Annoyingly NoE's website developers haven't bothered checking the site works with Chromebooks. Items don't show up properly in the Stars Catalogue and no matter what size you choose the site defaults to Medium size in the Basket. Take care if you use a Chromebook - I had to dig out my old XP laptop to order this!
Maybe even the incompetent wastes of space masquerading as NoE's 'Marketing team' may even twig from this that if they promoted Smash Bros (and other games) for the WiiU there might actually be some console sales from it. P.S. promotion excludes the flowcharts they bash out that are meaningless to new gamers and patronising to established gamers.
@NintendoFan64 At lease NoA know what an advert is, here in the UK Nintendo hasn't even realised that even a bad advert would shift some consoles. No TV adverts at all for Smash Bros, about $2 was spent on a MK8 campaign (I saw one advert....twice!) The sad thing is the WiiU has some great console sellling games. WiiFit sold masses on Wii, but its hard to believe its been out over a year. No promotions for NSMBU, 3D WORLD, Bayonetta, etc etc etc......Then Nintendo UK wonders why it isnt selling. Nintendo Japan just needs to sack the UK marketing 'team' and replace them with a chocolate fireguard as that would be more use.
GAME are experts in ripping off gamers, earlier this month they tried charging me an extra £5 for a "free" minifigure with Lego Batman 3. I only went there to spend 2000 "goodwill" points after complaining that I'd been ripped off on a previous visit to the Brighton store.
A good bargain, even with a black model you'll quickly need a HDD anyway Shame Nintendo isn't continuing with the promotion as it did offset the high prices a little - digital versions are much more expensive than buying physically (nice way of Nintendo to rip off digital customers). I wonder how many other people are using a non-powered HDD? Although not recommended I've been using a 1.8" USB-powered drive since WiiU launch and not had any problems at all.
I stopped buying these at number 3 as they are not great value for money versus playing on my tablet, I can't justify spending £5 for what is really quickly made DLC
@lbs Be careful at Game, the last two visits to my local store (Brighton) they tried overcharging me. They also tried charging £5 3xtra for the "free" Lego minifigure with Batman 3. Website is cheaper than going into store but Amazon or Shop to is always cheaper
I had this on pre-order but cancelled when Ubisoft delayed the release. Now with a backlog of games to play (still haven't opened Bayonetta 1/2 yet!) I'll be waiting for this to hit the bargain bin early next year. I also object to spending an extra £8-10 which Ubi greedily added as DLC. Ubisoft will only have themselves to blame for the guaranteed poor sales on WiiU, treat us better - had it been released on time it might have done well (in WiiU terms anyway)
At least America is getting adverts for the WiiU, Nintendo UK is still doing nothing to promote the WiiU, have they eve noticed Xmas is next month? Noone outside Nintendo Life even knows Smash Bros is coming in time for Xmas!
I had this on my list to buy 'soon' as I haven't even opened Bayonetta 1&2 yet, but after seeing the video, and learning it was a UK developer, I'll be buying later today!
Nintendo still don't get it, TV adverts still sell games AND consoles. Sticking a clip on Youtube like they have been doing for the WiiU & almost zero advertising elsewhere is the reason why the WiiU sales are dire in Europe. It is nothing to do with the name (the Wii name and sniggers it originally caused hardly stopped that console now did it!). The WiiU's failure is down to a completely useless 'marketing' department which does not even understand the basics of marketing. Mario 3D World, 101, Pikmin, Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta and all the other games have all had almost zero advertising effort and that is the reason why the games are not selling. Nasty Shovelware and annual updates sell when they are advertised - CoD, FIFA, Just Dance, etc!
Nintendo HAS to get to grips with what advertising is, otherwise the next gen will have no chance of being massive successes as 3rd parties have no confidence in Nintendo anymore.
erm "Despite Nintendo's best advertising efforts..." Are you being serious?? I've not seen an advert for the WiiU since 2 (count em!) adverts I managed to spot for MK8.
Nintendo has no faith in the WiiU as it cannot be bothered to advertise it. Even the 3DS Smash Bros ad could have included the WiiU for no spend and they didn't even do this.
No wonder the console and games do not sell and 3rd part support is dead, it is entirely Nintendo's fault. Advertising sells consoles and games, really basic stuff!!! Club Nintendo subscribers didn't even get an email from Nintendo about Bayonetta (and again costs a few minutes of someones time to do!). We are in the run-up to Xmas Nintendo UK, sack your marketing 'team' as they are not doing even a poor job of promoting the console and games.
