Crash Station
Member
I wonder if this belief that it isn't a new console will persist for a while. That's not good.
Wii U back in stock at GameStop
- Thread starter fluffydelusions
- Start date
I wonder if this belief that it isn't a new console will persist for a while. That's not good.
It could have been avoided if they named the thing wii2 instead of the worst possible name they could have come up with.
This launch has been a mixed bag if what I have seen is representative of overall sales.
Local Best Buy: Sold out
Toys R Us: Deluxe sold out, Basic in stock
Target #1: Sold out on launch day
Target #2: Had a bunch last night, I called today and they have 6 basic ones left and no Deluxe.
One that is clear to me is that the Deluxe is more in demand than the basic.
and either:
1) Nintendo is flooding the market with Wii Us
2) The demand isn't there.
Local Best Buy: Sold out
Toys R Us: Deluxe sold out, Basic in stock
Target #1: Sold out on launch day
Target #2: Had a bunch last night, I called today and they have 6 basic ones left and no Deluxe.
One that is clear to me is that the Deluxe is more in demand than the basic.
and either:
1) Nintendo is flooding the market with Wii Us
2) The demand isn't there.
The problem is the Wii U name is inherently contradictory. "Wii" emphasized the family-style, sharing aspect. The two "i"s in the name were symbolic of two people holding Wii remotes together. However, the Wii U is all about the Gamepad, which is a single-user experience (they don't even sell it by itself yet).
They really should have called it the "Nintendo GT Entertainment System" or something ("GT" = "Gamepad Tablet").
They really should have called it the "Nintendo GT Entertainment System" or something ("GT" = "Gamepad Tablet").
Ken Masters
Banned
Demand isn't there, the GameStop manager where I got my Wii u from on launch simply stated that the interest wasn't there for a GameStop midnight launch
chertipros
Member
Where do you live?
The Mana Legend
Banned
Most of the reason why Gamestop didn't have a midnight release was because the system was releasing on a Sunday, not because there wasn't demand for it.
Raleigh, NC
Edag Plata
Banned
So the thing has to be completely sold out and impossible to find for there to be any demand?
Without knowing how many units Nintendo is shipping we really have no clue what is going on.
If their pre-launch PR was crap and the shipments are roughly equivalent to 2006, then I think we can say there is a demand problem.
If there are a lot more Wii U's at stores than for the Wii launch, Nintendo could sell significantly more this holiday and still have these anecdotal reports of plentiful supply.
True, but that is a worldwide number and we have no idea on PAL and Japanese shipments.
Demand for a midnight launch doesn't equate to demand for the console.
It's not like mom and dad are lining up at midnight for little Billy's Christmas present.
goldenpp72
Member
I'm not gonna lie, when i was hunting a wii U deluxe today, they had the wiis and wii U's right next to the ps3 bundles at best buy, and I nabbed a black wii box that was sitting right near the basic U bundles and got excited 
There was also a parent playing it and the kids near him were watching, and he just said, we already have a wii. Hopefully Nintendo can work on the brand thing if it is indeed a common issue.
There was also a parent playing it and the kids near him were watching, and he just said, we already have a wii. Hopefully Nintendo can work on the brand thing if it is indeed a common issue.
At about 3pm today my Walmart still had 4 Basics in-stock. I have no idea what the fuck is happening here. Also the increasing anecdotal evidence I'm seeing online with parents buying regular Black Wiis thinking that it's "the new Wii" is hilarious and sad. This thing really needed a different name, their messaging has not been great on that.
Which stores did you go to? I went to the Best Buy in Cary on launch and they had quite a few Basic units left but no Deluxe sets. Lady said they sold out of the Deluxe set in about an hour. The Walmart in Cary also was sold out on launch but had some in stock before today. I'm not sure if they still have some in stock now or not.
Ken Masters
Banned
Ok, but the successor to a console that couldn't be easily found for 2 years is easily available days after launch
That's lack of demand
Count Dookkake
Member
.
Yes. Lets ignore that there are more Wii U's available now than the Wii.
well we did get warning that there wouldn't be a lot in japan, but supply there seems pretty ample too, considering what dcharlie was saying.
