By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
VGKing on 23 January 2013
Edit Thread
RolStoppable said:
happydolphin said:

You're right that it's very hard to get an apples to apples comparison, it often is I've found.

I think that NSMB in US and Europe is a fair comparison though to NSMB U global, the main difference being the price difference. I'm not sure the bargain bin argument is so good but it is a factor I'm considering. I think that the release of the revision has a similar excitement level to a new launch, it's in a sense a mini-launch in itself. I'm still of the opinion that NSMB on the DS being "New" had more system-selling power than what I consider to be now a somewhat diluted IP (it's no longer "New" and has seen some recent releases). So comparing it to what NSMB meant for the DS in the west, I think NSMB DS had more power.

To go apples to apples without real numbers, rewind back to 2006, replace the Wii with the U and the launch with Nintendoland and NSMB U, and you have a pretty different picture.

I understand your points, but you need to see the value in what I'm bringing to the table too, imho there is a point to be made. NSMB is no longer the new thing it was in 2006, even 2009, and a few games have come out for it, and casual games are facing much higher competition. Fair it's hard to use the numbers to support my understanding of the situation since I don't have a very convincing reference point, but the idea is still valid and the comparison to western DS Lite launch + NSMB is valid to a degree (still considering a number of bargain bin games).

It's undeniable that NSMB could address a huge pent-up demand that the current two NSMB games aren't able to address anymore. The same goes for other IPs. Wii Sports U won't be as big as Wii Sports either, because there isn't the same huge unfulfilled demand to tap into anymore.

If there was a game to truly replicate the Wii phenomenon, it would have to be a new IP. Nintendoland was supposed to serve as such a game, but pretty much everyone knew that it wouldn't be up to the task. Although Nintendo certainly expected more from it.

In the end you are looking at an underwhelming launch due to various factors. Price, Nintendo being unable to convey the value of this new console and controller, a lack of announced games, a lack of game releases following the launch month, a bundled game that is no Wii Sports and potential other reasons. NSMBU has an attach rate of 60 %, you can't expect much more than that. Too expensive, too few games. It's the same thing most video game systems go through in their launch year. A price drop and more games are the solution, until then it will be abysmal sales with the occasional spike. The spring releases may increase the baseline a little bit, but I doubt that the console gets into healthy territory without a price drop.



You really think there'll be a Wii Sports U? How can you play a sports game with the Wii U gamepad? It doesn't make sense. Expecing people to buy or use their old Wiimotes is silly since the whole selling point of the Wii U is this gamepad. The motion control fad is over as shown by the Wii's sales these past 2 years. The new big thing is Kinect and that doesn't sell well outside the holidays. Kinect Sports isn't exactly the new Wii Sports. I think Wii U will be defined by its core games and Miiverse. The chances of Nintendo repeating the Wii Sports phenomena is highly unlikely.