170°

Simon Says: Why the Wii U Will Be Insignificant Come Fall

Simon looks at what the near-future holds for the Wii-U and also looks at why the console hasn't been too popular recently.

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gamentrain.com
dedicatedtogamers4025d ago (Edited 4025d ago )

I don't think it will be "insignificant", but the issue is lack of support, both from Nintendo and from 3rd parties especially. Nintendo chose to launch first. There is no doubt that was intentional. However, by failing to have a killer first year, they've blown a massive advantage.

My fear for the console is this: the 3DS. Nintendo cannot afford to lose their handheld market. Through the dark days (in terms of marketshare) of the N64 and Gamecube, the handheld line always kept Nintendo afloat. Since the 3DS has more competition than ever before, Nintendo needs to make SURE that it succeeds. To do this, they have to divert attention away from the WiiU (which is what they're already doing).

I disagree with the author that it needs games like Mario Galaxy 3 (or an equivalent 3D Mario). What WiiU needs is a Wii Sports equivalent, Mario Kart, or more 2D Mario (which is the only game currently driving the hardware in large numbers). The Wii's popularity (directly due to Wii Sports, Mario Kart, 2D Mario, etc) allowed more niche titles to be developed for the system. You can't focus on the niche market first while ignoring the mainstream.

Neonridr4025d ago

4 months in does not equal the first year.

Let me guess, the Vita had a great first year and it's doomed right? Oh wait, no it isn't..

dedicatedtogamers4025d ago

You're not looking at the big picture. When the 3DS launched, it bombed. Nintendo misjudged the market. The 3DS is selling well directly due to Nintendo diverting a ton of attention to the 3DS, which they didn't anticipate. It clearly ended up diminishing Nintendo's focus on the WiiU, which is what we're seeing now.

You brought up the Vita. The reason why it is not as likely the Vita will bomb is because we're seeing games RIGHT NOW. We're seeing announcements RIGHT NOW. Nintendo, on the other hand, keeps telling us "be patient" without showing us any of those games, y'know, made from the "massive support" from 3rd party devs like Nintendo promised 2 years ago.

Neonridr4025d ago

The 3DS is selling well because it appeals to lots of people, especially in places like Japan where it continues to just move units. Nintendo has always succeeded in the handheld market because they understand what sells. Sure there are more games on the 3DS now, but that's natural as the system matures to see more titles. Just like as the Wii U matures, we will see more titles. We can both agree that once the core Nintendo titles show up (Zelda, Galaxy style Mario, Mario Kart, Metroid, Smash Bros) that the hardware will move. It's a hard sell to a new customer when there isn't much in the way of exclusives on the system right now..

Dj7FairyTail4025d ago

@dedicatedtogamers

3DS did great. It started doing bad late 2011 Spring. Then Summer it started dropping more then
Price Cut came August 2011. From Feb-Aug 2011 3DS sold 6m worldwide. At the end of the year 3DS sold over 12m.

Vita been out for a year is still at 5m while 3DS sits at 31m now.

Wii U sold 3.06m from Nov. 18 and Dec. 31 that is almost half of what Vita is at now over a year.

PopRocks3594025d ago

@dedicatedtogamers

The 3DS didn't bomb at all (a bomb is a product that ultimately was a failure like the Virtual Boy and Dreamcast), it just initially sold sluggishly until after its price was dropped and shortly thereafter two AAA Mario games were released. The only "attention" that price drop received was from all of the media outlets talking about it which only affects the likes of us who talk about games and the industry on the internet which only makes up so much of the mass market (as in not a lot). That sort of news didn't make the headlines of CNN or other mainstream TV outlets as far as I know.

"Nintendo, on the other hand, keeps telling us "be patient" without showing us any of those games, y'know, made from the "massive support" from 3rd party devs like Nintendo promised 2 years ago."

