and NO GOOD GAMES. Don’t get me wrong, I love SSFIV, but that’s about it. Would get pilot wings, but unwilling to pay $40 for a 2-3 hour game with little replay value. Street pass is a great idea, especially when I’m finally able to connect with someone . The 3ds would’ve flown off shelves, if the problems I listed weren’t problems!
No achievements.
Haven’t played much of my 3DS really, noveltys worn off. Completed single player on Super Monkey Ball, too easy makes it too short. It is very good looking though and great sound.
I think sales will increase with OoT. We need a Metroid 3DS game urgently.
Once again, RELEASE THE GAMES and people will buy
Lower the price and make better games. Problem solved.
Just what I said in fewer words! I AGREE COMPLETELY
Totally agree, not paying £200 for a console with hardly any good launch titles.
Bingo. These are the two exact reasons why I haven’t bought one yet.
The games we’re all excited for don’t look too promising either.
Don’t get me wrong, OoT is my all-time favourite game but I completed on my N64 13 years ago and then again on my Wii via the Virtual Store 4 years ago. Let it rest in peace and create a new game that breaks the boundaries again.
Same with Starfox, I completed it 14 years ago. Why not create something brand new?
Mario Kart is a given and each one is always awesome, but I doubt we’ll see anything really new.
There’s only so many times I can buy the same game!!
It’s because the games…
I’ll buy a Nintendo 3DS when The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D comes out.
Nowhere in my town is it on display to test it! I want to have a look and a go before I consider buying one…
I’m put off by a lack of games I actually want, and the poor battery life.
What’s this about a hardware update? They already making a 3DS lite?
I presume the ‘hardware update’ Iwata mentioned is actually the May Firmware Update.
It better be a firmware update cuz the ppl who already bought the 3DS would be seriously fucked bad… I mean. the original ds needed the improvements but if they upgraded the hardware too soon that would be a serious slap in the face for buyers of the 3DS. Real problems, lack of launch titles and the fact that people really don’t know how to use the system to its fullest…. I only got the hang of talking the 3D tphotos or using the AR cards after really messing with the system myself. Also, alot of people wont buy because they’re afraid that they;ll get eye damage after won little headache which could be cured with some medicine. Take one Tylenol and that’s it sheesh..
They did also state that they werent gonna make a 3DS remake in terms of hardware like the DS lite
Yes well his wording implied it and got my interest going. I imagine there will eventually be a more 3DS iterations in future though. Stands to reason with their history in handhelds.
just lower the brightness to 3 or 4 and turn on power saver mode
afeter a day ur used to it.
lower the price to the amount as the DSi XL, discontinue the DSi XL, and release better games.
Achievement Unlocked:
Sales Increased -100x
Didn’t they say that they would be releasing games for the 3DS frequently to prevent a drought? Well there kinda is one now.. That’s why no one is buying.
The problem is that people think that the launch lineup is weak because they have never heard of the names besides streetfighter and nintendogs. The fact is that the games that are available ARE fun. People just make assumptions based on what they assume the games are like without playing them. Steeldiver is very fun. People that own it will agree. People that don’t own it will say they own it or they have played it and it sucks because they assume it does. Street fighter, splinter cell, ridge racer, nintendogs, and steel diver are all fun.
Furthermore streetpass is extremely exciting and addicting but people won’t listen to you when you try to explain it because they think its some active multiplayer thing where you go around asking strangers to play a game with you. This has very little truth to it. Nintendos problem is that there are too many 12 year olds who know how to post on message boards now. Kids love sony and microsoft and they can’t afford multiple game systems so they justify their choice by putting down nintendo based on false assumptions about what they assume the games would be like to play. Unfortunately the 3DS only caters to hardcore gamers at the moment because they’re the ones who buy every system and will give it a try.
im 13, i just turned 13 at the begining of the month and i’ve praiesed nintendo mostly… i have a 3ds and a wii(no games coz i got it for christmas but i have enough) and an xbox… and my xbox hasn’t been plugged in in 60 days. so learn about proportions
while 7/10 enjoy sony and microsoft, 3/10 outright say they enjoy nintendo and 5/7 that say they like sony and microsoft actually enjoy nintendo but don’t say it
It’s price point is way way over what a casual gamer will spend on a hand held. So it would do good at 1st then quickly fall short in sales.
You know, you’re totally right. All the “hardcore” gamers seem to be the ones buying it for the sake that its somewhat of a novelty still. People who just want something to do while at work or school aren’t tryin’ to pay pretty close to $300 for something in their mind is still just the cutting edge “gameboy.”
This will all be solved once OoT comes out.
Why say this statement and doubt yourself. Nintendo, you a really good company and it sold a lot and more will be sold so don’t worry now.
Like the MH3DS page on facebook if you support that game and wan’t it to be developed.
That’s what you get for not releasing a MARIO game, bastards. I’ve 0 pity for Nintendo, and I’m a huge fan of them, but the 3ds launch titles were utter crap. And then I just read they will be distributing a free 3d classic version of excitebike in Japan….wtf? Where’s the rest of the worlds release on that, months later? Get your act together Nintendo, stop holding out. Mario, Zelda, Starfox, Metroid….you could of had ANY of those titles to release with the 3ds, but you rather leave it up to Ubisoft and EA? Capcom wasn’t enough to save you, Street Fighter IV was ALREADY out on ps3/xbox/pc. Poor, poor choices. You deserve the crappy sales numbers.
Guys stop baggin the launch titles… if you notie each game uses something exclusive the 3ds can do.
pilotwings: uses miis.
steeldiver: gyroscope
SSFIV: streetpass
Nintendogs: camera
etc.
they werent made to be top nocth… just for the features.
The launch titles are a primary reason behind the point of this article. Try accepting the fact the launch titles sucked, and you were a tool for thinking otherwise.
yeas i know that… (im not a tool but) the launch titles each have somethign exclusive.. whether they sucked or they didn’t (most sucked but they are fun) that was my point u troll
I think that alot of people are interested in it. but…. its too damn expensive. I bet alot of people are waiting for used ones and such for a cheaper price.
It’s actually because the launch lineup sucked monkey balls & all of the good games are still months away….
The only good game on their right now is the soccer game. It looks amazing in 3D. All other I don’t care about. Right now it’s just a paper weight because you can’t view the web, etc (until May update).
I totally want to purchase a Nintendo 3DS but the colors and games just didn’t appeal enough to me to buy it on its release date. :/