Low on Power, Big on Quality Games, Why the Wii U Succeeds Despite its Competition

It’s no mystery that Nintendo’s console is the red headed stepchild when compared to its contemporaries, the PS4 and Xbox One. Regardless, its lack of both power and third party support is made up for by amazing first party titles and solid innovation.

[Bobby Kotex]

None of the Nintendo games interest me enough to buy a WiiU

[Neonridr]

sorry to say, but you are missing out on some amazing games. But as a gamer, you have every right on where to spend your dollars.

[Qrphe]

Not all games are for everyone regardless of how excellent. Unfortunately open mindedness isn't an intrinsic human trait.

[Ark_]

@Qrphe

If open mindedness means to welter in mediocrity, I am rather narrow minded ... it's called an aquired taste for quality and aesthetics.

[curtis92]

Define "succeeds"

Pretty sure it outsold the PS3, yes PS3, by 22 units last month globally.

[DarkZane]

Outselling a console that is almost 10 years old is not success.

While we're at it, the vita is a colossal success has it sold more than the PS2 did last week (which is discontinued).

Now if the WiiU had outsold the PS3 if you take the numbers of the PS3 in february 2 years its release, maybe.

[Concertoine]

------>Sarcasm
Your head

[ABizzel1]

@DarkZane

I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

The Wii U is not a success at all. It has good things going for it like exclusives and the promotion of Amiibo's, but overall it's still a struggling console, which is unfortunate.

The bottom pic in the article says it all, but for each of those positives there is a negative that counteracts the good.

+Backwards Compatibility
-With Wii which burned a lot of gamers, but no GameCube

+No DRM (nothing to say about this one, but so are the others at this point)

+Free Online
-Yet has a network behind PS4, XBO, PS3, 360, and original Xbox, as well as few games that take advantage of the online capabilities

+Can play used games (again so can the others at this point)

+Support for Indie developers (again so are the others at this point, if not even more)

+Cheap
-When talking specifically dollar amount, but with the other consoles you get vastly superior multimedia options, much better hardware, Blu Ray players, full 3rd party support, and all for $50 or $100 more. The PS3 and 360 are both $100 cheaper and both offer similar advantages, and now there are mobile devices and console that offer the same performance and better at $100 less as well. Cheap in comparison to it's main competition yes, but still overpriced for the entire sum of it's parts ($229 - $249).

+Great first party line-up
-Abysmal 3rd party line-up

And all those negatives are why it's ignored. It's unfortunate, but it's the reality Nintendo needs to deal with if they want to recapture their console audience, who at this point are fine with just buying a 3DS and calling it a generation.

I wouldn't mind another attempt at nailing the Wii U, but it has to have backwards compatibility since they don't have 3rd party support going in, a better online infrastructure, easier development tools (DX12, and Sony support are far ahead), an entry level price $199 - $249 that offers acceptable enough performance, and somehow they have to get some form of 3rd party support and at this point 50% is even good enough.

Once again this is why I think a Disney buyout is best for them.

http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...

[Dunban67]

I have a Wii U and only a Wii U but historically poor sales re hardware and software and historically poor 3rd party support (even compared to other Nintendo consoles) is not successful- The Wii U has lost money and marketshare- And no the Wii U is not making money now either- ( please show a qualified Nintendo source indicating otherwise before disagreeing)

[SteamPowered]

Well, lets just say the Wii U is surviving rather than succeeding. The Wii U is far from the perfect console, but the games alone are what keeps gamers coming back. Nintendo's strength has always been the quality of its games. Nintendo's weakness is relying on gimmicks to push sales.

[ZainreFang]

Nintendo may have lost the sales race but they still make really great unique games, and that's all they really need.

[LOL_WUT]

That alone won't help sales improve you can have all the unique games but whats the point when no ones buying your product ;)

[superchiller]

Except, the Wii U doesn't "succeed" at all, and that is solely Nintendo's fault. They built the entire console around the gamepad gimmick, and heavily scaled back the specs and features of the base console. They thought they could repeat the same formula that worked (for a while) with the gimmicky Wii, but it failed.

And even after several "flagship" games, it's clear that the Wii U is a failure; it's never going to climb past a distant 3rd place, and will continue to be ignored by 3rd party developers.

For me personally, there really are no games of interest, since I grew out of Mario and Zelda games after my childhood. And being forced to use silly gimmicks to play games is just lame. If Nintendo can actually come up with a half decent console in the future (doubtful at this point), I might give them a chance again. But after the disastrous Wii U, they're probably done in the home console business.

[marloc_x]

Profits would suggest otherwise schiller..

[Ck1x]

Some of you guys try way to hard, because for every game that you love on Playstation or Xbox. How many of these developers that create these games will tell you that they love Zelda, Mario or Metroid. Most of them are still chasing that formula that Nintendo captures in their games. So I call B.S. when a person states that there's absolutely nothing of interest in an entire consoles library of games because I out grew them and played those when I was a kid!

