Talking Point: E3 Highlighted Nintendo's Development Shift Towards NX, and Away from Wii U

Not a bad thing if you plan on getting a NX at launch. I want to keep playing the Wii U for the next three years and I do hope I get the games to last that long.

Still no price drop? Whether Wii U has one year or two years left I'm shocked they haven't dropped it another $50+; as it is Wii U's price point is still too close to PS4 & Xbox.

Depressing to think about things that have just recently been resolved for the Wii U will likely pop up again with the NX. Things like having a terrible launch line up (Wii U wasn't worth purchasing until 3D World/Tropical Freeze for the most part, arguably earlier if you were interested in the fantastic W101 or Pikmin 3), an even worse selection of virtual console titles with not only huge amounts of major titles missing, but entire console generations, coupled with an inevitable push for early 3rd party support that will likely end in failure like it always has makes me not too eager to see what new things Nintendo has.

Despite owning every Nintendo console since the N64, the thought of waiting a year after the console releases to get anything other than paltry launch titles (please don't make NSMBNX) and maybe an HD remix or something is not enticing.

All they can do is grit their teeth and get to the next hardware. The return on invesent for big games on the U simply isn't high enough. As for the 3DS, it's getting old, but I still see more promise in its future titles.

My guess is that the reason we're not seeing a lot of up and coming games for the Wii U is that they've put their heavy hitter dev teams on the NX. Sad really, cuz the Wii U probably has another 2-3 years left in it. I'll still be playing it well after its death. It's a really great system with plenty of awesome games.

Sad to see them drop support so soon. I mean we're getting some games but for the next year it's pretty dry.

I think this is a really critical assumption to make. Especially with Zelda Wii U coming. Nintendo doesn't treat E3 like everyone else. They release Nintendo Directs sporadically and are likely going to announce something big before then. The NX won't even be shown off until next E3, which gives Nintendo (according to your estimations) almost a full year to start development on completely new projects, while there may be stuff they haven't even announced yet. I just think it's a bit of a stretch to say that E3 has indicated that Nintendo is shifting away from Wii U right now.

Yeah I twigged this while watching the E3 Direct and Reggie saying that Nintendo are focusing on games for the rest of the year and early into next suggests that they've moved their main focus onto NX.

I'm glad because they need a strong list of first party games to launch the NX, like how Sony did the PS4. Also now is the time to really change the marketing tactics - they changed the marketing company here in the UK and one or two other people left which suggests a shake up readying for the next console what ever it maybe.

I'm sure Nintendo will showcase NX before E3 along with a trailer of launch titles and beyond so they can promote the last of the Wii U titles like Zelda during the main event.

If the NX releases in 2017 I'll likely not jump on-board right at the start, If the Wii U has shown me anything it is to be weary of Nintendo's ability to support a system early on and have others to help support to.

The Wii U lineup is certainly feeling like the later days of the Wii where a Legend of Zelda release was the last big hurah.

The Wii U really doesn' have many major releases on it total. And almost none of those big releases make use of the asymetrical gameplay that was promoted as the big feature that only the Wii U could deliver.

For me, I've gotten burned out on the difficult challenges and extra expenses that come with trying to unlock everything in Super Smash Bros and I'm finding myself revisiting my Wii games and the Virtual Console instead.

I had really hoped to be getting at least two or three more AAA games, along with some smaller titles, maybe GameCube VC, and probably further DLC for Splatoon, Mario Maker, and (crossed fingers) MK8 before the release of NX in late 2017. After E3, I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll see any of the above. The fatal mistake Sega made back in the 90s was accelerating their hardware release cycles, starting with the 32X, and thus losing the trust of their core customers. I worry that Nintendo risks doing that here by abandoning the WiiU too early.

it's funny to see how fanboys mind works, up until before E3 you would be flamed for stating that the idea that the Wii U was done and Nintendo was going to move all efforts to its next console... Now after its obvious that's what they are doing most fanboys seem to agree is the best thing to do

It's a bit of a kick in the teeth for Wii U owners who have supported the console to even have the suspicion that Nintendo are moving away and looking to the next console quite so quickly. That's inevitable really and not a surprise, if disappointing. I would rather have good games, though, than sub-par spin-offs (AC:AF anyone?). Of course, there will still be a huge Wii U presence in the next year and there are some good games coming. I just hope that a move towards mobile doesn't hit console game quality. Also wondering about backwards compatibility because unless the gamepad can still be used with the nx, many games would be ditched forever and that would, by and large, be a shame. They need to fix the 3rd party support too, unless it truly is a subsidiary system exclusively for Nintendo games, which I think would also be a shame.

This was my thought coming away from the Digital Event. Everything we saw was either something that has been in development for years already, or some kind of spin-off that could be made with a significantly smaller team. It just gave the impression that the real big projects have been moved to NX. Nintendo can say that they see E3 as somewhere to showcase games coming in the next 12 months, but we all know that's not how they've operated in the past.

I think the NX will definitely have one or two big hitters for launch, but there are still so many things Nintendo need to get right if it's to be a success. Making a system that's easy to develop for has to be a priority rather than arrogantly making it needlessly different.

As for the Wii U? I really think they should have cut the price. I was stunned they did not, as an E3 price cut would have explained the other wise baffling delay of the Splatoon hardware bundle. A Player's Choice range of re-releases would have been nice too. Try and bring in some more of those PS4/Xbone gamers by making it possible to pick up a system and a handful of great games at price point that's impulsive.

@indienapolis I'd like to point out that what Sega did was different to Nintendo. Sega released the CD attachment for the Mega Drive which failed to be supported properly and then the 32x which was a bridge to the Saturn for those who couldn't or wouldn't make the move. Again it had poor support and no one actually wanted it.

Then Sega outright said The Saturn is not the future of Sega, we are releasing the Dreamcast in 1999. They outright told people don't bother with the Saturn and thus stopped any potential sales for 2 years.

I'll be happy to pay $400 for the NX IF it can compete with the PS4 and XBONE. I done have a XBOX 360, XBONE, PS3 or PS4 but if the NX doesn't turn heads, I'm getting the next generation PS4 with 4K. It would be great if the Gamepad and Pro Controllers works on the NX but the Pro Controller does lack analog trigger buttons but don't focus on the Gamepad. Somegames, the Gamepad works great. Other games I wish I wasn't forced to use it and could just use the Pro Controller. Keep eShop and make all the VC and indie games available now forever. Get the AAA publishers on board. Push 1080p at least and with better than 30fps (45+ is good but aim for 60fps). And use an audio codec that most home theaters can decode.

Basically, do what PS4 and XBONE can do but better and still have the same great Nintendo exclusives (wouldn't hurt to come up with a few more new ones).

If Ninty is smart, they will be prepping the big guns and have games ready for launch. Massive 3rd party support = x86 architecture. And whatever Ninty's Gimmick feature is, don't let it get in the way of third party support. Big Guns means Mario Kart 9 at launch, maybe a legit Pokemon console title, Metroid Prime 4 at launch. Mario Galaxy 3 at launch. Also Show titles coming in the year that shows people won't have to wait like they did wit the Wii U.

Also, Get your act together and just put all your virtual console games out there. ..I mean what is the hold up?

This is terrible I haven't had a Wii U for long and I'm really enjoying it, I won it in a competition,The Mario & Luigi Premium Pack. I've found it to be a really fun console and made a list of games I will get later, I've already got 7 games for it, there's only 13 remaining names on my list. The thing I do find annoying is most shops, tend to not really sell many Nintendo games, I've seen this been happening for years with older Nintendo games.

I've began to see a decline in other competitors games and consoles recently in most shops like HMV, heck even Game is just mostly download codes.

@FragRed Well, the two aren't identical situations, and I do remember that whole fiasco, but I think there are important analogues here. When Nintendo mentioned the NX, though at the time I assumed it was to simply assuage investors, it sent the signal to the larger gaming industry, now picking apart every utterance over the internet, that the WiiU is no longer the focus for the company despite what would be a short life cycle. I didn't want to believe it before, but I'm starting to now. The Saturn had good games too, but it didn't matter because most people had grown gun shy of being early adopters for Sega.

Sucks for Nintendo Wii U hasn't done better, but I'm really enjoying it. And will continue to enjoy it for at least another couple years.

They're starting to wind it down, but there's still a lot of games on the way. I'm in no rush to switch consoles- of course I'll be buying NX day one, but it can take it's time as far as I'm concerned. I'm still having a blast with Wii U and this fall is one of the absolute best lineups we've seen since launch.

All those games were were drooling and gawking over in 2013 are finally arriving.

@MinecraftGreek I'm almost certain the NX will have x86 architecture. AMD last year let slip a major player in the industry had made talks to use the x86 chip in a forthcoming system. That sounds like Nintendo readying up for the NX.

They were total idiots not to drop the price after the first year. See what it did for the 3DS? Nintendo never learns, even when what they do works, they still can't put 2 and 2 together and apply a successful price drop to another failing system. 3DS WAS going to die just like the Wii U but the drop saved it.

If Nintendo truly wants to be the big dog again, it has to recognize that it IS in competiton with Sony and Microsoft. They cannot kid themselves anymore. That is the first step they need to do.

Second, the NX needs to be up to par with the PS5 and the Xbox Two or whatever it'll be called. Hardware, when it comes to consoles, MATTERS. It must be a TRUE 9th gen console when Nintendo plans to showcase it in either 2016 or 2017.

Those first two steps are crucial because it won't matter how many third parties it gets because they are far too busy making money with the PS4 and Xbox One. Nintendo has to bend over backwards a little and make the hardware for third party companies much easier to work with. It's THAT simple.

@Mr_Zurkon You can get one for $200 same price as a 3DS and no where near the price of a Xbone or PS4.

Nintendo now is just making the games they promised and then they will pack it in and leave the Wiiu. So we'll see all their new big projects on the NX or whatever it's called. Yay wasted money on a console not even Nintendo had faith in.

Nintendo need to get the Wii U retail price beneath $200. They have the bank balance to cover their loses and should at least be looking to damage limitation on their remaining units still on the market. Get the system out there and into people's homes as an affordable alternative to Sony/Xbox and they might be able to shift some more software units to boot.

It's a very very very bad situation for Nintendo to be in.. By the time the NX comes out it'll not only have to be competitively priced with the PS4 / XB1 but it'll also have to be waaaaay more powerful as the PS5 / XB2 would possibly be releasing shortly after.. Will Nintendo be willing to release a mega powerful console? Do they even have the technical knowhow / eagerness to push it?

I don't think Nintendo can continue to appease the general public with gimmicks or "new ways to play".. At the same time I don't think Nintendo has it in them to be able to compete with 4 consoles (PS4/5 XB1/2).. Nintendo's timing seems totally off..

Nintendo has also always sucked at marketing.. They'd have to spend hugeeeeeee amounts to get the console sales so that third party developers would be willing to risk making games for them again. They need to make it as cheap and hassle free as humanly possible to encourage third party support..

I own a Wii U and love it, but I think its a smart move to end it and get on with a new console that is marketed better and resolves the glaring issues the Wii U had, namely make it more powerful, less gimmicky, and more accessible to third party developers.

There are still a few issues that need to be considered when it comes to new hardware. If they launch next year like so many suspect, they will launch in the middle of a 'generation' with what everyone is hoping to be a massively powerful x86 console, which would have the price tag that goes with it.
This means they fight for the same pieces of the pie ad the others, after many people already made their purchase for this generation. If an NX released next year and somehow sold 10 million in its first year, that would still leave numbers like 10m for NX, 30m for Xbox and 50m for ps4(pulled numbers out of my ass just for example and arguments sake).
Will supporting Wii U until its end of life while supporting a new device help the bottom line? will third parties flock to the system or just find other reasons to avoid fragmenting their developments?

How will Nintendo's launch Line up look? it would have to be extra fantastic in order to compete with the games libraries of the other consoles which will have been out for close to 3 years by that point.

People seem to be hoping they'll launch all of their top franchises at launch like the end of a fireworks display, here's metroid, here's Mario galaxy 3 and star fox zero reloaded and donkey Kong and Mario kart 9 and Zelda nx.

Maybe they'll launch next year, maybe they won't, but if they do, I don't think it will end well. Then they're stuck in the mid generation cycle for every new console, unless they make one that remains a seller for one and a half or more generations.

@freaksloan are you talking about the white basic model that everyone has been blowing out?

God I hope people aren't terribly disappointed when they realise that the lack of big new AAA software on show at this years E3 wasn't because Nintendo was focussing on moving many of its games to NX.

To be blunt—unless some miracle occurs; I don't actually see the situation being any better on NX, and I don't think you should be pinning your hope on that or using it as any kind of rational for why you're not seeing certain big games on Wii U. I just don't think Nintendo is making them. It's that simple—and if it is making them then it's not showing them because they're really early in development, which means it's not holding them back for NX; it just never had any intention of making them till this late in the game in the first place.

I think people are giving Nintendo far too much credit at this point—that they imagine its got some genius master plan up its sleeve for NX and is holding back any big software, which the Wii U could definitely benefit from, as part of that master plan. Nintendo simply isn't giving you what you want and creating false hopes that its just playing its cards close to its chest and has some long term goal in mind, where you're almost magically going to get everything you want with its next console, is, imo, just fantasy.

I hope I'm wrong but the one thing I'm not going to do is give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt this time. Nintendo needs to either put the f' up or shut the f' up, as far as I'm concerned.

@Jazzer94 yes, sad but true, been burned to much this go around...

@Mr_Zurkon https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/us/po/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?categoryNav=true&navAction=jump&navCount=0&atg.multisite.remap=false&productId=prod150200&categoryId=cat160004

I just bought my 2nd Wii U.

@freaksloan Show me a dutch store (or any store that use euros) that sells a Wii U for that price. The US isn't the only country out there.

Well buy NX at launch is in my book, so yeah this is awesome, or almost awesome!

Meh. I bought the system at launch, liked it a lot, I'm supporting it well into 2020; That's not going to change.

Let's wait & see what the next piece of hardware brings to the table.

Well this article is interesting, especially as it is EXACTLY what I said during E3 on Wednesday June 17th.
"Would Likely Now be on NX" - Nintendo Life - https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/next_metroid_prime_home_console_title_would_likely_now_be_on_nx#comment3055221

I agree with everything this article said. I think Reggie basically stated it in his initial comments during the direct - "We have new hardware, which we will talk about next year". He could have followed that up with "Here's everything we have left in the production pipe until then".

I feel really jaded from the idea that the Wii U will not get BIG support past next year. I think it would be smart if Nintendo made the NX backwards compatible with the Wii U and eshop. I will bite the bullet and buy the NX if I don't have to repurchase Wii U games.

Perhaps the NX will be slightly more powerful than the Wii U and we will see simultaneous releases on several games not just the next Zelda.

@Kirk yes. I am sorry but nintendo needs to make a system hardware wise compatible / comparable to the Xbox and Sony. It just drives me nuts when I Company says well I was going to put my brand new awesome game on the Wii U but it just does not work with the current engine

@Tops

I simply don't agree, because of what you said in your second statement:

"The problem then would be sustaining a decent stream of content for the U throughout 2016 and most of 2017. The only two games I'm looking forward to coming in 2016 are Zelda and SMT x FE."

