Are Nintendo Pushing the 3DS Ahead and Leaving the Wii U Behind?

As the Wii U continues to struggle staying afloat, Nintendo still appear to be concentrating their efforts on the increasingly successful 3DS. We ask the question, are Nintendo preparing to ditch the Wii U and carry on up with 3DS?

[serratos27]

Is the Wii U version of Smash Bros really being pushed back to Winter?? Wow.

[randomass171]

It was never really pushed back. It's the first time we've had a more specific date than "year 2014."

[serratos27]

Sad I got disagrees for asking a question lol thanks for clarifying though. On topic, Nintendo should pay more attention to it's console. Feel bad for those Wii U owners.

[randomass171]

Some believe it's a good strategy though. The 3DS game comes out in the summer when there isn't a lot of big releases and can help serve as a preview for what's coming to Wii U owners. Wii U is supposed to come out during the holiday season when the hype is in full swing. Finally they plan to make connectivity between the two versions to create incentive to own both versions. I don't think it will be as bad as people think. :)

[LAWSON72]

This and I think the Wii U just requires more dev time. People thinking the Wii U version is getting the short end of the stick need to realize the 3DS version comes out soon and the Wii U version does not.

Why in the hell would they come out and announce everything for the Wii U version when it is not coming out until the end of the year? It is not like the Direct said, 3DS is getting an exclusive mode while the Wii U version will be getting nothing, and then not say, there is absolutely nothing more to announce for the Wii U version. The guy said countless times we have many more surprises and announcements to make in the future, but apparently people expect the worse because apparently Nintendo is the devil or something

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

It's being pushed back so that the two versions, which will have differences worth owning both for, won't cannibalize each others' sales via competing with each other at the same time.
It's a marketing strategy to give both versions ample sales opportunities, and IMO it's a very smart move.

[Chrischi1988]

Not only that, but this way, people will also consider getting a Wii U. Many will play the game, like it a lot, because sales wise the 3DS does pretty good. Many of the ones who like that game, might want to get a Wii U then. I mean, how many 3DS are out there in the wild and how many Wii Us? This is a good strategy to make people want the Wii U.

[live2play]

Trust me don't feel bad.
I had a blast with friends playing nintendoland
Played great platformers like Nsmbu, rayman, 3d world, tropical freeze
Commanded my little army of pikmin, and an army of 100 superheroes in wonderful 101
Soon I'll be defying gravity in mario kart 8 and fighting with friends in super smash bros 5

Feel bad for the ones who DONT have a wii u

[randomass171]

Nah, they're just making sure their cash cow doesn't lose any momentum. Better to have one best selling profitable system than two systems that don't sell.

[4logpc]

No

[RPG_Lover]

This article is irresponsible. 3DS version on sale first helps Wii U version sell.

[nintendofeed]

Do you care to provide some points (and evidence) to back your said argument?

[LAWSON72]

The point is this:

3DS version comes out on a successful popular device with clear limitations (dont want to downplay 3DS version because it could be an awesome game to have on the go) that get people excited for a superior version that they could play at home on the big screen. There is nothing wrong with this tactic and if you ask me I think it is pretty smart.

I dont have evidence to back this up however from my past experience with Pokemon on GB, it made my N64 pretty damn minding blowing when I played Pokemon Stadium. A fun fact is that game sold almost 6M units (only 31M N64 sold so approx 1/5 people bought it) and to think the awesome handheld games did not have any effect over that number seems unlikely.

If Nintendo made this decision to use the good (hopefully) 3DS version to hype up an even better version(Stadium was not better but it was an awesome experience). I hope they are smart enough to do it again with Pokemon. I think the best selling 3DS game could do alot for the troubled Wii U.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

The logic is pretty clear when you think about it;

Putting both games out at the same time would cannibalize sales of the two because they'd be competing with each other for the attention of Gamer's wallets at the same time.

By separating the two and giving each exclusive modes and stages to attract attention, on top of releasing the one on the Wii U[which has lower sales and thus needs more help] during the Holidays when games traditionally sell better overall, it ensures that both get the attention they need to sell well, because it gives us time to save up for both while giving Nintendo time to prepare appropriate advertisement campaigns for both versions, especially the Wii U version.

Also, by putting out the 3DS version first, it gives the fans a taste of what they can expect with the Wii U version, and once that comes out they'll most likely switch to that for two major reasons: #1, the graphics will be much better, and will be on a bigger screen to boot, and #2, the Wii U can be hooked up to wired internet for online play, which will be much more stable and thus much more popular with the crowd that is serious about competitive play.

Is that enough reasons for you, or shall I go on?

[nintendufus]

You might have a point: interest in the first title SHOULD generate hype for the WiiU version. But there's no real, definitive way to tell. For the record, I hope it does; I'll buy both versions as soon as I can.

As for the article, it's just more Nintendoom--always a big hit in the right circles. The article's syntax is what really gets me. It's just hard to read and pretty vague at times.

[Activemessiah]

It's not hard to make a 3ds game compared to a console FFS... it got done quicker so it's being released first, why is that so hard to understand??

[MNGamer-N]

It seems Nintendo is having a hard time creating games quickly for WiiU. Fortunately when games do come, they are really good and worth the price of admission.

[g4n]

Can't be worse then the xbone issues.

[WheatBread]

No.

[stragomccloud]

They're pushing them both equally.

[ritsuka666]

Nope... not even close of this.

[stragomccloud]

Third parties aren't, but Nintendo definitely is, Nintendo is creating tons of games for both platforms.

[killerluffy123]

Thats a good sign though , they earn more money through 3ds than wii u , so its logical and a smart choice to continue giving great support to it . ( ps : I own a ps vita and planning to buy a 3ds at SSB launch date )

[Geekman]

Are the author drunk?

