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Analyst: Nintendo sold 55,000 Wii Us in March, 85,000 Wiis
- Thread starter ClovingWestbrook
- Start date
It's a remake but it's release will probably coincide with the holiday season and a price drop.
AZ Greg
Member
If there is one silver lining regarding the poor marketing/name choice, it is that it would make it easier to pull the plug on the thing. They'd be able to write it off as more of a horizontal experiment and call their next system something completely non-Wii related and pronounce it as the true next-gen Nintendo platform.
I'm talking about both. That Nintendo released a console that suffers badly from load times is just very un-Nintendo-like. They've always done their best to make load times as non-existent as possible. Now it's not Nintendo leading the charge here. Sony is the company investing in Gaikai to remove any wait times and make demos instant.
As much as the Wii U if sinking, after watching 3ds come out and bomb for nearly a year then turn around and become a powerhouse, so I wont count it out yet.
Hell, I bought one at launch, but even if it becomes another gamecube, I can at least look forward to about 2/3 great games a year lol.
Hell, I bought one at launch, but even if it becomes another gamecube, I can at least look forward to about 2/3 great games a year lol.
Barack Lesnar
Banned
Imagine the pressure they'll be under to deliver this holiday season. If it flops for Christmas too I think Nintendo as a company are in trouble, not the just the Wii U. Crazy amount of pressure this Fall to simultaneously get Mario U and Kart U out and repair the platform's image, AND do this all while competing with two next-gen behemoths. I don't see how that scenario can turn out positive for Nintendo. Can anyone? Sony and Microsoft would have to completely drop the ball, like $599 again or something.
Broken record: The console & handheld markets aren't comparable like that. Nintendo has owned the handheld market for decades. There's no Microsoft handheld, the Vita is floundering. Compare that situation with the console situation and PS4/720, completely different.
Broken record: The console & handheld markets aren't comparable like that. Nintendo has owned the handheld market for decades. There's no Microsoft handheld, the Vita is floundering. Compare that situation with the console situation and PS4/720, completely different.
There is no way in hell a Zelda remake moves Wii U systems. Neither will Pikmin. Mario Kart will be the lynchpin on which Nintendo hangs its hopes and dreams this year.
I agree with Odd Morsel.
Seems to me that Nintendo is trying to find success with a hybrid of the Wii and a PS3/360 and in doing so had to sacrifice an idea they usually adhere to (quick loading times).
Good point. They are probably holding off releasing games like Pikmin 3 now so they can build that consistent stream of games later. Like June, July, August, etc leading up to the fall/holidays.
Pretty much every game has loading issues, even when not loaded from the disc.
They will stagger their big franchises just enough to keep Wii U owners (I am one) from tossing in the system. Hopefully then those owners will pick up the odd third party game that comes along from Ubisoft or Activision and the odd eShop gem. They will just quell the tide of apathy with this strategy and try and stop the thing being a failure.
They sacrificed a lot with the Wii U. Either they just couldn't cope with the amount of work required to get a stable, fast and complete system up and running, they were just in too much of a rush to meet a deadline or the 3DS took too much of their attention. The last two are the ones I think were the culprits.
The whole thing seems like it was WAY WAY WAY more than they could manage. They are basically squandering a year of headstart where they could have cemented themselves in the lead in a number of areas that they presented to is that they were interested in. i.e. Both games and media with Nintendo TVii. However they are newbies when it comes to online and non-game entertainment on consoles so TVii will likely be the low end version of anything MS and Sony could do. Again I think Nintendo will try and aim for the unsophisticated consumer. Most of what Nintendo has always done has been for the uninitiated. For those people that don't demand top end or follow the industry closely. This market is much more forgiving of mediocre because they don't know any better and this is why Nintendo has been able to get away with some of the simple, silly games and gimmicks they have.
I really think they just can't compete with the "big boys" and that's fine, they can do what they want, but they should not try and stand up tall and talk about how big they want to be.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
It's not that hard. It really just needs games.
Well, this isn't true.
Poimandres
Member
It's the HD trap. Sony, Microsoft and a bunch of developers all had a hard time adjusting to HD. Nintendo *should* have been preparing for the HD jump and the associated challenges for a long time, but it seems like they didn't use their time wisely.
Mario Kart will move units, but until then I think monthly sales will drop even further...
This is the first time I'm reading this sort of thing. I don't own a Wii U, but have only read about LEGO City Undercover being slow.
I don't think it's a system seller but it's coming out a time when sales should naturally rise up due to the holiday.
Somebody better start telling the truth up in this thread.
It's probably because LEGO is the only game with loading issues.
I was exaggerating, but it's common for 3rd party games to have longer load times than 360/PS3 versions, even when not from the disc. Load times on eshop games are short.
You still risk burning the hardcore Nintendo fans who already jumped in with Wii U not to mention piss off the (few) developers with software coming down the pipeline. Personally, I'd never buy a Nintendo home console again if they pulled the plug before even trying to support the system with actual games.
Nah, Nintendo is going to have to sleep in this bed.
OoT bumped 3DS sales and is still one of the biggest selling games on the console
Really, which games? I don't recall any loading issues with NSMB, and I've been playing MH since release without any problems. Are we talking about the initial loading screen when opening a game on the WiiU?
Yeah the only way I'd be ok with something like that is if they gave me the new system for free or some shit. Not happening though, they are stuck with the WiiU for at least a few years.
yes
What has been your personal experience with the loading times?
cosmicblizzard
Banned
I can't imagine them ever doing this unless Iwata actually does get the boot and is replaced by a guy with no business sense.