SMTxFE and Zelda ARE the only two games coming in 2016, and as the article articulated, there's just nothing else coming other than little experiments. We'll probably see Project Guard, Project Robot and Project Treasure during this transition, but after that, there really isn't anything else other than some notable eshop titles. The Wii U, and furthermore, Nintendo cannot keep this system alive that long.

My thoughts are more in line with a Holiday 2016 - Early 2017 release. The earlier the better, because the Wii U has now become an awkward stop-gap.

Where is Nintendo's Quality of Life?

Anyway, Nintendo we are going to be spending more time a part. It's not me, it's you and your arrogance of how you supposedly know what gamers want despite the signs of dwindling support.

The Wii U will definitely go down as a failed system with a small library of games, but they're damn good games.

As for the 3DS, it still has a bit of steam left in it, particularly from 3rd parties. I think Nintendo might be on their last batch of games for it though. Once that steam has run out, the system will come to a sudden, but natural end.

The 3DS will definitely go down as the system that made a huge comeback and defied all the odds. It has an incredible library, and easily one of my favorites.

As for NX, there's a lot that Nintendo needs to do. I'll take a wait and see approach. The big issues they'll need to find a solution for are that they're launching mid-generation, which means they are effectively competing with 4 systems, and that 3rd party games have trouble selling on their home consoles.

Until Nintendo shores up 3rd party relations with all the big players and receives software parity with the other two consoles, it really doesn't matter what they do with the next hardware.

An apt comparison is BlackBerry and their struggles to stay relevant against Apple and Android. Until they get the apps those other two stores have, they can put out all the Passports and Leaps they want to try and stand out; it simply won't matter.

Oh, and saying things like "But really what's most important to us is, how do we create a system that is both unique and affordable so that everyone can afford it and everyone can enjoy it." doesn't help either, because all that comes out sounding like is that they're still after the next "Wii" success story.

@IceClimbers Every major home console system has/had a bunch of good games. The Wii U having some good games is nothing special in the slightest. On basically all accounts, the Wii U is a total failure and and flop in basically every single way, so far. At this rate, by the end of its life the Wii U will be one of the most disappointing consoles all-round ever, imo.

@Mr_Zurkon Actually, from what I can see anyway, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 retail for just shy of £300 (here in the UK), whereas a basic 8GB Wii U goes for around £185 - although, to be fair, the 32GB model is considerably pricier. It is still a high price though, I agree!

I still love the Wii U and can't wait for it's big releases later this year. Even if this system hasn't done that spectacular, and I know almost no one that owns it, I enjoy this machine and all of its content

Can we move on with this topic? NX is barely a thing, leave Wii U alone

@Kirk I don't think it's going to be drastically different, but EAD have had a 3D Mario game done every 2 years going back to 2007. This holiday would be the timeframe for another, but we don't even know what they're working on? Combine it with Miyamoto's comments about the next 3D Mario being on the next console and I think it's a fairly safe bet to say EAD are working on Mario NX. I don't think it will be Galaxy 3, don't think we'll ever see that, but it will be in the 64/Galaxy mould rather than 3D Land/World. Then there's Retro... and Nintendo kept stressing there's more than one team at Retro, so they were already working on something by the time they finished DK Tropical Freeze, which was probably finished back in 2013 and then held back til February 14 to space their releases out. So I think we could probably add they're next big project to the launch line up.

Will they be putting out games any faster on NX? Probably not, but they could at least have a couple of big exclusives ready to go. Providing they build the system right, they should be able to get 3rd party ports too. If those ports sell, then 3rd party sticks around, but Nintendo needs strong hardware sales right from the start.

And one more thing: the GamePad. What Nintendo ended up having to realize is that people simply don't care for/want a dual screen home console experience.

Sure it's great for web browsing and Off TV play, but that's about it. The fact that it looks like a LeapPad doesn't help against traditional tablets either.

I'm a Wii U owner since day one and I've always been trying to stay optimistic about the future of this console but after last week's E3, I totally lost all the remaining optimism I had for Wii U simply because even Nintendo itself (judging from the upcoming games coming for the console) has lost all hopes as well and they just took the harsh decision to literally pack everything that it was due for Wii U (meaning, AAA unanounced titles such as Retro Studios new game for example) and move it into the next platform wich would be NX. At this point I'm not even excited for Zelda U anymore wich will probably be released in both Wii U and NX but that will probably happen in 2 more years at least. Gosh, I love my Wii U and the current library of games it has is amazing (Splatoon is currently my GOTY) but I have to say that I can't wait to move on to the next Nintendo system now.

@Peach64 I guess we shall see...

I know the idea I have for NX, both in terms of hardware and software (as well as firmware, services and features), would most likely make Nintendo the market leader next-gen but I'm pretty much 100% certain we're not going to see anything like the system I have in my head at this point.

@freaksloan that's a good price, but it is a refurb, not new.

I just hope Nintendo will learn from their mistakes from the Wii U,and don't repeat them with the NX.

Other than reveal bigger games this past e3 Nintendo should have announced a price cut for the Wii U. I think Nintendo should hold off and reveal info at E3 2017 then have a 2018 release. Don't rush it. Get everything right and give us the ultimate Nintendo system.

@indienapolis Yeah I see what you are saying, but I think or I should say I hope Nintendo has truly learned from the past 2 launches of the 3DS and then the Wii U and truly surprise people with something that can at the very least, at launch, pull back the Nintendo fans.

They keep saying they have learned but I will like many be keeping a keen eye on what they reveal and make my mind up only then.

By the way; absolutely none of this speculation about Nintendo holding back games for NX will matter in the slightest, if Nintendo makes the NX similar to the machine and service I suggested a few days back. In fact; it would only ultimately help the Wii U in the long run—at least in the hearts and minds of gamers, consumers and the gaming media; if not in terms of increased Wii U hardware sales. Such is the "genius" of my idea for what NX could be, imo.

Well, they definitely have multiple Wii U games in development, but I think they were holding back to assess Wii U sales situation. Those games might come to Wii U in the first place, but will go to NX instead if sales keep missing target. They are in difficult position, either keep supporting Wii U with small userbase or try to hit it big for NX. They could also, try to be cross-gen like this gen early games, so game will come to Wii U and NX simultaneously.

Regarding price cut, I agree but somewhere I read that Nintendo haven't sold all of their first batch inventory yet. Considering they have 9 millions or so target in the first year, it's natural to think they might over-produce and remember that Wii U was sold at loss at start. If they haven't cleared their first year inventory, they won't benefit from reduction production cost to warrant a price cut.

@Peach64 If there's one thing that will play into Nintendo's favor, it's that the PS4 and XB1 are just getting started as far as games go from 3rd parties. Those systems should be around for a few years, though not as long as the PS3 and 360. Seeing as how the PS4 and XB1 are pretty weak as it is, Nintendo could have the benefit of having 3rd party multiplats for the first couple years at least, as it won't take much to release a system that's more powerful than the current Sony/Microsoft systems.

The big issue is getting them to sell. If that doesn't happen, then 3rd parties will jump ship. Simple as that. The other issue is that people already have one of the other two systems, or have already decided on a system.

Here are my bold predictions for the next year. This is based entirely on my own speculation.

Nintendo will announce a Wii U price drop in September. They will also create a value bundle with the console and a couple of big games (probably Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon) for $300. Black Friday sales will see older Wii U bundles selling for $150 at most major retail chains. The combination of all this will allow the Wii U to reach 15 million in lifetime sales by March 31st 2016.

At E3 2016 Nintendo will unveil NX as a development platform similar to I/OS that will eventually be available in different formats from Nintendo (console/handheld) but may also be licensed to other companies to be included in their products (TVs with NX built in, NX on PC etc). They will also announce whatever Retro Studios is working on and a new Mario 3D World game as launch titles. The launch will be set for spring 2017 with the first format being a Nintendo home console. The handheld version will not show up for at least 18 months after that, mostly due to the cost of producing such a thing.

Nintendo will then re-affirm their intentions to support the Wii U through Christmas 2016 by showcasing Zelda Wii U and a few other games. Zelda Wii U will eventually show up on NX, but not at launch. The launch will be about games that were designed with NX in mind.

I still haven't seen one shred of evidence from Nintendo that states the NX is HARDWARE. They call it a PLATFORM. Aside from that, here are some issues:

The system is woefully underpowered
Nintendo admitted they had no idea how to make HD games
People still refer to the Wii U as just Wii
The name of the Wii U was one of the worst decisions Nintendo has ever made
Nintendo is terrible at marketing and PR
While Amibo is a good idea supply issues have thoroughly p****ed a lot of people off
The complete lack of a real account system is shameful
System storage capacity is so small it hurts
Nintendo says they know what we want, but when is the last time they have actually delivered what the loud majority of their fans wanted?

We wanted a darker, more adult Zelda game; we get cartoonish/painted games. We wanted Super Mario Galaxy 3; we got Super Mario 3D World. We wanted a new, TRUE Metroid game; we got Metroid Soccer. We wanted Retro to work on said Metroid; we got more Donkey Kong. We wanted a new F-Zero; we got nothing. We want a new Kid Icarus; we got nothing. We want good 3rd party games; we get dancing games from Ubisoft. We wanted N64, GameCube, TG16, Genesis, NeoGeo games on Virtual console; we got GBA, DS and Wii games instead. etc., etc., etc..

That said, when anyone in my family plays on the Wii U they Usually have a smile and clearly have fun. I can't say the same When they try my PS4 or XB1.

P.S. The Wii U is the new NeoGeo. No one is willing to risk making games for it except the parent company.

@kiigu Or they could go one better and their new games could be "multi-gen".

@FragRed There wasn't much wrong with the Wii U's launch ; the problems arose in the following months. Claiming the PS4 had a strong list of first party games when it launched is stretching the truth a bit in my opinion.
Nobody outside of Nintendo knows what NX is , or when it is coming. How many third parties will be still in business when it launches ? Will Sony and Microsoft be making new consoles ? Will other players be in the hardware market ?
The Wii U has some interesting games coming over the next few months , with more likely to follow. I think this Christmas holiday will be the last chance for the Wii U to attain Gamecube level sales. Nintendo need to cut the price to below £179 for the 32GB console with a top tier game ; advertise the fact that Wii games and peripherals can be used with it ; emphasise the creative uses for the gamepad ; sort their account system / cross buy out. As a foot note , this site and others made a big deal of Reggie's comments about Metroid , but didn't report on a comment he made later in the same interview :
"I hope that your readers are excited about games like Xenoblade Chronicles X, a big massive game. We’ve created quite a series of hits in the RPG area on our 3DS business. We think we can replicate that on the Wii U business. That’s something we’re looking aggressively at.”

@NintyMan I think you'd be surprised at what they could have developed so far. Nintendos main studios have been quiet for a long time with nothing on the radar upcoming for wii u.
I suspect:

Retro Studios - meteoid NX
They have been very quiet since setting on new staff whilst winding up donkey kong.

EAD division 3 - Zelda NX
Zelda Wii U has been in development a LONG time and then mysteriously put back beyond the announced date when they will showcasing NX.

EAD division 1 - F-ZERO NX
After dabbling heavily with F-zero in mariokart 8, EAD 1 has announced nothing since mariokart 8.

Shigeru Miyamoto - realist/leader/dream maker
This man is nintendo, and the only person who has spoken a true perspective on the position of the wii u. In addition to this, he has been very quiet on what he is actually working on, and his sub-divisions. He has developed concepts for star Fox, the game is being developed by platinum, mario maker is finished. What has the bulk of his time been spent on? Especially as he is very openly looking to NX.

The wii u will have served a very hard 4 year life span since 2012 which is amazing considering its commercial battering outside of Japan. I think nintendo will have learnt a lot from wii u.

What's most amazing is how much power does matter. Not in terms of games bit in terms of market appeal. I have a wii u and a ps4. Wii u is my favourite console ever and has a much stronger library, the ps4 is rubbish and has almost nothing worth playing. Which has sold the most units?????

The general market don't play games anymore, they buy tech and show off. They then buy whatever EA/Activision and flashy loud adverts tell them to buy. There are some quality games on ps4 that have sold nothing, but yet the same regurgitated rubbish sells millions. Quite sad really.

NX is nintendos chance at a reset switch and make the sort of noise they're capable of. They just need to tread carefully and not be afraid to let wii u die gracefully, instead of flogging a dead horse like they did with the Wii in its last 24 months.

I think it'd be better to reveal the NX before E3 in mid-late May. Make E3 about the games.

I just want to see Nintendo's next handheld system. It should be powerful and have the entire virtual console at launch. I definitely think that Nintendo is dropping Wii U support, so I hope that they're working on something big in the meantime.

@garthvader The reason the 3DS underperformed was because of the price and the weak launch line-up. The reason the Wii U is a flop is because the product is unappealing and confusing. The original price of the Nintendo 3DS was raised before the release, because the reception was so great. When Nintendo dropped the price they adjusted to the weak sales and only made a minor loss per unit. The Wii U was already sold at a loss when it released. There was and is no guarantee it would have performed better with a lower price point. The only thing certain is, that Nintendo would've lost way more money per unit. If you consider the 3DS only took of the shelves AFTER Mario Kart 7 has been released, that Mario Kart 8 didn't sell many systems and that the majority of 3DS systems have been sold in Japan (a country that has abandoned the home console market), it's pretty clear a price reduction wouldn't have moved many additional systems. In the end you buy a home console because you want great games. The Wii U has already one of the strongest first party line-ups of any Nintendo console. If that is not enough to you, because you want third party-support, a better price wouldn't have convinced you. Just think of the Gamecube. Not long after release, the price of it has been reduced to 99€/$. It still sold abysmally.

@sdcazares1980 I don't know. Seems to be a few here who want a powerful NX that can compete with PS4/Xbone but... Nintendo.

Miyamoto on NX: "unique and affordable"

I bought my Wii U knowing it'll probably end up taking pride of place in a box next to my Dreamcast - a noble failure - but like a few others here I can't imagine being swayed by NX straight off the bat. I just can't see them delivering a great launch line-up or luring enough 3rd parties. Would love to be proved wrong but... Nintendo.

@Hordak

To this day, I still don't understand why Nintendo put it's handheld games on the Wii U, and not the 3DS. If you want to do both, fine, but without the 3DS's inclusion? I don't understand the point.

Most curiously, I'm looking at the DS games awkwardly placed on the gamepad.

If NX is a hybrid home/portable and we still can't buy and take digital SNES games on the go, I'm out. If there is one thing I would want before I die it's a portable system that allows me to have a ton of SNES games on it. That would make me happy forever.

@Ryno
Quality of Life should release in the first half of 2016. I have no idea when they plan on revealing it...

Too bad Mario Maker won't have that long to get sales. It could've been really successful. I'm really looking forward to the NX though.

