Wii-U thoughts so far

[CavZee]

The big problem is there's not enough Nintendo games available yet. This fall that will change, so if they can combine that with a nice $300 bundle then I'm sure they'll do fine. It will still be overshadowed by the new console launches for sure though. As for what happens after the winter is anyone's guess.

What games are coming out? I know Pikmin 3 is August and the Zelda port is September/October-ish... Isn't every big title 2014 TBA? I definitely don't see Pikmin as a huge system mover; nor do I see WW HD doing too much (although it'll do better than Pikmin, that's a given)...

August has Pikmin 3 and NSLU retail.
September has The Wonderful 101.
October is Wind Waker.
November is DKC Tropical Freeze and Wii Fit U I as well (I think)
December is Super Mario 3D World.


They released a release calender after E3 that had these plus other estimates for upcoming 3DS and Wii U games. Granted there's not many solid release dates but there ya go.

[BogusMeatFactory]

There are also the other big releases that are multiplatform like Assassin's Creed IV and Splinter cell Blacklist in August, Watch Dogs in November, Rayman Legends in September, and Batman Arkham Origins in October

[Stark]

There are also the other big releases that are multiplatform like Assassin's Creed IV and Splinter cell Blacklist in August, Watch Dogs in November, Rayman Legends in September, and Batman Arkham Origins in October

Yeah, but as usual, Nintendo won't be the place you buy multiplat titles. At least I won't be.

[dsheinem]

All I'm seeing all over the internet still is how the Wii U is a flop. Personally I do not understand where this mindset is coming from. As of May the Wii U sold 3.5 million units worldwide. In their first six months on the market both the 360 and PS4 sold under 3 million units each. Is the Wii U considered a failure because it has not matched or exceeded Wii sales?

This isn't quite right.

*PS3 launched in mid Nov 2006. By March 31, 2007 it had sold 3.61 million units.
*360 launched November 2005. By March 31, 2006 it had sold 3.2 million units.
*Wii launched December 2006, by March 31, 2007 it had sold 5.8 million units.
*Wii U launched November 2012, by March 31, 2013 it has sold 3.45 million units.

So that puts the Wii U right there with the PS3/360 sales, but out of the range of Wii sales. HOWEVER, of note is that the Wii U only sold about 400,000 of those consoles from January-March. By contrast, the PS3 and 360 sold about 2 million each in their first full quarter (January-March of their respective first years). THAT'S why so many companies are jumping ship or at least playing "wait and see". Sales have been HORRID since the launch window.

Nintendo should release April-June numbers soon. The second full quarter for the 360 (1.8m) and PS3 (700K) showed decent sales continuing. I would be shocked if the Wii U sold much more than 250-300K.

Another thought:

By the end of their second holiday season, PS3 had sold 10m consoles and 360 had sold 7.6m consoles. The Wii had sold 20 million consoles. Nintendo would have to more than double its sales in the next six months to get to the PS3/360 kinds of numbers, let alone those of it's predecessor.

The numbers thus far are bleak and are the poorest of any console in some time. There are no two ways about it.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I agree that the numbers are pretty bleak. That said, it will be interesting to see how the WiiU's sales will compare with those of its forthcoming competitors. I would not be surprised if the weakness we are seeing in WiiU sales reflect a decline in console gaming generally.

[wclem]

I think the thing that is gonna sell it is:
500 for Xbox
400 for PS4
300 for WiiU

I just see the parents going for the least expensive system. You factor in already discounted games and I think the holiday is gonna be huge for them. Every parent with a child under 14 is gonna feel safe buying Mario for their kids. For the same price as a PS4 you can go home with a WiiU and probably 3-4 games. I think that may have been the reason the Wii did so well, the price was right. I think that is why the Wii was still selling this last Christmas, it underpriced the WiiU LOL. I really believe this holiday is gonna be won by the WiiU, not that it is better or any other reason like that. It is Nintendo, and cheapest.

Hell I would buy a WiiU long before a 500 dollar Xbox, LOL, actually I did. Dont get me wrong, I have not turned it on in months, and when I did it was to play Xenoblade LOL.

[wclem]

I agree that the numbers are pretty bleak. That said, it will be interesting to see how the WiiU's sales will compare with those of its forthcoming competitors. I would not be surprised if the weakness we are seeing in WiiU sales reflect a decline in console gaming generally.

Shut your mouth!!!

My biggest fear, all video games are now on the Ipad only. I would rather have a cranial implant.

[dsheinem]

I agree that the numbers are pretty bleak. That said, it will be interesting to see how the WiiU's sales will compare with those of its forthcoming competitors. I would not be surprised if the weakness we are seeing in WiiU sales reflect a decline in console gaming generally.

I'm sure that's what Nintendo is banking on. I'd bet the PS4 and Xbox One both see a much better sell through into March 2014, though - especially if stuff like Destiny and Titan Fall are out by then.

Also, this: http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1976792/ps ... ecord.html

I think there's already far more interest in both the new consoles than there ever was in the Wii U before launch.

[dsheinem]

I think the thing that is gonna sell it is:
500 for Xbox
400 for PS4
300 for WiiU

I just see the parents going for the least expensive system. You factor in already discounted games and I think the holiday is gonna be huge for them. Every parent with a child under 14 is gonna feel safe buying Mario for their kids. For the same price as a PS4 you can go home with a WiiU and probably 3-4 games. I think that may have been the reason the Wii did so well, the price was right. I think that is why the Wii was still selling this last Christmas, it underpriced the WiiU LOL. I really believe this holiday is gonna be won by the WiiU, not that it is better or any other reason like that. It is Nintendo, and cheapest.

Hell I would buy a WiiU long before a 500 dollar Xbox, LOL, actually I did. Dont get me wrong, I have not turned it on in months, and when I did it was to play Xenoblade LOL.

I think the age of parents buying consoles strictly "for the kids" is ending. I think parents want to game too, and they want a console that will offer games for both them and their kids.

How about a wager?

If the PS4 or Xbox One sells better than the Wii U from Oct-Dec of this year, you buy me a Wii U Pro and a game of my choice in January. If the Wii U sells better, I'll buy you a PS4 in January!

[prfsnl_gmr]

My concern is that there is nothing really "ground breaking" about the latest batch of consoles. They are just expensive upgraded versions of existing machines. I am not sure that the general public will have an appetite for these until the prices come down, and I honestly think that most people would rather spend their money on a new cell phone or iPad.

I also agree with wclem that price will be the determining factor this generation - as I think it was last generation - and Nintendo still has a shot of pulling off a successful console if it drops the price for the holiday season. (It pulled it off with the 3DS, and it might pull it off again with the WiiU.)

We will see...

I think the age of parents buying consoles strictly "for the kids" is ending. I think parents want to game too, and they want a console that will offer games for both them and their kids.

I agree with this. I think, however, that Nintendo probably has more family- and nostalgia-friendly franchises that make its consoles better for both young adults and their presumably young children...This may be better suited for the unpopular opinions thread, but I actually think that the prevalence of big-name "mature" titles such ZombiU and Assassin's Creed III at the WiiU's launch hurt its initial sales by scaring away parents looking for a family-friendly console.