I'm really surprised it managed to get into the top 10 as Nintendo has yet again spent £zero on advertising the game (like Hyrule). Ive seen a couple of ads for 3DS Smash Bros, they didn't even bother adding into the end of the ad that it will be soon on WiiU (which would have cost nothing to do!). I love Nintendo games/consoles, but really dispair about how poorly the WiiU is treated by Nintendo (who then no doubt moan about lack of 3rd party support). These games deserve better support.
Interestingly I saw an ad for Skylanders last night, the ad seemed to indicate it was only on WiiU, Wii and 3DS consoles. Hopefully this will generate some WiiU sales despite Nintendo UK forgetting about the console!
@rjejr I do find it really strange whenever anyone says that they only play games that have 'licensed characters'. Often these games are lazy sub-standard games which are cheap cash-ins. The reason why LCU hasn't come down in price is simply because it is a wonderful game. I've had every console since the NES/Gameboy eras and LCU is one of the best games I've played in 25+ years. Yeah, it has no licence but is all the better for it, as it is not constrained. What LCU is a Lego game with the best and funniest stories & one-liners, parodies of dozens of movies from Starsky & Hutch to Dirty Harry, Godfather to Titanic, Batman to Alien. Excellent gameplay, hilarious script, well designed and very addictive......hence why everyone who has played it loved it.
@rjejr You are seriously missing out on an excellent game if you haven't played Lego CIty Undercover. Although it is single player, it is still by far the best of the Lego games. If you are making an exception for Capt Toad then you need to make another for LCU!
@JaxonH I've never used a Y cable, although not 'recommended' I have a small HD powered through the USB, in the last 12 months I've not had a single problem with connecting/downloading/playing. Having said that it is a 1.8" drive rather than the usual 2.5/3.5 ones.
I'd already suffered "Death by Cucoo" before I'd seen this article. The child in me finds it hilarious to go for the Cucoo knowing what the outcome will be! Hyrule Warriors has really surprised me, it is really addictive, fun and fully deserves the asking price! It will happily tide me over until the next Zelda game appears.
When of when is Nintendo going to introduce folders into a System Update?? My system is getting really cluttered. Even the 3DS got this (although not being able to properly name them irks)
This was a must for me but now Ubi has delayed the game I'll probably give it a miss as I'm hoping to be playing bayonetta instead. No doubt sales when released will be low and Ubi will express surprise like they did with Rayman
Argh. a tournament I can't join because Nintendo Online Store used Yodel to send my MK8 with a 'guaranteed' delivery today but they have failed to deliver. Looks like I'll have to wait and see if Yodel bother delivering it on Monday now!
@SleepyCrossing You really need to give the Lego games a try (you can pick many of them up cheaply 2nd-hand). Lego City Undercover is still one of the best games available on the WiiU, and if you like movies then you'll see dozens of movies and genres parodied !
I agree it looks out of place, but personally like it for that fact! I hope they do a Merc-owned Smart car version that topples over if you corner too fast. DLC has obviously been written into the game, I have no problem with DLC that requires download/update, but do object to anything called DLC which is already on the disc (as this smacks of rip-off).
@darkswabber The BBC licensed Doctor Who to 'Character Building' who make Lego compatible bricks and sets (and are pretty poor against true Lego). As a result, a Lego Doctor Who game (or lego sets) are extremely unlikely unless they get out of the CB licensing agreements - Doctor Who licensing has nothing to do with Steven Moffat ( might be better if he was!)
Super Mario 3D World should have been the killer game for the system, with MarioKart later. WiiFitU has had NO adverts at all in the UK (I'd doubt elsewhere either). Advertising spend on 3D World was pathetic and pretty non-existent when it could have been a big Xmas console seller..
Nintendo has shown that they have absolutely no faith in the system because they have not marketed it at all. Pure & Simple, you need to advertise to sell. Xbone and PS4 have had hundreds of ads on mainstream TV to every single WiiU one. The WiiU deserves better than the long death Nintendo seem to have for it. A low sales projection is wise for this year but shows how little faith they have in the system's future. Little wonder 3rd parties have deserted the platform completely (safe for Indie's).
There are now enough great disc games AND wonderful Indie games on the system for a major advertising push. Indie games alone can make this a great 2nd console. This 'could' rescue the system (and repay the faithful Indies by an increase in sales of their games).
Bearing in mind Nintendo's marketing unexperts seem intent on the WiiU failing, I bet they don't bother releasing this outside Japan. If they do, then that would risk more WiiU's being sold which the marketing teams won't like at all!
