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[Log4Girlz]

whatever Reggie shows Saturday better be good

You're either going to smile or cry

 

[Y2Kev]

How in the world could Nintendo release a streaming box? They have absolutely no infrastructure.

 

[Taker666]

$300 is just too expensive for a game system that's all but dedicated to Nintendo games. The Zelda fan in me would drop $200 on one when that game comes out. The realist in me says that I'll never own one.

You'd have to pay that just for a generations online play on the other machines.

 

[cafemomo]

Wasn't the 3DS doing poorly when it came out? What did they do to turn it around?

MoHu & DQ

 

[Wynnebeck]

Wasn't the 3DS doing poorly when it came out? What did they do to turn it around?

Give the Trinity in Japan and sales rose to heaven. Two different situations and releasing more games is not the Balm of Gilead people would like to think it is. The Wii U has deeper problems than that.

 

[SquiddyCracker]

How in the world could Nintendo release a streaming box? They have absolutely no infrastructure.

Sell themselves to or partner up with a company that has online infrastructure.

A couple of contenders:

Apple
Valve
Amazon

 

[Daingurse]

Joke post? It doesn't even need to be more powerful. Just within the ballpark of at least the X1 at a lower price. That way games will look comparable, 3rd party devs will actually support it AND Nintendo needs to offer the services and functionality offered the PS41 to some extent.

Seriously... Is asking for a 7770 GPU with 2GB of GDDR5 too much???

Edit:
I should say that the biggest roadblock for Nintendo is their management. Until some fresh blood enters the arena I think Nintendo will just try to relaunch the Wii U as Wii 2.

Last gen games at 1080p/30 was all I wanted. Definite versions of third-party games for the time they had the market to themselves. They fell so short of my expectations.

 

[theprodigy]

Are we adding systems together? Because I see Wii U trailing PS3, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. Is Wii Mini available in the US? Maybe Wii U is sixth, when all is said and done.

you know very well what he meant, current gen (yes, 8th gen is now current guys) consoles only

 

[shinra-bansho]

That analyst consensus of 6.2M frankly seems high. That's more than 5.5M from FYH2.

It basically requires they magically ship the equivalent of the system's current LTD in FYQ3, something like 4M, and have enough momentum to move another 1.5M in Q4.

In at least two major countries SM3DW has had minimal impact thus far. We'll see what NPD brings.

 

[AstroNut325]

You'd have to pay that just for a generations online play on the other machines.

Optional and the included free games negate that costs by a considerable magnitude.

 

[Freezie KO]

Optional and the included free games negate that costs by a considerable magnitude.

Rentals aren't free if you pay for them.

 

[Cromat]

I think this is what they will try to do:

Instead of removing the tablet, they'll remove the box. They will sell a gamepad which simply has the Wii U insides as a portable system. I think that should be technologically feasible within the next two years. That system could also run 3DS games in 2D (big enough screen with touch). It could also have an HDMI out so that it can act as a proper Wii U console on a big screen.

That's probably the only way they can effectively salvage the console. If the device above sells in the 200-300 dollar range and can actually play 3DS games, then it will in essence unite the portable and home console lines into one without having to ditch any existing userbase.

The only question is if that is technologically feasible.

 

[McLovin]

Next week, in Nintendo Direct..

You really got me good man, I got all excited then my mood deflated like a balloon

 

[Randolph Freelander]

How in the world could Nintendo release a streaming box? They have absolutely no infrastructure.

Perhaps you have heard of Nintendo magic?

 

[Taker666]

Optional and the included free games negate that costs by a considerable magnitude.

Not optional if you want to play online. I'd rather have no fee than "free" games.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

you know very well what he meant, current gen (yes, 8th gen is now current guys) consoles only

Well, I honestly didn't assume that, but it would at least make sense. I don't quite see Wii U as a "current" gen competitor, so I didn't immediately draw that assumption. (Wii U isn't competing with anything at the moment.) Certainly from a third party standpoint, Wii U is better served with a continued healthy PS3/360 ecosystem, because fat chance it gets anything once software stops hitting those platforms. And if it can't keep up with even those?

 

[lwilliams3]

nintendo's working on their next gen console (and handheld) right now. i think they're working with a scenario that something has to be done sooner than later. the successor to the game boy advance was in the works while the ds was on the market. they stopped developing the machine once the ds took off like few things have before (the ds was meant to be a stopgap solution after all).

i don't think we'll see a new nintendo console until late 2015. the wii u would only have three years on the market and yeah that sucks, but it would give their teams enough time to have something out in two years. as far as zelda is concerned, i believe it's being scheduled as a 2014 game, but i can definitely see it being postponed to be a flagship launch title.

i think whatever they follow the wii u up with won't be a me-too console. that would be even more suicidal as other current systems become more entrenched. starting from zero with another competitor to the ps4 and xb1 two years later wouldn't work. they would have to do something very different- maybe even some sort of streaming box.

