210°

Nintendo Wii U Launch More Successful than Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Tynan Muddle at Aussie-Gamer.com writes: "Nintendo’s Wii U console has outperformed every other HD console launch sales since its debut 4 weeks ago.

The new console, which features a touchscreen controller, has obliterated the 4 week sales record of both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. In its first four weeks on sale, Nintendo have sold over 1.8 Million units."

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aussie-gamer.com
deep_fried_bum_cake4134d ago

I know that I'm pointing out the obvious but the Wii U, much like the Wii, is still heavily marketed towards families, which the Xbox and PS3 weren't (at least not until Kinect and Move).

So it's hardly surprising.

lilbroRx4134d ago (Edited 4134d ago )

First we have people insisting that with the Wii U Nintendo had "lost the casual audience" backed by endless articles articles about people not knowing what it is, it still being on store shelves and it not beating the other consoles sales. Then we have "how popular is it really" articles.

Now upon the realization that it topped the launch of the other consoles, we've gone back to "its because of the casuals".

Give me a f***ing break.

deep_fried_bum_cake4134d ago (Edited 4134d ago )

lilbroRx

Are you on crack or something? I never said it was because of the casuals. I said that it was marketed as a family console, which if you've ever seen an advertisement on tv, it is.

I don't doubt that a lot of gamers will have seen games like Zombie U and decided that it would be worth picking up, but there will also be a tonne of parents who will have seen it being advertised as family entertainment.

AsheXII

That's not quite the same, as that was Sony saying to people that instead of buying a CD and DVD player they should just pick up a PS3. It wasn't a very effective marketing strategy as initial sales clearly show, but they're doing okay now.

Phil324134d ago

True, but you should be used to a lot of gamers (aka console warriors) being hypocrites by now.

Qrphe4134d ago

Yes, that same portion of N4G who said X is the same one who now is saying Y. That's what it's called a hasty generalization, but worry not for you're not the only in N4G who does this of course.

RememberThe3574133d ago

The Wii U is not being sold as a hardcore console get over it. It's got a cool extra screen that would be dope for RPGs but it's not being sold for that. It's being sold for families and you guys can click away at our bubbles and disagree all you want but the system is being sold to families.

My confusion comes from why any of you have a problem with that. So what if it's being sold to families? How are you insulted by that? I'd still buy a PS4 or a 720 if it had the games I wanted and was being sold as a family console. I'm a gamer, I follow this stuff too closely to be affected by a marketing campaign. So why is it that everyone else is taking deep_fried's comment as an insult? Get over yourselves and have fun with your new Wii U.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4133d ago
AsheXII4134d ago

The ps3 was targeted as household entertainment, hence the bluray player.

fr0sty4134d ago (Edited 4134d ago )

Completely ignoring the fact that the PS3 was not only plagued by shortages at it's launch but also didn't launch worldwide on the same date... Europe didn't get PS3 until 2007... The same with Xbox 360, it didn't get to europe until the following month, rendering any direct comparison useless.

Wii U has also been selling quite poorly in Europe.

PopRocks3594134d ago

"Wii U has also been selling quite poorly in Europe."

There are two other regions for the platform to have early success in.

Besides, if Sega puts out an exclusive Sonic title (as rumored) then sales will probably pick up somewhat in that region. Sega games are particularly popular in Europe.

hduce4134d ago

3 weeks after the PS3 launched, the Best Buy in my area had a pallet of them sitting on the sales floor untouched. I think the Wii U is selling at a pretty good pace considering the minimal marketing Nintendo has done and it's $350 price tag in this economic climate.

Knushwood Butt4134d ago

Yeah, Vita almost outsold the Wii U in Europe last week.

I guess that must mean the Wii U is doomed..

PopRocks3594134d ago

@Knushwood Butt

No offense, but comparing the Vita to the Wii U doesn't say much considering that the Vita doesn't seem to be selling very well in ANY region.

swissfury4134d ago

I worked at a Gamestop for the duration of the 360, PS3, and Wii launch. The PS3 sold out on day one and that was it. We never ran out of stock again even though we were a small store that only carried about 5 at a time. We barely sold any games with the launch because people bought them with the intent to ebay. We had 2 of the launch people try and return the systems because they could not find a buyer. 360 & Wii both sold immediately for a long time, the wii for about 6 months.

fr0sty4134d ago (Edited 4134d ago )

How well each system sold in a particular location has no effect on the fact that neither 360 nor PS3 had a simultaneous worldwide (3 major territories) release, which destroys the ability to directly compare with wii u. The point still stands. Europe never saw PS3 for months, never saw 360 for weeks.

