Was the Wii U worth it?

[Djinn]

At this stage for anyone who is not a Smash or Mario Kart fan no. Not at all. The release game being a 32 bit sidescrolling Mario Game that looks to be at home on the NDS should have been a red flag telling everyone where this system was going. But overall I do not think the system was really worth it at all.

 

[Kyru]

Did you have any problems?

You know I didn't have problems. But I'll just run through a couple of things that I did to make sure it works nicely.
1) Make sure the sensor is plugged in and facing the proper direction.
2) In settings there is an adjuster for the placement of the Wii mote sensor (above or below the TV)
3) Make sure the Wii mote is synced to the Wii U.
4) In settings again, there is a Wii mote sensor tuner things. Try playing with that.

I mean I know I basically spit out garbage (in terms of this was probably already done) but the main one is point 2 & 4. I hope this helps.

 

[ReneEss]

Well actually you did have one suggestion that wasn't even on Nintendo's official trouble shooting guide. I'll give it another whirl tonight. Although the last thing I need to do is start another title. I'm at the very end of Spirit Tracks & just started Wind Waker.

You know I didn't have problems. But I'll just run through a couple of things that I did to make sure it works nicely.
1) Make sure the sensor is plugged in and facing the proper direction.
2) In settings there is an adjuster for the placement of the Wii mote sensor (above or below the TV)
3) Make sure the Wii mote is synced to the Wii U.
4) In settings again, there is a Wii mote sensor tuner things. Try playing with that.

I mean I know I basically spit out garbage (in terms of this was probably already done) but the main one is point 2 & 4. I hope this helps.

 

[A Link In Time]

I actually agree. I think the Wii U's biggest flaws were an early release and terrible marketing, the name included. When people think the Wii U is just a peripheral for the current console, you know your marketing failed big time.

And the kicker is they're doing it again. They're releasing another console way too early.

If the NX is the next home console from Nintendo (we have no way of knowing), it'll be just one year short of the typical Nintendo console lifespan. Truth be told, anything past the fourth year on a recent Nintendo game has been a dearth of new games to play. 2006 was a drought for the GameCube before Twilight Princess came out. The Wii's situation was even worse, because Skyward Sword, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, and Xenoblade Chronicles were the only big name games in its last two years.

That said, I agree with everything else you and Emmanuel said. I'd like to add one more thing going against the GamePad aside from tablets taking the controller's thunder before the Wii U even released. That's the GamePad's cost. Previous Nintendo consoles were enticing because they didn't leave a large dent on the wallet. The Wii U is Nintendo's most expensive console ever, costing only $100 less than its more fully featured competitors, and it can't decrease in price any sooner because of the expenses in producing the screen for the GamePad.

 

[CrimsonCavalier]

If the NX is the next home console from Nintendo (we have no way of knowing), it'll be just one year short of the typical Nintendo console lifespan. Truth be told, anything past the fourth year on a recent Nintendo game has been a dearth of new games to play. 2006 was a drought for the GameCube before Twilight Princess came out. The Wii's situation was even worse, because Skyward Sword, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, and Xenoblade Chronicles were the only big name games in its last two years.

That said, I agree with everything else you and Emmanuel said. I'd like to add one more thing going against the GamePad aside from tablets taking the controller's thunder before the Wii U even released. That's the GamePad's cost. Previous Nintendo consoles were enticing because they didn't leave a large dent on the wallet. The Wii U is Nintendo's most expensive console ever, costing only $100 less than its more fully featured competitors, and it can't decrease in price any sooner because of the expenses in producing the screen for the GamePad.

I didn't mean "way too early" as in x amount of years. I meant, "way too early" as in, they're releasing way before the competition, which means that the competition is going to have enough time to make something even better in only about 2-3 years. In fact, it's not an unreasonable assumption that whatever Sony is cooking up right now is already more powerful/advanced than the NX is going to be.

Also, I think it's high time we all realise that gaming generations are lasting longer, and we can't just say "well, they've always been x amount of years long, so they should be/always will be x amount of years long." Things change, including technology, support, games, etc., and that will inevitably affect the generation lifespan.

 

[A Link In Time]

I didn't mean "way too early" as in x amount of years. I meant, "way too early" as in, they're releasing way before the competition, which means that the competition is going to have enough time to make something even better in only about 2-3 years. In fact, it's not an unreasonable assumption that whatever Sony is cooking up right now is already more powerful/advanced than the NX is going to be.

Also, I think it's high time we all realise that gaming generations are lasting longer, and we can't just say "well, they've always been x amount of years long, so they should be/always will be x amount of years long." Things change, including technology, support, games, etc., and that will inevitably affect the generation lifespan.

True. The last generation of consoles was so much longer than previous ones, because updates went a lot way towards optimizing the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware. Also, the hardware was expensive and lost profits needed to be made up in software sales.

I know some people are foreseeing a potential Dreamcast repeat for the NX, but it's not likely to happen. Cost is an even bigger factor this generation. Both Microsoft and Sony are losing profit on hardware sales. They want this generation to lost for a good number of years. Nintendo, on the other hand, has billions to fall back on from the success of the Wii and DS last generation.

I just hope that Nintendo now understands that ports of year or two old games to its systems won't work. For third party multiform support to be effective on a Nintendo console, games have to release on it at the same time as its competitors, as in the GameCube days.

