• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Nintendo to meet UK retailers after unofficial Wii U price cuts fail

SmokyDave

Member
I wonder if the perception that a price cut is inevitable will harm their sales in the short term?

Not that we'll be able to tell with 0 games in the chart and no concrete hardware numbers.
 

javac

Member
I wonder if the perception that a price cut is inevitable will harm their sales in the short term?

Not that we'll be able to tell with 0 games in the chart and no concrete hardware numbers.

That's a silly question, of course it will. Like any other system on the market. I'm sure you can use your imagination to guess which system I'm alluding to.
 
I wonder if the perception that a price cut is inevitable will harm their sales in the short term?

Not that we'll be able to tell with 0 games in the chart and no concrete hardware numbers.

With the economic crisis strike trough Europe people want to spend money in a more judicious way.

In Italy a lot of gamers are saving for one of the two monster console who are arriving.

In the GameCube era you can buy all consoles, the strangest one too.
 

AZ Greg

Member
So if it's inevitable that the Wii U is gonna sell like crap why even argue? Just sit back and relax and watch fate play out instead of getting your panties in a twist. Or do you get a kick out of correcting people with your all seeing eye?

You know, I was actually thinking about this earlier. Of all the platforms where sales numbers are discussed, home console Nintendo numbers may be the most irrelevant. Whether the system sells bad, like the Gamecube, or great, like the Wii, it will be the same situation for owners. Great Nintendo games and poor 3rd party support. So as long as they can avoid a Virtual Boy level disaster, selling 25 million or 100 million shouldn't make a difference in terms of what we get as gamers from them.

As to why I point out what I do? Maybe I just have the naive hope that if we get the argument shifted to what Nintendo really needs then maybe we can get some real progress.

Funny 1 year or so ago some were correcting people saying "DS started slow too".
Funny how that played out...

And those people were dumb. But they wouldn't be in this case as console Nintendo and handheld Nintendo are apples and oranges. Just look at the correlation between the two during the N64 and GC days.
 

Katzii

Member
UK folks always hate Nintendo consoles.

I don't hate Nintendo consoles, and a lot of UK folks don't. I bought a Wii U at launch and have enjoyed it very much, and I see it being my only console for the next generation for a few years at least.

What we hate is always being left behind, being subject to later release dates for software, endless delays, higher prices, and games not being released at all. The list goes on.
 

SmokyDave

Member
That's a silly question, of course it will.
I dunno. It's not as if the public at large read articles on MCV. I was thinking more of gamers that are in the know, but on the fence. I'm not sure that's a huge number.

Like any other system on the market. I'm sure you can use your imagination to guess which system I'm alluding to.
Well, you'll be talking about the Vita because that's all that people ever seem to do in Wii-U topics. Thing is, I don't think there's a strong perception that the Vita is getting a price cut. Sony aren't meeting with concerned retailers, they're just ignoring it.
 

Mael

Member
And those people were dumb. But they wouldn't be in this case as console Nintendo and handheld Nintendo are apples and oranges. Just look at the correlation between the two during the N64 and GC days.

Yeah huh no offense but looking at n64 and GC for how Nintendo will perform now is all kind of stupid too.
I mean it's not like the people that shaped the previous systems are still there and they're following the same strategy.
Any analysis that boils down to "look at 10 years ago" without any context whatsoever is even worse than blind fanboys cheering for underperforming games to make a change in the fate of the system.
for example, there was no chance whatsoever that MKDD would have any impact on GC's fortune.
Because that game sucked balls as a product and was released far too late anyway when Gc's fate was already sealed.

Well, you'll be talking about the Vita because that's all that people ever seem to do in Wii-U topics. Thing is, I don't think there's a strong perception that the Vita is getting a price cut. Sony aren't meeting with concerned retailers, they're just ignoring it.

