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[AzaK]

Anything after September would not be smart IMO. They need to maximize the launch window between them and the other two.

JJ. After E3 they were saying it would not come out till after this fiscal year. And they've stuck to that ever since. The first mention I believe was when Reggie was on Fallon's show.

As far as the company goes I really thought April was best, I.e. sooner because they are losing money hand over fist. However that was me under some naive belief that the thing was actually reasonably far along, with titles lined up and they just needed to start making it in droves. Since then we've found out that it really was in its infancy they need that time to get it done. They're cutting it close though because I agree they need to make their mark before the others start being hyped and eventually come out.

 

[luffeN]

I think summer in Japan, fall everywhere else. Japan really needs it sooner.

I hope that we also get in the summer!

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

What're the chances they'll have a black Wii U at launch? I won't be buying one until it's in black so it matches with my set-up.

Making Wii U black for launch and in all it's PR/advertising materials would be an easy way to differentiate from Wii off the bat. Yeah, there's a black Wii, but the console is mostly identified with the white color scheme.

 

[fernoca]

I've always expected "after Fall 2012" launch. So, anything earlier would be a surprise and anything after would be...well, expected.

 

[Sempuukyaku]

November release worldwide

Bingo.

Or NA release in November followed by a Japan release in December. Wii U aint coming out earlier than September 2012. Those who think otherwise are ridiculously deluded and quite ignorant of Nintendo's history when it comes to home console launches.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Bingo.

Or NA release in November followed by a Japan release in December. Wii U aint coming out earlier than September 2012. Those who think otherwise are ridiculously deluded and quite ignorant of Nintendo's history when it comes to home console launches.

I don't think history of console launches really matters. It likely depends on a number of factors, including the Holiday season.

Hell, they just released a handheld in spring, when the DS was a winter release, the Gameboy Advance was in summer, and the Gameboy Color was just before Thanksgiving.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

They're in panic mode. The only thing they care about now is the launch line-up.

Lol oh you.

 

[Vinci]

Lol oh you.

I go away for a few weeks, come back, and his posts are almost exactly the same.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

I go away for a few weeks, come back, and his posts are almost exactly the same.

He said yesterday he isnt going to be all crazy well guess it lasted for a few hours.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

He said yesterday he isnt going to be all crazy well guess it lasted for a few hours.

Were those few hours when he wasn't posting

 

[Sempuukyaku]

I don't think history of console launches really matters. It likely depends on a number of factors, including the Holiday season.

Hell, they just released a handheld in spring, when the DS was a winter release, the Gameboy Advance was in summer, and the Gameboy Color was just before Thanksgiving.

Yes, all handhelds. Please tell me again when NOA has launched a console before September of any year? Yes, the SNES..which launched in August. No other Nintendo home console since the freaking SNES has launched before September of any year. That aint changing with the Wii U.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Were those few hours when he wasn't posting

Yep =\

 

[EricDiesel]

I've been expecting fall-holiday season all along. A full reveal in June followed by a launch in August made zero sense to me. Nintendo isn't Apple. They aren't going to rush this thing to market, especially when they can't really afford to botch this launch up.

You're doing it again BP and you just got back. Making sure you don't repeat the same mistake twice is not panicking.

Somebody put a wallet under BurntPork's tongue. I think he's about to have a stress induced seizure. (Seriously, chill. You're assuming things and letting those assumptions paint the worst scenario in your head.)

 

[Azure J]

Yes, all handhelds. Please tell me again when NOA has launched a console before September of any year? Yes, the SNES..which launched in August. No other Nintendo home console since the freaking SNES has launched before September of any year. That aint changing with the Wii U.

Nothing's set in stone and ESPECIALLY with Nintendo.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Yes, all handhelds. Please tell me again when NOA has launched a console before September of any year? Yes, the SNES..which launched in August. No other Nintendo home console since the freaking SNES has launched before September of any year. That aint changing with the Wii U.

The point is simply that "tradition" is not a sole determining factor for judging console launches.

But no, you're right, they're totally going "Well, it might make more pecuniary sense to release it in July, but we're going to wait until November because the SNES did it."

