It seems like things just keep getting worse for Nintendo; their E3 unveiling of the Wii U last year proved underwhelming, with the show being stolen away from them by enticing current-gen properties like Watch Dogs and The Last of Us, and it’s been bad news followed by bad news ever since.
With so few reasons to own one and so many to wait until Sony and Microsoft unveil their next-gen consoles soon, Nintendo need to act fast or risk being left flailing in the race for gaming supremacy.
After so much success with the original Wii, it’d be pretty galling to see their market share fall from 1st place to 3rd, though that seems likely if they don’t clean up their act. It might be early days to make this judgement decisively, but it seems like the Wii U has probably failed.
Here are 10 reasons why the Wii U is a failure…
8. Poor Marketing
Despite most of my friends and acquaintances being gamers, not a single one of them owns a Wii U or has even bothered talking about it! This can be largely blamed on Nintendo’s awful advertising campaign, which above all else just lacks a significant presence; I can’t recall seeing a single advert on TV or billboard while taking the Tube, when something as big as this should have been plastered everywhere at every opportunity.
As a result, plenty of people were left unsure of even what it was; I know a few people who assumed it was a peripheral for the regular Wii, and so in this sense, Nintendo really dug their own grave.
If they can’t even be bothered to convey the basic nature of the product to people, then they probably don’t deserve to be a success, either. The Wii U is a console without a proper identity; to too many people it is an enigma that they just can’t be bothered to look up for themselves.
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28 Comments
As words go, “failure” is really quite final.
Isn’t it still a little early to describe it as such? As consoles go, that seems to be a word you can only ever use in retrospect. The Saturn was, ultimately, a failure, because we can look back on its entire sorry existence and deem it to be so. But the PS3 had a troubled start, and nobody would describe it as such today.
Give it time! It was never going to set the world alight like the Wii.
My iPad will be ready for IGN’s stream of the Sony conference next week.
Really? bad games. I would say it had a great launch lineup. It had batman, Mario, Cod (even though I don’t like it), Sonic racing, and Assasin’s creed
I think he’s talking about the Wii U exclusive games- and the ports of games like AC3, Mass Effect 3 and Batman Arkham City are all downgraded in the graphics and performance department.
This list pretty much nails the it. I just never really sensed any real excitement over this system.
The biggest failure in my opinion is that from a technical standpoint the Wii U is as powerful (or only slightly more powerful) than the PS3 and Xbox 360. So already the Wii U is behind the curve of Sony and Microsoft.
I still cannot understand why Nintendo chose this strategy of an underwhelming Wii U system. Yes, the Wii also did the same in being underpowered, but at least they had a solid ‘gimmick’ with the Wii controller and brilliant marketing.
Why would I or anyone else shell out money for the Wii U, when I can wait until the PS4 or the next Xbox comes out.
I love Nintendo as much as anyone else but whoever made the decision to not make the Wii U as technologically powerful as the PS4 and Xbox 720 should be canned. This was Nintendo’s golden opportunity to shed their image as a kids toy and come out with a true next generation machine that had a head start over the competition.
They blew it IMO.
if u love nintedo as much as u say then you already know whyy u would get a Wii u over say PS4 or 720(or at least get it first).
In all honesty I knew about WiiU for quite some time before I realized that it wasn’t just a video controller but an entirely new system.
What kind of idiot writes this (no offence) this is just a hate-campaign with little to no base in reality. I agree with the poor marketing point, Ninty are stupid of they think they’re doing a good job.
but low sales? in 3 months it’s sold 3 million units, the PS3 and 360 both managed around 5.7 million… in their first YEAR! in a quarter of the time, Wii U has 50% of those sales so I take it all those years ago you said those consoles would fail, or are they still failures today?
As for terrible game library, it launched day1 with AC3, BO2, Batman, ZombiU, Mario Bros U, Trine 2, Nintendo land, Mass Effect 3 etc granted, many of those are late ports which takes the edge off but what games did we have for other consoles, 360 launched with Tetris, Kameo, Tiger woods – not bad but not great stuff and a handful of games.PS3 launched with another small library such as “Ridge Racer… RIDGE RACER…”, Genji, Tiger Woods and a few more decent at best games.
All consoles have a rocky launch line-up, you’re writing professionally yet you overlook the obvious to try and make Wii U look bad. Besides, years after 360 and PS3 launched devs were saying they had a hard time, it wasn’t until 2007 that 360 got a great game with Halo 3 so be patient.
Lack of 3rd Party support eh? AC3, ME3, Rayman legends, ZombiU, Bayonetta 2, Lego City: Undercover, Wonderful 101, Resident Evil Revelations, Monster Hunter and soon enough Shin Megami Tensei/Fire Emblem. Case closed.
lack of Novelty appeal , maybe but the Gamepad is a serious gaming device as well as a “novelty” so that could swing either way.
