Slow Wii U sales?

[Tanooki]

I'd say 50/50 they'd do it, if anything because the WiiU Splatoon short term sales denial aside isn't doing well and anything 3DS wise could help. I do agree the last 2 games on that list from that link are junk and really not worthy, but they are 1st party games so they work with what they got. I imagine why the Mario games aren't there is that because they've already been dropped to $30 and have been released in those RED boxes. Maybe they don't want to re-do them for a 3rd style release.

If they do them hopefully a second wave would have the likes of Kid Icarus and Fire Emblem along with Luigi's Mansion which was so-so too.

[Leo_A]

These rerelease programs always put a little filler in each wave and spread the gems around, rather than all the big hitters at once that are a few years old. As long as this isn't the end, I don't think that's a problem.

And add Ocarina of Time 3D to your list. :)

[kupomogli]

I have something against Nintendo calling the titles "Nintendo Selects." They're reprinting games, some of them the worst Nintendo titles in the library, because they ran out of stock and they can get some additional sales. Calling them Nintendo Selects, to the consumer, sounds like they're quality games, and aside from The Legend of Zelda A Link Between worlds and maybe Star Fox 64(it's okay,) they're not. It's not like Sony's Greatest Hits or Microsoft's Platinum hits where the games released the absolute best selling, so it's a safe assumption that these titles are higher quality games, these are just mediocre selling games compared to Nintendo's best selling and there's a reason why. Sure they sold in the millions, but write Mario on a paper bag and you'd sell a million copies to these blind Nintendo fans. Nintendogs, New Yoshi's Island, and Mario Party 3D are garbage.

[Leo_A]

Those programs have plenty of lesser titles in them as well. Go take a look at their lists someday.

[kupomogli]

Those programs have plenty of lesser titles in them as well. Go take a look at their lists someday.

Yes they do, but Greatest Hits is always constant, it's always based on Sony titles that reach a million or more sales. Nintendo is merely trying to pawn off whatever cheap pieces of plastic they can to scam their customers through word play to get more sales through some of these garbage games than they should. I also don't remember Nintendo ever advertising a third party game as a Nintendo Select or Player's Choice.

[Leo_A]

No, it's not.

Titles don't have to sell a million copies nor is it solely composed of the best of the best. There's no shortage of garbage that has been rereleased (And in some cases, released) under that banner.

And while somewhat rare, 3rd party releases have appeared in Nintendo's rerelease program through the years. Not nearly to the same extent as Sony and Microsoft's programs though. But still, there have been plenty of them just the same.

I just don't see how this is a bad thing as long it comes here, there are subsequent waves of rereleases, and they're properly priced at $20. But I just don't see today's Nintendo of America implementing something that makes so much sense. Europe has continually demonstrated that it's better ran than the North American arm throughout the past decade (Minus occasional issues like uploading crippled PAL versions of classics to the Virtual Console instead of superior NTSC versions).

I doubt that's going to suddenly be changing...

[Tanooki]

I don't see much changing either as NOA just doesn't care or think that much beyond what they think a close select population of fanboys will buy...basically shit in a bag with a picture of Mario or Zelda on it, and they'll happily put it between two pieces of bread and eat it whole claiming just how damn good that sandwich is and how we don't get it. :)

That said, If they can produce it so cheaply that $20 works for them with true minimal effort I could see the cheapskates do this one. And also notice how it's now called Nintendo Select's and not Player's Choice? They're selecting what you get, it's not based upon what players choose as great from total sales and popularity in reviewed compiled data. The old PC line they'd take all the write ins and internet votes on their TOP lists and cross that with stuff that sold at least a million. Those games would get in part end up in that line-up, and when they could get a third party on board that would happen as well like the old Super Star Wars games on SNES for example. These days with them being quietly clear their self centered library somewhat sucks around a few gems that fanboys just suck up, they don't have really any third party stuff that crosses the barrier to be a players choice so it was dropped. I don't buy they changed the name of the program to selects because they just wanted to rename it. They dropped player's choice when the player's who enjoyed variety bailed.

[Leo_A]

I actually remember quite a bit of 3rd party material in the program on the GameCube, the last console with the Player's Choice banner.

I'm not sure much if anything did on the GBA, but the Player's Choice line was a very late addition and didn't see much activity outside of a handful of titles like Link to the Past and the Super Mario Advance lineup. Obvious choices, but I don't recall anything like Racing Gears Advance being included. Not even sure if there was more than 1 wave of rereleases on the GBA, unlike typical practice for a program like this to do a group of reissues once or twice a year over a period of years.

That said, 3rd parties carry a responsibility as well. While it's unfortunate that Nintendo doesn't have a program that will help identify popular older titles from 3rd parties that have been reprinted, it's not like they're unable to do reissues on their own. But what out of print 3rd party 3DS titles are people even clamoring for?

By and large, it's stuff like Ocarina of Time 3D that you see people hoping to see reprinted.


That said, If they can produce it so cheaply that $20 works for them with true minimal effort I could see the cheapskates do this one.

I don't think that there's any doubt on this one.

But NOA seems willing to forgo such sales of older software to not only encourage the feeling that Nintendo games never drop in price, but that they can even become scare and inflated in value on the used marketplace later on. They want the customer to feel that it simply isn't worth waiting for such an event to happen and that now is their best opportunity to buy a Nintendo title that they're interested in.

But that there's plenty of profit in this concept isn't in question. The doubt is on if it's money that Nintendo of America is willing to seek.

[Leo_A]

Here's a fine example of how a 3rd party publisher can achieve the same effect...

http://i.imgur.com/vCpHOKO.jpg

[Leo_A]

Twilight Princess HD?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-10-14-looks-like-nintendos-developing-zelda-twilight-princess-hd

After the initial discovery of the shop icon, I thought this all but assuredly was going to be for an unchanged Wii rerelease on the Wii U's eShop (Which contrary to Eurogamer's claim in the article, doesn't involve emulation of any kind). But the title that has now been spotted, "Twilight Princess HD", suggests another remaster.

