Column: Decoding Nintendo's 2DS and Cheaper Wii U - is the video game giant struggling?

I've been on a bit of a roller coaster with Nintendo this summer.

I hated it before I loved it, I bought the stock, I sold the stock, and now we're walking into news that has me scratching my head.

To rewind a bit, in early summer, Nintendo aggressively talked up new found momentum of its 3DS handheld, which was propelled by the release of blockbuster title “Animal Crossing: New Leaf.” Analysis of publicly available 3DS sales data supported that idea.

Subsequently, on July 31st, Nintendo released a disappointing earnings report, marked not only by very underwhelming Wii U sales, but by 3DS sales that weren't quite as exciting as I would have expected given the supposed AC:NL-driven revival.