Could this be a "breakout" Holiday season for the Wii-U?
- Thread starter Cornbread78
- Start date
We're waiting for the NPD to come out. I think it is tomorrow, but hardware sales are estimated to be at 55k units for Wii U in September. I don't think we know August's sales figures because NPD and Nintendo didn't report on them.
Wii U sold 32,000 units in UK for August, which is just 2,000 units more than what it sold in July. As for Japan, sales figures put Wind Waker at below 50,000 copies for September, and it has also dropped out of the top 20 chart as of last week. I think hardware sales have been below 20,000 units since the game's release. According to the NPD, Pikmin 3 sold 115,000 copies in August, so you'd expect Wind Waker HD to do better than that thanks to the price cut and bundle. Hopefully, it will give hardware sales a much needed boost, cause right now, Nintendo sure can't rely on Japan to save Wii U this year.
Acerac
Banned
At a certain point I don't know if posts like this are parodies or what.Where is the ape that was swinging, where is dinosaur and his rider?...they have passed, like rain down the mountains...like shadows down the meadows. How did it come to this?
This will be nintendo's last holiday.
Clear
CliffyB's Cock Holster
The critical flaw with Nintendo's entire strategy is that its far, far, too reliant on the sales value of its heritage IP's. These are great and sell well, but they can never be the new, hot, thing that digs them out of a slump, because they aren't going to pull in new adopters.
Gamecube had the same problem, and that too had nowhere to go despite the support of their evergreen franchises.
So no. WiiU is not going to "breakout". There may well be small bumps as they release their big names, but its always going to be dead last in the console race unless they can pull something new and exciting to the mass-market out of their hat.
Truth is, I don't see it happening. They had a great success with Wii, which they doubled down on with Wii-fit and its 40m unit selling balance board. But a few years on, these things are largely forgotten or at least not so fondly remembered that they still excite people.
Gamecube had the same problem, and that too had nowhere to go despite the support of their evergreen franchises.
So no. WiiU is not going to "breakout". There may well be small bumps as they release their big names, but its always going to be dead last in the console race unless they can pull something new and exciting to the mass-market out of their hat.
Truth is, I don't see it happening. They had a great success with Wii, which they doubled down on with Wii-fit and its 40m unit selling balance board. But a few years on, these things are largely forgotten or at least not so fondly remembered that they still excite people.
Aquamarine
Member
Wii U sold 31,000 units in the USA between August 4th and August 31st.
Weekly, the console sold an average of 7,750 units per week.
BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
I just bought a Wii U on a whim after convincing myself the Wind Waker bundle was a good price. I won't be getting an xbone or ps4 for a while since I have a gaming pc and none of the exclusives do anything for me. So +1 anecdotal evidence for OPs theory.
The PS4 and One will be competing with their predecessors as well.
Not that that will apply to this holiday season, but I believe Nintendo is very aware it won't be able to rest on their traditional IP's forever with the Wii U. Iwata has mentioned a while back that they were developing innovative games that they didn't want to reveal too long in advance by fear of copycats. He recently reiterated that Nintendo needed to be innovative to stay relevant. Also, we know Miyamoto has been working on a new IP for a while.
Seriously, Nintendo has been resourceful in the last decade. Nobody outside Gaf knows Tomodachi Collection, and it's become a really big seller. They turned Animal Crossing into something huge. I think they know perfectly well that they won't succeed solely on the shoulders of Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda.
So I'm eager to see what happens with those mysterious projects. I have a good amount of trust that Nintendo can eventually deliver on that front.
Seriously, Nintendo has been resourceful in the last decade. Nobody outside Gaf knows Tomodachi Collection, and it's become a really big seller. They turned Animal Crossing into something huge. I think they know perfectly well that they won't succeed solely on the shoulders of Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda.
So I'm eager to see what happens with those mysterious projects. I have a good amount of trust that Nintendo can eventually deliver on that front.
CadetMahoney
Member
Came here for these types of posts.