I'm hoping for a 3D Mario and a new Animal Crossing at launch and I think I saw someone around here mention a "Super Smash Bros. U" Ultimate Edition with all the DLC. That's a really neat idea.

@Hordak You mean digital SNES games, right?

If so, then I totally hear you.

In fact; if it is some kind of hybrid portable/console then I personally would like it to play digital versions of games from basically all Nintendo's previous consoles ever, both handhelds and home consoles, and that even includes Virtual Boy games and also its old arcade games. All of them—ideally from Wii U all the way backwards.

@DESS-M-8 Retro Studios is not currently working on Metroid, or at least Metroid Prime. I think they are working on something else as their main project (they can work on more than one game at a time).

The Mario Kart 8 producer is working on mobile games. Not sure what the rest of the team is working on. Perhaps that rumored Diddy Kong Racing?

I certainly wont be buying another nintendo console at launch as I suspect others will be wary too giving all the broken promises and the last couple of gens. I wonder would nintendo ever consider making a regular power console again with a decent architecture to promote 3rd parties back. Gamepad was seriously underused and the waggle controls of the wii never appealed to me beyond the novelty.

No offense, but after the incredibly crappy Wii U support from third party, and the lack of any teen/adult games, I don't care about Nintendo's consoles anymore, there not worth it. Nintendo does make good games, but one game to play every three or so months is really crappy. At this point, Even the great games coming out aren't enough to entice ppl to buy a Wii U

Okay, I love my Wii U. I've played some great games on it, including my absolute favorite, and Miiverse got me into drawing. However, it's looking like the next two years are going to be like the last couple of years for the Wii. Hopefully there'll be a couple more good games in these last couple of years, and hopefully things turn out better on the NX.

@hYdeks I'd be happy with one every three months tbh

@OneBagTravel Its not that its dry for next year they just chose to announce nothing for next year which is why even before e3 they said they were gunna almost fully talk about whats coming out this year. Besides we got some games we know coming next year and its going to be a glorious year next year.

I don't think this is entirely NX development starting. Nintendo is always trying to keep two plates floating at the same time. What I saw was the opposite of last E3. The 3DS/N3DS got a lot of attention and the Wii U was left with scraps. Give them 9 months and the focus will switch back in a panicked attempt to shore up the Wii U.

If worse comes to worse and Nintendo's done with the Wii U, then I can accept that. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth.

The NX has to be easy to develop for and powerful, as long as you hit these two things, Nintendo can get as experimental as they want. Underpowered hardware and lack of third party will lead to the same old story, no matter what they come up with.

There were a lot of launch games for the Wii U that were just ports which didn't interest a lot of gamers. I on the other hand had lots of games to play at launch since I never was able to play any of these games on other systems or PC. Even today I still have loads of games to play for the Wii U so I'll definitely be enjoying it for years to come. I'm still playing some games for Wii that I never got a chance to play while it was in current gen state.

@IceClimbers you have no idea what they are working on, same goes for EAD 1 and 3, along with divisions 2, 4 and 5. That's my point entirely. It has been AGES since anything has come from them and nobody knows what they're working on. The 3 franchises I stated are the games the referenced divisions are responsible for, therefore an educated guess is the foundation of my suspicion. It would also be supported by the "water testing" nintendo has conducted with metroid and FZERO lately to confirm or deny apparent market demand for these games.
They are developing NX right now,
they are developing NX software right now.
The lead nintendo divisions are definitely working on NX, lead by miyamoto.
Their market testing lately hints at these games.

Again, observation based suspicion, I don't know what they are developing and neither do you. But I guarantee I'm closer than you.

@kingofthesofa First of all, Nintendo don't control the prices in the UK or Europe like they do in the US. They let retailers decide on pricing over here. Has been that way since the Wii, perhaps even longer. So any price drop is up to the retailers not Nintendo.

Secondly, I would assume considering the NX is being revealed next year that it will have a 2017 launch. If correct then I would be honestly surprised if there way major change in what third party developers and publishers are still in business. Perhaps Japanese companies like Capcom and Konami will be gone but in the West they are still generating lots of money from console gaming.

As for whether Sony and Microsoft will still be making hardware, thats a different thing. It is no secret that Microsoft as a company really doesn't want the Xbox division anymore and has been repeatedly rumoured to be looking at ways of spinning it off or selling it etc. However they do keep denying it and I think as long as it sells well enough that the losses aren't too huge (in terms that it doesn't put Microsoft into the red or drain most their profits), they will keep supporting it. I do think Microsoft will leave the industry and not produce a follow up system even if they are currently doing the R&D for one right now.

Sony depends on the PlayStation to survive. Simple as that. They need it. However there is a growing call from shareholders to spin it off along with the entertainment division and it is widely thought that within 10 years, the PlayStation brand will be spun off in some way. As for whether there will be a PlayStation 5, I would say almost certainly even though rumours are going around the R&D has been stopped on it. I cannot see PS Now doing well enough to justify making the core future for the brand.

A lot of people compare the Wii U to the Dreamcast. I don't see it. I see it more simmilar to the Sega Saturn.

Both are succesors to very succesful consoles (the Wii was successful, you like it or not), were aimed at the "hardcore" gamers and fanboys, its launch price was a pricey and its' lineup was full of ports, had a small but good library or games in its lifetime, it is remembered fonldy by gamers and it made lose faith ib the brand.

Dreamcast failed because it was aimed at the PS users that didn't give a damn. Let's hope the NX doesn't make that mistake.

Although the Wii U has a small library of games, 8 out of 10 games on it are good! Unlike the other consoles only 2 out of 10 games are good. I love my Wii U and I have totally no regret buying it. It's my favorite console so far!

I don't think Wii U is a 'failure', it's successful in Japan and gaining momentum.

I am not putting much hope in the idea that the NX will be anything more than another Nintendo "compromise" console. I'm expecting a souped-up handheld with graphics slightly better than the Wii-U could muster, but still nowhere near as powerful as the PS4. Nintendo's recent history suggest they'll put an effort on budget and a new gimmick rather than producing a truly powerhouse console. So disappointed in Nintendo.

@DESS-M-8 The lead EAD groups are working on Zelda U, Star Fox Zero, the next 3D Mario, and a few of the upcoming filler games on Wii U. There's a few other things in the works, of course.

It's been confirmed that the producer of Mario Kart 8 has been tasked with Nintendo's mobile development. Tanabe also confirmed that a proper Metroid Prime is not currently in development. That means Retro is most likely not working on Metroid right now unless it's a 2D metroidvania game or Other M 2.

Past that, everything else is speculation. I seriously doubt F-Zero is in development.

I've 92 U games, more Wii and about 20 vc, so I can say genuinely that I love its library and function as a hub for many landmark titles from their history. I agree with this article, I just hope the NX doesn't come out until 2018 alongside the other next gen installments, as this time will be plenty to perfect more games and have (hopefully) equal to better graphical power. I feel very uneasy about releasing any sooner.

@AirElephant There are no "truly powerhouse consoles". Not anymore. The PS4 and XB1 are underpowered, outdated tech. The same will be true of the PS5, XB4, and NX in order to be affordable for the mass market.

I am still getting a Wii U just to play xenoblade chronicles X, Zelda and StarFox. Nintendo once again, very smart....if they would only tell now if you can play Wii U games on the NX, then I might wait for that to come out instead.

Great article. One cannot deny that some weird choices have been made by Nintendo regarding the marketing of the console. Star Fox for instance, looks like it's 10 years old! And there are still quite a number of people who dont know the difference between a wii and a wiiU. Then there is the 3rd party issue. such weird choices..

That being said, I still think the WiiU is the console I had the most fun with. I love the gamepad to play offscreen, and since I haven't had all Nintendo consoles, the VC is awesome and I've discovered some true gems there (Metroid series!). I hope Nintendo puts a lot of effort in releasing vc's and Indies on the WiiU if it's truly coming to an end.

My WiiU is faaaaaaaar from being replaced.

3.4 million is going to be a tough number to hit. I'm not sure what Nintendo's thought process was. This past fiscal year Nintendo only sold 3.37 million units and that's with Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. coming out during that period. Unless Zelda Wii U comes out by March 31, 2016 (it has pretty much been confirmed that it isn't) I don't see them getting even close to 3.4 million. I'm sorry but there is no way that Super Mario Maker and Yoshi's Wolly World will ship more units than Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. combined.

Here are the total sales figures of current gen home consoles as of February 18, 2015.
PlayStation 4 Total Sales: 19,052,353
Xbox One Total Sales: 11,298,462
Wii U Total Sales: 9,137,844

I have a feeling Xbox One sales will go up quite a bit with the announcement of backwards compatibility. I think the PS4 sales rate will be a bit higher. Unfortunately I think Wii U sales will be quite a bit lower compared to the other consoles.

Nintendo seems to be phasing out the Wii U however they seem to still be supporting the 3DS with some fairly good spinoff titles. If the NX is a portable and handheld device in one, why wouldn't they slow down 3DS game development as well? This makes me think that the NX will most likely be a home console but it could connect to a more powerful version of the 3DS.

I'm not sure what the sales predictions are for the 3DS but unfortunately I'm not sure they will reach those figures either. There are some great games coming this fall and early next year but there are any standout titles (the omission of a main Pokemon game will hurt sales this fiscal year).

Edit: I know what someone is going to say so I'll go through the dialogue now.
Someone: "Well Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. are still out."
Me: "True."
Someone: "So Super Mario Maker and Yoshi's Wolly World will convince those who haven't bought a Wii U for Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart 8 to buy one."
Me: "So you are telling me that there are 3.4 million people who haven't bought a Wii U because they were waiting for Super Mario Maker and/or Yoshi's Wolly World. I don't think so."

They should put all the VC games available at launch for NX. Nes, Snes, N64, GAME CUBE, even Wii. VC on Wii U has been ridiculous, it's like they don't want our money. Also, not paying a fourth time for Super Mario World would be great, thanks.
Also, I hope there is backwards compatibility, but a strong one. Like, making as much Wii U eshop games available on NX, at least all the first party games are a need. The game pad support could be troublesome though...
As for the 3DS, there's at least one big hit coming to it, aside from already announced games. The final game(s) of Pokémon's 6th gen will be on the 3DS. Heck, maybe even 7th gen will be on 3DS. Wii U is the real problem here.

Considering the lack of sources, I'm going to take this article's commentary with a heaping grain of salt. If they are right, though, and Nintendo's best teams have been transitioned away from the Wii U, then they really need to have a plan in place to make sure this doesn't happen again. The biggest problem with the U was a lack of third party support. Unless they manage to secure support for NX among major third parties, nothing is going to change for Nintendo, because people are not going to flock to a console that is missing most of the major third party game releases.

It will be interesting to see how Nintendo treats the Wii U in its "twilight years." I have a 3DS and a Wii that I still use pretty often, as well as a PS3. I bought a PS4 instead of a Wii U; a significant factor in the decision was the way Nintendo dropped support of the Wii so quickly. Pretty much all of the Wii's 1st party online functions were killed off within 6 months of the Wii U release. SIX MONTHS!!! Compare that to how Sony continued...nay, continues...to support the PS3 nearly 2 years after the PS4 launch. I don't dispute that there are some solid Wii U games, but at this point there is zero chance I will buy a Wii U because I expect Nintendo to drop it hot potato fashion when the NX is released, just as they did with the Wii.

Honestly, at this point I couldn't care less whether the Wii U is a mainstream success or failure.
For me it offers a lot of great content that I haven't even played through yet. I even wished I had bought the Wii U right after its release.
Or to put it this way: I don't care what the rest of the world does as long as I have so much fun with my Wii U.
You can't really expect every Nintendo console to be as successful as the Wii was. But at least you can always expect Nintendo to continue releasing good games and nice, new features. Even if they're not always perfect.

Apart from that: I know this is a 'Talking point' article, so it's more like a comment than a news article. But after reading it, I felt like it contained nothing I don't know already...

I intend on buying the new Nintendo system at launch. Then when the inevitable drought hits I will buy the last gen Sony system (PS4 in this case) and catch up on all the games I missed.

This strategy worked very well this past gen. Most Nintendo games do not drop in price very quickly. And when they do, they are pretty scarce so even used game prices are high. I bought new Wii U games as they came out, and then bought a PS3 when the first drought hit. Bought most of last gen's hits for $5-15 and they were readily available so I always had something to play.

Truthfully, if the PS4 had announced backwards compatibility, I probably would have bought that instead...But this strategy was such a resounding success that I will do that with the NX and PS4 too .

@Tulio517 To be fair to Nintendo, the problems over VC on Wii U is not entirely their fault. The reason the Wii got so many games across so many systems on the Wii was because the developers or publishers themselves were actively doing the ports/emulations. However this didn't happen for the Wii U and it was therefore Nintendo are the ones who have to do the ports/emulations themselves. And I guess Nintendo don't feel there is enough reasons to put money and resources into doing that. The sales they generate from it may just not be worth it.

@shani Agreed. I love my Wii U and there are a bunch of great games for it. However, I think that sales have forced Nintendo to move on to NX faster which is now causing less games to come out for Wii U, which is frustrating to Wii U owners.

No mention of the terrible name that's confusing to mainstream gamers. This doesn't give me hope that they'll name the NX something that won't be confused for a Wii add-on.

@NickBrocious The title of this article is laughable. There is a problem with console gaming, and it is that the market is shrinking. A large portion have moved to mobile. Look at Japan; only Sony & Nintendo have a presence there. Although the West still buys Xbox & are fans of shooters, it's non-existent in that country. Mobile is king there. Here in the states the younger generation of gamers are on mobile. I have kids (5-9 y/o), they and their friends are on mobile. Hopefully Nintendo can court mobile and still get some 3rd party support on any of it's consoles. That goes for the NX; whatever that will be. That's also a sore spot for me WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT OR WHEN THE NX WILL BE. People need to stop talking about it.

Nintendo seriously need to expand aggressively. They need to spend some dough into hiring more people and forming new teams that will be able to make games faster and better. And they need to invest in developing new tech and next gen engines, not to mention training their existing staff in using the new techniques.
It would be an investment for the future. Nintendo seems to have trouble making modern games, in both graphics and game mechanics.

I will admit that I'll be disappointed if the system I bought thinking it would have a five-year lifespan is replaced at the end of next year.

Still, I have to account for the fact that I bought my Wii U at a much lower price than I'd have paid for an XBox One or PS4, and that it came packed with a game. I was given a full retail game for free when I bought Mario Kart 8. And in the three years that I'll have owned a Wii U by fall 2016, I'll have not paid a cent to play it online.

As disappointing as the brevity of the Wii U's lifespan will likely be, I have to remember all the advantages I've gained from this console.

