Wii U sells 1.2 games per console

The NPD Group's November US retail game sales were glum enough on the surface, but an analyst note this morning provided some deeper insight into the disappointing figures.

In a note to investors, Longbow Research's James Hardiman shed some additional light on the numbers, calling specific attention to the performance of Wii U software sales. While the original Wii saw two games sold for every console in its opening month on shelves in 2006, the Wii U posted a comparatively paltry 1.2 games sold per system. Hardiman chalked that up to either the inclusion of NintendoLand in Wii U Deluxe bundles providing a compelling enough experience that players didn't feel the need for another game, or the higher prices for the Wii U ($299 for the Basic system, $349 for the Deluxe) left consumers without the spare funds for software.

[donniebaseball]

That's a horrible attach rate. And didn't Nintendo say they were expecting something like 4 games per Wii U?

[theindiearmy]

1. Technically Nintendo Land should be counted, even though this article didn't feel it necessary to.

2. Digital sales were also not counted, this article didn't even feel it necessary to mention that, which is just poor journalism. It's even worst that these so-called analyst feel no need to analyze such data. With the Deluxe Digital Promotion going on, coupled with the fact that nearly all the titles are available on the eShop, I wouldn't be surprised if the actual attach rate was well over 2.0.

With 510,000 pieces of software sold. 425,000 Wii U systems sold, let's say that 80% were deluxe (I heard it was closer to 85%, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt). That's 340,000 Deluxe versions sold. Add that 340,000 to 510,000 for the Nintendo Land that is included and you get 850,000 pieces of software. This gives us a more accurate attachment rate of exactly 2.0. Since we don't have numbers for digital sales we can't get a definite rate with those included, but it will obviously be even higher.

[neogeo]

Fantastic job with the damage control:)

[lilbroRx]

Thanks you for bringing facts into the equation. We know how much haters lover those. Especially when they are not convenient for their bashing.

[AO1JMM]

I purchased 3 myself. 2 retail and 1 eshop

[zillanoir]

I have 5... four eshop and nintendo land.

[zillanoir]

*edit
Actually i purchased 6 from the eshop without including Nintendoland. Assassins creed 3, Nano assault neo, Might switch force, New super mario bros U, ZombiU and Trine 2 Directors cut. The only physical disc i own is the pack in Nintendoland. If you want to game with me on wiiu or ps3 friend invite me on them. My wiiu id is "zilla_noir" and my psn id is "blackstroke4"

[WPX]

I have four now: Nintendo Land, ZombiU, Nano Assault and Mighty Switch Force. Still undecided what to pick first of these three: NSMBU, COD BLOPS 2 or Assassin's Creed 3

[zillanoir]

i wouldve gotten cod blops2 if it was availabe in the eshop! ahem Nintendo!

[t0mmyb0y]

I have 4 retail already smh. It just came out lol

[rainslacker]

4 on launch, and 4 on pre-order through the middle of next year. Will probably pick up a few more as they get price drops in that time as well.

It's the most games I've ever brought with a new system.

[MariaHelFutura]

I would say for a system launch this is pretty normal, most people only pick up 1-2 games when they get a new system at launch. With that said I imagine Nintendo would like 2 or higher.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

How is it horrible when the system just launched? You expect people to buy 4+ games with every console? Do you know how much consumers would be paying in total for that? I doubt even you would buy 4 games priced at $60 and a console all at once lol.

[Sinner101GR]

These guys aren't doing much to sell games it seems. Wii was wayyyyy higher.

[Wintersun616]

What does it even matter this early after Wii U's release? The number will be going higher as more games are released.

[rainslacker]

Typically a system release has a higher attach rate in the first couple months, as a lot of people do buy at least 2 games with a new system. These numbers seem way to low to be accurate, even if it's not counting digital. They also didn't count NintendoLand, which isn't normally the way you'd do this, since pack in games are considered sold on the bottom line.

[WeAreLegion]

Most of them are Christmas gifts, so they bought the deluxe version with Nintendo Land. I'm sure the attach rate will increase after Christmas.

[BanBrother]

Agreed.

And as many people have already stated, this isn't inclusing digital sales and Nintendo Land.

Curiously, does anyone know the attach rate of the PS3 and 360? Will bubble up for finding it out.

[WeAreLegion]

They haven't released current figures, but the 360 and PS3 have gotten closer and closer to each other.

http://www.psuni.com/ps3-so...

[jmc8888]

Still early. Not everyone buys their games at once. The November numbers sort of is representative of well, 12 or so days worth of software sales. When after that there are still 24 more days before xmas. (then when alot of systems are opened, people will THEN buy games...or parents...not exactly knowing what games to buy...will let their children choose after xmas).

The real results will come when Nintendo reports it's earnings for Q4 2012 and Q1 2013.

Way too early to claim 'attachment' rate. It's sort of like saying the economy has recovered because we bailed out the banks and they are hiding all the stuff that makes them completely insolvent off the books.

Yeah also forgot about the digital game sales.

[jakmckratos]

WHen you figure people DID buy 4 games per system that means some people didn't even buy any..what in the hell are people doing with a console and no games??? Unless they plan on selling it around Xmas tim for a profit

[meganick]

What a coincidence. I personally bought 1.2 games when I purchased my Wii U.

[ShaunCameron]

I guess once again it goes to show that only Nintendo-made/published games sell on Nintendo's consoles.

[DivineAssault]

Thats cuz theres virtually no core exclusives..

[Triggytrolls]

No offence, but after spending £300 on the console (Black one) I don't have enough money for extra games, well not straight away anyway.

Buying 4 games is an added £170-180 :/

I will probably buy Trine 2, and then get ZombiU and Mario U a little bit later. Sorry Nintendo, you'll have to wait.

[Knushwood Butt]

Is it 300 quid in the UK?

Wow.....

[Triggytrolls]

Yups, that's about $480

[tweet75]

well im not buying shovelware or games I already got on other consoles with slight improvements so that leaves super mario wii u.