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[ShadowFox08]

I see where you're coming from on this. I could see this potential outcome as well.

I believe that the tech gap between Wii and the competition is greater than the Wii U vs the competition this generation. Depending on Wii U penetration, this may lead to developers targeting the lowest common denominator of systems (since it's easier to develop for), and simply upscale the games to 1080p on Xbone and PS4.

Regardless of the tech gap, Nintendo is an uphill climb to get people to support/buy 3rd party games. They've been struggling since the cube days, and it clearly showed on the Wii. Honestly.. I DO think the first party games will be amazing, but the 3rd party will dimish due to low sales just like the Wii and it will be like current gen all over again. Getting left out of 3rd party games all over again.

 

[Zinthar]

I see where you're coming from on this. I could see this potential outcome as well.

I believe that the tech gap between Wii and the competition is greater than the Wii U vs the competition this generation. Depending on Wii U penetration, this may lead to developers targeting the lowest common denominator of systems (since it's easier to develop for), and simply upscale the games to 1080p on Xbone and PS4.

No chance. The architecture of the Wii U is dramatically different from that of the x86-based PS4, XBO, and PC platforms. For the most part, engine optimizations for one of those platforms will apply, to varying degrees, to the other two.

Next-generation game development has already been happening for 2+ years now and for most of the third parties who have discussed the subject (such as Ubisoft), it's been a case of base PC version --> PS4 & Xbox One versions --> platform-specific optimizations (with some cross-application of said optimizations). Hundreds of thousands of man-hours have been put into developing engines for the next-gen consoles already. If you consider that the investment has already been sunk, it's actually probably cheaper/easier to develop on PS4 and PC than Wii U, at least.

Besides the technical side of this, the gap between third-party game sales on the PS4/XBO vs. Wii U is going to be enormous. If sales of the Wii U pick up, it'll probably indicate nothing more than the fact that people want to play Nintendo first-party exclusives on it. Even in the unlikely scenario of the Wii U having a larger install base than PS4 or XBO, it's hard to imagine third parties suddenly opening up to the platform given how poorly third-party games sold on the Wii even when its install base dwarfed its competitors.

 

[Platy]

Good to see another non WiiU is Doomed thread for a change

Those articles keep mentioning "value" with the Wii U. Yes, its the cheapest, but is it the best bang for your buck?

That goes for the 3DS

But between the big 3, yest

 

[tengiants]

No chance. The architecture of the Wii U is dramatically different from that of the x86-based PS4, XBO, and PC platforms. For the most part, engine optimizations for one of those platforms will apply, to varying degrees, to the other two.

Next-generation game development has already been happening for 2+ years now and for most of the third parties who have discussed the subject (such as Ubisoft), it's been a case of base PC version --> PS4 & Xbox One versions --> platform-specific optimizations (with some cross-application of said optimizations). Hundreds of thousands of man-hours have been put into developing engines for the next-gen consoles already. If you consider that the investment has already been sunk, it's actually probably cheaper/easier to develop on PS4 and PC than Wii U, at least.

Besides the technical side of this, the gap between third-party game sales on the PS4/XBO vs. Wii U is going to be enormous. If sales of the Wii U pick up, it'll probably indicate nothing more than the fact that people want to play Nintendo first-party exclusives on it. Even in the unlikely scenario of the Wii U having a larger install base than PS4 or XBO, it's hard to imagine third parties suddenly opening up to the platform given how poorly third-party games sold on the Wii even when its install base dwarfed its competitors.

Good point. I still think there is a chance though as mainstream frameworks start offering options to build for Wii U.

This should be an interesting "war" this generation, and I just hope we get lots of good games out of it.

 

[leng jai]

I see where you're coming from on this. I could see this potential outcome as well.

I believe that the tech gap between Wii and the competition is greater than the Wii U vs the competition this generation. Depending on Wii U penetration, this may lead to developers targeting the lowest common denominator of systems (since it's easier to develop for), and simply upscale the games to 1080p on Xbone and PS4.

Why would they do this if the Wii U install base is as pitiful as we expect it to be comparatively speaking?

 

[tengiants]

Why would they do this if the Wii U install base is as pitiful as we expect it to be comparatively speaking?

