What sounds unimaginable today was a concrete plan in the executive suites over 25 years ago. Microsoft not only wanted to build consoles, but also to own the most famous gaming brands in the world.
Nintendo’s reaction to a purchase offer from Microsoft was short but clear: loud laughter.
Which companies did Microsoft want to buy?
How Bloomberg reports, Microsoft has tried in the past to remove some of the biggest names in the gaming industry to buy. This included companies such as EA, Square Enix and Nintendo. Microsoft wanted to develop exclusive titles for the original Xbox.
According to Bob McBreen, then head of business development, “the first company we approached was EA.” This offer was said to have been met with a quick “no thanks,” so Microsoft then turned to Japanese giant Nintendo – that’s what Microsoft has probably regretted it in retrospect.
How did Nintendo react to the attempted purchase?
Kevin Bachus, Xbox’s director of third-party relations, told Bloomberg: “Steve got us to meet with Nintendo to find out how they would feel about a takeover.” Apparently this conversation didn’t go so well: “They laughed their heads off. Imagine someone just laughing at you for an hour. This is how the meeting went.”
Although they apparently weren’t laughed at there, the attempts to buy Square Enix and Midway were also remained unsuccessful. The offer was too low for Square Enix, while Midway still wanted to work with Sony.
However, Microsoft did not come away completely empty-handed. In the end, they chose Halo developer Bungie, creating one of the most successful Xbox franchises in the past.
These goals are definitely worth it.
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Microsoft had ambitious plans from the start
While Nintendo traditionally relies on its independence and the close connection between its own hardware and software, Microsoft pursued a clear acquisition strategy from the start. What failed back then finally became a reality decades later with the billion-dollar takeovers of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard – just with different partners. The idea of playing “The Legend of Zelda” or “Metroid” on an Xbox remains one of the most interesting “what if” questions in gaming history.