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[LCGeek]

I was expecting this to be the first post.

And anyone who rationally thought that or took people saying that seriously should be laughed at.

An ubisoft product, hmm when has a single ubisoft product ever pushed a nintendo system same for pikmin or wonderful 101. Niche products don't sell nintendo systems and all 3 of those are just that.

 

[Shamrock7r]

This bears repeating:

It really doesn't. I don't think I've ever seen 1 person mention any of more than half of those as being a "system saver".

 

[GetemMa]

This bears repeating:

Not really. It is kind of a stupid image, filled with straw men.

I don't think anyone seriously believed that those things would "save the WiiU"

WiiU's problems are born out of Nintendo being almost completely out of touch with both the casual and core market as well as Nintendo's complete lack of consideration of its competition. Somewhere down the line Nintendo convinced itself that it existed outside of the "console wars."

Nintendo should have a made a core console that would keep pace with PS4 or a casual console that was cheap. Either way, it should have taken online capabilities seriously instead of blindly following Miyamoto's insistence that multiplayer games MUST be played with people in the same room. None of Nintendo's first party games on the WiiU have online MP offerings. Why not both? Why not give us the option? Nope...Miyamoto says "this is the right way to enjoy our games" so that is that, consumer expectations be damned.

Nintendo needs new leadership. Western leadership IMO. Someone that isn't so stuck in the past and obsessed with meeting Japanese expectations that they will totally ignore 85% of their customer base.

 

[MarkusRJR]

I love how people are claiming the Wii U has absolutely no chance, citing the new systems when the combined sales of XB1 and PS4 is currently zero. I don't know how Wii U will do this holiday and beyond, but I don't know how XB1 and PS4 will do either. Outside the bubble of GAF, things aren't so cut and dry. Did you people not learn anything from the Wii? I will say this though, systems' fortunes have been turned around by a single game (or a handful of them) before, and the response to the Super Mario 3D World trailer yesterday was interesting, to say the least. I think this race is anyone's to win, even Nintendo's. I think it's foolish to count them out just because they had a bad first year.

It's not just been a bad "first year". They for all intents and purposes abandoned the Wii around 2010 and had constant massive game droughts. They totally destroyed the brand perception. Then there's the fact that the Wii U's line up is relatively empty apart from a few hits (namely SM3DW, DKC, and MK8) while other consoles are getting massive support. Sales for the Wii U have been disastrous to be kind and having more of the same isn't going to change the current sales trends.

You are correct in saying that a single game can turn around a console, but we haven't seen one. It'd need a revolutionary game in the same caliber of Pokemon, Halo, or Wii Sports. There's no evidence they currently have such a title especially since we know the a lot of their 2014 line-up.

Oh and saying that the Wii U has a chance since the Xbox One and PS4 haven't sold anything is a foolish argument. It's clear where the consumers are going if pre-orders are any indication. It's clear where developers are going as well. It's clear where the industry in general is heading. Of course they could end up like the Wii U, but everything points to that not being the case. If the Xbone and PS4 sell Wii U numbers it might as well be the end of the modern games industry.

The Wii U also isn't like the Wii where it sold insane numbers from the start. The Wii U is trailing below the Gamecube. We have clear sales data and a view of the line up to see that a recovery is going to be difficult or impossible with the current plan. They should be happy if they get Gamecube numbers by the end of this generation.

 

[Lordwindowlicker]

I hope that this does a lot to turn around the appeal of the system.

 

[Malus]

It'll help but I can't see this system doing any better than something around GCN-N64 numbers. There's just no hype/energy going for it and there are still plenty of software droughts to come. Hope they can turn a profit if nothing else.

 

[That1BlackGuy]

It will provide an (expected) short term boost for certain, but long term nope.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

It's over for Wii U. Mario is going to sell to the faithful, many of whom already have the system. That "blue ocean" audience is gone and isn't coming back.

 

[Nags]

Hell no.