@jjmesa16 Yeah that may be true, but it doesn' frustrate me at all. I'll just play all those Wii U games that I haven't finished (or not even started properly) and I'll still be occupied for a long time. When I'm finished with that, I'll get the NX. Essentially, I did the same with my Wii/Wii U.
@Dr_Corndog NX won't be released next year, what gives you the idea that it will? Nintendo said it will PRESENT the NX next year, that means it will be released in 2017 at the earliest(!). That would make it a five-year-lifespan.
@TomKnows: I get your point regarding mobile gaming, but I doubt that it will replace stationary gaming (not saying streaming won't become more important). So far mobile games can't reach the complexity and innovation that gaming on PC's an home consoles provide.
Although I'm an out-and-out gamer, I rarely play games on my smartphone, because they're all boring and unchallenging compared to the games I usually play. Even when Nintendo releases its mobile games, I can't imagine myself playing them a lot.
Just to give you an example: You can't play an enormous game like Legend of Zelda on your smartphone, because it takes 100+ hours to finish it. It's far too exhausting to play it on such a small screen, it would cause huge neck pain staring down on my smartphone (or arm pain because of holding it up in the air). Also the battery life of a smartphone doesn't allow for such long play sessions. And finally, you can't concentrate on such a demanding game while playing on a mobile device. It's just too small to immerse you that much into a complex game and you constantly would be distracted by someone or something else.

Mobile games are and will be a financial success because of the casual market. But if you don't want to play crap like Flappybirds or maybe a short round of Mario Bros. (I'm naming that title because that's something that would fit smartphones), you'll always need a stationary system with a bigger screen and more input methods. Playing solely on a touchscreen really sucks (and I usually like touchscreens and new input methods like motion sensors).

@NintyMan Consoles in general aren't powerhouses. Not anymore. The PS5 and XB4 won't be powerhouses because they need to affordable to the mass market and not be a massive money sink - they want to be able to turn a profit around faster, just like they did with the PS4 and XB1, which are underpowered, outdated tech.

Therefore, the NX will be underpowered without a doubt. They can position the NX as a console that can play the current AAA 3rd party multiplats at a consistent 1080p 60fps, if not 1440p 60fps.

" Frankly, we suspect that to be PR spin, as the only confirmed long-term project not shown was The Legend of Zelda for Wii U - that's still confirmed for the system, but that doesn't mean it won't get the Twilight Princess treatment as a launch title on NX, too."

Remember E3 2013, when Nintendo said they'd talk mostly about games that were coming soon, as in within a year? I sure do, I also remember Nintendo never skipping an E3 with TP footage and delaying it in 2005 to show it again in '06. What I'm getting at is speculating about games based on the past doesn't always add up to what you think might be the future.

Okay, serious question: Who the hell is the target audience for the NX? Who is going to want to buy this thing? Think about it: if you want power, you buy a PC. If you want third party, you buy an Xbox One or PS4. If you're a casual gamer, you buy an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy.

Besides the die hard Nintendo fans (whose numbers have been dwindling lower and lower since the Wii U's launch), who will buy the NX? This is a serious problem Nintendo has to face if they have any prayer of selling units. And if they don't make some serious changes in their console strategy, they're poised to sell even less NX's than Wii Us!

Literally the only way Nintendo can survive as a console manufacturer is if they get third parties on board to lure hardcore gamers back from MS and Sony. But that's a near-impossible task at this point, because that means Nintendo would have to do all of the following:

a) Release a console at least on-par power-wise with the Xbox/Playstation.
b) Release a console with no gimmicks.
c) Repair their horrendous relationships with third party developers.
d) Swallow their pride and promote the work of other studios besides their own, and
e) Learn how to promote M-rated games correctly.

If any one of these doesn't work out, then the chances of seeing good third-party support on NX are slim to none.

Personally I think it's almost too late for them. Sony spent 3+ years repairing their reputation after the negative Playstation 3 launch, and Microsoft is still suffering the effects of their horrendous launch. It takes time to repair relationships with developers and fans... time that, quite frankly, Nintendo doesn't have.

@FlaygletheBagel Well, that first thing is easy to do. The PS4 and XB1 are underpowered, outdated tech that struggle with today's games. Won't take much to release a console that's more powerful.

"the system has not hit a tipping point and taken off, so prioritising it would be a foolish business move."
Really? Well I just don't care, I was there with my money at Wiiu's launch, next time I won't, to abandon WiiU is a foolish move, not keeping users' trust high by support the system, am I a company's shareholder? I'm not, I'm a fan and a consumer, couldn't care less if the wiiu is a nightmare in sales, I'm so disappointed I'm giving away all my stupid amiibos, I wish they never came to life.

People are setting themselves up for great disappointment with their unrealistic expectations for whatever NX is actually going to be.

Thing is, we don't know if the NX is handheld or console so seeing as how the 3DS has almost come to its time, its most likely that the NX would be a handheld instead and why wouldn't it be a handheld?

@FlaygletheBagel There are surprisingly a lot of old school Nintendo fans who want to see Nintendo produce a proper console. A lot of them jumped ship over the years, especially I believe during the Wii and Wii U era.

If Nintendo can damage control the third party support and actively promote it and drive home the M rated/18 rated mature games, thats something we will have to see.

I do believe that Nintendo want to go back more to a hardcore gamer audience while keeping that casual audience. They said that it was a mistake catering the Wii entirely to the casual market and they obviously tried to amend that, with little to no success, on the Wii U. I can't see Nintendo just saying "well we tried" and giving up on that market, I don't think thats an option.

@IceClimbers Maybe, but that's irrelevant to my main point. They can't just get by with one of those things. They have to do all of them reasonably well to get third parties back. And that's asking a lot, especially from a company like Nintendo, who has been either ignoring or making asinine comments about other people's development efforts lately (especially in regards to VR), failing to market mature games like their own Bayonetta 2 post-release, and making gimmicky hardware for generations.

Still no news on a Devil's Third US date.

Really do love my Wii U, it's probably my 2nd favorite all time system behind the 'Cube. But I can't help but wonder how it's lifespan would've been different had Big N handled things "better" from the start.
-Actual and active marketing.
-Account system.
-The name. Just slapping a 2 after a Wii would've been better.
-And some better PR/damage control after a TON of initial negative press the system had after launch.

I'm praying they ditch the Wii name. I think the moniker NX has actually captured a lot of people's attention. The name needs to bring a bit of an old school aesthetic as well as just sounding cooler then "wii u".

@FlaygletheBagel Oh, I know that. However, you forgot the most important one. How are these 3rd party games going to sell? Who will buy them? The people who buy those games are on Xbox/PlayStation (and PC). Nintendo needs those people to switch. Why should they buy an NX for multiplats that they can already get on Xbox/PlayStation?!

Edit: Basically, my main point is that it doesn't matter if Nintendo gets 3rd parties back - if their games don't sell, they won't stay, regardless of Nintendo's efforts. They need to market the 3rd party games as being superior on the NX, and make the PS4 and XB1 look bad. They also need 3rd party exclusives.

@FragRed Yes , I knew that ; European consumer / competition law and all that. Not sure companies can even suggest a recommended retail price anymore. I was talking a worldwide price drop. You make some great points. I think Sony will make a PS5 , because as you stated , they are losing money elsewhere. As for Microsoft , I think the XBOX brand will become a Steam like service.

I dont think the Wii U is done. I think the NX will tie everything together. All this new membership talk and mobile gaming hype, aswell as free form displays, make the NX really interesting.

@FragRed They're developing smartphone games for the casual market now, so now there's literally no reason for Nintendo to try to design their next console for casuals. Unless, of course, they want the NX to flop.

Their only hope for the NX not being a failure is to bring back the disgruntled hardcore gamers that they themselves have alienated. The only way that's going to happen is with a hell of a lot of honesty (a "we f***ed up" every now and then wouldn't hurt, no more of this "we already know you want such and such" or the "we're aware of your concerns" drivel), and most importantly, third party support. And I've already gone into detail about why that's a near-insurmountable hill for Nintendo to climb.

"OH NO! NINTENDO'S E3 SUCKED" everyone's E3 sucks when you're expecting everything you ever wanted to be announced all on the same day.

That being stated, NIntendo, in all my years following E3 religiously (being at about 12-14 years give or take) has almost ALWAYS had bad E3s. The NIntendo Direct methodology is far better for them and I get far more excited for a Direct video than an E3 montage any day.

But still, we all know that Nintendo and Sony both usually kill it at Tokyo Game Show, which in my opinion, is almost always about ten times better than E3.

@IceClimbers And that's the catch-22. Even if third party games DID appear on Nintendo's console, who would abandon their already-established PS4 or Xbox One to get their third party games on Nintendo? And who among Nintendo fans would actually look forward to a Grand Theft Auto or Batman Arkham Knight or Witcher 3 when historically they only gravitate towards first-party games?

The more I think about it, the more I realize how inevitable it is that the NX will fail. Third parties won't sell just like they always haven't. Which means, powerful hardware or not, Nintendo will literally have to support the console by itself.

This is why I'll never understand why people dread the idea of Nintendo going third-party. It obviously makes sense for them, it's less work for them to do, and it isn't of any detriment to us. All that's ever on Nintendo hardware are Nintendo games anyway. Why not make their best-in-class games available on hardware that people actually want to buy?

Actually I look forward to Nintendo taking on a more experimental approach to close out the Wii U. It certainly would be a better final chapter than the overly cautious crap that happened on Wii. I could go without another round of begging and demanding they release the next biggest game on the system.

@mozie for some people it is, especially if all you like to play is Nintendo's games, but for me and lots of other ppl, that unfortunately isn't close to enough to play. I usually find I finish, in whole, about two or so games a month, but I have lots of free time Honestly, if that's enough for you, great and keep enjoying your Wii U

It really is a shame the system appears to be getting phased out. Honestly, it's my favorite console to date and has had a ton of really amazing games come out for it, especially from Nintendo themselves. I feel like we got definitive editions of games like Mario Kart, Smash Bros., and Pikmin among others, and I've personally had more fun with this system than any other I've ever owned. The indie support for the system has been pretty fantastic, and overall, it's a really great system to play games on, and one I'm sad to see has failed so badly from a sales standpoint.

It does make me wonder, however, how much Nintendo was planning for this to be something of an in-between system anyway that got their feet wet with HD development, given the potential plans for the next system serving as a successor to both platforms. I can't imagine them holding back an entire planned 3DS successor just because of the Wii U selling poorly, something they couldn't have known soon enough for a potential unity of platforms to already be in the cards. This hinges on a unified platform, of course, but given the odd naming convention, I do wonder how committed Nintendo truly was to the console in the first place. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to ride it out if it were a massive success, but I do wonder if this was just a stop-gap HD intro for Nintendo before their next venture. Just a thought with the potential future for Nintendo outlined and considered against the past few years.

@FlaygletheBagel Nintendo I believe will actually leave the industry if they couldn't make a success from being a console manufacture and they'll take their IPs with them. They survived 120 years by moving from industry to industry and they are clearly looking at ways to continue to do so with QOL and perhaps other areas we don't yet know about.

But lets say that Nintendo did go third party, first of all I would pretty much guarantee the quality of games would deteriorate, also would die hard Nintendo fans who don't own none Nintendo consoles follow and pick up a PlayStation or Xbox console? It would be a big problem if they don't. Would Nintendo be able to survive against giants like COD, Battlefield and Fallout etc?

@FlaygletheBagel Actually, people wouldn't abandon their PS4 or Xbox One. Those people already have their console. There are, however, millions upon millions of people who have not upgraded from their PS3/360 yet because the games are still coming to those systems (thankfully that's coming to a close). If Nintendo can persuade those people that the XB1 and PS4 are the not best place to play those 3rd party multiplats, they could get some people to come over. Make the PS4/XB1 look outdated (they are).

What I'm describing isn't impossible. It'll be extremely difficult, but not impossible. Now, will Nintendo do that? That I'm not sure on. I wouldn't bank on it though.

@IceClimbers Good point, and I agree with you. It'll be near-impossible. Not impossible per se, but certainly close to it!

@hYdeks I was actually being sarcastic, were not even getting 1 every 3 months, I finish a game and then spend months waiting for the next release, luckily I have an xbone in between to keep me occupied and play third party titles. Its got to be tough for wii u only owners though

Like most people I've been waiting for the Wii U to really take off. Sadly it doesn't look like it ever will. Yes we have Mario Maker, Star Fox, Xenoblade this year and Zelda next year but I would almost guarantee that after Zelda there will be nothing and then the NX will launch sometime in 2017, leaving a good 9-12 month gap with absolutely nothing in between. Oh well. I'm not planning on getting an NX unless they really impress me with it but I have a feeling the U will be my final Nintendo console. I haven't been truly happy with a console of theirs since the Gamecube.

A few observations/opinions:
1. Kaiser Soze. The human equivalent to the NX. Seriously, no one knows anything of substance about it.
2. Can't serve 2 gods. Big N's workload is split between the 3DS and the Wii U, and maybe that is proving to be too much of a burden.
3. Other people's trash. Despite popular belief, there are third party games on the Wii U. AC3, Madden, Ninja Gaiden, 007 legends, Need for Speed, to name a few. Have you played them? I actually own them, and well, they are uncompelling, uninspired and generally not worth owning. So third party developers can whine all they want about wii U sales and Big N issues, but they need to look in the mirror. And we need to stop bemoaning the sufficiency of third party support.
4. Gamepads Everywhere. Look, I disagree with the entire premise of this article. At E3, the gamepad was shown off extensively. You saw it in the hands of Nintendo's legendary developers, NWC competitors and the Treehouse gang. Mario Maker, Star Fox, Fatal Frame intregrate it exclusively. So not sure how one deduces how Big N is done with the Wii U and its "gimmicky gamepad".

@FlaygletheBagel Indeed. I should mention though that it absolutely requires the NX to launch in 2016. Any later than that, and they've missed their window, which is small as it is.

This was exactly what I thought at the beginning when they continuously used the word transformation. They laid it out for us with that single word, yeah we know your going to be disappointed but we are going through a transformation to the next platforms. I would bet Reggie references back to this next year, we did the partnership for mobile, Universal themeparks, and we mentioned NX but now we will will show you.

@IceClimbers Also games like Arkham Knight prove that PC Master Race is nothing but a lie.

@IceClimbers Yep. With their noticeable lack of AAAs in the rest of the Wii U's lifespan, they can't afford to spend two and a half more years twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the NX to come out. They have to put it out next year.

@Shadowkiller97 Same here. Bought a PS3 two years ago and have been buying loads of big games for cheap. Means you can take some risks on those 7/10 games you weren't sure about too. Loved buying a platform when it's been out for years. Since I missed 360 the backwards compatibility is real tempting to get an Xbox One if it means I can go out and buy lots of cheap AAA games.

I'm loving my Wii U at the moment and I'd like Nintendo to keep supporting it for a while yet. However, it's got a poor level of sales, and it'll probably work out better for Nintendo in the long term to move their focus towards the NX. They'll have to something truly spectacular to win the crowds back with the NX. I'd like to see the NX have an impressive launch line-up of games, and make sure it has suitable power and architecture to attract 3rd party developers.

Of course I'm disappointed my Wii U investment may be short-lived, but I've had some great times and will continue to with the games I haven't played yet and those yet to come. All I can say is, give me good reasons to buy an NX at launch. I want to support you, Nintendo, but you have to give me good reasons.

