The Wii U isn’t the success that Nintendo were hoping for since the console launched last winter. Approximately 3.61 million units have sold worldwide in that time frame, and only 160,000 sold between April and June this year.
Now a representative for Nintendo has spoken to GamesIndustry and confirmed that the Wii U is still selling at a loss.
Originally this was the case in but software sales were supposed to offset that. However with publisher support being scarce on Nintendo’s console that probably isn’t the case. SEGA ‘s Jurgen Post has also said in an interview with MCV that the Wii U sales are a concern, and SEGA are releasing three exclusive Sonic games on the console.
You have to wonder what Nintendo’s long term strategy is for the Wii U. There are some exclusives out soon including The Wonderful 101, which Peter previewed, but without something like a new Mario Kart coming out soon then the Wii U looks like it will struggle.
Even when franchises such as Mario Kart and Legend Of Zelda arrive it may not guarantee success, especially with the launches of both Microsoft’s and Sony’s new consoles.
Source: GamesIndustry/ MCV
Airiaen
Hopefully it’ll find some success down the line like with how the PS3 was. Its fortunate that PS4 barely has the genres I’m interested in. (as usual) Platformers and fighting games would be nice by now…
bunimomike
The two genres you speak of don’t shift the kind of units that other franchises/genres do. However, it’ll be catered for, I’m sure. Do the same as me, fella. Just sit tight with purchasing one until you can justify the games that are available for it. :-)
OneShotWook
Day one wii-u owner and it really did brighten up last xmas for myself and family however they have not released anything this year that warrants a premium (50 quid plus) price in my opinion.
I’m not sure just how they can expect any customers to buy the thing when theres barely two handfulls of software on it and most of those are more costly versions of current gen releases.
Sad day really.
ron_mcphatty
Speaking to my girlfriends sister and her kids its clear that there’s confusion over what the WiiU actually is. She, her friends (also mums) and the kids all thought it was just a new Wii, like the DSi was just a refreshed DS, they didn’t realise the U or the 3DS were a new generation of machines. It’s a shame that Nintendos marketing didn’t reach so many Wii owners, only us older players who I guess have largely forgone the U in favour of saving for the other next gen offerings.
aphex187
Glad i sold mine when i did, great bit of kit but seriously lacks it’s main point, games….