The Wii U ( WiiU ) Thread

[BulletMagnet]

An interesting account, but to my ears the author sounds a bit over-surprised that the Wii U comes up short compared to the PS4 and XB1 under the hood: was anybody really expecting Nintendo to suddenly "catch up" with the competition in terms of raw horsepower this generation, especially considering how well the also-underpowered Wii (and DS, and 3DS) did? Moreover, Nintendo's competition is different now than it was a decade or more ago; none of its rival console makers nowadays are exclusively in the video game business like it is, and in that sense the playing field is not as level as it once was, which explains the "hard tech numbers aren't as important" approach it's taken for a fair amount of time now. I don't work in the industry and don't read this sort of stuff extensively, but despite the apparent difficulties that their choice passed along to developers like the author, it seems odd, at least from a layman's perspective, to have expected Nintendo to suddenly shift course at this point in time.

[Lord Satori]

Sales are gonna spike when smash bros comes out, though.

[Ed Oscuro]

it seems odd, at least from a layman's perspective, to have expected Nintendo to suddenly shift course at this point in time.

Call it a First World Problem: All many tech writers care about is the march of progress and when something isn't up to the standard they would like it to be, it feels really old and unimpressive to them.

Really, for the average person Nintendo's systems have been more than graphically capable enough since the GameCube and the GBA. Any improvements since then are just gravy for the goose. Only specialists think people will go back and forth continually from systems and have that same kind of 'full market perspective' that game reviewers can't shake themselves out of.

[BryanM]

Yeah definite ladder mentality. The same sickness that makes people rate things out of ten or even a hundred instead of five or three.

It is a pretty bad time to develop for this "next gen" stuff. Current marketshare says you're better off developing for PC - though the PSX4 is on track to surpass that market this year. XBone might never get there.

This vintage news clip is finally applicable. Advances in systems on a chip architecture are now more substantial than what we're getting out of the boxes these days.. blasted silicon.

[replayme]

Sales are gonna spike when smash bros comes out, though.

Sales spike will only be short term.

The comments for that DF article are interesting to read...

[replayme]

Don't really want to create a new thread for this, but here is a really cool Zelda fan movie...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5jFGFjZv7o#t=179

Edit: Although I just discovered this too. Slow I am...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8yqwvYo ... e=youtu.be

[evil_ash_xero]

So, you Wii U owners...is Wonderful 101 flawed, or awesome? Seems to have some mixed reviews.

Can't it be both?

Yeah. I just wondered about it. It looks good. I just hear the main problem is the difficulty in using the special moves.

I read in one review that it repetitive(bloated to fill up time). I was more worried about that statement.

[replayme]

Sales are gonna spike when smash bros comes out, though.

Gonna be one hell of a sales spike if Nintendo pull this off. A miracle of Biblical proportions...

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014- ... 9m-to-2-8m

To a certain extent, you can tell that even Nintendo has given up on the platform (lack of marketing, no money hatting for exclusives etc).

Wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo announce a successor sooner, which also acts a successor to the aging 3DS, by being a hybrid "two in one" home and handheld console. But to be honest, and at this rate, the Wii U / 3DS successor will still suffer from the same problem(s).

If only Nintendo invested more in third party relations, then their console (incl 3DS) would have more appeal. Personally, their biggest drawback for me (as a 3DS owner) is that I (by and large) don't really give a shit about Nintendo software. And the market for hardcore Nintendo fans has been shrinking for the last ten years anyway.

I guess some people like Nintendo software enough to buy the company's console, but I (along with the market) don't.

Personally, I know I got burned on the 3DS to invest in another console just for Nintendo's own games.

Nintendo are definitely the SNK of the modern era. But unlike SNK hardware - which was pretty powerful for its time, both the Wii U and 3DS come in as being underpowered, yet sell for high prices.

Sure, Nintendo's games don't cost £300, but they're still more expensive than the competition. And you can't pick up any other types of games (generalisation, I know) apart from the ones made by the console manufacturer. And I never did like SNK games - even during the reign of the Neo Geo (apart from Baseball Stars and Metal Slug - which wasn't anywhere as good as Contra on Snes).

