Six Reasons the WiiU is Struggling

Forbes- News broke yesterday that Nintendo is revising its projections for the WiiU downward as the console isn’t living up to sales expectations. Nintendo originally forecasted 5.5M WiiU sales through March, but has now cut that number to 4M. Software sales predictions have also been trimmed back by at least a third as well.

What’s the problem here? On the surface, it would seem that Nintendo had a whole holiday season to themselves with no other new consoles on the market to compete with.

[Trunkz]

poppycock.

[morkendo23]

6 reason the wii-U struggling

1.no games
2.no games
3.no games
4.no games
5.no games
6.no games worth buying outside of Mario,Zelda,Metroid.

[xursz]

I'll give you one reason:

Price. 350$ isn't worth it for a slightly advanced xbox360.

[Donnieboi]

Don't forget number 7: Iwata is still prez

[josephayal]

7. No F-zero

[user3915800]

I wonder where is the kingofwiiu? Anyways the console is strugling cause people are not buying the product as expected, end of story.

[1upgamer99]

3 million plus units sold in 2 months, yeah I guess its not selling. It is selling more than PS3/360 did in that time frame. Look it up yourself. Also it has a 3.8 attachment rate. These doom articles should post sales from other consoles at launch. Hell PS3 sold awful until 4 years ago.

[ZoidsRaven]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Wii U over 3 million now?

Could be wrong. 7_7

[RTheRebel]

moron journalists and annoying fanboys lol
we will see the true sales when big guns are out =)

[xursz]

You're almost right. Nintendo reported 3 million shipped which isn't deceiteful on their part but it means a good chunk are sitting on store shelves at the moment.

PS3 pulled similar numbers in the same time frame but circumstances were a little different. For example the hardware was much more expensive at the time than the WiiU is now so it costed 200$ more on release. Stock also did not meet demand in PS3's case, which isn't the case with WiiU; it's quite the opposite. You can look it up and see reports of 60 pre order customers having to fight over 10 PS3s when it launched.

So 3million may seem like a large number but in terms of popularity and market share it's undeniably low.

[ZoidsRaven]

Hmm.
I will need a link to where it says that those were shipped numbers and not numbers sold.
It's not that I'm skeptical (or that I don't believe you), but we'll need more information before that can be continued.

Couldn't one make the excuse that the PS3 was in a better economy than the Wii U is in now? Couldn't one make the excuse that the Wii U was low in stock and that a lot of people who wanted one couldn't get one (I'm sure you remember)? Using those examples, the Wii U could be in an even better position then it is now. Some have argued before that the PS3 would have outsold the XBox360 if it wasn't for all of the people who had to buy their XBox360 again because of the RROD, but how could that be the case if (as you stated) the PS3's hardware was much more expensive at the time? It's not about how it could have sold, it's about how it sold.

Ending: Why are so many people bringing the PS3 into this? It's not under attack guys.....
Fin. 7_7

[AWBrawler]

I done told you about coming to N4G and making sound logical sense! They can't handle that! Do I gotta take my belt off?

[TruthbeTold]

This crap is getting pathetic.

20 articles like this one, and one even claiming that Sony is planning their latest reveals around Nintendo's announcements, as though somehow, the perceived failures of Nintendo has Sony swooping in and snatching up all of the 'poor abused Nintendo fans who are waiting for a savior'. (Which apparently is a machine that can only cost significantly more than the Wii U if the silly rumored specs are to be believed.)

It's the choir, preaching to the choir.
Problem is, choirs don't preach well. They're just good at singing praises about what they believe in.
They should stick to that. Because this crap is Pathetic.

[jacksheen0000]

Six Reasons the WiiU is Struggling

No games, No games, No games, No games, No games, No games

[PopRocks359]

Go watch the last Nintendo Direct.

[jacksheen0000]

I did get a chance to watch Nintendo Direct video and I wasn't excited.