Not a good sign of a 2016 release for Nintendo's next-gen platform or the arrival of Zelda U any time soon. In fact, I think this development, if true, creates serious doubt that we're going to see Nintendo follow-through with Zelda U on this platform at all. I find it highly unlikely that Nintendo will release a high profile 3D Zelda remaster on the Wii U the same year that they release Zelda U for it, and 2017 is going to be an awfully late in the Wii U's life for an AAA release.

I'd love a nice HD remaster of Twilight Princess, but I really hope to still be able to enjoy Zelda U on the Wii U someday. Can't help but think that this should've been Metroid Prime Trilogy instead.

[Tanooki]

I never could get into TP (still have it as it was a gift) but it was so wide open and boring places I stopped, and the save mechanism looses so much work if you don't just save it for town and cave/dungeon engines as they still were using that out of date save setup from the cartridge era. :\

If that isn't BS and it's real, forget it, it's over for WiiU and that's the apology release. They can take that Wii game (GC still better though of the two) and just bump it up since it already has normal control and waggle play on it. Placing that out they'd never do 2 console Zelda's of that scale in the same year. It will end up a NX release on their handheld which then will slide to the console if that story about it being a shared platform is accurate. Far better chance to make their money back and some nice profit versus propping up the zombie that is the WiiU.

[Leo_A]

Twilight Princess HD confirmed for March. And Zelda U reconfirmed for a 2016 Wii U release. :)

I don't care what anyone says, this console has not only met my hopes for it, it has surpassed them. I have some complaints, but the software lineup definitely hasn't been one of them. Sure, I'd love to have seen something like Metroid U happen and a few more HD remasters, but I've been very pleased.

[Tanooki]

Well cool for you there, must be a big Zelda fan. The direction they've taken the games in recent years I've kind of lost my way with it which is good or I'd be down about that kind of news. Games unlike you was the reason why I no longer have it, and I can honestly say I doubt I'd have bought either considering one I already have on the Cube and the other I don't like open world games. :) I do agree they really do need to milk their B-team mascot games which sadly I would include Metroid in that. WiiU would make a lot of people happy if they just went nuts and plopped stuff like F-Zero, Metroid, even a Kid Icarus 3DS follow up title on it.

[Leo_A]

must be a big Zelda fan.

If anything, that's an understatement. :)

[Tanooki]

Glad you still enjoy them. Something about it when it went 3D never sat great with me. Ocarina I've finished just once, attempted a few other times but I get tired playing it. Majora I detest and that's an understatement. Wind Waker is the only one I really loved in 3D as it felt like a living cartoony old style Zelda to me. Twilight I've never done more than 1/2 of, it's just too wide open and sparse so I get really bored and the throwback last 'door' save style of it caused me enough losses when I've played it to just stop not wanting to do things again. Then you had Skyward Sword which story wise was fun as were the visuals, but I got bored with it and it wore me out doing all that 1:1 control so I stopped on that one like 2/3 into it. The 3DS entry I've never played more than 2 dungeons because the open world no direction design of it hugely put me off it as I liked the linear but non-linear looking design of the older stuff so I put that up over a year ago and intend to try it again but haven't. With the WiiU game coming being so open world that a teeny space on the WiiU panel is like a 20min walk I wrote that off entirely as I can't stand Skyrim type open area stuff. Open world Zelda to me is straight up the kiss of deaht. Zelda left me more than I left it, but I'm ok with that. :) I can always fire up my old carts still and I've been thinking of getting Minish Cap again as I never did finish it and it was ok.

[YoshiM]

Just to play the devil here, wasn't Zelda pretty much "open world" from the get-go? The first game started you weapon less and you had to meander about to find the levels. It wasn't a gargantuan world by today's standards nor did it have all the little side tasks, yet one could still consider it "open world".

I WILL say that modern Zeldas are getting a little long in the tooth to finish. Twilight Princess I just wanted it to end when I got close to finishing it. It felt like the puzzles and traveling was there just to extend the game. Skyward Sword just seems to make you revisit dungeons (not in a good way-OoT played this out better) and go through that stupid spirit world to collect shinies, which was ripped right out of TP and was the least thing I liked.

[Tanooki]

Technically yes but kind of a gray area. If you recall when it came out it came with a mini guide that really took the mystery out of where to go to a point in that little fold out. Furthermore many had access to NP magazine and they ran a full map poster and in some later issues just a 2 page spread which laid out every square of the map and every item, hidden item, and dungeon. It really ended up being more of a non-open world map/guide driven game. Unless you were exceptionally good, you still had to find a few dungeons to walk into a good part of the map because you'd need the ladder and I think the raft as well. Also due to the age of the game and size limits of the ROM itself there really wasn't that big of a map to feel all that daunting to get lost upon even with that fake flickering light of a map box in the top so you could always get a vague idea where you were.

They even sold for a few dollars along side the thing that Zelda Tips and Tricks book at retail all over the place even at kids Scholastic Book Fairs. Then with Zelda 2 you really were guided even if somewhat invisibly by the hand of design and script on where to go next every time and more or less what to do outside of the dungeons (those you had to discover.) Zelda 3 did the same thing on SNES, fake open world design that really gimped again where you could and couldn't go without being a certain level or having certain items.

Zelda never has been honestly even remotely an open world title until they did that 3DS zelda 3 sequel throwback of sorts and now definitely finally with the whole WiiU title so it is really breaking new ground dropping the old style.


