GameStop President Tony Bartel Says Nintendo Wii U Sales 'Slower Than We Expected'

With core gamers focusing on Sony’s PlayStation 4 and the expected announced of a new Xbox from Microsoft, Nintendo Wii U hasn’t been receiving a lot of press. The console had a strong launch with sales paced ahead of the original Nintendo Wii, but while that console struck a chord with a mainstream audience, Wii U doesn’t seem to be following that same trajectory.

I caught up with GameStop President Tony Bartel, who recently discussed the upcoming PlayStation 4 launch, to get his thoughts on Wii U and the new Xbox console in this exclusive interview.

[jagiii]

I have a Wii U and like it.

[Highlife]

I have a WiiU and it is dusty.

[redDevil87]

I don't have a WiiU.

I win.

[Moncole]

Everyones consoles get dusty because you dont move them around when you play them, all they do is stay in one place. Only way that they are not dusty is if you dust them.

[FarCryLover182]

You ruined the joke Moncole...

[darthv72]

but that does not mean I don't like it. it means that i have dust in my house.

I think we all have dust in our homes. As for the wii-u, I have one too. It is a nice system but it certainly needs more games to call its own.

i use it to mostly upscale wii games (which it does quite well). will sales pick up for it? remains to be seen but the correlation of games to sales are an important factor (if not THE most important factor).

It reminds me of the PS3 at launch. You can see potential and yet you get the ribbings from others who dont have one proclaiming how its a failure and has no games.

when the games come out for it, it will sell. That isnt an automatic thing though. the key is "appealing" games. Everyone likes things that appeal to them but when it comes to games, not every game is as appealing to some as they are to others.

PS3 got appealing games. wii-u will get appealing games. People who scoffed at the PS3 for the lack of games eventually got one when the games came out that appealed to them. People who scoff at the wii-u will likely do the same.

Unless of course, they just have some sort of animosity towards the company to never be willing to try one and see if they like it or not.

[SilentNegotiator]

What did they expect? Wii U's initial lineup is mostly trying to pander to the hardcore, of which aren't interested in a minor leap to play games that they can already play on the larger, dedicated communities on the Ps3/360. Even when Nintendo starts dropping the occasional Mario/Link/Metroid/etc game or occasional Bayonetta, they'll still be left with their basic fanbase; the sort that cared about Gamecube.

Gamestop would do well to cut back on orders for a while.

[Highlife]

The problem with the Wiiu is the stupid name. Should have been called the Wii2. I had friends over and showed them Nintedoland and they said how much is the tablet. They thought it was an addon to the system. Once I told them it was actually a whole new system they weren't intrested anymore. To many people who don't go to game sites think this think is an addon.

[1upgamer99]

You CLEARLY do not have one then.

[Moncole]

I knew he was making a joke thats why I made one/

[gpturbo81]

mine is dusty because of the finish. also the fact that its stationary and never moves. gets more play than anything else ive had.
edit.. not very dusty. i get good air circulation.

[josephayal]

Def Next Gen Console

[IcicleTrepan]

If they did a price drop of about 50 bucks I'd buy one.

[Colossal_Dragon]

Too bad they can't.

[gpturbo81]

the price will be a non factor once the other two launch. if your worried about 50 just get a bundle

[IcicleTrepan]

I'm not worried about the price, I can easily afford it. My concern is paying *that* price for *that* piece of hardware, and what do I get for my money? There has to be a good reason to spend all that money up front to play only a few games when I could easily take that same amount of money and buy many games for either my PC, 360, PS3, Ouya or Nexus 7.

For me, I just don't think the Wii does enough things to be worth the current price. It can't even play DVDs or BluRay discs. The fancy controller needs recharge after 3 hours. most of the exclusives they have currently are remakes of mario and zelda games from previous systems, and I'm not interested in buying ANY cross platform games for it when I already have a 360 and a PS3.

I'm sure that it's worth the price to some people, but anyone that already has other consoles I'm sure has to be thinking about the same question as me.. what does paying all of this get me?

[TruthbeTold]

Saying that you don't want to pay *that price* for the hardware is fine, but let's not pretend as though Nintendo isn't taking a loss on every Wii U sold... The controller is expensive. It drives up the cost. If all you value is what graphics it's capable of, then it's probably just not for you. Nintendo went for a strong balance between good graphics, and out of the box 1:1 controller. Whether you're talking about motion controls, streaming to the screen, NDP in real time, etc.

I do hear you though that Nintendo, as well as Sony and MS have to give consumers compelling reasons as to why they should fork out large amounts of cash for new consoles at this particular time. All 3 will have their struggles because many people are just fine with the consoles they have, and there will be support for them for a good while to come. (original Wii notwithstanding).