That's most likely.
Devilgunman
Member
Yes, no question about it. But hardcore gamers aka sizable chunk of PS360 installed base are more than ready to move on to PS4/Xbone. Nintendo on the other hand lost their fan base from the Wii to something else and only convinced mostly their loyal Nintendo fans to buy a WiiU.
Hardcore gamers are NOT a sizable chunk. Those 2 systems sold like ass for years while they were still selling for far too expensive prices and facing the Wii's mainstream appeal. That's what the hardcore gamer gets you. Hardcore gamers never propel systems to become successes, otherwise the Vita would be lighting the world on fire.
Myopic views of the world never help us here on GAF. What any system needs to succeed is the mainstream. Mainstream prices, mainstream software, mainstream appeal. The launch period of the new consoles is going to be an insanely successful frenzy. The post launch period should be far more interesting to watch.
Version 3.0
Member
We don't know yet, but the crystal ball says yes, even though it'll be a small one.
Aquamarine
Member
Creamsugar made an ominous post today. If he's somehow getting NPD data early....that crystal ball might be saying no.
Version 3.0
Member
The 360 and PS3 did not sell "like ass for years". They sold fine, right from the start. The Wii sold like crazy, true, but the other two sold well. The idea that they were "hardcore" is ridiculous. They were always mainstream boxes, even when their prices were high.
Devilgunman
Member
At least PS4 has that. At $400, it is on par with any hipster device out there. The Vita failed because it targets at handheld gaming which has been shrinking since the rise of smartphone/tablet and Sony has acknowledged the fading future of handhelds by releasing the Vita TV. Core gamers are necessary to push the new console out of the gate and once more games are available mainstream will follow. WiiU has nothing but the price that attracts mainstream. It doesn't have many game for non-Nintendo fans. It failed to generate appeal to general public, leaving many assume that it's just a tablet accessory for the Wii. It doesn't have (or will not have) big 3rd party franchises like its competitors.
Version 3.0
Member
Interesting. I wonder, though, if he's looking at it in historical context. October's a strange month. You might expect the beginning of the holiday increases, but most years it's flat to September*, or even has a bit of a lull before the big November increase.
*not taking into account that September is 5 weeks
What was a tad strange was that he said "..dead dead" why dead twice? Or is that some subtle hint that Wii U is dead (1) in Japan as we saw in MC thread and dead (2) in the upcoming NPD thread?
Or i am likely reading way too much into this.
You wouldn't be Japanese by any chance?
Freezie KO
Banned
Maybe they're going to ditch the Wii U and release a new system on par with the others and call it Deadcubed.
Natureboy99
Banned
No, next year is break out. Kart and Bros in the same year.
Devilgunman
Member
Haha nice catch! (But a bit racist, no? ) I'm not an english speaker so I always misspell stuffs.
Nope. They have zero chance of a comeback at this point. Sadly the window is just about closed. They might gain some traction with a much bigger price drop, but really they needed to do that a year ago to get an installed base going. The sweet spot for a Nintendo system that is underpowered and viewed as a "toy" by much of the target demographic (casuals who don't know anything about the industry and aren't really "gamers") is something like $199 or maybe $249 with a pack-in game. The $50 price drop was a start, but it isn't nearly enough.
LiquidSolid
Member
I don't know why people say things like this. You mean to tell me there was NO overlap between the PS2 and Wii? Ridiculous. I find that incredibly hard to believe, especially in Europe where SCEE had practically created the casual market.
My wife is Japanese, she mixes her r's and l's a lot too. And I'm French, so no judging on English spelling mistakes from me!
But on point though, there are Nintendo fans and there are "hardcore" Nintendo fans. The latter tend to be interested in most of Nintendo's output and are most likely to adopt a new system early. The former might only favor a few franchises and can wait years before adopting a new system. Not everyone who likes Fire Emblem or Xenoblade or Metroid likes Mario, for example. My wife only plays Animal Crossing and Tomodachi Collection.
