What's new

Nintendo drops Wii U $50 due to poor sales (1 Viewer)

Kevin Collins

Former owner, from the first state with COVID-19
Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
4,707
Location
Seattle, WA
Real Name
Kevin Collins
It's amazing that when the Wii originally came out it was all the rage. Casual gaming became a hot item and folks from the senior centers to mom's do aerobics became all the rage. Then the Kinect came out...

Sales on the Wii U have been far below Nintendo's own expectations, and now XBox and Sony have consoles only months away, Nintendo is being forced to cut the price of the Wii U just a year after it was launched. If you'll recall, the original Wii was still sold out a year after launch.

Starting on 9/21, the 32GB Wii U bundle will drop from $349 to $299. The stock 8GB system will remain $299 probably because Nintendo will phase that SKU out entirely.

I was an early adopter of the Wii. Not it sits unused. I never had a reason to get the Wii U.

Anyone bought the Wii U? If so, do you still use it?
 

DaveF

Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Messages
28,670
Location
Catfisch Cinema
Real Name
Dave
I think it needs to get to $149 for me to be actually willing to buy it. I'm now looking at $199 PS3 as my next console upgrade. Or the next iPad and an AppleTV. The new consoles are appealing, but hardware and games are too expensive, and they're tied to one TV, which for me is also where the main TiVo is, conflicting with TV watching.
 

Clinton McClure

Rocket Science Department
Premium
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 28, 1999
Messages
7,749
Location
Central Arkansas
Real Name
Clint
Sadly, I believe the Wii U will fade away and Nintendo can chalk it up as a failure. The Wii was neat and innovative when it came out but the novelty of motion-based games quickly wore off. I would rather sit on the sofa with a D-pad and a beer than wave my arms around and such. Personally, I only bought a Wii for party-based Guitar Hero/Rock Band and classic NES games on the virtual console, for which I invested in a "classic" controller. Now that the VC is more or less defunct and the GH/RB craze is over, my Wii sits gathering dust and will probably never be switched on again. The Wii U seems to not be much of an improvement over the original and that just doesn't do it for me, it's a continuation of boring, motion-based games. Perhaps next time around, Nintendo will ditch the motion-based format for a regular controller because some of the best games I ever played were on the NES and super Nintendo. No flapping about required.
 

Chuck Anstey

Screenwriter
Joined
Nov 10, 1998
Messages
1,640
Real Name
Chuck Anstey
It seems that a company trying to differentiate its console is the biggest issue unless the company plans to write all the exclusive games itself. With the expectation that nearly all games will be cross-platform, games will all be written to the lowest common denominator and common controls so why buy one console versus another. We don't need a third one that is just like the other two. No game company writing a cross-platform game is going to spend any time designing around and writing code for the Wii U's unique controllers.

We have a Wii and it still gets used pretty regularly. My wife and daughter still play it, mostly the many Lego games we have. My son has moved onto PC gaming and wouldn't want a console. I like shooter games (point at TV and pull the trigger) a lot and that didn't seem to be improved on the Wii U so I don't have a big desire for it.

Maybe if Nintendo was to create the next big "new" thing, they need to go retro. Create a game system built around high quality old-school arcade controllers. D-pads suck to most of us old school gamers and no one is going to win a Street Fighter tournament with their thumb, although they can do well. Sticks, trackballs, spin knobs, and tons of buttons, the way games used to be. Combine that with an accurate point and shoot controller and you have the ultimate arcade box. If it was truly supported with great fighting / shooting games I would buy it.
 

Morgan Jolley

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2000
Messages
9,711
There are very few big name games on the Wii U, the branding was a mistake (especially since the state of the Wii brand last fall was "it sits on my shelf collecting dust"), the price was a bit high (even though its a good value) and its going to appear underpowered against the new consoles without having a huge gimmick that is strong enough to warrant high sales.

