Jubenhimer
Member
Of the major game publishers in the market today, Nintendo especially in recent years, has always been the biggest anomaly, even compared to the likes of Sony or Microsoft. In 2006, they shocked the console market by eschewing competitive next gen HD specs, in favor of an enhanced GameCube with motion controls known as the Wii. Even today, Nintendo distances itself from competitive console hardware, in favor of simpler, cheaper specs with a unique concept that can be sold for profit, while still being affordable.
This is a philosophy that extends to even their software, which is where Nintendo really sticks out. Nintendo's AAA is generally nothing like the AAA games of most other major publishers. While most AAA studios are focused on Open-world titles or multi-year GaaS multiplayer games, Nintendo primarily makes smaller scale titles like 2D platformers and Kart racers. Their games generally don't push the limits of their hardware, featuring relatively simple textures and modest resolutions. And instead of massive online communities, Nintendo instead chooses to focus on classical local play, with a big selling point of its Switch platform, being that you can split the controller up to play with a friend.
The closest thing to a modern AAA game Nintendo has made recently is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It has the polish and simplicity you expect from Nintendo, but with the ambition and scale that could rival the likes of most conventional modern open world titles. However, BotW is an exception to the rule for Nintendo generally.
Nintendo, even moreso now than ever, is much closer IMO to a high quality mid-tier developer than a conventional AAA publisher. That's not necessarily a bad thing however. A lower threshold for AAA standard can mean a larger line of games, and more unique titles vs the rest of your contemporaries, while still maintaining quality. This is honsetly the secret to how Nintendo puts out so many games each year.
Nintendo is a stubborn company who, more often than not, sticks to their guns, sometimes more than they should. But I've always respected that about them. They make it very clear that they don't try to be like Sony or Microsoft, or any other major publisher. They know their place in the industry, and are happy to keep sticking to that, instead of trying to directly compete in an area where they likely wouldn't stand a chance.
This is a philosophy that extends to even their software, which is where Nintendo really sticks out. Nintendo's AAA is generally nothing like the AAA games of most other major publishers. While most AAA studios are focused on Open-world titles or multi-year GaaS multiplayer games, Nintendo primarily makes smaller scale titles like 2D platformers and Kart racers. Their games generally don't push the limits of their hardware, featuring relatively simple textures and modest resolutions. And instead of massive online communities, Nintendo instead chooses to focus on classical local play, with a big selling point of its Switch platform, being that you can split the controller up to play with a friend.
The closest thing to a modern AAA game Nintendo has made recently is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It has the polish and simplicity you expect from Nintendo, but with the ambition and scale that could rival the likes of most conventional modern open world titles. However, BotW is an exception to the rule for Nintendo generally.
Nintendo, even moreso now than ever, is much closer IMO to a high quality mid-tier developer than a conventional AAA publisher. That's not necessarily a bad thing however. A lower threshold for AAA standard can mean a larger line of games, and more unique titles vs the rest of your contemporaries, while still maintaining quality. This is honsetly the secret to how Nintendo puts out so many games each year.
Nintendo is a stubborn company who, more often than not, sticks to their guns, sometimes more than they should. But I've always respected that about them. They make it very clear that they don't try to be like Sony or Microsoft, or any other major publisher. They know their place in the industry, and are happy to keep sticking to that, instead of trying to directly compete in an area where they likely wouldn't stand a chance.
