So, let's all get some salt to hand. Ready? According to a cheeky rumour-merchant that claims to have access to the inventory system at a "major system retailer" in the U.S., Nintendo is planning a Wii U hardware bundle with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, as well as red and blue 3DS XL bundles with Pokémon X & Y.
The black 3DS XL is as good as confirmed, while anyone and everyone probably predicted X & Y hardware bundles when the game was announced; that one's a no-brainer. The Wind Waker HD and Wii U bundle is perhaps a more interesting combination, if true, as we'd argue that bundles with the likes of Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze and Wii Party U would be more likely, as these are brand new experiences rather than HD remakes. Of course, it's possible — perhaps likely — that Nintendo may hit retailers with multiple hardware bundles to accommodate a variety of gamers across a wider release schedule.
What we can say with near certainty is that Nintendo will release Wii U bundles for the Holiday season, as failing to do so would surely represent a major missed opportunity. If the company does indeed resist an official price drop of the hardware, meanwhile, bundles may be a way to offer indirect price reductions and tempt consumers to take the plunge.
What do you think of the possibility of a bundle including The Wind Waker HD? Is this likely, or a load of nonsense? Let us know in the comments below.
[source neogaf.com, via gonintendo.com]
Comments (116)
yep, ive been saying it for months. Nintendo will go wild on bundles this holiday season and basically give a 50$ price drop that way
I think any bundle is a good thing ... Especially if there is no price drop in sight
bundles won't be enough when PS4 is only $50 more.
The deluxe needs to drop to $300, AND be bundled with WW HD, Super Mario 3D World, or the new DKCR.
The 8GB Wii U should be bundled with Nintendoland and be dropped to $250.
They also need to release deluxe white Wii U's for those who want them.
Wii U bundles are great, but only if they will contain a disc-based copy of the game. There's a great chance that we'll see "console + pre-installed game" stuff all over again, like with those fancy 3DS XL's.
Bundles are the one thing that can save the Wii U this holiday season. The more bundles the better. The PS4 may be $50 more but you also have to pay to use online.
The Pokemon 3DS bundle is a no brainer as a lot of Pokemon fans will be buying their first 3DS for that... but Super Mario 3D land seems the better fit for Wii U. Wind Waker is gonna appeal to the Nintendo hardcore and a lot of them probably already got a Wii U.
lol, maybe WW replaces Nintendo Land.
This would be a great way to boost sales, I already have my black WiiU waiting for pikmin 3, 101 and WW HD!!
@Peach64 one of my friends is still on the fence with the Wii U, but he's going to buy it with the release of the WW HD, because it's his one of the favorite games of all time. He'll be very happy if the bundle like this will be available.
The thing with WW is that it does not require a wiimote but a wiiu bundle should hint at its multiplayer appeal.
GamerZack7: "A possibility of a White Wii U Premium with pre-installed Wind Waker? Yes please!"
A random member throws a tomato at GamerZack7
Random Member: "stop blabbering on about the white wii u deluxe, zack!"
GamerZack7: "Ow! Who threw that?!"
I don't know, eh. I would think that any official Zelda bundles would come in some kind of gold trim. I think it's too early for something like that out of Nintendo specifically.
But a bundle of some kind has to be coming out for the holidays. Nintendo-land wasn't popular enough to still retain it a year later--especially when a new Mario is coming out.
I've been waiting a long time for a Pikmin 3 bundle and finally gave up on that idea, but I'll be buying a WiiU to play that next week so these bundles won't help me any, but I agree Mario is better than a 10 year old port of a cell shaded Zelda.
I looked all over yesterday to find a WiiU Basic in the US online and there isn't a single one available on any of the major retailers websites (I'm sure eBay and Craigs list have some used). I know about the 32GB white WiiU but I haven't read anything at all about those in the US, so I think the standalone system is a goner and only bundles will remain and the price will drop to $299 for a white NintendoLand bundle and maybe $349 for black w/ both NintendoLand and another game. Should have been that way from the beginning, selling a WiiU without a game and w/ the same amout of storage as a phone was never a good idea. (Don't get a 12GB PS3 either, have those been selling well overseas?)
Will the Pokemon bundles be regular or XL? My kids already have 3DS but might be interested in an upgrade.
This would be a very smart way to go! Do something similar to that ZombiU bundle that sold the console to many of my friends. Maybe include the pro controller for a certain game bundle and possibly a wiimote for something like Super Mario 3D World.
@sinalefa yes! And with the release of call or duty people will also learn the appeal of free online again hopefully, like they did with ps3. This bundle stuff can help sell the console for new nintendoers or former ones, and Cod will pull people into it's multiplayer.
i have yet to see that Black XL advertised anywhere in canada. but the rest of the XLs are a given. I'd get the Wii U bundle. I still haven't gotten one yet. I'd love to get a White Wii U deluxe.
