A sense of dread shrouds Nintendo?s Wii U

[Epona]

Nintendo doesn't need to hit a grand slam every time to be successful and make money. Look at the Gamecube, it was barely even in competition with the two other consoles and came in dead last sales wise but it was still profitable for Nintendo and was still ultimately a success in those terms.

So if the WiiU doesn't outshine the Wii or even the other consoles it doesn't mean Nintendo's in trouble, it just means they aren't doing AS well as they once were.

As a Nintendo fan I see this as a good thing, it means Nintendo will have to work harder and learn from their mistakes. A company with too much success can get lazy and uncompetitive. Look at Apple.

Absolutely, a struggling Nintendo is the best Nintendo. Imagine how well the Virtual Console could have been if Nintendo weren't on top?

 

[Shoggoth2588]

So what is it with the WiiU that just isn't attracting buyers?

If you've been keeping up with gaming recently then odds are good you've already played through and beaten Mass Effect 3, Arkham City and, Darksiders 2. Also, no amount of praise will make jaded players look kindly on the disappointingly easy Ninja Gaiden 3 the PS3 and 360 ended up with. Take those away and you have Sonic All-Star Racing which I would say is better than the previous two Mario Kart games but the problem is, you can get the same game on any other console at the moment (excluding the 3DS I think...) so nobody is going to buy a console for it. It's said that the Wii U makes Wii games look better but why bother buying a U to play Xenoblade or, Last Story when you've likely already beaten those as well?

Finally we have the games that you can only play on the Wii U. ZombiU is a good title but somewhat shallow; once you figure out how to kill a zombie you've figured out how to kill them all. ZombiU isn't bad but I see people waiting for a price drop on what will likely be remembered as the Red Steel of the Wii U. Other than that we have New Super Mario Bros U and while it's level design is better than NSMB2, many players are likely more than ready for a new 3D Mario title. Mario is selling the Wii U right now but once there are more exclusives the numbers should pick up.

A problem however is that while we all know Wonderful 101, Yoshi's Land, Lego Undercover, Pikmin 3 etc are in development and are on the way, we don't know when they're going to be out. I can't be the only person somewhat miffed by how few solid release dates there are for Wii U titles. Even multiplatform releases like Ken's Rage 2 and, Colonial Marines (which have solid release dates on other consoles) lack a Wii U release date. New Super Mario Bros U is a fun game but I don't see many people being content enough to play in the latest incarnation of the Mushroom Kingdom until March or April.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

Oh but here's something else that isn't positive about the WiiU. I am sure these people are also wrong though:

Wii U game sales 'far behind launch levels for Gamecube and Wii'
Reacting to last night's release of NPD sales data for the US market in December, Cowen said in a research note: "Software sales for the Wii U remained well behind launch levels for the original Wii and GameCube in December.

"Totals for the November-December period were -43% lower than software sales for the Wii and -50% lower than those for the GameCube."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/386207/wii-u-game-sales-far-behind-launch-levels-for-gamecube-and-wii/

So wait, the Gamecube actually outsold the Wii at launch?! I had no idea! (Based on this, the Wii November-December period was -7% lower then the Gamecube!) But uhhh, doesn't this sort of help the WiiU? I mean, yeah, this kind of stinks for the ol' WiiU, but if the Wii, one of the 3 Top selling home Consoles (Behind the PS1 and PS2) started off slower then the Weakest 6th Gen Console (Besides the Dreamcast), then should Nintendo actually worry?

 

[ManOwaRrior]

To put it simply, I think the WiiU is having a poor launch and I asked people why they thought that was the case.

Ok then, because I feel like it:

1.: You think the WiiU had a poor launch. You provided two reasons:
a) the PS3 outsells the WiiU:

WiiU just isn't the Wii. When the 7 year old PS3 sells almost as many systems as a launch system it's not good.

b) The Wii sold better at it's launch

The Wii flew off of shelves, the WiiU isn't.
You do see that it wasn't necessary to "give it time" when it came to the Wii but it is with the WiiU.

Now of course, those two things cannot be argued with. What can be argued with is if those 2 observations constitute a "poor launch".
Obviously the Wii had a better launch, but neither did the PS3 nor the 360.
So rather than saying the WiiU had a poor launch one could rather say the WiiU had a normal launch.
As in it's launch was not much better or worse than most consoles bar at best a few (hard to find launch numbers on the last generation of consoles).

