Why Nintendo is hurting themselves by not announcing Wii U launch details

When Nintendo first announced the Wii U last year at its pre-Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference, we were definitely intrigued by its potential, as you’ll be able to interact between device and television in ways that we couldn’t even imagine beforehand. However, since its announcement, Nintendo has been kind of iffy on official details.

[defendthestar31]

I agree 100%

[Emilio_Estevez]

I would as well, but I would also add they aren't talking themselves into a corner by announcing a date they can't make.

[Hisiru]

How can people be excited about the Darksiders 2/Assassin's Creed 3 WiiU version if developers can't talk about it (thanks to Nintendo's NDA)? People will just buy the PS3/x360 version... and we will see bad third party sales again. Isn't it exactly what Nintendo was trying to fix?

[Anon1974]

I don't think it's hurting them at all. Given Nintendo's demographics, while I'm sure there are a number of fans out there waiting in anticipation, I don't think the bulk of Wii-U buyers pay attention to pre-launch buildup. You think the majority of Wii owners cared what the specs looked like pre-launch? Or watched E3? Or know what E3 even is? Why would the Wii-U be any different?

Do you think the average, potential Wii-U shopper is really chomping at the bit to get out there and line up to pick up a Wii-U, day one? Again, there will be those who do, but those aren't the majority. As long as it's on the shelves come the holidays and has a launch title that contains "Mario", that's all that matters.

[PoSTedUP]

i was gonna write something long about how it wont hurt them. but you pretty much said it. i just wanna add that: the less people know about it the less people will bad-mouth-it and spread it through word of mouth through that period leading up to the release. so the less people know about it, the better. nintendo are going to let their consumers buy it because they bought the wii, all they need to know is that it's more powerful than the wii and that's it..

[Salamander]

I would say the majority of all console owners did not care about the specs when purchasing. I know most of the gaming population wouldnt know what a Hr radeon 66+ is. We see a game; we go "OH that looks amazing- it must be powerful." Simple as that.

[yabhero]

Just so everyone's clear the price is probably between
299 and 349
the controllers will cost 50-70 bucks
and games will be 60

[TBM]

Im personally buying one 6mths to a year after launch. i wanna see if it has a lineup that's interesting enough for me to drop $300+ on.

[TheSanchezDavid]

Yeah, I was really hoping for launch and pricing info at E3 this year, but the lack of said announcements made me reconsider buying the Wii U at launch.

[WeskerChildReborned]

Agreed, they need to announce a release date ASAP that will give retailers some time to get it hyped up like maybe a December release and an announcement in August - September.

Then we'll probably see alot of Wii U commercials and for the people who thought it was an add on, will now see it isn't and might possibly check out the system.

[iamnsuperman]

"Then we'll probably see alot of Wii U commercials and for the people who thought it was an add on, will now see it isn't and might possibly check out the system."

It is so surprising that we haven't seen any yet. I know we are 4 months away but that is 4 months to show the product isn't just an add on and worth investing in to the general public.

[WeskerChildReborned]

I know, I hope Nintendo knows what they are doing.

[Toman85]

They said they hope to sell 5 mill WiiU consoles by April 2013. Now its the time to launch the console if Nintendo gonna reach that mark. I hope I will get my hands on with WiiU in Nov-Dec

Please Nintendo make it happen!

[Relientk77]

Nintendo needs to announce the price and release date for sure

[ALLWRONG]

I don't care about specs, I just want a price.

[Summons75]

yeah it would be nice to know the price and date so I can plan financially if the price is perfect (I'm talking 250$ or I'd be uncomfortably okay with 300$). Also from the sound of assassin's creed 3 with it launching for the WiiU along with all the other games they need to announce really soon to release for that

[ChunkyLover53]

I don't think all the information is that important. Nintendo released the Gamecube and the Wii in November, I'd expect that the Wii U is going to launch in November. I'd also bet money that the price is going to be between $250-$299.

