Rumour: Wii U Sells 250k Units in November in the US

By Jorge Ba-oh 15.12.2013 20

Rumour: Wii U Sells 250k Units in November in the US on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

Rumour: An industry source has highlighted what might be the North America sales figure for the Wii U during November.

Speaking to Nintendo World Report this week, an source noted who the Wii U console sales for the month were round 230,000 units, despite the launch of the much anticipated and critically acclaimed multiplayer platforming fest, Super Mario 3D World.

It is, however, a far greater sales figure than Nintendo had from April to September, which was a dire 460,000 units worldwide. Despite not mentioning hardware figures to the press this week, Nintendo did confirm 215,000 copies of Super Mario 3D World were sold since its US launch on November 22nd.

Do you think Nintendo can bounce back with the Wii U?

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J4K is offline. J4K 15.12.2013#1

That's an unfortunately low number for the busiest shopping season of the year for the US. Nintendo's going to miss that 9 million units sales target by one of the largest margins in recent memory.

( Edited 19.12.2013 21:08 by Guest )

 
Chris (guest) 15.12.2013#2

I think Nintendo will do ok with the Wii U. Not stellar, but not dreadful either. Sort of a Gamecube or N64 situation I guess. I've had mine since launch day and I love it. I wish I had more money to get more games, but there's plenty of them out there and 2014's looking pretty good. Also interested in PS4 and Xbox One. I'd love a new RARE platformer on Xbox. New Banjo-Kazooie anyone? Or Conker?? Smilie

Cheesing It Up is offline. Cheesing It Up 15.12.2013#3

Considering how terribly the Wii U was doing over Spring and Summer this year, 230,000 consoles sold in 1 month in the US is a significant step up. 

 
welshwuff is offline. welshwuff 15.12.2013#4

I think people need to realize Nintendo's marketing and general game economy is different to the "competition", the other two rely souly on imitate sales whilst Nintendo games and consoles tend to be more spread out, lower numbers but for a longer time. what ever is popular on the other consoles go half price after just afew weeks whilst there are still Wii games from 2 years ago that are full price. Low numbers are nothing to worry about when theres a consistent flow

 
J4K is offline. J4K 15.12.2013#5

welshwuff said:
I think people need to realize Nintendo's marketing and general game economy is different to the "competition", the other two rely souly on imitate sales whilst Nintendo games and consoles tend to be more spread out, lower numbers but for a longer time. what ever is popular on the other consoles go half price after just afew weeks whilst there are still Wii games from 2 years ago that are full price. Low numbers are nothing to worry about when theres a consistent flow

No. Nintendo relies on momentum for their hardware just like anyone else in the business. The Wii didn't have slow hardware sales. It had astronomic numbers that were sustained for years.

Where Nintendo's business often differs is that their software has a stronger shelf life than the competition, remaining solid over the entire system's life span. But this software sales pace is made possible by sustained hardware sales. The software isn't going to sell if the hardware isn't out in people's living rooms, and that's a real problem for Nintendo. People are not buying the Wii U -- you can't succeed like this.

 
, is offline. , 16.12.2013#6

I feel your definition of succes is very narrow if you put it like that.

 
J4K is offline. J4K 16.12.2013#7

How would you define success for a company if not by selling units/hitting sales targets? Are we going to go with something non-quantitative like the smiles of children?

( Edited 19.12.2013 21:07 by Guest )

 
, is offline. , 16.12.2013#8

I think so...maybe after a number of sales, there is enough and other things can become more important as well, smiles, diversity, values that don't translate into efficient money? I feel if all companies all think of the fastest way to make the most efficient and fast money, it reflects on the creative product in a narrow way, like only things that will make good enough money will be produced...that is not what art should be about. Maybe my opinion is too strong on this.

( Edited 19.12.2013 21:08 by Guest )

 
J4K is offline. J4K 16.12.2013#9

, said:
I think so...maybe after a number of sales, there is enough and other things can become more important as well, smiles, diversity, values that don't translate into efficient money? I feel if all companies all think of the fastest way to make the most efficient and fast money, it reflects on the creative product in a narrow way, like only things that will make good enough money will be produced...that is not what art should be about. Maybe my opinion is too strong on this.

The problem for the Wii U is just how far off pace it is for "a number of sales". The Wii U is selling at less than GameCube levels here. Nintendo themselves admit they're waiting on this Holiday season before they decide just what to do with Wii U.