“technologically redundant”: so you know what the next consoles are going to be like then, source please. given how far in the financial sh***er Sony, and to a lesser extent; Microsoft, are a powerhouse console is unlikely – they only got PS3 and 360 out because they were willing to take massive losses – and they wont want to do that again.
besides, it takes a while to see what a console can really do, check out graphics from Conker’s Bad fur day (N64) and compare it to something like gauntlet (PS2) and the Wii U 2011 tech demos – the best is yet to come.
“the Rayman debacle” Ubisoft’s fault, and how does one game losing exclusivity mean the console has failed?
Superior competition: Same as the technologically redundant argument (don’t count the same reason twice)
I agree with you on everything. This was just a hate campaign on Nintendo. Why can’t the Wii U have the same rebirth as the 3DS has? Also, remember, the Gamecube was a “failure” and that was a fantastic system with amazing games. Once a new Mario 3D game is released, and Zelda and Smash Brothers and Mario Kart….the people will flock to the system.
I think labeling the Wii U a failure at this point in time is a bit premature, but I think it’s likely to be a failure unless the next gen consoles just flat out bomb when they are released. Japanese companies simply can’t wrap their heads around the differences between their home market and the rest of the world, which leads to all sorts of baffling and counterproductive decisions that wind up hurting them in the long term.
Hate to admit I bought one and it was downhill from there. Luckily I didn’t transfer Wii to Wii U which in itself is stupid. Should be a copy. Oh well, back to Wii and sell the dead weight.
you’re an idiot.
The problem with Nintendo is that they focus more on patenting and less on relevancy. They also prefer small production budgets which is why their consoles lack the power under the hood to stand out from the rest of the consoles.
Have you noticed anytime somebody makes a point or factual statement they get stamped out?
This fanboy stuff is turning into like a Stalin campaign wiping out any *truthers*
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I just refused to buy one because of Nintendo’s “Customer Attitude”. When my first Wii quit working I bought a second one. I found out I was not allowed to download all old title games on bought on Nintendo’s sight. Customer service back this up. I was told they couldn’t do this because to many people were buying Wii’s and loading them with software. HELLO did you not notice my Wii purchased were almost two years apart? I am a programmer it doesn’t take much to scan for downloads. The last straw was as everyone knows Nintendo did not make the sensors available to purchase, when the one on my second unit for some reason failed after two months, the only ones you could buy were wireless. If you can afford to spend $5.00 a day on batteries it might be good. Nintendo for some reason did not want to sell sensors.
Good buy Nintendo thanks for the good run. You were tops for While now I will become a PS fan or XBOX.
The WII is a piece of crap that revolutionized the word “Shovelware.” How can we expect the WII U to be any better. Yeah, another rehashed Zelda, Mario, etc. – I’m so excited! Epic Fail.
I honestly do not understand the reactions from those who are labeling this article as a hate campaign against Nintendo. This reads as a well thought out article which highlights facts on the faults of the launch. You cannot say that these points are false. The majority of the points are true and the console launch is reflected by the bombing sales figures. Nintendo have really messed up this opportunity to take the lead in the next console wars.
I am, and will always be a massive fan of Nintendo. But these days I find that they have become boring, stale and too focused on gimmicky features instead of core gameplaying experience (I don’t care for playing games while swinging a chunk of plastic around. Call me old fashioned but I much rather sit down and let my thumbs do the moving). I have always hated the awful approach of making the Gamecube/Wii/Wii U design catered for all the family with its bright colours, alienating itself further from the serious gamers out there. Gamecube is by far my favourite one of the lot and it bombed (completely undeserved). Purple launch colour adds additional fuel to the fire and labels itself even more as the ‘kiddy’ console who should stay out of the grown up’s game.
I also object to the god awful prices the company charges for its games and accessories. I followed the progress of the Wii very early on, when it was still under the codename “Revolution’ (hell of a lot better) and was really excited about its prospects. They outlined at the time of producing cheaper games due to the shift of cd’s instead of cartridges, but also an approach of making games shorter in duration. Now with its success, the prices are still as high as ever (except for second hand of course) and I absolutely refuse to pay the extortinate prices for the two piece nunchuck controller, just to swing an imaginary bowling ball or dance in front of a TV (honestly people, just buy a workout video or watch MTV and hold the controller while you do it…why pay the X amount for a collection of music videos FFS?)!!
Now, it seems that Nintendo shot themselves in the foot again, first with the choice of the stupid name (of man, drop it with the stupid name please), followed by a ludacris decision to make a controller a tablet! Oh, back to prices….have you seen how much they cost? Any sane person would opt for an Xbox or PS3!
