Best Buy Nabs Exclusive Splatoon Wii U Hardware Bundle in North America

Wonder how big the game file is.

This is good for Nintendo fans but I doubt it will be a system seller. I do hope it's a great game and word of mouth gets other console owners interested in this game!

Hardware bundles like this can't hurt, but I still think they need to lower the price of the Wii U entirely. Even with the game included, trying to sell people a $300 system with barely any third party support and long game droughts when the Xbox One is only $50 more is a hard bargain. Disappointed that it is download-only and no physical disc inside the box, although that may not make much difference to new buyers.

I love the box design, looks great & will really stand out on store shelves. I can't help but think that $250 is the magical price point though. $299 edges it out of impulse buy territory (only just though)

I have a Wii U already and I am soooo tempted to get this bundle. somebody talk me out of it is what I want to say but....alas..money..

OMG Nintendo made a smart business decision. Remarkable.

Nimtendo Land pre-loaded and having to DL Splatoon is a bit of a bummer, but the bigger question is why isnt at least 1 Splatoon amiibo in the box? Seriously only boy and girl are sold separately, squid in the 3 pack, so squid needs to be in the box.

2 steps forward, 1 step back.

And $299 is still too much, but at least its a new game, which is still $60 in US last I checked. Maybe Nintendo made a deal w/ BB for free amibbo w/ purchase?

Still, its a win, they tried, digging the box.

As always I don't think bundles are that important. If someone wasn't prepared to go out and buy a Wii U and Splatoon together, then I don't see how them coming in the same box changes things. I realise in the US the prices are strictly controlled by Nintendo, but here in the UK you can pick up a Wii U with a few games for £180, but any new SKU like this will get sold at £250 for the first few weeks, so it's actually far, far more expensive to go with a new SKU.

@munchakoopas Why would you want it, unless its just for the box art? You can just buy the game from the eShop if you want it. There is literally no difference in design between that Wii U in the bundle and the standard Deluxe models. That would be an expensive box.

Too expensive, sorry

@ericwithcheese2

I got a guy who can customize the system. warranty voiding or not i'd get it and have him apply the box design to the actual system.

You can get a 2nd hand ps4 with a bunch of games for that now. Also, DLC and Amiibo support for Nintendoland is looooong overdue. It's a 3 year old game offering nothing new!

Also, I just googled 4x4 splatfest and now I've seen things I can't unsee

@tysonfury

must be an urban dictionary term as well.

This must be a bundle for all those Nintendo fans who sat out buying a Wii U when SM3DW, Windwaker HD, Smash Bros and MK8 came out, and who instead were waiting for Splatoon!*

*nobody did this

That's a sweet box. However i think having an exclusive box for one of their big games... one they've been pushing is only going to hurt them. They want the sales to go up, not restrict their increase.

@tysonfury T
Seriously? Comparing a new console to a used one? If you want to compare that, i can get a used Wii U with a bunch of games for less than too... a lot less.

@tysonfury

The phrase "4 on 4 Splatfest" really made me laugh when I saw it on the box. I have such a horrible mind.

I am tempted to buy it. my GamePad is broken and it`s going to cost $123 to get it fixed.

$300 isn't bad for a two game bundle.

@tysonfury @rjejr Nintendo themselves have said the weak Yen is not allowing for them drop the price without taking losses.

Nice to see a bundle, but (and all three are guilty of this) why can't the console itself be a special edition? They could have gone crazy with the design here. Or even the Gamepad, like Zelda.

Hopefully the exclusivity will help rather than hinder sales.

Had they done this last fall with Bayonetta 2 and Smash, they probably wouldn't have fallen so far behind MS and Sony during the holiday rush.

It's a good bundle, though it's obvious Nintendo Land just didn't hit the mark, so a different game would have been better, IMO. I still find it shocking that Smash never got a bundle, yet Splatoon will. Very strange Nintendo, very strange.

Anyway, I really like their package design, it's quite eye catching.

@sinalefa

Well, Nintendo is "more guilty" of this than MS or Sony, by a long shot. MS has made quite a few special edition consoles over the years, and Sony has been doing more--the upcoming Batman special edition PS4 is drawing a lot of attention.

Nintendo does special editions of the portables, but home consoles, pretty much never.

so best buy exclusive? will it be as rare as metaknight?

People seem to be really overestimating how popular Splatoon will be.

Reckon the game itself will do ok (although personally I'm not buying it without trying it in some way first) but it certainly isn't going to be the massive system seller that Nintendo seem to be hoping for.

I would want that for the box alone. I might try to see if we get a demo box at my store.

already have a wii u, but i am excited for splatoon

They should bundle an amiibo and a pro controller for coop instead of Nintendo Land.

@rjejr Agreed. If you don't get the Splatoon amiibo pack on the first day, you have zero chance of getting the squid elsewhere.

I can't believe Nintendo is releasing Splatoon with Wii U as opposed to Smash Bros. Not that there's anything wrong with Splatoon.

might be the best hardware box art ever seen.

I already have a Wii U, but I would buy a 2nd one over buying a PS4 or a XBone.

They really should have splattered some paint on the console and listed it as a limited edition......would have sold out moments after pre-purchases went on sale. Nintendo might as well use the scalpers for extra income while they can

Good idea, missed opportunity. If you're going to go the ridiculous and obnoxious exclusive route yet again, at least make it truly exclusive. Where is the custom graphic treatment on the system or at least the gamepad? Downloads? At the very least, Splatoon itself should have been a physical copy. And where is the exclusive Amiibo? Or at least the Squid Amiibo as a bonus. For the full $299, that should have been how it went down. As it is, you're just getting the same black deluxe system anyone can get, and the privilege of using up a a lot of your storage immediately after opening the box.

