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[Shikamaru Ninja]

The Wii U will likely be regarded as Nintendo's second biggest blunder alongside the Virtual Boy. Frankly speaking, the hardware and marketing behind the console couldn't have done a better job of distancing consumers from purchasing any Wii U related products. With that obvious market analysis out of the way, there is always a silver lining with Nintendo, the games.

Nintendo gamers are on route to experience one of the biggest waves of software to ever come out of the prized EAD groups at Nintendo.

• Mario Kart 8 (DLC Pack No. 2) - May 2015
• Splatoon - May 2015
• Project Giant Robot - Summer 2015*
• Mario Maker - Fall 2015*
• Star Fox U - Fall 2015*
• The Legend of Zelda U - Fall 2015*
• Animal Crossing U (Unconfirmed) - December Japan *?

For most Nintendo fans or even purists, this might be the best stretch of internal releases ever witnessed. But with the bigger sales draws having seen main release (NSMBU, SM3DW, MK8 (standard), and Super Smash Bros.), the fate of the console seems to have already been set. Can Miyamoto's developers still turn things around? What kind of sales and reception do you expect out of EAD's biggest cycle of games ever?

 

[LordGouda]

Here I thought you were claiming EAD wasn't making anymore games on the Wii U after Star Fox and Zelda.

 

[Skiesofwonder]

I just hope they are doing something new and fresh with Animal Crossing U. Being built with Miiverse and online play as the first priorities would be great, but I'm sure Amiibos will be the main focus this time around.

 

[thestopsign]

Looks pretty strong to me. I am excited for the software coming out, but I do not think it can fully turn around the Wii U.

 

[Shahed]

Zelda will be awesome

 

[OnionPowder]

Where's this Animal Crossing rumor coming from?

 

[JavyOO7]

Software as stronk as always. Won't turn around shit. Hopefully ACU just a rumor and just goes to handhelds because there's no shame in AC being handheld only.

 

[tolkir]

Best Dreamcast 2.

 

[LordGouda]

Where's this Animal Crossing rumor coming from?

Remember the Animal Crossing Plaza that ended in December? Well, there was speculation that because of its end, there was going to be an actual Wii U game in the works.

 

[tesla246]

Yeah, the games lin-up is staggering to be honest if you are interested in these franchises. My interest in Star Fox also skyrocketed after reading you can disable motion controls. Zelda U looks amazing so far, thus I'm cautiously optimistic on that one. Xenoblade X looks like another safe bet, alltough I genuinely hope they don't go overboard with the lyrics in songs. Splatoon looks like fun but I honestly dont game online...like ever.

But yeah, above decent line up certainly and 3DS with bravely Second, Fire Emblem Awakening 2 and Codename Steam also has some nice games. Really interested to see what further announcement Nintendo makes at E3.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

I dunno if Zelda is a 2015 game. They've show barely anything of it. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear a Spring 2016 announcement at e3.

 

[Peltz]

Where's this Animal Crossing rumor coming from?

I feel like AC isn't coming to Wii U, and is better off as a launch game for Wii U's eventual successor (hopefully years from now).

 

[Stereogatari]

The games are fantastic and deserve more kudos beyond hardcore gaming outlets.

Anyone that considers themselves a gamer that ignores the WiiU (except for cost reasons) is doing themselves a disservice and missing out on several quality titles they will not find elsewhere.

The mainstream ignoring it is fine and dandy, most of them will ignore Indie darlings as well. But there are probably a significant of GAF types who follow all the big PS4 and XBone games with a magnifying glass, that don't give the WiiU the time and credit it deserves.

I was lucky enough to get the Lego bundle for £84 (and sold that game for £22, so essentially got the Black WiiU for £62), but even without that the WiiU looked tempting at its normal £150 price for a White model.

I dunno if Zelda is a 2015 game. They've show barely anything of it. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear a Spring 2016 announcement at e3.

They usually don't show much of Zelda anyway. They'll probably show a proper trailer and gameplay with release date at E3.

 

[E-phonk]

Where's this Animal Crossing rumor coming from?

They made HD assets for the Animal Crossing plaza - that would be a lot of work for just a free promotional product.
Also: every homeconsole since N64 got one.

I can see them delaying this unannounced title to the next portable/home console though. Or as a 2016 holiday title.

 

[Eolz]

Can Miyamoto's developers still turn things around? What kind of sales and reception do you expect out of EAD's biggest cycle of games ever?