[nintendofeed]

*Is

[Geekman]

My take: You see, people getting the Wii U version are already getting the Wii U version regardless of when it's coming out. People who are getting the 3DS version because they can't afford or don't want a Wii U are getting it regardless of when it's coming out. People who are getting both will just be more excited for the Wii U version having played the 3DS version. The release dates dont. change. anything. As long as the 3DS version exists, it will have the same sales. Had the Wii U version been released first, that consumer base would've waited. WHEN the versions are being released doesn't matter in the LEAST. If you're only getting the 3DS version, you're only getting the 3DS version. If you're only getting the Wii U version, you're only getting the Wii U version, if you're getting both, you're getting both. WHEN they come out DOESN'T MATTER. Excuse this if it seems off topic. (And FYI, the 3DS version is coming first because it was easier to develop. To hold it until the Wii U version was done would be screwing over the 3DS fanbase.

[ARESWARLORD]

It takes longer for the HD version. Nintendo is new at HD and have already stated that game development takes longer then they are use to. Not a big deal. And yes there is more money to be made for the big N with the 3DS. Big deal. I will be happy with mario kart until smash hits.

[Thepcz]

even though its clear they are abandoning the wiiu in favour of the 3ds.

lol no smash bros until the winter.. eek, the wiiu is finished

[jnthnbgg]

First this person need to go back to grammar school. ->IS<- Nintendo not are, Nintendo is a single corporation not multiple. Second look at GTA V and how much drive there is for a PC version even from people who have it on a console already. This is going to give a taste to people what its like and drive the desire to try it on the Wii U with better graphics and power.
Yes Nintendo has yet to really come out with a AAA title of their own that make the Wii U a huge competitor but that is still to come. Was it a good plan to launch with a weak backing of game, absolutely not. As we have seen in the past though Nintendo is not exactly a company to do things like everybody else so have a little faith and patience.
Oh and seriously when are these people going to stop writing such stupid articles about the Wii U?

[millzy102]

@the pcz, No if they announced no smash bros on Wii u then they would be giving up on Wii u, your obviously a kid that doesn't understand how the world works, a company does not make any games on a console that they are giving up on, so no Mario kart, no bayonetta, no Xeno, no smash or hyrule warrior, oh wait Nintendo is still making Wii u games. Let the adults talk who know what there on about and a winter release for console smash is best for sales and it wasn't delayed this is the first time we had a release window apart from 2014.

[Thepcz]

''your obviously a kid that doesn't understand how the world works''

how very mature, name calling.

''a company does not make any games on a console that they are giving up on''

false. smash bros for wiiu has been in development for years. back when it first started they didnt know the wiiu was going to be a sales disaster and flop. now they know the wiiu has no market power, they are abandoning pushing the wiiu version in favour of the 3ds version. - they know that is where they will make most of their profit.

'' no Mario kart, no bayonetta, no Xeno, no smash or hyrule warrior, oh wait Nintendo is still making Wii u games. ''

mario kart is the only game out of those you mentioned that they are making in house. the rest are being made by other studios for nintendo. and again, all those games started production before they knew the wiiu was a failure.

''a winter release for console smash is best for sales''

you'l have all summer to play mario kart, the only game you'l have to play actually.

'' it wasn't delayed this is the first time we had a release window apart from 2014.''

winter... that could mean christmas. in fact, it most likely is christmas. may as well call it 2015. for a game that will have already been out on the ds for months... LOL! wiiu is getting 2nd class treatment from nintendo now.

[Realplaya]

Did Nintendo say they are abandoning the Wii U?

If you go back and look at what they did say if i'm not mistaken they said they weren't ready for HD and it's taken longer than they thought. This is to date the smash creators first game in HD does it possible that he wants to fine tune it to be a great success. Many people like myself don't own a 3DS so guess what were getting a Wii U version.

So if a game comes out when people normally open their wallets is a bad thing explain why?

Are you one of those people that buy horrible non functioning games just because or do you prefer quality products or are you trolling a Nintendo article with bad facts because the internet has made you believe that your cool and awesome to crap on the console choice of others and join in on the Nintendo is doomed bandwagon?

[greenlantern2814]

He makes some good points. Every one seems to be focused on just the fact that smash is coming first to 3DS but the author says other stuff to.
1) advertising is basically non existent for the wiiu. The Last one I seen was Holliday 2013 and it said " upgrade to the wiiu" which nobody calls there next gen system an upgrade.
2) 3 Ds has way more games come out for it every month every year and lots of them are must owns for any Nintendo fan.
3) I think he maybe right part of the wiiu problem is a lot of the games that come out you can get on 3DS,( Mario 3d land, smash, donkey Kong) and while some see the value and difference in the 2 versions some won't and casual fans will be like " why would I by this 3 ds game I just bought for the wiiu"
So they do seem to be focused on the 3 DS, but I don't think they are giving up on wiiu but they seem to care more about 3 DS. It makes sense since it has sold a lot better but if they want to turn the wiiu sales around they had better shift focus

[Dunban67]

Looks the like the votes are in and it is unanimous; releasing the 3DS version 1st is a horrible decision. Whenever the emotional votes side w Nintendo s decisions and/or future results of their decisions (re the Wii U) at near 100% rates, then it is bad new for the Wii U

[synistatha1]

Nobody cares about the Wii u except the people that own one and that's an endangered species where I'm from. It's a complete joke I haven't met one person who wants one let alone owns one lol. Just face the facts the Wii u will go down in history as a beefed up gamecube with a tablet attached to it and for the nintendo fans that's fine but for the majority of people interested in videogames it's just not enough.

[Geobros]

I don't believe that Nintendo is pushing 3DS console more, I would say the opposite for last months.