So Nintendo's far from done yet. I understand the capital importance of a system's first year, but Nintendo games cover many different genres with many different highly-appealing IP's. Nintendo fans aren't just one group.
Devilgunman
Member
Of course there is overlap but that is not my point. Even when you say casual, it can refer to a totally different group. Gamers who play only soccer games are casual. A mom playing Wii Sport with her little Johnny is also casual but they are not an overlapped group.
Cornbread78
Member
I wonder what those Sept. numbers look like. Does WalMart get sales numbers reported through NPD yet?
The way I see it.
Kids below 8 will get a Wii U or a 3DS.
Kids from 8 to 17 will ask for a Ps4 or a Xbox 1.
People who want to play COD will pick a Xbox 1.
People in the Streaming community will go with a Ps4.
The only thing really going for the Wii U is the new Mario games which may pick adults with kids.
I know many young parents, 30-40 yo who love Nintendo games and picked up a 3DS and Wii U already so they can play games without being afraid if the kid see them.
Kids below 8 will get a Wii U or a 3DS.
Kids from 8 to 17 will ask for a Ps4 or a Xbox 1.
People who want to play COD will pick a Xbox 1.
People in the Streaming community will go with a Ps4.
The only thing really going for the Wii U is the new Mario games which may pick adults with kids.
I know many young parents, 30-40 yo who love Nintendo games and picked up a 3DS and Wii U already so they can play games without being afraid if the kid see them.
Aquamarine
Member
Yes.
If Wii U sales are lower than 39K, Wii U has regressed from last month and the bundle will have been an abysmal failure in pushing units.
HeroesInAHalfShell
Neo Member
I can't wait for Sonic Lost World and Bayonetta 2 personally. I just bought the Wind Waker HD bundle and this holiday season is a perfect jumping-on point for Wii U owners as there's finally a catalog worth owning.
Cornbread78
Member
Yup, that would be bad, those Zelda bundles sold like crazy from whay I saw.
Kageshinzo
Member
Good. Because frankly, most of your posts in this thread are, to borrow a term you used prior to this post, shit.
People here have already given you valid reasons why Nintendo going third-party is a bad idea. And your rebuttal is...other publishers don't provide their own hardware so Nintendo shouldn't? Setting aside the fact that none of those games you mentioned have the polish of first-party Nintendo games, Nintendo is a hardware company that happens to have a stellar stable of software IPs and Nintendo gets full profit of all these hardware sold.
But of course this doesn't matter because you think that Nintendo hardware is shit. Which would lend credence to your argument IF the software in these hardware are not optimized to work with the system and are also shit. Which they are not. And if you know your video game history (which, as you've clearly shown in your shitty posts, you do not), you will know that hardware has always taken a backseat to software. The strongest hardware do not always win a generation. See the DC, 3DO, Saturn. Conversely, the weakest hardware does not necessarily mean it'll be the last in the race. Both the PS and the PS2 have shown this. So does the Gameboy.
So yeah, maybe you should educate yourself before spouting such inane nonsense.
LiquidSolid
Member
I'm not talking about people that play Fifa, I'm talking about Singstar, Buzz and Eyetoy. That's the exact same market Nintendo went after (albeit worldwide).
shinra-bansho
Member
Probably this.
Also, regarding the "mainstream" "hardcore" "casual" argument/discussion and driving transition...
Yes the PS3 was far too expensive. The 360 was also relatively expensive. It stunted adoption from the wider consumer-base.
They also fractured what was once essentially a monopolized market.
They still sold considerably better than what we're seeing with the Wii U. On the backs of enthusiasts willing to spend $400 or $600 on systems with limited libraries the PS3 had sold ~1.8M in the US by now and the 360 around 2.7M, compared to the Wii U's 1.3M.
