In which I tell Nintendo fans to calm down(!)

| June 27, 2018

Every year brings another E3 and every year Nintendo fans freak out about what Nintendo showed (usually what they didn’t show). Sony had a solid E3 and their fans golf-clapped appropriately. Microsoft had a good E3 and their fans nodded and raised a glass in approval. Nintendo had a good E3…

NINTENDO HAD A GOOD E3

and Nintendo fans went absolutely bananas, claiming the company that is on the highest high they’ve had since Peak-Wii days is somehow signing their own death warrant thanks to what they perceived as a mediocre E3 showing.

Why do Nintendo fans do this? More than any other video game fanbase, Nintendo fans are the most defensive, protective and prone to hand-wringing of the bunch. I suppose it’s because we see Nintendo as the little engine that could. They’re not tethered to some big multimedia conglomerate like Sony or Microsoft; they’re a pure video game company. Microsoft makes software and video games. Sony makes electronics and video games. What does Nintendo make? Games. What else? No else, just games. Because of that and because they have a very Japanocentric charm, it’s easy to root for them. It’s easy to see them as the little guy (despite the fact that they have more money to burn than Sony by a country mile).

As the video game industry becomes more soulless, corporate-minded and “mainstream,” a lot of the old video game masters have fallen by the wayside. Sega is a shell of its former self, as are Konami and Capcom. The era of simple arcade-like video games that you can switch on and play (offline) for a few hours are fading fast, replaced by “games” that value aesthetics over fun, online chaos over the simple joys of you and a controller on a Saturday morning. Video Games used to be Bump-N-Jump. Now they’re…whatever half-baked trash EA is pumping out.

With Nintendo we have the stubborn relic of that past generation, who refuse to compromise. They keep pushing against the tide, making the games for gamers at heart, not what suits in a boardroom and focus group results say to make. But as Sega’s star fades and old hands like Konami and Capcom slip into irrelevance, Nintendo is seen as the standard bearer for old farts like me who remember playing the NES till my thumbs bled.

So every E3, when all the big hitters whip out their big guns, Nintendo fans want their home team to drop a megaton and (almost) every year they just shrug and do what they want, much to the chagrin of their fans.

What about this year?

Was there a big F-Zero announcement? Was Metroid Prime 4 revealed? Did we get a new Star Fox announced? Was the successor to Virtual Console finally shown off?

sigh

Smash Bros, Pokemon Let’s Go, Mario Tennis, Mario Party, a handful of third-party titles (for games that have already been announced) and a slew of expansion packs to existing games. Other than Smash, there’s not a lot of wow there. Other than Smash it’s a lot of steak but not a lot of sizzle.

And the fans flipped.

Every year it’s the same thing. It doesn’t matter if Nintendo is riding high on a hot streak of big-selling titles and sold-out merch or if they are stumbling along, barely able to string together two months of positive momentum; whatever state the Big N is in you can be sure that E3 will see them have some kind of a presence and that it will be preceded by Nintendo’s biggest fans assuming way more than they ought.

If the company is struggling the fans expect the moon and then some: “They have to bring out the big guns, A REAL Home Console Pokemon, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero! They gotta; they’re struggling! They need a home run!” And then what does Nintendo offer: Animal Crossing, Mario Party and six hours of some Kirby-themed puzzle game no one asked for.

If the company is soaring with success, the fans will expect the moon and then some: “They’ve got to keep the momentum going! All the big big name-games are already out. It’s too soon for another Zelda or 3D Mario, we need A REAL Home Console Pokemon, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero!” And then what does Nintendo offer: Mario Tennis, some third-party games that have already been released on other consoles, and a Pokemon casual game.

And to that you say, “But Matthew, you’re not being fair: What about Smash?”

Fair point: Smash is one of the big big marquee titles Nintendo has left, having already given us Mario, Zelda and Mario Kart (albeit two of those three are glorified WiiU ports). Smash is their second wave Ace in the hole and by all accounts it looks stellar. You don’t have to convince me. I’m not talking about me; I’m talking about the fans who expect too much. To them, Smash was already a known quantity; they wanted to see something else, something new.

Instead the new was small potatoes.

Let’s have a little perspective here. Nintendo has always done things differently from their two major competitors. In fact, that right there is a big difference: Nintendo doesn’t see anyone but their own ambitions and imagination as their competition. They do their own thing no matter what anyone else does. Nevertheless, fans see Sony and M$ as their competition so there you go. Sony and Microsoft basically store up all their eggs until E3. Nintendo doles out news and reveals all year long.

Sony and M$ announce titles and drop new info about those titles years before the game is released. Nintendo doesn’t do that. They show off the games that are out, almost out, or maybe coming out this year. If they give you anything it’s “_____ game is coming, but not this year.” That’s what we got regarding Metroid Prime. They showed nothing because they wanted to keep the focus on the here and now.

So what about Smash? Everything is about Smash! That’s the big game coming so that’s the game that got the spotlight. Fans want a proper Pokemon game; it’s coming, but not till next year. This year it’s a Let’s Go game to tide us over. That’s just how Nintendo does it. There’s no need to freak out.

