120°

Never Count Nintendo Out: 3DS Push Shows Wii U Won't Go Quietly

CVG writes: "It's a fantastic time to be a fan of crazy talk. We're living in age where gut-reaction analysis and attention-seeking comments travel faster than thought, and just a quick flick on Twitter is all it takes to catch at least one person making an arse of themselves under your nose."

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PopRocks3594012d ago

With more software, Nintendo CAN make a turnaround with the Wii U. Considering its motions are similar to the 3DS, I see no reason why it can't find a similar audience.

Gr814012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

Software is and always will be key. Not just Software, but the RIGHT kind of software. 3DS has only recently appeared on my radar as a potential buy simply because the software shown as of late is compelling. ALttP at the top of the list.

Wii U, should Nintendo make the RIGHT software, maybe redesign the gamepad (much like the DS Lite) make a true account system (not tied to the hardware) to accompany the Virtual Console and you are looking at a very appealing console.

We shall see, but Software is key.

Thatguy-3104012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

Handheld is always ruled by Nintendo. Do you guys think the wii was successful because of software O.o? If you look at the sales chart the highest selling games for the wii are party games. Wii sold like hot cakes because it introduced the fad of motion gaming which brought in the casual audience. The wii u won't be a big seller if the casual audience doesn't support it like they're currently doing. Nintendo fans can only do so much. The wii catered to a broader demographic making it a success.
Families(common non-gamer)led the wii to success.

Gr814012d ago

The Wii definitely sold because of software. Wii Sports was a phenom of a game. EVERYBODY played that game. They had Wii Sports set up at bars in NYC, and women were playing it. NSMB Sold 25m units, Mario Kart sold 35m units, Wii Sports Resort sold 26m units. Smash Bros sold 11.5m Units, what the heck are you talking about?

Were there lame cash in party games? absolutely. Were there a bunch of shovelware? absolutely. But were there also excellent games making use of motion controls? Damn right.

stuna14012d ago

@Arius Dion

And as you listed the majority of them are casual!

BosSSyndrome4012d ago

Dude, the best selling Wii game was Mario Kart.

dedicatedtogamers4012d ago

"With more software, Nintendo CAN make a turnaround with the Wii U."

I don't know if that is necessarily true. The N64 and Gamecube sold poorly (relatively speaking) yet both systems were brimming with software. The 3DS didn't skyrocket simply because of software, but rather because it got a massive price-cut and also because the software shifted focus away from "ERMAGRD 3D!"

Nintendo's consoles need more than just software. They need to reach out to new audiences. Failure to do this is what resulted in the steady decline from the NES all the way to the Gamecube. Wii wasn't a huge hit because it had a lot of software. Wii was a huge hit because it targeted an audience outside of the loyal Nintendo fanbase.

PopRocks3594012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

I do agree somewhat. A shift in focus is definitely necessary. The Wii U's gamepad is a nice convenience, but it should not be the forefront of the system, similarly to the 3DS' 3D feature.

However software is essential. No hardware will sell without viable and quality software to use on it. In this sense, I'm tired of people insisting that the platform is DOA. At least acknowledge the possibility of it selling better after Nintendo gets it into gear.

EDIT: This is not directed at you by the way, just speaking in general terms.

lilbroRx4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

The N64 and Gamecube made a huge profit, regardless of how much they sold by your standards.

The Wii U can only go up from here.

jcnba284012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

Software sells hardware. When Nintendo brings out their triple A titles the Wii U sales will rise dramatically.

majiebeast4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

Like the gamecube? The wiiU has better third party support? Thats the first i have heard about it the only 1s supporting the wiiU are Ubisoft and WB at this point. All the other big ones are ignoring it.

JonahNL4012d ago

The Gamecube had poor third party support and by far not as many first party exclusives as the Wii U could potentially have.

Theyellowflash304012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

@majiebeast

The Gamecube had Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest as exclusives?

BTW, that's Capcom and Square Enix, so you're statement of "only 1s supporting the wiiU are Ubisoft and WB at this point. All the other big ones are ignoring it."

Is false. Platinum Games, and indie's are on board as well.

Shok4012d ago

The GameCube went up against the juggernaut that is the PS2, this is not the same situation lol.

