As of now, April 1st, 2021, means that games will be released or offered for sale as part of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Nintendo no longer offers both physical and dematalized versions. If the Kyoto company has never really explained the reason for this temporary sale of games that can still be sold indefinitely, one developer still claims to know. And according to him, it’s very easy.
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The American side Vice An article was recently published the aim of which is to determine why Nintendo has stopped selling some of its games if nothing is required to do so. And it seems that, as some have assumed since the temporary sale of these titles was announced, the maker has bet on this limited availability to bid goodbye to the act of potential buyers who would not necessarily have made up their minds without the threat of ”. guaranteed not in stock. In any case, this is what Vice said of a developer behind several so-called Switch games who asked to remain anonymous:
You have data that shows that game releases are usually on (player) wish lists. Fear of missing out on something that Nintendo created helps them make sales. Well, that’s what they think.
The fear of missing out on something and having more difficulties later to get a game would therefore be the lever with which Nintendo sells its products for nostalgic gamers. As a reminder: Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. are no longer officially offered by Nintendo in both the box and in the eShop (the Game & Watch was obviously not a dematrialized product). Resellers of physical versions can sell them while supplies last. And Super Mario Bros. 35 is no longer accessible either.
Don’t wait any longer
According to analyst Morris Garrard, also interviewed by Vice, this Nintendo strategy is doubly effective. On the one hand, it creates a sense of urgency among consumers who, as stated above, do not want to miss a desired product. On the other hand, its atypical or even counterproductive aspect attracts media attention. As a result, consumers are talking more than usual about these products, which gives them greater visibility and thus helps them stand out.
However, since this is Mario games, one of the most popular video game licenses, one can imagine that visibility and demand would have been good despite more “traditional” marketing. Since Nintendo hasn’t released sales figures for these various products, it’s difficult to know if this strategy has paid off. However, there’s no denying that the limited time availability of these products has got people talking. If it had worked out fine for Nintendo, it wouldn’t be surprising if the process was repeated afterwards. Whether the players like it or not.
What do you think of these statements? Do you think they hold up? Did you purchase one or more of the Super Mario 35 products because you feared you would miss your chance? Tell us everything in the comments below.
