Slow Wii U sales? [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

VG_Maniac

12-19-2012, 10:32 PM

I was in a local Best Buy today, and they had around 30 black Wii U systems for sale out on the floor, as well as another 30 white Wii U's. They were all stacked in a pile on top of each other. Seems pretty odd to see a brand new video game system during Christmas time in such plentiful numbers. In fact, every store I've gone into lately has had plenty of Wii U's in stock. Either Nintendo released more than enough systems to go around this time, or the sales for the system are really slow. Does anyone here know which it is? Maybe it's both?

LimitedEditionMuseum

12-19-2012, 10:46 PM

People complain if they sell out, people complain if they are in stock.

joshnickerson

12-19-2012, 10:48 PM

It's too early to tell. We probably won't get solid numbers until next month.

WCP

12-19-2012, 10:57 PM

Either Nintendo released more than enough systems to go around this time, or the sales for the system are really slow. Does anyone here know which it is? Maybe it's both?

It's probably both. Nintendo knew they left $$$ on the table during the original Wii launch. They could have sold double the number of Wii's that they had, but they had legitimate supply issues. This time, they are determined not to under supply, but at the same time, the demand is nowhere near the original Wii demand. In fact, if you think about recent hardware launches during the Thanksgiving time frame, the Kinect was probably in greater demand that original year that it came out.

I've been at a number of Targets, and seen the Wii U demo station just totally ignored, with all the other demo stations being used by people. It's weird.

The only reason Nintendo was even able to sell that first 500,000, is because they had about 375,000 of their diehard supporters jump on the bandwagon on day one. The other 125,000 went to the Ebay/Craigslist speculators. I'm guessing that 50K of that 125K that went to the Craigslist / Ebay crowd will be returned at some point. I think their NPD numbers in December will still look halfway decent ( it is Xmas afterall, and parents still want to excite their kids with a hot new gift ) When we get to January and February, I think they will be WAY off. Nintendo will probably have a press conference, and they will say they are revising their estimates.

They need some killer software and quick.

VG_Maniac

12-19-2012, 11:06 PM

It's probably both. Nintendo knew they left $$$ on the table during the original Wii launch. They could have sold double the number of Wii's that they had, but they had legitimate supply issues. This time, they are determined not to under supply, but at the same time, the demand is nowhere near the original Wii demand. In fact, if you think about recent hardware launches during the Thanksgiving time frame, the Kinect was probably in greater demand that original year that it came out.

I've been at a number of Targets, and seen the Wii U demo station just totally ignored, with all the other demo stations being used by people. It's weird.

The only reason Nintendo was even able to sell that first 500,000, is because they had about 375,000 of their diehard supporters jump on the bandwagon on day one. The other 125,000 went to the Ebay/Craigslist speculators. I'm guessing that 50K of that 125K that went to the Craigslist / Ebay crowd will be returned at some point. I think their NPD numbers in December will still look halfway decent ( it is Xmas afterall, and parents still want to excite their kids with a hot new gift ) When we get to January and February, I think they will be WAY off. Nintendo will probably have a press conference, and they will say they are revising their estimates.

They need some killer software and quick.

I considered buying one on launch day to resell it on Ebay. I'm sure glad I didn't.

WCP

12-19-2012, 11:17 PM

I considered buying one on launch day to resell it on Ebay. I'm sure glad I didn't.

Some people are actually making some money with the deluxe versions. The basic versions are a very hard sell. Last time I bought consoles to try to make a profit was the PS3 / Wii launches. It's a lot of hassle for minimum profit. I might try to do it with the next Xbox and PS4, but I kinda had the feeling that the Wii U wasn't going to sell like hotcakes. I think the price is $50 too high on both packages. If the Deluxe was $299 and the Basic was $249, I'd be much more interested. I'm sure the rest of the public at large feels the same way.

Schiggidyd

12-19-2012, 11:27 PM

Maybe Nintendo needs to realize that their system is full of gimmicks and just resort back to the way it once was. I've had way more fun with the Gamecube. Wii U is so tacky..

Gameguy

12-19-2012, 11:39 PM

Maybe Nintendo needs to realize that their system is full of gimmicks and just resort back to the way it once was. I've had way more fun with the Gamecube. Wii U is so tacky..
They do need to go back to how they sold consoles before the gimmicks, like calling it an entertainment system instead of a video game console and packing a robot buddy with it. No gimmick there.

WCP

12-20-2012, 01:47 AM

There actually is one thing about the Wii U I find really appealing...

For me, the most interesting thing about it, is being able to use the Wii U Gamepad as a little portable game station around the house (well 25 feet within the Wii U base console). If only it had a better range. It will be really interesting to see if there is some 3rd party hardware that can "extend" that range. The idea of being able to take that gamepad anywhere around my house and even in the backyard, etc, etc is kinda cool idea. Yeah, I can't take it with me in the car or on a plane, but I still really like the idea of being able to be in bed playing a triple A console game on a decent screen.

