With the competition hotting up in the most vital shopping season of the year, Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime, used an appearance on GT.TV's latest episode to outline his reasoning for Wii U optimism, while also outlining lessons learned from a tough 2014.
Speaking to Geoff Keighley, Fils-Aime reiterated the often-repeated — and often proven — mantra that "software sells hardware", before boldly predicting that Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. on Wii U would all be top 10 sellers across the whole generation alongside the PS4 and Xbox One.
It's all about install base, and it's all about having a top-shelf game that sells over a long period of time. The fact of the matter is, games that Super Mario 3D World, games like Mario Kart on Wii U, games like Smash Bros. on Wii U, they're going to have a fantastic sales curve over time. I can guarantee, those games, in this generation that is about to start, are going to be top 10 selling games across the entire generation, selling only on one platform. I can guarantee it.
... I'm calling it right now.
Naturally, the revival of the 3DS after a rough start was highlighted as a positive example. Fils-Aime also acknowledged that Nintendo needs to drive the Wii U install-based to encourage third-parties on board.
Moving onto 2014, Fils-Aime stated that the company is working on utilising NFC and is keen to show-off the feature with the right software. On that sticky subject of moving to smartphones and tablets, once again, Fils-Aime — visually exasperated at the question — hinted that, should he want to, he could highlight financial reasons why that'd not be the best move, but instead focused on the importance of hardware designed with physical controls and gameplay at the forefront.
The fact of the matter is we create systems that have buttons, that you interact with in a variety of different ways, because it makes for a better gameplay experience. That's the primary reason why, for us, this is not a proposition that makes a lot of sense. Now, separately, we could talk about all the financial and profit reasons why not to do that, but for the player, in the end, it's not as good an experience.
With the Wii U's fortunes clearly a priority Fils-Aime promised greater momentum and marketing throughout 2014, and teased something special at the upcoming VGX awards, an occasion that often prominently features new trailer and even fresh announcements.
The way we're going to be different is... we're certainly going to have a steadier pace of games, both for Wii U and for 3DS. The marketing activity is going to be constant throughout the entire year; you teased me a little bit about "boy, the first half was a little quiet" and, you know what? You look back and it was. We're not going to be making that same mistake in 2014, so the pace, the ongoing activity, touching the consumer and messaging what we're all about, that's going to be a big difference next year.
At the close of the interview Fils-Aime does a rather decent Waluigi impression, shows some solid Nintendo character knowledge and teased that Nintendo may make an appearance and do something "special" during the VGX awards on 7th December. The only hitch was GT.TV flashing up a graphic with the old Wii U hardware prices at the worst possible moment.
Check it out below for yourself — Reggie is interviewed in the opening and closing segments, with the latter kicking off at roughly the 16 minute mark. The show also has some interesting Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze details, which we'll summarise separately.
[source gametrailers.com]
Comments 48
Wow, that is a pretty bold statement!
Multiple games in the top 10 is a very bold claim, but he is right that Nintendo games have that special ability to keep selling forever. Hell, Mario Kart Wii is still in the top 50.
More (and good) marketing is always appreciated. If Nintendo gives WiiU similar treatment as 3DS had this year and as long as the games arrive on time it could do wonders.
And the more they keep their games away from smartphones the better.
Taking names, kicking butts, and making games.
That's the Reggie I know.
@CaptainCharlie Yes, yes it is But still, it was a positive interview on the whole, and I don't think Reggie makes bold claims without some confidence; for example he wouldn't commit to Wii U outselling PS4 and One in 2014, as he's unsure. As has been said, he's banking on the evergreen aspect of these releases.
Yeah and Nintendo said they wouldn't repeat the same mistakes they did with 3ds. The slow trickle of software ,but it happened. This is all lip service. Though I'm glad these heavy hitter games are on the horizon
Could it be a crash bandicot game? Since the game is no longer in activision sites data base and people asking Sony says that the IP belong to activision and should ask them?
"used an appearance on GT.TV's latest episode to outline his reasoning for Wii U optimism, while also outlining lessons learned from a tough 2014."
I must have gone forward in time or something, cause last I checked it was still 2013. Is Smash Bros. out yet?
I'm guessing 'top shelf games' mean something else in America.
It's not really a big leap. The top Nintendo titles usually have a long shelf life.
If the wii u has better third party support alongside the amazing exclusives already announced then the wii u will have a great life
@cookiex Yeah, me too. I better go back into my time machine and play Smash Bros!
thats a pretty bold statement. it'll be funny if he's wrong
Where can I get one of those flasks? There awesome!
insert gif of Reggie touching the consumer
The Tropical Freeze footage has started to thaw my opinion of the game. I'm so glad Nintendo are doing something at VGX, gives me more of an incentive to watch it! : )
VGX teaser...it's gonna be the new Zelda for Wii U
That XL looks so small in his hands!