2.: You ask for why that is the case.
Regardless of whether or not one regards the WiiU's launch as poor, one can still try to explain why it performs worse than the Wii did at launch and the PS3 is curently.
Let's start with the PS3 because this is quite easy:
- The PS3 has a bigger library
- The PS3 is cheaper
- The WiiU's hardware is not that far ahead of the PS3.

Now to the Wii.
When the Wii launched it was neither very cheap nor very strong nor did it have a great lineup of games.
So why did it "fly of the shelves"?
It did because it tapped into a market that up until then had nothing to do with video games.
The Wii was bought by everyone except the traditional video game enthusiast.
This made for a monumentally strong launch. It also made for a launch that cannot easily be repeated.
The Wii managed to appeal to all sorts of people because it had something fundamentally unique that resonated well them.

The WiiU just hasn't.
The reasons have been given multiple times: Strange marketing decisions and a confusing name.
But above all, even the best marketing in the world could not change the fact that the WiiU just isn't as radically different from what came before it as the Wii was.
So it can't tap into a huge new market.
The WiiU has a difficult position: A lot of the people who bought a Wii are not the type to by a new new console just because it's new.
A lot of the people who do that currently own at least a 360 or a PS3 and don't have much incentive to migrate due to the reasons stated above.

So, given it's scattered audience and Nintendos strange marketing I'd say the WiiU's launch was actually surprisingly good.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Also, no amount of praise will make jaded players look kindly on the disappointingly easy Ninja Gaiden 3 the PS3 and 360 ended up with.

"That the PS3 and 360 ended up with" being the key phrase, here. Razor's Edge has been revamped to the point you might as well forget anything you know about the original release. They removed a few silly features, made several welcome additions, tweaked a lot of the combat, and it's just overall several times better than the original Ninja Gaiden 3. I will agree that NG3 was disappointingly easy, but Razor's Edge plays like an almost entirely different game, that much has been tweaked. People can look down on NG3 all they want as long as they recognize that Razor's Edge is a vast improvement.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Also, no amount of praise will make jaded players look kindly on the disappointingly easy Ninja Gaiden 3 the PS3 and 360 ended up with.

"That the PS3 and 360 ended up with" being the key phrase, here. Razor's Edge has been revamped to the point you might as well forget anything you know about the original release. They removed a few silly features, made several welcome additions, tweaked a lot of the combat, and it's just overall several times better than the original Ninja Gaiden 3. I will agree that NG3 was disappointingly easy, but Razor's Edge plays like an almost entirely different game, that much has been tweaked. People can look down on NG3 all they want as long as they recognize that Razor's Edge is a vast improvement.

It definitely looks like that. What I mean is if you already own a PS3 or 360 and, played Ninja Gaiden 3 on one of those the odds are you aren't going to want to try out the U version, especially if you haven't decided to buy a U at that point. Ninja Gaiden is also a series that seems to have a ton of similar sequels like Ninja Gaiden, Black, Sigma, etc...The price should be dipping soon though (it's on sale at Target this week for example for $45 in some areas) but I don't see Ninja Gaiden 3 selling U's.

 

[Siege_TF]

Dreamcast syndrome. They tried to beat the other guys to the finish line but we know what's coming down the chute is gonna be better because technonogy's almost obsolete as soon as it hits the damn shelves.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Also, no amount of praise will make jaded players look kindly on the disappointingly easy Ninja Gaiden 3 the PS3 and 360 ended up with.

"That the PS3 and 360 ended up with" being the key phrase, here. Razor's Edge has been revamped to the point you might as well forget anything you know about the original release. They removed a few silly features, made several welcome additions, tweaked a lot of the combat, and it's just overall several times better than the original Ninja Gaiden 3. I will agree that NG3 was disappointingly easy, but Razor's Edge plays like an almost entirely different game, that much has been tweaked. People can look down on NG3 all they want as long as they recognize that Razor's Edge is a vast improvement.

