UK: Wii U sells just 34,000 pieces of software in January

GE: "UK software sales for Wii U last month were rather abysmal. Just 34,000 games were sold in the territory throughout January."

[DaThreats]

New Flop?

[wishingW3L]

this a mega flop.

[Sp1d3ynut]

More like a TERAflop. Oh wait...the WiiU can't do teraflops, my bad.

[Mykky]

Not to worry though. 3DS was also flopping in the beginning. The sales will go sky high ones Super Mario, Zelda, Super Smash and Mario Kart appears. Just like the 3DS.

I always get Nintendo consoles but only to play Zelda and super smash. So I can easily wait for them to appear before buying a Wii U, like I am doing now.

[xursz]

Moreso than the games I think is the inevitability of a price drop. A lot of people weren't happy when the 3DS dropped in price a few months after launch, and it's the same situation here.

Slow sales in the wake of newer consoles = Price cut.

[kupomogli]

@Mykky

So the fact that New Super Mario Bros U is already out?

[Red_Orange_Juice]

Lego City and Bayonetta 2 will be a real test for WiiU, only games I wish were on ps3/360

[Wenis]

So many Wii U haters in here

[Divine]

Wii u is Rubbish and it only interests nes fanatics. The online is garbage and so limiting and the hardware has been outdated 6 years ago.

[BitbyDeath]

It's just UK and if you look up one on the charts you'll see the Vita had not done much better @46k.

Which is likely respective to the install base each system has and again this is only UK numbers so there is nothing here.

[Gamer1982]

People are saying its okay as the 3DS was a flop but the difference is the 3DS competition was a LOT weaker (only the failing Vita to contend with). See the problem Nintendo have got it they can release Mario Kart and smash brothers but if they don't get them out before PS4 and 720 will gamers choose WiiU over the next-gen consoles? I don't think so.. Not unless the launch lineup is truly terrible or the consoles truly suck.

[bicfitness]

@Mykky

The 3DS dropped 40% off its price when it was languishing. I don't see the Wii U doing that, they simply couldn't afford to.

[adorie]

...Petaflop anyone? Kidding.

I hada feeling the Wii name would end up killing the console, though. It should be selling more than that.

Also, the advent of the internet social machine is evident here, to me. Word of mouth might be causing people to stand their ground and wait for the new HD consoles this year(or 2014).

[Kingthrash360]

@bitbydeath
Why is it people always compare the vita to the wiiu? Compareing a next gen console to a handheld is just making it look worse. Yeah we all know the vita is struggleing but why bring it up here? To make people pay attention to something that isnt in the same bracket as the topic under disscusion. You could of easly compared the ps3/xbox360 when they first dropped because they are in the same area compition and level of power. It just rubs me the wrong way to see people picking on the vita when its off topic. Truth be told a lot of bad news is reported in way of the wiiu and I dont like it but Nintendo wanted to get more hardcore games for hardcore gamers and also still maintain it's large casual gamer base. Problem with that is to please many hardcore gamers you need to visually impress along with comfortable controls and lets not forget the specs. All that will cost more so they will charge more for the wiiU. No biggie for hardcore gamers but the casual... not big spenders. Wiiu needs a price drop they cant afford.

[BitbyDeath]

@Kingthrash360, was not trying to make the Vita look bad just saying these numbers are about right given the number available in that region.

[OhMyGandhi]

I agree, and it's not that I personally want to see Nintendo fail, it's that I am sick of having the wool pulled over my eyes, and everyone else saying how inventive they are as a company, always striving for a new way to experience games.

I don't mind innovation, but innovation without listening to your audience is a beautiful hybrid of ignorance and arrogance. I want Nintendo to wake up, and see that in 2013 our expectations have changed as the industry matures. Get with the program.

@ Mykky
I hope you are joking. If you wish to be a fan of Nintendo, no one is stopping you. But don't act let a paid spokesperson.

[SilentNegotiator]

@Mykky

"Not to worry though. 3DS was also flopping in the beginning"

That was due to an uncompelling price, not uncompelling games.

[Ritsujun]

Mii & U: The Justin Bieber Console

[SilentNegotiator]

@BitbyDeath - It's hilarious that trolls think that every non-Sony issue is justified by "Vita isn't doing well!"

Vita's poor sales have nothing to do with Wii U software numbers being awful. Stop using Vita as a scapegoat to everything.

@Wenis
More like, so many people that mistake recognition of the shortcomings of their favorite system with "HATERZZZZZ"

[Alcohog]

@ Myyky

That's a good point. I will buy one for Zelda, sadly.

[Mykky]

@kupmogli

When did new super smash bros become a system seller? Its sales were never big compared to the other big games. (DS is a exception, new super mario bros was actually "New" at that time)

@everyone else
If a system has enough good games the price shouldn't be a hindrance. Very few good games had launched when the 3DS had its high price. If what you guys say is true about the price being the hindrance I can't see PS4 and 720 getting a lower price than Wii U's. If that's the truth PS4 and 720 will flop much harder.
But all that is of course BS. It all comes down to the games.

[Eyeco]

The Wii U has sold like what 2 million units worldwide, so obviously software sales are gonna be low, also people should consider that its 35'000 in the UK, not NA,not Japan, not Europe as a whole, but just the UK I'm not sure how much the WII-U has sold in the UK but I'm sure it justifies the sales for that month.

[Godchild1020]

It sold 3.06 million units since Dec 31, 2012, not 2 million. http://www.nytimes.com/2013...

[BLAKHOODe]

There are a lot of gamers in the UK, so this is somewhat a reflection of how the Wii U is being perceived as a whole.

And this is bad, because now that the Holidays are over, you can't so much factor in Holiday buyers or the hardcore Nintendo fans who bought it Day 1.. the Wii U is now standing on it's own legs and these numbers represent it's appeal to the general consumer.

