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Nem on 18 February 2014
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Spazzy_D said:
Nem said:
Spazzy_D said:
 

It wasn't aimed at casuals, either.  It tried to be everything to everyone but didnt realize what would actually appeal to either crowrd.  A real hardcore system would have sold better I think, not great, but more on pace to at least match the N64 in numbers.


I think you have the wrong idea of what hardcore is. The vita is a hardcore device and isnt selling wonders. Beeing hardcore does not directly equal to great sales.

I didn't say it would have great sales, I was saying if it was closer to the standard set by it's competitors, it would actually be a hardcore system and it would be selling better, not great, but better.  I then went on to point out why it wasn't seen as hardcore.  Even Nintendo wasn't marketing it towards the "hardcore market."  They launched the system with Nintendoland as the big pack in, and you can't tell me that that game was meant to attract the "hardcore" gamer.  Nintendoland was meant to show off the Wii U controller, it was meant to get people to play in a way they hadn't before.  Was it succesful?  No.  The fact is that they tried to replicate the success of the Wii (a new way to play) while also providing a more traditional control scheme for third parties and to attract traditional (and "hardcore") gamers.  You seem to think that hardcore means "not like the Wii." A true Wii successor would also be selling better, as well (and likely much better then a hardcore Nintendo system unless they balanced thier hardware and software amazingly) but the Wii U is niether. 

By the way, I love my Wii U, I see the value in the controller, so much so that if I do get another current gen console it will most likely be a PS4 + Vita a few years down the road.  I don't think it needed the extra horse power or anything like that, but if you talk to the general gaming populace you will hear that it is just like the Wii an underpowered console with a gimmicky controller.  That's true.  That's not the sytem you launch if thats your primary demographic.

TLDR The Wii U fails at being a hardcore system.  It fails at being a Wii succesor.  If it was better at either, it wouldn't be bombing AS hard, but right now no audience sees a reason to own it.


In terms of sales you are correct. In terms of gaming appeal, i do think the Wii U is a system that is more appealing to hardcore gamers than the Wii. The problem is it isnt indeed appealing enough. Just as it isnt appealing enough to casuals either. I think Nintendo understands this now and its why they are coming up with a quality of life platform aimed at casuals. I am still unsure about what the hell they are doing with the Wii U though.