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[Bgamer90]

The n64, the system everyone complains didn't have very many games, already had several AAA (Super Mario 64, Pilotwings, Waverace, Blast Corps) titles and memorable 3rd party games (Crusn'n USA, Shadows of the Empire) at this point in its lifetime. So did the Gamecube.

Really good point.

 

[TrickRoom]

Everyone else already knows, but I guess it's good he knows it himself now.

 

[Van Owen]

Iwata really knows how to make me feel good about my Wii U purchase.

 

[fallagin]

Why cant they just rename it, just do rename it to Wii 2 now, Im sure it will help.

I agree, they kind of backed themselves into a corner with naming conventions when they released wii fit and wii motion plus.

It wasn't just that though, there was way too much confusion when they actually announced it. They barely showed the actual console in favor of showing the game pad, huge mistake.

 

[Fox318]

The n64, the system everyone complains didn't have very many games, already had several AAA (Super Mario 64, Pilotwings, Waverace, Blast Corps) titles and memorable 3rd party games (Crusn'n USA, Shadows of the Empire) at this point in its lifetime. So did the Gamecube.

Man that is the Nintendo we need today. Good games

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

So, the issues are everything people said would be issues after the system and system name were announced? Shocking.

 

[Videoneon]

Nintendo was lucky that the Vita stumbled all by itself. That gave the 3DS some breathing room to really flourish. I doubt the PS4 and Xbox will have such troubles. Nintendo's got to bring it to the Wii U and fast.

As stellar as the titles are that came out for the 3DS and as much as I don't care about the Vita, I can't help but agree that this has factored in to the system's success. If the Vita had a more compelling launch line-up, a more compelling line-up in general, and a more palatable price point, 3DS recovery would've been a lot rougher.

This will be 3DS part 2. Once the heavy hitters come plus a price drop the Wii U will be fine.

I'm somewhat on the same page. I think the Wii U is salvageable and sales will pick up sharply once Mario Kart and Smash Bros come out, among other things. I hope to the gods of gaming that Bayonetta 2 comes out after those two have released. But anyway, my guess is the Wii U will be another Gamecube. I can't see the Wii U turning into a huge seller.

The nice thing about being another Gamecube in this gen though, is that I don't think it's up against another PS2, and things don't look so hot for the Nextbox hype.

 

[ULTROS!]

The n64, the system everyone complains didn't have very many games, already had several AAA (Super Mario 64, Pilotwings, Waverace, Blast Corps) titles and memorable 3rd party games (Crusn'n USA, Shadows of the Empire) at this point in its lifetime. So did the Gamecube.

So I guess this means that even if Wii U had AAA exclusive core games and lots of first-party games that's Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and Starfox, it still won't sell as much and will be on par with GCN and N64?

 

[BigJonsson]

Wow, a lot of us could have told Nintendo this when they announced the damn console.......yeesh

 

[Doc Holliday]

They were trying to be too clever and greedy. I mean I'll be playing the new Mario like everyone else but damn just look at the gamepad and the name. It was an uphill climb from the start.

 

[Quadraphonic]

Wow, a lot of us could have told Nintendo this when they announced the damn console.......yeesh

I think part of it was overconfidence because the original Wii name was laughed at and it still succeeded, for a while at least.

So name criticisms came once again, and Nintendo thought it was just people out of touch.

 

[Nekofrog]

They finally realised this? When people were screaming about it in 2011 they didn't give a crap about miscommunication.

That's because they had convinced themselves that "it has Wii in the title, IT WILL PRINT SOO MUCH MONEY"

 

[JrBaconCheeseburger]

“Some have the misunderstanding that Wii U is just Wii with a pad for games, and others even consider Wii U GamePad as a peripheral device connectable to Wii. We feel deeply responsible for not having tried hard enough to have consumers understand the product.”

This makes me very sad, Why did they go with the Wii U name?


They surely had someone mention it to them early on.


Wii 2 would have eliminated that stupid confusion.

 

[prwxv3]

That's because they had convinced themselves that "it has Wii in the title, IT WILL PRINT SOO MUCH MONEY"

Some of those gifs were a bit premature.

 

[Crocodile]

Can we get that "You don't say" Nicholas Cage JPG in here? Seem appropriate.

