220°

Why is The Wii U Selling Poorly?

The Wii U has been out for a while now but what has Nintendo done so wrong to cause the poor sales that it is receiving. With the unveiling of the new consoles from Microsoft and Sony, is it too late for the Wii U to make a comeback?

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Lockhart3948d ago

I don't think people are interested in the concept anymore. It was interesting when the Wii originally came out because it was different, so everybody wanted to get their hands on one, but now most people just want to sit down with the likes of PS/XB.

Wizziokid3948d ago

It's because the Wii U didn't offer the same level of revolution that the Wii did, people saw it and though ok... a second screen, so?

Not truly amazing has been done with the gamepad, sure some nice things but nothing to say look at the Wii U it can do this and it's new and exciting. To me if they do get a chance Nintendo need to get back in the race with Sony and Ms otherwise in terms of hardware otherwise we wont be seeing any more consoles by them, maybe more handhelds but consoles. nope.

Timesplitter143948d ago

But if Nintendo became only a games developper and released their games on PS4/X1, that would be amazing (for us)

Rusty5153948d ago

It's not even that, it's just that the Wii U really has no purpose. I can play games while someone is watching TV? Yeah, that's cool. What else is its purpose?Nintendo have yet to show us why the game pad is relevant. There's no point in it.

miyamoto3948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

More and More Games Less and Less Gimmicks

Timesplitter143948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

There's also the fact that they did a terrible job at marketing it. Just 2 weeks ago I revealed to two of my gamer friends that the Wii U is Nintendo's actual next-gen console. They thought it was just a portable Wii redesign.

Many people don't even know it exists

M0rz3948d ago

Yes this is very much true and is stated in the article.

JsonHenry3948d ago

A whole host of reasons. It is a marginal at best visual upgrade from the Wii. It was marketed poorly. Many people think it is just a Wii with a new controller and judging by the visuals it produces the average consumer would not be able to tell it is a whole new system. The games just are not there. How many generations can Nintendo get away with releasing one zelda game, a mario game or two, a party game/kart game, and then expect us to want to upgrade to their new systems to repeat the process. 3rd parties don't even take the WiiU seriously.

Nintendo basically tried to sell a portable device as the set-top device hoping they would achieve success like they have with their handheld market.

They need a truly next generation console without adding a gimmicky controller and saying this is our innovation, enjoy!

3-4-53948d ago

Games.

They will release and people will flock to the Wii U.

3D Mario, Super Smash Brothers, Legend of Zelda U, Mario Kart 8 will all sell the Wii U.

Also that Xeno like RPG will sell consoles as well.

I still have a feeling they are working on a true 3D mario game that we will see in late 2014 or 2015.

Qrphe3948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

People thought the same thing during the N64/GC days. The Wii U NEEDS 3rd party support to sell a lot better than it is now.

Anon19743948d ago

Talking to Wii owning families that I know, I've broached the topic of the Wii-U a number of times and have been, except for one family, been met with blank stares. The families I know simply don't know the Wii-U exists and the one that did know thought it was a tablet add on of some kind which she wrote off because they already have an iPad.

The Wii-U lacks that buzz the Wii had. The Wii was on TV talk shows, it was on commercials, it had families happily gaming with their kids and it had the motion control gimmick that appealed to kids. The Wii-U has none of that buzz going. They don't need to show the console at E3.

The people that bought the Wii don't know what E3 is. They need to get the Wii-U on Ellen or some similar show to inform the cauals that it exists if they are to have any hope. Core gamers aren't the people who caused the Wii to sell out so who does that leave to buy the product? Nintendo lost the core gamer's attention with the Wii and now the core is all ready for the PS4/XboxOne and I really don't know what Nintendo can realistically do to attract the attention of the casuals again with this product.

CrimsonStar3948d ago

I agree , but my main reason for not getting one is they're only couple of games I want for it . And with the Wii U I only want Exclusives , I'm not throwing down 300 bucks for a few games to play .

ATi_Elite3948d ago

Cause it SUCKS and has no games.

dark-hollow3948d ago

Same thing said about the 3ds in it early days, "two screens and 3d is a gimmick" and "handhelds are no longer relevant" yet when more games and a price cut hit, it sold like hot cakes.

All the Wii u needs is the big Nintendo blockbusters to release along with a price cut and better marketing campaign.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3948d ago
starf1sh3948d ago

I agree, a lot of my friends were so desperate for a normal Nintendo console to return like the N64 or Gamecube but it didn't.

Wizziokid3948d ago

I so wish that's what they did however if the Wii U doesn't pick up some slack we wont be seeing another console like that.

