Former Sony UK Dev on Knack Outselling Mario:"Releasing It The Same Day As PS4 In UK/EU Wasn't Wise"

Kenny Linder talks about the Wii U's lack of success in the past year and where the console goes from here.

[Xsilver]

“If it goes from shelves, it will be finished. I am still confident in my crazy mind that Wii U will not see another Christmas after this one. But that’s just me. The future games will just get moved/axed.

http://m2highlights.files.w...
Nintendo Step your game up.

[S2Killinit]

I would hate to see that, I want Nintendo to be around. but I'm so glad PS4 is doing so phenomenal. everybody and their uncle wants a PS4 right about now.

[LOL_WUT]

How can anyone try to spin this or argue with it you just can't. It was a bad business decision something that not even digital sales can make up for! EXPOSED ;)

[gaffyh]

Wii U will still be around next year,because Nintendo never gives up, they will keep releasing games, and one of them will sell the system like crazy. Zelda, and X are yet to release, so I'm willing to give them a chance.

[ShinMaster]

Wii U will last at least as ling as the GameCube...

[cleft5]

I really enjoy Knack, but it is no where near the level of the new Mario games. Also, Nintendo will see consistent sales for Mario long after Knack has gone on to become a PS+ title. So while it is a nice bit a trivia, ultimately it just doesn't matter. The release of a Nintendo first party game is just a footnote in how well and consistent those games will sell.

[XisThatKid]

I am nowhere near a core Nintendo fan.But if anyone think s that Ninty will be goin "out of business" just because Wii U isn't successful you may need to rethink your prediction. 3DS makes most of their video game division sales and before that it was the DS family that was rehashed and regurgitated like many other Nintendo aspects that actual work for them for what ever reason....ANYWAY, goin exclusively handheld would be in their interest if they decided to bow out of home consoles for a while. People shouldn't be so blind to realize that it is VERY feasible for Nintendo to let Home consoles go at least untill they can be missed and regain some momentum. Ninty doesn't just make video games and they don't just distribute in US and UK. It's not as Black and white people.

I honestly doubt that will support Nintendo in their products but I don't wanna see them go out just yet, but if they do it will hurt me non. My memories of Nintendo are and most likely forever will be just memories of my past.

[Cernunnos]

Nintendo will keep at it, until their economic situation gets really bad, which it will in a few years from now. At that point, they will not have the funds to invest in a new hardware release, and they will become a software company, and they will release and create their games for Xbox and Playstation.

[guitarded77]

Nintendo fans are helping to kill the Wii U. I want Wii U to succeed. I bought one on day one because of the potential, but have been let down. It has shown moments of brilliant potential, but Nintendo fails to step into the modern age with their network, openness to development. Nintendo fans will continue to disagree with any real criticism, instead of saying "Nintendo, please do these things...". When Nintendo's base begin to ask for modernization, Nintendo will be forced to respond. Sony learned this when the PS3 was launched, and changed the way they do things, and look at them now. They were in trouble with the initial launch of the PS3, now they are the most desired console. Nintendo needs a punch in the gut from the fans to get them back to contention.

[mikeslemonade]

Nintendo cares more about making money now than Sony or Microsoft. Sony and Microsoft have deeper pockets as the corporation, so they are able to make the stronger system, buy more game developers, advertise, and invest in things Nintendo can't.

I too believe this is the last Nintendo home console. There's just too much competition that is better. If they don't focus more on DS they will lose some of that market share too because of smartphones, tablets, and vita. And guess what.. smartphones, tablets and the next PSP will run circles in terms of processing power on the next Nintendo handheld.

At the end of the day what you call Nintendo's "innovation" it's not enough. The constant and consistant power of the competition will effectively make Nintendo cut down on stuff.

[Xer0_SiN]

keep releasing games? what games? for a system that is one years old, i sure dont see a heck of a lot.

[Ritsujun]

Nintendope, indeed.

[MazzingerZ]

This might open the eyes for Nintendo about the other consoles being competition anyway, their console is part of the perfect combo (if one has that much free time) for next gen, they just need to provide great exclusives from their studios, it's time for new IPs!! that is what they need today as multiplatforms are best on the other consoles

Exclusives have always mattered and will always do

Knack is no competition to Mario, though...it has more to do with all the fuzz around PS4 that stealed Mario's show...those banners got lost behind PS4 marketing

[vigilante_man]

Nintendo are getting what they deserve - a good smacking. They sold millions with the wii but never invested any money back into games. Mario, Zelda, Mario goes shopping, Mario walks the dog, etc. Talk about milking.

Same with Microsoft and XB1. There is only so far you can push Halo & Gears. You need supporting acts.

Sony are THE gaming company right now. They invest in games and gamers and it shows. The PS4 & Vita deserve all the love they are getting right now.

Nintendo & Microsoft: sort yourselves out or move over for new competitors. Sony picked themselves up after the PS3 launch...

[ABizzel1]

Not only was the launch date not wise, the Wii U install base simply isn't there. It has a 10% attach rate which isn't bad at all, but the console sales just aren't there and while I'm sure it's a great game (haven't bought it yet) it's not looking like a system seller unless you're a die hard Mario fan (the game looks like what New Super Mario should evolve to on the Wii U, and not a revolutionary 3D Mario game). Add to the fact that there just aren't enough Wii U owners and the low sales are clear.

[come_bom]

Knack (PS4) sold more units then Super Mario 3D World (WiiU). What a crime...

[SuperWeeb]

Why is this such a crime?
Are you against new IPs and risks outselling old ones? Perhaps this is a call to Nintendo to stop overusing Mario and Zelda, and give us fresh experiences, or underused IPs like Chibi Robo?

Reviews hardly mean squat of either, both are faring more or less the same on Amazon user reviews.

[JsonHenry]

As having played both games now I can say that **in my opinion** it is a crime because Mario is a much better "old school" game than what Knack is.

But again, this is all opinion. I would encourage you to play both and form your own.

[Death]

Reviews for both are out. Super Mario World has received very good reviews and Knack has not. Thank god sales make games good when reviews do not.

[come_bom]

"Thank god sales make games good when reviews do not. "

What a dumb thing to say... by your logic, COD Ghost is one of the best games of the year.

[Gamehead36]

Death was obviously being sarcastic...

[Sarcasm]

Super Mario 3d world is a wonderful game. But nobody is to blame but Nintendo for releasing a console that still to this day people think it's an add on to the wii.

[ziggurcat]

@ death:

well, it's a good thing that bad reviews don't make a game bad then... right? because, i mean, bad reviews can't *possibly* be biased or subjective...

[Xer0_SiN]

its not a crime. people are just tired of playing a fat cartoony plumber time and time again.

[Concertoine]

It sold more units in one country, the UK.

[MNGamer-N]

I bought both games.

[joab777]

I am just perplexed. So everyone wondred why they released basically a current gen system as a next gen system when they could hav got the jump on Sony and MS. I can get over that. What is inexcusable is that using old tech....why in the world they didn't have a slew of games ready to release during the yr prior to ps4 and xbone to establish themselves as at least the second/casual console in houses. Also, while the gaming tech may b behind...no excuse for not having all the same online features...parents would love to have a semi entertainment box for their kids.

[-Foxtrot]

I know you would think Mario Kart, Smash Bros or even Zelda U would of been done by now and something like Super Mario 3D World would of been a launch game.

Hell why was Lugis Mansion2 released on the 3DS, it could of made a fantastic launch game like Luigis Mansion did on the Gamecube.

Point is they should of had a ton of games ready by now, the fact we still havent had Zelda U, Smash Bros U and Mario Kart released yet is kind of sad in my opinion......hell even the successor to Galaxy would be nice.....and no I don't count 3D World as the successor, the last games never had a game like it on 3DS while 3D World did, it's just what New Super Mario Bros Wii/U was to the 3DS version....nothing wrong with that but it's not the successor I was looking for.

