Atarifever wrote: The Gamecube was a modest success at 21 million. The estimate I remember seeing consistently at the time was that it made a billion dollars profit over 5 years. I wonder if getting back up to 20 million from the 13.5 million or whatever Wii Us will be considered a success if a similar amount of profit is made to the Gamecube. ...However, durng the GC era, Nintendo had a handheld system to help make major profits and to remain relevant. The Switch basically replaces their handheld. Still, with mobile games on their spreadsheet too, and even whatever 3DS sales and games are left until 2018 or so, AND 20 million sales of Switch , I'm sure it would let them stay in business.
That's good information on the Gamecube, my friend. It puts it into perspective that Nintendo hardware makes money for them, although its at the expense of a larger install base if it was cheaper.
I am unsure what the future of Nintendo handhelds are. The reports I've seen say a game like Zelda gives it about a 3 hour battery life (that's probably dependent on screen brightness and other things). Its not currently being pitched as a handheld, but as a console you can take on the go. We'll see. The Switch seems a bit big for a portable to me, but for in house/in hotel room off-tv gaming, it would be great...except its competing with tablets. I'll be in the market for a new tablet soon, but the Switch needs to have a browser, and some apps like an e-book reader.
I think both mobile and amiibos will help the balance sheet too. Even though they did not make Pokemon Go, I think they are still benefiting directly and by the boost to the Pokemon brand. Super Mario Run, even though investors were disappointed, has done pretty well also, and it shows Nintendo was willing to put Mario on mobile, not just 2nd tier characters. So, I think I'm rather bullish on Nintendo and mobile games going forward. They may not hit it out of the park, but I think they are making money.
I don't follow the nfd amiibo market much, but it wasn't that long ago when they were in the news alot. Plus, we had reports of Nintendo looking for partners to make movies, such as a live action Zelda movie. Put it all together, and each part feeds off the other with the Switch being the common ground.
20 million is not a far fetched number for Nintendo. If that's success, then its good to keep that in mind.