The Action Plan
Griffin:
Christian, you go first this time.
Christian:
Ok, I’ll try my hardest.
Anyone have a good segue?
Griffin:
Segue: “speaking of hardest, turning around the Wii U will be Nintendo’s hardest challenge…”
*Excitedly pats self on back*
Michael:
*Tips hat*
Griffin:
*Chest bump*
Christian:
I think improvement will ultimately come with time. As of now, they’ve put themselves in a corner with the GamePad concept (I don’t know why I always stick the Big N in the corner). All they can do is stop re-releasing old games with added gimmicks and start aiming to make a game for the hardcore crowd that actually utilizes the tablet in a unique way. They didn’t come out with a Twilight Princess caliber launch game to draw in us nerds.
Your segue deserves awards!
Griffin:
Right. And as little as TP was revamped from GameCube, it doesn’t matter. It was a huge draw at launch. As goofy as the Wii port seemed at the time, it really was a smart move.
Love TP, by the way. 2004 E3 reveal = best thing ever and tears of joy.
Michael:
To play devil’s advocate, Nintendo’s new strategy with the GamePad doesn’t necessarily mean that games should be built around that as a feature. I mean, Wii titles such as Super Mario Galaxy barely implemented motion controls and instead focused on fine-tuning the gameplay, and it really benefited from it (in my eyes, at least). That said, it’d be a bold move to completely toss it out the window, but maybe they could create a new SKU that doesn’t include the GamePad. A 2DS-like package, of sorts.
Griffin:
Very true, and good point. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted goofy motion controls shoehorned into Galaxy.
I guess the difference is, the Wiimote wasn’t adding (as far as I know) a huge manufacturing cost to the Wii. Without the GamePad, on the other hand, the Wii U would be very cheap.
As for the 2DS-like idea – exactly! It’s a possibility. It would be very bold, though.
Christian:
Good point, most great 3DS games hardly rely on 3D, even if they utilize it. They still need to work on innovating, though. Trotting out the same few franchises won’t keep them afloat with fans for long.
Michael:
I admire Nintendo’s resilience, but sometimes that bleeds into a resistance to try new things.
Griffin:
Do you guys think Wii U sans GamePad is feasible?
Christian:
Maybe. It’s too late to take it back now, but I think it’s possible for Nintendo to use the updated hardware to churn out some new classics.
Michael:
It’s still a pretty solid controller. Personally, I’ve only played it a few times and looking from the TV to the GamePad can be so jarring that it almost takes me out of the game.
Christian:
It reminds me of those games on the Xbox One that try to integrate tablet computers.
I think that’s a thing, right? It’s the Nintendo 2DS of the Wii U.
Michael:
It would even reduce the price if it were to be taken out. Companies make their largest profits through software sales, but better margins on Wii U would certainly help. Right now, the attachment rate is pretty low.
Griffin:
Well put. I think it’s a pretty good idea – the price would be very competitive without the GamePad. I mean, definitely impulse territory as consoles are concerned. They could do $200!
Christian:
Definitely. The 2DS was what convinced me to get a 3DS in the first place. It shows confidence to sell your console sans gimmick, based on the quality of the games alone. At least, that’s how I see it.
Michael:
The 2DS showed that Nintendo are willing to acknowledge when a gimmick isn’t really catching on or isn’t absolutely necessary.
Griffin:
Yeah, I think they’re on to something with these cheaper versions. Nintendo faithful who can afford it will get the initial version, with the current feature or gimmick. Everyone else can grab the bare-bones version. It gives you choice. I may think 3D is a rad idea, so I’d get the 3DS, not the 2DS. I may think tablets are dumb, so I’d get the Wii U minus the GamePad, and so forth.
Griffin:
As for a name – the Wii Mii? Eh, I tried.
Christian:
Hmmmmm. How about The Wii 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Griffin:
PITCH THAT SHIT!