And what did the Wii U do to YOUR mother?

 

[Effigenius]

As a Nintendo diehard, I'm happy to see that it's gaining more coverage. I'll let the numbers speak for themselves, though...

Part of me almost wants Nintendo to continue receiving a wake-up call (read: poor sales) so it can shape the hell up with its internet infrastructure.

On the other hand, if sales don't improve, they aren't going to want to spend the money to develop that infrastructure for the next console either.

 

[Zinthar]

Good point. I still think there is a chance though as mainstream frameworks start offering options to build for Wii U.

This should be an interesting "war" this generation, and I just hope we get lots of good games out of it.

True, and that will be an important development if Wii U sales are large enough to justify building games for the platform in the first place. But even in the best of times, multi-platform titles have typically struggled on Nintendo's platform. Despite being slightly ahead of the OG Xbox in worldwide sales with the GCN, the Xbox typically held a large lead in sales of the same multi-platform titles. Often it was by more than 2-1.

Just one quick example: Madden NFL 2005 sales in August 2004 (US market only). Xbox: 509k; GCN: 87k. Note that the US installed base of the Xbox was about 30% larger than GCN at that time (9.6m vs. 7.8m). I'm by no means a fan of Madden, but it's a good example to underscore the point that people typically don't buy Nintendo consoles for third-party games. There are also loads of examples where 360 versions of games that also had Wii ports outsold the latter by upwards of 5 to 1 despite having a lower install base.

I was in college at the time and too poor to buy more than one console, but my friends with the GCN almost never bought anything for it that wasn't an exclusive title for the system (except a suitemate who was really fratty -- one of those "let's buy some Natty Light, listen to Jack Johnson, and play some Gamecube, bro" guys).

 

[Dartastic]

The funny thing is, I think most of us who HAVE Wii U's have been saying this for months.

 

[Zinthar]

The funny thing is, I think most of us who HAVE Wii U's have been saying this for months.

Well I think that should be obvious -- if you thought it was a good value when you bought it at $350 without a Zelda WW bundle, then surely you'd think it a good value at $300 with Wind Waker.

 

[Dartastic]

Well I think that should be obvious -- if you thought it was a good value when you bought it at $350 without a Zelda WW bundle, then surely you'd think it a good value at $300 with Wind Waker.

I bought it when it was $350, but I since realized I fucked up and should have waited for that $299 price drop with WW. That's when I legit started telling people it was a worthwhile purchase.

 

[kodecraft]

Nintendo is the little engine that could. Glad to see David go up against these Goliaths.

 

[Seance]

Please don't tell me you think that WindWaker is a game that has changed the WiiU's fortunes, lol.

 

[SneakyStephan]

Well nintendo lower the price to something reasonable like 199 euros with a game packed in and I'll think about it.
Since it has no paywall it's the only console that's even up for consideration for me this gen.

 

[Hiltz]

It is just baffling how naive Nintendo was in thinking it designed Wii U in order to attract third party support multiplatform and more hardcore gamers. Their whole plans was just completely flawed. It's like they didn't learn about all the issues Wii suffered from.

I love you Nintendo ,and I want a Wii U badly, but if you guys fuck up Wii U's successor, then you goons need to be double bitch slapped.

 

[Witchfinder General]

With 3D World and WW:HD I really, really want a Wii U now but the price is still rather high.

EB Games Australia are doing the Wii U premium pack w/Super Mario Bros U & the Luigi version + Rayman Legends for $428 AUD.

Is that good value? Alternatively I'd be happy for the Premium with no games for $349.

 

[Tygamr]

Mario won't make me buy a Wii U- though I do want one. Mario has just gotten so old for me. Not the gameplay, but the characters. Seriously, be like, creative or something for once Nintendo, and make a Mario game that replaces every Mario related character with new ones, and with unique aesthetics. The gameplay usually has heart, as does the level design (until you get to the point in games where stuff becomes recycled), but then the characters? Nope, minimal effort. Mario just has too many friggin games. Or just reboot Mario/give all the characters new designs. Seriously, like half of Nintendo's biggest releases all relate to Mario somehow.

