Forget Xbox One and PS4 - the smart choice for Xmas is Wii U

CVG - "Finally, some new consoles! So maybe you'll think it's ungrateful to suggest it's the worst time to buy them. I believe it's merely logical though: Right now the Xbox One and PS4 are hosting the fewest games, all at their highest price (some digital downloads are, indefensibly, sold for £63 ), while the non-game services are threadbare for now."

[DK_Kithuni_71]

Nintendo Wii U? Haha..!!!

Nothing is going to stop me from getting a PlayStation 4!

[Neonridr]

no harm in having a Wii U as well. I own one and I am planning on purchasing a PS4 as well.

Great exclusives from both of these companies.

[DK_Kithuni_71]

I agree. The Nintendo Wii U is a great little machine but claiming "the smart choice for Xmas is Wii U" is a joke.

Cannot wait to get my hands on a PlayStation 4. I'm in Europe so have to wait a few more days. Greatness awaits and of course it's a Sony.

[Neonridr]

I agree, the title is a little bit of a stretch there. There definitely is some amazing games to play. I guess the only unfortunate thing about the PS4 is that there is nothing else new to play until like February/March of 2014 (aside from new indie titles that may release between now and then). But there's always a little bit of a drought after a console launch since all those titles were rushing to make the launch date. Leaves a bit of a gap afterwards..

[UltimateMaster]

The GPU on the Wii U is surprisingly powerful.
The Xbox One GPU is 50% more than the Wii U and the PS4 is 50% more powerful than the Xbox One and more than twice the Wii U.
Yes, I do know how to count. Stack it up.

[dedicatedtogamers]

I'm probably getting a Wii-U at tax time. I want to play the sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles. It will also be nice to have a backlog of great Nintendo games to play (2 sidescrolling Mario platformers, one 3D Mario, one Mario Kart, one Donkey Kong, and plenty of other titles)

[abzdine]

i am going for Wii U and PS4 this gen! but priority to PS4 and when i have played and finished all PS3 games i haven't even started i will buy a Wii U no doubt!

[Xsilver]

"Forget Xbox One and PS4 - the smart choice for Xmas is Wii U"
http://www.reactiongifs.com... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Nah Im good.

[Eonjay]

I have noticed that I really still enjoy Nintendo games, but I'm not willing to give up my mature titles either. If the Wii U drops to $199 I will buy it. Until then its gonna be me, my PS4 and next gen Nathan Drake...

@UltimateMaster its going to depend on what sources you are using for your numbers. I was under the impression that the Wii U could push 300-350 GFlops a second. Xbox One is 1.3 TFlops and PS4 is 1.84TFps (or an Xbox One plus nearly two Wii U's combined).

[ABizzel1]

@Neonridr

Agreed 2014 will be a great year for both PS4 and Wii U. And potentially XBO if they announce more games.

[stragomccloud]

@DK
Except it would still be the "smart" choice, since it's the most bang for your buck at the moment. Doesn't necessarily make it the best choice, but it does make it the "smart" choice.

[s8anicslayer]

Real gamers need all games to satisfy our need!

[nukeitall]

Actually the smart choice is a Xbox 360 or PS3 with it's most likely discounted price this holiday and a library with so much quality games nobody can match.

That said, Nintendo is finally releasing some quality titles for the Wii U and with Nintendo's franchises, there is denying there will be plenty of family fun to be had.

That said, I can enjoy my Xbox 360 piped through my Xbox One for all the next generation features if needed. Win-win!

[Ritsujun]

You mean the Wii duUum?

[gpturbo81]

im sure severed hands would stop you right quick

[triforce79]

WiiU has the most powerful gpgpu end of with its edram section it's obvious in raw graphics wiiu with tons of full HD games running at 60fps already and lots of even more impressive games to come in raw performance WiiU is winning hands down.....

