The Real Problem With Wii U's Software

Since the Wii U’s release in late 2012, doom and gloom articles about the console’s library and the system itself have become the norm in the gaming media. This article may be considered as one of them, but the point I will try to make here is that Wii U’s main problem isn’t its quantity or quality of software, or the hardware itself, but the nature of its game selection.

[SpiralTear]

I'm pretty surprised here; this article actually makes a number of interesting points. The 3DS and Wii U both have a lot of fantastic games, but many of their best (or most anticipated) games are from franchises that they share, so the 3DS does usually get an advantage in being portable and less expensive than the Wii U.

On the other hand, games like Bayonetta 2 and Monolith Soft's upcoming RPG seem extremely distinctive from the 3DS games, but neither of those are from Nintendo directly. In fact, ZombiU and The Wonderful 101 were too: games that were perfect for Wii U alone, but also not made by Nintendo directly. Pikmin 3 was an outlier, you could say, but I still see the message the article shows.

I think the idea of making new franchises for consoles and new franchises for handhelds help distinguish the systems from each other. However, with Nintendo possibly combining handheld and console OS for their rumored successor console, this problem could continue, for better or for worse.

Good to see a Nintendo-related article that actually makes interesting discussion points instead of shoving doom and gloom down everyone's throats with the exact same excuses we've all heard a million times before.

[NicholasDeRosa]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! I'm growing tired of the gloom and doom too, I think it's time to look at things realistically as possible when it comes to Wii U. Everything seems to be black and white concerning the console and I find it irritating.

X and Bayo 2 are actually two of my most anticipated titles. However, they won't sell the system to the masses IMO.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

I wouldn't be too sure about that...
The only thing that would really hold back either one from selling the system by a decent amount, is Nintendo's advertisement efforts.
Both are actually much higher profile than they normally would be due to the circumstances of their predecessors.

Bay 1 was a game that never hit a Nintendo system and now suddenly its sequel is exclusive to one, and improved over the original in every way from the looks of it.

Xenoblade Chronicles comes from a unique history of only being in the states due to fan demand, alongside two other highly anticipated games.
It's now known as one of the Wii's truly golden games, and its sequel, just like Bay 2, looks like it is taking everything that made us love the original, the music, the massive, beautiful landscapes, and monsters, to explore and fight through, and combining it with even larger storyline bosses and mechs to fight them in.

Both have been given quite a bit more advertisement than their predecessors and both have received quite a bit more attention from the gaming community as a result.

My belief is that these two games are going to sell themselves better than people believe, regardless of how many Wii U's they'll move.
Maybe not in astronomical numbers, like 2M copies of each game in a week or something crazy like that, but they'll definitely be must-have titles that will move a few Wii U systems while they're at it.

[MNGamer-N]

What if the new console, and new handheld played the same game. Buy one game, it is playable on both home console as well as the handheld? No longer 2 different versions? Wouldn't this streamline everything and bring development costs way down as well as free up more development time? FUSION

[Knushwood Butt]

Like cross buy games for Vita / PS3 ?

[SteamPowered]

The WiiU game selection hasnt grown up with its players, plain and simple. Nintendo is built on nostalgia, and the Wii U has it in spades. What is doesnt have is an adult-oriented library of games. Wii U is stuck in a negative image of only catering to children. Nintendo can definitely use some original IPs, but if they want them to be successful on the Wii U, they need those IP's to be sexy enough to make gamers make the leap.
Wii U has some wonderful kiddie platformers, where Xbox and Sony put up gritty FPS or story-driven adventure games. Nintendo needs to take a look at what the gamers are playing, instead of shipping another Mario game.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

You obviously haven't seen the indie selections, let alone given credit to third party efforts like Assassin's Creed 4 or The Wonderful 101.
Just stop.

[SteamPowered]

@Monkeyman,
Stop what? Saying my opinion? Thats what comments sections are for. So too bad.
On topic, Assassins creed is adult as well as Zombie U, Deus Ex and Mass Effect 3. So what? Compare that to Mario 3D, Nintendoland, Donkey Kong Freeze, Pikmin, lego undercover, etc etc that are aimed at a younger audience.

[deadfrag]

Kiddie platformers?!WTF Donkey Kong CTF is one hell of a hardcore platformer and even Mario haves some difficulty spikes that i didnt get on games like Rayman and lets not even talk about TW 101 super hardcore gameplay.And talking of Kiddies platform,you know im 40th years of old and i play games for more than 30 yeARS and i call Kiddies games to games like any Assassins Creed were i can play the game from beginning to the end credits without losing a single life during the entire game;thats a Kiddie game,not to mention that i have more fun playing what you call kiddies games than playing overrated,milked crap!

[Metallox]

"On topic, Assassins creed is adult as well as Zombie U, Deus Ex and Mass Effect 3. So what? Compare that to Mario 3D, Nintendoland, Donkey Kong Freeze, Pikmin, lego undercover, etc etc that are aimed at a younger audience."

I'd say those games are aimed to all audiences, not just kids. There's a huge difference for me.

