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34,000 pieces of Wii U software were sold in the UK in January (incl. NintyLand)

schuelma

Wastes hours checking old Famitsu software data, but that's why we love him.
Nintendo, you are doomed. Catch up with technology and maybe you'll have a chance. It pains me to say this, it really does, my three favorite systems are N64, SNES, and NES. How far we've fallen.

Given the major issues of price and HD development issues, how do you think a higher powered machine would have solved Nintendo's launch problems?
 

BGBW

Maturity, bitches.
Nintendo, you are doomed. Catch up with technology and maybe you'll have a chance.
You mean catch up with the technology you solely care about. There's more to a console than the graphics.

Of course when you say Nintendo are doomed as fact people are really not going to take you seriously.

Also from an EU perspective Nintendo of today is better than Nintendo of yesteryear. 50Hz issue is still haunting them but at least their new games don't suffer from it.
 

MickeyPhree

Member
PS4 and Xbox are going in a much more traditional route than Wii U. Don't really see how you could compare those prospects to each other. I'm really excited for the nextbox and PS4 while I'm not at all for the Wii U and there's tons for like me out there.

How is Nintendo trying to do anything different than the other guys? Their controller has a screen in it. Big deal.
 

kswiston

Member
People stating that the Wii U is doing better across Europe are mistaken... unless across Europe means France.

This is the percent of marketshare the Wii U had in each country last year:

France: 4.20%
UK: 3.08%
Germany: 3.08%
Netherlands: 2.24%
Belgium: 1.96%
Italy: 1.68%
Spain: 1.12%

In those terms the UK is the Wii U's joint second best market.

Don't we have to take market size into consideration? The UK could have the second highest sales for the Wii-U overall, and still be relatively the weakest major market for the system. Look at Canada and the United States. Wii U could bomb in the US while breaking sales records in Canada, and the US unit share would still be higher. Mainly because the US market is ~11-12 times as large overall.

I am not super familiar with the individual gaming markets in Europe, but I do know that the UK has several times more people than either Belgium or the Netherlands. Surely the Wii-U is relatively stronger in those markets given that they only lag behind total UK sales by 30-40%?


Not to say all of this means that the Wii-U is actually doing well in Europe.
 

Zen

Banned
How is Nintendo trying to do anything different than the other guys? Their controller has a screen in it. Big deal.

The controller having a screen on it is exactly why the core system is that much less powerful than the upcoming consoles but is still priced the same.
 
How many more decades will it take before people stop with 'Nintendo will go third party'. It will never happen, they'll go bankrupt before they go third party, they will no let it happen.

And for the people who keep saying 'UK = EU':

Out of all the major countries in which we operate, we perform least favorably in the U.K. market.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/130131/03.html

There also charts comparing just how different software sales are in the UK compared to mainland Europe at the link, for anyone who's interested.
 

pringles

Member
PS4 and Xbox are going in a much more traditional route than Wii U. Don't really see how you could compare those prospects to each other. I'm really excited for the nextbox and PS4 while I'm not at all for the Wii U and there's tons for like me out there.
I'm excited to see Sony's and MS's next consoles too, but part of that excitement is obviously because right now they are in large part unknown.

When they're real and about to be released with possibly lackluster launch lineups (like most consoles launch with) and at a very high price, there might not be quite as much excitement. I really don't think they're going to be flying off the shelves the first months, and I wonder if they can avoid software droughts the first few months of their life?

If either of them can launch with a killer-app like Halo was for Xbox, a graphically mind-blowing masterpiece, then it might be a different story.
 

ascii42

Member
Don't we have to take market size into consideration? The UK could have the second highest sales for the Wii-U overall, and still be relatively the weakest major market for the system. Look at Canada and the United States. Wii U could bomb in the US while breaking sales records in Canada, and the US unit share would still be higher. Mainly because the US market is ~11-12 times as large overall.

I am not super familiar with the individual gaming markets in Europe, but I do know that the UK has several times more people than either Belgium or the Netherlands. Surely the Wii-U is relatively stronger in those markets given that they only lag behind total UK sales by 30-40%?


Not to say all of this means that the Wii-U is actually doing well in Europe.

It's marketshare, meaning percentage of the market. Population size is already factored in.
 

olimpia84

Member
Nintendo, you are doomed. Catch up with technology and maybe you'll have a chance. It pains me to say this, it really does, my three favorite systems are N64, SNES, and NES. How far we've fallen.

