CoachKevin
Member
We are coming up on the 1-Year Anniversary of Nintendo's Wii U console. I don't think anyone will argue that it had a bumpy start, but from the looks of things the XBOX One and the PS4 will coming in hot as well.
I just purchased a Wii U yesterday hoping that after a year Nintendo has fixed many of the issues that plagued it at launch. Let's hind out.
The main complaints at launch were:
Let's take a look at these and see what Nintendo has done with the last year to strengthen the Wii U.
The OS
The OS was incredibly slow at launch, taking upwards of 30 seconds to go between screens. Firmware updates took an hour to download and install and the improvements came at slow pace.
1-Year late the OS is much snappier and just fast enough to not make you feel like you are waiting or things are taking too long.
Much Improved
The Nintendo Network IDs and Network
It is unbelievable to me that the Nintendo Network ID is still locked to hardware. I had to go through 3 calls to Nintendo and 24 hours to get my Nintendo ID transferred to a new console. It looks like this is something that Nintendo is going to have to ride out for the life of the Wii U. So if you buy something off of the eShop, don't plan on taking it with you to another console without some convincing to Nintendo Support and a few hours of frustration. Amazing that Microsoft and Sony had this right in 2005/2006 and Nintendo still can't do it in 2013. It is hard for me to understand how people can be OK dumping money onto the eShop knowing that their purchases can not be carried over to a new system
The same should be expected for dream of a Unified Account System across the Wii U and 3DS. Maybe next generation... Nintendo has stated that, "they hear the demand," but there are no plans to implement anything like it.
The Nintendo Network is pretty good about download speeds, no complains there anymore if there were issues at launch.
Still Disappointing
The Games
At launch there wasn't a lot of quality games to play outside of NSMBU, Nitnendo Land, and ZombiU, and the game people wanted keep getting pushed back past the, "Launch Window."
After a year the games are coming. It depends if any of these appeal to you and and justify a, now $299 console, to you:
Sadly at the same time we are seeing 3rd parties abandon the Wii U and if they are supporting the console it tends to be lacking features of it's 360/PS3 counterparts (Batman: Arkham Origins) or over priced (Deus Ex). EA is just about out. Ubisoft is still showing support and Activision is to a lesser extent.
Improved Hopefully we see fewer sequels in 2014.
Virtual Console
VC has had some highlights like Earthbound, but Nintendo is still pumping out games no one wants? Since September 19th we got:
Wow, some real bangers in there... And Super Mario Brothers came out 10 months after the launch and Nintendo made sure to tweet about how awesome it is you can now pay ANOTHER $5 to play SMB on another Nintendo Console. At least people got to play Super Castlevania IV for Halloween.
And where are the other consoles? Nintendo 64, Genesis, Neo Geo, TG-16, or what about Gamecube games???
I don't even want to rate it.
I will leave the messaging up to you guys.
Personally, I am happy to buy a Wii U for Wind Waker and Super Mario 3D World. With that being said, it is still a disappointing attempt by Nintendo in my eyes.
TLDR: One year later, are you happy with the Wii U?
I just purchased a Wii U yesterday hoping that after a year Nintendo has fixed many of the issues that plagued it at launch. Let's hind out.
The main complaints at launch were:
- Very Slow OS
- Nintendo Network IDs were a joke and locked content and useres to hardware
- Lack of quality/must have games at launch
- Almost immediate software drought
- Virtual Console was lackluster in it's offerings
- Poor messaging from Nintendo/Confusion about rollout of services and games
Let's take a look at these and see what Nintendo has done with the last year to strengthen the Wii U.
The OS
The OS was incredibly slow at launch, taking upwards of 30 seconds to go between screens. Firmware updates took an hour to download and install and the improvements came at slow pace.
1-Year late the OS is much snappier and just fast enough to not make you feel like you are waiting or things are taking too long.
Much Improved
The Nintendo Network IDs and Network
It is unbelievable to me that the Nintendo Network ID is still locked to hardware. I had to go through 3 calls to Nintendo and 24 hours to get my Nintendo ID transferred to a new console. It looks like this is something that Nintendo is going to have to ride out for the life of the Wii U. So if you buy something off of the eShop, don't plan on taking it with you to another console without some convincing to Nintendo Support and a few hours of frustration. Amazing that Microsoft and Sony had this right in 2005/2006 and Nintendo still can't do it in 2013. It is hard for me to understand how people can be OK dumping money onto the eShop knowing that their purchases can not be carried over to a new system
The same should be expected for dream of a Unified Account System across the Wii U and 3DS. Maybe next generation... Nintendo has stated that, "they hear the demand," but there are no plans to implement anything like it.
The Nintendo Network is pretty good about download speeds, no complains there anymore if there were issues at launch.
Still Disappointing
The Games
At launch there wasn't a lot of quality games to play outside of NSMBU, Nitnendo Land, and ZombiU, and the game people wanted keep getting pushed back past the, "Launch Window."
After a year the games are coming. It depends if any of these appeal to you and and justify a, now $299 console, to you:
- Sonic Lost World
- Rayman Legends
- Lego City: Undercover
- Wind Waker HD
- Pikmin 3
- Wonderful 101
- Monster Hunter 3
- Game and Wario
- And coming soon Super Mario 3D World
Sadly at the same time we are seeing 3rd parties abandon the Wii U and if they are supporting the console it tends to be lacking features of it's 360/PS3 counterparts (Batman: Arkham Origins) or over priced (Deus Ex). EA is just about out. Ubisoft is still showing support and Activision is to a lesser extent.
Improved
Hopefully we see fewer sequels in 2014.Virtual Console
VC has had some highlights like Earthbound, but Nintendo is still pumping out games no one wants? Since September 19th we got:
- Baseball
- Pinball
- Clu Clu Land
- Urban Champion
- Golf Nintendo
- Tennis
- Donkey Kong 3
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Castlevania IV
- Final Fight
- Final Fight 2
- Final Fight 3
Wow, some real bangers in there... And Super Mario Brothers came out 10 months after the launch and Nintendo made sure to tweet about how awesome it is you can now pay ANOTHER $5 to play SMB on another Nintendo Console. At least people got to play Super Castlevania IV for Halloween.
And where are the other consoles? Nintendo 64, Genesis, Neo Geo, TG-16, or what about Gamecube games???
I don't even want to rate it.
I will leave the messaging up to you guys.
Personally, I am happy to buy a Wii U for Wind Waker and Super Mario 3D World. With that being said, it is still a disappointing attempt by Nintendo in my eyes.
TLDR: One year later, are you happy with the Wii U?
