30 The Chronicle November 29 - December 5, 20<strong>16</strong> <strong>chronicle</strong>.<strong>durham</strong>college.ca
<strong>chronicle</strong>.<strong>durham</strong>college.ca November 29 - December 5, 20<strong>16</strong> The Chronicle 31 Entertainment Photograph by Tyler Hodgkinson Nintendo’s latest products, the NES Classic Edition and NES Controller, have been sold out across North America. NES shortage angers consumers Tyler Hodgkinson The Chronicle Gamers’ frustration with Nintendo continues to build as the company struggles to keep up with consumer demand for its latest product. The NES Classic Edition, a miniature version of Nintendo’s first home console which comes with 30 built-in games, sold out at every store in Durham Region within minutes. The lack of stock is forcing gamers to travel between sellers in the area, with hopes of snagging the $80 throwback item. Lucas Ristoff, a second-year business student at Durham College and avid video game fan, spent an entire morning looking for the NES Classic Edition and controller, but ended the day empty-handed. Nintendo is synonymous with positive childhood memories, family connectivity, and wholesome fun. But despite its mainstream image, it’s also known to some diehard fans as a disrespectful money machine. The poor performance of the Wii U, which is the company’s biggest console failure with only 13 million units sold worldwide, was a direct result of its lack of respect for consumers; misleading information, bastardization of beloved series, and withholding stock are reasons why some may look to cut ties with the Japanese-based company. For its next product, the Nintendo Switch, to succeed, Nintendo must develop and demonstrate a heightened level of respect for fans. In an industry with many moving parts, unmet release dates for games are a common outcome. Finishing projects is a strenuous process, and leeway is often given “I went to six different places but couldn’t find one,” he said. The closest Ristoff got was at the first store he visited. “The third person in front of me was the last person to get it,” Ristoff for both major and independent developers. However, Nintendo has abused the compassion of gamers and mislead them with false release dates to extend the “consumer contract.” The “Big-N” revealed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (then untitled) in January 2013 with the project scheduled to arrive on Wii U two years later. Those who purchased the console specifically for the game have yet to be rewarded. Many have hit forums and social media to express their anger with not only the unreleased game, but with the revealed upgraded version set to arrive on their next console said. “I was so close, yet so far.” He expressed frustration with that location, which was the Walmart on Harmony Road in Oshawa, because it was allowing those in line to purchase multiple less than a year after – whenever that may be. Although there was never an official date given, Nintendo must earn back consumers’ trust if they want elevate the sales of the Nintendo Switch. For years, fans of the company have expressed a deep desire for certain franchises to return, but historically, Nintendo’s response has been to take a half-measure approach. This is most evident with the community’s desire for Metroid on Wii U. Instead, Nintendo released Metroid Prime: Federation Force on 3DS. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Amié told online news outlet Game Rant the spinoff title was something gamers would be pleasantly surprised with, however, the audience did the talking with under 4,000 copies sold after its initial Japanese launch in August. If Nintendo expects those gamers to make the jump to its next units. This is unlike the policy of one per person at every other seller in the region. According to a series of tweets from Nintendo of Canada, the company is trying to restock stores before Christmas. Dylan Morgan, an employee at EB Games on Baldwin Street in Whitby, says they expect to get a shipment three to five units per week, but receive more than 40 inquiries about stock per day. Additionally, it’s unclear how many they and other stores will actually get, as Nintendo isn’t telling them “anything at all.” Retailers across the continent have been sold out since day one. This includes online stores such as Amazon, Target.com, and Bestbuy. com. Second-hand sellers have console, they must begin listening to fan outcry. Games aside, Nintendo supporters are on low battery after trying to find their systems in stores. A lack of production and distribution of its products has been a trend for the company, with many capitalized on the hysteria, with some units being offered for sale on eBay for up to $3,000. However, it’s not confirmed if any have been sold at that price. Many believe Nintendo understocks to create hype and buzz about its products. Although the company has never confirmed this marketing strategy, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has implied the goal is to make releases as glamourous as possible. Nintendo’s slow manufacturing and distribution process has affected the launch of the Wii, Wii U, amiibo, and now NES Classic Edition, which leaves some consumers pessimistic about the availability of the company’s upcoming hybrid-console, the Nintendo Switch, in March, 20<strong>17</strong>. Nintendo must listen to fans for Switch to succeed Tyler Hodgkinson Nintendo must learn from the commercial failure of the Wii U. consumers left to wonder if the shortages of the Wii in 2006, Wii U in 2013, as well as amiibo and NES Classic Edition this past year are schemes to manufacture hype. Nintendo has not confirmed the validity of these claims, but whether the lack of product is deliberate or coincidental, consumers are now pessimistic about the launch and availability of the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo must learn from the commercial failure of the Wii U. The company mislead its audience with false information about the release of highly-anticipated games, refused to develop desired projects, and could not keep up with retail demand. If Nintendo continues to show a lack of respect for its loyal supporters, it risks further alienating consumers who decide if the Nintendo Switch will be a com mercia l failure.
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