Nevermind that the people making that call aren't the same people who made the call on the SNES, anyway. We're just going to go with calendar-based predictions forever.

I didn't even say you were wrong, just that "THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN" is incredibly simple reasoning.

 

[jacksrb]

I feel like there are two factors around when the system will launch.

1:If they can have enough stock to survive launch and then Christmas a few months later
2:Launch lineup readiness

If the games were ready and stock was solid, I could see a September launch. But yeah, probably going to be normal holiday launch with shortages and lines and media coverage.

 

[Sempuukyaku]

The point is simply that "tradition" is not a sole determining factor for judging console launches.

But no, you're right, they're totally going "Well, it might make more pecuniary sense to release it in July, but we're going to wait until November because the SNES did it."

Nevermind that the people making that call aren't the same people who made the call on the SNES, anyway. We're just going to go with calendar-based predictions forever.

I didn't even say you were wrong, just that "THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN" is incredibly simple reasoning.

Yes, because I'm sure you're aware of what product Nintendo has planned for Wii and 3DS before Wii U comes out next year? It has nothing to do with "THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN". Get real. Remember the Sega Saturn? That's the last home console that launched outside of the September-December holiday window. How'd that launch go?

Since then, every other major home console launch: Playstation, N64, Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PS3, 360, Wii has been in the holiday window. Wii U will be the same.

 

[bgassassin]

Iwata himself confirmed it would launch in fiscal 2013 back in April, well before E3. Anyone who believed it would launch earlier than Q2 2012 just wasn't paying attention.

I never believed it would launch before E3 2012 and even I forgot about that.

I think summer in Japan, fall everywhere else. Japan really needs it sooner.

This I can definitely see happening.

I've always expected "after Fall 2012" launch. So, anything earlier would be a surprise and anything after would be...well, expected.

LOL. I know you'll be pleased the most since this post pretty much suggests a 2013 launch.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

I don't think history of console launches really matters. It likely depends on a number of factors, including the Holiday season.

Hell, they just released a handheld in spring, when the DS was a winter release, the Gameboy Advance was in summer, and the Gameboy Color was just before Thanksgiving.

Their consoles are also all over the place.

Famciom / NES
JP: July 1983
NA: October 1985
EU: September 1986

Super Famicom / Super NES
JP: September 1990
NA: August 1991
EU: April 1992

Nintendo 64
JP: June 1996
NA: September 1996
EU: March 1997

Gamecube
JP: September 2001
NA: November 2001
EU: May 2002

Wii
NA: November 2006
JP: December 2006
EU: December 2006


The rest:

Game Boy
JP: April 1989
NA: August 1989
EU: September 1990

Game Boy Color
JP: October 1998
NA: November 1998
EU: November 1998

Game Boy Advance
JP: March 2001
NA: June 2001
EU: June 2001
CH: June 2004

Nintendo DS
NA: November 2004
JP: December 2004
EU: March 2005
CH: July 2005

Nintendo DSi
JP: November 2008
EU: April 2009
NA: April 2009
CH: December 2009

Nintendo 3DS
JP: February 2011
EU: March 2011
NA: March 2011


Famicom Disk System
JP: February 1986

64DD
JP: December 1999

eReader
JP: December 2001
NA: September 2002


Virtual Boy
JP: July 1995
NA: August 1995

Pokémon mini
NA: November 2001
JP: December 2001
EU: March 2002

iQue Player
CH: November 2003

 

[JJConrad]

Yes, because I'm sure you're aware of what product Nintendo has planned for Wii and 3DS before Wii U comes out next year? It has nothing to do with "THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN". Get real. Remember the Sega Saturn? That's the last home console that launched outside of the September-December holiday window. How'd that launch go?

Since then, every other major home console launch: Playstation, N64, Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PS3, 360, Wii has been in the holiday window. Wii U will be the same.

What on Earth are you even arguing here? Wii U will launch in November because no other console has launched before September... that makes no sense.

And you're forgetting Europe.

 

[Deku]

The point is simply that "tradition" is not a sole determining factor for judging console launches.

