GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Analyst: Wii U GameStop sales below expectations

Sterne Agee industry watcher says hardware and software sales for Nintendo's latest fall short during holiday period at speciality retailer.

715 Comments

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Wii U hardware and software sales at GameStop during the holiday season were below expectations, according to an investor note from Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia. The industry watcher said Wii U availability at GameStop continues to be "abundant."

No Caption Provided

The Wii U made its worldwide debut November 18 in North America and sold 400,000 units during its first week. The console launched in Europe and Australia on November 30, but no specific sales figures for those regions have been announced. The Wii U's December 8 launch in Japan saw first-weekend sales come in at 308,570 units.

Bhatia also revealed that the $350 Wii U Deluxe model is selling at a greater clip than the $300 basic version at GameStop, presumably due to its "better value." The Deluxe model includes 32GB of storage space to the Basic unit's 8GB, as well as a bundled copy of Nintendo Land.

Additionally, Bhatia said the Wii U software attach rate at GameStop is "low," but did not provide a specific rate.

"Our conclusion is the Nintendo Wii U launch has been slightly disappointing," Bhatia said.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 715 comments about this story
715 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for Albaficas
Albaficas

1051

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

wii u is crap....third party studios dont give a f about it.....all are already waiting for the ps4 and the nextbot which ARE trully next gen consoles

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Elena_The_Turk
Elena_The_Turk

100

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

It's a POS!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Orvell
Orvell

43

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

The system isn't worth the price. It is a Wii if you have the controllers. And a xbox/ps3 without the game support. The increased prices I think will hurt Nintendo a little. Nintendoland should have gotten lower reviews. They made a lot of bad choices, based on cutting corners and profit. Wii tv is something I still don't know what it is or really care to find out, and haven't programed the remote for the tv. I have a tv guide and controller already Nintendo, but ugh thanks for not including something fun or useful. With the other devices coming out, I wonder how good sony and ms will do this gen. Steam Box? Game prices on pc are a lot better when you can catch the special.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Orvell
Orvell

43

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

It is still Nintendo, and I will recommend it to any Nintendo fan. It's the only way to get my new Mario and Zelda fix. I would love to be playing borderlands 2 using the controller as a map and inventory screen, but the good folks a 2k didn't need the money, (still griping about that, 2k said no good use for controller???? what better use is their for it, in a game like borderlands?)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for junglist101
junglist101

5517

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It would be safe to say that few are surprised by this and that this will be a rough gen for Nintendo.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DeViLzzz
DeViLzzz

2144

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

When the next Super Mario games come out I think sales for the system will go up. LOL

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DeViLzzz
DeViLzzz

2144

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

I was hoping to sell the Wii U Deluxe at Xmas for a profit but there really was no huge demand from anyone for it. As for the system and how it plays I think Nintendo as usual makes an honest attempt to try and get family and friends to game together and that should be viewed as a positive thing. I also think that the system could get a boost when the Rayman game for the Wii U comes out. The demo at the store was awesome and I can't wait to play the game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for coalbuddy
coalbuddy

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Wii u excites old drunks like me who grew up playing pole position, defender, adventurer, and mario. Now, whining 12 year olds remember the origin of games and stop with your poor belly aches. People like me have families enjoy family game time and old franchises. If you want to kill nintendo than you're just being selfish fools. Now, when daddy and mommy can't afford next gen console due to gas pricing say thank you to microsoft for pay subscriptions and dlc, and sony for coming out with a next gen console which will be overpriced and not capable of playing used games. Yes, mommy and daddy can't afford 100 dollar games and 600- 1000 console.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for sam628
sam628

116

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

lol this was expected, most gamers are on a budget now. l would buy the wii u if it was $100 not $350 abit too much compared to a xbox 360 which cost below $100

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jenovaschilld
jenovaschilld

8029

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By jenovaschilld

Ah jeez Edith, I swear gamespot is trolling the news articles just to piss off nintendo fanboys, can they at least bring some good news for them to raise hope.