I have been undecided about buying this, but after this well written article and finding out it was developed in the UK, I'll be purchasing this weekend. - have to support local developers! I like that they've added a comprehensive 'training' and strategy guide - I know the basics but hopefully this will help find out how to win more often!
There seems to be a few people objecting to some games being in the list but how many have actually played those games? I'd never have thought Lego City would have been the game I've played the most, followed by Splinter Cell. Both are far better than I had expected (for me, Lego is up there as an all-time great)
By all means slag off a game but only if you have played it!
The box says it is a PowerA product license rather than a Nintendo wheel. As it is sold by Game I wonder if you preorder it then they bump up the price on launch like the Brighton store tried with my Lego Movie preorder.
I'm hoping Club Nintendo release a gold one to match the wii one I have lying around somewhere
Splinter Cell is an excellent title, I've found it far more fun than CoD and really addictive. This deserves to shift more copies and hopefully convince Ubisoft there is a market for decent shooters on WiiU
A good article, it also used the word Ouya which I've not heard for a couple of months. Wasn't this supposed to be the thing that killed all other consoles ?? I bet even the WiiU has outsold it!
the big question is whether Nintendo actually shows the advert or just stick it on youtube as usual. Non-Nintendolife readers still have no idea there is a WiiU Fit, amongst others!
Apple is being held up as a beacon of responsibility? They should address the high suicide rates in the factories that make ipads, and also reduce the toxic materials used in their manufacture. Google 'Apple suicides'. All companies need to address these just as much as naming conflcts (but still buying the minerals).
Why on earth should Ubisoft support the WiiU. Nintendo have only themselves to blame, they can't be bothered to market their console so why should any third party developer have confidence in the system. It is a complete failure, the system is good but Nintendo has not supported the system so who can blame Ubisoft to have no confidence in it?
Nintendo had a year's head start but sales of PS4 and Bone have blown it out of the water already. People still think it is a lack of games hampering sales but the WiiU has many more games than 4/one. Neither is it the name- lets remember Wii was a dreadful name but didn't harm sales. The sole problem is lack of advertising and a proper (qualified) marketing team - over the Xmas period we all saw dozens of MS & Sony adverts for each Nintendo one. Advertising works, and NIntendo does not understand this basic concept......sadly the WIiU remains doomed until Nintendo spends money on marketing it and getting consumers to WANT one. For third parties, it is probably too late, perhaps now we are beginning to understand EA's dropping of the partnership with NIntendo, Ubi is quickly going the same way.
Only one year too late, well done Nintendo! Perhaps they should stop wasting time with youtube campaigns and just advertise the system properly, on TELEVISION. Perhaps even read A Dummy book on basic sales and marketing. Otherwise sales will remain pitiful even when MarioKart arrives.
Wow, Nintendo are going to have a Marketing Manager (I know they've had one before, but that one seemed allergic to advertising). Shame they have given the job to a journalist/mag editor rather than someone who is an expert in marketing? Methinks somehow Nintendo yet again hasn't quite understood what is required of a marketing role.
I used to use the Wii iplayer alot but now use the iplayer built into Youview. I'd still love to see it soon on WiiU, I hope at the same time they move Lovefilm & Netfix into the TVii section. A folder option to clean up my WiiU pages too please! (like the 3DS ones but more than the first letter showing)
The first thing Nintendo needs to do is to sack whatever advertising companies they are doing business with, and maybe sack their marketing dept too. WiiU is a great product, and had a year head start on MS and Sony. Nintendo UK only thought about adding instore demo machines into Game a year too late! Who other than Nintendo Lifers and existing owners looking at eshop knows that WiIFitU is out there? Yet another important franchise with no promotion - even inexperienced marketing people will tell you fitness stuff sells most in January.
In the run up to xmas hardly any ads were run, amazing games like Mario, not to mention Pikmin, 101, Zelda, et al deserve to br promoted. Other franchises have substandard updates, Wii Sport sold in tens of millions but WiiU Sports is an embarrassing update - it looks like it was developed on wii kit, not WiiU. The renting model for these are also too confusing to sell to new users.
These are the killer games which can sell consoles, what kind of company hides its best products from the wider market? Even the Club Nintendo mailings often dont promote new games until weeks after launch, if at all. All this is really basic marketing stuff, unless someone fires a fre rockets within Nintendo, the WiiU is going to have a long and painful death.
The European release failed to make an impact in sales because yet again NoE don't understand that to get sales, they have to let people know it has been released. I've not even received a Nintendo email about the release so they aren't even letting Wii & WiiU owners know (and don't get me started again on the lack of any WiiU adverts on TV!).