PS2 launched before the Gamecube and used DVD's, which meant a lot more people went for the PS2 since they could play their movies on it, and it got more 3rd party games.

With the Wii U, it has no competition right now, and near the holiday season it could very well already have an install base of 7-10 million, while the 720 and PS4 will have install bases of 0.

Also, Sony had Japan in the console market then. Now Nintendo has the Japanese market.

Not the same situation.

Theyellowflash304012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

@majiebeast

LOL, what a little bitch move you did. Send me this message:

How much did dragonquest X sell again... Oh wait it got out sold by a old port on the VITA. Monsterhunter didnt even manage to shift consoles only 67k sold in the US in a 5 week month.

Then block me. Dragon Quest X was on Wii and Wii U. Exactly what old port are you talking about?

Nice way to use Japan in your first argument, then shift to America to make your other point. Using one regions, rumored NPD sales, instead of using the total number the game moved in Japan, Europe, and the US.

This confirms you are a bias, cherry picking fanboy, that has no credibility what so ever.

majiebeast4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

@Shok

7-10 million lol dont make me laugh its barely at 2.5million and you expect Pikmin 3 to shift 5-7.5 million units.

Also on the Gamecube it was selling better then the wiiU when it was up against the ps2 juggernaut, meanwhile wiiU is up against 2 6-7 year old consoles that are at the end of the line.

I can pick up a wiiU for cheaper then a ps3 or 360 here in Europe, yet it still doesnt sell.

Nintendo has the Japanese market since when? The wiiU is selling at 10k a week there, even Dragonquest X and Game&Wario couldnt get it past 20k and that was 1 week.

3DS situation is not comparable to the wiiU two completely different markets and different competitors.

@Yellow

Last i checked DQX isnt out in the west, so how was i going to use it as a arguement for the west when the game isnt out?.

Muramasa:demons blade(old wii game) for Vita out sold both Game and Wario and DQX.

The fact remains that neither Lego city nor Monster hunter managed to sell a significant amount of consoles in the US(we dont have any info from Europe and in Japan it did okay) 67K is still like 14-20k below the ps3's worst month as a 600$ console and thats in a 5 week month.

If you have numbers that arent vgchartz of MH and lego city i would love to see them.

Theyellowflash304012d ago

Nintendo does own Japan at this point.

Nintendo is selling the most hardware and software combined in Japan. The 3DS, DS, Wii, and Wii U has taken a large chunk of the market share from Sony in the PS2 days.

And the Vita is getting destroyed by the 3DS in Japan. Where as the Wii U and PS3 sales are comparable, with Sony slightly edging Nintendo by a few thousands units.

This will change as more software comes out though. Game & Wario, and ports of a Wii MMO, aren't enough.

Games like Mario Kart, Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem, Xenoblade 2, Zelda, Bayonetta 2, and Pikmin 3 will move Wii U units in Japan. It's not about any one game selling a system. It's the combination of all the games.

PopRocks3594012d ago

@Theyellowflash30

Ignore him. If his antics on the "Wii U has won next gen" article is any indication, majiebeast is a troll.

Satirical4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

For goodness sakes, why do people always forget about the Japanese developers. The gaming industry is not ruled by just western developers. I foresee tons of Japanese support on the Wii U.

Majiebeast is just bitter because the Vita is in exactly the same position as the Wii U.

lilbroRx4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

Funny thing is that Nintendo made more money off the Gamecube era than Sony made off of the PS2.

http://s2.n4g.com/media/11/...

Honeestly, looking at the "facts"
http://www.ign.com/articles...
I would say that I'm more worried for Sony than I am for Nintendo.

Fact is that the strongest hardware always sold the least and the weakest hardware always sold the most in every gen since the NES.

cee7734012d ago

Pretty sure most of the money from the GameCube era came from the gameboy

RTheRebel4012d ago

PLZ stop I can't take a Sony Drone seriously lol

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4012d ago
lovegames7184012d ago

Seriously like how many %ucking articles about the same shit do they have to make? Its like the %ucking always online articles with xbox and other Sony shit too. Isnt one or two articles about the same topic enough? Wtf you pseudo journalists have nothing else to write about?