All that thought I think you hit it -- long in the tooth, and they keep getting longer to where it's a chore and a task to want to finish it. Too much re-run mechanics and territory with not much invested in wanting to keep tolerating it as the scenery doesn't much change. Twilight really was the tipping point of where bloat took over from good design that motivated continuing digging into the game. I really do think Midna was fantastic and the wolf Link is neat as well, but that game was far too large and bloated, slow to navigate, lots of re-run areas, those fights for talents/tips got annoying as hell, and the save routine just infuriated me because it was like the same crap Zelda 3 did...you could hit save, but it only saves up to the last door(home, cave, hole in the ground) you pop through and the rest is gone so you could walk 20min and lose it all. I had that happen enough times around job/life I gave up on it and that game was still decent but I couldn't take it as it was too big for its own good. I still own it, doubt i'll ever finish it like I did Wind Waker which was notably shorter, more consistent, and fun to follow the story it had going for it as it kept evolving as you went along. That spirit world I hated most too both in TP and really pissed me off seeing it back in Skyward Sword as it was a real kick in the teeth unnecessary to extend the game. I miss when Zelda games were just shorter, more concise, better story that wasn't dragged out, not a bunch of shitty fluff thrown in to extend the hours of time put into it. Now they've totally gone there having the last one and next being all about the fluff of the open world which is a good reason, and the largest why I didn't keep the WiiU any longer than I did. Had Zelda U been made like Wind Waker being more linear (but not looking so) and shorter and more concise I'd still own the system, still get to play Starfox, and who knows what else. Given the horrible market collectors and frauds have caused along with NIntendo trying to shove their digital agenda I doubt I ever will have a WiiU again. The good stuff now costs as much if nore more than the original retail price which sucks for a current system as that's just new despicable territory.

[Leo_A]

TurboGrafx-16 games appear to be on the way, so the Wii U will soon be saved.

http://esrb.org/ratings/Synopsis.aspx?logoonly=1&Certificate=22170&Title=Bonk%27s%20Adventure/

:)

[YoshiM]

As for the first Zelda: I didn't have access to the books until later. I played it at a buddy of mine's after school and he let me flounder for the first sword. I rented it off and on after I got my Nintendo and the manual didn't come with it. I learned some things from my friend (bombing walls) and figured out the tree burning myself. I think I spent a collective of a few hours burning trees and bombing. So to me the game was huge with lots to explore.

I will admit I got the Zelda Tips and Tricks book with my Nintendo Power subscription. I only used it for things I couldn't find. I don't recall how much of the Second Quest info I read ahead on in NP magazine.

Zelda 2 was a little more linear but even if you read up on things, you still needed some decent gaming skills to make it through. From Ocarina forward the games aren't hard per se- just time consuming. The only thing I found to be more of a pain was the spirit trials in Skyward Sword.

[Tupin]

I'm not sure the Wii U can last another year. Already I hear developers waiting for the NX. Man is the NX going to be make or break for Nintendo.

[The 1 2 P]

Man is the NX going to be make or break for Nintendo.

If it fails they can always take my suggestion and just focus on their handheld games and systems.

[FieryReign]

If it fails they can always take my suggestion and just focus on their handheld games and systems.

Or focus on their baseball team. There's no place for another handheld, unless it's a phone.

[xfrumx]

Or focus on their baseball team. There's no place for another handheld, unless it's a phone.



Nintendo handhelds have been mine and my friends go to forever. If they make them, we will buy it.

[Leo_A]

If it fails they can always take my suggestion and just focus on their handheld games and systems.

Why? It's not far away from being just as troubled thanks to the rise of the smartphone. It's about where the GameCube was for them in the console world a decade ago.

Short of long-term change that drastically shifts things up like developing software that runs on a common set of hardware for both traditional markets, it's only a matter of time until they turn 3rd party developer. They can't continue on this downward trajectory for much longer.

Both are troubled business areas for Nintendo which is why so many are focused on a potential blending of the two. That way Nintendo can develop software for their entire marketplace instead of a portion of it, enjoy greater economies of scale, be more attractive to publishers that may support the NX but not a standalone 3DS or Wii U successor, etc. Cutting one or the other isn't going to do anything positive for them I feel except diminish the size of their market and lower their revenue for a fairly minimum savings.

And if Nintendo insists on continuing a two front war, they're as doomed as Hitler was when he invaded the Soviet Union on the 22nd of June, 1941. They clearly don't have the resources to wage such a campaign as best evidenced by the long droughts between quality releases this generation for both their platforms that are so highly dependent on 1st party releases in order to provide quality software for their customers.

They either consolidate their position in some manner like that often speculated about hardware merger and hope that's the solution to allow them to once again grow and attack Sony and Microsoft while allowing them to maintain their stance in the handheld business, or they're going to have to be completely reinvented such as focusing on this health initiative and the mobile sphere at the cost of their focus on videogaming, become a mere 3rd party developer/publisher for PC/MS/Sony, etc.

[FieryReign]

Nintendo handhelds have been mine and my friends go to forever. If they make them, we will buy it.
Millions won't. They'll be busy with their smartphones and tablets.

[Tanooki]

I think you're being a drama queen with that. Yes the 3DS hasn't outsold the DS but the numbers aren't something to laugh at. It shows there's a demand there for dedicated devices since touch panels just don't cut it, especially teeny phone ones. Game developers like having a static platform and being able to charge notably more than a freemium or couple dollar title they'll have to do rolling sales on.

[FieryReign]

Bluetooth controllers. Nintendo is already doing freemium. Game companies are focusing on mobile. Another handheld ain't happenin or just won't fly.

[The 1 2 P]

Or focus on their baseball team. There's no place for another handheld, unless it's a phone.

Nintendo isn't going to let the 3DS/2DS/New 3DS be their last handhelds. It's inevitable there will be a successor. It may not sell as well as previous Nintendo handhelds but it might not have to.


Why? It's not far away from being just as troubled thanks to the rise of the smartphone. It's about where the GameCube was for them in the console world a decade ago.

I don't know if I'd call the 3DS's numbers that troubling. They certainly aren't losing money on it in the way they are with the Wii U. The system still sells well and the handheld games(the first party one's anyway) consistently move millions of copies.


Short of long-term change that drastically shifts things up like developing software that runs on a common set of hardware for both traditional markets, it's only a matter of time until they turn 3rd party developer.


To be honest with you I wouldn't mind Nintendo being a 3rd party developer. Then I could buy all my games for one system. But I don't think we're even close to that scenario yet.


Cutting one or the other isn't going to do anything positive for them I feel except diminish the size of their market and lower their revenue for a fairly minimum savings.

I disagree with you there. I think cutting loose their console ties would severely lessen their financial loses. Plus, they can still make additional revenue from their amiibo's, the upcoming mobile games and leveraging their ip through various other licensed ventures. It's not like they have to make all their money through their handheld division although it would still be their main source of income for the short term future.