[mcstorm]

Eyeco I agree although the Wiiu has sold 3 million world wide. People seem to forget that in January sales of games and consoles go down any way. One because people are skint and two there dose not tend to be many games out in January and I can't think of any new games on the Wiiu to shout about. Intact were there any on the 360 and ps3?

What people have failed to notice is the Wiiu has sold more than the 360 and ps3 did in there 1st 3 months on sale and they also forget that this is the 1st of the next gen consoles and people are waiting to see what Sony and Microsoft offer before deciding to get there next console. Also we have had some big games out before Xmas like cod bo2 halo 4 ect and this will also stop people picking a new gen console up as they will not buy a new console to play cod on if they already have a 360 or ps3 to play it on.

I wish people would stop this doom and gloom every time a company brings out a new product. People should just buy what they like and stop telling people about what they don't like.

I own all 3 home consoles and both hand held devices as well as a Lumia 900 and a Ms surface but I don't go round telling propel the iPad or android tablets are crap or start a rant. They work for me and that's what I want. I don't go and buy gta as I can't get into it but I don't go on and slag it off as I can see why people like the game. There are far to many fan boys in this world now and they are always out to try and say mine is better and bigger than yours. Instead they should just go and use what they like tell people what they like and stop moaning about what they don't like.

[bangshi]

UK is 3rd biggest game market.

Wii U is bombing.

[bicfitness]

@Godchild

Those are "shipped". Every one of the three reports "sold to retailers" now. We'll see if those were channel stuffed for Christmas or an expectation of higher demand when next quarter's results roll around. If they over supplied, then they'll miss their target.

[GribbleGrunger]

'Uk is third biggest games market'

What? LOL. I live on that tiny island off the coast of Europe and I can tell you that it's probably one of the smallest. Where I come from (and I've had confirmation from other people in other parts of the UK that it's the same there) the 360 dominates mainly because that's nearly all the shops promote. The first thing you see is a sea of green. 360 posters on the windows and doors, midnight launches and salesmen advising people to buy a 360 over any other console. The Wiiu and the PS3 don't stand much of a chance with this set up.

Just as we have with the Vita, we need to wait and see. I did with the Vita and I now have to conclude it needs something to happen, and quickly, but that doesn't mean the same will happen with the Wiiu. I've always said that the Wiiu was a hard sell and that it wouldn't sell as many as the Wii, but it is in no way 'doomed'.

Let's give it at least the same time we gave the Vita and then we can discuss this more knowledgeably.

[matgrowcott]

@Bangshi

Just to add to what Gribble said, not only is there zero space for the Wii U in stores (my local Tesco has a cardboard cutout for Wii U games that's been empty since launch), but the prices are also skyhigh.

I haven't seen a £50 game since the N64 era, but if you want Batman Arkham City or Assassin's Creed 3, that's what you'll be paying. Keep in mind, you can get them for a fraction of the price on other consoles...

[hellzsupernova]

for those that know me i am one of nintendos biggest critics I have never really rated them. BUT the WiiU will take off just like the 3DS Nintendo is one company you can never count out just look at the teases for Nintendos upcoming E3 you have Mario, Zelda, a new smash bros game, Meteriod i mean cmon that only even makes me curious add in Donkey Kong and even I would struggle to not buy one!

[NeoTribe]

Are those games suppost to be exciting? Maybe to a child. Donkey kong? Really? How old are you? Mario is pretty lame aswell now. Same crap since nes days. Metroid is a childs shooter. Cod halo killzone and battlefield run laps around it. Smash bros is ok i suppose. Zelda is about the only game id be interested in. Not worth buying a console for a game or two. Once zelda is out you prolly wont see another one till the next system. If nintendo would actually make some new ips that didnt invold cute fluffy critters and a gay plumber maybe id take the console seriously.

[hellzsupernova]

Sigh you miss my point the FACT is those games will sell! Im 23 how old are you? 12? if you think CoD, Killzone, Halo or BF3 run rings around it you are showing you have only just entered gaming how about mention the REAL FPS defining games like Halflife and couterstrike oh because you have never herd of them thought so.

You just cant have a rational discussion on this site can you

[FriedGoat]

@Hellzsupernova
No need to mention those games. Quake is all that is necessary.

[RegKDwight]

@GribbleGrunger. You're wrong, we're by far the largest market in Europe and bangshi is correct in saying we're the Third largest market overall.

[3-4-5]

o not this again.

1.) Once E3 happens people will be re-excited about Wii U again.

2.) This will lead to more console sales, because people by them for the games.

3.) Nothing has flopped in years. Just because people like you say it did, does not make it so.

4.) Why do people like being negative ?

What purpose does it serve ? Does it help anything or anyone ? Does it even help yourself ? Then why be negative ? You just venting your emotional frustrations via online or what ?

Seriously trying to understand the mentality of the negative person. I'm 95% of the time positive person. You complain about something while I find the beauty or greatness within it.

seriously being negative does nobody good. It doesn't help you play better games, it doesn't make dev's listen to you, it doesn't make people like you more, it doesn't make you look cool, in fact it does the opposite.

[Kingthrash360]

While i do agree with you ...in fact ill press the agree button on your E3 commet ill say this: IF and most likely when Sony/Microsoft announce their new consoles at E3 depending on what they show could make the wiiu stay in limbo. What will really kill it is if the price is the same or even 50 $ more. Hardcore gamers know that they will bring the TRUE next gen (hardware) consoles. So unless smash brothers and zelda and metriod and starfox and mario all show up and maybe even a price drop during E3 the talk this year will be of ps4/720. All other comments you made about negitivity hurting games are right on IMO.

[kenshiro100]

...If Nintendo brings out something for people to be excited about...

[joeorc]

100% agreement, If Gamer's have not been paying attention right now, the three Game console company's are no longer just to compete among themselves!

Apple, and Now Google are in direct challenge to the Game console market, through Smart Devices. not just for consumer's Money , but time of use of product's.

