Iwata: Wii U's price isn't the problem

4.5
While the Wii U hasn't sold particularly well, with Nintendo moving just 160,000 units across three months in Q1 2013, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata is holding strong that the system's price isn't the problem - the price discrepancy between the two Wii U models is. "If the price is actually an issue [with Wii U], then there is some contradiction between the current sales balance between the Basic and Premium versions of the Wii U," Iwata told CVG.

"The basic version should have sold a lot, but the fact of the matter is that people are buying more of the premium version. So the issue is not there," he said.

Iwata cited the disparity in sales between the Deluxe and Basic Wii U models in January when noting that the system was selling "steadily," and stated plans in June to regain the system's momentum through the end of the year before establishing "successful third-party Wii U software titles." Iwata has been there before, after all; He took a 50 percent pay cut in July 2011 due to poor 3DS sales around the time the system's price dropped, later selling the 3DS XL at a profit.

Of course, whatever version of the Wii U you choose to pick up, there's still the matter of what the heck you're going to play on it. "I understand that the real issue is the lack of software, and the only solution is to provide the mass-market with a number of quality software titles," said Iwata. Great idea!

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Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/12/iwata-wii-u-price-isnt-the-issue-deluxe-continues-to-outsell/

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"Iwata: Wii U's price isn't the problem" :: Login/Create an Account :: 115 comments

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CokesPosted:

sun285
F-18
JakesLobbies-
_Bale Its the console that's the problem, its horrible, doesn't even compare to XBOX or PS


Thats true, i don't see why they keep coming out with new consoles


If it makes them money, i can see why they do it.


the problem is, Nintendo often make very little or lose money!
in order to get more customers, there needs to be more games...
but the developers will only make more games, if there are more customers! it's like a viscous circle for Nintendo!

also, because of the design and specifications of the wii u (generally being poorer than current and next gen offerings) the type of games produced encourage famy orientated markets, who tend to buy less brand new titles.


The Wii U is a novelty item, that's why hardcore gamers don't buy it and that's what the community is made up of.

SwiftPosted:

I just think that the Wii should retire like an athlete declining in rankings.

WeaksaucePosted:

Well the problem is they released a little boy console in a big boys market they had no business releasing a new console in the midst of the next gen transition they should have waited and seized the oppurtunity.

CraigPosted:

FilmRiot Of course that's not the problem... the problem is that it blows...


Aha took the words right out of my mouth,....

FilmRiotPosted:

Of course that's not the problem... the problem is that it blows...

byLeonPosted:

the problem is that they developed a console that is 2years behind in generation.

slapshot101Posted:

160,000 units in three months is really sad for a company like Nintendo, I think Wii U needs to come out with something new soon to fix this. Just look at what Microsoft did with windows 7 when Vista went down in flames.

TaigaAisakaPosted:

-Humble This is my theory as to why the Wii U is not selling well. We all know the first Wii was a huge success and that many people got it as it was a revolutionary new way to play video games. My guess is that many of the people who got the Wii were not hardcore gamers who like to upgrade when the new one comes around. Unlike xbox and playstation fans who are more dedicated to get new console and they both also have bigger fanbase than Nintendo.


I feel the Wii U didn't have that much put into it and was just thrown onto the shelves and hoped it would do as good as the original Wii. But as you said, some people moved on from Nintendo and either switched over to Xbox, PlayStation or PC.

MatthewSteierPosted:

aimiami12 The device is the problem... The thing is like a giant tablet in your hands and dosent really work that good.

Nintendo will never be like the xbox or ps4. It doesnt need to be but they need a system where I can sit down and play...motion gaming sucks and the Wii U is just a giant tablet if you ask me.

You have to at least respect that they try to be innovative, someone has to do it, but they are doing a poor job of it. The motion thing was a big deal...7 years ago. We've moved on. Both Xbox and Sony have developed just as or even better motion controlled hardware. The thing with Nintendo is that they don't really integrate it in the games properly. The whole time its almost like their yelling HEY LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THESE NEAT CONTROLLERS WHEN YOU FLAIL THEM AROUND! It should be subtle instead. It should be sprinkled in and used to make the game more fun, but not to the point where the game was developed completely around that alone. I like icing on my cake, not the other way around, that just makes it gross.

sun285Posted:

F-18
JakesLobbies-
_Bale Its the console that's the problem, its horrible, doesn't even compare to XBOX or PS


Thats true, i don't see why they keep coming out with new consoles


If it makes them money, i can see why they do it.


the problem is, Nintendo often make very little or lose money!
in order to get more customers, there needs to be more games...
but the developers will only make more games, if there are more customers! it's like a viscous circle for Nintendo!

also, because of the design and specifications of the wii u (generally being poorer than current and next gen offerings) the type of games produced encourage famy orientated markets, who tend to buy less brand new titles.


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