Yoshi was OK, the remake of Zelda WW was ok, and as for the rest of the game that was shown was Ok except for Bayonetta 2,brand new game from the makers of Xenoblade, and the announcement of smash bro.

I could be wrong so I'll wait until e3 2013.

[Plagasx]

I could have predicted that easily.

More Mario, More Zelda, a new Yoshi game and Smash Bros...

Nothing new. No exclusives from big third parties. They're gonna need more than that to even be considered apart of the next gen.

[PopRocks359]

The argument was the Wii U has no games. You can't pick and choose based on franchise. If you don't like those games, fine. But the argument that the Wii U has no games coming simply doesn't fly, especially when they're established and successful franchises.

@Plagasx

"Nothing new. No exclusives from big third parties."

What the hell are Bayonetta 2, Wonderful 101, Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem and Aliens?

[Nicaragua]

"What the hell are Bayonetta 2, Wonderful 101, Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem and Aliens?"

Those are all games that are not out yet or dont even have confirmed release dates.

I own a WiiU, I want to buy games for it, but there are none - and it looks like its going to be at least 3-5 months before any decent new titles see the light of day.

[deafdani]

Aliens isn't Wii U exclusive, bro.

Bayonetta 2, Rayman Legends, Lego City Undercover, Zombi U and Wonderful 101 are exclusive third party games for the Wii U.

[N4g_null]

Remember games that are not out yet.... When the ps4 launches the big games will not be out yet. There are only promises... Which is the true reason why the ps3 did not sell well.

The ps3 did not get its great games till about two to 3 years into its life.

It's all about the games though. Power wise they all will be similar. Some bragging rights over 10-20% differences and the rest is just marketing.

What I'm curious about is how these third parties are going to stay afloat making mediocre games.

[Steelmanner]

Look up WiiU Games that are out now, and that are coming in the next 2 months, Prepare for awesome gaming.

[Fierce Musashi]

Ah, "no games". That sounds familiar, doesn't it? I remember not too long ago of such being said about the 3DS..... Also can not forget about this legendary saying on the Playstation 3 either. And now....... ROFLMFAO

Laughter aside. For the sake of the argument, let's say that's true. If time has taught us a damn thing about launches, it's that the games will come out for the platform down the road, whether you like them or not, some faster than others even.

*And for christ sake, it's only been 2 months. And to be honest, it's doing a lot better than some would think, if you consider the circumstances that is. I know a lot won't, cause the actually WANT it to flop.

[jmc8888]

Typical Forbes idiocy by saying their competitors will release consoles that blow it out of the water.

A GTX 560ti equivalent (equivalent to the rumored downclocked and partially stripped ATI 7850) doesn't blow the Wii U out of the water.

It's 1/4th or less of the power that was needed to run the Samaritan and Watch Dogs demos, ~ 1/10th the power of the 2 GTX 690's, and probably ~1/15th the power of what the GTX 7 series will put out when they arrive BEFORE the 720/PS4 come out.

[Theyellowflash30]

Just looking for hits, thats all. The Wii U is not selling up to Nintendo high expectations. But New Super Mario Bros U can only take you so far. Everybody who wanted that game has bought a Wii U and it. Nintendo needs to just bring out Smash Bros, Zelda, Mario Kart, Metroid, ect and the fans who like those games will pick one up, its not rocket science.

PS. This article is complete BS, the writer has no clue what the hell he's talking about.

Anyway.... reminds me of all the doomsday 3DS articles. LOL those were cute.

[Funky_Homosapien]

wow forbes...just wow you guys are a bunch of morons...how is the WIIU price a problem.

[BattleAxe]

I like Nintendo, but Nintendo fanboys tend to live in some alternate universe or dimension, kinda like Link does in some of the Zelda games. If you want to own the best that Nintendo has to offer, buy an old NES or SNES, because the WiiU is going to have a rough time, and may not be around longer than 3 years.

