230°

Wii U Direct Won’t Convince the Masses, Seemed Like a Desperate Reminder to Fans that More is Coming

GenGAME writes: "The timing of these latest announcements seems to serve as an obvious reactionary measure against recent reports regarding the new Xbox and PlayStation successors’ specs and upcoming reveals later this spring. Regardless of the face Nintendo seems to be putting up, it seems clear that they don’t believe Wii U has established the advantageous position they were hoping for against the competition and are desperate to correct its reputation as soon as possible."

legendoflex4128d ago

Nintendo has been VERY deliberate about what they announce at these Nintendo Directs, and when they take place. I'm surprised more people haven't commented on the signs.

Army_of_Darkness4127d ago

When the next box and ps4 is released, we all know the wiiU is gonna be screwed and the only way nintendo can avoid this is by dropping the price of the wiiU drastically so they have a standing chance for next gen.

Irishguy954127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

The Wii's nunchuck and stick Motion controller was a much better marketing object than the WiiU's second screen. It was a great gimmick for the masses.

Nintendo aren't exactly in trouble, a slow start is normal. They aren't selling the Wii's levels because they got lucky with the Wii.

Nintendo have now appealed to the hardcore with nintendo direct. Only astute fanboys would not be impressed by that little conference. As I say, it was only a matter of time before I was set on getting a Wii U, nintendo have my purchase, but they'll get it when these games are released. I'm not buying a system prematurely when it will just sit in my corner, especially with the amount of Ps3 games coming out over the next few months

Edit---they may be screwed sure though. If they cannot appeal to casuals this time they're pretty much ****ed. Unless of course, they start ****ing exclusives or Sony and/or MS next consoles aren't that impressive.

tehpees34127d ago

@ ArmyOFDarkness

No. The person interested in Zelda or Mario will buy it anyway. Microsoft and Sony are after a different audience.

joeorc4127d ago

"When the next box and ps4 is released, we all know the wiiU is gonna be screwed and the only way nintendo can avoid this is by dropping the price of the wiiU drastically so they have a standing chance for next gen."

In my Opinion they will be far from screwed, the Hardware that is inside of the WiiU is good enough to run in Parity PC centric development for Game console's just as they would the NEXT PLAYSTATION AND The Next XBOX. Unlike Last Time with the Wii, THE PROBLEM WAS THE disparity in development hardware from BOTH THE XBOX360 AND THE ps3. this time on the other hand Nintendo released a machine that enables xbox360 or PS3 quality dev. assets to be used on the WiiU.

example:

This is called Miyamoto setting gamers up with tempered expectations for advanced fidelity.

"So I don't know that we would be able to sit here and say that it's going to necessarily dramatically outperform the systems that are out now," he continued. "It's part of the balance that we strike in terms of trying to find entertainment that is new and unique."

http://www.giantbomb.com/ne...

even though it may not be as powerful as the Next Xbox or the next playstation it's far capable of handling current generation art assets, along with current physic's and shader model's etc. which makes great use of it's hardware for newer game engines. since the hardware could handle thing's the xbox360 or the PS3 cannot handle. but will not be as well adaptive as the next xbox or playstation would be able to handle. that does not mean the WiiU could not handle newer thing's, its just that it may not be able to handle everything the new playstation or xbox can or as well.

Biggest4127d ago

"Nintendo has been VERY deliberate about what they announce at these Nintendo Directs, and when they take place. I'm surprised more people haven't commented on the signs."

As if we don't have enough rumors floating around...

AsimLeonheart4127d ago

I already said the same thing mentioned in the article in one of my comments. The games mentioned or "announced" do not have a release date or any schedule. The bottom-line still remains that the Wii U lacks compelling software and there isnt any releasing in the NEAR future. Why will anybody buy a console today because games will get release 2 or 3 years LATER?? WHEN those games get released THEN Wii U will have games to buy it for. Right now the event was just a reminder and a consolation to everyone.

Gamer19824126d ago

People are saying the WiiU will be screwed when new consoles are released but it will survive in some form as there are Nintendo loyalists who will keep picking up consoles like the WiiU for there Mario and Zelda games which can only be found on Nintendo consoles. I don't think it will sell anywhere near PS4/720 numbers but it will sell enough for Nintendo to support it for its life-cycle. I may even pick one up myself as a second console once its dropped in price as I love playing smash brothers with my sons however I refuse to pay the money they want now as I am only interested in 2 games and neither are out yet nor have a release date (smash brothers and mario kart).

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4126d ago
Root4128d ago

I found it this way

I just felt like this was the sort of stuff they would of kept for E3 or the run up to it like in May.

For me it was like "Don't worry guys we have stuff coming"

What are they going to announce at E3 now....they'll probably just going to show what they've already announced.