So you want Nintendo to sell even less than 34,000 units in a month?
 

ccbfan

Member
How is Nintendo trying to do anything different than the other guys? Their controller has a screen in it. Big deal.

Nintendo better hope the most of the public doesn't feel this way.

If their controller is not a big deal then they're essentially selling a PS3 at twice the price with no games.
 
Well, I think it's fair to call the WiiU a dud. I expect the Xbox 3 and PlayStation 4 to post similar numbers this time next year, frankly. Tablets and smartphones have eaten the new gadget market, there's no room for a games console.
 

BGBW

Maturity, bitches.
this doesn't matter UK is a dead market Nintendo is doing fine around the world making people smile.
Nintendo brings more smiles to more faces. It's just that those smiles belong to the people interested in Nintendo's downfall or something.

I wonder if I can commission an Iwata voodoo doll off of one of them.
 

BadWolf

Member
Well, I think it's fair to call the WiiU a dud. I expect the Xbox 3 and PlayStation 4 to post similar numbers this time next year, frankly. Tablets and smartphones have eaten the new gadget market, there's no room for a games console.

More like there's no room for a bad idea and a big mistake. People haven't been excited for the thing since its very first reveal.

The PS4/720 are following the normal new gen pattern and will be fine.
 

Mileena

Banned
Nintendo brings more smiles to more faces. It's just that those smiles belong to the people interested in Nintendo's downfall or something.

I wonder if I can commission an Iwata voodoo doll off of one of them.
What? Did you miss the 10 Vita is dead threads per day made by smiling Nintendo fans?
 
Don't we have to take market size into consideration? The UK could have the second highest sales for the Wii-U overall, and still be relatively the weakest major market for the system. Look at Canada and the United States. Wii U could bomb in the US while breaking sales records in Canada, and the US unit share would still be higher. Mainly because the US market is ~11-12 times as large overall.

I am not super familiar with the individual gaming markets in Europe, but I do know that the UK has several times more people than either Belgium or the Netherlands. Surely the Wii-U is relatively stronger in those markets given that they only lag behind total UK sales by 30-40%?


Not to say all of this means that the Wii-U is actually doing well in Europe.

it is second highest in market % and it is the largest eu market which means it is alsp most likely second hoghest for unit sales aswell. there isn't any real way to spin that as it soing better than the uk for anywhere bit france
 
Of course they are. Here in Europe we pay MUCH MORE taxes than on US or Japan, and there is a 2 year warranty imposed to vendors.
If your WiiU breaks in one year in the USA, you pay. In Europe, Nintendo pays. That's how it works.

435 USD without taxes here....how are they losing money again?
 

schuelma

Wastes hours checking old Famitsu software data, but that's why we love him.
The PS4/720 are following the normal new gen pattern and will be fine.

The normal new gen pattern hasn't historically seen much higher sales than Wii U launched with.

The sheer misinformation and overreaction is something else, even for gaf.
 

Neytz

Neo Member
They just have to make a few games that support local 3DS/WiiU multiplayer.
At least i hope they do that otherwise the screen on the controller is just good for off tv play (i have a 3DS for that) and the rare games that improve gameplay with it.
 
Nintendo bet too much on the touch-pad and low power consumption.

Another company being held back by poor decision making, I honestly think Nintendo needs a new fresh take, it's time for Iwata to be replaced imo.

The normal new gen pattern hasn't historically seen much higher sales than Wii U launched with.

The sheer misinformation and overreaction is something else, even for gaf.

There's basically no hype and widespread interest for the WiiU. There's an image problem about the product, from the box to the name.

The launch lineup was terrible, since it barely made an attempt at trying to offer something the previous gen didn't.

The market shows that there's more offer than demand when it comes to WiiU hardware numbers, and the future looks like a barren wasteland in terms of meaningful software.

It's not misinformation nor overreaction.
 

pringles

Member
The normal new gen pattern hasn't historically seen much higher sales than Wii U launched with.

The sheer misinformation and overreaction is something else, even for gaf.
It's been too long since anyone but Nintendo launched a new console or handheld, people have forgotten.

Well except for Sony and the Vita, and that also had a similar "it's doomed" reception until it started doing a bit better.
 

