180°

The Score: How Much of an Impact Will the Wii U Price Cut Make on Wii U Sales?

With the Wii U price drop taking effect this week, Nintendo Enthusiast asks the question of whether it'll help the ailing platform.

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PopRocks3593870d ago

Probably a modest one. Combining it with some notable game releases will help even more though.

strifeblade3869d ago (Edited 3869d ago )

I really love nintendo and want them to succeed but the 299.99 price with windwaker game bundle is doing nothing for nobody. They use to have the 4gb system at 299.99 at release.

My opinion Nintendo needs to cut the hardcore market (although many would argue they may already have). They need to go back and sell 4gb system and cut that price to 269.99 and throw in the windwaker bundle to see a real boost in sales. The casual consumer wont care about 4gb vs 32gb, and the hardcore players like me who play nintendo on the side would appreciate because 4gb and a 30$-50$ price cut more. 4gb is more than enough for save files.

If these price cuts come too late, the wii u novelty will wear off and the wii u will be destined to sell no more than 30 million if they are lucky. It will hurt them in the long run. Finally the Wii U name is hurting it, casuals are not buying it. When nintendo release the next system they should ditch the name heck wii 2 would have been much clearer to the consumer.

Personally the windwaker bundle does not cut it, its a game most hardcore nintendo fans have already played and its digital download on top of that so there is no resale value. I myself bought the windwaker gamecube bundle back in the day lol.

ChickeyCantor3869d ago

"4gb is more than enough for save files. "

Then hardcore gamers will complain about no hard drive ( thats what they are doing already ).

strifeblade3869d ago

Well if the wii u is your primary system, then you want a hard drive, but the fact is hardcore gamers would not make the wii u their primary system. There just is not enough hardcore titles compared to the competition and on top of that wii u will be missing key 3rd party games that are on the competition. Howevever i believe hardcore gamers would love to play nintendo as a seconday system and play the exclusives, and nothing more than that. Thats why 4gb is enough for save files and a lower price point is more important.

AWBrawler3869d ago

@strifeblade yo! hardcore gamer here. primary on wii u playing Monster Hunter, Warriors Orochi, Pikmin, Trine, Darksiders, and more

strifeblade3869d ago

@awbrawler

lol thats cool man enjoy the system and i wish nintendo the best success. I peronally want pikmin 3 and bayonetta 2.

meganick3869d ago

Just to clarify, the basic Wii U has 8 gigs, not 4.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3869d ago
EsotericAnomaly3870d ago

As a Wii U owner I feel Nintendo is in a constant shaky position. Cutting costs at this junction I'd imagine will cause a positive impact especially with the upcoming releases.

Better than waiting till the competition releases their systems to cut the prices. Sell the hardware and focus profits on the software, that would be the strategy I'd opt for if that was a possibility.

skydragoonity3870d ago

With the next gen systems coming out soon & especially the ps4 not being really expensive.... Not much I'm afraid.

WiiUsauce3870d ago (Edited 3870d ago )

Yeah, but you can't play Smash Bros. on a PlayStation. You're also not gonna be playing Bayonetta 2, Xenoblade 2, Mario Kart 8, Zelda, Fire Emblem or Donkey Kong. Plus those games on Wii U look visually STUNNING.

You're really not getting that much better visuals on PS4. Just look at how phenomenal Xenoblade 2 and Mario Kart 8 look on Wii U.

And it's 100 dollars cheaper, it's gonna come packed in with one of the greatest Zelda games, it's getting a ton of indie support (actually getting most PS4 indie titles), you don't have to pay to play online, Miiverse is AWESOME, and the system doubles as a great entertainment piece for the living room (it's where my girlfriend and I watch all of our movies on through Amazon Instant Video, and Netflix), and I also use it to browse the internet/browse Youtube on on my big screen.

I'm actually using my Wii U right now to respond to your comment. It's an amazing console with so much potential.

-Foxtrot3870d ago (Edited 3870d ago )

". You're also not gonna be playing Bayonetta 2, Xenoblade 2, Mario Kart 8, Zelda, Fire Emblem or Donkey Kong. Plus those games on Wii U look visually STUNNING "

and where are those games......OH thats right they aren't out yet because Nintendo despite a year headstart didn't plan any system selling games for after launch.

Oh and yeah the games will look nice but it's basicaly what we should of saw from a Nintendo console this gen.

"And it's 100 dollars cheaper"

Being cheaper means nothing, this gen has taught us that

" it's gonna come packed in with one of the greatest Zelda games "

Most people have already played Wind Waker, why would people rush out to buy a Wii U for a game they've already played.

