How to get the Wii U back on top of the heap. How?

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

I'm sad that the Wii U isn't selling very well. It seems as if Nintendo themselves have not promoted this system at all and there hasn't been a huge library of games released for it as of yet, I'm sure this will change over time and maybe they have something up their sleeves for E3 but so far it's been quiet. Nintendo should be promoting this on television with commercials for the system, they should be in print ad's, radio, whatever they can do to bring in potential buyers and they should be actively trying to put out games to lure gamers in. I didn't like this past generation of gaming but it was nice to see the Wii (or Nintendo as a whole) on top of the gaming world again, it's been a while since they've been #1 and it was great to see them crush the competition like they used to back in the day. I was hoping to see this trend continue.

So, how does Nintendo get their system back on track to become the #1 console in the United States (and the world) once again? I personally think too many people think the Wii U is some kind of an accessory to the Wii because of the similar name and design of the console, they should have named it the "Wii 2" or something completely different. Anyhow, any thoughts on this topic? Let's talk about how to get the Wii U to the top of the sales charts!

[Graham Mitchell]

It doesn't need to be on top of the sales charts. Plenty of great consoles like the TG-16 were not the biggest sellers. But they did offer something unique, which I think the Wii U is poised to do. I mean, even on the Wii you have stuff like Pandora's Tower and Fortune Street, which are games MS wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

It just needs some games that people want to play. They launched it too early with nothing up their sleeve. It needs a good new IP, or a Zelda/Metroid game that's not a remake.

[Tanooki]

Nintendo has never had the 'beefy' hardware really generation to generation, perhaps SNES withstanding all thing considered, and they've done fine. They're a powerhouse of first party work and second party coverage so third party pansy tactics have only harmed them from getting people totally not into their stuff alone. Being on top isn't an issue, and they've either had to use monopoly behavior, slugging it out to the end in the years, or pandering to a new market to ever hit the top and have done profitably well over all the years regardless of position. WiiU could come out on top, likely it probably won't but anything could be possible. The One looks to be a nice step in alienating buyers and those not wanting an all in one media box and the PS4 is still unknown in some respects until next month. Sure they'll have their fans who want their system specific stuff, but they need to get the people who want the third party stuff most and will also weigh cost, performance, history of their product lines/support systems, and whatever else in in their minds when going to buy.

[JakeM]

Once the first 3D Mario comes out itll start selling. It may out sell the XBOX One, I hope it does.

[Polygon]

Nintendo has been releasing a lot of good games recently. Too bad they've all been on the 3DS. That's what they need to do, start releasing the good first party stuff on the Wii U. It doesn't have a strong library and the longer it stays that way the worse it will become. I was really excited about Luigi's Mansion 2 until I heard it was only on the 3DS. Just seems to be the pattern here.

[PreZZ]

Nintendo has never had the 'beefy' hardware really generation to generation, perhaps SNES withstanding all thing considered, and they've done fine..

What about gamecube and N64???

[JSoup]

It's already the top of the heap. The garbage heap, HEY OH!


What about gamecube and N64???

What about them? Neither was really "beefy" and were easily out-tech'd by Sony's systems.

[o.pwuaioc]

I can't speak for the PS2 v. GCN debate (I don't know enough about that late hardware), but the N64 was more powerful than the PS1. The only thing it lacked that the PS1 had was a CD drive (N64DD notwithstanding), which really hurt it. But as far as computer go, the N64 was better. The only time when Nintendo was really the reigning champion was when the NES was released. The Famicom killed in 1983, and did so until the Master System was released, which had the better specs.

[Tanooki]

I was embellishing a bit using the never really had 'beefy' line. The Cube wasn't the best of the pile, the xbox edged it out bit a hair. The N64 technically was on top with their SGI engine and the rest, but because of the lack of CD storage it crippled the system from a lot of games or having the capability to really exploit all the parts due to the small storage medium and also a pathetically weak pathway for data to bottleneck inside the system coming off the carts.