I don't know how many systems Splatoon is going to sell but the box looks really cool and I'm going to work on talking my brother into finally picking up the system. He was thinking about it and that would be great jumping in point.

I know that I will be purchasing Splatoon and I'll be looking to pickup the amiibos if I can find them (not on ebay, and not a cent over retail price).

Damn Nintendo is really going all out with Splatoon,so it can be a success. Wish Bayonetta 2 got this from Nintendo and it's fans,but okay Bayonetta 2 didn't deserve it i guess.

@DBPirate @MoonKnight7 @Quorthon @HollywoodHogan - re: no Smash bundle and "all those Nintendo fans"

I think that's the point. Nintneod has already sold Wii U to all the Nintendo fans - there are only 10mil left in the world. Go back and look at sales of N64 and Gamecube consoles. Wii sold 100mil to people who wanted to play Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Just Dance. This bundle is for the 90mil people who bought a Wii but haven't bought a Wii U yet. Splatoon isn't your typical Nintendo game - it doesn't have Mario, Link or Samus - this is a game Nintendo is hoping will appeal to non-Nintendo fans, they call it "blue ocean", hence the bundle.

SSBU didn't need a bundle, all the Nintnedo fans who were going to buy that game already owned a Wii U. Well except for those waiting for Zelda and Metroid Prime 4, but this isn't for them either. Its for the casual Wii owners, and PS3 and Xbox360 owners, looking to try something new.

And maybe even a few PS4 owners who are tired of playing PS3 ports.

Good move Nintendo but Nintendo Land? Should put in an amiibo instead.

@rjejr you nailed my thoughts exactly. If only I read this an hour earlier! Throw the three pack amiibo in, it makes the $299 price point more attractive.

Missed opportunity dressing the console though, even if they went back to the N64/GC days and gave the choice of some cool solid splatoon colours, though who knows how much more that would have added to manufacturing costs.

I'm primarily a DL only guy, so that part doesn't bother me much, then again, it's not a 500GB system, so there's that...

EDIT: just saw your second post on why they didn't bundle SSB... GET OUT OF MY HEAD! Haha...

I'd get this if it had custom console designs like the Wind Waker HD Bundle, but the boxart alone, sadly, doesn't quite convince me.

@Ichiban @Smash_kirby

System really needs to be $249, exchange rate be damned. People who wanted to buy Wii U at $299 have had 2 1/2 years to do so, ($349 price point disappeared, but it's lowest has always been $299 since launch) time to sell it to the people willing to pay $249. Namely Wii owners who paid $249 for the Wii 8 years ago and that has probably become their defacto max price for what is to them a new HD Wii. Not only does it edge it out of "impulse buy territory", I think it moves it out of rational buy territory as well. Anybody who has waited this long to buy 1 will wait for the inevitable price drop at this point. Nobody wants to buy a console a week before the price drops. Even if people aren't consciously waiting for a price drop, when they see all the ads for new price Wii U $249 they'll remember they wanted to buy 1. It's as much about the marketing of a price drop as the actual price. Even $269 (3D dropped from $249 to $169, it's a reference point) may get them as many sales as $249. People need to see the sale to be reminded they want to buy 1.

Nintnedo can make up the difference selling games, DLC for Pikmin 3, MK8, SSBU, HW etc, extra controllers, and amiibo to the eBay scalpers.

@rjejr

Point being, this game is not likely to be a system seller, so how does pairing a console many people don't want with a game they haven't heard of going to help? 90 million other people bought a Wii because Wii Sports was accessible and had a great gimmick (motion controls). This game is an online shooter for children. Those 90 million people aren't coming back for that, sorry.

It also shows how little faith Nintendo themselves have in the "special edition" bundle, as they didn't bother customizing the Wii U or gamepad with any sort of artwork. It's just a regular old Wii U in a different cardboard box you will throw in the trash. They didn't want to put any extra money or effort into production.

@A01 really that small,the mario kart dlc is bigger

I already have a Wii U, I'm not 100% on Splatoon yet (I played it breifly last year at EGX and wasn't overwhelmed) but maaaannnn that's a nice box!

@HollywoodHogan - I agree, game won't be a system seller and Nintendo is putting all their eggs in 1 basket trying to regain some of that Wii magic. Problem is, they have to, Splatoon is all they have. Nintnedo Land bombed. Nintendo fans already bought a Wii U for MK8, SM3DW and SSBU. this is their hail mary pass to pick up a few more Wii U sales before NX. Even they probably don't think it will be successful but what other choice do they have?Zelda in 2016 so that won't be selling any consoles this holiday. XCX will probably sell a few in Japan but not in the west as it's a JRPG w/o Final Fantasy in the title. Splatoon is all they have.

And your also right, most people probably haven't heard of Splatoon, but that's OK b/c it isn't out for 6 more weeks yet. How many of those 100mil Wii owners wanted a Wii 6 weeks before release? How many had heard of Wii Sports 6 weeks before release? It's all about word-of-mouth among the un-educated masses and that will only come much closer to launch, days before. Bundling the game in the box is partly about shaking up the box and getting peoples attention on store shelves - new look, new game, new box. It's an eye catching design. And just b/c you call it "an online shooter for children" as a kiss off derogatory remark doens't make it so. There's a lot of interest for this game on here and elsewhere. The see Edge cover as 1 example.

