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Wii U Buyer's remorse thread

I am currently getting a refund on my wiiu purely because as much as I like it, I feel I am using it to catch up on all of the wii games I missed until it builds up its own decent library. Also the recent news of lack of third party interest has turned me off, how Nintendo thought they could launch just before GTA5 and yet not have it stuns me.
But I already have my sons wii to do that and when the wiiu has built up its own decent library it will probably be cheaper.
I jumped in to soon and it's my own fault.
 
Only Nintendo can dedicate 1GB of RAM to the OS and still have it run like dogshit.

Seriously, I thought we ditched the super long load times between OS functions and apps when we left the Wii. I was really unimpressed when the Nintendo and Wii U logos showed up for what seemed like 30 seconds the first time I booted up.

Apart from that, I don't really have a gripe with the system. Got the games I wanted and Miiverse is great. I didn't buy into the Wii U hype at all.
 
Always buy a Nintendo system a few years in after many of their mainline heavy hitters have launched, and ONLY buy the system for First Party games.

Follow this rule and you'll love each Nintendo console.
 
Yeah me too, it really surprised me tbh i was expecting big ds screen but its better. I think people need to understand that screen costs eat up alot of budget of the tablets they had to find a middle ground and i think they did.

Yeah when you hear that Wii U is being sold for a loss, it puts the complaining about the screen tech and processing tech into perspective. It's like, did you want a better screen quality at the cost of computing power? More computing power at the cost of the screen tech? Or did you want to pay more? (more than Nintendo's usual mass market pricing, so it's a moot point).

I was pissed when i read it was resistive touch pre launch like most people but the more i play the more i see why they chose to go that route.

Yeah it's funny how late that dawned on everyone... seems like everyone in the media was saying "why isn't it capacitive? why isn't it capacitive?" for 2 years. But when it comes to gaming, a stylus and screen with some "give" has merit.

A capacitive Wii U gamepad could be nice. Could have its own unique games styles.... But it would be something different altogether.

The other thing we didn't know was how responsive of a resistive screen it is. You can very easily push an on-screen button with the slightest of taps with your finger. That kills a lot of the reasoning to prefer a capacitive screen.
 
I agree with your points but I don't regret buying one. I knew what I was going to get once I paid it off, sans the slow os/lock up garbage. An update to fix the lockups/slow os is a must. They also need to show us some of the 2013 lineup already.
 
I learnt a valuable lesson this week. I bought a Vita after cancelling my Wii U preorder.

What exactly did I learn? Three things:

1. If I had bought a Vita at launch I would have been dirty on it.
2. Having bought one with an established library (minis, PSP, PSN+) gives you a much better value deal and a much more honest impression of the system's potential. Vita may be doing poorly, but I am swimming in new great games.
3. If I had bought a Wii U at launch I would be posting in this thread about loading times and lockups.

To that end, I might still buy a Wii U. But I will be waiting until:

1. PS4 has been out six months minimum for comparison
2. Waiting to see if the Wii U OS is properly optimised for fast loading and the controller battery life is acceptable
3. Seeing which of the two systems has the games I most like.

Two months ago I was dead set on getting a Wii U at launch. The lukewarm US response to the launch made me sit up and take notice, and eventually I decided to wait and see. It's the first console launch in 13 years I have skipped, and it was a sensible decision in hindsight.

The console may well end up being great, but it isn't yet so there is no rush.
 
Offscreen play is a revelation. Hoping for some VC ports.
Seriously, off-TV play is close to a revolution, I thought it would be pretty meaningless but it turned out to be an awesome feature, maybe the best feature of the whole console.

No real buyers remorse for me, I'm just a bit disappointed about the third party port situation. Even if the differences is tiny, a few dropped frames here and there but mostly on par, it's still annoying to see _the new console_ get those tiny drawbacks. It really shouldn't be that way if you pay $399.

But I'm still enjoying the slighty and surpringly flawed Darksiders 2 port a lot more than I thought, and should I guess, very much because of the formerly mentioned off TV play feature - almost makes me forget about the framerate dips and tearing.

The TV remote thing is surprisingly nice too, not just to watch TV but also the way I can change the volume without releasing my hands from the controller. And Miiverse is fantastic. Deserves all the praise it gets and more.

In the end I'm not blown away by the console but I haven't touched the 360 or PS3 since the launch so I'm not overly disappointed either. I guess I could have waited 6 more months to buy it, but the last/current console generation was way too long imo and waiting even longer when new hardware is out wasn't really an option for me.
 