But no, you're right, they're totally going "Well, it might make more pecuniary sense to release it in July, but we're going to wait until November because the SNES did it."

Nevermind that the people making that call aren't the same people who made the call on the SNES, anyway. We're just going to go with calendar-based predictions forever.

I didn't even say you were wrong, just that "THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN" is incredibly simple reasoning.

Damn you make too much sense SA.

There's a happy medium between extrapolating historical trends and ignoring it entirely.

And even if we postulate that there's some repeated behavior going on, comparing Wii U launch to say the SNES launch is pretty far fetched, considering the management/staff turnover at Nintendo since and more importantly, the market conditions are vastly different now.

So even if you have exactly the same people in place with the same biases and 'likes' and dislikes for launching a platform, facing a different condition would likely result in a different launch.

And people forget how much of a mom and pop shop Nintendo was back in the early 90s. You have the son-in-law launching it in America and Lord Daimyo Yamauchi dictating the launch in Japan. It was very much a family run thing.

 

[Medalion]

Wut, 2013 Wii-U release?

Maybe late 2012 for Japan, and then North America and EU early 2013

Tooooooo far away dammit

 

[Deku]

Wut, 2013 Wii-U release?

Maybe late 2012 for Japan, and then North America and EU early 2013

Tooooooo far away dammit

Fiscal 2013 is April 2012 to March 2013

 

[Sempuukyaku]

What on Earth are you even arguing here? Wii U will launch in November because no other console has launched before September... that makes no sense.

And you're forgetting Europe.

1.) I said North America specifically


2.) I said that September-December launch window.


Don't know where you're getting November or Europe from.

 

[A Black Falcon]

1.) I said North America specifically


2.) I said that September-December launch window.


Don't know where you're getting November or Europe from.

But as the list above shows, the SNES launched in August. I agree that September to November or so is the most likely period, for the US release, but it is possible it could come sooner, if not likely.

 

[MDX]

I think summer in Japan, fall everywhere else. Japan really needs it sooner.

Possible, only if they wanted to make sure the system had no major bugs or faults before going world wide. However, unlike the Wii launch, they are not competing against any other new console launches during Xmas. 2012 is wide open for them.

They will also want a big presence in stores. This means, giving the retailers time to deplete Wii stock. We also expect that the WiiU will get many ports during launch, they might as well wait to get the Fall line-up. And show off their games during the subsequent game conventions to build hype.

But most importantly, their online must be ready day one.
And that brings me to this game: Dragon Quest X
A Wii and WiiU release. This might also be a factor in when they release the WiiU.
And Im thinking, they might want to give the Wii a nice window for it to garner sales.

 

[Log4Girlz]

They need to change the case, make it look more different to the Wii.

 

[Sempuukyaku]

But as the list above shows, the SNES launched in August. I agree that September to November or so is the most likely period, for the US release, but it is possible it could come sooner, if not likely.

It's possible, but extremely unlikely if we're looking at hardware manufacturer industry trends FOR CONSOLES since 1995.

Also:

Yes, all handhelds. Please tell me again when NOA has launched a console before September of any year? Yes, the SNES..which launched in August. No other Nintendo home console since the freaking SNES has launched before September of any year. That aint changing with the Wii U.

I knew about the SNES as well. I was just making a point that Nintendo is pretty predictable when it comes to home console launches.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Possible, only if they wanted to make sure the system had no major bugs or faults before going world wide. However, unlike the Wii launch, they are not competing against any other new console launches during Xmas. 2012 is wide open for them.

They will also want a big presence in stores. This means, giving the retailers time to deplete Wii stock. We also expect that the WiiU will get many ports during launch, they might as well wait to get the Fall line-up. And show off their games during the subsequent game conventions to build hype.

But most importantly, their online must be ready day one.
And that brings me to this game: Dragon Quest X
A Wii and WiiU release. This might also be a factor in when they release the WiiU.
And Im thinking, they might want to give the Wii a nice window for it to garner sales.

I think DQX being a MMO has somewhat negated any hardware selling power it might've had. Besides, DQIX didn't exactly drive a ton of new DS sales, nor did DQVIII for PS2, everyone basically already has a Wii, PS2 or DS in the house when they get Dragon Quest.