Nintendo would be crazy not to release a pokemon x/y 3DS bundle, but Wind Waker HD is not the game it should bundle with the Wii U.... almost any other of the first party games would be better
I was hoping for the Luigi LE 3DS XL, but I haven't heard anything about it and M&L Dream Team arrives in a few weeks. I'd get that and the Black XL model as well if they brought it to the US. They'd be nice additions to my Pikachu XL and my original Black 3DS. I'd get one of the Pokemon X/Y bundles, but Pikachu is my favorite so I'm good.
Been waiting For an X and Y bundled 3DS Xl to upgrade my 3DS so hope this is true.
I'll probably buy one of the two Pokemon X & Y bundles.
@drumsandperc92 sorry its 100$ diference, you can't compare Deluxe set against de PS4 Basic set.
I am still waiting for new games on the WiiU. I have been playing games from the 1980's way to long! Most of the games on the WiiU are 27 years old! The OUYA has more and newer games.
@Bengals76 We have trolls in Nintendo life, just can't believe this.
With PS4 vs. Wii U people like to compare apples to oranges. A console with two games (Nintendo Land and another game as bundle) worth a bare bones PS4 console (not even the camera) and NO game. We could get into $$$ battles. What does the PS4 cost once you buy those two games for instance, but NONE of that matters.
They are fundamentally different consoles. If people buy a Wii U over (or in addition to) a PS4 it will be because of Nintendo GAMES and the games available on the PS4.
PS4 doesn't have Nintendo games. It will have awesome must-have games for many people but it won't have Nintendo games. I guess we'll just see if that matters to enough people to keep Nintendo's home console in business. I sure hope it does.
As for 3DS, this will probably be the year I give in.
I'm not sure that Wind Waker is going to be a big system seller. It looks pretty, and will be great for hardcore Zelda fans, but it isn't new or revolutionary (compared to the GCN version) to be a system seller.
Pikmin, Sonic, DK, Wii Fit U, etc should definitely have a bundle. WW HD? Maybe not.
I'm just getting a Wii U normal but if the bundle is $ 350 i'll buy it
@drumsandperc92
This actually makes some sense... From a business standpoint for Christmas time...
man if the WW bundle is going to be a special zelda limited edition wii u i am sooooo going to be angry to why in the world did i buy wii u too damn early
I'd have to wait to see a price and the contents of the Wii U bundle before I'm disappointed with the ZombiU bundle I got last week. Even still, I can't complain seeing as that bundle was a good value and I wanted everything in it. I could see a similar bundle for Wind Waker being done, with a physical copy of WW, maybe a gold Pro Controller, Nintendo Land digital copy, and possibly a special design on the console.
@MrSRArter Agree with you there. While the Wii U and 3DS only needs Wi-Fi to access any online activity.
I'll be buying my 3DS XL this Sunday so I don't think I'll be able to get that bundle.. I'll just buy the two Pokemon games separately.. Seeing how I like a plain 3DS XL, I'll just a custom skin or maybe a silicone/silicon case for it =3=
custom 3DS XL skins: http://gelaskins.com/
Nintendo's big mistake with Wii U was offering two SKU's in an obvious trick to sell the system for more money because the basic pack is ridiculous compared to the deluxe.
System should have been offered in both colors, and only deluxe for $300.
@Bengals76 Are you an idiot or just a fail troll? Some games on the OUYA are indie games and some are EMUs .___. how is an emulator-using game new? Please explain? And the OUYA is a very different console.. it's based on an Android OS. That's like comparing "apples to oranges". OUYA is not even that powerful.. sure it has a Tegra 3 chip inside but most tablets or phone's run better. PLUS the OUYA modified the Android OS quite greatly and you can't even sync the games you bought from the Play Store itself to the OUYA.. so how is the OUYA any better?
Ugh... Wish they'd make bundles with better games. The Wind Waker bundle did so much good for the Gamecube, right?
@drumsandperc92 Again with this nonsense. The equivalent Wii U to the PS4 is the basic model because both systems wont come with a game, so its a $100 difference.. the Wii U will have alot more going for it. There is what, 3 exclusives for the PS4 at launch and at the same time the Wii U will have over 10 exclusives?
The Obama economy here in the US is still in tatters, with consumers strapped for cash, parents most likely wont want to spend $500 on a ps4 and $600 on a XBone with a console that is $350+ 1 free game is sitting on the shelf next to it... the Wii U library will be a fairly large size, while the PS4 library will look like a joke next to it.
The PS4/XBone will get a few million of their most hardcore fans buying this holiday season, but i don't think it will outsell the Wii U this xmas.
Ahh bundles. The unofficial price drop. And something as long and in deep as a Zelda is perfect for entertainment value.