This is the telling sign.

http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

EA will Have 14! games for packaged Media, but for Mobile over 30! with an increase in Mobile!

This is not just EA!

The signs forward even Nintendo, will have slower sales, but longer on life shelf life for games because the cost in reduction of games can be made in publishing as if they were Mobile game's.

Why do you think all three chose SOC's this new generation!

the tool chain's and development engines for Mobile chipsets are Advanced enough now, that it can handle advanced Game engines that frankly 10 years ago no mobile chipset could handle, not the case anymore Mobile chipset's can Handle DirectX 10 and 11+ with advanced shader Model 4.1 and higher.

this just means a change for this part of the market industry wide because if many people have not noticed the Living room entertainment box, well its becoming merged with the very thing that makes it's requirement a TV. Now with smart TV's having those very advanced chips people can have advanced games right on their smart TV, or from their Tablet and smartphone with HDMI output.

The market has changed but the dynamic's have not settled yet, still in the change phase and have not hit stability yet.

People worried about the new systems viability in this market is fear mongering to gather hit's.

[FriedGoat]

Anyone who mentions mobile games competing is a moron. Core gamers have and will be the main focus in the long run of running a successful game business. EA are hitting the mobile market hard, yes.. But they are late to the party.
Casuals are not a dependable customer and people who use their damn iPhones for gaming should not even be in this conversation.
Consoles have and always will be for the core, just because they decided over the last couple of years that the wii/ Kinect was great, it was a fad and now they are bored. I'm pretty certain they won't jump over to the wiiU.

[Psn800]

I have to agree , I bought a Wii u and it's gathering dust to say the truth , where's the games they promised , anyone wanna buy a Wii u cheap Lol ?

[Stroke666]

Ummm 'PSN'800 hard to believe you bought one, or that a 3 month old system is collecting dust. but how do you not have games to play, trine, cave, zombiu, fist of the north star, oroichi heroes, tekken, ninja gaiden, plus whatever games for the wii u never owned. my wii u rocks cant wait to see what sonysoft have to bring to the table

[zerocrossing]

What console sells well during January? people are still getting over what they spent during the holidays, give it a rest till May or June I say.

[user3915800]

no its not a new flop, its a current flop. Noted flops = Dreamcast, atari jaguar, virtual boy, neo geo go, 3do, amstrad, apple pipin, cdi, comodore 64, digiblast, gizmondo, nintendo 64 dd, ngage, laseractive, psx dvr, vectrex, just afew lol... The one thing they all had in common was a rush of hardware with lack of market interest. Current flops are WII-U and Vita. wiiu expected lifetime sales 26 million, vita expected lifetime sales 32 millions, not bad for flops lol...

[showtimefolks]

RUSTEDMAN

you said it best man people always give way too much credit to Nintendo for something that's not so innovative. Wii motion controls where are they now? Innovation is something that helps improve something that already exists or make something better yet wiiu gamepad is a iPad with buttons with much much lower resolution and not even one 4th of battery life that iPad delivers

Whether or not people want to admit it fact remains that wiiu launched too late, the right time to launch wiiu was in 2010. Wiiu is what ps3 and xbox360 have been for last 6-7 years so don't give me the next gen crap. Nintendo was a gen behind so they are now catching up to Sony and ms while both of them are about to move to actual next

Many like me are waiting to see what Sony and ms will deliver before deciding which system or systems are right for me.

Nintendo direct was great but did you notice how none of the games are due out within next 6-8 months so what wiiu should sell on hopes of getting games ne day? And media went so crap oh Nintendo just showed their E3 preview but my problem is where are the games for now? Sony and ms should follow suit and announce bunch of games but than media and these same fanboys will say oh none of that is coming any time soon

So ts ok for Nintendo to announce games which are due in 2-3 years but would not be cool for Sony or ms to do the same.

Wiiu isn't gonna sell anything close to wii and that's a fact no opinion. Ps4 and xbox720 annuncements will over shadow whatever momentum wiiu actually had and make wiiu a last gen system.

Nintendo for once maybe get up to the program, this is 2013 while you are giving us 2010 tech. I see wiiu selling 50-60 million systems which is a succeful system but not gonna be able to compete with other 2

Also this is a major reason why 3rd party publishers are afraid to support wiiu, while Nintendo's 1st party games sell millions it's the 3rd party games that sell few 100k.

[Stroke666]

lol, the fact that the wii motion controls was the reason for kinect and move, and both ps4 and xbox will retain their motion controls I'd have to say thats pretty fuking innovative. and um the ipad is a stand alone product where as the gamepad is a peripheral device, horrible analogy. for the record none of the next gen consoles will out sell wii, wii was revolutionary, which is why despite you believing it was a gen behind it absolutely dominated last gen. as none of this gen system( next gen if u don't already own an 8th gen system) will be that revolutionary. don't get me wrong i'd love microsony to prove me wrong but all i see is last gen systems with upgrade cpus and gpus but the same old rinse wash and repeat games. since i'm no graphics whore it'll take that system seller to get me to become a late adopter. hope i'm wrong but...

[Eddie20101]

Not a flop. That number is for U.K. games sales. The U.K. has fewer games to choose from and still haven't gotten some of the games the U.S. has. Plus the U.k. is kinda up Microsoft's but. Not saying that as a fanboy just telling the truth (I own all the game systems).

Nintendo estimated that they will have sold 5 million consoles world wide (later adjusted to 4 million) by the end of the fiscal year ending at the end of march, they have sold over 3 million so far in just under 3 months time with just under 2 months they should easily sell around 4 million units. That is pretty darn good considering the downturn in the gaming industry.