They either consolidate their position in some manner like that often speculated about hardware merger and hope that's the solution to allow them to once again grow and attack Sony and Microsoft while allowing them to maintain their stance in the handheld business, or they're going to have to be completely reinvented such as focusing on this health initiative and the mobile sphere at the cost of their focus on videogaming, become a mere 3rd party developer/publisher for PC/MS/Sony, etc.

You're forgetting a third potential option--they sell the company. I know that doesn't seem likely but if the NX fails miserably then there's no longer a Mr. Iwata refusing to sell to another company. Apple, Google, even Microsoft might be willing to own Nintendo whole. Stranger things have happened.

[Tanooki]

The NX is supposed to be handheld if the stories we see are true, but also a console too, you get choice of what to use and use the same game on both.

Just because Nintendo has a contract with DENA that in part is making freemium games doesn't mean they see no reason to make real games still and they've made that clear. I have a portable bluetooth controller, I don't carry it anywhere as it's a pain in the ass having 2 things to lug around versus just having something folded over in my pocket that's smaller.

[docrown]

Bluetooth controllers. Nintendo is already doing freemium. Game companies are focusing on mobile. Another handheld ain't happenin or just won't fly.

Because people nowdays tend to play mobile games while they're not in their home. So many game companies focusing to make a good mobile games :)

[Leo_A]

I don't know if I'd call the 3DS's numbers that troubling. They certainly aren't losing money on it in the way they are with the Wii U. The system still sells well and the handheld games(the first party one's anyway) consistently move millions of copies.

Yes, but it certainly hasn't performed as well as its pedigree suggests it should've...

-It's very far off the DS mark at the same point in its lifespan.

-Isn't even going up against a viable dedicated gaming handheld like the DS did with the PSP's 80 million units sold.

-3rd party development/publishing is drastically down, including the virtual disappearance of casual offerings.

-Opening months were a struggle, necessitating a price cut of nearly 1/3 of its original MSRP just 4 months into its life in an emergency measure to effect a turnaround, which happily worked but which amply demonstrates the struggle they're facing.

-The handheld line isn't bolstering Nintendo's financials and compensating for weakness in the console marketplace like often used to happen after the SuperNes years. While they've never been this weak in the console side before, it's indicative as well of the struggles over on the handheld half where its success has been much too little to pull Nintendo's balance sheet well into the black.

-Consistently fails to meet sales projections in recent years.

-Sales have been on a downturn for a couple of years now, despite not even being 5 years old yet. It recently even sold significantly less software than the same point a year prior for an example, despite the New 3DS enthusiasm and a consistently growing install base.

It really feels like the N64/GCN years to me, except this time it's the handheld business and the threat that is troubling Nintendo's once secure position is the multipurpose smartphone. They're still succeeding and still making money and the 3DS is anything but a failure, but the downward trend this generation that has made the 3DS market seem on the soft side and the rise of the smartphone casts a troubling future over this once cash cow for Nintendo.

They're going to have to work much harder here than they've perhaps ever had to if they want to not only maintain their presence, but regain lost ground. It's only going to get harder since people aren't abandoning their phones, they're only getting more attached to them. If they're not careful, they're going to be in the same position there as they've faced with the Wii U in the console marketplace.

[Th3 hoff]

I don't worry about it.
Now if amiibo sales are slowing down then Nintendo would have to worry.

[The 1 2 P]

It really feels like the N64/GCN years to me, except this time it's the handheld business and the threat that is troubling Nintendo's once secure position is the multipurpose smartphone. They're still succeeding and still making money and the 3DS is anything but a failure, but the downward trend this generation that has made the 3DS market seem on the soft side and the rise of the smartphone casts a troubling future over this once cash cow for Nintendo.

They're going to have to work much harder here than they've perhaps ever had to if they want to not only maintain their presence, but regain lost ground. It's only going to get harder since people aren't abandoning their phones, they're only getting more attached to them. If they're not careful, they're going to be in the same position there as they've faced with the Wii U in the console marketplace.

For the most part I agree with you but I don't think that the 3DS is in a position where they would consider giving up handheld gaming all together. Compare that to Sony with the Vita. The only place that sells well is in it's homeland of Japan. Sony would have to be either really crazy or really stupid to launch another handheld system to a worldwide market. Nintendo isn't at that point yet.

But yes they will have to work extremely hard on the NX. They are first going to have to do away with the useless gimmicks. Then they will have to do 1000% better in communicating why gamers should buy the system and why third party developers should develop for it. The price obviously needs to be affordable and they are are going to have to realize that people, in general, no longer buy consoles "just" to play games. I know the Wii U is capable of doing more than just gaming but they really need to take a cue from Microsoft with some of their media hub features. It's really weird that a console in 2015 can't play dvd's, let alone blurays.

I always(and still do) felt that Nintendo going handheld only was a Plan B in case their console division completely dies. They still have other options(going third party, selling the company, etc) but at this point their future is pretty much riding on the success or failure of the NX.

[Leo_A]

Yeah I agree, I don't see Nintendo abandoning handheld gaming at all.

It has to evolve significantly and I think the 3DS has demonstrated that well to them, but I'm certain that's effort that Nintendo thinks is fully justified given the huge amounts of money that this business has earned for them and the growth in mobile gaming.

[Tanooki]

I think that evolution ultimately may end up being almost a bloody mobile phone which has controls built into it in a far uglier and less obtrusively annoying way than the nokia ngage taco phone. Perhaps one step short, like how a tablet or an ipod Touch does it. Perhaps you'll see not with NX but their handheld after that one where you have a total device that is a swiss army knife of features driven by some form of a severely Nintendo-ized hacked up Android client which the tablet is on the thicker side and slides out the full controls like the PSP Go did or on the fringes of the device so it's bigger like a PS Vita is but with an Android/apple type finally updated touch interface. A device that has parental locks on it all short of games for the kiddos, but everyone else has a fully functional wannabe android tablet type gaming device. Perhaps the thickness and heft of the Android Shield Tablet I have but where the speakers are on the edge it's even longer and has dual sticks, d pad, 4 face buttons, and l/r up top (which can double for volume out of games) and start/select would be relegated to the panel. That would likely save their collective asses.

