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Iwata: Wii situation cannot be defined as healthy photo

It's no secret that the Wii isn't the scarce object of lust that once it was, now freely available to purchase and no longer selling out everywhere in the world. Nintendo, of course, does not like this and boss man Satoru Iwata has voiced his dismay, along with a determination to reignite the waggle box's fire.

"As you probably know, the current situation of Wii cannot be defined as healthy," explains Iwata, talking about the system's Japanese sales performance. "The price cut seems to have the least impact here than other parts of the world. It is our urgent mission to recover the momentum of Wii during the holidays utilizing Nintendo’s strength."

While I respect the humility on Iwata's part, let us not forget that the Wii has had a ludicrously popular few years and a drop like this should be expected. I dare say that nearly everybody who ever wanted a Wii has one by now. It's not like Nintendo can keep the same sales figures consistently until the end of time.

This seems to be a rather cunning way for Nintendo to show off, acting like the Wii has set such high standards in the past that even selling thousands of systems a week is some sort of failure. Iwata, you cheeky scamp, I'm onto your tricks!


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64 comments | showing # 1 to 50

aaronf's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:03
aaronf
Good thing I ebayed my Wii when it was still hard to find. I've considered purchasing it again since the price drop, but I don't need a glorified paperweight just to play Super Mario Bros Wii.
Shadowiii's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:04
Shadowiii
The fad is finally dying, like furbees.
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:05
AgentMOO
*heart rate monitor joke goes here*
TheDRMaster's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:12
TheDRMaster
Haha.
Stevil's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:16
Stevil
Do game companies ever think of long-term strategies anymore? I mean to me at least, this generation seems to have its head in the sand when it comes to the oversaturation of their products.
GEMPadre036's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:17
GEMPadre036
Poor Iwata! His pool of jello doesn't have whipped cream in it anymore! Japan is a smaller place than America, so of course it won't bounce back as well there after the price drop as it would in other places. Anyways, with a new system presumably coming in somewhere around 1-2 years away, this "tragedy" will be good motivation to make sure the next one is more than just an HD Wii. Innovation is the only thing Nintendo has going for it, and with Sony and Microsoft going motion as well, it will have to innovate even more than the Wii did to stand out.
HEL105's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:19
HEL105
There will always be a fresh wave of kids every year who just got old enough to get a Wii. I'm still going to buy one eventually, so that's one sale you can count, Nintendo!
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:22
covah
UH OH! Sounds like Nintendo needs us, you know... gamers. Those half ass "Just fucking shake your arm around, burn 10 calories, and think sometimes" games must not be cutting it anymore huh?

Maybe Nintendo will start making games again.
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:24
manasteel88
and now they'll come crawling back to the hardcore. that little market that they shunned for 3 years.
Tron's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:28
Tron
Why nit just release a. Updated version of the wii every couple of years like the ds? If it works for the ds, then why not the wii?
Scroll's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:28
Scroll
If they had a better offering of software and didn't focus on whoring themselves out then they wouln't be in this mess.
Benson's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:29
Benson
@Stevil, of COURSE some companies think long term! These are things you should know by now.....
also, what HEL105 said. Regarding new gamers.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:30
Monodi
Go to the damn basics, guys. Please. (Hopefully that is what they intend with NSMBW)
StickyDank's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:34
StickyDank
This just means we're one step closer to that fabled 1080p next-gen Zelda I've been dreaming of.
TheStripe's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:34
TheStripe
Lol @ haters.

You guys are the best.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:35
Holyetheline
I don't give my Wii that much attention at all these days...
GEMPadre036's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:36
GEMPadre036
@covah
@manasteel88
Nintendo didn't "shun" the more experienced gamers. They alot of these types of games for Wii. If Nintendo had simply released an HD Gamecube, they wouldn't have survived. It's true that they've set their sites on another target audience, but making Games more mainstream by targeting people other than the ones you already have is good for the industry. Third-Parties who shoveled their wares onto the Wii are to blame for any shunning. A good console, even with the best 1st party support, can't truely shine without good 3rd party support. They are the ones who shunned the Wii. Unless you consider Motion controls and non-HD graphics shunning.
bustaballs's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:38
bustaballs
Retarded trolls are on the loose. Anyone who still suggests that the Wii has no decent games is nothing less than willingly ignorant. It far surpasses the amount of decent exclusives on any of the current systems. Thankfully these dumb trolls are in the minority and there are tens of millions of people enjoying great games on the system.
MrSlippery's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:39
MrSlippery
MORE GAMES THAT AREN'T IMAGINE BABYZ
Anastu's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:45
Anastu
@bustaballs Yeah, there are decent games on the Wii, like No More Heroes, the RE4 port, etc. but more would not hurt. They need more games that cater to more mature audiences and hardcore gamers.
Your Moms Hot Lover's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:45
Your Moms Hot Lover
where the Wii fails is that 95% of their customer base don't buy many games or DLC or pay any kind of ongoing fee like XBL Gold or whatever. Therefore if they ain't selling systems they will quickly get in trouble. Because in business no one cares how many sales you made last year.