But that’s just how Nintendo fans do it, I suppose.

Cookie	Description
_pxvid	This cookie is used for detection of the browser and distinguishing whether it is a real user or malicious bot.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	This cookies is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	This cookie is used to keep track of which cookies the user have approved for this site.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-preferences	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Preferences".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-uncategorized	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Uncategorized".
CraftSessionId	This cookie name is associated with the Craft web content management system, where is functions as an anonymous session identifier.
csrftoken	This cookie is associated with Django web development platform for python. Used to help protect the website against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks
DSID	To note specific user identity. Contains hashed/encrypted unique ID.
JSESSIONID	Used by sites written in JSP. General purpose platform session cookies that are used to maintain users' state across page requests.
PHPSESSID	This cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Description
b30msc
btc
CMST
cref
d
gpl
i
icts
ig_did
mdata
na_rn
na_sc_e
na_sr
na_srp
session_depth
visitor-id

Cookie	Description
__gads	This cookie is set by Google and stored under the name dounleclick.com. This cookie is used to track how many times users see a particular advert which helps in measuring the success of the campaign and calculate the revenue generated by the campaign. These cookies can only be read from the domain that it is set on so it will not track any data while browsing through another sites.
__stid	The cookie is set by ShareThis. The cookie is used for site analytics to determine the pages visited, the amount of time spent, etc.
_ga	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_60765351_1	Google uses this cookie to distinguish users.
_gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
demdex	This cookie is set under the domain demdex.net and is used by Adobe Audience Manager to help identify a unique visitor across domains.
DigiTrust.v1.identity	Registers data on visitors’ website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization.
dmvk	This cookie is set by DailyMotion who display videos, it registers statistical data of visitors' behaviour on the website.
gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
GPS	This cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
is_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
sc_is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
v1st	This is set by DailyMotion to display videos.

Cookie	Description
__asc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__auc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__qca	This cookie is associated with Quantcast and is used for collecting anonymized data to analyze log data from different websites to create reports that enables the website owners and advertisers provide ads for the appropriate audience segments.
_cc_aud	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_cc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_dc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_id	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_kuid_	The cookie is set by Krux Digital under the domain krxd.net. The cookie stores a unique ID to identify a returning user for the purpose of targeted advertising.
_px2	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxff_tm	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxhd	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
ab	This cookie is generally provided by agkn.com and is used for advertising purposes.
ad-privacy	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content to the users.
ayl_visitor	This cookie registers data on the visitor. The information is used to optimize advertisement relevance.
bafp	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bafp_t	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_pl	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rf_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rt_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_t_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_td_2d31c94105a0aa6d1ceaea0c86c6b656	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bito	This cookie is generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bitoIsSecure	This cookies are generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bsc	The cookies is set by ownerIQ for the purpose of providing relevant advertisement
CMID	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPRO	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPS	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
dc_id	This cookie is used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator's permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers.
did	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
didts	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
dpm	The cookie is set by demdex.net. This cookie assigns a unique ID to each visiting user that allows third-party advertisers target that users with relevant ads.
eud	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
euds	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
everest_g_v2	The cookie is set under eversttech.net domain. The purpose of the cookie is to map clicks to other events on the client's website.
evo5_popin_instance	Prevents an interaction from reoccurring for visitors not accepting 3rd party cookies.
id	This cookie is set by DoubleClick (which is owned by Google) to build a profile of the website visitor's interests and show relevant ads on other sites.
IDE	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
io.narrative.guid.v2	This cookie is generally provided by io.narrative.io and is used for advertising purposes.
KADUSERCOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
KTPCACOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
matchliveramp	This cookie is provided by w55c.net and is used for advertising purposes.
mc	This cookie is associated with Quantserve to track anonymously how a user interact with the website.
mxpim	This cookie is generally provided by mxptint.net for advertising purposes.
na_tc	This is a Social Media sharing tracking cookie.
NID	This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users.
nnls	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxrc	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxvid	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
rlas3	The cookie is set by rlcdn.com. The cookie is used to serve relevant ads to the visitor as well as limit the time the visitor sees an and also measure the effectiveness of the campaign.

Cookie	Description
__jid	Cookies set on the website by the third-party commenting platform Disqus.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
disqus_unique	These cookies are set by Disqus so that users can comment on website/platform.
G_ENABLED_IDPS	The cookie is used by Google and is used for Google Single Sign On.
mid	The cookie is set by Instagram. The cookie is used to distinguish users and to show relevant content, for better user experience and security.
na_id	This cookie is set by Addthis.com to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
ouid	The cookie is set by Addthis which enables the content of the website to be shared across different networking and social sharing websites.
ov	This is a generic functional cookie that provides enhanced functionality and personalisation.
ts	This cookie is generally provided by PayPal and supports payment services in the website.
vuid	These cookies are used by the Vimeo video player on websites.

In which I tell Nintendo fans to calm down(!)

You might also like

FIND THE TOPICS YOU WANT...

Recommended for you