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happydolphin on 01 March 2012
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archbrix said:

This is true, and something I considered as well (although coming off of the Wii's success is nothing to sneeze at), but a few things to consider are the fact that Nintendo hasn't had a serious visual upgrade in console tech in over ten years (since N64 to GC), the fact that the WiiU offers a new type of controller (which is something the PS2 didn't), and that WiiU is launching first in the 8th gen, whereas the PS2 launched second (not that it mattered... poor Dreamcast).

I truly believe that with a year's head start, a $299 price and, most importantly, compelling software, WiiU has the potential to be the victor next gen IF Nintendo plays their cards right.

One can only wish. But if the way they handled Revolution post-cube was any indicator, and with the 3DS' current trend, I think we can have faith in Nintendo. Even when they do make a mistake (3DS launch price), they ensure the situation is remedied.

The things that do worry me for now and of which we are uncertain of the future of the trends are (despite their reasons of being):

  • Sales of Wii Play Motion
  • Zelda Skyward Sword
  • Super Mario 3D Land (as good as sales are, they aren't as high as I would've liked)
  • Sales of Nintendogs + Cats
  • The future of the Brain Age series due to fatigue and competition of pick-up and play games from social and mobile platforms.
If I were Nintendo those are the things I would like to mitigate. It already seems SS is getting a new trailer, Mario is getting a 2D offering this year on 3DS, Nintendogs + Cat just got a fantastic demo, and Brain Age is being reinvented.
Despite this mitigation, I still think there is a high measure of risk. Hopefully, the sheer variety of offerings, and strength of the hobbyist userbase will help drive Nintendo forward this gen, in contrast with the few, HUGELY evergreen hits this generation vying off the support of the mainstream. Time will tell, but Nintendo is smart to please the hobbyist this gen I believe (all the while cater to the mainstream).
Time will tell! (hopefully sooner than later)