Smash Bros. and MK8 have a better chance I would think.
Exclusive Wii U Pokemon RPG maybe? Have they considered it?

 

[Oddduck]

It'll help but I can't see this system doing any better than something around GCN-N64 numbers.

If it continues at the rate that it's selling, Nintendo 64 numbers would be very generous.

 

[GuessMyUserName]

This bears repeating:

... Who made this?

Nobody thought that anything that's crossed out would help the Wii U. I mean seriously, ZombiU and W101? Great games, but what?

 

[Ysiadmihi]

Probably not, but this is the first game releasing for the system that I wouldn't have been able to go without.

 

[SolarPowered]

I love how people are claiming the Wii U has absolutely no chance, citing the new systems when the combined sales of XB1 and PS4 is currently zero. I don't know how Wii U will do this holiday and beyond, but I don't know how XB1 and PS4 will do either. Outside the bubble of GAF, things aren't so cut and dry. Did you people not learn anything from the Wii? I will say this though, systems' fortunes have been turned around by a single game (or a handful of them) before, and the response to the Super Mario 3D World trailer yesterday was interesting, to say the least. I think this race is anyone's to win, even Nintendo's. I think it's foolish to count them out just because they had a bad first year.

It's also foolish to make predictions with no basis in reality. People here are at least basing their projections and predictions on historical hardware sales, software release trends, strength of IP being released, types of audiences being catered to and market conditions for retailers. What makes you think Wii U is going to go from a sub GC trend to a potential 80+ million seller (assuming PS4 and Xbone sell as well as their predecessors)?

Shit happens, but people aren't saying these things just because they don't like Nintendo. This is what the numbers point to.

 

[Ra1den]

Exclusive Wii U Pokemon RPG maybe? Have they considered it?

This actually seems like a no-brainer. What the hell are they waiting for?

GameFreak could supervise, and another team could do it.

 

[Taker666]

They can make the best game in the world...but if it's not heavily marketed and well marketed ....it won't do a damn thing for the system.

They need strong tv ads everywhere for a sustained period, they need more well maintained demo pods and more sampling at big venues/tours (and a price your average consumer likes)....and they need to buy more shelf space in stores( if you want to sell product..it helps if the stores are actually stocking it).

They need to get back up to the sort of marketing levels they had in the first few years of the Wii and DS. You could barely go one ad break without seeing a game for one of those systems being advertised.

 

[solarus]

3rd party support is almost non existent so no.

 

[GuessMyUserName]

This actually seems like a no-brainer. What the hell are they waiting for?

GameFreak could supervise, and another team could do it.

Masuda: Of course, we hear all the opinions we get from our fans about an MMORPG. But right now, we’re still unsure whether this core gameplay at the center of Pokémon – catching the Pokémon and raising them – would really translate well or really match the MMORPG format. Right now we think the best way for the widest possible audience to enjoy the games is the way we develop them now.

 

[JinjoUnchained]

SM3DW is my most anticipated game of the year, but I highly doubt that it will turn around the Wii U on its' own. If a turnaround is even possible at this point, I could see it coming 1 of 2 ways:

1.) 3DS route: Steadily build up a great library of exclusives, coupled with price drop(s). People will jump on board if the SKU is $200-$250 with 20 compelling exclusives by next holiday. You ever see those threads were someone just got a 3DS and needs game recommendations, then everyone on GAF wrings their hands about having too many to choose from? The Wii U needs that situation, too.

2.) Killer app route: Announce games that get people excited ABOUT Wii U and its' features, not just because they are exclusive to Wii U. A gyro-controlled Star Fox with rear-view mirror on the GamePad, a killer cross-over asynchronous multiplayer game, a local co-op Metroidvania with one player on the TV and one on the GamePad. Games where you say "this makes me want a Wii U", not "too bad I need a Wii U to play this".

Spoiler

3.) Bribe major gaming sites for publicity and preferential treatment.

 

[Malus]

This actually seems like a no-brainer. What the hell are they waiting for?

