Is Nintendo’s Current 2014 Line-Up Enough to Save the Wii U?

This is my first post, i am so nervous :p , hope you enjoy it.

Over a year after its launch, the Wii U continues to struggle in the console marketplace despite having a rather large catalog of games currently available. Last year, Nintendo bet their hopes on a series of holiday titles – Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, The Wonderful 101, Wii Party U, and Super Mario 3D World – to help give the Wii U the sales boost it needed to build momentum into the new year. Unfortunately, that plan did not go as well as Nintendo had expected, leaving the Wii U’s success dependent on what the company has to offer in terms of software in 2014. Will these titles have what it takes to save the Wii U?

The titles I will be focusing on in this blog post are Bayonetta 2, X, Mario Kart 8, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Keep in mind that these are not the only Wii U titles coming out in 2014, but rather the biggest blockbuster releases that we currently know of. Surely, Nintendo has a few unannounced titles in the works, as well as a few interesting cooperative projects with other companies, but for now, I want to focus on these Four games alone.

Bayonetta 2

When the first Bayonetta launched on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in early 2010, it was lauded for being so spectacularly different and fresh from other games in the genre. Announced at a press event before the Wii U’s launch, Bayonetta 2 is now an exclusive to Nintendo’s newest console after the Big N reached out to Platinum Games and promised to fund it alongside last year’s The Wonderful 101.

Why it will save the Wii U:

If you look at all the other titles on this list, Bayonetta 2 should stand out as being relatively dark, violent, and gruesome. It has been a while since we saw Nintendo publish an M-rated game, and if they want to prove that the Wii U is not just for kids, this is exactly the type of game they need. Because Bayonetta 2 is so different from anything else we have seen – on the Wii U or otherwise – it is easy to see why this title is so important for the Wii U’s broadening library.

Why it won’t save the Wii U:

Bayonetta 2 is the very definition of a niche title. Forget mass market appeal; this game is designed specifically for people who enjoy hyperactive action games with tons of set-pieces and tons of gore. Sure, there is a subset of gamers who enjoy this kind of stuff, but trust me, you will not be seeing any parents buying this stuff for their kids.

X

Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii was hailed by many as the best JRPG in years, so it should come to no one’s surprise that its sequel, codenamed “X,” is one of the most anticipated Wii U titles of 2014. Developed by Monolith Soft, X features a sprawling open world full of huge dinosaurs and transforming robots. Its battle system mixes traditional JRPG elements with MMO mechanics, creating a unique East-meets-West role-playing experience.

Why it will save the Wii U:

One look at X and it is easy to see why so many people are excited for it. Simply put, the game looks gorgeous. The scope of its world rivals that of GTA V, and it acts as a perfect showpiece for the Wii U’s graphical prowess. Being a fairly large JRPG, X is sure to entrance gamers for dozens upon dozens of hours, and its new multiplayer features look to prolong gameplay even longer than most role-playing games. Couple that with the fact that it is a sequel to one of the highest-rated games of all time, and you will find that X is exactly the modern video game the Wii U needs.

Why it won’t save the Wii U:

The main problem with X is that it is a JRPG, and so like Bayonetta 2, it will have limited appeal in the mass market. Xenoblade Chronicles, despite being one of the best games of Wii, did not exactly light up video game sales charts – though reports have shown that it was a mildly profitable venture for Nintendo. Certainly, there will be gamers who will pick up a Wii U solely for this sort of experience – especially given Monolith Soft’s high reputation – but it is hard to see such a niche title being the console’s saving grace.

Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart returns on the Wii U with an interesting twist. Inspired by Nintendo’s own F-Zero series, Mario’s latest karting venture adds anti-gravity segments where the track twists and turns upside down and about and around. With creative new characters and courses as well as robust online features, Mario Kart 8 looks to be the best Mario Kart yet.

Why it will save the Wii U:

Mario Kart 8 looks beautiful, but that is not the main reason why it might save the Wii U. Mario Kart Wii sold a whopping 30 million copies, and for good reason. Mario Kart has always been a great family game, and the introduction of a capable online system in the Wii version helped increase longevity. If Mario Kart does not save the Wii U in the, it surely will be an evergreen title that will hopefully get more and more people on board as time goes on.

