After Nintendo's Wii U blowout earlier today, I thought we'd take a moment to ponder over what we know about the Wii U in order to estimate its initial success and predicate whether or not the new system would reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, on pace to be the first and only Nintendo console to surpass the 100 million mark thus far.
The Wii had a lot going for it in 2006. The system was cheap and presented a unique alternate control method through motion controls. This quickly caught on with all walks of player, the veteran gamer and the novice who desired to try something new or stay fit through virtual exercise. This balance of casual and "hardcore" experiences ensured continued success for at least a few years.
Enter 2012 and the Wii U is just around the horizon, a little more than two months away from launch. But will Nintendo strike a chord with consumers once more and recreate its commercial landslide from last generation? Only time will tell but several inferences can be made from what we know already. What perceived advantages and disadvantages does the Wii U have in comparison to its competitors, those out now and those looming in the horizon for the eighth generation?
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
If the Wii U launch tells us something it's that Nintendo has learned from the 3DS's poor day one selection and provided compelling all-around first party software in the form of New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land at launch, paired with core third party offerings.
For the first time in generations the company finds itself releasing the first console of a new generation. This will likely be a double edged sword. On the one hand, Nintendo is able to faster penetrate the market with its new product, but on the other Microsoft and Sony have more time to produce higher tech competition and learn from the initial successes and failures of the Wii U in adopting an economic strategy for the next several years.
Nintendo also finds its in a hard spot with pricing. $300 for the basic model and $50 more for the premium package is understandable from a features standpoint but may be frustrating for the Nintendo loyalist or casual gamer who isn't used to pocketing out so much for a new platform. Although offering improved hardware, is the transition to Wii U truly necessary when high-end 360 and PS3 models retail for $300 and already have a stellar library built up over several years?
What do you think? Will Nintendo once more surprise the industry and skyrocket into the top sales position or has the company's winning streak come to an end?
The Wii had a lot going for it in 2006. The system was cheap and presented a unique alternate control method through motion controls. This quickly caught on with all walks of player, the veteran gamer and the novice who desired to try something new or stay fit through virtual exercise. This balance of casual and "hardcore" experiences ensured continued success for at least a few years.
Enter 2012 and the Wii U is just around the horizon, a little more than two months away from launch. But will Nintendo strike a chord with consumers once more and recreate its commercial landslide from last generation? Only time will tell but several inferences can be made from what we know already. What perceived advantages and disadvantages does the Wii U have in comparison to its competitors, those out now and those looming in the horizon for the eighth generation?
Advantages:
- More RAM
- Faster loading times
- Unique hardware
- Balanced launch
- Launching first
- More modern online infrastructure
Disadvantages:
- Initially competing against established consoles
- Most expensive Nintendo system at launch
- Not all online features avaiable at launch
- Likely to be least powerful system of next generation
If the Wii U launch tells us something it's that Nintendo has learned from the 3DS's poor day one selection and provided compelling all-around first party software in the form of New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land at launch, paired with core third party offerings.
For the first time in generations the company finds itself releasing the first console of a new generation. This will likely be a double edged sword. On the one hand, Nintendo is able to faster penetrate the market with its new product, but on the other Microsoft and Sony have more time to produce higher tech competition and learn from the initial successes and failures of the Wii U in adopting an economic strategy for the next several years.
Nintendo also finds its in a hard spot with pricing. $300 for the basic model and $50 more for the premium package is understandable from a features standpoint but may be frustrating for the Nintendo loyalist or casual gamer who isn't used to pocketing out so much for a new platform. Although offering improved hardware, is the transition to Wii U truly necessary when high-end 360 and PS3 models retail for $300 and already have a stellar library built up over several years?
What do you think? Will Nintendo once more surprise the industry and skyrocket into the top sales position or has the company's winning streak come to an end?