VinLAURiA

Banned
Honestly, what would taking out the screen and beefing the Wii U up to PS4/720 levels accomplish?

Not even getting into the utter decay the industry would face with the three leading consoles being identical, does anyone actually think the Wii U being more in line with the other two would win any hardcore gamers over? Anyone who wants a system for the Nintendo exclusives is going to buy it regardless and Xbox/PlayStation-loyals are just going to go with the next console in their own preferred brand if the Wii U offers nothing different, because that's exactly what happened to the GameCube. PS2/GC/Xbox - all three had traditional controllers and comparable power and that got Nintendo nowhere. Hell, the GameCube was more powerful than the PS2 and it still bled out exclusives like RE4 and the Sonic series and ended up firmly in third place. What's changed since then?

With a unique console, those interested in the different gameplay potential have a reason to buy it even if they aren't already fans of Nintendo. If the consoles differ in nothing but exclusives and your favored brands lie elsewhere, why would you pick up a Wii U?
 
The normal new gen pattern hasn't historically seen much higher sales than Wii U launched with.
For the UK market at least, while the Wii U followed a typical pattern for the first five weeks, it started from a very low first week base.

I suppose the PS4 and XBOX3 may see similarly historically low first week sales.
 

Plinko

Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
I'd love for that to happen (as long as they release their core games on consoles that is).

However, I have a feeling that if Nintendo goes 3rd party their franchises won't be nearly as big as many people seem to think.


They probably wouldn't because Nintendo would just be way too late to the party (kinda like how the Wii U is now).

The only way it would work is if Nintendo released a system that was noticeably more powerful that Orbis/Durango.
 

schuelma

Wastes hours checking old Famitsu software data, but that's why we love him.
Honestly, what would taking out the screen and beefing the Wii U up to PS4/720 levels accomplish?

A higher price, most likely an even worse transition to HD from Nintendo's internal teams, and quite possibly even worse sales.
 

Robot Pants

Member
Honestly, what would taking out the screen and beefing the Wii U up to PS4/720 levels accomplish?

Not even getting into the utter decay the industry would face with the three leading consoles being identical, does anyone actually think the Wii U being more in line with the other two would win any hardcore gamers over? Anyone who wants a system for the Nintendo exclusives is going to buy it regardless and Xbox/PlayStation-loyals are just going to go with the next console in their own preferred brand if the Wii U offers nothing different, because that's exactly what happened to the GameCube. PS2/GC/Xbox - all three had traditional controllers and comparable power and that got Nintendo nowhere. Hell, the GameCube was more powerful than the PS2 and it still bled out exclusives like RE4 and the Sonic series and ended up firmly in third place. What's changed since then?

With a unique console, those interested in the different gameplay potential have a reason to buy it even if they aren't already fans of Nintendo. If the consoles differ in nothing but exclusives and your favored brands lie elsewhere, why would you pick up a Wii U?
Nintendo first party games.
 

Cwarrior

Member
What the hell did they expect? there lucky it's even be doing those numbers, Let this be a lesson to all console manufacturers if you launch an expensive new console with only ports of games that's already available on cheaper system everyone already has, then no one is going need or give damn about your new fancy plastic.

I live in the uk and Nobody even knows what the hell a wiiu even is, I work with a ton of 20-25 gamers they've never heard of it.

-confusing naming and appearance of system that looks like the last one(wii)
-None existing marketing
-it plays a few ports of games that are on system everyone and there friends already have and is available for cheaper with a larger library of games.
-No worth while exclusives/ no killer app

Nintendo has yet to give people a reason to know the Wiiu exists.
 

Drek

Member
We need new consoles! Lol... Next Xbox and PS4 are dead on arrival.

No, Wii U was dead on arrival and Nintendo should have known better. The hardware is far too weak and they have no compelling first party software to go with it.

Nintendo has forgotten how to launch new hardware that doesn't have a massive price advantage or catches a casual fad at just the right time.

No Mario/Zelda game at launch is a joke. Not having a Metroid game already on the radar is too. Nintendo has rejected the aging core gamer demographic from a content standpoint (no first person shooters or "mature" themed titles for the most part) and they're paying the price as a result.

The notion that gaming is dying is preposterous. We just saw the first cycle where all three manufacturers broke 70M in sales. That's a damn impressive number. The industry is alive and well, consumers are just feeling fatigue from old hardware, which Nintendo has chosen to keep themselves chained to.

