Soapbox: Even With The Arrival Of PS4 And Xbox One, I'd Still Pick The Wii U

Damien McFerran experiences buyer's remorse thanks to a recent purchase

Before we stumble headlong into what will surely be a touchy subject to some, allow me to clarify something. As many of you will be aware, Nintendo Life is but one third of a network of gaming-focused sites. Nestled in the bosom of a growing media empire, this site is flanked by Push Square (for Sony fans) and Pure Xbox (for Microsoft aficionados). While I am mainly involved with Nintendo Life on a daily basis, I have input in those other sites, too. That basically means that despite my ardent love of all things Nintendo, I occasionally need to dip my toe into Sony and Microsoft-flavoured waters — and that means owning systems which aren't produced by everyone's favourite Kyoto-based video game giant.

[Snookies12]

Well, the Wii U has been out for a little while. It has had time to get some good games. Console launches will always be sparse on games in the first few months.

[ShinMaster]

I wouldn't expect a different opinion from 'nintendolife.com'

[NewMonday]

it's like they live in a bubble, totally oblivious of the rest of the world, to bad Nintendo still needs to operate in the real world where not every gamer is a fan.

[jsslifelike]

Here's what I like about it. Lemme show you the N4G timeline:

-Pre-Wii U release: "Bah, underpowered hardware"
-Post-Wii U release: "Who would buy that crap?"
-Post-XBO reveal: "PS4 + Wii U 4 Life, bitchezzz!"
-Post-XBO release: "Phew, XBO really ISN'T that bad. Thank God Wii U is back to being a piece of crap."

I really wish that N4G was a place for people who love games, not for those who love to champion multi-million dollar corporations that don't give one fraction of a fuck about them besides their disposable income.

[NewMonday]

@jsslifelike

I'm still getting a WiiU way ahead of the XB1 when Zelda, Bayonetta and X are all in the shops. but I'm the kind of gamer that buys almost all consoles, probably I represent as little as 15% of the gamer market, and that is not enough for Nintendo.

http://assets2.ignimgs.com/...

the total percentage of any combination multi-console gamer is about 15%, only 4% want the WiiU only, 8% will consider it as a second console, a staggering 88% are not interested.

[UltimateMaster]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...
This will be the reason why I will only buy first-party Nintendo games and not third party Wii U version, unless they used the game pad in a real interesting way.

[Studio-YaMi]

Glad I got one already,it was a good investment on my behalf,even with the lack of great IPs right now,there are games that can still occupy my time till better IPs are on the table.

Super Mario 3D Land is of course on the top spot for now.

Of course I also got my PS4,finished Killzone:Shadow Fall on Hard difficulty,now going through Knack on Hard Difficulty too. :D

[NewMonday]

people don't buy a console to play handful of games, this is why ..

Witcher3
MGS5
the Order
inFamous
Destiny
DriveClub
the Division
Deep Down
Thief
Planetside2
FIFA 14
Madden
Shadow of the Beast
Rime
Helldivers
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture
The Crew
Mad Max
Dying Light

almost all slated for 2014, non of them coming to the WiiU

when talking about the WiiU major 3rd party games must be discussed, because almost every non-Nintendo AAA game will miss the WiiU even though they will come to last gen platforms the 360/PS3.

as for his anecdotal story with Knack, different people have different experiences..
http://www.forbes.com/sites...

some fans are taking it personal because he outsold Mario.

[triforce79]

Half of them 3rd party games are niche,and you don't know if none are coming to wiiu,some of them will i think and wiiu still gets the mainstream 3rd party games like Watchdogs,AC4,Splintercell,Bat man,COD,ect ect so who cares half them games are niche and is the reason most will stay Sony/Microsoft only because no one cares,look Team Ninja have said their future games will be on wiiu,gearbox will develop on wiiu,Crytek i think are working with Nintendo,Reggie says lots of 3rd partys are co developing with them on their franchises ?? who cares all i know is the wiiu looks like it will have hit games keep your 3rd party run of the mill niche games....

Retro/Nintendo didn't employ this talent for fun hit the link...

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz...

Naughty dog staffer said this could be his crowning achievement as an artist....Hmmm

[NewMonday]

@triforce79

"Half of them 3rd party games are niche"

Witcher3
MGS5
Destiny
the Division
Deep Down
Thief
FIFA 14
Madden
The Crew
Mad Max
Dying Light

niche?!!

do you know what niche means?