The Wii U is also no DC for the modern era. Because the DC had pretty good third party support, and also had Sega when they were at their most adventurous in terms of creativity.

The Nintendo of today is more like Atari when it made Jaguar. Or Commodore when it destroyed its market with the CD32. Or even Sega with the 32X and Saturn.

Just a company making poorly executed products that has lost its vision and is committing one mis-step after another.

Having said that, and for what the console represents, I'd maybe still buy a Wii U once it drops to sub £150. For Mario Kart maybe. But even then, I'm in no rush. Could just as easily wait until the system is truly dead and can be picked up for peanuts (along with all its games).

Got too many games on my PS3, 360, Vita, PC and (to a small extent) 3DS anyway. And missing out on Nintendo games for me ain't no big deal - especially when I don't even care about most of Nintendo's franchises. Key third party software is more then good enough, and can easily go toe to toe with Nintendo's finest (in terms of appeal and quality). That is why my next premium console will be a PS4.

And to be honest, and for me, the Wii U isn't even a second "console" this gen. Imho (and maybe in support of "mainstream" gaming tastes) the whole "2 console" argument should just consitute two of the PC/PS4/XBone combo. And depending on handheld gaming tastes, either a Vita or 3DS (or both, although mileage for either handheld will vary).

Edit x 2: here's an interesting commentary on the flip side on developing for the Wii U. But whilst the author is clearly defending Nintendo, he administers an acceptance for why I don't really rate Nintendo consoles that highly since the days of the Snes:

http://www.destructoid.com/wii-u-develo ... 8933.phtml

This just exposes the same nerve we've been rubbing up against since the N64. The Wii U is a Nintendo-Box. It is, first and foremost, the way to play Nintendo games that Nintendo makes for you, as most Nintendo consoles have been for some time.

The Wii U is, first and foremost, a box that lets you play Nintendo games. It's been the case for a while. Everything else is gravy. Nintendo would love Wii-caliber sales, but it seems to be doing okay with its current position, playing its own long game.

How much "gravy" is up for debate however - and is the Wii U really "doing okay"?

The author admits that lack of third party support has hurt Nintendo consoles, and that his favourite games on a Nintendo console don't necessarily come from Nintendo themselves.

I love the GameCube. A lack of third-party support is said to be what hurt the little lunchbox that could. My favorite GameCube games are third-party, but Nintendo has never and likely will never aggressively lobby third-parties. And maybe it doesn't need to.

Initial highlights for me when I bought my Snes were Contra 3 and Final Fight. Not first party titles. Zelda (a first party title which came later ) still remains a crowning achievement though.
Initial highlight for me when I bought my N64 was Mario 64. Definitely a first party title.
Initial highlights for me when I bought my GC was RE4 and Rogue Squadron. Not first party titles.
Initial highlights for me when I bought my Wii were House of the Dead: Overkill and Mario Kart. A combination of first party and third party titles.

I only ever bought my GBC for Metal Gear, GBA for Final Fight, DS for R4 chip (although The World Ends with You and Project Rub would be highlights). None of these handhelds were bought for Nintendo games, and I don't own any first party games for them.

As for 3DS...? Cheap hardware sale, packaged with two Nintendo games. But I really only ever bought it for Zelda.

[replayme]

Pretty interesting article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/v ... Wii-U.html

Going to put some quotes below:



For some sobering perspective, it is reported that Nintendo has ‘shipped’ 4.3m Wii U consoles to retail worldwide in the 15 months since its release. Meanwhile its main competitors, Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4, have reportedly sold 3m and and 4.2m respectively in less than 3 months.

Speaking in Osaka following Nintendo’s profit warning, President Satoru Iwata said that the firm is thinking about a “new business structure” including “studying how smart devices can be used to grow the game-player business”. Of the Wii U, Iwata said Nintendo “cannot continue a business without winning.”

The Wii U can be saved, but it needs a fresh start, a smaller price tag and a stronger, universally appealing catalogue. A full relaunch of the console is not out of the question if Nintendo can finally decide on its eclectic machine’s identity.