What else can they do exactly, rush out Pikmin 3 and their other titles in a broken and unfinished state? Nintendo can't exactly snap their fingers and have all the big third party devs at their doorstep you know. Furthermore (if we're talking about the Vita), exactly what third party support does that platform have right now? All I remember being announced for it since the CoD and Assassin's Creed spinoffs is Tearaway and some cross-compatible PS3/PS4 games. Yet somehow that platform is perfectly well off (not that I disagree, but I don't see how the Wii U's situation is all that different).

dedicatedtogamers4025d ago

@ PopRocks

Those games were shown off over two years ago. In the case of Pikmin, it was announced 3 years ago, originally for the Wii. Nintendo is failing to generate interest in their console because they need to make sure the 3DS is selling well. Despite what the 3DS has currently sold, keep in mind that the 3DS is selling HALF of what the DS managed to sell (30 million a year compared to 15 million a year).

The problem with WiiU compared to Vita is perception. Despite its slow start, Vita appears to be getting more games. All of the games (except for Tearaway and Killzone, I believe) shown off prior to Vita's launch are available. The few Vita games that were shown off but not launched are due within the year. WiiU, on the other hand, has several games in limbo. Will Pikmin 3 launch this year? Will Zelda U launch this year? What about Mario Kart? Nintendo isn't giving us any answers.

PopRocks3594025d ago

@dedicatedtogamers

The DS is also the second best selling platform of all time, just under that of the PS2. Besides, the 3DS is currently selling pretty well, not to mention how quickly it was selling throughout the past year.

http://www.gamedynamo.com/a...

As for the Vita assessment, that's a very fair point. You're right in that Nintendo is being secretive as usual, but let's not pretend that games without release dates are necessarily games that will never release. While I sympathize with those saying that the games are taking too long to come out, as an actual owner of the console, I'd rather wait until those games are developed at their best and released. I don't want another situation like Star Fox 64 3D where they neglected to include online multiplayer to save time and money and get the game out sooner (essentially leaving out content for the sake of an earlier release).

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4025d ago
ziggurcat4025d ago

"Nintendo chose to launch first. There is no doubt that was intentional. However, by failing to have a killer first year, they've blown a massive advantage."

actually, they blew their advantage when they decided to release a system that's barely better than current generation consoles rather than putting something out that would be comparable to what sony/MS are going to be putting out later this year, and tried to sell 3rd party AAA titles that people played 1 - 2 years prior to the system's release.

dedicatedtogamers4025d ago

Not necessarily. The Wii launched 1 year after the 360 and was greatly underpowered compared to its competitors. It isn't unusual to see Nintendo go with the underpowered/cheap to manufacture route once again.

wingman32x4025d ago (Edited 4025d ago )

I think Nintendo's pretty safe in terms of market share in the portable market. The Vita would need a perfect storm to make any serious threat for first place. This is purely based off of how big the gap is at this point in time vs. some of the big stuff Nintendo hasn't released yet. So yeah, there is increased competition, but not enough for the 3DS not to do good. Plus, profit is still being made on every unit sold.

I seem to have trouble reading you. A couple of weeks ago you joked at how the DS' library was stronger than the 3DS' at equivalent time periods in a blog. But here you're saying that the 3DS is benefiting from more first party attention than usual(which is true). Which is it? This isn't meant to antagonize, just want a more clear explanation of your view on this.

dedicatedtogamers4025d ago

The 3DS is starting to get a library that appeals to people who bought the DS, let me put it that way. The first run of 3DS games were primarily focused on - you guessed it - 3D. Their newer games are just trying to be good games. Nintendo needs to make sure the 3DS succeeds. The Vita isn't its only competitor, keep in mind. And even though the 3DS isn't selling horribly, it is selling about half of what the DS sold. And the DS was a completely new and unproven kit. The 3DS should have the advantage of following in the DS' legacy, but the sales aren't there (yet).

I didn't want to shift focus away from the WiiU. All I was pointing out is that during the years leading up to the WiiU's launch, an event happened which caused Nintendo to forget about their own gaming console. What was that event? A less than stellar first year for the 3DS. Nintendo needed to fix that, and the WiiU is currently suffering because of that.

wingman32x4025d ago

In regard to the diverting focus thing, that's a pretty plausible hunch. However, it's hard to guess what studios were working on near term Wii U games before hand.

