Is some of Nintendo’s modern success due to millennials now being parents?

Parents only - which applies?

  • Total voters
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RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
Disclaimer, please don't see my title as me saying this is the only reason.

The main reason behind Switch's success is a great console design concept and consistently delivering great games at such a rate that other company couldn't even dream of.

However, I do think there's an aspect that could be overlooked that I've not seen discussed.

I mentioned in the Iwata thread that I completely ignored the DS/Wii/3DS/WiiU era of Nintendo which was my early 20s to early 30s. However since having children in my mid 30s I've found myself increasingly buying and playing Nintendo games and bonding with my children over them.

Millennials were the first generation to grow up with Nintendo, and now we've got kids of our own it seems like Nintendo is reaping the rewards of nostalgia and continued quality.

What do you guys think?

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Somewhat. The brand recognition definitely helps things like Mario and Pokemon. But then there are other franchises like Zelda and Animal Crossing that exploded by bringing in new fans, not by relying on nostalgia.
 
To clarify, I actually bought my Switch before we had our first baby, Mario Odyssey convinced me to buy my first Nintendo console since GameCube.
 
I have kids but I still play the most Nintendo. I am gen x though. I just enjoy Nintendo games.
 
RoboFu said:
Nintendos success is because they make the best games.
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Totally agree don't get me wrong

Nintendo and Switch's success has been on its own merit.

But I think a small percentage of recent success for game sales, movie and theme park attendance can be attributed to nostalgic parents, something they didn't have so much with previous generations.

This sort of confusion wouldn't happen today…

 
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Xbox 360 slim said:
That's a factor sure, same way with PS to a degree.
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I think that may come in another 5-10 years considering Sony are a decade behind Nintendo.

Sony would do well to bring back old franchises like Apex Escape, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro for that parent nostalgia bump.

Don't own the rights Sony? Well buy them back.
 
I am in the age bracket you are discussing and have kids, but have no nostalgia for Nintendo. I was a speccy ->Amiga -> PC kid.
My kids saved up for a Switch, only reason we have one, and we had (actually still have) a Wii purely because my wife played Rayman Rabbids at a party when it first came out and wanted one.
 
RetroGamingUK said:
I think that may come in another 5-10 years considering Sony are a decade behind Nintendo.

Sony would do well to bring back old franchises like Apex Escape, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro for that parent nostalgia bump.

Don't own the rights Sony? Well buy them back.
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Gen Z as well. Some of these kids who grew up with a PS3 or 360 will start getting nostalgic soon. Fingers crossed for a resistance PC port.
 
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poppabk said:
My kids saved up for a Switch, only reason we have one, and we had (actually still have) a Wii purely because my wife played Rayman Rabbids at a party when it first came out and wanted one.
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With Switch being the best selling Nintendo of all time, it makes you wonder how big it could be when they have kids.

This kind of thing, nostalgia and brand, is why I see it being very difficult for another company to enter the console space.
 
Disney-syndrome. Nintendo appeals to nostalgia and is family friendly and safe. Casual gamers find their stuff cute and approachable. It's a winning strategy that can work forever if you don't rock the boat too much.

It's the same reason you see people in their 40s and 50s in Disney parks without kids. It's a make believe world for them to escape their problems.
 
dcx4610 said:
Disney-syndrome. Nintendo appeals to nostalgia and is family friendly and safe. Casual gamers find their stuff cute and approachable. It's a winning strategy that can work forever if you don't rock the boat too much.

It's the same reason you see people in their 40s and 50s in Disney parks without kids. It's a make believe world for them to escape their problems.
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I'd argue that outside of Pixar (which they purchased from Steve Jobs) Disney haven't produced anything great since Lion King way back in 1994.

Now that IS nostalgia when it comes to Disney.
 
Nintendo also does something that the other 2 doesn't. It doesn't involve itself in politics and social issues.

People play games to have fun, not be reminded of the real world. Something the other 2 platforms forgot.
 
Is this a secret "Nintendo is only played by children" thread?

BTW yes, in part. But also that many streamers hype Nintendo games and children these days watch streaming a lot, for whatever reason.
 
Gen X here too. Nintendo has the advantage of being family friend and as equally important, still around. You'll naturally want to pass things down to your children and spend time with them, so Nintendo will always be a good option. I think your premise is solid but incorrect in the specificity of millennials.
 
Switch is no doubt the go-to console for parents with younger kids, you know it'll work, safe choice, and at school you you know their buddies will have Switch too.
But their games can appeal to adults of all ages within the enthusiast bubble as well.
 
RetroGamingUK said:
I think that may come in another 5-10 years considering Sony are a decade behind Nintendo.

Sony would do well to bring back old franchises like Apex Escape, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro for that parent nostalgia bump.

Don't own the rights Sony? Well buy them back.
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I think that time is now honestly. NES was my first console (I was born in 82, so right on that Gen X/Millennial border) and I would argue the OG PS was definitely aimed at teens, that were my age when it first hit the market, and have kids now. Even the ones that were very young at its PS1's release to have it as their first console, are around the age where they would have their own children. Like you said in your second sentence though, the problem is Sony doesn't have many long standing family friendly IPs to lean into, to bridge that generational gap.
 
Yep, my kids mainly play Switch even though XSX and PS5 are setup on a decent 65" TV.

I play with them all the time, different games. That definitely contributed to Switch purchases over the years. From multiple Switch devices to a ton of kids oriented games.

However with pricier games and $500 consoles I am not going to go for multiple Switch 2 for a long while.
 
Maybe, just maaayyybe, Nintendo makes great games that prioritize "Fun to Play" without inserting fucking politics, agendas or personal opinions.
 
Games mostly intended for younger children, and aren't the more recent Nintendo consoles usually cheaper than whatever the Sony/Microsoft option is?
 
Nintendo's success to centered squarely on the handheld market. No coincidence that the Switch, DS and Gameboy are Nintendo's top three consoles of all time. The other Nintendo consoles have been hits and misses, mostly misses since PlayStation arrived. Handhelds have been the constant and it spans many generations.
 
Topher said:
Nintendo's success to centered squarely on the handheld market. No coincidence that the Switch, DS and Gameboy are Nintendo's top three consoles of all time. The other Nintendo consoles have been hits and misses, mostly misses since PlayStation arrived. Handhelds have been the constant and it spans many generations.
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switch is a console as well.
 
What's weird is my 2.5 year old daughter likes Mario (movie) and Pokemon (tv show) but absolutely loves Banjo Kazooie and will ask for it if she sees me using my steam deck.
 
Kids nowadays need to be prompted to play on console

Like its a hassle or something
 
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Children? Dude I can barely take care of myself.

BennyBlanco said:
What's weird is my 2.5 year old daughter likes Mario (movie) and Pokemon (tv show) but absolutely loves Banjo Kazooie and will ask for it if she sees me using my steam deck.
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That's pretty based taste for such a young girl. Next up she'll start asking for daddy to set up OpenMW for her, watch out.
 
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