Nintendo denies ignoring core gamers

By Robert Purchese Published 23 July, 2008

But Iwata is sorry about E3 briefing.

Satoru Iwata has apologised to gamers who expected the next Super Mario or Legend of Zelda to be unveiled at Nintendo's E3 press conference last week.

"If there is any perception that Nintendo is ignoring the core gamers, it's a misunderstanding and we really want to get rid of that misunderstanding by any means," Iwata told Forbes.

"We are sorry about [the E3] media briefings, specifically for those who were expecting to see Nintendo show something about Super Mario or Legend of Zelda.

"However, the fact of the matter is the so-called big titles need a long, long development period... We really didn't think this year's E3 media briefing was the time to do so," he said.

Nintendo did show Wii Sports Resort, which comes with the MotionPlus Wiimote accessory that increases motion sensing accuracy.

We also got our first proper look at the finished Wii Music and first footage of Animal Crossing on Wii.

Cast your eyes elsewhere on Eurogamer for our impressions of Wii Sports Resort and Wii Music.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (38) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • bad09 #1 4 years ago

    "If there is any perception that Nintendo is ignoring the core gamers, it's a misunderstanding and we really want to get rid of that misunderstanding by any means,"

    Release games then.

    / runs

  • asphaltcowboy #2 4 years ago

    Er, it wasn't the lack of Super Mario or Zelda that did it (though it would have been nice), it was the lack of any games designed for the 'core' gamer and then the ridiculous notion that there was plenty for the core to be excited about... Animal Crossing and a GTA spin-off on DS? Please...

  • kinky_mong #3 4 years ago

    All I've got to say on the matter is Nintendo are damn lucky I think Smash Bros. Brawl is well worth the price of the console otherwise I would have given up on them this generation.

    Now stop messing the long-term fans about and announce proper sequels to Starfox and F-Zero.
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 10:18

  • Razz #4 4 years ago

    Just make F Zero Wii and all will be forgiven... for now. :/

  • NOSAVIOUR #5 4 years ago

    I dont ask for much just want Starfox, Pilotwings, F-Zero, Waverace, Kid Icarus, Pikmin 3, a new IP maybe, super punch out...

  • bitesize #6 4 years ago

    Throwing my arms around like a drunk monkey to Gamecube graphics was not what I had in mind when Nintendo announced the revolution.

    does anyone actually play the wii by flailing their arms around? see this typed all the time by morons, personally i can control mine just using the hand and wrist, no flailing necessary...

    and did anyone really expect mario or zelda at E3?? it's not been that long since the last games came out, there was no way we were ever gonna see them unless they'd started development well before the previous games were released. much more chance of seeing something like fzero, pilotwings, starfox maybe. but no, none of that lot either...

  • the_dudefather #7 4 years ago

    how about no mario or zelda but new games based on new IPs..........

    anyone?......

    ...

  • GamesConnoisseur #8 4 years ago

    Old Nintendo (N64/GC) = Happy Hardcore Gamers

    New Nintendo (Wii) = Happy Casual Gamers

    Happy Hardcore Gamers?
    What to do?

    ah =X360 or PS3!

  • drumbaby #9 4 years ago

    Nintendo's idea of courting the core gamer is poaching once Sony exclusives in the guise of PS2 upgrades (Mhunter 3), and adding waggle to games like RE4 and Dead Rising. The day they start trundling out the new core-gamer friendly original IP's will be the day I look on the Wii as more than just a con-merchant's way to sucker the casual/ non gamers into buying a console then wondering why the hell they did it when they've realised these non-games are mostly shit.

    /rant

  • asphaltcowboy #10 4 years ago

    "I game on the 360 and work out on the Wii."

    Whaaat!? You don't own a PS3? That surprises me!

  • Xerx3s #11 4 years ago

    "If there is any perception that Nintendo is ignoring the core gamers, it's a misunderstanding and we really want to get rid of that misunderstanding by any means"

    No it's not and no you don't. You claimed to focus on core gamers during your E3 but it was entirely spend on casual crap.

  • Eraysor #12 4 years ago

    Metroid?

    Oh and F-Zero WX please.
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 10:43

  • koji_m #13 4 years ago

    Nintendo is in for a spanking!

    it can't be that hard to give me a hardcore classic RPG where I have to swing my wiimote around, with potentially some plastic thing that looks like a sword...

    pls gief :-(
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 10:54

  • hrodelbert #14 4 years ago

    As much as i admire nintendo for what they have done from a business point of view this gen, i couldn't agree more with Nick_JC1, yes the wii is inovative but to be perfectly honest it has left me totally cold. I can see the attraction for some, but it upsets me that as someone who really loved a lot of nintendo's ip's on previous generations, I have absolutely no desire to buy a wii.