I don't think anyone can turn things around for the WiiU anymore (and I didn't believe this until recently), but they certainly improve things a bit.
I only see good reception for those titles, apart from disappointment on some details (multiplayer chat in Splatoon, lack of functionalities in Mario Maker, Zelda cycle, etc), as they all seem very promising and sometimes innovative.

In terms of sales, we obviously need to do predictions relative to the WiiU's userbase (could have done better on other Nintendo consoles), even if said userbase seems to love buying games.
Zelda will obviously be a success, and I can see Mario Maker and Splatoon being surprise successes, even if it's just some people wanting to try and not being fully convinced.
I can't see Project Giant Robot doing much, or even being a retail title, and I don't think Starfox will sell that much (big nostalgia appeal, but not that big to sell that well).

I don't believe anymore that an Animal Crossing WiiU will be released as well. Expecting some surprises (or new games not that surprising) announced at E3 though.

 

[sörine]

Remember the Animal Crossing Plaza that ended in December? Well, there was speculation that because of its end, there was going to be an actual Wii U game in the works.

Miyamoto also keeps talking about using nfc cards for the next game. It was always obvious a Wii U entry was coming and December would make make sense for Japan.

 

[Frodo]

Can Miyamoto's developers still turn things around? What kind of sales and reception do you expect out of EAD's biggest cycle of games ever?

I don't think so. As much as I love my Wii U it is not going to happen. At this point Nintendo is just making these games because they have to release something and hope it will at least sell to a huge part of the userbase. I would love of be proven wrong, but it seems to me that all the attention has shifted towards PS4 and X1 now. Nintendo is only catering for the existing fan-base, and unless something like Mario Maker is a Wii Sports kind of hit, Wii U will be ridden quietly with sporadic releases until half of 2016 when they announce a successor.

On the other hand, however, Wii U forced Nintendo in a nice different direction. Amiibo seems to be a success and they are finally learning to capitalise on the brand they created.

 

[JCX]

Nothing will turn Wii U around. It's pointless to even ask the question now. Maybe if this had been the release schedule for its first year.

Animal Crossing will get an E3 reveal, but it makes more sense for 2016 as one of Wii U's last big games.

 

[rjinaz]

I dunno if Zelda is a 2015 game. They've show barely anything of it. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear a Spring 2016 announcement at e3.

I hate to agree but I do. History tells me that Zelda is always pushed into the next year.

Outside of Zelda, I don't see strong sales for any of those games listed. I don't count AC because there has been no confirmation, I don't think, that it exists. Maybe Star Fox but I haven't been keeping up with what it actually is.

I think it's going to be a low year for Wii U hardware sales too because, as OP said, the biggest hitters have come and gone and I think Zelda will be "delayed". Xenoblade has some potential to move some units though and have decent software sales.

 

[Exile20]

Remember the Animal Crossing Plaza that ended in December? Well, there was speculation that because of its end, there was going to be an actual Wii U game in the works.

A massively connected Animal Crossing world

 

[Sanpunkan]

For most Nintendo fans or even purists, this might be the best stretch of internal releases ever witnessed. But with the bigger sales draws having seen main release (NSMBU, SM3DW, MK8 (standard), and Super Smash Bros.), the fate of the console seems to have already been set. Can Miyamoto's developers still turn things around? What kind of sales and reception do you expect out of EAD's biggest cycle of games ever?

I don't think sales will be great except for Zelda, unfortunately. Really bums me out because I feel Nintendo has been putting out some of the best quality software for a while now. I hope that this doesn't discourage them from ambitious development with their next console.

 

[Litri]

In fact, this looks like probably the best year in terms of games from differente genres for EAD in a long while.

 

[Man]

All efforts should be put on their next platform.

 

[E-phonk]

I don't think the WiiU can be "saved" saleswise - all of the heavy hitters except for zelda in the west have already come and gone:
- Wii Sports U
- NSMBU
- Mario 3D World
- Smash Bros
- Mario Kart

All the entries (except for Wii Sports maybe) were really strong entries in their series, so if these don't convince people to buy one the only thing left is:
- Zelda U
- Price cut
- Some now kind of software/peripheral that becomes a hype

It's possible, but imo they better concentrate on making some smaller scale software(*) for 2016-2017, Metroid as their last big flagship title for the west and introduce a new console in Q4 2017.