[Eonjay]

Nintendo could be much more profitable by focusing on hardware. I would love to play Mario and Zelda on PS4

[TopDudeMan]

"What is inexcusable is that using old tech....why in the world they didn't have a slew of games ready to release during the yr prior to ps4 and xbone to establish themselves as at least the second/casual console in houses"

An excellent point. You're spot on. They should have compensated for having the weaker system by releasing a ton of games while they had the jump on sony and microsoft and they didn't. In my opinion, they made some bad decisions with the Wii U in that respect because there just isn't much out for it.

[Death]

Nintendo has no problem making a profit. Sony is the one that has struggled in that department. It's amazing that so many think Vita remote play is the cats meow when Nintendo has been doing it better and oddly at a higher res (on the small screen) for longer with the WiiU.

[-Foxtrot]

@Death

First of all Sony with cross platform play did it before the Wii U, it just wasn't as big because not many games did it on the PS3 with the PSV.

Second of all the PSV is a seperate platform, it works on it's own where ever you are, the Wii U's gamepad is not like that

Lastly it's at a higher res because it's bigger and is the main feature of the Wii U, it's part of the console unlike the PSV and the PS4.

Oh and for those disagreeing above please tell me why....how could Nintendo NOT prepare those system selling games as launch games when the Wii U was in development, the Wii had a massive drought so it's not like they were extremely busy. Seriously the Nintendo defending on this site is unreal. I get defending it from people saying they hate Nintendo and say they are crap...fair enough but when people try to fairly criticize it they get treat the same as someone who would troll it.

[harrisk954]

@Eonjay

I think you meant to say "software".

[AshleeEmerson]

@Death

I hope you're kidding. I have the PS4 and Killzone streams perfect from FAR away and my Wii U can only go into the next bedroom and I better not close the door. Even then, it doesn't stay connected all the time. There's a huge difference here.

On a lighter more "On topic" note..

"Who cares" our job as tediously, hard working, thumb denting gamers is to play the games and their jobs are to make them.

NOW BACK TO THUMBING YOUR CONTROLLERS... now!

[bobacdigital]

Vita can only stream 30fps.... Not saying Wii U is better but at least it can do it 60 fps( obvously at lower rez).

Also wii u has a lower install base .. Makes sense it sold less than knack.

[juggulator]

@Eonjay
That may be closer than you think. Nintendo has held onto Mari and Zelda for nearly 30 years but those games are starting to lose their luster mainly because Nintendo takes too long to release them. Zelda U as a launch title is a system seller.

The Wii U has sold units but those sales seem to be slowing to a dead halt. Considering how the PS4 beat the Wii U's lifetime sales in the UK/EU in just a couple of days, there's something to be said there. I'm not saying they're doomed but they need to get it in gear by E3 2014 and should push to get something that this years VGX's, Reggie is rumored to be there so hopefully he announce something that make people want to go out and but a Wii U.

The hardware also has to be mentioned. Nintendo has been one generation behind in terms of hardware for the past two console generations. Games like The Elder Scrolls Online, The Witcher 3 and The Division aren't releasing on Wii U because the Wii U is, essentially, a last-gen console. Here's to hope that they turn it around in 2014.

[Death]

DF did a write up on PS4/Vita play.

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[Chard]

AND, not only did they fail to release that slew of games, they couldn't even make up for that with a decent Virtual Console release schedule.

In Australia, the Wii U has not even received the price cut that other regions have gotten, plus there is no Wind Waker bundle. I don't even.

[Hicken]

@Death: When are you gonna stop, man?

The Wii U does not do remote play better; it can't leave the damn house, so it automatically loses. The Vita, on the other hand, can leave the freakin hemisphere. Since the console is streaming directly TO the controller, it's no surprise if there's a bit better connection between the Wii U and its pad than the PS4 and Vita, but again, that connection is only useful over extremely short range; on the other hand, I can take my Vita the 15 miles to work and still have it connect, no problems, to a PS3/4.

Explain how that's a win for the Wii U.

This has also been possible since December of 2011, a full year before the Wii U even came out.

Explain how the Wii U was doing it first.

Seriously, man. You need to just stop commenting on everything PlayStation-related, cuz your fanboyism for Microsoft blinds you into saying the stupidest things to try and make Sony look bad.

[Death]

The WiiU isn't compressing a 1080p signal to 720 and then to 540 to fit on the screen. Vita play has limitations because of this. The WiiU pad has larger screen and higher refresh rate which gives a much better experience. The trade off is on the WiiU it's a more refined experience, but short range. Depending on your connection, the Vita can be used from a much greater distance.

Read the reviews. http://blog.games.com/2013/...

Not sure how saying the WiiU gamepad works well makes Microsoft look better, but if that's what you prefer to think...

I personally have a Vita and a WiiU. As a standalone game system the Vita is a great piece of hardware. My only gripe is a lack of software that really uses the Vita's unique hardware. I would love to see Sony use 1 of their 17 studios to support it with something other than ports we already played on the consoles.

[tracyllrkn]

That would be extremely stupid for Nintendo to discontinue the Wii U. So it won't happen.

[deadfrag]

Funny but wrong!

[for we are many]

"Nintendo Step your game up." ROFL

SM3DW/Z:ALBW Prove that Nintendo's games are the gold standard of quality, both benefiting from the unique features of their respective hardware.
Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101, WW HD, Deus EX DC, NFS: Most Wanted U and ZombiU as well as Nintendo Land benefited from the unique features of Wii U and are fantastic games with more to come like: Bayonetta 2, Monolith X, MK 8, Smash Bros, ZeldaU, SMT X Fire Emblem, Project CARS and DK:TF. I believe that Wii U will have a library of games that are unique and of the highest quality and fun available on any platform, if you don't give it a chance it's your decision but in my eyes it's a big mistake if you consider yourself a true gamer.

I think it's sony who needs to come up with games better than Knack, KZ:SF, Contrast and Warframe, and they better NOT rely on 3rd party multiplats, because those Look, Perform and Play infinitely better on PC with Lower Prices for games, backward compatibility, Mods and FREE Online with Dedicated servers.

Please don't reply with insults, think before you type!

[Xsilver]

So because i said step ya game up you instantly think i was talking about their games :/ I think you should think before you type because your attacking launch games from Sony but feel the need to Post Nintendo's whole line up dufaq.
PS4 sold more than Nintendos lifetime sales in the UK in one weekend so yes Nintendo step your game up.

[for we are many]

@xsilver: Your "comment" doesn't address what I said, but don't worry, I thought the ultimate subject to be discussed on a "gaming" website, between "gamers" should be "games", but I digress, doesn't change the fact that all companies need to "step their game up" and that you pop up on almost every Nintendo news article with something negative to say while forgetting to criticize your beloved company on releasing mediocre games and adding mandatory online subscription fee, and depending mainly on promised 3rd party multiplats while losing some of them to MS as exclusives, as I said above I have my PC to play multiplats on in better form which is the exact pivotal point that you and the guy below you voluntarily omit commenting on and try to sidestep it by resorting to using primitive wording like "dufaq" and "butthurt", and No, KZ is a Premier Flagship 1st Party franchise and knack is a 1st party game as well and they are both lacking in quality and could be signs of things to come after all the hype has died out.

@zod18: Butthurt goes both ways my friend. and try to be more polite and more articulate next time, Ok ?!

[Xsilver]

@forwearemany ok let me address you now, all them games and people hardly buy the Wii U and that's the sad truth :/, lacking in Quality in the future Clearly I'm guessing you don't know Sony's History with their First party games they literally produced the game of this Generation The Last of US so your not making sense to me right now.