I agree with him. I can't see Nintendo getting many other places in that list and I can't see any Sony/MS exclusives apart from maybe Halo and Gran Turismo being top ten of the whole generation. GTAVI will be up there somewhere
I can't see that happening. Neither Brawl or Galaxy were in this gen's top 10 and that's with the Wii having 100 million consoles out there. Mario Kart has the best chance.
That would be quite a feat. Still, even if they don' manage that, those games should still drive some major Wii U sales.
@TheOneHacker And pretty crazy if he's right.
@AidenPearce "If the wii u has better third party support alongside the amazing exclusives already announced then the wii u will have a great life"
I don't think we can count on 3rd party support getting any better, unfortunately. At best, I see mediocre support for two more years before it drops off to being almost non-existent.
I was in shop to get AC 4 today and there was young family deciding what to buy to their children, first they touched 150 euro overpriced old Wii, then looked at 3DS, and finaly they opted for Wii mini because it was cheapest... They didn't even stop at Wii U shelf.
By the way, no they did not have AC 4 for Wii U, as they don't have Deus Ex or any other recent Wii U games, shops just stoped ordering Wii U games because they can't get rid of unsold zombies and nintendolands... some Wii U games have pricetag 9 euro and don't move... Mr. President what are you smoking?
Dear Nintendo.
The reason the Wii U is not selling well is that you are trying to hard to market it as a Wii. You are not giving us a new experience or new games.
Every system has given us something new to experience and thats the reason we have bought a new system.
The N64 brought us 3D gaming in the forms of mario 64 and ocarina. You also gave us 1080 and wave race. All new experiences.
The gamecube gave us Metroid prime a first person adventure game plus Pikmin, four swords and wind waker graphics.
The Wii gave us wii sports, motion control, wii fit and the balance board.
What has the Wii U bought us. Another wii fit, another new super mario bros, Another wii sports, another donkey countrym another wario ware game, another wind waker and pikmin 3. Reggie even said about pikmin 3 when it didnt sell well thats its impossible to please gamers. Ummmmmm no reggie we were waiting for pikmin 3 all of the wii cycle why did we have to wait to buy a new console to play it,
We want something new, people want to spend money on a new console for something new. Give us a reason to love the Wii U for something we havent seen and then it will sell well.
"...teased something special at the upcoming VGX awards..." What you got up your sleeve Reggie? Please be Zelda Wii U! That would make my year!!!
Or they could announce this: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmynintendonews.com%2F2013%2F02%2F04%2Fthe-last-story-sequel-teased-by-mistwalker%2F&ei=4G2PUq_wKo22kQeZ5oDQBw&usg=AFQjCNE_ylQ-eeFEKtGGEcZY0_VU53Lmdw&bvm=bv.56988011,d.eW0 That would be awesome as well!
I hope Reggie Fils-Aime is a man of his word. It would definitely be cool if his predictions turned out to be true. Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. have always sold well, and I'm sure they will continue to do so. I'm just wondering what this surprise is. I don't want to get my hopes up that it is something really big, but I certainly would be happy if it was.
So that's not a supplement for actual games right, Reggie? I don't want to wait three or four months for a notable game because Mario Kart 8 is expected to sell well for years. That's not healthy and it's not the momentum gamers need to be assured about.
He's right about one thing though, Software sells Hardware.
@Dpullam - Reggie is NOT a man of his word:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJgOcUQW4ng
FYI SSBB did NOT come out in the Americas on Dec. 3rd. It got delayed until Feb. 10.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/smash-bros-brawl-delayed-in-us-until-february-10/
Then it got delayed again until March 9.
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/01/smash-bros-push/
Don't listen to anything Reggie says. And the 8 month delay of Pikmin 3 - launch window to spring to Aug - doesn't give me much confidence in Nintendo getting both MK8 and SSB out in 2014 either. They should, I just wouldnt be overly surprised if 1 got pushed back to 2015. Probably SSB, MK8 looks like it's moving along.
On smartphones: I get it that traditional Nintendo games arent setup for that platform. But they really ought to try an experiment with their IPs. I'm not saying to port over a Mario game... that would suck. Make up a new game like Clash of Clans with basic touch control using N's library of characters. They might find that its worth it for them to give it a shot. Free to play is such a cash cow right now.
@Mr_G - for me the gamepad is great....off screen play has allowed me to play video games again and is a great controller for my young boys. Easier for them to use because they can set it in their laps and use their whole hands for the sticks and buttons. I also think Wonderful 101 is a great new game. Maybe I'm in the minority, but the Wii U has been far better then I expected.
@Gerbwmu "Maybe I'm in the minority, but the Wii U has been far better then I expected."
It's well and truly exceeded my expectations as well. If I hadn't bought my Wii U at the beginning of the year I would have bought a PS4 at launch. My Wii U is more than enough for me.
Nope. They'll be lucky if they get 2 games in the top 10. Smash bros is guaranteed a spot in the top 10, but sm3dw and mk8 are both pretty iffy in making the top 10.
Im sure he's going by the assumption of how overtime Nintendo's franchises grow in sales overall.