I've heard that people have already made lists of all the games that allow you to play it without using a TV at all. I'm not surprised at all by that, because to me, that's the killer app for the thing right now. The fact that you can't play Virtual Console games on it though is an absolute crime against humanity. What the F is up with that ? I mean, imagine playing all of Nintendo's classic games on that gamepad wherever you happen to be in your house (again, within range of the base console).

kedawa

12-20-2012, 02:05 AM

Can't you do the same with PSP/Vita, or is that just a feature for some games?

G-Boobie

12-20-2012, 02:15 AM

Just some games. Sony calls it "cross play", and it's both weird and neat. Most games don't support it, but it's cool when they do.

I haven't tried it with the Vita, but I abused the Hell out of it with the PSP, mostly for PS classics. I read today that Tokyo Jungle now supports cross play on the Vita, which I'll try over the weekend.

jonebone

12-20-2012, 07:29 AM

Hey... no shit? You mean sales are slow because everyone and their mother bought them to resale, while having a launch lineup that was lackluster at best? Wow, what a surprise.

I'll buy one eventually, but no time soon. I'll probably pick it up before Pikmin 3.

Graham Mitchell

12-20-2012, 10:05 AM

I bought one because it was there and I have no real will power, but it's pretty lackluster for the time being. I have a feeling those of us who shelled out for one will be happy with their purchases once the Zeldas and the Metroids come around.

Tanooki

12-20-2012, 10:32 AM

People complain if they sell out, people complain if they are in stock.

You got that right. Back when the Wii popped up they were in a position in the market they figured they'd just say screw it and go their own path. Having no idea it would be not just desired but like crack addict popular the stupid thing on the whole sold out solid in stores not just through Christmas but the following one and the months between too as they didn't have enough supply, then had to make facilities to do them after the fact.

Now with the 3DS and the WiiU, Nintendo instead plays down expectations and minimalizes the media campaign on the stuff as well while pumping out a heap of product, and since in some places you can find a pile of them, a few, and in many areas too none...now it's bitch bitch bitch they're not selling.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

And on that I see another comment that's a systematic problem with this industry and the consumers in it too, bitching about not having software to back up a system. This isn't just Nintendo but all of them and it really is OUR fault. If someone dares to release a system with like say 5 games and then have a couple more every week or two pop up so they don't have a software drought on the level of like 4-6 months, they're a failure because they didn't have a solid launch library and it shows lack of third party support. But, if you blow out a launch with like 20+ titles, then you get bitching about games with issues, ports, stuff being so called B-grade or a low A (not AAA) grade stuff but you get good buzz, then you get shit on and whined about for months on end after the initial month or so on the market because everyone shoveled their shit to the shelves all at once and you get like 1 game a month for the forseeable future. I mean really, what the hell do people want? It's like a selfish bitchfest reprisal if you go either way on it with a system launch. You do too little on choice and you're a failure, and if you do it all at once a month later you're a failure too because in both cases supposedly third parties aren't backing you up. It's all a symptom of the current me me me selfish and ADHD type mentality of gamers we have these days who have it have it now, right now, and all of it and consistently or it's get bored and bitchy time.

WCP

12-20-2012, 05:00 PM

Somebody on my local Craigslist was selling a Basic for $270. I was almost tempted, but decided against it at the last minute. It's like, what game would I really want to play on it? Mario and Zombie U both look interesting, but not $300 something interesting. I think I'll be waiting till it's $199 with a good game packed in. (Yeah, I know it's gonna be a LONG wait)

kupomogli

12-20-2012, 05:56 PM

For me, the most interesting thing about it, is being able to use the Wii U Gamepad as a little portable game station around the house (well 25 feet within the Wii U base console). If only it had a better range. It will be really interesting to see if there is some 3rd party hardware that can "extend" that range. The idea of being able to take that gamepad anywhere around my house and even in the backyard, etc, etc is kinda cool idea. Yeah, I can't take it with me in the car or on a plane, but I still really like the idea of being able to be in bed playing a triple A console game on a decent screen.

This, Mario, and Zombie U are the only thing I'm interested on the console right now so not picking one up anytime soon. Instead of having to worry about the range of it, couldn't you just take the console with you to your bedroom and then just switch the interface to the console as soon as you power on the system?

Can't you do the same with PSP/Vita, or is that just a feature for some games?

Just some games. Sony calls it "cross play", and it's both weird and neat. Most games don't support it, but it's cool when they do.

I haven't tried it with the Vita, but I abused the Hell out of it with the PSP, mostly for PS classics. I read today that Tokyo Jungle now supports cross play on the Vita, which I'll try over the weekend.

It's called Remote Play actually. Cross Play is where Vita and PS3 players can play online together on games like Wipeout HD/Fury, Playstation All Stars, or the upcoming Ratchet and Clank game that plays like Starhawk but Ratchet and Clank themed. There's also Cross Controller where you can play PS3 games with Vita specific functionality, like the DLC that just came out for LBP2 on PS3.

