David Jaffe, gave his thoughts on the Nintendo’s next generation console and believes it will face stiff competition from Apple in taking the market it created with the Wii.
The Nintendo Wii is a success story in every right. Nintendo took a huge risk in opting for innovation instead of evolution, as they released a console that did not boast High Definition graphics when its competitors were built around that concept while at the same time basing their entire console on motion control.
The move paid off big time as Nintendo ended the current generation as the highest selling console and during its early years could also boast higher sales figures than those of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 combined!
However, if there is anyone who has an opinion worth listening to in the video game industry is Metal Gear Solid creator, Hideo Kojima. There is also Nintendo legend, Shigeru Miyamoto, who created iconic series such as Donkey Kong, Mario and the Legend of Zelda.
Yet, David Jaffe figures in the top five as well and according to the Twisted Metal and God of War creator, the Nintendo Wii U will face still competition from the likes of Smartphones and tablets, especially iPhones and iPads.
Commenting on his reactions to seeing the Nintendo Wii U, Jaffe explained that he was left unimpressed by the direction the console was planning to go. He said, “I don’t see the Wii U and say ‘oh my God I have to have that’.”
The same sentiment was shared by a number of top figures in the industry as many of them felt underwhelmed by the Nintendo Wii U after its showing at E3 earlier on in the month.
However, Jaffe also mentioned that Nintendo had a history of throwing up surprises and that the market they were aiming for could drive the new console to success.
“But their audience isn’t necessarily core gamers like you or the analysts you talk to, so I could still see Wii U being mainstream.”
At the same time, however, Jaffe also believed that after the Nintendo Wii’s release, Apple saw an opportunity in the casual gaming market and currently owns it, making it harder for the Wii U to repeat the Wii’s success.
He explained, “But honestly though, if I had to put money down, I think that the iPhone and the iPad has basically taken the market that was so excited by the Wii and so I think Wii U is not going to be anywhere near the success of the Wii.”
Nintendo need to provide killer content on their console if they want to carve a niche in the market for themselves and so far the only title that has anyone excited is Ubisoft’s ZombiU.
Nintendo Wii U’s new technology vs. PlayStation 3’s content 
Crysis 3’s extra polish receives early praise from critics 
Sony executives take massive pay cuts after record losses
Sleeping Dogs to feature voices of Emma Stone and Lucy Liu
Dishonored developer voices concern over lack of variety in industry
PlayStation Vita getting Gran Turismo?
Zynga’s Bubble Safari runs at 60-fps on Facebook