[for we are many]

Although personally, I don't think you've addressed my points; but, just to give you some insight on my gaming experience, I've been playing VG since 1984 and I've owned almost every console and handheld ever made, I play games across every genre. But I almost always prefer games that rely on refined gameplay, control and fun factor over quasi-movie experience especially if the gameplay is derivative, linear and/or full of QTEs. In my personal opinion I think that TLOU is massively overrated and that Uncharted 2 (not 3)provides a better experience, to me, TLOU lacked in the most important category and that's Gameplay. But you Don't see me dwell in every Sony article and promote negativity, some of you guys prove that Sony fans Hate Nintendo more than they Love Sony.

[GTgamer]

@Forwearemany
"some of you guys prove that Sony fans Hate Nintendo more than they Love Sony."
lmaooooo im done is this what Nintendo Fans think these days you guys crack me up Sony fans and Xbox Fans go after eachother aint one thinking about Nintendo trust me.

[Mr_Writer85]

Zombi U was an utter mess hahaha.

Have you played Killzone or Resogun?

And did you see the games Sony released/ Published on the PS3?

God of War 3
Demon Souls
Uncharted Trilogy
The Last of Us
Heavy Rain
Two Souls
Fat Princess
Rain
Flower
Journey
Rain
The last guy
Puppeteer
Twisted Metal
Little Big Planet
Killzone Games

Just to name a few, lots of tops games that include new IPs something Nintendo can't do.

Also PC's are not as straight forward BC as you make out. Try installing from CD old Star Wars games like Jedi Knight or Rouge squadron on a Windows 8 PC

It wont even work as the launchers won't launch as they are only 16bit. Meaning to get them to work you either have to buy them again (that's not BC) or download a VM and spend ages messing around.

[DeadlyFire]

@Mr_Writer85
PCs are pretty straight forward really.

OS's are where you find the BC.

If your playing a 16-bit game you have to have a 16-bit file system. Its pretty much common sense.

32-bit games require 32-bit OS.

Early OSs mixed 16-bit and 32-bit In most cases 16-bit games work fine on 32-bit OSs. Now its 32-bit or 64-bit OS available with no sharing really its either all 32-bit or all 64-bit. Which is why some games have trouble on Windows 8. They left off most things that would make the older generation games compatible. Its still possible to patch up the older games yourself to work on Windows 8.

[Mr_Writer85]

But that's not putting a disk in and it working tho is it?

If I was someone who knew very little about PC's I'd be quite annoyed if a game I wanted to play didn't work on my PC because of my OS.

Then having to go looking for a solution or paying for it off steam.

PC gamers bat the BC argument too easily because they think console gamers won't know better.

Well I do ;)

[Denethor_II]

Nintendo have abandoned the core gamer for the casual crowd, and have now realized its pissed over its loyal fan base for a bunch of fickle cunts. They get what they deserve.

[batguyz]

fickle cunts haha
damn straight,they screwed over loyalty for casual crowd who no own a wii and are content with what they have

[CuddlyREDRUM]

To make bad games like Knack?

[Skate-AK]

Ahhhh. I hate Gucci Mane.

On topic. Don't do me like this Nintendo.

[DeadlyFire]

Nintendo needs to just move WiiU units so publishers are happy as sales can be normal or greater with decent number of units sold.

I wouldn't be surprised to see WiiU Price drop to $199 or less in its future in 2014.

[donman1]

Well Mario, Zelda, Metroid and StarFox on the PS4 will be welcomed. I know the relationship with Nintendo and Microsoft will never permit that from happening in a million years. Nintendo really messed up big time on marketing and supporting the WiiU. I agree that Mario 3D should have been release before the launch of the PS4. I personally own both (WiiU/PS4).

[neogeo]

Nintendo has 18.16 billion in the bank. I don't think they are going anywhere. I watched a stock analyse do some numbers and they said Nintendo has enough money in the bank to fail with 27 systems in a row for over 60 years before I would be bankrupt. Remember Nintendo has more money then Target, and most people think of Target as a big company. Also bigger then Sony.

[Tzuno]

Nintendo doesn't spend that much money on advertising their product like MS or Sony does that's why people say that Nintendo is dying. It only needs good games.

[FANTA1180]

i disagree

next year will be wii u's year for exclusives.

especially with its price point 100 dollar or more
under ps4 with games bundled into the sale.

the console will do just fine next year.

nintendos been around long enough to know what theyre doing.

[Neonridr]

I would definitely have to agree. Nintendo should have maybe waited until the first week in December or pushed the release date up to beat the PS4/XB1. It's tough asking any game to sell well when 2 new gaming consoles release.

That being said, it still doesn't take away from the fact that the game is brilliant and I am enjoying the heck out of it.

[Majin-vegeta]

Agree come on Ninty go back to the SNES days,.

http://youtu.be/zy9g7aMWYDA

[Tzuno]

Best console for me. Period.

[Edi007]

nintendo make big mistakes one after one maybe wii u is the last home console from them
1. wii u gpu/ cpu
2. releasing console without games just crapy port
3. they rune there best game mario 3d world for releasing it along side nextgen of course every body is thinking of ps4 and xbone
4. no new zelda or metroid or f zero shown......................... ...

[MizTv]

Need that new metroid bad

[Theyellowflash30]

1. This isn't Nintendo's last home console. They have over 10 billion in the bank.

2. Nintendo launch games rated better than the PS4 and Xbox one exclusives.

3. Super Mario 3D World is selling great worldwide. And like all Nintendo games, it will sell for many years

4. Zelda and Metroid are coming.

[AsimLeonheart]

1) Nintendo DOES NOT have $10 billion in the bank. Everyone has been spreading that lie and nobody has even bothered to check the figures from the financial statements themselves. Here check the latest Nintendo financial statement for Fiscal Year 2012 that ended at the beginning of 2013. Check on page 22 in the "cash and deposits" heading.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/i...

Nintendo HAD 812.8 billion Yen ($7.7 billion)in fiscal year 2011 and by the end of the fiscal year 2012 they only had 462 billion Yen ($4.4 billion). Their annual running expenses are $3.6 billion which are paid from that cash. Nintendo barely have $0.8 billion excess cash in the bank. That will be even less in the next annual financial statement in 2014 given the performance of the Wii U. Whether this is the last console or not is another matter and only Nintendo knows.

2) Nintendo launch games or first party games may be highly rated but what good are they for Nintendo and Wii U if they do not sell and are unable to sell consoles?

3) SM3DW is NOT selling well as it is evident from its UK and Japan performance. It was touted as a system-seller and the biggest Wii U release. It was supposed to sell much more than what it is selling right now. Nintendo fans were predicting more than 50,000 Wii Us to be shifted in Japan during the release week and it barely moved 21,000. It gets outsold by Knack in UK and you consider it selling great worldwide? It is only performing decently in the US. It will sell more in the long term but that is meaningless because Wii U needs a system seller right now.

4) Zelda and Metroid will come but when? It has been a year since the console released and they have not even been announced yet. Once they are announced they will take at least another year to be released. Will they matter any more by that time?

Please stop this delusional fanboyism and return to your senses. I have seen Blackberry fanboys in a similar state even until the last day when the company filed for bankruptcy and laid off 4,500 employees.

[triforce79]

All this because Knack has outsold 3d world in the uk wow lets see if thats the case in january ? ps4 has just launched so all the hype of a new playstation and with it being christmas everyone wants the new thing which is ps4 ect so when the hype dies down and Bayonetta2/Mariokart8/Smash bros 4 are all out before say may 2014 the wiiu will sell 4 times the ps4 in the UK because Mariokart in the UK is as popular as COD guys....wait and see if i'm right this guy is going on like Mario world is the only game Nintendo have ??? this guy needs to grow up Mario Galaxy 3 has been hinted at......

3D world,WiiFitU,ect ect are all part of Nintendo's strategy which was to release mainstream games in 2013,then bring the hardcore after that....wait and see if I'm right..