WiiU cpu is very powerful it is currently running project CARS at 720p native with 99% of the high end pc assets,moonlith said the cpu is powerful,nano assault was running on 1 core,it's clear the cores in wiiu especially the main one are extremely powerful in comparison to ps4 or xbox1 get over it,look how fast wiiu browser is compared to ps4 ect and its a dual screened look wiiu so far has shown more power in every department.....

[DarkHeroZX]

@triforce

Yeah everyone who read your bs just became a little more retarded...

[DeadManIV]

I want a wii u and a ps4

[admiralvic]

"I agree. The Nintendo Wii U is a great little machine but claiming "the smart choice for Xmas is Wii U" is a joke. "

Out of the three, the Wii U makes the most sense in the short term. Right now, you're comparing* Dead Rising 3 / Ryse / Killer Instinct vs Killzone / Knack / Resogun vs Super Mario 3D World / The Wonderful 101 / Pikmin 3 / New Super Mario Bros. U / Luigi U / Monster Hunter 3. Out of the three systems, we have Titanfall to look for XB1 side, inFAMOUS PS4 side and Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze / Mario Kart 8 / Super Smash Bros. U. So out of the three systems, it makes the most sense to stick with Nintnedo until next year when we will start seeing more titles. Not saying I think it matters, since the smart choice is whatever one you want, but I am saying that right now the Wii U has the best unique offerings.

* I am not counting games that will appeal to few people or niche online games. Resogun only got listed because it's free with plus and reviewed very highly.

[s45gr32]

I disagree Nintendo needs new ips badly, it needs to market it's system badly. As for games that is subjective, me personally I will either recommend the 3DS due to more quality titles, true online gaming, cheap system and games over the wii u or if not Valve Steam service lots of cheap mainstream games, plenty of phenomenal innovative indie titles and the ability to customize the hell out of your games.

[Hicken]

Every game appeals to few people. There isn't a game out there that appeals to a majority of gamers, even casuals.

Rather than short-term, the Wii U makes the most sense now-term, but that doesn't make it the smart choice. The smart choice is pretty much always the best long-term investment. Of course, preference in gaming has to be taken into account, as well, but the Wii U isn't the best long-term choice, which makes it not the smart choice, but something more like the convenient choice.

[kwandar]

@DK_Kithuani_71- "The Nintendo Wii U is a great little machine but claiming "the smart choice for Xmas is Wii U" is a joke"

No, I think it is pretty clear that the smart choice this Xmas is the Wii U (if you are choosing a new console).

There is no question that the games on the PS4 are sub-par, and the games on the Wii U are very good. Next Xmas may be a totally different story I'll grant you.

[Persistantthug]

A Wii U with little 3rd party support for $300 I just cant consider to be a "smart choice".

Maybe when it gets to $99 - $150.

[LOL_WUT]

This is why Nintendo should hire more talent so their studios aren't understaffed. And I agree little to no 3rd party support and delayed first party IP's won't sell a $300 console who has an identity crisis ;)

[weekev15]

Its got decent 3rd party support. COD, AC4, Batman, Watchdogs, Deus ex, Splinter Cell and now potentially the new tomb raider.

The only games its missing are EA titles and GTA.

[seraphym88]

You havent played a Wii U.

[MsmackyM]

If the situation is looked at objectively then the Wii U would be the obvious choice this holiday season if you already have a ps3 or 360. The reason being, the Xbox One and PS4 just launched and most third party publishers are straddling the fence as far as generational support goes. With the Wii U just now getting it's stride it will be an exciting time to be a Wii U owner. However next holiday season it should be anyone's game as all three consoles will have their offerings to decide from.

[Mystogan]

Best combo for me is Xbox One and Wii U. Xbox One is my main and Wii U for exclusives.

Sony exclusives never attracted me in the slightest. Not even the Last of Us. I don't know what it is but I just don't like them.

[deafdani]

Good. Enjoy it.

You getting a PS4 won't make me enjoy my Wii U less.

Crazy, right???

[GordonKnight]

Hope you pre-ordered. If not that will stop you for a little while.

