Nintendo’s gaming system preview sends share price tumbling
The unintended effect of Nintendo’s sneak preview of its new gaming system was that the Kyoto games group’s share price promptly dropped 6%
Tokyo — Nintendo offered a sneak preview of a gaming system that can be used as a traditional console and a handheld device, but a lack of revolutionary features helped send its shares sliding 6%. In a three-minute video teaser, the Kyoto games group unveiled Nintendo Switch, its first new gaming device in four years, which will launch in March 2017. But it remained silent on its pricing. Its success will be crucial to Nintendo, which still considers console gaming the centre of its business, even as casual gaming has moved to smartphones and tablets and as it last console, the Wii U, flopped badly. If sales disappoint, the company will come under even more pressure to embrace smartphone gaming, something it has only just begun to do. "The trailer does not show the device being played in interesting new ways. Gameplay looks surprisingly similar to gaming with any number of other consoles," said Takeshi Koyama, senior analyst at Mizuho Securities. He said many aspects of the device w...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.