I can't say I'd be a fan, but if it kept them going having a device that did it all, ran their full sized game cards, but also had the whole google play/nintendo network style store front with a crap ton of cheapily priced games and apps while keeping the actual device itself at a 3DS or less pricing level to not price themselves out of being attractive against a dedicated android tablet of comparable strength that could work.

[Leo_A]

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Brothers 3 has been announced for Japan. :)

Not only does this complete the lineup of classic ports from the GBA for this franchise on the Wii U while providing a way to experience the fine SuperNes remastering of SMB3 on the Wii U directly, but the best part of it all is that it seems to include the e-Reader content.

https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000008346

I'd of never bet on seeing that material be accessible here when this finally made its way to the Wii U.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

How will that even work? Will the e-reader exclusive stuff be DLC? Will it be already unlocked? IIRC, the content was already present in game with the ereader stuff just unlocking it. So I guess this will just be the fully unlocked version?

And also because Nintendo is Nintendo, this doesn't matter at all unless there's a western release given that the WiiU is stupidly region locked.

[Leo_A]

How will that even work? From what I've read, you access this content from the options screen that you bring up when you touch the gamepad screen or press the appropriate button to bring it up.


Will the e-reader exclusive stuff be DLC? Will it be already unlocked? IIRC, the content was already present in game with the ereader stuff just unlocking it. So I guess this will just be the fully unlocked version?

There's actually more e-Reader levels than there are slots for them, so unless they modify original source code to rectify that or just include a portion of the lineup, they just can't release it with World E already fully unlocked.

Then there's the question of power ups and such that could be added to your inventory by swiping the appropriate card (Hopefully the Super Mario World cape feather is here for a big one), demonstration cards, etc.


And also because Nintendo is Nintendo, this doesn't matter at all unless there's a western release given that the WiiU is stupidly region locked.

While region locked, this is strong evidence that we can expect this functionality when it does join the previous three Super Mario Advance titles on the North American Virtual Console.

It's like Super Mario RPG having been released in Japan last summer. Did anybody expect that to really stay there? Some actually claimed just that despite it being obvious that it was a promising sign that we could expect a rerelease in Western regions as well.

And sure enough, it was just recently announced for a European release despite some forum experts proclaiming back in August that it was unlikely to ever head westward on the Wii U after its Japanese release. And surely that seals the deal that North America isn't going to be far behind.

Unless NOA does something stupid and disables this functionality, there's no reason why it shouldn't be intact when we get it.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Unless NOA does something stupid and disables this functionality, there's no reason why it shouldn't be intact when we get it.

I'm reminded of the North American version of Megaman Battle Network 6 with both the removal of the Boktai tie in content as well as e-reader support. I know that was Capcom and not Nintendo, but there's history of stupid decisions resulting in releasing an inferior product because of stupid decisions.

[Niku-Sama]

I thought all of battle network was inferior

[The 1 2 P]

I think I just sold my copy of SMA4 a few weeks ago. I'd be willing to buy it again if this announcement were also for a 3DS version but I don't see that happening.

[Leo_A]

How will that even work? Will the e-reader exclusive stuff be DLC? Will it be already unlocked? IIRC, the content was already present in game with the ereader stuff just unlocking it. So I guess this will just be the fully unlocked version?

All 38 levels are unlocked from the start, so some minor modification to the original code must've went on to lift the limit high enough to accommodate everything.

The cape and boomerang can sadly only be gotten from mushroom houses in the e-World and can't be used in the main game. Minor gripe, but it would've been nice to run through SMB3 with the cape...

All we have to do is hope that NOA includes it when they release it (And doesn't do anything foolish like only include the content that actually appeared over here; America missed out on most of the cards due to the failure of the e-Reader over here).

[Leo_A]

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 comes out today in North America with all of the e-Reader levels included. :)

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/heres_a_breakdown_of_the_extra_e-reader_levels_in_super_mario_advance_4_super_mario _bros_3_on_the_wii_u

Additionally, new rumors make it sound likely that Wii U fans will at least get the traditional Mario RPG entry that each Nintendo console generation since the Super Nintendo has received.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/rumour_intelligent_systems_is_working_on_new_paper _mario_for_wii_u

If true, nice to see another decent game to look forward to. Even though they have yet to come close to matching the first two Paper Mario entries, it will undoubtedly be a decent game.

In a related note, I'm still surprised to not see a proper Animal Crossing here. If anyone had told me back in 2012 that Nintendo's biggest hit franchise of the 2000's would be skipping the Wii U, I'd of thought that they were nuts. Where as something like Metroid sadly has played out as expected by many, I bet more than a few Nintendo faithful that have supported this system aren't pleased by the continued absence of this one.

No commercial reason for its absence from a success viewpoint since it would've easily been a top 5 seller. And I bet even an HD port of the 3DS game would've done well (which as I understand it, isn't unlike what went on last time). Yet surprisingly, it sure looks like it's going to disappear without one.

[ZP3]

I agree completely with the above post. I love Animal Crossing, and I imagine that with the success the franchise has seen that it didn't make an appearance. It's not like it wouldn't sell.

[Tupin]

Once Nintendo realized that the Wii U would pass by without much success, I think they pushed a lot of franchise plans off of it. There's some dumb Mario Party clone with Animal Crossing but that's it. The new Zelda will launch on NX and Nintendo seems to have spent a good part of this generation putting out HD re-releases.

The two success stories of the Wii U are Splatoon and Amiibo in general. Other than that it will fade quickly.

[ZP3]

Mario Maker is pretty sweet, and I would argue that Mario Kart 8 is the best Mario Kart yet. Nintendo did a few things right with Wii U, and I've generally enjoyed the console.

[Leo_A]

:)

http://images.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/new_north_american_nintendo_selects_range_emerges_ for_march_release/attachment/0/original.jpg

Glad I held out on several of these as they got expensive. Almost paid $60 last year for Pikmin 3 for instance after I discovered it in stock at a local Wal-Mart. While it was the original MSRP and quickly disappearing at that time, I just didn't want to spend the money. Especially for a game that was several years old at that point, $60 felt like much too much.

