Is the Wii U Dying Before its Begun?

[jamewages]

Right, first of all, this is not a Nintendo Bashing thread, I own a Wii U and its great, but with the recent news that Rayman Legends has gone multiplatform and Nintendo have lost exclusivity and activision openly slamming the console, is this a sign that third party developers are abandoning the console this early in its lifespan? We have the launch of two powerhouse consoles over the next 12-18 months which will almost certainly overshadow Nintendo's latest offering- I can definately see shades of the Dreamcast in the Wii U launch but what do you guys think, can Nintendo claw it back?

 

[Haunted Water]

lol Activision slamming Nintendo doesn't really affect me, because if you haven't noticed, the only thing they continually publish is CoD.
I'm not worried, and Nintendo will easily bounce back. They aren't done yet.

 

[Pokeman]

I don't find it worth the money for the game system. All the games are the same and ain't too exciting. The shouldn't have made it right now honestly.

 

[Frezgle]

It might be dying in the eyes of the more hardcore market. It's less of a gaming system and more of a... social system? If that makes sense? Nintendo seems to have been branching off into more and more casual social gaming with its consoles. Back in the day, it was Sega vs. Nintendo, which for many people ended up as a choice between Sonic and Mario. It was all still basically the same market. Now it's whether you're a hardcore or a casual. Casual systems aren't a bad thing (honestly, I prefer a casual environment), but it does appeal to a noticeably different crowd, one that isn't as concerned with owning the newest system right away. Less people buy, less companies see it as worth making games for.

As for why the Wii U isn't a smash hit like the Wii was, my best guess is that whereas the Wii was the first console to really show itself as a family system (Gamecube and back could kiiind of be considered as such, but good luck getting a grandparent to play one of those with you), the Wii U is not the first. Many people who already own a Wii probably don't see a point in getting a system that looks nicer, but does much of the same thing. I often hear a similar thing from casual DS owners: "I already have a DS; what's the point of buying a 3DS?" It's a large upgrade, but it's not enough.

 

[Pokeman]

I totally agree, it is a waste of money to just be getting something that looks nicer, it seems that is all they are trying to do and way of getting money from people.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

To say it's dying would be an exaggeration, but it's certainly not doing well. The hardcore gamers don't like it because it's using last gen specs and not really doing anything another console can't already do. Casuals don't like it because it's too unintuitive and they don't really see a point in upgrading as frezgle said above. Hell, even Nintendo loyalists aren't supporting it because the console currently lacks the big name first party titles that Nintendo is known for. The Nintendo loyalists are easy enough to bring back, they just need to release those big name games to do that (and considering what Nintendo has already said about E3 this year, that will certainly happen by this time next year). Aside from that, though, I don't think there's much they can do to salvage this thing, it's not really doing anything that another console won't already be able to do better. I guess if the first party games are innovative enough, they could generate some more interest from third party developers, but since other consoles have already started copying the Wii U's Gamepad gimmick, that would only serve to lessen the amount of third party games the Wii U would lose.

 

[Incinermyn]

The Wii set the standards too high for gaming consoles, and the Wii-U doesn't have the major titles people really associate with Nintendo's systems yet. Give it time. It should rebound eventually.

 

[Delta]

Put it this way: The WiiU sucks and will continue to suck until it gets its IPs. Dying isn't the right word. A flower can't even start to die until it has blossomed.

My guess is that it will start to release the new main titles once the PS4/720 has been released for added competition.

It might be dying in the eyes of the more hardcore market. It's less of a gaming system and more of a... social system? If that makes sense?

Exactly. In the same way the 360 has turned into an all round entertainment system. A Microsoft Entertainment System, a MES if you will.

 

[Athena]

The lack of games is what's hurting the WiiU more than anything else right now. Aside from the prepackaged zombie game (which I know nothing about and only know of its existence because it was prepackaged), and Super Mario U, I can't even name a game on the console right now. There's no use in buying a console if there are no strong games attached to it, because there's no reason to buy a console if you aren't going to play on it. Wii had Twilight Princess at launch and a lot of hype already going for some other big games to be released soon. This isn't to imply that the games the WiiU currently has aren't good (I know I'll be picking up the Mario title whenever I get my WiiU), they're just not "buy a console" good. Almost everyone I know who got a Wii close to launch did so to play Twilight Princess with the wiimote as one of their highest priorities.