The only one that comes to mind is that maybe EAD developing 3D Land got in the way of progress on 3D Mario and Zelda, but even if they trashed 3D land, I don't think either of them would have made launch or anywhere near it.

As for Intelligent Systems, who knows if they had anything queued up. They're working on SMT X FE now, but that seems more recent.

Nintendo had a fair number of games outsourced for the 3DS. They had Grezzo do OoT, and Star Fox was done by someone else, too. DKCR 3D is also being outsourced, and Luigi's mansion was done by Next Level Games, a 3rd party dev.

So while I see merit in your idea, it's hard to really say to what extent it affected things.

jcnba284025d ago

I wonder why you only see these type of articles on N4G?

Hmm...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4025d ago
LOL_WUT4025d ago

As of now yea you'd could say that the Wii U is insignificant but come this fall that could all change. #E3 ;)

lovegames7184025d ago

hmmmmm i want to weigh in without ppl getting offended. Now it is insignificant to many but come fall yes it will have some good staple ips on the horizon and will catch interest, however i do believe it will be nowhere near the interest of the ps4/xbox and even its staple ips wont make it a successful console as say the other big two. Wiiu disappointed many not just in terms of lack of software to this point but just the overall package to many is underwhelming. Ps4 and rumored xbox is just in another league according to professionals like Digital Foundry and such and Wiiu just isnt doing it for many.

that being said Wiiu may not have the success that Wii had but i believe it will have some success and have some good games to play soon (not saying there arent any now just not that many). I admit when it drops below 200 and it gets a new Zelda game ill probably buy into one but at this point it has nothing for me or anything better than what my ps3 offers.

TheSkullkid4025d ago Show
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60°

8 of the most useless amiibo figures ever released

A new list goes over eight of the the most useless amiibo, ranging from the Shadow Mewtwo card to the Qbby figure.

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nintendoeverything.com
70°

What the game industry must do to prevent occupational burnout

Game industry working conditions are improving, but occupational burnout still runs amok. Studios and workers have the power to slow it down.

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gamedeveloper.com
anast1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

Quite being abusive to the workers and hold management accountable.

370°

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Has Reportedly Sold About Half of What FF7 Remake Did in the Same Timeframe

The acclaimed open world action RPG is "underperforming" where its sales are concerned, according to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad.

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gamingbolt.com
raWfodog3d ago

“Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Has Reportedly Sold About Half of What FF7 Remake Did in the Same Timeframe”

Makes sense to me since the current PS5 base is about half of what the PS4 base was when FFVII Remake released.

There were about 113 million PS4’s in consumers hands worldwide in 2020 when FFVII Remake was released (towards the beginning of COVID lockdown no less).

PS5 sales currently sits at about half of that (50-something million. We are not in COVID lockdown so many people are not as bored as they were 4 years ago and not in a rush to buy every video game coming out at release. Some PS4 owners may not have upgraded to PS5 yet and therefore can’t buy the sequel yet. And, of course, some who played Remake just might not be interested in Rebirth.

It just seems pretty disingenuous for an analyst to ‘analyze’ a situation when there are so many mitigating and unequal factors involved.

OtterX2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Yes, this and also finishing part 1 of the Final Fantasy Remake trilogy weighs heavily on it too. There's always a huge percentage of gamers who never finish the games they purchase. It's not always due to lack of enjoyment, but also life priorities etc. But factor that into the knowledge that Rebirth is a straight continuation of the story, and enjoyment lies heavily on having finished the first, you can begin to understand why not as many players jumped in. But absolutely too, the lesser install base of the PS5 played a huge role!

jjb19812d ago

I started the game when it came out, played about 2/3 of the way through and finished the rest in the last month before rebirth came out. There are just too many games and too much adulting to do.