360 and PS3 on the other hand, install base has grown slower, but man don't some of us lay down some serious bank on games and extras for our systems. Unless of course there is some new hardware refresh the Wii isn't going to have a good 2010.
Drack48's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:47
Drack48
How about some f$#%@! games Nintendo? Please!
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:52
hpv
Maybe they should have made some actual games for their game system. Or at least taped THREE GameCube's together when building it.

I wish I could sell my Wii, but the damn thing makes me so angry I can't even think about it without smashing something.
Black Nexus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 14:54
Black Nexus
Soooo there only making 8 tons of money instead of 9 and the situation is "unhealthy"?

I wish my wallet was "unhealthy" like that.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:00
Br0th3rGr1mm
"everybody who ever wanted a Wii has one by now."

Some of us have one and still don't KNOW why....oh, right, My wife wanted it and has played it like 6 times since last Christmas.
bobyoko's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:09
bobyoko
there are a few things that the big N HAS to do to keep control of the market. #1: Start releasing high quality software more than twice a year (where the hell are f-zero, star fox, and pikmin?). #2: Do something to bring third party support back to Nintendo hardware (which hasn't been there since SNES). #3: Stop releasing new hardware, we don't need a new piece of plastic to add to the pile (and maybe a real game that supports the balance board?).

If you keep releasing cheese peripherals (ie vitality sensor), you are going to watch your market share disappear. oh, and a belated #4: Get rid of EVERYONE at NOA. They're doing a horrible job for you.
hyurirage's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:11
hyurirage
@BrotherGrimm It's the psychological effect of "hot item for holiday", everyone wants one, everyone has to have one, and everyone don't know why.

If not for the House of The Dead collections, I'd have shot the Wii with a real gun already.
Threaded's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:14
Threaded
Fix NOA and wait for 2010. Problem solved.
Emrah's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:14
Emrah
Corporate greed ftw.. They sold a gazillion wii's, all at a profit. When is enough is enough?
podebeijaranoiva's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:22
podebeijaranoiva
You know, maybe im in a long shot here, but...

What if nintendo... start to release games... i mean, like GOOD games?

I know it may sound crazy but maybe, just maybe, that could make the wii regain strenght?
hornetjockey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:24
hornetjockey
If you want Wii sales to pick back up, the secret is not to make more great games. What you need to do is release some more poorly supported peripherals.
StickFlick's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:33
StickFlick
@Emrah:

Why make less money when they can make MOAR MUNNIEZ???

IWATA: IS THE DS LL OUT YET? NO WELL MAKE ANOTHER ITERATION AND THIS TIME INCORPORATE A HEARTBEAT SENSOR. WHAT WE ALREADY ARE DOING THAT? MAKE IT COMPATIBLE WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING.

WHAT? THE WII IS NOT SELLING? LUDICROUS. I CHOPPED OFF LIKE 50 BUCKS FROM THE PRICE. WHAT THE HELLS WRONG. I NEED A NEW DIAMOND OFFICE CHAIR WHEEL THIS ONE IS DIRTY. MIYAMOTO.

MIYAMOTO: Yes sir?

IWATA: ACTIVATE THE MARIO RAPE MACHINE.

MIYAMOTO: But.... sir he cannot take much more. We have extracted everything, all he has left is a waining will to live.

IWATA: PROFITS ARE DOWN. UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR NINTENDOG AGAIN YOU WILL DO AS I COMMAND

MIYAMOTO: Not Wesley!, I'm sorry Mario. *click*


*Nintendo announces new mario game, AND ITZ NOT GALAXY 2! will be revealed at e3*

@E3: Wii would like to take everyone in and keep it fresh for todays changing industry. Which is why we have a familiar face, with a new concept. ladies and gentleman. behold.


Future Mario revealed. There are laser guns and rockets boots.