Then you have the same comments over and over again smh lol Its ridiculous. No one knows wtf is going to happen and even software isnt necessarily going to turn the Wiiu around games that ppl thought would make an impact on Wiiu have come out here and there and they have done nothing. Just play the waiting game and see.

LOL_WUT4012d ago

"even software isnt necessarily going to turn the Wiiu around games that ppl thought would make an impact on Wiiu have come out here and there and they have done nothing"

Exactly, this article is just another way for them to convince themselves, but reality paints a different picture. ;)

Theyellowflash304012d ago

What software is that?

Last time I checked, Nintendo still hasn't released Zelda, 3D Mario, Metroid, Bayonetta 2, Xenoblade, Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem. ect

LOL WUT....quite simply a cherry picking troll of N4G

ape0074012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

the reality is that nintendo exclusives are easily the Best system exclusives In The World, bar non, no argument, hands down, no fillers, no generic feel, no linearity, no bs, rock solid mechanics, quality, quantity, boss fights, masterful design, lenght, variety and overall care
i cannot wait for mario 3D wiiu, zelda U, Pikmin 3, DK, smash bros, mario kart

i hope u pull yourself out of this negative black hole that u live in and start enjoying games

PopRocks3594012d ago

@LOL_WUT

You mean the same "reality" that convinced you that a price drop was the end all be all of the Wii U's magic bullets for success? Software moved the 3DS, why wouldn't move the Wii U?

delboy4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

N has the software to turn hardware around, unlike Sony and Vita.

lilbroRx4012d ago (Edited 4012d ago )

Yes, reality paints a vastly different picture from what you always say. ;)

http://s2.n4g.com/media/11/...

http://www.ign.com/articles...

http://www.google.com/url?s...

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4012d ago
MNGamer-N4012d ago

They better give us all of the games we've wanted by this holiday season, or they are going to have a tough time this x-mas selling consoles, and they can't afford that at this point. They are really under the gun to provide a big chunk of heavy hitters. We'll see if they can pull it off... PS4 right around the corner (with no games)

Jek_Porkins4012d ago

Why on earth would anyone count Nintendo out a mere six months into the Wii U's life? If they show off some killer software it'll be fine, it's actually overall on par with the Xbox 360 and PS3 in terms of total units in the first six months. People just want games, and Nintendo might have to cut the price a bit and start selling Gamepads separately if they want the Wii U to take off.

They seemed a bit unprepared for the launch of the Wii U, no duel Gamepad support, cant buy a new Gamepad, no killer first party app, even the eShop isn't up yet, and it even took a while to get the TV stuff up and running. When you release a console, it needs to be ready for release.

ape0074012d ago

"They seemed a bit unprepared for the launch of the Wii U"

agreed 100%

Show all comments (33)
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?"

purple1013d 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 ☝️

Zeref2d 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.

DarXyde2d 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.

PhillyDonJawn2d ago (Edited 2d 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.

Einhander19722d 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.

MrBaskerville2d 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.

shinoff21831d 22h 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.

Profchaos1d 21h 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 1d 21h ago
isarai2d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref2d 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.

MrNinosan2d ago

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

mkis0071d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

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

Einhander19722d 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.

2d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19722d ago

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

2d ago
2d ago
Zeref2d 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.

DarXyde2d 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.

Einhander19722d 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.

Einhander19722d 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.

BehindTheRows2d ago (Edited 2d 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.

Zeref2d ago (Edited 2d 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.

Chevalier2d 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.

Tacoboto2d 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.

shinoff21831d 22h ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto1d 19h 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 1d 19h ago
Hofstaderman2d 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?

crazyCoconuts2d 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.

Xeofate2d ago (Edited 2d 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.

crazyCoconuts1d 8h 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

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 16h 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."

XiNatsuDragnel9d ago

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

banger888d 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.

Jingsing8d ago

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

PRIMORDUS8d 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.

mastershredder7d 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.

shinoff21837d 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.

80°

The Nintendo Partner Spotlight Sale Is The Perfect Excuse To Get These 6 Gems

Huzaifa from eXputer: "The Nintendo Partner Spotlight sale event has discounted a number of worthy titles on the Switch. Here are 6 of them you should check out."