@rjejr The storage on the Wii U is perfect. By offering a system capable of being upgraded to your own tastes on what storage capabilities you want or need helps keep the cost of a system lower....
Its the one thing NIntendo did right with the Wii U. I don't see peoples obsession with platform holders slapping in an expensive proprietary drive that they charge you a ridiculous mark up for... I wish more companies just left the storage up to the users instead of force feeding something you will outgrow in a few months.... what about the consumers who aren't buying any retail that may get a few eshop games and a VC collection? They don't need anymore than the 32gb version. frankly it would be terrible if Nintendo forced these users to buy a bigger harddrive when they maybe only use 1 or 2% of it over the course of its life.
Pokemon bundle is no surprise. That'll be one of the biggest games this year, 3DS or otherwise.
Why compare PS3 with Wii U? The PS3 is last generation while Wii U is far away because is the new generation. It is like compare the GBColor with a GB Advance.
I dunno.
It feels kinda desperate when you're having to sell your brand new next-gen console using an HD update of a ten year old game that's not really pushing the hardware in any way or doing anything particularly next-gen*.
Basically, trying to sell the Wii U with rehashed GameCube games
I think they'd be smart to get a Pikmin bundle out asap, as well as prepare Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, New Super Mario 3D World , Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros U bundles for release in the near future.
*Note: I'm not dissing Wind Waker HD in any way because it looks really good but it's not really a Wii U showcase imo.
It wouldn't surprise me to see them release a WWHD bundle, although I would've thought it would be a special edition. (which I hope they don't do, or I will be insanely jealous.)
I bought the ZombiU bundle cause it was a good deal, so WW HD bundle could be very smart. I still say they should make a Super Mario 3D World bundle, though, that would definitely get sales going.
@aaronsullivan you pay for quality. what you call bare bones I see as a video player (not just Netflix, but all of my digital videos), it will play dvd and bluray. Nintendo wii u has none of those simple but important abilities but wants to charge the same price. now I got my black wii u pretty much for free but do feel buyers remorse for the people who spent $480 on launch day for a Mario game I 100% over a weekend. but I am different, I work at a job and can afford all consoles, even doubles. I have 2 ps3's but only 1 wii u
@Kirk I had a lot of fun with the gamecube games back in the day! they need to get the cube games on the eshop like they promised so long ago
I would like to see a huge price drop. I like many Nintendo fans love my Wii U, and will love it more with all these brilliant games coming, but it just doesn't seem worth the asking price. Not anymore. This machine needs to be in as many homes as possible but it won't happen with the other current consoles selling for really cheap, and the next gen being not much dearer than a Wii U. They could always preload NSMBU onto a system and sell it. I wouldn't want that game taking away sales of 3D World though. Meh, I don't know how they are going to turn this around. I love my Wii U. I just don't think the general gaming public will with the current price, low internal storage, and lack of big name 3rd party games. Cut the price though, and add all Nintendos first party games to the mix and the system seems much more worthy.
@GN004Nadleeh
I agree.
They need to get them on the eShop.
@GN004Nadleeh
Indeed.
The PS4 is not just a basic console with a few streaming services like the Wii U. It's a much more powerful next-gen console with full DVD/Blu-Ray playback functionality, fully integrated cloud services, much better third party support and so much more.
I don't have a Wii U because I'm trying to find reasons to fork out the cash and despite a couple of decent first party games, which isn't enough in and of itself to spend my money on it, I can't really find many.
At least with the PS4 I could also use it to play all my current library of DVD movies, as well as all the HD movie files I have downloaded on my computer I assume, and so much more. Christ, I can even use it as a basic music system for playing tunes at parties, via my TV speakers obviously, which I'm still not sure the Wii U can do even now in 2013.
I simply can't afford to buy all the consoles and what the PS4 is offering, or even the Xbox One, just makes it a more attractive value proposition right now.
Weird choice if you consider how badly WW was received back in the day.
But I guess Zelda is Zelda.
@GN004Nadleeh Well, that's entirely besides my point, but okay. A big reason I bought the PS3 was that it was the BEST blu-ray player you could get back then and it has proven itself very well over time. Not much of a highlight anymore as whatever is coming next, it doesn't have and there are many, many less expensive and more useful devices for all your video needs. Also, this generation, Playstation seems the most distant from the upcoming transition in television viewing. Even Wii U made a half baked attempt (where is that Tivo support?!). All that to say, I just don't see it as a pressing issue this generation.
To counter my own point with an anecdote, though. I recently overheard a mother shutting up her kids who wanted to get a new console (not sure what) by saying, "If it don't play DVDs it has no use to me." Which is just sad, but maybe you have a point.
@aaronsullivan
"To counter my own point with an anecdote, though. I recently overheard a mother shutting up her kids who wanted to get a new console (not sure what) by saying, "If it don't play DVDs it has no use to me." Which is just sad, but maybe you have a point."
