Nintendo's new financials paint a very telling picture of how Nintendo feels about the Wii U -- they are forecasting only a paltry 3.6 million in Wii U shipments for the coming fiscal year. Even with Mario Kart and Smash Bros it seems that even Nintendo themselves no longer is expecting any kind of miracle turn around here, looks like reality has set in at the Kyoto offices. That means really Nintendo is starting to brace for a system that fizzles out around 17-18 million LTD most likely as the next year should be the system's peak year in sales. 

It also probably strongly hints that Nintendo is unlikely to resort to price cuts for Wii U as they did for the 3DS ... they view the system as a dud and are not going to incur more losses trying to save it as they are losing money as is. Also probably means that they're not going to spend a ton of money marketing the system -- Mario Kart 8 will get its push, and Smash perhaps too, but I wouldn't expect them to put a whole lot of money on a system they view as a sinking ship. 

Ugh only 3.6 million for a whole year...tales of the doom in here XD

tbone51 said: Maybe they'll pull a capcom! Like MH4 2.7mil in 6months (done in 1month and 2 weeks :p) I think they are playing it safe, i bet it'll do alot more than that for sure

They want to surprise investors XD

tbone51 said: Maybe they'll pull a capcom! Like MH4 2.7mil in 6months (done in 1month and 2 weeks :p) I think they are playing it safe, i bet it'll do alot more than that for sure

I think they'll probably struggle to get the 3.6 mill to be honest. 

I think Iwata just realized it was time to stop bullsh*tting investors and just tell the truth ... this thing is a disaster for Nintendo and they had to finally own up to it. 

With the investors voting on Iwata in June, he could not get away with another crazy forecast for the Wii U, had to be honest this time. 

I would assume that the main push for those 2 games would be existing owners, with relatively low numbers to come from bundles/new console sales.

That they are projecting so low is truly shocking, meaning that they are slowly scaling down production, and that they will not cut the price since it would incure more losses.

I wonder what's next in store? Are those R&D costs a new console, or is it their QOL segment?

If it's QOL, does it mean that they are giving up on home consoles? Does it mean that they will turn to a software-heavy company (SEGA?)

Today report sure poses more questions than it answers, it will be intereting to follow the future developments.

Failing to meet targets again would destroy what credibility Iwata has with investors. I think he's playing it safe but hoping for a Christmas miracle.

Yeah I'm glad Nintendo have realized the Wii U is not going be a success, I just hope the people/person responsible for the Wii U steps down and that Nintendo promote or hire someone that has a proven track record with designing successful consumer electronics devices.

A new console in 2016 would make sense

They have most certainly given up on competing for marketshare and will instead focus on making what money they can on it. Could be bad news for those waiting for a price-cut.

but but but... wasn't Smash Bros supposed to be super big and sell millions of Us? :p