Why You Shouldn’t Preorder the Wii U Yet

Slash Gear - After an exceedingly long wait, Nintendo announced recently that the Wii U, its next-generation console, will launch on November 18 in the U.S. The Basic Set will set customers back $299, while the Deluxe offering will cost $349.

For those who haven’t spent too much time focusing on the Wii U, the console will ship with HD graphics – a major omission in the Wii – as well as 8GB or 32GB of onboard storage, depending on the version customers pick. Add that to the touchscreen-equipped GamePad, support for Wii remotes, and a traditional, Pro, controller, and consumers will find the whole package Nintendo is offering.

[-Mezzo-]

Too Late Dude, the stores are already running out.

[Septic]

Yup and probably because of unscrupulous people like me who have pre ordered 30 of them intending to buy them all in order to sell them for a profit.

Sorry guys, its just business. Easy 3-4k profit

(Edit)- talk about shooting myself in the foot lol. I'm a glutton for punishment after this post but I understand the disagrees. My mate made a sizeable profit with the Wii last time. I just think its an opportunity to tap into the demand and make a profit.

I won't dispute people disagreeing with me. I will keep one for myself though!

[linkratos]

I understand why you do it and don't blame you, but you're still a piece of shit.

[Getowned]

I think it should be limited to 2 per person because of people like you, its kind of a dick thing to do.

[rainslacker]

Too bad Nintendo will likely have enough to meet demand at retail. Guess you could return them though if you can't sell them. You might get a few sales from people who don't know any better.

[Septic]

@rainslacker

Nah don't underestimate the power mad panic last minute Christmas shoppers. Also, people will want guaranteed next day delivery and I can assure that. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing :)

The only thing I'm two minds about is whether or not I should purchase some peripherals.

[rainslacker]

I'm not worried. It's a free market and you can do whatever you wish. You won't be the only person doing it, and I never underestimate people that would pay exorbitant prices during the holiday because they can't let little Timmy learn to live with disappointment. But I really do think your under estimating how much supply Nintendo is going to have at retail. Quite frankly you just bought into the marketing hype that this apparent shortage was supposed to create.

If rumors and speculation are to be believed Nintendo has a one year+ time frame to get as many of these systems into peoples hands as possible before they get serious competition from MS/Sony. If they short-change themselves over their first holiday season they run the real risk of losing potential install base which could lead to them becoming irrelevant when those systems arrive. I personally want Nintendo to blow this thing out of the water, and if they made a few million consoles for this year and still sell out then I'm cool with that as it would be good for Nintendo. The hype is there now, but it will die down after release and people are able to actually put out more informed opinions on the system.

Edit: One other thing...only 3-4K profit? If your dropping at least 9 grand on these and only returning 30% profit then you probably don't know what your doing. If it has that much demand this system will go for double what it can be bought at retail...if not more.

[Septic]

@rainslacker

Sorry, its not 3-4k profit- that's how much my mate and I (to a lesser extent) made when the Wii first came out. Profit margins are actually around 100% closer to D Day (Xmas) and even more as you, quite rightly suggest.

If we have overestimated demand then it is just a case of returning the products back to suppliers like you mentioned. This is a relatively risk-free endeavour. I am aware that lots of others will be trying to capitalise on the demand as well, and the we have specific ways we are marketing these. Either way, it is a good opportunity to make some money.

Bear in mind that 30-50 consoles is really a tiny drop in the ocean considering how many Wii U's will be flying off the shelves. Unfortunately, we had a supplier that could give us a good rate on bulk buying 80 Wii U's but finances didn't allow for that. We would have made a tidy sum just selling the consoles at a normal price.

Regarding your point about Ninty having a one year time frame to really sell these consoless off, you are 100% correct. I am banking on there being some shortages in supplies but I guess time will tell.

Cheers for your input though. You made some excellent points there especially about Ninty capitalising on the first Holiday season. I'll have to speak to my business partner about factoring that in. We were thinking of ordering even more batches but might just hold off on that. + Int Bubs though mate.

I'll send you a friends request if you want and keep you updated on how the endeavour goes if you're interested. Sorry I've run out of bubbles.

[guitarded77]

LoL... I know right... If you haven't pre-ordered by now, odds are you aren't getting one without paying an insane amount of money.

[Godmars290]

Honestly, you'd think the launch of the PS2, Xbox1, Xbox 360, PS3 and most 1st gen Apple products would be enough.

And sure Nintendo's never really had issues with hardware at launch, but then again tech wise the WiiU isn't in their comfort zone.

[StrongMan]

The author makes a lot of sense. Most of the launch titles are simple ports from PS3 and Xbox. I would wait to see what the third party support Is like after the real next gen begins.