Let's not act like WiiU is never mentioned when there's a Vita thread.
And it's pretty clear Sony can live without Vita and that they really don't give a shit about that.
 
must admit I am regretting getting it a bit now. Not played it much since Zombiu and it is looking like it'll have a very short life. Hopefully something will come along that gets me using it (lego and mh not my thing), it's not even something I can sell easily for a good price.
 

javac

Member
You know, I was actually thinking about this earlier. Of all the platforms where sales numbers are discussed, home console Nintendo numbers may be the most irrelevant. Whether the system sells bad, like the Gamecube, or great, like the Wii, it will be the same situation for owners. Great Nintendo games and poor 3rd party support. So as long as they can avoid a Virtual Boy level disaster, selling 25 million or 100 million shouldn't make a difference in terms of what we get as gamers from them.

As to why I point out what I do? Maybe I just have the naive hope that if we get the argument shifted to what Nintendo really needs then maybe we can get some real progress.

I mean I get it, and I understand. And getting the word out there could send Nintendo a message. But when people act like this is a inherent issue, and that it's unrecoverable...what message does that send to Nintendo? That they are stupid and should die? What purpose does that serve other then causing arguments.

All Nintendo can do it release games, drop the price, find ways to manufacture it cheaper, market it better and that's it really. The console will inevitably sell better when more games come out, that's a fact. Vita has seen a similar recovery. It's just to what degree and for how long.
 

SmokedMeat

Gamer™
Funny 1 year or so ago some were correcting people saying "DS started slow too".
Funny how that played out...

The difference being Nintendo handhelds are always desired by parents for their kids, and until now with the rise of smartphones they were the "go to" device with no real competition.

The Wii U is just another gaming console that has nothing to offer outside of Nintendo games. It's going to be upstaged by the competition in every way.
 

Ein Bear

Member
You know, I was actually thinking about this earlier. Of all the platforms where sales numbers are discussed, home console Nintendo numbers may be the most irrelevant. Whether the system sells bad, like the Gamecube, or great, like the Wii, it will be the same situation for owners. Great Nintendo games and poor 3rd party support. So as long as they can avoid a Virtual Boy level disaster, selling 25 million or 100 million shouldn't make a difference in terms of what we get as gamers from them.

This is a good point, really. The Wii sold insane numbers, and still wound up with a library comparable to the Gamecube - lots of awesome first party games and poor third party support with the odd gem.

I can see why people would be vaguely interested in numbers, but sales really aren't worth getting that worked up over. The same games will wind up releasing for the console regardless of whether or not it dominates or trails behind next gen.
 

Mael

Member
The difference being Nintendo handhelds are always desired by parents for their kids, and until now with the rise of smartphones they were the "go to" device with no real competition.

Yeah no competition...like in 2005?
It would have made sense if the Psp didn't exists but now...

The Wii U is just another gaming console that has nothing to offer outside of Nintendo games. It's going to be upstaged by the competition in every way.

Yeah I was there for the n64, gc, wii.
Same argument, no analysis at all.
The Wii showed that they clearly didn't need any help in supporting a platform if they made the "right" games, they clearly don't want to so they're in this position.
 

javac

Member
The difference being Nintendo handhelds are always desired by parents for their kids, and until now with the rise of smartphones they were the "go to" device with no real competition.

The Wii U is just another gaming console that has nothing to offer outside of Nintendo games. It's going to be upstaged by the competition in every way.

People weren't saying that back then. Have a look at old threads, your mind might explode. In fact threads even today contain such posts about 3DS being a failure. When talking about the Wii U however? People pull this gem out. Hilarious.
 

AZ Greg

Member
Yeah I was there for the n64, gc, wii.
Same argument, no analysis at all.
The Wii showed that they clearly didn't need any help in supporting a platform if they made the "right" games, they clearly don't want to so they're in this position.

So what "right" games did they fail to put out on the N64/GC that caused them to struggle?

OOT or Metroid Prime felt like "right" games to me.
 

DSXBoy

Member
I'll buy a Wii U console for £199 if Nintendo bundle it with a new Wii Sports HD with online functionality, sensor bar, a Wii U remote plus & speed up the menu/OS. This bundle will have universal appeal and will rescue NIntendo from the failed Wii U launch. Also Nintendo could bring back Wave Race 64, 1080 snowboarding and F Zero X.
 

CrunchinJelly

formerly cjelly
I'll buy a Wii U console for £199 if Nintendo bundle it with a new Wii Sports HD with online functionality, sensor bar, a Wii U remote plus & speed up the menu/OS. This bundle will have universal appeal and will rescue NIntendo from the failed Wii U launch. Also Nintendo could bring back Wave Race 64, 1080 snowboarding and F Zero X.
So you're saying they should turn it in to the Wii HD.