You are definitely entitled to play what you like, but let's stop claiming asinine things for the sake of making yourself standout. Let's put it this way, if Nintendo said they were going 3rd party tomorrow and re releasing all of the exclusive WiiU library onto PS4 and XbOne. The very same people that claim they have no interest would be out buying these games for their preferred piece of plastic in a heartbeat...

[BigDuo]

I'm not quite sure I understand what yo mean by developers chasing after the formula of Mario, Zelda and Metroid. Most major developers are not making the kind of games Nintendo makes. They are making stuff like cover-based shooters, linear uncharted-like adventure games, ultraviolet action titles and open world games with unpolished mechanics and photo-realistic graphics. Many of these games also focus on cinematic storytelling too. Those don't sound like the kind of things inspired by Nintendo classic IPs.

If anything, what we do see more of are indie developers making platformers and games inspired by Nintendo IPs such as Metroid and Zelda.

[Neonridr]

The Legend of Zelda and Metroid were NOT kids games on the NES.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Let me ask you this questions.

Which would you rather have?

A. A system that has captured the hearts of many gamers with lower than expected sales but still manage. That it increases the company reputation and profit.

or

B. A system that has sold a lot of unit. Where the comparing will focus more on getting your money rather than delivering great products and satify your need.

[Ck1x]

WiiU only owners are currently missing out on some really good 3rd party games and some mediocre 3rd party games. That's what both the XbOne and PS4 currently have over the WiiU. This year alone has some of the best 3rd party games coming out that WiiU will be missing in Batman AK, Witcher 3 and Star Wars Battle Front just to name a few. But people painting the PS4 or XbOne as the best way to play these games are misguided. A gtx 970 is cheaper than both of these consoles and would ensure that I can play the most graphical intense games for many years to come...

[roland82]

Yeah it is cheaper its not like you need the rest of the pc to play games.

[Ck1x]

The average person who has a console for gaming has a PC! Even if it's a middle of the road PC, it has a much better cpu in it tHan any of the consoles currently have. So yes it would still be cheaper to just buy a graphics card and buy games through Steam.

[superchiller]

Wow, you can play games with just a GTX 970 graphics card? Where do the games get stored, or where do you put the disc in to get the games started? And how can you play them without a case, power supply, motherboard, hard drive, RAM, DVD/bluray drive, etc.?

That old "yeah Wii U may be crappy, but PC is better than everything" argument is nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention away from a poorly designed console. Console gaming is popular for many reasons, including convenience, unified hardware and controllers, highly optimized hardware for gaming, etc. PC gaming just doesn't offer many of those features, so bragging about a "GTX 970" just makes you look silly.

[Ck1x]

There's a post right above your head explaining what I meant by just buying a graphics card. Most of the 3rd party games launch broken across the board anyways so why are you defending consoles as if they get better versions of these games. People like to call Nintendo gamers apologist, but nobody here is defending Nintendo's decisions to use weaker hardware this generation. What we are defending is the quality of the games that they have put out on this inferior hardware. Irregardless of the hardware that these games are being released on, or if the console is the market leader or not. Nintendo has a consistent track record with the quality of their games!

Whether you like them or not or think they're all childish is your personal view and opinion, that we thank god you don't get paid for as a job...

[marloc_x]

I would recommend a Steam box or the Nvidia console to compliment the Wii U,(quite superior output for third party titles).

I appreciate that people may love some of the other 1rst party titles..

..myself, I find more than a couple quite flat schiller.

[shaw98]

I would rather have amazing first party. 1st party> 3rd Party. Although wii u owners will miss out on great games like Arkham knight, I don't feel like they will be missing much not playing AC Unity, Destiny, COD, etc. Many third party games have sucked. If anything, I would say I feel bad for non wii u owners for not playing so many great exclusives.

[Ck1x]

Yeah you're not going to get to many people to agree with you, but I do! What's funny is that most people that buy a PS4 say they did so because it has the best 3rd party games. But when you tell them that I can buy those on PC they quickly want to talk about how you will miss out on Sony's 1st party games. Shouldn't that be the first thing they argue on the consoles behalf?

[MSBAUSTX]

The Wii U is a Nintendo Powerhouse machine designed around Nintendo's ideas of how they want their own exclusives to evolve. The beauty is that all of Nintendos exclusives so far have been fantastic and highly rated and FUN. Definitely better graphics than last generation but the fun factor is just as good as Nintendo has always done.

LThis system will go down in History just like the Gamecube has. Looked back on with envy by the people who didnt buy it and experience the games in the moment. When that time comes they will be paying almost $100 for the exclusives just the way they are for the more rare and amazing games for N64, Gamecube, and Wii and will still be paying $100 for the system just the way they are for a perfectly working Gamecube.

It is almost the same every generation since the N64 and in the end everyone will admit they wished they had enjoyed these awesome Wii U exclusives when they were new instead of paying so much to finally enjoy them later. Dont believe me? Try to find Mario Sunshine on the GC for a decent price and or Pikmin 2 or Metroid prime Trilogy prior to its rerelease on Eshop. Hell look at the prices for the Wii U exclusives from two years ago and you will still be paying almost an average of $40 to $50 on them.