Funny people laughed at him when he said Mario would outsell COD and the 3DS would do a turn around…hmmmm its always funny to read these negative comments in retrospect guess we'll jus wait and see
@FineLerv @FineLerv Me too! I'm sticking with Nintendo. I've always had FUN playing their games. I don't know if it's the game or the game play that I enjoy most but I always find Nintendo's games enjoyable.
That's the reggienator
@Peach64 SM3DW is not akin to Galaxy. I have no idea how sales will go, but it has the potential to sell more than Galaxy because of a wider appeal.
I agree on Super Smash Bros. Wii U and Mario Kart Wii U though. SSBWiiU will sell well, but fighting games aren't for every type of gamer, even though SSB is the most popular these days. Mario Kart's always sell like hot-cakes, and I honestly think that will boost sales the most out of any game in the pipeline as it's a game for everyone.
If Nintendo really wants sales to skyrocket they need to get a legit Pokemon game on Wii U. That's honestly their "ace in the hole". Pokemon can change the fortune of a console. Nintendo is lucky to have that brand on top of Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Kirby, etc.
@rjejr I'm with you there man, I think he's just signed his resignation letter with that statement! Mk8 and Ssb have a chance but to do that the systems need to sell to play the games and that's not happening. I'm in the UK and it's tragic how ignored the Wii u is , shops don't have games in, no posters, no advertising and things are not looking good for this Xmas sales push. I hope they can pull something out of the bag soon!
Well, if Pachter can make his dumb assumptions/predictions and fail every time and still keep his job, what if Reggie misses?
I hope those games and the system have great sales. I am barely into Mario Kart games and I admit that 8 looks awesome. Yesterday my brother played 3D World with me, and the last Mario he played was Super Mario 64 when it was released, so these games do seem to have a great appeal.
"while also outlining lessons learned from a tough 2014"
Have I traveled into the future? What happened to 2013. I knew I shouldn't have been driving at 88 MPH last night...
"We're not going to be making that same mistake in 2014, so the pace, the ongoing activity, touching the consumer and messaging what we're all about, that's going to be a big difference next year."
Most of what Reggie says sounds like pompous hot air to me, but that's one statement I'm glad to hear from him.
@rjejr So don't believe him because plans change. Okay, maybe Tretton and other execs should be fired too!!
You can say what you want about Reggie, but one thing that I admire about him is that he has guts. Hopefully he can leverage the assets he has at his disposal and make his claims a reality. All the highly successful businesses out there didn't get there just by "playing it safe" and making profits on "getting by". Reggie def. has the right mindset for the job. Only time will tell if he can put it into action.
I sincerely hope his predictions come true. The games will no doubt be excellent, so all Nintendo has to do is market them to the consumers. Hopefully he will stay true to his word and keep up the solid advertising they have doing recently. If Nintendo does this, they may just stand a fighting chance. Regardless, this console generation is sure to be an interesting one, and I will be glad to watch it unfold.
Boo go away Geoff Keighley. I get enough of your soulless, deadpan commentary at work.
Reggie will announce Tomb Raider Reflections Wii U! OMG get excited. Can you imagine just how cool this bad boy is gonna be?
“It’s so hard to keep a secret these days,” the representative said. “We appreciate all of the enthusiasm, however we don’t have any details to share just yet. That said, we highly recommend you keep an eye on any major gaming events happening in early December.”
The early gaming event in December is the Spike Video Game Awards
@theadrock13 that Hansel is so hot right now
Fils-Aime talks a lot and often talks crap.. making us hype about a new announement at the VGX, but it will only be "something about a previously announced Wii U title".. (mostlikly DKCTP, Mario Kart or SSBros..,.. if it's not Zelda Wii U, we should all "BUH" him out at the VGX..., since he also upseted fans, by saying "petetions don't influence us", just shows he doesn't give a f@ck about fans..)
and he's as uasual to bold in is commments, to think that after over saturating the market with Mario games, that they'd still sell that well and be the best selling games of this generation..., on a console that's "nothing new"
(he has no idea about games, he just looks a the sales of previous games and pulls simple "child" conclusions, that they'll surlely sell as well again, without lookint at the whole picture.. and he's greedy (or Nintendo of Japanare greedy) they should have waited a bit and brougth Galaxy2 and Zelda SS to the Wii U instead of bringing them out on the Wii to get the sales bonues...)
and last but not least, if Fils-Aime really has any understanding of games/franchies, fans and the market, he'd help finance the ZombU sequal...
I wish for Nintendo and the Wii U to get off better and hope for great games.. but when seeing Nintendo "abuse" Retro Studios (for simple games like DKC TF).. and Plantnum Games with Wonderfull 101 (even if it's a good game)... that's not what will convince others to get the Wii U... it's the wrong approche. . (they're trying to play it "very safe".. but it's still wrong..., or at least have more games in parallel in development.. or they should buy studios like Bioware and Eidos...)
Tap here to load 48 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...