A direct follow up to a console that has been running on fumes for three years.
 

Mael

Member
So what "right" games did they fail to put out on the N64/GC that caused them to struggle?

OOT or Metroid Prime felt like "right" games to me.

You probably know that I'm more talking about the games they failed to make for more than 10 years and stuffs like 3D Mario failed to meet the standards that usual Mario usually had.
Zelda and Metroid are more games you make for the prestige more than sales.
Seriously Mario Sunshine?
Also they basically lost the Japanese market with the n64 (with the lack of software that would have mass appeal there...like DQ) and the American market with the GC (with the lack of games like Goldeneye or what Rare provided, also with botched projects like WW that lead to TP to avoid killing Zelda outright).
Nintendo don't really seem to care about mass appeal at all lately, they would never have greenlit Other M otherwise.
 
Just like people comparing the Vita to the PS3, Wiiu to 3DS comparisons make no sense.
joke's on you they don't sell the tablets alone

Oh they only bundle the tablets? ill just get the cheap regular one then
 

andthebeatgoeson

Junior Member
Price cuts do nothing without games. It's easy to see why retailers are dissatisfied with the hardware.

10 N64 and 10 GC games?
Old games can go die in a fire. Ain't nobody got time for that. Give me new shit. Take that money and make a hat and give it to a 3rd party developer. You need gta and some other games and market them.

No reason for bioshock to not have launched on this system with an exclusive advertisement. I can understand the reason for not wanting to do it but they have to do it now.
 
Just like people comparing the Vita to the PS3, Wiiu to 3DS comparisons make no sense.
Pretty much.
The Wii showed that they clearly didn't need any help in supporting a platform if they made the "right" games, they clearly don't want to so they're in this position.
What are the "right" games?

The mistake (or rather one of several, as detailed earlier) was in thinking they could engineer a second Wii Sports phenomenon with the Gamepad and Nintendo Land.

The closest analogy I can think of is when people try to make a viral video.
 

SmokedMeat

Gamer™
People weren't saying that back then. Have a look at old threads, your mind might explode. In fact threads even today contain such posts about 3DS being a failure. When talking about the Wii U however? People pull this gem out. Hilarious.

I wasn't a member of GAF back then, and it really doesn't matter to me what people thought.

The fact of the matter is no matter how bad Nintendo's consoles are doing, their handheld business always thrives. They're two completely different animals.
 

anastazius

Neo Member
You avatar mean Wii U is like Dreamcast? No way, Dreamcast had games, a lot of good games and something like internet connection who set the Sega last console apart from the competition.

The Wii U has games, great games. The best 2D Mario platformer since Super Mario World, a refreshing take on the survival horror genre in the exclusive ZombiU, platform leading social network features in the worldwide Miiverse communities, which have a dedicated hub for each and every game. Lag-free off-screen streaming to the innovative GamePad tablet controller, and also a fantastic range of indie digital games like the brilliant Trine 2 Directors Cut and Nano Assault Neo.

On the horizon are amazing games, Lego City Undercover, Monster Hunter Ultimate has just released, and of course Pikmin 3.

Nintendo are doing nowhere near as bad as the doom-mongers are stating. Once Mario Kart U and Super Mario Universe come out, along with Bayonetta 2, Wii Fit U, and The Wonderful 101, Watch_Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4, there won't be the lack of games which is the major problem right now.
 
The Wii U has games, great games. The best 2D Mario platformer since Super Mario World, a refreshing take on the survival horror genre in the exclusive ZombiU, platform leading social network features in the worldwide Miiverse communities, which have a dedicated hub for each and every game. Lag-free off-screen streaming to the innovative GamePad tablet controller, and also a fantastic range of indie digital games like the brilliant Trine 2 Directors Cut and Nano Assault Neo.

On the horizon are amazing games, Lego City Undercover, Monster Hunter Ultimate has just released, and of course Pikmin 3.