I'm just saying they never really shot for the best hardware. They've shot for the best hardware to get their ideas across which they've been very vocal about for years. They grab parts, put them together, and do so in a useful way best suited for their game designs first before anyone else.

[Graham Mitchell]

If you think they cheaped out on console hardware, you child check out some of their arcade hardware. Cheap parts and overall bad engineering makes them a butch to restore.

The control panels in particular are atrocious. They're so over-complicated for no good reason.

[Gamevet]

I was embellishing a bit using the never really had 'beefy' line. The Cube wasn't the best of the pile, the xbox edged it out bit a hair. The N64 technically was on top with their SGI engine and the rest, but because of the lack of CD storage it crippled the system from a lot of games or having the capability to really exploit all the parts due to the small storage medium and also a pathetically weak pathway for data to bottleneck inside the system coming off the carts.

I'm just saying they never really shot for the best hardware. They've shot for the best hardware to get their ideas across which they've been very vocal about for years. They grab parts, put them together, and do so in a useful way best suited for their game designs first before anyone else.

I saw the N64 as a system that was crippled by the limited storage space of a cartridge and that the GC was just as capable as the Xbox for delivering outstanding graphics. I still think to this day that Rogue Squadron 2 and Metroid Prime look better than any game offered on the Xbox and PS2.

[The Adventurer]

To get the Wii U selling there is really only one thing that needs to be done. It needs more games. And more A list exclusives at that. Wii U's problem is that I can count the number of 'must own games' on one hand (New Mario U, Zombie U, and Monster Hunter Tri). And its been out for more then 6 months.

That's a pretty sorry state of affairs, and its no surprise that its leading to sluggish sales. And while there are some interesting exclusives coming (Fire Emblem X MegTen and Wonderful 101 spring to mind) they aren't system sellers.

I hate to say it, but what Wii U really needs is a must have, exclusive, action multiplayer game that can compete with Call of Duty. Not necessarily a modern war FPS, but SOMETHING to kick the multiplayer experience up a notch.

[JakeM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uhe84VXMVk

Apparently, the tide is starting to turn, at least in the UK.

[WCP]

The N64 had STRONG technology for it's time and was only hampered by the stubborn decision to stick with carts. I remember having a Pentium 200 mmx with a 3Dfx card, which was a very, very strong gaming PC in late 1996, and when I was playing N64 games, they were almost at the same level in terms of polygon processing power and such. It was kinda like a poor mans 3Dfx, but again, the whole decision to roll with cartridges, just made it really problematic.

[Rev. Link]

I wasn't real huge on the Wii, mostly because of those annoying motion controls. I always tried to find games that let me use the classic controller or GC controller if I could. I've always preferred Nintendo, but during gen 7 I mostly played Xbox 360. Now that Nintendo has a normal controller again with the standard analog sticks and buttons things are different. I've already got 10 retail games for my Wii U, which is more than I usually get for any new system right after launch, and I've been enjoying it immensely. I'd say I'm more optimistic about gaming right now than I have been in the last 10 years. I'll probably get a PS4 to supplement the Wii U with some of the things Nintendo won't be getting, but for now I'd say Nintendo is already on the top, at least for me.

As more of the big titles like the new 3D Mario, Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Zelda start to hit I think the Wii U's sales will increase. Especially with the Xbox One and all of it's restrictions.

Just today, at the game store where I work, I was talking to a guy about the Wii U. He was a guy in his 20's who said he grew up playing Nintendo but now wanted a system that would allow him to play more "mature" titles like Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Batman, Watch Dogs, etc. I told him that all those games would be coming for the Wii U, or already were on it. When he heard that, and saw that the system was cheaper compared to the expected prices of the PS4/Xbox One, he was pretty impressed. If he had the money on him right then I think he would have bought the system. These are exactly the kind of guys Nintendo needs to market to. There are too many people out there who think the Wii U is just like the Wii, that it won't have all the same games that Sony and MS get. True, there will be some games like that, but this generation is going to be much more like the PS2/GC/Xbox gen, with many of the titles being spread across all three platforms.