[1upgamer99]

I love my Wii U, but I have a feeling that, all next gen is going to pop and fizzle compared to last gen. I don't mean fizzle out, just sell slowly, but eventually have good numbers. Oh sure the fanboys are going to grab their baby at launch, and love it and kiss it, and numbers will be great the first week or so, but the sales will slow sooner than later. There is just too much competition for your electronic dollars today. I do not mean to be negative, but it is a fact. My partners dad just picked up a new top of the line TV and it has tons of free apps, I downloaded quite a few, and one was a "Kart Racer" It was FUN, the graphics were GREAT it used a top of the line game engine which was proudly displayed while loading(I can not for the life of me remember which one) I was shocked in fact it looked better than most current gen games,and it was FREE online play as well which for sure tells me Live is dead. I for one will NOT pay for online play like I used to. My point is there is not as much as a rush to get the next console. Again the gamers are going to grab them right away, but the average person, not so much.

[mcstorm]

That's well said and I have been saying this for a bit.

I expect the 360 and PS3 to carry on outselling the WiiU, PS4 and next Xbox when they come out for the 1st 12 to 18 months and then when the big name games are dropped from it people will more over to the new console as they will have some big games out for them. I see MS putting out Halo 5 after the 1st 12 months. Sony doing the same with GT and Nintendo giving us Mario Kart to get the sales up on all there consoles to give them the must have games.

I am also impressed with my WiiU I got BO2, Sonic Allstars, Tekken Tag 2, Nintendo Land, MarioU and ZombieU for mine and they are work and play very well on the console. BO2 impressed me a lot as I have not had a COD since MW2 but the WiiU controller works well with it and the pro works well to.

[PopRocks359]

This is an old duplicate. How did this get passed?

[Jadedz]

Anyways, I have a feeling that a lot of people expected the Wii U to sell at the same level of its predecessor (Wii).

[PopRocks359]

Pretty much.

To be honest, I'm not surprised by its current numbers. It's much more expensive than its predecessor and the price was what helped the Wii last generation. It's a huge contrast given that Nintendo went from cheapest new platform to most costly.

[wantonGamer]

I know the folks over at Nintendo sure did.

[1upgamer99]

UH, No see above what I wrote....I do not think ANY game console is going to FLY off the shelves after the first two to three weeks...gosh I guess I should save my post just to prove I am right.....Oh and patcher is almost always wrong.....

[lilbroRx]

I've said this before. I seen duplicates of Wii hate news get passed many times, but I've had plenty of positive news stories failed by the mods because they were "similar" to another story from a completely different site.

The moderation on this site is not balanced at all.

[jakmckratos]

Drop the price $50, announce some games that aren't 2D side scrollers or HD remakes and bring back more classic series besides Pikmin 3...and for gods sake show off a worthwhile new IP..then you have my permission to buy.

[LOL_WUT]

Give it a price drop then i'll consider it. ;)

[syphon32]

This is by far the most accurate comment in regards to the wii u. Rehashes of old games won't cut it. They may not be able to drop the price just yet. But jeez, release some decent games already.

[betan21]

I have a wii u and it just collecting dust.

[TechnicianTed]

I have a ps3 and it is just collecting dust.

[lilbroRx]

Same here. My Wii U is getting plenty of playtime. I just downloaded Bit Trip Runner and Trine 2 DC.

Then I'm sure Lego City Undercover and MH: 3G Ultimate will keep me busy until I Sniper Elite Wii U edition comes out.

Its been about 5 months since I've played my PS3 and over a year since I even hooked up my 360. The only games they get that I would actually want to play come to the PC, which has the best version, so I just get the PC versions.

I may get FFXIII-3 when it comes out if its any good, but as it stands now, I might as well sell my last gen consoles.

[TechnicianTed]

Since UC3 my ps3 has seen very little action. The sole purpose it has performed has been as a media center. Until The Last of Us comes out that won't change. Then I'll complete it and it will stay out of action until Beyond comes out.

Very dry days for my ps3.

[D_RoyJenkins]

This was to be expected really. The Wii U is only appealing to Nintendo fans. Casual gamers are content with the Wii and core gamers are interested in the next PlayStation and Xbox. Best case scenario they'll make a small profit like the gamecube did.

[lovegames718]

1up.....lol we ve had this convo before and i see your still stuck on defending Nintendo but if you think all next gen is going to pop and fizzle because your beloved Nintendo didnt step up to the plate and disappointed many like it did with the wiiu your very mistaken. Their is a reason Nintendo is in the situation it is in and it definitely isnt price point but more so lack of games and the ones they are getting soon are the same old games that everybody loves but get tired of after a point.