[nevin1]

N64 was passable, but NES and SNES was Nintendo's best years.

[lilbroRx]

How did you come to that conclusion?

Nintendo never made as much profit or sold as many console as they did with the Wii and DS.

[PopRocks359]

@BattleAxe

Justify your view by attacking others for theirs. Tell me, do you enjoy using the word "fanboys"?

[Theyellowflash30]

I'll take you up on that bet Battleaxe. Wii U will not doubt be around for more than 3 years. I think your forgetting the Japanese market where Microsoft is non-existent and Nintendo has exclusive deals with Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest, and Bayonetta 2.

[wiiulee]

these clowns...wii destroyed the competition, 3ds and ds absolutely destroyed the competition..these are nintendo's best year..they put out a great system in wiiu.,, but there is so much lies and hatred coming against nintendo for winning both handhelds and console wars....i guess alot of people loss money betting on microsoft and sony...wiiu is selling well and will only get better...one of the reasons for not selling as much there are four systems on the market and ps3 and 360 are selling for dirt cheap..about 100 dollars cheaper

[thebudgetgamer]

Because it's going to be hard to sell the Wii U to the super casuals that bought into the simplicity of the Wii-mote.

They will always have a core group of loyal supporters, it's the casuals that tend to bail. Ask Sony.

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

Only 5? I thought there where 6...

NUMBER 6 "Because Nintendo Haters say it's struggling."

Actually, No. 6 is the Main Reason.

Isn't it ridiculous that the WiiU is only doing bad because its not doing as well as the Wii? Did the other consoles sell this much in this time period... no.

But whatever, just know that Spock and Sheldon are weeping at this nonsense.

[ScubaSteve1]

still no release date for pikmin 3

[Nicaragua]

nor any of the other flagship titles.

[Williamson]

Usually I grab a sony and nintendo system (this gen I had all 3) so ill eventually get a wii u, especially when the next smash bros come out.

[ironcreed]

Just wait until the PS4 and next Xbox are announced.

[N4g_null]

Then we will watch them do ps3 and Xbox 360 launch numbers right?

The systems are only selling because they are finally wii cheap. Lots of devs will be closing next gen. We may even see a partial crash like we did with pc. I'm sure nintendo can get some 10 million sellers to market.

[AusRogo]

I'll buy one when Starfox gets released for it. Do it Nintendo.

[g-nome]

Ps4 inbound .

[xursz]

I doubt this would make a major impact on WiiU's success, if any. At this point they essentially target a seperate audience in the non-gamer crowd.

Wii brand targets young families (or families with younger age children) while Playstation targets college age individuals and more "mature" households (I use mature loosely). They also cater to those who are more "aware" of what they buy.

Different targets in my perspective.

[Fierce Musashi]

Not exactly. And their latest Direct proved it. They didn't put much light on things that would appeal to non-gamers, if at all. Nearly everything they've shown was for the gamers. It's no longer safe to say Nintendo's main target are non-gamers/casuals anymore with the moves they've been making recently.

-Shinning more llight on core titles.
-Mii Verse, primarily being a social network for GAMERS who play on the platform.
-Collaborations with third parties to make core games ( Shin x Fire ).
-Publishing third party core titles ( Bayo 2 <3 & W101 ).

Not to mention the things they've said to expect at E3 this year.

*I have not the slightest idea why people continue say this anymore. Do people who say things like this about Nintendo have a low attention span? Are they oblivious? Or do they believe if they say it enough, that it'll become true?

I just don't get how some people who talk as if they know so much about something, let all of this news relating it just skip them by. There are more than just negative articles out there, you know.

[lilbroRx]

Nintendo has pretty much only truly targeted harcore gamers with the Wii U. They are the only ones who have bought the console, because they are the only one who know that it is an actual new console, not just an expensive add-on for the Wii which is what the non-gamer's. Heck, even a lot of gamers think it is. I was talking about buying a Wii U the other day with the dudes I was playing the PS3 with and he was like "I already own a Wii, why would I want a $300 controller". This was a so called "core Sony gamer".