GameFreak could supervise, and another team could do it.

GameFreak apparently is set on keeping the series to handhelds.

 

[Go319]

No chance.

Mario Kart may have helped but this 3DS-ish sequel is not inspiring excitement from any gamers I know. And most of them have WiiU's and not interested in SM3DW.

Everyone I know inc me was waiting on Donkey Kong and Mario Kart...

 

[Darryl]

... Who made this?

Nobody thought that anything that's crossed out would help the Wii U. I mean seriously, ZombiU and W101? Great games, but what?

it's just some console war trash that out-of-the-loop fanboys think actually once (or ever) had merit as an argument. it was obviously written recently in retrospect without any regard to real arguments that people had as to why the wii u could recover. the first major item i heard of that was supposed to save the wii u was the price drop - the first one on the list that isn't checked off. it's a funny joke but it isn't evidence that people who think the console can recover are deluded or whatever else this image is supposed to imply

 

[AzaK]

I do think the ship has sailed apart from regular spikes when software comes out. Basically all third parties will be going to the other consoles, and only the odd one to Wii U. Wii U doesn't offer much over those third party games on other platforms, especially when PS4 and XBO come out. I don't think Off-TV play is enough.

It all requires momentum to build but if Nintendo wait 2 months between releases and there's nothing significant in-between then momentum is lost again.

For a big momentum push they need the mainstream now, which is Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club etc. I'm not sure those are big enough any more to get the ball rolling at any significant tick.

 

[JrBaconCheeseburger]

This bears repeating:

Wow.

Hey one will eventually work.

Pretty funny

 

[Nessus]

I think Nintendo will be extremely lucky if this thing sells as well as the GameCube in the end.

 

[Instro]

There will be spikes, it will never be a consistent seller.

 

[RobFox64tm]

It's not just been a bad "first year". They for all intensive purposes abandoned the Wii around 2010 and had constant massive game droughts. They totally destroyed the brand perception. Then there's the fact that the Wii U's line up is relatively empty apart from a few hits (namely SM3DW, DKC, and MK8) while other consoles are getting massive support. Sales for the Wii U have been disastrous to be kind and having more of the same isn't going to change the current sales trends.

You are correct in saying that a single game can turn around a console, but we haven't seen one. It'd need a revolutionary game in the same caliber of Pokemon, Halo, or Wii Sports. There's no evidence they currently have such a title especially since we know the a lot of their 2014 line-up.

Oh and saying that the Wii U has a chance since the Xbox One and PS4 haven't sold anything is a foolish argument. It's clear where the consumers are going if pre-orders are any indication. It's clear where developers are going as well. It's clear where the industry in general is heading. Of course they could end up like the Wii U, but everything points to that not being the case. If the Xbone and PS4 sell Wii U numbers it might as well be the end of the modern games industry.

The Wii U also isn't like the Wii where it sold insane numbers from the start. The Wii U is trailing below the Gamecube. We have clear sales data and a view of the line up to see that a recovery is going to be difficult or impossible with the current plan. They should be happy if they get Gamecube numbers by the end of this generation.

It's also foolish to make predictions with no basis in reality. People here are at least basing their projections and predictions on historical hardware sales, software release trends, strength of IP being released, types of audiences being catered to and market conditions for retailers. What makes you think Wii U is going to go from a sub GC trend to a potential 80+ million seller (assuming PS4 and Xbone sell as well as their predecessors)?

Shit happens, but people aren't saying these things just because they don't like Nintendo. This is what the numbers point to.

I agree that it is unlikely, but I also never said definitively that Nintendo WILL win. Just that it's not impossible.

 

[jcm]

I will say this though, systems' fortunes have been turned around by a single game (or a handful of them)

Which systems and games are you thinking of?

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

New Super Mario Bros. on the Wii did phenomenal sales that blew away Mario Galaxy.

New Super Mario Bros. U on the Wii U has done considerably less, so if that failed to push systems, how can anyone expect 3D Mario World to do it?