 

[Of All Trades]

So I guess this means that even if Wii U had AAA exclusive core games and lots of first-party games that's Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and Starfox, it still won't sell as much and will be on par with GCN and N64?

There's no way of saying unless one of those titles defines the console. Mario 64 defined the N64 at launch. The GNC, however, didn't really have a defining launch game; SSBM was a great seller but it was essentially more of the same. Wii Sports defined the Wii and look what happened there.

Nothing defines the WiiU. That Nintendo, in two years since unveiling the console, has yet to show a title that defines the WiiU speaks volumes. Using Pikmin 3, a game which iirc Miyamoto said uses the pad as a map, as the start of increased release schedule indicates that Nintendo still doesn't have a defining game.

 

[x-Lundz-x]

Maybe regretting the name WIi U now?

 

[JazzmanZ]

at least they understand the problems, they just have to fix them now.

 

[Pancakes R Us]

This is what happens when you get a console designed by stubborn old men in Japan that don't give a shit about or consult its western branches on anything.

People think the game pad is just an accessory for Wii? No, you don't say...

 

[JordanN]

“Some have the misunderstanding that Wii U is just Wii with a pad for games, and others even consider Wii U GamePad as a peripheral device connectable to Wii. We feel deeply responsible for not having tried hard enough to have consumers understand the product.”

This is the stuff I'm talking about. Iwata has zero clue of what's going on in the world. He then delivers his "promise" or "sob story" while missing the point. This confusion should not exist from the beginning.

It's amazing seeing this arrogant attitude from a CEO. This is textbook stuff of how you're not suppose to run a company. But it's like Iwata didn't pay attention in class or something. Can't wait to see his next action.

 

[Rich!]

There's no way of saying unless one of those titles defines the console. Mario 64 defined the N64 at launch. The GNC, however, didn't really have a defining launch game; SSBM was a great seller but it was essentially more of the same. Wii Sports defined the Wii and look what happened there.

Nothing defines the WiiU. That Nintendo, in two years since unveiling the console, has yet to show a title that defines the WiiU speaks volumes. Using Pikmin 3, a game which iirc Miyamoto said uses the pad as a map, as the start of increased release schedule indicates that Nintendo still doesn't have a defining game.

I really disagree with SSBM being "more of the same". It built heavily on a small budget n64 title that was pretty damn bare bones, and turned it into a million seller phenomenon with hundreds upon hundreds of hours of gameplay, with people still playing reguarly today.

 

[ntropy]

Newton: *laughs*

 

[JrBaconCheeseburger]

Whoever came up with that name should be replaced. (Fired)


Too late for a change now and the damage is done, Once PS4 and next MS console are out it's over.


Not even the franchise whoring can help now.


Don't get me wrong though i still want them as i bought this on launch and don't know why.

 

[Daingurse]

Why cant they just rename it, just do rename it to Wii 2 now, Im sure it will help.

Great a sequel to the console collecting dust in people's houses. Seriously the Wii name was a mistake because the brand holds no more weight. Nintendo fucking killed their system releasing no content for 2 years. Why would anyone support another console after the way the Wii was handled late in it's life?

The Wii's novelty wore off long ago. That crowd has moved on to tablets and smartphones. The Wii-U is simply an error, a blemish that Nintendo will have to just bear and accept. This won't kill them but hopefully it will humble them.

 

[Eric C]

They wouldn't have named it Wii 2 for the same reasons the 360 wasn't the xbox 2.

But, naming it Super Wii and actually making the console itself look different from the Wii would've gone a LONG way in preventing confusion.

Though, they'd still have the lack of games problem.

 

[Radec]

WiiU WiiU WiiU WiiU WiiU WiiU

No shit Nintendo.

0.36m units sold in 3 months is ridiculously low.

 

[JazzmanZ]

They wouldn't have named it Wii 2 for the same reasons the 360 wasn't the xbox 2.

But, naming it Super Wii and actually making the console itself look different from the Wii would've gone a LONG way in preventing confusion.

Though, they'd still have the lack of games problem.

I dunno, hearing Super wii just makes me think its a new wii revision

 

[JrBaconCheeseburger]

They can always have gone with WII HD.


For some reason everything with "HD" on it sells.


