We Need Nintendo Back in Our Living Rooms

[Mr Khan]

Soundwave said:
I think their best bet is probably just to throw everything at the Wii U for the next year or so, and drop the price as aggressively as possible. If sales after Christmas still aren't that great (relative to where they should be), then I would consider the "nuclear" option of a $199.99 SKU minus the tablet screen or perhaps a cheaper controller with a smaller screen.

I do think a Wii U + "PC in a box" hybrid could be interesting from Nintendo though, if they basically said to third parties "OK, you don't want to make games for us, we get it, we're making a version of the Wii U with a higher end PC GPU that basically can run most PC games. To get your PC games on our machine you just have to pay us a licensing fee and ensure controller/quality support" ... that could work as a higher-specced alternative to the Wii U.

But I don't think it'll happen, I suspect if the Wii U is a "failure" (ala the GameCube) in Nintendo's eyes they will move away from the traditional console business entirely and focus on a handheld device which can also double as a device that streams video games to your television while at home.

Again, i'd suggest that Nintendo's in position to do that even if Wii U ends up a roaring success. The gamepad works as a "natural successor" or a "necessary retreat," which is long-term strategic brilliance.