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/wii_u_shooter_splatoon_makes_edge_magazines_cover

So overall I agree w/ your assessment of how this will play out - Splatoon won't do for Wii U what Sports did for Wii - but all the moves make sense as Nintneod makes the effort to sell some more consoles. And not making a Wii U special edition makes sense, as the casual fan Ninteod is going after w/ this marketing strategy isn't interested in decorative consoles, they just want to have fun. So painting the Wii U body would add to the cost but not to the appeal.

The console still needs a price cut, pronto, and there should be an amiibo in the box, this is a half-@ssed job, but considering Nintendo usually makes no effort at all to sell Wii U half-@ssed is a lot for them. A for effort as they say.

Box art is not enough. It is still a black Wii U. A bundle like this screams paint splatter colour scheme.

For everyone else who already has a black Wii U all you need to do is download the game off the eShop and you are pretty much there but without the box.

Personally I would rather have the game disc over a download code.

@Sir_JBizzle - Don't agree w/ bundling all 3 amiibo, just 1, probably the squid as added incentive and since it isn't sold separately. Plus it would really jack up the console bundle cost if they added all 3. 1 is $10 and it gets people interested in the amiibo line, b/c lets face it if you don't own a Wii U yet you probably haven't been all that interested in amiibo.

They really should bundle the squid though. People in UK who download the game digitally can't even buy the squid as it only comes w/ the game. What stupid idiot came up w/ that plan? At least we get the 3 packs in the US. They probably shouldn't even other w/ the single packs though if squid is only available in 3 packs. Nintendo.

Still $300 huh? This will probably go well with the Nintendo only fans who still haven't picked up a Wii U and who are excited about Splatoon, but it'll flop otherwise.

@rjejr

Edge cover? Big deal. You and I both know that if it was a Sony or Xbox game on the cover, everyone here would be saying that those companies must have paid off the publisher for that advertising. Maybe Nintendo did too? I don't put any stock in that meaning anything in terms of how anticipated/popular this game will be. It's 2015. Who gets excited about game coverage in print media? I can't even remember the last time I looked at a gaming magazine. Ad space for Splatoon on IGN for 24hrs will have more eyes on it than that magazine will get in a month on store shelves.

But you can't honestly compare the people who bought a Wii based on word of mouth to potential Splatoon buyers. Wii Sports blew people away because it was a one of a kind experience, something no one had played before, and something that was immediately accessable to people of all ages. All you had to do was swing your arm. It's easy to get excited about that. Splatoon is a rainbow colored shooting game that is kid-friendly featuring an IP nobody has nostalgic feelings for. It's very disingenuous to imply that this game has the same potential as Wii Sports to draw gamers of all abilities into wanting to buy a Wii U to play it.

@rjejr

Squid amiibo could be in the box as it makes it easier for them than adding all three, or having gender specific bundles, but admittedly that is the least attractive of the three amiibo, maybe that is the reason it cannot be purchased on its own. I hope they start offering all three individually, specially in Europe.

Why Best Buy? Last time I was in our Best Buy there was a single shelf of Wii/Wii U games and all were on closeout clearance. It was like Best Buy was abandoning the Wii U.

@rjejr

"Splatoon isn't your typical Nintendo game - it doesn't have Mario, Link or Samus - this is a game Nintendo is hoping will appeal to non-Nintendo fans, they call it "blue ocean", hence the bundle."

First of all, I don't disagree here. I'm happy Splatoon is getting a bundle. It's ambitious that a new IP is getting a big push like this, even if it's only exclusive to one store. I agree that it's trying to pursue the old Wii audience.

Having said that:

"SSBU didn't need a bundle, all the Nintnedo fans who were going to buy that game already owned a Wii U. Well except for those waiting for Zelda and Metroid Prime 4, but this isn't for them either. Its for the casual Wii owners, and PS3 and Xbox360 owners, looking to try something new."

I can't say that I agree with this. Since the 3DS iteration came out well before the Wii U, there needed to be a big push around the Holidays. Many more Nintendo fans had a 3DS, before a Wii U, and it became too much of a burden to buy a Wii U for Smash, when the 3DS was so accessible to begin with. I have said this from the beginning when Nintendo announced the 3DS one was coming out first. The 3DS version hampered the sales of the Wii U version, and it's chances were hurt even more without a major incentive in place. If you didn't have a Wii U by that point, and really wanted Smash, you had to spend well above $350, which was right in line with a new Xbox. If you wanted amiibos with it, that price was even higher.

Smash sold a lot of consoles, but not nearly enough to have a competitive edge against MS and Sony during the Holiday rush. Nintendo needed to be aggressive with Smash, but never did so, and instead placed 3D World in their bundles. 3D World was great and all, but no one cared when Smash was around the corner. They tried to go for the "bright and fun" angle again from the Wii days, and it was a missed opportunity. Nintendo fell way behind the competition.

It's fair to assume that a lot of Smash fans have a Wii U console already, but that doesn't mean that all of those 10 million consoles have Smash fans in their households. There is still fans to pursue, and even more to convert for the first time. If anything was going to get someone purchase a Wii U over an Xbox or PS4, I think Smash had the best chance to do so.

I've been dying for a digital copy of Nintendo Land. I wonder if I can get someone to trade me my disc for their digital code? If not maybe I'll check out ebay to see if I can find one.