I think Sony and Microsoft may see similar sales numbers, because there is going to be such a small leap in graphics that the average person is not going to see any difference between current gen games and next gen games. The rumored specs of the new Sony and Microsoft consoles are way under powered compared to even a mid range PC. Even games design specifically for PC don't really show huge difference form the console games that are out now even on very high end machines. Sure they have higher frame rates, slightly better textures, and better lighting but they still look similar to the console games. To the hardcore gamers (especially PC games)these things make a huge difference but to the average consumer they really won't be able to see the difference between next gen and current gen.

My point being is that Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft may not seem so far apart in the eyes of consumers. Plus you will not get Nintendo exclusive games on any other console. no Smash Brothers, No Zelda, No Mario Kart, No Pikman, No Yoshi, No Kirby and many others.

[OmegaSlayer]

What a piece of crap of a machine.

[WiiUsauce]

insert pro Sony, anti Nintendo comment here*
watch agrees go up*

this site should be renamed to sonyfangirls.com since that's all you see here.

Sony fangirls really have no room to talk so I don't know why they're posting in the comments here lol. "ONE bad month? ermahgerd, the Wii U is D00med!!"

How much of a failure is the Vita after being out for a whole year? How long did it take Sony to make PS3 successful (it survived mostly because of Blu Ray)? How well do Sony franchises sell? Yeah they sell so well that they have to close down countless studios.

Liverpool, Superbot, Zipper interactive, and those are just the ones that I know of off the top of my head. I'm sure there are more.

[IAmLee]

How can it flop with all these exclusives?! ... -__-

[Root]

Owch

[LOL_WUT]

You can say that again ;)

[zerocrossing]

Not good at all...

[Nyxus]

That's bad. But I guess there is very little to get now, until Pikmin 3 comes out.

[xursz]

I read that Pikmin only sold 1 million copies worldwide. Even with the lack of games at the moment I don't think Pikmin 3 is going to make a huge splash.

[Qrphe]

Nvm

[WiiUsauce]

woah somebody with common sense on N4G? unheard of.

[Software_Lover]

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[kenshiro100]

....That's not good.

[stragomccloud]

Wonder if the negative effects of doom/gloom and Nintendo band wagon hating are finally manifesting themselves.

[LOGICWINS]

Nintendo brought this onto themselves with their arrogance. Thinking that they could charge that much for a current gen console primarily featuring sequels to two decade old franchises. They deserve what they get and they will come away extremely humbled from this.

[stragomccloud]

Except it's not current gen. It's "next gen." A laughable term to say the least.

I'm a primarily PC gamer, and I laugh hysterically when people say the Wii U is not "next gen". Only PCs are up to date. Xbox 720 and PS4 will all be out of date a year before they even come out. The same is true of the Wii U. But the tech between the Wii U and the next Sony/Microsoft consoles will only be a year apart. The console is not as weak as the bad press might lead you to believe(One of the reasons that the sales are so down). Xbox 720, PS4, and Wii U are all be part of the same console generation and it is both arrogant and foolhardy to think otherwise.

And as far as the price is concerned, it's waaaaaaaaaay more than fair for the great software that is and will be available, and Nintendo actually loses money on the console.

[zebramocha]

@strag I'm not a pc gamer but I've read stuff like,dx10 didn't really do much over dx9 tessellation was capable on ATI's 3800 series of GPU's,while better than console GPU's,they are not easier to program for,they'll be outdated in terms of performance but not architecture not including the wiiu.

[InMyOpinion]

Graphics might not be "next-gen" but gameplay certainly is.

[gamingzen]

January the month everyone is skint after xmas and newyear its gonna be a case of the hare and the tortoise with wii u so dont worry;)

[Starbucks_Fan]

Damn. How bad did PS3 games sell during launch? just curious.

[danny818]

It was selling more than that. Problem was that it was still suffering from availability at retail. I dont remember if the 360 went through the same thing

[DwightOwen]

There WEREN'T any games.

[adorie]

Really? I remember an entire back catalogue of games I have in several CD cases, totaling in the hundreds.

[Gamer1982]

PS3 suffered from lack of consoles thanks to diode shortage yet sold a LOT more and they were terrible games like Genji and the likes..

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Honestly, people are ripping into Nintendo like its no tomorrow. Sony went through the same problem software wise.

As far as I'm concerned PS3 did have the most unattractive line up of games at launch out of the two. Of course, its an afterthought now, considering PlayStation has plenty of first party offerings now. Nintendo still has a small fanbase. Its software will grow over time.

[Soldierone]

The only game anyone really bought was Resistance. PS3 was lacking games for the longest time, worse than what vita is currently going through.

[PopRocks359]

How many Wii U games came out in January? Oh right.

Also the headline should have specifically stated that this was primarily for the UK, where the Wii U's hardware and software sales are not particularly strong.

[Knushwood Butt]

Wii U hardware and software sales are not particularly strong anywhere...

Particularly poor in Europe though.

http://www.vgchartz.com/wee...

[PopRocks359]

Okay first of all, you're citing VGChartz.

The system has sold better in the US and in Japan. This is already known. So no, you can't say the sales have not been strong anywhere when the thing has already sold over 3 million units.

[Knushwood Butt]

Believe me, I dislike that site just as much as the next person, but unless you show me a site with better information, there's little option.

As for sales, yeah, they were good during Black Friday and Christmas. Now? Not good.

[sway_z]

Okay I'm no fan of Nintendo's direction or the Wii consoles in general...But!

Wii U was only released mere months ago, it is a little early to call its demise, and Nintendo have too much riding on Wii U to allow it to fail...

You can expect price cuts, high volume marketing and a raft of unique software catered to the core Wii U fans in time to come. Nintendo have money, they can make it a success.

Both 360 and PS3 had terrible software droughts months after release, but look at those babies now!

Patience is indeed a virtue...

[Cam977]

I'm sorry but it's destined to fail - the Vita is doing better - a handheld aimed at an extremely niche market.

[sway_z]

I didn't state it would not fail...only that Nintendo will do everything to ensure it does not fail, it's ultimately down to them.