[GhostDog]

I don't think Wii U has a chance to be number one at this point but the system can still be profitable. They need a ton of first party games obviously like Zelda and Mario. Those games will come and this should sell millions of consoles as a result. They also need third party games. The Wonderful 101 looks interesting and Bayonetta 2 seems to be an exclusive for now. The Wii U at this point reminds me of a launch Dreamcast with a bunch of ports from other systems with beefed up graphics. The Wii U right now isn't a bad system it's just the price doesn't justify a purchase. Maybe when the system hits the $199 then it will be worth it. I figure you'll be able to get a Wii U for that price in a year and a half and by then there should be at least a handful of reasons to warrant a purchase.

[A.C. Sativa]

Top of the heap? Nothing. But to be more successful they first need some 3rd party companies working on games. EA announcing they have NOTHING in development for the system is like the nail in the coffin. And it's not even about the games themselves (I can't even remember the last good game EA made), but about image, if you can't even get Madden for the Wii U then what does that say about the system?

Second problem: The name. As others have said, it sounds like an add-on for the original Wii. A lot of casual games don't even realize it's a new system.

Third problem: It was released too early. They should have waited until they had more franchise titles (Zelda, Mario Kart, Metriod, Donkey Kong, etc...) ready to roll out before they released the system. It kind of reminds me of the Saturn U.S. launch, a somewhat weak launch lineup and then nothing worthwile coming out for months after. And it's underpowered compared to even the PS3 and 360, much less the systems that will be coming out. Nintendo needs to start worrying about being better then the competition, not cheaper. It might have worked for the Wii, but it didn't work for the Gamecube and it sure as hell ain't working now. And they aren't getting the non-gamers to buy this like they bought the Wii.

Honestly, I think the Wii U is D.O.A. and there will be no comeback. If Nintendo isn't working on it's successor they better be, because at this rate they'll be out of the console business in a couple years.

[Tanooki]

I saw the N64 as a system that was crippled by the limited storage space of a cartridge and that the GC was just as capable as the Xbox for delivering outstanding graphics. I still think to this day that Rogue Squadron 2 and Metroid Prime look better than any game offered on the Xbox and PS2.

You're right in both parts. Part of the problem on both, mostly N64 was storage issues if you get away from whiny bitch immature third party game makers behaviors and stick to hardware problems. RS2 and MP1/2 on the GC did look nicer than whatever the PS2/XB had to offer and likely it was the case of the makers specifically keying into the system and not just doing a port and knowing all the ins and outs as MP was Nintendo and Factor5 had an in with them on the other game. This goes into what I'm thinking with the WiiU in that you'll have shit that's ported and runs bad like Black Ops 2, but you'll get a game where someone uses hte hardware right and it will go to show you can blow the system out on a level over what is there now for years not, but clearly won't hit the level of the other 2 guys when they drop, a Dreamcast like situation of mixed results of wow that's nice, wow that's bland, and wtf how'd they pull that off on this type stuff.

Ultimately as much as self appointed pro gamers want to act like real experts as does the child like media acting like they know the minds of everyone, the truth of it is Wii pissed them all the hell off because it shows that most people could give two shits. It's all about the games first and foremost. If there are games you want and it only happens here (WiiU) you get it and that's that. Other factors can play in too like consumer budget, economy on the whole, what your buddy may have, or whatever else. Wii itself sold because it was a $250 system up against a $400+ and a $600 thing and offered up something unique but it got a better start as it has a moderate drought, not a walking dead situation WiiU has. WiiU is at $300 or $350 with enough in the black box to make it a bitchin deal if you want the system, and the other guys likely will price out around $500 and due to lazy portitis behavior they'll look and play about the same until system specific games drop and the better parts and more RAM of the PS4 makes the One look like it's taking a number Two potentially. Nintendo perhaps since they've been stubbornly quiet probably will pull a 3DS on WiiU because it's doing far worse than the handheld was at the same time and perhaps drop both units $50 in price to widen the margin. The cheaper they are and the better game(quality and quantity) they have by the time the others get rooted in going into 2014 that will dictate how they'll do.

