Wii U

[Odin'sLaw]

^ got mine jan 07 people still telling me in 09 how lucky i was to get mine in the second shipment

[miokomioko]

I'm seeing about the same amount of stock coming into shops, but it takes far longer for them to get nabbed up.

Also, there's a lot less reselling going on.

[Hiryo]

It's not like it's an opinion, both numbers are backed up by sales data. Major companies can't lie about stuff like that without repercussions from investors so no reason to doubt them.

This is, of course, the only real and obvious answer. However, there is so much anecdotal evidence even in this thread alone that the supply is out there. Today, our stores had to pull Wii U's off the sales floor for an ad event. You can also see on eBay that the system isn't really as rare as we may think it is.

I'm not saying Nintendo Corporation or retail analysts are lying or anything, I just know plenty of stores on this edge of the east coast that aren't sold out :\

[Kwijiboe]

I'm kind of surprised it's selling as much as it is. Other than third party titles, there's very few first party games for the Wii U. New Super Mario Bros. U is okay, but in my opinion, it could have been on the DS.

I picked one up because I was interested in the hardware. So far, I've played Scribblenauts and New Mario U. It feels like I'm playing DS games on my TV. But that's probably because these games are pretty much DS games.

[SephYuyX]

Played Nintendo Land for the first time today, wowza it's much more fun than I thought it would be.

[Arc07]

Play some of that DK's Crash Course. Best game on there imo.

[GentaiShinigami]

They supposedly have more supply in the retail supply line so it would make sense to sell well but not sell out. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't for nintendo. If they don't have enough supply people claim they do it on purpose to make ppl buy since its scarce, and if they do have enough ppl say its selling like crap since they see them stocked in stores. It's a no-win situation for them.

Pikmin is the game of choice for the wife and I. Love that game so much.

Every store within a mile in any direction of me was sold out of Wii U's. I had to drive a little over an hour to get mine. Anecdotal evidence is pretty worthless in these situations. Plenty of people waltzed in and got Wii's back at their launch and the months after. After around a month you could get one about anywhere where I lived, but elsewhere people had a hell of a time. Besides, don't believe anyone has said they (U's) were rare in general - just locally. That was just a report on the sales data.

Reminds me of the Penny Arcade bit where Kaz Hirai said he would buy for thousands any PS3s still on store shelves, and they found like 11 right near them between several stores just sitting on shelves (with pictures to prove it).

[6souls]

Reggie Fils-Aime has explained that the Wii U's loss-leading business model turns a profit after just one game is sold for the system.

Speaking to the Mercury News, the NoA president was quick to point out that the company wasn't making the bottom line sacrifices which some had thought it would by releasing its first console to be sold at a loss from launch.

"The business model doesn't change dramatically, in that as soon as we get the consumer to buy one piece of software, then that entire transaction becomes profit positive," Reggie said.

"In the end, the business model is still to drive the install base of hardware, and then to drive a strong tie ratio with all of the other software and experiences for the consumer. And if we're able to do that, then we will create significant profit for the company."

Details of Nintendo's cut from third-party produced retail titles are not public knowledge, but it's unlikely to be any higher than 30 per cent at most, suggesting that the loss margin on a new Wii U is minimal. With GameStop reporting that the attach rate for the Wii U is extremely healthy, at 2.4 per console sold, Nintendo is looking to recoup any console manufacturing losses extremely quickly.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...i-u-profitable
http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_22013695
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-says-gamestop

A new study by Nielsen shows that children aged 6 to 12 want iOS devices and Nintendo's Wii U over the next six months. Apple's iPad leads with 48 percent, followed by 39 percent of children pining for the Wii U. 36 percent want the new iPad mini and iPod Touch, while 33 percent want any version of the iPhone.

Losers in the 6 to 12 demographics include the Microsoft Surface tablet (6 percent), a Samsung Galaxy product (9 percent), and the PlayStation Vita (14 percent), which sits below its predecessor the PlayStation Portable (18 percent).

When it comes to those over the age of 12, 21 percent want Apple's iPad. A computer follows with 19 percent and non-iPad tablets sit at 18 percent. Nintendo's Wii U shows up in fourth place with 17 percent and the iPhone has 14 percent.