...
It's going to happen.
HOLY TACO's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:33
HOLY TACO
Theres like 10 games I'd like to play on Wii, not counting the Wiiware, maybe it's time I pick one up. MR IWATA!! I'M COMING! Oh wait, actually I'll just pick up one of the multitudes of cheap second hand ones online. Thank you Nintendo for making a solid product, now I can buy your console cheap and 2nd hand without worrying :-)
Llamaspit's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:38
Llamaspit
greed
bustaballs's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:42
bustaballs
Metacritic system scores 50 and above:

PC: 1915 games
Xbox 360: 668 games
Wii: 418
PS3: 404
Coldbrand's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 15:46
Coldbrand
Maybe, just maybe, releasing some fucking games might just help.
shinryu108's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 16:00
shinryu108
who gives a fuck, we still getting new metroid, new zelda, new mario. regardless of how the wii does.
GEMPadre036's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 16:08
GEMPadre036
@shinryu108
Don't forget new Pikmin.
bustaballs's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 16:31
bustaballs
I guess hundreds of good games aren't enough for these people. You people are not real gamers.
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 16:46
manasteel88
@GEMPadre
when Nintendo decided to put money into development of Wii Music, that was a waste of time and money that could have been spent on any number of games that the single greatest developer, Shigeru Miyamoto, could have spent on something more important. When they decided to put it as the focus point of a large presentation for the gaming press at e3, that was an embarrassment for the gaming industry. All the money they put into the marketing and production of the game across 3 continents was a waste. All because they tried to capitalize on the music market by making a casual version of a game in a genre that was starting to show signs of over saturation by the mainstream.

Thats one example. Not publishing Mother 3 over here is another. No localized Wii no Ma, Disaster Day of Crisis, Fatal Frame 4, the pizza ordering channel for the Wii. Nothing. Not even one new channel to bolster attention to the wii (like MS with NXE). And this is just complaints from a North American Nintendo consumer.

The fact that they haven't produced or helped publish an original ip in 3 years when they have had a dramatic upsurge in revenue is a big issue. When Japanese publishers are complaining about stagnation and you have a Japanese company that has a completely revolutionary concept on game design, that's a big issue. Nintendo is the top company in the Japanese game industry with the wii and they can't bolster 3rd party support while everyone is developing DS games, that's an issue.

They can do all this and still produce games that can't compete with Microsoft or Sony is a big issue. I haven't seen one game that Nintendo has made better with motion controls. I'm still waiting for a AAA RTS which seems like an obvious choice with a wiimote (especially since the 360 has like 7 or 8), but since Nintendo hasn't fostered the concept to hardcore game developers we're stuck with Wii Motion Plus.

Nintendo has put their money into creating games for people who purchase on a whim. That is a current problem.

Also, statistically speaking the consoles that are most remembered during any given generation are the ones with the best RPGs. I can count plenty on both HD consoles, but I can't think of more than a handful of them on the wii.

Game creation might be a problem passed onto 3rd parties, but if I was going to push a console out, I'd have decent representation from some developers who can make games in genres that I don't make.

We haven't seen Nintendo do anything since launch (outside of last e3) to make a dent in the software sales slump. If you want to put that on the lack of developer support thats fine, but if I had companies that didn't want to make games for my system and I'm starting to see month over month sales drops, I'd try to get some support to bolster sales.

Nintendo has had it all to win this console generation, but my attachment rate of games is 4 to 1 for 360 to wii games and 5 to 0 representing these past few months.

All of the above can be fixed by Nintendo. Too bad Nintendo isn't going to fix any of them.
FistfulOAwesome's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 16:57
FistfulOAwesome
Jim, are you the least interested why the Wii suddenly lost its massive momentum? Do you not remember one of the laws of motion (it will sort-of make sense when applied to the Wii): An object in motion stays in motion, until something stops it (or something like that. I can't remember it perfectly). Meaning, there is no reason why the Wii should have just stopped selling "because everyone who wants one has one". At current, the Wii has sold about 50 million of itself. The population of the U.S.A. alone is somewhere near 350 million, so logic dictates that there are plenty more people to sell the console to. The Wii lost its momentum, strangely enough, for the reason every Wii-hating troll has belted since day one: No games. Later 2008/first half 2009 had basically no heavy hitter. Wii Music didn't do its job like previous games in the Wii sereis did, and that cost Nintendo big time. It was their inaugural step into User-Generated Content games, and it freaking destroyed the Wii. Couple this with third-parties continuing to refuse to take the system seriously, and you have the Wii not stopped but slowed down. That's why this and next year you see Nintendo tossing out sequels to earlier popular games (Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, New Super Mario Bros. Wii): They are transitioning back to making games with content, and are taking a recuperative break with the sequels (though they probably would have made them anyway) while they prepare their comeback in later 2010/early 2011.