Baconsammy
Banned
Only on gaming forums is a product being in stock viewed as a bad thing. People expecting the Wii U to sell like the Wii did are deluded. There's absolutely nothing compelling enough about the Wii U to make casuals drop 300-350 for it. Nintendoland is in no way, shape or form comparable to Wii Sports in its ability to capture the attention of non-gamers. If the Wii U is a PS3/360-esque success Nintendo will be very happy.
CrunchinJelly
formerly cjelly
It's out over here in the UK on Friday and everywhere is still taking pre-orders for launch day.
It's very weird.
It's very weird.
tiggerkiddo
Member
Sign me up as someone wanting the Basic model. I don't want to buy digitally largely and I don't want a fingerprint and dust magnet.
I think this is pretty much correct.
It is more expensive than the Wii and is not launching with a pack in phenomenon- better comparisons would be every other hardware launch.
I think it will sell more in Nov-Dec than the Wii at launch because of supply, but there is literally no chance Wii U turns into a mainstream phenomenon like the Wii- if it is successful, it will do things the normal way.
Ninja Scooter
Member
The thing is, if the Wii didn't have Wii Sports (and the audience it brought) it would not have been a PS3/360-esque success. If those people don't latch on to the Wii U, there is a lot of cause for concern.
Baconsammy
Banned
That's true too. If Nintendo can't convince third parties to do more than the junky ports we've seen at launch, they're going to have issues. They've already lost a lot of people when it comes to multi-plats because of the lack of achievements and the idiotic account system limitations.
I went to the capital blvd area in raleigh and wake forest.
Ken Masters
Banned
Nintendo didn't give a shit with the Wii and they haven't given a shit so far
But when they quickly see the Wii U isn't going to mimic the Wii sales they will suddenly realize that quality 3rd party games matter and long droughts between AAA first party titles won't cut it anymore
Smiles and Cries
Member
so Black Friday has about what 3 hours left in the US?
So the word is this is in stock so bomba?
So the word is this is in stock so bomba?
metalslimer
Member
People saying there's nothing for the casuals to latch on to may be surprised by the reaction to the system. From what I've seen when people play the demos there is a complete opposite reaction going on the internet to the reaction in the real world. The kids I saw playing Rayman looked like they were having a blast, and the mom was interested in the new tablet controller. It may not last past the holidays, but the controller does seem to interest a lot of people. I actually think Nintendo has a bigger problem with the core gamers over kids and casual gamers. No one seems to be interested in Black Ops Wii U or Assassins's Creed.
Ah, that seems like it would be the more crowded area too.
It's not "over" (it's over? What is this some dramatic movie where we both stand at the edge of a tall building and you, the police officer, tell me how I, the fugitive, have no more options and should just turn myself in?) just because some random peeps end up enjoying something. There were tons of people that ended up enjoying the horrific TRANSFORMERS movies, and I doubt many people will hazard a defense that a.) includes a straight face and b.) people don't usually just immediately laugh at. Many enjoyed the Wii Sports games for that matter, which didn't change that they were still shallow gutter trash. Some people enjoy that sort of thing. Nothing wrong with that.
Not withstanding that my opinion has nothing at all to do with how much anyone else can enjoy a product, so me saying how Nintendo should pay gamers to take Nintendoland off their hand is only a statement of my assessment of its value. It's hardly worth taking issue with if you don't agree with it. I was just saying that, nope, there's plenty of reason not to want the Black version if you can help it. Saddled with a game you don't want with a seriously incremental increase of space that is going to be valueless with even one major download (ACIII is 20GB or something I heard?)... it's really the cradle that has any value to me. So, the white version does come out ahead.
And I truly believe your enthusiasm, Gummb, but it's hardly an objective source. Like 90% of all your posts are all over-the-top gushing over Nintendo products or news, and criticism is hardly in your forte at all. Unless it's not on a Nintendo system, then Halo 4 is truly disappointing and etc etc.
All seriousness, I don't require validation from others. A product must be good on its own feet. My family would recommend to me Jennifer Lopez movies with a straight face, and so I know they're hardly the best source for what makes good movies. Similarly, if they did enjoy the games, that would just mean it was something that worked for them individually. It would not necessarily apply to me. The game and its gameplay must stand on its own for my assessment. If it's a mini-game compilation, the majority of the mini-games must feel as substantial and as complete as full packages, something I'd pay for in a full game. I don't want to pay for a shallow title that I wouldn't pay for individually even if my life is on the line; why would I want to pay for them if 12 of those same throwaway products were packaged together? It doesn't actually change the value. If it has that depth, the fun with other people will simply naturally come for me.