The Wii U has plenty of issues but I can't say any of them are proving a barrier to my enjoyment of the system. I kept my expectations pretty low prior to launch (reading about the US launch before our UK one necessitated that) but I feel just about all my expectations have been either met or exceeded.

I understand others have been having problems but for me the Wii U launch has honestly been one of the smoother I've experienced in recent times.
 
I (like many on this thread) bought with no expectations on third party support (perhaps with some hope, however forlorn)

But paying £300 for a machine just for Nintendo games does sting. It'll be worth it in the end but the early days of any console can be painful.

I'll remind myself of the WiiU price when it comes to ps4 - even if that is £400 it will seem reasonable value based on the likely greater number of games I'll buy for it.



As for ports - even if they are on par, off screen play makes it automatically the best version. May triple dip on nfs:mw. Of course that will likely go out of the window when ms/sony come out with their machines.
 
Man I can understand this for a $170 3DS or a $200 Wii, but $350 seems like a lot to play another NSMB game and another Zelda game.

Nintendo fans (myself included) care about other Nintendo games than Mario and Zelda, you know that right?

I bought it for Pikmin 3 and off-tv play, and whatever else is coming down the line.
So far no remorse, but yeah, I agree, I'm not that excited about next year other than that. I'm confident that will change, though.
 
I'm glad I didn't buy it, but a friend of mine who usually gets tired and sells his consoles in a couple weeks ( sold his vita and 3ds shortly after getting them ) is very happy with his Wii U.
 
Slow UI aside I can't really relate to the op. You're not a very savvy consumer if you bought tons of ports sight unseen without researching them. In fact the writing was already on the wall with several games before launch.

As far as stability, it's shitty Nintendo didn't have things smoothed out at launch, but I got my Wii U right around when they released the last update and I haven't experienced any freezes or crashes yet. The update was actually pretty fast too, which surprised me. Guess my system had newer firmware installed and I only needed the most recent patch. Long story short, everything seems to run as intended now, knock on wood.

As far as software goes, a few underwhelming ports aside, I can't say I agree about the future lineup. I thought launch had several fun games, easily as many as I expect from any launch. Nintendo is being tight lipped about anything past Q1, which is par for the course, and a terrible way to gauge 2013 on the whole. The damn thing is less than a month old for God's sake. If the 3DS is any indication it's worth waiting to see what's on the horizon.

Also, without writing off some of the more conservative design choices, I don't think ports of games built around the 360 and PS3 architecture are the best way to judge what the system is ultimately capable of. Even though the system isn't necessarily a definitive leap ahead of the current crop of HD consoles in every single regard it may yield better results as devs learn how to leverage it properly.

Whether they'll bother is a matter of conjecture, but the Wii U already seems to be getting better support out of the gate than the Wii did. No surprises there I guess, as the potential of the Wii's enormous userbase was blatantly squandered by lukewarm efforts. While the Wii U isn't likely to be the go-to for ports when Sony and MS release new hardware, I suspect we'll still see more obligatory efforts than last time around.

Overall I thinks it's got a decent start and lots of further potential. The miiverse is an interesting approach to online, and the controller is pretty great imo. Software like Nintendo Land, Mario, and Zombie U constitute a solid begining, and Rayman, Pikmin, Wonderful 101, and Bayonetta 2 are all worthy of consideration in the short term imo. Everyone has different tastes, but I have a hard time seeing the Wii U as a real disapointment when there are numerous interesting exclusives on the shelf or slated for the coming months. I am also very interested in Nintendo's growing strategy of second party support and collaboration with outside devs. With any luck it will be something that helps supplement their internal stuff and fill in software gaps like the Wii was plagued with.

Overall I'm enjoying the system in spite of a few misfires, and curious to see where it goes from here.

I'm posting this on the gamepad btw, lol.
 
Slow UI aside I can't really relate to the op. You're not a very savvy consumer if you bought tons of ports sight unseen without researching them. In fact the writing was already on the wall with several games before launch.

As far as stability, it's shitty Nintendo didn't have things smoothed out at launch, but I got my Wii U right around when they released the last update and I haven't experienced any freezes or crashes yet. The update was actually pretty fast too, which surprised me. Guess my system had newer firmware installed and I only needed the most recent patch. Long story short, everything seems to run as intended now, knock on wood.