They know that the PS4/Next box reveals at E3 is going to over shadow them even more. I don't think their strategy with the Wii U is working.

chadboban4128d ago

Well we still have no idea what Microsoft and Sony have planned for E3 in terms of the games they'll show off for their new consoles and all we know about Nintendo is that 3D Mario, Mario Kart Wii U and Smash Bros will be at E3. We don't know if they have anything in the works for the 3DS nor do we know what Retro Studios' Wii U game is or any other Wii U games for that matter.

Nintendo knows they need to really step it up this year seeing that Sony and Microsoft will most likely reveal their new consoles. Not only that but if the trend from previous E3s follow Nintendo's conference will be after Sony's and Microsoft's. Meaning that they need to have some big games planned for show or they will indeed be over shadowed by Sony and Microsoft. If Microsoft and Sony plan to spend most of their conferences detailing their new consoles, Nintendo needs to use that to fill their E3 with as many games as possible. E3 can go anywhere, anything can happen and it's near impossible to predict.

New hardware doesn't automatically equal to a winning show(remember Sony's E3 2006, I remember cringing so much during that conference), the games each company shows will determine that and I honestly think they all have a fighting chance to wow us this E3.

TruthbeTold4128d ago

Two words for you Root. Retro Studios.

Y_51504128d ago

Sony did that before E3, still announced games like Twisted Metal. But yeah it kinda destroys the E3 hype. I rather have it announced now and then see more at E3.

iamnsuperman4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

The problem with the direct I had that not many people are mentioning is they are saying don't worry X is comming. But when? It was either small amounts of gameplay or just the odd screen shot. Also saying Zelda is coming isnt that exciting as we allready knowit is coming (same with a mario game). It was never the level of bayonetta 2 announcement. On that not little was shown for that game. Is that game coming out this year? I dont think so. I say another year

The games mentione that will have gameplay footage at E3 will take up a big part of Nintendos E3 conference. (Talking 10-20 minute per game) . Are people really expecting more big annoucments at E3 considering these games are more likely to have a November release date at a minimum and more likely release after

zerocrossing4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

I don't understand why people think the last Nintendo direct came across "desperate" they knew they had consumers with some concerns/issues regarding the release of future titles and the Wii U's poorly optimised apps and they addressed them, they announced some very interesting games currently in development that we didn't even know about and that news no doubt shifted a few more Wii U units.

What was desperate? the fact they have good PR? a certain level of transparency in a company (especially video game developers/publishers) is favourable, IMO.

chadboban4127d ago

@iamnsuperman

10 to 20 minutes per game, dude are you insane? Look back at any E3 press conference for any company, no one has ever spent 20 minutes on a single game although there are a couple of exceptions (I'm still mad at how much time Nintendo spent on Nintendoland last year). Look at Nintendo's E3 2010, all they did was show game after game, not really spending more than 5 minutes on each one. The key for Nintendo to succeed at this E3 is the amount good games they show and their pacing. If they can come out with a show like they did at E3 2010(minus the disastrous Zelda demo),E3 2006 or E3 2004 I think they stand a chance.

Gamer19824126d ago

Indeed it is about the @we have stuff coming@ so people don't trade in there consoles as my local stores have a lot of pre-owned consoles already..

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4126d ago
SuperLupe4127d ago

I just hope no Sony fanboys diss the Wii U because of the "lack" of games.

Back in 2007/2008 they were the ones crying and throwing tantrums on every gameing forum possible when the media was saying the same things about the PS3.

I wonder if it's an anti-Nintendo conspiracy this time. Or is that PS3 exclusive ?

Good_Guy_Jamal4127d ago

No, the media is biased only against SONY.
I mean someone here said that the VITA was being unfairly targeted by the media and that nobody said anything when the 3DS was struggling. . .and he like 40 agrees and 6 disagrees.

Outside_ofthe_Box4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

I hope you don't diss the Wii U as well, as you did the PS3 at that point in time.

OmegaSlayer4127d ago

LOL at this comment
"Gosh, people just need to buy a Wii U! If you're debating whether or not to get it, GET IT NOW! (If you're able) There are PLENTY of great games already out for it, and many more to come. So, don't wait to get one, you should get one soon. If you were pleased with the Wii, then get this, I like it about twice as much."
The guy has really low expectation...
"Gosh, people, I like to eat turds, but then I tried sand and it's just so exquisite and delicate, I love it about twice as much"

About the article...it's what I think...if you owned at least a Nintendo console somewhere in your life and enjoyed it, there's a slight chance you will buy the Wii.
As a non Nintendo fan, I don't see a reason to buy a WiiU with true next gen console behind the corner.

3-4-54127d ago

lol people actually need other people to convince them?

