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Forums - Nintendo - Wii U Set To Have Strong Launch + 3rd party Devs Already Have Final Wii U Dev Kits!

TomaTito on 13 January 2012
HappySqurriel said:
I just wanted to expand upon the possible price of the Wii U ...

From the tiny amount we know about the Wii U and the rumors/speculation about its hardware I get the impression that Nintendo took a similar approach to developing the Wii U's hardware that they took with the Gamecube over a decade ago. Essentially, rather than using expensive state of the art hardware to maximize theoritical performance, use custom versions of "outdated" hardware and focus on maximizing real-world performance per dollar.

With this in mind, had the Wii U been using a conventional controller (like the XBox 360 or PS3 controller) I would expect Nintendo to sell the system for $300 while breaking even or turning a modest profit.

If I am correct the price increase of the Wii U will be primarily driven by how much more it costs to manufacture a Wii U tablet controller than a conventional controller. Being that I think it is far closer to a conventional controller with a (relatively) inexpensive touch screen added than a tablet, I think people are over-estimating the cost to manufacture the controller. My expectation is that it (probably) adds $10 to $15 to the manufacturing cost of a controller, and Nintendo is worried about the cost at retail because it would (probably) increase controller prices by $30 to $45 if Nintendo and the retailers are going to maintain their margins on accessories.

With everything considered, I expect Nintendo is targeting $349 for the Wii U at launch. While I think that they may be more willing to accept small losses on hardware now due to the launch of the 3DS, I wouldn't be surprised if they are worried that factors outside of their control will force them to release it at a higher price.

Considering the standalone U controller, they can still go for a game bundle whenever it is ready for retail. (MiiaU Party: Neko time)



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haxxiy on 13 January 2012

Make it too cheap and Nintendo falls prey to negative perception of value. The fact it does use a tablet-like controller, which usually aren't cheap (the tablets themselves, I mean) and you are in for some $399 at least. Not that it is actually much cheaper to manufacture anyways. Maybe they will release for $349 if they are willing to sustain some minor losses like with the 3DS or the Gamecube.

But that's just me speculating.



 

 

 

 

 

kitler53 on 13 January 2012
Metallicube said:
I used to be certain that Nintendo would never release their next console for a cent over $250, but considering their latest HANDHELD console began at that price, and the fact that the Wii U controller comes equipped with a tablet, I can definitely see a $350 or even a $400 pricetag at launch. Don't think they'll exceed that though.

i would agree with that .. with what i've seen so far $350 to $400 sounds reasonable to me.



kitler53 on 13 January 2012
milkyjoe said:
kitler53 said:
...

source: "In fact, based on the latest details from Nintendo’s North America President Reggie Fils-Aime, if I had to choose between a price for the Wii U between $250 and $600, I'd say it's going to cost closer to $600."  <-- that's the quote i heard attributed to reggie but reading it directly i'm not sure if it is actually a quote and not just speculation on the writers part for this next bit, an actual quote from reggie.

source:

Does that change as we get closer to the next-generation console, the Wii U?

"The market is going to continue to differentiate based on the types of experiences that consumers want. As an example, if I’m the head of a household of a family of four, and my disposable income is $50,000 to $60,000, I’m going to continue to look at the Wii because of the software, and it’s a great entertainment device. For consumers who want to have the latest gadgets and have a higher disposable income, that’s for the Wii U."  ~reggie

 

so apperently you need a household income in excess of $60,000 in order to afford the wiiU, whatever that means.

That wasn't a quote from Reggie. That was whoever wrote the article speculating. This is how misinformation becomes 'truth'.

and that was me acknowledging that what i saw on the forums as a quote appeared to not be a quote.  :)



JGarret on 13 January 2012
Metallicube said:

It's good that Nintendo acknowledges the importance of a strong 1st party lineup, but the fact is, even if Nintendo busts their ass and goes all out, releasing tons of great 1st party games,  there are still going to be lull periods where the development teams are stretched too thin, busy on 3DS software, tied up with bigger projects, etc. This is when third parties NEED to step in. If they don't, we're simply going to be looking at another N64, Gamecube, and (to an extent), Wii library where there are brief periods of plentiful quality games dispersed amongst long periods of droughts. Nintendo doesn't have the sheer numbers or manpower that Sony's studio has, and unless they intend to seriously upgrade, third parties are key to fill in the gaps.