That said, I love my Wii U. Nintendo had a lot of forward-thinking ideas (control TV, look at TV show schedules, see sports scores updated, off-screen or second-screen play, social network integration, touch and motion controls) and the games that use the platform in unique ways really stand out against the PS3 and 360 exclusives as something special. I mean, what's more creative and unique: Gears of War 3 or The Wonderful 101? It's really a shame Nintendo bungled the first year of the Wii U and I really hope sales pick up.

Then again, all Nintendo needs is a few really high quality exclusives, which it should have this fall.
 

CaseyL

Supporting Actor
Joined
Jan 29, 2002
Messages
806
My Wii was my most played system last gen, and I still use it. I picked up a WiiU day one, and it's been great. Right now I'm not using it much, as there's not much out there for it at the moment, but I'm looking forward to upcoming titles on the WiiU more than any release game for XB1 or PS4.

Nintendo will probably make it work, if not, well I'm sure they'll do something else that will work just fine.
 

DaveF

Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Messages
28,670
Location
Catfisch Cinema
Real Name
Dave
http://daringfireball.net/2013/09/nintendo_in_motion

I'm in the camp that wants to see Nintendo games on the iPhone / iPad. I've got a bucket of "entertainment" money in my budget. Buying an iPad takes away from an Xbox One. Buying a Tivo means I don't get a new computer. And I'd rather put $300 into new phones than a Nintendo console. I like what I've seen of a couple Wii U games, but I'd rather put $300 into new phones this Fall than a Nintendo console. Being able to buy some great Nintendo games on my iPad or iPhone is what I want.

Here is what I’d like to see Nintendo do.

Make two great games for iOS (iPhone-only if necessary, but universal iPhone/iPad if it works with the concept). Not ports of existing 3DS or Wii games, but two brand new games designed from the ground up with iOS’s touchscreen, accelerometer, (cameras?), and lack of D-pad/action buttons in mind. (“Mario Kart Touch” would be my suggestion; I’d buy that sight unseen.) Put the same amount of effort into these games that Nintendo does for their Wii and 3DS games. When they’re ready, promote the hell out of them. Steal Steve Jobs’s angle and position them not as in any way giving up on their own platforms but as some much-needed ice water for people in hell. Sell them for $14.99 or maybe even $19.99.
 

mattCR

Reviewer
HW Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
10,897
Location
Lee Summit, Missouri
Real Name
Matt
DaveF said:
http://daringfireball.net/2013/09/nintendo_in_motion

I'm in the camp that wants to see Nintendo games on the iPhone / iPad. I've got a bucket of "entertainment" money in my budget. Buying an iPad takes away from an Xbox One. Buying a Tivo means I don't get a new computer. And I'd rather put $300 into new phones than a Nintendo console. I like what I've seen of a couple Wii U games, but I'd rather put $300 into new phones this Fall than a Nintendo console. Being able to buy some great Nintendo games on my iPad or iPhone is what I want.
I am envious of those who feel they can ditch a PC.. will never happen here.

That said, the WiiU is actually on a roll lately with a few new titles that have been really good. Pikmin 3 is great, and the demo for Wonderful 101 is very good.

*shrug*
 

DaveF

Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Messages
28,670
Location
Catfisch Cinema
Real Name
Dave
mattCR said:
I am envious of those who feel they can ditch a PC.. will never happen here. That said, the WiiU is actually on a roll lately with a few new titles that have been really good. Pikmin 3 is great, and the demo for Wonderful 101 is very good. *shrug*
I've gone back and forth over the years. But the last cycle through PC gaming was particularly, when I switched to a MacBook Pro. So I've been mostly console the past 10 years, and solely console the past five. And now iOS competes for my gaming time. I miss PC gaming; I still hold out hope ill get to Starcraft 2 someday. But I don't need a PC anymore; certainly one capable of playing recent games. And consoles get the living room with the 50" TV and SVS sub. PC gets the office with office chair and puny office computers.And personally, there's RSI issues, which are more easily managed with consoles than a keyboard and mouse. I miss my halcyon days of FPS and RTS PC games. But I see console and mobile games winning my heart and dollars the next iteration as well.
 

