Craig Shields makes his voice heard on the first official day of E3. This time he looks at how Nintendo have addressed the Wii U during this morning’s Nintendo Direct.
Right now I feel a little bit like Nintendo; alone, confused and looking for acceptance.
You see after this morning’s Nintendo Direct I fully expected to see fans rejoice at what Nintendo had to say. Seeing articles on fast moving sites saying that the Wii U was “saved” “reborn” or “making a comeback”. Shocked is too strong a word to use but I raised an eyebrow at what was actually unfolding before my eyes.
TNS: Based on its most recent ESG data, Nintendo boasts a remarkably low staff turnover rate of just 1.9%, with virtually no reported layoffs.
Well it doesn’t surprise me. As much money as they make and how they value their employees. It’s a great company in that regard.
Well, when your games remain full price many years after release.
And you make profit off of outdated hardware.
I would be shocked if they couldn't afford to retain their staff.
I didn't want to say anything but drivxr is right.
Nintendo always sells at a profit because they purposely use tech that's always 5 or more years behind. And it's also true their games hardly ever get price decreases.
Don't get me wrong, it's great they kept most of their workforce, but making a point to have your tech specs behind everyone else affords that luxury.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has set a new record by selling over 3 million units within 24 hours, tripling the PlayStation 4’s previous launch day sales.
No doubt, but.... the current price is out of the realm of the average parent / kid to buy like the SW1 was. So this launch achievement is from those of us with more disposable income.
The number of SW2 specific titles pales in comparison to the variety of SW1 games that get a performance boost right out of the box on this. And like the SX and PS5 before it, you can bet the majority are going to be using it as a means to better enjoy their existing titles that can benefit.
This may have been quick out of the gate... so was the WiiU. I quite enjoy it for what it is, but am keeping my expectations in check.
The Switch 2’s price point is great and fine and it’s still cheaper than the current gen of consoles aside from the Series S.
The only place I think they will fall short is their software sales, which also in turn may affect the hardware sales but not significantly. Parents will be fine paying for the system for their kids, but one look at an $80-$90 price tag for a single video game, that is where a lot of people will draw the line. Maybe not so much the people who are in the “willing to pay because I buy deluxe editions anyway” crowd, but for parents specifically, more sacrifices are gonna need to be made in their choices of gifts for their kids.
As a parent of 3 with a very modest income, it was very affordable bc I already had an immense library of games, and the Mario Kart bundle came out to only about €50 more than a standard bundle. Both Zeldas were upgraded w Family Expansion Pass that I already had. Many games were upgraded for free. The only additional game I bought was Fast Fusion for 14.99 which was a great purchase!
People seem to forget that the Switch was $299 at launch which in today's money is roughly $400. That makes the Switch 2 a $50 increase when inflation is taken into account compared to the original.
Yes, people have less spending power on average compared to 2017 (Switch launch year) but this is not the MASSIVE price hike that people are making out Nintendo to be doing.
“No doubt, but.... the current price is out of the realm of the average parent / kid to buy like the SW1 was. So this launch achievement is from those of us with more disposable income.”
It could also be many people rushing to buy to avoid any possible tariff hikes in the future, but I think it’s still a good sign that many people still want physical consoles. Congrats to Nintendo! I’m not getting one at this time though (unless I get it for a Xmas present for one of my kids).
Congratulations Nintendo on finding the happy medium between their weak console and their invincible handheld plus learning from Sony and clearly defining the new console from the old unlike their Wii and Wii U just add a higher number simple yet effective 👍👍
Nope. I didn’t research, I don’t own any Nintendo consoles and I had read on here something about $90 games on switch 2, so I guess it’s good now, people can calm down. Have a nice day :)
I bought the Switch 2 I won’t be buying games at MK prices. I don’t ever pay over £45 for my games. Even my Nintendo switch exclusives I never paid more than £33 for.
I think the typo you put was meant to be $80.
Anyway, the answer to those questions seem to be yes.
Don't get your news from clickbait TikTokers/YouTubers, only go to the source (Nintendo) or reliable new outlets like IGN.
No game is $90 on the Switch 2, and they will never go there. Most games will be under $80, too.
Its crazy that it's both the highest selling console on day 1 and people can walk into a store and buy it with no pre order
Yup while I was waiting in line from Best Buy for Switch 2, like I did for Switch 1 back in 2017, every waiting 12am was going to get a Switch 2! I was in the no preorder line too!
My friend manage to get 4 Switch 2s at his GameStop store, that was lowkey not busy at all. Got them all for himself and his family. Super easy to get a Switch 2 over PS5.
The struggle to get a ps5 was real had mates wait over 2 years for stock i got lucky and got it day 1 but still
I know and I also struggled getting a preorder for the PS5, when Walmart, Best Buy among other retailers open their preorders a day early before most of us realize it. I got my PS5 launch day thanks to YouTube Live Streamer Jake Randell. He helps people get preorders and launch consoles.
It’s funny how I got disagrees for speaking the truth for what I experienced getting the Switch 2. Nintendo had more copies of Switch 2 than Sony for the PS5.
Don’t be butthurt about this very fact. People on here disagreeing with crazy reasons lol
Yeah, I remember reading an article over two years ago with Nintendo stating that they were going to do all that they could to make sure their next console didn't have the PS5/XBox reseller swiping /no stock fiasco happen to them.
Looks like they made sure production met demand. Refreshing to see that the reseller thing didn't trend and I hope a lot of people who bought multiple units for the sole reason to resell then at $1000 are now stuck with them.
I remembered I tried 7 pre-order events during the PS5 launch. I gave up and ended up buying 1 from a scalper. But now, I already secured 1 pre-order Switch 2 unit in my country very easy and without problems.
Unlike the Switch 2 , the Playstation 4 was not sold on the same day in most regions.
Company skipped last year's event.
Not surprising at all.
I mean, they´ll be releasing a new console in a few weeks.
$250 and a new metroid prime and ill get it
I love Nintendo and I want them to succeed, but at this point I think I would rather see them become a software company. I want to play Mario and all the other games, I just dont want to on their console.
Its hard to imagine playing Nintendo games on another console, but I would get over that quick if it happened. Of course they would stay with the handhelds.
Yeah it does need a price cut now.
Wii U Premium: 339€
PS4: 399€ (I doubt that will be final price where I live but still can't be much more than that)
I will eventually buy both but Wii U's price doesn't look so pretty right now.
This is just speculations but would'nt it be good to see Samsung build their own gaming console?!
Would love to see how the Koreans build their own gaming machine.
Think Nintendo really needs to review/re-adjust the price of Wii U as compared to new PS4 and XBox ONE.