[trickman888]

"the smart choice for xmas is wii u"

No.

[tubers]

A grown man in animal pajamas? Sounds trippy.

[tigertron]

Nah I'm good with a PS4, thanks.

[jakemail]

it's christmas

[WeAreLegion]

I have a Wii U and a PS4. Your tastes may not be like mine, but I enjoy more of the games on PS4. There are many more features, as well. There are obviously a few good Wii U games, but even the future releases are few and far between. If you can only get one console, get a PS4 or XBO.

[DanielGearSolid]

Sensless

[SmokingMonkey]

It feels wrong to not be earning Trophies while gaming anymore.

What's wrong with me?

[ziratul]

here you are people ebay: 251388021450

I am selling my Wii U and it's not even a christmass yet :D

[LOL_WUT]

One word delusionial ;)

[RAFFwaff]

Thats amazing!! I was just thinking that one word sums YOU up too.....

[LOL_WUT]

Wow you Nintendo fanboys are feisty today! ;)

[Yep]

LOL_WUT has his jimmies rustled.

[seraphym88]

LOL WUT???

[Nevers0ft]

One word... Spelt incorrectly. You had one job LOL_WUT, one job - and you screwed it up ;)

[JessiePinkmanYo]

Lol...What?! Although I enjoy Nintendo, a new Mario and remake of a Zelda doesn't justify passing up CoD on X1, or AC4 on PS4.
Go home Nintendo, youre drunk.

[kwandar]

Screen shot comparison of AC4 on PS4 and Wii U, shows the PS4 looks very nice ... but that much nicer?

What I'd really like to know is if AC4, like Deus Ex, made good use of the gamepad. Gamepad made Deus Ex exceptional on Wii U.

Discounting the gamepad for certain game genres (ie. where you have to deal with inventory, missions, etc)where it clearly adds to gameplay, in favour of additional graphics, is a mistake.

[JessiePinkmanYo]

Kwandar-But this article discounts the X1 and PS4 in favor of the Wii U, for reasons of lack of games. Personally, I prefer FPS' on Xbox, sports, adventure and multiplats like AC4 on PS4, and of course Mario and Zelda types on Wii. My point to my last post was this article is fanboyish in nature. The title reeks of it. If someone prefers playing multiplats on a Wii U, great, but to completely dismiss or bash the others is stupid.

[Whitefire]

I like playing with my friends online. Playing Mario won't do that. Nor will it give you the nextgen feel.

[RAFFwaff]

The 'nextgen feel?' Really? Are you sure you aint bought a dildo by mistake?

[kwandar]

Won't give you the feeling of $50 leaving your pocket each year, either ;)

[TheUndertaker85]

Yup, in particular on games

[mydyingparadiselost]

For choice of games to play now and for the next 6 months or so yea, Wii U is a good choice now especially the Zelda bundle. I already have one though so it's a PS4 for me next, although I'm waiting for a bundle or a special customized system before I get one.

[XboxFun]

I have a Xbox One and later on down the line I'll get a WiiU. Then my gaming needs will be complete.

[ziratul]

Trust me m8, I had wii u for six months. Go XBOX ONE & PS4 instead.

[LOL_WUT]

Agreed ;)

[seraphym88]

these 2 twits are trolls. They dont have/dont play Wii U.

[talhat2]

Im actually considering getting a WII U its got some great games coming out, and for the price of it it's not a bad deal.

[vaschamp]

What are you smoking

[MikeGdaGod]

said no one ever

[Sathur]

Well I have got to agree with this. I have a Xbox 360 and a PS3. But I also have a Wii U and I am playing great games right now. for example Assassins Creed 4, Deus Ex directors cut, Mass Effect 3 special edition. Also Rayman Legends, Pikmin 3. These games are brilliant for WiiU.
I will buy a PS4 at some point Next Year. Now is not the time to buy either an Xbox One or PS4. There are no games. And I am a gamer.
I also own a 3DS.. What a machine..WoW. The games are brilliant.