[mcstorm]

I hope your right. I do think the wiiu is being underrated by alot of people though. Also here in the uk a lot of the big shops like game etc don't stock much for the wiiu. I spent ages looking for nfs for the wiiu when it came out and the big shops did not have it in. Also went past game in Manchester this weekend and in the Windows were the Xbox one and ps4 nothing for the wiiu and inside they have a small section for the wiiu next to the pre owned bits.

Don't get me wrong I am loving my Xbox one and the voice commands have blown me away in how well it all works and how slick and fast the console is but for me the wily has more games I want at this moment in time and for me it feels like Nintendo are back to there N64 and gamecube dys which I loved . I have Mario 3d world but not played it yet as getting through sonic lost world 1st.

I hope Nintendo can turn it around like they did with the 3ds as it deserves better sales that its getting at the moment.

[nosferatuzodd]

Hype dies down and Bayonetta2/Mariokart8/Smash bros 4 are all out before say may 2014 the wiiu will sell 4 times the ps4o

what you're acting like drive club aren't going to be out infamously second son aren't going to be out has well watch dog aren't going to be out the order 1886 aren 't going to be out..
Ok only Nintendos going to have new games Xbox and Sony are just going to sit around ..Nintendo should of beat the iron while it's hot you can't let Sony and mictosoft cought you sitting doing nothing they can always make a comeback and I want them to but what you're saying makes no sense and I can't speak for anyone else here I'm a Playstation fan but I love Nintendo just has much has I love Playstation I'm the biggest Zelda fan ever to say Sony fans hate Nintendo more than they love Sony is very hurtful the best childhood memories are from playing my ness sness and n64 even GameCube I'm playing link between worlds right now on ds

[Shad0wRunner]

But, but, but...you guys said Nintendo was gonna kill it, this Christmas. What happened? LMAO. PS4 and XB1 happened! Now youre singing a different tune, saying "everyone wants the latest thing, ps4 and XB1"...it's excuse after excuse with you guys. When are you gonna face the facts and take the fanboy glasses off?

You list all theses great games, most of which are so far down the pipeline...and as many other people have said, all these great games arent moving consoles! And you talk of Nintendo bringing "hardcore"??? Pfffft, please. Nintendo has abandoned the HARDCORE gamer, for casual family-friendly games...and before you start listing your idea of Wii U hardcore games, its not enough to make a difference, so dont bother.

At some point, you Nintendo fanboys gotta man up and say "Yeah...we got owned, and so did Nintendo." Go out with some dignity, for Gawd's sake!

[triforce79]

All I'm saying is in 2014 most ps4 and xbox1 gamers will buy a wiiu with MK8 and Bayonetta2........mark my words.

Mariokart in the UK is like crack the wii version was in the top 50 for a year.....

[Shad0wRunner]

"All I'm saying is in 2014 most ps4 and xbox1 gamers will buy a wiiu with MK8 and Bayonetta2........mark my words."

Look Triforce79...

MOST Ps4 and XB1 owners, who are loyal to their brand and dont rush out and buy every console, just to have them ALL...will be sticking to their brand of games, on their platform. I have a PS4 right now, and I can 100% guarantee you...I have no intention of EVER buying a Wii U, let alone playing Mario Kart or Mario 3D. Ever. I, along with most others...will be playing PS4 games in 2014 and well after. Same for the XBots. Youre not gonna find an XBot playing Titanfall on XB1 and be all like "Dude, Im bored. totally gonna rip on some Mario Kart, right now, on the Wii U."

Wanna know why? Because a huge percentage of people out there dont give 2 craps about the Wii U...or Mario. Especially when those people can only afford ONE gaming console for the household. If youre an Xbot fanboy, you play XBox games. If youre a Sony fanboy, you play Playstation games. Were not gonna convert to Wii U, just for some Mario or Zelda, bro. Not when we have Second Son, Diablo 3, FFXIV ARR, Elder Scrolls Online, Titanfall, Forza 5, Destiny, Driveclub and many others on the horizon.

Sorry. you must be on some good crack. LOL

[triforce79]

It's like saying wiisports outsold all ps3 exclusives combined,its called a pack in game it's in every console you buy ie why knack has so far outsold 3D world in the UK ???

[kwandar]

Why would they wait? People in stores picking up their PS4 SEE Mario 3D.

Will first weeks sales be a bit slower? Yes. Does it matter in long run? No. The sales are there.

[Adexus]

The most frustrating thing in this article is this...

“Releasing Mario on Friday was a really stupid thing to do, it *could of* come out weeks before that."

Could of?!... sigh.

[Errefus]

Yeah but Mario will have a strong leg and price will remain the same for another 4 years or more while Knack will drop in price next year.... Look at mario kart for wii still full price and selling still. So Mario 3D world will have better longer life span.

[medziarz]

Yea, they botched Mario launch - and it is a great Mario game! Galaxy class Mario. But I wouldn't call Wii U dead. I think it will do OK.

[WeAreLegion]

What they SHOULD have done...

Forget Nintendoland.

They should have released the Wii U this holiday season at $299 with Super Mario 3D World, Wii Sports Club pre-installed on the system, and a Wii Remote packed in. It would have sold like hotcakes!

[Theyellowflash30]

They did do that in the UK, minus Wii Sports Resort, and add in New Super Mario Bros U and Super Luigi U. http://playeressence.com/uk...

Another think to note is these charts don't include digital sales or the bundles sold from Nintendo's UK store.

[WeAreLegion]

I meant they should have held off on the actual release of the console until now. They may have been able to catch up in the hardware sense, as well.

[Theyellowflash30]

I'm not sure if that would have helped, The Wii U had, and still has a bunch of UI issues Nintendo needs to address. And they are taking their time.

[Theyellowflash30]

Seriously, Super Mario 3D World has crushed Knack in sales worldwide. The UK market is smaller than Japan and US. This article is pointless.

Knack sold like crap, Mario sold like crap in the UK plain and simple.

Mario sold more than 250K in America over 100K in Japan, and Nintendo's games sell for years.

Holy crap i've never seen one company get trolled so much over its weakest market.

[Lannister]

You realize the PS4 hasn't been released in Japan yet right ?

[Baka-akaB]

you're being a a bit as bad as the people trolling Nintendo and Mario here imo .

It seems like a pretty awesome sale number for Knack , and quite frankly what the game is ...

However yeah of course Mario will have stronger leg even in uk , and outsell it worldwide

[Lionalliance]

Ohh the irony...

[LOL_WUT]

Knack beat out The Wonderful 101! So if knack sold like crap what does that say about TW101? Lol ;)

[Theyellowflash30]

It sold like crap,

[Darkfist]

poor Wonderful 101, if mario was the main character it would have sold alot.

[TwilightBites]

Says it was a good game that sold less than a bad game on an incredibly hyped system...

[WeAreLegion]

On top of ALLLLLL of what they said, Knack will be free with every PS4 in Japan. -_-

[Ac7iVe]

Lol Mario is selling very well right now. Knack won't have legs the game isn't good. These articles aren't including eshop sales which r big now. Mario will have about a Million by Xmas

[WeAreLegion]

1) They don't include PSN sales, either...which are usually better than eShop sales. Your purchases on the Wii U are not linked to your account, so buying anything digitally comes with the risk of losing it if the console breaks. Why would anyone buy it digitally? I bought Super Mario 3D World on a disc. I urge anyone else to do the same. Very fun game.

2) Knack is fun. Don't knock it until you try it.

[truechainz]

Actual digital sales on eshop have seen a huge growth. Though yeah I agree the games need to be linked to an account.

[Ac7iVe]

I've played knack and its bad lol its uninventive bland n just boring. The game to console is about to be over very soon Nintendo has already said they r working on it. I don't know where all this Ninty bashing is coming from , everyone knows they r gonna eventually gonna own one . Ps4+ Wii u or Xbone+Wii u . Everyone needs to stop this war shit , ppl just need to play the games regardless of platforms.

