Wii U sale skyrockets after XBox One announcement

[Uzumaki]

http://www.gamnesia.com/news/wii-u-sales-skyrocketed-in-uk-after-xbox-one-reveal

 

Wii U Sales Skyrocketed In UK After Xbox One Reveal

May 23 2013 by Harold Teekman

 

Since the reveal of the Xbox One, many people have almost literally jumped on the Nintendo hype-train, resulting in gifs like these. And this one. And since that reveal last tuesday, sales at Amazon UK have skyrocketed. There has been an astounding jump in sales rank for Wii U consoles – an increase of 875 percent to be precise.

There has also been a price cut to support this growth, going from £289.99, or $437.42 – a lot by American standards – to £219.99 for the basic pack, which translates to $331.83. The system was at #390 in the list of Amazon's PC & Gaming Bestsellers before the conference, but currently has shot up to #48 because of fan backlash due to the reveal.

It's interesting that so many people immediately bought the Wii U after the Xbox One reveal, especially after so many people bashed it for its relatively unimpressing launch. It's a great time to buy a Wii U. After all, there are many great titles coming, and it still has some interesting games like ZombiU. We'll have to see what the reveal does to the performance of the Wii U in the long run.

What did you think about the Xbox One? Share in the comments.

 

Sounds like XBox One is sinking before it's even released. I'd like to see Microsoft try to blame the loss of sale to "software piracy"

 

Not bashing XBox One (just the name is dumb) but I thought it was funny that competing system that hadn't been selling well suddenly became hot so quickly.

[Nall3k]

People want to play video games, not watch TV. That's all Microsoft seemed to care about at that event.

[Nall3k]

And let me add, I won't be buying the next Xbox. I think it's horse crap that the hundreds of dollars I've spent on DLC, add-ons, Xbox Live Arcade Games, Full Retail Download Games won't be transferable to Xbox One. That, and being forced to login to XBL every day just to play a single player game (thunderstorm? Hello expensive paper weight). Forget it, Wii U is fine for me for "next gen".

[Master Phruby]

So in one day seven more people buy a Wii U over the usual one sale for that day at Amazon. Give me a f'n break! What a stupid article.

[xg4bx]

And let me add, I won't be buying the next Xbox. I think it's horse crap that the hundreds of dollars I've spent on DLC, add-ons, Xbox Live Arcade Games, Full Retail Download Games won't be transferable to Xbox One. That, and being forced to login to XBL every day just to play a single player game (thunderstorm? Hello expensive paper weight). Forget it, Wii U is fine for me for "next gen".

 

I haven't been able to think of a more anti-consumer product than this new Xbox. I have yet to figure out a single thing that's been revealed about this console that would hold any interest for me whatsoever. I don't care what bloody games it has when it seems like I literally won't be able to own anything involved with the console and I shudder to think at how much things like XBL will increase in price in order to enjoy the ''privilege'' of ownership. This is pretty much everything that's wrong with modern gaming rolled up into one shitty package.

[Reaperman]

Oh yeah. Interest in the wii-u is currently "sky-high" thanks to xbox. [/sarcasm]

http://mashable.com/2013/05/22/xbox-one-ps4-video-game-poll/

[cimerians]

I just got a Wii U two hours ago. lol

 

I basically waited for the Xbox reveal and since I decided against getting that thing it's all green light for me to get the Wii U now. I'm waiting for the PS4 as well. Undecided on that one but I may end up getting it for God of War\GT sequels and JRPG's.

[goldenegg]

I'm personally quite happy with my Wii U. If it were my only console, I'd probably be a little upset with the lack of new games, but it isn't. I'm definitely looking forward to what's coming later this year and hoping some more exciting titles are announced at E3.

[Jess Ragan]

An informal poll like that is hardly scientific, but it's still disheartening that people are actually considering the Xbox One after all that's been revealed about it. If the Playstation 4 doesn't regulate game sales as Microsoft has, it should be the obvious choice for any rational player.

