There’s no denying that the launch is incredibly important to any new console: especially those who bring more to the table than just more power. Nintendo’s Wii U will not only bring more power, but an innovative controller as well, making it possible for all sorts of different games, just like the original Wii did years ago. Here are 5 things Nintendo must get right with the Wii U launch:
Wii U Price
Since the Wii U won’t be that much more powerful than current gen consoles (around 50% more powerful), it will directly compete with the Xbox 360 and PS3. Nintendo needs to price the console aggressively — $250 would be ideal, and some industry analysts think it needs to be even cheaper, at $199, for Nintendo to compete.
First party Wii U lineup
With the Wii, Nintendo had astrong first party launch lineup led by Zelda: Twilight Princess. For the Wii U, we’ll need something just as big: at least a Mario game, or a new Zelda — something that can get Nintendo fans excited about the new console.
Third party Wii U titles
The third party lineup for the Wii launch in 2006 was abysmal, and those titles that were released, like Red Steel and Excite Truck, were disappointing. This time, Nintendo needs the support of third parties who can bring their biggest titles to the Wii U. Ubisoft has already announced that Assassin’s Creed 3 will be coming to the Wii U, and we’ll need Activision and EA’s support as well to bring hardcore titles like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor.
Wii U availability
The Wii was out of stock for almost a whole year worldwide after its launch. Nintendo never seemed to have enough units to meet demand, which ultimately caused some gamers to just give up and get an Xbox 360 or PS3. This time, Nintendo needs to meet the demand for the console — if the demand is there.
Strong marketing campaign
Nintendo needs a strong ad campaign that shows just how different the Wii U is from the other consoles, and how innovative it is, especially compared to Kinect and Move. There’s no denying that the Nintendo Wii U needs to sell well, and for that, the best way is always to drum up excitement for the new hardware.
Did we leave anything out? What else do you think is important for the Wii U launch? Let us know in the comments section!