@HollywoodHogan I can't help but to read your comments in Hulk Hogan's "Hollywood" voice while the nWo theme is playing. Especially since you're counter arguing, it makes the voice in my head that much more awesome, Brutha!

I think they should do a splatoon/smash bundle. I love Nintendoland (I still play it actually) but that isn't going to sell systems.

@rjejr About the $300 price. I take your word for granted that the Wii launched for $250. I cannot remember. But if we take inflation in account; $250 in 2006 equals about $292 today, or about $300... The Wii U right now really isn't any more expensive than a Wii was back in 2006.

That being said, I don't think that selling the console at a slight loss is such a bad idea.

Add team voice chat or party chat to splatoon!!! You will sell more consoles for sure!!

Nintendo could've sold-out of these bundles in 5 minutes if they only made it a unique Nintendo style limited edition with a few paint blotches on it. I hope the exclusivity deal was well worth it for both companies as I don't really see this selling all that well.

@rjejr

I know this horse has already been decomposing for a while, but if Nintendo really wanted Splatoon to appeal to wide audiences, they'd have included voice chat and normal online gaming features.

The "blue ocean" mentality was intended to reach new, untapped audiences--the fad-following casual audience that picked up the Wii. The Blue Ocean crowd is not the target audience for Splatoon. Given that it's so heavily gimped in the online portion, I'm having trouble imagining who the actual target audience is supposed to be. The casual audience doesn't want a shooter, no matter how quirky or colorful, and the dedicated gamer demographic is going to see a gimped online experience that utterly neuters the competitive edge it should otherwise have.

Splatoon is apparently only intended to sell to the already-converted, pre-existing Nintendo fans. The group that is happy with the graphics (which look great), but also apologetic as hell about the gimped features of the game, and the content locked behind an Amiibo paywall.

Splatoon isn't a "blue ocean" game. It's not a competitive online shooter. It's nothing more than typical Nintendo fodder designed to sell to the same small audience of previously converted fans--and given the stance of "shooters" by so many Nintendo fans, it will well decently from the start, and then be passed over for more nostalgia bait.

@freaksloan

So... you want to spend the most money possible, with the fewest possible options for gaming. That makes no rational sense at all.

@HollywoodHogan : Spot on. Man, you hand out verbal beatdowns just like NWO Hulk!

@HollywoodHogan - "featuring an IP nobody has nostalgic feelings for"

Did people have nostalgic feelings for Mii and that's why they bought Wii Sports? I think the squidlings can be big. Saturday morning tv shows, breakfast cereals, toys, videogames... wait they already have the last 2. Anyway, they have that look, and we'll know if they're big or not if somebody makes a Minecraft mod. I'm sure nobody involved 35 years ago knew how big Pac-Man would become and he started out as a simple semi-circle but here we are 35 years later and Pac-Man is in SSB.

I don't think anybody in their right mind - which leaves out Reggie - thinks Splatoon can be the next Wii Sports or Pac-Man, but I don't think you can fault Nintendo for making the effort w/ the only option they have left. Maybe Yoshi will get a Christmas bundle w/ a Wooly amiibo, but that's about it for salvaging the Wii U and getting the casuals interested.

No matter how bad Splatoon does it just has to be better than Wii Music.

@Darknyht - "Why Best Buy?"

Despite my posting on this topic way too much this morning I've also been thinking none of this really matters b/c, well, who shops at BB? Only the people show rooming for Amazon, and Amazon doesn't even sell Wii U.

If they don't gett his into Toys R Us,Target, Gamestop and Walmart then this really is much ado about nothing.

ick, download only. if it was a handheld, that would be good, but for home console digital sucks.

@MoonKnight7 - Can't argue w/ that. I guess I need to start breaking up all my posts into "what I think" and what I think "Nintneod thinks". They should have had a SSB bundle for the holidays w/o a doubt, w/ a Mario amiibo in the box to show how it was going to work w/ amiibo. I've never seen a SKyalnders or Disney Infinity game sold w/o toys, Nintnedo was late to the party and should have had the bundle. Bundling MK8 which released in the spring for the holidays was stupid.

I also think it was stupid to make the New 3DS w/ faceplates and then not release it in the US, but I can completely understand why they would do it, as the US has the 2DS for the kid market. 2DS never released in Japan, New 3DS not in the US. It makes sense. I think its stupid, but I can understand the decision making process behind it.

Same w/ this Splatoon bundle. I get them throwing all their might behind it. I don't think they'll catch lightning in a bottle twice but I appreciate them making the effort and think it's the right thing to do as really it's their only choice and maybe last chance to appeal to the casuals. And I think they really should have had a SSBU bundle, but I can understand them not thinking it would help to much.

@Octane - It was $250 in the US at launch and for many years after w/ Sports in the box. Japan didn't get the Sports bundle and I have no idea what the price was in Europe.

Hardly anybody is buying a Wii U in 2013 or '14 or '15 saying to themselves, "Well, Wii was $250 w/ a game in 2006 so with inflation factored in these many years later $299 is is a good price now." What they are mor elikely to be saying to themselves is - "Wii was $250 last gen when PS3 was either $500 or $600 and Xbox360 was $500, so I bought a Wii b/c it was a WHOLE lot cheaper. Now I think I'll buy a PS4 for $400 or an Xbox One for $350 b/c it looks like a much better deal than Wii U for $300."

People are much more aware of competitive pricing then they are of inflationary pricing.