Has anyone actually seen these adverts on 'real' television? It is pointless releasing these 'ads' on Youtube as the only people to watch them are Nintendo owners & fans, who will already either have a WiiU or be on their list for one.
Basics of advertising again here for Nintendo UK. Mind you, they've probably spent the entire £10 advertising budget.
@TeeJay Raspberry Pi is from a British company, so it is best known over here. However it is available around the world (in the US the machine costs $25 or $35 depending on the model). Google Raspberry Pi for more info, the aim of the project is to re-ignite people's imagination and programming abilities (which old-er people like me remember in the 80's but is not so common now). CNet has a fun article about 25 fun things to do with the Pi, on the raspberypi.org site there is an article about projects, some really intruiging ones using 3D printers to create Pi-powered devices.
This isn't the best of explanations, but I hope this helps.
Nintendo has not bothered promoting the WiiU in the UK so it is hardly surprising when potential gamers don't bother with the system nor why sales of games remain poor!!
While I am sick of hearing about what ever Reggie has said, at least Nintendo has an active spokesperson in the US,......the European marketing team is camera & media shy, and the WiiU in particular deserves better.
I just hope Nintendo has a team created even more DLC levels. I used to think DLC was just a way of deceiving gamers into buying content which could have been included in the original game, but loving these new levels, and the prices are really reasonable too. I just hope more people buy Pikmin3 when console sales increase, so we might get Pikmin4 (in 2030 probably)
Yet again more bad news about WiiU's abysmal sales. It is hardly surprising they are not selling when I've seen dozens of Xbone and PS4 ads, and a total of two adverts for Mario 3D World and no other WiliU advert. I've seen Zelda almost ten times now....or 500% more than the WiiU !!
NIntendo needs to sack its entire marketing & advertising team, they are really not up to the job in hand. The WiiU deserves much better than Nintendo UK's current (mis)management team.
Comments 481
Re: Mario Kart 8 Starting Grid T-Shirt Accelerates Onto Club Nintendo
Annoyingly NoE's website developers haven't bothered checking the site works with Chromebooks. Items don't show up properly in the Stars Catalogue and no matter what size you choose the site defaults to Medium size in the Basket. Take care if you use a Chromebook - I had to dig out my old XP laptop to order this!
Re: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Sold to Over Ten Percent of Japanese Wii U Owners as System's Sales Rise
Maybe even the incompetent wastes of space masquerading as NoE's 'Marketing team' may even twig from this that if they promoted Smash Bros (and other games) for the WiiU there might actually be some console sales from it.
P.S. promotion excludes the flowcharts they bash out that are meaningless to new gamers and patronising to established gamers.
Re: Nintendo Serves Up An Infographic For Its "The Time Is Now" Wii U Campaign
@NintendoFan64
At lease NoA know what an advert is, here in the UK Nintendo hasn't even realised that even a bad advert would shift some consoles. No TV adverts at all for Smash Bros, about $2 was spent on a MK8 campaign (I saw one advert....twice!)
The sad thing is the WiiU has some great console sellling games. WiiFit sold masses on Wii, but its hard to believe its been out over a year. No promotions for NSMBU, 3D WORLD, Bayonetta, etc etc etc......Then Nintendo UK wonders why it isnt selling. Nintendo Japan just needs to sack the UK marketing 'team' and replace them with a chocolate fireguard as that would be more use.
Re: UK Retailer GAME Cashes In On Intense amiibo Demand By Hiking Price
ToysRUs (UK) are still selling Amiibos for £10.89 - you can click & collect to check stock & reserve a figure before going in.
Re: UK Retailer GAME Cashes In On Intense amiibo Demand By Hiking Price
GAME are experts in ripping off gamers, earlier this month they tried charging me an extra £5 for a "free" minifigure with Lego Batman 3. I only went there to spend 2000 "goodwill" points after complaining that I'd been ripped off on a previous visit to the Brighton store.
Re: Amazon UK Offers Bargain Prices to Shift Its White 8GB Wii U Bundles
A good bargain, even with a black model you'll quickly need a HDD anyway
Shame Nintendo isn't continuing with the promotion as it did offset the high prices a little - digital versions are much more expensive than buying physically (nice way of Nintendo to rip off digital customers).
I wonder how many other people are using a non-powered HDD? Although not recommended I've been using a 1.8" USB-powered drive since WiiU launch and not had any problems at all.