Well, I'm a hardcore gamer and even I do kinda think similarly.
I just can't afford to buy a console that doesn't basically "do it all" in this day and age.
That's where Nintendo absolutely dropped the ball imo.
@Kirk
Why not? How many consoles do you need that do it "all". Don't you have a PS3? Blu-ray players are like $30, good ones go for ~$100 and they do everything PS3 and PS4 do as far as video including letting you stream from your computer.
If you consider yourself "hardcore" I'm guessing it's the type of games you can't miss on the PS4 that will attract you more than anything else. But, it would just be an educated guess.
@aaronsullivan
Right now I have a Wii and no other consoles. I don't have a separate Blu-Ray player either.
See, Nintendo already failed me in this respect last gen, lacking some basic but pretty much standard functionality that I really would have liked, and look where it's left me...
Hence I'm not just gonna buy a Wii U again, if at all, that's for sure.
I don't want multiple separate boxes under my TV, I can't afford them and I don't like the clutter and mess of it all, which was kinda my whole point.
I want one box that basically does it all.
That's why right now both the PS4 and Xbox One are looking like the more attractive value propositions...because not only do they basically do it all but the also happen to have far more power, more comprehensive services and much much better third party support than the Wii U too, as well as a few other cool features and benefits.
If it weren't for Nintendo's amazing first party titles and the kinda cool GamePad, with all that offers (combine with Miiverse for creating and sending drawings for example), The Wii U wouldn't even be on the table as an option.
Well, I don't actually know where it has left you. I know I've had some of my best game experiences ever with the Wii (and I'm old, I've had a lot of game experiences lol). My PS3 plays movies in my home theater and I've played about 5 retail games and a bunch of demos and 1 downloaded game even though I bought it right after the first price drop (was that in the first year?)
They were both worthwhile, but the PS4 hasn't shown me any reason to buy it personally and I've had great experiences with the Wii U so far despite the current dry spot where I'm playing some oldies.
Bundles are great and all, but we need to see a price drop.
My ZombiU bundle cost me €364, and it being a premium bundle with so many €'s worth of extra's, a full game which I love, and eshop discount -as opposed to paid online services elsewhere- makes me wonder why people need to see a price drop so urgently. It's quite a deal already, compared to other upcoming systems.
And trust me, they'll have their own disappointing games, cancellations, delays, unfinished games, and slow first year.
I used to work in a gamestore when 'current-gen' was launched. Their launches were terrible. Only Wii was still sold out on pre-orders alone weeks after launch.
@aaronsullivan
It's left me with a piece of hardware that's now basically useless, gathering dust under my TV which it actually has done for most of it's life to be honest.
At least if I'd bought either an Xbox 360 or PS3 I could still use them to watch movies or listen to music etc, if I had to actually resort to that because of a lack of games or whatever, which on both Xbox 360 and PS3 I actually wouldn't yet because those consoles are still being supported by both first and third parties as much now as the day they were released. Even if I couldn't afford games on those consoles I could at the very least play new demos on a regular basis, or if I simply paid £40 for a year's PSN subscription (or whatever it is) I'd get a crap load of great games for free with at least a couple of new ones each month.
That's simply not that case at all with my Wii and to be blunt it's looking kinda similar with Wii U too.
I really don't want the same thing to happen again, hence whatever I buy next I want a console that's going to offer a much better long term value proposition.
If I had lots of money this kind of stuff wouldn't be an issue but I don't.
I personally think Nintendo should have thought a lot more about that kind of thing these last two generations, rather than just trying to sell their console to the fanboys.
The Wii U might be selling a lot more units right now if they did.
The only franchise that would justify purchasing the Wii-U hardware would be Zelda and due to the fact the title mentioned is simply a re-textured version of a two-generation old game that really wasn't that impressive I'll pass.
If I were to purchase a Wii-U bundle it would have no come with an entirely new Zelda game, a lot more Flash then 8GB and no sorts of "redeemable code" or "already flashed" game. I'd want the box, the disc and whatever sort of manual they decide to put in the box.
Until then Luigi, Mario and Donkey Kong aren't enough motivation to justify purchasing the system due to its price at the current time.
Though, I figure I've been gaming back when the Atari 2600 came out that there's no point to be the "first" to have the game and can wait years (many if required) to purchase the "next-next-next-next-next-gen" console and games for a much discounted price when I already have so many games that I could play in the meantime.
If Nintendo wants my attention they need to stop polishing Wii game engines and releasing games based on them (or in this case a re-textured GameCube game) and start churning out some new stuff.
@Kirk: If you cant afford a $50 Blu-ray player how can you afford a $400+ video game console that doesn't even include a game to play and the Playstation Network fee?
@Ryno
Usually parents buy those types of things for their childrens.