A nice ad campaign saying WiiU isn't a tablet controller upgrade addon to Wii would help a lot because even the other day when I swapped out a free game for another at Meijer (WoF for Res Evil) the guy there up until weeks earlier had no fucking clue WiiU was a system onto itself, thought it was an upgrade module to the Wii and they had the blue boxes to show consumers what will and won't work with it. That's just fucking sad that retail has no clue so how can you expect consumers to have an idea??

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

I don't think Nintendo cares who bought the Wii whether it be the "hardcore" gamer or the "fickle" gamer, as long as the money kept pouring in and the system kept selling (which it did). The same could happen with the Wii U if it should get the right games and Nintendo wakes up and starts promoting the system.

I think the Wii U has a chance at making some ground up with some surprise announcements at the E3 and some A+ first party titles, but they need to get some third party support to really drive in some new buyers. I think putting out some great games with certainly help as well as not trying to tie too many of the games into the motion gimmick or with gimmicks tied to the controller, but time shall tell.

[Words iManifest]

They really need to market the system to it's strengths...The ability to leave the couch and continue your game on the toilet with a tap of the touch screen. I find it quite liberating.

[duffmanth]

It'll sell well once some good games come out for it. This is why I usually wait a year after launch before getting a new console, cuz that's how it takes for a good library of games to start accumulating. As popular as Mario, Zelda, and Metroid still are, Nintendo needs to move beyond these franchises and starting putting out some new IP's. They've always relied far too much on those games to sell their consoles.

[The 1 2 P]

The Wii U will never be the console of choice for those who play Call of Duty, DMC, Resident Evil, Grand Theft Auto, Battlefield, Madden, Assassin's Creed and other core titles such as those. But the Wii shared the same fate this gen and it did pretty well despite that. For Nintendo, they can still be profitable without the core games most of us desire but to do so they are going to need a steady stream of their first party offering along with some other distraction to keep people coming back. So I do think they have the potential to do well this gen. But them rising to the top doesn't seem very likely in my opinion.

[Daniel Thomas]

Nintendo made the mistake of trying to capture the "hardcore" gamer who are Sony's and Microsoft's diehard fans. They also happen to run the websites and message forums across the internet, and as such, are the loudest voices in the video game community. Unfortunately, these diehards are not Nintendo fans, and are especially hostile to the Nintendo Wii (largely for its appeal to "non gamers"). The idea that this crowd would buy yet another games system to play the same PS360 games they already own is absurd. This mistake has cost Nintendo dearly.

Meanwhile, the Wii audience - new gamers and lapsed gamers alike - has been almost completely abandoned by the game industry, and even Nintendo. Only Ubisoft, with their hugely popular Just Dance series, seems interested in drawing in new fans. Nintendo's superstar developers don't want anything to do with the Wii Remote, with motion controls, or even with expanding the videogame market. They're only interested in personal vanity projects, which are often rehashed GameCube games. They have a very odd obsession with the GameCube, despite its failure in the retail market. I'm sorry, but another Pikmin and "Toei" Zelda isn't going to turn things around.

The Wii was a global smash hit because it returned videogames back to their 1980s roots, the era of Atari and NES, after a decade of industry bloat and stagnation. Expanding the market is absolutely essential if the video game industry is going to survive - between an aging "hardcore" clique and exploding production costs, the games industry is in serious trouble. Add in Microsoft's possible moves against consumer rights (and possibly Sony as well), and the future for the medium is very bleak. Overpriced cinematic games aimed at 30-somethings is a doomed strategy. You're going to need new blood. You need kids to play video games again. And that's where Nintendo succeeded with DS and Wii.