[madjedi]

Lmao the knack bashing by butthurt nintendo fans is hilarious, no one was screaming about knack as though it was some grand ps4 exclusive or sony's version of mario.

It always was a fun looking launch game that showed off some of the ps4's physics capacity that's it really.

I would give it a 7-8, it's a fun solid little game, i have yet to talk to anyone that considers it a shitty game.

I find all the negative reviews and nintendo fans bashing knack, especially hilarious given the high and mighty mario is being outsold by a lowly 55ish metacritic scoring knack.

At least ps4 owners can actually prove they played the game by posting the psn user name.

I would bet 90% of the people calling knack a shitty game, Haven't even played it, let alone beat it.

And metacritic, fucking lol fools go by metacritic, i'll trust a averaging of user scores plus friends opinion and my own prejudices long before metacritic is a valid measurement.

So what happened to nintendo fans being all about, just enjoying good games.

Lmao at the why yall got to be fanboys, bit after that bs you wrote about knack, i can prove i have played can you ac7ive?

[Joe913]

They goofed when they tried to compete with PS3 and 360 and not the PS4 and XBO imo. It is sad to be first to release a next gen console yet it really wasn't next gen if compared to PS4 and XBO.

[The_KELRaTH]

I feel Nintendo threw away their unique position in the market - family home entertainment linked with health.

There's little point trying to appeal to the real gamer as it's already well covered but the mum's, young children etc that were so well served with Wii have been virtually dropped.
Where's the new and much more accurate Wii Fit board and the ability to interconnect with sports/gym equipment. Where's the teaching tools linked to various educational curriculums, where's the connectivity to link to hobbies.

[TheUndertaker85]

What in the great blue hell are you on about? Trying to appeal to the core gamer? When did Nintendo start doing that?

You definitely haven't seen the advertisements I have, that's for sure. Nintendos focus continues to be where it was with the Wii. Children and the casuals. The big difference is while Wii managed to become a trend, trends die fast and change often. Nintendo wanted to bank off of being the next big trend and fell flat on its face.

[deafdani]

Mario games (and Nintendo's big first party titles in general) tend to have stronger legs than most videogames out there. It wouldn't surprise me if Mario 3D World had lifetime figures much bigger than Knack's. Actually, I'm betting on it.

2 years from now, you will see Knack on the bargain bin, if not much sooner than that. Meanwhile, 3D World will probably keep selling, and still at the $60 price mark.

[WeAreLegion]

It'll still sell at $60. You're right. Because it'll still be the only good 3D Mario game out for the Wii U two years from now.

[deafdani]

Was that an attempt at trolling? If so, seriously man... can't we have a argument with actual, uh, arguments, and not cheap shots?

Considering Nintendo's history, yes, it's pretty likely it will be the "only good 3D Mario game" by then... because it will be the only 3D Mario game.

Nintendo usually doesn't make sequels to their 3D Mario titles. Galaxy was the exception.

Although I wouldn't mind a sequel to 3D World, because it was absolutely fantastic.

And you can bet that 2 years from now, the Wii U will have a lot more superb games under its belt. Its game library is already pretty respectable for those that like the "Nintendo flavor" in their games.

[deadfrag]

You have a lot to learn about Nintendo.I just love how people say Nintendo show have already release this game and the other and.....but what people forget is that Nintendo games are made by perfectionist teams and they are only release when they are actually done;something we dont see often on other platforms!Frankly has a gamer im well serve by what nintendo has release so far on the WII U,and i know that the next game made by Nintendo dev teams will be release with the same standards has Super Mário 3D World,the best standards in the gaming world,perfection!Its call the Nintendo own Game and its going to stay for many long years!

[Joe913]

True but these are just launch games and usually the worst of a console gen so if better games are coming out then that will dig Nintendo into a bigger hole.

[deafdani]

I agree with that, Knack is only a launch game. Better games will be out soon for PS4.

But this article is comparing Mario 3D World with Knack, so I commented on that, specifically.

And you're forgetting the fact that the Wii U also has many great games coming out yet. For 2014, there's Mario Kart 8, X, Smash, Donkey Kong, and Bayonetta 2.

:)

[zippycup]

what i don't get and i know im going to get flamed for this but so be it why don't they stop making consoles the money they save on r&d could be better put on making more of there flagship games

i now everybody else from Sony to apple would kill to get Mario Zelda metroid and Pokemon Nintendo could make millions just by making games for everybody else and not have to worry about making consoles just sit back and let the money come in

maybe my way of thinking is wrong but i always read that company's don't make a lot of money from consoles they make it from games

[Veneno]

I believe your idea makes sense when it comes to Nintendo. Nintendo has always had mega popular software. But it seems like when it comes to hardware they just don't see the need to have a strong machine or some other unique angle.

So why should they keep on making hardware when it's the games that people love? Nintendo can still make all of their casual software and add on peripherals and people will buy them if it says Nintendo on it.

I believe as much as you do that if Nintendo dropped out of the hardware business and just focused on the best games and software they could be just as successful if not more being a software mega giant like Activision, EA, Ubisoft, Rockstar, etc.

Rockstar is the best example here. Rockstar's identity is not confined to a single platform. It's identity is the games. Nintendo has that exact same identity but even stronger if you ask me.

[zippycup]

i dident think of that if they made animal crossing for ps3 they could sell there own ps3 mote instead of using wand and also make money on some hardware hell sony would be so happy to have the games on their console they wouldn't mind the wand not being usable on Nintendo games

[HappyWithOneBubble]

Knack is new and different. Mario is not. I love Mario and the franchise have done great things for gaming but it's time to give it a break. I don't want to see a new Mario game every year. Go to this wiki link http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... and you will see all Mario games and games that feature him. Nintendo is killing the Mario brand to me.

[CocoWolfie]

knack isnt actually that bad.. mario is pretty good too, id only blame it on the number of wii u owners out there :/

[Beastforlifenoob]

8 mario games in 2013.... And then you nint fanboys call sony gamers COD fanboys... Im going to call nintendo fanboys mardroids

[mohuzas]

don't you mean.... Metroids?
ba-dum-tus

[CAB1802theWiiUdefend]

PFFT, this article would've said that Knack launched more successful than Mario 3D World
At the end of the day, Mario 3D World will outsell Knack, I guarantee

[RetroGamingBlog]

Oh the dooooom and glooooom. Obviously it's impossible to comprehend that if Nintendo ditch the console business they'll sink there IP's. Nintendo went on record saying consumers will never see their IP's on any other hardware. They'll take them to the grave.

Nintendo will do fine, always have. Still the most successful video game manufacturer and have been since their first home console. By that I mean, on paper, with investors.

Whiny 3rd parties and the same droll coming from other manufacturers. I'll go on to say I'm glad Ninty are different. Screw people with their half arsed schematic ideas of what it should be, people are idiots when they club together, an individual can be smart however when away from the mob.

The Wii U will be fine, as every console before it. It's marketed in such a way and the software marrys up perfectly for those games. Quit your crying and get playing. Slow and steady wins the race.

It's only a bloody games machine, you're not curing cancer with it. Now go get ya game on.

[BlackCountryBob]

Love Nintendo, every time they release a new Mario game I swoon a little, really think about it, decide it's just a little to expensive to buy a console for just this, think about a 3DS and equally get pulled away. That's the biggest problem IMO, the biggest competition is itself because there are 2 platforms with the Mario and Zelda games we all want, but you end up buying neither.

I hate to be one of those people who tries to tell a huge multi national corporation what to do, but maybe the WiiU is just something that won't catch on, but the DS family is still massive and very profitable, wouldn't it be a good idea to just focus on one console platform and release a DS TV, a small vita tv like box with a simple controller with a touch screen and dual sticks (like a DS with the circle pad, missing the top screen as it would be on the tv obviously), all the great Nintendo games, lots of games and plenty of 3rd party support.