[truechainz]

So based on your response to wonderfulmonkeyman it seems that you are saying that kids don't deserve quality games. What do you have against a younger audience? Sony and Microsoft do try to make a few games for kids, but they barely do any. If Nintendo only made "sexy games" then the younger generation would barely play consoles or handhelds at all which means consoles won't be a priority when they grow up. I think Nintendo has hit a good balance and simply needs to expand to get games out faster (which they are doing) and then revamp their marketing because it is still pretty bad. Be cautious my friend because though I may be misinterpreting you, it seems like you have a maturity complex.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Wrong. Monolith Soft's X is from Nintendo. Nintendo owns the game and developer. Monolith Soft is First Party.

[SpiralTear]

I was more talking about the X as a core Nintendo franchise compared to Zelda or Metroid, like it was made by Nintendo R&D and not a separate first-party studio.

[GenericNameHere]

Nintendo really needs to get as many third-party exclusives for their home consoles. They have so much money in the bank, yet they're not willing to spend any of it.

Nintendo needs a stronger handheld so it can work with remote play on their next console.

[ABizzel1]

I've been saying it for the longest. The Wii U has it's own problems as a console, but it's biggest problems are the PS360, the 3DS, and the PS4.

PS360 are in direct competition with the Wii U, because there are 80+ million of both of them, and outside of exclusives they get the majority of the same games. On top of that both give their users free games each month through PS+ and G4G.

3DS and Wii U are the exact same concepts. However, 2DS/3DS are half the price and less, the games are cheaper, they offer an similar experience (less graphical detail), and they have similar libraries, but the 3DS has handheld exclusives like Pokemon which gives the 3DS the sale over the Wii U most of the time.

PS4, it's just the most popular of the new consoles, so that alone it going to hurt Wii U adoption numbers.

The Wii U isn't a bad console, it just has too much competition. It needs a better price ($199 - $249), more exclusives (coming soon), and Nintendo needs to make New IP's (Wii U exclusive), New ideas (Pokemon MMO), and get their infrastructure and business together for the next console.

[3-4-5]

I just bought a Wii U 3 days ago and loving it.

I missed out on Wii, so I get to do some catching up while we wait for more games.

I'm having a blast though and I've owned every gaming console outside of the Playstations, and this is definitely some of the most fun gaming I've ever experienced.

To me, the Wii U = 2nd N64.

And I LOVE my N64, even still today.

Like the N64, it didn't have as many games as other consoles, but it had some of the best games of that generation and games responsible for where gaming is today. Some true classics.

[Concertoine]

Shit man youre really missing out if you never got a ps1 or ps2. Ps3 has some good stuff but not as much as the first two.
I didnt like the ps2 as much growing up (you had to buy a hard drive, that thing for online play, something for 4 player multiplayer, ended up costing way more than the xbox which had all of that) but buying one for 40 bucks and replaying all the hidden gems has been great.

[Geobros]

The real problem we will never find it. Ok nice try but if I understood well, you are saying that the really problem is that Nintendo can't convince 3DS owners to buy Wii U as the games are the same?

You are saying that Mario galaxy would help much more than 3D World because is different than 3D Land, right? You are saying also that Mario kart 8 will have the same problem.

Then....why this didn't happen to Wii? NSMB had great sales even if there were a NSMB in DS. Same with Mario Kart Wii. Even if I am not a Wii U owner, I have my 3DS and I would say that Wii U has different and interesting games to offer to me.

[bobacdigital]

Wii had motion controls and DS had 2 screens .. that is why people bought both. The had 2 entirely different experiences with close to the same graphics...

The 3ds and Wiiu have the same core concept outside of the 3D... The are both 2 screen gaming devices with pretty good graphics but close to the same games.

The Wii U isnt selling for many reasons.

1. Some dont know exactly what it is and what it can do.. The name was very confusing for people who werent in the know.. And the gamepad wasnt a big enough innovation that really grabbed the market (I love the gamepad... but it doesnt scream OMG)

2. Starting price for the Wii was 250.00 with its competition being close to DOUBLE the price. The Wii U was 350 when it came out and is now currently at 299.99 MSRP.. This position it only being 100 less than the ps4 and 200 less than the x1 initially. The Wii U needed to be SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper starting out so that it could win on price... 250 launch and 200 or lower in its second year.

3. There is no reason to own third party games that give you an inferior experience graphically. The market wants better graphics, which is why people buy the ps4 and x1 over the Wii U.

4. Nintendo first party games cant carry the load of the console like it use to.. The hardcore Nintendo audience is getting smaller and smaller. Most Kids who got a Wii are older now and have upgraded to other experiences .. like the ipad or 360, ps3, ps4 and so on. Most people who have a Wii that bought it for casual have no reason to update it.

5. From the outside looking in .. It is technologically inferior.. Inferior graphics, limited online play , no achievements, slow start up times, slow load times, no unified account system, no party chat... This things all sound like little things but when you add them up it is alot.

Nintendo has missed A LOT of things they could be doing better to capture the market.. But the bad marketing, the name , the software drought, slow vc releases, no definitive online experience, no MUST have game that appeals to consumers outside its base.. has really really hurt the system.