@Kirk
You use your 360 and PS3 for their multimedia capabilities?
May I ask how many times you've had to have them repaired, replaced or purchased again?
That would be nice.....if I didn't have a Wii U.
ugh....i just spent all my money on a 3ds xl. i wouldn't have bought it if i new this was coming out.
@Kirk If your Wii is gathering dust and became useless, I say that's your problem, not the system's.
I can tell you that my Wii isn't gathering dust. Currently playing Super Mario 64 on it, plus there's a load of Turbografx, Mega Drive and SNES games I want to buy. Wiiware as well. Contra Rebirth stills gives me the kicks everytime I play it. Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies, Super Paper Mario and Metroid: Other M are games I currently have to complete. There's a handful of Wii games and literally dozens of GameCube games I still want to buy.
If you really care about films and not about games, Nintendo consoles aren't for you. And frankly neither is the PS4. Do yourself a favour and buy the Blu-ray player you want from the likes of Samsung, LG, Phillips and others. Just don't expect a company that has been in the videogame console business for 30 years to start manufacturing Blu-ray players. It's like asking Ferrari to make a skateboard.
I'm all for it. Either way, I have yet to get my Wii U and I'll be getting most of those games, so a bundled Wind Waker HD would be nice in any case.
Am I the only one who believes that this would be a direct move from the 3DS playbook? Think about the parallels: a Limited Edition Zelda 3DS was bundled with an upgraded classic Zelda game. Sound more familiar? I don't believe it'd be a high seller, that would be a Mario 3D World bundle, but it is something Nintendo has proven they will do.
I can see a WW HD bundle getting some sales, perhaps from people that get nostalgic over WW but sold the game long ago, and haven't gotten a Wii U yet. I dunno how many people that includes, but I would bet it would get some sales from people looking to buy a Wii U to relive their childhood/teenhood/earlier-on-adulthood in 1080p, among grabbing some of the games coming out later.
And please people, stop with the "PS4 is only $50 more, Wii U is doomed" crap. The systems cater towards different markets. Nintendo has seemed to be catering more to a niche market these days, and I'm okay with that. I like their innovative hardware ideas, but I chiefly buy Nintendo systems to play awesome games (why else should you buy a console? 8 GB of RAM? Pah.). And if Nintendo ever goes under, I'm sure they'll switch to being a third party, and I'm okay with that. I'll just buy whatever console they cater towards the most, and continue buying mostly Nintendo games for that console while I load up my Steam account with indie games.
If the Pokemon bundles are with 3DS XL systems then I shall be upgrading my 3DS. I was hoping for some sort of new 3DS XL as we began to approach the holiday season, and was even more hopeful it might be bundled with a game I'd want.
@rjejr I think the appeal of the limited edition 3DS is partially for collectors. The DSi had sold over a hundred million by the time the Black and White DSi Special Editions came out. I'm happy with my Blue XL, but I can think of some folks who would get a Pokemon 3DS (XL or otherwise, on top of their regular system).
@DarkEdi Because Sony does at least ten years worth of support for each of its home consoles (eg: PSOne, 1994 - 2006; PS2, 2000 - 2013). PS3 will be supported to at least 2016 (and if the trend continues, depending on customer demand and other external factors, maybe 2018), so it makes sense from a business standpoint to try and sell more consoles until then.
I wonder if the bundle will include a pre-installed version of windwaker hd as the animal crossing bundle came with the pre-installed new leaf game. i am interested in this bundle although i already own a wii u. unfortunately many of my games are downloaded, so i wouldn't be able to transfer them to another console.
Perfect game to bundle. A stone cold classic adventure accessible to all, remastered in HD with unobtrusive Gamepad features to exhibit the elegant ways it can enhance the traditional experience.
What better way to communicate that Nintendo is committed to making real, visionary games which can be enjoyed by all than to include one of their shining achievements with the console itself?
The intrinsic value of porting Wind Waker is to illustrate the unique gaming vision that binds the Nintendo experience. Look at the release calendar and appreciate how games like Pikmin 3, Wind Waker, and The Wonderful 101 communicate Nintendo's unmistakable devotion to all-inclusive, uninhibited fun.
A Wind Waker bundle would be interesting. However, it's not for me as I've already beaten Wind Waker on my Wii. I'm not really into older games with updated visuals (Tetris being an exception), unless it's a game I haven't played before (Ico/Shadow of Colossus Collection for the PS3) or there's enough additional content to justify the added expenditure (Tetris...again...or Mario All-Stars with the Lost Levels for the SNES). I've read into the added stuff for Wind Waker, but it's not enough for me to buy a new system. At this point, I see me sticking with my Wii and PS3 for at least another year or so before getting a new console (@Samurai_Goroh: Like you, there are still games I'd like to buy for the Wii, like the Rainfall Series, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Zelda: Skyward Sword...along with a few for PS3 like Fat Princess and Castle Crashers). The new Smash Bros was my big reason to get a Wii U (after Rayman Legends went multiplatform), but that's been scrapped because it's also coming to 3DS.
