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Is Smash Bros 3DS's earlier release a bad idea for Nintendo? [roundtable]
 
One of the biggest pieces of news from the recent SSB Direct--and one I think warrants some discussion--is that the 3DS version of SSB is hitting stores this summer, while the Wii U version is slated to arrive at the end of the year. Which is kind of the opposite of what many people were expecting and hoping for.

This is a pretty strange move to me, for a couple reasons. For starters, there's no doubt in my mind that the 3DS's early release will hurt Wii U sales. I've already heard people ask why they should get the Wii U version if it's got the same roster and just has different modes and such. The Wii U desperately needs killer apps--each one is an oasis in a desert, and it's bizarre to me that even Nintendo's own series can't be exclusive on their home consoles anymore! The 3DS, on the other hand, is doing fine and dandy; even if Smash never arrived, it'd probably go down in history as the best-selling system ever.

In terms of my own enjoyment of the series, a SSB game's release is an event like little else. I spend months, or years, speculating on the roster, absorbing every bit of media that releases, and generally getting caught up in the hype. Knowing that the 3DS version is the one where I'll be first introduced to Smash's takes on Mega Man, Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Mac etc is a weird feeling. It's like, I know I'll love it, but it'll be somewhat off-putting knowing there's a better, "cleaner" version of the game coming a few months later. Almost like I can't enjoy it to its absolute fullest.

And speaking of which, what of when the Wii U version hits? It won't have that completely fresh, I'm-so-overwhelmed-by-all-these-characters punch that SSB64, Melee, and Brawl all shared. I'll have already mastered several characters, unlocked everyone, become very familiar with the way they control and interact, etc. It'd almost be like buying an HD remake or something…very strange.

On the plus side, playing SSB by this Summer almost sounds too good to be true. And for what it's worth, both versions are shaping up to be amazing (among the best on their systems, easily). I just really wish the releases were switched a bit, even if it meant a big delay for the 3DS.

What do you think of the whole 3DS first, Wii U later thing?

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04/09/14, 09:06  
 
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OrbitalBeard said:
It kind of is the fault of the 3DS though (not that I really care at this point). It's pretty clear that Nintendo diverted a lot of resources back in 2011 and 2012 in order to make the 3DS as successful as possible. As a fairly small company relatively speaking, Nintendo only has so much they can do at one time.

Nintendo's big enough to handle two systems, man. They've been doing this dance since the 1980s. And they are a MUCH bigger company now than they were then.

Abdooooo said:
I might be getting both but one things for sure, they are not telling us about the communication between WiiU and 3DS for a reason. This is a big "what if" but, what if right after the 3ds version is out they told us that there's cross platform play? Like you could play 3ds and WiiU together on the boards that are shared. Would explain why the rosters are exactly the same. I'd poop my pants and buy both.

At the same time?!? They may not let you back in the store after that...
04/09/14, 23:45   
Edited: 04/09/14, 23:47
Back in 1980's, you could make NES and Gameboy games with 10 or less people. Times have changed. Iwata himself has stated on more than one occasion that new partnerships are necessary now in order for games to be released in a timely manner.
04/09/14, 23:46   
Edited: 04/09/14, 23:47
@OrbitalBeard

Oops, you replied before my edit. You're not wrong, but remember Nintendo's a much bigger company now. They've scaled up as development needed more resources. Times have changed, but they're not THAT different.

OrbitalBeard said:
Iwata himself has stated on more than one occasion that new partnerships are necessary now in order for games to be released in a timely manner.

Yeah, that's what I'm getting at! Their own internal teams have grown, too. We're in agreement here.
04/09/14, 23:48   
Edited: 04/09/14, 23:50
@GameDadGrant

The times are pretty different. The environment for making games now is far more complex than it was back then. Nintendo may be bigger now but I believe they're still only at around 5000 total employees. They're actually fairly small considering they support two systems.

When I say "new partnerships", I mean external developers. Nintendo themselves admit they aren't big enough to do things the way they've been done in the past.

Next generation will likely be a better time for Nintendo fans on both systems. The 3DS and Wii U were pretty big learning experiences for them.
04/09/14, 23:50   
Edited: 04/09/14, 23:52
I don't think Nintendo release more of their own games than they used to so they haven't expanded in that sense. That's a tough thing to do of course, which is why they need third-parties or partnerships, but they aren't good at that for one reason or another. Also, I wouldn't go as far to say it's the "fault of the 3DS" as the system itself isn't to blame. Rather, Nintendo just didn't do a good job planning the releases for the systems.
04/10/14, 00:05   
Well yeah, the 3DS itself isn't literally to blame. It's an inanimate object. The point is that the 3DS' rocky start contributed to the Wii U's lackluster first year. Extra resources were used to make the 3DS a success. Nintendo's approach to planning over the past few years has been head-scratching, to say the least.
04/10/14, 00:10   
Edited: 04/10/14, 00:13
@GameDadGrant

No sorry, getting a full fledged Pokemon RPG on a console is as big a deal as getting Smash Bros. on a handheld. And I don't know what you're seeing if you think Smash Bros. 3DS is doing something that couldn't be done a console other than being portable (which is the equivalent of the "prettier graphics" you scoffed at in this thread).

