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[mechphree]

I think the price is problem...at least for me. If it was under $200 or $199 I could work with it maybe considering thats the same price a brand new ps3 is going for . If it was $199 brand new I might bite...but right now i'll just wait until that new Zelda comes out before I get it. By then, It should be around that sweet spot.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

Sure you can say..... over time. But if you are looking at lifetime data sales you are actually missing the picture. Because when a sequel comes out, people aren't going to invest in the "previous" title so the sales are in relation to the install base at the time.

So as of March 31 2014, the Wii U has 6.17 Million units sold. NSMB U has an install base of 4.16 million. I don't know about you but the last time I checked 67% is the majority.

Historically speaking all the numbers look the same to show that the vast majority of nintendo consumer purchase first party mario titles with the exception of the Wii which I already pointed out...



So if we want to go down the numbers (ignoring sequels of franchises) then let us do so.

NGC: Total install - 21 million SMS - 6 million
N64: Total install - 33 million SM3D - 12 million
SNES: Total install - 49 million SMW - 20 million
NES: Total install - 62 million SMB - 40 million

So even looking at single entries the numbers show one third to a half or more of the install base purchasing a single entry over lifetime of the console. Considering purchasing habits the numbers are going to be striking looking at franchises numbers as a whole. New FP entries create new bundles. So truth is if you look at franchise totals it is without a question stacked towards consumers purchasing the most recent Mario title at the time. Honestly, I am surprised anyone would even try to dispute it.

SMB was a pack-in title. Exclude that.

And you use sequels to counter the data, except Mario Kart and NSMBU do not get sequels on the same platform.

Come on. Wii U appeals only to the base, which does a great deal to explain NSMBU's present attach rate. Problem: the base isn't that big. Mario Kart is already proving to be a dud as something to propel the system, yet it will attach very well, as it will sell very well to the base. Packing in games is fine, dropping the system price and actually saving people money is better. I get why Nintendo or any other company would choose a pack-in strategy, as they might not be able to afford the better price drop strategy, but it still doesn't make it a better strategy all other things being equal. Keep arguing against it, but it's a losing argument. People can use the savings how they please. It could very well be to buy those titles! A big percentage actually might. Others would buy something else, or not buy anything at all, but the lower price would be far and away more effective at luring people to the system.

 

[Pro from Dover]

I got the refurb'd Wii U once I heard about it here on Gaf. I must say that the condition was superb! I doubt it was even looked at funny it was pristine. Also picked up a refurbished Wii Remote Plus there too for $20.
Excellent bargain overall.

 

[ReBurn]

I'll probably get one for Smash. I've been holding out because there haven't been many games I'm interested in. But $200 is sort of a sweet spot for me.

 

[Subtervotion]

Zombi U $15
Wonderful 101 $24
Mario Kart 8 $49
Wind Waker $41
DKC: TF $44
3D World $49

all prices from Amazon. Not sure what you are asking, for Nintendo to give away their games?

Look at the difference between the third party games and the Nintendo games. For some odd reason, Nintendo just doesn't discount their games the same way other publishers do. When I got my 3ds I wanted to pick up Pokemon Soul Silver. By that time it was at least a 3 year old game. Finding it new was a chore, and when I did it was more than $40. Finding it used was easier but it was around $40. It's like Nintendo doesn't want my money. I'm not spending $40+ for a 3 year old game. You know what I did? I borrowed it from my friend. (I just looked up SS, its over $120 to buy new.) It's like Nintendo purposefully manufactures too few units to meet demand over the course of a few years. The same thing happened to me when I wanted to buy Pikmin 2 on GC back in 2007. I couldn't find the damn thing anywhere and when I did it was pricey as hell. It's literally easier to emulate Nintendo than it is to buy a legit copy for a reasonable price. And believe me, I want to give Nintendo my money but I can be reasonably sure that these absurd prices are set by people taking advantage of Nintendo games being hard to come by. I seriously think Nintendo isn't seeing any cash from a $120 four year old DS game sold by 'Eastbox' on Amazon.

And why wouldn't they be? Serious question. If they sell within expectations at those prices, why the fuck would they stop? Are you saying all games need to eventually hit 10 USD when enough years pass? I like paying the lowest price myself, but I find that to be a very foolish notion.

The ultimate point is Nintendo doesn't see a profit from the gouging of prices by these third party sellers. Where as if they had competitive prices throughout the duration of a games lifespan, less people would emulate/borrow/buy used. I want to buy new Nintendo products but I'm also not spending more than retail for a product that is old.

 

[kirby_fox]

Nope.

They don't get much shelf space as is and in a lot of stores I'm seeing Nintendo pushed to the back/out of view. Refurb consoles, as few as they likely have, would cost more for them to put on store shelves than to sell them directly to consumers.

 

[staticneuron]

SMB was a pack-in title. Exclude that.

And you use sequels to counter the data, except Mario Kart and NSMBU do not get sequels on the same platform.

Come on. Wii U appeals only to the base, which does a great deal to explain NSMBU's present attach rate. Problem: the base isn't that big. Mario Kart is already proving to be a dud as something to propel the system, yet it will attach very well, as it will sell very well to the base. Packing in games is fine, dropping the system price and actually saving people money is better. I get why Nintendo or any other company would choose a pack-in strategy, as they might not be able to afford the better price drop strategy, but it still doesn't make it a better strategy all other things being equal. Keep arguing against it, but it's a losing argument. People can use the savings how they please. It could very well be to buy those titles! A big percentage actually might. Others would buy something else, or not buy anything at all, but the lower price would be far and away more effective at luring people to the system.

SMB was a bundle and one that DID NOT last the entire life of the NES. In a month Mario Kart 8 has sold 2 million and even if you dispute the original SMB bundle, why downplay what I pointed out for NSMB U.

Again like I pointed out, it isn't price that keeps the company afloat it is the die hard nintendo fans and look through every sales list and you will find that mario franchise is littered among the top sellers. It really isn't an argument, but a statement of fact and one that will remain true until the vast majority of nintendo fans suddenly decide to get tired of the Mario franchise and choose to spend their money elsewhere.