10 Video Game Consoles The World Wasn't Ready For
1. Nintendo Wii U
When Nintendo launched the Wii, the console was one of the most successful the company ever launched, which is saying something. The innovative design of the controllers and the ability to really step into the gaming experience by using the whole body set the system apart from the competition.
In 2012, Nintendo followed up that success with the Wii U, and they piggybacked the Wii's hardware innovation by adding a new type of controller, which featured a 6.2 inch (15.7 cm) touchscreen. Players could use it as a screen separate from the television, or they could use it in conjunction with their TV.
It was an impressive addition to the console marketplace, but ultimately, the Wii U was a failure. While the Wii managed to separate itself from the competition by sticking to mostly family-friendly titles, the Wii U went another direction. The console featured support for Triple-A titles, which were normally outside the purview of Nintendo. This put the Wii U in direct competition with the Xbox One and Playstation 4.
When a company goes up against those platforms, it needs to really up its game, and the Wii U didn't even compare in terms of graphics and sound. While the touchscreen controller was an innovation clearly ahead of its time, it wasn't something the market demanded. Fortunately, that innovation was developed further into the Nintendo Switch, which renewed Nintendo's success in the console market.