Geez, these guys are hard edged on making it lower than $300.

@rjejr Wii Music actually sold over 3 million copies so I really doubt that Splatoon will beat that http://www.vgchartz.com/game/24657/wii-music/

@Quorthon - Guess we're disagreeing on this one.

I think this one is aimed squarely at the casuals. Not the same casuals who bought Wii - aunts, uncle, grandparents, old age homes etc - who were more interested in "fitness" than video games. This is really more for parents who take their kids to play paintball. The parents who's kids are always whining about wanting to play FPS but their parents won't let them. The parents who are afraid of voice chat. Soccer moms and their Nascar dad husbands who already play COD w/ their kids despite their wives disapproval, but this way the wives can approve.

Not sure how big that market is, parents of tweens aged 9-11, but thats the target audience if you ask me. Have you seen how cute those amiibo are? 11 year old girl written all over them. Don't completely knock that market though, Spongebob, Adventure Time, Uncle Grandpa, those g@d awful real life Nick and Disney teen shows. It's a small market, but there are some sales to be made there.

I like the box art,but wish they would put the game disc instead of the digital code

@leo13 - Wii Music sold over 3 million? Well thats disturbing. Guess the Just Dance crowd didn't know any better. Wonder how many of those sold at the $5 price Gamestop was selling it for a year after release? I was this><close to buying 1 for $5 but came to my senses on the way to the register.

Kind of proves my point though, if Nintendo sold 3 million Wii Music games it probably thinks it has a chance w/ family fun colorful kiddie Splatoon.

Almost forgot - "I really doubt that Splatoon will beat that"

I'm willing to take that bet. Wii Music sold 3.24mil on a 100mil Wii install base, that's 3.24%. 10mil Wii U install base means Splatoon would have to sell 325k to beat that. I think it can do 350k worldwide. I'll check back same time next year then.

No Amiibo included in this

@rjejr

I question how many of those age groups own or even have access to the Wii U--a console which seems to have sold almost entirely to 20 and 30-something pre-existing Nintendo fans and adult gamers with a soft spot for Nintendo. I just don't see your scenario as realistic. "Little tween Johnny wants a shooter, and this is a shooter Mom and Dad can support." I just don't see that. The numbers are against it.

Sure, there are some kids on the Wii U--I've declined friend requests from teenagers on account of them being teenagers (I'm in my 30's and a parent, I'm not making "friends" with little kids, that's creepy), but I'm quite certain that the group you're talking about is an extreme minority, and while it's fine to make games that appeal equally to them, I think it's extremely foolish to expect that age group to make something like Splatoon a success.

Going by the eShop statistics Nintendo released: http://mynintendonews.com/2014/08/28/nintendo-reveals-demographics-of-wii-u-eshop-users-males-account-for-93-and-females-only-7/

Wii U eShop demographics

0-12 – 1%
13-17 – 5%
18-24 – 33%
25-34 – 46%
35+ – 14%
M/F – 93/7

The age group you're talking about is the second smallest user group for the Wii U (eShop), and Nintendo seems to be appealing to females far less than they did last generation--and less than the rest of the industry as a whole.

The cuteness of the Amiibos appealing to 11-year-old girls? That's quite a stretch and is highly debatable given that A) most toys for girls that age do not appear to be in the style of Nintendo's cartoons and B) females in that age group are an even smaller number of users. You're talking 7% of 5% of the available Wii U demographic. Out of current numbers, 5% of 10,000,000 is 500,000 and 7% of that is a measly 35,000 people--and it's extraordinarily unrealistic to expect even over half of those little girls to have interest in this game. I would guess a maximum of 10% of that further 35,000 people bringing the numbers down to 3500.

If tweens and little girls is a big part of Nintendo's target for this, they're inviting failure. I'm sure that's not specifically what you're saying, but I'm illustrating that the core of your reasoning is that Nintendo is appealing to the smallest number of consumers possible with Splatoon, and the smart move would have been to incorporate features for the adults that make up the top 3 age brackets of Wii U {eShop} owners/players.

Essentially, you're saying that this is going to do well among 6% of the population of Wii U owners because "Mom and Dad will see it as a safe shooter for little tween Johnny or Susie." If that's what Nintendo is planning, they've screwed up big time. Nintendo should have included the features that are expected and would appeal to the 94% of consumers that actually bought the Wii U.

That's on top of the fact that Amiibo supply shipments are still terrible which means regardless of the appeal of the Amiibos, most consumers will not have access to them anyway after the scalpers and fanboys destroy the few shipments that actually make it to retail.

I sincerely hope that 9-11 year old demographic is not the target audience of Splatoon.

I'm just not excited for this game at all unfortunately =( Hopefully my feelings aren't indicative of the rest of the market.

@TwilightAngel Yeah you're absolutely right. Imagine if Bayonetta 2 had gotten this amount of attention? As a huge Nintendo fanboy, and more mature gamer, even I am starting to worry that Nintendo is becoming the official "kiddy" console. =(

@rjejr yeah it is odd plus their is no special design on the gamepad like there was for the Zelda bundle.

I got my Wii U with SM3DW & Nintendo Land which was physical disks in the box. I'm not a fan of download codes but I'm sure that is way it's going to be like that going forward.