[windblowsagain]

A launch title is going to do well.

It's what happens next in the series.

[hankmoody]

Only reason this happened is actually a simple one. The PS4 launched with not many games to choose from. You've got a ton of PS4's being sold and people looking for anything to buy for it, hence huge attach numbers. I really don't think that everyone who picked up Knack was particularly excited about it and purchased it to have something to play, especially when you factor in the Watch Dogs delay.

Besides, the word of mouth on Mario is phenomenal. I'm almost interested in picking it up just from the little I've heard about it.

[moparful99]

So Killzone, Resogun, Contrast, Blacklight, Warframe, Assassins creed, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Madden, Fifa, Nba2k14 etc are irrelevant? Why is it so far fetched that UK gamers liked the concept of Knack and actually desired to play it?

[Baka-akaB]

Dont bother ... i'm sure they love to pretend in threir that those people only bought the game forced by supply and what was available . Well hardly ... there were enough games around to buy it with a "crap game" (their word not mine) , and enough f2p and free psn stuff to last two weeks without a disc game .

[abstractel]

Not saying Knack is Mario level, but I really enjoyed Knack. I totally understand it not getting 9s, but I'd personally give it an 8. It's a bit sad to see Mario not do so well but in my opinion Nintendo shot themselves in the foot when they decided that powerful hardware doesn't matter. Seems to me a lot of fans think that CPU and GPU only affect graphics which isn't true.

That's why they lost me, when the Wii U came out I was ready for a true next-gen console, not a slightly stronger PS3/Xbox360 level machine. When I imagine what Nintendo could do on the PS4/X1, it makes me wish they would become a 3rd party developer instead. Zelda on PS4, how freakin' amazing would that be.

That said, a new Zelda might be the sole reason I buy a Wii U... expensive game but Zelda would be worth it. It's just sad that in 2014 we'll be playing it on 7-8 year old technology. Whatever we get, it could have been so much better.

[AKR]

Considering that "7-8 year old technology" gave us titles like the Last of Us, Uncharted, Battlefield, Crysis and best of all; GTA: V ~ I have no doubts that when you look at titles like Pikmin 3, X, NFS: Most Wanted U, Trine 2, Bayo2, ACIV: Black Flag and Project CARS ~ the Wii U should do just fine in the graphics-department.

Wii, as underpowered as it was compared to the competition, still had great-looking titles like Xenoblade Chronicles, Fishing Resort (look it up), Sonic Colors, Skyward Sword, Rayman Origins and Mario Galaxy.

If Nintendo could do that with Wii, and third-party developers can make a game like GTA: V on the PS360 ~ do you really think that a system that is more powerful (not marginally - MORE powerful - just ask Shin'en how they're using 8k textures with FAST Racing League Neo) ~ do you really think Wii U games are going to be ugly? Even Nintendo Land is more pleasing to the eye than a lot of the sub-HD games that run on PS360.

I'm not saying the Wii U is going to have hyper-realistic looking games to the same extent as the PS4/XBOX One ~ but the gap is much smaller this time and Nintendo looks keen to make good use of the system, as well as their 2nd-parties.

[Beastforlifenoob]

8 core CPU vs 3 core CPU.
1.8 TFLOPS vs 0.35 TFLOPs
500GB hdd vs 32GB hdd
8Gb Gddr5 vs 2GB ddr3
178gb/s vs 12.8gb/s

Proof: http://www.gamespot.com/for...

[JackieCruise69]

Mario games tend to sell better and longer over time, so I'm not really worried about it. As some others have pointed out; Games like Mario Kart and 3D land are still selling well even today.
Knack is a Ps4 launch exclusive. People who buy a new console typically look for a game to buy alongside it, now exclusive-wise, if a person didn't pick both or Killzone SF then they picked Knack.

And either way; I haven't heard much good feedback for Knack while on the other hand, Mario's 3D World is getting praise left and right. I have a good feeling 3D World will have a longer life than Knack, so how about we check sales between these two in a few more months?

[Thepcz]

ive been saying mario would be lost in the ps4 hype for weeks. called deluded and a nintendo hater. the figures speak for themselves.

my inbox is always open, i am expecting lots of apologies.

[greylantern]

Get rid of Wii-U. DROP the "WII" name it's time has come and gone. Make a NEW console every bit as, if not more, powerful than the PS4 and brand it as not competing with the Wii. Allow the best multiformat games to shine on the system due to having the horsepower for that, hit it with stellar Ninty first party games that aren't playing catch up technology wise as the Wii generation was.

Give it a decent name, don't aim it at children/housewives, make everyone desire one, don't overprice it, make an optional oculus rift style headset add on = Nintendo win.

Until then I'll be happy with my PC and future PS4.

I saw the future 10 years ago while enjoying some great exclusives on gamecube. It was a round edged smooth glossy white box with just a RED "N" on it - and run a VR HMD and Guaranteed 1080p 60fps with GREAT graphics on TVs. To take the name "Nintendo" and make it synonymous with cutting edge video gaming is what they must do - removing the bad image they've picked up over the Wii generation. Hardcore and casuals alike will buy it then - don't forget the games. VR Animal Crossing for my GF would be an instant purchase right there! :)

[AKR]

Funny how people keep insisting that specs sell consoles; when in actuality, they don't. How many people do you honestly believe bought an XBOX One or PS4 because they have 8GB of RAM, for example? These are CONSOLES not PCs. Consoles are optimized for gaming; so whatever software is released for them, it was made to run on that console smoothly (if done properly).

Say hi to NES, SNES, PSX, PS2, Wii, DS and 3DS. All less powerful than their competitors; yet took the stage as the top-selling console for their generations.

Not saying that CAN'T change, but we'll just have to see.

On an extra note; just ask SEGA how they ended up knocking themselves out of the hardware-business; because they decided to "Retry" their consoles everytime one messed up. That's how they lost so much money, to the point of near-bankruptcy as well as a loss in consumer and developer loyalty.

While Nintendo wouldn't go bankrupt if they killed off the Wii U; you better believe the entire 4-million userbase it has WOULD NOT return, if they came out with a "more next-gen" system. It's only a year-old. And you still have thousands who just put $300+ just last week. You'd think they'd be happy about that?

Nintendo is much better off trying to rescue the system than letting it go. Even though the N64 and GC sold behind their competition; they still made a profit for Nintendo. What do you think would have happened if they cut them loose early?

[mydyingparadiselost]

Thank you for paying attention to gaming history :) I would add that the GC and N64 were the most powerful machines of their generation and were steadily outsold by the "weaker" hardware.

[TwilightBites]

I love how nintendo haters want them to fail so much that they will disagree with SENSE!!! This is getting out of hand...

[greylantern]

times change. Nintendo needs to break with their history and adapt. simple.

Sorry but the fact systems from sega and ms or nintendo sold less than less powerful systems is completely irrelevant. PS2 did not become the massive success it was just because it was WEAKER technically? it would have been just as successful with powerful hardware. Only cost/price to customer comes into question then. Nobody said nintendo had to massively leapfrog sony/ms by making a system that cost £1000? just COMPETING would be nice for once - a level playing field - my personal req for a bit more power on top is just to my tastes, to see a great game company like Nintendo have the horsepower to back up their imaginations and let them run free.

Silly argument to bring weaker specs into it, not EVERY weaker spec'd system sold more than higher spec? it was a combination of price, performance and support that won for PS2 and nintendo with a style re brand and re targeting COULD make the 'new' playstation (the console that changes everything again) if they put their minds to it

[RAFFwaff]

so, by your silly logic, sony should have dropped the name 'playstation' from the ps4, and microsoft should have dropped the 'xbox' from 'xbox one'??? Also, nintendo didnt seem to NEED much 3rd party support for the wii, considering how hugely obscenely profitable it was. Nintendo are offering something DIFFERENT to sony and microsoft and is not concerned with horsepower. People need to get over that argument and move on.