 

[unbias]

Wii U is probably going to be the 1st next gen system I get. As a PC gamer, right now, it is the best compliment(outside of a 3DS).

 

[Maxxan]

As someone who's got a promo WiiU for free, there's only one game I'm getting for that console. Sure, that game might be the best game of the year, but it's still just one game..

 

[Penryn]

No chance. The architecture of the Wii U is dramatically different from that of the x86-based PS4, XBO, and PC platforms. For the most part, engine optimizations for one of those platforms will apply, to varying degrees, to the other two.

The WiiU GPU however at least respectable. You only have to see games like Pikmin 3 to realize that the WiiU can put out some pretty nice looking games.

Next-generation game development has already been happening for 2+ years now and for most of the third parties who have discussed the subject (such as Ubisoft), it's been a case of base PC version --> PS4 & Xbox One versions --> platform-specific optimizations (with some cross-application of said optimizations). Hundreds of thousands of man-hours have been put into developing engines for the next-gen consoles already. If you consider that the investment has already been sunk, it's actually probably cheaper/easier to develop on PS4 and PC than Wii U, at least.

Besides the technical side of this, the gap between third-party game sales on the PS4/XBO vs. Wii U is going to be enormous. If sales of the Wii U pick up, it'll probably indicate nothing more than the fact that people want to play Nintendo first-party exclusives on it. Even in the unlikely scenario of the Wii U having a larger install base than PS4 or XBO, it's hard to imagine third parties suddenly opening up to the platform given how poorly third-party games sold on the Wii even when its install base dwarfed its competitors.

I think the weakness in third party sales has come from the fact that Nintendo has never convinced the third party to fully support them. If you take a look at PS360 market share, its always going to be bigger than the Wii or the Wii U, even if the Wii U starts to sell well. The Big three have frankly all been about graphics anyway. They are too scared to experiment too much on new gameplay are and more comfortable with buying indies that do something different that catches on.

Nintendo could push for third party ports of last generation games, but that cheapens the console and puts them in the position they don't want to be in, competing with PS360 instead of PS4/XB1 in the consumers mind. Nintendo really needs to push an "Nintendo first party+indie strategy' and push the idea that gameplay is better than graphics in the consumers mind. They have to take on the PS4 and Xbox one directly and tell the consumer than all they are buying is prettier versions of what they have been playing for the last 8 years, where as on Wii U, you are getting something new and different.

Its marketing btw, its not always true lol.

That said. I am getting really tired of these constant interviews with Geoff and Reggie where Geoff tries to get some kind of concession out of Reggie that "Nintendo is doomed". In general the rest of the gaming press does this too but ugh; just talk about the games please.

 

[Lingitiz]

As someone who's got a promo WiiU for free, there's only one game I'm getting for that console. Sure, that game might be the best game of the year, but it's still just one game..

As someone without a Wii U, Pikmin 3, W101, MH3U, and WWHD are all pretty appealing reasons to own one.

I see the Wii U being a lot like the Gamecube. It won't have a ridiculous amount of games, but the ones that are there can't be missed.

 

[BusterJol]

I just bought the Xbox One. But I really hope the Wii U gets more supporters with Super Mario 3D World and WWHD. I love my Wii U so far.

 

[Alcotholic]

WiiU will be like the GameCube. It will have a stellar library that caters to everyone, but won't sell a considerable amount. It will be remembered well years after.

 

[Riedinizzo]

As long as my Wii U doesn't go the way of the dreamcast I couldn't care less how it stacks up against the competition. Keep bringing me stellar first party games and I'll be more then happy with my investment

 

[SummitAve]

Wii U is probably going to be the 1st next gen system I get. As a PC gamer, right now, it is the best compliment(outside of a 3DS).

I just made that jump. I figured my PC can play just about everything but Nintendo games so I'm covering the most ground.

Remote play is the best.

 

[Gormless Noodle]

I didn't plan on getting one any time soon, especially since I'm getting a PS4 next week. But Mario 3D World convinced me, which I really didn't expect. I was one of the people that really disliked it at its first E3 showing. But here we are then.