Wii U's problems are centered around its hardware and to a lesser extent its OS design. Hardware wise, it's a last-gen console so it doesn't appeal to the core. And for the casual, the tablet isn't seen as something novel. The GamePad has increased the costs of the unit significantly, to where it is at a severe disadvantage especially compared to truly next-gen systems on the horizon.

There's nothing that's going to save the Wii U. It may eek out sales better than GameCube, but this is a system that only appeals to core Nintendo fans (and I'd argue it's having difficulty convincing some former core Nintendo fans), and that audience is extremely small in comparison to the casuals they had for the Wii.

 

[Ceadeus]

Title like this will help selling the console then 3rd parties will be more interested developing on it.

 

[axisofweevils]

... Who made this?

Nobody thought that anything that's crossed out would help the Wii U. I mean seriously, ZombiU and W101? Great games, but what?

This. Same goes for "Virtual Console". Seriously? Meanwhile, the list lacks "Mario Kart" which is the one big game I have actually seen commonly cited as a system seller.

 

[Brera]

The WiiU was dead from the day it was announced. It was a bad idea and executed even badly.

I think Mario 3D World will validate my purchase of the console. It looks amazing now.

If we get 2-3 more Nintendo games of similar quality it'll be less of a failure in my eyes.

There will be no turn around because the next gen is about to start and Nintendo have signed out.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

New Super Mario Bros. on the Wii did phenomenal sales that blew away Mario Galaxy.

New Super Mario Bros. U on the Wii U has done considerably less, so if that failed to push systems, how can anyone expect 3D Mario World to do it?

You are looking at it comparatively wrong. Just look at the 3DS for example. How did Nintendogs and Brain Age fare this time around? Super Mario 3D Land outsold BOTH of them combined by double.

The Wii U userbase isn't the Wii userbase. You take away mass market and evergreen users, and the bigger core game that resonates with the more concise audience, will sell more.

 

[Lordwindowlicker]

It's not just been a bad "first year". They for all intensive purposes abandoned the Wii around 2010 and had constant massive game droughts.

Just FYI, it's "For all intents and purposes."

 

[shinobi602]

This. Same goes for "Virtual Console". Seriously? Meanwhile, the list lacks "Mario Kart" which is the one big game I have actually seen commonly cited as a system seller.

Might want to look at it again

 

[ZSaberLink]

If the sales ever get more reasonable (let's say 3/4 GameCube level for this holiday), what kind of titles could Nintendo moneyhat that you think could help sales in the future? I think Sonic is a start and they have Taiko in Japan.

Timed exclusive of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate in Japan? Like for 6 months before the 3DS version comes out?

JRPGs like Tales or Atlus games to go along with X?

 

[Derrick01]

It has an insane attach rate of 80-something percent, so I don't think it's a stretch to say that people that bought the thing got it for NSMBU.

80% of what, 3-4 million consoles? That's quite a step down from the 25+ million selling game that caused a frenzy on Wii. There was no demand for this from the people who made the last game and the last console such a huge success.

 

[Various Artists]

... Who made this?

Nobody thought that anything that's crossed out would help the Wii U. I mean seriously, ZombiU and W101? Great games, but what?

It's an old PS3 joke that I think still holds up. Also Zelda game should be added.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Unfortunately I don't think much will change for the Wii U because of this title.

I think it's just going to sell to the same selection of hardcore Nintendo fans and young, new gamers that are already interested in the system. I can't imagine this title bringing in new people and I think hardcore gamers that in the past may have been interested by a new mainline Mario title enough to buy a system for it will be distracted by the insanely hyped launch of next gen systems.

 

[Poimandres]

Funny that people are getting upset about the blackboard, questioning its validity. It's a joke, people!

Don't you remember the "X will save PS3" blackboard from its first years?