So they are purposely letting other people decide their life for them ?

wow people are stupid....and so is this gengame.net place

SilentNegotiator4127d ago

Nintendo fanatics don't have to like it (and judging by the disagrees, do not), but it's true; they're a bunch of status quo Nintendo games of the distant future.

If Nintendo doesn't shape up their 3rd party support and offer new experiences themselves (and no, touchscreens do not make "Mario ______" new), they won't live up to their potential.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4126d ago
PopRocks3594128d ago

Oh great. Ten bucks says this is tonight's hottest article.

Root4128d ago (Edited 4128d ago )

Does it really matter

EDIT

Mate you make it sound like Nintendo get these articles based on them for nothing, like people are making crap up. Have you seen the amount of articles Sony get on here about them being doomed, about the PSV being a failure or how the PS4 is already dead, then when they get "PS3 outsells the Xbox world wide"...hardly nothing, it's "Who cares"

Seriously this is happening to Nintendo because they are making mistakes. They don't seem to know what they are doing most of the time.

It's not hate, just observation

PopRocks3594128d ago

When the more positive articles on the exact same subjects get outshined, yes. It irks me quite a bit that everyone gravitates toward only the negative articles without giving any positive views a chance.

If it didn't happen every single damn time, I wouldn't make a point of mentioning it. But the fact of the matter is it does and I think that's crap.

PopRocks3594128d ago (Edited 4128d ago )

"It's not hate, just observation"

With all due respect, that point is complete garbage, you know that?

People demand Nintendo bring on more big name franchises. They do so and everyone criticizes them.

They show off trailers for not one, but TWO JRPGs, a crossover made by the ever amazing Atlus and the successor to Xenoblade and no one seems to care.

An HD remake of one of the most beloved Zelda games in the franchise; oh well, who cares! Btw, I'm buying the latest PS3 HD collection.

And finally acknowledgement that Mario, Mario Kart, Zelda U and Smash Bros. will be shown very soon.

Not to mention a vast number of updates to improve the OS, expand on Miiverse and a new and improved Virtual Console with a cheap upgrade process that is 100% optional.

Are you seriously telling me it's fair to say that nothing good came out of this conference? I'm not seeing it at all. If the tables were turned and Sony did a conference identical to this, NO ONE would be criticizing it.

You may validate this cynicism but I see it as complete hypocrisy. It's an ignorant viewpoint to criticize Nintendo for doing EXACTLY what people WANTED them to do.

Root4128d ago (Edited 4128d ago )

You know I honestly don't why I tried with you....you are just too obsessed in Nintendo articles. You get too worked up over this, seriously you defend Nintendo in every bloody article good or bad.

So again I don't know why I bothered...you'll twist anything anyone will say to you to try and make everyone else the bad guy and you the noble hero defending the ones being "hated" on.

EDIT:

As I said why the hell would I waste my time on you, it's not like you would listen anyway. I'd rather spend my time watching something on Tv or play Minecraft then waste time arguing to someone who will ignore your points anyway because they'll want to remain the one in the right. Seriously I mean take a look at your comment history and see how man times you've came to "Nintendos rescue", you get too worked up over it, for you it's like Nintendo can't do anything wrong. No company is perfect

Seriously people say MS fans are the worst or Sony fans.....no the worst are Nintendo fans.

PopRocks3594128d ago (Edited 4128d ago )

@Root

Nice ad hominem attack and illogical fallacy, your debating skills are to be admired. You completely ignored every point I made and instead attacked me for making the points and my general stance on Nintendo.

Because, you know, that's how you provide an argument when you have none! Seriously, if you're going to bother replying, at least give me something to work with; not this stupid BS that somehow I'm the problem.

Also lol, stating facts is twisting people's words. I suppose next I'm a liar for stating that the sky is blue.

EDIT: "As I said why the hell would I waste my time on you, it's not like you would listen anyway."

Well for one thing, you actually responded to my comments. Twice. Also you call disagreeing not listening, so that's another problem.

You made no points to begin with. You just said, oh well Nintendo deserves what they're getting; it's not hate it's just objective observation. I made a point against that and you made no attempt to respond to it.

Because my comment history is the problem. /s Right, because I'm not allowed to have a preference to Nintendo and still be able to approach a Nintendo article objectively. I'm sorry you think my positivity is a problem.

I'm not saying Nintendo is perfect. Please identify where in these comments I did. Otherwise, keep making wild accusations and otherwise stupid generalizations. Thank you.

"Seriously people say MS fans are the worst or Sony fans.....no the worst are Nintendo fans."

You're really helping your point by being insulting toward me and anyone who shares my more positive stance on a video game company. I can see how this really helps your case.

Good_Guy_Jamal4127d ago

Root, you sir have been served.

