Nintendo could be on a 'path to irrelevance', says Atari founder

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Atari Founder Nolan Bushnell fears that Nintendo could be on a "path to irrelevance".

Bushnell had yet more harsh words for Nintendo during a recent interview with BBC, in which he questioned the future of dedicated gaming portables and the console market as a whole.

"I don't think handheld game-only devices make sense anymore," said Bushnell. "Not when you have an iPod or an Android microtablet," he added.

"When it comes to the console market, I think the market is truncating," Bushnell went on. "Nintendo always had a soft spot for young people - they sort of did the 12-and-under pretty well, and the other guys did the 12-and-over.

"And now I think the other [consoles] are good enough on those things, and the rush to upgrade from the 12-and-under is not nearly as important."

Bushnell has candidly expressed his reservations over Nintendo's latest home console in the past, admitting he's "baffled by Wii U".

"I don't think it's going to be a big success," he said.

The games veteran also recently suggested that the mobile games ecosystem is now on borrowed time, citing the end of an investment boom for the now overcrowded mobile platforms.

"The last five years have been the days of mobile gaming and shortform gaming, exemplified by Rovio with Angry Birds and Zynga with FarmVille. And that is over," commented Bushnell. "All the money's out," he said.

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Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/428341/nintendo-could-be-on-a-path-to-irrelevance-says-atari-founder/

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"Nintendo could be on a 'path to irrelevance', says Atari founder" :: Login/Create an Account :: 61 comments

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ImpossibilityPosted:

Nintendo needs to try harder

Dr-JPosted:

Gossip Nobody cares about the Nintendo anymore. Nintendo was big back in the day with Pokemon and Mario and so on. The Xbox One and the PS4 are the present.


To be honest, I don't think Nintendo will ever be big again in the console world. They had a good run though.

-LivePosted:

DemonSurfer Quite funny really from Atari,who the hell cares what Bushnell thinks?.. Nintendo is the most successfull games company ever and still going strong.The Wii is the best selling console ever and the DS series the best selling hand held ever no matter what you fan boys say,facts are facts.The Wii U isn't selling very well at the moment,yeah we know big deal,i hear the same news every week... yawn .. the PS3 wasn't selling too well at 1st and now has overtaken the 360 putting 360 in last place for that generation.Don't get upset,it's a games console there will be more in the future ... don't like it? don't buy it,simple.If you get upset about who's buying what you've obviously got issues.


Your not getting the article at all. Of course Nintendo games sell a ton but do people care for the brand name anymore. IF you walk up to any teen and ask them what system they play they usually say "Xbox" or "PlayStation". You haven't heard a kid say "Nintendo" since the GameCube days in my opinion. It's not about what they are selling it's about the brand name in general.

MusketPosted:

Nintendo is dead they just need to stop a be creative and make something no one else has made.

SeemPosted:

Nitendo need's to stop making devices no one's play's try to make a console like xbox or playstation

DemonSurferPosted:

Quite funny really from Atari,who the hell cares what Bushnell thinks?.. Nintendo is the most successfull games company ever and still going strong.The Wii is the best selling console ever and the DS series the best selling hand held ever no matter what you fan boys say,facts are facts.The Wii U isn't selling very well at the moment,yeah we know big deal,i hear the same news every week... yawn .. the PS3 wasn't selling too well at 1st and now has overtaken the 360 putting 360 in last place for that generation.Don't get upset,it's a games console there will be more in the future ... don't like it? don't buy it,simple.If you get upset about who's buying what you've obviously got issues.

GossipPosted:

Nobody cares about the Nintendo anymore. Nintendo was big back in the day with Pokemon and Mario and so on. The Xbox One and the PS4 are the present.

iiExaMplezZzPosted:

He's right, Nintendo are trying to stick with what they've always done, but its just not working for them anymore.

ImpossibilityPosted:

this was predicted long ago

MaggardoPosted:

Zeff
Raci Well te only thing Nintendo truly has is Mario Bros


That's exactly what i was thinking but another big one is Zelda which i personally love.


What about Pokemon, they got that on 3DS, and 2DS.


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