Wii "brands?" as in plural? There are only 2 systems with Wii in the name. Nintendo has never targeted "young" anything. Their goal is to make games that are assessable to everyone, not kiddy, not adult, not teen, everyone. This has never changed.

The Wii U from its announcement was primarily focused on core gamers with nothing but big name titles announced. This technique of using the "casual" or "non-gamer" crowd to dismiss success doesn't work anymore. It was truthfully never really accurate to begin with, but now it is completely inaccurate.

[HonestDragon]

Just another lame article depicting what someone "believes" are the true problems to the Wii U.

1. The Gimmick Isn't Relatable This Time: I don't know about you, but my experience with the Wii Remote was good. The Game Pad is even cooler considering that I can have four other friends join in on certain games and even add more multiplayer potential. It's not hard to understand. Speaking of gimmicks, how's the Kinect doing by the way? Oh, wait...

2. Some Still May Not Understand It's a New Console: Really? This is a reason? As it is, people are usually dumbfounded when they learn about new consoles, but I'm pretty sure seeing the new look and title would give it away. As actual consumers, reading up on products and what they offer should not be difficult.

3. The Old Wii Customer is Not a New Wii Customer: So, you're saying that just because people have lives outside of a hobby is why a good portion of them won't buy a Wii U? The same thing happens to all gaming platforms in one way or another. Eventually, people will go back or get the new system.

4. The Games Aren't Just There Yet: Or maybe you can broaden your horizons and try something new. This is a trait many gamers lack.

5. The Price Point Isn't That Attractive: What?! I've spoken to many people about the price of the Wii U and they said it was perfect. Just because it's Nintendo is the reason why you listed this? Because they aren't known for expensive systems? Three hundred and three hundred fifty is not bad for a new generation system, whether it's Nintendo or not.

6. Everyone's Waiting for Microsoft and Sony: Well, of course, people are waiting. However, there is a perfect solution to it all...do your homework on the system and if you're interested reserve it. That way, you won't be shelving out a bunch of money day one. Many people are waiting, but many are just as happy that Nintendo managed to get their system out now. If people listen instead of talk, then maybe they can have a better understanding of these new systems.

[N4g_null]

Reason number 6 is going to back fire for a lot of fanboys it seems. We will see the return of 15-30 fps games as ok just so they can show their un imaginetive art off with game play no one cares about.

I mean it's going to be the nvidia conference at ces all over again. They had some amazing tech and no one cared. Yet one thing is different about nvidia than Sony. Nvidia tends to get the job done Sony is more hype and have sort of half fulfilled what the ps3 was suppose to be.

Remember sonys first party games on the ps1 and ps2... They played almost the same on ps3 yet had better graphics. Bad controls choppy framerates, lackluster gameplay. Then they tried to sell us on movie gaming that had bad writing.

Can't Sony get some one who wrote real adult hbo, showtime miniseries or something? Oh that cost serious money, sorry.

Better yet how about Sony just use there movie studios? It's been a grand experiment but it's fualtering. If Sony and Microsoft get hit with bad sales or empty hype I wonder what they will do? What if they sell at a lost on top of it all?!

Could the ps4 become a pspgo, vita or have a slow start like the ps3?

Every one that believes the wii was only casuals wasn't paying attention to the games that sold. Casual games only sold to 1/3 of the console base. Smash, Mario kart, and a few others are not casual. Actually Sony has had more of a casual based fan based. Movie game spells it out right there. What is more casual than a movie, you passively watch it, if it is good. $60 movies are not cool.

I think we need some new competition in the gaming world. Sony isn't cutting it and refuses to make real games. Ms won't committe to real gaming talent and the first bad publish bite the dust.