Re: Review: Picross e5 (3DS eShop)
I stopped buying these at number 3 as they are not great value for money versus playing on my tablet, I can't justify spending £5 for what is really quickly made DLC
Re: Nintendo Download: 27th November (Europe)
@lbs Be careful at Game, the last two visits to my local store (Brighton) they tried overcharging me. They also tried charging £5 3xtra for the "free" Lego minifigure with Batman 3. Website is cheaper than going into store but Amazon or Shop to is always cheaper
Re: Peculiar Outfits and Details Revealed for Twilight Princess Hyrule Warriors DLC
Hyrule warriors has really surprised me, it's a wonderful game and very addictive. Can't wait for this DLC!
Re: Video: Watch Us Merrily Cause Some Havoc In Watch Dogs On Wii U
I had this on pre-order but cancelled when Ubisoft delayed the release. Now with a backlog of games to play (still haven't opened Bayonetta 1/2 yet!) I'll be waiting for this to hit the bargain bin early next year. I also object to spending an extra £8-10 which Ubi greedily added as DLC.
Ubisoft will only have themselves to blame for the guaranteed poor sales on WiiU, treat us better - had it been released on time it might have done well (in WiiU terms anyway)
Re: Video: Nintendo Releases Two Snappy amiibo TV Commercials
At least America is getting adverts for the WiiU, Nintendo UK is still doing nothing to promote the WiiU, have they eve noticed Xmas is next month? Noone outside Nintendo Life even knows Smash Bros is coming in time for Xmas!
Re: Video: Nintendo Unleashes a Super Smash Bros. for Wii U TV Commercial
Wow, an advert for the WiiU.....oh wait it's an American one, so no-one in the UK will see it except for NintendoLife readers.
To Nintendo UK, google 'TV advert' to find out what this mysterious phrase means.
Re: Video: Take a Closer Look at the Awesome GamePad and Co-Op Features of Stealth Inc 2
I had this on my list to buy 'soon' as I haven't even opened Bayonetta 1&2 yet, but after seeing the video, and learning it was a UK developer, I'll be buying later today!
Re: Genyo Takeda Discusses Nintendo's Hardware Future
Nintendo still don't get it, TV adverts still sell games AND consoles. Sticking a clip on Youtube like they have been doing for the WiiU & almost zero advertising elsewhere is the reason why the WiiU sales are dire in Europe. It is nothing to do with the name (the Wii name and sniggers it originally caused hardly stopped that console now did it!). The WiiU's failure is down to a completely useless 'marketing' department which does not even understand the basics of marketing. Mario 3D World, 101, Pikmin, Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta and all the other games have all had almost zero advertising effort and that is the reason why the games are not selling. Nasty Shovelware and annual updates sell when they are advertised - CoD, FIFA, Just Dance, etc!
Nintendo HAS to get to grips with what advertising is, otherwise the next gen will have no chance of being massive successes as 3rd parties have no confidence in Nintendo anymore.
Re: Bayonetta 2 Falls From UK Charts After One Week
Not one of those adverts have been shown in the UK, it looks like the USA has a marketing team that does some marketing!!
Maybe Nintendo should sack the entire marketing teams in Europe and let NoA do the work they should be doing?
Re: Bayonetta 2 Falls From UK Charts After One Week
erm "Despite Nintendo's best advertising efforts..."
Are you being serious?? I've not seen an advert for the WiiU since 2 (count em!) adverts I managed to spot for MK8.
Nintendo has no faith in the WiiU as it cannot be bothered to advertise it. Even the 3DS Smash Bros ad could have included the WiiU for no spend and they didn't even do this.
No wonder the console and games do not sell and 3rd part support is dead, it is entirely Nintendo's fault. Advertising sells consoles and games, really basic stuff!!! Club Nintendo subscribers didn't even get an email from Nintendo about Bayonetta (and again costs a few minutes of someones time to do!). We are in the run-up to Xmas Nintendo UK, sack your marketing 'team' as they are not doing even a poor job of promoting the console and games.
Re: Bayonetta 2 Kicks Into The Top 10 in UK Charts
I'm really surprised it managed to get into the top 10 as Nintendo has yet again spent £zero on advertising the game (like Hyrule). Ive seen a couple of ads for 3DS Smash Bros, they didn't even bother adding into the end of the ad that it will be soon on WiiU (which would have cost nothing to do!).
I love Nintendo games/consoles, but really dispair about how poorly the WiiU is treated by Nintendo (who then no doubt moan about lack of 3rd party support). These games deserve better support.