I mean throw em bone.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Swanogt19
Swanogt19

24159

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

I looked for it at Bestbuy just to see what it looks like and I couldn't even find the console.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DeViLzzz
DeViLzzz

2144

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

@Swanogt19 I will sell you a deluxe for $600 lol

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Swanogt19
Swanogt19

24159

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

@DeViLzzz @Swanogt19 Again I just wanted to see it irl. I don't want that piece of crap.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FLEEBS
FLEEBS

1225

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

Reading some of these comments, SOOOOO many people have no idea how fun the Wii U actually is. It leaves some things to be desired, but the system truly has potential. I like it loads more than ever thought I would, and I was very skeptical before I bought it. I have spoken to many people who feel the same.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for megakick
megakick

1931

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This is going to fail... Best ATM on games for $10-$20 off original price hurry and buy Nintendo failware at a discount :D

Upvote • 
Avatar image for team_steve
team_steve

40

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Nintendo, who?

Never rated them since the SNES. How many years ago was that?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vatorus
vatorus

139

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Nintendo is fast becoming irrelevant. The Wii sold because kids wanted it for X-mas. It appealed to children as a toy. And you think all those casual gamers, the grandparents and parents, are still playing Wii Sports? The Wii was just a fad, the Wii U will fail miserably, Nintendo will be in last place this next gen and in the next-next gen, they will be in serious trouble.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for dagofbicks
dagofbicks

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This "analyst" needs to brush up on his analytical skills.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hillsy_
Hillsy_

610

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 27

User Lists: 1

I'm surprised Nintendo released a 2D mario platformer on a next gen console. I say wait until the end of 2013, Nintendo will pick up speed. They should have released Zelda with the new console, nevermind.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bluefox755
bluefox755

715

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

What a surprise, lol. No amount of innovation is going to make more people want to play the 10 millionth mario game...I think Nintendo has turned into gimmicky mess that's trying to milk every last drop out of their current IPs. Nintendo loyals will brag about how N pushes the envelope by trying new things...but why does this only apply to hardware and not software??? That being said, the groundswell behind the original Wii is almost non-existent this time around...Hopefully N will fight back instead of bow out, they can't survive on mario and fanboys alone.

2 • 
Avatar image for valcrist09
valcrist09

654

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By valcrist09

Really getting annoying that everyone is putting Nintendo against next gen consoles, seriously by now most people should freaking know Nintendo has NEVER been about who has the most powerful system they are about bringing new ways to play games and maintain that fun social system with your friends online and within the home and Wii u does that very well for early launch. It plays all your VC games all your wii games and wii controlers, Nintendo land is an awesome coop game and Miiverse is pretty awesome in how it litterly integrates with all your games and the login interface and you are in a community all the time.

PS4 and 720 to me seem like just upgraded machines with better hardware that is only mid range to PC standards and pretty much just going to boost graphics to native 1080p 60fps my PC already does that so thats nothing new to me. This industry isnt innovating anymore and nintendo is trying to be different and instead of being supportive of a such a good company people bash them and its sad honestly even if you dont like the wii there is no reason to bash nintendo they help start the gaming world and still continue to try and bring new ways to play with your friends and family in your house and on the web thats more to say then most.

3 • 
Avatar image for Orvell
Orvell

43

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Orvell

@valcrist09 I really like Nintendo, but think Nintendoland should at best be $20. I can buy games all day long for a $1-2 on app store that have more content and are more fun. I just don't see what was innovative. Yes we can post comments to the game, but all the comments I have seen on Mario can be summed up here, this (level) sucks/hard, watch out for (obvious thing). What really bothers me, is why in the world they don't use the game pad as a controller in a multiplayer game. Why couldn't one use game pad and the other wii controller on Mario for example. Really bad decision, there. Also, the controller should have had a little greater range. The only thing the system will be good for the next year is playing wii games on, and vc games, but I still have all the old systems, so could have just broke them out if I'm waxing nostalgic.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FLEEBS
FLEEBS

1225

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

@valcrist09 I agree with everything except where you say Nintendo never cared about having a powerful system. They absolutely used to care about that. I love your comment, though.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FLEEBS
FLEEBS

1225

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

@valcrist09 Wish they still did, too.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vatorus
vatorus

139

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@valcrist09 They aren't innovations, they are gimmicks. Nintendo introduced motion control and they aren't even supporting it anymore. The U plays old Wii motion control games but where are the new ones?? Motion control was a gimmick and just a fad. It will die after the next gen.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Orvell
Orvell