Those 13 years and older don't seem to care about the Apple TV, which only has 2 percent. The entire Nintendo DS family, Microsoft Surface, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation have only 6 percent expressing purchasing interest in the next six months.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...r-the-holidays
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/...d-to-iholiday/
http://www.fastcompany.com/3002200/i...r-kids-discuss

Wii U is now available in the US, but the verdict is still up in the air for many critics. One comment that's repeatedly brought up is that the Wii U doesn't offer visuals any more advanced than current-generation hardware. In fact, 4A Games' chief technical officer, Oles Shishkovtsov, went so far as to tell NowGamer that the Wii U "has a horrible, slow CPU."

4A Games is the studio behind THQ's Metro: Last Light. The game is in development for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, but 4A decided it wasn't worth the effort required to get it onto Wii U as well.

Fellow 4A developer Huw Beynon further explained, "We had an early look at it, we thought we could probably do it, but in terms of the impact we would make on the overall quality of the game - potentially to its detriment - we just figured it wasn't worth pursuing at this time. It's something we might return to. I really couldn't make any promises, though... given the size of the team and compared to where we were last time, just developing for the Playstation 3 is a significant addition.”

The Wii U's horsepower may not blow anyone away, but it's certainly enough to run games like Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin's Creed 3 and other triple-A titles available on competing consoles, so at this point developers blaming lack of support on tech specs seems like a weak excuse.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...last-light-dev
http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1687689...light_dev.html

Atari founder and industry veteran Nolan Bushnell has questioned the possibility of success for the Wii U, even as American shoppers queued overnight to secure the new Nintendo console.

“I actually am baffled by it,” Nolan Bushnell, told the New York Times of the Wii U.

“I don't think it's going to be a big success,” he continued, suggesting that only hardcore gamers would be interested in purchasing a new games machine when the current-gen is still delivering great games.

“These things will continue to sputter along, but I really don't think they'll be of major import ever again. It feels like the end of an era to me.”

The article also featured Robbie Bach, former president of entertainment and devices at Microsoft, who addressed Nintendo's decision not to feature its games on other devices like the iPhone.

“It's the hardest strategic decision Nintendo has had to face in a long time. Would Mario on an iPhone be an interesting property? I think yes, it would.”

And he was more positive about the future of the Wii U and the Japanese company.

“I've learned not to count the Nintendo guys out,” he added.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-wii-u-success
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/25/te...nted=all&_r=1&

[Hatedregret]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/di...wii-u-face-off


Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime says third-party games have dramatically better graphics on the Wii U compared to PS3 and Xbox 360. Fils-Aime was bullish in response to an interviewer's assertion of the Wii U being on par with the competition, declaring his company's new console to be "much more graphically intensive."

"If you did a side-by-side comparison," Fils-Aime said, "You would actually see that third-party games like Call of Duty look dramatically better on our system."

Fils-Aime's comments do not match the findings of the respected tech analysts at Digital Foundry, who didn't note any dramatic improvement in a recent assessment of Black Ops 2 on Wii U. In fact, Digital Foundry raised concerns over the Wii U version's performance compared to PS3 and 360.

"The Wii U version matches the look of the Xbox 360 game and thus gives it an edge visually over the PlayStation 3 release, but unfortunately it comes up well short in terms of performance - an aspect that is all-important to the playability of a COD title. The frame-rate variance is such that the PS3 game feels generally smoother, while the 360 release feels like an entirely different game in the more demanding levels. Bearing in mind the commonalities in hardware design between Wii U and Xbox 360, we can't help but feel somewhat disappointed that Black Ops 2 under-performs so noticeably."

The article goes on to say that "for the Wii U hardware to under-perform to this extent on such a crucially important game doesn't look good for future prospects."

[Deader2818]

Its funny, considering I remember a side by side of Arkham City that showed the game looked much better on the Wii U.

[GentaiShinigami]

It does look better. Don't own it so I can't say anything about frame-rates, but from the pictures it clearly wins. They said several games had fps issues that I have seen none of however. I rented COD BLOPS2 last night and not seen any significant fps drop. If it was there it left as soon as it arrived and calling it out as an issue is petty and childish. I did however enjoy playing on the controller while my wife watched food network, and using the Wiimote on the TV. Eurogamer are being childish arguing it is too much for the hardware when they know damn well it boils down to lack of time or care. Whatever gets you clicks I guess.