And before it 'fails' Nintendo will market the hell out of it and price cut.

There is a huge demographic out there that want a console with less mature themes/Violence for their Kids, especially with video games in the spotlight promoting violence. I can see Nintendo providing that experience for that group.

Like I said... it's still too early to call Wii U a failure.

*Edit

I truly believe some people just want things to (see Sega/Dreamcast) fail...But if Nintendo fails, a part of the industry fails with it.

[PopRocks359]

@Cam977

You may want to check the sales figures. Aside from some exceptions the Wii U has consistently sold better than the Vita each week. Not exactly by much, but better regardless.

It also managed to reach lifetime sales of 3 million units sold within its first few months, selling launch numbers faster than the 360 and PS3 in a worse economy. The Vita took two years to reach 2.2 million after its launch.

So try again.

[Godchild1020]

@PopRocks359, The Vita is a year old come Feburary 15th in North America. A year and 2 months in Japan. So how did it take 2 years to reach 2.2 million in sales when it's not even a year old yet in North America?

EDIT: It took 6 months from the Japanese release and 4 months from the NA release date to reach 2.2 million. http://www.joystiq.com/2012...

[PopRocks359]

@Godchild1020

Ah, I stand corrected. Ah well. Point still stands. The Wii U managed to sell beyond that in a much shorter span of time. Comparing the Vita to the Wii U when talking about sales does not make for a very strong argument in this regard, especially when the Vita continues to sell pretty slowly. Not saying the Wii U isn't selling sluggishly at present, but its early figures were stronger than people give it credit for.

[Stroke666]

@sway-z... dude you still on the nintendo/kiddy shit. didn't ubisoft just screw all those kids cause the more hardcore crowd on 360 and ps3 wanted rayman too? lmao

[UnHoly_One]

They need to cut their losses, scrap this piece of junk, and just start making games for Xbox and Playstation.

[Hicken]

You should cut your losses and disappear back into the troll sea.

[krazykombatant]

obvious troll is obvious.

[BlackWolf]

So, Nintendo games suck on Nintendo platforms, but would be great on Playstation and Xbox?
Great, double standards.

[MEsoJD]

Who said Nintendo games suck? I would actually support them pulling a Sega.

[BlackWolf]

Rephrasing my comment:

So, going by that logic (UnHoly_One's), Nintendo, who has been (unfairly) treated as a kid's games maker, should just stop making games for their own consoles and bring them to the competition (whose fanbase is more on the "hardcore" type of games)?

See what I'm trying to say? Double standards.

[UnHoly_One]

You guys are completely missing my point, and I'm not trolling.

I never said anything about Nintendo games being bad. Nintendo makes great games, they have just made two complete shit consoles in a row.

My point is, if they stop wasting time and money creating consoles that are far inferior to their competitors', they can make more great games instead.

If you honestly believe that a Zelda game wouldn't sell like crazy as a multi platform game on PS and Xbox, then you are crazy.

[BlackWolf]

Well... Allow to apologize about that. I misunderstood your point. But there's something that I have to tell you.

Given the case that Nintendo pulls off a Sega, I don't doubt their games will sell. Of course they will sell. The thing is, for that to happen, they would have to fail hard in the consoles race. REALLY HARD. And I, IMO, don't want that to happen.

I agree that the Wii U could have been something more powerful, but I think it's a fisrt try to get in good position again (popularity-wise). But the first thing you ask is for them to become a developer (as in your original post here), instead of, IDK, making another console in some years to compete with the suspected powerhorses PS4 and 720 (suspected because I wait until specs are officially realeased, altough the rumors look promising).

Let's just wait some more time to see what's truly gonna happen with the Wii U (whether it fails of not), instead of jumping the gun and call it a failure right away.

[majiebeast]

WiiU really doesnt have many games now and the delay of Rayman is also not very good, but lets not go full panic mode yet. I will say if these numbers dont improve much when Monsterhunter comes out, then Nintendo has a problem in the uk atleast. Cause it would point out there is just no demand for a wiiU at that moment, and it would mean more third party publishers jumping ship and ports to ps3/360 rise.

[black911]

Gaming is Dying

[Riderz1337]

Gaming isn't dying lol. The Wii U barely has any games so how would you expect high software sales? Most of the current games are ports of games that are already available on the PS3/360. No one is going to buy a Wii U so they can play Mass Effect 3 when they can get a 200$ PS3/Xbox to play it. Nintendo shot themselves in the foot with a weak launch lineup.

[just-joe]

Square Enix losing million every year, Sony on junk status, Microsoft losing money even with consoles selling, EA barely above the dollar to remain listed on the stock market. Open your eyes junior, the video game crash isn't coming, it's already here because everyone in the industry assumed it was recession proof.

[NeXXXuS]

No it's not. Nintendo is dying. ):
Also, what Riderz said.

[Kur0]

crazy 3DS sales say otherwise. The Wii U just needs a price drop in time for all the new games that will come out at the end of the year. If that fails, Ninty still has a tight grip on the handheld market.

[tehpees3]

The UK market has declined in games overall :(

Its sad because people can't even afford holidays. This is just your typical hiccup of a launch to me. When Wind Waker comes out people will be all over it.

[OmniSlashPT]

lolwut I just went to GAME today and it was packed, I had to wait about 10 minutes in the qeue. With hits like Skylanders and CoD, the UK market is actually growing.

No one cares about Nintendo anymore, that's the matter. Do you think all the moms and kids that bought the Wii will care if Wind Waker gets a Wii U release or not? lol

[Jadedz]

I'm sure Nintendo knows how to counteract this though.

[modesign]

nintendos next big move is getting out the "out of business sign"

[Gamer39]

Not surprising. WiiU it is a new console (few months) and yet not too many exklusive game.

Simple, need little time and more AAA games. WiiU not flop.