Its going to be out in time for the holidays, its going to be the hottest gift this Christmas. Its going to have at least a 10 million console lead over Sony and Microsoft by the time their consoles release.

Nintendo will be in good shape.

[GameTavern]

Nintendo didn't announce the Wii launch details until 2 months before launch.. and that turned out just well for them.

Same deal with the 3DS and 3DS XL...

So don't think it is really hurting them.

Their odd system of silence though

[NeoTribe]

Wuts hurting them is not having any good launch titles besides zombieu. I'm not talkin about old ports. I was ready to buy the wii because I thought it launched with a new zelda, but then I heard it was only a tech demo... wtf...seriously? Your gonna launch a console and depend on old ports like batman and assasins creed? Yeah ill be passing on this console.

[mike1up]

I disagree.

Nintendo is helping themselves by learning from the 3DS launch. They want to keep the price as reasonable as possible. If it takes a little time, so what?

I would rather have a great price announced in September (Tokyo Game Show), than an awful price announced today.

---"No price, no release date, no dice."

...just laughable really.

1. We know that the WiiU is coming out this year.

2. We also know that eventually Nintendo will have to announce a price, that is, if they want to make any money.

3. Nintendo realizes that announcing a price too soon can backfire. Microsoft and Sony will obviously counter with price drops.

[PopRocks359]

Not like anyone here cares for what you stated. Everyone's too self-indulgent to care about the circumstances set for Nintendo. And lack any amount of patience.

[HalfNerdHalfAmazing]

I disagree Nintendo giving everybody a reason not to buy a wii u it doesnt matter if Ms & Sony lower they price on they current console the Wii u success don't depend on that especially when the next Xbox and ps4 is on its way everyone who planning to buy a Wii u want answers already

[mike1up]

Sure, the PS4 and 720 are on their way... to being announced. I doubt that Sony and Microsoft will announce and release at the same time.

Lastly, I got news for you...

The people that are already bashing the WiiU, probably won't be buying one at launch (call it a hunch). Shocking isn't it?

[OmniSlashPT]

It makes them look afraid and unsure about the console...and that reflects on the consumers as well.

[Samus HD]

to some I guess.. depends how they take it

[GhostHero333]

This is my guess Wii u will be $299, Wii u tablet controller will be $129, and games will be $59.99. It will most like launch the second or third week in November. They need to hurry up because I am using my Wii u pre order money pre ordering other games that I would normally hold off on.

[HalfNerdHalfAmazing]

I been a Nintendo fan since the NES days and I feel real disappointed by the Way Nintendo handling the Wii u, the Wii u will come out this holiday season which is a few months away and we still ain't able to pre order, Nintendo is not being smart if you ask me.

[mike1up]

Do you usually pre-order holiday gifts during the summer? I sure don't.

If you really have been a Nintendo fan since the NES days then this is nothing new to you. Nintendo always keeps new consoles quiet for as long as they can.

[DivineAssault]

release date, price, specs, more incoming software, playability, etc.. The list can continue on & on.. Theyre quiet about all that for a reason.. Im used to nintendos game already.. This will be the FIRST nintendo console i WONT buy @ launch.. I will be watching from the sidelines this time because i dont trust them anymore.. I still respect & love their craftsmanship but i dont believe they will get enough outside support on software.. After Zelda, Metroid, a few 3rd party AAA games, features, maybe a price drop by the time that happens, etc ill get it.. MAYBE

[cuddlemonkey]

How much is it ? I want to know if its going to be reasonable, 599, or expensive 799, the 3ds cost me 450 at launch so I'm thinking 699 for Wii u.

[Salamander]

400$ here in Australia i reckon.

[Gekko]

They'll hurt themselves because a lot of people may become hesitant in buying the Wii U at launch which could force them to lower the price like they did for the 3DS. Notably, the 'hardcore' which Nintendo are trying to attract again.