As far as software goes, a few underwhelming ports aside, I can't say I agree about the future lineup. I thought launch had several fun games, easily as many as I expect from any launch. Nintendo is being tight lipped about anything past Q1, which is par for the course, and a terrible way to gauge 2013 on the whole. The damn thing is less than a month old for God's sake. If the 3DS is any indication it's worth waiting to see what's on the horizon.

Also, without writing off some of the more conservative design choices, I don't think ports of games built around the 360 and PS3 architecture are the best way to judge what the system is ultimately capable of. Even though the system isn't necessarily a definitive leap ahead of the current crop of HD consoles in every single regard it may yield better results as devs learn how to leverage it properly.

Whether they'll bother is a matter of conjecture, but the Wii U already seems to be getting better support out of the gate than the Wii did. No surprises there I guess, as the potential of the Wii's enormous userbase was blatantly squandered by lukewarm efforts. While the Wii U isn't likely to be the go-to for ports when Sony and MS release new hardware, I suspect we'll still see more obligatory efforts than last time around.

Overall I thinks it's got a decent start and lots of further potential. The miiverse is an interesting approach to online, and the controller is pretty great imo. Software like Nintendo Land, Mario, and Zombie U constitute a solid begining, and Rayman, Pikmin, Wonderful 101, and Bayonetta 2 are all worthy of consideration in the short term imo. Everyone has different tastes, but I have a hard time seeing the Wii U as a real disapointment when there are numerous interesting exclusives on the shelf or slated for the coming months. I am also very interested in Nintendo's growing strategy of second party support and collaboration with outside devs. With any luck it will be something that helps supplement their internal stuff and fill in software gaps like the Wii was plagued with.

Overall I'm enjoying the system in spite of a few misfires, and curious to see where it goes from here.

I'm posting this on the gamepad btw, lol.

This would have been the first post if the OS was a bit quicker.
 
I don't get the "I bought for Pikmin" line. Why not wait till Pikmin is released and buy the inevitable pack in version and then all the launch games for cheaper?
 
Just stay away from GAF. Seeing many topics/threads in here about WiiU might give you a bad case of buyer's remorse quickly, hahaha.

But seriously though, just be patient. The games will come in time.
 
Where did I say I thought I felt that way? It's not a matter of accuracy, it's a matter of tact. ;)

urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh bad pun

After picking up the Wii last gen early I know better than to buy into a Nintendo console early and have no regrets so far :) Hopefully by the time SSB4 comes out it'll be cheaper and have a wide variety of software good to go.
 
This would have been the first post if the OS was a bit quicker.
Lol, the thread was already on page 3 when I read it. I'm actually a liitle perturbed by how fast I've aclimated to the stylus for typing. Truth be told the Wii U browser is saving my ass right now because the HDD on my computer just decided to crap out. It's about a billion times more functional than my Wii or PS3 browsers.
 
You buy a Wii-U for first party games and not for ports.

The first party games like Nintendoland and NSMBWii-U are really great. NSMBWU is hardcore hard if you collect the coins and the challenge mode is brutal. The graphics look gorgeous at 720p and 60fps.

Ports suck as, except for Trine 2. that is the best version on consoles. So you only buy ports hat are good. But if you read Gaf, you could have known that most ports just aren't that great.

My system has never had a hardlock but it's unexceptable hat it happens so often.
You can expect kiddeseases at launch though. I feared them but haven't run in to any of them yet.

My biggest gripe is how slooooow the OS is.

And yeah, now it's waiting for more games. But NSMBU, Nintendoland and Trine 2 will keep me busy for a while.
 
I bought into the hype, but I really like it. I think my experience would have been very disappointing if I had no local multiplayer experience though. So far all I ask for is a better battery life for the game pad and a faster OS (possibly even more power for 3rd party support).

But yeah surprisingly happy with the console.
 
I don't get the "I bought for Pikmin" line. Why not wait till Pikmin is released and buy the inevitable pack in version and then all the launch games for cheaper?

I figured why not buy it now since there won't be a price drop between now and April, and I was eager to try it out. I like my new console and I play it a lot, all I'm saying is that my killer-app is a few months down the line.

Might as well have some awesome local multiplayer times in Nintendo land with my friends while I wait...

Also, there won't be a Pikmin pack-in version.
 
I'm pretty sure people at Nintendo are hard at work on games.... Be patient.

I will agree with the slow UI that is annoying but the launch was not that bad plus pikmin 3 is coming that's all I care about right now.

As long as this system is not a wii with only first party games and party games I'm fine.

If you actually has 600 to drop it means you had more in your pocket.
 