Interestingly I saw an ad for Skylanders last night, the ad seemed to indicate it was only on WiiU, Wii and 3DS consoles. Hopefully this will generate some WiiU sales despite Nintendo UK forgetting about the console!
Re: Preview: Bat-Swinging into Action in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
@rjejr
I do find it really strange whenever anyone says that they only play games that have 'licensed characters'. Often these games are lazy sub-standard games which are cheap cash-ins. The reason why LCU hasn't come down in price is simply because it is a wonderful game. I've had every console since the NES/Gameboy eras and LCU is one of the best games I've played in 25+ years. Yeah, it has no licence but is all the better for it, as it is not constrained. What LCU is a Lego game with the best and funniest stories & one-liners, parodies of dozens of movies from Starsky & Hutch to Dirty Harry, Godfather to Titanic, Batman to Alien. Excellent gameplay, hilarious script, well designed and very addictive......hence why everyone who has played it loved it.
Re: Preview: Bat-Swinging into Action in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
@rjejr
You are seriously missing out on an excellent game if you haven't played Lego CIty Undercover. Although it is single player, it is still by far the best of the Lego games. If you are making an exception for Capt Toad then you need to make another for LCU!
Re: Wii U System Update 5.2.0 Brings Folders, New UI Design and More
@JaxonH
I've never used a Y cable, although not 'recommended' I have a small HD powered through the USB, in the last 12 months I've not had a single problem with connecting/downloading/playing.
Having said that it is a 1.8" drive rather than the usual 2.5/3.5 ones.
Re: Hyrule Warriors Limited Edition Sparks Huge Numbers of Fans to Queue Through the Night
Hmmm, it might be worth sticking my scarf on eBay and offering delivery to USA!
Re: Wii U System Update 5.2.0 Brings Folders, New UI Design and More
Finally!!!! No more clutter. Still no use for the TVii function though
Re: Weirdness: Nintendo Shows The Glory and Danger of Cuccos in Hyrule Warriors
I'd already suffered "Death by Cucoo" before I'd seen this article. The child in me finds it hilarious to go for the Cucoo knowing what the outcome will be!
Hyrule Warriors has really surprised me, it is really addictive, fun and fully deserves the asking price! It will happily tide me over until the next Zelda game appears.
Re: Wii U System Update 5.1.2 Takes Stability to Another Level
When of when is Nintendo going to introduce folders into a System Update?? My system is getting really cluttered.
Even the 3DS got this (although not being able to properly name them irks)
Re: Ubisoft Reconfirms Watch Dogs For Fall 2014 Release On Wii U
This was a must for me but now Ubi has delayed the game I'll probably give it a miss as I'm hoping to be playing bayonetta instead. No doubt sales when released will be low and Ubi will express surprise like they did with Rayman
Re: Play: Mario Kart 8 With Nintendo Life on Twitch - Live!
Argh. a tournament I can't join because Nintendo Online Store used Yodel to send my MK8 with a 'guaranteed' delivery today but they have failed to deliver. Looks like I'll have to wait and see if Yodel bother delivering it on Monday now!
Re: LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Looks Out of This World
@SleepyCrossing
You really need to give the Lego games a try (you can pick many of them up cheaply 2nd-hand). Lego City Undercover is still one of the best games available on the WiiU, and if you like movies then you'll see dozens of movies and genres parodied !
Re: Mario Kart 8 DLC Confirmed for Japan With Free Mercedes Car
I agree it looks out of place, but personally like it for that fact! I hope they do a Merc-owned Smart car version that topples over if you corner too fast.
DLC has obviously been written into the game, I have no problem with DLC that requires download/update, but do object to anything called DLC which is already on the disc (as this smacks of rip-off).
Re: Review: LEGO The Hobbit (3DS)
@darkswabber
The BBC licensed Doctor Who to 'Character Building' who make Lego compatible bricks and sets (and are pretty poor against true Lego). As a result, a Lego Doctor Who game (or lego sets) are extremely unlikely unless they get out of the CB licensing agreements - Doctor Who licensing has nothing to do with Steven Moffat ( might be better if he was!)
Re: Video: The Latest Mario Kart 8 Commercial is Possibly the Strangest Yet
Still waiting to see any advert in the UK for Mario Kart. No doubt Nintendo UK has the usual £5 ad budget then will moan about lack of UK sales.
Re: Satoru Iwata Explains "Conservative" Wii U Sales Projection of Just 3.6 Million Units
Super Mario 3D World should have been the killer game for the system, with MarioKart later. WiiFitU has had NO adverts at all in the UK (I'd doubt elsewhere either). Advertising spend on 3D World was pathetic and pretty non-existent when it could have been a big Xmas console seller..
