The Wii U sales thread - 220k shipped last quarter

[jawafour]

I sort of agree, Deaths... I've previously written here in GRcade that it'd be best to just enjoy the system, enjoy the games and forget about sales - whether they're good or bad.

In my head I suspect that Nintendo won't plough too much money into turning Wii U sales around; in my heart I hope that we'll continue to see a few gems appearing. In fairness, this is what seems to be happening.

[gamerforever]

I sort of agree, Deaths... I've previously written here in GRcade that it'd be best to just enjoy the system, enjoy the games and forget about sales - whether they're good or bad.

In my head I suspect that Nintendo won't plough too much money into turning Wii U sales around; in my heart I hope that we'll continue to see a few gems appearing. In fairness, this is what seems to be happening.

I think Nintendo's strategy is to now develop a bunch of spin offs and 'lite' versions of their main franchises, which are more cost effective, and also a great way of introducing new franchises into their portfolio.

Will we see a 3D metroid on the Wii U? I highly doubt we will tbh - it would work great with the touch screen for scanning and changing items on the fly.

[Osito]

What's going to happen:

The new 3ds shows Nintendo knows that they have given recent consoles confusing names and are moving to rectify it. It is a dry run for launching the New Wii in 2016, with a proper marketing push, which will be a home console/handheld hybrid and their only console.

Zelda Wii U will be the glorious swansong in November 2015
Zelda New Wii Remastered will launch alongside the console, along with Metroid, in November 2016.

This gives Nintendo a few years to get the online infrastructure in place: a proper account system, full eShop and Virtual Console compatibility (with a Netflix-esque subscription service), and proper remote play, allowing you to take the controller/game with you.

Nintendo have recently been hiring hardware engineers, and it all makes sense. The Wii U, though a lovely console, has been a stop-gap allowing Nintendo to get used to HD development, get the online infrastructure and afford them the chance to build their 'proper' next-gen console when the technology has become more affordable.

[jawafour]

Interesting stuff, final-fx. I'm sorta fine with most of that!

One aspect I'm unsure about is the whole 'single machine' approach that many people have predicted. It sounds easy to do, but technically and cost-wise there are so many challenges:

> The 'main' console and 'portable' console would have to have the same innards... effectively doubling the cost. Or:

> If the innards are in the 'main' console, the 'portable' console could only be taken a short distance from the 'main' console for it to be able to stream data. Or:

> If the innards are in the 'portable' console, the 'main' console would just be a docking station to provide a simple means of displaying output on a TV / screen.

Would people be happy with a 'main' console only as powerful as a 'portable' console? Would folk be satisfied carrying around a potentially expensive 'portable' console?

So many questions. I'd be surprised to see a combined machine.

[Osito]

My guess*

It will be a home console box with a 3ds/gamepad hybrid controller. The home console would be far more powerful, so all content is saved on the home console, with virtual console content also being saved on the controller. The controller can be used as a normal controller with the screen off, or the 'full' console (see below).

While using the home console, the TV is the main focus. Devs can choose to use the second screen option if they desire, but most will not. The Wii U Pro Controller can also be used, which will be more appealing when bringing multi-platform titles/ports over. This will allow all content to be played: New Wii games, Virtual Console & eShop titles and video programs like Netflix. Backward compatibility with Wii U titles.

There would be two options using the controller as the main device:

1- Offline Mode- Full New Wii games can't be played, but Virtual Console & indie titles can be. Stored and saves on device, duplicated on home console when next using it.

2- Online Remote play- As long as both the console and controller are on and connected via wi-fi (though not necessarily on the same network) they can communicate with each other and everything can be streamed directly to the controller.

If they were to bring it out now, they'd struggle with the latency, but this problem will have been solved by release. Sony are doing a similar thing with the Vita which is producing very good results.**

The eShop/Miiverse will also be available online, on phones/tablets and on the console.




* Inside source

** They did lots of work on this creating the Wii U gamepad, and are still working on it. You'll get an idea of it if you use your 3DS as a controller in Smash Bros.

[GrinWithoutaKat]

Looks like the Wii U did about 580k in the December NPDs. Considering the news of them doing 500k last December caused that huge share price drop and one of the most high profiled 'Nintendoomed' news days I can remember, this is probably not a great figure for them

[Super Dragon 64]

That might be because, in America, Mario Kart sold 1.7 million copies since launch while Smash Bros sold 1.4 million in the short time it was available. In addition to this, American Amiibo sales were around the 2.5 million mark.

Smash Bros and Amiibo did well in just over a month for a console with such a small user base.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

Looks like the Wii U did about 580k in the December NPDs. Considering the news of them doing 500k last December caused that huge share price drop and one of the most high profiled 'Nintendoomed' news days I can remember, this is probably not a great figure for them

That might be because, in America, Mario Kart sold 1.7 million copies since launch while Smash Bros sold 1.4 million in the short time it was available. In addition to this, American Amiibo sales were around the 2.5 million mark.