Hell i saw a donut shop today and it was called "3D Donuts"


Ha Ha

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Hell, they likely could have done better just by calling it the "Nintendo U"

But that doesn't help that the system has self identity issues also. Who was it made for? It seemed too clunky and confusing for ultra casuals, ditching the simple wiimote... and too underpowered for the core crowd. It just seems so... sloppy.

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

Nintendo has lost momentum

 

[Krev]

What could be their new wii sports...

That was meant to be Nintendoland.

 

[dreamcastmaster]

Whoever came up with that name should be replaced. (Fired)
.

Everybody had to sign off on it, can't blame it on an individual. That makes it worse though.

 

[Beer Monkey]

They can always have gone with WII HD.

That would be awful. Wii was a craze that is dead.

Wii was closer to Gamecube than Wii U is to Wii. They didn't fucking call Wii the 'Gamecube Wave'. That would have been moronic.

I don't agree with dropping the gamepad, that would be suicide. I'm fine with dropping the Wii U name.

Just call it 'The Nintendo'.

 

[Ranger X]

At least Iwata is 200% spot on! I am glad to read this. Nintendo is not sleeping and I am happy about that.

The 2 problems of the WiiU are PRECISELY the games and the branding.

 

[JrBaconCheeseburger]

The part that is annoying is, They seem to be fully aware of what the problem is and yet they don't seem to fix it.

There is no games, drop the price and more people will buy it compared to other consoles that are yet to be released and most importantly put out some damn games, i do not want shit that is out already on 360 and PS3.


Since the very first announcement regarding WII U, They had plenty of time.

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

Good luck in building your momentum once everyone will be looking at PS4 and the next Xbox. They had a great opportunity window, and it's shutting in about a month.

 

[Aretak]

This will be 3DS part 2. Once the heavy hitters come plus a price drop the Wii U will be fine.

I don't think so, personally. In terms of dedicated handheld gaming devices, the 3DS' only real competition is the Vita, a machine on life support. The Wii U has to compete with two established consoles right now, and then two highly-anticipated new machines on top of that later in the year. Nintendo also benefit from a much better public image in the handheld market. They're the established masters of that sector, putting out an endless procession of beloved systems, whereas many are wary of their home consoles.

The argument that 'the 3DS was okay so the Wii U will be' has never held any water for me, because the situations are so incredibly different.

Ironically, the 3DS itself is also strong competition for the Wii U. A lot of people want to have a Nintendo machine around just for when they fancy playing Mario/Zelda/etc, and the 3DS alone is more than good enough to satisfy those cravings. There's no reason to purchase the Wii U as well just for Nintendo's output, because pretty much every base is covered on a cheaper machine with a much brighter outlook. Why buy a Wii U to sit alongside your PS4/720 when you can have a 3DS instead? I can't think of a good reason.

 

[ShinobiFist]

So, the issues are everything people said would be issues after the system and system name were announced? Shocking.

This. This was super obvious from the start. How the fuck did Nintendo didn't see it as a problem baffles me.

 

[TriGen]

The n64, the system everyone complains didn't have very many games, already had several AAA (Super Mario 64, Pilotwings, Waverace, Blast Corps) titles and memorable 3rd party games (Crusn'n USA, Shadows of the Empire) at this point in its lifetime. So did the Gamecube.

The N64 was amazing. If Nintendo can pull off a library like that, I'll be giddy.

 

[JrBaconCheeseburger]

I don't think so, personally. In terms of dedicated handheld gaming devices, the 3DS' only real competition is the Vita, a machine on life support. The Wii U has to compete with two established consoles right now, and then two highly-anticipated new machines on top of that later in the year. Nintendo also benefit from a much better public image in the handheld market. They're the established masters of that sector, putting out an endless procession of beloved systems, whereas many are wary of their home consoles.

The argument that 'the 3DS was okay so the Wii U will be' has never held any water for me, because the situations are so incredibly different.

Ironically, the 3DS itself is also strong competition for the Wii U. A lot of people want to have a Nintendo machine around just for when they fancy playing Mario/Zelda/etc, and the 3DS alone is more than good enough to satisfy those cravings. There's no reason to purchase the Wii U as well just for Nintendo's output, because pretty much every base is covered on a cheaper machine with a much brighter outlook. Why buy a Wii U to sit alongside your PS4/720 when you can have a 3DS instead? I can't think of a good reason.