It definitely looks like that. What I mean is if you already own a PS3 or 360 and, played Ninja Gaiden 3 on one of those the odds are you aren't going to want to try out the U version, especially if you haven't decided to buy a U at that point. Ninja Gaiden is also a series that seems to have a ton of similar sequels like Ninja Gaiden, Black, Sigma, etc...The price should be dipping soon though (it's on sale at Target this week for example for $45 in some areas) but I don't see Ninja Gaiden 3 selling U's.

As far as I can tell, Razor's Edge is the obligatory "Enhanced Edition" that the Ninja Gaiden Series seems to love to much. While still weaker than Sigma or even Sigma 2, it's definitely much better. I had the NG3 Collector's Edition, the one with the Ryu statue and damn I was so disappointed. Which, I understand what you mean. Anyone that's played the original Ninja Gaiden 3 is definitely going to be very hesitant to bother with Razor's Edge, without having done any research on it. And agreed, it definitely isn't moving any consoles because of that looming in its background.

 

[xPixelatedx]

The 3DS started poorly, look at it now!

Not to mention the PS3... That thing was a black turd you couldn't pay people to take off store shelves for the longest time. It took, what, two years for it to take off? I think it was around the time MGS4 came out that people actually started buying these things in relevant frequency.

Also yeah, it just came out. they have not even finished releasing the launch window games, not to mention their heavy hitters have yet to appear. Once the Zelda, 3D Mario, Metroid, Donkey Kong, mario kart and Smash bros. games all make their appearances at an E3, it will be hard to find Wii-Us.

 

[Yopaz]

To put it simply, I think the WiiU is having a poor launch and I asked people why they thought that was the case.

Yes, in your first post you did do that. When someone mentioned it had to do with games you mentioned the Wii didn't need that to do well. You haven't really come up with a answer to the fact that it has been selling better than the PS3 and Xbox 360 when they launched. You haven't said it's failing directly, but every post you have responded to prove what you really want to say more than your words do.

Well, I am done here because apparently you can't say anything that isn't positive about the WiiU.

I compared the Wii U to the DreamCast, a console that did fail. How is this a positive thing? However you are right, it's pointless to discuss this. Whenever you are caught in your own words you ignore what I say and respond in a way to twist the conversation away from the subject. All I am saying is that it's too soon to determine if this is a success or if it's a failure.

 

[Phlakes]

Well, I am done here because apparently you can't say anything that isn't positive about the WiiU.

It's not that you're being negative, it's that there's barely anything to the point here. You're making really broad assumptions based on almost nothing. Yes, you can look at the numbers and say X is less than Y but there's much more to it than that.

 

[Epona]

Well, I am done here because apparently you can't say anything that isn't positive about the WiiU.

It's not that you're being negative, it's that there's barely anything to the point here. You're making really broad assumptions based on almost nothing. Yes, you can look at the numbers and say X is less than Y but there's much more to it than that.

Here's more evidence, you gonna pretend this is also nothing?

Wii U price drop could happen soon, 2012 disaster for Nintendo, says analysts

http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-price-drop-could-happen-soon-2012-disaster-for-nintendo-says-analysts

http://wiiudaily.com/2012/12/pachter-wii-u-will-get-50-price-drop-in-2013/

The evidence of a poor launch is piling up. It's looking like the 3DS all over again.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

Well, I am done here because apparently you can't say anything that isn't positive about the WiiU.

It's not that you're being negative, it's that there's barely anything to the point here. You're making really broad assumptions based on almost nothing. Yes, you can look at the numbers and say X is less than Y but there's much more to it than that.

Here's more evidence, you gonna pretend this is also nothing?

Wii U price drop could happen soon, 2012 disaster for Nintendo, says analysts

http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-price-drop-could-happen-soon-2012-disaster-for-nintendo-says-analysts

http://wiiudaily.com/2012/12/pachter-wii-u-will-get-50-price-drop-in-2013/

The evidence of a poor launch is piling up.

I'm not saying that Nintendo couldn't do this, but Michael Pachter is one of the worst analysts for Nintendo. He was dead wrong on the Wii, he was wrong about the pricing for the WiiU, and at one point, he actually Praised the WiiU around it's launch [http://mynintendonews.com/2012/09/13/pachter-was-actually-kinda-impressed-with-wii-u/] (Sorry, I couldn't find the real article, but it's true).