I still like Nintendo and will continue to buy its games (Pokemon Y, Smash Bros, Denpa Men series), but the Wii U doesn't have what I'm looking for yet or convinced me that I need it.
The Wind Waker bundle makes sense to me. It adds undeniable value to a Wii U bundle, but ultimately it's the best economic choice because Mario Kart and 3D World are going to sell just fine by themselves and people will pick them up after the bundle.
I think it's a good idea. People need to realize they aren't gonna do a price drop. They're just gonna bundle things with the console and charge the same ammount.
WW HD is an older game. They probably haven't spent as much money to remake that game vs. a new Wii U game like Pikmin 3. They still charge $50, but only people that haven't played it will buy it for the full $50.
I've completed WW multiple times on GCN, so I probably won't buy the remake at all.
@Kirk You make a lot of good points and I don't disagree with most of it. Makes sense for you. Imagine this, though. Sony, Microsoft ALSO just make great game consoles with new ideas on how to interact with games and ignore the other media stuff. Then, theoretically, you could afford them all and just get a cheap media streamer on top of that. Or not.
Someone mentioned repairs. PS3 has been a rock as far as stability. That thing is a beast. My Wii fizzled in a couple of ways, though. XBox of course is infamous for how shoddy it is.
I think that a WWHD bundle is a good idea. The Zelda name is recognizable and it's a single player experience so you won't need additional hardware like you would if it came packed with SM3DW. It will also show off the GamePad screen and Miiverse functionality. What Nintendo really needs to do is release the bundle for $299. I don't think the basic is being sold in the states anymore so when people go into the store and see a WiiU with a game for $100 less than the PS4 and $200 less than the XB1 it will look like a far more enticing product.
@Ryno
Is the concept really that hard for you to grasp...?
I obviously want to have all these entertainment devices and services but I can't afford to buy all three consoles and I certainly don't want to have to buy a separate Blu-Ray player either and have that lying around too. It's bad enough I STILL can't rid of my stupid Freeview box (that would be a Cable or Sky box for the people who have those) never mind having to buy more boxes and plug in more cables and plugs.
If I can buy a single box that does everything, or as much as possible, for a few hundred pounds then it's good value for money and it's neat too.
If I have to buy multiple boxes that all only do one or a couple of things it's not good value for money and it's messy.
I really wanted the Wii U to be that box but unfortunately it's not.
It's that simple.
@thepitt
I don't have either a PS3 or Xbox 360.
I only have a Wii, which means I can't use it for any multi-media (well I can but I had to hack it and it still works like crap).
Hence the dilemma I have with deciding what next-gen console to buy, if any...
I simply don't want that kind of hassle again.
I would hope a decent bundle shows up before the holidays. Not sure if Wind Waker is the best option though.
@Kirk: I'm glad I didn't have to pay more for my Wii U just to play DVD's and Blu-ray's on another one of my devices. People are already complaining about the price of the Wii U's now you want to add Blu-ray licensing fees into the cost? No thank you.
i certainly hope that the ww zelda bundled wiiu has something else special about it, either a new color, or design on the case, or more memory
@Ryno
There's absolutely no reason whatsoever it couldn't be an OPTIONAL additional cost that each person can choose to pay on a user by user basis (say $5 to activate it), just like Microsoft did with the original Xbox for example (they basically required you to buy a remote to activate the DVD playback).
Not having any OPTION at all is FAR worse than giving people the CHOICE.
Bundles are good, but not unless the games that accompany it are in physical form. I will bet money the Pokemon bundles will be digital, and that alone will steer me away from it.
@Kirk
Blu-ray is technically possible on Wii U, I think. The Wii U only recognizes Wii/Wii U optical discs physically, immediately. That's the only difference, I'm sure.
The people who own blu-ray could technically release their BR license on the eShop, but Nintendo can't suggest that, because otherwise they'll ask more than they should, and everyone will pay more in the long run anyway.
I have a PS3, so I don't really need another blu-ray player, but I'd probably get rid of my PS3 if they added blu-ray. People just need to know that the owners of blu-ray will have to make the license available on Wii U if they want any extra money.
So ya, if the owners of BR, DVD, CD make their licenses available on the eShop, it will be a hell of alot better than forcing you to buy the whole deal along with the console.
They should make a bundle or a collectors edition for super smash bros, that will sell well....
@Kirk What are you waiting for, man? just buy a PS3!
That's the only console i've had connected for years now. It easily serves as that all-in-one box you require (i unplugged my Wii after finishing DKCR, then gave it away). The Wii U would make an awful substitute for my PS3, for many reasons. I don't intend to buy one until MUCH later (like, 3/4 yrs), while the PS4 has a good chance of replacing my PS3 in 2014.
