Nintendo’s Failures Are Good for Them

So something pretty odd happened recently. Nintendo has announced that they are releasing a Gamecube controller converter for the new Smash Bros. Not only will this allow people to use their old Gamecube controllers on the Wii U, Nintendo will also be reproducing the Gamecube controller model for fans to purchase for the first time.

Question 1: Why would Nintendo do this? Devoting a ton of resources to remaking a decade old controller for one game and one game only? Is that really worth it for them? Nintendo is the company that has been most brash about their controller redesigns. Each new console comes with a completely new controller, as opposed to the PlayStation and Xbox that just iterate on their previous designs. Question 2: Who does this please? Random casual gamers probably aren’t going to care that Nintendo is releasing the Gamecube controller again. Heck, casual gamers would use whatever game controller you thrust into their hand. Only the pros swear by the controller that they use, and Nintendo has repeatedly made it clear that they are more about family oriented gaming than pro gaming. Question 3: How will Nintendo make money off this? Let’s face it, the final goal for any decision made by a video game publisher is money. Everyone wants to make money. So Nintendo must think that they can turn a profit off of selling the Gamecube controllers once again.