[kwandar]

Deus Ex DC is BRILLIANT with the gamepad, I agree.

How is game pad with AC4?

[Ol_G]

the map works well you can zoom in and out didn't really tried to do anything else with it
when shopping it also appears on the gamepad making small letters readable from a distance
your hud is also mostly on the gamepad for an immersive experience

[GordonKnight]

The 3DS is the best system on the market at this moment. That will be changing soon once Mario Kart & SSB comes out. 2014 will be the year of The Wii U. After that PS4 & XBONE will start picking up steam.

[monkeyDzoro]

People are way too kind with Nintendo. As far as I like their exclusives : Mario, Zelda, Starfox, SmashBros, DonkeyKong... I think Nintendo should try to bring something new, since they had no plans on bringing previous IPs other than... Mario. I mean a REAL new IP.
Not #MarioAtTheBeach, #MarioinParis, #MarioLuigiAtTheBeach. Something as big as Mario or Zelda, but new IP.

They've been sitting on their laurels and giving us warm food and everyone is fine with that. Every generation on Nintendo console ther's a new iteration of Mario on every possible form, new Zelda...
If it were Sony/MS who brought the same game, over and over and over again like Nintendo they'd been crushed.

The same goes with Pokemon even if the last one is very good BUT you could see that inspiration is now lacking. They just shoved old gen Pokemon, mixed them with a few new ones, introduced diagonal walking.
"I can walk in diagonal in Pokemon ?? GOTY spotted". It's 2013, this Pokemon is way too late ! They should have done it years before.
"A new SuperMario3D... yeah !!"... Nope. Listen. I played Mario games since I was 5years old. Now I'm almost 22. I'm tired of Mario games.

Bring something BIG Nintendo. A new BIG IP, different from a Mario, Zelda,... on that Wii U and we'll talk. While at this point the ONLY game which can make me buy a WiiU is a TRUE new Zelda adventure. Not a rehashed or warmed one, a NEW adventure with TRUE Link.

[s45gr32]

You are absolutely right

[truechainz]

I respectfully disagree. I wouldn't have put Sony/MS through the ringer for keeping franchises alive. As a matter of fact, the news that Crash may be returning to Sony is one of the most exciting things for me getting the PS4. I don't get this stigma against sequels in gaming. I don't care who does it as long as we keep building upon beloved franchises and making them better rather than giving up on them just because gamers are fickle. Then again these concepts don't need to be mutually exclusive, and that is where additional manpower would work in Nintendo's favor on the matter.

[monkeyDzoro]

I never said that Nintendo should leave their franchises. Nintendo has a huge library but just keeps giving us the same games : Luigi, Mario, Mario&Luigi, Zelda, ...

If you want to count the number of real NEW IP from Nintendo on their primary console which is not Mario but which is as big as Mario or Zelda... it wouldn't take you 10secs.
Now just tell TWO IPs like that, two great brand that you can associate to Nintendo apart from Mario/Zelda.

MS has : Halo, Gears, Forza, AlanWake, Fable since 2002 I guess.
Sony has : CrashB, Ratchet, GOW, UC, inFamous, KZ, LBP, HeavyRain, TLOU, GranTurismo,... and I'm forgetting MANY from Sony.

Now tell Nintendo big franchises they've put on the spotlight these past years. Nintendo "fanboys" not fans are destroying that company. Nintendo needs something new to become RELEVANT (to me) again. Now Nintendo is just like those fastfood restaurants : warming up food, good taste sometimes but a TOO BIG feeling of DEJA VU.

[weekev15]

@ Monkey... Nintendos main franchises - mario, zelda, metroid, pokemon, fire emblem, donkey kong, pikmin, animal crossing, yoshi, kirby, kid icarus, layton, xenoblade, starfox all released recently. There are also a ton of older titles in the back catalogue to draw from.

Poor attempt

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

"If it were Sony/MS who brought the same game, over and over and over again like Nintendo they'd been crushed."