Why it won’t save the Wii U:

Most people (including I) believe that the Mario Kart series peaked at Mario Kart DS, with subsequent entries being somewhat disappointing overall. The core formula has not changed for over a decade, and some critics panned the last entry for being just more of the same. Will Mario Kart 8 fall into the same fate as New Super Mario Bros. U, or will the differences be enough to separate this title from the rest of the pack? Only time will tell.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Since its conception on the Nintendo 64, the Super Smash Bros. series of games has been a hit on every platform it has been released on. This time, director Masahiro Sakurai is working with Bandai Namco games to create a new Super Smash Bros. game for both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The Wii U version is the series’ first foray into high definition, with tons of new characters and stages from the classic Nintendo franchises we all know and love.

Why it will save the Wii U:

There is nothing that brings people together than a couple of good rounds of Super Smash Bros. At least from my experience, Smash Bros. has always been the go-to game at parties, get-togethers, and hangouts. It is one of the few franchises that crosses the barrier between hardcore and casual, which makes it an invaluable asset to Nintendo’s arsenal. Aside from being one Nintendo’s most popular franchises, this specific entry adds a sleuth of new features and online modes sure to please newcomers and veteran players alike.

Why it won’t save the Wii U:

While the Super Smash Bros. series have been known for its multiplayer strengths, the same cannot be said about its single-player. Unless you have friends over on a regular basis, there really is no need to get your own copy of Super Smash Bros. Furthermore, unlike previous entries to the series, there is also a portable alternative on the Nintendo 3DS. Though Nintendo continues to push hard for the Wii U version of the game, other titles that have spanned the two platforms – Lego City, Monster Hunter, and Sonic Lost World – have proved that the 3DS version is usually the more popular.

so what do you think guys let me know in the comment section

[iamnsuperman]

It isn't going to be one game that will save the Wii U. Policy change and putting money in the right direction will. I know there is the vocal Nintendo core crowd who will beg to differ but the problem is people buy Nintendo system to only play Nintendo games. This is main problem. To that core crowd it isn't such a big deal (and they have a right to feel that way) but that isn't going to draw the masses. Nintendo needs third part support. They need throw money at it. The other big problem is the general hardware but they can't change it but they should learn from it. It just isn't the jump people expect and that is reflected in the sales.

At the end of the day the Wii U is currently selling just under what the Gamecube was selling at (i.e. same time period). The Gamecube had Mario Kart and other various titles (I hear some fans say this was Nintendo's most innovative era when it came to games)but it didn't change anything for Nintendo (I feel this is can be applied to the Wii U). I feel Nintendo has to ride it out and learn from this. There next console needs to be where the industry is going

[mezati99]

i think you're right .It all depends on marketing, really. If they let everyone know about all these games, and why they should buy them, chances are the Wii U will pick up. These all seem to have plenty of potential to sell phenomenally and get the console going, but no matter how good a game is, if people don't know about it, likely it won't sell.

Which doesn't apply quite so much to MK8 and SSB. Basically, MARKET X NINTENDO

[mikeslemonade]

It has .01 percent chance. If somehow all the Sony and Microsoft HeadQuarters exploded then Nintendo would be saved since that would be the only console in the market.

The list of games is similair in quality and less quantity than Gamecube and N64. So it really doesn't matter if WiiU has a list of 20 great games or more.

It's already a faltered console. To even think they have a chance is thinking that the Houston Texans or Milwakee bucks would still make the playoffs midseason.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Nope, Nintendo doesn't need third parties. Didn't the Wii teach you anything? All of the highest-selling games are 1st party.

Anyway, I think the Wii-U could definitely benefit from a strong re-launch plus marketing push. I am not the sort of person who believes "bad marketing is why it isn't selling better" (it's usually other reasons) but in this case I do believe it is playing a big role.

