Nintendo: Wii has stalled

NewsPosted 30/10/2009 - 11:10am GMT

CEO Satoru Iwata blames the platform holder's inability to continue releasing hit games.

According to a Yahoo Japan report (translated by Andriasang, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has admitted that the platform holder has been unable to maintain high demand for its Wii console.

Speaking at a press conference in Osaka, Iwata said: "Wii has stalled. We were unable to continually release strong software, and let the nice mood cool."

He added: "We were unable to show a new game to become 'the next thing.' In the game market, once you've lost the momentum, it takes time to recover."

Iwata also noted that while the recent Wii price drop did improve sales, figures did not return to the level of this time last year.

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User Comments

twogaloos @ Endless

I do agree with Endless to a point. I think alot of companies to make a quick buck released crap on the Wii. I do like the Wii though. I have more fun with it than the other systems...After Dreamcast I thought I was all done with videogames, I thought they were getting rediculous with "unneccesary features", like 10 buttons, usb this and that.....hard drives....
Anyway, it took the Wii to bring me back. I can play RE4 over and over, and over.....anyway, there are some good games on Wii, you just have to research before you buy.

Posted 00:09 on 06 November 2009

Endless

I simply think it's a case of saturation more than anything. The original features of the Wii that drove it to sell so well aren't impressing any more and they need to come up with something to spark interest again. Right now a lot of people have a Wii, but a lot of people aren't buying games for it as their software sales indicate.

A new game comes out on all 3 consoles? Nobody buys it for the Wii. I think they need to be careful which direction they go in now, if they try to get back the people that aren't buying games for the Wii because they can buy them on the PS3 or 360 then they might inadvertedly alienate those that only want to play Wii sports or mario party etc. But if they go the other way and market to the wii sports and wii fit crowd, then those that have a Wii sat in the corner collecting dust will likely be unswayed.

Tough call imo.

Posted 10:51 on 02 November 2009

cousinwalter

I blame Ant and Dec.... Those adverts are god awful

Posted 10:40 on 02 November 2009

JediKnight

With a weak line-up in 09, what did they expect. However, with the return of Mario and Metroid next year, as well as their "Vitality Sensor" (we know Nintendo has something up their sleeve with that), they will return.

Concerning the Hardcore gamer equation, we might have to wait for Wii HDD...

Posted 01:58 on 02 November 2009

Woffls

It was inevitable, and the signs have been there all year. The novelty has worn off, the marketing isn't as powerful as it used to be, and Wii is no longer in demand like it used to be. I don't believe it's a software issue, just that they can't market this experience as strongly as they used to.

But don't worry, Nintendo saw this coming, and that's why they already have a plan for next year.

Posted 18:04 on 31 October 2009

fps_d0minat0r

well its about time they admitted they had lame games.

and its about time the consumers understood that the wii gets boring real quick.

they had an ipod moment......."my friend has it so i want it".......but its slowly fading out.

gl nintendo..........bought lots of noobs to the table rather then allowing them to play games which require a good IQ level and are intellectually stimulating.

Posted 11:08 on 31 October 2009

Diesel22

modernware is not coming to wii

Posted 09:11 on 31 October 2009

Stegosaurus-Guy-II

Quote:

We were unable to show a new game to become 'the next thing.'

Did someone translate this wrong? It doesn't make any sense.

Posted 19:43 on 30 October 2009

DarthKratos7

hmm I believe is starting fall.. well there's plenty of good games to look forward with the Wii. you have Red Steel 2, The Grinder, Metroid: Other M, Mario Galaxy 2, COD:Modern Warfare, Final Fantasy: The crystal Bearers, Epic Mickey, and there's a rumor of a new Zelda game?? thats a lot of games to look forward too in 2010. Nintendo should also start getting into making Luigi's Mansion 2, Pikmin:Wii, Kid Icarus, Conduit 2, a new Donkey Kong game and you know see what happens.. Oh well, I'm a sony fanboy so ima stop here.. All im saying there's a lot of software games in the Wii to invest on and many more to look forward too. it's just that if you want to appeal to the hardcore gamer you can't. Sony and Microbots have this!!

Posted 19:32 on 30 October 2009