And surprised not to see Skyward Sword here. Given that this is the 30th anniversary of the franchise, this overlooked Zelda title would've been a good candidate to rerelease with these. Can sort of understand Wind Waker HD being absent for now given that Twilight Princess HD is right around the corner, but Skyward Sword should be here.

[Guntz]

How the hell did Mario Party Island Tour get on there? That was by far the worst Mario Party I've played yet.

[Tanooki]

Because as they're titled, they're Nintendo Selects, as in Nintendo Select(ed.) They don't have to be good, they don't have to sell a million, that's why they don't call them Player's Choice anymore as that was the high water mark to earn that ribbon. Now it's whatever they care to re-issue to fill holes in their library or keep people buying games years later that scum on line are making expensive and harder to find than should be.

[Leo_A]

Just what sort of retailer is Video Games Plus? Are they actually a mainstream retail chain that carries some weight, or just a small independent store?

Casting further doubt on this past the poorly done illustration, lack of any other leaks, Animal Crossing being included despite being in the first wave of Selects five years ago, the out of date ESRB logos on the older titles, and Animal Crossing retaining the WiFi logo in its prominent front cover position, look at just how sloppy some of these mockups are...

http://i.imgur.com/ovIwvj7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/bBEkFtY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hGKFtLG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uE2wIWd.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Qgv6kOi.jpg

I'm still crossing my fingers and it's possible that the retailer themselves did all of this for their own illustration in advance of Nintendo providing the necessary assets (And they state that they're for illustration only and aren't the final artwork), but this certainly doesn't look to have originated from Nintendo at the very least.

They don't release such unprofessional images as these to their retail partners.

[Niku-Sama]

:)

http://images.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/new_north_american_nintendo_selects_range_emerges_ for_march_release/attachment/0/original.jpg

Glad I held out on several of these as they got expensive. Almost paid $60 last year for Pikmin 3 for instance after I discovered it in stock at a local Wal-Mart. While it was the original MSRP and quickly disappearing at that time, I just didn't want to spend the money. Especially for a game that was several years old at that point, $60 felt like much too much.

And surprised not to see Skyward Sword here. Given that this is the 30th anniversary of the franchise, this overlooked Zelda title would've been a good candidate to rerelease with these. Can sort of understand Wind Waker HD being absent for now given that Twilight Princess HD is right around the corner, but Skyward Sword should be here.

interesting, I bout Mario galaxy 2 new at work the other day for $20 (minus employee discount of 10%). when "P.C." edition, its going to raise the price to $30?
well that's kinda silly...

I agree with the Zelda comment and I honestly am surprised that Mario all stars is going to be one of these, I was really excited for this on the wii before it came out, got it for x-mas or my b-day or something and the delay in the controls is just terrible, and then a week or 2 later it disappeared. I figured it'd been too long and not had sold well to warrant a re-release.

Zelda instead of this please!

[Leo_A]

interesting, I bout Mario galaxy 2 new at work the other day for $20 (minus employee discount of 10%). when "P.C." edition, its going to raise the price to $30?
well that's kinda silly...

I don't think they will. Like you said, it makes no sense to release a Nintendo Selects version that's $10 more just a few months after the original edition was reprinted and again widely distributed.

This information comes from a Canadian videogame store, so presumably the US pricing will take the exchange rate in account and remain the same $20 that this lineup held the last time around back around 2012.

[Leo_A]

I still have my doubts on if this is real since it's exactly what I want to see and that often doesn't seem to align with Nintendo's strategic plans, but assuming that it is, there's a hint at NeoGaf from someone that's supposedly an insider that we can expect a 2nd round of rereleases this Fall.

Hopefully feeding my Wii U will be a lot cheaper this year. Has really limited my software library so far when most everything I want is a $40-$60 game.

[FoxNtd]

I still have my doubts on if this in (sic) real

It might not be very credible, but a friend of a friend who works in a Canadian EB store confirmed an upcoming price drop regarding the picture above.

[Tanooki]

Well if anything as sad as it may be, if you're not stuck up on having a players choice box, this is the time to strike on a system. No more being robbed be douchebags online charging retail, over, or grossly over retail for used and new copies of modern games 'because Nintendo.' If you had a WiiU and had second thoughts, or been holding out this long being a late or wait a gen adopter, it would be wisest NOW to hit it. You can't really guess how few or many these reprints will total and you could see just 2 shitty tiers of asking too much on Pikmin 3 for instance. MSRP $50, 1st print $100, 2nd print $70. Meh.

[Leo_A]

Based on this Nintendo leak that correctly predicted the Pokemon announcement the other day and even got the codename for the project correct (Essentially confirming that this information originates from within Nintendo), this is not only real but we can even count on a 2nd round of rereleases this Fall. :)

Now is definitely the time to get into the Wii U.

[Leo_A]

It's official. :)


REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 29, 2016 – Starting on March 11, some of the most popular and critically acclaimed Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games become a part of the Nintendo Selects program and will be available at a suggested retail price of only $19.99 each. Wii U games like Super Mario 3D World, an imaginative four-player adventure with Mario and friends that received numerous Game of the Year awards and nominations when it first launched in 2013, join Nintendo 3DS standouts such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, one of the most critically acclaimed Nintendo 3DS games of all time.

“Whether you just picked up a new Wii U or Nintendo 3DS system over the holiday season or want to expand your ever-growing game collection, Nintendo Selects are a great, affordable option,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Not only are these games easier than ever to enjoy, but they also represent some of our highest-quality offerings in recent memory.”

Other Wii U games joining the Nintendo Selects family are Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Pikmin 3 and NES Remix Pack. Fun Nintendo 3DS games Yoshi’s New Island, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D and Mario Party: Island Tour can also be purchased at the new low suggested retail price of $19.99 each on March 11. Additionally, a group of classics from the Wii console that can be played on Wii U will be available at the reduced Nintendo Selects price. This includes Super Mario Galaxy 2, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Donkey Kong Country Returns and Super Mario All-Stars.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mario-zelda-donkey-kong-games-130000758.html

[Tanooki]

Well with the NX news due this year in June clearly to come out swinging at E3 I'm going be very curious to see if they keep any backwards compatibility around. This would be key in them not only kicking this project off now at this time for WiiU owners, but they could continue to seed those games well into 2017 to the market to help pad the game library of the NX so that it doesn't have as much of the traditional glut of games after launch. Nintendo could NX up a few games for people, and when they're bored waiting months for the next row of games, they can go -- buy this for $30. It would be fairly solid as far as tactics go given the rotten sales rate of the system, most wouldn't have played the stuff.

