The trouble continues for Nintendo as their new Wii U sales continue to struggle, with shipments even failing to reach the lowered targets set by Nintendo earlier in the year.
Wii U sales shipped 3.45 million units worldwide as of March 31st, 2013, falling short of the 4 million sales projected in January by Nintendo, which was also adjusted from initial forecasts of 5.5 million.
To put this in perspective, the Nintendo Wii U sales of the games console have only generated around 390,000 sales worldwide in the last three months. The Joystiq gaming website explains:
“Wii U Sales: Nintendo’s fiscal year net profits came in at almost half the company’s projections, down from a projected ¥14 billion to just over ¥7 billion, or around $71 million. The figure nonetheless represents significant turnaround from the ¥43 billion net loss posted for the previous fiscal year. Nintendo forecasts net profits of ¥55 billion for its next fiscal year.”
“Nintendo shifted 13.42 million Wii U games since the console’s launch late last year. The bundled-in Nintendo Land continues to be the console’s best performer at 2.6 million units, followed by New Super Mario Bros. U at 2.1 million.”
Challenges Facing the Wii U
The Wii U’s struggle can be attributed to several factors. One significant issue is the competition from other gaming consoles like Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One, which offer more advanced graphics and a broader range of features. Additionally, the Wii U’s unique gamepad, while innovative, did not resonate with a wide audience as Nintendo had hoped. Many gamers found the gamepad’s functionality to be cumbersome and unnecessary, preferring traditional controllers.
Another challenge was the lack of third-party developer support. Many game developers were hesitant to create games for the Wii U due to its lower sales figures and unique hardware, which required additional resources to develop for. This resulted in a limited game library compared to its competitors, making the Wii U less attractive to potential buyers.
Nintendo’s Strategy Moving Forward
In response to these challenges, Nintendo has been working on several strategies to boost Wii U sales and regain its market position. One approach has been to focus on their strong lineup of first-party titles. Games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “Super Smash Bros. for Wii U” have been critical in maintaining interest in the console. These titles leverage Nintendo’s beloved franchises and have a dedicated fan base that continues to support the company.
Moreover, Nintendo has been exploring new ways to innovate and differentiate itself from competitors. The introduction of the Nintendo Switch, which combines the portability of a handheld device with the power of a home console, is a testament to this strategy. The Switch has been well-received and has helped to restore some of the company’s lost market share.
For more information on the new Wii U sales, jump over to the Nintendo website for details.
Source: Joystiq
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