Nintendo are doing nowhere near as bad as the doom-mongers are stating. Once Mario Kart U and Super Mario Universe come out, along with Bayonetta 2, Wii Fit U, and The Wonderful 101, Watch_Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4, there won't be the lack of games which is the major problem right now.

Reggie is that you?
 
I'd be very surprised is WiiU Fit was anything more than a blip on the radar. That ship saled long ago. I'm not sure there's many that would buy a new console so they could dust off the old Wii Board.
 

Chopper

Member
How about announcing some fucking release dates? And how about some advertising? Nintendo UK is the worst. They actually have a Director of Marketing. What the fuck is she doing all day?!
 

spekkeh

Banned
I'm expecting Nintendo to hold their guns until at or slightly after E3. When they do a rerelease of sorts, with a number of games being released (Pikmin, W101) in conjunction with a price drop. Them arranging a meeting with the retailers is probably to explain this. Please keep the shelf space for two more months, and then you can make up your mind.

If they do it right now any momentum they might gain will immediately be gone again after the Durango and PS4 proper reveal. They need to be the last one to get the mindshare of the public. In addition, they need some big event like E3, because the Nintendo Direct so far only catered to the few already in possession of the Wii U, it doesn't seem to have worked for the other core gamers.
 
The Wii U has games, great games. The best 2D Mario platformer since Super Mario World, a refreshing take on the survival horror genre in the exclusive ZombiU, platform leading social network features in the worldwide Miiverse communities, which have a dedicated hub for each and every game. Lag-free off-screen streaming to the innovative GamePad tablet controller, and also a fantastic range of indie digital games like the brilliant Trine 2 Directors Cut and Nano Assault Neo.

On the horizon are amazing games, Lego City Undercover, Monster Hunter Ultimate has just released, and of course Pikmin 3.

Nintendo are doing nowhere near as bad as the doom-mongers are stating. Once Mario Kart U and Super Mario Universe come out, along with Bayonetta 2, Wii Fit U, and The Wonderful 101, Watch_Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4, there won't be the lack of games which is the major problem right now.

The indoctrination is strong with this one..
 

LuchaShaq

Banned
So if it's inevitable that the Wii U is gonna sell like crap why even argue? Just sit back and relax and watch fate play out instead of getting your panties in a twist. Or do you get a kick out of correcting people with your all seeing eye?


To be fair laughing at crazy fanboys of all types has long been one of the best things about gaf even if you're better off not directly responding.

As for the wiiU the crazy thing is that ps360 ports like bio shock tomb raider etc just aren't coming for the most part. Only crazy people talked about 720/ps4 ports but no current gen ports? Fucking rough
 

javac

Member
I wasn't a member of GAF back then, and it really doesn't matter to me what people thought.

The fact of the matter is no matter how bad Nintendo's consoles are doing, their handheld business always thrives. They're two completely different animals.

But if they can get their handheld to work, why not the home console? Same company, same developers, same IP, same talent, same leader. The handheld market is much more vicious. Quad core phones, 1080p AMOLED screens, 13mp 1080p cameras. I mean you could say that phones are not directly competing, but they are. People only have a certain amount disposal income and they only have a finite amount of tolerance for carrying devices around. And this tech influences people. And people do buy tablets and iPods for children.

The Wii U has much less competition. Same IP, same everything. You could say Nintendo's titles suit handheld more, but the Wii and even the NES, SNES N64 and CG said otherwise.
 

Pociask

Member
You really think that's going to be the major upgrade to Wii Fit? You have a separate screen, a microphone, an upcoming community update - I have to assume they're going all in with partnerships with weightwatchers groups / group weight and fitness tracking with friends, and will advertise the shit out of it.

I'm struggling to think of any major partnerships Nintendo has made with Western brands that would lead you to believe that.

I mean, if Nintendo was all about major partnerships, why isn't Sing Party the ultimate karaoke machine, with a huge selection of songs freely available? They could do a partnership with Apple - like this song you just sang? Buy it on the iTunes store with your Wii U iTunes App!

Look at TVii - they partnered with a bit player, that apparently hasn't updated the app to fix the problems in the US release, and it's not even released yet in the UK. It's still not working with DVR's or Netflix.

Moral of the story: Nintendo stinks at partnerships.