TheFLYINGManga_Ka
Member
Seeing the Wii still sell more is saddening. Makes me wonder if people really don't know that the Wii U is a new system. Maybe they think they're just paying more money for the gamepad like the balance board.
Kind of sucks when you think about it.
Another problem is the only reason why the Wii still sells is because of Skylanders and Just Dance. That's the only games I see parents buying at stores for the Wii.
Kind of sucks when you think about it.
Another problem is the only reason why the Wii still sells is because of Skylanders and Just Dance. That's the only games I see parents buying at stores for the Wii.
CoffeeGames
Member
He was higher last month by about 15-20K, so he's probably lowering them this month, out of thin air.
Then again, what commercials is Nintendo of America running for the Wii U exactly? I don't have cable TV, so I have no clue if they are running any decent ads.
I know I saw some pop-up online for LEGO City, but not sure if those were run widely on national TV stations.
If you have cable TV, do you see a lot of Wii U ads, compared to other consoles?
AZ Greg
Member
Nintendo fans have shown signs of their own "battered woman syndrome" over the years. I don't think pulling the plug early would disillusion too many of them. A new Mario/Zelda/Metroid showing would have them right back on board.
I only played some of the launch games, but I remember Batman and Blops2 being noticeably longer loading. Not really a deal breaker. I heard other games were the same across the board, but I must have heard wrong.
It really depends on what they offer and at what price. If MS go into the media game with a subsidised system that costs like $100-$200 that could severely smack Wii U upside the face for the part of the market looking for TV integration. (From what it seems Nintendo TVii is little more than a toy).
They can't start a new system, it takes too long to make. They'd get it out in 2-3 years tops and they still need to survive that time. They might as well try and get the Wii U selling.
GoofsterStud
Member
1.) Oot is more loved
2.) It's a console port that was graphically (significantly) improved on a portable: RARE
The problem is console remakes don't sell as well as console remakes on portables. Windwaker isn't as loved as Oot. Windwaker remake doesn't have the excitement the 3DS remake of Oot did.
While I want the remake, I don't think it's going to be the system seller. The Zelda from E3 would and the next Mario will be.
Aquamarine
Member
You would be very surprised at the sheer level of animosity people would have towards Nintendo. A major console is an investment for a lot of people. Tossing aside that investment like it's trash...who would invest in a Nintendo home console after that?
I have seen Lego City ads on children's stations (Nick/Teennick/CN) sporadically.
Ah, well, I have only played a few first party Wii U games, and none had noticeably bad loading times. The OS, though... that thing is a nightmare.
It is really bad, but I do think Nintendo can and will fix it to reasonable levels.
lol, what if they named it Wii We? hehehe, penis jokes.
I've actually seen no marketing for the Wii U on TV. Nothing.
ultrazilla
Gold Member
A $99 Wii is way more enticing than having to spend another $200 for
a Wii U basic.
If they want to move Wii Us, they should discontinue the Wii and then rebrand
the Wii U to something like "Nintendo HD". Cut out the premium model and offer
1 model with the choice of colors for between $149-$199. Stress the
backwards capability with Wii games and the HD graphics.
a Wii U basic.
If they want to move Wii Us, they should discontinue the Wii and then rebrand
the Wii U to something like "Nintendo HD". Cut out the premium model and offer
1 model with the choice of colors for between $149-$199. Stress the
backwards capability with Wii games and the HD graphics.
Outtrigger888
Member
its funny how people spew so much negativity towards a video game console. Itd be like going to a park and laughing at the kids swinging on some swingsets you didnt like, as they were swinging and yelling "wiiiiii"
shinobi602
Member
Are you implying this is normal?
Phoenician_Viking
Banned
Tee hee. I laughed.
AZ Greg
Member
It's only because they're stuck with these last-gen swings:
Next-gen swings please!
Heck, I want to live in that world.
Night_Trekker
Member
This could still be one of those 3DS-like slow burns, but... I think Nintendo really screwed up with the design. If they wanted a "blue ocean" audience (in addition to the "hardcore" audience they're clearly trying to more closely target this time around), they should have come up with something as exciting and interesting as the Wii and its motion controls. Instead, we've got... a pretend tablet-like device.
It's like someone at Nintendo said, "Hey, tablets are big! If we make our controller sorta like a tablet, casuals/potential casuals won't be intimidated by it like a regular controller! And we can also give hardcore gamers the gameplay they like." And that's where the thought process stopped.
This sucks, but struggling Nintendo is sometimes the best Nintendo, so...
It's like someone at Nintendo said, "Hey, tablets are big! If we make our controller sorta like a tablet, casuals/potential casuals won't be intimidated by it like a regular controller! And we can also give hardcore gamers the gameplay they like." And that's where the thought process stopped.
This sucks, but struggling Nintendo is sometimes the best Nintendo, so...
No it doesn't.
Night_Trekker
Member
Dumbest post of the day. Dumbest I've seen so far, at least.
If it's the name, it's because of confusion with the original Wii, not because it sounds silly. Didn't hurt the Wii.
And it's not the specs. That's the hardcore gamer in you saying that, and most gamers are not tech fetishists.
Sounds entirely wrong to me. Sounds like something a hardcore gamer believes from inside an echo chamber filled with other hardcore gamers.