5 Reasons why the Wii U isn't "dead" just yet

by Jake Galouzis 21 Comments 5 Likes 1,458 Views 28/02/2013 Back to Wii U articles Wii U

If you're a regular on any gaming-related site, chances are you've caught a glimpse of the seemingly-endless supply of Wii U doom-and-gloom articles as of late. Sure, the Wii U hasn't had the strongest of launches, and the company is set to endure a sandstorm upon the launch of the next Xbox and PS4 - but that's not to say that Nintendo won't put up a fight, and a strong one at that. Here's five ways the Wii U can potentially see Nintendo dominate once again:

Games catalogue will only get better


The Wii U possessed a strong variety of first and third-party launch titles, from FIFA 13 to ZombiU to New Super Mario Bros. U. While Mario is arguably (I say that for the sake of opinion) the world's most iconic video game character, New Super Mario Bros. U was merely more of the same formula we've seen on every previous Nintendo console.

In saying that - the game-changers are still to come. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. are examples of blockbuster titles yet to be released, that could potentially push millions of consoles.

Nintendo have primarily relied on their first-party franchises for success over the years, and with good reason. The company has created characters that not only resonate deeply within the minds of gamers (such as Mario, Link and Donkey Kong), but are also instantly recognisable to those who may be unfamiliar with the industry.

Nintendo know this is a big win, especially in the family demographic, and will continue to milk their big franchises until sales tell them otherwise (as long as the quality doesn't change, they can do whatever they please).

Price isn't getting any higher


Microsoft and Sony's next-generation consoles are expected to be released anywhere between late 2013 to early 2014 - giving Nintendo at least a year up on its counterparts. By the time Microsoft and Sony enter the market, it's not too crazy to assume a price cut will be in order to lure fans away from the more powerful hardware in favour of the cheaper option.

Even if a price cut doesn't occur, we're sure to be seeing some big-name titles out by year's end, and currently-released titles will only decrease in value - ultimately creating more bang for your buck should retailers decide to bundle the console with popular games.

$350 ain't too shabby for a brand new console, and it's only going to become more affordable.

Sales aren't as bad as we think


The Wii U has been copping a ridiculous amount of flak for its (often-labelled) "disappointing" and "mediocre" sales - but are they really that poor? Upon last check, the Wii U had sold just over 3 million units - nothing astonishing, but decent figures nonetheless.

Let's compare sales to that of the Xbox 360 and PS3 back in 2005/06. In its first four months on sale, the Xbox 360 sold a cumulative 3.2 million units. The year after, the PS3 achieved similar sales in its four month window, at 3.61 million sales worldwide.

Mathematically, the Xbox 360's first four months saw 800,000 consoles per month sold, with the PS3 slightly ahead with just over 900,000. Now I'm absolutely terrible with numbers but it doesn't take a genius to see that this time next month, the Wii U should see its four-millionth console sold - putting it at one million sales per month.

Still plenty of room for innovation


From Scribblenauts Unlimited to the inventory system in Vigil Games' Darksiders 2 port, we've seen some great uses of the Wii U GamePad so far. However, not unlike how game visuals tend to progress over the lifespan of a console, I'm sure the same applies to the GamePad and how developers are planning to make use of it.

Upcoming titles such as Ubisoft's Rayman Legends and highly-anticipated Watch Dogs are sure to make inventive use of the device, but it doesn't end there. Nintendo are also incredibly late to the whole online side of things, and need to make a serious push to the "core" gamers - that they're serious about creating a network on par with the services Microsoft and Sony currently provide.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who also hopes to see classic Nintendo 64 and GameCube titles make an apperance upon Nintendo's launch of the Virtual Console for Wii U later this year.

Third-parties haven't given up hope just yet


As I've already mentioned, the Wii U has received strong support from third-party developers and publishers thus far, and it doesn't appear slowing any time soon. The aforementioned Rayman Legends (now a multiplatform release) and Watch Dogs will be making an appearance on the Wii U later in the year, as will yet another Ubisoft title, Splinter Cell: Blacklist.

In case you were getting worried about Ubisoft being the only company providing third-party support, titles such as Injustice: Gods Among Us (NetherRealm Studios), Lego Marvel Super Heroes (Traveller's Tales) and Monster Honter 3 Ultimate (Capcom), will also be seeing a 2013 release.

It is crucial for Nintendo to maintain a strong relationship with developers and publishers to continue third-party support - the company's big mistake with the Wii was alienating the "core" gamers who were simply interested in the company's big-name franchises - they had no reason to return to the console after playing them.

By Jake Galouzis

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5 Reasons why the Wii U isn't "dead" just yet Comments

  • stealth20k 28/02/2013
    great article
  • renagadez 28/02/2013
    Good points man! Personally for me, the console is barely out of its diapers yet. There is still plenty of space of grow and apply some really good games for the Wii U.

    I guess my problem is that there is nothing really shown for what is coming out for it. I know there are a few games planning on being released but some gameplay or pictures would be nice to go along with those announcements.