I think we'll see Japan sooner though because Wii is basically done in the region. DQX and Mario Party 9 are the lone big releases left for the entire year, and 3rd parties have all but abandoned the system. Nintendo can probably get some good mileage out of Japanese devs early on with Wii U too, especially if they can convince most to go from 360/PS3 multiplatform to PS3/WU multiplatform. I can see that happening for Japan oriented stuff like Musou, RPGs, anime games, etc, some of which has already abandoned local 360 releases at all. Launching earlier speeds that process up.

 

[Sydle]

Glad they're learning from the 3DS. They have the smarts and the resources to make something really great, I just think they got lazy because success came so easy to them.

They need to change the case, make it look more different to the Wii.

I'd drop the "Wii" name from it, too.

 

[EatChildren]

1.) I said North America specifically

2.) I said that September-December launch window.

Don't know where you're getting November or Europe from.

September/December launch window is probably accurate, given it wont launch before June, and that only gives them a three month window if they intend to beat it.

That being said, historic precedent is only relevant for as long as a company is willing to hold it up. In reality anything is possible, and depending on how aggressively Nintendo wants to push the system they may launch earlier.

Launch will depend on a lot of factors. There's the launch line-up, which Nintendo will want to look as impressive as possible if they're legitimately learning from the 3DS failures. Later launch gives developers, theirs and others, more time to polish their games which is beneficial for the obvious reasons. On the other hand I, as stated, expect a ton of ports, and the longer Nintendo hold off the older the ports will become (assuming there's a lot of early year ports, as per the games in Nirolak's thread). If they want to capitalise on the ports they'll want to get in early, as late ports wont sell a system.

The other concern is the lack of buzz surrounding the Wii U (understandable given circumstances), and how much of a splash they can make with the re-reveal at E3 2012. E3 2011 was the ticket and screwing it up was a really stupid move, as next year they'll also likely be competing with the next Xbox and maybe PlayStation. Given I expect these systems to have stronger hardware, and the weight of Microsoft/Sony marketing, there's going to be a lot of buzz around these systems too. Nintendo should have made a big impact at E3 2011 and drip fed the hype machine all the way through to launch, but instead they're going for Round 2, and Round 2 is going to be harder than ever before.

If they want to beat the Microsoft/Sony platform buzz, they'd be better off launching sooner rather than later. The longer they wait the more footing the competition will earn, whereas getting in quick and hard could work in their favour, capitalising on the hype machine for all next generation systems and avoiding the "But the next Microsoft/Sony system is soon! I'll wait!" problem.

Really it will all come down to E3 2012. Its pretty exciting, because basically everything is riding on that showing, and they've got themselves in the most conflicting and difficult position. They're in the thick of it and cant afford to fuck it up all over again.

 

[JJConrad]

1.) I said North America specifically


2.) I said that September-December launch window.


Don't know where you're getting November or Europe from.

Did you read your own posts? You agreed with a November worldwide release and then pushed it back to December in Japan. That's not specific to North America at all and nobody was talking about NA specifically at the time.

 

[Man God]

Mid September is a great time to launch a new console.

 

[AzaK]

If they want to beat the Microsoft/Sony platform buzz, they'd be better off launching sooner rather than later. The longer they wait the more footing the competition will earn, whereas getting in quick and hard could work in their favour, capitalising on the hype machine for all next generation systems and avoiding the "But the next Microsoft/Sony system is soon! I'll wait!" problem.

I agree, but it really does seem like they're just not really ready for anything earlier than post mid year

E3 will be really interesting. I haven't really watched many console reveals before (Wii and Wii U), so do Nintendo every really try and mega-ton it like MS and Sony try to do. As in, go all Hollywood and hype? Nintendo conferences always seem a bit staid and un-showy.

 

[JJConrad]

September/December launch window is probably accurate, given it wont launch before June, and that only gives them a three month window if they intend to beat it.

That being said, historic precedent is only relevant for as long as a company is willing to hold it up. In reality anything is possible, and depending on how aggressively Nintendo wants to push the system they may launch earlier.