So I get what you're saying in that if you get a decent number of sales and then focus on delivering a solid library, you can in a way achieve a different kind of success. But at this sales rate, the Wii U isn't going to be even worth developing for. Those creative products you mention will go to other systems where they can find an audience. Because as creative as these developers may want to be, they also need to make money so that they can continue to be creative.

This is kinda why the hardware race is different than the software one. You need your hardware company to focus on that bottom line, you need them to sell millions and millions of units of hardware. Because without that install-base, who can you sell your game to? And if you can't sell your game to anyone, it doesn't matter if it racks up a million child smiles, you're not staying in business, buddy.

( Edited 16.12.2013 14:29 by Jacob4000 )

 
, is offline. , 16.12.2013#10

I dont't know anything about sales, I'm sorry, but I don't like your tone either...why are you talking down to me like I need to be explained how game business works right now, I dont get the purpose why you are trying to convince me of primary school economics, please dont...it's humiliating.
I did look up the WiiU sales, I see everybody agrees they're not good enough. Shame really...

 
J4K is offline. J4K 16.12.2013#11

I dont't know anything about sales, I'm sorry, but I don't like your tone either...why are you talking down to me like I need to be explained how game business works right now, I dont get the purpose why you are trying to convince me of primary school economics, please dont...it's humiliating.

Okay, well you say in your first line you don't know anything about sales, and then you're irritated when I explain why said sales aren't sufficient?

Your commenting on my "narrow definition of success" lead me to believe you maybe didn't understand said basic premises. I.e. that to be a successful company and make those creative products you're talking about, they need to have significantly better sales.

Not trying to condescend, but engage on the issue. 

edit: typos typos

( Edited 16.12.2013 17:09 by Jacob4000 )

 
, is offline. , 16.12.2013#12

Ok sorry, I dont know what environment you grew up in. Yes I have the complete opposite opinion maybe because I feel creativity is not a result of good sales but the motivation of the artist, and a work pursuit with money as the goal will sacrifice in creativity more than add to it. I dont want to say this is the good vs evil debate, and the ultimate company succes are not the shiny examples of great creative and inspiring works...and if the works of art are only possible in good ways because of the 10 assembly work games that make enough money for it, I feel that is a bit sad and efforts misguided.
Nintendo have made so many nice games, and they have a good balance, but they are a good example for companies to not go for fast money first as standard, I think thats a far better standard than just in it for the money style, everything just becomes poor except the houses with furniture. I dont like it.

 
Cheesing It Up is offline. Cheesing It Up 16.12.2013#13

Again, there's a distinction between hardware and software here.
I don't think anyone is arguing that pursuing money makes things more creative, but Nintendo need the hardware sales in place for games to be profitable, creative or not. Of course the lower the sales, the more likely a company is to take a more pragmatic approach to releasing games on the Wii U (either not releasing anything that goes against the status quo or not releasing anything at all).

I doubt that hardware sales will influence Nintendo's software side too much. I hope it doesn't lead to games like Smash Bros. being rushed out which is detrimental in the long run.

 
J4K is offline. J4K 16.12.2013#14

Yes I have the complete opposite opinion maybe because I feel creativity is not a result of good sales

I don't feel that creativity is the direct result of good sales either; indeed the need to meet certain sales targets can damage creativity.

However I'm very much a realist in recognizing that in almost all cases in this business sales are needed for creativity to continue. That's what makes the Wii U situation troubling. 

Nintendo have made so many nice games, and they have a good balance, but they are a good example for companies to not go for fast money first as standard

This is a bit debatable, because I feel like the Nintendo of the last decade can very much be accused of going for the fast money. Don't get me wrong; they're creatively among the best in the business still. But their casual fling over the Wii generation at times felt like a cynical cash grab.

edit - to the cheese:

I doubt that hardware sales will influence Nintendo's software side too much. I hope it doesn't lead to games like Smash Bros. being rushed out which is detrimental in the long run.

I suppose though that even for Nintendo it could become a question of which of their platforms to allocate the most resources to. Prioritize development on 3DS, where they're making a ton of cash? Or keep putting resouces into Wii U, where things simply aren't moving? They're working very hard to get software to Wii U right now because they're hoping it'll fix the situation, but what next if it doesn't?

I'm honestly really interested in seeing how this all plays out. I guess we've already seen it once with the GameCube, but I also think that this Nintendo is a different company than that one.