Nintendo wants to be different... but being different shouldn't be playing catch up .. You can be different and still carry features the consumer expects of a new age device. Yes I expect it to play games, Yes I expect it to connect the internet... but what Nintendo doesn't see is I expect it to ALREADY have a Unified account systems.. I expect it to play my first party games online with friends... You can enjoy local play as well as online play .. they need to include things consumers come to see as mandatory experiences.

Nintendos problem is really their greatest strength.. which is themselves.

[RPG_Lover]

There is no real poblem.

[king_george]

But there is.... i love nintendo but lets not be naive

[RPG_Lover]

In 2013, they were the number 1 game company.

Exactly what problem do they have that others do not have x10 worse?

Lets not be hypocrites here and pretend like Nintendo has any major problems. They do not.

[king_george]

@RPG_Lover

Are you calling me a hypocrite? How so? Im simply pointing out the obvious. Nintendo most definitely has problems dude. I have a splitting headache so im not gonna bother getting in an argument with you. Although i would easily win that argument if it ever went down -_-

Besides... you've used all your bubbles anyways

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

If it a problem now why wasn't it during GBA and GC days or DS and Wii.

[NicholasDeRosa]

The games weren't nearly the same visually and gameplay-wise.

[Chrono]

Not enough mario games.

[Remy_S]

Same problem as Vita, not enough first party support and third party publishers have left the building.

[TheVideoGamHer]

Yup. The Wii U has a lot of good games. It's just the diversity of the library that makes the software look weak. I don't blame anyone who's not sold on the Wii U yet.

I'm the biggest Nintendo fan ever and when ppl ask me if they should buy a Wii U I tell them "not right now, no."

[mochachino]

Nintendo games alone don't cut it anymore, people want 3rd party support but the hardware doesn't allow for most of it.

[Locknuts]

Not easily anyway and chopping the game up and rebuilding it for Wii U is not worth the cost.

[Locknuts]

Too many goddamn platformers. I like Rayman Legends & Mario 3D World but please. Enough is enough.

[Gohadouken]

Being so on the defensive and pretending everything is fine , isnt good at all for the good of nintendo and its fandom .

Every time someone complain about lack of "adult" or hardcore content , there is a "but Donkey Kong is uber hardcore and not kiddy" kind of knee jerk answer . it's not false , but it's not necessarily about games being inexistants , there are always excelelnt games , some the very best all consoles compared , but the whole perception behind it and in the public eye .

As challengeing and good a game like Dk , as an example , is , you can't expect everyone to take you seriously , when for a part of the gaming population , mature content and hardcore gaming means stuff like say GTA . Maybe they are idiots , maybe they lack taste , maybe they lack the maturity to dig deeper . Who cares .

But that's how it looks for many .

Also i remember that back in the snes era , the console was pretty much like the ps1 , size of the market and power aside obviously . What i mean that as a leading force of its market , he had an healthy mix of all the strongest 3rd party multiplatform games , most of the popular 3rd party exclusives , and of course the excellent first party and second party nintendo titles .

Later on and each new console , it's a constantly shrinking offerings of 3rd party multipatform games and support , a quasi extinction of 3rd party exclusives , and Nintendo's offering remaining intact and strong . Even for the Wii , wich instead captured a new and different market .

Something definitively went wrong . The bucket falls both on Nintendo and Publishers . The Wii U's problem , hardware choices asides , are pretty much the same issues that kept not being adressed , just because "we sell pokemon and stuff and got money in da bank , and always have at least one 3rd party Partner in the bunch doing fine (this time capcom) .

There is a huge deficit in image for people that arent seduced by Nintendo's core franchise , or as they say "outgrew" them for good and bad reasons alike . Placebos like the usual select few core and/or mature titles , in the past resident evil and a few others , now Bayonetta and X arent enough .

Great titles , but not good enough , not when you have such Financial strength and such an healthy backbone that keeps being bragged about . When actually helped the Wii U could micking at least some of the DS and 3ds's wealth of titles and success .

So you feel publishers are scaredy cats and will only come if the success is already there and palpable ? Force and crack it open by producing much more than a sea of your usual titles that need no help like Pokemon and mario , and produce more expériences like W101 , bayonetta , X , without just relying on those two studios and those sole IP .

Where is a kick *ss Wii U fire Emblem ? Golden Sun ? Why arent you pestering Capcom and even part funding them to port their essentiel fighting franchises ? Where are your horror games ? Why not fricking create more of your own open world experience ? With existing Ips or new ones .

So far it's a bunch of nonsense about how they heard people , the year of Luigi , and Bayonetta and X ...
I wont say i'm tired of always buying a console Nintendo for only a handful of games , obviously that handful is so great i can't bring myself to miss it . But it's sad it has to come to this .

PS : yeah i know i farted a wall of text . But it sums up my feelings on Nintendo those past years . And i havent even got started on Nintendo and how behind they are with practical UIs and online features .

[Picnic]

For me the fact that they haven't released Luigi's Mansion 2 (aka Dark Moon) on WiiU is unforgivable.