Smash Bros and Amiibo did well in just over a month for a console with such a small user base.

Personally I think compared to the sales of the ps4 and xbox1 the wii u numbers are pretty good. Software sales as DD64 points out are very good considering the installed user base. Amiibo sales have been I believe a very successful short term cash cow.

[Super Dragon 64]

The buzz around trying to secure pre-orders in America, as seen in the thread on Gaf, makes me think that Amiibo aren't just a short term money maker.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

The buzz around trying to secure pre-orders in America, as seen in the thread on Gaf, makes me think that Amiibo aren't just a short term money maker.

I still can't see them doing the same numbers next christmas on Amiibo. All the nintendo die hards have now pretty much bought the ones they want and I can't see what other characters nintendo have to release that would generate as much interest as the current line up.

Edit. This is all assuming nintendo doesn't launch a game where they require Amiibo characters to play it.

[jawafour]

...I can't see what other (amiibo) characters nintendo have to release that would generate as much interest as the current line up.

StarFox and Zelda figures, tying in with the game releases, would be popular. I suspect that collectors would be keen on Xenoblade figures, too; for both the 3DS release and the new Wii U title.

[Super Dragon 64]

The buzz around trying to secure pre-orders in America, as seen in the thread on Gaf, makes me think that Amiibo aren't just a short term money maker.

I still can't see them doing the same numbers next christmas on Amiibo. All the nintendo die hards have now pretty much bought the ones they want and I can't see what other characters nintendo have to release that would generate as much interest as the current line up.

Edit. This is all assuming nintendo doesn't launch a game where they require Amiibo characters to play it.

While the Smash Bros series will probably all be out by Christmas, the new Super Mario series shows that Nintendo is already prepared to release new sets. I was hoping to see a Captain Toad series but we may see something for Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Yoshi's Wooly World or Mario Maker.

[The Watching Artist]

They have yet to make a Pokemon amiibo. (ignoring Smash characters) Dwell on that for a moment.... They could do different the Links. Samus in loads of different outfits. Nintendogs. Would love a Wonderful 101 set. I can picture some retro pixel sculpts to. They just have to pace themselves and keep coming up with games that support them.

Nothing stopping them working with 3rd parties on a few extras either.

[Super Dragon 64]

Pokémon Amiibo would ruin me. I'm treading lightly as it is

[NickSCFC]

Looks like the Wii U did about 580k in the December NPDs. Considering the news of them doing 500k last December caused that huge share price drop and one of the most high profiled 'Nintendoomed' news days I can remember, this is probably not a great figure for them

I really can't see them getting past 15 million lifetime sales at this rate. Zelda may cause a small boost, but most Zelda fans are Nintendo fans who would've already the Wii U for games like Mario 3D World and Smash Bros.

[SEP]

Looks like the Wii U did about 580k in the December NPDs. Considering the news of them doing 500k last December caused that huge share price drop and one of the most high profiled 'Nintendoomed' news days I can remember, this is probably not a great figure for them

I really can't see them getting past 15 million lifetime sales at this rate. Zelda may cause a small boost, but most Zelda fans are Nintendo fans who would've already the Wii U for games like Mario 3D World and Smash Bros.

As long as they're making a profit, they can afford to ride this out and try again next cycle.

[Monkey Man]

1.91m shipped last quarter.

The Wii U, however, is still mired in mediocrity. Despite a crop of critically acclaimed releases, the console has managed a paltry 3.03 million sales since April last year, bringing lifetime sales to 9.2 million. Nonetheless, a relatively healthy 20.59 units of Wii U software were sold, showing a strong attach rate amongst the faithful.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2 ... cts-profit

[Tomous]

Looks like the Wii U did about 580k in the December NPDs. Considering the news of them doing 500k last December caused that huge share price drop and one of the most high profiled 'Nintendoomed' news days I can remember, this is probably not a great figure for them

I really can't see them getting past 15 million lifetime sales at this rate. Zelda may cause a small boost, but most Zelda fans are Nintendo fans who would've already the Wii U for games like Mario 3D World and Smash Bros.

As long as they're making a profit, they can afford to ride this out and try again next cycle.

Not quite that simple from a business perspective though is it? If the profit doesn't offset the high R&D costs the console would have incurred before release, they may think twice about how they approach the next cycle.

[jawafour]

...a relatively healthy 20.59 units of Wii U software were sold, showing a strong attach rate amongst the faithful.

Did my bit during 2014. Pac Ghostly 1, Pac Ghostly 2, Adventure Time, Transformers, Spider-man, Watch Dogs, Sonic Boom... Club U driving up that attach rate with the real classics .

[Return_of_the_STAR]

I actually think these figures are good. A year ago the industry was doom and gloom about the wii u. Many speculated that the console wouldn't last much more than another year but in reality it's slightly increased its year on year sales and software sales have massively increased compared to the previous year.

In reality this will probably be their best year. Because of the two marque games. Zelda is a big seller but doesn't as big of an appeal as mario kart and smash bros.