Analyst: Wii U GameStop sales below expectations

It's official, the WIi-U is a flop :shock:! Link to article

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."

(...)

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

Is this the end of Nintendo? Have they allready lost next gen? Is this an indication that console gaming in general is dying? Discuss below :P!

They've won because they are the only ones not pushing disc locked content or blocking used games. Wii U has sold more then 360 and PS3 has at this point in time. It is successful.

They've won because they are the only ones not pushing disc locked content or blocking used games. Wii U has sold more then 360 and PS3 has at this point in time. It is successful.

quickposter

If things are bad for Nintendo, then it must be terrible for Sony.

No surprise. If you go to an electronic or video game store, you can't turn around without running into a pile of WiiU. But you will be told that it's selling almost as fast as the Wii and it's just that Nintendo is doing an amazing job of keep the console stocked.fernandmondego_

Cut the price and release Zelda/Metroid/F-zero already.

Oh my.....

Cut the price and release Zelda/Metroid/F-zero already.

Epak_

This sounds logical, so I knew it wouldn't be Pachter.

[QUOTE="quickposter"]

They've won because they are the only ones not pushing disc locked content or blocking used games. Wii U has sold more then 360 and PS3 has at this point in time. It is successful.

fadersdream

[QUOTE="Epak_"]

Cut the price and release Zelda/Metroid/F-zero already.

nintendoboy16

Lets assume Nintendo wants to please core gamers again, they should know what to do with those franchises. Although I'd prefer to have F-zero on the 3DS.

No surprise. If you go to an electronic or video game store, you can't turn around without running into a pile of WiiU. But you will be told that it's selling almost as fast as the Wii and it's just that Nintendo is doing an amazing job of keep the console stocked.fernandmondego_

Of course this isn't surprising, no one is going to buy another current gen system. It's just a waste of money, especially with next gen starting later this year.

Cut the price and release Zelda/Metroid/F-zero already.

Epak_

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]No surprise. If you go to an electronic or video game store, you can't turn around without running into a pile of WiiU. But you will be told that it's selling almost as fast as the Wii and it's just that Nintendo is doing an amazing job of keep the console stocked.bonesawisready5

[QUOTE="nintendoboy16"][QUOTE="Epak_"]

Cut the price and release Zelda/Metroid/F-zero already.

Epak_

Lets assume Nintendo wants to please core gamers again, they should know what to do with those franchises. Although I'd prefer tp have F-zero on the 3DS.

Besides, Nintendo has no business reason to bring back F-Zero, something I'd never thought I would agree with Sean Malstrom on.

[QUOTE="bonesawisready5"][QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]No surprise. If you go to an electronic or video game store, you can't turn around without running into a pile of WiiU. But you will be told that it's selling almost as fast as the Wii and it's just that Nintendo is doing an amazing job of keep the console stocked.fernandmondego_

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]No surprise. If you go to an electronic or video game store, you can't turn around without running into a pile of WiiU. But you will be told that it's selling almost as fast as the Wii and it's just that Nintendo is doing an amazing job of keep the console stocked.Timstuff

No, I think a drop to $199/$249 would do them pretty good to compete with the other more established current gen systems. But they are definitely in trouble with this launch at $299/$349.

It's not just a Gamestop thing (though it seems the Gamestop around here is pretty desparate to move some), there is a HUGE pile of them at all of the Best Buy's I go to. Literally stacks of them, probably 100 units, just sitting at the front of the store and seemingly still not selling at all. They must not have sold even close to what they thought they would be able to move.

Obviously Wii-U needs games, and it needs a price-cut. Once it gets a big AAA mario 3D game it will probably start moving millions more units instantly. However I had a suspicion with the foolish/bizarre naming of the system, with the disastrous original reveal, and the still disappointing re-reveal...that the Wii-U would not do so well. I bought my Wii at launch, but after seeing what Nintendo had at launch this time (and after enduring so many massive droughts with my Wii) I just didn't like what I saw from this system. The whole idea seems stupid to me, I can't get over that the controller only has 2-3 hours battery life. :shock:.

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]

[QUOTE="bonesawisready5"] Really? Because I've been in way too many electronic stores these past few weeks due to holiday shopping and I've seen a few Basic Sets here and there, but zero Deluxe Sets. Even then, why is it a bad thing to have stock of a console? Isn't that the point? It needs to be in stock to sell, and having short stock isn't a good thing. By the "piles of systems" logic then the PS3/360 must be on life support because I see way more of them in stores than Wii U systemsZen_Light

[QUOTE="Epak_"]

[QUOTE="nintendoboy16"] F-Zero and Metroid are doomed to reference material...nintendoboy16

Lets assume Nintendo wants to please core gamers again, they should know what to do with those franchises. Although I'd prefer tp have F-zero on the 3DS.