[Nevers0ft]

The headline doesn't surprise me. Being a Wii U owner, all I've had to spend money on this month is a couple of eShop titles, nothing else has been released and I got all the launch games I wanted "at launch"

Once Aliens is out (and originally Rayman *sigh*) I'll do my bit to improve those statistics going forward.

[PopRocks359]

Same here. I'm still itching for Aliens, Monster Hunter as well as Pikmin 3. I think the eShop will be the saving grace for the console's content for the in between time, what with the Virtual Console set to launch at some point as well as whatever smaller/indie titles that may come out.

[StrongMan]

Wow. It's official, the WiiU is a failure.

[LOL_WUT]

Yea it failed pretty hard in the UK

[deafdani]

After two months and change? Don't be so hasty. It's barely the beginning. The 3DS also had a pretty rocky start, and look where it is now.

Nintendo is the best at this game, they won't allow this console to fail.

[Kennytaur]

Impressive.

[krazykombatant]

the only mistake by ninty was not releasing enough games for the jan. to persuade potential buyers to buy their systems.

Most people are just waiting to see what happens with the other 2 console makers, also its january, the UK is facing a potential triple dip recession, I doubt many people are planning on spending money on a wiiu. Specially after christmas having just passed and all.

[Reaper9937]

Bought a Wii U on launch day and only played it twice, a couple of stages of SMB Wii U and a hour on Zombi U, got bored and went straight back to my PS3 and Vita.

There is just no incentive to play Wii U at the moment, Nintendo where the hell are the games *and people complain about Vita not having games*.

Thanks God MH3U is coming out next month, but then again so is God of F@%&ing WAR!!, GeOW, Starcraft, etc...

[DaPrintz]

Not to mention Dead Space 3 and DMC out now. Tomb Raider, GoW, Gears, BioShock etc

[ajax17]

Come on Nintendo! Don't launch a console without some first party games people actually want to play!!

[Droid Control]

Wii U has no games.

and the underpowered console is too expensive.

360 is cheaper and have better online, apps, and TONS of third party games.

The Wii U will not appeal to casuals, they are off on their tablets and smartphones.

only the Ninty Fanboys are buying the Wii U, just like the Gamecube

[Clarence]

The Wii only sell when the new Mario and Zelda comes out. This time around Nintendo does not have Wii sports titles to propel its console to record numbers. They will have to count on games, and right now they are serverely lacking.

Not only that the Wii u is not really next gen. The price should be lower but I guess your paying to have a tablet in your hand.

Why would anyone buy a console for games that have already been out on the PS4 and 360.
Wait until the next Playstation and Xbox release, it might get real ugly for Nintendo.

[WiiUsauce]

I think they really should've done a Wii Sports 2 and bundled it with every system and shown a big difference between Wii Sports 1 and Resort enough for people to rush out and get it at Christmas.

Nintendo Land is good, but only for core Nintendo fans who like Nintendo franchises. If you ask a soccer mom who is Samus Aran or Captain Olimar or Captain Falcon, she's not gonna know shit.

Should've just stuck with a sports game, because that's something almost everyone can easily pick up and understand. Maybe throw in a pool minigame, or a foosball minigame using the gamepad? Some cool unlockable mini games like a pinball cab that interacts with the gamepad somehow? fuck I don't know, it would've done a better job than Nintendo Land for sure.

Nintendo Land should be a REAL amusement park. With a Star Fox attraction, a Hyrule Field and dungeons, a Mushroom Kingdom, Donkey Kong Country, ect. Oh I would die a happy man if Nintendo opened up a real life amusement park.

[sandman224]

I bought mine on release day. I think I'm going to put it up for sale so I can focus on my ps3/360.

[WiiUsauce]

Go for it, dude. You'll have to spend another 350 dollars when you see how awesome the next Super Smash Bros game will be, lol.

[Muffins1223]

This is what they get for having cheap hardware...

[linkofrs]

The hardware is not "cheap" considering they're already losing money on each console sold.

[MegaLagann]

Well to be fair nothing is really setting the world on fire sales wise in the UK right now unless it's FIFA. But it can't be denied this is not a good sign of things to come especially considering there's nothing coming out this month. But I won't jump on the Nintendo is doomed bandwagon, sorry guys. Yeah it may look bad and it is but they can turn it around easily just like the 3DS.

[OmniSlashPT]

No you can. If the Wii U is at a bad situation at the moment, it will only get worse once Sony and MS announce their new consoles.

The Wii is seen as it controlled this generation sales wise, but when you compare numbers, it doesnt seem that far from the PS3 and X360. The Wii has sold 100 million while the PS3 and X360 are close to 80 million. Besides, the Wii market that bought all the shovelware is gone, and all the gamers are waiting for the next PlayStation and Xbox.

[deafdani]

PS3 and 360 are at about 70 million sold each, give or take. A 30 million difference is actually quite big, much more so when you consider that Nintendo has sold the Wii at an healthy profit since day one, whereas Sony and Microsoft bled money for several years because their consoles were sold at a massive loss, plus the RROD fiasco.

[kupomogli]

Nintendo fanboys: The Vita has no games.
Everyone else: The Wii U has no games you can't already get on another system.

[E2S]

this is just UK. Jesus people, stop falling for these headlines.

[Starfox17]

Considering theres only about 3 times that amount of consoles in the uk it's normal.

And with just cheap ports that cost less than a million dollars to develop it's fine wait for LegoCity and Monster Hunter Ultimate in the uk then things will take off.

[tigertron]

Since Nintendo can't start over, I think the following will help remedy the situation:

- Ensure a good supply of first party games.
- Invest in new IPs and not keep relying on Mario, etc.
- Appeal to third party publishers - the Wii U will need third party support.
- Price drop.
- Patch the Wii U so that gamer IDs aren't locked to one system.
- Advertise - I haven't seen a Wii U advert anywhere, unlike the Wii where I couldn't escape it.