But I'm sorry, I must be getting old, because I have absolutely NO clue what you mean by there's nothing else like it on the market. Because somehow, and I genuinely mean no offense to this, I suspect the answer would be large sweeping generalizations including the words "magic" and "soul" and would in the end have nothing relating to reality, since almost all of the mini-games in Nintendoland are like things that came before. That said, I'm sure the fact that there is a controller screen for which people are performing these same age-old feats now makes them somehow "unique" for them, or the fact that asynchronous gameplay is so novel it changes everything, or how somehow I should get excited for hide and seek in mini-game form.
I am glad you enjoy it, though. Thankfully there are so many legitimately great products out there I don't have to force myself. Edit: Not that you're forcing yourself to love it. I read this last line and thought that sounded wrong.
gamergirly
Member
Just went to a Walmart here. They sold alot of Wii U's today but had 4 Units left
chertipros
Member
yeah it sounds pretty disapointing sales wise
I think the overreaching problem Nintendo faces is that it cannot afford to use cutting edge tech.
Truthfully they can and should have used a capacitive touchscreen and a more powerful cpu but overall they are stuck in a predicament.
Sony and MS rely on a loss leading model to sell consoles.
They stuff them with expensive harxware and mark it way down, bleeding red ink for years and relying on other income to keep gaming division afloat.
Nintendo hasnt got that safety net.
They have a battle chest of sorts but it would be foolish to use it all to prop up a very costly system on a gamble.
They have to resort to innovation and gimmickry to gain interest in their platform.
This helps tbem deviate from the others and stand out but it requires special ports and software that takes advantage of the gimmick so many third parties just avoid the whole thing.
Nintendo really have no real option other than to continue to differentiate through gameplay experiences over sheer power.
Truthfully they can and should have used a capacitive touchscreen and a more powerful cpu but overall they are stuck in a predicament.
Sony and MS rely on a loss leading model to sell consoles.
They stuff them with expensive harxware and mark it way down, bleeding red ink for years and relying on other income to keep gaming division afloat.
Nintendo hasnt got that safety net.
They have a battle chest of sorts but it would be foolish to use it all to prop up a very costly system on a gamble.
They have to resort to innovation and gimmickry to gain interest in their platform.
This helps tbem deviate from the others and stand out but it requires special ports and software that takes advantage of the gimmick so many third parties just avoid the whole thing.
Nintendo really have no real option other than to continue to differentiate through gameplay experiences over sheer power.
Isn't Wii U shipping going 4.5 million worldwide by March or something? I don't think it's bomba, I just think they have a system they can relatively easily produce at speed. I definitely think there is a palpable difference in excitement for the Wii U versus Wii, but then again hardly anything can match the enthusiasm for that.
In a decade or so Sony ain't even going to exist, so Nintendo has a one up on them
cajunator said:
In a decade or so Sony ain't even going to exist, so Nintendo has a one up on them
I think demand for it is being propped up by Nintendo fans right now, but as more stuff comes out it may impact demand.
Wii flew out of the gate because it had an immediate and overwhelming reaction from casuals.
When a console first comes out it normally attracts the hardcore and loyalists.
Subsequent price drops raise the fanbase as more people buy in and thats normally when casuals begin to pick up on it.
The wii was the opposite with casuals buying in immediately with hardcore choosing to wait and see.
I think the WiiU has so far failed to capture the attention of casuals and the people mainly buying it have been anticipating it.
Its not a case of just more supply, its attracting a different audience from Wii.
Wii flew out of the gate because it had an immediate and overwhelming reaction from casuals.
When a console first comes out it normally attracts the hardcore and loyalists.
Subsequent price drops raise the fanbase as more people buy in and thats normally when casuals begin to pick up on it.
The wii was the opposite with casuals buying in immediately with hardcore choosing to wait and see.
I think the WiiU has so far failed to capture the attention of casuals and the people mainly buying it have been anticipating it.
Its not a case of just more supply, its attracting a different audience from Wii.
