State of the Wii U

[Vampyr]

It's selling worse than the Gamecube.

Also, it has a different problem than the PS3.

The PS3 was something people wanted but it was too expensive.

The WiiU is something no one seems to want, even though it's relatively cheap.

I'm not sure what to think about it. I don't personally see it making a comeback, but at the same time...what is Nintendo going to do? They basically have to support the Wii U...they can't release another console. I know the 3DS is doing amazingly well, so they can maybe just ride on the money from that. I'm sure the Wii U will get an influx of sales when Smash Bros and Mario Kart come out, but I don't think it's going to be massive numbers.

It's going to be really interesting to see what happens. The 3DS started off slow but made a turn around. Maybe if Nintendo combos the release of Smash Bros with a price drop and a bundle?

The marketing for the Wii U has just been atrocious. Most people don't even seem to know it exists, and part of those that do think it's the same console as the Wii.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

It's selling worse than the Gamecube.

Also, it has a different problem than the PS3.

The PS3 was something people wanted but it was too expensive.

The WiiU is something no one seems to want, even though it's relatively cheap.

I'm not sure what to think about it. I don't personally see it making a comeback, but at the same time...what is Nintendo going to do? They basically have to support the Wii U...they can't release another console. I know the 3DS is doing amazingly well, so they can maybe just ride on the money from that. I'm sure the Wii U will get an influx of sales when Smash Bros and Mario Kart come out, but I don't think it's going to be massive numbers.

It's going to be really interesting to see what happens. The 3DS started off slow but made a turn around. Maybe if Nintendo combos the release of Smash Bros with a price drop and a bundle?

The marketing for the Wii U has just been atrocious. Most people don't even seem to know it exists, and part of those that do think it's the same console as the Wii.

I would wager, the major difference with the Ps3 and the wii U was that 3rd parties NEEDED it to succeed. So they continued to support it even when it wasn't financially feasible.

Nintendo doesn't have that luxury.

It looks like they are in for some rough times ahead. Even worse than hardware sales, is they don't have those select 3rd party titles that the n64 and Wii got to fill in the gaps between their major releases. And nothing on the level of Rare as a 2nd party.

It's going to be interesting to see what they do with indie games next year, but the future doesn't look bright for the console.

[Vampyr]

The thing is I think Nintendo has too much cash on hand from the Wii, and too much success with the 3DS, to outright fail as a company.

The last time a console failed but the company didn't, Sega became a third party developer.

I wonder if we'll see that happen to Nintendo, except they continue making handhelds? Maybe Microsoft buys Nintendo and they become a 1st party dev for Microsoft, in addition to controlling a new Microsoft handheld branch. :o

Probably insane speculation, but it's fun to do.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Canyarion

Isn't Nintendo more likely to buy Microsoft?

I wonder how casual gamers are going to fit into this generation. I don't see them picking up a XB1 or PS4. But will they cave in and buy a Wii U in the end? Is it going to be the perfect family Christmas present?

And will more hardcore gamers pick it up when there are titles like SSB and Bayonetta 2?

Nintendo isn't even worth nearly as much.

Originally Posted by Vampyr

The thing is I think Nintendo has too much cash on hand from the Wii, and too much success with the 3DS, to outright fail as a company.

The last time a console failed but the company didn't, Sega became a third party developer.

I wonder if we'll see that happen to Nintendo, except they continue making handhelds? Maybe Microsoft buys Nintendo and they become a 1st party dev for Microsoft, in addition to controlling a new Microsoft handheld branch. :o

Probably insane speculation, but it's fun to do.

Yeah, it's a distinction a lot of people don't make.
Nintendo the company is fine.
The Wii U isn't.

I mean if push comes to shove, they can continue to sell the Wii U at a slow clip, and hope costs come down where they are at least making money on all of them and software sales.

They haven't really been losing money recently, but not really making a ton either. Think last quarter posted a 6 million dollar profit, which in this day and age is like development of a game or something.