For Nintendo games, i think you'd manage fine with a 3DS alone.
You people are willing to plop down tons of money on a expensive as all hell system, but can't afford a blu-ray/dvd player?!? There like $80 for frig sake! >< Give me a break...
I have a Wii U and I replaced my PS3 with it, why? Cause it's WAAAY better and suited to my gaming needs. I have 7 games, only one Nintendo so far....yay, you heard me haters ¬¬ I think the Sony/ Microsoft crowd are picky as all hell. Don't get me wrong, PS3 is a great console to get my Suda 51 games, Sega, Capcom, and Konami I can't get on Nintendo, but otherwise, blah.
Personally, if I had to get a secondary console, it will have to be either a Xbox One or just go PC. That PS4 looks SOOOO horrible, a slightly updated (FINALLY!) gamepad with a laptop touchpad? eck...and that console design, god, the designer should be fired, that thing is ugly!! I would have to hide it under something so it doesn't make my entertainment system look like crap. I made fun of the Xbox One at first, but now I like it alot more than the PS4...thing.
@Doma you bought a Wii for one game? wow...waste of money much? I don't recommend a Wii U for you lol Go PS4 or One or PC
@hydeks No... i owned a Wii for ages, up until beating that game. There was nothing releasing after DKCR that i felt was worth leaving it plugged in for.
@Doma
It's not even possible to replace your PS3, because PS4 doesn't even have confirmed BC. How are you going to play PS3 games on PS4 unless you bought them digitally?
Same thing goes for PS3 slim with the PS2 BC and other OS.
@SCAR392 No problem, because i probably won't ever sell my PS3. Whatever games don't crossover won't concern me. Plus, it's not like i intend to buy a PS4 at launch anyway, just sometime next year.
here is a killer wii u bundle for $400.... Wii U Deluxe with a black Wii Remote Plus and a nunchuck with Wii Sports U IF it comes out!
@Kirk
Two Words one Acronym - "Home Theatre PC"
Game consoles are meant to play games and don't listen to anyone here about how "rock solid" the "lest-gen" consoles are. Do a quick search on any site, punch in "YLOD" or "RROD" and weep. I rather save the life of my PS3 Bluray Laser by using a $35.00 Bluray player then having to purchase a $300 PS3 over again. I've had a few of them die on me and now I only play games and I shut it off every 2 hours to avoid the innards of the piece of crap from turning into silicon soup. That's the last Sony console I'll ever buy. My NES and Sega CD still work and they were prime tech in their generation so don't go on about "these things are more advanced" when in reality "these things are made from crap". At least Nintendo can design a long lasting optical drive.
@thepitt Just curious. Do you have an original "toaster oven" NES or the top-loader redesign?
@Doma
Your comment said otherwise. "the PS4 has a good chance of replacing my PS3 in 2014". That means you'll get rid of your PS3. I think you meant to say "along side my PS3".
Anyway, I don't plan on buying a PS4. Once/if I get an Xbox One, I'll get rid of my PS3, because I'll have blu-ray/media on that machine instead.
Of course, the owners of BR, DVD, and CD could release their format license on the Wii U eShop for physical media playback. I still plan on getting an Xbox One over a PS4, regardless.
I'm sure Nintendo will add media playback, anyway. The Wii had the Photo Channel which played music, and they originally stated that Wii would eventually have DVD playback. Obviously, I'm not counting on those options, but such things could still happen.
@thepitt
As far as I know the slim PS3s don't have problems with the YLOD, only the phat models do(and are ticking time bombs). The old consoles held up due to a lack of moving parts but still have their faults, I'm sure you know that having brought up HTPCs in the first place. Otherwise, I agree with you.
@SCAR392
Adding physical media playback isn't as simple as releasing a purchasable license. Assuming the Wii U has a fully functioning blu-ray drive all they'd have to do is work with Nintendo to release a patch, but since it uses a proprietary format it might not be capable of it.
If it's just a bundle with reduced price, then it's fine.
But if it is a "special Wind Waker console edition" I will kill myself; I just bought the Wii U, and Zelda Wind Waker is my favorite game of all time.
@SCAR392 Nope, i meant what i said - the PS4 would replace it as the main system i use/have plugged in. The PS3 would be put in storage after that. Not gotten rid of, as you assume.
this would be a good idea, but when you add this game to the bundle, you'll be forced to raise the price, making the WiiU look even LESS cheaper than the PS4. and nintendo's said again and again that they aren't dropping the price.
this would be a good idea, but when you add this game to the bundle, you'll be forced to raise the price, making the WiiU look even LESS cheaper than the PS4. and nintendo's said again and again that they aren't dropping the price.
@Doma
Well ya, exactly, but you weren't specific.
