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Wii U US November Sales Estimated at 149K by Pachter

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I'm pretty sure it's doomed regardless.
Unless there was this insane miracle.

Yeah, the WiiU's stance isnt going to change even if it starts selling well. Its life cycle is very clear.

But some people like drama, and numbers bring that to the boards.
 
something i've noticed is that the clamor for a dual-analog/pad 3ds has died down a lot. seemingly, when the system started to sell better and it began receiving a lot of games and stories of canceled software died down. the perception of it being a better system might have led people to consider the lack of dual-analogs/pads as unimportant. conversely, when the system was considered a failure, it was a failure for a myriad of reasons, mostly rooted in bias. kinda like, 'well i like dual analogs on things so the fact that the market is rejecting this clearly shows nintendo needs to release a model with dual analogs!' of course, the vita doing what it did might have contributed to killing that notion as well.

Or, it could be that some people genuinely don't like dual analog. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have the option to control the camera, but give me a great auto-camera over dual analog any day. Constantly fussing with the camera all of the time breaks immersion, IMO; it doesn't feel like you are in the game world, but rather that you are a directing a movie of what's going on in the world. It would be nice if the 3DS had a second circle pad as an option, but it's in no way necessary for portable games.

You raise a good point, too, that when a product isn't doing well, everyone attributes its' struggles to their personal bete noir: i.e. "Vita's struggles prove that it needs anime dating sims to be successful". It's always nice to see struggling products turn around just to silence all of the backseat drivers.
 
You bought the system for a game that doesn't even have a release date yet. Way to goooooo.

Just buy the thing when it has games that you want to play. If Smash Bros. really is the only thing you bought the system for and nothing that is currently available is appealing to you, then yeah you should've waited.

I made the present purchase because I really wanted to play 3D Worlds. The console's future value for me will be determined by the quality of Smash WiiU. Seeing as how I don't see Nintendo dropping the price anytime soon, I figured I may as well get it now. To analyze the game proper would require me to have my own console.
 
Is the Wii to Wii U sales numbers the biggest drop ever for a company?

Impossible to say when the thing's only a year old, but by percentage it almost certainly will be. (Assuming you mean major consoles only and assuming I'm not forgetting anything.)

Sony's drop of 150m PS2s to 80m PS3s may end up rivalling it in terms of sheer numbers of units 'lost' if they can find a way to shift 30m WiiUs. If you follow these threads though you already know how unlikely that is.
 
Things that would cause epic meltdowns:

1. XBONE outsold PS4.
2. Microsoft at parity with PS4.
3. PS4 dwarfs XBONE, 2:1 or greater.
4. Nintendo rallies, and sells better than expected.
5. Nintendo bombas in a large way (sub-360/PS3 numbers).
 
Things that would cause epic meltdowns:

1. XBONE outsold PS4.
2. Microsoft at parity with PS4.
3. PS4 dwarfs XBONE, 2:1 or greater.
4. Nintendo rallies, and sells better than expected.
5. Nintendo bombas in a large way (sub-360/PS3 numbers).

So whatever happens, either way there are going to be meltdowns :p.
 
Things that would cause epic meltdowns:

1. XBONE outsold PS4.
2. Microsoft at parity with PS4.
3. PS4 dwarfs XBONE, 2:1 or greater.
4. Nintendo rallies, and sells better than expected.
5. Nintendo bombas in a large way (sub-360/PS3 numbers).

If the first thing came true, I wouldn't know what to think anymore.
 
Things that would cause epic meltdowns:

1. XBONE outsold PS4.
2. Microsoft at parity with PS4.
3. PS4 dwarfs XBONE, 2:1 or greater.
4. Nintendo rallies, and sells better than expected.
5. Nintendo bombas in a large way (sub-360/PS3 numbers).

As to #5, does anyone in their right mind think the Wii U outsold the PS3 or 360?
 
Things that would cause epic meltdowns:

1. XBONE outsold PS4.
2. Microsoft at parity with PS4.
3. PS4 dwarfs XBONE, 2:1 or greater.
4. Nintendo rallies, and sells better than expected.
5. Nintendo bombas in a large way (sub-360/PS3 numbers).

I don't see why people would melt down if the XB1 was at parity with PS4. We already know they're selling like crazy around the world, and that they've sold 2 million. The anecdotes most of us have heard support those sales claims.

It's possible that Sony have had a weak second shipment allowing MS to catch up. Very unlikely, but possible. Until these things are not at all supply constrained there's really no reason to freak out or melt down over their sales.

The Nintendo thing, though... guaranteed meltdowns.
 
I imagine Pachter is probably pretty close. With Wii U numbers, I've learned to take what I would expect and then cut it in half. I wouldn't be shocked if the real number was lower than Pachter's prediction. I doubt Mario sold under 100,000 but who knows? That may very well be the case. I would imagine it outsold the Wii U for the month, though.
 
