I kind of agree. Wanting Iwata to resign, just because of one console being a failure, it is a really selfish point of view. He was the one behind the Wii, an amazing console, so IMO he deserves another chance. Yamauchi failed a lot before resigning from his position as the president, I don't see why it should be different to Iwata.
I completely agree with you, and please let me elaborate why.
Iwata took over near the end of the Gamecube era. Nintendo was heading in a downward spiral- each generation selling 20 million LESS consoles than the previous. Since IWATA has taken the reigns, this is what has happened: The Gameboy Advance was a huge success, selling over 80 million units worldwide. And the following generation, Iwata personally oversaw the biggest successful turnaround in Nintendo's history, barring the NES. Home console sales jumped from 23 million to 100 million, while handheld sales doubled to 150 million with the DS. That was Iwata. Neogaf please take a minute and let that soak in......
But it doesn't stop there, oh no. Iwata personally oversaw the turnaround of the 3DS- a system people mocked, laughed at, and dismissed as a failure, but has now gone on to become the fastest selling gaming device to 30 million units sold, is the number one selling gaming device in the world, and is consistently outselling the PS4, Xbox One and Vita combined. All Iwata.
Now we come to the Wii U... One year. That's all it's been is one year, and 5 million units sold. And people are calling for Iwata's resignation? The man who saw the GBA sell over 80 million units? The man who changed Nintendo's fortunes from 23 million sold in the GC era to 100 million with the Wii... that man? The man who oversaw one of the highest selling gaming devices of all time, the DS, with 153 million sold? The man who took the 3DS from the laughing stock of the gaming community to the hottest gaming device in the market? I see...
So, despite his credentials, despite his PROVEN success record, all it takes is one year of floundering sales with the Wii U for people to throw in the towel and lose faith? Really? After all this man has accomplished? People STILL doubt him from one measly year of bad sales on one console, DESPITE the 3DS blatant success? People say Wii was a fluke, well what about GBA? What about DS? What about 3DS?
The 3rd party support issue is not due to Iwata. That's a complex issue with a complicated history. Fact is the 3rd party games don't sell. Nintendo can't feasibly "pay off" every 3rd party or they'd end up in the red pretty quick. And you do it for one, then everyone will demand payment. That's no way to run a business.
Look, people on neogaf are entitled to their opinion, of course. But I believe it's an uninformed opinion my many. People say the Wii U only appeals to the diehard fans. Well, may I remind you all that people said the exact same thing about the 3DS, and now look at it. I'm sorry, but it's too early to deem Iwata incompetent, and it's certainly too early to judge the Wii U. And even IF it never makes it past GC numbers, that still doesn't negate Iwata's accomplishments and history of unprecedented success. Now, if BOTH the 3DS and Wii U were floundering, and the following generation their consoles also floundered, THEN I would have to agree with the majority. Until then, you're unfairly judging the man. Now, there is a line to be drawn, and I won't defend the man forever. But for now, it's much too early to dismiss his ability to lead, considering his past success.
And for the record, Wii U is a perfect system for what Nintendo wants to achieve. They don't design consoles with MS or Sony in mind, nor 3rd parties. Never have. The last thing I'm thinking when I'm playing the Wii U is "the system is weak". Actually, I think about how great the games look. It's all about value. More power means more expensive console, and it also means exponentially more expensive and longer developement. Why are graphics never an issue until we're talking about Wii U. The ONLY games that have better graphics are PS4, Xbox One, and PC games. But Wii U outclasses, or at the minimum it matches, every game that's been made for the last 20 years, and it's leaps and bounds ahead of the Wii. Just because someone else makes something stronger, why does that negate the Wii U experience? Just sayin. The games look fine.
I'm not saying Iwata is perfect, and I'm not saying the Wii U is perfect. What I AM saying is Iwata has EARNED our patience, at least for this generation to completely unfold. And the Wii U was never going to get much AAA 3rd party support, no matter how powerful they made it. The games don't sell. More powerful hardware won't change that. Nobody's asking Jack Tretton to step down over the Vita. So why should we ask Iwata to step down over the Wii U, which has almost surpassed Vita's sales in HALF the time, and has a much richer library? (not a slant against Vita fans- I'm just drawing the comparison to expose the foolishness of condemning Iwata over the Wii U).
Besides, who cares if the Wii U isn't selling? Who cares? I know I don't. Why? Cause it's the funnest console I've ever owned in my life, and I've owned them all. Wii U could sell Wii numbers, and unfortunately it wouldn't rake in ONE SINGLE 3rd party game. Don't believe me? Take a look at the Wii's triple A library, or lack thereof I should say. The games don't sell. That's all there is to it. Nintendo makes 50% of the greatest games in the market. 3rd parties make the other 50%. You either pick a half and roll with it, or you buy 2 consoles for the whole pie. No console provides both.
But with the Wii U, not only do I get the Nintendo half of the greats, I get to play them in unique ways. Wii Sports Club Golf, Pikmin 3, Wii Fit U, Zelda Windwaker HD, Wonderful 101, Super Mario 3D World, Rayman Legends, Call of Duty Ghosts (with Wiimote), Deus Ex, Splinter Cell Blacklist,.... where else are you going to get such a diverse and ranged gaming experience?