 

[the8thark]

That said, I still don't think the GamePad was the reason for the Wii U's lack of success.

I agree that was not the reason. There were other reasons. The WiiU was not a failure in all aspects. But in major ones like sales and large 3rd party interest it was.

 

[Deleted member 14134]

Yes, the wii u is full of cutting edge dust collecting technology. I don't even need to buy swiffers anymore! Knowing nintendo I can't wait to see what they do with the NX!

 

[misskitten]

I've had mine for about a year and though I only have a handful of games for it, what I've played on it have been great. Quality over quantity. WWHD was a fantastic HD remake, MK8 is still being regularly played at my place, SM3DW is my 4th fave Mario title, Toad's Treasure Tracker turned out to be a ton of fun, and I can't wait for Mario Maker and Zelda Wii U to Show up.

Also, I frickin loved the gamepad, and I rarely care about the hardware

 

[the8thark]

Also, I frickin loved the gamepad, and I rarely care about the hardware

Call me impressed with the gamepad too. These days I am playing Xenoblade Chronicles just on the gamepad screen. Only 10 hours in and still have not left the Colony 9 area. But the game looks amazing on the little screen. It's almost like the game was made just for it. And it plays so very well on it.

I think almost all of the old VC games shine on the gamepad. Unless I am playing a WiiU or Wii game (I have on disc) I don't even turn my TV on to use the WiiU. I just use the gamepad. I really like it.
I second your comment misskitten. For me on consoles fun > hardware. But in this case the gamepad which is hardware = fun.

And on the subject of Super mario Maker, the PS and Xbox could not do this kind of game at all. Well it's more a Mario game devlopment tool than a game, but still. . . it needs the gamepad and it totally shines on the gamepad. Something the competition just doesn't have. Super Mario Maker at WiiU launch would have sold the gamepad so well. But better late than never.
Add in Splatoon and Star Fox Zero that need and use the gamepad in amazing ways and you get a piece of hardware that is really fun and user friendly.

I would have perfered a capacitive touch screen (think iOS device) and not the resistive touch screen that the gamepad has now. I think cost dictated that choice. Oh well better a touch screen than no touch scree at all. And the gamepad's one is not the worst one ever.

 

[Viral Maze]

I don't have a WiiU but it seems like a terrible deal. 2.5 years after release they announce/tease a successor? Boo.

 

[Dan]

I don't have a WiiU but it seems like a terrible deal. 2.5 years after release they announce/tease a successor? Boo.

I would both cry and laugh if the same situation happened with the NX.

 

[MW7]

For me it was worth it because I got the console for free through a reward system at work (so altogether I spent about $200 for the console and six games). Overall I would guess that it will be remembered as the worst home console Nintendo has ever released. Compared to the NES, SNES, N64, GC, and Wii, the Wii U has a very disappointing library. The GC is arguably the next worst Nintendo console, and my favorite Wii U game is a remade GC game. Zelda Wii U being the best game ever made wouldn't even redeem the console (although I'd really appreciate it). I am happy with the limited library of games that I bought - Super Mario 3d World, Super Smash Bros U, Wind Waker HD, DKC: Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart 8, and Nintendo Land (got this one bundled). I just wish more people bought the console so that it could have gotten more games/support.

 

[CrimsonCavalier]

For me it was worth it because I got the console for free through a reward system at work (so altogether I spent about $200 for the console and six games). Overall I would guess that it will be remembered as the worst home console Nintendo has ever released. Compared to the NES, SNES, N64, GC, and Wii, the Wii U has a very disappointing library. The GC is arguably the next worst Nintendo console, and my favorite Wii U game is a remade GC game. Zelda Wii U being the best game ever made wouldn't even redeem the console (although I'd really appreciate it). I am happy with the limited library of games that I bought - Super Mario 3d World, Super Smash Bros U, Wind Waker HD, DKC: Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart 8, and Nintendo Land (got this one bundled). I just wish more people bought the console so that it could have gotten more games/support.

I keep saying this: if those are the games you bought, and you think the library is disappointing, it's because you didn't get the right games. Where's Bayonetta 2? Where's Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate? Where's Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Where's Splatoon? Where's Zombi U?

It's like going to Pizza Hut, getting a salad and saying the food there wasn't good.

 

[Viral Maze]

I keep saying this: if those are the games you bought, and you think the library is disappointing, it's because you didn't get the right games. Where's Bayonetta 2? Where's Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate? Where's Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Where's Splatoon? Where's Zombi U?

It's like going to Pizza Hut, getting a salad and saying the food there wasn't good.

Not everyone will like the same games. AAA exclusive titles are not insta-buys. For my PS2, I never actually bought Shadow of the Colossus, or DMC, or God of War. Granted, I loved my PS2, but still.

The fact that Nintendo decided to abandon (seemingly) it's console after just 2 and a half years makes it tough for people to feel like they got their money's worth. After spending $300 on a console you expect to get more than a few games for it. You expect multiple Zeldas, multiple Star Fox games, Mario Karts, etc.

You buy a PS3 and you were treated to 3 Uncharted games, 2 Killzones, etc. Buy an Xbox One and you got 2 Halo games, 3 Gears of War games. Buying a PS4 or Xbox One, you know you'll get a good bang for your buck.

WiiU was just a mediocre bang. Now you gotta spend more money to get the newest Nintendo games.