Things that would cause epic meltdowns:

1. XBONE outsold PS4.
2. Microsoft at parity with PS4.
3. PS4 dwarfs XBONE, 2:1 or greater.
4. Nintendo rallies, and sells better than expected.
5. Nintendo bombas in a large way (sub-360/PS3 numbers).

So what you are implying here is that there will be epic meltdowns :lol
 
I don't see why people would melt down if the XB1 was at parity with PS4. We already know they're selling like crazy around the world, and that they've sold 2 million. The anecdotes most of us have heard support those sales claims.

It's possible that Sony have had a weak second shipment allowing MS to catch up. Very unlikely, but possible. Until these things are not at all supply constrained there's really no reason to freak out or melt down over their sales.

The Nintendo thing, though... guaranteed meltdowns.
Read the Xbox sales thread, populated by Sony reality deniers claiming ms is lying about sales if you don't believe there would be meltdowns.
 
I don't see why people would melt down if the XB1 was at parity with PS4. We already know they're selling like crazy around the world, and that they've sold 2 million. The anecdotes most of us have heard support those sales claims.

It's possible that Sony have had a weak second shipment allowing MS to catch up. Very unlikely, but possible. Until these things are not at all supply constrained there's really no reason to freak out or melt down over their sales..

Actually, the anecdotal evidence suggests that PS4 is supply constrained, but the XBONE is not. So, the scenario (Sony giving MS time to close the gap) you outlined is very likely, not unlikely. Both are in-demand, but right now, it's significantly easier to get a XBONE in the US. A PS4 is next to impossible. Whether that's due to demand levels or supply levels, no one knows.
 
Isn't it pretty much assumed that the PS3 and 360 outsold the Wii U? I wouldn't be shocked if it ended up that they sold more just on Black Friday, or that week maybe, than the Wii U did all month if it ends up that it's really selling that horribly.
 
under 200k for the console, under 100k for mario would be my guess.


I think 3D World is going to sell fairly well to current Wii U owners. The problem is there aren't that many of them. Still, I would be surprised if it doesn't pull in 300,000, 400,000 in sales. If it is anything like you fear, Nintendo might as well pack it up and never release another game on that system. If Mario can't sell, forget it. Maybe push Smash and Kart out the door if they're close to finished, but otherwise? Tap out.

But again, I don't think that's going to be the case. 3DW will do at least 300K. That's my lowest possible acceptable number.
 
What I don't get is the need for NPD anymore. All three consoles require an internet connection at some point. Nintendo, MS and Sony all know how many consoles have been "activated" within seconds of it happening and in what region. I'm pretty sure all three companies know their exact standing in sales +/-5% at any given time. Just wish there was a way to tap into that!
 
Isn't it pretty much assumed that the PS3 and 360 outsold the Wii U? I wouldn't be shocked if it ended up that they sold more just on Black Friday, or that week maybe, than the Wii U did all month if it ends up that it's really selling that horribly.

The sales battle to watch is Wii U vs. Vita. It's like PS3 vs. GBA from yesteryear.
 
Is the Wii to Wii U sales numbers the biggest drop ever for a company?

Well the Wii itself kind of died off in the last year because of very little support from Nintendo. That has always been Nintendo's biggest problem, gaming droughts. I am actually surprised they have survived as long as they have in the console industry. Many people legitimately thought Gamecube was the end. Looks like the response to the Wii U disaster will be another make or break moment for them.
 
Isn't it pretty much assumed that the PS3 and 360 outsold the Wii U? I wouldn't be shocked if it ended up that they sold more just on Black Friday, or that week maybe, than the Wii U did all month if it ends up that it's really selling that horribly.
I wouldn't go that far. 360s and PS3s were available everywhere. Only PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U were sold out at most stores
 
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Someone needs to reverse this gif for npd if things go the way of Patchter.
 
What I don't get is the need for NPD anymore. All three consoles require an internet connection at some point. Nintendo, MS and Sony all know how many consoles have been "activated" within seconds of it happening and in what region. I'm pretty sure all three companies know their exact standing in sales +/-5% at any given time. Just wish there was a way to tap into that!

I'm pretty sure that neither the Wii U or PS4 require an internet connection at any point, and there was that statistic a while back about how 20 million 360 owners never connect to the internet, so I don't think it would give us an accurate number.
 
The sales battle to watch is Wii U vs. Vita. It's like PS3 vs. GBA from yesteryear.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Vita starts to outsell the Wii U if Nintendo doesn't do something quick to change things (if what they did the last month didn't do it already). With more people getting the PS4, and seeing how well it works with the Vita, it could really help to turn around the Vita numbers something quick.
 
What I don't get is the need for NPD anymore. All three consoles require an internet connection at some point. Nintendo, MS and Sony all know how many consoles have been "activated" within seconds of it happening and in what region. I'm pretty sure all three companies know their exact standing in sales +/-5% at any given time. Just wish there was a way to tap into that!

You assume every person that buys one connects it online. That's not the case -- although the XBONE and PS4 both required a day one update.