Killzone.
Halo.
And a slew of third party titles.

Don't even try to play the "same game again" card on Nintendo unless you're willing to accept the FACT that it is an INDUSTRY-WIDE TREND to bring back games over and over again.
Heck, there's even quite a few third parties that just copy-pasta the same gameplay mechanics into titles with new names just to pull the wool over people's eyes, fool them into thinking it's "new".
The Crew, for example.
Need for Speed, anyone?
Yeah, it's that with a few more bells and whistles and prettier graphics. Maybe a few new modes and varied tracks, but it's hardly something we've never played before.

[monkeyDzoro]

What the heck are you talking about. Firstly, I'm speaking of exclusive games from each company. Not about third party support.
Secondly, there's a Mario game on EVERY Nintendo platform, whether handheld or not. And iterations of the same character, which is pretty much the same game. And they do it, every generation since they started to make consoles.
So I'm sorry if I'm asking them to bring something new because I'm bored to see the same character with NO STORY at all every fucking time I open my eyes to look at Nintendo games since I'm FIVE !
If you're fine with it OK. But dont act as if I'm coming up with some non sense while everthing I'm saying is blatant truth.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

@ Monkey:
Try saying something that actually IS "the blatant truth" before you start trying to cry foul for people calling you out on it.
Saying the games have no story at all is a lie, and ignoring third parties and the other two of the big 3 doing the exact same thing with their popular franchises, because including them is inconvenient for your argument, is just being nit-picky for the sake of avoiding the bigger picture.

[EcoSos3]

"If it were Sony/MS who brought the same game, over and over and over again like Nintendo they'd been crushed."

No they don't 14 ratchet and clank since 2002 and 9 Halo since 2001. They get praise whenever they announce a new one of this games.

[monkeyDzoro]

How many Mario since Nintendo created it. I'll make it easy for you. Don't count the iterations just Mario Bros games.

[EcoSos3]

Well if you want to go with only Mario Bros. theres about 10 from 1983 to 2013.

http://www.mariowiki.com/Li...

[s45gr32]

hahahahhahahhahha the wii u really why not the 3DS is has more quality games, cheaper than all three next generation consoles, cheaper games, a true online network. The wii u lol is as barren as the xbox one and PS4 with a paltry few titles worth mentioning so few quality titles is ridiculous. Why not Steam service it has really cheap games and the survival horror genre, moba genre, rts, etc. exclusively. Wow the wii u hahahahhahahhahha.

[InTheLab]

I find it irresponsible to recommend a console that might not be around in another year based on its poor performance over the last year and the lack of support from 3rd party.

I also see no reason to buy the WiiU if you already own a wii like most of us do.

So if you want a cheap console this holiday you should pick up a last gen console for $100 less than a WiiU and get a similar experience in addition to 8 years worth of games to choose from.

[kwandar]

Same could have been said of Xbox360 and PS3 at their launches .... just saying...

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Nintendo themselves have stated they aren't discontinuing the Wii U due to poor performance.
The Gamecube didn't fare too hot yet it still made them profit and still got games worth playing.
Wii U will be the same, only with better sales, strong indie support, slowly increasing third party support with a slew of smaller gems from lesser-known companies, and a growing list of must-have first party titles.
PLUS backwards compatibility with all Wii games.

So it's smarter to get a Wii U.
Bar-none.

[GordonKnight]

Sorry The Wii U is a must have for me. The Virtual Console is awesome, but does need more games. Mario 3D World is better than I thought and Mario Kart 8 is coming soon. the Wii U is starting to have a pretty good library of games. Just like the 3DS. Now I'm just waiting to see what I'm getting next PS4 or XBONE. I should know by this time next year.

[iistuii]

The only Nintendo I ever bought was an N64 with Goldeneye. Awesome game in its day.

[AlexFili]

I love Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag on my Wii U. Best game ever :D

[DarthZoolu]

Broken

[silkrevolver]

The point is... with Super Mario 3D World, Wind Waker HD, and Pikmin 3: It currently has better exclusives than the PS4 or One...

