Wii U is the sound you make when you try to whistle but you don’t know how. It is also Nintendo’s new console announced today during E3 that finally brings them up to speed with Sony and Microsoft in terms of HD graphics and multi-platform titles.
Personally, I am not feeling it.
Nintendo’s strategy at the start of this console cycle was cheap + mass appeal + photogenic gimmick = money printing. Both the NDS and Wii were technically inferior to their competition but sold like hot cakes. Nintendo won big betting on casual gamers, but the groovy train is coming to an end thanks to the mobile gaming market. Games like Phoenix Wright can easily be played on the iPhone now and dedicated gaming devices have to set their sights higher.
It’s quite clear that the 3DS and the Wii U represent a subtle but significant shift in strategy to bring so-called “hardcore” gamers and 3rd-party developers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft back into the fold. I use the term “hardcore”, but I really mean 13-year-old kids playing Modern Warfare 2. These core multi-platform games usually feature standard HD graphics and extensive online gameplay, both of which are not Wii’s strong suits. Wii U is trying to play catch-up and the E3 demo is just screaming, “Look how hardcore we are now.” See: blood-soaked Ninja Gaiden footages.
Nintendo is caught between a rock and a hard place. (That’s what she said.) The traditional casual gaming market it once dominated is now a massive free-for-all deathmatch where any indie developer living in his mother’s basement can potentially create the next Angry Birds and sell it on Apple’s App Store. On the other extreme, Nintendo’s years of disengagement from the “hardcore” gaming scene have left the PS3 and 360 comfortably cashing in on generic multi-platform shooter sequels that are too graphics-intensive for the Wii. I am not sure Wii U can modify that balance and still be successful.
To a gamer looking for new experiences, the “innovative” controller this time is far less visceral than the obvious appeal of motion controls. Multi-platform games from 3rd-party companies are not going to use the controller screen for anything more than stats and HUD elements. The controller layout also looks terrible for shooters, or at least even more terrible than what consoles have now.
I really don’t think the new controller will really be a huge advantage now that Wii U has to compete at the same level (and possibly price point) as the PS3 and 360. There’s no price announced yet, but performance costs money and those controllers look pricey. The Wii U is not going to be cheap, even if they try to cut cost with resistive screens.
The Wii U will still sell and make money just because it’s Nintendo, but I am quite certain, judging by the 3DS’ faltering sales, that the set of conditions that made NDS and Wii so massively successful no longer exists today. The casual gaming market has left the building and Wii U is fighting an uphill battle to win back core gamers. If it can compete for multi-platform games in terms of online infrastructure (there’s a PS3 joke in there somewhere) and technical capabilities, then the added Nintendo first-party magic can help the console thrive.
But all that aside, the name is fucking ridiculous. Seriously I am pretty sure Reggie was thinking about how silly he sounded when he stood on the stage at E3 trying to sell the name as something profound and meaningful.
Reggie looked a little bored at the E3 media presentation for Nintendo, and you can’t blame him. Still, Nintendo manages to pump out some pretty solid first-party games so I still have faith in them, even if their strategy as of late alienated most gamers.
Don’t forget about POKEDEX IN 3D!
That aside, the next console Nintendo produces is going to be called the “Weet”. Calling it now!
I don’t understand why people always think so much of Nintendo’s first party games. It’s the same games you’ve been playing since N64, by and large.
I agree largely with you DM. There are some HEUGLARGE trends they entirely missed the boat on:
1. Internet-based multiplayer. This was kind of addressed in the DS much better than in the Wii, and they’re obviously trying to get back to par with Wiiu.
2. “Casual” gaming is not as monolithic as you state it is. Granted the whole Angry Bird thing is a concern for all game developers (as in, why Sony is creating the Playstation Suite), but there are a lot of different modes and segments even among casual gamers/gaming. It’s probably even better to say that there’s no such a thing as casual gamers–there are just games everyone plays given certain social/situational contexts. How a Wii or a Xbox or a Rock Band set slots into those situation is what Nintendo is more concerned about. That’s why both them and Microsoft were more focused on storyboarding their new wares. The Wiiu is clearly just another way to address this. They’ve basically gone “iPad” on the home console, and trying to make the controller into a separate thing, something between a smartphone, a DS/3DS, and a Wii.
3. I agree that price is going to be a huge challenge. Because both Sony and MS already “paid the price” on that with their current gen tech. Nintendo probably got away with paying the same price as the others did, but I can’t imagine the controllers being inexpensive. having wii accessories compatibility is a huge deal, and probably shows how they’re going to let you get away with paying for it, for the average joe who doesn’t want to spend $300 on a console and then $400 on 3 of those screens or something.
Ah yes, i can see it now… endless reworkings of Mario and Zelda! I broke my Wii remote once by dropping it, really don’t think i want to drop one of those new remotes or even have to buy another just so someone else can play a game with me!
The idea is nice BUT it just feels old before they have even released it. The Wii was like the must have christmas gift in the uk for 3 years running i think… seriously doubt people will buy the new one for the ‘wow’ factor of having a screen in your hand. As it stands i haven’t play my current Wii in months!!
Apparently each Wii U only supports ONE of the new controllers, so price concerns are slightly reduced. (Yay? lol)
Nintendo stocks are falling. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/nintendo-stock-loses-another-five-percent/
omo: I agree with you actually. Games like Modern Warfare and L4D are pretty standard for even the most casual gamers. Gaming is basically mainstream now. But I think the term “casual gamers” still has some merits in being used.
I also do not understand the appeal of 1st-party Nintendo games.
While we all like to piss and moan about motion controls, let’s face it we were all at least a little excited (and some of us, very excited) when we first saw the Red Steel trailer at E3 5 years ago. The execution may have left much to be desired, but the potential is still there.
I think hard core gamers will get this. Imagine Indy racing games with realistically rendered vehicle interiors, with the speedometer on the Wii U screen. Imagine Battlefield’s Commander mode using this new screen to plan attacks. Or even using the stylus+screen as a mouse pad (like Metroid DS) for more precise controls. I think developers will find uses for the screen to make the Wii U versions of games more appealing than their X360/PS3 counterparts.
My concern is that the system will end up alienating casual gamers. Assuming they never got around to getting a Wii, will they have to buy Wii controls and nunchucks to play their favourite waggle fests? Those of us who did subscribe to the motion control agenda, are we being left out now? Will developers have to program two sets of controls: One for the Wii U controller and one for motion controls?
You say Wii U is the sound you make when you try to whistle. I think it sounds like the sound you make when you are calling pigs. I doubt that was what Nintendo had in mind. with all due respect, frederick sallaz
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