To me though, I never use remote play at home. If I ever do use it, it's when I'm at someone elses house and I connect wirelessly to play a game. It's rare that I use it though and half the time I've used it was to show off the feature to friends that I could use it.

WCP

12-21-2012, 01:06 AM

I've always heard that remote play on the PSP and on the Vita is damn near unplayable. Too laggy and choppy. At least, that's what I've heard. Never actually tried it myself.

G-Boobie

12-21-2012, 02:05 AM

Rickstilwell1

12-21-2012, 05:51 AM

It's probably both. Nintendo knew they left $$$ on the table during the original Wii launch. They could have sold double the number of Wii's that they had, but they had legitimate supply issues. This time, they are determined not to under supply, but at the same time, the demand is nowhere near the original Wii demand. In fact, if you think about recent hardware launches during the Thanksgiving time frame, the Kinect was probably in greater demand that original year that it came out.

I've been at a number of Targets, and seen the Wii U demo station just totally ignored, with all the other demo stations being used by people. It's weird.

The only reason Nintendo was even able to sell that first 500,000, is because they had about 375,000 of their diehard supporters jump on the bandwagon on day one. The other 125,000 went to the Ebay/Craigslist speculators. I'm guessing that 50K of that 125K that went to the Craigslist / Ebay crowd will be returned at some point. I think their NPD numbers in December will still look halfway decent ( it is Xmas afterall, and parents still want to excite their kids with a hot new gift ) When we get to January and February, I think they will be WAY off. Nintendo will probably have a press conference, and they will say they are revising their estimates.

They need some killer software and quick.

Probably because the Wii U demo stations don't have any playable demos. Every station I've been to - Target, Best Buy... all they have are video clips. Gets boring fast.

Rob2600

12-21-2012, 09:30 AM

Probably because the Wii U demo stations don't have any playable demos. Every station I've been to - Target, Best Buy... all they have are video clips. Gets boring fast.

Rayman Legends is the only playable demo, and it's the last game on the list so many people probably won't notice it, *and* it's not even out yet! WTF??

I agree, the Wii U demo kiosks are pathetic at the moment.

Frankie_Says_Relax

12-21-2012, 10:07 AM

Kupo is right, remote play is the name. Whether or not it's playable depends largely on the game and your connection. I've played RE2 on my PSP on the couch while my girlfriend watched a movie and had no problem with it. It's also great for turn based RPGs.

I find that the Vita has a MUCH better latency (or lack thereof) with remote play on PS1 games in the disc drive than the PSP. With the settings on the middle to low range of graphics detail and high end of speed it's almost perfect to the point that you can actually play a fighting or driving game.

geneshifter

12-21-2012, 11:36 AM

I got a deluxe WiiU a week ago and I like what it is trying to do. I like Batman and ZombiU and how they utilize that screen for gadgets, backpack inventory,etc... However, with the revelations about the CPU and how I've had 3 hard locks requiring me to pull the power cord to turn it off, I decided to return it. I'll most likely rebuy later but I'm not real big on launch day issues and this is more than I can stand at $400 after taxes.

The 1 2 P

12-21-2012, 08:04 PM

Wii U sales will continue to be slow until Nintendo starts releasing more of their legacy titles. I'm one of those people who is waiting to pick one up later once more than Zombi U interest me. Maybe it will sell better in Japan this time around.

Leo_A

12-21-2012, 09:55 PM

Wish they'd do some quick HD collections to get some of their big franchises out.

I'd love to be able to buy Metroid Prime Trilogy HD, a collection of the two Super Mario Galaxy releases and Super Mario Sunshine, and a Zelda collection with Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword. Judging by Dolphin, these games would make excellent candidates for HD rereleases.

Without such things, we could be in for a very long wait for some of these franchises to make appearances on the Wii U. Major console Zelda entries seem to take a good 4-5 years and Skyward Sword is only a year old for one example.

Orion Pimpdaddy

12-22-2012, 01:02 PM

I too saw a lot of WiiU's sitting at Target. I think what makes it so shocking is that we are used to shortages when it comes to Nintendo launches.

I'm sure they are still selling a lot, and the system will have a successful life span. Nintendo fans should not worry; as a Sega follower, I can tell you, sales can be a lot worse. :)

sherdog

12-22-2012, 04:36 PM

The 1 2 P

12-22-2012, 06:04 PM

I was pretty shocked that the 7 year old Xbox 360 out sold it.

That isn't unusual. The first few months of a new system usually has a contrained supply so they still get outsold by the older systems for a few months. Come next March or April we will have a much clearer picture of how the Wii U fares against the 360, PS3 and even the Wii.