"it's getting a ton of indie support (actually getting most PS4 indie titles)"

Shame we arn't seeing much progress then, I don't think theres been much they've shown off which looks mind blowing.

"you don't have to pay to play online"

I'm glad we don't since the online on a Nintendo console in general is pretty much non existent. I'd rather pay for a good online with great support then a free one with nothing much going on

"Miiverse is AWESOME"

Not really something you would buy a Wii U for though is it. Someone wouldn't buy a PS3 thinking "Oh HOME is AWESOME"

"and the system doubles as a great entertainment piece for the living room"

Something we've been able to do on the PS3/Xbox 360 for years.

Your really grasping at straws mate. No wonder Nintendo don't pull their finger out, you guys give them a reason not to

_FantasmA_3870d ago (Edited 3870d ago )

You assume I actually want to play those games you just mentioned, I don't :). I loved Super Nintendo as a kid. But I grew up and Nintendo failed to grow up with me. If they had a nice selection of FPS/TPS, action, arcade racing, and horror games, I might come back. But they also need to keep their graphics competitive. I don't understand how they waited until 2012 to finally introduce an HD console. I had HD back in 2002!

LOL_WUT3870d ago

"You're really not getting that much better visuals on PS4. Just look at how phenomenal Xenoblade 2 and Mario Kart 8 look on Wii U. " LOL

Deep Down, Killzone SF, Drive Club and he'll i'll throw in some X1 exclusives Ryse, Forza, Dead Rising will all look better than the titles you mentioned.

But as usual you'll just probably bring out the PC card or say how you don't care about any of those titles. ;)

AbortMission3870d ago

"You're really not getting that much better visuals on PS4. Just look at how phenomenal Xenoblade 2 and Mario Kart 8 look on Wii U. "

Lmfao. I'm done. These drones get even more pathetic and delusional with every article I read Lol

herbs3870d ago (Edited 3870d ago )

Oh my god these same arguments over and over again you nerds have just lol. If your a graphics whore get a PC if you like Nintendo games get a Wii U if your a Sony fanboy buy a PS4. These graphics arguments are completely pointless all the exclusive games look great for all three next gen consoles, I have played the majority of the launch games and upcoming games for all three consoles, again they all look great. Get over yourselves and your pathetic brand loyalties there is more to life than this.

strifeblade3869d ago

I have to agree with foxtrot, although its good the wii u has entered the hd era, the difference between ps4 and x1 compared to wii u are still large but definitely not as horrible as when you compare the wii to 360/ps3 since wii was a non hd system and 360/ps3 were.

LordDhampire3869d ago

Ill be playing all those games on the 3ds, except smash bros that is.....Only game that is awesome well that and zelda but I don't think they have announced a new one other than windwaker remake

nintendo needs to just do software and put them on ps4 and xbox one....and stop selling these garbage consoles

ChickeyCantor3869d ago

"and where are those games......OH thats right they aren't out yet because Nintendo despite a year headstart didn't plan any system selling games for after launch. "

I'm sorry...I didn't know PS4 was going too have the 2016 exclusives at launch...

WHAT...

falcon973869d ago (Edited 3869d ago )

I agree WiiU has the fastest browser in my house yes faster than my pc which is windows 7,i use my wiiu for everything gaming and multimedia,i love that Street U app as well i used it to see where i was going on holiday before i went to check out where the nearest bars would be....love WiiU and the graphics are equal to ps4 going off what ive seen so far there are more wiiu games running at 1080p 60fps than ps4 so even if some games on ps4 look a tiny bit better it will only be due to running at half the resolution FACT sony always go for lower framerates and resolution to get better results,in the end WiiU's gpgpu is custom with tons of edram so graphics wise wiiu might be on top because edram makes resolution and frame rates easier to achieve,16mb of edram nets you 1080p native,and we know wiiu has at least twice that...and so far Bayonetta2 and MK8/Windwaker ect and many more are 1080p/60fps so my point about edram is already showing.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3869d ago
3870d ago Replies(5)
cyguration3870d ago

I think the price cut will help but more as a long term effect. The Wii U is on my radar but it just needs more and better games.

Activemessiah3870d ago

Will definitely be getting one... just waiting on Bayonetta 2.

testsubject3869d ago

Hell Yes!! :) Can't Wait for it!

Show all comments (55)
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.

shinoff21834d ago

Zeref

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

Profchaos4d ago

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

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

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref5d ago

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

MrNinosan5d ago

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

mkis0074d ago (Edited 4d ago )

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

Einhander19725d ago

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

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

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

5d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19725d ago

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

5d ago
5d ago
Zeref5d ago

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

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.

shinoff21834d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto4d ago

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

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

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

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

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.