Nintendo President Satoru Iwata wants to ensure that the Wii U release date comes at a time when Nintendo have strong software to release at launch and beyond.
"In determining the launch date of the Wii U, we need to take into account not only what to release at the launch period but how to keep the sales momentum after then," said Iwata.
"In the past, I mentioned that having strong momentum is very important for game platform businesses, and as a matter of course, we are now more convinced of that and we need to have a backup plan ready."
We already know that the Wii U release date will fall in time for the "year-end season" Given all this information, when do you think Wii U will be released?
I'm saying November the 17th.
I would imagine a similar time frame to that of the Wii six years ago, so roughly late November/early December. Seeing as Iwata wants to ensure the Wii U has a strong launch in terms of software, it would make sense to leave it's release until later in the year.
My only issue with the Wii U is that even though it's showing great promise of third-party support, if consumers already own a 360/PS3, then why is there need to purchase a Wii U if say games like Batman AC and Darksiders 2 are already available for their current systems? I'm sure, come E3 Nintendo will have announced great first-party exclusives etc, but they need to be at launch, otherwise we're going to have the same problem the 3DS had at launch - no new killer app to draw you in.
Like I said though, come E3 and we should hopefully know.
Would like that too, it will be my birthday.
I agree, they will need good third party exclusives or exclusive features to win over more consumers. Hopefully the new controller and the extra power will add things that aren't possible on any other platform and hopefully third party developers will make use of this and hopefully it'll be enough to win over people.
They've obviously learned from the 3ds launch debacle. and are scared of a repeat of it with the Wii U. As for launch date, I don't have any preffered date I'm ready for it anytime, but close to the run up to Christmas would be ideal for most people.
Yeah And I'd say about November 17th
I'm sure it'll be out by Christmas, which will increase sales to no end
Good date paultheotherone but if it was at the start of December like you say (samus_killer), more people will get for Christmas, meaning less sales at launch.
It will no doubt be ready for the xmas rush, giving people time to save and alter their demands on parents, however I will deffo be waiting for a price reduction or repackaging strategy
I also say November the 17th. But how ironic would it be if the Wii U actually released on the 17th of November
Nintendo seem to be doing everything in their power to ensure that not only does the console appeal to all consumers, but to all developers as well. I for one am very excited to see what they have for us by the end of the year.
Whatever happens, as long as first party titles stay as original as they always are and not change to follow the crowd, then I'll be happy - whatever third party games stand beside them.
It sounds like the first few months after the Wii U launches could be very exciting if they plan to stagger out big releases. I would prefer this rather than Nintendo launch loads of titles with the system on launch day as this gives games a better chance not to get overlooked.
I would've liked to have seen Animal Crossing released before the wii u as I want to get both and my birthday is on the 27th November, I predict November-December (Christmas Period) when the console will be released, I want to be one of the buyers