Wii U

Wii U

A white Wii U console (right) and Wii U GamePad (left).
Also known as Project Café (code name)[1]
Developer Nintendo IRD, NTD
Manufacturer Nintendo, Foxconn, Mitsumi[2]
Type Home video game console
Generation Eighth generation
Release date
  • US November 18, 2012
  • CA November 18, 2012
  • MEX November 29, 2012
  • SA November 29, 2012
  • EU November 30, 2012
  • AUS November 30, 2012
  • JP December 8, 2012
  • BR November 26, 2013
Retail availability 2012–present
Introductory price US$299/¥26,250 (Basic Set)
US$349/¥31,500 (Deluxe/Premium Set)
Units sold Worldwide: 12.60 million
(as of December 31, 2015)[3]
Media
Operating system Wii U system software
CPU 1.24 GHz Tri-Core IBM PowerPC "Espresso"
Memory 2 GB DDR3
Storage Internal flash memory:
8 GB (Basic Set) / 32 GB (Deluxe Set)
SD/SDHC card
USB storage device
Display Wii U GamePad (FWVGA)
Graphics 550 MHz AMD Radeon "Latte"
Sound 5.1 Linear PCM, Analog stereo
Controller input

Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller,

Camera 1.3 Megapixels (Wii U GamePad)
Touchpad Resistive touchscreen (Wii U GamePad)
Connectivity Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0[4]
4 × USB 2.0
Power 75 W power supply
Online services
Dimensions Width: 17.2 cm (6.8 in)
Height: 4.6 cm (1.8 in)
Length: 26.9 cm (10.6 in)
Weight 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lb)
Best-selling game Mario Kart 8, 7.24 million
(as of December 31, 2015)[5]
Backward
compatibility		 Wii, Virtual Console
Predecessor Wii
Website www.nintendo.com/wiiu

The Wii U (/ˌwiː ˈjuː/ WEE EW) is a home video game console created by Nintendo and the successor to the Wii.[6] The system was released in November 2012[7][8] and was the first entry in the eighth generation of video game consoles;[9][10] it competes with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One.

The Wii U is the first Nintendo console to support high-definition graphics. The system's primary controller is the Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded touchscreen. The screen can be used either as a supplement to the main display (either providing an alternate, asymmetric gameplay experience, or a means of local multiplayer without resorting to a split screen), or in supported games, to play the game directly on the GamePad independently of the television. Games can support any combination of the GamePad, Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Balance Board, or Nintendo's more traditionally designed Classic Controller or Wii U Pro Controller for input. The Wii U is backward compatible with most games released for the Wii. Online functionality on the Wii U centers around the Nintendo Network platform and Miiverse, an integrated social networking service which allows users to share content in game-specific communities.

The Wii U has faced mixed critical reception; while praising its GamePad controller (albeit panning it for its short battery life), improvements to its online functionality over the original Wii, its level of backward compatibility with existing Wii software and controllers, its affordability in comparison to other eighth-generation consoles, and not requiring a subscription for online functionality, critics noted issues with certain aspects of the console's user interface and functionality, along with a weak lineup of launch titles and a lack of clear vision. The console was met with slow consumer adoption, credited primarily to an initially weak lineup of games, along with its lower specifications in comparison to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In response to its poor adoption, several notable third-party studios, including Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, announced that they would downplay their support for the console as part of their multi-platform strategies.

Adoption of the Wii U began to improve in 2013 following the release of several prominent first-party titles for the system, including The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Mario Kart 8—which is currently the best-selling Wii U title worldwide, with over 5.87 million copies sold as of September 2015,[5] and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, which Nintendo claimed was the "fastest-selling" Wii U title, selling 490,000 copies in the United States in its first three days of availability.[11]