WCP

12-22-2012, 08:32 PM

Niku-Sama

12-22-2012, 08:59 PM

i work at walmart...and i can say honestly its just not selling

we only got about 8 Basic bundles and none of them have sold.
we eventually wound up with 98 deluxe bundles and only 18 of them sold

most of those were people with pre orders expecting to sell them on ebay.

i have personaly sold one and i work in the electronics department

i'm thinking about getting one, probably after tax time and i imagine theres going to be a hefty price drop by then if it doesent start selling soon

IHatedSega

12-22-2012, 11:14 PM

I got a ton of flack on a message board cause I said the name was a bad idea. Now whos laughing? And actually scared, cause I wish people were A LITTLE more smart about this and knowing a its a new console and not a add on thing. My friend who hasa PS3 thinks its just an addon to the Wii even though Ive explained what it is 3 times. Why does it take being a diehard to understand that its a new console? Im afraid this will keep the "stupid americans are too dumb for our cool RPG's" mentality at Nintendo.

WCP

12-22-2012, 11:27 PM

Why does it take being a diehard to understand that its a new console?

I think a big part of it, is the fact that Nintendo decided to just catch up to where the PS3 and 360 has already been for the last 6 or 7 years. It's not really a next-gen system. If it was truly next-gen, then I think it would be pretty obvious to everybody that Nintendo had a new machine. I remember when I first heard about the Wii U, I really thought that Nintendo could make things interesting, by having a version of Call of Duty that would look leaps and bounds better than the 360 or PS3 versions. It could have created a huge buzz.

Of course, Nintendo was more concerned with having this tablet controller, and they didn't want the price to go into the stratosphere, so the Wii U ended up being pretty underpowered, especially from the CPU standpoint.

IHatedSega

12-22-2012, 11:51 PM

Tanooki

12-23-2012, 11:46 AM

Fry's Electronics has actually been advertising Wii U basic bundles for $350 that include Nintendoland and the Sonic Racing game. Since the basic is $299, and Nintendoland is $59.99, and I think the Sonic Racing is at least $39.99 or something... Anyways, basically Fry's is taking like a $35 hit on this bundle. They must have got way too many basic systems that they are having a hard time selling. Kinda crazy to see something like this BEFORE xmas.

http://www.frys.com/product/7504656

That's not crazy, that's just Fry's.

I used to live like 5miles from one and they do weird crap every year many times of year holiday or not. Back when Uncharted 2 came out they sold it for $49.00 instead of $60 for example. They often do both advertised and unadvertised weirdo random sales on brand new stuff that just hits the stores or a week or two after they hit to draw people their way instead of elsewhere. I find it was like they randomly do weird Amazon like price slashes on all sorts of goods.

WCP

12-23-2012, 12:41 PM

Only diehards care about CPU's and being "truly" next gen though. Black Ops isnt as big of a deal with little kids, which has always been Nintendos default audience. Most people just care about games, and the Wii name still being on the machine made people think its a Wii with a new controller you cant use on the normal Wii. Nintendo should still be the bigger brand name than Wii, and that was my big problem with it. When the SNES came out it was so much different than the NES, parents who didnt think they needed to buy their kids a new console saw it and heard the music and knew it was different and better.

They just should have come up with a different name.

I understand what you're saying, but at the same time, you have Reggie telling the media that Black Ops on the Wii U is vastly superior to the 360 and PS3 versions, which of course is a joke, but I think if it was legitmately true, it really would make a difference. Nintendo could have easily had enough power in the machine to run Black Ops at a "legit" 1080p, and also at a silky smooth 60 frames per second. The textures could have been significantly improved, etc, etc. I think if Nintendo had commericals that did an A/B comparison between Black Ops on Wii U and on the 360/PS3, I think it could have generated some buzz. Sure, the buzz would start with the hardcore set, but it eventually trickles down to the Joe Sixpacks of the world.

Of course, this would have also required that Nintendo send a few wheelbarrels of cache to Activision to make sure that the Wii U version of Black Ops 2 was truly special, and we all know that Nintendo doesn't like doing stuff like that.

IHatedSega

12-23-2012, 01:16 PM

Graham Mitchell

12-23-2012, 05:45 PM

To me its not about 1080 anything or seeing brown areas in their browny glory. They just need to focus on Mario and Link as games. But to me the bigger thing they should be doing right now is making people understand its a brand new console.

I personally would love to see Nintendo come up with a new ip that doesn't overtax the CPU. Whether or not it utilizes the touch pad is inconsequential. But intelligent systems or ead could probably make something unique, fresh and fun. It's about time. These Mario and Zelda games are getting stale, and low in innovation.

Tupin

12-23-2012, 06:00 PM

Griking

12-23-2012, 06:34 PM

I felt burnt with the Wii, I have no plans to purchase the Wii U this time around until there's a reasonable library of games worth buying that aren't already available on my PC or Xbox 360.

kupomogli

12-23-2012, 08:11 PM

I felt burnt with the Wii

I think this is what has happened with most of Nintendo's audience, except with the addition of most people never playing video games. They bought into the Wii because of the concept of motion controls. Maybe after buying into one gimmick, they decided to stay away from purchasing this one as the same thing as before might happen. They might use the console for a week then never touch it again.