DaveF

Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Messages
28,670
Location
Catfisch Cinema
Real Name
Dave
As for Nintendo...for me, I was wishing for their games on iOS when the Wii ruled the planet. I just want to play some great Nintendo games without having to e console or being locked to the living room.And what I remember of Pikmin, that could be a game built for a modern touchscreen. Th core mechanic was flinging the guys at obstacles. That mechanic was only hindered by a thumb joystick. Touchscreen would be great.
 

Morgan Jolley

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2000
Messages
9,711
Nintendo will never put their games on mobile platforms unless they completely leave the hardware business. The 3DS is a booming platform right now, so even if they ditched consoles they would still have no interest in phone games.
 

Carl Johnson

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 6, 1999
Messages
2,260
Real Name
Carl III
100% of the games that I play on the 360 are either platinum hits titles that I bought years after they were released, or downloaded cheap titles that are a combination of classic and indie games. I have no interest in getting the Wii U but if Nintendo were to make a good selection of their classic catalog available to play on the system then I would get one just for that.Sent from my SPH-M830 using HTF mobile app
 

Morgan Jolley

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2000
Messages
9,711
Carl - They are adding NES/SNES/N64/etc. games to the Wii U's Virtual Console, but a TON of games are already available on the Wii (not U) VC and can be downloaded onto the Wii U and played in the Wii Mode.
 

Carl Johnson

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 6, 1999
Messages
2,260
Real Name
Carl III
Earlier this year I dusted off my Wii planning to check out downloadable content but was unable to because my tv lacks an analog in. Thanks for the tip, I'll check out the Wii U virtual console to see if it warrants a purchase. Sent from my SPH-M830 using HTF mobile app
 

schan1269

HTF Expert
HW Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
17,104
Location
Chicago-ish/NW Indiana
Real Name
Sam
Carl Johnson said:
Earlier this year I dusted off my Wii planning to check out downloadable content but was unable to because my tv lacks an analog in. Thanks for the tip, I'll check out the Wii U virtual console to see if it warrants a purchase. Sent from my SPH-M830 using HTF mobile app
What?

Your TV doesn't have a component?

http://www.amazon.com/6FT-Component-Cable-Nintendo-Wii-Packaging/dp/B001B7V55K/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1378263886&sr=1-2&keywords=wii+component+cable
 

Aaron Silverman

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 22, 1999
Messages
11,411
Location
Florida
Real Name
Aaron Silverman
5929482500_old_fashioned_tv_answer_2_xlarge.jpeg
 

Carl Johnson

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 6, 1999
Messages
2,260
Real Name
Carl III
schan1269 said:
What?Your TV doesn't have a component?
I have the 360 connected via RGB because it's an older model without an hdmi out. Between buying a cable for the Wii and replacing the one on the Xbox that's more than I was willing to invest to bring back the WiiSent from my SPH-M830 using HTF mobile app
 

Brian Dobbs

Ambassador
Joined
Jul 1, 2001
Messages
1,405
Location
Maryland
Real Name
Brian Dobbs
I still play my Wii. Weekly as of late actually.

I've been holding off on buying the Wii U, mostly because it didn't really seem different than the Wii.

I'll be buying one sometime in the near future though, and this price drop helps. I've also been waiting for the new Mario installments, which look like they are coming, plus a few other games that have caught my eye.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_3D_World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Super_Mario_Bros._U
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Super_Luigi_U#New_Super_Luigi_U
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart_8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong_Country:_Tropical_Freeze
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Avengers:_Battle_for_Earth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZombiU
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Forum statistics

Threads
356,712
Messages
5,121,145
Members
144,147
Latest member
cennetkaralowa
Recent bookmarks
0
Top