The Wii U has struggled poorly in the marketplace, but this can be turned around very easily. All you need is 1) a lower hardware price, 2) a less confusing controller, and 3) more and better software. It's the age-old formula for video games, and nothing has changed since 1977.

Here's what I believe Nintendo should do. There are currently two Wii U models, basic and deluxe models. Keep the deluxe model as it currently stands. For the basic model, remove the tablet controller, replace it with a Wii Remote Plus, and include New Super Mario Bros U as a pack-in title. Sell this new basic model for $150 or less, whatever price point can be sustained while still making a profit. Do that, and systems will fly off shelves.

After that, recommit to the Expanded Audience that is Nintendo's true "hardcore" crowd. Announce a new Wii Sports 3, with all-new events. I would also include all the older events from the previous titles in HD. This should provide incentive to bring the neglected Wii players back to the fold. Expand a number of the sports events into their own full titles, another no-brainer. EA's monopoly must be broken, most folks don't care about official licenses if the gameplay is entertaining.

Just a few of my own thoughts, based on my age and experience. Is this likely to happen? Not a chance. Nintendo is far too impressed with their bulky tablet controller and GameCube reruns, and the major third-party publishers just wants Big N to die already. And the industry will continue to shrink and contract and buckle under their own bloated weight. Bring on the endless gun sequels! Bring on the $100 million cinematic games! Bring on the $70 retail prices! Bring on the Used Games War! Let it all burn to the ground.

[BHvrd]

Pokemon MMO "that isn't crap".

Have a nice day.

[otaku]

On top I'm not sure that will ever happen. gameplay is key as always with nintendo the controller is important. Also price and some quality games which will come with time. These days nintendo has the exclusives and the ones that matter so the smart thing to do really would be pick a ps4 or 360 and make sure you have a wii u assuming you like nintendo games-only place your gonna get em!

[Hep038]

"Please god help the Wii U win the console war. I love Nintendo so much and cannot stand to see Sony or Microsoft out sell Nintendo!"

What the hell is wrong with you guys? Do you own stock in Nintendo? You sound like a bunch of losers.

[Tanooki]

A bit harsh in the delivery but well I can't fault you for being wrong either.

I know a way to soften the blow. Technically they are on top. They're the only new console of the new generation out so far so they're in the defacto lead until the others sell their first few million into 2014. :D

[The 1 2 P]

"Please god help the Wii U win the console war. I love Nintendo so much and cannot stand to see Sony or Microsoft out sell Nintendo!"

What the hell is wrong with you guys? Do you own stock in Nintendo? You sound like a bunch of losers.

Fanboys don't need to own stock. This is the internet after all.

I find it interesting that Nintendo is going to be the only next gen system(although some don't consider it "next gen") to be fully backwards compatible and not have any used game restrictions and yet it still isn't selling well. I'm curious to see how well sales pick up once they start delivering their first party onslaught this holiday season.

[Daltone]

Release some games. Ideally games that aren't tired old first party shit.

[The Adventurer]

You know, coming out of E3 I'm feeling really pretty good about Wii U. The game line-up for the next 12 months is looking solid (and the 3DS looks INSANE). Yeah the bulk of titles won't be out until early/mid 2014, but I think that's a good thing. The Christmas season is going to be all Sony and Microsoft going at it, but having a tier 1 Mario game being Nintendo's big carrot seems like a really smart move to me. Mario 3D World is a system seller, and once the hullabaloo of the holidays are over, the real onslaught of titles over the course of 2014 will solidify Nintendo's position. Not #1 position. But I think they could have a real shot at the #2, (if Microsoft keeps bobbling). Or, even worst case scenario you're looking at a profitable 3rd place finish (as opposed to a complete bomb, which is unlikely).