  • eurisko2k #15 4 years ago

    Stop your bitching please... A decent Zelda and Mario cart plus a very good Metroid and Mario... shit I think I waited a lot longer in the consoles life cycle for with the GC for the same games...

    E3 was shite "yes" but then again microsoft and sony didn't set the world on fire...

    Wait for TGS or Leipzig and let nintendo develop a show for your needs... A casual show and a more dedicated gamer show...

    They care about all types of gamer but I think nintendo are being wary about mixing the Casual and Gamer market together so one show is casual and the next is gamer based...

    remember they could be saving more for the more consumer based shows

  • varsas #16 4 years ago

    @Xerx3s:
    No it's not and no you don't. You claimed to focus on core gamers during your E3 but it was entirely spend on casual crap.

    Where was this claim made?

  • Darren #17 4 years ago

    Well I don't think Nintendo revealed anything that was of interest to me as a Wii owner at this year's E3 so in that respect it was a bitter disappointment. What's weird is that Nintendo claim to favour short games (because they think that's what people want) yet they go on to say that these "big titles" need a "long, long development period".

    Why? The Wii's hardware is much simpler than the 360 and PS3 and both first and third parties have no problems revealing upcoming games for those platforms if E3 is anything to go by.

    If you ask me Nintendo are just making excuses because they have always been slow developing games for their platforms... it was one of the main criticisms of the N64 and GameCube and it seems that they've learnt nothing since then. Of course now the Wii has a large casual audience who seem content to buy anything on the Wii even if it's sub-standard tat, that's the only difference between the Wii and their older consoles. If you count the number of genuinely good Wii games, they're actually no more numerous than they were on the GameCube or N64. In fact, I'm convinced that there's LESS. IMO, obviously.

    As a Wii owner since launch, I'm actually disappointed that the quality games are so few and far between despite Nintendo promising that they'd release more games this generation. I own around a dozen Wii games but only about half of those are what I'd call genuine classics (Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Zelda: Twilight Princess, Zack & Wiki, etc), others are just ports from the PS2 or GC like Okami and Resident Evil 4. There's definitely a lack of quality games for core gamers if you ask me. I hate to say it, I really do, but despite Nintendo's new found popularity, the Wii is proving to be their most underwhelming console for me with the exciting games being few and far between. That saddens me because I've loved Nintendo ever since I bought an N64 back in 1996. I really do feel that they're ignoring their core gamers in favour of casual ones despite what they say.

  • gingerlink #18 4 years ago

    @eurisko2k

    sadly, Nintendo aren't going to Leipzig (there's a eurogamer report on it somewhere, but I'[m in the middle of my message now).

    This annoys me in two ways...

    We didn't see anything for it, but a new Pikmin WAS announced...

  • Darren #19 4 years ago

    the_dudefather - "how about no mario or zelda but new games based on new IPs..........

    anyone?......

    ..."

    +1,000,000,000,000!!!

    I've nothing against those franchises but Nintendo do seem to rest their laurels a bit too much on them and I'd love to see them coming up with new franchises like Pikmin rather than constantly reinventing older ones. It does seem a bit lazy to me.

  • eurisko2k #20 4 years ago

    Have people stopped to think that these games arn't in a posistion to demo yet?
    Yes teasers build hype but not as much hype as when you see a game running properly and is playable!

    Most companies only have a few IPs and it's rare when a new one is born. How many Resi, FF, Halo, GTA, Banjo, R&C, Crash, Spyro, MGS, GT and on and on. This is not only a nintendo thing
    Edited by 2 at 23/07/08 @ 11:36

  • varsas #21 4 years ago

    I'm pretty sure that it has been pointed out that Nintendo aren't really releasing few quality games than in the past but it's clear that 3rd party developers are just not delivering on any consistent level.

  • ChrisOTR #22 4 years ago

    As many others are saying, I don't *want* new Mario or Zelda, but I do want more "core" games, e.g. Pilotwings, Waverace, and new IPs...

    A new Mario or Zelda now would be too soon, there's only so much of that kind of gaming you want...

  • scouserfuller9 #23 4 years ago

    You'd expect one to be ready! As much as Animal Crossing is a popular game I don't think it'll be as big as Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3. I think Nintendo should have held on to either Mario Kart or Wii fit until Christmas time not just for Europe but the World.

  • DrDamn #24 4 years ago

    @Farticus
    They are but I think the GC is easier to get around region locking - hence the need to keep it if you have lots of import stuff.

  • monkie_king #25 4 years ago

    Animal Crossing is a terribly weak offering. It's just a port of the 2-year-old DS game, with the textures resized and a couple of token new features. Totally lazy.