...then again, the Wii U has been out for a whole friggin' year, so it should have more than just those anyway.

[Locknuts]

Wow, from the comments above it looks like people like shiny new hardware over actual games! Unless PS4 already has some games that I'm not aware of?

[Jdoki]

I'll probably get a Wii U at the end of its life cycle - once the price drops and games are on budget. I used to be a staunch Nintendo Day 1 console supporter - but after the Wii I've been very sceptical of what the hell Nintendo are up to!

[Dunban67]

The article is wayyy too generalized- The Wii U "is the smart choice" for who?

The author just says it is THE smart choice for Christmas over the PS4 and XB1- but the article is written as if the circumstances for the 3 consoles today will remain

An argument for some segments to purchase the Wii U this Christmas could be reasonably made however, for most potential console buyers the smart choice would be to wait to purchase any of the new gen consoles and/or to purchase an XB 360 or PS3 or Wii if you really want to by a console now

For the average consumer it is too early to tell the long term value of any of the consoles right now- Coming from someone who bought a Wii U at launch, I would have waited hind site being 20/20 matter of fact we will probably have a better idea of the long term viability and game makeup of the XB1 and PS4 sooner than we will of the Wii U

If the Wii U continues so sell at or close to the pace of 2013, who knows what its future will be and/or how much more Nintendo will be willing to invest in it- not saying they will kill it in the next year or 2 but they may continue to invest the bare minimum in it as they have so far if sales don t take off

The XB1 and PS4 already have a tone invested in them and a lot of resources invested in their respective games pipeline- that does not guarantee the games will be to everyone's liking but it is clear Sony and MSFT are going into this generation with a purpose and sense of urgency-

Nintendo has gone into this generation as if they are unsure they want to be hear at all (re home consoles)
Nintendo has the properties and the resources to make a great games pipeline for the Wii U and to make the Wii U an ever improving console - so it still "could" be the "smart decision" but it is too early to tell and the author of this article failed to mention "who" should purchase the Wii U this holiday so it is hard to tae his advice seriously

[Guwapo77]

Man slap yourself. (directed at the author)

I own the Wii U and still got the PS4 and it is an amazing system!

[YoungPlex]

I wouldn't say forget the PS4 maybe the Xbox One but definitely not the PS4 I love it, it goes well with my Wii U, Vita and 3DSXL! I just picked up my PS4 and I am impressed but I also picked up Super Mario 3D World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and am just as happy with those purchases. Great gaming indeed!

[Crillvirus81]

It's the best system hand down ..while the other 2 are charging for online and milking us with dlc ..nintendos not yet ..and there games Available are way better then the other 2 consoles and next year there dropping there best franchise ,kart, smash, donkey , bayo 2 ,X , etc ..

[Locknuts]

Wii U this Christmas. PS4 once the 2014 big hitters are available for free on PS+. Come to think of it, what PS4 games are available now for free on PS+?

[Munnkyman]

Wii u does have some great games out right now but thats because its had a whole year. Ps4 is def a system to own(i already have a wii u) and will hopefully be getting one soon. At the end of the the day though its what you enjoy the most. Don't let articles or people dictate what you get, get what makes you happy.

[tjg59]

I got ps4 and wii u at launch.wii u is good but ps4 is greatness arrived

[NeoTribe]

Said nobody.

[mysteryraz11]

wii u sucks, I already have a ps3 and 360 so theres no need for a system thats barely stronger then ps3 or 360 with lackluster online features and kid games, just gonna get a ps4 or a xbox one if the price goes down

[Petervincent19]

I just picked up the zelda wii u bundle. Its so good my buddy went and got one himself. He picked up Mario 3d world 2 days ago and claims that anyone who ignores the new mario is doing themselves a disservice. We will be getting a ps4 when the kinks are ironed out but don't think that the Wii U can't push graphics beyond 360/ps3. It can.