Launch will depend on a lot of factors. There's the launch line-up, which Nintendo will want to look as impressive as possible if they're legitimately learning from the 3DS failures. Later launch gives developers, theirs and others, more time to polish their games which is beneficial for the obvious reasons. On the other hand I, as stated, expect a ton of ports, and the longer Nintendo hold off the older the ports will become (assuming there's a lot of early year ports, as per the games in Nirolak's thread). If they want to capitalise on the ports they'll want to get in early, as late ports wont sell a system.

The other concern is the lack of buzz surrounding the Wii U (understandable given circumstances), and how much of a splash they can make with the re-reveal at E3 2012. E3 2011 was the ticket and screwing it up was a really stupid move, as next year they'll also likely be competing with the next Xbox and maybe PlayStation. Given I expect these systems to have stronger hardware, and the weight of Microsoft/Sony marketing, there's going to be a lot of buzz around these systems too. Nintendo should have made a big impact at E3 2011 and drip fed the hype machine all the way through to launch, but instead they're going for Round 2, and Round 2 is going to be harder than ever before.

If they want to beat the Microsoft/Sony platform buzz, they'd be better off launching sooner rather than later. The longer they wait the more footing the competition will earn, whereas getting in quick and hard could work in their favour, capitalising on the hype machine for all next generation systems and avoiding the "But the next Microsoft/Sony system is soon! I'll wait!" problem.

Really it will all come down to E3 2012. Its pretty exciting, because basically everything is riding on that showing, and they've got themselves in the most conflicting and difficult position. They're in the thick of it and cant afford to **** it up all over again.

I don't think any weight should be given to the Briefing Conference comment about Wii U release. It's very unlikely that that statement was meant to give any insight about the system's launch date. The information we have now comes from developers and the PR speak has not yet changed since E3. The statement is open to a variety of interpretations, some of which don't change what's already known. I would say wait until we start hearing developers changing their plans before we assume anything has changed.

That said, if the system remains veiled until E3 there is no possible way logistically the system can launch in any region before September. They need time for retailers to gauge demand and place orders, and then for them to allocate the proper resources. This can't effectively be done under the cloak of secrecy.

As for a lack of buzz, that doesn't matter at this time. The pre-E3 hype about the system grew on its own. All Nintendo did was confirm its existence. The hype will build again, it always does. It matters more how Nintendo lives up to that hype. That's a bigger threat than whatever MS or Sony throws out there. At E3 2006, Nintendo sent the Wii out head-to-head with the PS3 and beat it down. Those two companies will have their own problems, too.

 

[EatChildren]

E3 will be really interesting. I haven't really watched many console reveals before (Wii and Wii U), so do Nintendo every really try and mega-ton it like MS and Sony try to do. As in, go all Hollywood and hype? Nintendo conferences always seem a bit staid and un-showy.

They don't necessarily need to go all Hollywood, just sell the system in a way that makes people talk about it. For all its underwhelming launch, the 3DS E3 showing was pretty impressive. Lots of game/franchise announcements, straight to the point, and successful on-the-spot showing of technology people were pretty sceptical about. The Wii was quite similar, I suppose. Lots of buzz over how new the concept was. People were stampeding through the event just to line up and play Wii Sports.

Unfortunately the Wii U has everything going against it. As neat as the touch pad is, the concept isn't new. Smartphones and the iPad have ingrained the concept of the touch pad in the mass market mind share, so Nintendo can't play the 'new and flashy!' card like they could with motion controls and glassesless 3D. They're retreading established ground.

Then there's the games. What really bummed me about their E3 2011 showing was all the talk about having lots of 3rd party support was followed with a sizzle real of run-of-the-mill multiplatform games. I've voiced this complaint before, but this simply isn't good enough, even if it is a significant improvement on the Wii. Launching with the same games on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is going to be met with shrugs from consumers. Who gives a shit about buying this new, expensive platform with the same games they could get on their existing systems, that all their friends play on?

At E3 2012 Nintendo needs to establish the Wii U as a major player in video games. They need to show people that this platform has a lot of games, and most importantly exclusives. There needs to be games there people cannot get anywhere else that will sell the system to people who are not your average Nintendo fan (as they are already sold). They also need to push the system as something different, or beyond what the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 already offer, and what the next Xbox and PlayStation will offer.