( Edited 16.12.2013 17:23 by Jacob4000 )

 
, is offline. , 16.12.2013#15

This is all really boring talk...lets play some games

 
Endless Solitude (guest) 17.12.2013#16

'Prioritize development on 3DS, where they're making a ton of cash? Or keep putting resources into Wii U, where things simply aren't moving?'

That's a very pertinent question.  In my view, the 3DS now has sufficient momentum to succeed regardless of how many games Nintendo puts out for it, whilst the Wii U doesn't.  Under such circumstances, I would recommend putting more resources into the Wii U, because if Nintendo doesn't back its system to the hilt, third parties will write it off (arguing 'If Nintendo has given up on it, why should we bother?'Smilie -  leading to lifetime console sales lower than the Gamecube.    Above all, Nintendo, in my opinion, ought to avoid the mistake SEGA made with the Saturn - shortening its lifespan by leaping to a new console.  

With its dual screens and backward compatibility, I consider the Wii U to be an altogether different product from the other new consoles (which, frankly speaking, strike me as 'more of the same'Smilie.  It deserves to be promoted for what it is: the future of gaming. 

Jmanultra (guest) 17.12.2013#17

 There's no saving Wii U at this point. It's getting steamrolled by both the Xbone and PS4. Nintendo literally wasted an entire year head start, and now all that one could hope for is for  U to achieve Gamecube's paltry sales, which even then is a reach.

 Nintendo should be hard at work mending fences with third party publishers that are snubbing their consoles. Nintendo needs these guys if they ever hope to increase the appeal of their consoles to core and casual gamers. Just appealing to Nintendo fans isn't enough.

 Hopefully they'll learn a few lessons with their next console, but I doubt it. Seems like they have their heads in the sand.

, is offline. , 17.12.2013#18

I like Nintendo the most because they have the heads in the sand...in art I think that is just a negative naming for having character and beliefs. They dont come accross as hip and trendy, or cool, or anything marketing temporary, to me they have been making friendly and adventurous games with childlike wonder and experiencing things for the first time for 30 years now, which is a good principle. If that is not profitable in this time, then this time is wrong.
Then its the system that does not appreciate decent values, and the game players have been manipulated to swallow money grab and hollywood games, not what life should be about...I wish the wiiu could play 3ds games. Nintendo is the studio ghibli of games, and game players should ask themselves: look at who the most succesful companies are: EA games, all these american companies who do nothing more than trying to survive, not add to the rest of the world.

I fear the games business will turn into american tv...degrading and unhuman. Makes me sad.

 
Vorash Kadan 18.12.2013#19

I just think Nintendo needs to embrace an M rated mindset to appease a broader (and unfortunately more close minded) audience. The only people you can depend on in business are the invested customers, people who dabble in games & think games on phones are the best thing since Air Conditioning are NOT gonna stick with you for 20+ years or more.

I still place HEAVY blame on Iwata's shoulders for the strange business decisions he's made over thw years. The Wii had SO MUCH untapped gaming potential & thanks to this mismanagement of Nintendo it's all but forgotten, the gems that TRUELY used motion well not getting nearly the credit they deserve. Whatever new I.P. Nintendo is going to announce it needs to grab the attention of the unfortunately large ammount of Graphic Whores & "Mature" gamers out there.

I'm not saying Nintendo needs to abandon the family friendly foundation of their company nor the all accessible & beloved games they are known for...but it's high time they show more of a balance befween the Mature centered games as well as their other I.P.s. I like to think of it like having to eat the food you hate at dinner to get the great dessert afterwards, Nintendo may not like it & I understand.....but sometimes you've gotta adapt what you do without abandoning your principles to stay relevant in ANY business.

( Edited 19.12.2013 21:08 by Guest )

It is not wise to speak on subjects you do not know all facts about, nor is it smart to judge a game based on looks alone. PSN: Nintendo_Gamer 3DS: 4296-3029-7422
 
, is offline. , 22.12.2013#20

Vorash Kadan said:

I like to think of it like having to eat the food you hate at dinner to get the great dessert afterwards,

Eh, why would you eat food you hate at dinner? That comparison doesn't make any sense. Especially since you replace the Nintendo games with a type of food that most of the times is just sugary and fat. Maybe if you're below the age of 15 that seems like a desirable way of feeding yourself, in terms of games or nutrition, but not really sustainable or something Nintendo will want to look into I suspect.
The rest of your post is mostly negativity against popular games and the people who buy that, and not really worthy of bringing forth in a meeting to discuss company policy, don't you think?

 

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