To be fair laughing at crazy fanboys of all types has long been one of the best things about gaf even if you're better off not directly responding.

As for the wiiU the crazy thing is that ps360 ports like bio shock tomb raider etc just aren't coming for the most part. Only crazy people talked about 720/ps4 ports but no current gen ports? Fucking rough

Again - more evidence of Nintendo being terrible at Western outreach.
 
I would really like to have been a fly on the wall at Nintendo from 2008 onwards.

"We need to plan a successor to the Wii".

"I'm tiiiiiiired, can't we do it tomorrow?"
 

Pie and Beans

Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
But if they can get their handheld to work, why not the home console? Same company, same developers, same IP, same talent, same leader. The handheld market is much more vicious. Quad core phones, 1080p AMOLED screens, 13mp 1080p cameras. I mean you could say that phones are not directly competing, but they are. People only have a certain amount disposal income and they only have a finite amount of tolerance for carrying devices around. And this tech influences people. And people do buy tablets and iPods for children.

The Wii U has much less competition. Same IP, same everything. You could say Nintendo's titles suit handheld more, but the Wii and even the NES, SNES N64 and CG said otherwise.

Nintendo has painfully proven they can't support two platforms at once. Their home console userbase right now is looking to be lower than the Gamecube's 21 million. While their handhelds aren't doing as good in the west in the past, theyre certainly not doing as drastically shitty since "kids get the handheld" is quite an accepted family practice. Sony will be bowing out and going the phone route, so Nintendo will have that DEDICATED GAMING HANDHELD market all to themselves (lol Shield).

Doubling down on just the handheld means reluctant "ugh do I really have to buy a Nintendo system to play that" consumers only have one Nintendo platform to begrudgingly accept into their lives, and Nintendo can push that "3d graphics in HD are about as far as we can be arsed to go" level of tech commitment in their next handheld which will hopefully come in a little higher than the Vita (much like the 3DS is PSP+).

Nintendo would have to partner with someone like Apple or Samsung to make another home console box turnaround and something worthwhile in the living room, and I don't think they'd be willing to do that (or do it, pull out last minute, and create another fierce competitor in the market)

I would really like to have been a fly on the wall at Nintendo from 2008 onwards.

"We need to plan a successor to the Wii".

"I'm tiiiiiiired, can't we do it tomorrow?"
iTMM9lZ.jpg

Lets tape some shit together, maybe something will come of it, I have no idea, oh is it 5PM already, LATER LOSERS.
 

javac

Member
Nintendo has painfully proven they can't support two platforms at once. Their home console userbase right now is looking to be lower than the Gamecube's 21 million. While their handhelds aren't doing as good in the west in the past, theyre certainly not doing as drastically shitty since "kids get the handheld" is quite an accepted family practice.

Doubling down on just the handheld means reluctant "ugh do I really have to buy a Nintendo system to play that" consumers only have one Nintendo platform to begrudgingly accept into their lives, and Nintendo can push that "3d graphics in HD are about as far as we can be arsed to go" level of tech commitment in their next handheld which will hopefully come in a little higher than the Vita (much like the 3DS is PSP+).

Nintendo would have to partner with someone like Apple or Samsung to make another home console box turnaround and something worthwhile in the living room, and I don't think they'd be willing to do that (or do it, pull out last minute, and create another fierce competitor in the market)

I guess so, but I'd say it's less to do with supporting two systems (which Nintendo prior to this have been the kings at and is always used as a reason why PSP 'failed' against the DS.) I guess its more to do with the fact that for the last year or two the 3DS had been the ultimate priory. The amount of high quality first party on the system this early is unprecedented.

Starfox 3D
Super Mario 3D Land
Mario kart 7
Kid Icarus Uprising
Animal Crossing New Leaf
Fire Emblem Awakening
Super Pokemon Rubble
Nintendogs
Mario & Luigi
The legend of Zelda ocarina of time
Donkey Kong country 3D

And then the eShop games like Harmoknight, pushmo etc.

I hate hate HATE list wars as much as the next guy but it just illustrates the amount of games they've worked on, with a large majority of them being really high quality and pretty much all of them being prioritized as much as a home console version.

