E3: Is Wii U a genius concept or a Frankenstein-box?

I totally skipped the show. I barely bothered to comment here. This is how good my relationship with the Wii is.

Wii U is a fad.

I think the new pro controller signifies Nintendo really don’t have a coherent strategy for their next machine.
There’s nothing the pro pad can do that the new gamepad can’t (?) so why not just make the gamepad the standard?
Admitting the screen isn’t needed for multiplat games sends out a really dubious message: the screen functionality is a gimmicky addon.

Just smacks of chasing so many different types of customers in a haphazard way. Oh here you use the propad, you use a wiimote, I’ll use the gamepad. So many combinations for devs to account for. Mishmash.

@3
What the you on about the original Wii also had pro controller too and look how many consoles Nintendo sold.

The original pro was much better than the nun chuck and wiimote for certain games (like ssbm, mh3 etc).
One of the new wii u pad’s selling points was that itl fixes’ this by including all normal pad bits into it. So where’s the need for a new pro pad except to say to ‘core’ gamers “hey doesn’t this look like something core gamers play with eh? Come on, buy our console’

it also undercuts the usp of the wiiu by saying multiplat titles don’t even need to use a second screen/touch pad tech.
Its a confusing, me too, approach.

The dual focus is definitely worrisome, but I think if they show a solid software line-up tomorrow, they won’t have much trouble convincing the core market. If they’ll have the games, the core gamers will take notice, but only the hardcore Nintendo fans. The more casual Nintendo fans (fans who like Zelda and Mario but are not hardcore gamers and don’t play other games) will either hear about it via word-of-mouth or media. In case of the latter, it will be a challenge for Nintendo to market to both core and casual.

pleasant_cabbage underlines the main problem. By not making the pad features mandatory for games you basically make it so that most non exclusive games simply wont use those features. Time and time again devs have shown that if they don’t have to do something, they simply wont.

I reckon it’ll work really well as a casual proposition. The screen controller’s really cool (I’ve been told a few times that PS4 and 720 will both interface with tablets and mobiles, and quite possibly with iPad and iPhone) and they were right to spot the trend. I just don’t think MW3-man will look twice.

Interesting how they said virtually nothing about motion control, right?

@5
I agree there are mixed messages here. Though you can see why they might take that route. A second screened controller is likely to be pricey. Multiplayer is where a second screened controller could really shine though, much more interesting ideas where each player has a screen only they can see.

/wants to see someone remember social gaming started and is best with more than one person sat on a couch

@3/7 – Yep. Perfect for first-party stuff, and no one else will be able to justify it.

“If they’ll have the games, the core gamers will take notice”
If they have different games, games that stand out and appeal – is what I’d counter argue there. However, for that to happen, publishers need to program for it. It’s not tough there to see the chicken-egg conundrum that can come in to play.

Plus, as Pat mentioned, that menu interface is not one that core gamers are familiar with having to endure. Nintendo talks a big game of connectivity, but it doesn’t have an alternative for anybody that might find its pro-casual focus too hard to swallow. Let’s not forget either, that this cycle has shown the impact of an active friend’s list – and Wii U will be competing against that daunting adversary, too.

Wii U is a PS3 and 360 Bastard child. That’s it.

By announcing Pro controller they basically admitted that they have no strategy for their next console at all.

Also, i won’t buy a device that has no Multitouch screen in 2012, unless that device cost 150$ because singletouch screen is just old and stupid especially if machine specs are not that great.

And i don’t give a shit by how amazing games there are, because i play mostly on my PC that has the best games currently.

While watching the video, there was a part where they were pointing out the changes to the GamePad since last E3, and now granted, Mr. Iwata’s first language isn’t English, but it still seemed to me that they were talking down when they talked about how “not only are there control sticks, with FULL 360 degree, precise movement…but also, look, you can PRESS them in for added buttons! ”
(even though, I thought the idea was to have as few buttons to confuse new players with, as possible. For sure, I’ve played with those control sticks for years, and the feature still is rarely used in any worthwhile way, and some PS3/360 games make no use of pushy-sticks at all.)

@Patrick Garratt

is pure trolling. The conference was fantasic.