With smaller scale software for 2016-2017 I mean:
Rhythm Tengok-U
Advance Wars U
A proper Wario Ware
Mario RPG
A spinoff game ala captain toad
Hyrule Warriors 2
Pokken
Smash Bros DLC Pack
SNES remix
A GC remaster

Most of these titles can also be played on the 3DS successor when it gets released Q4 2016.

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

I bet they do make an Animal Crossing for Wii U, but the same game will also be a launch game for Nintendo's next handheld.


Also, I don't think the Wii U needs saved. It sells a little amount every month but it still sells. The people that own the console still buy games and nintendo has multiple million sellers on the system. They're not making gang busters but they're making money. That's all that matters.

 

[Peltz]

There is no "turning around" the Wii U absent an exclusive phenomenon like the impact made by Pokémon Red and Blue, Minecraft, and Wii Sports. It needed that "next big thing" type of game to sell its concept of the Wii U Gamepad.

And even though Mario Maker, Starfox, Splatoon, and Zelda will be totally badass, none of them are going to be that game changer, even if we gamers will love them. This is coming from someone who actually loves the Wii U and plays it more than any other console.

 

[DownGrader]

Can Miyamoto's developers still turn things around? What kind of sales and reception do you expect out of EAD's biggest cycle of games ever?

To be honest, everything can turn things around. I remember how Wii U's reception jumped way up high right after Mario Kart 8 Direct. Like, really. from 0 to must-buy in half an hour. Splatoon also proved to single-handedly boost it, as well as Nintendo's reputation, even before the actual release.

On the other hand, if people are not interested in Mario, Zelda, Star Fox, Bayonetta, Splatoon,Smash and Mario Kart, I don't think something else can persuade them to buy a Wii U.

With smaller scale software for 2016-2017 I mean:
Rhythm Tengok-U
Advance Wars U
A proper Wario Ware
Mario RPG
A spinoff game ala captain toad
Hyrule Warriors 2
Pokken
Smash Bros DLC Pack
SNES remix
A GC remaster

Most of these titles can also be played on the 3DS successor when it gets released Q4 2016.

This thread is an official Nintendo Direct hype thread now.

 

[NotLiquid]

What software team could realistically be working on a new Animal Crossing?

EAD Group No. 2, who have been doing all Animal Crossing games since Wild World, are doing Splatoon right now.

 

[Sorceror12]

They sure keep firing hot!

 

[LordGouda]

All efforts should be put on their next platform.

Or at the very least, have them learn the ins and outs of the new console they're going to make games for. I don't want another repeat of the 3DS and Wii U.

 

[KingSnake]

Or at the very least, have them learn the ins and outs of the new console they're going to make games for. I don't want another repeat of the 3DS and Wii U.

There was a statement previously that the next gen framework will be built based on Wii U, so maybe they are already learning the ins and outs, by actually developing games.

 

[Orakio Rob]

Splatoon looks like fun but I honestly dont game online...like ever.

I believe Splatoon will feature a solid single-player mode. This is Nintendo we're talking about, I don't see them releasing a game that only makes sense online.

 

[sörine]

I hate to agree but I do. History tells me that Zelda is always pushed into the next year.

The only 3D Zeldas that Nintendo pushed back a year were OOT and TP, and in both cases it was to accommodate platform changes (64DD -> N64, GC -> Wii/GC).

MM, TWW and SS all came out the year Nintendo first said they would.

 

[TEJ]

First party Software sales are very healthy considering the piss poor hardware sales. Unless zelda wii u does poorly i can't see nintendo abandoning the system completely for another year or two. I think we will get at least two more big games and a slew of smaller releases.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

I'm pretty sure Nintendo are banking on selling most of these games on their next platform as well, and therefore view them as a long term investment.

I just hope that next platform manages to attract much more consumers.

 

[evilromero]

Here I thought you were claiming EAD wasn't making anymore games on the Wii U after Star Fox and Zelda.

That's quite possible actually if you consider the number of games coming this year and that they'll need to shift to developing for the next console if they want to meet a two year deadline.

 

[DownGrader]

I believe Splatoon will feature a solid single-player mode. This is Nintendo we're talking about, I don't see them releasing a game that only makes sense online.

Well, from what we've seen and read, the single-player part is tight, focused and fun, albeit quite different from the core online Splatoon experience.

 

[sörine]

What software team could realistically be working on a new Animal Crossing?

EAD Group No. 2, who have been doing all Animal Crossing games since Wild World, are doing Splatoon right now.

The Splatoon team is led by younger staff. EAD2 also released Nintendo Land and AC 3DS simultaneously, they can produce more than one game at a time.

