Topic: the Wii U's image at large, starting to become respected by the more core gaming audience?

I dunno if anyone agrees, but it seems like the Wii U is starting to trend as being a credible gaming machine, vice being the laughing stock of the industry. It kinda seems like MK8 was the page turner, but a lot of publications went from the "all is doomed for the Wii U mentallity" to "the Wii U offers some great, exclusive gaming experinces" during 2014. Mind you, this is coming from publications and gaming forums, but it seems like the Wii U is starting to get some love from the core crowd (looking past the dude bro to the avid gamer type).

Despite that, people are still keen to point out that the Wii U has some fundamental problems, lack of third party support, and that it will most likely take third place by a wide margin.......but everybody likes an underdog, and it's good to see that Nintendo is slowly starting to shake the negative Wii stigma.

I think there were a lot of ill feelings garnered by the complete and utter domination of the Wii, an underpowered console with shovelware from here to Japan. Yes it had some truly amazing games- we know that, but a lot of people don't. I think that's where the Nintendo hate started. But as Wii U adds incredible game after game to its library, I think heads are slowly starting to turn. At least from the open-minded folk- the pop gamers made up their mind to dismiss Nintendo a long time ago, and they are set in their ways. But like you said, looking past the dude bro pop gamers, people are starting to pay attention to the console.

But, it was inevitable. You can't have a fantastic system with fantastic games and stay hated by everyone forever. It may stay hated by the ignorant ones who won't give it a chance, but there are a lot of reasonable gamers out there who are just interested in playing fun games. They don't care about sporting a console like a fashion statement, they just want to have fun.

Yeah, I know people who used to mock the Wii U who are now proud owners of the Wii U. It makes me happy to see that.

Yup, I pretty much agree with everything said here.......one of the bigger signs to me was that my brother (28, mostly a PC or Xbox gamer) asked for me to bring the Wii U (he still calls it the Wii despite knowing it's the follow on system, like a lot of non-Nintendo fans) to his place during vacation.......I think he wanted to co-opt his GF into getting one together, since she would be less reserved to it......but man, we really enjoyed MK8 and SM3DW........he commented in how good the graphics were despite the hardware and he didn't make any condescending remarks at all (he hated the Wii).

What's also been very obvious is a lack of really excelllent must-have exclusives for both PS4 and XB1. Disappointing releases from big established multi-platform franchises didn't help either. So now Wii U is starting to look like a much better option in comparison. Cheaper to buy, varied lineup of exclusives, no subscription fees and the strongest IP portfolio in the business.

To be honest, I think people are overplaying the concern over the lack of worthwhile exclusives for the XB1 and PS4......I'm a PS4 owner, but I think one could make the argument that Microsoft has the best fall lineup with Nintendo (Forza Horizon 2, Sunset Overdrive, Master Chief Collection).

I think both Sony and Microsoft will have strong 2015 lineups, you have to remember that 2014 was a year of transition at large from consoles which went strong for 7-8 years.

Same goes with multi-plats, year of transition...

Because now I think some people are starting to have a good look what games are coming out. After all of the mediocre, half-baked and overhyped games released this year, Nintendo has consistently been able to release quality exclusives several times this year, and that pattern is going to continue into 2015.

You get free online, a quality library of exclusives and the cheapest machine on the market.... it's probably becoming more attractive. When even more variety comes next year and the year after, I can see it being a very enticing system. The only issue is the third party support.... but we've all been over that bridge already.

I feel like the Wii brand came with a lot of baggage (more than Nintendo expected). As someone else already mentioned, there was so much garbage on that system. Nintendo basically made a Gamecube with motion controls when they made the Wii. Yeah, it had some really excellent games and it has so many hidden gems, but people don't see that. A lot of people said "I'm done" during the Wii years after Nintendo seemed to give the more core audience a cold shoulder. Now it's a matter of winning them back and trying to rope in a generation who may have grown up on PS2/Xbox (and that is going to be tricky).

If someone came up to me right now and asked which system they should purchase, I would say a Wii U. XB1 is getting a solid line-up too. PS4.... there's no point in owning one until next year.

When there's a new massively disappointing AAA game comes out every month on every other platform while Nintendo provides a game people wanted without insulting the intelligence of its audience, it's not really surprising that people would support Nintendo at that point. Especially since the other two consoles have little to offer to people into PC gaming (which seems to describe a good chunk of gamers on the internet it seems...)

The more high quality fun games for Wii U... the better.

It's always been 'respected'. It's just getting more popular since better games are coming out.

What it needs now is more to get the respect of the non 'core' gaming audience.

Maybe. I'll believe it when I stop hearing comparisons only bring up Playstation and Xbox, and pretend Nintendo doesn't exist.

Nintendo's core philosophy is at odds with the casual and dudebro audience, I don't think they'll ever be respected outside of their own fanbase.

Play what you enjoy.

Don't listen to what people think is credible.

Honestly my opinion never changed.

As I said, in Reggie we trust.

Phil Spencer is much more likeable than anybody at SCEA or NOA.

Reggie, although somewhat charismatic, is also very much your usual coporate speaking penguin looking at spreadsheets.

Phil comes off as genuine with a good understanding of what his core audience enjoys / likes.........Reggie is better than Don though.

If you entirely ignore any of Microsoft's actions of the past 2 years, sure.

It's not just about games. It's fun to discuss the games and game systems. When a system is popular, you are more likely to have friends that have that system. Not only does that give you more opportunities to play online with friends, it gives you the opportunity to talk about it with those people.

Beyond that, when you own and love a product, you want to tell other people about it, but if others really don't get too excited, it can be disappointing.

Also, it can just be generally fun to discuss industry trends in general.

Well he's started moving Microsoft away from all of that, so yeah, I'd say we can safely ignore it.