@bluedogrulez I don't know if I fully agree with this article either, although it does bring up a few good points. Namely this E3 showed very little of the Wii U, and the early Star Fox build wasn't as polished as some would have wanted. Personally I'm looking forward to Star Fox, Super Mario Maker, Xenoblade, Fire Emblem, and Zelda next year. A few things this article didn't mention were Project Guard and Project Giant Robot that will likely come to fruition but could also possibly be cancelled. Comments from developers regarding Metroid not being in any form of development (except for Prime Federation) were also disheartening as many hoped it would come to Wii U. The Wii U will be the second home console to not get a Metroid title (N64 being the first). Miyamoto I believe had also mentioned that he didn't know where to take the F-Zero series, so there are two IP's that will likely not be coming to Wii U leaving not much else aside from possibly a Mario Galaxy sequel. Some times I wish Nintendo would just release an HD remaster of a few past games like Sony and MS do to hold off big release gaps.

I do agree that it's hard to give third parties a lot of slack with their Wii U efforts that have largely been shovelware. I have several and the most noteworthy is Need for Speed Most Wanted that actually is most polished for Wii U though it lacks DLC.

@FlaygletheBagel - Agree w/ everything (though I don't like the bold, but I overuse smiley faces so I'll consider it a wash).

Not sure why anybody would buy an NX.
Not sure why anybody thinks anybody would buy an NX.
Not sure why Nintendo would even bother making an NX.

Go 3rd party and be done w/ it. They already have their deal w/ DeNA (NA, NX, coincidence?). PS4 has already taken off w/ no games, w/ the games it announced at E3 it won't be stopped. And PS5 won't be stopped either. Xboxen has all of MS Office money and fantasy football is an incurable disease.
Why would any 3rd party make any game on NX? Why go thru all the work? Make a good PS4 and X1 game, maybe PC, why risk working on NX? How much money is there to be gained? Better off making a version for Android or iOS. And if a company even thinks of making an NX game MS will just throw money at it not to - see RotTR.

I know some people will buy any console Nitneod makes, some even day 1, but there's nothing I've read or thought that makes me think it can be successful. Hope? Nintnedo's 30 year downward spiral says otherwise.

I do think NX will release in 2016, it kind of has to, and as a Wii U and 3DS successor it can make people take notice and say - "well, maybe" - but I'm not convinced enough of them will be willing to put their money where their heart is.

@IceClimbers
So you agree about zelda, you have non-descript what retro are working on, especially as they have two teams. EAD are not working on star Fox, platinum are developing star Fox.
That still leaves 9 other nintendo software divisions unaddressed.
If you think nintendo will be announcing and showing off new hardware in less that 12 months, and nobody at nintendo is working on it, what exactly is it you think they will be showing???? Think somebody is kidding themselves or deluded.
Shigeru Miyamoto has stated they are working on NX. They have a schedule in place to keep content flowing on wii u for 18-24 months, the NX will begin it's build and rollout in less than 12 months.
There will be third parties right now with development kits for it, more than likely capcom.

Last time I checked suspicion was very similar to speculation, which I stated in my previous posts, so I'm not sure what you're accessing me of. The suspicion/speculation of what NX games they are currently working on, because they are working on them.

I won't be purchasing NX unless it is atleast 2x the PS4. No excuse for it not to be and come in cheap.

The Wii U barely and arguably hasn't beat systems graphically that predate it by 6 years which is embarrassing.

I love the Wii U but Miyamoto et all are dinosaurs who need to retire and let the young guns take control.

It's hard to believe that despite this mountain of evidence to the contrary, I still got dragged into several conversations with folk that were arguing that the NX was not going to happen in 2016. In fact, the only bad thing I call say about this article, is that it's stating painfully obvious facts. I mean, Reggie (within the confines of marketing speak) told us to our faces, what was going to happen in 2016 ... that was more in-your-face than anyone ever assumed it could be, but obviously it was still not enough. Anyways, I certainly agree with basically anything said here. Nintendo is not committing any serious ressouces towards the WiiU, and to a degree, not even the 3DS anymore. What we get is what was already announced, sometimes for years, as well as localizations and stop-gap-measures as far as games go, meaning mostly small spin-off, light on development ressources. All of that is going to happen within less than 12 months from now, so Nintendo is clearing it's pipeline to make room ... room for other content, and mostly for a different system and therefor a different narrative and momentum. The WiiU will see some support for quite some time, for Splatoon, Mk8, SSB ... but it will be quite and low profile. It will peacefully coexist with the NX for quite some time, without being of any real consequence to anyone.
Still, we do get a load of exclusive content .. to mollify us and to tide us over I guess ^^ Zelda will be another TP sitation, that is all but guaranteed and most likely the last big game on the WiiU all in all.
The real question is in regard to the future of the 3DS though .. evidence, circumstancial and otherwise, is less clear here. Yet I believe the limited amount of commitment Nintendo should for the 3DS this year, with very little in terms of new announcement for major games is just as much of an indication of the systems future as it is for the WiiU, once one takes into account, the rumors about the NX being some kind of "fusion" device (would make all the sense in the world from Nintendos perspective - no longer having to split ressources between two platforms), as well as the small fact, that the NDSi was out exactly 2 years before the 3DS launched. Holiday 2016 will mark the 2 year anniversary of the N3DS .. it would not be a stretch to assume, that the NX will launch in 2016 and that it then will also be in a good spot to replace the 3DS/N3DS line.
By then the market will be pretty much saturated with the 3DS line, so it would make once more all the sense in the world for them to push for something new. It's all just to tiddy to be any kind of coincidence.

@DESS-M-8 Of course they are working on NX games. I was saying that the specific games that you were speculating on are most likely not happening. The only ones we know about are Zelda and a 3D Mario. Hell, Zelda we can't even be 100% certain will be on NX. Skyward Sword should've been on Wii U, but it wasn't. Zelda U should be on both the Wii U and NX, but there is the chance that it's not.

You suggested a Metroid game from Retro Studios. We know they are currently not working on a Metroid Prime game, as confirmed by Tanabe. I doubt they are working on a 2D metroidvania Metroid or Other M 2. Whatever Retro is working on, I really doubt it is Metroid. Frankly, I'd rather them work on a franchise they haven't worked on before (Star Tropics anyone?) or create a new IP. Now, they could start working on a new Metroid Prime, but it definitely won't be ready in time for the NX's launch unless it's a reimagining/rehash of Metroid Prime 1, which I wouldn't suggest as Metroid fans are already pissed off as it is.

One of the EAD groups was working on Splatoon, and is now finishing up AC amiibo Festival. I think we can cross them off the list as far as NX launch titles go.

I don't think that an F-Zero title is currently in development for the NX, though I'd love to be wrong.

As far as launch titles go, I do see them releasing a "Definitive Edition" remaster of Smash 4 with all of the DLC included (or at least all of the DLC introduced up until that point). It'd be the smart thing to do. Who knows, they may do the same with Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon.

I see a lot of people saying that Nintendo need to get third party support and the hardcore gamers back ; who are these hardcore gamers ? Wasn't the Wii U supposed to be doing this ? At launch ; Call Of Duty , Tekken , Darksiders , Mass Effect , Batman and Assassin's Creed. After launch from Nintendo ; Tropical Freeze , Wonderful 101 , Bayonetta 1 + 2. Fairly 'hardcore' games are they not ? Nintendo had the third parties on board before launch , but then lost them soon after. Something went awry , most likely to do with online infrastructure ( there were strong rumours at the time that EA wanted Nintendo to use Origin , but Nintendo wanted to offer a free independent service ) We might never know the true story. Then EA released a Mass Effect port without its prequels , alongside a reskinned Fifa. Then Ubisoft delayed Rayman. Then Warner skimped the DLC. Then , as sales faltered before grinding to a halt , the lies and disinformation began. About how difficult it was to program for. About the consoles power and what game engines would and wouldn't run. Crysis was canned , even though it was up and running. A game drought was upon us. Nintendo was also at fault. They didn't communicate to potential buyers what the gamepad was and what it could bring to gaming. There was no unified account system. They hoped the console would sell itself on the back of the Wii brand. It didn't.
There was a theory knocking around the internet before the Wii U launched , that it would be Nintendo's attempt to finish the major third parties after the success of the Wii. In reality , it seems more likely that this generation is the thirds attempt to finish Nintendo. Personally , and for the good of this hobby I have enjoyed for the majority of my life , I hope Nintendo carry on making games and hardware for many years to come. Diversity in any market is a good thing. It makes absolutely no business sense whatsoever for Nintendo to go third party. They , and gamers , would only lose out in the long run.

@kingofthesofa I think what people mean is Nintendo needs to get third parties back on board for the future. When the Wii U launched, it had a fair amount of third party support. But those games were all also made for, or ported from, those on rival systems at the time (ps3 and 360). Anyone who knows anything about gaming knew that within a years time, the successors to the ps3 and 360 would be out, be more powerful, and produce higher quality games than could be produced on the Wii U. And sure, the Wii U could have gotten dumbed-down ports of those games just like the ps3 and 360 still got, but once publishers saw that the system wasn't selling, they weren't gonna put money into something that they wouldn't get anything out of.

I think, more importantly than this being true or not, is the fact that it needs to be true for Nintendo to gain momentum in the console race again. NX needs to be competitive with the ps4 and XboxOne, and it needs to be out within the next year. Keep the Wii U ball rolling for the first two years of the NX's life to appease us fans who have loved the system and not had much time with it, and those who recently bought one as well. Also, NX needs to be backwards compatible with Wii U games and the gamepad itself, if the NX doesn't have a gamepad-like controller already.

The way I see it, the ps4 and XboxOne are only a couple years old, and will be around for quite a while longer (say 5-6 years as an estimate). If the NX rolls out around holiday 2016, it will have 3-4 years at least of being able to compete, win back third parties, and get some solid first party games out within those years as well.

This is the best scenario for Nintendo at this point with their next generation. If they wait till 2017 to launch the NX, or dare I say later than that, then they will risk not getting much support for very long until other rival systems begin to transition to newer models, at which point Nintendo fans are left sitting in the same boat they are in now.

Fanboys have no sense of economics. The only thing painting a pretty picture on Nintendos financial report is the value of the yen.

The Wii U is not going to make Nintendo any richer. Actually most analyst has often pointed out Nintendo is living of the 3DS.

Yet they should keep this sales disaster of a console going for another two years to please the fanboys. Grow up.

Now the word on the street is that the Wii U is on death row, watch the already rubbish sales become more rubbish.

Can't believe some people think the Wii U is going to remarkably turn it around. That is more delusional than Hitler thinking he would win the war in 1945.

@Nico07 : certainly good points there. The F-Zero thing seems to be an analogy for the Nintendo's whole philosphy. Sure they could milk that IP for what it's worth, but apparently, they feel it would be bad to make the same game over again. At first blush, that is a bit maddening, bc there would be a huge demand for basically the same game that graced the Gamecube in HD. But ultimately, I think you have to respect Big N for not selling out an IP for a quick buck; they want to innovate and advance gaming by providing new experiences. I think that means they will always be third in the console wars, but that they don't really care as long as they innovate and remain viable.

@mozie I'm like the Sheldon Cooper when it comes to reading written sarcasm lol yea i have a Xbox one too, and unfortunately the Wii U collects alot of dust, even though i just bought it like 6 months ago

If the projections of sales for Wii U are genuinely so slim what more possible harm could come from another reduction in price. In Ireland the Wii U is still (for now) a cheaper alternative to an X1 or PS4 but I can see why people who aren't Nintendo lovers might shy away.

That price drop alongside the last big releases on the system could sell enough to at least ensure as much, or more, success as the GC by it's lifes end.

@bluedogrulez But they're doing it with Star Fox, ignore the Gamepad controls and you see a product which is similar to the Star Fox game we saw 18 years ago.

@Kirk : In regards to your first post, you're 100% right. Anyone that believes Nintendo has master plans needs to realise these guys are clueless. They honestly thought MK8 and SSB would propel the Wii U. They rely too much on established properties and gimmicks. At this point the NX could arrive with BC, a unified account system, a virtual console filled with games, at 100 dollars...and I still wouldn't care. As a loyal Wii U owner, I expected more but was foolish for expecting so.

If the NX is a flop, I'm genuinly jumping ship to PS4/3DS, not even kidding. To get that reaction from a hardcore fan, you've got to be doing something SERIOUSLY wrong Ninty!!!

@kingofthesofa - "It makes absolutely no business sense whatsoever for Nintendo to go third party."

OK, I'll bite, why shouldn't they?

They have the IP, they have Miyamoto and Sakurai. Sony and MS would trip all over themselves throwing big piles of money at them, not only for exclusives, but timed exclusives, like Titan fall and Tomb Raider, so they could make money both for the timed and then after. And they could take as long as they want to make games, no rush. And they wouldn't even have to worry about marketing their own games, MS and Sony would do that for them as well. See No Man's Sky, I bet Hello Games hasn't spent a nickel on advertising.

The only real question is, why don't they? Arrogance? Can't be greed, they aren't making enough money for that. Fear of ridicule and becoming "like Sega"?

Nintendo only does 1 thing well, make games. Not hardware, not marketing, not advertising, not PR - Reggie is an absolute idiot - not big E3l spectacle events. Not hype, not monetizing their old games, not amiibo stock, not bundling hardware and games. Only 1 thing, games.

And the games they make, apparently not enough people want to spend the money to buy consoles to play them. Their only option is 3rd party, where at least they can sell their games to the people who buy the other consoles. And tablets. And smartphones. Wii U is done, NX is a big gamble, and even their next handheld would be a bit of a gamble now.

NX could have a shot if they could pull off the fusion hybrid, but that's all it has, a shot, and probably a slim one at that.

In short sentence.....Nintendo will just release another piece of hardware instead of real videogames.

In this case..time to pass out the collection plate. The bigger collection plate, this time.

It's sad to see such a good console with great games flailing around like it is commercially. I'm completely happy with my purchase- and I have enough games that I feel as though even if we didn't get any more, I easily got my money's worth. But it just seems like there was more potential here.

As mentioned above, I hope that Nintendo learns from its mistakes. The main thing is that its going to need a good line up and then continual support afterwards. This is going to have to mean working with third parties more and making their hardware more like PS4, Xbone.

Just guessing, but i think the NX will have a box that might just come with a Pro controller type. Then, the handheld/portable element will be a gamepad. Also guessing that there will be more crossover games/functionality but then maybe some exclusives for each. Not sure how they will work that out.

As a point of comparison how many PS4s & XBOnes have sold?

I'm not sure what Nintendo can do to grab attention from more consumers. Sony really turned my head at E3 this year because they had variety, creativity and surprise. Not that I can foot the bill for a PS4 but there were compelling reasons put forward to own one.

Microsoft were boring and generic - most of their games were FPS - and old franchises were milked more than even Nintendo has managed recently.