Also, some that were sold were scalped online or saved for Christmas gifts, so they remain unconnected.
 
The Wii U is going to sell poorly, but I'm wondering if it sells so poorly that Ubisoft and whoever is left finally drops what little support is remaining. At 149k in November I wouldn't be surprised to see Watch Dogs U delayed and then quietly cancelled. Target didn't even stock AC4 for the Wii U if I remember correctly. Whats the point of releasing a game if no one stocks it. 2014 retail could be nothing but Nintendo and Lego games

On the bright side the less the Wii U sells the more desperate the January Direct becomes!

300k = Zelda U teaser
200k = Zelda U trailer
150k = Zelda U trailer with 2014 release date
100k = Iwata: This is my final direct before stepping down in March...
 
I think 3D World is going to sell fairly well to current Wii U owners. The problem is there aren't that many of them. Still, I would be surprised if it doesn't pull in 300,000, 400,000 in sales. If it is anything like you fear, Nintendo might as well pack it up and never release another game on that system. If Mario can't sell, forget it. Maybe push Smash and Kart out the door if they're close to finished, but otherwise? Tap out.

But again, I don't think that's going to be the case. 3DW will do at least 300K. That's my lowest possible acceptable number.

Yeah, that's where I'm at right now too. I'm not saying its impossible that Mario 3D World sold sub-100k, but I am saying that if it actually did, Nintendo should think seriously about shelving every game currently in development and releasing them instead for the successor. There is no point in releasing Smash Bros or Zelda on this system if a mainline Mario game released in time for Black Friday essentially sold nothing.
 
I am right in thinking that NPD usually includes the first few days of the next month as well?

Not exactly. NPD follows a retail calendar, not a monthly calendar, and it is based on weeks. November covers a 4 week period from Sunday, November 3 to Saturday, November 30. The calendar goes 4-4-5 (in weeks), and repeats, so December is a 5 week reporting period. Every few years, January gets a 5th week because of the accumulated extra days in the year (the year is 52 weeks, 1 day, +1 every leap year).
 
The Wii U is going to sell poorly, but I'm wondering if it sells so poorly that Ubisoft and whoever is left finally drops what little support is remaining. At 149k in November I wouldn't be surprised to see Watch Dogs U delayed and then quietly cancelled. Target didn't even stock AC4 for the Wii U if I remember correctly. Whats the point of releasing a game if no one stocks it. 2014 retail could be nothing but Nintendo and Lego games

On the bright side the less the Wii U sells the more desperate the January Direct becomes!

300k = Zelda U teaser
200k = Zelda U trailer
150k = Zelda U trailer with 2014 release date
100k = Iwata: This is my final direct before stepping down in March...

Watch Dogs is already done. It's not getting cancelled as it would lose them more money than shipping out like 150k copies and never sending another shipment. Also, we're more likely to see NSMBU2 if sales are that bad.
 
There is seriously no chance Vita outsells Wii U. If it does, I think my mind will collapse into a black hole.

What? It's VERY possible. Vita costs significantly less, and Amazon and other retailers had a lot of fantastic Vita deals (Walking Dead bundle, etc.). That, coupled with the Vita's remote play features with the PS4, I could easily see it outselling the Wii U.
 
What I don't get is the need for NPD anymore. All three consoles require an internet connection at some point. Nintendo, MS and Sony all know how many consoles have been "activated" within seconds of it happening and in what region. I'm pretty sure all three companies know their exact standing in sales +/-5% at any given time. Just wish there was a way to tap into that!

Some people never connect their console to the Internet.

Nintendo / Sony needs a way to track the sell-through of those consoles.
 
If Nintendo's answer to horrific sales is a big Nintendo Direct, then they are truly lost. This past year has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Directs are useless.
 
This is totally anecdotal, but I went into my local Best Buy a week ago and they had about 50 Wii Us (mario and Zelda bundles). I went in yesterday and they had 7 Zelda bundles. There was a $50 off sale, so that might have sold them.
 
What? It's VERY possible. Vita costs significantly less, and Amazon and other retailers had a lot of fantastic Vita deals (Walking Dead bundle, etc.). That, coupled with the Vita's remote play features with the PS4, I could easily see it outselling the Wii U.

Vita has been completely dead all year. There were bundles but they haven't been advertised at all. I would be extremely surprised if it hit 149k.

However, Wii U selling less than Vita did last year is entirely possible, which would still be pretty astonishing.

This is true. Of course if sales are even less than Pachter suspects, all bets are off but I can't fathom Wii U selling like 115k in November.
 
This is totally anecdotal, but I went into my local Best Buy a week ago and they had about 50 Wii Us (mario and Zelda bundles). I went in yesterday and they had 7 Zelda bundles. There was a $50 off sale, so that might have sold them.

On my side, my nearest Best Buy always has lots of Wii Us available, Xbox Ones and PS4s were out of stock.

It's been similar in the two gamestops near me. Either way I don't think anectodal information will shed much light in the situation.
 
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