Tupin

12-23-2012, 08:32 PM

Tanooki

12-23-2012, 08:42 PM

Tupin's right twice.

1) STAY ON TOPIC
2) Advertising sucked

Nintendo if people read up on some of their own pre-Wii U press stuff made it clear they had some supply line problems with the tablet controller to the point you can't buy a spare from them online nor at retail, just a few spares for warranty work until sometime in 2013. Since they were limited on those, no matter how many systems they make, you can't move them without the tablet controller. So in that, what reason would anyone consider it a good idea to advertise the hell out of the Wii U like they did for the Wii after what happened with those Wii sales explosions all through late 2006, 07 and early 08. Even with it out now I haven't heard much for them doing print ads, and I've only twice ever spotted a tv ad that shows a game and says Wii U on it showing the system in use. I remember seeing Wii ads when it came out like it was an election year.

Lack of advertising really did it, they went with just going low key really online allowing the Nintendo super fans to know it exists and to get it, but let it stop there probably to avoid some form of another Wii 2006 push when they knew they couldn't back up the demand with product.

PreZZ

12-23-2012, 09:33 PM

At every console launch, I buy 3 consoles. One for me, and the other 2 on local ads and every time I get the money back for the console I kept, making it free! Well this time I only bought 2, kept the first one, and put the other on craigslist (its called kijiji in canada) for 550$ for a 150$ profit, never got a single call or email. I put it at 400$ a month ago, which is the price I paid with taxes, and got one call and a trade offer for a used ps2! The local ads are filled with brand new wiiu and I saw a lot of deluxe selling for less than the MSRP, even deluxe bundle on ebay. This is the most cold reaction I have seen for a console launch EVER, hardcore Nintendo fans bought it on day one and a lot of resellers, and I suspect the big stores will have a lot of returns of unused console from resellers after xmas. The number of consoles resellers bought is HUGE, just look your at your local craigslist and ebay. I remember Nintendo panicked with 3ds sitting on shelves, Im very curious to see what they will do. Im not sure even big names like zelda and mariokart will save this one. And yes, I like the console, its very cool tech and affordable, but I feel like keeping the wii brand and confusion for casual gamers with the regular wii might kill it. Its already filled with tons of shovelware a month after launch, people are pissed on miiverse and draw shovels everywhere on crappy game forums!

Gamevet

12-23-2012, 11:58 PM

That's not crazy, that's just Fry's.

I used to live like 5miles from one and they do weird crap every year many times of year holiday or not. Back when Uncharted 2 came out they sold it for $49.00 instead of $60 for example. They often do both advertised and unadvertised weirdo random sales on brand new stuff that just hits the stores or a week or two after they hit to draw people their way instead of elsewhere. I find it was like they randomly do weird Amazon like price slashes on all sorts of goods.

Yeah, Fry's rocks!

I picked up Far Cry 3 for the PC from Fry's. They were selling it for $39.99 a couple of days after it came out. They always have bundle deals available for consoles and handhelds too.

j_factor

12-24-2012, 12:29 AM

I was pretty shocked that the 7 year old Xbox 360 out sold it.

PS2 routinely outsold Xbox 360 for quite some time.

tomwaits

12-24-2012, 07:58 AM

I think Tanooki's right about Nintendo's lack of advertising due to short supply. I bought on launch day and my 3rd grader was excited to tell their classmates about it the next morning at 'weekend share time'. None of the other kids had even heard of the Wii U. If kids don't know about it, and aren't begging their parents for it, it's not going to sell over the holidays.

Nintendo isn't desperate for sales... esp if they couldn't manufacture enough anyway... they can afford to wait and properly market the Wii U next Christmas. I'm just glad the scalpers 'lost' this time.

IHatedSega

12-24-2012, 08:45 AM

I personally would love to see Nintendo come up with a new ip that doesn't overtax the CPU. Whether or not it utilizes the touch pad is inconsequential. But intelligent systems or ead could probably make something unique, fresh and fun. It's about time. These Mario and Zelda games are getting stale, and low in innovation.

From E3 this year it kinda felt like Zombie U was their flagship title over Mario, they do need to make a new series. Bayonetta 2 should bring sales up though in February.

swlovinist

12-24-2012, 10:58 AM

I just think the market's so much different from 2006. Back then, there wasn't a single iOS device. Cell phone gaming was a joke. Now you can play a fully featured RPG on your phone.

The name might have something to do with it, but I also think people's tastes are changing. Maybe we really are moving away from consoles and desktops to a world of multi-purpose phones and laptops....