I have to say, the console's not as slow as I expected it to be. I don't like the controller much though, it's not very comfortable, though the screen is okay and it makes VC games more bearable to look at than on my 1080p TV here. But all that just as a sidenote

 

[Riedinizzo]

I just made that jump. I figured my PC can play just about everything but Nintendo games so I'm covering the most ground.

Remote play is the best.

Being able to play super mario 3d world on the pad in another room, laying down = amazing. killer feature.

 

[duxstar]

Nintendo has lost me and I really don't know why
Well lost is relative.

I still buy and playthrough almost all their new release's on the 3DS, and if I had extra cash I would most likely spend it on a wii U and some of the new games.

It's just I play their game's almost like I would if I was reading a story for a college class. I go through the game; beat it, don't really love it. Sit's around for a few months before I decide to trade it in for whatever new Nintendo game come's out. Is it fun???? I really don't know I just kind of play the system before bed and grind away at the game listening to podcasts till I fall asleep.

So I still play the games, but I haven't played anything that make's me feel good inside and inspires that magic feeling anymore. I could just be growing up; but game's like Journey and the Last of Us, and Ni No Kuni made me get the feels.

It's just Nintendo game's dont really do that for me. Everyone says Super Mario 3d land was some supposed masterpiece and to me it was just another platformer; Skyward Sword was a zelda game I couldn't finish; Donkey Kong Country Returns was just meh.
I kind of want the old Nintendo to come back to me; but it never does.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

The narrative will change so easily. In a month when NPD numbers are released the story will be the millions of ps4 and Bones sold while the Wii U limps to a couple hundred thousand. It's not a pattern, especially not when it's being pushed by the enthusiast media, whose views don't always reflect that of the general consumer. Right now games like CoD, Battlefield, NBA and the next gen launch lineups are carrying more weight than a Wind Waker remake or New Super Mario Bros. Mario 3D World is compelling, i don't doubt that, but then it becomes the familiar story of how increasingly difficult it is to convince non-diehard Nintendo fans to drop $300 on a new console on the basis of one or two games no matter how high the quality. It's something Nintendo has been struggling with for years.

 

[njean777]

The narrative will change so easily. In a month when NPD numbers are released the story will be the millions of ps4 and Bones sold while the Wii U limps to a couple hundred thousand. It's not a pattern, especially not when it's being pushed by the enthusiast media, whose views don't always reflect that of the general consumer. Right now games like CoD, Battlefield, NBA and the next gen launch lineups are carrying more weight than a Wind Waker remake or New Super Mario Bros. Mario 3D World is compelling, i don't doubt that, but then it becomes the familiar story of how increasingly difficult it is to convince non-diehard Nintendo fans to drop $300 on a new console on the basis of one or two games no matter how high the quality. It's something Nintendo has been struggling with for years.

That is my problem right now. I like what is coming for the Wii U, but only buying it for a couple of games for 300$ doesn't make sense for me right now. When it hits 250$ and a couple more games are out then I will bite.

 

[Zinthar]

The WiiU GPU however at least respectable. You only have to see games like Pikmin 3 to realize that the WiiU can put out some pretty nice looking games.

I agree, but that doesn't change the fact that the architecture of PS4, XBO, and PC are all very similar to one another while the Wii U is not. It's not merely the fact that it's not as powerful -- it's that doing work to get a game out on the PS4, for instance, means that most of the work to get it working on PC and XBO is already done. The same cannot be said for the Wii U.

 

[gimz]

Yea maybe its a good time to buy the WiiU
I mean this is what exactly what Nintendo is trying to achieve right? at the lower price, and bigger game library, and new Mario for Christmas? Nintendo owns it

They could really see the future

 

[GulAtiCa]

Well, this is false.

They're doing regular sales, midnight download launches, early download launches, 10% back promotions...and this is only the consumer-level push. The huge indie initiative they're doing works with their DD push as well.

Yep, they have been real friendly with us indies.
From behind the scenes, I see a lot of developers both interested in making games for it as well as currently doing so.

 

[Teletraan1]

The core problem still exists. The system for the most part is a wasteland for anything outside of Nintendo titles. It will make a great companion console to a PC or a XB1/PS4 but I still dont think it has a strong enough gaming ecosystem with just Nintendo titles and definitely not for the current price. After a price drop and the release of some key titles I could personally justify it but not quite yet for me.