[linkofrs]

I'd pretty much have to agree with just about all of your points. However a price drop isn't very likely. Nintendo is already losing money on each console sold. Also there is so much inaccurate information surrounding the Wii U at the moment. Come e3 when the next consoles come out and they aren't that far of a step up i think people might get off their high horses and stop calling it outdated technology. However the good news of this situation is they pretty much have no where to go but up. They've been working on getting the software looking better and working better pretty much since the console came out. I really hope that people can stop arguing about consoles and start talking about games soon too.

[KrisButtar]

I agree with you about the price drop, but my friends and family are waiting for the big drop like the 3DS did, I told them they are selling the system at a loss. They just tell me over and I've that they will just wait for the drop. So I think there has to be a decent number of people waiting for the price drop because of the 3DS history, only people on forums and sites know the system is selling at a loss which is the minority, not the general public who bought the Wii

[danny818]

People complain too much. If it hadnt launch with Nintendo land or nsmbU people would say, its because of the lack of first party. U guys know that the 3ds sold very well and the only appealing game was super street fighter right?!?! Clearly somethjng is wrong. First party is there. Nintendo has to fix it fast. Very fast.

[jakmckratos]

Oh god just stop everyone. I am as critical as the Wii U as any consumer with a brain..why are we so keen on wanting consoles to fail or flop when you're all literally going to be buying this game in a year alongside me when Smash Bros is released and more decent titles are on the horizon. Look at all consoles that have slow first years. PS3, 360, 3DS...the time has come for us to stfu and realize the Wii U suffers from the same drought of games and will have a couple good games come to the console relatively soon and that everyone will be buying this game for Mario Kart, the next Legend of Zelda, Mario 3D and Smash Bros and hopefully we'll get a lot of really decent titles show up too.

I am by no means a fanboy and won't even consider buying a console until I see proof that Nintendo will still remain relevant after Smash is released but all this doom and gloom is literally idiotic when the console is going to be fine in a year's time.

[PirateThom]

Ni No Kuni sold approximate 25,000 units in 2 days, it was number 1 in the UK for that week.

To sell 34,000 pieaces of software, in total, is bad. Really bad. There isn't a single Wii U game in the top 40 for all of January. The last time a Wii U game was in the charts was Nintendoland, number 40, on the week ending 22nd December, where even Black Ops Declassified sold more.

In it's launch week, only Nintendoland and New Super Mario Bros. U charted, 11th and 14th respectively, the latter of which dropped of the charts 2 weeks later.

Yes, we can look at the hardware sold and in the wild already, but this was a new console and it's like no one bought the console or even games for it. It doesn't surprise me that publishers are concerned.

[patriotZero]

I wii u nintendo

[Kamikaze135]

That's a whole new low. I bought a Wii U back in November...I'll be getting Monster Hunter for it along with a duster to get rid of all that dust on my Wii U. Might even go as far as buying a Swiffer to bring the shine back.

[AO1JMM]

So what are the sales numbers everywhere else beside lil ole uk?

[AO1JMM]

Typical N4G! Nothing but ignorant fanboys on this site.

[GiantFriendlyCrab]

ps3 haz no games, oh wait

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Ma1nframe]

WiiU is a total FLOP. NOTHING like the crazyness that occoured when the original Wii launched. It was impossible to find one in stores for months (not that I ever wanted to buy one, PS3 all the way ofcourse) but I am thrilled that WiiU is a total and utter disaster!

LMFAO

[Phil32]

Comments from fanboys like you do nothing but perpetuate the stereotype that gamers have the maturity of 12 year-olds. Congrats.

I'd LMFAO at you, but I just feel incredibly embarrassed for you... Too bad. Maybe one day you'll exit middle school and grow up.

[gpturbo81]

you forgot "in the uk" nice and misleading. "we do it for the hits, bitch"

[bigbearsack]

Here we go again. Price drop and Nintendo giving away some virtual console games to first gen buyers, then doing a public apology.

[Phil32]

Arguing that Nintendo was "arrogant" to release "a current gen console" is pretty ignorant of a side to take.

Nintendo went with lesser power because they honest to God cannot compete in an arms race with Sony and Microsoft. They don't have the resources, any TV, computer, or film division to bail them out of any failure like the other two do, and they simply couldn't support a high price console. Satoru Iwata even said the first part himself.

So it's not arrogance that they released a weaker spec console. It was to minimize risk in an industry where failure comes quickly and means very bad things. Yes, the Wii U is failing now, but just imagine if Nintendo made a higher spec console and was STILL having these problems. It would be much worse for them.

Sadly, rationality isn't liked on N4G, so I'm sure my comment will be disagreed with severely while "I hope Wii U dies" posts will be agreed with by countless people. Such a predictable site where fanboyism reigns supreme over love of video games and logic.

[LOL_WUT]

Weren't you going to stop commenting altogether? I always see you whining and crying about the simplest of things and not to mention complaining about N4G.

Like seriously dude, no ones forcing you to come here in the first place...

[A7XEric]

In Nintendo's defense, January is typically not a very fruitful month when it comes to video games sales.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

This is a deliberately misleading title and this story should not have been approved. The title obviously implies that this happened everywhere when really this was only in the UK.

Of course the Wii U is struggling pretty bad in the UK and hardware sales are low, so obviously software sales will be low as well.

[Phil32]

Simply reading the summary where it says "UK software sales for Wii U last month were rather abysmal. Just 34,000 games were sold in the territory throughout January" should have made it obvious, and you didn't even have to visit the site to see it.

[arbitor365]

well there certainly isnt going to be a casual craze to prop up this console, like the wii. that is for sure. so nintendo is in pretty big trouble here. im predicting gamecube-like lifetime sales. in the 20 million range

[PS4isKing_82]

This should kind of be expected tho. Considering there really hasn't been any notable releases since it came out.
So of course software sales would be rather low.
It doesn't take a genius to see that.

