How the Wii U could make a comeback

[DerpSandwich]

McDonaldsGuy said:

DerpSandwich said:
I disagree. While I think it's great to appeal to multiple demographics, the better course of action (if they only had to pick one, which of course they don't), would be providing the experiences we've been wanting. I agree with what you said about SM3DW looking just like a handheld game, etc. It's a powerful system that simply hasn't been used in the way you would expect it to be used. Giving us big fat experiences rather than games we could be playing on our 3DS's is the most important at this point. A big Mario adventure, an amazing Metroid, any number of things we've gotten in the past but we just aren't getting now.

And while in a way I've got to applaud Nintendo for doing what they want, you're right that the new Zelda will split up the fans. This was not the right time to take that artistic liberty. They need to sell units more than anything at this point. Make the "realistic" Zelda everyone wants, THEN get all artsy and original when you've got the install base.

I don't agree with that approach per se, mainly because it's the GameCube approach. Nintendo franchises aren't as popular as they used to be even 5 years ago, so it's a tough sell. I think if we got a Super Mario 128 instead of a 3D World it would have helped, but not a TON. Maybe 9 million sales by now.

Nintendo should still give us the big Mario adventure, Metroid, etc. etc. but it needs to expand its userbase too like with the Wii. Hardcore gamers always bash Nintendo for "abandoning them" but it was the hardcore gamers that abandoned Nintendo in the first place.

So while Nintendo SHOULD of course start releasing its killer apps soon and now, it's not enough to truly mount a comeback. It needs to do more.

Exactly about Zelda as well. It's like Nintendo has no clue what they're doing. The Wii was a hit with hardcore gamers because of Twilight Princess at launch. Wii Sports was the killer app for non-gamers (and even gamers really), but it was Twilight Princess that sold hardcore gamers on the Wii. And a HUGE reason for that is the art style.

Remember the E3 2004 reaction? Still gives me goosebumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE2Dc1sx71U

Nintendo needs to bring that back.

While Nintendo's approach of doing absolutely nothing but giving us awesome games didn't work for the Gamecube, I think times have changed enough that it might have a greater impact now.  Gaming is so much more mainstream now, and the internet better allows for great games to get spread around.  All the kids that could only afford to get one console per generation back in the early 2000's are now adults with disposable income, and can usually get whatever the heck they want, so they can get more than one system.  Right now those people are looking at the Wii U and just not seeing the awesome games that will win them over.

I do however agree that both strategies are important, and I'm sure Nintendo could implement both.  Especially now with the eShop it's easier to make smaller experiences that tailor to multiple demographics.  But going after people who already play games seems so much more important to me than trying to grab people who tend not to.  I feel like that was Microsoft's mistake coming out of the gate; they tried so hard to get the TV/sports-swilling casuals onboard that the gamers (i.e. the people who actually purchase and use gaming systems) were like, "Why do I care?"  I feel like if you can't support your system with enough games that plain old gamers will like, then you really might as well go third-party, because you're fighting a losing battle.  The non-traditional gaming crowd has already proven that they're finicky and pick up things with a passing interest.  A lot of girls are playing the 3DS right now, but let's say Nintendo went after that demo HARD, spent a bunch of money on it.  Who's to say next gen the girls won't just stop caring?  It happened with the old folks, and Nintendo paid dearly for that mistake this gen.