    I think once the first year rolls over, there will plenty of content for the Wii U.
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  • OllyEbbz 28/02/2013
    Really? an article on why it isn't dead yet like 2 or 3 months into its life... like really? and its a Nintendo console it ain't gonna die by any means.
  • 1wiierdguy 28/02/2013
    Wii U had a great start before losing momentum recently. It's not hard to see why. Pikmin 3, Wario and Rayman all got delayed past the launch window leaving a very barren release schedule for Jan-Feb. All console launches have this post launch drought, it just takes time to make the next wave of software and the loss of these titles has only amplified this. March will see some respite as NFS, Lego City and MH3U hit shelves. Also as we hit the end of the launch window info has started to come out about devs plans for later this year. Watchdogs, Splinter Cell, Resident Evil Revelations were confirmed and there are rumours of a Wii U version of Bungie's Destiny. The recent Nintendo Direct showed plenty of great titles on the way and I'm sure E3 will reveal even more. The Wii U might not match the Wii's success but it will still be a profitable system for Nintendo. IMHO.
  • retromino 28/02/2013
    Don't forget about the eShop either. It already has some great games with a much improved Virtual Console on the way very soon. Developers are finding Nintendo very easy to work with and prefer the eShop system over Sony & Microsoft's offerings. So that can only be a good thing for the future of the Wii U.
  • Tyrus 28/02/2013
    Yeah, kind of makes me laugh and a little sad at the same time.

    Vita also outsold Wii U in Japan last month.
  • OllyEbbz 28/02/2013
    Its ridiculous to be honest, if were in this same situation come March 2014 then fine write this up but this is way too early. The console is in for a great year just next month there are 3 great titles coming in Lego Undercover, Monster Hunter 3 and NFS which I have to add is the definitive version on consoles. Then there's E3 and all the other big titles running up to xmas. Still I was reading yesterday Cliffy B of EPIC fame reckons that Nintendo will go the way of SEGA and purely develop games, would be a massive loss. Will be interesting to see how the Wii U fares against the mighty duo of 720 and PS4. But yeah less of the doomsday stuff on the Wii U already, you think it helps the console sell with all this negativity always in the press its like a witch hunt and people want it to die.
  • JJake 28/02/2013
    games.slashdot.org/...

    nintendo.about.com/...

    killscreendaily.com/...

    www.gameinformer.com/...

    www.cheatcc.com/...

    Articles/discussions such as those that I listed above (trust me, there's a lot more where that came from) were the designated targets of this counter article.

    This wasn't a negative article (as the title plainly states), merely a collection of ideas to show those who actually possess a negative opinion of the console that it's still early days, and the best is yet to come.
  • Tyrus 28/02/2013
    Haha, I think Tano or Ben forgot to log me out at my office computer as I don't remember making that comment above. :P

    Personally, I have found the Wii U in general disappointing. I don't give a shit for sales; its always about the games for me if I choose to invest or stay away from a certain console. However, I guess I can understand why people are generally not optimistic after its quiet launch, both games and sales-wise.

    But like many other people point out, the PS3 had a similarly stale launch as well, and it's obviously done well six years on. The GC also had plenty of doom and gloom back in the day, but I look back on it fondly as probably the best and last true "gaming" Nintendo console. Hopefully things will pick up for the Wii U fans, but I personally can't see myself investing in a Nintendo home console anymore after the Wii. The 3DS, however, is where Ninty is at.
  • gdmatt 01/03/2013 +1
    It won't die, but I wish Nintendo made it more powerful. I want to be amazed 3-4 years down the track and not experience the best the Wii U has to offer in a technical form after 1 or 2 years.
  • Trabman 03/03/2013
    This is only the beginning of the console so we definitely havn't seen the best yet. But i agree there's reason to be a little bit pessimistic about the situation. Wii U kind of misses the opportunity to show itself before the announcements of the next gen ps and xbox consoles.
  • SilentOne 04/03/2013
    With the WiiU we can still play Wii games on it..
    So while we're waiting for the good games to come out..
    We can catch up with all the old Wii Classics we might've missed out on.
  • Tano 05/03/2013
    Well of course the games catalogue can only get better. That's easy when the catalogue is terrible :P
  • barters81 05/03/2013
    After reading how close crysis 3 was from being on the Wii U, I wonder how things would have panned out if it had made it. Well, not just made it, but utilised better textures etc in the way NFS does.

    Could have been a system seller....long to be.

    I love the console. But Nintendo have a habit of being their own worst enemy. Just look at the name not differentiating from the Wii enough, or a almost complete lack of advertising in general.
  • Tsunamo 06/03/2013
    A game that is on three other platforms wouldn't have been a system seller.
  • Tsunamo 06/03/2013

    The Wii U possessed a strong variety of first and third-party launch titles, from FIFA 13 to ZombiU to New Super Mario Bros. U.


    And most of them were on other platforms before it not long before/at the same time, not exactly enticing for people to jump on board on a new system.
  • 1wiierdguy 06/04/2013
    www.craveonline.com/...
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