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THQ blames failure on Nintendo first-party titles
Not a new complaint, this one. Previously, both analysts and developers have suggested that Nintendo's first-party software is too strong to compete with, and now THQ has joined in on the despairing.At a Q4 earnings call with investors, President and CEO Brian Farrell has admitted that THQ's kids' games had underperformed, and that Nintendo's own output was the reason why. Says Farrell: "With [...] new competition from Nintendo's first-party titles -- as well as new music games -- our traditionally strong kids' business did not meet expectations."
Todd Mitchell tells us how the Wii sucks for third-parties (again)
Just in case you didn't hear him the first time he said it, Kaufman Bros. analyst Todd Mitchell has reiterated his belief that the Wii only truly benefits Nintendo, and that third-party developers have only seen "isolated successes" on the console. Mitchell's argument may have been aired before, but it's also tricky to dismiss, especially as only two third-party titles have so far broken the one million sales barrier (launch twosome Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids). Then again, when it comes to top-drawer, original Wii software, Nintendo has delivered on a fairly regular basis. With the odd exception or two, can the same really be said of other publishers? [Via Go Nintendo]
Half-off sale on Nintendo's component cables
Sure, you could probably find Wii component cables for less than a tenner, but we know there are a lot of you out there who refuse to chance your gaming setup with third-party accessories from Hong Kong. If you've been holding out for a bargain on Nintendo's official product, now is the time to sneak your mom/wife's credit card out of her purse!Amazon has the first-party cables on sale for $15.00, half their regular cost. Tack on another item, and you might also be eligible for the online shop's Free Super Saver Shipping (orders over $25). Act now! This deal ends today![Via CAG]
Sony admits focus on PS3, finally going back to PSP
At GDC, we complained that Sony didn't care about PSP. Phil Harrison's speech was all about Sony's latest console effort, the PS3--Sony's handheld wasn't in the picture at all. Compared to Nintendo's continuous support of DS with original first-party titles, Sony appears to be neglecting PSP. Fortunately, someone at Sony's finally admitting that this is a problem. Sony UK boss Ray Maguire spoke to GI.biz about PSP, and how it will try to compete against Nintendo's incredibly popular handhelds."From a PSP situation we have a wider split of third-party versus first-party than our competitors do, who are very much first-party developers. We've been putting quite a lot of energy behind PS3, now we'll be able to split some of those resources and go back to the PSP to make sure we've got some compelling games coming. As a criticism, yes, perhaps part of that is true. But we have a solution in place."Obviously, God of War is part of that so-called solution. The localization of Jeanne d'Arc is another good step. However, Sony must do more to satiate our appetite for original games. When will we see some of these new "compelling games" that Maguire speaks of?See also:PSP won't get redesign; new colors coming soon?PSP will realize its potential this yearVirtual PSP debuts in PlayStation Home
Smack the Pinata September 1
Gamestop says Viva Pinata (aka "Microsoft's most important game of 2006") will burst on the Xbox 360 scene September 1. This is a closely watched title because the video game/kiddie show hybrid is MS's cross-media entreaty to the rug rat market. I checked out the official website and the music alone made me want to eat a mescaline-laced burrito. Does Viva Pinata have enough annoying qualities to be the next SpongeBob or Pokemon?