Nintendo has shown that they have absolutely no faith in the system because they have not marketed it at all. Pure & Simple, you need to advertise to sell. Xbone and PS4 have had hundreds of ads on mainstream TV to every single WiiU one. The WiiU deserves better than the long death Nintendo seem to have for it. A low sales projection is wise for this year but shows how little faith they have in the system's future. Little wonder 3rd parties have deserted the platform completely (safe for Indie's).
There are now enough great disc games AND wonderful Indie games on the system for a major advertising push. Indie games alone can make this a great 2nd console. This 'could' rescue the system (and repay the faithful Indies by an increase in sales of their games).
Re: New Instalment In The Popular Fatal Frame Franchise Coming To Wii U
Bearing in mind Nintendo's marketing unexperts seem intent on the WiiU failing, I bet they don't bother releasing this outside Japan. If they do, then that would risk more WiiU's being sold which the marketing teams won't like at all!
Re: Feature: VooFoo Studios and Ripstone on Pure Chess and Opening Up a New World of Cross-Platform Multiplayer
I have been undecided about buying this, but after this well written article and finding out it was developed in the UK, I'll be purchasing this weekend. - have to support local developers!
I like that they've added a comprehensive 'training' and strategy guide - I know the basics but hopefully this will help find out how to win more often!
Re: Video: The Top 20 Wii U Games So Far - Part One
There seems to be a few people objecting to some games being in the list but how many have actually played those games? I'd never have thought Lego City would have been the game I've played the most, followed by Splinter Cell. Both are far better than I had expected (for me, Lego is up there as an all-time great)
By all means slag off a game but only if you have played it!
Re: Mario Kart 8 Racing Wheel Available For Preorder In The UK, Looks Suspiciously Like The Old Wii One
The box says it is a PowerA product license rather than a Nintendo wheel. As it is sold by Game I wonder if you preorder it then they bump up the price on launch like the Brighton store tried with my Lego Movie preorder.
I'm hoping Club Nintendo release a gold one to match the wii one I have lying around somewhere
Re: Nintendo Download: 27th February (Europe)
Splinter Cell is an excellent title, I've found it far more fun than CoD and really addictive. This deserves to shift more copies and hopefully convince Ubisoft there is a market for decent shooters on WiiU
Re: Talking Point: The Nintendo Web Framework and the Return of 'Old-School' Indies
A good article, it also used the word Ouya which I've not heard for a couple of months. Wasn't this supposed to be the thing that killed all other consoles ?? I bet even the WiiU has outsold it!
Re: Video: These UK and US Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Adverts Are Islands Apart In Tone
the big question is whether Nintendo actually shows the advert or just stick it on youtube as usual. Non-Nintendolife readers still have no idea there is a WiiU Fit, amongst others!
Re: Congo Calling's Bandi Mbubi Urges Gamers To Press Nintendo Into Using Conflict-Free Materials In Its Consoles
Apple is being held up as a beacon of responsibility? They should address the high suicide rates in the factories that make ipads, and also reduce the toxic materials used in their manufacture. Google 'Apple suicides'. All companies need to address these just as much as naming conflcts (but still buying the minerals).
Re: Just 2% of Ubisoft's Q3 Sales Were for Wii U
Why on earth should Ubisoft support the WiiU. Nintendo have only themselves to blame, they can't be bothered to market their console so why should any third party developer have confidence in the system. It is a complete failure, the system is good but Nintendo has not supported the system so who can blame Ubisoft to have no confidence in it?
Nintendo had a year's head start but sales of PS4 and Bone have blown it out of the water already. People still think it is a lack of games hampering sales but the WiiU has many more games than 4/one. Neither is it the name- lets remember Wii was a dreadful name but didn't harm sales. The sole problem is lack of advertising and a proper (qualified) marketing team - over the Xmas period we all saw dozens of MS & Sony adverts for each Nintendo one. Advertising works, and NIntendo does not understand this basic concept......sadly the WIiU remains doomed until Nintendo spends money on marketing it and getting consumers to WANT one. For third parties, it is probably too late, perhaps now we are beginning to understand EA's dropping of the partnership with NIntendo, Ubi is quickly going the same way.
Re: Nintendo Publishes a "New to Wii U?" Guide
Only one year too late, well done Nintendo! Perhaps they should stop wasting time with youtube campaigns and just advertise the system properly, on TELEVISION. Perhaps even read A Dummy book on basic sales and marketing. Otherwise sales will remain pitiful even when MarioKart arrives.