Its a rock and a hard place to be sure.

As for a lack of buzz, that doesn't matter at this time. The pre-E3 hype about the system grew on its own. All Nintendo did was confirm its existence. The hype will build again, it always does. It matters more how Nintendo lives up to that hype. That's a bigger threat than whatever MS or Sony throws out there. At E3 2006, Nintendo sent the Wii out head-to-head with the PS3 and beat it down. Those two companies will have their own problems, too.

The threat is why they should have built some hype last E3 and sustained it. They did the opposite, confusing consumers and underwhelming those following. They essentially revealed a new console without actually revealing a new console. As silly as it sounds, a lot of people were legitimately confused as to whether this was a new platform or just a Wii peripheral.

Starting with a bang, even a small one, and drip feeding the hype would give them some weight against the competition that they're now going to be forced to tackle head on.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Nintendo's sharpest sword always has been and always will be Nintendo software.

The biggest mistake made at E3 2011 - regardless of how predictable it was before the showing - was that they didn't go "Oh and we're announcing Mario Universe and here's an in-game trailer."

Hell, they almost kind of did that with the Zelda trailer except used Twilight Princess stuff (it likely would have had more resonance if it were pretty much any other game in the series), but then backed off and said "NOTHING IS IN DEVELOPMENT THAT WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT."

So for Nintendo to "bring it" next year, they will need to show games. That will be the key to getting the media buzzing. Morgan Webb will complain about another Mario, another Metroid, Another Code, but who gives a shit what those people think? They'll never like what Nintendo shows, anyway.

Show another Mario and make it look better than Uncharted 3 in the way Nintendo games look good combined with the way modern games look good. That's how they'll get people talking about the system.

 

[60_gig_PS3]

the application of the touchpad is pretty new. Its not going to be like playing games on an ipad its more like being in the game world and the character youre controlling has an ipad.

 

[.la1n]

The whole reveal at E3 last year confused the crap out of me and I was there to actually see the damn thing. Putting the new controller front and center and barely giving us any information, let alone letting us good a good look at the actual console was also a huge mistake. A lot of the people I ran into didn't even know what it was or why they should care.

Like others have mentioned they need to bring some 3rd party exclusives, do a TRUE reveal of the console so that the average gamer realizes this isn't some Wii add on. Have at least one major Nintendo franchise in some playable form and in game just to make sure the die hard gamers have something to get hyped up about.

A full fledged Mario game ON LAUNCH DAY would be amazing, come on Nintendo you can do it.

 

[Father_Brain]

Show another Mario and make it look better than Uncharted 3 in the way Nintendo games look good combined with the way modern games look good. That's how they'll get people talking about the system.

That's certainly important, but established first-party IPs aren't enough - not if Nintendo wants to send the message that they're actually taking the Western core market seriously. (Back in April, Iwata hinted at the need for some sort of Nintendo-funded project aimed at the CoD crowd, but of course, no such project actually materialized at E3.)

 

[Übermatik]

That's certainly important, but established first-party IPs aren't enough - not if Nintendo wants to send the message that they're actually taking the Western core market seriously. (Back in April, Iwata hinted at the need for some sort of Nintendo-funded project aimed at the CoD crowd, but of course, no such project actually materialized at E3.)

Source? First I've heard of this.

 

[Dreamwriter]

A lot of the people I ran into didn't even know what it was or why they should care.

Keep in mind, most people actually at E3 don't have a chance to watch the press conferences at all - being at E3 is really the worst place to get news. So it's not surprising that people you ran into at E3 didn't know anything about the Wii-U.

Note that at Nintendo's booth they had a "typical livingroom" scene that actually had the Wii-U console clearly visible with a blue power light on.

