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Can The Wii U Live Up To Its Predecessor? Reggie Fils-Aime Makes The Case

Few people saw the Wii coming. In the weeks before Nintendo’s video game console hit stores on November 19 2006, critics called it underpowered, gimmicky, and a potential flop. But six years later the family-friendly, motion-sensitive Wii is the undisputed leader of its console generation, with nearly 100 million units sold worldwide –about thirty million more than either of its competitors, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3.

This fall Nintendo hopes to confound expectations once again. On November 18th, the company will release a new console called the Wii U. Critics are already calling it out for a “gimmick” –the Wii U GamePad, a controller with its own built-in touch screen display, like a tablet computer. But Nintendo says the controller will usher in exciting new styles of gaming.

Griffin48714249d ago

It's funny how Nintendo has to prove critics wrong AGAIN.

LX-General-Kaos4249d ago

That will always be the circle of life

Gazondaily4249d ago (Edited 4249d ago )

@ Pillsbury1

Haha brilliant. +Bubs

If by living up to its predecessor in terms of sheer sales, then that remains to be seen. Judging by the mammoth sales of the original Wii, it sure will be difficult to match that.

In terms of quality and overall appeal of the console and its games, I have a feeling that it will surpass its predecessor. With the Wii finally entering the HD era and coupled with the interesting tech and possiblities available as a result of it, we should be in for a real treat. Nintendo have always been the innovators and I think we can rest assured that we will get some interesting titles.

I also think Ninty will make a more concerted effort when it comes to catering for 'core gamers'. Obviously time will tell whether this is the case, but for now, I remain optimistic about the Wii U's prospects, not just financially but also in terms of quality.

live2play4249d ago (Edited 4249d ago )

hakuna matata

wiiu will be alright

darthv724248d ago (Edited 4248d ago )

The sales side will be tough to match unless Nintendo does a really good marketing program. Focusing that not only is the Wii-u better (performance) but that it is a Wii as well.

So those who bought a Wii wont feel like all their previous games and accessories are useless now that the new U is out.

The other side is the technical specs. The U has lived up and surpassed the predecessor by a significant margin. That is usually the way it goes. In fact all consoles since Pong have been steps up the evolutionary ladder.

Some have taken bigger steps than others but they have always been on the increase in trying to move the industry forward.

The biggest and most important factor for any platform is the games. Having something that appeals the widest audience has always been the most successful. some would like to think its all about the 'core' when the core no longer makes up the majority stake.

Looking back at systems like the NES and SNES and PS1 and 2 and we can see their greatest expansion in overall units sold were when there were titles available to pretty much any type of gamer.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4248d ago
Venoxn4g4248d ago

I always am amazed when people are losing faith in Ninty, but they always have surprises..good surprises, I'm always looking forward to Ninty's announcements :)

Pillsbury14249d ago

Nintendo will prove everyone wrong and and bring great games we have all grown up with.

Krew_924249d ago

I'm pretty sure anything Nintendo makes can out-do the Wii.

They've learned from their mistakes, third party support, and are on the road to a good outcome.

TongkatAli4249d ago

I'm going to do the soulja boy dance when getting mine.

4249d ago Replies(1)
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80°

Game Developers Have Begun Confirming Nintendo Switch 2 Support

Game developers have already started to confirm that they will support the Nintendo Switch 2 with their future titles.

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80°

How Many More Victims, Like Garry's Mod, Will Nintendo's Hurtful Crusade Create?

Hanzala from eXputer: "As Nintendo takes out 20 years' worth of stuff from Garry's Mod, I watch in shock, thinking why it continues to hurt and discourage its fans."

RiseNShine10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

The irony that some of the most disgusting business practices come from companies like Disney or Nintendo, i can't even begin to understand what terrible damage was Garrys Mod making to Nintendo bottom line, imho they're getting pretty nervous about where they're heading in the future, handhelds are no longer something exclusive to Nintendo, from Steam Deck to many others, now you can play the latest games and pay a fraction of the price on Steam sales, so it's up to their exclusives, which just on their own would make hard to justify purchasing a closed overpriced hardware with outrageous price policies (Super Mario Odyssey is still 60 euro 6 years later!), and as a home console they're always underperforming compared to Sony or Xbox.

gold_drake9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

i cam guarantee you, that their exclusives alone is what drives switch sales. they sell in the 10s of millions of copies.

nintendo created their franchises to be sort of nostalgia driven, exclusive only on nintendo.

people will always buy the pkmn games as they always bring in new younger fans amd is family friendly

mario kart, the same thing, mario games in general.

zelda games are system sellers. animal crossing for the casual gamers.

nintendo doesnt need third vame devs essentially. they made sure with the switch and the limitations that they looked more to pc ps and xbox.

its sad, but nintendo is more than fine with what they're doing. they positioned themselves to appeal to the more casual gamers.

but to your point, im not sure why they're doing this rly.

Inverno9d ago

Look at how they handled Nintendo games being streamed or uploaded on YouTube in the past. They killed Yuzu and Citra even when they had nothing to do with ToTK being leaked, not to mention it was basically unplayable on emulation the week it was leaked. Smash Bros tournament, that was fairly recent. They shut down their online services without any care for purchases made. I bought a switch after skipping their last 2 consoles and handhelds but I don't plan on buying anything Nintendo in the future. They take things to the extremes, they legitimately hate their fans. They're honestly right up there with the likes of Acti, EA, and Ubi, only difference is that they disguise themselves as being family friendly all the while being shady.

80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."