[optimus]

Well i find the 6 reasons to be legitimate...it is true the wiiU doesn't have any strong games to move it off the shelves at the moment, and there are in fact people out there that thought/think that it is a peripheral for the wii...
You can't look at this through a gamer's eyes (or hardcore gamer's if you prefer)...a good portion of wii sales came from casuals who barely played after a few months, so it's not like they were waiting on pins and needles for the wiiU...i for one did plan to buy it but decided to wait a while because for me there really wasn't anything on it worth getting right now.

of the 6 reasons i'll add one more, and it's probably the most important...Advertising. Fact is that leading up to and during the holidays you saw ads for the wiiU almost everywhere and now after the holidays i can't even remember the last time i saw a tv commercial for it...they need to do more advertising and they do need a price cut, especially after E3 if they plan on sticking around with it for a few years.

[RTheRebel]

I love nintendo more than playstation,
but holy sh*t give me the games I want nintendo then I'll buy the wii u till then ps3 will keep me busy until those games come out =)

[DivineAssault]

Wii got lucky with casuals & that's all there is to it.. The core game sales speak for themselves & from what's listed, there's no more than 10-15 mil loyal fans at best.. Twilight & skyward sword sales say enough about nintendos "CORE" crowd.. Metroid prime too.. None of those games surpassed 6 mil.. So add in used purchases & what have u & there u go.. The rest are casuals & kids who buy their systems. 3DS/DS sell A WHOLE LOT but to who? Cuz the only games that sell are Mario & Mario kart.. In the west anyway

[lilbroRx]

If a game requires 6 mil+ to demonstrate its core crowed then the other two consoles didn't do it very well.

The PS3 only had 10 6mil+ games to the Wii's 18(5 of those games are Call of Duty and 1 is Battlefield.)

The 360 had 14 6 mil+ games(5 of which were Call of Duty and 1 Battlefield).

I guess anything that isn't a military shooter isn't hardcore by the standards you set.

No Little bBig Planet passed 6mil. No Infamous. No God of War. No Killzone.

Uncharted 2 and Gran Turismo 5 are the only PS3 games to pass 6 mil.

Gears of War 2, Kinect Adventures, and all of the Halo games are the only exclusive 360 games to pass 6 million

I love facts.

I still haven't figured out what was your point with the 6 mil thing.

[mamotte]

People just hate Nintendo without looking back. Does anyone here remember when the PS3 was "doomed"? There were a big post-launch window when the only good games avaliable were Resistance... and Lair. And it was a $600 console, so people were really angry.

Same happened with the 3DS.

Even the Wii has a great library of exclusive games, so, IMHO, Nintendo have never lost the touch. We're just blinded by "the hardcore" and "the power".

Here, I give you the PS3 launch games, so you can see how "doomed" was the console at the moment:

Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Call of Duty 3
Genji: Days of the Blade
Madden NFL 07 EA Sports
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
NBA 2K7
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Tony Hawk's Project 8

Not being a fanboy, but come on. Gaming journalism cant be so blind. Or amnesic.

[fonger08]

God, I remember that, Resistance being the only fun one but not worth $600 at launch. People forget what system launches are like, 2 games that are worth playing then 6-12 months of nothing. Hard to sell a system without games... That being said Nintendo lost the majority of their 3rd party support with the N64... 17 years later Nintendo is still alive and well.

[dutchplayer]

In about 1 year we will see the same stories about the PS4/Nextbox for sure. The economy is in worse shape than 99% of those journalists even could imagine. US banks have more money stalled on the FED's account, then there is circulating in the whole US. This is not going to resolve any time short. I think the Wii U did alright. When they start to advertise and bring out the AAA games, the sales should pick up. The next few years will be survival of the fittest. THQ will not be the last one falling. The way N is cooperating with 3rd parties and indies is a good start. They will need them in the coming years....and so does S/M.

[linkenski]

So far it's not interesting for people who already own an Xbox or PS3. There are no "amazing" games for it right now, and it's very expensive.