[greylantern]

Wii is a name that alienates a lot of people. Fact. it's a stupid name by any objective measure. And they DO change names - they used to - every time they released a new system? where have you been? were you born in 1995 or something?? Nintendo only kept the name once - and the Wii U is the result. Arguably their greatest failure when it comes to their mainstream consoles. NES, SNES, N64, GAMECUBE, Wii... NEW NAME HERE PLEASE!

Playstation is a 'cool' brand synonymous with gaming. Same as Xbox. Microsoft and sony are company names. Nintendo itself is synonymous with gaming so they don't need a sub brand to carry through each gen. Simple logic not silly. think about it.

[RAFFwaff]

@greylantern: "playstation is a 'cool' brand synonymous with gaming..." yeah, you lost me there, drone....

[R00bot]

It's because PS4 owners have no games to choose from.
Jk jk, although that may have had some effect on it.

[Liamabob]

For all the disagrees, there's likely some truth in this.
When I picked up my PS4, the game stock was very low, so some gamers might've had to resort to a 'second choice' when it came to taking a game home with their console. Or maybe, just maybe... People quite like Knack.

[TwilightBites]

Knack sucks. Point blank period. Mario 3d World is amazing. Point blank period. But guess what,PS4 was advertised far better in the UK. More people were looking forward to buying it. Knack sold more in the UK because the UK likes Sony and Microsoft better for games This has been clear from the start. This says nothing about whether nintendo is going under or not, so i need you trolls and haters to give it up. Quit while you're behind...please.

[Billybobjoey]

I don't get why everyone hates the Wii U. I own one, and I like it. The gamepad is actually more comfortable than it looks. The exclusives on it are pretty good(Nintendoland though...would have been a lot better with online.). Mario and Luigi U were pretty good, however not really spectacular, but respectable games. Lego City Undercover...personally my favorite Lego game to date. LoZ: WW HD is pretty damn good. I never played the original since I never actually owned a GameCube(until now), but the updated graphics are glorious. Mario 3D World is as good as Galaxy, in my opinion. However Galaxy 2 was a little bit better, i'll give it that. Now, Knack. I've played that and it is not a game you want to play on Co-op. Player 1 gets killed in about two hits. If they had fixed that then it would probably have been better. And yes, I know player 2 can heal player 1.

[mediate-this]

Its that japanese way of business that put nintendo in this predicament. They just get so complacent, sony learnt from their mistakes with the ps3, and succeeded with the ps4. Step ur game up ninty

[mediate-this]

Knack is pretty bad in op

[Dagobert]

I think Nintendo has learned it's lesson with the Wii U, and their next console might actually be good.

[frankiebeans]

Knack out selling any game means really bad news and to top it off mario is Nintendos biggest franchise! not to be grim but nintendo is not going to make it out alive if they keep riding this Wii U train. its time to release the big nintendo names on apple and android phone/tablets its the only sure way to make money without spending the money to develop a new and improved console. there is a far greater number of phones/tables than there are all 3 consoles combine, nintendos bravado is going to be the death of them.

[PickAShoe]

Nintendo you must LIVE!

[bboyblast]

I hope Wii U survives. I love nintendo they seem the good guys in a bitter war between Sony And Microsoft. I havent bought the console Im waiting to see will the price drop after christmas..

[bboyblast]

im going to get one very soon... XB1 Vs PS4 is getting boring I will buy Wii U and wait for the console war to end before I chose between the other 2

[Onixg5mer]

I don't want Nintendo to fail,cause nintendo is the reason I started playing video game. But this is ridiculous.

[Gamer666]

For me Nintendo screwed up in they way the sold the original Wii. Rather than embracing the core market along with the casual market they stated (on many occasions) that the Wii was more about casuals and often ignored core gamer needs.

So, when they went to Wii U they needed to again capture the casual market, but casuals weren't big on the new console. And because the console isn't much better than a 360 or PS3 the core market pretty much ignored their offering. Also, the effort to bring a bunch of PS3 and 360 core games to Wii U was a failure.

I don't want anything bad to happen to Nintendo (I love Nintendo more than either Sony or Microsoft), but they have to go back to what they are good at, and they have to come up with some new core franchises that are more on par with games like Halo, Unchartered, Gears, infamous, Crackdown, Killzone, Alan Wake, Last of Us, etc.

Mario, Zelda, etc. are all awesome franchises, but they need to show core gamers that they are interested in "PC-like" games that have come to consoles such as CoD, BF, BioShock, etc.

Bayonetta 2 is a step in the right direction, but it is only one franchise, and to be honest I think that most core gamers feel it will eventually come to both PS4 and X1.

[Soldierone]

WiiU can die and not take Nintendo with it. Don't see why everyone thinks that. You can hate WiiU and not hate Nintendo. their DS line is doing great, and they seem happy about that.

I mean they released the DS and still had Gameboy out in the market. DS released in 2004, they released Gameboy Micro in 2005. The Micro actually out lasted the original DS by a year.

I see no reason Nintendo can't do the same with WiiU. Keep it on the market if they insist, but release a real next generation system. Anyone actually expect them to do that? I'd buy it just out of the shock appeal it would have. Apps, games, the whole bundle, take a shot with it.

Then whatever consoles does better for them, simply run with that one. Thats what they did with DS. It surpassed Gameboy, so they ran with that line.

[batbatz]

Im shocked Knack outsold the new Mario, which I hear is excellent, Nintendo really are in trouble

[Adolph Fitler]

I'm glad a new IP with potential is outselling that stale Mario crap. Ever since Mario64 the series has gone backwards for me, the proof being that they even damn well went back to making some of them 2D...And I'm speaking as an experienced Mario man, as I played the 1st one & have been playing them since, as a now 39yr old manchild gamer. I still love platformers, & I bought both Knack for my PS4, as well as Mario 3D World for my Wii-U, but I gotta say....Why the hell has Nintendo gimped a talent like Miyamoto into making these same games over & over for 40yrs, when he could be onto new IP's every generation. Mario is just doing nothing new, & the gameworlds & the way you move around them, just feel like they have gone backwards since Mario64....It seems that Nintendo will NEVER make a Mario game as great as Mario64 again, even though the potential is there with far superior hardware. For me, Ratchet & Clank has been THE BEST, most consistant platformer over the past 2 gens (even with a 2 blemishes in A41 & QForce)..... And Jak & Daxter would of rated along next to it, but ND just couldn't seem to be bothered giving the series PS3 treatment.
I'm just glad Knack is seeing success, as it might boot Sony & other developers up the arse & let them know that gamers of all ages, races, colors, sizes & genders STILL WANT AWESOMELY FUN PLATFORMERS...And although Knack is not ground breaking, & has room for improvement, that is the whole goddam point....Crash Bandicoot is considered the worst of the 3 & Warped the best, so as long as a decent game is given a chance, it can be turned into a must have great game with time & a redo or 2. I have had more fun with Knack than Mario 3D World, as Mario just feels old hat, & I am sick to death of Nintendo using that cheap trick of using a time limit to govern my exploration & gameplay...These should be 3D adventure platformers, not race against the clock time trials. I want to explore the beautiful worlds developed for my pleasure, instead of being rushed through them.
And although Mario 3D is a good game, it too is certainly not great & has much room to improve, & regardless of mainstream media's apparent love for the series, it just is not a 9.5 or 10 worthy game. GTA5 is the closest to a perfect game to come lately, TLOU before that, Mario just simply is not in that category anymore...Mario64 was for it's time, but subsequent releases have fallen far short of that grace.

