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Sales Drop for the Wii U: Is the Price Tag Too High?

GotGame: As the first of the three major gaming companies to release their next generation console, Nintendo doesn’t seem to be getting as big a pay off as they were expecting. While having a decent sales upon the initial release, sales for Nintendo’s new baby have dropped into the 50,000s over the past few months.

MultiConsoleGamer4038d ago

More doom and gloom hit grabbing from armchair analysts.

Moncole4038d ago

And when the PS4 releases it will get the same doom and gloom articles.

showtimefolks4038d ago

It need game, price is fine but it needs software support

My only thing is the money went to gamepad could have gone towards improving the actual specs of the console.

I don't see wiiu being able to sell neck to neck with ps4 or next Xbox but I also don't see it failing. Lifetime sales IMO will be about 50-60 million which is success. But if success means selling as much as wii than yes it's failure but than ps3 is failure too since it didn't sell as well as ps2

I feel like sometimes people put too much into sale numbers alone. With ms all kinect and smart glass along with apps I feel like this gen for me it will be ps4 and wiiu since I care about exclusive software. Days of 3rd party exclusives are over so most 3rd party games will be on all next gen systems so to differentiate we need exclusives

Starfox-174037d ago

The WiiU is way too cheap its got expensive tech and that amazing gamepad that has basically been my gadget of choice in my house for browsing and Netflix super HD ect.

3-4-54037d ago

price is perfect...just needs more games.

gotgame is a joke

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4037d ago
PopRocks3594038d ago

Evidently the price is not an issue. The 360 initially launched at $400 (the best package for it anyway) and it sold well enough. I think only the PS3 has seen what it's like to launch at a price that's far too high.

Presently the Wii U's largest issues are marketing and its library. I really wish these "journalists" would stop trying to make it into something else.

LOL_WUT4038d ago (Edited 4038d ago )

It is too high, quit lying to yourself. If only Nintendo would drop the price of the Wii U, only then would they see the benefits of it in no time. ;)

deafdani4038d ago

Nope, the price is just fine. Neither expensive, nor cheap, just right.

Of course a price cut could help the console, but in the end it won't matter if it doesn't have the game library to back it up. So, games > cheap price.

truechainz4038d ago

He's not lying to himself. Retailers have made price drops and we have only seen sales go up in the weeks where games are being released. Most things would probably sell better if it were cheaper, but in the long run doing a price drop right now would be pretty foolish for Nintendo in other important areas of business. If they do it they need to time it so it won't hurt them and that time definitely isn't now.

PopRocks3594038d ago

Why did a retailer price drop do nothing to boost the sales then? Your theory is shot out of the water. No one will buy even a cheap console if they 1) have no awareness of it and/or 2) there are no games that interest them on the platform.

dirthurts4038d ago

Obviously the price is too high, as people aren't buying it. I want one, but not paying that.
400 bucks for a 360 was worth it, as it was the fastest machine out there, by a large margin.
The Wii U is about the same speed as the 360/PS3, and it has no games.
People aren't stupid. It's too much.
I'd pay 149, tops.

dungeonboss4038d ago

You're comparing the Nintendo console that is going to be sitting on shelves for the next 6 years to consoles that are in the bargain bin because they are no longer going to be supported as of this holiday.

When the PS4 and 720 launch, the Wii U will be positioned as the least expensive option and will also have had a year's worth of games.

Minato-Namikaze4038d ago

Ps3 seems to have plenty of support to me, or are you seeing something different than i am?

dungeonboss4038d ago

Exactly!

Who are more likely to buy a PS4 on launch day? The 55,000 who supported PS3 at launch, or the millions that just bought one within the past 12 months now that they are cheap?

jakmckratos4038d ago

It's not too high I think...of course a cheaper price would sweeten the deal but their lack of software is brutally crippling their early growth. Once they show off Zelda U, Mario 3D U(Please be an action RPG!) and Smash Bros people will absolutely start buying the system. HAND OVER FIST. And this is coming from a fervent Sony fanboy.

Look at their 3DS titles! THey were sucking for a year too! But then they had Starfox and OoT remakes, Mario Kart, Mario 3D land(which def wasnt the best game ever but) ,Kid Icarus, Paper Mario, New Super Mario Bros. , KH 3D, Fire EMblem and now Luigi's mansion. And before the end of this year 3DS is getting a brand new pokemon, Animal Crossing and Mario and Luigi dream team!