[Tito08]

@ Triforce- Question for you, where are the announcements of "niche" 3rd party games like Metal Gear Solid V, Final Fantasy XV, Evil Within, Kingdom Hearts III, Titanfall, Battlefield 4(what happened with BF3 for Wii U?), GTAV. Since I'm a fighting game fan, where's Ultra Street Fighter IV? I've still yet to see a proper SF game on a non-handheld Nintendo machine, just the SNES, Gamecube only had CVS:EO and Wii had TVC, Wii U has the SNES SF2 version when it's more than capable of running the arcade versions, a big shame if you ask me, sorry, but your justifications are pointless, I bet even Nintendo knows they have problems to fix themselves, this is why they designed the original Wii, they knew their hardcore audience isn't enough for them to succeed, because you buy into the same stuff since 1985, and it is a known fact Nintendo could also make money from 3rd parties, that blind faboyism is gonna cost Nintendo dearly.

[lobocob]

Once you buy SMW3D, WWHD, Pikmin, Wonderful 101, and maaaybe Nintendoland, there's nothing else. As a new wii-u owner, I'm using both my ps4 and xbox one more, but I'm also loving the wii-u, I also know there will probably only be 3-4 must play wii-u games next year while there will be a ton for the other consoles. The people who would pick a wii-u over the other consoles have probably already picked the wii-u anyways.

[Majin-vegeta]

*Grabs popcorn*
http://i.imgur.com/tHw0b.gi...

[Concertoine]

even with the drought, a solid 10 if not more games to play on wii u. plenty to play next year too. it'll tide me over until I pick up a ps4 around the end of 2014.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Nothing wrong with that I guess because the world dont move by the beat of just one drum......

[Gabenbrah]

Wii U currently has a fantastic library of games, much better than both next-gen consoles currently.

[ShinMaster]

After 1 year, yes. PS4 and X1 just launched.

[Studio-YaMi]

But he's right though,the WiiU does have a better library for now.

[Gabenbrah]

Hence the word, "currently". Wii U has better exclusives currently and as of 2014 as well, much better exclusives than PS4 and XB1.

[Nivalis]

So.. and editor for nintendolife.com would rather buy a wiiu than an xbox one or ps4, there's a shock outcome if ever i saw one.

[TheEvilWithin]

Did you read the article? He said he bought a PS4. He and his family have more fun playing the Wii U. He also stated he found the games lack luster. This not just one person saying this. He also runs a Playstation fan site and an Xbox fan site so I give him some merit when it comes to his personal Judgment.

[Nivalis]

he doesnt run those, he "occasionally" contributes towards them.
He essentially expected big things from three games, one he had his son play and based his reaction off of that, despite the whole world knowing knack is meh, and the other was a FPS (shadowfall) when he openly admits he doesnt like FPS.

The Xbox One wasnt even factored in to things either, so wheres the reasons to buy a wiiu over an xbox one?

With that said, do you think a nintendo fanboy, and the owner of a nintendo site, is going to suggest people buy a wiiu over a ps4 or xbox one? get real.

Whole article is focused around "come on guys, buy a wiiu, dont let it die, my site will have jack shit to do"

[XboxSeriesBest]

These I'm choosing WiiU over the next gen platforms articles are starting to become funnier and funnier the more I see them.

[WeAreLegion]

I'm sort of out of stuff to do on Wii U. That's the problem. You can easily run out of things to do...even with some great games.

[MasterCornholio]

It depends on the type of games that you like to play. Which is why I have a PS4 instead of a Wii U because I'm not a big fan of Nintendo games.

[Retroman]

im dying to buy wii-U over x1 -ps4 but as of now outside of mario,kirby,metroid,zelda their is no game im interested in to buy wii-U. we need more outside of the safety net of those 4 games. games im interested in is on VC or eshop
i rather have physical disc than something can be mistakenly deleted or crashed with harddrive.

dont see myself EVER!! buying ps4 for hardcore military fps games.

[johndoe11211]

what?!?!?..............

[Retroman]

Dear, johndoe
in my comment it clearly say i dont EVER seeing myself buying a console for military gaming im not a teenager or in my 30's to play such violent games.
there for i rather buy a console offering FUN,easy gaming kid's and i can enjoy. i sincerely hope you understand now.

p.s.
I do NOT!!! tolerate such violent video games in my house hold protection of kids mind is much greater they dont need to see blood shed,body parts splatter all over the place, we are a CHRISTIAN family.

[ErryK]

Even with the arrival of opinions, I'd still pick up the PS4.

[bamillington]

The so called next gen or same old games with better visuals, don't really offer anything radically different. At least nintendo try

[Tito08]

How does Nintendo try? With a HD remastering of a 10 year old game? And having Mario turn into a cat? After 1 year head start? Ok, I guess...

[andrewsqual]

Good for you. Enjoy Mario and Zelda games then I guess.

[R00bot]

Have you ever played Zelda? Yes. I suspect the writer will enjoy the Zelda games on the console.