 

[Solid Samus]

Had a chance to play this game at a friends place. It's really something else. In my hour or so of play I'm already coming away impressed with the sheer amount of understated ingenuity this game keeps bringing. I played through world 4 starting with this level which might be one of my favorites of all time and I mean there's really nothing about this game I could say that hasn't already been said. It's really amazing and I'm gonna have to pick up a Wii U for it.

Seriously, I challenge any detractors who claim this game has no identity of its own, no freshness, etc. to hit this link, watch the entire video, and still feel the same way. It's world 4 from where I started playing.

http://youtu.be/N2PgFz2Z3XA?t=11m35s

I think this game might have real potential to sell like gangbusters and put Wii U's in homes if Nintendo markets it well. It won't save the Wii U singlehandedly (it'll need a tooon of help) but it's a damn good start

 

[SporeCrawler]

The narrative will change so easily. In a month when NPD numbers are released the story will be the millions of ps4 and Bones sold while the Wii U limps to a couple hundred thousand. It's not a pattern, especially not when it's being pushed by the enthusiast media, whose views don't always reflect that of the general consumer. Right now games like CoD, Battlefield, NBA and the next gen launch lineups are carrying more weight than a Wind Waker remake or New Super Mario Bros. Mario 3D World is compelling, i don't doubt that, but then it becomes the familiar story of how increasingly difficult it is to convince non-diehard Nintendo fans to drop $300 on a new console on the basis of one or two games no matter how high the quality. It's something Nintendo has been struggling with for years.

woah... hold your expectations.. with the anecdotal stuff we hear i expect 200k max. ( could be worse. october was 50k)

 

[Miss.Selfdestruct]

Mario has these guys by the balls.

Dat $$$$$.

May be biased, but TW101 is a genuinely awesome game worth the day 1 price.



//PGfangirl

 

[Metallix87]

The core problem still exists. The system for the most part is a wasteland for anything outside of Nintendo titles. It will make a great companion console to a PC or a XB1/PS4 but I still dont think it has a strong enough gaming ecosystem with just Nintendo titles and definitely not for the current price. After a price drop and the release of some key titles I could personally justify it but not quite yet for me.

Realistically, though, is this such a bad thing anymore? Nintendo fans don't seem to buy third party games, for one reason or another (I've said before that I believe a great deal of this is due to third parties creating a self-fulfilling prophecy), and they focus on first party content and the occasional exclusive or two. It makes a fine secondary system. The only thing Nintendo has to focus on now is creating new ways to get more consumers to view a secondary gaming platform as a necessity.

 

[SporeCrawler]

Mario won't make me buy a Wii U- though I do want one. Mario has just gotten so old for me. Not the gameplay, but the characters. Seriously, be like, creative or something for once Nintendo, and make a Mario game that replaces every Mario related character with new ones, and with unique aesthetics. The gameplay usually has heart, as does the level design (until you get to the point in games where stuff becomes recycled), but then the characters? Nope, minimal effort. Mario just has too many friggin games. Or just reboot Mario/give all the characters new designs. Seriously, like half of Nintendo's biggest releases all relate to Mario somehow.

Get it for w101 then.

 

[BigDug13]

Regardless of the tech gap, Nintendo is an uphill climb to get people to support/buy 3rd party games. They've been struggling since the cube days, and it clearly showed on the Wii. Honestly.. I DO think the first party games will be amazing, but the 3rd party will dimish due to low sales just like the Wii and it will be like current gen all over again. Getting left out of 3rd party games all over again.

They've been struggling since the N64 days man. As soon as one side embraced optical media and they didn't, they've been playing catch-up. And continuing to have anti-third-party policies like pricing Nintendo-published games $10 lower than all third parties didn't help them keep the good graces going. They continued to overcharge for licensing fees as well IIRC which further pissed off third parties.

It seems like Sony has been the only Japanese console maker who has been able to maintain strong relationships with third party western developers over the course of these 4 gens.

