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| Nintendo: Slow Learners... Back when games were 2D coloured bricks in the shape of out favourite plumber or hedgehog, there stood a relationship between two companies that were inseparable. Square and Nintendo, the two biggest names in games at the time, worked side-by-side churning out killer apps for the popular SNES home console. The relationship was so strong that Nintendo lent the world's most popular game franchise, the Mario series, to Square, who set out on an RPG Mario game. Titled Super Mario RPG, the game revolutionised not only the Mario series, but the video games industry itself. However, the rosy relationship between the two gaming icons was soon to end... Fresh from its victory in the 16 Bit wars, Nintendo began work on their new 64-bit system, code named the Ultra 64. Square however, were beginning to worry. Upon hearing that Nintendo had decided to stick to its cartridge format for the Ultra 64, Square pleaded with the Kyoto Giant to switch to the new CD based format that had already been used by Sony in the design of the Playstation (PSX). Regardless of Square's pleas, Nintendo stubbornly refused. They publicly announced plans for the Ultra 64 (now renamed to the N64), and Square were, put simply, pissed off. Soon after, Square released a 3D-test reel of FFVI characters. The media concluded that the game would launch with the N64, and feverishly hyped it as the game that no Nintendo fan would want to miss out on. However, Square shocked the gaming world by announcing they had switched the FFVI franchise over to the PSX, in the process labelling the N64 an "ancient" and "inferior" console. Square released FFVI on the PSX to an unbelievable response, with sales figures rivalling even past Mario games. Sadly, Square's move to the PSX spelled the end of Nintendo's reign as King of Video Games. It was the end of an era. Fast-forward seven years to the present, and we find Nintendo in a similar situation. Rare Ltd, Nintendo's greatest 2nd party developer, has been bought out by Microsoft for an estimated 250 million pounds. Incredibly, Nintendo fans find themselves in a situation where the will no longer be able to play the latest Rare offering on their GameCube's, or for that matter, any next-generation Nintendo console. If we look back when Square took the Final Fantasy franchise to the PSX, it offers eerie similarities. GameCube owners will have to choose whether to stay with their gaming roots in Nintendo, or cross to the Xbox were they can continue to bask in the playing glory of Rare. Strangely, it is an almost identical decision to the one Final Fantasy Nintendo fans had to make, which was either to leave Nintendo for the PSX, were they could play FFVI, or stay with Nintendo and Mario. Sadly, most of those who faced this question decided to cross to the PSX, which damaged Nintendo deeply. So what happens now? Will the majority of Rare fans leave Nintendo for the Xbox? Not everyone can afford two consoles, and Microsoft knows that. By having Rare exclusive to the Xbox, it's a sure way of recruiting some fans. And just like they did last time, Nintendo loses much more than they gain. They lose one of the best developers in the world right now, along with a huge number of fans, plus 3 of the most popular franchises on Nintendo consoles, that being Perfect Dark, Banjo and Conker. Once again we have to question Nintendo's motives. Why in God's holy name did they sell their shares in Rare to Microsoft. Didn't they comprehend the consequences of such a move? Fans of Rare who own a GameCube just for the purpose to play Rare games are going to be the most affected. What will they do now? What happens if no other games interest them? They will do only one thing: buy an Xbox. Nintendo must have known this when they sold their share of Rare. What kind of effect will this have on GameCube's success? A massive one is the only answer. I know personally that the only games that really interested me were Kameo and Starfox Adventures. Not even Mario interested me to a level where I would go out and purchase it. Upon hearing verification of Rare's departure, the very first thought that crossed my mind was to sell my GameCube for an Xbox. That coming from a fan that last week would lay his life on the line for Nintendo. It surpasses logic to think why Nintendo, especially at this difficult time for the company, would even consider letting Rare leave. With little to no word of when Metroid and Zelda would appear on GameCube, Nintendo needed Rare to fill the gap with Starfox Adventures. Although that will still happen, I'm sure many of Rare's Nintendo fans will be bitter towards both companies and refuse to buy it. And what about Perfect Dark 2? That game was at the top of most people's anticipated list's until now. This editorial will probably not make much sense. It's written out of anger. The tension in my household could be cut with a knife. My brother and I walk around the house like one of our family members have died. And you know what? It feels like we have, because being part of the Nintendo community, losing Rare is like losing a family member. They brought some of the greatest games ever to the N64, and saved it from certain death. Now, we have nothing. What kind of consequences will Nintendo face? Will Rare's move be as devastating as Square's defection to Playstation? We can only hope not. But one thing is for sure, Nintendo has changed forever, and possibly for the worst. Forget September 11 September 7....the day the gaming world changed forever. |
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| - Editorial - Tim Schaefer- 11/09/02 |
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