The Wii U would have had a much better chance of succeeding if Nintendo had done the following:
1. delay release until 2013, alongside the PS4 and Xbox 720.
2. Have a Mario game ready for launch.
3. Keep the motion controls in the box alongside the more traditional controller peripheral they're now selling, drop the tablet completely.
4. Court the same audience as the Wii, but with hardware parity alongside the new generation systems, using core title exclusives (Metroid, F-Zero, Bayonetta, MonHun, etc.) to court core gamers.

They got drunk on their own "we don't need to be hardware competitive" spin. They're fucked now as a result. No one sees the Wii U as a generational step forward and none of the games for it make even a mediocre argument for the expensive ass tablet controller. This is Nintendo bundling Blu-Ray and then announcing "$599!", a failed concept based on hubris.
 

Emitan

Member
Should Microsoft Nintendo give up on Japan the UK?


Drek, what is New Super Mario Bros. U? Surely it is a Mario game.
 

schuelma

Wastes hours checking old Famitsu software data, but that's why we love him.
For the UK market at least, while the Wii U followed a typical pattern for the first five weeks, it started from a very low first week base.

I suppose the PS4 and XBOX3 may see similarly historically low first week sales.


I am talking worldwide numbers. PS4/720 might have a better first month because of better advertising and excitement, but by this time next year I expect very similar worldwide sales to what Wii U is achieving right now.
 

Plinko

Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
This is pretty much it in a nutshell. Traditional first party game did not sell the Wii. The casual wiimote-oriented games did. Wii Sports, Fit, etc. Just making sequels to these and the other traditional 1st party games will not be enough. The problem is bigger than that, and they certainly won't come anywhere near Wii-levels of hype or success without something to draw in that casual crowd again, most of whom seem content on other platforms. The Wii U controller is not pulling anyone in.

wat

Sales of NSMBWii and Mario Kart say otherwise.
 

Plinko

Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
No, Wii U was dead on arrival and Nintendo should have known better. The hardware is far too weak and they have no compelling first party software to go with it.

Nintendo has forgotten how to launch new hardware that doesn't have a massive price advantage or catches a casual fad at just the right time.

No Mario/Zelda game at launch is a joke. Not having a Metroid game already on the radar is too. Nintendo has rejected the aging core gamer demographic from a content standpoint (no first person shooters or "mature" themed titles for the most part) and they're paying the price as a result.

The notion that gaming is dying is preposterous. We just saw the first cycle where all three manufacturers broke 70M in sales. That's a damn impressive number. The industry is alive and well, consumers are just feeling fatigue from old hardware, which Nintendo has chosen to keep themselves chained to.

The Wii U would have had a much better chance of succeeding if Nintendo had done the following:
1. delay release until 2013, alongside the PS4 and Xbox 720.
2. Have a Mario game ready for launch.
3. Keep the motion controls in the box alongside the more traditional controller peripheral they're now selling, drop the tablet completely.
4. Court the same audience as the Wii, but with hardware parity alongside the new generation systems, using core title exclusives (Metroid, F-Zero, Bayonetta, MonHun, etc.) to court core gamers.

They got drunk on their own "we don't need to be hardware competitive" spin. They're fucked now as a result. No one sees the Wii U as a generational step forward and none of the games for it make even a mediocre argument for the expensive ass tablet controller. This is Nintendo bundling Blu-Ray and then announcing "$599!", a failed concept based on hubris.

Am I crazy, or did this not actually happen?

New Super Mario Bros U?
 

Emitan

Member
This is pretty much it in a nutshell. Traditional first party game did not sell the Wii. The casual wiimote-oriented games did. Wii Sports, Fit, etc. Just making sequels to these and the other traditional 1st party games will not be enough. The problem is bigger than that, and they certainly won't come anywhere near Wii-levels of hype or success without something to draw in that casual crowd again, most of whom seem content on other platforms. The Wii U controller is not pulling anyone in.

Mario Kart Wii sold Call of Duty numbers.
 
Sort of expected imo. There's quite literally no games. 3DS appears to be the real disaster for Nintendo in the UK. If Nintendo releases a bunch of big first party Wii U games and they sell poorly, then it might be time to panic. I get the impression that Nintendo thought people would buy the Nintendo name alone.
 
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