Agree with this except that laptops should be replaced with tablets. My family is not composed of gamers, and I know of at least three people that are getting tablets this year. My family requested them for several reasons: Its the computer that is portable, light, plays casual games, check facebook, and does not hog the TV screen, educational stuff etc. Dedicated game devices are just not cutting it anymore. While gaming consoles now are more than just gaming devices, the consumer is making choices that will appeal to wide range of uses. If I can get a tablet that can not only be a portable computer but also double down as a gaming device...why not? I am glad I waited on the Wii U. I feel that this years attention is not on a ton of dedicated gaming devices...it is the year of the tablet.

kupomogli

12-24-2012, 03:00 PM

PS2 routinely outsold Xbox 360 for quite some time.

This is true, but the 360 was $300-$400 and the PS2 $99 or $149(not sure.) The $150-$250 or $200-300 difference then is a lot more than the $60-$110(PS3) and $100-$150(360) difference now.

Griking

12-24-2012, 04:01 PM

This isn't a thread to discuss whether or not the Wii was a worthy system. It was, you just had to know where to look. It absolutely was worth buying in around 2007, and if you don't own one by now you could probably find one for less than $80.

I think the problem was the lack of advertising. I barely ever saw ads for Wii games.

You know what they say about opinions?

To discount the fact that a lot of people were turned off by the Wii is ignorant.

I specifically didn't purchase a Wii U because of my experiences with the Wii. And yeah, perhaps it does have a little to do with advertising since I HATE the Wii U commercial and the annoying noises in it.

The 1 2 P

12-24-2012, 04:15 PM

The lack of advertising is definitely going against them. Although I haven't really seen any over the past few months I also don't watch alot of tv these days. I also think they blew it on the messaging. There are far too many people who have no idea if the Wii U is just an accessory for the Wii. I had to explain what it was to two mothers at a Best Buy a couple weeks ago and to two middle or high school girls last week at Walmart. Nintendo needs to get the word out and pronto.

Tupin

12-24-2012, 04:18 PM

A lot of the people who I've heard complain "the Wii had no games" only played the yearly "big" Nintendo title and nothing else. The Wii was a treasure trove of hidden gems, and it's not like it's the 90s with no widespread Internet use so they couldn't be popularized. Games like Opoona, Little King's Story, and Xenoblade Chronicles were some of the best games to come out in their respective genres in years, but people only wanted to pay attention to what Nintendo had to offer, even when it was games that didn't deserve attention at all like Metroid: Other M.

Nintendo has been trying for two generations to get people to buy third-party games, and this continues with the Wii U and Bayonetta 2. However, it comes down to advertising, something Nintendo hasn't done a good job with in years.

kupomogli

12-24-2012, 07:08 PM

The Wii has games that people miss out on that are good, like Final Fantasy Fables Chocobo Dungeon, Dokapon Kingdom, Silent Hill Shattered Memories, Xenoblade, etc, etc, etc, but that's any system. Any system is going have hidden gems here and there that most people don't play but with the Wii, there isn't anything except those hidden gems that show off the library.

The PS360 have a massiive list of well known games, plus that same list of amazing games that most people haven't played. Stranglehold, Mirror's Edge, Army of Two 40th Day, Saboteur, Dante's Inferno, Vanquish, Bayonetta, etc, then exclusives per console as well, like 3D Dot Game Heroes, Valkyria Chronicles, Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4, etc.

Like I've already said above, the Wii has just first party games and then the list of good games that most people haven't played. When every other system has a similar list of hidden gems, it's like saying. "Hey, there's a small list of hidden gems among a system with no games" compared to "Hey, there's a small list of hidden gems among all these other amazing games."

It's similar, but different than what happened with the PSP. With the PSP, every game was actually fairly good. It wasn't that the system had no games. The system was bashed from day one from having too many ports and remakes. Then because of piracy and it wasn't as successful as the DS, it didn't get too many releases each week. So the system had no games in everyone's opinion despite every game that came out for the system was usually a good game. At the initial launch of the 3DS the same happened, the same is happening for the Vita and still happening because of lack of third party support, and for right now, seems to be happening with the Wii U.

Orion Pimpdaddy

12-24-2012, 07:28 PM

The local news where I live broadcast a story tonight about how hard it was to get a WiiU. The reporter was at Wal-Mart talking the manager, asking about when they were going to get some.

The second half of the report talked about the long download that happens win you plug it in. He went on to say that if you interrupted it during the process, the console would brick.

I have two thoughts about this. 1) I live in the same area and I saw lots of WiiU's (at least a week ago). None of the shoppers around the gaming area seemed interested in them. So obviously, it seems like the news story was a little cooked up.

2) This kind of reporting is actually what the console needs to sell. The "shortage" news stories always sells product, as it did with the Wii and Tickle Me Elmo.

I'm hoping the WiiU succeeds, but I wish they would do it by having great software. Right now, there's just nothing about it that makes me want to own it. The minute I see Metroid Prime 4 though, I'll be jumping in the car right and taking a trip to the store.