I think that Nintendo have almost released all IP on the 3DS that actually matter, so much so that they have to be slowing down on 3DS development and ramping up Wii U. They still have Luigi's mansion 2 and smash Bros.

Is very late, but I just wanted to illustrate the fact.
 

Pie and Beans

Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
I've seen you engage in list wars more than any other er... similar warrior of your stature so I'm not buying that you hate them. I also refute that Nintendo were ever "kings" of supporting two platforms at once. Even Sony seemed to have a slight edge over them with the PSP and all those new IP titles they slung out from Japan Studios as well as sourcing out games like God of War, Killzone, Daxter, and Resistance, all while also doing their PS3 thang. With Nintendo you have very clear and obvious "focus years" where the 'other' system enjoys a fucking insane drought of literally nothing.
 

javac

Member
I've seen you engage in list wars more than any other er... similar warrior of your stature so I'm not buying that you hate them. I also refute that Nintendo were ever "kings" of supporting two platforms at once. Even Sony seemed to have a slight edge over them with the PSP and all those new IP titles they slung out from Japan Studios as well as sourcing out games like God of War, Daxter, and Resistance.

Take it for what you will. I don't really care about stuff like this so I doubt I'm a Nintendo warrior. I find it interesting, but fruitless. Off to talk more about Joakim.
 
I've seen you engage in list wars more than any other er... similar warrior of your stature so I'm not buying that you hate them. I also refute that Nintendo were ever "kings" of supporting two platforms at once. Even Sony seemed to have a slight edge over them with the PSP and all those new IP titles they slung out from Japan Studios as well as sourcing out games like God of War, Killzone, Daxter, and Resistance, all while also doing their PS3 thang. With Nintendo you have very clear and obvious "focus years" where the 'other' system enjoys a fucking insane drought of literally nothing.

You're using the word literally very wrong here
 

Pie and Beans

Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
You're using the word literally very wrong here

I think the final two years of the Wii would say otherwise. Honestly I'm kinda surprised they didn't totally Twilight Princess two-time trick Skyward Sword for a WiiU launch bump up. When a Nintendo platform dies, it REALLY dies. And during those periods, once loyal consumers find themselves forced to buy into other console companies. There are many reasons why that 21 million GC baseline seems to have slipped even further.
 

SmokedMeat

Gamer™
You really think that's going to be the major upgrade to Wii Fit? You have a separate screen, a microphone, an upcoming community update - I have to assume they're going all in with partnerships with weightwatchers groups / group weight and fitness tracking with friends, and will advertise the shit out of it.

Wii Fit was a monster hit because it was the first of it's kind on a system that was red hot among the average Joe that doesn't buy videogames, but were curious about the motion thing.

Fast forward to today where the market is oversaturated with Zumba Fitness, Nike Fitness, EA Fitness, Biggest Loser, Kinect stuff, and a bunch of other weight loss cash grabs. It's now played out as much as the plastic Guitar Hero intruments, and the audience put their Wii Fit boards in the closet long ago.
 
I think the final two years of the Wii would say otherwise. Honestly I'm kinda surprised they didn't totally Twilight Princess two-time trick Skyward Sword for a WiiU launch bump up. When a Nintendo platform dies, it REALLY dies.

You were talking about Sony and the psp and ps3 so making a comparison nintendo switching generations makes no sense. Im busting balls here but theres no need to use hyperbole to get the point across which is actually valid.
 
I think the final two years of the Wii would say otherwise. Honestly I'm kinda surprised they didn't totally Twilight Princess two-time trick Skyward Sword for a WiiU launch bump up. When a Nintendo platform dies, it REALLY dies. And during those periods, once loyal consumers find themselves forced to buy into other console companies. There are many reasons why that 21 million GC baseline seems to have slipped even further.

Yeah, but even Skyward Sword makes your use of the word literally factually incorrect.
 

javac

Member
Also thats the point, Nintendo could easily outsource their games, but they don't. Thats why Mario kart 7 is the best version yet. Super Mario 3D Land is called one of the best Mario games in general by a huge amount of people.

Dexter? Killzone Liberation? Some of the worst in the series. I get even Killzone Mercs will be a lot less quality in every regards then Shadow Wars or even 3. Still good games.
 
Top Bottom