Re: Recently Departed Official Nintendo Magazine Editor Chandra Nair Turns Up At Nintendo UK
Wow, Nintendo are going to have a Marketing Manager (I know they've had one before, but that one seemed allergic to advertising). Shame they have given the job to a journalist/mag editor rather than someone who is an expert in marketing? Methinks somehow Nintendo yet again hasn't quite understood what is required of a marketing role.
Re: BBC is "Working to bring iPlayer" to the Wii U
I used to use the Wii iplayer alot but now use the iplayer built into Youview. I'd still love to see it soon on WiiU, I hope at the same time they move Lovefilm & Netfix into the TVii section.
A folder option to clean up my WiiU pages too please! (like the 3DS ones but more than the first letter showing)
Re: $1.2 Billion Wiped Off Nintendo's Market Value As Share Prices Plummet
The first thing Nintendo needs to do is to sack whatever advertising companies they are doing business with, and maybe sack their marketing dept too. WiiU is a great product, and had a year head start on MS and Sony. Nintendo UK only thought about adding instore demo machines into Game a year too late!
Who other than Nintendo Lifers and existing owners looking at eshop knows that WiIFitU is out there? Yet another important franchise with no promotion - even inexperienced marketing people will tell you fitness stuff sells most in January.
In the run up to xmas hardly any ads were run, amazing games like Mario, not to mention Pikmin, 101, Zelda, et al deserve to br promoted. Other franchises have substandard updates, Wii Sport sold in tens of millions but WiiU Sports is an embarrassing update - it looks like it was developed on wii kit, not WiiU. The renting model for these are also too confusing to sell to new users.
These are the killer games which can sell consoles, what kind of company hides its best products from the wider market? Even the Club Nintendo mailings often dont promote new games until weeks after launch, if at all. All this is really basic marketing stuff, unless someone fires a fre rockets within Nintendo, the WiiU is going to have a long and painful death.
Re: Wii Fit U Retail Release Pushed Back to 10th January 2014 in North America
The European release failed to make an impact in sales because yet again NoE don't understand that to get sales, they have to let people know it has been released. I've not even received a Nintendo email about the release so they aren't even letting Wii & WiiU owners know (and don't get me started again on the lack of any WiiU adverts on TV!).
Re: Video: Nintendo Serves Up Another Batch of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf Adverts
Has anyone actually seen these adverts on 'real' television? It is pointless releasing these 'ads' on Youtube as the only people to watch them are Nintendo owners & fans, who will already either have a WiiU or be on their list for one.
Basics of advertising again here for Nintendo UK. Mind you, they've probably spent the entire £10 advertising budget.
Re: SpillPass-Pi Could be a Clever Workaround for All The StreetPass Hits You Need
@TeeJay
Raspberry Pi is from a British company, so it is best known over here. However it is available around the world (in the US the machine costs $25 or $35 depending on the model).
Google Raspberry Pi for more info, the aim of the project is to re-ignite people's imagination and programming abilities (which old-er people like me remember in the 80's but is not so common now). CNet has a fun article about 25 fun things to do with the Pi, on the raspberypi.org site there is an article about projects, some really intruiging ones using 3D printers to create Pi-powered devices.
This isn't the best of explanations, but I hope this helps.
Re: Super Mario 3D World Drops Down UK Charts in Second Week
Nintendo has not bothered promoting the WiiU in the UK so it is hardly surprising when potential gamers don't bother with the system nor why sales of games remain poor!!
While I am sick of hearing about what ever Reggie has said, at least Nintendo has an active spokesperson in the US,......the European marketing team is camera & media shy, and the WiiU in particular deserves better.
Re: Video: Let This Pikmin 3 DLC Trailer Give You That Festive Feeling
I just hope Nintendo has a team created even more DLC levels. I used to think DLC was just a way of deceiving gamers into buying content which could have been included in the original game, but loving these new levels, and the prices are really reasonable too. I just hope more people buy Pikmin3 when console sales increase, so we might get Pikmin4 (in 2030 probably)
Re: GAME's Wii U Cyber Monday Console Deals Should Shift Some Units
Yet again more bad news about WiiU's abysmal sales. It is hardly surprising they are not selling when I've seen dozens of Xbone and PS4 ads, and a total of two adverts for Mario 3D World and no other WiliU advert. I've seen Zelda almost ten times now....or 500% more than the WiiU !!
NIntendo needs to sack its entire marketing & advertising team, they are really not up to the job in hand. The WiiU deserves much better than Nintendo UK's current (mis)management team.