History

Development

The system was first conceived in 2008,[12] after Nintendo recognized several limitations and challenges with the Wii, such as the general public's perception that the system catered primarily to a "casual" audience.[13] With Wii U, Nintendo wished to bring back "core" gamers.[14] Game designer Shigeru Miyamoto admitted that the lack of HD and limited network infrastructure for Wii also contributed to the system being regarded in a separate class to its competitors' systems, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[15] It was decided that a new console would have to be developed to accommodate significant structural changes. Ideas on which direction to take for the new console led to a lot of debate within the company, and the project started over from scratch on several occasions.[16] The concept of a touchscreen embedded within the controller was originally inspired by the blue light on the Wii disc tray that illuminates to indicate new messages.[17] Miyamoto and his team wanted to include a small screen to provide game feedback and status messages to players (similar to the VMU for Sega's Dreamcast). Much later in development, this was expanded to a full screen that could display the game being played in its entirety, a concept which was suggested but not financially viable earlier in the project.[17]

Public rumors surrounding the console began to appear in 2010, with speculation of an upcoming revision of the Wii scheduled for 2011 known as the "Wii HD", that would support high definition video and have a Blu-ray disc drive.[18][19] However, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata later stated that he saw "no significant reason" to include HD into the Wii and that such an addition would be better suited for a successor.[20] Miyamoto also expressed Nintendo's interest in working with HD graphics, but clarified that the company is primarily focused on gameplay.[21] In October 2009, Miyamoto said that Nintendo had no concrete plans about a successor, but knew that the successor would possibly still feature motion controls and they expected its interface to be "more compact" and cheaper.[22] Iwata also mentioned that the Wii's successor might be 3D-compatible but concluded that the adoption rates of 3D televisions should increase to at least 30% first.[23] In 2010, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé commented that he felt "confident the Wii home entertainment console has a very long life in front of it" and declared that a successor would not be launched in the near future.[24]

After its E3 2010 presentation, Iwata revealed to the BBC that they would begin announcing a new console once Nintendo ran "out of ideas with the current hardware and cannot give users any more meaningful surprises with the technology".[25] Later, at an investor's meeting, he disclosed that they were "of course studying and developing the next console to Wii", but they were simultaneously keeping its concepts secret because it was "really important for [his] business to positively surprise people."[26] Fils-Aimé also stated that Nintendo's next home console would likely not feature stereoscopic 3D, based on the 3D technology Nintendo had experimented with.[27]

In April 2011, an uncredited source indicated that Nintendo was planning to unveil a successor to the Wii known as "Project Café" at its E3 2011 presentation.[6] Café was claimed to be a high definition console, also would have backward compatibility with Wii software.[28][29][30][31][32] Conflicting reports also surrounded the console's new controller, with reports suggesting a tablet-like device with an embedded touchcreen and the ability to stream games from the console directly to the screen, while others reported that the controller would be similar to the GameCube controller and feature dual analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers.[33][34][35][36]

Announcement

Wii U debut at E3 2011
The controller prototype originally shown at E3 2011.
Wii U tech demos at E3 2011.

On April 25, 2011, Nintendo released an official statement announcing a system to succeed the Wii to be released during 2012, and that playable console units would be present at E3 2011.[37] Speaking at an investor's conference, Iwata stated the Wii successor would "offer something new for home game systems."[38] He also confirmed that the device would not launch in fiscal year 2012, meaning that it would release after April 2012.[39] In early June, Nikkei issued a report confirming earlier rumors that the new console would feature a controller with a 6 inch touchscreen that would give tablet-like controls to games, as well as a rechargeable battery and camera.[40]

Project Café was officially unveiled as the Wii U during Nintendo's press conference at E3 2011 by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé; he explained that the Wii U would be "a system we will all enjoy together, but also one that's tailor-made for you"[41] The rumored tablet controller was also confirmed, which was shown to contain traditional controls alongside a touchscreen, gyroscope, a built-in front-facing camera, microphone, and speakers, while also featuring the ability to stream games directly to it without using a TV. No first-party titles for Wii U were officially announced during the presentation, but several major third-party studios announced planned titles for Wii U in a pre-recorded video, the possibility of a new Super Smash Bros. game was teased, and Electronic Arts' then-CEO John Riccitiello appeared on-stage to discuss the company's prospective plans for products on Wii U. Prototype hardware and a series of tech demos were available to attendees, showcasing gameplay concepts and the technological capabilities of the console—including a Legend of Zelda-themed graphics demo, and New Super Mario Bros. Mii.[42][43][44]