G20WLY4127d ago

^Nice addition, thanks for your contribution. In fairness, it must be hard for you to see Root's point with yer head so far up Poprocks' a*se...

Pointless, offtopic debate about how "everyone hates on my Ninty, wah", etc. And then, "No they don't, blah", etc. -_-

So, on topic, I too am worried they've shown their cards too soon in an attempt to get some more sales in before people decide to stop spending and start saving for the next generation consoles.

Saying that, I'd be amazed if Nintendo didn't hold at least one real big announcement back for E3, perhaps something that is further along than the ones they teased at Nintendo Direct and hopefully to launch very soon after E3 - that would be very cool! :)

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4127d ago
legendoflex4128d ago

This isn't REALLY a negative article. Just trying to draw a distinction between the kinds of positive attention Wii U Direct got from fans and the kind of positive attention Wii U needs from the general population.

Aside from MAYBE Wii U Party, there aren't really any titles that were shown that answer to Wii games that sold lots of systems. Most of the ones we saw were follow-ups to lukewarm games that sold well, but didn't result in lots of Wii momentum.

TruthbeTold4128d ago (Edited 4128d ago )

I did check out the article. It's the term desperation, and that type of language that I grow tired of. Also, very tired of the 'It happens to Sony and MS too!' argument. What does that even mean? Everyone has to have their turn taking even the positive things and having a negative spin put on them? And the fanboy loyalists who hate all things Nintendo just eat it up since for whatever silly reasons, they feel threatened by anything good that isn't aligned with their own loyalties... Bleh.

I mostly reported this as lame in order to use what this site allows to voice objection. I'm not at all trying to blackball you though, so I will cancel that objection. I just wish that people will see things for what they are. That this completely optional Nintendo Direct was a gesture to the people who are willing to spend more money, and take risks on new hardware here at the beginning of the console's life.

Sure there are casual games already. But that won't be the major focus just yet. Most casual gamers aren't buying a $300 console until it becomes 'the thing everyone else is doing. And that goes for every company's consoles.

EddieNX 4127d ago

Wii fit U , Nintendo Land , NSMBU , etc etc etc.

Phil324128d ago

It's funny because articles like this don't convince me the Wii U is in trouble, it is just a reminder that desperate sites will post anything negative (the Wii U is a hot subject to hate on nowadays) to get hits and ad revenue. This is ESPECIALLY true with headlines.

legendoflex4128d ago (Edited 4128d ago )

Wii U is aiming for near-Wii sales levels, and is weekly charting more at 2007 PS3 levels.

Nintendo doesn't make those sales predictions for no reason; they do it to appeal to their investors. If they don't meet those predictions, investors lose confidence, and that hurts Nintendo.

People think about sales and profitability as something that only pesky analysts should be concerned about, but it's not. Just ask the people at Vigil Games who are about to get laid off - some of them have ALREADY been laid off - because no one seems to believe their newest project will be profitable enough to be worth the investment. It's serious business.

It's not just a hobby for these developers. It's a JOB. For them, making sure they do something that will bring in the expected returns is a condition of their livelihood. Games don't just pop up out of wishes and dreams - they require a capital investment to bring together a team to build them, to have the equipment to make them, to make sure they can be delivered to market. It's expensive work!

lilbroRx4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

I've never seen Nintendo even suggest that they are aiming for Wii sales levels. In fact I thought they said "specifically" that the Wii U was for people with high disposable income and that they were refocusing their direction with it.

I'm pretty certain that is what they said.

The Wii U was aimed at a completely different audience than the Wii from the start. Nintendo made it clear that they were focusing on core gamers with this system and are shifting focus more towards indie devs(who love the console) and 3rd party devs.

Knushwood Butt4127d ago

The Wii U did well up until Christmas, but since then it's dropped like a stone.

Both hardware and software sales are very low.

Benjaminkno4128d ago

These articles are desperate.

BOOM!

SuperLupe4127d ago

Well I for one went from being so uninterested in the WiiU that I didn't even know/notice when it launched to being 80% sure of getting one just for the new Monolith Soft game alone. Add to that the rest of what they announced and now the Wii U seems like a legit purchase to me.

They changed my mind in less than an hour ...

MEsoJD4127d ago

It wasn't enough to convince me, but it does give me hope. The new Monolith game was the highlight for sure. Everyone knows they are developing zelda, smash, etc...Which are still far away. The new hd port seems cool, but i hope they do Twilight Princess.
I'm hoping we get a price drop at E3 and a lot of announcements/reboots(like F-Zero & Star Fox).

Show all comments (79)
80°

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

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RiseNShine11d ago (Edited 11d 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_drake11d ago (Edited 11d 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.

Inverno11d 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.

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