 

[SporeCrawler]

They've been struggling since the N64 days man. As soon as one side embraced optical media and they didn't, they've been playing catch-up. And continuing to have anti-third-party policies like pricing Nintendo-published games $10 lower than all third parties didn't help them keep the good graces going. They continued to overcharge for licensing fees as well IIRC which further pissed off third parties.

It seems like Sony has been the only Japanese console maker who has been able to maintain strong relationships with third party western developers over the course of these 4 gens.

while cartridges were anti third party and arguably anti consumer (pricing, availability if game is more popular than expected etc.)
10$ lower pricing is not anti consumer though.

 

[Frankenstein]

The WiiU is a good choice if you already have another console. On it´s own it wouldn´t be enough to satisfy my gaming needs and i also think that the price is still too high.
Got mine for 179€ (new) and probably wouldn´t have bought it for more than 200€.

 

[Some Nobody]

Realistically, though, is this such a bad thing anymore? Nintendo fans don't seem to buy third party games, for one reason or another (I've said before that I believe a great deal of this is due to third parties creating a self-fulfilling prophecy), and they focus on first party content and the occasional exclusive or two. It makes a fine secondary system. The only thing Nintendo has to focus on now is creating new ways to get more consumers to view a secondary gaming platform as a necessity.

What third party games are we talking about, though? W101 was doomed to failure because people really didn't talk about it all that much, and no one ever really knew what it was about to begin with. But CoD? Assassin's Creed? Why would you get those for a Nintendo system anyway?

Nintendo needs something that has mass appeal -and- that you can't get anywhere else. They need another GoldenEye, for instance.

 

[Phoenician_Viking]

I never understand these comments. How can Nintendo "cheap" out on things? They don´t pay for it - you do. They could have build in 5 TB, they wouldn´t care. Because it would, again, be you who would have to pay for it. They give you an option. Their games don´t need to be installed, if you are not going digital you won´t need the external harddrive at all. If you do, like me, you have the option to do so. This "cheaping out" argument is just dumb.

A CPU that is weaker than the 360, small HDD, low resolution screen on the pad, single touch screen. Yeah, Nintendo cheaped out big time on the console. That´s a fact.

Low sales mean you, the gamer, shouldn't buy it? Despite the reasonable price and robust game library?

Okay...

I think the WiiU is too expensive for what it has inside.

 

[Zemm]

PC + Wii U seems to be the best combo for gaming for the next 2 years. I'm really tempted to finally pick one up.

 

[Dr. Buni]

3D World looks amazing and I am really tempted to play it, but I will still hold and wait to buy an Wii U only when Smash Bros is close to be released. I would buy the 3DS version of the game, but I decided to part ways with the portable, so now I might pick a Wii U to play the console version, 3D World and perhaps Sonic Lost World.

I think the WiiU is too expensive for what it has inside.

I agree, but it isn't nearly as offensive as the PS4 price + lack of games. Also I don't think the Wii U has a robust library. Not at all.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

same CNET that put the Wii U on the worst Holiday gift list?

smh

 

[Wind's Howling]

Nintendo games always sell especially now when you consider that it has a slight edge over the PS3 and 360 in terms of graphics. Couple that with Nintendo's excellent first party art design games and you got some stellar looking games coming out in a few years from now.

 

[Chindogg]

A CPU that is weaker than the 360, small HDD, low resolution screen on the pad, single touch screen. Yeah, Nintendo cheaped out big time on the console. That´s a fact.

I think the WiiU is too expensive for what it has inside.

Do you buy a console for specs or for games?

I just don't get this thinking. You buy a console for what you can play on it, not for how much power it has. You could have the most amazing machine in power but if you have jack for software there's no point in owning one. Look at PS3 for the first couple of years.

 

[Kelegacy]

Nintendo systems are always great to own when actual games get released, mainly the big Nintendo franchises. But the remainder of the year they tend to collect dust for many folks. The release schedule just isn't busy enough and multiplats are going to now be the worst on any system probably due to technical limitations.

The other consoles seem like better investments as gaming systems and have been since the N64. Every so often you'll be glad to own one however.

So this holiday due to more games, yes the Wii U would prob win. But it would be a short lived "best" investment I think in the long run. And I own one!