Hmm, one idea they can do is to rebrand the Wii U with something like the Wii U XL. The inner works can be architecturally similar to the Wii U for simple BC but significantly scaled up to XBO/PS4 levels or beyond ( Expresso with more cores and possible vmx extensions, Latte with more ALUs, more RAM, Gamepad 2.0, etc)
This will allow them to more easily cross-develop or transition anything they have plan for Wii U to the upgraded system. They have done similar things with the Gameboy Color, DSi, and just cosmetically with the GBA SP.

 

[KingJ2002]

I definitely think Nintendo should pull the plug next year... start teasing a new Wii U SKU that's more direct because the current one is failing to move people. I'd even recommend they take out the new controller, and price that baby super low. Just move as many units until they can until they run out..

Honestly... i would love to see nintendo take next year to improve on their network... it's clearly flawed and if they introduce any new console... their network will either make or break it's success.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Are we adding systems together? Because I see Wii U trailing PS3, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. Is Wii Mini available in the US? Maybe Wii U is sixth, when all is said and done.



It's going to most definitely be more than Wii U did and neither will have quarters with negative shipments to any region. Well, maybe Xbox One to Japan.

You're right, I was only including the new systems. It goes without saying that the 360 and PS3 will outsell the WiiU over the holidays.

 

[Glass Joe]

6.5M units this fiscal year? I mean that's not up to their predictions but it doesn't paint the worst picture for the future of the hardware at all. That's more than I was expecting unless Nintendo pulled a trap card - which they haven't.

If Nintendo can pull 6-6.5M units out of its ass for this fiscal year, that would be BEYOND amazing. Too many people are reacting to this thread without looking at context or the numbers. They just read "Wii U is doing bad" and do a knee-jerk reaction without any actual context. 9 million for the fiscal year was a silly figure, no doubt. Especially when it wasn't revised.

Q1 and Q2 were beyond dismal for the Wii U. It did about 500k. That leaves over 5 million for Q3 & Q4 (up to March 2014) for those doom predictions to ring true. And there's no fucking way, I'm not buying that prediction at all. PS4 expects to sell 5 million by the end of March and that is selling like hotcakes.

Wii U with 6 million to 6.5 million life-to-date at the end of the fiscal year, I could buy. Not year-to-date. That would put it at 9 million units by March and there's no way that will happen. That would actually make it a very healthy console. And if that's what failure is, then Nintendo would be stoked.

 

[cpp_is_king]

If Nintendo can pull 6-6.5M units out of its ass for this fiscal year, that would be BEYOND amazing. Too many people are reacting to this thread without looking at context or the numbers. They just read "Wii U is doing bad" and do a knee-jerk reaction without any actual context. 9 million for the fiscal year was a silly figure, no doubt. Especially when it wasn't revised.

Q1 and Q2 were beyond dismal for the Wii U. It did about 500k. That leaves over 5 million for Q3 & Q4 (up to March 2014) for those doom predictions to ring true. And there's no fucking way, I'm not buying that prediction at all. PS4 expects to sell 5 million by the end of March and that is selling like hotcakes.

Wii U with 6 million to 6.5 million life-to-date at the end of the fiscal year, I could buy. Not year-to-date. That would put it at 9 million units by March and there's no way that will happen. That would actually make it a very healthy console. And if that's what failure is, then Nintendo would be stoked.

If they drop a bomb and announce a price cut to $199 or a Pokemon game or something, I could see it. Straight up fairy tale otherwise. I see it selling 3.5m for the fiscal year at most. And even that's pushing it.

 

[Stet]

The Nintendo hardcore is around 30+ million. (AKA, everyone who bought a 3DS.)

That's kind of specious reasoning. Buying one piece of hardware doesn't make you a hardcore diehard fan.

 

[GhaleonEB]

So then one of two things must be true:

1. The Nintendo faithful is not 30MM
2. The Nintendo faithful would not follow Nintendo to hell, as evidenced by Wii u

Y'all decide

I propose 3., which is they are happy with their DS and are not interested in the Wii-U.

 

[PhoenixDark]

How in the world could Nintendo release a streaming box? They have absolutely no infrastructure.

By partnering with someone, or just going balls to the wall and building their own infrastructure. It seemed like the natural next step after the Wii to me, but they decided to go with a half measure console. Their options are limited now, but a partnership would certainly make sense.

 

[theprodigy]

I propose 3., which is they are happy with their DS and are not interested in the Wii-U.