Also, 2012 was a Disaster for Nintendo? I dunno about that, the 3DS Has and is dominating Japan, and with new games coming for the WiiU around March, it's probable that Nintendo will see a Sales increase.

 

[D Moness]

http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-price-drop-could-happen-soon-2012-disaster-for-nintendo-says-analysts

http://wiiudaily.com/2012/12/pachter-wii-u-will-get-50-price-drop-in-2013/

The evidence of a poor launch is piling up. It's looking like the 3DS all over again.

lmao quoting/linking to Micheal Pachter is not doing much good for your credibility.

Also if it will be going like the 3ds it will dominate the market.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS#Sales_2

yeah the 3ds is doing really really bad

 

[Epona]

Well, I am done here because apparently you can't say anything that isn't positive about the WiiU.

It's not that you're being negative, it's that there's barely anything to the point here. You're making really broad assumptions based on almost nothing. Yes, you can look at the numbers and say X is less than Y but there's much more to it than that.

Here's more evidence, you gonna pretend this is also nothing?

Wii U price drop could happen soon, 2012 disaster for Nintendo, says analysts

http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-price-drop-could-happen-soon-2012-disaster-for-nintendo-says-analysts

http://wiiudaily.com/2012/12/pachter-wii-u-will-get-50-price-drop-in-2013/

The evidence of a poor launch is piling up. It's looking like the 3DS all over again.

You mean the same 3DS which has now sold 22 million units, is selling at a faster rate than the DS did, and has one of the largest release schedules of any console in 2013?

Damn, that would be one resounding success for the Wii U.

EDIT

MICHAEL PACHTER?!? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?

If you're going to quote analysts, choose anyone other than that turd of a finance analyst. Mystic Meg is better at forseeing the future than he is.

The 3DS saw a massive price drop and it also had a poor launch. Are you just ignoring that?

http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-price-drop-could-happen-soon-2012-disaster-for-nintendo-says-analysts

http://wiiudaily.com/2012/12/pachter-wii-u-will-get-50-price-drop-in-2013/

The evidence of a poor launch is piling up. It's looking like the 3DS all over again.

lmao quoting/linking to Micheal Pachter is not doing much good for your credibility.

Also if it will be going like the 3ds it will dominate the market.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS#Sales_2

yeah the 3ds is doing really really bad

Oh goody another one with short term memory.

The 3DS had a poor launch and a massive price drop before it became what it is now.

 

[Epona]

[

The 3DS saw a massive price drop and it also had a poor launch. Are you just ignoring that?



Oh goody another one with short term memory.

The 3DS had a poor launch and a massive price drop before it became what it is now.

Short term memory? I'm the one who bloody explained to you that the Wii U sold more in its launch period than either the Xbox 360 or the PS3. Now you're comparing it to the 3DS, a spectacularly succesful handheld, and you presume to lecture to me about short term memory? The bloody cheek of it...

And as for the 3DS- yes, it had a price cut. Yes, sales went up as a result. Exactly the same thing happened with the PS3. Why aren't you comparing that as well? Could it be because of your short term memory?

My comparison to the 3DS was about the poor launch and the massive price drop within 6 months of release. You started talking about how the 3DS is doing now, after the price drop.

I guess you forgot that about the 3DS until I triggered your long term memory for you. Why do you want me to compare it to the PS3 instead of the 3DS? I mean, the 3DS comparison is completely valid. Is it just a matter of "I don't like your comparison, you should have compared it to the Atari 2600 instead"?

If a price drop comes, you will likely spin that too. Oh, as for the Pachter hate, how predictable. I expect that YOU are also getting paid for your predictions, because he is.

 

[D Moness]

Snip

To bad for you nintendo's consoles are breaking every record out there. But that doesn't count for anything because in your mind they are doing bad and all the real evidence out there will be just ignored by you while just blindly yelling you are right.

Like a kid putting his fingers in his ears and yelling "i can not hear you".

 

[Epona]

Snip

To bad for you nintendo's consoles are breaking every record out there. But that doesn't count for anything because in your mind they are doing bad and all the real evidence out there will be just ignored by you while just blindly yelling you are right.

Like a kid putting his fingers in his ears and yelling "i can not hear you".

Really, what records are they breaking?