That said, there's also much less hype and buzz about the console in general compared to the original Wii launch. The Wii did something legitimately new and people were willing to buy into that to try it out. The WiiU is still decently innovative, but on a much different scale, and at a higher price point, too.

I'll pick up my WiiU when a game comes along that's worth buying a console for. Maybe the WiiU Smash Bros or Galaxy. Looking forward to the Windwaker remake, but like Super Mario, it's not worth buying the console for, in my eyes. I held out for a 3DS for the same reasons, and now I'll be getting one of those next week for the Fire Emblem Awakening EU release.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

I'll pick up my WiiU when a game comes along that's worth buying a console for. Maybe the WiiU Smash Bros or Galaxy.

Nintendo's already said that they would reveal a 3D Mario game, SSB4, and Mario Kart U at E3 this year, so I think between then and Christmas the Wii U will likely gain more popularity. And even then, I think the best they can hope for with this thing is for it to be an 8th gen Gamecube. There's really no reason to buy a Wii U unless you like Nintendo's first party games, aside from that, the other consoles can outdo it in pretty much every way imaginable.

 

[Incinermyn]

I'll pick up my WiiU when a game comes along that's worth buying a console for. Maybe the WiiU Smash Bros or Galaxy.

Nintendo's already said that they would reveal a 3D Mario game, SSB4, and Mario Kart U at E3 this year, so I think between then and Christmas the Wii U will likely gain more popularity. And even then, I think the best they can hope for with this thing is for it to be an 8th gen Gamecube. There's really no reason to buy a Wii U unless you like Nintendo's first party games, aside from that, the other consoles can outdo it in pretty much every way imaginable.

You would be surprised how many diehard fans will buy it just for the first party games. That's actually what I'm waiting for. Besides, I can't stand either XBox or Playstation, so that's also reason enough for me to get a Wii U down the road.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

You would be surprised how many diehard fans will buy it just for the first party games. That's actually what I'm waiting for. Besides, I can't stand either XBox or Playstation, so that's also reason enough for me to get a Wii U down the road.

Which is what I was saying, Nintendo fans will be happy to support it when their most iconic franchises make the jump to Wii U. But as far as anyone who doesn't like Nintendo's first party games? There's not much reason to buy it. PS4 and the next Xbox will have support for the same Gamepad gimmicks, plus better graphics and a better third party library, leaving the Wii U with pretty much nothing that makes it stand out against the competition.

 

[Incinermyn]

You would be surprised how many diehard fans will buy it just for the first party games. That's actually what I'm waiting for. Besides, I can't stand either XBox or Playstation, so that's also reason enough for me to get a Wii U down the road.

Which is what I was saying, Nintendo fans will be happy to support it when their most iconic franchises make the jump to Wii U. But as far as anyone who doesn't like Nintendo's first party games? There's not much reason to buy it. PS4 and the next Xbox will have support for the same Gamepad gimmicks, plus better graphics and a better third party library, leaving the Wii U with pretty much nothing that makes it stand out against the competition.

There is the issue of price. Xbox and PS have always been like twice as expensive as Nintendo's systems upon release. I don't see nearly as many quick sales for their next systems if they end up being like $300+ a pop like the PS3 was initially, iirc.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

There is the issue of price. Xbox and PS have always been like twice as expensive as Nintendo's systems upon release. I don't see nearly as many quick sales for their next systems if they end up being like $300+ a pop like the PS3 was initially, iirc.

Low price isn't enough of a draw to bring in sales. Not when the Wii U offers nothing truly unique or innovative that makes the console worth buying.

 

[Incinermyn]

There is the issue of price. Xbox and PS have always been like twice as expensive as Nintendo's systems upon release. I don't see nearly as many quick sales for their next systems if they end up being like $300+ a pop like the PS3 was initially, iirc.

Low price isn't enough of a draw to bring in sales. Not when the Wii U offers nothing truly unique or innovative that makes the console worth buying.

It is when you live on a budget and can't afford the next XBox or PS systems. I have to plan my major gaming purchases in advance because of that very issue, as do a lot of people living on a budget (if they buy a new system at all).