[Urzusix]

Nintendo knew they could not contend with the PS4 and Xbox One, I remember when everyone write off the 3ds now look at it, By Summer next year the system will be half the cost of Ps4 and Xbox and with games like Mario Kart and Smash the console will sell massively

[DoggyBiscuit]

Knack sold more simply because the PS4 just came out is a launch title is not like PS4 owners have much of a choice when it comes to games as far 3D World goes it will sell more over time

[strigoi814]

its hard to comment coz i have both consoles and i love them both...but to be honest i felt like a kid building childhood memories with SM3DWorld it puts a smirk and smile on my face..Knack was ok but not as good as i expect it to be..

if you have the money go with nextgen console+wiiU coz nothing can replace what Nintendo is offering and a true gamer knows it.

dont tell me Nintendo is dead..coz mostly 50% here is stil gonna consider buying a wiiU for this reasons..price drop, Zelda, Mario Kart, and more likely Smash Bros..i was skeptical on wiiU before but soon realized there are games i am missing..so i grab one..

[Azzanation]

Kenny Linder you shouldn't be talking about something you know nothing about. Just because your game that was sold as a bundle and as 1 or not many choices, outsold a Mario game that hasn't been out for more then a week doesn't mean you go and talk down on there decision making. Mario will continue to sell for years while Knack has only been sold due to lack of AAA titles. Nobody will buy Knack while people will always buy Mario 3D World regardless on what big budget game comes out. The main stream Sony fans have brought Knack and it will end there.

[Adolph Fitler]

@Azzanation...Sorry mate, but "MAINSTREAM" Sony fans are not early adopters...Mainstream & early adopters just do not go hand in hand... So please don't tell someone else to not comment on something they know nothing about, when you clearly know jacksh1t yourself. Just like I bought Zombi-U expecting something great when I bought my Wii-U, & all Zombi-U was, was a pretty crap attempt compared with Dead Island, I got both Zombi-U & that sh1tty 2D Mario Wii-U launch title, both were rushed for launch, average games (like most launch console games).....Same with XBone's 1st party launch lineup, it has Ryse which scored VERY low in reviews & is widely considered crap, along with 1 or 2 other XBone exclusives (the Kinect fighting one, etc), but it also launched with the good, but not great Dead Rising 3 which was obviously rushed for launch, & also a stripped feeling version of Forza.....

So, AzzholeNation, while you may shake your head in disgust at the fact that Knack beat Mario 3D World in sales, & you & other Sony haters will defend Mario's honor & fabricate your excuses & tell yourselves what you wish o believe.....The fact is, people are realizing that nothing NEW is happening with Mario...the series has been stale since Mario64, which was the awesome highlight of Mario's existence (although when the original Super Mario came out, it was great & holds a special spot in my heart & pulls the nostalgia strings), I mean, they've become so desperate for that former glory, they reverted back to f^cking 2D...& they were smashed in that area for quality & quantity by Rayman. I know, when I heard they were making Mario 3D, I was genuinely excited, but then I seen gameplay vids at E3 & I was shocked & disappointed in the fact that it was only bloody pseudo 3D, rather than a FULL BLOWN Mario64, Ratchet, or Jak type 3D platformer....I bought it anyway, the other day, & yes it is definitely fun, but then the potential of what could have been p1sses me off, as I know Nintendo have made a quick & easy to develop, checkpoint based time trial pseudo 3D 80's throwback dinosaur, to get out of the factory quickly to coincide & try spoiling Sony & MS's launches...I mean that much is obvious...They rushed the damn game & made a half arsed attempt....You people that think the Mario has SunShinIng from his arse with this game, imagine how great ot would be if they went all out & weren't playing these stupid games to try spoiling other consoles launches.

[WitWolfy]

And here I am STILL waiting for Bayonetta 2...

[Jamaicangmr]

Yeah bad move Nintendo, you have just tossed Mario out there in the PS4's path.

[Emme]

What I dont quite get is this: Big N has been making games and consoles since the nes times, how could they NOT anticipate the time it would take to create HD games ? By the look of it the wii u should have been released one year later to aggregate enough games to make it a worthwhile purchase. The Wii was released after Xbox and Ps IIRC. I guess with a proper software lineup like Mario 3d land, mario kart and smash brothers things would have been different, I for one have NSMBWii and was not interested in the sequel on wii u cause it looks so damn similiar, and it seems the two latest mario games are like hd ports of the similiar 3ds titles.
On the other hand I also dont understand why so many people are so jumping on ps4 and Xbone, as all these consoles do is FPS violence. Is that what kids want for xmas these days ? Head shots and body counts ?

[higgins78]

Pathetic, truly! Knack will be dead and buried before the year is out. A hopeless game rushed through for a launch. Imagine for a second Knack were released not with the launch of Sony's PS4, say in February or March next year, it would sit on shelves and rot. Super Mario 3D World is the creation of some of the hardest working, innovative and most talented developers working today. Super Mario 3D World will have legs, it will run and run. True quality always wins in the end, even if it takes time and hindsight, something of which - clearly - some people don't possess.

[TemplarDante]

“They have failed to see what the market wants,” he remarked. *DING DING DING DING DING*
we have a winner!
Its true. I have a Wii U and PS4 (After deciding to NOT go the MS route this gen) and I have to say...the tablet... has to go. They need to re-launch the Wii U. Same hardware but ditch the tablet. Let the 3DS be the second screen if needed.

[mikimiki]

We will see which gets traded in more and goes down in value quicker. I have both games and Knacks co-op feels like it was just threw in there at the last minute and isn't implemented correctly.

[bangoskank]

It's disturbing how fanboys have the balls to imply that Knack is better than Mario. Are your heads really that far up Sony' s ass?

[Garrison]

Just saying... A lot of the Ninty Fanboys point out that Nintendo has been able to survive a bad console before.
And they are right, they are right.

But things are different now. Way different. Ohh how many devs and publishers the new HD generation has murdered. Making a game now is TONS more expensive than before. Every hit they take WILL take a huge financial toll on them, little by little until they are out. Add that to a failing console and it just becomes devastating.

Nintendo Fanboys are delusional. How many devs and pubs who have been in the business for a long time went under with just one game?

This isn't like back in the sega days when even sega could afford to make consoles that didn't make that much and still keep pumping them out. And sega was ever more prepared with the dreamcast than nintendo has been with the Wii.

Making just 1 game right that does not do well is really bad for a publisher. 1 console CAN break everything you've done. Everything.

The PS4 is the best console right now because of how well Sony has meticulously taken EVERY step needed for it's success, online system, graphics, ease of development, controller and Software.

Nintendo didn't do half of that for their system. That's why they are where they are.

[bobacdigital]

I do agree with most your points.. One thing you touched base on was cost of development. Because Nintendo chose not to drastically upgrade the hardware and go with a substantial upgrade of the existing architecture they saved quite a bit of money on development.

Making a Wii game was already substantially less than a ps3 / x360 game... The same argument can be made for Wii U games when compared to the ps4 and x1 ... The break even on a Wii U game is going to be WAY less than an X1 or PS4 game..

People are paying way too much attention to the numbers on 3d world ... If this game doesnt sell through in December you should be worried. The console is having a tough time selling... with a low install base it is natural for the game to sell less than other launch software.

[-Gespenst-]

It was the Ps4 that helped Knack to outsell it, not the game itself. Knack is a pile, everyone knows that. It's fairly obvious that Mario 3D World blows it out of the water.

[The_Truth_24_7]

Burn!

[batguyz]

Nintendo is screwed over.Yes they make quality games and have one of the best development teams in the world but in this day and age nobody wants to buy a Nintendo console just to play mario. Nintendo should either:

A) Step up their hardware and change their target from kids to adult audience.Get third party support. Get first party studios to develop on their first party IP which they do nothing with ie Starfox, now metroid, f-zero.

B)Do away with home console and make those great games for other consoles while keeping the DS/Gameboy brand and still make exclusive games on that.This way everybody will play mario, zelda, metroid and I bet you they will make rockstar money.

But I know option B is highly unlikely to happen because of Japanese pride..in the long run every company is a business and businesses need profit and tons of money to survive.