So I guess Nintendo have a mountain to climb to challenge Sony for the mantel. The NX might as well launch ASAP to give Nintendo its best chance but it will have to find a receptive market - whether that's going to rest on graphical prowess, innovation or just simply a greater bulk of software, it's difficult to say.

As Shigsy points out the Wii U has fallen by the wayside at the mercy of the tablet market and as a console proposition it doesn't make sense to the majority of consumers.

So we can expect the NX to be a clearly defined product.

We know nothing about Wii U in 2016 besides Zelda. What should I be thinking? More virtual console and HD remasters?

Well, its a shame. I'll be more cautious when Nintendo releases its next console - I have no problems with the games available for my 3DS, but I won´t get the next home console until I'm sure it is going to get good games. I have a big backlog to last me for a while... I miss the Gamecube days.

The Wii U was just the console for me. Great innovation with the Game Pad which allowed some amazing games, BC with all my Wii remotes, beautiful HD games... It really is the perfect console. Would be a shame to see it end and hoping NX can be just as good. Best gaming experiences were ones that took advantage of the Wii remote and then the GamePad. Even the GameCube controller is awesome and fun. Every controller is unique and brings something. I wonder what's next.

Nintendo needs to ensure its new console having more mature content. Maybe letting players to turn the violence on and off. After playing Kife us Strange, I realized what kind of games is missing on Wii U. Second, the gamepad is gimmicky and takes up lots of power when operating.

@Hotfusion the Wii U currently is bringing nice profit to Nintendo. Look at Smash Bros. Look at Splatoon already a million seller and didnt cost that much to make. Look at freakin amiibo. It's currently good business.

Reggie said (during post E3 interviews) that the Wii U was hurt by a lack of big games at launch. This was a clear message that the NX will not suffer from that. Zelda will be released on both systems and the Retro Studios game will be pushed to the NX. This should help give that system a big boost at launch. Splatoon could also be released in some form, too. Overall, E3 was about the present and the Big N can't spin it any other way. Personally, I love my Wii U and I own 10 games. The user base may be small but I bet the attach rate is very high for the system. The Wii U will be a collectors gem in a decade when people look back at the awesome games but lament the wonky system (a la the Gamecube). However, I stayed loyal to the big N during these lean years and they have moved on rather quickly. I doubt i'll buy the NX at launch. I'll be more than happy with my Wii U for the next couple of years. Now, i'm back to Splatoon!

I make myself sick waiting around this past Black Friday getting a Wii U, then make an impulse buy on a (Latin American?!) PS Vita, and both systems are pretty much "ehhh..." in prospects now. Le sigh. But as said, there's a strong back-catalogue, but I think in both cases, there's some rejuvenation that could go toward getting word-of-mouth out.

The PS Vita and especially PS TV have janky Store issues, with interface, usability (especially of the Download List), updates (PS TV's still showing stuff from, like, March, and its "New Releases section is interspersed with 2012 content), and compatibility issues (PSP, PS1, minis, there's something in all those categories that has no reason to not be immediately accessible on those systems).

The Wii U, though, I'd say is struggling with the Nintendo Network. Not online functionality, but against with the Store. PS systems have Cross-Buy, but that's rarely been seen on the eShops, and even then not an automatic process, with purchases still being bound to the system they were purchased on. No cloud saves (with the 3DS in a restricted 30-file limit for local backup), and a web store presence that's a bit hidden from view. If Ninty would finally announce their integrated followup thing, with account-based content accessibility and perhaps achievements (tied in with their rewards program?), that would be enough hype just in the, "I guarantee, it's not gonna be a pain in the butt to get and keep your games," that, with a price drop, could get folks to say, "Eh, why not?"

@Hotfusion The Wii U may not be a profit juggernaut but releasing a new console so soon has a lot of downsides financially as well.
It's not like they released a weak tablet pc and can go release a better spec and improve sales. The console market is about more than the hardware, it's about the software, the community, the 'investment' by consumers who buy a console expecting a certain amount of support into the future and marketing.

Releasing a new console so soon is no slam dunk profit guarantee, since a good chunk of their loyal fan base, those who would most be likely to purchase a new console at launch, may feel resentment at having to spend more money so soon just to keep up.

Nintendo has to loom at whether it's better financially to stay the course with this console and support it as best it can until the 'next-gen' race comes around again and compete well, or if releasing a console now, potentially losing loyal fans, and trying to get current gen gamers who may have already spent their console money to but a new one, with a system that is guaranteed to be under powered by the next generation.

We'll find out eventually.

The first stage was an intentionally familiar. Think it is a bit premature to make that kind of judgment. Between the gamepad aiming, arwing's land capability and Platinum's involvement, much reason to think this will be its own experience and a good one at that.

While this E3 wasn't reassuring that Wii U will have a life beyond next year, it didn't spell the doom that thus article is fabricating. Knowing Nintendo, they will show NX at next year's E3 only to release it in holiday 2017. What they do to fill the gap between now and then is the real issue. Nintendo held their cards close to their chest for a long time but recently have been much more open. I'm hoping they can surprise us in the next 6-12 months, otherwise Wii U's future does not bode well.

Wii U still has more games on the way... Just wait and see...

@rjejr
I actually think Nintendo marketing in NA is on the upswing. The Nintendo World Championship had its issues but it was big spectacle event that went mostly great and also satisfied marketing goals for Super Mario Maker. It was part of E3 though people only seem to remember the digital event, unfortunately.

I was just at the movie theater (AMC) and I was a little stunned to see a Nintendo Sneak Peek video all about Splatoon.

Mobile market Nintendo will have its thing going on by the end of this year and we need to give the new loyalty program membership thing a look see. It's a big transformation coming even without NX.

A couple Nintendo Directs from now, it might be more plausible to imagine NX arriving in 2017 and/or not even a Wii U replacement.

I'm still betting 2016 is the end for Wii U myself, but it takes awhile for initiatives that have started to begin showing up at the end of the pipeline.

Probably the wrong place to bring this up, but Retro could very well be working on a 2D Metroid game for the Wii U... that is being ported to NX. lol. Still, all the disparaging comments about Metroid Prime have not ruled out a 2D Metroid already in long development, and now that we know the Prime spin-off is on the 3DS, that gives me hope it will be on a console. I'd prefer it there, myself.

@rjejr if Nintendo goes 3rd party I'll stop playing video games entirely. The whole point of Nintendo games is that the are created for the hardware concept of the system they are on. Albeit that they have been much more conservative in that approach lately but that's neither here nor there.

@bluedogrulez I understand your sentiment but I disagree. The new super Mario series hasn't really changed much in a long time but they still make them. F-Zero is a game that fans are clamoring for, same with Metroid. Nintendo's refusal to provide these fans with what they want is both maddening and concerning. I love Nintendo but sometimes they make ridiculously bad decisions, Wii U second screen isn't one of them but failing to prove why it is necessary is. ZombiU is still the best use of the second screen and that was a 3rd party launch game.

As long as I get to play xenoblade and Yoshi wolly world, my Wii U is well worth the 180CAD that I paid for it. However I do hope Nintendo gives it a full 5 years before retiring it.

For all of those saying Nintendo should go third party, they won't. It's as simple as that. NX (assuming it is Nintendo's next home console) has a mountain to climb, but Nintendo should at least try to climb the mountain rather than jumping off the trail when they have only gotten a few meters in.

I've owned a Wii U since day one and have loved the system ever since. It clearly has had it troubles but personally I can look at some bright sides to the Wii U's past and even it's future.
While I would have liked to have seen more 3rd party support for the system I still have to fault the developers for the "lack of sales" on the Wii U. The constant delays to launch a game on Wii U compared to other systems and to take out so much content was getting ridiculous. An example I'll use is Watchdogs. So much hype and it came out for the other systems to the reaction of "meh" then Wii U owners wait an additional 6 months. If we hear the game is not good on other systems... what makes a developer think that we will buy it.
One thing I will say is good about the "lack of games" is that at least the first party games that come out are amazing, and they are ones that I'm constantly playing over and over again. I don't have an problem with that cause if I only have to buy a few games a year and they keep me entertained for an extended period of time then I'm fine with that. I play them cause I want to play them.
There is definitely one big positive that Nintendo can take away from the Wii U's lifecycle. That positive is that Nintendo alone can support a console almost single handily for several years. Think about that for a second, if the Wii U had all the AAA titles and all the third party support and the XBox One or PS4 had to rely on just the first party titles for as long as Nintendo has had to do, would either of those systems still be around? NO! Neither Sony or Microsoft have the overall quality of first party games released that would allow the system to survive. Those two live and die on third party support. Don't get me wrong, Nintendo needed/needs that support too but they have the characters, and the games to allow the Wii U to survive for the past two years on mainly first party games. So in the end they should be very proud of what those people have done.
As for the NX, regardless of its overall system power, or what (if any) "gimmick" Nintendo puts into it I know I will get one (Day one as long as I have the cash) Why? Same reason I bought a Wii U, and the Wii, and the Gamecube etc. I want to play those great Nintendo games in the future and it will be the only place I can do that. Hopefully third party support will be better so that I can use it for more, but time will tell. I still believe it should be a holiday 2017 release, anything earlier and they might lose some sales because people will think it's too soon.

It's really disheartening. Because the games you wanted and expected on Wii U will be pushed back to give NX a more respectable launch library. A system not even 3 years old already being phased. Unless there is a Metroid Prime 4 at launch, with a reasonable console price; I will wait for the inevitable price drop less than a year later. And I've been a day console buyer with nintendo since SNES, been with N since 1986. The last couple gen's have been frustrating with Nintendo. There have been great games, but the amount of disappointments far outweigh that.
Hoping for the best, but been doing that since the Gamecube. Still holding out hope they're keeping Retro & Metroid Prime 4 a secret for a this long until a soon to be aired Nintendo Direct to shut us all up. lol

@Hordak
Would you say it's the neo-neogeo?

I just took a look, and I have 25 retail Wii U games. Less than Wii and GameCube by at least ten and less than half of what I have for 3DS or Vita. But 25, with Yoshi and Legend of Kay and Xenoblade on the way? Yeah, I'm alright with the U. And wherever I put my game money next, I hope to do as well.

@Hotfusion
Godwin's law much?

But in all honesty I agree, Nintendo ought to cut their losses and phase out Wii u

So I've been thinking and the only revolutionary idea I can think of is holograms. What if the NX can project 3d holograms?

@rjejr The best way to illustrate why it doesn't make sense from a business perspective for Nintendo to go third party , is to look at history. Nintendo has always seen the hardware as a means of creating value in their software. The biggest change in gaming today is the cost to make a game. In the days of the SNES new games cost £40 and upwards here in the UK - Streetfighter II was £60. Games today cost the same in the shops here. So , with inflation and currency depreciation between markets the game of today costs less in real terms than in 1992 / 1993. But how much more does a game cost to make ? Especially the games that third parties make ? Yes , the market share is bigger - but not big enough to make up the difference.
An analogy ; I own a cider factory. I make great cider , with the finest apples. I sell a few barrels , and then my market grows. But , as I sell gallons of my appley goodness ; the price of apples keep going up and up. I realise as the cider market grows , the cost of making more cider grows. Thus , the value of my cider is actually in decline - or at best staying the same. So , in relation to Nintendo ; by making 'cheap' hardware , they intrinsically keep game development costs down. An example from recent times. The Witcher 2 cost around $9 million dollars to make. The Witcher 3 cost $32 million to make and had a marketing budget of $35 million dollars. The costs have trebled in one generation.
By limiting their hardware , Nintendo fight this deterioration of value in their software. By going third party they become part of the better graphics / faster processor Moore's Law pursuit , meaning their development costs would spiral for a diminishing return. All their programmers would have to learn how to use different tools , different engines etc. All arguments given to support third parties attitude to the Wii U , would apply in reverse for Nintendo development teams working with 'strange' hardware. The EAD folk have been schooled in working the Nintendo way for many years. They couldn't change their way of working overnight. They would lose money during the transition period. Ubisoft hire a team to a Wii U port for roughly $1.5 million. Would Nintendo do the same to port to Sony / XBox ? If they did , would it still be classed as a Nintendo game ? Would it be a glitchy mess ? Then , there is a danger of diminishing brand value. Basically , without their hardware the value of their software is diminished.
Why would Nintendo write off the profits they make on their hardware ? Why would they cut the profits of their software ? ( as a rough guide ; they sell a game on their own platform and make £25 to £30 ; on another platform they would make £15 to £20 due to publishing rights etc ) They would have to sell , roughly , a third as many copies as they do now for the same profit. That is assuming the costs to develop remain the same , but as I outlined that is unlikely. Do you think they would sell enough copies of Mario Party , Kirby , Yoshi , Captain Toad et al on PS4 to make the same profit ? Of course they wouldn't. The odd game like Mario and Zelda might sell more , but the majority wouldn't.
"The only real question is, why don't they? Arrogance? Can't be greed, they aren't making enough money for that. Fear of ridicule and becoming "like Sega"?"
The best way to illustrate why it doesn't make sense from a gamers perspective for Nintendo to go third party , is to look at history. Look at Sega. What happened to their lesser IPs ? They do not get made. Look what has happened to Sonic. Do you think if they were pitching Shenmue 1 to Sony now it would get made ? If Shenmue 1 wasn't made by Sega for their own hardware would it have ever been made ? Would Nintendo , as a third party , have funded Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta ? Would they have made Kid Icarus , Splatoon , Starfox ? By owning the hardware Nintendo can experiment. They can bring back lesser IPs. Take more risks. Keep adding value to their software. Apologies for the long post.

@BinaryFragger for example, can't play Mario 64 without an analog stick, the ds port had terrible control. Can't play Wii Sports without the Wii mote. F-Zero GX and the analog triggers. I will admit that Nintendo has really messed up proving why the gamepad is appealing with the Wii U. I do agree that the games are more important than the hardware but my point was that Nintendo innovates games by innovating hardware. They just forgot to actually do it this gen

@FragRed You've got a point. But VC's lack of games on Wii U is also (mainly, to be honest) from their own games. Look at how they basically just started putting N64 games. I've wanted to play F-Zero X (GX is just a dream by now) on the game pad for a long time, and I can't! Don't know much about sales, but I guess Nintendo VC games usually sell good enough to return the costs, right? All in all, I'm just disappointed.

>Nintendo says we won't mention NX
>Suddenly WiiU is going out and NX has arrived on all the nintendo news sites
Me: > closes all the news site tabs permanently

Shoot...oh well

@minotaurgamer I had the same feeling about Wii U being the 'Sega Saturn' of the bunch, including the Wii being an analog of the Genesis/Mega Drive and supposedly the NX becoming the next Dreamcast. The parallels are certainly there, but it's also a case of human nature trying to find patterns where there are none to be found.

Also, this article brought some disturbing figures about the Wii U, stating that the Wii U 'may' surpass the Dreamcast in overall sales.

The Dreamcast's earliest release was in Japan on November 27, 1998, and was discontinued worldwide March 31, 2001, so it was less than 3 years old when it ultimately sold 10.6 million units.

Wii U however was first released November 18, 2012, and has sold, as of late March of 2015 which is approximately equal to how long Dreamcast was supported, approx. 9.54 million units.