 

[Bolt the Cat]

It is when you live on a budget and can't afford the next XBox or PS systems. I have to plan my major gaming purchases in advance because of that very issue, as do a lot of people living on a budget (if they buy a new system at all).

Most gamers that worry about budget issues tend to go for mobile games and other smaller scale games. The Wii U probably won't be getting much of that crowd.

 

[Card Slinger J]

I think the Wii U dying is a huge wake up call for Nintendo to get their act together before they become like Sega and Atari in the video game industry. The Wii U will most likely become the next Dreamcast and Nintendo at this point is still forced to rely on the 3DS for sales when region locking games doesn't help on their part when they're now stuck having to rely on whether Pokemon X & Y will succeed or fail. What else does the 3DS have in it's helm? Luigi's Mansion 2? LEGO City Undercover? No support for Indie and Third Party Titles either?

 

[Bolt the Cat]

I think the Wii U dying is a huge wake up call for Nintendo to get their act together before they become like Sega and Atari in the video game industry. The Wii U will most likely become the next Dreamcast and Nintendo at this point is still forced to rely on the 3DS for sales when region locking games doesn't help on their part when they're now stuck having to rely on whether Pokemon X & Y will succeed or fail. What else does the 3DS have in it's helm? Luigi's Mansion 2? LEGO City Undercover? No support for Indie and Third Party Titles either?

Nintendo's got plenty of money, so it won't end up like either of those two companies in the near future, fortunately. But you're right, hopefully Nintendo will recognize that the Wii U's failure is a sign that they need to rethink their hardware strategy for 9th gen. They can't keep relying on gimmicks while neglecting the console's power, few people want a current gen console with last gen specs.

The games aren't much of an issue, because that's the one area where Nintendo has the most success. And the good games will be coming, they just haven't been revealed yet. It kind of sucks to be a Nintendo fan right now, most of Nintendo's iconic franchises haven't yet made their way onto 3DS and Wii U. Fortunately, that much should change come E3, and I'm hoping the games they show off then will be nothing short of phenomenal.

 

[Haunted Water]

Might I mention that if any company that might take an enormous hit this generation, it'll be Microsoft? Half of the people I know who love their 360s enough to not be tempted by the PS3 exclusives are saying that they won't be getting a 720.
Nintendo is making robots. Microsoft is not doing anything new, and isn't sitting well with its PR. Wii U won't be a failure.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

Might I mention that if any company that might take an enormous hit this generation, it'll be Microsoft? Half of the people I know who love their 360s enough to not be tempted by the PS3 exclusives are saying that they won't be getting a 720.

Right now we know nothing about Microsoft's next gen console, so it's hard to say, but if there's any kernel of truth to the rumors surrounding it (always on, always connected to the internet, always Kinect), it certainly won't be a very appealing console to anyone except the most devoted Microsoft fan.

Nintendo is making robots.

Um, what?

Microsoft is not doing anything new, and isn't sitting well with its PR. Wii U won't be a failure.

No one has truly shown that they're doing anything new this gen, or at least not yet. Wii U basically took a tablet, and made it work like the DS' touch screen. Future games could potentially show off some innovative gameplay styles that could arise from this new gimmick, but for now, none of the games released are doing anything innovative that couldn't already be done before on the Wii or DS. PS4's controller has Eye support and a touchpad, basically making it a combination of Move and Vita. They're also copying off Wii U's Gamepad by having Vita be used as a second screen. Microsoft (based on the rumors) seems to be fully integrating Kinect into its next console. It's a bit early to make any definite conclusions, but so far there's nothing truly new coming from anyone.

What we can say is that Wii U is on par with the 360 and PS3 in terms of graphics and power, and that PS4 and likely Nextbox will have moved on. So Wii U will have nothing on PS4 and Nextbox. Now that doesn't mean the Wii U will die, it's going to take a lot more than that to knock Wii U out of the running completely, but it will mean that Wii U is basically going to be a niche console that you only buy if you like Nintendo first party games. It will be a "failure" in the sense that it won't be able to compete with PS4 and Nextbox, it will be lacking many of the games and services that most gamers will be looking for in a next gen console.