Concertoine3948d ago

You say that as if nintendo couldn't afford a major failure in the wii u, nonetheless a minor one (which i think it might be, but even the gamecube turned a profit).

imXify3948d ago

I have one and never touched it for 6 months now...so disappointed -_-

It will get better this holiday. But 2012 was a really bad time to buy one.

DJMarty3948d ago

Because it's underpowered compared to PS4/X1, too pricey for what hardware it offers.

Wizziokid3948d ago

Irrelevant, by that logic the Wii should have been dead on arrival as well.

NihonjinChick3948d ago

I don't know why you are getting disagrees. The Wii was the weakest console on the market this gen. Yet it still was the best selling console this gen

DaPrintz3948d ago

DJ is right. $350 for a WiiU or $400 for a PS4. When the Wii came out, no other system could match its price. That and the controller made it an attractive device. Combine that with PS3/360 getting the same games as WiiU and you have disaster. Not cutting edge enough to compete with PS4/X1, not different enough then PS3/360 at that price point.

DJMarty3948d ago

It was in my book, I skipped it and went for a PS3.

3-4-53948d ago

GBA & SNES are underpowered compared to current gen, but both systems have more good games.

It's not about power, it's what you do with whatever power you have.

bobacdigital3948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

I have posted this several times .. If you take into consideration what you get it actually isnt as pricey as the other systems..

X1
Console: 500
Online Play:60
Game:60
Total: 620

Value here is the Kinect and robustness of Live and exclusives from MSFT.

PS4
Console: 400
Online: 60
Game: 60
Total: 520 (add additional 60 for motion gaming)

You do get bonus value here because PSN+ will be giving you free to play games.. Also exclusives from Sony.

Wii U
Console: 350
Online: Free
Game: Free (Bundled)
Total: 350 (add 50 for 500 gig external HD)

Value here is backwards compatibility (Games and accessories), Miiverse, Built in two screen gaming, free game and internet out the box.. Obviously exclusive Nintendo titles add value as well

You do loses some value because of Hardware capabilities like hard drive size and processing power along with third party support down the line.

The reality of the situation is the X1 and PS4 will cost you 100 dollars or more on day 1 compared to the Wii U Deluxe. Everyone keeps saying the PS4 is only 50 more... it is actually more than that when you include what you are not getting..

I do agree that Nintendo still needs to drop the price 50 to 70 more so that it is in an even better position compete.. But I somewhat disagree that it is entirely too expensive when you actually look at what you are getting.

Concertoine3948d ago

Drop the exclusive model to 299.99, throw in a pro controller. That's the best plan in my eyes. gets the pro controller exposure it sorely needs

Wizziokid3948d ago

Still no games.

i own a Wii U and I haven't played it for months. I may end up picking Lego City however but I'm really just waiting for Zelda, Smash Bros, Mario Kart etc.

Krew_923948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

That's what happened with me. I bought the Wii when it came out and I almost never played it, most of the games didn't interest me.

I think I only ever owned about 2 games overall. I was severely disappointed, then after I sold it good games started to come out.

I ended up playing them at a friend's house, and got a chance to experience all the gems.

deadeyes3948d ago

Actually l bought Lego City and it bored me to death...I picked AC 3 and love it !

bobacdigital3948d ago

Have you not downloaded any of the Indie titles that are on the eshop? Rayman challenge app keeps me pretty busy along with completing New Super Mario bros U.

I ended up buying COD the other day for 25 bux and I have to say I am impressed with how well it plays in 2 player mode with one person only using the tablet and another using the pro controller on the TV.. Online worked pretty well and had alot of active players..

Show all comments (61)
80°

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

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

280°

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

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

purple1016d ago

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

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

Nice one ☝️

Zeref5d ago

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

DarXyde5d 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.

PhillyDonJawn5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

Einhander19725d 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.

MrBaskerville5d 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.

shinoff21835d ago

Zeref

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

Profchaos4d ago

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

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
isarai6d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref5d ago

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

MrNinosan5d ago

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

mkis0074d ago (Edited 4d ago )

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

Einhander19725d ago

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

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

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

5d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19725d ago

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

5d ago
5d ago
Zeref5d ago

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

DarXyde5d 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.

Einhander19725d 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.

Einhander19725d 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.

BehindTheRows5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

Zeref5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

Chevalier5d 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.

Tacoboto5d 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.

shinoff21835d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto4d ago

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

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

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

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

crazyCoconuts5d 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.

Xeofate5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

crazyCoconuts4d ago

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

FinalFantasyFanatic4d ago

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

Show all comments (43)
90°

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

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

XiNatsuDragnel12d ago

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

banger8811d ago

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

Jingsing11d ago

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

PRIMORDUS11d ago

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

mastershredder10d ago

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

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

shinoff218310d ago

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