....not sure if serious

 

[boiled goose]

Nintendo doesn't need to stop making hardware.

They need to make better console systems.

Better does not only mean more powerful, though it certainly can't be a gen behind. Thee WiiU sacrificed power for the gamepad. While the gamepad is nice we can all agree it was a mistake because of what it cost nintendo instead.

What they need to do for their next console (WiiU is toast):

-aggressively push online (same nintendo account among multiple platforms, push the virtual console, expand miiverse)
-balance power with cost (enough power and modern features to at least get third party ports of main games, keep costs down)
-Invest in more studios (they should have done this during their expansion in the Wii and DS peak years, but it is not too late. they need more variety ie western devs)
-worldwide focus (no more region locking, no more staggered launches, no more region exclusive games) While most will argue this only affects a small number of gamers, it does affect the overall confidence in Nintendo's strategy and support for their own hardware.

The 'Nintendo Account' should be at the center of their strategy. That way customers upgrade hardware, download software, buy different version of handhelds, etc. without feeling like they have to start from scratch every time. I would love to have an evergrowing collection of Nintendo classics that I can play an my future Nintendo Hardware.

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

Sell themselves to or partner up with a company that has online infrastructure.

A couple of contenders:

Apple
Valve
Amazon

You're right, I was only including the new systems. It goes without saying that the 360 and PS3 will outsell the WiiU over the holidays.

Past story says that they are not exactly team players in regards of hardware.

 

[Jules Coast]

The Wii U will perform moderately well over it's life cycle. I foresee it being comparable to the Gamecube; Ninty won't go bankrupt but it'll be back to the drawing board for sure.

The reson why is because the heavy hitters - Smash, Mario Kart, Zelda, DK, Metroid, next Mario + whatever else I'm forgetting - WILL push units.

 

[Jules Coast]

Nintendo doesn't need to stop making hardware.

They need to make better console systems.

Better does not only mean more powerful, though it certainly can't be a gen behind. Thee WiiU sacrificed power for the gamepad. While the gamepad is nice we can all agree it was a mistake because of what it cost nintendo instead.

What they need to do for their next console (WiiU is toast):

-aggressively push online (same nintendo account among multiple platforms, push the virtual console, expand miiverse)
-balance power with cost (enough power and modern features to at least get third party ports of main games, keep costs down)
-Invest in more studios (they should have done this during their expansion in the Wii and DS peak years, but it is not too late. they need more variety ie western devs)
-worldwide focus (no more region locking, no more staggered launches, no more region exclusive games) While most will argue this only affects a small number of gamers, it does affect the overall confidence in Nintendo's strategy and support for their own hardware.

The 'Nintendo Account' should be at the center of their strategy. That way customers upgrade hardware, download software, buy different version of handhelds, etc. without feeling like they have to start from scratch every time. I would love to have an evergrowing collection of Nintendo classics that I can play an my future Nintendo Hardware.

I don't agree with everything but the core concepts here are exactly what Nintendo should be doing (or have done).

 

[Albo]

You're either going to smile or cry

Or both

*Wakes up from dream* nintendo direct tease then e3 14 reveal seems more likely and apt to try and top arguably the greatest e3 moment. Smash, bayo, X, MK8 and DKTF are more likely candidates for VGX.

 

[Blood Diamonds]

What if they announce the Wii 2 and they take away the Gamepad, it would be like the Wii U's 2DS.The selling point would be Nintendo games and not a screen on the controller.

 

[oconnomiyaki]

Nintendo is literally between a rock and a hard place. If they ditch the Wii U now, they risk losing consumer confidence. If they don't do anything, they risk losing investor confidence. And there is absolutely no way in hell they can make that machine appealing to the general public without dropping it down to US$200. So what do they do?

 

[PhoenixDark]

Nintendo is literally between a rock and a hard place. If they ditch the Wii U now, they risk losing consumer confidence. If they don't do anything, they risk losing investor confidence. And there is absolutely no way in hell they can make that machine appealing to the general public without dropping it down to US$200. So what do they do?

They lost consumer confidence years ago, hence why most people don't care about the WiiU. It makes more sense to attempt to re-capture it with a better product than to continue relying on the WiiU, which simply doesn't offer much to consumers on any level (online, tech, software, etc).

 

[gkryhewy]

What if they announce the Wii 2 and they take away the Gamepad, it would be like the Wii U's 2DS.The selling point would be Nintendo games and not a screen on the controller.

God, if they'd only done this 2-3 years ago. What an opportunity cost.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

If they drop a bomb and announce a price cut to $199 or a Pokemon game or something, I could see it. Straight up fairy tale otherwise. I see it selling 3.5m for the fiscal year at most. And even that's pushing it.