Besides, Nintendo has no business reason to bring back F-Zero, something I'd never thought I would agree with Sean Malstrom on.

Nah man, I don't buy it. They already teased us with Nintendo Land.

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]

[QUOTE="bonesawisready5"] Really? Because I've been in way too many electronic stores these past few weeks due to holiday shopping and I've seen a few Basic Sets here and there, but zero Deluxe Sets. Even then, why is it a bad thing to have stock of a console? Isn't that the point? It needs to be in stock to sell, and having short stock isn't a good thing. By the "piles of systems" logic then the PS3/360 must be on life support because I see way more of them in stores than Wii U systemsZen_Light

It's not just one person's anecdotal experience. It's not at just one store. It's EVERYWHERE.

There are mountains of Wii-U at Gamestop and Best Buy especially. I haven't checked Target or Wal-Mart, but they tend to only have a few systems out on display anyway. So it would be difficult to tell. However Best Buy literally has a mountain of Wii-U at the front of the store (and yes, most are the basic model, but they also have plentiful deluxe models). At the current sales pace, it looks like the stock of systems they already have might be enough to carry them to next Christmas!

[QUOTE="Timstuff"][QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]No surprise. If you go to an electronic or video game store, you can't turn around without running into a pile of WiiU. But you will be told that it's selling almost as fast as the Wii and it's just that Nintendo is doing an amazing job of keep the console stocked.2Chalupas

No, I think a drop to $199/$249 would do them pretty good to compete with the other more established current gen systems. But they are definitely in trouble with this launch at $299/$349.

It's not just a Gamestop thing (though it seems the Gamestop around here is pretty desparate to move some), there is a HUGE pile of them at all of the Best Buy's I go to. Literally stacks of them, probably 100 units, just sitting at the front of the store and seemingly still not selling at all. They must not have sold even close to what they thought they would be able to move.

Obviously Wii-U needs games, and it needs a price-cut. Once it gets a big AAA mario 3D game it will probably start moving millions more units instantly. However I had a suspicion with the foolish/bizarre naming of the system, with the disastrous original reveal, and the still disappointing re-reveal...that the Wii-U would not do so well. I bought my Wii at launch, but after seeing what Nintendo had at launch this time (and after enduring so many massive droughts with my Wii) I just didn't like what I saw from this system. The whole idea seems stupid to me, I can't get over that the controller only has 2-3 hours battery life. :shock:.

[QUOTE="Zen_Light"]

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"] Try it with your eyes opened and you will get a different result.

fernandmondego_

[QUOTE="Zen_Light"]

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"] Try it with your eyes opened and you will get a different result.

2Chalupas

It's not just one person's anecdotal experience. It's not at just one store. It's EVERYWHERE.

There are mountains of Wii-U at Gamestop and Best Buy especially. I haven't checked Target or Wal-Mart, but they tend to only have a few systems out on display anyway. So it would be difficult to tell. However Best Buy literally has a mountain of Wii-U at the front of the store (and yes, most are the basic model, but they also have plentiful deluxe models). At the current sales pace, it looks like the stock of systems they already have might be enough to carry them to next Christmas!

[QUOTE="2Chalupas"]

[QUOTE="Timstuff"]Sounds like the exact kind of tripe Nintendo supporters were saying when the 3DS launched and was not selling. This time though, I don't think a price drop will save Nintendo's ass.fernandmondego_

No, I think a drop to $199/$249 would do them pretty good to compete with the other more established current gen systems. But they are definitely in trouble with this launch at $299/$349.

It's not just a Gamestop thing (though it seems the Gamestop around here is pretty desparate to move some), there is a HUGE pile of them at all of the Best Buy's I go to. Literally stacks of them, probably 100 units, just sitting at the front of the store and seemingly still not selling at all. They must not have sold even close to what they thought they would be able to move.

Obviously Wii-U needs games, and it needs a price-cut. Once it gets a big AAA mario 3D game it will probably start moving millions more units instantly. However I had a suspicion with the foolish/bizarre naming of the system, with the disastrous original reveal, and the still disappointing re-reveal...that the Wii-U would not do so well. I bought my Wii at launch, but after seeing what Nintendo had at launch this time (and after enduring so many massive droughts with my Wii) I just didn't like what I saw from this system. The whole idea seems stupid to me, I can't get over that the controller only has 2-3 hours battery life. :shock:.

[QUOTE="nintendoboy16"]

[QUOTE="Epak_"]

Lets assume Nintendo wants to please core gamers again, they should know what to do with those franchises. Although I'd prefer tp have F-zero on the 3DS.