Honestly with mario at launch its going to sell out………

I reckon pleasant_cabbage hit the nail on the head. If games MUST be playable with a regular controller as well as the tablet controller, then any special features CANNOT be intrinsic to the gameplay. In my opinion that is COMPLETELY FUCKED UP!

I mean, even if it’s doable, it means that devs have to consider that they’re building in features that gamers may never make use of. I think they need to make the tablet controller compulsory or get the fuck out.

Was the old man Doc Brown, who called the kid up?

Just a few random points.

1) I remember what the specialist press said when the original Wii was launched. Much egg on face there.

2) Nintendo are an entertainment company. Microsoft are a software company, Sony are a consumer electronics company and Apple are a marketing company. This defines their core philosophies and the way that they act.

3) Criticising lack of Facebook and Twitter integration is a bit epic when this blog isn’t integrated with either, so it is not possible to comment here via social media log in.

4) Price is more important than the things you talk about. If the Wii U is aggressively priced as an impulse purchase it will sell immensely more than if it is priced as a premium product for the early adopter. My guess is that Nintendo have built to a price and will take on the other platforms with this mechanism.

5) Nintendo sit in a fortress protected by their unique IP. A fortress that was considerably reinforced during the Wii years. They understand, like nobody else in this market, the importance of creating and nurturing AAA franchises that people must have.

6) The social networking market seems to be fragmenting. The duopoly of Facebook and Twitter is over. G+, Linkedin and Pinterest have grown exponentially over the last year. People are now active on multiple networks. Nintendo obviously feel that there is room for one more that provides a unique service that the others don’t.

7) The whole game industry is moving to an App Store / IAP based business model at immense speed. If the existing console platform holders don’t provide this then Apple will outflank them.

@17: Your 5 point is exactly the opposite in my opinion. During the Wii years, Ninty have not really developed many new/recognisable franchises, and they’ve worn all of their franchises that little bit thinner.

On top of that, there are so many MUST HAVE franchises that have cropped up over the Wii’s lifetime that it’s a veritable orgy of choice. It’s to the point where, if I were to be made to choose between Ninty’s franchises and, say, Sony’s, I’d have to go with my PS3. There are just too many franchises on there that I have come to love as much or maybe even more as Ninty’s.

The move to HD (and all that that entails) will probably give Ninty’s franchises a much needed shot in the arm, but overall the ‘fortress’ that you describe is nothing of the sort IMO.

#17 I see you’re yet to use a Mac or an iPhone..

MS ‘ve been making video games in the days of nes.

Best quote of the E3:
“Nintendo can’t just “go core”: it has to keep one foot in the granny market.”
Well said Pat. Couldn’t agree more though I’m kinda curious to see if that Zombie game is real or just for the show. Also, zombies are more than past year. Their fad is long gone.

@14
Oh hello Stealth. I’ve seen your fun trolling in Destructoid before. I think Jim Sterling and co really miss your uber Nintendo worship.

At least now we have a Nintendo troll to add to the collection of our PC,360 and PS3 trolls.

Let me correct you there, #17..

MS are a computer and entertainment software company.

Sony are a $599 devotee company.

Apple are the leading computer, electronics and OS company.

@red

your so insecure you result to trolling? And fyi you have no idea what trolling means………….

Nintendo are a cheap plastic accessory manufaturer.

All I see is insecurity now, with that new super mario world launching, its going to sell out……

and the funniest thing is this is exactly what nintendo wanted. Talking, talking before there own conference, and during the other 2. Then when there conferences are over. Nintendo can blow the roof off……….

Gotta loving watching the “hardcore” audience trying to dismiss the console despite the fact that the Wii had some of the best gaming experiences of this generation and sold out the competition for most of it.

Lawl.

@25:

Why, are they only going to make 100,000 copies?

Standard Nintedo trick… Don’t make enough, then say it sold out.

@26

its what insecure trolls do. You igore them……

@27

There will be more than 100k………..

Tell me, stealth…

How do you think the next gen is going to play out?

How do you think the Wii U will do against the other two?

Bruciebabe’s point number 3 made me LOL!

@26
Just for the hell of it, can you name at least 10 decent Wii games you got last year?

@29

The 3 things you need to be the highest selling systems of the gen

1) Price
2) Exclusives
3) Commitment to 1 and 2

Thats literally it.