So, whether it is more powerful or not the games are timeless and fun and stand the test of time. If they didnt then they would be as cheap as buying an 8 month old Assassins Creed game. But alas they are better and the price speaks for itself generation after generation.

[traumadisaster]

It's primary for kids, mine love the wi1 and the wi2 is a definite buy once the wi breaks or we finish most of the good games.

[bnoyes]

There were three Wii U games I really enjoyed: Pikmin 3, Bayonetta 2, and Wind Waker remake. Following the release of those games I played the system a lot, but other than that it was essentially a paperweight. A few weeks ago I decided to sell it and I bought a New 3DS. I've already gotten more value out of the 3DS than I ever got from the Wii U.

I get that some people like it, but for me, the Wii U was a complete disappointment. I didn't care for the Gamepad, I felt it didn't offer much value for the price, and the software just felt like typical by-the-numbers Nintendo products that have defined their console output since the Wii-era.

[truechainz]

Just out of curiosity, if you don't like most of the software on wii u, what are you playing on 3DS?

[bnoyes]

Pokemon Y and Alpha Sapphire, Animal Crossing, Shin Megmai Tensei IV, Link Between Worlds, MM and OoT, Luigi's Mansion, and I'm planning on picking up Fire Emblem, M&L: Dream Team, and MH4 at some point. Probably a few games I failed to mention.

[Neonridr]

shame you sold it. Smash is fantastic, but I guess you can always pick that up for your 3DS. I am sure there will be another MH game on Wii U at some point, and Xenoblade Chronicles could have been right up your alley.

I would have also recommended Wonderful 101, Mario Kart 8, Mario 3D World and Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze - all excellent games too (you didn't mention if you played them or not, so I am just guessing here).

Gamepad is a lifesaver for me personally (married with a 2.5 year old son) and allows me to play my games without disturbing others. And those typical by-the-numbers Nintendo products still usually feel more complete and solid than most of the other first party software from either of the other two big camps.

But that's just my opinion.

[bnoyes]

I played all the big games on the Wii U and it just wasn't for me. When I look at the coming year of games, I knew there was no space in my life for the Wii U, so I have no regrets about selling it. I can't tell you how excited I am for games like Bloodborne and Persona 5 on the PS4, and I have a ton of stuff to play on PC and my 3DS, so I'm covered.

I hate to say it, but the Wii U is kind of a niche console, and I'm just not in that niche. But I'm sure those who are in the niche love their console. The fact that I didn't like it shouldn't keep other people from enjoying theirs.

[commadore65]

The game pad's also great for when you need to take a dump.

[truechainz]

Lol I love the disagrees with a question. I just wanted to know what games were liked that didn't intersect with the wii U. And that awesome list did not disappoint.

[jonivtec]

I have a Wii U with my gaming pc.For people without pc i understand the reason to have a ps4 or xbone but the WII U deserve attention anyway.Its an amazing console with great exclusive.All the game i have with my Wii U are great looking and amazing.As a primary console...im not sure exeptc if you are a die hard fan of nintendo.

[WizzroSupreme]

The Wii U is the people's console. No DRM, no broken first-party games, very little DLC, and great off-screen play.

[truechainz]

Funny all of the people asking to define success. In the business scope obviously not just because every business wants to maximize profit and market share. From a gamer perspective it is completely subjective. People reference 3rd party support but honestly I would be a pretty upset if I only had one of any console or just a PC right now. There is a must play game on or coming out for every platform for me and most of those must plays are not 3rd party to be honest. All nintendo needs to focus on is how to get back to their scope of business success.

[shaw98]

Wii u kicks *** and it doesn't care what people think of it.

[Two-Face]

PC and Wii U is all you need for this gen baby.

[Locknuts]

Having owned both a PS4 and a Xbox One, I agree.

[Neonridr]

Funny how Sales dictate success now, but last gen when the Wii outsold both the 360 and PS3 people wouldn't have said that the Wii won.

[AKR]

And if Wii U had caught on like the PS4 has, it'd probably be: "But does it do 1080p and 60 frames like the PS4?!"

Any excuse to belittle Nintendo is a good one. That's what the industry thinks, at least. :P

[unknownbystander]

To the average consumer, their sales numbers might not be much, but you still have to consider the amount of profit they sell for each console. Even though sales look lousy they raking in plenty of cash.

Their belief was always to create fun games with unforgettable experiences with weaker tech.

It's one of the reasons why Nintendo is still standing after 100+ years.

Note:
Although in the future, things might change. Nintendo might respond differently in their next iteration of console hardware after the Wii U. It might become a very powerful console especially with the Nintendo Fusion floating around the web, but still, everything so far is just speculation. Only time will tell.

[Metallicube]

I stopped caring about sales a long time ago. As a gamer and Nintendo fan, it doesn't effect me. I used to think that Nintendo products having great sales would lead to third parties supporting the console more, but Wii showed this clearly isn't the case anyway. So basically, as long as Nintendo provides me with a steady flow of great games, which considering my finances, is currently more than enough with regards to Wii U's lineup, that's all I care about.