[replayme]

And one more from IGN (although not nearly as objective):

http://m.uk.ign.com/articles/2014/01/17 ... ii-u-fails

Quotes below:

As of the end of the last financial year, Nintendo had around $5bn in cash assets and another $5bn in bonds. That’s $10bn essentially in the bank. Ten BILLION dollars. Which means that Nintendo could make a loss of the projected proportions for 20 or 30 years without running out of money.

[Skykid]

As of the end of the last financial year, Nintendo had around $5bn in cash assets and another $5bn in bonds. That’s $10bn essentially in the bank. Ten BILLION dollars. Which means that Nintendo could make a loss of the projected proportions for 20 or 30 years without running out of money.

I'm sure someone on here ridiculed me when I pointed out as much several weeks ago.

[replayme]

As of the end of the last financial year, Nintendo had around $5bn in cash assets and another $5bn in bonds. That’s $10bn essentially in the bank. Ten BILLION dollars. Which means that Nintendo could make a loss of the projected proportions for 20 or 30 years without running out of money.

I'm sure someone on here ridiculed me when I pointed out as much several weeks ago.

You pointed it out to me that Nintendo have more money than God. And I found out a few weeks ago that they have enough money to withstand (serious) losses for 20 years.

[replayme]

Plenty of Patcher in this article, and more calls for the platform holder to go 3rd party.

http://mobile.businessweek.com/news/201 ... mels-stock

The next few weeks, along with the next Nintendo Direct, will certainly be interesting.

To be honest, and given the vast amount of money at their disposal, I'm surprised that Nintendo aren't going all out and ramping up their software arm by buying up developers left right and centre. Or bringing out more eclectic titles like what Sega did during the DC era.

At least MS gained the favour of the industry (and players) when they started signing up exclusives. Nintendo, with their vast hordes of cash, aren't even prepared to host a party and get developers on their side.

All Nintendo have to do is sign up a few GTA or CoD level exclusives, and their Wii U will be in a far nicer position then it it is right now. And no, I don't consider Platinum's Bayonetta game to have the same level of appeal. Nintendo just cheaped out when they went for Platinum.

[Skykid]

As of the end of the last financial year, Nintendo had around $5bn in cash assets and another $5bn in bonds. That’s $10bn essentially in the bank. Ten BILLION dollars. Which means that Nintendo could make a loss of the projected proportions for 20 or 30 years without running out of money.

I'm sure someone on here ridiculed me when I pointed out as much several weeks ago.

You pointed it out to me that Nintendo have more money than God. And I found out a few weeks ago that they have enough money to withstand (serious) losses for 20 years.

Same thing.

It wasn't you though, it was someone else who thought I was shit-talking. Just can't remember who.

[evil_ash_xero]

Maybe having all that backup money is making them less desperate, and more likely to just spin their heels with weak hardware, and not looking to get third party support?

It's a thought.

You'd think they would have fired their current prez, since the Wii U is doing so poorly.

[replayme]

Maybe having all that backup money is making them less desperate, and more likely to just spin their heels with weak hardware, and not looking to get third party support?

It's a thought.

You'd think they would have fired their current prez, since the Wii U is doing so poorly.

They would never fire their prez. Iwata is part of a "larger problem", insofar as it's the entire management board who are to blame for what's happening with Nintendo.

With all that cash, Nintendo could just buy cheap third parties - like Cave, Treasure, Platinum etc. And sign up plenty of indie exclusives - the way Sony and MS have been doing.

Spend money to make money. Even if they lose money (like all startups - which they surely will be if/when they reboot the Wii U) for the next two years.

Edit: what was it that the guy from Sony said again? That the hardware race is a marathon and not a sprint? Nintendo should be realising that they shouldn't wait until their next console, but should start working now to fix their problems so as to make their next console a success when the time comes.

Just look at what Sony are doing with the Vita. Everyone thought that machine was dead and buried, and look at what Sony have achieved over the last few months.

Just goes to show that Nintendo should definitely not carry on acting the way they are... And can still come out fighting like champs. Even though part of me thinks that they'll implement some backwards scheme, and score an own goal in the process. Because that's just what they always do.

Edit x 2: damnit man. I should have reserved this trinket of thought for a blog post. And I've neglected my blog of late...