This is on Nintendo to push for their support. I don't care how much third parties hate you, or how much they hated Wii, or their fear of their titles getting crushed by Nintendo games. You do EVERYTHING in your power to get more plentiful, and more importantly, more QUALITY third party games. Buy studios, offer money, push advertising, work closely with studios, make development as easy as possible on your platform. Hell, buy them a steak and lobster dinner if that's what it takes. Wii U NEEDS stronger third party support, or I fear the Wii sales numbers will be the absolute ceiling for Wii U success, and more likely than not, an unreachable goal.

While Wii at least got the quantity of third party games unlike the N64 and Gamecube, it was lacking in the quality. Wii U will need both in order to have the surge of success Wii had, along with the greater longevity of the HD consoles.


In short, we´re all still waiting for "the next SNES" :)

When the Wii started its sales domination back in 2007/2008, for a moment I thought there was a good chance it´d become 'the next SNES'...it never happened, we all know.

The DS is the closest thing to a 'SNES 2', though I´d rather have it as a home console since I don´t like handhelds.



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BlkPaladin on 13 January 2012

I know it wasn't the point of your post. But hopefully the Wii U can harness some of the DS's sucess, since it is basically a console version of the handheld.



Toddifer on 13 January 2012

I'm currently guessing it will be $350-$400 at launch. If it's got a solid launch line-up I could see it doing fairly well at $400.



Bah!

oniyide on 13 January 2012
Metallicube said:

It's good that Nintendo acknowledges the importance of a strong 1st party lineup, but the fact is, even if Nintendo busts their ass and goes all out, releasing tons of great 1st party games,  there are still going to be lull periods where the development teams are stretched too thin, busy on 3DS software, tied up with bigger projects, etc. This is when third parties NEED to step in. If they don't, we're simply going to be looking at another N64, Gamecube, and (to an extent), Wii library where there are brief periods of plentiful quality games dispersed amongst long periods of droughts. Nintendo doesn't have the sheer numbers or manpower that Sony's studio has, and unless they intend to seriously upgrade, third parties are key to fill in the gaps.

This is on Nintendo to push for their support. I don't care how much third parties hate you, or how much they hated Wii, or their fear of their titles getting crushed by Nintendo games. You do EVERYTHING in your power to get more plentiful, and more importantly, more QUALITY third party games. Buy studios, offer money, push advertising, work closely with studios, make development as easy as possible on your platform. Hell, buy them a steak and lobster dinner if that's what it takes. Wii U NEEDS stronger third party support, or I fear the Wii sales numbers will be the absolute ceiling for Wii U success, and more likely than not, an unreachable goal.

While Wii at least got the quantity of third party games unlike the N64 and Gamecube, it was lacking in the quality. Wii U will need both in order to have the surge of success Wii had, along with the greater longevity of the HD consoles.


You know, its good to see that there are Nity fans who get it. That is how you get support. Not this whole "3rd parties, hate Wii crap". They didnt mess with Ninty cause Ninty did NOT do exactly what you posted. Sony and MS did. Thankfully, looking at the 3DS line up and the possible upcoming Wii U line up, they finally get it, not sitting on the sidelines with their thumbs up their asses, wondering what the hell is going on



oniyide on 13 January 2012
BasilZero said:
JGarret said:
Metallicube said:

It's good that Nintendo acknowledges the importance of a strong 1st party lineup, but the fact is, even if Nintendo busts their ass and goes all out, releasing tons of great 1st party games,  there are still going to be lull periods where the development teams are stretched too thin, busy on 3DS software, tied up with bigger projects, etc. This is when third parties NEED to step in. If they don't, we're simply going to be looking at another N64, Gamecube, and (to an extent), Wii library where there are brief periods of plentiful quality games dispersed amongst long periods of droughts. Nintendo doesn't have the sheer numbers or manpower that Sony's studio has, and unless they intend to seriously upgrade, third parties are key to fill in the gaps.

