The video game industry is taking a close watch at the marketing developments of the Nintendo Switch. The new console, priced at $299 will determine whether the company will remain with video gaming business or concentrate on the more prolific software development for smartphones.
According to Business Insider, the last product launched by the company, Nintendo Wii U was a surprising low, selling only 13 million units for the three-year period after its launching. The figure is noticeably low when compared to the industry pace-setter Sony that sold 50 million Play Station 4 consoles for the three-year after-launching period. The Nintendo Wii, the model that Nintendo Wii U replaced, has recorded sales of 101 million units since its launching in 2006.
Analysts are divided in their forecasts for the Nintendo Switch. While many are pessimistic, at least one optimistic view holds that the product can easily sell 40,000 units.
Others believe that with "Super Mario" and "The Legend of Zelda" included in the features of Nintendo Switch, can generate enough interests from loyal followers of these franchise games. Many hope that the Nintendo Switch will beat the dismal 13,000 units sold by its predecessor Nintendo Wii U by a wide margin.
The weak performance of the Nintendo Wii U has prompted the company to develop software for smartphones, like the "Pokemon Go" and "Super Mario Run" games for Apple's iPhone which were successful hits.
Despite successes of the video games in smartphone environment, Nintendo stocks have not gone up in prices. Perhaps, it is because the games are not able to bring in the expected high revenues for the company, despite its popularity.
There is the notion that the popularity of the Super Mario and Super Mario Run will rub-off to the console business and help Nintendo Switch sell more. With this in mind, the company will definitely continue its run for the Nintendo Switch console while developing more games for the mobile phone industry.
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