Interpret questions Nintendo's opportunities with Nintendo 3DS

Interpret, a research firm focusing on entertainment, media and technology, has released a report in which it questions whether "the Nintendo 3DS has blown its opportunity?"

Interpret, a leading entertainment, media and technology market research firm, today released its Q1 2011 3D Entertainment report, which finds that Nintendo has yet to capitalize on the earlier anticipation for its 3DS handheld gaming device.

The report examines the 3D markets of theatrical, home entertainment and gaming, comparing Q1 2011 to Q1 2010. In gaming, the report shows interest declining 27% for the Nintendo 3DS since a year ago.

"The lack of sales for the 3DS does not reflect the overall interest in 3D gaming," said Michael Cai, Interpret VP of Games and Technology. "Instead, it illustrates that Nintendo put the cart before the horse; that is, they released the hardware without the necessary software to engender robust sales. Our data shows that gamers want the Nintendo franchise games - Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, etc - but without them, the 3DS will continue to flounder."

Despite the underperformance of the 3DS, the gaming industry may represent the greatest hope for 3DTV sales in particular - consumers who own a PS3 and/or Xbox 360 are much more likely than the average consumer to plan to purchase a 3DTV in the next 12 months.

We wonder how our readers think about the success of the Nintendo 3DS so far. Is Nintendo lacking a firm line-up, or are the recent releases catching up already?

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