The point Im trying to make is Nintendo knows how to make excellent titles but for one reason or another it takes about a year and a half for them to start pouring them out. THey realize their core fans are how they're gonna make money this gen and they are catering to that. I don't think it'll be too long before we see metroid,kirby, DOnkey Kong and Star Fox all resurrected on the Wii U and everyone STFU and plays great games

jakmckratos4038d ago

why the disagrees? Not flaming just wondering..you DONT think the Wii U just needs better software?

PopRocks3594038d ago (Edited 4038d ago )

Probably because your comment was far too logical. You're not the only Sony fan I know who actually really likes the Wii U and consistently compares it to other platforms like the 3DS when "doom and gloom" are part of the discussion. One of my best friends is a huge Sony fan and loves his Wii U very much.

Scroll up and you'll see some people vehemently believe a price drop is absolutely essential to this platform's success despite two weeks of retailer price drops which had no impact whatsoever, let alone a lasting one.

The Wii U's sales picked up in Japan post the release of both Dragon Quest and Monster Hunter and as far as I know, price drops did not play a factor in that.

EDIT: Should have mentioned that I agreed with your comment.

Also, it's not like I don't believe a price drop could be helpful. But a couple of the commenters here are so fixated on the matter they make it seem like it's as significant as a price drop will be the magic bullet for the system which has already proven itself completely untrue.

Jek_Porkins4038d ago

It needs games, but I do think it'll get a price drop when the next Xbox and PlayStation release.

Wii U will probably have a $250 and $299 SKU.
Xbox 720 probably $299 and $399 SKU
PS4 probably one around $400, maybe $450

Minato-Namikaze4038d ago

IMO no way does sony launch at a higher price than MS this time. Whatever MS announces their price to be Sony will match that. Also i'd rather a console have one sku with all the same things. I hated the dual sku model they had this gen

Jek_Porkins4038d ago

I don't believe rumors, but Microsoft had official documents listing one SKU for $299, I doubt Sony would be able to match that with a SKU of their own.

I liked the different SKU's this generation because it allowed more people to jump into next gen gaming without having $600 to spend up front. I still think Microsoft will have one SKU at $400, pretty much what Sony will probably have one at, but Sony has already gone on record saying they are never cheapest.

I wouldn't count out Microsoft offing the next Xbox in a subsidized package like they did with the 360, say $150 down and just sign a contract for Xbox Live for two years. That would allow a lot of people to get into next gen gaming a lot sooner in my opinion.

Minato-Namikaze4038d ago

If they launch at 299 then i doubt the 360 will match the ps4's specs ( i'm assuming the ps4 will launch around 400/450).

I hate that subsidised package, i for one would rather pay up front full cost for a console rather than get hit with hidden fees while i have it (I'd rather have my phone subsidised for some reason though).

Jek_Porkins4038d ago

I think the PS4 and Xbox 720 will be pretty similar where power is concerned. Microsoft will probably launch an arcade version like they did with the 360, it will be cheaper.

You might hate a subsidized console, but a lot of people would eat it up. Not everyone has $500-$600 to drop on a new console, this allows them to pay as they go and even though it might end up costing a bit more, the fact that it's spaced out really makes it easier to handle, especially if you are already an Xbox Live Gold member or plan to be.

Nobody forces you personally to do that, but as an option it's pure genius.

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180°

Wii U games that still haven't been ported to Switch

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Vits2d ago

I think it's better to leave games like AC: Amiibo Festival and Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash forgotten on the Wii U. Best case, they are mediocre games; worse case, they are very bad. It was a dark time for the Wii U, and the first only exists to sell Amiibo cards, whereas the second was put together in a couple of months with a shoestring budget, and it shows.

The rest of the list does have some really cool games, though. I would love to see a remake of Star Fox Zero with decent controls, and Xenoblade X doesn't require that much modification to work.

Z5012d ago

How would XCX work without dual screens functionality?

Cacabunga2d ago

Same as Paper Mario color splash. One of the best wiiu games and getting even better with dual screen. Same reason why i prefer Splatoon 1

Profchaos2d ago

This article leaves out Nintendo's most controversial game to date devils Third.
I personally found the cover system really fun in that one compared to at the time most fps games completely lacking one.

Stevonidas2d ago

Devil's Third is HIGHLY underrated.

repsahj2d ago

They should remake Starfox to the switch 2. Very beautiful game during gamecube days.

Chocoburger2d ago

Kirby is always ignored or forgotten by people, so good to see it mentioned here.
Play Kirby Canvas Curse on DS, and then play Rainbow Curse on Wii U, they're really fun and unique 'platformers' without any actual jumping.

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80°

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Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

60°

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A new list goes over eight of the the most useless amiibo, ranging from the Shadow Mewtwo card to the Qbby figure.

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