@Zombie_Barioth
Meh. I think it can read bluray. The Wii was supposedly going to get DVD playback, and that used Wii specific discs as well.
All they would have to do is give the OK inside the OS. People that had the PS3 phat all know that they had to download PS2 system data in order to run PS2 games.
It would work in a similar manner, but that's assuming the Wii U can run bluray discs. It's probably not worth it anyway. I only use my PS3 for bluray movies and I barely use it at all, anyway.
Not surprised about the red/blue Pokemon XL bundles. That would be a perfect game to have preloaded on the 3DS. Hopefully they keep a nice stock of those around for Chistmas.
A Zelda Wii U isn't that too far out of the realm of possibility since the was a Zelda Gamecube and 3DS.
@SCAR392 Following your Bluray and stuff discussion, I think this might interest you: https://twitter.com/VidiiUSupport
They made a way to stream videos from your PC to your Wii U just like watching Youtube videos on the Wii U. I tried it with a mp4 video at 1080p and it work perfectly. I also heard about what they call NAS (network-attached storage), which are basically physical hard drive connected to the Internet, which could potentially do the trick in a more official way.
If the console in the Zelda bundle isn't gold, with some Zelda decorations and/or extras (controllers, soundtracks, figures or artbooks, etc) I don't think it will sell, most of the loyal fans who consider buying this remakes already own a Wii U (like me)
@SCAR392
Thats why i said might, from what I've heard the Wii doesn't handle DVD playback well so if the Wii U probably could do it just not well enough to be worth it. I bought my PS3 with blu-ray playback in mind but its still a secondary feature to me, its nice to know its there but thats it.
The Wii u can handle streaming just fine though which is probably more important anyway, since steaming is becoming a huge part of media these days and is starting to win out over tradition TV. A good chunk of my screen time is through netflix and youtube these days which is why I'm not fussed about disk playback.
I was aware of the streaming capabilities, but I had forgotten I needed the VidiiU software. That's originally why I didn't care about physical media in the first place, because everything is digital these days.
I would like a Wii U with a 256GB SSD in the case. Or more flash 128GB should be enough. (Apple or other tablet makers get 64GB for $20 so it is not unreasonable at all even if it cost extra the retail price of a fast high quality sdcard it would be ok). Don't like having cables with drives hanging about or slow load time disks.
They should put Super Mario 3D World instead of WW. But doesn't matter anyway. 3DS XL+X and Y? Gosh.
@drumsandperc92 PS4 will be $50 more with no game or online. With a Wii U bundle you will get the deluxe set with two games, a digital version of Nintendo Land and whatever game they bundle like WWHD or Super Mario 3D World and FREE online...
I immediately believe it!
I will be thoroughly disappointing if the bundle Wii U is a special Zelda edition...
@unrandomsam
1: Apple gets great prices due to massive contracts from the millions of computers they are guaranteed to sell based upon proven market records.
2: SSD technology doesn't double along-side price. It's more of an exponential growth, so 64gb for $20 doesn't mean 128gb for $40. More like $60 or more.
@mikeyman64 The only reason to use the SSD would be if you were using cartridge so you can get the same speed. Nintendo will pass the threshold probably already to get it at that rate. You don't need for cartridges to be able to write or stuff that is as good as they would need internally.
(My source is a list of the parts that uses the standard commercial pricing there will be a minimum but it is low. Its from the magazine of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers. It is not going to be wrong. Other companies use cheaper stuff.
Nobody is providing premium hardware. The Tatio and Sega latest arcade hardware uses SSD's.
No one offers a premium product. (The processor core used by the Xbox one / PS4 is AMD's atom equivalent). But they think they deserve to be able to set a premium price. They didn't even go for the best available now by any stretch of the imagination.
I am willing to pay for it if something came out costing the same as the Neo Geo did when it came out that is that much better I would pay £700 and £250 a game because I can afford it now. (It would have to obviously be worth it though for that sort of money).
Nobody cares about quality.
They should bundle a third party game to attract the masses. Call of Duty or something.
They did a bundle for OOT 3D I wouldn't be suprised by a bundle for WW HD
@MrSRArter and get only 1 controller, and no game with it unless you start coughing up for online. Really getting tired of people saying 'ps4 is only 50 more'.
I got my Wii U day one, ZombiU pack.
To get the same for ps4, you need a ps4+ps vita+psn plus+a new exclusive game. Arguably, ps vita could be considered more than the gamepad, being a console by itself. But it's not as if it has that big of a games library. Not bashing it, just countering what fanboys say to bash Wii U with equal bias.
ps2 was 600 when launched. That's double what 'the internet' expects Nintendo to ask for their new system. If Wii U was 400 day one with no price drop yet, the others would probably go 600+
In some countries, they actually will.
Tap here to load 116 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...