  • bushwod #26 4 years ago

    I think VG cats summed up core gamers feelings well:

    http://www .vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=269

    /EDIT: typo
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 11:59

  • bushwod #27 4 years ago

    As has already been said, the problem is more a lack of decent 3rd party games. Capcom seem to be the only one committed to making new wii exclusives.

    If you think that in just over a year and a half we've had Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Mario Kart and SSB. I'm sure that's as much as we got in the GC entire life cycle.

    It would be nice if they gave us a hint at what's coming up though, even if it's just a name. I always find Ninty's tendency to announce games relatively late an odd one.

  • Beek4257 #28 4 years ago

    "However, the fact of the matter is the so-called big titles need a long, long development period... We really didn't think this year's E3 media briefing was the time to do so,"

    Fine by me: an early announcement followed by a multi-year wait is just tiring and frustrating for interested gamers.

  • robson_wii #29 4 years ago

    Maybe people on this thread need to use more brain training since their memories are very poor. Core games on the GC came out well over a year after the initial launch. At least the Wii had a core franchise game on release and plenty of other core franchises released within the first 12-18 months.

    As for Pikmin, this will be number 3 so hardly new IP. I'm still looking forward to it though if it's better than 2 but can't see it coming out anytime soon since they didn't have a demo at E3. I hope I am wrong.

  • sneetch #30 4 years ago

    I agree with damn near everyone in this thread (including people I normally find myself diametrically opposed to), which might be an internet first. :)

    I think that he's got the wrong end of the stick if he's apologising about the absence of Mario or Zelda specifically; I don't think many of us particularly wanted or expected to see a new Mario or Zelda at E3 this year, we did expect to see something though. Either this Kid Icarus thing, a game so old that anything they do with it would be "new" or some other new IP. Instead, well, you saw what they had. Animal Crossing Wii strikes me as something of a money-grab, the same game as the Cube and DS versions with nothing new except a tiny "city" and voice comms. Let's be serious here; are core gamers really going to be happy going to their friends town for fishing competitions and a chat? The fun of that will wear off really fast. (Or it would for me at least).

    Also, what's the missing part of this quote? "However, the fact of the matter is the so-called big titles need a long, long development period... We really didn't think this year's E3 media briefing was the time to do so"

    We can choose to assume it's "reveal core games in general" but I honestly believe that that's just setting ourselves up for further disappointment further down the line. From his previous line, I suspect he's still only taking about revealing the next Zelda or Mario.

    So while his apology is nice, until they actually show us what they have coming up for core gamers then I see no reason to believe that they have anything even remotely near ready. Given past experience with their development cycles and general slow rate of output it'll be another two, three years for the next Mario or Zelda. They pumped some standard revisions of their main franchises (and also SMG) onto the Wii in its first year and, apparently, that's all we're getting for now.

    What I'd like is some real news of what we can expect from Nintendo for the rest of the year and for 1st quarter 2009 are the meagre offerings they've announced it? Or is there more in store? That information would fall into the remit of getting rid of this "misunderstanding" (if it is a misunderstanding) by any means. Simply saying we're not ignoring someone while apparently, well, ignoring them just isn't going to cut it.

    Either way, it seems that my Wii will continue to gather dust for the foreseeable future.

    Edit: Ah, my "agreement ratio" has dropped since I started this post. To be expected.
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 13:25

  • justMe #31 4 years ago

    I can't wait for the Wii Sports sequel. I'll buy Wii Music too, I'm sure it'll be great.

    Meanwhile I'll play all the great games already out for the Wii, currently playing Mario Kart, Metroid Prime 3 and Battalion Wars 2. Still many others on my shelf to play.

    And when I get bored I play some great VC and Wiiware games. Or maybe I'll improve my ranking in one of the Wii Sports games, the only one I really mastered was tennis. Wait! I still have a few more games of Wii Play Tanks to play, great little game.

    Oh well, I'm glad I only have one console in the living room. If only I had more time to dedicate to the latest advance wars on the DS... :/

    Keep it up Nintendo, you're doing great. The ones complaining about your output will never be satisfied, they are probably bored with video games. They prefer to spend their time moaning and bitching on the internet about the lack of "core" games.

    Sincerely,
    justMe

  • sneetch #32 4 years ago

    @bushwod
    "As has already been said, the problem is more a lack of decent 3rd party games. Capcom seem to be the only one committed to making new wii exclusives.

    If you think that in just over a year and a half we've had Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Mario Kart and SSB. I'm sure that's as much as we got in the GC entire life cycle.

