Well I hope so but I'm not optimistic. I think the days are numbered for the 3DS because of the fact that it has the potential to cannibalize Switch sales so I'd be shocked if Nintendo had another system competing for attention during the first holiday season with the Switch. Different market segment or not, I think they'd rather people buy another software title for the Switch for Christmas instead of a NES v2.doctorgonzo wrote: ↑ I would think that a followup next holiday season is almost guaranteed. I would think a NES Classic V2 is probably likely as there are a ton of games that people would still want to see and Nintendo will want to milk that platform for all its worth. Plus it would be cheaper as well since all the machinery/tooling is already in place to manufacture the shell, etc.
I don't think this toy can even be considered in the same market segment as the Switch. This is an $80 curiosity. The Switch is going to be Nintendo's next premier platform that will likely be $300+. Totally different markets.
I think the success of this platform speaks volumes about the continued value of Nintendo's IP. You compare it to Sega, Coleco, or Atari - other iconic brands. Those brands have had similar retro toys available for a few years and none of them are even close in popularity. It's true that none of the noted brands actually manufactured their own toys (I think atgames is the company) but they licensed their brands to crap devices that left a lot to be desired (input lag, crap sound emulation, etc). Which I think devalued their brands. Who really cares about Sega games anymore? They're just a second rate company now and no one cares about Sega releases anymore. Full credit to Nintendo for protecting their brand thru all these years and still have the ability to create enthusiasm and interest for games that people have had the opportunity to repurchase/play numerous times over the past years (reissues on various platforms (GB, GBA, DS, 3DS, virtual console, etc, etc, etc)).
The interesting thing about the other systems is that they actually sell decently well and AtGames seems to position them solely as easy Christmas present type items. The Ataris have frequently been in huge demand over the years and going for well over retail cost on the secondary market (which is dumb because they release a new one every year). I don't know if it makes a lot of sense for Nintendo to live in that market though as it's probably not a huge revenue generator for someone like Nintendo who could be selling their modern console instead. I do agree with you though, the Nintendo IP is in another world compared to the IP on those other systems and it's great that they've created the NES classic and they're not just forcing people to use the virtual console setup on the Wii U or 3DS.