If they were going to do that they would have done it pre-Black Friday.

 

[dream]

They lost consumer confidence years ago, hence why most people don't care about the WiiU. It makes more sense to attempt to re-capture it with a better product than to continue relying on the WiiU, which simply doesn't offer much to consumers on any level (online, tech, software, etc).

And realistically, it's not like many people bought a Wii U. Pulling the plug on something so toxic that it's destroying their brand value should take priority over pissing off the few people who actually bought the thing.

 

[BlackJace]

And realistically, it's not like many people bought a Wii U. Pulling the plug on something so toxic that it's destroying their brand value should take priority over pissing off the few people who actually bought the thing.

Sure, if they want to throw billions into a flaming inferno.

 

[dream]

Sure, if they want to throw billions into a flaming inferno.

I agree with you. They're screwed no matter what.

 

[BlackJace]

I agree with you. They're screwed no matter what.

Best thing to do is to just salvage it. They can't sink billions into it like sony did with the PS3, but hard measures can be taken to squeeze out any profit they can.

 

[SquiddyCracker]

They lost consumer confidence years ago, hence why most people don't care about the WiiU. It makes more sense to attempt to re-capture it with a better product than to continue relying on the WiiU, which simply doesn't offer much to consumers on any level (online, tech, software, etc).

The question is if they even can get a new product on the market within a year or two that offer those things.
I doubt it.

 

[QaaQer]

I think some people might underestimate the amount of work that goes into a new console. Not only do you need to have chips designed and tested, you need an OS, dev tools, online infrastructure, and software to sell for the system. These are all multi-year projects. Even if ninty wanted a new console out in 2014 or 15, there is no way.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

Nintendo's just going to ride the console for the next years, hopefully it at least picks up a bit. I can't wait for the games that come out next year.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

[totally wrong thread]

 

[catmincer]

At this rate, if Mario isn't in the top 10 in November NPD, I won't even be surprised.

 

[godisturbed]

I am a long time Ninty fan but I think they should kill the Wii U off in 2015, bite the rather generously sized bullet and go 3rd party. Give the Wii U owners what they expect - Mario 3D, Mario Kart, Smash and Zelda then call it a day.

Treat the techniques they have learned as a crash course in HD development and create software for what will be two booming pieces of hardware. Spread out to ios and foster a whole new generation of fans. Surely thats their only true way back to huge profitability?

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

I am a long time Ninty fan but I think they should kill the Wii U off in 2015, bite the rather generously sized bullet and go 3rd party. Give the Wii U owners what they expect - Mario 3D, Mario Kart, Smash and Zelda then call it a day.

Treat the techniques they have learned as a crash course in HD development and create software for what will be two booming pieces of hardware. Spread out to ios and foster a whole new generation of fans. Surely thats their only true way back to huge profitability?

They could kill the Wii U, but they are not going 3rd party, it's silly to even think that. They could focus 100% on their handheld division or just launch a new console.

 

[Byakuya769]

I wonder how much Mario 3D World would have sold on PS4 as a launch title?

 

[Glorified G]

A price drop to $200 with Mario Kart 8 or Smash Bros bundled in might get sales kicking a bit. Smash and Mario Kart will surely be successful. I feel like Wii U will be more successful next holiday season than this year's, especially if they get Zelda U out (Which I doubt). If MK, Smash, and Zelda all release next year and another price drop doesn't save the Wii U then I honestly think there's no hope for the system.

I was going to buy the WWHD bundle but these slow sales and predictions of the Wii U being discontinued within the next 2yrs is making me worried. I feel like the Wii U is another Gamecube, a few great 1st party titles but barely any 3rd party support and slow sales despite probably having numerous future price drops.

Why would Smash Bros and Mario Kart turn things around when 2D/3D Mario didn't do anything? There was already a price drop and arguably their most popular series had already released. (NSMB WII U)

Why would posts on a message board have any bearing on your purchases? Nobody knows how much or little Nintendo is hurting from this or whatever their strategy will be in the next two years. Nobody knows how much r & d Nintendo put into the Wii U. Predictions don't mean anything.

And the Gamecube third party support compared to Wii U is night and day. Gamecube while lacking compared to PS2 still got a hefty amount of support from third parties and several of the bigger titles from that gen. It's unprecedented that EA would drop support from a major console like it has with the Wii U and by next year it's hard to believe they'll get any support besides from cross gen titles.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

Is this Dreamcast again?

 

[Plinko]

Is this Dreamcast again?

No, because it's not going to drive Nintendo out of the hardware business.

I think Gamecube is a more appropriate comparison.