Point is, Jim, could you (and the rest of the Destructoid editors (bear in mind, I love the site and find most of the writing to be informative and/or entertaining)) at least try to analyze why the Wii lost its momentum over simply tossing out the "common knowledge" remark that a system "has" to lose its momentum over time when you guys do one of these blog posts on Nintendo's waning sales?
MasterMS's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:11
MasterMS
Lets not forget $200 is still expensive for what the console offers. Especially considering their new market is the casual gamer, and as a result the hardcore gamer has been let down by the Wii. I'm still pushing a $100 price tag. If they want to move units thats the way to do it.
Toadofsky's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:22
Toadofsky
I honestly don't care. I just play games on the Wii, I'm not counting the sales figures, or listening to air-headed analysts like Michael Pachter. But for some reason, hardcore gamers are sooo concerned about the sales figure of a console, I can't understand that anymore. I just love how every hardcore gamer who dislikes Nintendo or who does after the Wii Music debacle think that/want Nintendo to crawl on their hands and knees and beg their forgiveness. How honestly ridiculous is that? Guess what? That won't happen, no matter how many of you want it to.

It's funny how the excuse that everyone has one now is the reasoning for the slump. It's true that there has been a lack of good games consistently being released. The first two years had plenty of titles, this past year has been paltry to be sure.

So the Wii doesn't or won't have the games you want, fine, enjoy your 360 or your PS3, heck both if you got 'em.
theredpepperofdoom's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:22
theredpepperofdoom
Good, now make great games for the system.
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:28
atastysammich
I've got it! They could make a revision of the system that substitutes a camera for Gamecube compatibility! NO, WAIT! Here's the moneymaker: they make the system larger for no reason and hike up the price. It'll be a hit, I tells ya!
lewness's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:50
lewness
Sounds like right timing for that new NSMBW, eh?
martinine's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:53
martinine
I bought the Wii to play No More Heroes. Now I am keeping it to play NMH2. I can't wait. The Wii is definitely worth having. There are some good games. I think the lack of HD support is coming back to bite them in the ass. I still think that the Wii could do a better job with anti aliasing as well. Perhaps that is just an HD issue.

Side note. I honestly play my 360 and my Wii about the same amount. I need a PS3 and Uncharted 2 though. I mean need. There isn't a Wii game that I want to play as badly.
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 17:54
Qraze
he needs some cheese with that whine.
boo hoo.
poor nintendo.
they tried oh so hard and look what happened.
they need a whamburger with those cries.
oh pity nintendo, just a dam pity.
maybe he'll have to use the regular bathrooms now.
such a shame.
Kalmah's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 18:01
Kalmah
An updated version should appeal to those suckers... erm... gamers. I mean, if DSi works then surely Wii... uh... hmm... Wiii should work too, right?
Gee-Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 18:44
Gee-Man
Unfortunately, I saw this coming for two years now. Don't get me wrong, the Wii has many great games, just not enough to really capture the hardcore crowd.

But once again, what can they do? I honestly laugh and die a bit on the inside whenever I hear gamers talking about how Nintendo, "sold-out" or "betrayed" core gamers. You know why they did that? Because instead of supporting the good games on their core gamer-aimed consoles like the N64 and Gamecube, you simply gave them the finger and called them, "kiddy crap." Now we have the Wii, which has sold amazingly well, despite having little to no core support.

Nintendo can't win either way. Their console releases amazing games like Eternal Darkness, Animal Crossing, Wind Waker, Pikmin, Killer 7, and Baten Kaitos (and obviously much more, but those come to mind right now) and most gamers just say things along the lines of, "LOL, KIDDY GAMES ARE TEH FAIL" Then they try to go in the exact opposite direction, trying to appeal to a different market, and then you same guys say, "WTF!? NINTENDO BETRAYED US!!!11!" No matter what Nintendo does, they'll always be the company that recieves the most flak and criticism.

But whatever, I just hope Iwata realizes this and gets the company to start focusing on creating some core games that not only grab gamers' attentions, but also keep them.
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