[replayme]

Panic stations:

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25805136

Some quotes below:

"Shares of Japan's Nintendo plunged as much as 18%"

"We believe Mario on mobile is coming."



A call for Mario to come to mobiles doesn't seem far fetched given that Iwata mentioned something along similar lines in his recent speach. Nintendo allegedly have also been experimenting with Android.

Edit: Reuters is also in on the news...

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSB ... 0?irpc=932

Quotes below:



Shares in Nintendo Co Ltd tumbled by nearly a fifth on Monday after it warned of a third straight year of operating losses, heaping pressure on the creator of "Super Mario" to abandon its policy of not licensing its software to rivals.


"Its console-based business model spells doom for stakeholders. It has no choice but to accept the change," Jefferies analysts wrote in a note. "We believe Mario on mobile is coming."

At one stage, the shares fell as much as 18.5 percent. By 0104 GMT, the stock was down 11.9 percent at 12,900 yen. It was the most traded stock on the main board.

If it were to finish the day at that last traded price, it would mark its worst one-day decline since July 2011, wiping off about $2.3 billion from Nintendo's market capitalization.


The weak Wii U sales stand in sharp contrast to those of its predecessor, Wii, which propelled Nintendo shares to a record high of 73,200 yen in November 2007. The stock has lost more than 80 percent since then.

The Japanese game maker is to hold a management strategy presentation on January 30.

[Skykid]

I should have reserved this trinket of thought for a blog post. And I've neglected my blog of late...

In the friendliest possible sense, I think applying this thinking to all future posts on the topic of Nintendo would curry a lot of favour with the forum's general population.

[replayme]

I should have reserved this trinket of thought for a blog post. And I've neglected my blog of late...

In the friendliest possible sense, I think applying this thinking to all future posts on the topic of Nintendo would curry a lot of favour with the forum's general population.

Only the most retarded would appreciate this. Because then we'd never get to talk about falling share prices etc.

[Skykid]

I should have reserved this trinket of thought for a blog post. And I've neglected my blog of late...

In the friendliest possible sense, I think applying this thinking to all future posts on the topic of Nintendo would curry a lot of favour with the forum's general population.

Only the most retarded would appreciate this. Because then we'd never get to talk about falling share prices etc.

But no-one actually wants to.

Trust me, people on this forum do hit the complaint button. If you carry on with the endless repetitive dogma you're likely to get kicked at some point.

[replayme]

Understood. Even though people like Trap15 are the real trolls around here.

[Skykid]

Understood. Even though people like Trap15 are the real trolls around here.

They're not trolling dude, you're just pissing everyone off.

[BryanM]

They're not trolling dude, you're just pissing everyone off.

Sky, you can't trust a dog. You can only trust a dog to be a dog. But you, you can do better. You're a people.

I know it's difficult without the ignore function enabled, but join us. In the shunning. And the monster will go away.

[brentsg]

I pretty much just view all of Off Topic as "Console Wars" now instead.

Since bloodflowers supported the console war thread explicitly it seems that certain people have taken the liberty of making all of OT such. It's pretty pathetic.

[replayme]

Now available in the UK for £180.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014- ... -to-179-99

[BitFaced]

Wow, that's practically original Wii price. Makes me curious...

[Skykid]

I pretty much just view all of Off Topic as "Console Wars" now instead.

Since bloodflowers supported the console war thread explicitly it seems that certain people have taken the liberty of making all of OT such. It's pretty pathetic.

My current avatar says it all, really.

[BIL]

[Skykid]

So Iwata's taken a 50% pay cut and several higher board members reduced wages as a response to the failure of Wii U.

I had a feeling that would happen again. That makes Iwata now only astronomically well-paid as opposed to astronomically well-paid.

Some changes are surely on the horizon. I hear Nintendo bought a portion of their stock back from shareholders too.

[Ed Oscuro]

I saw that term "relaunch" earlier up in the thread. What does this mean, exactly? The console is out and it's Old Hat as far as many people are concerned, unfortunately. All I would see a "relaunch" doing is just a new push to get more software out and maybe a new price. The console has definitely got potential; it's the catalog of traditional console games that I think most advocates / media really want to see.