As it stands, Wii U is being outsold by 7 year old consoles by a pretty good margin... it's selling less than it's predecessor did, and it's REAL competition (next x, steambox, and ps4) is roughly a year or so away. It has a steep hill to climb. It won't have the legs that the other consoles do, it's using inferior tech. The newer systems will likely be much more future proof. So, if Wii U doesn't catch on fast and start selling like the original Wii did (and maintain that for a few years), it's not going to take off very well. It just doesn't have what it takes to compete, considering that if the screen controller even becomes remotely popular you can bet your ass both of the new consoles will have it too. Both of the older ones do already as well (Ps3<>Vita, smartglass). Wii U has no hook to rely on, no new type of interaction that made wii so successful. Just dual screens, one being a touch screen controller. Something we've had since DS.

jmc88884133d ago

Well in 2005-2006 we weren't in the greatest depression in the history of mankind (and it's just BEGINNING....FIVE YEARS AFTER IT STARTED!!!)

Every TBTF bank is broke 100-1000x over when you add derivatives to the books.

The reason why it is selling badly in Europe is.....because Europe is literally descending into hell as we speak. We won't be too far behind, but for now, their now is our future. It's not because of the console itself, it's that people are destitute. Can't stand in a soup line and a Wii U line at the same time.

Do people not know that in many European countries you have 50+ percent unemployment by teens and young adults? With 25-30 percent regular unemployment? Shrinking safety nets, tax increases, and all sorts of other ways to bend over for the bankster casino gambling addicts.

They are refilling the stock of Wii U quite nice to both have them in stores and sell that many units.

On top of this, when people 'think' it's sold out, they tend not to look as hard. I'm sure a decent percentage of people decided it wasn't worth the hassle until after the xmas season.

As time goes on, with each launch console you have people that have dealt with the lines, the waiting, the calling/internet checks to see if some were in stock and just said to hell with it. They have learned to assume it isn't in stock early on. Not just with consoles but any product really.

I remember the PS3 shortages, still found mine in stock 3 days after xmas.

It doesn't make 'direct comparisons' useless....because the numbers can usually be had by geographic breakdown. Which means you can find out just how many sold in what regions.

The 720/PS4 won't sell too well in Europe as well. Nor will many relatively useless products (which consoles are). They're fun, but wholly unnecessary to live, which is what a lot of Europeans are focused on.

Personally I'd really like to see the differences in number of consoles sold (Wii, 360, Wii U, PS3) recently as compared to previous years or launch periods. Specifically the numbers of consoles sold for countries such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Even Ireland.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4133d ago
rainslacker4134d ago

I won't dispute what you say, but at this point in time it's hard to tell which sector of the market is really picking this up. I could use some anecdotal evidence, but it wouldn't serve much purpose.

They system itself was launched with quite a few hardcore games, but most of them had been released on other systems months prior. There is of course Mario U which appeals to the entire range of gamers, and scribblenauts which is pretty family friendly, but they run with $60 price tags. There is a party game which sells for $40, along with raving rabbids which is $50, but the casual/family titles overall just aren't plentiful right now.

I guess if we saw some of the software sales for the system it might make it easier to judge.

Off Topic:
I did see a more recent commercial the other day where they made it apparent it was a new system. It emphasized the tablet controller and showed it being useful in a family setting, namely little Timmy being able to play while his parents watched the TV. Much better done than their first commercial, as it actually speaks to a real situation that families face when it comes to their gaming kids.

Theyellowflash304134d ago

Its acutally not hard to tell at all. If you have one, which I do, you can tell by MiiVerse that mulit console owners, kids, and Nintendo fans are all picking up the system.

So what if Mario U runs at a $60 price tag? Its selling quite well and there is enough content to justify the price tag.

rainslacker4133d ago

I hadn't thought of that. Honestly I hardly ever log on if I can avoid it. Not really into the whole social network thing to be honest, but I give them credit for setting up one that people seem to like.

greenlantern28144134d ago

this is very surprising to me, because
1. i see them every where i go, but that was not the case for 360, ps3, or wii.
2. a lot of people i know either have no idea the system exists, or believe it is a wii accessory
3. early reports seemed to suggest that they would have a hard time supplying them.
so yeah i would say i am surprised

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4133d ago
GraveLord4134d ago

XBox 360 had supply issues, PS3 had a price issue.

If it passed the Wii or the PS2 launch, that would have been impressive.

Game3s4134d ago (Edited 4134d ago )

So Wii U has no issues?

Also why does it have to pass ps2 and wii sales to be impressive i think its doing fine in this economic climate and a market filled with products that are competing for your free time.