Epak_

Besides, Nintendo has no business reason to bring back F-Zero, something I'd never thought I would agree with Sean Malstrom on.

Nah man, I don't buy it. They already teased us with Nintendo Land.

This is the first thread I have ever made where people have not jumped at me and called me an idiot :D! This was a very empowering experience!Sushiglutton

[QUOTE="Sushiglutton"]This is the first thread I have ever made where people have not jumped at me and called me an idiot :D! This was a very empowering experience!Zeviander

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"][QUOTE="Zen_Light"]You act like your personal anecdotal experience is some kind of national proof. Why?

Zen_Light

I wonder how sales will go when the new ps4/720 are announced. Only reason its selling kind of well right now is it has no competition

It isn't the end for the system. Games such as exclusives haven't been announced yet. If nothing picks up by holiday 2013 than Nintendo will be in trouble.

Sega´s curse ?

I wonder how sales will go when the new ps4/720 are announced. Only reason its selling kind of well right now is it has no competition

Chris_Williams

[QUOTE="Zen_Light"]

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"] Lots of people on these boards and other boards have posted of seeing the same thing from all around the country. Pictures and videos of the console sitting on shelves. Analyst and retailers claiming they are not selling that well. Finding one online was never a problem, you could actually get one below retail on Ebay. But sure it's just me.fernandmondego_

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"][QUOTE="Zen_Light"]That's nothing more than speculation based on internet fanboys though. Ever thought that maybe Nintendo just has enough stock to keep them on shelves? There's also the factual figures that say its launch was only bettered by the original Wii and PS2. So how exactly is selling better than both PS3 and 360 at launch a bad thing?

Zen_Light

If people think the Wii U is doing poorly, what will they say when expensive system like those hit the market? It's hillarious to read the comments on this board expecting 720 and PS4 to be powerhouse systems, yet also be inexpensive and sell well? What the hell?Zen_Light

[QUOTE="Zen_Light"]

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]Pictures and videos are speculation? Retailers are just speculating about how fast they are selling the console? fernandmondego_

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"][QUOTE="2Chalupas"]

No, I think a drop to $199/$249 would do them pretty good to compete with the other more established current gen systems. But they are definitely in trouble with this launch at $299/$349.

It's not just a Gamestop thing (though it seems the Gamestop around here is pretty desparate to move some), there is a HUGE pile of them at all of the Best Buy's I go to. Literally stacks of them, probably 100 units, just sitting at the front of the store and seemingly still not selling at all. They must not have sold even close to what they thought they would be able to move.

Obviously Wii-U needs games, and it needs a price-cut. Once it gets a big AAA mario 3D game it will probably start moving millions more units instantly. However I had a suspicion with the foolish/bizarre naming of the system, with the disastrous original reveal, and the still disappointing re-reveal...that the Wii-U would not do so well. I bought my Wii at launch, but after seeing what Nintendo had at launch this time (and after enduring so many massive droughts with my Wii) I just didn't like what I saw from this system. The whole idea seems stupid to me, I can't get over that the controller only has 2-3 hours battery life. :shock:.

MFDOOM1983

We are either entering an era where Nintendo is forced to enter into the higher-risk business model of Microsoft and Sony where their systems are sold at a hefty loss, or they are going to give up on the Wii U and try something else. If the Wii U is selling like a box full of dog turds by the time with PS4 and Xbox 720 launch, then I could actually see Nintendo abandoning the unit altogether and trying to rush a more powerful system out the door for Christmas 2014-- although that would be dangerous proposition, too.

There's really no nice way of saying it, but Nintendo shot themselves in the foot with Wii U. It has current-gen visuals and they have thus far failed to distinguish it from the Wii to the casual consumer, who is currently bored with the regular Wii. Nintendo has released the last console of the 7th generation, and that is a terrible spot to be in when the 8th generation is about to start.

The sad thing is everybody hear lives in a land of fantasy where they think the system will either die and turn Nintendo into 3rd party or sell like hotcakes just like the Wii. The fact is the casuals are no longer there they moved on to Ipads and smartphones hence the reason I said producing a low cost console that wasnt much better then what was already released was a foolish idea. However Nintendo has enough hardcore fans to keep them alive especally since they are not selling the system at a massive loss. I personally thik the Wii U will sell no where near the numbers of the PS3 or Xbox 360 and certainly not the Wii , I do however think it will sell more then the GC and with the strong sells of the 3ds and high profit margins they will be just fine. The Wii U will be much like all Nintendo consoles a system with very few high quality 3rd party games but some outstanding first party titles.

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]

[QUOTE="Zen_Light"]Didn't bother to respond to my other comments? Convenient.

Zen_Light