Either way you look at it, the Dreamcast was a slightly stronger contender than Wii U, and it was the death blow to Sega's hardware.

It is unfortunate that Nintendo appears to be shrugging away from the Wii U, but that's not what's bothering me. What's bothering me is that people are overexaggerating and making it seem like the NX is releasing tomorrow. It's not - it will be revealed next year and will likely release sometime in 2017.

While Nintendo may be starting to shrug off the Wii U, it's not completely dead yet. There's still several big titles coming (Yoshi, Star Fox, Xenoblade, Zelda) and I'm hoping that Nintendo will pull out at least one more major title before the NX launches. After all, the "road map" image they released during E3 DID say that there were some unannounced Wii U titles in development (why they weren't shown at E3 is just baffling to me).

Essentially, some people still need to calm down. Yes, Nintendo appears to be phasing out the Wii U (and the 3DS, to a lesser extent), but the NX is still a ways off.

@SuperWiiU I hope we get the games to last another 3 years with Wii U also.

@Yoshis_VGM Yeah, the NX is nothing we should be worrying about. There's still a good chance the name will be changed. And at least 1.5 years until they reveal all the details.

I just got a Wii U over a few months ago so it is frustrating to see them switch gears so soon. I invested in the system because it seemed like Nintendo was finally starting to put a variety of games out that appealed to me that gave me a reason to buy the system. Now it seems they jumped ship as I was just warming up to the Wii U. I have to say I feel let down as a consumer, and it makes me less likely to invest in the next system. Last E3 got my attention with Splatoon, Project Robot, and Toad's Treasure Tracker (bit of a Toad fan), so this year felt like a bit of a let down. I think the Wii U is a great system and it has a lot of potential, and I really want to see more games on it.

Nintendo I'm begging you PLEASE don't screw up with the NX. You really need it to be a simple system with no fancy gimmicks. Make it powerful enough to have the 3rd party games and if you are making a gimmick, make it optional.

Then again knowing you Nintendo you probably won't learn from your mistakes, but there is always hope.

@Williaint Exactly. I bet the road to the NX's release will be really similar to the Wii U's. At E3 2016 they'll likely reveal the official name and general concept of the console, at E3 2017 they'll unload all the details, and it'll release in the holiday season of 2017 at the earliest. That gives the Wii U another two years on the market...there's still time for some major games to make their way out.

The NX is coming next year, so...

I've noticed something yesterday when booting my Lego Star Wars on Wii mode. I still cheerish the memories and everything Wii. Just holding the Wiimote make me feel good. With WiiU though I feel I will not have this in the future, albeit I really love the system.

I mean, I STILL look for Wii retro stuff, games and everything. The WiiU is much more transitional, it feels like that.

I told you all. WII U won't last longer and stop supporting it till we get a decent hardware. My major problem is the huge price they are asking for a console like this. Yes, i'm aware it's a NINTENDO machine, but that doesn't mean they can stay that expensive with tiny tiny tiny HDD and low hardware specs when you compare to the ps4 and xbone. What's their excuse? No wonder they are not selling/ I'm sure some people might would get it, but for that price what you're getting for...... sorry nobdoy wants it

@Dankykong It's really dumb that Nintendo said they weren't going to mention NX at E3 and then they did literally only 10 minutes into the Digital Event.

I think this year we will see some new Wii U announcement for 2016. but probably not AAA games.

Nintendo's gonna REALLY have to sell me next generation if this happens. Their stubbornness and unwillingness to appeal to core sensibilities is turning me away. It's makes me upset that many of this is also common sense.

1) Features. Most core gamers find value in multimedia capabilities like party chat, system wide game invites, on screen notifications, interactivity online and online play, live streaming and recording gameplay, etc. Nintendo still doesn't see the value in these things so many people are ignoring them.

2) Support. Nintendo needs to use all of that amiibo money for outsourcing and acquiring new second party studios to crank out new Nintendo IPs and expand on existing ones. Part of Nintendo's problem is that they don't have the manpower to keep up with demand. This is a software issue that they continue to have generation in and out.

3) Hardware. Nintendo needs to get out of this notion that they want to cheap out on hardware and hardware size for the benefit of us. The truth is, people are willing to a) spend money on a product they feel is worth the investment and b) are ok with consoles that are a little bigger in size. If Nintendo makes a console that is easy to develop for, as in the case with x86 this gen, they won't have such a burden in supporting the console alone. Nintendo may not get ALL third party, but like the GCN, they'd get enough to get consumers through game droughts.

4) Communication. Despite the Wii lacking power and multimedia capabilities, one of the things they did right was communicating to the masses why it was a must-buy and it worked. If Nintendo created their next console with the points I noted above and communicated it accordingly, the popularity of the system would be enough reason for consumers and third party to see value in it. Easy architecture is the first step to getting third party, the second step is making it viable enough of a platform that's worth the continued support. Nintendo's best bet is to make it much more powerful than the PS5 or X2 so they don't find themselves in the same situation with Wii U. The NX should compete with future hardware not current hardware.

5) Focus on Core Fans' Desires. If core fans want Metroid Prime 4 with Prime Hunters-style online, make it. Galaxy 3? Make it. If core fans want old IPs to return, make them. I'd kill for an open world Murasame's Castle or StarTropics, an Ice Climber similar to Captain Toad, or a sandbox version of a modern Urban Champion. Nintendo has a huge catalog of IPs that could desperately benefit from the Kid Icarus: Uprising treatment. This also goes back to my point of getting small indie studios to help you make games. So sick of Nintendo's attitude that we don't know what we want from our games. At least meet us half way.

If Nintendo doesn't get some of these right next gen, I may have to pass on the next console or buy it used. No more am I willing to support Nintendo while they're finding themselves. They've been in the game too long for rookie mistakes. Put up or shut up. I love my Wii U games, but getting it at launch expecting things to change was a mistake.

@daniruy The Wii was honestly more novel than the Wii U. Likely because that console seems better planned and had a clear cut direction.

Nintendo should double release their games on both NX and Wii U when possible. I don't see the need for more powerful hardware for games such as Animal Crossing.

I love the wii U, but nintendo is no fool and will move on sooner because, well, it's not great business.

I like the upcoming lineup a lot though, and so far, I have had the most amazing gaming time on wii U. I haven't been able to experience such diversity and quality so early on in a consoles lifecycle. Anything from day 1 up has been great to me.

But, you know, they'll launch with some big stuff next time. Zelda at launch, something metroid or pikmin maybe, an f-zero perhaps, anything - and they'll hit it.

I'm happy with my wii U and whatever is next is likely over a year away. But when it arrives, I'm pre-ordering at the first possibility again.

Here is the best strategy to save the Wii U, ditch the tablet and include the pro controller instead. Make it optional for all current/future games just like Microsoft did with the Xbox One. Release online updates for all current major games so that they have work-arounds for being without the tablet. Drop the price to below $200 US!

Regarding better games, releasing better games will help, but is no guarantee of saving the Wii U. It didn't work on the Gamecube, and Gamecube had some of the most amazing and original exclusive games released. The gaming environment has changed dramatically and the old guard Sega and Nintendo have not adapted well. With the rise of mega budget games, developers have to have multi console releases to recoup costs. Either Nintendo gets on board with Sony/Microsoft and build 'another' pseudo-PC console (which is boring and will probably fail) or they partner up with somebody else and get some hard-core exclusivity back into the market (i.e. either Sega or maybe Valve and make Nintendo/Sega/Valve "Steam" box).

I think NX should be device agnostic. Meaning it's basically an app store for buying Nintendo games, plus services like achievements, leaderboards and whatever replaces miiverse, that can run on a bunch of different devices. Basically a Nintendo version of Steam that also runs on mobiles and smart TVs.

Nintendo could release a dedicated NX device for core fans that runs the NX software games and services, and maybe also supports the old hardware like the gamepad, wiimotes and so on for backwards compatibility. If they make it work with Android, they could take advantage of the existing emulators out there to give further backward compatibility - potentially everything for which a rom exists. But at the same time release new games on Android for more casual audiences.

They'd also sidestep the whole performance/specs thing as the 'platform' could be just insalled on whatever new latest greatest device.

Lastly, if the Wii U is compatible with DVD and Blu-ray then add the functionality (even sell the player/functionality via the net). DVD will be off patent very soon so should be added for free, while Blu-ray playback would be a huge bonus. People hate have a dozen devices lying around. Having a PS3, I never bought a Blu-ray player.

I have lots of questions I doubt any of them will be answer at their reveal but it doesn't hurt to think outside-the-box with questions such as:
If the NX get reveal next year then NX system will be out around 2017 possibly Q2 or 3?
Will there be Wii U backwards compact-ability?
What if the NX be a hybrid both Casual and Hardcore, who said they can't do both?
Will the NX have Amiibo capabilities? if they have any game coming out with it? if so what are they? will there be any 3rd or 1st party going along?
what power will they have? will it surpass the PS4/XB1 or will it par? Hell will it beat the PS3/XB360?
Can we except any ports? (for example Tekken Tag Team 2 port/Bayonetta 1)
Can it Multi-task? and how much Internal Memory will it have?
Will the Fans get any rewards program soon like Club Nintendo or DDP?
How will Miiverse be involved? what about the 3DS? What about eShop?
What about communications? although I support the no voice chat in games like Zelda or Splatoon they still tighten the chain with even text chat/swap note even through it's considered "the most social gaming console ever" - Gamestop
Will there be customization in the NX like the 3DS? and how will accessories go?
WILL THERE BE MORE ADVERTISEMENTS?
I know Nintendo is not going to make everyone happy but that's the part I think the fans has to realized and grow up it

If this is what you call analysis, you really need to find another job. This is speculation and very one-sided at that. It could be correct, but you are basing your conclusions on flimsy evidence. No doubt there is evidence to support what your predictions, but it isn't enough to state your predictions as foregone conclusions.

E3 taught me that internally Nintendo gave up on the Wii U 18 months ago (perhaps 2 years) and we're now seeing the effects of that decision via the poor amount of upcoming releases and lack of some expected ones.

I really hope you're wrong, the Wii U had a lot of potential that has not been realised. It's only been a few years since launch, I'm not interested in another console launch, and then another wait for games to be made for it, just as the PS4 gets into its stride too. Nintendo needs to stay committed to the Wii U, and pull off some asymmetrical classics that Nintendo Land hinted it could be capable of.

@gatorboi352 - completely agree. All this talk about making the NX more powerful than PS4 blar blar blar and not having gimmicks blar blar blar means nothing until Nintendo makes friends with the 3rd parties and bring games that Bethesda, Take Two and Square-Enix are doing to its new system.

Unfortunately I think the some bridges can never be mended.

This will sadly be my last Nintendo system as I've been burned pretty bad by the Wii U. I was a day one buyer, floating high on all the promises that were squandered. The difference between Nintendo and the other two big boys is that Sony and MS have both sucked it up to ensure their fan's support and to save their brand. Song took a HUGE cut on the PS3 and poured money into new games when the system didn't take off and this E3 we saw MS listening to their fans and winning back some hearts and minds. Nintendo has done neither and are now scaling back production on a 2 1/2 year old system. This lack of support is very telling on how they value it's loyal core audience which are really the only people who bought this system. So I'll take the not so subtle hint that I'm not important enough to please (and I'm not asking for much, just some support with games) along with all the failure to do anything decent with all the proposed features that made the system so unique and move on.

I won't be jumping to NX, at least not at launch. While the Wii U isn't performing well in the market, I personally think it's the best game system I've owned. Don't have to worry about needing a TV in most cases, several games are still fun to play and are downright beautiful when it comes to graphics, and I got to play classics I never thought I'd get to legitimately - like EarthBound, Donkey Kong 64, and Duck Hunt. Then they put Wii games on there too - managed to snag both Punch-Out!! and Metroid Prime Trilogy, both of which I'd have to hunt down otherwise. And I'm very much looking forward to Yoshi's Woolly World and Super Mario Maker.

But for the record, if the words "Virtual Console" come up on this NX thing, I ain't giving that much attention.

Sad times, especially because I think the Wii U is a super neat machine. I'm still significantly more interested in it than in the competition (even though I'm getting a PS4 in the near future), but then again it's no surprise to me that my gaming tastes differ significantly from those of the average mainstream gamer.

@roboshort " No doubt there is evidence to support what your predictions, but it isn't enough to state your predictions as foregone conclusions."

...which is why he never stated them as foregone conclusions?

I will not be buying the NX at launch. The quickness Nintendo and 3rd parties abandoned the Wii U is astounding as well as insulting. What makes me think they won't do the same with the next system.

I wish I'd been able to afford a Dreamcast. In 20 years time our WiiU's will be collectors items 😎

@ricklongo Umm.. "E3 Highlighted Nintendo's Development Shift Towards NX, and Away from Wii U"? His conclusion is stated in the title. We should find out by the end of the year, I suppose, but people tend to overreact and think the sky is falling without really looking at the evidence.

I'll enjoy the next 18 months of my Wii U and then start saving for an NX. In my view, at the very least it needs to compete in power with the PS4 and X BONE. It should offer backwards compatibility with Wii U Games via the option to sync your existing gamepad (much like Wiimotes now). For those without a Wii U there'll be an android app to turn your phone into a gamepad screen and a controller dock for your phone with dual sticks and all the buttons etc. Release major 1st party titles at NX launch : Mario Galaxy 3, Metroid, F-Zero NX, New Zelda ( Wii U and NX version) and possibly MK9. Offer a full VC access via small monthly subs, all systems up to and including the Wii. Finally access the android marketplace (NX re skin) for game access too. If it has all this I'll be happy and will buy day one!

If the NX is backward compatible with wiiu games then I won't mind if they release it as early as they can.
But then if the rumours are true that Nintendo will go over to x86 like MS&Sony then it'll most likely not happen. Unless they do whatever MS did for the 360/One just now.

Also, Nintendo has get a grip of their digital sales crap. Having a game bound to a machine instead of an ID is insane. Having to re-buy stuff I already own to play it on another machine is bonkers.

@Gelantious Games are bound to the NNID. It's the NNID that's bound to the console. There's also no cross-buy in place.

@kingofthesofa - Long post is fine.

If Nintnedo wants to compete w/ NX then most people think they need better hardware, so whether it's learning to code on PS4, X1 or NX, their people are going to have to learn to code or new hardware antway.

Cost per game is a striking point, b/c as you correctly point out, selling games on their own system is all profit, other systems they just get a per game cut. But if PS4 can sell 50mil consoles and X1 40mil and NX can only sell 8mil, don't you think quantity would more than make up for the per game loss?

Will Nitneod shrink? Certainly. No Mario tenis or golf games, maybe no olypmic games. But all the teams making handheld games now can switch to tablets, the home console games - which looking at th eWii U line-up is slim - can switch to PS4 adn X1. Paper MArio may never happen, but thw eorld will surive. Nintnedo has surived fo rhow many years w/o making another F Zero game?