    It would be nice if they gave us a hint at what's coming up though, even if it's just a name. I always find Ninty's tendency to announce games relatively late an odd one. "

    Yep, I agree completely, while it's nice to have these games early on that's actually part of their problem; getting a glut of titles like this creates the expectation that this will continue. Expectations they're now rushing to try and manage.

    We've got, depending on your tastes, up to six real good games from Nintendo so far (this is obviously arguable but for me these are Zelda, Metroid, SM Galaxy and to a lesser extent Smash Bros. and Mario Kart) but Nintendo now seem to have completely dried up and the third parties aren't picking up the slack. IMO there's no real killer 3rd party game announced yet (although Conduit and de Blob might be fun).

    I really don't think this apology cuts much mustard with the core; the more I think about it the less it placates me, anyway. If they're serious about this then they'll leak information about 1st party titles sooner rather than later. A single well timed Kid Icarus screen shot would do wonders.

  • captainrentboy #33 4 years ago

    Pool Party
    Cocoto Kart Racer
    Baroque
    Margotīs Word Brain
    Yamaha Supercross
    CID The Dummy
    Table Football
    Pimp My Ride
    Jeep Thrills
    Legend of Sayuki
    Calvin Tuckerīs Redneck Jamboree
    Clever Kids: Farmyard Fun
    Clever Kids: Pirates
    Runaway The Dream of the Turtle
    Carnival Games: Mini Golf
    Chess Crusade
    Bratz: Girls Really Rock !
    Order Up
    Counter Force
    De Blob
    Family Trainer
    Wild Earth: African Safari


    Now what the hell are Wii owners complaining about, huh?
    ALL of these potential gems are coming out between now and the end of september. You're spoilt for choice dammit. Who needs a new Mario or Zelda game when you've got Runaway The Dream of the Turtle coming out soon.
    Moaning bastards.

  • SwedBear #34 4 years ago

    justMe: you know. I have no problems with people being satisfied with the Wii. But to claim that "we are tired fo gaming" just because we are not satisfied is quite ridicolous. I own all three consoles and the Wii is geting by far the least play time. Yeah, I got Wii Fit (really need to use it more though), Mario Kart, Zak and Wiki and a few other gems but overall I also feel that most of the games coming out is pure crap. It has nothing to do with me being "tired of gaming", more that I simply expect a bit more out of games as they do cost quite a lot of money.

    There is nothing wrong in pursuing the casual market and even though most of the games that attract that segment does not interest me I have no problem with others liking them. Taste is differnet and no-one is better or worse for liking a particular type of games. The problem for me has been that on the Wii, at least for me personally, for each gem there is tons of uninteresting games and there are months between games that I am even midly interested in while on the PS3 and 360 there is a steady stream of games that I want to buy.

    A lot of people have been bitching about MS and Sony also joining in to wow the casual crowd and being worried it means the same thing as on the Wii. But to me the difference is that it is easier for MS and Sony to create "casual-appealing" games while still keeping the games that appeal to the core-gamers than it is for Nintendo and third party companyes to make more serious games on the Wii that appeal to the core market. It's definitely not impossible as we have had some examples on but it seems that the Wii has a hard time to shake the image of being for casual gamers only.

  • SwedBear #35 4 years ago

    Ahh, Bratz: Girls Really Rock - forgot that one :). But considering the makers behind Bratz lost in the court to the people making Barbie (Mattel?) and might be forced to pay a lot of money to them or evens top selling the dolls, will they still be able to ship the game?
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 14:03

  • darc #36 4 years ago

    If it weren't for Paper Mario on the Virtual Console, my Wii wouldn't even be plugged in. (There has got to be a better way to say that...)
    Edited by 1 at 23/07/08 @ 15:27

  • smelly #37 4 years ago

    I dont get the bitching.

    Everyone expects nintendo to release loads of first party games every year..

    But yet neither microsoft or sony showed off as many first party games as nintendo did this year.

    In fact i think (cant be arsed to check) nintendo showed more exclusives than the other two... Sure they may not be your cup of tea.. but there are 3rd party "hardcore" games coming.. such as Mad World....

  • captainrentboy #38 4 years ago

    I'm bitching, because the Wii, to me anyway, is beginning to show its limits, it looks like it's offerred all it can, and everything from here on in will be a ever so slight rehash of what came before it. Suuure the 360 and PS3 can be accused of the same thing, but at least their software doesn't look like crap mixed with vaseline, smeared all over your nice hdtv screen.
    Yeah a year or so ago it was all wonderful and new, ''Motion controls, WOW!'', but it's old hat now. And the big N seem strangely happy to have the console be flooded with absolute SHITE 3rd party software. It's back catalogue, bar maybe 10 titles, is basically a big joke.