The Wrap-Up
Griffin:
Well, to close, how about we all summarize A) what we think N should do, and B) what we think they’ll actually do.
I’ll go first this time.
I think Nintendo has two options. The first is to weather the storm. They have $11 billion in the bank, and if they keep 3DS/2DS strong, the Wii U will eventually come back as a sleeper hit so long as good software is continually released. This feels like the Ps3 and Vita approach, though, and isn’t particularly Nintendo-like, despite what GameCube did.
The other option, I think, is the Wii U sans GamePad. Like Christian said, it would be the 2DS of Wii U, and would definitely be impulse territory. $200 to play 3D World, Mario Kart (coming soon), the new Zelda when it arrives, and the small-yet-solid back library of Wii U games is pretty compelling as well. What I don’t think they need to do is put their games on smartphones. Not because it would be damn terrible, as everyone seems to say, but because Wii U is the problem, not 3DS. Heck, 3DS is the cash cow! Nintendo games on phones would cannibalize 3DS, not help Wii U.
In terms of what they will actually do…. I’m inclined to believe they will weather the storm. Unlike with 2DS, I think they might be too stubborn to actually ditch the GamePad. We’ll see, though. Shooting for sleeper hit over the next 4/5 years is probably their play, if I had to guess. Also, given the comparison of Wii U to GameCube as opposed to Wii, Nintendo should consider refreshing Metroid, F-Zero, Starfox, etc. But that may be wishful thinking.
Anyways, I actually gotta run guys – just got a text from my brother that he needs to be picked up from school. I’ll still watch the thread on my phone though. Wanna each post your closing thoughts as I just did, then wrap it up?
Michael, sorry if my huge post assassinated your Wi-Fi.
Michael:
Oh wait, it recovered!
Griffin
Nice! Check out what I said above and toss in some closing comments, if you feel so inclined.
Christian
I’ll do mine in a bit, I had to run out the door too.
Michael:
Ok – it seems to me that the writing is on the wall. Nintendo needs to act, but that doesn’t mean it has to make a drastic shake-up in the next few weeks. As Griffin pointed out, the company has $11 billion in the bank as of now, and its market value is larger than Activision and EA combined.
The Wii U lite without the GamePad is absolutely an option. If it were to be bundled close to a big release — just like how the 2DS took advantage of Pokemon X/Y — then it has a firm chance. Nintendo just needs to fine tune its marketing. I’ve had confused friends ask me whether 3DS games will play on the 2DS and vice versa. Admittedly, the Wii U wasn’t exactly a killer moniker from the get-go, but without a rebranding (The Wii U 2: Electric Boogaloo, of course), the sans GamePad approach could create a consumer friendly, low-price SKU that could jack up that install base.
No doubt, Nintendo has some of the most recognised and esteemed IP in the industry, but that doesn’t excuse it for using nostalgia as a crutch. Looking to the long-term, if it were to balance innovation with reviving older franchises such as Metroid, then the third-party support will come with time.
Taking off my rose-tinted glasses, though, the 3DS is the flagship piece of hardware for Nintendo right now. Aside from Mario Kart, Donkey Kong and Bayonetta 2, the first six months of 2014 leaves a lot to be desired for the Wii U in terms of software. Even still, the Big N proved it could do it before when the 3DS tumbled out of the gate, so there’s no stopping it repeating the formula — only this time, you have to imagine it’ll be a more difficult turnaround.
Christian:
I think that Nintendo should focus on either validating the existence of the tablet with the Wii U by creating more unique and genuinely good games that integrate the feature well. If they can’t do that, then they should avoid relying on the gimmick to sell games and instead work on quality software regardless of the tablet. Some of the best games on the Wii hardly use motion controls, and their most memorable titles took advantage of leaps forward in capabilities rather than relying on gimmicks.
I think the idea of a Wii U sans tablet is an interesting one to pursue, but whether or not they will remains to be seen. I honestly have no idea what the big N will do moving forwards, though. I like to think they’d learn from past experiences and continue to make great games regardless of gimmicks, but ultimately I think they’ll rely on the 3DS and it’s strong presence while trying to reinforce how awesome the Wii U is in their mind.
Nintendo is never too proud to pat itself on the back, but hopefully they’ll knock it off long enough to make the Wii U something hardcore gamers want.