 

[LordGouda]

There was a statement previously that the next gen framework will be built based on Wii U, so maybe they are already learning the ins and outs, by actually developing games.

If that's the case then they're finally learning.

 

[E-phonk]

This thread is an official Nintendo Direct hype thread now.

Make that E3

I just meant I would expect that kind of "smaller" projects, that will be co-developed for their next handheld - and release on both platforms. This helps them with the software drought for the handheld year 1 and keeps the Wii U platform alive until the next homeconsole is released.
I have a huge post made somewhere in the past linking potential games to firstparty teams for the next 2 years, but I'd have to search for it.

 

[Spieler Eins]

The only 3D Zeldas that Nintendo pushed back a year were OOT and TP, and in both cases it was to accommodate platform changes (64DD -> N64, GC -> Wii/GC).

MM, TWW and SS all came out the year Nintendo first said they would.

No, SS didn't, they said 2010 at first. And TWW was an unfinished piece of shit.

 

[rjinaz]

The only 3D Zeldas that Nintendo pushed back a year were OOT and TP, and in both cases it was to accommodate platform changes (64DD -> N64, GC -> Wii/GC).

MM, TWW and SS all came out the year Nintendo first said they would.

Huh my history is wrong then, it just seemed that way to me I guess. I still think it will be 2016 considering it's open-world. I would love to be wrong though.

Edit for above: Thanks, I thought SS as well but didn't care enough to try and look it up.

 

[decoyplatypus]

For most Nintendo fans or even purists, this might be the best stretch of internal releases ever witnessed. But with the bigger sales draws having seen main release (NSMBU, SM3DW, MK8 (standard), and Super Smash Bros.), the fate of the console seems to have already been set. Can Miyamoto's developers still turn things around? What kind of sales and reception do you expect out of EAD's biggest cycle of games ever?

It's a nice software lineup. It's not going to make an appreciable difference in Wii U sales, but I'll be happy to play many of them all the same. I am also glad that Nintendo has kept faith with Wii U owners by continuing to produce excellent games for a platform that they might have abandoned. I do think, however, that after Zelda it is time to refocus their software development toward future platforms to avoid early software droughts.

EDIT: As to critical reception, I expect Splatoon will continue to be popular with those who play it, Zelda will receive glowing marks but divide the fanbase, and Mario Maker will be a huge hit with one or two critics but otherwise go under the radar. I can't even speculate about Star Fox except to say that it's a dormant IP in a niche genre, so I'm not expecting big sales.

 

[ChaosXVI]

I can already see that 5 years from now, when the Wii U is dead and gone (and has been dead for like 2 years by that point) that it will be regarded by gamers as one of the greatest, most hardcore consoles ever made. And people will piss and moan about "why didn't anyone notice this great console with its massive library of great games".

In other words, it's Dreamcast 2.0, but this has been obvious for awhile now. However, the Wii U won't kill Nintendo's hardware business.

 

[danmaku]

Not this shit again. Nothing will turn around the WiiU. Enjoy the games, if you like them, and stop caring about sales.

 

[cacildo]

I just hope they are doing something new and fresh with Animal Crossing U. Being built with Miiverse and online play as the first priorities would be great, but I'm sure Amiibos will be the main focus this time around.

- Less repeated dialog
- Drop in drop out local multiplayer (2 players, each at one screen)
- Bikes
- Better online, in a sense that it should be easier to get in and out of another village
- Kart racing
- Elections for mayor (you can run against a neighbour or player 2)

 

[sörine]

No, SS didn't, they said 2010 at first. And TWW was an unfinished piece of shit.

Nintendo never announced a 2010 date.

SS did get pushed from spring 2011 to holiday internally but that was likely a strategic delay. Sort of like how Mario Galaxy 2 was ready for holiday 2009 but pushed back to summer 2010 so as not to overlap with NSMBWii.

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

No, SS didn't, they said 2010 at first. And TWW was an unfinished piece of shit.

Yes skyward sword was originally announced for 2010. And yes wind waker was unfinished but it is not a piece of shit.

 

[Sendou]

Not this shit again. Nothing will turn around the WiiU. Enjoy the games, if you like them, and stop caring about sales.

Why?

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

Nintendo never announced a 2010 date.

http://www.wired.com/2010/01/nintendos-iwata-says-wii-zelda-in-2010/

Iwata gave interviews early 2010 saying Zelda on Wii with motion plus will come that year (2010)