 

[MAtgS]

Short answer: no

Longer answer: 2D Mario sells more than 3D Mario & NSMBU didn't do squat for the system. Maybe things will improve with Mario Kart 8 but SM3DW will only do so much.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

Short answer: no

Longer answer: 2D Mario sells more than 3D Mario & NSMBU didn't do squat for the system. Maybe things will improve with Mario Kart 8 but SM3DW will only do so much.

Question: What do you think is going to sell more; NSMBU or Smash Bros. U? Because according to your logic...

 

[Mango The Magician]

Maybe.

 

[linkofrs]

Turn around, maybe.

Huge turn around probably not. If they beef up their marketing and start throwing money at people to start advertising we might have a bit of a 3ds turn around.
There is a good library of games starting to form on the console.

To be completely honest no one besides gamers know about the Wii u. They need to advertise the dang thing, and clearly this time.

 

[Cmagus]

I've had one in my cart all day I would really like that Zelda console and Wind Waker is by far my favourite but I just keep looking over the games and aside from that there is so little I want to play I keep trying to justify it. Dunno if I should wait for a new Rhythm Heaven game that would sell me on it so hard.

 

[MrPressStart]

It can't hurt. I think it's all about the games now, and they have some good stuff coming out.

 

[Corronchilejano]

No. Still have two friends willing to buy systems to get it though.

Where is Mario Party U goddamitsomuch?!

 

[catmincer]

It'll definitely help, and it's a good start, but Mario isn't going to do it alone this time. If we're lucky, the Wii U will surpass what the Gamecube was around the same time frame - and that's a big change; a good change.

It's going to be a combination of Zelda, which is already doing its job, Mario which seems to be picking up a lot of buzz and a few other titles that people have probably written off as system sellers. Wii Sports Club will do good things for the system, but they should really bundle it along with Nintendoland or Super Mario 3D Land this holiday. Also, Wii Fit U should move quite a few units. Especially because it's free if you already own the first one. But again, Nintendo need to market that. How are John & Sue Person, who use Wii Fit daily, going to know that, that bundle or promotion exists?

So yeah, Mario and the combination of the rest of the upcoming titles will help. Don't expect Wii levels of hype, but a good amount of buzz this holiday and probably moving enough units to surpass the Gamecube. It's basically a re-launch.

Zelda? Having the worst first week sales of any main Zelda game in Japan this week. A relaunch would be what they did with the 3DS; huge price drop, Mario & Mario Kart.

The price drop is minimal, there's no Mario Kart and too many Mario games have been released recently. This isn't going to do jack all.

 

[superpickleman]

Fun fact for anyone wondering about the" * will save the Wii U" image comes from, it's a parody of this which was made during the PS3's struggles

Edit: fixed the image

 

[Jaded Alyx]

I agree with you. I've never understood this about Nintendo Directs marketing. Surely it's only useful for people who were already interested in the system in the first place. I thought the whole idea of marketing was to reach out to anyone and make them potential consumers.

info from Directs ends up on the same gaming sites that people visit regardless, so what's the problem? It's just the same as releasing a press release or sending trailers to the gaming media.

I'm not sure why people seem to think Directs are the only marketing Nintendo does, and therefore the average person never sees anything from them.

 

[Chinpoko_Master]

I love how people are claiming the Wii U has absolutely no chance, citing the new systems when the combined sales of XB1 and PS4 is currently zero. I don't know how Wii U will do this holiday and beyond, but I don't know how XB1 and PS4 will do either. Outside the bubble of GAF, things aren't so cut and dry. Did you people not learn anything from the Wii? I will say this though, systems' fortunes have been turned around by a single game (or a handful of them) before, and the response to the Super Mario 3D World trailer yesterday was interesting, to say the least. I think this race is anyone's to win, even Nintendo's. I think it's foolish to count them out just because they had a bad first year.

What are people going to learn from the Wii U that they haven't learned from the Wii? Seriously, name me a system that is selling as abysmally as the Wii U is selling right now that had a miraculous turn around. And calling it a "bad" first year is being way too kind. It has been an absolutely abysmal first year.