VG_Maniac

12-25-2012, 01:06 AM

WCP

12-25-2012, 02:33 AM

I wonder if the Wii U sales are low enough, Nintendo will drop the price like they did with the 3DS? I'm holding off on buying a Wii U until they get some more games on it...but a price drop would probably be enough to get me to buy one too.

I'm inclined to think that Nintendo came in a bit high with the price at $349.99 for the Deluxe version and $299 for the Basic. Both prices are probably $50 too high. Nintendo probably figured that demand would be strong enough, that they would sell out of their available stock, regardless. Doesn't seem like that's happening for them, but still, they were probably able to sell about 650,000 units, if not more, at this higher price, so maybe it will work out for them regardless. I'd expect a $50 price drop between March and May.

Press_Start

12-25-2012, 05:49 AM

I'm hoping the WiiU succeeds, but I wish they would do it by having great software. Right now, there's just nothing about it that makes me want to own it.

The last console with a strong successful launch was the dreamcast. PS2 sorta shotgun the whole "first game line-up = console success" argument into swiss cheese. Nowadays, it's ports, licensed moneymagnets, and one or two good standouts for the first year til' near the beginning of the second year where the console finally kickstarts into high gear. It happened to PS2. It happened for Wii. It happened for 360 and PS3. It'll happen again for WiiU and the same still for PS4/X720.

I wonder if the Wii U sales are low enough, Nintendo will drop the price like they did with the 3DS? I'm holding off on buying a Wii U until they get some more games on it...but a price drop would probably be enough to get me to buy one too.

They should have sold the Basic Set @ $250 or bundled it with Nintendoland from the getgo, since the way it looks like, Nintendo's punishing their consumers for not buying a Delux Set.

Orion Pimpdaddy

12-25-2012, 09:12 AM

The last console with a strong successful launch was the dreamcast. PS2 sorta shotgun the whole "first game line-up = console success" argument into swiss cheese. Nowadays, it's ports, licensed moneymagnets, and one or two good standouts for the first year til' near the beginning of the second year where the console finally kickstarts into high gear. It happened to PS2. It happened for Wii. It happened for 360 and PS3. It'll happen again for WiiU and the same still for PS4/X720.

I was just saying that's my preferred way for a console to be successful. Yep, PS2 didn't need a game that was a system seller since the Playstation name was at the height of its popularity at the time. They could have printed "Playstation" on a loaf of bread and it would have sold out. As far as the Wii, well, Wii Sports, as primitive as we see it today, probably sold a lot of systems.

Bottom line, if Nintendo had a huge, attention-grabbing game right now on the WiiU, then the thing would be selling BETTER. The New Mario Bros game is probably the closest they have to one, but the Mario franchise is getting a little fatigued right now.

IHatedSega

12-25-2012, 09:23 AM

They probably need to do home console of a Pokemon game, yeah its the sole reason they sell handhelds, but if the 3DS isnt a big seller then I say they bring Pokemon home.

Im sorry about my brown shooter comment, but Im just sick of how this generation of gaming is so focused on being "real" looking. I love 16 bit graphics much more than most games graphics nowadays, they look like CARTOONS! Yoshi's Island's graphics need to be redone with new games, itd look AMAZING in HD.

A new series of games would be great, instead of Wii Sports thing, come up wit ha new great mascot that fully utilizes the touchpad, and make it so the game play isnt forced on you using it instead of just looking at the tv and touching buttons on your controller to play the game.

Leo_A

12-26-2012, 12:25 PM

As far as the Wii, well, Wii Sports, as primitive as we see it today, probably sold a lot of systems.

How come you're talking as if six years ago was ancient history now and that we can only take an educated guess that Wii Sports played a significant role in the console selling ~100 million systems?

It wasn't that long ago. :)

Tanooki

12-26-2012, 10:12 PM

I wonder if the Wii U sales are low enough, Nintendo will drop the price like they did with the 3DS? I'm holding off on buying a Wii U until they get some more games on it...but a price drop would probably be enough to get me to buy one too.

Well as WCP pointed out, they came in probably $50 high. It was with intent. Did you miss the story that Iwata(I think it was him) admitted the pricing they did on the systems converts to needing to sell just one of their first party games to break even on the system at launch.

Knowing that and I'm sure that was based on the standard model since the big boy the spare stuff (game and all) were just toss in write offs had they taken the price down another $50 (black unit at $300, white at $250) it just would have been 2 games for them to sell to get paid. Given that Mario is one of those rare games that tends to damn near 1:1 sell with a system, it's not much of a stretch to assume someone would buy right off if not shortly after game #2 for the hardware and they'd be set.