BitbyDeath4134d ago

Unlike Wii U though both PS3 and Xbox 360 sold out when launched.

meganick4134d ago

The Wii U sold out at launch also. If you didn't pre-order, you pretty much didn't get one on launch day.

Ulf4134d ago

Nintendo must be doing a great job with supply... go look at your local store for a Wii U... you'll find them readily available.

meganick4134d ago

@Ulf
I was referring to the launch day, and roughly the first week after for that matter. I'm aware the Wii U is readily available now, but it's now more than a month after the launch.

@People who disagreed
Did you guys disagree because you think that what I said is factually incorrect, or did you disagree because I pointed out something that makes Nintendo (and not Sony) look good?

lfclee4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

Your absolutely wrong, you had to per-order the xbox360 to get one.
The wii u is nothing like the wii how do I know I got one, it seems gamers are rubbishing the wii u and they don't own the wii u that to me is envy, there is nothing wrong with the wii u.

Adolph Fitler4134d ago

I bought one for my kids for Xmas, but then realized I wanted one too, with Zombi-U & I'll trade some other games for Mario after Xmas. So, I'm a hardcore gamer trying to fill a void, & in turn buying a new machine, not neccessarily more powerful than my 360 or PS3, but just something different, so I am hanging badly for the "real" next gen machines, but they are a ways off (at least a year), so, I just wanted Zombi-U, Mario-U badly enough to warrant buying myself one, as well as catering to the casual sales in buying a 2nd for my kids.....pretty dumb really, but that is how I roll.

BLKxSEPTEMBER4134d ago

Lol I did the exact same thing. My kid has the basic and I have the deluxe because......that's how I roll lol

tre4134d ago

same here! plus picked up 4 3DSs and sold Vita to gamestop.

Crillvirus814134d ago

Fanboys are the worst lol just admit its selling great is that to hard to admit all ya wanna do is compare wii u its a great console all you haters should try it ain't nothing like it really

hduce4134d ago

It's a Nintendo article. Of course the trolls would be out in full force.

BrianC62344134d ago

It's not selling great at all. Why buy a Wii U anyway? Wait until next year when the next gen consoles come out. It's foolish to spend that kind of money on a new console that is only able to compete with consoles near the end.

hduce4134d ago

I bought one because I am a gamer. I think the system is cool as hell. I will also buy Sony's and Microsoft's consoles as well. Besides if high console specs is your idea of what defines something as next generation, I am already there with my pc having 2 gtx 680's. Which is way more powerful than the new consoles coming out.

Theyellowflash304134d ago

Can you Play Super Smash Bros, Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Fire Emblem, and Pokemon on the PS4 and Xbox 720?...... whats that... no?

Thats why people are buying the Wii U.

ozzywazzy4133d ago

@ yellowflash

As of now you can't play them on the wii u either so what's your point? Also if you mean the wii games then you still don't need a wii u.

Show all comments (77)
80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

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."

280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple1015d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref5d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde4d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19724d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville4d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21834d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos4d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
isarai5d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref5d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan5d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0074d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander19725d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

5d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19725d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

5d ago
5d ago
Zeref5d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde4d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19724d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19724d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier4d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto4d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21834d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto4d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
Hofstaderman5d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts4d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts3d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic4d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
90°

Nintendo's War Against Player-Made Content Will Hurt The Company In The End

Danish from eXputer: "Nintendo has historically gone against player-made content and emulation of its games. This has done much to harm the company's image."

XiNatsuDragnel11d ago

I agree nintendo hire some these folks to help in your games it'll help imo.

banger8811d ago

They need to stop announcing these mods and fan remakes until they're finished. Finish it, upload it, and then if Nintendo dmca's it tough shit. Once it's online, people can share it around, even if the original download gets taken down.

Jingsing11d ago

True, but most modders need constant admiration during the process to motivate them.

PRIMORDUS10d ago

Yup, once it's a torrent nothing can be done Nintendo is helpless at that point. But it would be wise if they just had a site on the dark web, it's also easy to use with Tor and no one will bother you.

mastershredder10d ago

This is all coming from the mouth of short-sighted fandom and grifting madness.
No.... it wont. There is a clear defined reason why they don't. This is nothing new. Make your own shi7 from your own original ideas especially if you are trying to capitalize of it it. Duh.

Yeah, hire people that have zero respect or understanding for an established process. Wow. Yep. Totally makes sense.

shinoff218310d ago

Those guys that made that sonic game got a gig from sega or something along those lines and that game was dope as hell. One of the best sonics as of late.