[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html](https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html)
Here is the breakdown of Nintendo’s first party software sales. As you can see here it’s incredibly exciting to see all of these big numbers after coming off of the Wii U’s lackluster performance.
I can’t help but feel a little bit concerned that there are some very large numbers behind some titles that clearly left a lot to be desired. Does anyone have some insight on if Nintendo strictly looks at the numbers or if they have some sort of satisfaction ratio? I ask this because there are titles specifically in the likes of Pokemon S&S and Mario Party that while they are certainly sufficient I can’t help but feel like consumers really aren’t getting their full value when the games are so on par and nothing else, yet are seeing these gigantic sales numbers.
If asked if consumers found the amount of content in Mario Party acceptable almost noone would agree with that. It’s honestly amazing how something with such an established framework would have such a bare bones release and how the numbers simply will not reflect that undercurrent of dissatisfaction. And how sword and shield are adequate to a fault. You would think with these huge sales figures and widespread interest that these titles would receive love and care similar to some of Nintendo’s other flagship series.
We deserve a full effort and care for innovation and moving series forward and as much as some of us will find this statement to sound entitled. However, it is true, with bigger numbers in sales it should translate directly higher investment of resources in keeping that interest. But then here we are again with Pokemon the second most recognizable IP in gaming receiving C- grade entry after entry. We deserve better but there is no way to get this point across since no matter what they will continue to sell.
I sincerely hope Nintendo has the insight that realize that while people are happy with their work that there is this undercurrent of extreme frustration that is causing a small rift between consumers and their work, that might not slow sales but makes it hard to feel great about making some of the purchases that we do.