New Wii U ad campaign falls flat

Nintendo has launched a new ad campaign for families that urges them to upgrade to a Wii U. However, these new ads represent the way Nintendo has mishandled the system’s marketing since launch.

[Abash]

Wow, with the way they have handled the Wii U since it was unveiled almost two years ago, it's like they are sabotaging themselves with all these bad decisions. Who thought these new commercials would be a good idea?

[majiebeast]

At this point Nintendo's slogan is:Its not a Wii its different DAMMNIT!

When Nintendo can get casuals to stop asking about the new controller for the Wii, they can finaly start selling it as a console. But this commercial still doesnt explain any of that.

Time for some fresh blood at Nintendo because they obviously dont know whats happening in the console market. The crowd they are trying to appeal to have moved on, to the next fad and the WiiU doesnt have accesibility that the Wii had, nor is it at the same price point. The Wii didnt sell Wiisports, Wiisports sold the Wii. They dont have that killer app for the WiiU, and i doubt a 3D Mario would have the impact people are expecting when NSMBU didnt sell the console.

[Neonridr]

well it has sold somewhere between 1.5 - 2 million units so far. Not terrible by any stretch, but yes nowhere near the 28 million the Wii version sold. However the install base was already there on the Wii when NSMB came along. NSMBU launched with the Wii U and there's only a few million consoles out there. But to say that half of the install base own a game isn't terrible.

[LOL_WUT]

The guys at Nintendo are pulling their hairs out trying to convince consumers to purchase a Wii U, but are failing miserably. :)

[Agent Smith]

"Family compensated for participation."

[DwightOwen]

Do you expect the family to fly out there on their own dime?

[darkequitus]

I don't want The Wii U to fail; they need to do better than this if they want to convince anyone to buy the thing. These commercials will not work.

[Neonridr]

In all fairness this is what the original commercials should have been.

[ApolloTheBoss]

*Sigh* honestly does Nintendo WANT the Wii U to fail? There should be better advertising for this thing, not to mention MORE of it. I know plenty of people who at the moment don't even know this console exists.

EDIT: They should have also gave it a better name. Wii 2 would have been better, honestly. Most people just see it as an upgraded Wii, or Wii(U)pgrade

[DivineAssault]

good luck

[PopRocks359]

Again with this? I'm still not seeing what's so bad about these ads and why you guys are flipping out about them. They're cheesy at worst and eye-catching at best.

[D_RoyJenkins]

I'm not surprised you see nothing wrong with them

[PopRocks359]

Read my comment again. I said they were cheesy at worst and that I don't see what was "so bad" about them.

If people don't particularly like them, I wouldn't blame them but I don't see why people are freaking out going "OH NINTENDO MADE IT WORSE!!!"

[yugovega]

I agree with this video. I've had friends come over and play the system with me and they react the same way and have went out and bought the system. it's for sure my only gaming system now. i'll keep my ps3 for blurays but wii u if for my gaming, traded in the crapbox for the wiiu. it's a lot more fun then people give it credit for plus it has the "hardcore" games like cod.

[kirbyu]

I actually think this is a GOOD strategy. The new games at E3 will get hardcore gamers to buy a Wii U. Commercials is all Nintendo can do to get casuals interested. I agree that this ad isn't good, but it's a step in the right direction.

[lilbroRx]

How can a ad campaign that just started a few days ago already be pronounced a failure?

[deafdani]

The same way that a console that just launched a few months ago is considered a failure.

I think these ads, while nothing brilliant, do a decent job at raising awareness among the casual crowd. But I'm only an advertiser, what do I know? ;)

[Williaint]

This is a joke, right?

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

They needed this.
(I think shooting in a home would be better.)

They just need to focus more on the individual features using this format.
And maybe better editing (lol) leave some of the Cheses on the cutting room floor.

-Then again the "Cheesiness" is usually an indicator that they aren't actors.

[Williaint]

Or they are good actors...

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

I agree,
"Intelligent" to you sir.

That is why I said "usually".

Edit:
I usually trust Nintendo (under Iwata),
due to history but I can't say 100% that they were real or fake because similar advertising firms have used actors and produced similar results.
-But I think it is probably real because it's Nintendo.

[deafdani]

Nah, they're real because there's a disclaimer in the ads stating just that. Nintendo wouldn't put such a disclaimer if they were just actors, because that would make them liable for false advertising, and therefore, could be sued upon.

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

Very "Helpful" (bubble)
I forget to look for those.

So that proves it the Cheese is Real!

[DwightOwen]

People criticize Nintendo for failing to communicate the differences between the two consoles to the general public, then criticize them when they release an ad campaign which addresses the problem?

Some people have this sick, perverse obsession with hating on Nintendo for absolutely no reason.

[ZeekQuattro]

Its that old adage damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Williaint]

They shouldn't be playing anything, if they can't tell the difference. They might as well be playing the Wii Mini!

[HalfNerdHalfAmazing]

The only type of ppl who don't know the difference between the Wii and Wii U is the casual gamers.

[AKR]

Alright, now we all know that the average customer is still confused when it comes down to Wii and Wii U. So, TWICE, Nintendo has tried to address the confusion. The first time was with the Wii vs. Wii U flyer. People bashed N for that. Now, they release videos of families trying out the system and their reactions. Now, you people STILL complain?

Fine. YOU go develop a commercial to show the casual market the difference between a Wii and a Wii U. I'd love to see your better way. Yeah, these commercials are rather cheesy, but they highlight the message that so many people have insisted Nintendo has been ignoring - separating Wii from Wii U.

[Realplaya]

I watched the commercials all three I know some are going to comment who haven't and say negative things because of the title.

1. Lets get one thing clear the author bashes Nintendo for not talking about games but the commercial isn't to show games it's to show why you want a Wii U.

2. There were a ton of systems last gen sold to minors and the commercials are clearly aimed at parents who will be spending money this year. Who do you think will be out buying consoles kids 8 - 16? they don't have jobs.

3. The same people who make negative comments about the commercials and the system or lack of games are the same people not rushing out buying games with 50 million dollar budgets proof is the fact that there are roughly over 150 million ps3's and 360's combined and a game sales a paltry 1 to 5 million units and guess what there hardcore games.

4. If you look at the overall concept the system is built around the two screen experience if I am not mistaken the games like Nintendo land are designed around that experience. Like the lady said " We have the old Wii and our friends had the new Wii U and we were like whoa aka blown away.

This piece was a strait up fail if your going to write something approached it from a non biased perspective and understand that what Nintendo needs to do is keep pumping out spots like this so that families know it is a whole new system.

[strigoi814]

I wonder how they get this family to go with them..man nintendo is creeping me out..they might grab us in a van and let us play the wii U

[scottd]

Has anyone actually seen these ad's on T.V. yet?

[o-Sunny-o]

Ouch...what's happening Nintendo?