What lies in store for the Wii U's future?

Do you guys think that Nintendo is moving its resources to plan for the launch of the NX?

I just got my Wii U last year, so I'm wondering how long it'll continue to be supported.

I think we are going a unique route. I think Nintendo will have teams doing both. Like for example Mario Kart, i think they have a team already planning the next Mario Kart, but the team will also work on content to support current releases. Nintendo states that they build games first, then build the hardware to run it. So if Nintendo is starting to work on the next console, then they already have games ready for it and already have a foundation on which to build.

I think they will announce the next console at E3 next year, then at E3 of 2017 they will announce what its foundations and stuff are, and release it in 2018. This gives us 3 more years to enjoy. The only reason im predicting 2018 and not 2017 is cause N3DS just came out and we need a new handheld soon. I think 2017 would be good for a new handheld, but we have a problem, the dates are too close, they both cant be released in the same year.

DLC will be big for the first time in Nintendo's history. The financial report stated that they will be creating DLC for their flagship franchises like MK8 and SSBU. So there will be plenty of support for the games we have now, on top of the games coming down the road. We should see plenty of support for 2015 and 2016 and should be starting to trickle down into 2017. I don't expect Nintendo to fully stop supporting Wii U until maybe 2019 or 2020.

@iandizion713: I just hope Nintendo makes something on par with the PS4 and X1 in terms of power. They should make a traditional controller again, enough with the "gimmicks"; I feel like the GameCube had the best controller out of all their consoles.

The WIi U doesn't have much time left.

Nintendo has already released every major game that it needs to, Zelda wont be a deal breaker.

Without Nintendo to make software for the console no third party is going to put in any sort of effort.

This is probably the last year Nintendo supports the Wii U fully. With their direction towards cell phone games and new hardware on the way they wont waste time with what has been one of their biggest failures to date.

@Jaysonguy: Nintendo's biggest failiure is the Virtual Boy.

He said "one" of the biggest failures which is true.

Nintendo still has a few older ip's it can bring to the Wii U like Punch Out, Animal Crossing, Metroid, etc.., but is it really worth investing the time and development when a new system is around the corner where the games will be better received. By better received, I mean on a new system rather than one approaching its forth holiday season while in the ICU.

sure it does. It improves Nintendos venture into HD gaming, which has been improving with each game they launch. They can take everything they learn from Wii U and apply it to NX or whatever they decide to do next.

2016 will be the last big year for the wiiU...

when nx releases its over.

Yes, my guess is they've already move Zelda Wii U ..to NX..so probably 2 version of it if NX is a console ...one for Wii U & also NX version which most likely will be a launch title for NX..sucks for Wii U owners, but hey at least its not a freaking 2D game to show off new game system. 2016...after they release info on NX probably E3 next year. Wii U has been an embarrassment for them, so they will try to get rid of it as soon as possible without hurting future sales..so you may see a few more titles launch this year & next but after E3 2016 I think it will be pretty dry...imo. :P

I can tell you what wont be lying in store for the WiiU: Amiibos. Get it? Cause Nintendo never makes enough so there wont by any "lying" in "stores" because there wont be enough... that was funny... right? Guys... guys... GUYS! SHY GUYS!

I hope so! That game deserves to be on a better piece of hardware than Wii U. Looks beautiful already but still a little rough.

But if it stays on Wii U at least we won't have to use the gamepad :p

@killua_zoldyck: I think you can expect at least two more years of Wii U support. Nintendo only announced that we would get details on the NX in 2016. If they follow their usual pattern, they'll show the system in 2016, and do a full reveal/release the following year. That's assuming that it's a home console. We don't know anything about it other than it's a dedicated gaming platform. If it is, I wouldn't expect any Wii U support once their next platform launches. Wii U has been a disaster for Nintendo and the only reason they're dragging it to the finish line is to preserve the faith of their most loyal customers, which is pretty much all they have right now.

It's likely NIntendo is already allocating resources to whatever the NX is.

A 2015 drought with some 2016 games

Maybe I'm not being clear. If you take one of these unused ip's and bring them to the debacle known as the Wii U, where does that leave any future installments on new consoles? There will be a gap between releasing a game on a failing system and then on the new system where is might be better utilized and received. We already know people aren't purchasing the Wii U and we know its time is limited in both support and being on the shelves. There needs to be an interval between sequels, yes?

Splatoon is a new IP and its sold out in Japan. It just goes to show that even on Wii U a game can still sell. Because Nintendo experimented with a new IP on a failing system. Nintendo is still learning HD development and why not do their experiments on a system that can afford experiments.

A new IP selling? Of course. Something of that nature is not shocking but no offense to our friends in Japan, we need numbers to go along with selling out. I'll take notice if it does the same thing here in the States and does it for a prolonged time period. Old IP's though? We've seen what has happened with them. The more popular ones didn't do much for the console so why would others, cult classics, do better and make some R&D worthwhile? Nintendo is not in any position to take risks with the Wii U unless of course the towel is ready to be thrown in. Their experimentation is why the console is in in such a mess.

It's been said that NX bridges the gap with Wii U and 3DS games.... they may continue with the Wii U Support, however with NX a new way to play Wii U games.

Splatoon sold out in Japan because they sent 5 copies and a few unlucky kids got them.

Japan is a handheld market and not a power anymore. That's like saying Splatoon sold out in Latvia.

@Jaysonguy: you must be a lot of fun at parties ...

@Solaryellow: exacly we are far from the Virtual boy fiasco, this system may not b the most popular one but at least it survived and got some great stuff. And Nintendo always try something new, either with the controler or some new IP.

Remember on the GC they got Eternal Darkness, Pikmin and Animal Crossing as new IP. I like Nintendo for that at least they try unlike Sony and Microsoft that never changed the controler of their respective consol.

So you like that Nintendo prevents disabled people from gaming?

Because that's one of the major reasons that Microsoft and Sony have kept their design overall the same.

If you want to get technical, AC on the GCN was a port. Pikmin as well as Eternal Darkness saw the light of day when the GCN was still in its infancy stage.

To be honest, I don't recall the GCN being in such disarray a year into its existence like the Wii U. Was it?

GCN actually had ssb melee, animal crossing, pikmin, Luigi's mansion, and Sonic adventure 2 all in its first year. No best selling wii u games came out in its first year other than nsmb u / nintendo land...

@Jaysonguy: it is obviouly because they saw that they can make games for Xbox, PS and PC without any modification in the control

All I need is Zelda WiiU.

GOTD

I think the wii u will still be supported through their new OS platform that is supposed to run across different devices.