[DaytonaUSA]

A lot of people waited on the Wii U because they feared what Microsoft and Sony was going to offer. WIth one of those two (xbox) losing their minds, it makes the decision to pounce on one that much easier.

 

Although, the increase must not be as big as it sounds, as according to the VGChartz right now, the Wii U globally is lower this week than last week. Maybe it only increased in the states but not in other parts of the world? Not sure...

[Hyper_Eye]

On the Amazon page that is linked in that obviously biased article is a link to the "Most Wished For" list: #1 Xbox One, #4 PS4, #54 Xbox 360, #55 Playstation 3, #58 Wii U. I think the Nintendo fans are getting a little overzealous about the Xbox One announcement. The Wii U is going to have to succeed on its own merits. It isn't going to ride to the top on the backs of the other brands' failures. I will say that, at this point, the Wii U looks like the most likely console for me to get first mostly because ZombieU looks cool and I use my Wii for Netflix in my bedroom and wouldn't mind watching in HD. As I've said elsewhere though I have no interest in any of these this year. I'm still waiting to see anything from any of these guys that will make me feel good about plunking down the cash.

[+Random Terrain]

Did somebody say skyrockets?

 

youtube.com/watch?v=tpGRdX5sUAs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpGRdX5sUAs

[Pixelboy]

I will say that, at this point, the Wii U looks like the most likely console for me to get first mostly because ZombieU looks cool and I use my Wii for Netflix in my bedroom and wouldn't mind watching in HD.

 

People often mention Zombie U, but they neglect to mention "Batman Arkham City Armored Edition". It looks like a great game, althought I understand some may not be interested in it if they've played it on other consoles.

[Algus]

Hmm, I was planning on buying a Wii U anyway for my precious Nintendo exclusives. I'd say the reveal definitely influenced my decision but it wasn't the only reason. I doubt the Halo, Call of Duty, etc. crowd sees the Wii U as a viable alternative to the Xbox One. Hardcore gamers (and by that I mean the type that plays a wide variety of games, not just Madden and their shooter of choice) might see it as an alternative for now.

[Necron99]

Some people were waiting on news about XBO and PS4 before buying a Wii U.

 

I'm still waiting to hear if there will be anything good at all this gen...so far, a good dose of dissapointment. I probably won't buy any of them.

[JamesD]

I'm in no hurry to buy an XBOX ONE... but that doesn't mean I'm going to buy a Wii U either.

[Greg2600]

It's been said that Microsoft simply has no concept of what gamers/consumers want or don't want, etc. Who can forget their arrogance and daftness on launching the first Xbox in Japan? That was quite a flop. That said, I think any failure of the Xbox One is PS4's gain, not the Wii U.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Greg2600

[Reaperman]

Hmm, I was planning on buying a Wii U anyway for my precious Nintendo exclusives. I'd say the reveal definitely influenced my decision but it wasn't the only reason. I doubt the Halo, Call of Duty, etc. crowd sees the Wii U as a viable alternative to the Xbox One. Hardcore gamers (and by that I mean the type that plays a wide variety of games, not just Madden and their shooter of choice) might see it as an alternative for now.

The way I see it, Nintendo's the one with a variety problem. It's more than just the millions of sports and FPS fans that Nintendo is under-serving. Their console has been out half a year and is lacking racing, flight, fighting, shmups or strategy/wargames. I do see a few solid last-gen ports on wii-u, but that barely qualifies it as a ps3/360 competitor much less going up against something newer. I'd imagine that no matter how evil the new xbox is, at least it will play a wide variety of games pretty well and will do so right from launch.

 

There are gamers out there who don't use the words 'precious' and 'nintendo exclusives' near each other. That doesn't keep them from being 'hardcore.'

Edited May 27, 2013 by Reaperman

[Algus]

You are right Reaperman. Not every hardcore gamer likes what Nintendo is peddling. I just think that if anyone sees the Wii U as a viable alternative to the Xbone or PS4, it is going to be that crowd. The kinds of people who have no problem buying the newest Madden and Call of Duty each year probably aren't going to care about some of the issues with the Xbone that are making a lot of us on AA cry about.