Get a commercial out there. Show people playing with the tablet AND the Wiimotes (that they already own). Show people playing Wii Fit U and Wii SPorts U. Show off all the Mario games. Show off Mario Kart. Show off Donkey Kong. Spell it out "this is a new console and the price is $xx.xx". Nintendo likes to be artsy-fartsy and subtle in their advertisement and it simply does not work with the Wii-U. It worked with the Wii and DS because those were simple concepts. Wii-U is too convoluted to explain it in a commercial full of white couches and smiling grandmothers.

[Ulf]

The Wii U's fate is ironically tied to 3rd party publishers still wanting to make games for the X360 and PS3 -- consoles where a multiplat game with the Wii U makes financial sense.

[randomass171]

I like that this blog played devil's advocate and looked at a number of arguments as to why these games will or will not help the Wii U's current condition. I personally feel that a better marketing campaign combined with more exciting and hyped up games will be the next big step to recovery. If not for Wii U then for the followup console.

[pakua]

The only game which can change the fate of the Wii U is of course Mario Kart. It's the game that most people would love to see on their console. I'm not saying the others you mentioned won't be great but Mario Kart is the consistent console seller

[randomass171]

Out of curiosity, do you not think Smash Bros. will make an impact? That game in particular is Nintendo's biggest venue as far as the hardcore scene goes.

[pakua]

Surely the hardcore scene would already own a Wii U right now. I'm picking up the game but I can't see it bringing in new customers in the same way Mario Kart will inevitably do.

[randomass171]

That's a fair point, Mario Kart is part of what saved the 3DS after all. I guess we'll see how the sales figures go. Either way, I'd like to see Wii U do better and help provide more competition.

[mezati99]

If Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. don't drive the Wii U's install base this year, I don't think anything will. If Smash gets a stable online system running, then it will probably turn the Wii U around completely.

I am intending on buying a Wii U just for Smash, and once I do, I'll get a chance to buy all the Wii U games I've missed up to that point.

[randomass171]

I'm doing pretty much the same thing for the same reasons lol. I want to get 3D World, Kart 8 and Tropical Freeze ASAP.

[Geekman]

What's E3 for? How do you people conviently forget about a huge gaming press conference even casuals know about and look forward to?

[BillytheBarbarian]

Wii U can't be saved. Nintendo should have changed the name of the console because casuals think the Wii U is a controller for Wii with a screen.

[LKHGFDSA]

not too late to change the name.

Remember it took Sony 3 years to change the name of the [i]PLAYSTATION 3[i/] and the Wii U is on it's 2nd year.

Though yes the Wii U's time to shine was when it was released because we didn't have next gen consoles and ipads were all the rage.
They can try to fix it now but it won't have the same impact as it could have.
Atleast games are further into development now I guess.

[colonel179]

The biggest mistake Nintendo did was to rely on Wii's success. They didn't want to risk alienating people calling their console other than Wii (something) because they wanted to let people know that they can still ride the Wii train. Little did they know, by revealing only the controller that it would cause a mass confusion.

They should have taken the risk to make something different. The concept of the screen in the controller is innovative (even though a bit late. The time of the Wii would have been awesome since it had DS success and tablets weren't common at all then), but they also wanted to make the Wii U about gameplay and not about specs since, again, the Wii's success without having to be a technological advancement.

The problem with that mindset was that they were behind of the times. The PS3 and 360 dragged for too long and people and developers NEEDED a new console. People wanted new things, and so why would Nintendo think that releasing a console with specs that people and devs wanted to get rid off already, would make sense?

They went the easy road, and didn't want to take any risk and wanted to depend on the people that bought the Wii to make the Wii U successful, and we all know now that it was the wrong decision. At least Nintendo will have to work very hard on first party titles to keep that spark of Wii U's life lit, so the games from them will probably be great.

[GenKen]

In my opinion Wii U is not as good as Wii. Wii has better games, maybe in some years Wii U will become better.

[NYC_Gamer]

Nintendo aren't doing enough to win over the PS4 and Xbox crowd..Wii U E3 line up will be good for people who are already hardcore fans of the first party software.

[Illusive_Man]

For a time, then its back to a drought.