Is the Wii U going to be a flop?

[disorderlyvision]

I came across an article and it made me wonder about the future of the Wii U. Will it end up being another disaster for Nintendo like the Virtual Boy, or do you think they will be able to turn it around?

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/01/ ... an-upgrade

Nintendo has sent a message to Wii owners urging them to check out Wii U. In a post sent out via WiiConnect24 today, Nintendo explains that players can still use their existing accessories on the new system, but stresses that it’s an entirely new experience.

“Did you know that you can play nearly all of your existing Wii games on Wii U?” the message asks. “Your Wii controllers and many Wii accessories can also be used with a new Wii U console -- along with any downloaded games, save data, and other info stored in your existing Wii console.”

The message continues, explaining that “Wii U is the all-new home console from Nintendo. It’s not just an upgrade -- it’s an entirely new system that will change the way you and your family experience games and entertainment. The second screen on the included Wii U GamePad controller enables never-before-seen ways to play games and enjoy TV. And for the first time ever, you can see Mario and your favorite Nintendo franchises in glorious HD.”

Last week, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said in a financial results briefing that “we have not been able to solidly communicate the product value of Wii U to our consumers yet, which has been a grand challenge for us. Some have the misunderstanding that Wii U is just Wii with a pad for games, and others even consider Wii U GamePad as a peripheral device connectable to Wii. We feel deeply responsible for not having tried hard enough to have consumers understand the product.”

[Retrodude]

All consoles do poorly in their first year. Anyone sounding the death knell at this point is seriously jumping the gun. Wait until the third year. If it's still doing poorly, then you can call it a flop. I remain convinced that the Virtual Boy could have done at least a little better than it did if only they hadn't been so hasty in canning it. The fact that it's remembered a bit more fondly these days and has a very active homebrew community backs up this idea.

[benderx]

I guess the wii U is pee you

[Betamax001]

Maybe if they didn't name it something so stupid like the Wii U, more people would know its a new system. Maybe something like Super Wii U-ltra Entertainment System 64X would have been better.

[irixith]

The name was always a terrible idea, right back to the original Wii. Whenever you have to create a presentation explaining why you named/branded something, you have failed in branding that thing. The Wii is a great, great system, but the name and lacklustre branding hurt it. For Nintendo to continue with nearly the same branding during the second round really blows my wheels.

That being said, once the games start coming, things will turn around. A good example is the PS3. It started its life as the butt of every joke, and now it's clearly the best console to own.

[o.pwuaioc]

The name was always a terrible idea, right back to the original Wii. Whenever you have to create a presentation explaining why you named/branded something, you have failed in branding that thing. The Wii is a great, great system, but the name and lacklustre branding hurt it. For Nintendo to continue with nearly the same branding during the second round really blows my wheels.

The Wii-U might be a terrible name, but how did the Wii hurt it? It become a household name, left the 360 and PS3 both in the dust, and is the third best-selling console of all time, being beaten only by the PS1 and the PS2.

[mjmjr25]

A good example is the PS3. It started its life as the butt of every joke, and now it's clearly the best console for netflix.

Agreed.

[irixith]

A good example is the PS3. It started its life as the butt of every joke, and now it's clearly the best console for netflix.

Agreed.

What the .. hey now ..

I'm probably the last of a dying breed, but I don't have a netflix account, and have never used any of my consoles for watching movies/tv, listening to music, etc.

PS3 rocks, especially now. It's too bad after finally getting to this point they want to replace it with something newer and shinier. Ah well.

[BRIK]

I'm probably the last of a dying breed, but I don't have a netflix account

Hey, don't worry. You're joined by about 23 million Australians.

As for the Wii U, I work in an electronics store and I haven't sold a single Wii U since its launch. I think among the whole store, only a few have been flogged. I have had a few families (the sort who were the target audience for the original Wii) ask about it, and I've had to fix their confusion on the matter. Nintendo are right, they've totally messed up the advertising for this.
Sure the hardcore market knows about it, but all the families and old people just think it's some sort of extension on the first Wii so they don't bother thinking about it. Most of them probably haven't touched their own Wii's since Christmas 2009.

[MrPopo]

I remain convinced that the Virtual Boy could have done at least a little better than it did if only they hadn't been so hasty in canning it. The fact that it's remembered a bit more fondly these days and has a very active homebrew community backs up this idea.

The Virtual Boy also had to content with the searing eye pain.