Ps4 and Xbox are stepping things up tenfold not only with hardware but wiht really cool social features that make Wiiu look very incompetent. Its bad enough since Wiiu release it was claimed to not be a step up from current gen but you dont here that about the new ps4 because Sony isnt trying to pull the wool over gamers eyes.

You have games that are turds like Ninja Gaiden rereleased on the Wiiu and ppl claiming "oh you see the wiiu is more powerful thats why they could add things like blood and make it run better" Fast forward the demo for the re re released Ninja Gaiden is out for Ps3 and it has all the things the Wiiu version has and more and runs better (wiiu is said to be plagued with framerate issues (there goes the stronger hardware argument) These companies and devs are taking gamers for a ride. Purposely leaving things out than adding them later on to other consoles and then boasting that it was bcus the hardware was strong enough lol Bs if you think a game like Trine 2 couldn't be done 1080p on Ps3 your insane.Its a bs 2d side scroller and ps3 already has a few of those that are 1080p native on ps3 like Double Dragon. Ninja Gaiden is another example now being made better for the ps3 after many touted that wiiu would have definitive version. Alien Colonial Marines is another turd that will still be a turd on wiiu and will have a few extras but is being touted as a definitive version on wiiu just for sales. All these companies are doing is spending more time on the wiiu version delaying it and adding things they could have done on any other system but think that ppl will buy it on ps3/xbox anyway and they need a selling point for the Wiiu version.

In the end Wiiu is ok but its not what ppl were looking for when next gen systems were mentioned. The controller isnt offering anything anyone wants to buy a system for and as much as ppl tout innovation with Nintendo their games are far far from innovative.

Nintendo shows a tech demo of zelda and many ppl get hype but thinking this is what the next Zelda will look like, then Nintendo comes and states that the next Zelda will be more in vain and cartoony like the last Zelda on the wii. Like really? smh Dont get me wrong wind waker or whatver its called seemed to be a good game but dont fill ppl up woth hopes and dreams.

[MNGamer-N]

It's called a "comment" section, not an essay contest

[D_RoyJenkins]

Someone sounds butt hurt...

[TechnicianTed]

'Butt hurt' is the most retarded phrase on the internet. Who ever thought of it, and whoever uses it, is retarded.

[khowat]

Can one not like the wiiu simply because they like it. Is anyone's decision ever left to simple opinion anymore, must everything be an argument.

I've heard this a thousand times from everyone on this website EVER
we all know that the wii u is weak and weaker than the ps4 or xbox 720, potentially even weaker than the ps3 and 360 and the franchises may be over milked it may have framerate issues. But I kinda like zelda in what ever form it is, I sorta like all the possibilities having a another source of output and input on a controller can bring

I think the wii u is next-gen because it represents innovations in hardware, not what's on the inside but how we interact with a console. The wii u shows us that a controller can be so much more than just a piece of plastic with buttons it can also be a piece of plastic and buttons WITH A TOUCHSCREEN ON IT!!!

OKAY
I GET IT
THE WII U SUCKS COMPARED TO WELL EVERY OTHER CONSOLE CURRENT GEN OR NEXT GEN

But these page long responses are starting to get as old as 2d mario games, you've read one you've read them all

[lassenwolf]

wow is the Pres. of Gs dumb or waited until 100 million people said wiiu sales are slow before he quoted. Oh oh yea it's rip u off GS. I forgot.

[OSIRUSSS]

Maybe if Ninty dropped the price by 50 dollars I would...... "Meh "a little less.

[lilbroRx]

The hate towards the first comment is disgusting. He gets disagreed and bubbled down to hell for saying he likes the console while everyone who belittles the consoles gets praise.

The fanboys on this site are disgusting.

[Studio-YaMi]

Some don't like the Wii U for what it is right now or how it's comparable to other next gen consoles so they disagreed,why is that such an issue to you ? getting "disgusted" over a disagree or a bubble vote .. seriously !?

PS :
I have a Wii U btw,just saying ..

[Hicken]

It isn't about belittling the console. It's about recognizing that the Wii U isn't doing what Nintendo expected, and that no one should be surprised, given how Nintendo has handled it thus far.

People disagree with any and everything. They even disagree with facts. What makes you think they wouldn't disagree with someone's opinion, especially when there's plenty of reason why that opinion could be wrong?

And yes, since an opinion is NOT a fact, it CAN be wrong.

[dangerousjo33]

no duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu the wiiu sucks meat balls lol