Lets go back to 2006, and most of 2007 when ps3 was struggling to get games.
Ps3 had heavenly sword, uncharted, Motorstorm and gt5p.
360 had gears of war, blue dragon, ace combat, katamari, halo 3, lost oddessy, forza2, and many more.

That's when all the doom and gloom started coming for ps3 cause it didn't have the amount of games 360 was getting. Just like wiiU currently.

So lets give it a little more time to see if Nintendo can reverse it just like Sony did with a price cut and mgs4 in 2008.

[wiiulee]

lol..haha first off psvita is not a subject....its not even a competition to the 3ds....the wiiu on the other hand is a fantastic system that really wont have too much competition since its going to be the most unique system out..nintendo need to get the games out real soon and work on better commercials

[stuntman_mike]

I'm one of those 34,000. the thing is a lot of people still think this is just an add on for the Wii.
the advertising is abysmal for it, if you aint reading the gaming news sites you wouldn't even know the WiiU exists over here.

[josephayal]

if that true, I Cant wait to Play Mario, DK, SSB , Zelda in the XBOX 720 and PS3 in 4080P

[ThaBlackBaron]

LOL @ this even being made into an article! Its just UK, you know one part of a WHOLE region LOL Are haters running out of things to hate on Wii U about?

[esemce]

overpriced and underpowered with a weak list of games to choose from, what do we expect most are waiting for ps4 or aaa nintendo games.

[Tei777]

The wii U has had a "meh" launch in europe and a solid but underwhelming one everywhere else. Its overpriced and doesn't have its killer apps yet, both problems will be dealt with in time. People need to so dramatic and a system to be failure.

The system will do fine and sell a minimum of 40m worldwide by the end of its life and by the years end it will be selling at a profit

[-Gespenst-]

Er, did nobody see the Nintendo Direct conference? The console's getting games, and very awesome looking ones at that, just be patient.

Jesus, doom articles already. The slightest thing and people are just like: "NO. DOOM. FAILURE. IT'S OVER."

Doom articles need to be HEAVILY policed.

[ninjahunter]

So 1% of wii U owners bought 1 game for their Wii U in January.

[MadMen]

wiiu = pathetic

vita = pathetic

Thank God real next gen is coming

[Munnkyman]

Again Nintendo relied way to much on third party's this time around. They should have had some big game to come from one of there ip's so people would really want the system. I love pikman but its not a system seller. Monster hunter another game I play hours on is not a system seller in North America and also just a hd upgrade of tri on wii. Now rayman is gone so Nintendo needs to figure out something soon. I love my wii u and I hope it doesn't do a dreamcast.

[profgerbik]

Who cares.. give it some damn time. The PS Vita articles were ridiculous enough having to read those every day and now it has switched over to the Wii U which hasn't even been out a year yet.

Amazes me the things people waste their own energy on and it depresses me I feel the need to even care.

[landog]

wii u is gonna be an awesome system within a year, its just in its infancy

we need a side scrolling 1080p metroid, castlevania, a new zelda game, xenoblade 2, maybe a directors cut of re6 that has way better graphics and more horror elements and ZERO qte's

throw in some classic, hardcore jrpg's, a few real time strategy games, some mmos (the touchpad is perfect for an mmo hotbar)

plus we already know monster hunter is coming, and castlevania, give us a wii u exclusive advance wars, fire emblem

bring back baten kaitos and eternal darkness

remake re3

come on nintendo, i want to give you my money, but you gotta show me the games!

[whoyouwit04]

you know it is really sad when the gran daddy the gaming world is at a point were it is really not looking god for them in the majority of the ignorant fan boys on this site celebrates it. now I thought weather you were Sony or Microsoft we all could respect Nintendo because they are the true innovators of the gaming world were as every other company has simply stolen there ideas. this is just proof that most gamers are corporate sheep, I'm willing to bet that most of the people on here dogging Nintendo are Sony fan boys you can tell by all the bubbles they have. one thing I notice on this site is that a Sony fan will have like 5 to 8 bubbles why 360 fans often have one or two.

[FlyingFoxy]

What's a gran daddy? do you mean grand daddy?

[PirateThom]

I give Nintendo respect where respect is due and their past doesn't make them exempt from harsh criticism. If anything, their past is why they are held to higher standards.... and maybe that isn't fair.... Nintendo today have nothing on pre-Wii Nintendo. Almost like totally different companies.

[Run_bare]

Where is my fatal frame? you suck me of buying a Wii.. you won't fool me twice.

[Thepcz]

lol the wiiu has only launched, there are 'only' a couple of million wiiu owners in the uk at the moment. of course software sales are low.

[-IronMan-]

Bayonetta 2 will be multiplatform calling it right now lol. After the abysmal sales of Wii U.

[DigitalSmoke]

The hardware is an utter joke for this time.
Wii mote sparked the imagination, they could get away with sub par hardware.
Now they try to do it again hoping interest is oken playing games with a tabled/pad, on hardware thats going out the door already.

Its basicaly an insult to hardcore gamers, now if they had a custom build Zelda/Mario/Fzero/Mario Kart and so forth at launch, it would have demanded respect, all it deserves now is the middle finger.

They have no place in any console war with these types of showing.

[dkgshiz]

I personally think Nintendo should have waited for a lot longer to launch the wii u and obviously beefed up the console in terms of specs. With the PS4/720 coming out right around the corner I think a lot of people are just waiting for those because they will obviously be a whole lot more powerful compared to the wii u. I also think a lot of the casual market that catered to the original wii moved on to the tablet market. So Nintendo lost a good margin of people when the casual market headed off too tablet land. You can tell Nintendo knew this since they have their tablet controller. I personally just don't see the point in the Wii U. Its basically just and old console with a new tablet gimmick. I may buy one in the future when they come down in price and get a decent amount of games.

[deno]

Come on Brits stop shagging xbox 360 and ps3 go buy yourselves a Wii U. Follow us your American brothers.