In an ideal world if I did get NX if these new trickles of info are solid and it appears third parties are spooging over how easy it is to make or port game code (drag n drop easy) to the thing, it could be a true success, not a disruptor one like Wii was for the first half of its life, and in that case I'd buy it. And then as a joke, since I don't ever do player's choice stuff, I could see intentionally snapping up these titles in that banner for fun.

[Leo_A]

I still wonder how the Wii Mini would've fared had the Selects program not been dead when it appeared and Nintendo had done several further rounds at that time like Super Mario Galaxy 2 to coincide with its launch and opening months on the market.


Well with the NX news due this year in June clearly to come out swinging at E3 I'm going be very curious to see if they keep any backwards compatibility around. This would be key in them not only kicking this project off now at this time for WiiU owners, but they could continue to seed those games well into 2017 to the market to help pad the game library of the NX so that it doesn't have as much of the traditional glut of games after launch. Nintendo could NX up a few games for people, and when they're bored waiting months for the next row of games, they can go -- buy this for $30. It would be fairly solid as far as tactics go given the rotten sales rate of the system, most wouldn't have played the stuff.

If they don't have backwards compatibility and the NX is a hit, I kind of hope that they consider ports down the road of some of the Wii U's best content. Several titles here like Super Mario 3D World certainly could've sold many millions more copies, had Nintendo gotten the hardware into more homes.

I just hope that they're not too upgraded since I'll be tempted to buy the NX versions, too. And don't rely on last-gen ports, regardless of quality, to the same degree that the XB1 and PS4 did to prop up their lineups. Only now does it seem like the focus there is on original content instead of prettied up ports.

Nintendo actually got that part right with the Wii U with its sparing use of remasters. If anything, it could've used a few more like Metroid Prime Trilogy HD.

[eskobar]

Great news!

I have been waiting for Zelda Ocarina 3DS's price to come down and finally I'll be able to purchase it :evil laugh:

[Tanooki]

Leo we're in agreement, it could have had a few more, especially their very late let's call it a dead Wii era goodies that few got their mitts on since most moved on. The big 3 that people puffed up (Xenoblade, Last Story, Pandora) and also as you said Metroid Prime Trilogy. I'd have definitely snapped up for the WiiU had they got the good treatment Wind Waker did, or the still pretty but compared quick and dirty that Twilight Princess did on Wii U.

I know I say it enough, but I have my moments I wish I still had it, but I realize it would have still gone long unused. Perhaps we'll just see how the NX news shapes up in a little over 3 months. If the box plays WiiU games, maybe I'll start stacking up some selects in a drawer for later if the controller can allow to still running such games. I wouldn't mind having Wind Waker back along with New Super Mario Bros U since it was like the true Super Mario World 2 sequel unlike Yoshi in name to sell it, and then there would be Starfox I'm going to miss out on, and who knows what else. The third party stuff was mostly halfassed trash but there are a few that were decent along with a few Nintendo titles too.

[Sailorneorune]

I agree that Xenoblade could use a Nintendo Selects or a "Wii Classics" digital release. That it didn't happen may still have something to do with the GameStop agreement. /speculation end

I'm glad for this new line of Nintendo Selects because I can again recommend games that I couldn't because of their price. One of my friends at work has a Wii U and it felt good to be able to let her know about Pikmin 3, Super Mario All-Stars, and Super Mario 3D World getting an inexpensive reprint.

So, in a couple of weeks, go buy Pikmin 3 and Ocarina 3D and tell the scalpers to shove it.

[Tanooki]

Yup scalper trash kept some solid games from being recommended due to over MSRP rape pricing which was just wrong considering they are out there and not limited as it is anyway, but now you'll get a good surge of new games pressed to teach them a lesson for squatting waiting for a chump.

Xenoblade almost surely isn't going to ever be reprinted because of directly Gamestop because they seemingly had a right to re-print the game themselves through a third party as is anyway because long after NOA didn't have it on their site, GS would get more in and sell them and it's not the only case of them using that third party game pressing company I'm forgetting the name of(think it had retro in the name.) The 3DS game also can't help either as it's out there and sold still actively now.

[Leo_A]

Nintendo Direct announced for tomorrow, focusing on their spring/summer release schedule for the Wii U and 3DS.

Hopefully a few surprises are planned. Of course I expect nothing spectacular like a brand new AAA release that they've kept hidden, but even some more modest announcements can be exciting.

[Tanooki]

Well I'm curious, the well is running dry on 3DS games I want as of yet. I can't imagine too much said other than what is already known as we're inching into the 90day mark from E3 when the industry puckers up it's pooper and clenches all new information so they can have a June surprise.

[Leo_A]

I imagine it will largely be composed of showing off more of what we already know about, like further Star Fox Zero gameplay and a confirmation of a release day.

And probably can expect some more Amiibos to pop up, too (Although if they're not careful, they're going to drive this deal into the ground).

[Leo_A]

Paper Mario fans finally saw a game confirmed for the Wii U today. :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=9Uz9ZfPfSwc

[Leo_A]

IIf they don't have backwards compatibility and the NX is a hit, I kind of hope that they consider ports down the road of some of the Wii U's best content. Several titles here like Super Mario 3D World certainly could've sold many millions more copies, had Nintendo gotten the hardware into more homes.


Add A Link Between Worlds to this list.

This one is an excellent Zelda title that I'm sadly nearing the end of. Been a long time since I played a single game for 5 hours in one day, but I did just that yesterday with this one (Albeit spread across 4-5 sessions). Keep going back to thinking how this one deserves to be experienced on the large screen. With it running natively in HD and perhaps with a slight bit of rework to ground textures like the hillsides, I think this one would be quite attractive on a larger display.