They drove transition with traditional selling points - more, better, bigger - as the XB1 and PS4 are trying to do. And as the PS2 did. Anybody who claims the PS2 wasn't sold on its promise of better technology and moar power is engaging in revisionist nonsense. Likewise the PS1.
The PS2, initially at least, targeted the same 15-35 males that the PS3, PS4, 360 and XB1 target. Later in its lifespan and at a reduced price it also targeted other audiences with initiatives like SingStar to moderate success. The 360 has done the same. An attempt has been made with the PS3 to lesser success.
JordanN
Banned
Can't say I agree with all your points or wanting them to go "third party" but I can say these ones resonate with me. Nintendo continuing to be so archaic and stubborn-minded in the console space and their fanbase mindlessly following it is officially terrible news. It's definitely a reason for why the Wii U has been such a disaster, even more so than their past consoles.
What The Forest Taught Me
Member
A few US TV spots likely would haved helped move the bundle. However, Nintendo seems determined to market the Wii U console as little as possible.
Kageshinzo
Member
This is what's irking me right now with Nintendo. The fact that they are not doing any aggressive marketing of the system, especially its GamePad and why it is better than the competition. This and the fact that they need a more diverse offering than the platformers they are releasing, quality software as they are. They're sitting on F-Zero, Waverace, and Starfox, for crying out loud.
megabytecr
Member
I expect healthier Wii U sales but nothing fancy. I am just going to continue to enjoy it. Only thing that bothers me right now is not getting NBA 2K14 and Fifa 14, I downloaded the old 2013 demos and I think they are pretty good.. My PS3 is dying so no new games for me on that and I think I will get a PC first than a second PS3, will eventually get it as I have a lot invested.
Wii U needs 200-250 sweet spot for family impulse buys and as a second console for many. Also getting at least 3 main games out, 3D World, SSB and Mario Kart.
Wii U needs 200-250 sweet spot for family impulse buys and as a second console for many. Also getting at least 3 main games out, 3D World, SSB and Mario Kart.
I've been thinking for some time now the prevailing wisdom at the top of Nintendo can only be they are resigned to 3rd place/niche status by picking up sales from the hardcore Nintendo fans and as a 2nd system for those who buy PS4s or Xbones.
They may be thinking there is little use in throwing good money after bad at this point to chase the hardware sales crown when there is almost no chance of that happening with most of the casual audience who bought Wii having moved on to tablet/phone games...so why bother with an expensive marketing/advertising campaign? Right or wrong they may be thinking better to retract as much expense as possible, support the system for a couple more years, then get ready to push out a new system in 2016-17.
I basically agree with this if only because there really hasn't been a strong enough WiiU game library to sell more systems, regardless of how much they might have spent on advertising up to this point.
I suppose an argument could be made that IF Nintendo were to have a massive advertising push and coincide it with big price drop to $199 and a ton of new, desirable titles next year then perhaps Xmas 2014-15 could be a last gasp attempt to right the ship.
But I don't see that happening. I think Nintendo is simply happy not to lose a bunch of money on the WiiU, keep the brand relatively strong with some good 1st party offerings to keep the core fans happy/invested, and possibly come out swinging with another system in 2-3 yrs after the newness of the PS4/Xbone wears off.
Mysterious
Banned
This post... I like this post.
uh oh
All we need is Reggie coming out and saying "the Wii U is just hitting its stride!" every year until the successor is released.
What The Forest Taught Me
Member
In marketing terms, I don't think I've ever seen such an unaggressive Nintendo as the Nintendo of today. It's as though they've lost almost all competitive drive and ambitious edge for appealing differentiation.
Nintendo needs testosterone replacement therapy.
Cornbread78
Member
Where's the gif?
maverick40
Junior Member
This is very true. I haven't seen one ad on TV in Ireland about the Wii U yet. Nintendo need to get their head out of their arse.
I saw a couple of TV spots in the UK shortly after release but again, they suffered from the terrible shortcoming of not explaining that the wii u isn't a controller for the wii
It's quite sad how badly Nintendo has dropped the ball with this. Even the Vita has had vastly more exposure
I'm curious whether this holiday will be better for them with the Wii officially being out of production and potentially erasing the brand-confusion aspect.
