Reputable German site GameFront recently posted an article claiming that Nintendo was to hold a conference with former ally Squaresoft this week. Although officially still a rumour, the news has spread around the Internet and has even featured on at least one TV show already.
Both Nintendo and Squaresoft have yet to comment on the matter.
Following Squaresoft’s so-called ‘abandonment’ of Nintendo machines in the early 90’s, Hiroshi Yamauchi, head man at Nintendo for the last 50 years, was left with bitter feelings about Square. Early this year, the bigwig reiterated his sentiments regarding the company. “There is no contract with Square, and that matter is not open to further discussion. Square can say whatever they want, but we have no intention of signing a contract, and there's little chance of one being signed in the future.”
But Squaresoft did not respond aggressively. "We're not expecting to be accepted by Nintendo right away, but we're doing everything to get the relationship positive again… we have to try to convince Nintendo, by showing them our plans for Game Boy Advance and GameCube that we will boost their hardware sales."
So has Nintendo, or more specifically, Hiroshi Yamauchi had a change of heart? We hope so. In Japan having a company like Squaresoft on board can make or break a console due to the Japanese obsession with the Final Fantasy series. This was partially demonstrated with Square’s support for PlayStation. Final Fantasy X for PlayStation 2 sold almost two million copies in one weekend, an unprecedented figure.
If the rumoured conference goes ahead, the ball will quite clearly be in Nintendo’s court. Square is eager to make products for both GameCube and Game Boy Advance, but has been rejected by Nintendo in the past.
Should the rumoured meeting go ahead, and go well, Final Fantasy games would be a certainty. Players could expect remakes of old Final Fantasy games for GameBoy Advance and completely new ones for GameCube.
Go on Nintendo, swallow your pride. We’ll keep you posted.
Both Nintendo and Squaresoft have yet to comment on the matter.
Following Squaresoft’s so-called ‘abandonment’ of Nintendo machines in the early 90’s, Hiroshi Yamauchi, head man at Nintendo for the last 50 years, was left with bitter feelings about Square. Early this year, the bigwig reiterated his sentiments regarding the company. “There is no contract with Square, and that matter is not open to further discussion. Square can say whatever they want, but we have no intention of signing a contract, and there's little chance of one being signed in the future.”
But Squaresoft did not respond aggressively. "We're not expecting to be accepted by Nintendo right away, but we're doing everything to get the relationship positive again… we have to try to convince Nintendo, by showing them our plans for Game Boy Advance and GameCube that we will boost their hardware sales."
So has Nintendo, or more specifically, Hiroshi Yamauchi had a change of heart? We hope so. In Japan having a company like Squaresoft on board can make or break a console due to the Japanese obsession with the Final Fantasy series. This was partially demonstrated with Square’s support for PlayStation. Final Fantasy X for PlayStation 2 sold almost two million copies in one weekend, an unprecedented figure.
If the rumoured conference goes ahead, the ball will quite clearly be in Nintendo’s court. Square is eager to make products for both GameCube and Game Boy Advance, but has been rejected by Nintendo in the past.
Should the rumoured meeting go ahead, and go well, Final Fantasy games would be a certainty. Players could expect remakes of old Final Fantasy games for GameBoy Advance and completely new ones for GameCube.
Go on Nintendo, swallow your pride. We’ll keep you posted.
Read More Like This