Glad I canceled my pre-order.

I still want the console (coz', nintendo first party games) but once I had put any hype aside, I just realized there was too little to draw me in yet. NSMBU is too much of the same, Rayman Legend and Pikmin 3 are too far to justify a purchase third parties, are better on my PC and I don't see anything else, save the previously mentioned, that would interest me.

I'm sure we'll have great games on the platform (like for the Wii) but I won't make the same mistake I did for the Wii either (launch-purchase, dust collecting till Super Mario Galaxy)
 
I don't get the "I bought for Pikmin" line. Why not wait till Pikmin is released and buy the inevitable pack in version and then all the launch games for cheaper?

I don't think anyone really buys for only one title. But if Pikmin is your breaking point, why not buy the console now and enjoy it until Pikmin comes out?

It's unlikely the console will drop in price by the time Pikmin releases in Q2 (although 3DS proves it can happen!) Then you can play the launch titles now while you wait. Many of the launch games either won't drop (NSMBU, Nintendo Land) or won't drop significantly (Call of Duty tends to stay a premium cost game).

And I dispute the "inevitability" of your proposed Pikmin 3 pack-in. I don't think that's likely at all.
 
I don't get the "I bought for Pikmin" line. Why not wait till Pikmin is released and buy the inevitable pack in version and then all the launch games for cheaper?
Some people just can't wait. Since the system is out might as-well get it now and mess around with it until the game is out and you won't risk to spend the money on something else by that time. Sounds stupid but impatience is a thing.
 
I bought mine for Nintendo games. So far, both NSMBU and Nintendo Land have delivered in spades.

pretty much this for me too, i really wasnt expecting NintendoLand to be nearly as good too

The ps vita has amazing games at launch. Come to think of it, the handhelds library is.massive

yeah, vita's launch was good - but the only handhelds with a library i'd call "massive" were DS and maybe PSP, the 2 current gen ones are great but i do hope for an improvement in both over the next year

I don't get the "I bought for Pikmin" line. Why not wait till Pikmin is released and buy the inevitable pack in version and then all the launch games for cheaper?

is Pikmin really an inevitable pack-in? it's a nintendo franchise, sure, but i don't even think its in their top 5 sellers.
 
As much as I'm sorry for the OP, I can't help but think if he came here and exposed his expectations of a new console before buying it and asked if he should pull the trigger on it, most people would've advised him to not spend 600 bucks on it. I don't want to sound harsh, but lesson learnt I hope.

I wish this system was the perfect console for everyone, but it clearly isn't. It's pretty simple, if you like Zombi U, NSMBU and Nintendo Land and you are looking forward to stuff like Rayman Legends and Pikmin 3 (bonus points, if you didn't have a wii or need to catch up on some of its games) then you will like the Wii U and your investment will feel validated day one.

If you are not interested in these games or only in one or two at most, have played all of the wii games or not interested in them neither, looking forward mainly to the big 2013 third party titles, expecting a system where you will spend more time in the menus and its apps than in the actual games, or if you are the kind that likes to buy and play a lot of games rather than just a few, you will feel ripped off, there is no helping it.

I know sometimes it's hard to not buy into the hype of a new device, but one should really try to ask himself a few simple questions regarding gaming machines before buying. What games am I interested in on the console that are available? Which games am I looking forward to next year and are announced for it? And then you can make your decision depending on what is your perceived value of the item (which will often depend on what other gaming platforms you have) vs market value and your budget.

In OP's case (and some other people we've seen post in the Wii U release thread) it was a clear no, and it's really a shame. Not only because it is a waste of hard earned money on a system they do not enjoy, but because they have essentially encouraged Nintendo for a product they didn't like, unless they opt for a refund.

In my case and most other people though, I think the experience with the console has been pretty positive. So I'd say overall people are starting to be well educated in their buying choices and I can only feel but happy about that. It also could be interpreted as the console delivering on its promises rather than not for now, but we should wait for non early adapters opinions to really make any statements on that regard.
 
There are some stuff I hate about it like the awful online but I don't regret it. I have a PS3 for any good third party games and I can still use the Wii U to explore the Wii's library.
 
Still annoyed with the slow OS, and the irritating disc drive seek up sound every time I power it on. Otherwise I'm happy with my purchase, I'm optimistic about the future.
 
It seems they had a strong showing at E3 with Pikmin. I think there'll be a pack in. Though, that might be a few months down the road closer to the new console releases.
 
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