Gamasutra: At 57K sold, Wii U's January performance is historically abysmal

[Scisca]

superchunk said:

Soundwave said:

I actually don't think the "features" of the console are fine. Most people have a PS3/360, why get a Wii U? What does it really offer that's so different?

People want a real upgrade from this generation, not another PS3-360 range console.

Games will help of course, but I think this will be like the GameCube ... Mario/Mario Kart/Zelda can only do so much. Nintendo maybe should (gasp!) try making a new core franchise to sell hardware to a new audience rather than relying on the same 4-5 franchises over and over and over and over again.

Are you talking about features or pretty graphics?

Wii U has every feature of any other console plus the added benefits of the gamepad where applicable.

Has - equal or better than any competitor
free online
quality web browser - easily best on console
social networking - system unique plus normal web variants
modern digital store
simple ID structure - will be shareable across devices soon
large storage options - far more and cheaper choices
VOIP - far more choices
HD
online TV services - can be viewing while loading up next one
background downloading - doesn't pause when in game/online
core and simplified controls

Exclusive
off tv play
tv / cable / DVR control
video service integrated social network
default background downloading - keeps DLing while in game or online too

Missing
optical out audio - most won't care
media disc playback - most won't care
default capability to connect to pc media - can be handled via web and setting pc as server
voice controls - nearly all won't care

 

It has the features. Just not the software. After all, why do so many people own a X360 and a PS3? software.

The features only seem to be there, but they really aren't. The online is worse than PSN or Live, there are no existing communities, which will be a huge factor for gamers to stick to their current platforms of choice. It's a no-brainer for MS and Sony to give some kind of perks for people transferring to their new consoles from the current ones, plus people will want to keep their friends lists, etc. This is the main reason why Wii U doesn't stand a chance at winning the next gen. Nintendo will be suffering from all the mistakes it made with the Wii, when it decided to keep it that strongly set in previous gen reality (Friendcodes anyone?).

The store is fine, but why should I care about it, when I have no disc? Buy one? I can, but that's already a hustle, additional cost and looks awful next to the TV. The TV services? Available only in US, so I couldn't care less. They may be fun, but I'll never know about them.

Off TV is awesome, I'm going to give Wii U that. Very often I can't play my PS3 cause somebody is occupying the TV, so this is something for me, but... I already have a Vita, so I get my fix there.

Other stuff really isn't something that will be any kind of a factor when you think about buying a console.

The price - I think it's way too high. The console is just slightly more powerful than PS3! And it has no hard disc. I will buy the Wii U without a doubt, as I've spent wonderful time playing Nintendo games on my Wii, but there is no way I'm going to pay this kind of money for this console. Depending on the games it gets the next 2-3 years, I'm going to wait until it reaches $200 or even $150. Cause that's what the console is worth to me.