I didn't get the whole apple cider thing. Apples are a limited supply, supply and demand and distribution are a real issue. You make 1 copy of a game, put it on a server, and you can sell 1 copy or 10mil copies, supply is not an issue w/ software, especially not digital only games. No manufacturing, no warehousing, no transportation costs, just servers.

And i ttakes a lot of R&D to make a console. So yes they make a few $ per console, but how much has already been spent on R&D? That entire part of the company would lose their jobs sadly, but what makes Ntineod Ninteod is the games, Nitneod woud not becom eSega, they have too many well known IPs and games. Just look at the Univerisal amusement park deal. Look at all th eKnext toys adn board game slike checkers, chess adn Monopoly. their VC game son PS4 and X1 alone would make sure they don't become forgotten like Sega.

If they want another handheld, fine, but their home consoles have been faltering since the SNES sold less than the NES, I can't even fathom an NX selling well.

@aaronsullivan - They do seem to be onto something w/ Spaltoon. I was shocked to see a playable demo in Target yesterday.

But how many people will spend $300 on a Wii U for Spaltoon? And how many people will even associate Spaltoon w Ntinedo? I still don't view Xenoblade games as Ntinedo games despite them buying Monolith years ago. Pokemon games are Ntinedo games, Mario Link Samus, DK and the like. Pikmin and Wii Fit and Wii Sports even. But I'm not sure if people are saying "Nintnedo is back" or "online shooters can be fun".

So I'm glad to see them wake up a bit, but I'm not betting on NX being a hit unless they really can pull off an inexpensive 2-fer. If they want to keep making home consoles that struggle to sell 10mil per generation, more power to'em, but I'm probably not buying another 1 of those.

@BinaryFragger - Well there's no way I can add anything useful to that reply, it's spot on.

I just don't understand fanboy. I get it, I feel it - FF on Xbox was the biggest video game betrayal of my life - but I still played it. Nintedo going 3rd party would be a very sad moment in the industry no doubt, a seismic shift, but I'll keep playing their games that I like. Super Mario Sunshine on Gmaecube was gimmick free if I recall. Well hardware gimmick free, FLUDD is a touchy subject for some. Galaxy? I think they're fine w/o pointing or waggle. Xenoblde on Wii is 1 of my all time favorite JRPG and I'm playing it on a Wii Pro, feels like a Dreamcast or PS2 game to me.

If the world never gets sequels to Wii Music or Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival is that really such a bad thing?

Pessimistic speculation at best. No time to dignify it with rebuttal though, gotta get back to playing Splatoon. =)

Of course, the inevitable question that arises from this article is: Is the Wii U still worth purchasing in 2015?

I've been asking myself this question since E3, especially since I don't own a Wii U yet. I figure that it does have a small but solid library of games (especially on the eShop), but most likely support for the console will stop to a halt by late 2016/ early 2017, giving a new adopter only about a year or 2 to enjoy the console before the new platform is released.

@rjejr @binaryfragger
Well, my favorite experience on Wii U is probably still Nintendo Land and Splatoon so oh well.
On the Wii it was Skyward Sword. :/
Your points are still good though.

@rjejr so what does your autocorrect do to Splatoon? Lol.

@rjejr My analogy was slightly obscure - the apples are development costs. "But if PS4 can sell 50mil consoles and X1 40mil ... don't you think quantity would more than make up for the per game loss?" No , I don't. You are assuming that a lot of PS / XB owners want Nintendo games. Outside the well known IPs , I would suggest that they would be pretty indifferent. If not , devs would currently be falling over themselves to create Nintendo style games on those platforms. History suggests sales of Nintendo style games on those consoles would never make the same amount of money as Nintendo make by releasing them on their own dedicated hardware. Playstation All Stars Battle Royale sold around 1 million across PS3 and Vita. Smash Bros has already shifted over 4 million units on Wii U and 3DS. The total PS4 / XBOX market may end up in the same region as the numbers that the Wii sold. Smash Bros Wii sold around 13 million. Do you think the extra copies they could potentially sell as a third party on those platforms would recoup the extra costs in development and publishing , as well as covering the losses from not having dedicated Nintendo hardware ? Apply this to all Nintendos best selling IPs and multiply.
Users in internet forums like to moan that Nintendo only make Mario / Zelda / Pokemon games and if they went third party that would eventually become true. They would only make the games that they thought they could make money on. No Paper Mario , no Metroid , no Pushmo , no Wonderful 101 , no Splatoon and no more risks with new IPs or development of their lesser IPs. The gaming landscape shrinks even further. Third party development has already shrunk since last gen ; it will only shrink more next gen as the costs to make games keeps on rising. I appreciate there are R&D costs involved in bringing new hardware to market , but Nintendo will have already sunk millions into their next hardware iterations before the Wii U and 3DS launched. This money would also be lost. How much money has the 3DS already made ? Why throw that chunk of cash away to make games for tablets when they could make that money on their own dedicated hardware AND make money on tablets / phones in partnership with Dena ?
Do you really believe Nintendo will be all digital by the time NX arrives ? I don't think they will. The majority of gamers still prefer physical releases. Music has been available digitally for a while now , yet CDs are still made and vinyl sales are on the rise. Humans like to collect stuff.
Sega also had many well known IPs. They also opened amusement parks. They also had toys and games. The IPs have dwindled , the amusement parks have closed and the toys and games are long forgotten. You make a good point about the Virtual Console , but all the games would need rewriting or new emulation middleware creating. Again , for many games outside the well known , the costs wouldn't be worth the risk. NX might be a Virtual Console box , with Amazon Prime and Unity support that sits under your TV. Coming in at under $100 with an updated classic controller.
People have been calling for Nintendo to go third party since the days of the N64. Imagine if they had. Imagine the games we would never have seen. I agree , it is all about the games. But without their own dedicated hardware , Nintendo wouldn't have made half as many as they have done.

@Bassman_Q I believe we will get a price cut on the Wii U veru soon. I think Nintendo has to be a little careful about doing it too close to the internet backlash from the E3 digital event though. A price drop can look like a "we give up" and that doesn't help sales. I'd guess a price drop to come between September and October along with an encouraging look at Zelda to make a show of its continuing potential. But really it should have happened earlier.

I'm convinced there's a fair number of people that look on at games like Mario Kart, SSB, and others, even Splatoon with longing but just can't justify the investment yet.

It really is sad that the Wii U is dying so soon, it's missed so many games that its library really needed, like a collectathon Mario game and Metroid Prime. They really haven't done enough to make this console worth buying.

As for the future, I'm hoping that the integrated framework means more variety in the lineup. There'd be no need to have a handheld NSMB and a console NSMB for example, since they could just have one game releasing on both consoles, so they'll have more time and resources to work on better games.

Integrating smartphone and PCs as well is also a very smart move, if their hardware business proves unsuccessful then they don't really have to do much, they're insulated against a potential console market failure should the industry decide it doesn't want dedicated gaming devices anymore (which I see as a distinct possibility considering the explosive growth of the casual market).

I suspect that beyond having a framework that allows for games to easily be ported elsewhere, third parties won't be interested in the NX, as I doubt Nintendo considers making ultra powerful hardware for them to work on a profitable venture. The AAA market seems about ready to burn itself out anyway thanks to a sharp increase in development costs (which is the reason why Nintendo didn't want to compete these last few gens), so Nintendo probably doesn't think much of them. Having an increase in first party content will likely be enough for them.

All in all, they could possibly improve things for the NX but I don't think they'll be catering towards the Sony and Microsoft crowd that want them to make high powered consoles with tons of third party support and mature games. They think the casuals are more profitable. They'll hold onto their dedicated audience as long as they can but long term it seems Nintendo is going to trend more and more towards mobile and PC.

@aaronsullivan - "so what does your autocorrect do to Splatoon? Lol."

I don't know lets find out...

Salton
Nintendo Salton
spaciest s platoon (that was Splatfest Splatoon)

Looks like Splatoon becomes Salton. I have no idea what a Salton is.

EDIT: "my favorite experience on Wii U is probably"

So far my favorite experience on Wii U has been Xenoblade Chronicles, but I suppose that doesn't count (though backwards compatibility), so I'll have to go Hyrule Warriors. I know it used the Gamepad some but I think it could work on PS3/4. W101 used it some, but I didn't really like those parts. I can't imagine playing Spaltoon w/o it though, so I'll give them that one. Would have made 1 heck of a launch title.

@aaronsullivan - I like the idea of a Wii U price cut in Sept or Oct, but I feel like Nintnedo is too arrogant regarding Mario to go that route. Did you know that SMM is getting a worldwide Day 1 release Sept 11? World wide. I don't think they'll cut until after that, mid October, or summer, but I think they have too much confidence in Mario to think Wii U needs a price cut timed w/ that title. They should announce 1 now for July 3rd to promote the July 4 Spaltfest. That's half snark, half serious, I don't know what face to make for that.

@kingofthesofa - "Imagine the games we would never have seen."

My whole arguement fo rNtinedo going 3rd party is for them as a business. We will have less games, people will have less jobs, it will be worse for us as gamers, but I sitll think they can be a sucessful company 3rd party. Do you know anybody who games who has never heard of Square Enix or Sega? 3rd parties do exist, not everybody has to make hardware to make a living.

It would be sad for gaming, but if I'm a stockholder I'd need to see a lot more about NX before I'd buy more shares.

Has there ever been a time when 3 home consoles sold WELL side by side? I can't think of any time that has happened. Sony and MS have the 2, I think that's all the gaming market has ever been able to carry.

@rjejr
Well confidence in Mario to help sell some cheaper consoles maybe but I thought Nintendo was all out of confidence in the Wii U, Mario notwithstanding.

This is Nintendo's last chance to move Wii U consoles IMO and set up a larger user base for Zelda (even if it is going to be on NX as well)

Btw, could you imagine E3 next year they show a bunch of awesome looking new installments of Nintendo games and then reveal NX and the screen shows a giant image of Playstation 4?!

@rjejr Like I said , there is no compelling argument from a business perspective at the moment for Nintendo going third party. Check out this link http://www.therichest.com/business/the-worlds-most-successful-video-game-companies/
This is based on revenue. What do the top three have in common ? They all make hardware. In the gaming business Nintendo have made the biggest profit for the longest time. They have struggled recently due to the Wii U's sales and the increased development costs due to the transition to HD. However , as is well known , they have plenty in the bank. I am sure they would succeed as a third party. But why would they alter a business model that has brought them profit and success for nearly 30 years ? Of the top 15 game franchises that have sold over 100 million units , Nintendo has 7. All sold on their own hardware. Square has 1 and Sega has 1. Wii Play on it's own made over a billion dollars in profit.
"Has there ever been a time when 3 home consoles sold WELL side by side? I can't think of any time that has happened. Sony and MS have the 2, I think that's all the gaming market has ever been able to carry." Yes , there has. Gens 4 , 5 , 6 if you consider selling 10 million units good. And especially generation 7 with the Wii. In all other realms of business profit is king. Except in gaming according to the internet. Then it's all about units sold. Until Nintendo sell the most. Then it doesn't count because of gimmicks. Or it's a fluke. Or it was only bought by casuals and grandmas.

@aaronsullivan - Well the Sony E3 event where they showed Zelda would be really exciting, while the Nintnedo Direct is showing DeNA games on tablets.

And I am seriously all out of "this is Wii Us last chance to be saved". MK8 last year, when they didn't bundle the game until Christmas. Last Christmas when SSBU released, but they bundled MK8 instead. Online shooter Splatoon, the only game that is coming out for 4 months - May, June, July Aug - but they still didn't lower the price to try and get more players online for their 4x4 shooter.

And I'm glad you corrected me, I forgot, Ntinedo doesn't care about Wii U anymore, that was evident once Reggie started off the NDE by saying "NX".

So no, never again will a game come out and I say "OK, this is the Wii Us last chance". Not for Super Mario Maker, not for Starfox, not for Zelda. There are no more chances for Wii U to be anything other than a failure. And that's not me calling it a failure, that's Iwata.

"...but Wii will be a failure if it cannot sell far more than GameCube did. In fact, we shouldn't continue this business if our only target is to outsell GameCube."

Not just more, "far more". Not gonna happen. So much money spent on Splatoon advertising, a new line of amiibo manufactured, the whole world at E3, and no other major games coming out on Wii U for 4 months. How was mid-May or E3 not the time for the price cut?

You're right, I was right, they really don't care about selling Wii U. Summer of Spaltoon needed that price cut. Too late now.

@kingofthesofa - "Yes , there has. Gens 4 , 5 , 6 if you consider selling 10 million units good. And especially generation 7 with the Wii."

Well you got me there, I know I'm looking like an idiot on that 1. I'm going to go take a nap before I say anything even more stupid. I'm sure we'll have the opportunity to continue this conversation over the next year in other threads. Should be an interesting 12 months.

@rjejr for the record my typo of "live" was meant to be "move" as it now says not "save". Not sure if you read it that way, but it seemed like it.

I don't know how I feel about Nintendonas a third party only but I don't think they are close to that conclusion yet. They have at least one more handheld hardware attempt left in them. There is still no one succeeding like them with a dedicated portable which is pretty stunning considering the technical superiority of the Vita and the ubiquity of mobile devices. Seems to me there will continue to be a market for mobile devices with game controls after all.

Console is a much bigger ?block. Consoles are slow selling in Japan and there are two strongly rooted consoles in the U.S. This is why I'm thinking it needs to leverage the Wii U library and why the fusion idea is so popular with people.

I'm thinking we'll have plenty more clues before the end of the year.

@aaronsullivan - I've made the comment several times to several other people that I thought the downward trend on handhelds, even though it's similar to consoles, was still at a high enough point where another handheld still looked profitable. The New 3DS seems to be catching up w/ the internet broswing, through an email program on there and you're all set. And right now the way Level 5 is going, and there's always Pokemon, handhelds are good to go, though I wouldn't try to go the $249 high end route again, $199 seems to be the max for handhelds.

And even if NX is a home console, I think people on here talking about it being as powerful as PS4/X1 are delirious. Like I was yesterday. It's going to be fusion, so basically a 3DS w/ HDMI out. I'm thinking 2 Wii U duct taped together. All 1st party, no AAA 3rd party support. Lots and lots of app ports though.

And they keep calling NX a platform, so I think a PS+ type service is inevitable, really more like Netflix for NES, SNES and maybe Gameboy games. They can't compete on power, but they can compete on nostalgia.

We'll see. Oh look another NX article just popped up. ta ta

After paying $350.00 on launch day I hope to get at least 2 more Years ( Summer 2017 ) out of my Wii U ( love the console) ... Anything less than that I would be Pissed ... I'm not eager for a New Nintendo System ... I might have to go back to Xbox !!!!!! As of now I'm playing Splatoon... Waiting for Star Fox Zero & Yoshi's Woolly World & enjoying my Wii U

@kingofthesofa - Thanks, been a bad couple of weeks I'm working on relocating my joviality.

Hopefully we will get the NX next summer... I only have enough games to last till then....

I hope the game pad is useable on the next system or I may be out