Dammit man, they really need to re-evaluate their strategy because people are losing faith in them. Oh, and another thing…if I have to stomach another new, New, New 2 Super Mario bros game, I’m gonna throw my shoes at somebody! Frustration and rant over…..Nintendo, please get to work by making yourselves great again!
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Nintendo fanboys are obviously getting desperate as their uncorruptible company falls down on it’s house of cards.
Like I said in my comments below Nintendo’s problem is they cannot handle criticism which instead of fixing glaring problems no matter how big or small they just either make the same mistake using new catch phrases or wind up scrapping the entire product.
I just hope Nintendo doesn’t decide to drop the home consoles and go to phones!
Nintend X! New Super Mario X! Super Mario for you’re X phone! Uses camera sensors on the phone and place yourself in the game or four other players for 4 times the fun!
Story? Same as before! Peach is chatting on her cell phone calling Mario for a date together when Bowser calls her giving her a threatening phone call threatening to steal the Sacred Phone to rule the world!
Mario comes to protect Princess Peach but one of Bowser’s Magi Koopas appears and fights Mario which Mario defends himself with his phone of power but fails since his phone is not fully charged!
Magi Koopa kidnaps Peach and takes her to Tech Base X where Bowser hold her ransom and demands the Sacred Phone that controls every cell phone in the Mushroom Kingdom!
It’s up to Mario to save the day exploring 50 levels of heart pumping fun! In fact you can even monitor you’re own heart rate which Mario will walk or run depending on how relaxed you are.
Simple my 10yr old got bored with it and he describes it as a cheap toy (his words) I agree plus its games look like a Xbox 360 so why would u get a wii u when u can just get a better system with more games and more features lol they will end up going the way sets went closed its doors and just release games cross platform
You’re are the worst kind of ignorant, obnoxious troll and your story, and child, sound fabricated at best. The Wii U WILL succeed. If any company deserves to fail in the console wars, it’s Microsoft.
*Points to royGbiv* TROLL!
The Wii U will succeed. If any company deserves to fail, it’s Microsoft.
Only 1 thing I agree on is Wii U need more titles……Im willing to bet 75% of you mfs sayin the Wii U is a failure dont even have the system… It IS a next Gen system, and its better than PS3 and xbox 360.. I have all the systems, and since i got the Wii U, my 360 is collecting dust, and PS3 sux so bad i literally gave that piece of tihs away… Black Ops 2 on Wii U is MORE SUPERIOR than any other system, Ita also a more COMPETITIVE system with a more creative edge!!! I have 10 games for my Wii U and im satisfied wit every one except the over rated Batman Arkham City.. So Be 4 you criticize Nintendo, get the system dumbass
Nintendo isn’t 3rd place, because Wii U is not a 7th gen console, Microsoft is still in 2nd place, and Sony is still in 3rd place. Nintendo will be 3rd place if the PS4 and Nextbox sell better. Wii U is more powerful, because it has two sceens.
The real problem which sadly no amount of gimmicks or upgrades can fix is the lack of their ability to handle criticism.
Whenever someone even mentions a control problem or wishes for better graphics *which is reasonable* a Nintendo fanbody will act stupid and put down the critic as a *troll* trying to cause a fight just because the *troll* said a few things he didn’t like about Nintendo.
And as for Nintendo itself they cannot seem to handle criticism either which if a product is a failure *Super Mario 64 or Majoras Mask largely due to controls and saving issues* instead of providing a simple fix they scrap the products all together or make another game with the same problems.
Super Mario 64 and Sunshine could’ve both been very great games but the controls were very awkward as if you look hard enough there is plenty of platforming and I liked the idea of doing things at you’re own pace.
As for Majoras Mask you save by using the owl statues which takes a *snapshot* of you’re current position where in Ocarina of Time you wind up either at Link’s house or The Temple of Time.
Nintendo could’ve easily used the controller pack as an option for saving on a dime if they were not so shortsighted focusing only on sale pitches.
I actually liked the idea of having a bank in a Zelda game where you can store you’re money and collect it at a later time if you so desire.
I’ve noticed the fanboys are so desperate they are resorting to name calling which only proves that THEY are the ones childish.
I have seen MANY decent comments explaining WHY they don’t like a system even going to show they bought it to give Nintendo a second chance or the benefit of the doubt.
It seems NOTHING is good enough to please the Nintendo crowd EXCEPT blind praise which they ain’t going to get.
You can scream and make false allegations *communist style* by calling this *Hate Campaign* but that isn’t going to change the facts that Nintendo is losing and you’re all butt hurt.