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Forums - Nintendo - Should Nintendo offer an optional WiiU SKU without the Gamepad?

 

Should Nintendo offer a WiiU SKU without the Gamepad?

Yes, their best option at this point. 164 47.13%
 
No, the negatives outweigh the cheaper price. 183 52.59%
 
Total:347
archbrix on 18 February 2014
baloofarsan said:

Whitout it, it is only a more expensive last gen console without the third party support.

At $199 it would be the same price as the six year old PS3 is currently.  The lack 3rd party support doesn't change regardless, so why not make Nintendo's exclusive library more affordable?



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archbrix on 18 February 2014
Jumpin said:

No, releasing a SKU without the gamepad would be borderline retarded.

Without the gamepad, not only will there be a large number of games that will not be playable, but the OS will be broken too.

In the OP I already discuss the concern of games that would not be playable.  Not exactly a large number that absolutely require it either.  That's part of the problem with WiiU IMO; the Gamepad has been underutilized so far.

Also, how would the OS be broken, particularly with future updates and patches?



oniyide on 18 February 2014
Jumpin said:

No, releasing a SKU without the gamepad would be borderline retarded.

Without the gamepad, not only will there be a large number of games that will not be playable, but the OS will be broken too.

what are these large number of games. Pretty sure they can be patched, and the OS too.



oniyide on 18 February 2014
baloofarsan said:

Whitout it, it is only a more expensive last gen console without the third party support.

so...it isnt that already?





fleischr on 18 February 2014

I think they could design a new gamepad that's more affordable to manufacture and more appealing to consumers. Here's how you do it:
-Make it smaller. Size of the current gamepad freaks people out.
-Remove some unused/underutilized/underappreciated features
-the camera
-the built-in mic
-the speakers
-There's probably a more affordable display option too



I predict NX launches in 2017 - not 2016

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Arius Dion on 18 February 2014
fleischr said:
I think they could design a new gamepad that's more affordable to manufacture and more appealing to consumers. Here's how you do it:
-Make it smaller. Size of the current gamepad freaks people out.
-Remove some unused/underutilized/underappreciated features
-the camera
-the built-in mic
-the speakers
-There's probably a more affordable display option too


Ala DS Lite to the original DS. I still don't think it'd work. I think they'd be better off with making the Gamepad a separate purchase for those who see value in it. And instead just include a Pro Controller and Wiimote/chuck.



Bet between Slimbeast and Arius Dion about Wii sales 2009:


If the Wii sells less than 20 million in 2009 (as defined by VGC sales between week ending 3d Jan 2009 to week ending 4th Jan 2010) Slimebeast wins and get to control Arius Dion's sig for 1 month.

If the Wii sells more than 20 million in 2009 (as defined above) Arius Dion wins and gets to control Slimebeast's sig for 1 month.

fleischr on 18 February 2014

I've also said a smartphone/tablet add on like this

 

could work as a WiiU gamepad. Given the power of some tablets/smartphones, it could even be a standalone WiiU SKU.



I predict NX launches in 2017 - not 2016

archbrix on 18 February 2014
Fusioncode said:
Zero999 said:

he game a link saying how much nintendo was CHARGING for a replacement =/= how much the thing COSTS.

this isn't the first time you barge into the conversation with nothing relevant to add. think this through the next time.

I'm stil waiting for your source that the Gamepad costs 50$. And once again, saying things like "think this through next time" is rude and adds nothing to the conversation. 

Yep, I'm still waiting for that as well.

We do know two things:  Historically, Nintendo tries to make profit day one on their hardware and they try to price their hardware affordably.  With the 3DS, they were profiting when it launched at $250; kinda pushing it as far as affordability, which resulted in the price having to be slashed to $169.  Only then was it selling at a loss.

The WiiU, on the other hand, was selling at a loss when it launched at $350 - a price that is a full $100 more than any Nintendo system before it.  Logically, I don't see what would have resulted in Ninty pricing a console of theirs so much higher and still sold at a loss other than the inclusion of the Gamepad.



jonathanalis on 18 February 2014

they should.
but they wont.



archbrix on 18 February 2014

Consider the following hypothetical:

Existing WiiU SKU - not changed.  $299 for the console with the Gamepad and Mario/LuigiU included.  Sold at a loss.

New SKU - Donkey Kong Country TF bundle for $249 with the Wiimote/nunchuck/Pro Controller.  Sold at a profit.

DKC would be the perfect candidate for this new SKU because it doesn't utilize the Gamepad AT ALL, other than off-TV play (which I like, but not everyone is interested in). 

While a $50 drop will only spike sales so much, consider the bigger picture here.  The new SKU would be profitable for Nintendo and the lower price would still sell more hardware.  More hardware sold = more software sold, which results in more profit for Nintendo. 

Now apply the new $250 SKU/bundle (Wiimote/nunchuck/Pro Controller and _____ game) to Mario Kart included in May; a Smash Bros bundle for the holiday.  Hopefully even a Wii Sports 3 (U) bundle.  Then, even the same SKU but with no game for $199. 

The $299 Gamepad SKU is still perfectly available; Nintendo is just providing options for people and selling more hardware and software as a result.