Can Wii U sales pick up the pace?

Nintendo released their financial results for the first quarter of the current fiscal year and some of the numbers in there, mostly regarding sales, don’t look good. Media overlooked some of the key points, so there's a little bit of an explanation provided. Last, but not least, there are three key must-have and must-do moves that Nintendo has to perform if they want to get back on their feet this year and you can read all about them right now.

[PSVita]

No sadly. There trying to go head to head with the ps4 and Xbox one priced at $350. They need to drop it to $200 and make it a must own 2nd console. Not a lot of gamers are going to buy this as their only console knowing the 3rd party support is extremely weak. Even without real next gen competition they haven't been selling as well as they thought.

[Need4Game]

$99 WII U, you can do it Nintendo!

[AbortMission]

How the times have changed with the Wii u Lol. I remembered how fanboys claimed the Wii u would get the definitive version of all 3rd party games and sell Wii numbers. Now look at it now. Nintendo needs to get off their high horse and make good games for it. Games like Metroid Prime and Star Fox are the only games that will make me buy a $200 Wii u. At $350, Nintendo will have to offer 3rd party support equal to the PS4/One, their non-casualized 1st party games and a trophy/achievement system

[h0stile]

Such a huge price cut (from 350 to 200) could spell disaster for them. It sends a bad vibe. It tells the market they are desperate, which they're not. 300 is a realistic expectation for this year, unless they're betting on the low availability of next-gen systems. Of course, not many gamers will buy it as their only console, but their main target is not the core gamer out there, but the casual gamer and obviously the dedicated fan, so having three consoles with three different price points (300 - 400 - 500) could be a nice option for most of the gamers out there (core and casual).

[PSVita]

Thing is they are desperate and casual gamers hardly keep a console alive. People need to remember that the wii was a phenomenon (perfect price, timing etc.) even at its peak it many of them were collecting dust after wii sports got old and 3rd parties didn't sell well. In fact one, if not the only reason 3rd parties even supported it was because of it's sells. So this whole "they're selling to the casuals" is BS caused a rare event that only lasted 5 years.

They're trying to make lightning strike twice with the WiiU.

[robparko]

I agree with h0stile, dropping the console 150 bucks is much too drastic. Nintendo isn't desperate, if they were, they would have already announced a price drop. They are banking on Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Super Mario 3D World, Wii Fit U, Wii Party U and Mario Kart 8. If that doesn't do much for sales, then it's time to look at making a drastic move.

[PSVita]

@Rob- Remember when the 3DS dropped $100 because the PSvita was announced. Or how the Xbox one was reversed nearly all it policies because the saw thePS4 per-orders? There's no competition right now but when there is do you not think they'll fold? It's not a matter of if they want to or not to keep a good imagine. People have stocks and those people make the rules.

[h0stile]

casuals bought the Wii as a toy, not a console. that's why there's such a huge difference between hardware and software sales (if you don't count the bundled games). there are always families with kids that could do very well with a Wii U, but Nintendo has to reach a good price point for them to actually decide to get it. on the other hand, those dedicated fans are still waiting for the games to come out. look at Pikmin 3 and its success on the UK market (entered second in the UK chart during its first week). the market can absorb Nintendo's games and with them, the console, but for that to happen, Nintendo must launch those said games first.

[chadboban]

They can pick up sales sure, but the projections they set are ridiculous, they'll never reach it. I personally think they should ditch the Basic model and sell the deluxe for $279.99. Also increase the hard drive space. I know you can use an external but not everyone want to have one tethered to their system.

Anyone saying it should be $200 or below is insane. That would be suicide. The extreme loss they take from that would not justify the sales increase.

The only way they could justify cutting it to $200 is if they bring out a new package without the gamepad and instead just a pro controller. I also think Nintendo messed up big time with the name and look of the console. It's so damn similar to Wii that it confuses consumers. They should have learned from the 3DS.

Still if they drop the price I am very likely to pick up a Wii U this year. There are quite a few games I am looking forward to on this system.

[Kingthrash360]

they should've launched with zelda U, metroid U, and mario U-niverse.
because they didn't and mostly relied on ports of games mostly already owned by ps3/360 owners they struggled. they are re-releasing zelda ww thats cool but not new. and most of the good new stuff is coming out next year.....but ps4/x1 will be out by then. just all bad decisions so for from nintendo

mario U-niverse.....you can have the idea Nintendo....make it happen and ill buy a wiiU.

[worldwidegaming]

If only they can make the deadline this holiday season!

[ApolloTheBoss]

Iwata needs to get fired. He keeps making stupid decisions and Nintendo's gonna pay for it eventually.

[jjank11]

They just need to release games

[Crillvirus81]

Nintendo will be fine cause they got Mario he will sell boat loads of wii u's and 3d worlds this holiday no mattter how much you ya hate Nintendo and Mario there good...theres millions of kids alone besides adults and dedicated fans that will see 3d world commercials and instantly want it there's something about 3d Mario games that make them sell good then there's Mario kart the last version sold 30 plus million ..so every other first party and 3rd party games are just fillers till b2 and smash come out :-)

[josephayal]

they can in 5 years

[V0LT]

Like others have said, they should have launched with some major titles at least instead of waiting a year or more later..

[h0stile]

they should have, but what's done it's done. they need to take a very serious look at the future and tweak their offer according to their targeted customers. that will get them up again.

[Xer0_SiN]

pick up the pace? it cant even get out of its own shadow. capcom decided to bring monster hunter to ps3. if that doesnt tell you something, i dont know what to tell you.

[zugdar]

Two words. Price Drop

[xBlackSm0kesx]

Nintendo, get rid of that damn region locking please, and the Wii U needs a price cut as well.

[BOWZER35]

Bought a Wii U two weeks ago, maybe that helped lol

[BOWZER35]

And I'm glad i did, not that anyone cares haha but nintendo.