The Wii outsold the Wii U worldwide over the past six months. Down is up; up is down.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/35840
Nintendo expects Wii U system sales to total 9 million over the 2014 fiscal year, which runs from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. With sales only totaling 460,000 in the first half of the year, that means from October 1 to March 31, more than 8.5 million Wii Us must be sold to reach the company's expectations.
Additionally, over the course of the past six months, the Wii actually outsold the Wii U worldwide, with Nintendo's past home console selling 470,000 units during that time. The only region where the Wii U outsold the Wii was Japan.
In brighter news, the 3DS sold strongly worldwide, falling just shy of the 4 million units sold mark from April 2013 to September 2013. However, it is a drop-off from the 5 million units sold from April 2012 to September 2012. See below for the regional breakdown for each console:
| Wii U Sales | Wii Sales | 3DS Sales | DS/DSi Sales | |
| North America | 230,000 | 280,000 | 1,170,000 | 60,000 |
| Japan | 230,000 | 40,000 | 1,800,000 | -0 |
| Other | -10,000 | 150,000 | 930,000 | 40,000 |
| Total | 460,000 | 470,000 | 3,890,000 | 100,000 |
I honestly believe that it is ultimately cynicism and greed that has led Nintendo to their current position.I'd say paranoia more than anything. They were so hush hush about the GamePad and Sony still found a way to copy the basic functionality. It's not the same, but all that secrecy ultimately did way more harm than good.
They MAY be able to do 9 million units in total, 4.5 million units over the next six months would still be a challenge.
They MAY be able to do 9 million units in total, 4.5 million units over the next six months would still be a challenge.
Nintendo always get a huge boast in sales during the holiday so 4.5 million in that period is pretty doable. Last year they sold 3 million Wii U during the holiday at $350 and the only major title being NSMB U. Well this holiday the system will be $300 with NSMB U bundled with it, along with the Luigi DLC included. Combined with more major titles like Mario 3D World, I think they'll be able to do at least 5 million during this time.
They MAY be able to do 9 million units in total, 4.5 million units over the next six months would still be a challenge.
Nintendo always get a huge boast in sales during the holiday so 4.5 million in that period is pretty doable. Last year they sold 3 million Wii U during the holiday at $350 and the only major title being NSMB U. Well this holiday the system will be $300 with NSMB U bundled with it, along with the Luigi DLC included. Combined with more major titles like Mario 3D World, I think they'll be able to do at least 5 million during this time.
But this year they've got more competition. That's gotta be a factor. Plus, Nintendo is still having some marketing issues with the Wii U and the XB1 and PS4 are already starting to eat up the mindshare.
I have to agree with Shyguy and Nickmitch.
In a normal year, Nintendo might have met these sales expectations. Nintendo typically pull in great numbers during the holidays. This year, however, both Playstation 4 and Xbox One are expected to sell out at launch, and both companies are reported to have pretty solid production yields. That means there is going to be a bunch of new consoles out there for people to buy, which sucks a not insignificant amount of money out of the market.
I also think Nintendo already played the Mario card when they launched the system with NSMB U, and as a result many of those people who were interested in playing a Mario game already own a Wii U. The packing in of NSMB U, Luigi U, and the bundling of SM3DW will definitely boost sales, but as good as those games might be I don't see them bringing in the numbers that Nintendo need.
Whether or not Nintendo cares to acknowledge it, it is competing with Microsoft and Sony directly for people's dollars/pounds/euros, and the launch of these new consoles just means increased competition.
I of course hope Nintendo meets, and in fact exceeds, these expectations, but I'm dubious.
So Nintendo expects to sell 8.5 million Wii Us on the backs of a 3D Mario game (which never sell as well as their lazy 2D counterparts, no matter how good they are) and Donkey Kong Country Banana Slamma (I have no faith that Mario Kart is going to make it out in time). Yeah...good luck with that, especially with only Nintendo software to sell the Wii U (CoD and Assassin's Creed belong to the other consoles). The only real question is whether Nintendo is going to be off on their projections by 1-2 million or 4-5 million.
This thing is Microsoft and Sony are aiming at a completely different audience. Nintendo's aiming at family's this holiday while Microsoft and Sony are going after the 18-34 year old male audience. Not many families are going to spent over $400 to buy a PS4 or One when they can get a Wii U for at least $100 cheaper with two Mario games bundled, and other titles that appeal to kids like Mario 3D World, Sonic Lost World, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympics.
I have to agree with Shyguy and Nickmitch.
In a normal year, Nintendo might have met these sales expectations. Nintendo typically pull in great numbers during the holidays. This year, however, both Playstation 4 and Xbox One are expected to sell out at launch, and both companies are reported to have pretty solid production yields. That means there is going to be a bunch of new consoles out there for people to buy, which sucks a not insignificant amount of money out of the market.
I also think Nintendo already played the Mario card when they launched the system with NSMB U, and as a result many of those people who were interested in playing a Mario game already own a Wii U. The packing in of NSMB U, Luigi U, and the bundling of SM3DW will definitely boost sales, but as good as those games might be I don't see them bringing in the numbers that Nintendo need.
Whether or not Nintendo cares to acknowledge it, it is competing with Microsoft and Sony directly for people's dollars/pounds/euros, and the launch of these new consoles just means increased competition.
I of course hope Nintendo meets, and in fact exceeds, these expectations, but I'm dubious.
This thing is Microsoft and Sony are aiming at a completely different audience. Nintendo's aiming at family's this holiday while Microsoft and Sony are going after the 18-34 year old male audience. Not many families are going to spent over $400 to buy a PS4 or One when they can get a Wii U for at least $100 cheaper with two Mario games bundled, and other titles that appeal to kids like Mario 3D World, Sonic Lost World, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympics.
Or they could just opt for a ps4 or xbox 1.Most 30-40 Years old grew up with NES and SNES. Your thinking 20-30 year olds but that is somewhat of a stretch too. Ironically enough 30-40 are the ones that keep gaming.
I think 10 years ago the expectation was that 30-40 year olds don't game and the video game console was for the kids. Now I think most 30-40 year olds play video games. If you want a ps4/xboxone it's an easy justification to pick that up for your gaming and then pick up some family specific games for the kids rather than spend another 300 for the Wii U. Yeah it's not as fun as Mario but there are buches of kinect games or Sly collection or whatever. Nintendo doesn't own family gaming. Plus most 30-40 year olds grew up in the ps1 era as children and want nastolgically to give those games to their children.