 

[Father_Brain]

Source? First I've heard of this.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/110426qa/03.html

Next, regarding the subject of overseas, there was an era in the past, which was until the time of PlayStation 2, when games made in Japan sold well all over the world. However, I think that, over the past three or four years, the presence of Japanese software developers has become relatively small. Nintendo is doing what overseas software developers do not do, so Nintendo's software is selling relatively well also in foreign countries, but for the software oriented to enthusiastic game players, such as "Call of Duty," the ones created by overseas developers are more mainstream in the overseas markets. In addition, because the expressions in games are becoming more and more photo-realistic, I imagine that the cultural differences in acceptance have started to be reflected more clearly. I think this is the reason why western users tend to prefer software created overseas than software from Japanese software developers.<

Of course, Nintendo will continue to run a business by creating Nintendo-like games, but we will not be able to meet the various tastes of consumers by only doing this, so I feel that it will become necessary to reinforce the development resources in the foreign countries. Therefore, I hope we will be able to show you something like that at E3.

Hopefully, the project in question is still coming, because something like that is sorely needed in order for Wii U to become a viable core platform. It's further evidence that Nintendo had originally planned a much more substantial software showing at E3 than what we ended up getting.

 

[jacksrb]

Starting with a bang, even a small one, and drip feeding the hype would give them some weight against the competition that they're now going to be forced to tackle head on.

What would could really make E3 2012 interesting would be how the next-box seems to stack up graphically to the Wii U (assuming next box would come out in fall 2013).

A - Looks hardly any better than Wii U and Wii U available a year earlier
B - Looks somewhat better than Wii U, with some other snazzy something
C - Looks markedly better than Wii U, and people will just wait

Of course, if the next-box doesn't come out until 2014, then that will make a lot of difference.

 

[Deku]

Nintendo's sharpest sword always has been and always will be Nintendo software.

The biggest mistake made at E3 2011 - regardless of how predictable it was before the showing - was that they didn't go "Oh and we're announcing Mario Universe and here's an in-game trailer."

Hell, they almost kind of did that with the Zelda trailer except used Twilight Princess stuff (it likely would have had more resonance if it were pretty much any other game in the series), but then backed off and said "NOTHING IS IN DEVELOPMENT THAT WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT."

So for Nintendo to "bring it" next year, they will need to show games. That will be the key to getting the media buzzing. Morgan Webb will complain about another Mario, another Metroid, Another Code, but who gives a shit what those people think? They'll never like what Nintendo shows, anyway.

Show another Mario and make it look better than Uncharted 3 in the way Nintendo games look good combined with the way modern games look good. That's how they'll get people talking about the system.

Yes, I think that will do it, but would detract from their 3DS plans, and more importantly, open them up to the charge that they are catering to the same usebase they already have a lock on.

I can't fault them for their ambition and I doubt the public in general would care too much if a trailer for a major Nintendo IP was revealed, the E3 2011 presentation was hobbled more by the mixed messanging (was it an add-on or new console) and failure to define clearly a vision for the platform. Was it a Wii 2? an iPad competitor? next-gen? half-gen? 4 Wii's ducktaped together?

Wii was motion controls, 3DS was 3D.

I actually think, comparing reveals aside, WiiU's broad ambition to be competitive everywhere is by far their biggest gamble and they could really dot their i's and cross their t's this time if Wii U becomes a market leader early.

 

[Sadist]

Seeing Iwata's comments from last Thursday about "learning a bitter lesson from the 3DS launch" and "external companies having more experience with online networks" makes me really curious about their plans for Wii U. Seems to me that they received a good kick in the rear. I'm really hoping that Iwata and Nintendo go all out regarding features and the much needed support. But there is one thing that interests me the most: what kind of software will Nintendo introduce to sell the Wii U? We all know the importance of Wii Sports for Wii, but I'm kind of wondering if Nintendo is able to replicate such a succes for Wii U.

I mean, they won't win the harts of the many with Pikmin 3 for instance.

 

[hatchx]

They don't necessarily need to go all Hollywood, just sell the system in a way that makes people talk about it. For all its underwhelming launch, the 3DS E3 showing was pretty impressive. Lots of game/franchise announcements, straight to the point, and successful on-the-spot showing of technology people were pretty sceptical about. The Wii was quite similar, I suppose. Lots of buzz over how new the concept was. People were stampeding through the event just to line up and play Wii Sports.