I don't know I think a lot of hardcores flocked to Wii launch as well. Missing out on a Zelda launch? Pfft. i know I was there on day 1, and 2/3 of the reason for that was Twilight Princess
Actually Wii was the only system I got on day one last gen. Funny, Wii U is the first system I got this gen. Nintendo properties have a way of making me complicit in my abused spouse role.
I think the problem (I just mean comparably - I don't think it has a problem right now) is that Wii U just seems more immediately intimidating to casuals. When you saw a Wiimote and the "flagship" title Wii Sports, it wasn't scary, it was inviting and simple to remember. With Wii U, the first image is of this labyrinthine controller with a trillion buttons and a huge screen which has to be used in conjunction with another screen, with sometimes is also used with wiimotes. When you add it altogether, it might seem quite daunting to casuals.
James Sawyer Ford
Banned
I don't buy for a second that Nintendo can't afford more powerful tech and better hardware.
They're just not willing to and are deluded enough to believe that they can continue down the same path. That strategy worked well when the Wii first released because it captured a new audience that didn't really mind about the lack of power...they were just enamored with the new ways to play and interact. It was fun for social gatherings.
Now that the Wii U has released, that audience has moved on or they are still content bringing their Wii out of the closet every now and then for a Just Dance session or Wii Sports romp. They don't see any reason to upgrade. Again, they don't care about power, so why would they care that the Wii U has better graphics? They don't care about the tablet gaming, because it's something they're already doing on their phones and tablets.
Wii U isn't seen as a necessity like the original Wii was. And the audience Nintendo attracted are a fickle bunch. This is a huge issue that faces Nintendo that really won't be much of a problem for Microsoft or Sony.
They're just not willing to and are deluded enough to believe that they can continue down the same path. That strategy worked well when the Wii first released because it captured a new audience that didn't really mind about the lack of power...they were just enamored with the new ways to play and interact. It was fun for social gatherings.
Now that the Wii U has released, that audience has moved on or they are still content bringing their Wii out of the closet every now and then for a Just Dance session or Wii Sports romp. They don't see any reason to upgrade. Again, they don't care about power, so why would they care that the Wii U has better graphics? They don't care about the tablet gaming, because it's something they're already doing on their phones and tablets.
Wii U isn't seen as a necessity like the original Wii was. And the audience Nintendo attracted are a fickle bunch. This is a huge issue that faces Nintendo that really won't be much of a problem for Microsoft or Sony.
One of the things I think have been under discussed in general is the "loyalty" some customers might assume because of the online communities Sony and Microsoft have built. I know quite a few of my friends just want to get the next Xbox, for example, because they know likely many things will carry over from the 360 service, many of their Live friends will join over, maybe their points, definitely their purchases... and there's a level of comforting continuity there that simply could not exist on Wii.
Because Nintendo was so damagingly behind the curve when it came to implementing a feasible online service for its platform, individuals on the platform also weren't able to foster that sort of loyalty. It's a different type of consumer to be sure.
lwilliams3
Member
Umm..being completely sold out is not a good thing. You can't sell something that is not around. From the infomation you gave us, all of the deluxes are sold out, and there are a few basics still around. We already know that the Wii U is giving out a nice supply of systems (at least more than what the Wii had at launch, and it would be good to have some systems around so that some people that miss the rush will not be completely screwed..though they may to settle with the basic pack.
Nintendo cant afford to blow several billion dollars on a gamble.
Truth be told the whole videgame market model is broken as fuck.
Consumers are conditioned to expect a level of technology greater than it really makes financial sense to make.
This is why gaming is getting so expensive with all the collector editions, pricey DLC, unfinished games getting patched etc. Companies are bleeding red and throwing whatever they possibly can at the problem to stave off the costs.
Its the new reality that gaming faces.
Truth be told the whole videgame market model is broken as fuck.
Consumers are conditioned to expect a level of technology greater than it really makes financial sense to make.
This is why gaming is getting so expensive with all the collector editions, pricey DLC, unfinished games getting patched etc. Companies are bleeding red and throwing whatever they possibly can at the problem to stave off the costs.
Its the new reality that gaming faces.
ReBurn
Gold Member
I saw them in stock at Walmart and Target this afternoon. Deluxe sets to boot.
Byakuya769
Member
Typically how new hardware launches go.