Should have amiibo included at that price

So cool! splatoon become so popular before release, this bundle is a win win

Cool bundle but still a bit too pricey IMO. I can goto the Nintendo store and get a Wii u system, nintendo land, sm3dw, mk8 with Wii mote, and a nunchuck for right around the same price. Now that would be refurbished items but still come with a warranty so not really a big deal. Looking to get a Wii u towards the end of this year so hope an official price cut comes before then.

@HollywoodHogan
Hold up. This game is an online shooter for children? This is an online shooter for ANYONE, not just children.

Idk what it is with people nowadays, think if there's no sex, guns and violence it's automatically not for adults. In case you haven't noticed, this is the style of most all Nintendo games, which are all games for everyone. That's Nintendo's appeal. Their games are non-offensive so kids can play yet have enough depth and required skill for even the hardest of the hardcore gamers.

@Akira_1975
Nintendo has always been kid friendly, dating all the way back to the NES. If that bothers you, or makes you feel insecure enjoying their games, or somehow makes you think you can't enjoy their games because kids also enjoy them (might I remind you most kids are more hardcore gamers than you, I, or anyone on this site), maybe it's time to reflect on why you even play games in the first place

@JaxonH

Just because a game is tailored/acceptable to younger audiences (no voice chat, no red paint because it looks like blood, bright and cheerful cartoon graphics, etc) doesn't meant that it can't be enjoyed by people of all ages. But that doesn't change the fact that it was most definitely created with a younger audience in mind. Toy Story movies are made to appeal to children and they are found in the 'kids' section at stores, but they can be watched by adults too.

A game you would classify as 'adult' though, featuring gore, swearing, sex, etc, is most definitely designed with older gamers in mind, but some kids play these games too. Just because some kids play it, doesn't mean a game featuring those elements is for children though.

I'm reminded of the analogy in the article on here about the AVGN game and its issues with Miiverse. If you open a night club then say you will allow children to hang out there, but in doing so you need to sanitize the club and remove all the elements (booze, swearing, sleeze) that will offend them, and which define a nightclub, what's the point? The club is now geared for children. It's possible that all ages can enjoy it there, but that doesn't change the fact that a younger audience is the one being catered too.

Same goes for Splatoon. It's a game that is designed from a visual standpoint to appeal to younger people, but that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So it's not incorrect to refer to the game as a shooting game for kids. Heck, the point of the game is to shoot the floor and walls with paint to score points, while 'painting' your opponents is a secondary goal.

@HollywoodHogan

But there's also a difference between a game specifically tailored to kids, and a game simply designed to not offend them but still offer satisfying gameplay (and thus appeal to) for older gamers.

All Nintendo's games avoid blood, not just Splatoon. Almost all Nintendo's games don't have voice chat (only 2 exceptions in 30 years?). So sure, some games are for kids. Nintendo games are for everyone though. It's not that just a few adults happen to also play it- the truth of the matter is adults almost exclusively are the ones playing Nintendo games. And Nintendo knows this. Part of the appeal to adults is charm- something children can't and usually don't appreciate.

Meanwhile those games with blood, sex and violence are predominantly played by children. And 3rd parties know this. As backwards as it may sound, games with blood, sex and violence are more designed for kids than Nintendo games. It's not just a few kids playing those vulgar games- it's almost all kids play.

I swear is losing points to fast with some of their decisions. Why didn't they bundle splatoon with custom made WiiU, gamepad and at least have a (girl or Boy) amiibo with the package and have it everywhere. Come on Nintendo get it together. One step forward three steps back i guess

@Quorthon - Man that M/F stat.

Can't argue w/ the numbers, tween females is not Nintnedo's base. And Nintendo may be nuts for targeting that demographic w/ Splatoon, but that's what Splatoon looks like to me. Well at least the inclusion of the female squidling amiibo makes me think that. When I typed "This is really more for parents who take their kids to play paintball." I only pictured boys being taken to paintball. I suppose girls play paintball too, why wouldn't they?, but I was thinking tween boys. As you pointed out if they were aiming this at "gamers" then voice chat. No voice chat equals no "gamer" interest. And it's not aimed at the general Just Dance casual base.

So you tell me, who DID Nintendo make this game and this bundle for? I think we ruled out every potential group there is.

OK, as for all the numbers, don't they kind of prove my point? Wii U eShop is 7% female, don't they NEED to go after that demographic, and is't this the game to do it? Yoshi's Wooly World and the wooly Yoshi may be a better sale for tween girls, but this still looks like a tween boy game to me.

There are a lot more non Nintendo fans in the world then Ninteod fans, and many Nintnedo fans already own a Wii U, so don't they NEED to go after the people who don't already own a Wii U? That's why they aren't on the eShop, b/c they don't own a Wii U yet. (and really, that eShop" metric has to be a bit skewed, my kid slay WAY more Wii U than I do, but I'm in eShop a LOT more than them, as I don't let them purchase games w/o me.)

So yeah, if Nintneod is pushing this game at current tween Wii U owning girls, then it's sales will approach 1 dozen. But if it is pushing the game and console at NON Wii U owning tween girls (and boys), then it's potential customer base is in the millions. I don't think they'll get too many of those million to buy a $299 console for a paint shooting game that utilizes hard to find amibo, but that's the only angle that make sense to me. Makes sense as in "thats what Nintneod is thinking", not what I wold do, but Nintnedo and I are rarely on the same page.

@rjejr

Splatoon will likely be a good game, but as you and others suggested, who is the audience? It's Nintendo's answer to those who wanted an online shooter in the vein of Battlefield, COD or L4D, but by 'Nintendo-fying' it, they have alienated a large portion of the audience who was asking for that game. It doesn't appeal to the hardcore online shooter fan, but is it 'Nintendo-fied' enough to appeal to the gamers who had no interest in online multiplayer shooters in the first place?