Eonjay1d 13h ago

It sold about half... with about half as many PS5s available as PS4 had when it launched in 2020. So... the tie ratio is about the same. As PS5s continue to sale it should eventually match Remake. It's a really good game.

fr0sty1d 11h ago

I think there's going to be another wave of buyers that purchase the game once the third part of the trilogy is released, especially if they release it as a bundle.

jambola2d ago

Excuse me sir
Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad said this 🙄

Obscure_Observer2d ago

"Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad said this 🙄"

That guy is director of research & insights at Niko Partners.

https://nikopartners.com/

But he shouldn´t be trusted according to some "trust me bro" N4G random. Smh

2d ago
Barlos1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Obscure Observer, so by your logic, we should also trust Pachter? Come on, it's like you're not even trying any more.

MrNinosan1d 16h ago

@Obscure
"We cover China, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam."

Yepp, very trusted and the biggest areas for videogame sales.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 16h ago
Tody_ZA1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

@raWfodog You'd think an analyst would catch these facts, but just goes to show what gaming analysts are made of. We've only in the last year moved to PS5 only games, in addition to the install base cross-gen has been around for years. There are a lot of PS4 players still over there. It's amazing when people compare things whilst isolating all the significant facts.

And Rebirth being a direct sequel is also valid: anecdotally, I've just started FF7 Remake a week ago and I'm loving it, on Chapter 8, but I'm obviously not going to buy Rebirth until I complete the story which will take time.

Ironmike1d 13h ago

But it's hasn't sold as much the articles om Google stating bit so what if it hasn't the game is still great better than remake which tailed of in middle-of-the- game

TheEroica1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

Apologists always know what to say... 👍
Is it possible to squeeze in one more excuses for FF7 sales? Go for it!

Tody_ZA1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

@TheEroica Understand the meaning of the words you use or don't use them. An apologist argues in defense of something controversial or problematic. Pointing out relevant facts that an analysis or article did not take into account is constructive feedback and discussion. There are great movies, games and other forms of art that don't sell as expected, but later gain financial success.

Example? The Godfather Part 2 underperformed financially compared to its predecessor but is widely hailed as one of the greatest films and sequels of all time and is still influential to this day. And no, I'm not comparing Final Fantasy 7 to the Godfather, before you draw that strawman. There is one loose similarity however in that Rebirth is also overwhelmingly acclaimed and considered superior to the first.

Given the decision to split Final Fantasy VII into three separate games, of which Rebirth released exclusively for PS5 leaving the PS4 install base behind, and the final installment due in 2027, the sales performance is a bit more of a conversation than you're trying to make it out to be.

Crows901d 16h ago

Didn't even mention price increases across the board for all games...this causes all people to be more picky and limit game purchases

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1d 11h ago
GoodGuy093d ago

Unfortunate but it's the reality of sequels. And I simply just don't hear much people talk about rebirth and even remake as these titles just seem too hard to get into with many newcomers and old fans that are upset with the many changes.

Eonjay1d 13h ago

The games are really good and both acclaimed and Rebirth is even better than Remake with a 90+ metascore but if you don't want to 'hear' the praise... you probably wont.

TheProfessional1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

It's kind of ridiculous how some people here are just making stuff up to explain the low sales. Just because you bought the game and you like it doesn't mean it sold better than it did. Same with FFXVI.

rpvenom1d 4h ago

For me its cause now that i know it releases on pc.. id rather play it with mods on my pc than my ps5

Battlestar232d ago ShowReplies(8)
gold_drake2d ago

well, according to some other reports, it had 2.1 mio. players in the first week.

so, who to believe now.

ZeekQuattro2d ago

It's safe to say if it sold that Square would of made a sales milestone announcement like they did with past FF entries or other IPs in general. They did a FF16 sales update within 2 weeks after it launched for instance.

gold_drake2d ago

there is no way this game hasnt already sold more than remake.

there doesnt need to be an announcement for everything, especially not if they released several updates amd the ultimania.

people are too obsessed with sales

CrimsonWing692d ago

I think there’s a reason we haven’t seen a celebratory tweet from Square on the sales. It came out on Feb. 29th and it’s Apr. 13th right now… that ain’t a good sign. I think this one can reach 3 mill at some point but will be behind Remake, which when it comes to business, that ain’t good.

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