43

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@vatorus @valcrist09 vat, Nintendo will have the wii controllers and will probably add something down the line, the xbox will have Kinect, and then all the tablets with touch controls/motion controls. Nah, motion controls will be bigger this next gen, and probably carry into the future, it only makes since. I'm old school, but think that's the way it's going to be.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Meta-Gnostic
Meta-Gnostic

977

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@valcrist09 That's funny because Nintendo had the strongest hardware in the SNES generation, the N64 generation, and almost in the PS2 generation. So Nintendo HAS been about who has the most powerful system.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bluefox755
bluefox755

715

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

@valcrist09 You are what that red haired chick calls an "apologist", loyal to a fault

Upvote • 
Avatar image for hitechgraphs
hitechgraphs

203

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

"Slightly"...Harrada said processor a "bit" slow. I would said just a "little" failure.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Meta_Dragon
Meta_Dragon

31

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Meta_Dragon

I want to get a Wii U, but i've been reading about the console getting bricked if something happens during the first update out of the box.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FLEEBS
FLEEBS

1225

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

@Meta_Dragon The only way it will brick is if you unplug the system before the update is complete. It's a terribly long and unfortunate update, though. With the system update and the two games I had to update, it took me two hours. Not fun when you are starving to play your brand new gaming system.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for valcrist09
valcrist09

654

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Meta_Dragon If i recall the Wii had a possible brick Patch day 1 of its launch i remember people having to request a disk with the update on it just to play there console. and Xbox and Ps3 both have had there consoles bricked from random firmware updates so its a risk no matter what, its the worst thing about firmware updates really. But yeah i would expect it would be pre loaded here soon.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for abHS4L88
abHS4L88

272

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 0

@Meta_Dragon

Nintendo will replace it, but yeah, if you're that worried about it wait until Nintendo announces that all Wii U's will come with the update already implemented because they announced that soon every new Wii U will already have the update installed.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for WoodenStick
WoodenStick

40

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

I'm looking forward to investing in a Wii U since i never invested in a Wii, so being able to play Wii games is a huge dealbreaker for me.

But looking at how successful the Wii was, Wii U needs new games, Black Ops II, Colonial vs Marines... will be interesting to see how it works out.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vatorus
vatorus

139

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@WoodenStick "investing"? Buying an asset that goes down in value is not actually investing....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for snake3rules
snake3rules

4768

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@vatorus @WoodenStick actually investing just means with the expectation of any positive gain, so his enjoyment could be the value gained.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FLEEBS
FLEEBS

1225

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

@vatorus @WoodenStick Unless you are investing in fun, vatorus. There are plenty of fun games to play on Wii, and plenty more to come for the new system.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bluepuppy82
bluepuppy82

210

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I went to GameStop today with my old Nintendo Wii system with the hopes of trading it in for a new Wii U deluxe model. The GameStop sales guy told me the credit I was going to get for my Wii...... $39 bucks trade in value! That's it. thats with an additional %50 percent added to trade in value! That barely takes off the tax. I boxed the Wii back up and walked out with nothing. Looks like I will just have to wait for a price drop on Wii U.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Orvell
Orvell

43

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@bluepuppy82 Blue I don't think they will have any games that are must play (new Mario galaxy, Zelda, etc.) till late in the year or early next year. You are probably better off waiting anyway. I am using the wii u mostly as a wii system now. I don't know what to do with the old wii box. You will want to keep at least 2 wii controllers when you get a wii u, if you want to play 2 player. The games I have played (Mario, and Nintendo land) don't allow you to use the wii u controller with the wii controller, have to use two wii controllers. I never read anything about that before buying system.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for team_steve
team_steve

40

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By team_steve

@bluepuppy82

You should take the offer while you can. It's more than I would have offered. If you don't like it try ebay. You might get $40.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for philMcCrevis
philMcCrevis

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

@bluepuppy82 Wait you thought you'd get an even trade? You can get a new wii for like 149 how much did you expect? They are in business to make money bro

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vatorus
vatorus

139

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@bluepuppy82 Dude how poor are you?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for abHS4L88
abHS4L88

272

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 0

@bluepuppy82

That's actually rather generous considering how cheap the Wii is nowadays but if you have save files on the Wii that you want to transfer over, you need to have it on hand when you get a Wii U.

Upvote •