This is on Nintendo to push for their support. I don't care how much third parties hate you, or how much they hated Wii, or their fear of their titles getting crushed by Nintendo games. You do EVERYTHING in your power to get more plentiful, and more importantly, more QUALITY third party games. Buy studios, offer money, push advertising, work closely with studios, make development as easy as possible on your platform. Hell, buy them a steak and lobster dinner if that's what it takes. Wii U NEEDS stronger third party support, or I fear the Wii sales numbers will be the absolute ceiling for Wii U success, and more likely than not, an unreachable goal.

While Wii at least got the quantity of third party games unlike the N64 and Gamecube, it was lacking in the quality. Wii U will need both in order to have the surge of success Wii had, along with the greater longevity of the HD consoles.


In short, we´re all still waiting for "the next SNES" :)

When the Wii started its sales domination back in 2007/2008, for a moment I thought there was a good chance it´d become 'the next SNES'...it never happened, we all know.

The DS is the closest thing to a 'SNES 2', though I´d rather have it as a home console since I don´t like handhelds.


+1!

I'm still waiting for the next SNES, the next nintendo system that will have alot of third party support! Hopefully the Wii-U will be that!

Why did people assume that Wii was going to be the next SNES??? The system was not powerful enough to run any of the games that the 3rd parties were making for the HDs, so common sense should dictate that Wii was going to miss out on some games. or at least get different versions. Thats what I thought anyway.  Wii U has a much better chance of becoming SNES 2, but even then i dont think that will happen. SNES did have alot of 3rd party exclusive software, which I doubt Wii U or anyone will get. Nope multiplatform is where this is heading. Unless Ninty is going to do some serious moneyhatting. 



oniyide on 13 January 2012
BasilZero said:
oniyide said:
BasilZero said:
JGarret said:
Metallicube said:

It's good that Nintendo acknowledges the importance of a strong 1st party lineup, but the fact is, even if Nintendo busts their ass and goes all out, releasing tons of great 1st party games,  there are still going to be lull periods where the development teams are stretched too thin, busy on 3DS software, tied up with bigger projects, etc. This is when third parties NEED to step in. If they don't, we're simply going to be looking at another N64, Gamecube, and (to an extent), Wii library where there are brief periods of plentiful quality games dispersed amongst long periods of droughts. Nintendo doesn't have the sheer numbers or manpower that Sony's studio has, and unless they intend to seriously upgrade, third parties are key to fill in the gaps.

This is on Nintendo to push for their support. I don't care how much third parties hate you, or how much they hated Wii, or their fear of their titles getting crushed by Nintendo games. You do EVERYTHING in your power to get more plentiful, and more importantly, more QUALITY third party games. Buy studios, offer money, push advertising, work closely with studios, make development as easy as possible on your platform. Hell, buy them a steak and lobster dinner if that's what it takes. Wii U NEEDS stronger third party support, or I fear the Wii sales numbers will be the absolute ceiling for Wii U success, and more likely than not, an unreachable goal.

While Wii at least got the quantity of third party games unlike the N64 and Gamecube, it was lacking in the quality. Wii U will need both in order to have the surge of success Wii had, along with the greater longevity of the HD consoles.


In short, we´re all still waiting for "the next SNES" :)

When the Wii started its sales domination back in 2007/2008, for a moment I thought there was a good chance it´d become 'the next SNES'...it never happened, we all know.

The DS is the closest thing to a 'SNES 2', though I´d rather have it as a home console since I don´t like handhelds.


+1!

I'm still waiting for the next SNES, the next nintendo system that will have alot of third party support! Hopefully the Wii-U will be that!

Why did people assume that Wii was going to be the next SNES??? The system was not powerful enough to run any of the games that the 3rd parties were making for the HDs, so common sense should dictate that Wii was going to miss out on some games. or at least get different versions. Thats what I thought anyway.  Wii U has a much better chance of becoming SNES 2, but even then i dont think that will happen. SNES did have alot of 3rd party exclusive software, which I doubt Wii U or anyone will get. Nope multiplatform is where this is heading. Unless Ninty is going to do some serious moneyhatting. 

Multiplatform is fine, doesnt need to be complete exclusives. I just hope Wii-U will have as much third party support as the Sony/MS consoles.

I just meant in relation to SNES, it had a lot of 3rd party exclusives. Something I think is going away in general. but hey, I want everyone to get everything. I think 3rd party exclusives are stupid.