 

And unfortunately there is no way to sugar coat it right now, the Wii U definitely needs a better lineup of titles. I hadn't actually been following the games to closely and I was really surprised to realize that Nintendo Land and NSMB U are really it right now for first party titles. There is some good stuff out there (Tekken Tag 2 is an excellent fighter) but really I don't care to much about buying games I already own on 360/PS3.

 

It will be interesting to see how opinions of the Xbone change once we have a good idea of what its launch lineup is going to look like.

[jetset]

F*** Microsoft.

I've always been a PC guy and when it comes to software I have no complaints. Their gaming division however sucks ass. From the bs ignorance of the bad DVD drives on the original and the horrid customer service to the broken promise of backwards compatibility of your "favorite games" and of course the RROD debacle on the 360...I am glad to see MS taking one on the chin.

[karokoenig]

It has been thoroughly discussed in another thread that Sega won't be able to profit from the screwups of Nintendo and Microsoft at this point. So maybe it's time for Atari to finally come out of the closet and reveal their new supersecret console - the Atari Sabertooth. Kinda extinct, but with badass teeth, and full of highly superior Area 51 technology. With launch titles like Gorf Theft Auto, Riverraid Evil and Super Moonpatrol Brothers. Sega could do some good in that deal and design the controllers for it. Enduro can stay as it is right now. That should cover the racing game crowd.

[Master Phruby]

Right now I don't need any of the home theater/media streaming/internet apps since I can do that with my existing setups. I don't think I would use the XBox One for those purposes anyway. It would be just for games only. I'm sure the games for the ps4 and xbox one will have great graphics but we are getting along fine with the 360 and wii. In fact, we probably only buy 3-4 games a year for both systems.

 

I would rather put my money into consoles I don't have for my collection. I still want a NeoGeo AES or even arcade cab. I could use a N64/NES/SNES to better represent that side of gaming. I would even consider picking up a ps3 since I don't have one.

[Austin]

And unfortunately there is no way to sugar coat it right now, the Wii U definitely needs a better lineup of titles. I hadn't actually been following the games to closely and I was really surprised to realize that Nintendo Land and NSMB U are really it right now for first party titles. There is some good stuff out there (Tekken Tag 2 is an excellent fighter) but really I don't care to much about buying games I already own on 360/PS3.

 

No one is arguing it's dry right now, but I think there will be plenty to choose from by the time these newer systems launch. We already know Pikmin is releasing soon, Sega just announced their first Sonic exclusive (looks pretty good to me), Shin'en has hinted they are working on a new F-Zero game, and Nintendo (as well as other developers) may have a few surprises for us at E3. We'll see.

[Algus]

Mmm, well you won't get an argument from me that the next few months look good, though in my case that's because of a lot of the Nintendo releases on the schedule. Going back to Reaperman's post, if Nintendo isn't really your thing then that might not help the Wii U's case a whole lot. Right now I'd say it is suffering the same fate as pretty much every system going back to the N64. You either like Nintendo games or you don't and outside of that club, there's not a lot of action.

[Reaperman]

Going back to Reaperman's post, if Nintendo isn't really your thing then that might not help the Wii U's case a whole lot. Right now I'd say it is suffering the same fate as pretty much every system going back to the N64. You either like Nintendo games or you don't and outside of that club, there's not a lot of action.

My all-time favorite system (GBA) is a nintendo, NES and SNES were great too. The 3rd party games were what sold me on those.

 

Even the nintendos that haven't fully set my world on fire have had great 3rd party releases in genres I really enjoy which were either exclusive or nearly-exclusive.

 

for example:

n64 (goldeneye, extreme g)

gamecube (ikaruga, rogue leader)

Both systems had some decent 3rd party titles very near launch.

 

From N64 on, the nintendo systems started rendering their mascot characters with annoying details. They squeek, or talk or are freaking eight. I also don't think their gameplay translated to 3d as well as others think it did. I still largely like the old 2d games.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Reaperman