And hopefully the NX console at least includes the option of 3D TV support so they'll have no excuse whatsoever to skip this one (Even if it's never utilized again for any other title). While I'm playing it and fully enjoying it in 2D on my 3DS XL, there are definitely a few times where 3D obviously could come in handy for those able to experience the effect.

I hope with how well received this one is, that it leads to a renaissance of 2D style Zelda's like New Super Mario Brothers did on the original Nintendo DS for that franchise. This and Metroid both deserve to be regularly enjoyed in both 2D and 3D forms on handhelds and consoles, just like Mario platformers.

[Leo_A]

Zelda U delayed to next year and is also now confirmed for the NX which has been announced for a March 2017 global launch.

Presumably Zelda U will be one of those launch titles with a Wii U release to follow later on, Twilight Princess style.

[Tanooki]

You mean 2017 right? I feel I called that one, perhaps in this thread but somewhere as I said they'd do it because they need a big name to push them forward and the WiiU would get kicked in the nuts for it. Proof they don't care anymore, they want it over with but will toss a bone to the WiiU since so much time was wasted on it with that game. I hope they don't think though an annoying open world Zelda beast is a system seller as they'd be mistaken outside of the initial out of the gate console sales push.

[Leo_A]

Of course, fixed my typo. :)

I've thought for about 3 years now that a cross-gen release was likely. Zelda coming at the end of a console generation doesn't do much good for Nintendo strategically, with Skyward Sword likely not selling more than a few thousand Wii's at that late date and with many Wii owners already having moved on.

At least this way it will help move NX hardware while placating Wii U fans like myself. Not an entirely ideal position for a big franchise like Zelda to not be a true 100% next-gen release, but certainly better than letting it loose solely on the Wii U.

[BHvrd]

Unlike "some" people I don't personally have an axe to grind with Nintendo, the Wii U to me is far superior in every way than the original Wii was (even at launch) and it will always have a spot as one of my favorite consoles. I've supported it since day one and have no regrets.

People that don't care or like the Wii U should just screw off and let people who do converse about it, yet it offends some gamers so much that there are actually people that like the console and will do anything to talk trash about it, makes you wonder why they have so much negative to say about a system they don't like instead of going to where they can talk about the console they do like.

Some so called Nintendo fans come off so hell bent with no reasoning and make no sense.... at all and when confronted have no recourse. The Wii U has been a great system I have enjoyed since day one and hopefully NX will be half as good as it is, no regrets.

I'll buy the new Zelda on both the Wii U and NX, as long as the NX is modeled more after the Wii U instead of the Wii cause I have enjoyed the Gamepad on Wii U much like I enjoyed Gameboy SP use on games on Gamecube. The NX may disapppoint like the original Wii did, but Wii U has not disappointed me but I think people just like to use it cause it hasn't had the sales numbers, I blame that on the original Wii and all its gimmicks that were bullshit and people didn't want to support them after all that and were pensive cause the Wii U Gamepad is not bullshit and is a great addition to a great system.

[Tanooki]

That's a bit too far with the screw off if you have a beef with WiiU, and ballsy hoping the nX would be half the system. Seriously? This isn't my joking at all, but if it was half as good as WiiU, they'd be finished. Sales and industry backing support that claim well enough with sales data and third party support ties as they are. They need it to be half the system the Wii was, at least in raw sales and as good as the Cube was or better with third party backing to erase the negativity from legit gripes and help make inexcusable haters with no recourse to a solid argument to really have to shut their traps.

I don't talk nicely mostly about WiiU, because I got one at launch and I feel I got burned out of $350 for it. I had a nice small supply of around a dozen games, a few sucked, but 8~ of them were fun, but to me that's nowhere near enough to justify that price tag let alone the failed support problem that happened within the first year making the thing sadly irrelevant to anyone who isn't just a huge Nintendo fan/fanboy at heart. I've NEVER sold off a Nintendo home console in disgust before the WiiU and I doubt I ever will again because I'm cautious feeling burned. I'll have to know a lot more about what NX is, how it is played, and who is backing it as I'm not going to sink hundreds into another accident when I'm on a budget. I trust them no more on standard (or standard+gimmick) consoles, but handhelds I'm not shaken with them at all. NX is a handheld, I'm in, if it's a console, it's a waiting game. Maybe I'd feel differently had I got a WiiU now with some used 'like new' quality system from someone else and scooped up stuff and played it slowly at the reduced rate things are mostly now but I don't have that luxury.

[mailman187666]

I have all the newest systems. I've enjoyed the Ps4 and Wii U the most. I feel burnt by Xbox One because it has trouble reading disks. I may just buy PS4 and Nintendo exclusively because I get burnt by Xbox every time. PS4 gets more games ported, and Nintendo has exclusives I want.

Although I have recently stated that this generation isn't as good as ones in the past, I can see that waiting for consoles to thrive is worth the wait.

[bb_hood]

I feel burnt by Xbox One because it has trouble reading disks.


Wow, thats really not good, for a modern system to have problems like that is just pathetic.



Although I have recently stated that this generation isn't as good as ones in the past, I can see that waiting for consoles to thrive is worth the wait.

Its always worth the wait. It seems like whenever a system comes out, the launch games are always expensive.. but after 2-3 years they drop down to being 5$ games.




I don't talk nicely mostly about WiiU, because I got one at launch and I feel I got burned out of $350 for it. I had a nice small supply of around a dozen games, a few sucked, but 8~ of them were fun, but to me that's nowhere near enough to justify that price tag let alone the failed support problem that happened within the first year making the thing sadly irrelevant to anyone who isn't just a huge Nintendo fan/fanboy at heart.

Current/Modern consoles are always around this price range, and yeah you can feel 'burned' if you end up not using it alot. All modern consoles cost around this much new, and I dont think you can buy a modern console with hopes of it 'justifying the price tag' in the future. You should buy it if there are current games you want to play. I also dont think its fair to say that the only people who like the WiiU are 'fanboys', it implies that anyone who like the system is a blind moron. Its a quality system and the controller is pretty nice.

I do agree the early launch titles are not super fantastic, but the games always get better if you wait a few years.