Unfortunately the Wii U has everything going against it. As neat as the touch pad is, the concept isn't new. Smartphones and the iPad have ingrained the concept of the touch pad in the mass market mind share, so Nintendo can't play the 'new and flashy!' card like they could with motion controls and glassesless 3D. They're retreading established ground.

Then there's the games. What really bummed me about their E3 2011 showing was all the talk about having lots of 3rd party support was followed with a sizzle real of run-of-the-mill multiplatform games. I've voiced this complaint before, but this simply isn't good enough, even if it is a significant improvement on the Wii. Launching with the same games on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is going to be met with shrugs from consumers. Who gives a shit about buying this new, expensive platform with the same games they could get on their existing systems, that all their friends play on?

At E3 2012 Nintendo needs to establish the Wii U as a major player in video games. They need to show people that this platform has a lot of games, and most importantly exclusives. There needs to be games there people cannot get anywhere else that will sell the system to people who are not your average Nintendo fan (as they are already sold). They also need to push the system as something different, or beyond what the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 already offer, and what the next Xbox and PlayStation will offer.

Its a rock and a hard place to be sure.

To be honest, and I agree with your post, all Nintendo needs is 2-3 stand out 1st party games and they will impress.

A new HD Mario, a new HD Zelda, and a new HD Pikmin will sell the masses. The fact that it gets 3rd party multiplatform is even better. I'm also willing to bet they only get a handfull of old ports (Mass Effect 3, Askham City), but the grunt of their launch force will be 2012 multiplaform titles. Madden '13, the NEXT Call of Duty, the NEXT Dead Space, the NEXT Battlefield. These games will look better and offer the tablet interface for gameplay. Those multiplatform titles will shine next to Mario and Pikmin.

No matter what Nintendo does we will be happy. They don't have as much to prove as we think. We have never seen Nintendo software in HD, don't forget. This is their generation jump, and seeing how long they made the Gamecube generation last, I'm excited for the decade of possibilities on improved hardware. The 3DS was underwhelming because we've already seen Nintendo in that space of graphics fidelity (GCN-level hardware). We have never seen Nintendo in the HD space.

Sony and Microsoft will have an interesting proposition to make. How much better can Uncharted and Halo look to the masses? How can their hardware appear fresh, new, unique, and improved?

Nintendo can flash out a new Zelda in HD and everyone will notice. A new online system for Nintendo and everyone will notice. If Nintendo just makes PAR with what PS3 and 360 have done, that is a big a jump for Nintendo. In a way it is sad people will be so happy with just par, but that's really about UI and OS, not gameplay.

It's how PS3/360 can be improved upon is what I'm interested in, and how they will compete for freshness. Also if PS4/720 games can be ported to Wii U, and if they have functions the Wii U can't handle. Nintendo just needs to prove their is a market for violent, mature, westernized software on their platform and they'll fit right in.



One thing I'm sure of though, the Wii U name should be changed. It's a silly name that lacks originality. This isn't Wii U, this is unique, brand new, never before seen Nintendo. Give it it's own special name! (Nintendo U is a very cool name)

 

[Glass Rebel]

I'm almost expecting GTAV to be a launch or near-launch title for the Wii U. Gut feeling.

 

[TheExplodingHead]

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/110426qa/03.html



Hopefully, the project in question is still coming, because something like that is sorely needed in order for Wii U to become a viable core platform. It's further evidence that Nintendo had originally planned a much more substantial software showing at E3 than what we ended up getting.

I personally hope it's not a CoD-like game at all. I'm personally holding out for a really great RPG-type game from Nintendo/partners, they need to leave the CoD garbage where it is and hopefully in another 5 years that fad will be over. Leave a little room for some actual innovation and mechanical depth to spring to life in FPS games. Now if Nintendo could offer that in a FPS I'm all for it, but I doubt it.

 

[JJConrad]

Starting with a bang, even a small one, and drip feeding the hype would give them some weight against the competition that they're now going to be forced to tackle head on.

You're arguing for an approach that Nintendo has outspokenly been against. I don't necessarily disagree with you, but its not the only way that they can go about it.