When the Wii U was supposed to be a super-badass graphics machine way back when all the PS3 and 360 zealots claimed graphics don't matter really it's about the games and Nintendo has none. Now it's suddenly about the graphics again since they think they can eek an edge out (they wont, wait 6 months and see). Haters gonna hate.

Same thing happened at 3DS launch "omg looks worse than PSP look at these comparisons" and then look at it now. Games are made for it, with ample time, and they easily surpass PSP. They said the new handheld gen didn't launch till Vita, well, look how that worked out for them. Generations aren't defined by graphics and anyone who thinks so has been brainwashed as a child by genesis and 360/ps3 propaganda. Really wish SEGA hadn't started this bullshit back in the day (Nintendont, blast processing, etc).

I for one would like to pump the brakes and go back a gen, at least in mentality. I'm tired of these "gorgeous graphics" games that have <10 hours of actual gameplay. A game multiplayer does not make. Almost all of these games that use that excuse have dead servers after a year. Case in point: Homefront (just a recent buy I can use as example). The game has a 4hr long campaign, but its ok cause multiplayer guys. Well, multiplayer is pretty dead on taht now and servers won't be around much longer I'd bet. Someone bring me games with some meat. If I wanted to be responsible for making my own fun I'd go outside or play Minecraft or some shit. Lazy devs /shakeshead

[ArchDizzle]

I for one would like to pump the brakes and go back a gen, at least in mentality. I'm tired of these "gorgeous graphics" games that have <10 hours of actual gameplay. A game multiplayer does not make. Almost all of these games that use that excuse have dead servers after a year. Case in point: Homefront (just a recent buy I can use as example). The game has a 4hr long campaign, but its ok cause multiplayer guys. Well, multiplayer is pretty dead on taht now and servers won't be around much longer I'd bet. Someone bring me games with some meat

I agree 100% with this, however everything else your spewing in this thread is the exact same shit your bitching about PS3/360 fanboys doing. You're coming off just as naive.

[Qalbert]

^

[GentaiShinigami]

The difference is I'm not going into places and shoving the Wii U in their face or down talking to them ala fanboy. I am specifically in the thread dedicated to the console. Sure I am defending the console, but only against criticism (a lot of it incorrect) brought against it here. If I was going into PS3 and 360 threads talking about how they can enjoy last gen or inferior graphics or some such then that would be equivalent to the stuff I see, but hey, you are entitled to your opinion.

[Qalbert]

Except that the thread for a new console is a perfectly valid place to level criticisms, it is a discussion of a new console, not a fanboy circlejerk.

[GentaiShinigami]

Except that the thread for a new console is a perfectly valid place to level criticisms, it is a discussion of a new console, not a fanboy circlejerk.

So, throwing criticisms (not that these shouldn't be) and trolling (should not be obv) is OK, but defending the plain wrong criticisms is not? Good to know how you operate!

Perhaps my commentary is now more acceptable

Spoiler: show

Silly me, having discussion in a discussion forum =O I'll cease and desist!

[Ratatapa]

ok girls behave!

[Qalbert]

So, throwing criticisms (not that these shouldn't be) and trolling (should not be obv) is OK, but defending the plain wrong criticisms is not? Good to know how you operate!

Perhaps my commentary is now more acceptable

Spoiler: show

Silly me, having discussion in a discussion forum =O I'll cease and desist!

saying that people who are complaining about framerate and graphic quality (both of which are objective facts) are petty and childish is the definition of fanboyism. You are turning a blind eye to any complaint about the system and saying anyone with anything negative to say is a fanboy of another system, which is absurd. The fact is Wii U has both positive and negative qualities, and discussing the negatives does not mean that someone is an xbox fanboy, or a nintendo hater. Get over yourself.

[Cream Soda]

To the gameplay vs graphics thing.

Gameplay/Story (depending on the game) is always top priority. Looking nice is just a bonus, but not required.

[Qalbert]

I would submit that framerate is more than just "looking nice" though, as, especially in action/fighting/shooters, it can directly hinder the gameplay.