[ChunkyLover53]

Its been six years since we've had new hardware, no way am I waiting for anything. Last I checked it was 2012 and not 1999, so I'm not fooled by any "wait and see" public relations BS. Nintendo has gone out of their way to get third party support for the Wii U, their launch lineup is one of the best lineups ever.

Its a definite day one, which is why I pre-ordered.

[Trenta27]

Bubble for you.

[TheGamingArt]

Define gone out of their way? If you mean, dabbled in a mass pool of third party support that both Microsoft and Sony have had for years... you're right. But if you're using their 'dablling' as an excuse to buy their console... wow. Definitely NOT pre ordered. Wow you people are easy to persuade.

[Baka-akaB]

Ports or not , since the dreamcast , only the Vita had a similarly strong launch array of titles .

If you are going to whine about ports and multiplatform you guys better remember the 3ds , psp , 360 and ps3 launchs

[Ghoul]

You know what i love about freedom
A free mind and doing what i want whenever i want
Go out make your own opinion
And alot of people will enjoy the wiiu thats for sure

Haters gonna hate

If people would start using theyre negative energy to create something instead of downplaying or hating on something...

Hold on a sec... Sorry i got carried away ;)

[tehpees3]

Isn't there ports at every launch? At least the ports here are some of the most critically acclaimed games this gen and not overhyped donkeys like Gun.

[stuntman_mike]

@strongman

you'll be waiting until 2014 to find out.

[Ck1x]

Once again learn your terminology please! If the WiiU is getting nothing but simple ports, then the PS3 has gotten nothing but simple ports for the last 6yrs... Ports or Multiplatform, you guys can't have it both ways, when both the WiiU and PS3 are getting games that were created on the 360's code base.

[TongkatAli]

Too late.

[chrisarsenalsavart]

Most thirparty launch games on ps3/360 were ps2 ports.

[DivineAssault]

ppl should do what makes them happy regardless of anyone elses opinion on whether something is worth it or not.. Even if the wii u struggles to sell after launch hype is done, listening to articles claiming doom is retarded.. Look at all the flak vita was & is recieving.. I dont give a damn what ppl say about it, theres many great games on it that I enjoy w more coming.. The ppl dooming it arent the one playing my systems, i am..

Do i think wii u is worth buying? Hell no! but im sure theres others that cant wait to play pikmin & mario bros on a shiny new piece of tech.. & i will buy one someday no matter what the sales data is or how ppl feel about it

[ronin4life]

I'm sure some of these stories are only trying to help people decide... and even if they ARE trying to make definitive "I'm right, everyone else is wrong" assertions, I'm sure people will use their own minds to figure out what's best for them.^_^

[RivetCityGhoul]

how about you just let people buy what they want to buy.

[KwietStorm]

So tired of these why you shouldn't do this and why this game sucks articles. Just report actual game news. I don't need Johnny Johnsville telling me what to buy.

[stuntman_mike]

yeah cant stand that johnny johnsville, never liked him in that Jackass...

[PopRocks359]

It's kind of stupid to say that the ports are a reason not to preorder this thing. What if a person doesn't already own a PS3 or a 360?

I already have a PS3, but I want to make the Wii U my primary console. Some people may call that stupid, but I get to have my multiplats and my Nintendo games on a single machine (with cable/dish TV as an added bonus). Obviously I don't speak for everyone, but it's a pretty damn good reason for me to preorder one.

Now if a person already has a PS3 as their primary console, then yeah, that's a fair reason to hold off. Even I can admit that.

[stragomccloud]

I'm in the same boat. The way I see it, I'm getting better versions of the games on a next gen console. So, I held off getting multi plats on my PS3 and XBOX for just that reason.

[sway_z]

'Why you should wait before you pre order a Wii U'

....Why you should this, why you should that????

Dude, please .......just phuck orf!!!

[Moerdigan]

People are telling people to not be excited for launches anymore.

and when you stunt the hardware success at launch it will hurt it's long term performance.

I don't know why these guys don't get that. It WiiU does extremely well in the first 6 months, many more publishers will be scrambling to get games on it.

[Sono421]

Because when your a fanboy you don't actually care about games you care about brands.

[Qrphe]

It's not like Nintendo is not gonna be offering (publicly or secretly) more systems for pre-order, specially months before launch.

Jeopardy Answer: What is marketing?

[Summons75]

Got mine preordered. This will end up like the wii and probably be sold out for a good year. Hopefully Nintendo has already made preparations so that this wouldn't happen but who knows.

[josephayal]

Smell Like HOT CAKES in GameStop,target,wal-mart etc etc etc etc etc

[AO1JMM]

Slash Gear is on my BANNED gaming site list now.

[stragomccloud]

Because you can't? Sold out dude!