But seriously; Pikman 3, The Wonderful 101, Donkey Kong Country U, Zelda: Wind Waker U, Super Mario 3D World, Sonic: Lost Worlds (wait... actually Christmas 2013 is going to be NUTS, if all preceding games are out like they are supposed to be), Bayonetta 2, Mario Kart 8, Smash Bros U...

This time next year Nintendo is going to be sitting on a solid library I think.

[parallaxscroll]

I'm thrilled about Mario Kart 8, it looks superb. Pikmin 3 looks like it'll be truly fun to play. Not so thrilled about the direction of Super Mario 3D World, however that's okay. I understand the EAD Tokyo team that made it HAD to come out with an HD console version of their 3DS game, 3D Land. I truly believe EAD Tokyo's other team will make a "Super Mario Universe" that most of us want, and it'll be the true successor to Galaxy--Though that will take time (2015?) as will Zelda U (2016?). I'm pretty certain Nintendo will slash the price of the hardware at the last minute, late this year, when they feel the timing is perfect when they have their main 2013 titles coming out and proabably right before the launch of PS4 and Xbox One.

The biggest dispointment by far in my mind, is Retro Studios with DKC:TF. I was hoping Retro would make either a new IP, or an old IP they haven't done before, or a new 3D Metroid in HD. Again however, I have a feeling Retro has something up their sleeve for 2015-2016.

I don't expect to see Dragon Quest X localized but I have some hope for the remake of VII on 3DS.

Even though Wii U is probably selling worse than Dreamcast was at this point in its life, Nintendo has very deep pockets. They can afford to both support Wii U (and 3DS) while at the same time continue to work on developing their next handheld and console, which was started last year, and just mentioned in January this year.



Last year we also started a project to integrate the architecture for our future platforms. What we mean by integrating platforms is not integrating handhelds devices and home consoles to make only one machine. What we are aiming at is to integrate the architecture to form a common basis for software development so that we can make software assets more transferrable, and operating systems and their build-in applications more portable, regardless of form factor or performance of each platform. They will also work to avoid software lineup shortages or software development delays which tend to happen just after the launch of new hardware.
Some time ago it was technologically impossible to have the same architecture for handheld devices and home consoles and what we did was therefore reasonable. Although it has not been long since we began to integrate the architecture and this will have no short-term result, we believe that it will provide a great benefit to our platform business in the long run. I am covering this topic as today is our Corporate Management Policy Briefing.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/130131/05.html


If 3DS continues to build momentum and Wii U starts to get some major traction, then I don't think we'll see Nintendo's next handheld and console for quite a few years. However if Wii U never picks up, then I'd expect the next Nintendo console around late 2017 instead of 2018-2020.

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't know what's going on with Nintendo...they might offer that select number of good games that makes the system worth having. I am interested in taking a look to see if there's BC with the Wii and on back to GameCube accessories - I'd like not to have to get a Wii just to play Resident Evil 4 Wii with a GameCube controller. Exclusives? It's nice to hear that Nintendo has something planned...it feels like they've been asleep the last five years or so, maybe longer.

Don't really care for what they've been doing with handhelds lately - I don't mind the feature churn but they keep needlessly breaking compatibility.

It's already the top of the heap. The garbage heap, HEY OH!



What about them? Neither was really "beefy" and were easily out-tech'd by Sony's systems.

lol wut

PS1 versus N64...I could give that one to you. (John Carmack recently said that PS1 was the best hardware of its time, and that N64's "push to SGI-style pixels was premature," which I don't know the meaning of, maybe he's talking about the application of a texture filter across all the pixels. N64 games look okay in stills except for the small resolution - and many games don't run fast enough.)

But GC vs PS2 - the only thing the PS2 had over the Nintendo, hardware-wise, was more disc capacity. But the GC can do more work than the PS2, loads data quicker, and does it all while remaining pleasantly quiet.

I've been playing around with some PS2s lately (finally) and they are all noisy little boxes (even the 75001 slim) whereas the GC is pretty quiet. I haven't had my JP 90001 spin its fan up yet but I've only played PS1 titles on it so far.