I have a feeling that in their attempts to make a game that appeals to everyone, they have actually split their intended audience. I guess we will know in June.

I was waiting for a bundle since my Wii U died a year ago but just as I was snooping around for any sales.... it started working again! xD
Bought a new 3DS instead haha but the packaging of this bundle makes me want to buy it nonetheless. Love all dem bold colors Nintendo has been using lately!

@munchakoopas

Its the same system. Just with a different box, and a Splatoon pre installed. Really, not much (if any) point in wanting this if you already have a Wii U.

I got the Mario Kart bundle. The Wind Waker bundle is by far the coolest though, if you ask me.

I would've been pretty cool if they made a custom design like the Wind Waker bundle

@IronMan28 - Wow, are you sure I typed that? There aren't any typos and I can't spell most of those words outright. And I don't even know what an "ultimate customer" is, though I did play "ultimate" for 4 years in grad school.

I read the entire thread, wasn't hard I wrote half of it, and I can't find that anywhere. I even looked thru my last 50 posts on my profile and still no go. Not saying I didn't write it, but I really don't remember.

And I'm still digesting your reply from last night, reply is forthcoming, haven't forgotten about you.

@Darknyht The Best Buy near me has more Wii/Wii U space than Xbox and PS4 combined. Those just have little shelves. It differs from store to store I guess.

@JaxonH To be clear I'm as big a Nintendo fan boy as anyone else on this site. I love their games and will continue to enjoy them for some time to come. My biggest concern is that established 3rd parties will keep mature game content off this system (which is currently happening) and that is a problem for me. I mean we're not even seeing sport games being released for the system. I suppose the reality is I'll have to own multiple systems to really satisfy my needs. I wish that wasn't the case but so be it.

@rjejr

I honestly don't think Nintendo even has a target audience in mind anymore. I don't think they thought this through as well as it seems. I'm sure the gameplay itself will be amazingly fun for any who are interested, but it will be hit in reviews for lacking features general gamers want and expect and it will look like more "kiddie nonsense" from Nintendo to many.

I think they're just hoping to appeal to the same "we like Saturday morning cartoons" adults that are dedicated to Nintendo, but not remotely familiar with the rest of the online gaming community.

It irks me. I was was really pulling for this game right from its announcement. I was behind it all the way. But the more we learned, the more issues I had with it. Lots of on-disk content locked behind Amiibo paywalls, instead of downloading additional content. A gimped online that claims to be a "team-based shooter" that cuts the team part off at the knees. And no couch co-op?? Are you freakin' kidding me? This is one place Nintendo constantly champions, and they're dropping the ball on it now.

Just bloody facepalm.

@HollywoodHogan - "who is the audience?"

I'll tell you after Q tells me, but he's busy fighting w/ Jax at the moment.

Have to admit, I'm curious how Splatoon plays out. I'm not expecting a noticeable Wii U boost, or even dramatic game sales, but can the game make it into main stream pop culture w/ #tweets and Youtube videos?

Pros:
Nintnedo is marketing it (should be standard practice but for them it isn't)
Colorful - even "gamer" haters won't able to ignore it
New - but seems interesting
Online - one less thing for people to complain about

Cons:
Wii U exclusive - install base limited to 10mil
amiibo - will they be on shelves?
amiibo - equals day 1 DLC at $13 per or $35 3 pack
No voice chat for a tactical shooter (may be a pro for parents)
Wii U still too expensive at $299 for this "kids" game

Whatever happens we'll know fast, Nintendo has 2 1/2 weeks from game release until E3. If it hasn't caught fire by then, or during then, it becomes old news and irrelevant.

I'd bet irrelevant, but hoping for cultural staying power. Needs a price cut and abundant supply of amiibo to even begin though.

@CaptainCrispii It's odd they only did it for WW. I would have liked a cat suit mario on my SM3DW gamepad.

@Quorthon - "But the more we learned, the more issues I had with it."

The entire last paragraph is 100% my view as well. Though I know my expectations were so high as to be unreachable, the only thing that would have really made it must buy for me was dual Gamepad support for offline, and online, co-op and/or vs. I still don't understand how any company can release a home console w/ only 1 controller. If I wanted 1 controller I'd buy a handheld. And price is a lame excuse, they released an $80 Wii Fit board for 1 game, Wii Fit, they can release another controller for this.

@Akira_1975 : it's a shame that many gamers that own a Wii U probably feel the same in regards to owning multiple consoles to get the best experience. Personally, over the last year the Nintendo brand has gone downhill. I mean, there are some serious back patters on this site that swear by the Wii U. But a Splatoon bundle with no customization, no significant price change, and an unknown IP? Yeah, that's going to sell through. Honestly, at this point if you want varied experiences, and a company that caters to the gamer, go with Steam, or get a PS4 Batman bundle in June with a customized console. That is how you brand your system for the masses. Not Splatoon, not Mario, not Nintendo Land.

Guys please let's not start a fight.

@Akira_1975 Well if Bayonetta 2 had this much advertisement,i still don't think it would have sold well. Cause for some reason Nintendo fans,don't like those type of games they like these type of games that are catered to children and always will be. But does it mean it's only for kids?No! It's for everyone don't know why Nintendo fanboys on here say is not.