[gcolley]

If I had children I would buy one (and wrap it in bubble wrap). There is still a place for Nintendo in the market, it would be a sad day for gaming if they did a Sega, they just have to relearn it the hard way again. Seriously Nintendo, an expensive tablet for children, and only 1 per box, where is the fun in that? They need a killer app/game ASAP.

[D_RoyJenkins]

All these articles and yet no one is listening lol. Consoles are an investment, buying them for what they have right now is dumb. These "journalists" will be eating crow wheb the PS4 and XB1 hit their stride

[abradley]

Is it me or is every defence for the Wii U, Mario!

I liked Mario when I was six or seven, since the game hasn't changed. So why would that sell me a console?

The only game I want to play on the Wii U is ZombieU, THE ONLY GAME!

I know I'm not a big fan of Nintendo games in general but surely there has to be more to a consoles life than one overused IP.

[x2geex]

You Obviously haven't played Mario 3D world. "The game hasn't changed" statement is the most ignorant statement ever to be posted on N4G.

[abradley]

I have played it actually. The whole Mario thing really hasn't evolved since the first concept, moving from 2D to 3D doesn't really count for much when almost everything has been 3D for what, ten years now!

In my opinion, it hasn't changed. A lot like many Nintendo titles of the years.

Rather than insulting people, try defending your favourite console with some manners. If the Wii U is so good and a better bargain than the PS4 or the Xbox One, than explain why? The article above only explained it from a child's point of view. What side of Nintendo's catalogue will appeal to anybody over the age of 12 and who didn't grow up with a nes in there room?

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Your "Opinion" on what constitutes changed is either very small and narrow, or very biased against the concept that Mario CAN change.

Also, go play Rayman Legends and The Wonderful 101, not to mention Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and the huge backlog of great Wii games like Mario Galaxy, Xenoblade Chronicles, The Metroid Prime Trilogy, and The Last Story.
There's plenty to love the Wii U for beyond its own small starting lineup, and I haven't even included stuff from the E-shop. Shin'en does some great work.

[abradley]

It is indeed my opinion, though neither small, narrow or biased. Other than Mario becoming 3D, and the addition of the tablet features, what exactly makes it new?

I still see the old nes, snes platformer under that shell with nothing new to entertain me.

Rayman Legends can be had on every console, I've heard The wonderful 101 was an interesting game and Monster Hunter is only playable by those who have ridiculous amounts of spare time on their hands.

So your basically saying I should buy the Wii U to play a rather small back catalogue of decent games?

I think I'll wait until Nintendo do some new IP's, and freshen up their catalogue to the point where games actually feel new. I could be waiting a long time.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

@ Abradley
If your argument is core mechanical changes, then if you're playing anything else in any other series and still having fun with it, you're being more than unfair to Mario; you're being hypocritical, and proving me right with how biased the statement is.

The worlds and new powerups, in addition to the hidden secrets, are more than new enough.
You're just refusing to acknowledge them as new because the core mechanics didn't do some super drastic change to match, which, as I pointed out, is too narrow a view that doesn't give the game fair credit where its due.

Rayman Legends is still a valid example, especially because it was designed from the ground up originally for Wii U. If you're going to get it anywhere, it should be there.

And, as I said, there's quite a few more I COULD have listed, if you wanted me to get into indie games or more obscure third parties, or even select Wii games thanks to backwards-compatibility.

They've got quite a few worthwhile games that make their catalog worthwhile at this point.

If you don't like the catalog, then that's fine, but saying they've got nothing new or exciting to offer just because you're not interested is just wrong.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Know what I find ironic?
When the Wii U first came out, quite a few PS360 fans would not accept the fact that the Wii U had just barely launched as a legitimate point in any discussion.

Now that the shoe's on the other foot with the PS4/XBone, they're tossing it out as a counter-point like it's perfectly fine.

Make up your minds people; is it fine or not fine? You can't just decide whether it is or not based on the system you're applying the excuse to.

[Hicken]

I find it ironic how many articles have popped up trying to say, "Don't buy the other guys, buy a Wii U!" since the PS4 and XB1 have launched.

Also, blanket statements make you look foolish. Do you have proof that the people now saying "It's a launch lineup, give it time" are the same ones that were criticizing the Wii U at its launch? Give your 22 day-old account, you haven't been around remotely close to long enough to even remember.

So what's the basis for your comment? It's obviously not firsthand experience. What makes you speak with such certainty?

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Your assumption that it's not first-hand experience is entirely false, and basing your certainty off of the age of my account here is the biggest flaw in your argument.
I don't only go here; I've been lurking this place longer than I've been registered, and I'm a member in plenty of other forums where I've seen the phenomenon happening right in front of me.

Also, what blanket statement?
I said, and I quote, "Quite a few".
That's not a blanket statement.
Kindly double-check what you're reading before accusing me of such things.