I know being a blind 3DS fanboy is your shtick but when you're being so obviously inconsistent it goes beyond just loving handhelds.
04/10/14, 00:29   
It's a bad idea for Wii U, certainly. But really, the minute they announced Smash for 3DS along with Wii U, that already took a lot of wind out of the Wii U's sails. I know a number of people who were going to buy Wii U for Smash, but a few decided against it when the 3DS version was revealed (I was one of them, but then bought a Wii U anyway because I'm a sucker). And then several more gave up on Wii U when the launch windows were revealed yesterday.


On the other hand, how likely are the following two scenarios?

a) Sakurai announces in November that the Wii U version has been delayed to early 2015...but it's getting a few bonus characters, modes, and stages!
b) Smash 4 Wii U releases in December, but then at E3 2015 Nintendo announces the definitive Ultra Smash Bros. For Wii U, with new characters, all the 3DS's modes and stages, and balance updates! I mean, that "Smash 6" job posting was apparently not a fake.
04/10/14, 02:00   
@nate38
You could sorta be onto something. It's all kinds of bullshit anyway that the 3DS is getting an exclusive mode (though I'm pretty sure console version will end up having its own exclusives) so it'd be nice if the Wii U version made up for it with extra something, or DLC, or whatever. I dunno.

Pretty screamingly obvious Iwata announced the shit in a panic when 3DS was under performing. Not sure if that will ever sit well with me. Now it's releasing first and currently has an exclusive mode? Fuck is this shit?
04/10/14, 02:40   
@nate38

I would hate an ultimate Smash 4 version for Wii U. I'm not going to buy the same game twice in that sense. And before Pogue can jump on that comment, lol, I don't feel the 3DS and Wii U versions are the same game in this sense.
04/10/14, 03:30   
@carlosrox

The Wii U version will certainly have its own exclusive mode or modes. The Smash Run mode was likely revealed yesterday since that game is coming out much sooner than Smash Wii U.
04/10/14, 03:35   
@OrbitalBeard

Yeah, I think we're thinking the same thing. You may have said it better, and they are reaching out to external partnerships, too. I seem to recall Iwata saying that was something they were going to start doing more often even as far back as the GCN days. But yeah, we're agreed. And it's all good, because I feel we are now getting more "Nintendo" output than ever.

@Jargon

Ha ha, I appreciate your passion! I dunno man, we'll just have to agree to disagree I suppose.

Though I will agree that I do enjoy the 3DS (and portable gaming in general) beyond the point that may be reasonable.
04/10/14, 03:36   
Smart, smart move. The 3DS is in more people's hands than the Wii U and surprisingly, not everyone has heard of Smash Bros. It's coming out during a time where new games aren't coming out as frequent so it will generate interest in the franchise and hopefully move some Wii U units when people see how awesome Smash is and want a more fleshed out experience.

It also made most of us here on NW buyers of both since we won't want to wait until the Wii U one to drop. I can't wait for either.
04/10/14, 03:57   
Edited: 04/10/14, 03:59
@Mop it up

Yeah, the difference right now is that Nintendo has to carry the Wii U almost by themselves thanks to third-parties being generally aloof these days. Even though the Wii was known as the system with iffy third-party support, there were still plenty of strong, quirky titles released between the Nintendo big guns to help make the system a success for gamers.
04/10/14, 05:11   
@OrbitalBeard

I don't know if I would blame the 3DS for how the Wii U is performing even if they never had to divert those extra resources over to the handheld to save it. The truth about the Wii U is that it just really isn't a very compelling system to the masses. Hell, even I wasn't very excited as I was picking it up on launch day... I was just doing it because I looked at it as the price of admission for continuing to enjoy Nintendo games.
04/10/14, 06:06   
@Marsh
But going by what we know, it's actually less fleshed out since at this time it actually has less features.
04/10/14, 10:37   
@carlosrox

It's not going to have less features than the 3DS version. Sakurai will include a mode (or modes) in the Wii U game that isn't on the 3DS version. He has a lot more time to promote Smash Wii U since it's coming out months later, which is why we haven't learned about the extra content yet.
04/10/14, 11:13   
GameDadGrant said:
I sometimes forget how "pro-Wii U" this forum is.

Instead of celebrating how amazing it will be to play a Smash Bros. game on a portable for the first time ever (ZOMG IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING) looking as gorgeous as it does (AMZNG), running at 60 fps, even in 3D (OMGWTFROTFLWHBBQ), many people are whining about how this might effect (affect?) the console game.

Like, we can't possibly be happy that the 3DS is going to be breaking new ground, delivering an amazing, never-before-seen experience, and catering to the Nintendo fan in all of us, because there might be a slight, barely possible, off-chance that *maybe-perhaps* it could deter the sales of ONE game for their console (which will do fine, or even GREAT anyway).

Like, WTF guys, LOL?!? Lighten up! Everyone should take @-JKR- 's advice and just STOP WORRYING SO MUCH. It'll all work out. Don't fret.

EXACTLY! People are running around, screaming & crying like babies, acting like its the end of the world. Boo, f'ing hoo, the 3ds version's coming out first.

04/10/14, 13:37   
Edited: 04/10/14, 13:39
04/10/14, 14:20   
@GameDadGrant

Forget everything I said. Gamewizard agrees with you, so what you're saying must be completely reasonable.
04/10/14, 14:49   
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