Apple’s Unlikely Romance with Nintendo

May 18

I’m not the world’s biggest Apple fan as I feel there have been too many failures in their recent history. Likewise for Nintendo who have only recently recovered from releasing the WiiU.

So, picture this: Apple buys Nintendo. A power move that would couple up two of the big players in tech. It’s been rumored for a while now.

Well, strap in for a reality check.

Apple’s Video Game

A long long time ago the Apple II was the epitome of gaming excellence, despite Steve Jobs hating the things.

Fast forward to today, and Apple’s gaming prowess is… well, underwhelming.

Apple Arcade? More like Apple Anemic.

Apple have searched for a solution to their games problems on Mac for years — but face it no hardcore gamer packs a Mac Mini. On iOS the picture is different, but most of the games are gatcha trash.

Apple knows that great games bring both customers to a platform and devoted fans. They want both, and buying a big player in the gaming market might just be a masterstroke.

Nintendo’s Missteps

Nintendo are an iconic brand that seem to make a habit of making baffling business decisions. After each successful DS there seems to be a Virtual Boy and they just don’t seem to know how to discount their games.

Yet they have the most valuable back catalog in gaming, but sometimes seem to lack the funds to export this plentiful IP.

Perhaps it is time to look for suitors who might take Nintendo’s hand and lead them into the mushroom kingdom.

The Synergy Mirage

Business is Business

It sounds like a marriage made in heaven. Apple are hardware and software experts and Nintendo bring the best software in their field.

Yet the business model in gaming is different. Nintendo have wafer thin hardware margins compared to Apple’s iPhone. Apple are prepared to ship software through the App Store without really making money. Their business models couldn’t be more mismatched if they tried.

Software synergy?

Nintendo crafts gems polished to perfection, while Apple… still hasn’t sorted out HomeKit. Remember Apple Maps too? The software synergy? Nonexistent.

Cultural Quagmire

Let’s not forget the cultural chasm. Apple’s American work culture clashes dramatically with Nintendo’s deep-rooted Japanese traditions.

The chance of a successful Western takeover of a Japanese tech giant seems thinner than the average Japanese compact car. The cultures are just too far apart.

The Reality. Apple Doesn’t Need Nintendo

Apple doesn’t need to buy Nintendo. Why bother when they already have a gaming console disguised as a phone? The iPhone and Apple TV might not be gaming powerhouses, but they fit Apple’s strategy better than a forced marriage with Nintendo could ever offer.

The Reality. Nintendo Doesn’t Need Apple

Nintendo make lots of money and sits on a massive war-chest of money. Arguably they are too culturally conservative to spend it, and this alone would be signal enough that a takeover by a western company is not on the cards.

Conclusion

So, while we gamers and tech enthusiasts can fantasize about what could be, the harsh truth is that Apple and Nintendo are better off flirting from a distance rather than committing to a dysfunctional relationship.

The Secret Developer