Also curious if there are any sales to gain from those who decided to hold off on PS4 with the news of the Watch Dogs delay (which seems like a surprising number considering it was a 3rd party title).
Also curious if there are any sales to gain from those who decided to hold off on PS4 with the news of the Watch Dogs delay (which seems like a surprising number considering it was a 3rd party title).
prankster101
Banned
The Wi U is shit. You're just a deluded fanboy talking out of his ass. And Nintendo stand to make far more money by opening up their games to a larger market (albeit giving a cut to Sony/MS/Valve).
Skylanders proves that cutesy games do sell (in vast numbers) on mainstream consoles. The Wii U is not mainstream, and nothing that will ever come out on Wii U will ever attain mass market penetration.
Tomb Raider sold 3 million copies in FOUR WEEKS and was a disappointment. There aren't even 3 million ACTIVE Wii U systems on the market. The Wii U is also not even going to have the same worldwide penetration rate as the Dreamcast - especially now that the world has set its eyes on the PS4/XBone.
What makes you even think that Nintendo are going to be able to profit on their games, when there is no hope in hell that their games will ever be able to rack up the necessary sales to even approach Tomb Raider levels? Plus, Nintendo lose money on their Wii U hardware.
Your argument comes off as inane. Sony and Microsoft have a very hospitable third party publishing strategy. Nintendo can (and will be given the leeway) to delay their games if necessary. And the PS4/XBone/PC architecture is a far cry from the convulated hardware that the PS2 and Saturn had.
Here's a thought for you to maybe try to comprehend: you ever looked at UPlay or Origin? People don't have to spend a penny to get that to play the latest Ubisoft / EA game. And yet they still complain, because they want the game to be under the Steam umbrella. Even indie developers who get good reviews for their games struggle to sell them if the games aren't on Steam. Sure, these devevelopers don't have to pay Valve a cut if they sell the game via their own portal, but they still lose out as people aren't prepared to have to go through that extra hassle of having to acquire the said game.
What makes you think that the mainstream will pick up a Wii U / Nintendo console, when they already have a mainstream console? And what makes you think that people will be prepared to pay for this service, when Uplay and Origin have shown how hard it is for people to want to switch over.
I see Nintendo as being the equivalent of that indie developer who isn't on Steam. Sure, they get to keep all the money, and release games at their convenience. But Nintendo is missing out, and they only have themselves to blame for their pathetic sales figures.
There is a saying: when you do something, do it well, otherwise don't do it all.
Nintendo don't do consoles well. For them to continue down this path is not only a waste of their time (and a drain on their resources), but on their audiences as well. Hell, they can't even make extra money from the license fees as no-one wants to touch them.
So yes, the Wii U is shit. And your pathetic putdown looks like the sad bickering of a deluded fanboy who has got more money than sense. Shame the mainstream doesn't share your point of view, as that probably explains why Nintendo has only accrued 3 million sales to date. Oh wait: things will pick up next year, I hear you say? Keep dreaming.
Edit: I've already mentioned that one way Nintendo could carry on in the hardware stakes is by paving the way to a 3DS successor, and releasing a portable Wii U that is 2DS compatible.
But some people will probably think that's a dumb idea. But whatever. It's not as if HD development doesn't cost a tonne of money. And it's not as if marketing also doesn't cost a tonne of money. Asset creation is expensive, hence why we got a HD update. If anyone cares about Nintendo games, to the extent that they don't want the games to be compromised, they would need to think how best Nintendo can go about selling a lot of copies in order for their software division to remain profitable. Because Nintendo (from a mainstream console perspective) are finished. The stakes are only going to get higher.
michaelius
Banned
"dead dead" might mean it was dead before and after price cut and zelda bundle US numbers are out it'll be even more dead.
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