If by American tax season closes they don't see a bump in sales I'd imagine they'd look into a price cut mid year I'd bet, and that would fall similarly in line with the time needed on the $50 price drop 3DS got before it started to fly off the shelf(and once they correct that ignorant error of keeping DS alive for 2years after it should have died off) it will help more not competing against itself which is now what WiiU is doing with the Wii (dumb move.) Get the old Wii the hell out of here with first party support and all forms of advertising and just scale it away through 2013 that'll help. Get the price down another $50 to be very competitive with the older slightly lesser capable hardware and they'll have a nice sweet spot to play in. That will also give more room for 2013 christmas or 2014 to aggressively drop it another $50 to screw with MS and Sony and their $400-500 costing system launches as they both thing everyone is made of money. :)

BlastProcessing402

12-27-2012, 05:09 PM

The 1 2 P

12-27-2012, 07:26 PM

Maybe it depends on where you live. I haven't seen a single WiiU for sale around here. Not that I was looking to buy one, but stores clearly have a space where they would go, with nothing there. Granted, I have not been to a Best Buy, but multiple locations each for Target, K-Mart, Walmart, Meijers, none of them have had systems any time I've been there since launch.

I'm curious what area you live in. I work in MD and live in PA and I haven't been in a single Best Buy, Target, Kmart, Walmart, Gamestop or Toys R Us over the past month that hasn't had plenty of stock of both versions of the system.

Gamevet

12-27-2012, 11:18 PM

It's selling well enough in Japan, with just over 435,000 units sold on the charts ending on December 16th.

http://www.magicboxnow.com/1212/game121221a.shtml

kupomogli

12-28-2012, 12:22 AM

It's selling well enough in Japan, with just over 435,000 units sold on the charts ending on December 16th.

http://www.magicboxnow.com/1212/game121221a.shtml

Because this game(pictured below) is a launch title. That and it's been out in Japan for two weeks. First week sold over 300,000. The rest is from second week sales, so less than 135,000. Won't really know until sales from subsequent weeks are posted if it keeps hitting 100,000+ in Japan.

http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/2/9/4/683294_279162_front.jpg

treismac

12-31-2012, 02:41 PM

How come you're talking as if six years ago was ancient history now and that we can only take an educated guess that Wii Sports played a significant role in the console selling ~100 million systems?

It wasn't that long ago. :)

Hehehe... Apparently, the causes of the Wii's success are now as shrouded in the mists of time as those of the Crash of '83, Leo.

I'd wager that, more specifically, Bowling on Wii Sports sold more than its fair share of Wii systems. I can't really recall anyone raving about any other games on the disk, to be honest. Heck, even non-gamers enjoyed that one a good deal.

In regards to less than spectacular Wii U sales, Nintendo needs to get their heads out of their arse and put out a demo kiosk in stores that has actual demo games to play rather than just two minute game trailer videos for prospective buyers to idly watch. This puzzles me. Are these lame kiosks just specific to my area or are they a pan North America marketing mistake?

j_factor

12-31-2012, 03:19 PM

I'd wager that, more specifically, Bowling on Wii Sports sold more than its fair share of Wii systems. I can't really recall anyone raving about any other games on the disk, to be honest. Heck, even non-gamers enjoyed that one a good deal.

I always thought tennis was the most popular portion of Wii Sports.

Daria

12-31-2012, 03:34 PM

I always thought tennis was the most popular portion of Wii Sports.

May be a regional thing, I know my friends were all about drunken wii bowling. :roll:

macdude22

12-31-2012, 04:48 PM

Anecdotal, but the local Wal mart here (rural Iowa only game in town) has had stacks of basic and deluxe models. When the wii launched there was a line (myself included, I got frostbite that night to get that stupid thing....) I just don't have any excitement for the thing. The idea of waving my iPad around as some newfangled control scheme doesn't sound appealing at all.

Tupin

12-31-2012, 04:53 PM

The 1 2 P

12-31-2012, 06:45 PM

Next week we'll know how well the Wii U did in it's first full month of sales.

Leo_A

12-31-2012, 06:52 PM

I always thought tennis was the most popular portion of Wii Sports.

It seemed pretty clear to me that bowling was what was the craze was all about.

I actually liked the golf mode the best.

macdude22

12-31-2012, 07:01 PM

Really, Nintendo's acting like iOS devices and tablets in general aren't cutting into their sales, but they totally are. The Wii launched without any iPhone or iPad on the market, the Wii U didn't have the luxury of being the only choice when it came to "casual gaming."

I don't think I've used my DS since I got an iPhone 3 years ago. I pull it out to charge every few months, bout it. It's just way more convenient to play something on my phone.

Orion Pimpdaddy

12-31-2012, 07:16 PM

How come you're talking as if six years ago was ancient history now and that we can only take an educated guess that Wii Sports played a significant role in the console selling ~100 million systems?

It wasn't that long ago. :)

Not sure what you mean by ancient history. I was responding to someone who said that a strong launch library isn't needed anymore. I countered by saying Wii Sports probably helped sell systems. I said "probably" because I don't have any hard proof. Regardless, I think WiiU would sell more if there was a killer app that everyone was talking about.