We dont know 1, We really dont know 2 aside from new super mario world at launch (it will ensure a great start

and we dont know 3

So anyone who says by the end of the gen any system is number 1 you ignore those people

I am just saying its launch will be strong

@Gekidami

Thats not what he said

@29 They’re not trolls. They just don’t know any differently.

Like Pat said… “I just don’t think MW3-man will look twice.”

Skylanders would work brilliant with this console, for instant. I wouldn’t be surprised if Activision is already capitalizing on this fact. Nintendo and Acitivision will be laughing all the way to the bank, whilst the CoD fanboys continue to delude themselves into thinking that’s they’re the *only* relevant gamers that matter.

@33
I know what he said, and i also know he’s cherry picking. But like i said; just for the hell of it, 10 decent Wii games from last year. Can anyone do this?

@gekidama

that isnt fair because the 3ds launched last year and thats where the majority of first and third party support was going……….

the wii did its job. It sold 100 million. Its life is officially over in less than 5 months………..

@32:

What about a class leading online system?

@31 Because the only games that matter are the ones that came out in the last year, right?

Does *everyone* in this generation have short attention spans? You need *10* decent games a year to be satisfied? Even if only three that year are absolutely stellar quality games and some of the best games you’ve ever played?

Christ, as a parent, I personally barely have time to finish one every two months. Basement dwellers who live at home with their moms and have unlimited free time are *not* the only people who play video games.

The Wii’s last year has not been its strongest, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was leading the pack in sales for the first four or five years, and had plenty of exceptional titles in that time to back it up. Just because some people need their “fix” once a month to justify their purchase apparently, doesnt make them any less relevant.

I can easily name at least five super solid games for the Wii in the last year, if you really want to play that game.

Haha!

Somebody around here loves prancing-around-in-front-of-the-tv-trying-to-lose-weight games!

LOOOOOOOOL!!!

The Wii is perfect for these people.

@37

irrelevant, in selling systems……

How where the DS’s and the PS’s class leading online systems when they became the number 1 selling systems?

I assume you are talking about the 360, but lets be honest. Worldwide, it was fourth place this gen. The wii, psp, ds all sold more, and it barely is outselling the ps3

@38
I’ll take your defensive ad hominem as a “No”. My point is, you’re sticking your shovel deep into the massive pile of shit that is the Wii, finding a few specks of gold and claiming “THIS IS THE BEST SYSTEM THIS GEN!!” lol Sorry but no. What you consider good is subjective, the fact that you even try to claim the system had the “best” gaming experiences this gen when the variation in gameplay experiences was so piss poor is totally retarded.

@ geki

your being just as bias and close minded……..your not coming off any better

@41:

But it’s 2012!

The kids want to talk to their online buddies while they’re playing these days…

it’s a big money maker, and I hear Nintendo have been losing money quite recently.

@44

Doesnt matter what year it is………

Nintendo lost money one year this gen. Microsoft and sony have lost money over 5……..

People love to over exaggerate nintendo ‘s issues

right now they have the number 1 selling system in the world, and they will be fine

Oh and, going on about the Wii’s sales is equally as dumb. The CoD games have sold more and faster than the Mario, & Zelda games on Wii. Therefore they’re better games, right?

Stop applying logic you would reject in any other case. Cherry picking and special pleading are some of the highest forms of dishonesty.

@geki

Better is opinion

What we are talking about is success. And you cant question that the wii sales = success

@41 The Wii and DS certainly sold out the 360 (a fact the hardcore try to ignore because LULZCASUALGAMERSDONTMATTER), but I think it’s a stretch to say the others outsold it. Selectively, yes. Depends on whether you’re talking specific years or across the whole board,

@42 Please point out where I said it was the best games console this generation. Oh that’s rights, I didn’t. I said it had some of the best games of this generation. So does the 360, PS3, PSP, DS, 3DS, PC and iOS.

Every format is equal. All that matter are the games.

I just find the “hardcore” elitism funny. They’re robbing themselves of some stellar experiences, like The Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles, Kirby’s Epic Yarm, Epic Mickey, Skyward Sword, Lost in Shadow…

I guess those games don’t really matter though, because they don’t have guns and gore in them, right?

The psp is above 80 million now. Its outsold it………

@47:

You are right. The Wii was certainly successful with soccer moms and other people who only ever bought one game.