Interesting.

I never saw it that way but you are right, The 3DS can at this point sabotage Wii U sales based on titles readily available.

If i was limited on funds and could only afford one console, i would get a handheld for my nintendo fix along with PS or MS console.

 

[Splash Wave]

This. This was super obvious from the start. How the fuck did Nintendo didn't see it as a problem baffles me.

I don't understand this. At all. How is it that our armchair analysis of the Wii U's situation prior to release was so fucking accurate? How did Nintendo not see this coming?

 

[disappeared]

This. This was super obvious from the start. How the fuck did Nintendo didn't see it as a problem baffles me.

It's because they got arrogant as fuck. Pride goeth before a fall.

It is utterly amusing watching these guys scramble so fucking badly after thinking they could capture two bolts of lightning in the same bottle.

 

[Daingurse]

I don't think so, personally. In terms of dedicated handheld gaming devices, the 3DS' only real competition is the Vita, a machine on life support. The Wii U has to compete with two established consoles right now, and then two highly-anticipated new machines on top of that later in the year. Nintendo also benefit from a much better public image in the handheld market. They're the established masters of that sector, putting out an endless procession of beloved systems, whereas many are wary of their home consoles.

The argument that 'the 3DS was okay so the Wii U will be' has never held any water for me, because the situations are so incredibly different.

Ironically, the 3DS itself is also strong competition for the Wii U. A lot of people want to have a Nintendo machine around just for when they fancy playing Mario/Zelda/etc, and the 3DS alone is more than good enough to satisfy those cravings. There's no reason to purchase the Wii U as well just for Nintendo's output, because pretty much every base is covered on a cheaper machine with a much brighter outlook. Why buy a Wii U to sit alongside your PS4/720 when you can have a 3DS instead? I can't think of a good reason.

Yes, I agree. Releasing Smash on the 3DS may prove disastrous in that case too, if it has any parity with the console version. Their handheld is absolutely cannibalizing their console right now. If you want good Nintendo games right now, where the hell else can you go?

 

[Anth0ny]

“Some have the misunderstanding that Wii U is just Wii with a pad for games, and others even consider Wii U GamePad as a peripheral device connectable to Wii. We feel deeply responsible for not having tried hard enough to have consumers understand the product.”

oh hey it's what everyone's been saying since 2011

 

[EDarkness]

Yes, I agree. Releasing Smash on the 3DS may prove disastrous in that case too, if it has any parity with the console version. Their handheld is absolutely cannibalizing their console right now. If you want good Nintendo games right now, where the hell else can you go?

More than that, Nintendo themselves aren't really talking about the Wii U. The 3DS has a ton of games out and coming. What's the Wii U got?

 

[bunbun777]

Maybe this is pretty obvious but I always wondered why they did not have some sort of WiiU Sports Deluxe pack in as well.

 

[outunderthestars]

More than that, Nintendo themselves aren't really talking about the Wii U. The 3DS has a ton of games out and coming. What's the Wii U got?

You can't talk about something that doesn't exist. The Wii U simply won't have compelling first party software until Fall/Winter.

Maybe this is pretty obvious but I always wondered why they did not have some sort of WiiU Sports Deluxe pack in as well.

Would consumers have come back for a third Wii Sports game?

 

[Bgamer90]

Ironically, the 3DS itself is also strong competition for the Wii U. A lot of people want to have a Nintendo machine around just for when they fancy playing Mario/Zelda/etc, and the 3DS alone is more than good enough to satisfy those cravings. There's no reason to purchase the Wii U as well just for Nintendo's output, because pretty much every base is covered on a cheaper machine with a much brighter outlook. Why buy a Wii U to sit alongside your PS4/720 when you can have a 3DS instead? I can't think of a good reason.

Exactly.

Said my thoughts about that in this thread here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=541746

 

[Coolwhip]

If only Iwata realised this 2 years ago when they stopped releasing games for Wii.. Nice one Iwata.

 

[Unknown One]

You can't talk about something that doesn't exist. The Wii U simply won't have compelling first party software until Fall/Winter.



Would consumers have come back for a third Wii Sports game?

Good luck having casuals pay 400 + dollars for something they already experienced in the past indeed.