Nintendo was one of the last companies trying to innovate with each console they released. Whilst Xbox & PlayStation simply went the “more power = better” route.
But it feels like Nintendo has caved in, and is just following suite. Are there any gimmicks left to sell consoles? Or is it just gonna be like smart phones, we just upgrade because that’s what we do.
I’m gonna miss the era of Nintendo giving us never before seen technology on the mainstream
Gameboy (Handheld) N64 (Analog Stick) DS (Touch Screen) Wii (Motion Control) Switch (Hybrid Console)
Not to disagree but TBF, the GBC added color, the GBA was a big departure from classic GB, DS added the dual screen. Wii U added a controller screen. GameCube wasn’t really anything new besides power I guess.
No love for the GBA SP, for that compact form factor and rechargeable battery, that later became the DS?
I would say the GameCube was new and different for them because they transitioned from cartridge to disc, and of course, they had to use the mini disc to be extra different from the rest.
The Wavebird wasn’t the first wireless game controller but it was the first one I remember being popular. Though, it also came out a few years after the GameCube. Still love my GameCube and my Wavebird Wireless controller.
Those are all great improvements but I’d consider them more iterative than innovative.
I’d consider the Wii to be a truly innovative console, but everything else of theirs mostly iterates on their previous successes or market trends.