@Morpheel

Yeah I can see these sitting on shelves for awhile.

@HollywoodHogan No dessert for you.

that gif took ages to load on my phone

The European bundle comes with the disc according to word on the street....

Wow nice bundle, only wonder if this game is a system seller :3

This story tells us never buy Nintendo consoles until its price goes down. I paid like $350 with only Nintendo Land (which I did not want).

I don't mean to brag guys, but my uncle works for Best Buy and he managed to grab a "Special Edition Splatoon Deluxe Set" for me!!

I unboxed it and took a photo, it looks amazing in person! I would be willing to sell it for $500 to an interested buyer, as it is a "Special Edition" console.

@HollywoodHogan

I threw my money at the monitor, but now there's change everywhere and I still don't have the special edition console in the picture. I just have the regular 32GB Wii U that looks exactly like it.

@Quorthon The hell is wrong with you? @JaxonH didn't even want an argument with you,he ignored you. But you came head first after him like an effing dog. If you don't like there opinion then reply them in a civil manner or just ignore them. That's what i do when you post,but i can't for some reason the post you make are all essays

Nice box art, would do wonders as a collection item inside my wradrobe. BUT, Nintendo Land already pre-installed AND Splatton downloadable only in a voucher? Count me out. Will get the existing Mario Kart 8 bundle, Super Mario 3D World one or wait for the inevitable Zelda U bundle. All depending if I can spare enough by xmas this year.

@JaxonH

Where is your proof that children are the main buyers/players of mature rated games? Will you directly address this query? If you believe that, you surely have some evidence to support that stance, no?

@Quorthon
@JaxonH

And all others arguing,
This isn't the place to argue, please do it else where; off this site.

sounds great for a splatoon bundle but is the wii U game pad going to have cool art on it?

@Amiibo

This isn't the place to have a conversation about Nintendo?

Should... should I be doing that over at PushSquare?

@rjejr

I saw a rumor, and I'll emphasize rumor that Codename STEAM sold fewer than 50,000 copies so far. Which is pretty bad for a Nintendo IP, even for one launched without much competition.

I think Splatoon will sell better because it has more hype around it, but I don't expect it to really wow anybody.

I preordered it at Target months ago, but I'm seriously considering skipping it at this point. I just don't know how much I'm going to feel like investing in a game that has been so completely cut off at the knees. I still have Bloodborne, Mortal Kombat X, and Far Cry 4 on my plate--and Witcher III is also coming in May. Much too much to play for the little time I have available.

I originally thought the target market for Splatoon was people like me--adult gamers in their 30's, with offspring, who want a shooter on a Nintendo system, and if it can be played with the kids (like E~T rated), then that's a huge bonus. I already play shooters with my kid (Earth Defense Force!) as well as games like Rayman and that fun multiplayer-focused Ratchet & Clank All4One. So, initially I thought Nintendo had some focus.

But now the part of me that wants a competitive online shooter for Wii U is disappointed. The part of me that wanted a co-op shooter with my kid is disappointed. And I have no idea who this game is for.

@quorthon

All the reasons listed for not wanting splatoon and you still haven't cancelled the pre-order?

@munchakoopas

I'm disappointed, but probably still going to get it. I think it still looks fun. It's just that the fun I'll have with it is going to be grossly limited. It won't have any longevity like Left 4 Dead did, or Mortal Kombat X will. And my son and I will just go back to Helldivers and EDF for our co-op shooting.

I want to make something perfectly clear to everyone here. There is a difference between a constructive debate (about Nintendo, etc.), and an argument about how other users post. It is perfectly fine to disagree with one another, but not if it involves attacks to other users. If you don't like how someone posts, just ignore him/her and move on.

@Quorthon - Wouldn't surprise me if Codename STEAM didn't sell well, it seems like it was snuck to market. And it's a 3rd person view turn based strategy game, which is kind of odd. And Abraham Lincoln is fighting aliens (I think). Seems similar to W101 and I think we all know that didn't sell gangbusters.

As for Splatoon, I wouldn't be surprised at this point if my kids pass on it for PaDZ and the Mario skinned 2 pack which releases a week earlier. Balloon bubble vs mode almost single handily turned them off. It will likely be a day of decision. As in if I walk into Target on May 29 and they have the game sitting next to a 3-pack of Splatoon amiibo I'll pick them both up. And don't feel the need to reiterate your stance on the DLC day 1 on disc amiibo content, I know. I kind of feel the same way, but I spent $350 on the Wii U, I have to do something on it while I wait for, well I'm not even sure what I'm waiting for next.

@Quorthon Agreed with your post about his post,it doesn't make sense and has nothing to back it up. But still you don't have to go full force against him and with a guy that told you not to reply to him ever. That's what i just wanted to say.

@Peach64 I agree but, Damn! look at that box art! It screams impulse buy. Don't underestimate the American consumer during tax refund season. A lot of us (not me personally) view a tax refund as disposable money. Also, any kid under the age of 12 will be attracted to all those bright colors. It's a very attractive box!

@HollywoodHogan
He doesn't have proof. He is just talking nonsense because you trumped him.

@rjejr Lol, sorry about that one, don't know what happened. Gotta forgive the horrible copy-paste, I have ADD and am currently in school, so that was probably from one of my various papers and my mind was in a million places then. Sorry about that.

Not that it matters to me, since I already have a Wuu, but It'd be nice if the included games were on discs, rather than this download code garbage. That is not a proper bundle.