In the two days following the unveiling of the Wii U, Nintendo's stock fell nearly 10 percent to levels not seen since 2006. Some analysts expressed skepticism in regards to the addition of a touch screen, expressing concern that the controller would be less affordable and less innovative than the original Wii Remote.[45] When asked about whether or not the Wii U was going to support stereographic 3D via 3D televisions, Iwata stated that it was "not the area we are focusing on."[46]

On January 26, 2012, Iwata announced that the Wii U would be launched by the end of the 2012 shopping season in all major regions, and that its final specifications would be revealed at E3 2012.[47] He also stated that the console would feature a unified online system known as Nintendo Network, which would feature user account support as opposed to the use of friend codes. Nintendo Network would also provide the framework for online multiplayer interactions, add-on content, as well as online distribution of applications and video games.[48] Iwata mentioned that the Wii U GamePad would support NFC, which would allow the system to wirelessly interact with figurines and cards. It would also allow for microtransactions to take place wirelessly using credit cards with NFC support.[47]

On September 13, 2012, Nintendo announced that the Wii U would launch in Japan on December 8, 2012.[49] Later that day, Nintendo announced that the North American launch date would be November 18, 2012.[50] Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo Australia also announced that the Wii U would be released in both regions on November 30, 2012. In an interview with GameSpot the next day, Nintendo of America's Senior Product Marketing Manager Bill Trinen admitted that Nintendo's pre-launch marketing and presentations of the Wii U had focused too much on the GamePad, to the extent that some consumers mistook the device as an accessory for the existing Wii rather than an entirely new platform. Trinen ensured that future promotional material for the console, including its packaging, would emphasize both the Wii U console and GamePad.[51]

Release

The Wii U was originally released in two bundles: the Basic bundle and the Premium (WW) / Deluxe (US) bundle. The Basic bundle contains a white Wii U with 8 GB of storage, a white Wii U GamePad and stylus and an HDMI cable, while the Premium (WW) / Deluxe (US) contains a black Wii U with 32 GB of storage, a black GamePad and stylus, an HDMI cable, and adds a Nintendo Network Premium subscription, the Nintendo Land game (except Japan), as well as stands for the console and controller and a sensor bar (except Japan).[52][53] The Wii U launched in North America priced at US$299.99 for the Basic Set and US$349.99 for the Deluxe Set. The system was scheduled to launch on November 25, 2012 in Mexico, however, it was delayed to November 29.[54] The system launched in Europe, Australia and South Africa, with European pricing set by retailers.[55][56] The system launched in Japan priced at ¥26,250 for the Basic Set and ¥31,500 for the Premium Set.

Retail configurations

On July 13, 2013, Nintendo released a white version of the Premium Pack in Japan, as well as an official battery pack and charger dock for the Wii Remote. The battery pack is capable of lasting 3 hours of gameplay before needing to be recharged. On July 25, the company released an improved battery pack for the Wii U GamePad. In contrast to the standard 1500mAh battery bundled with the console, the new 2550mAh battery pack increases longevity to between five and eight hours before needing to be recharged.[57]

On August 28, 2013, Nintendo announced that the Premium (WW) / Deluxe (US) 32 GB model would drop in price from US$349.99 to US$299.99 in North America. The price drop took effect on September 20, 2013.[58] In Europe, Nintendo didn't confirm a formal price cut since individual retailers set their own prices. However, starting October 4, 2013, the company reduced the wholesale price of the system to retailers.[59] Coinciding with the system's price cut, Nintendo released a limited edition The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Wii U Deluxe Set bundle. The bundle included a black Wii U console with 32 GB of storage, a black Wii U GamePad decorated with a golden Triforce and other thematic symbols, a download code for the game and, in North America, a digital copy of The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, a collector's book about The Legend of Zelda series.[59][60] In Europe, Nintendo also released a limited edition Lego City Undercover Wii U Premium Pack bundle. Both European bundles featured a 7-day trial of the Wii Karaoke U service.[59] Nintendo did not cut the price of the Wii U in Australia or New Zealand nor did it release any of the previous bundles in the regions.[61][62]

On October 31, 2013, Nintendo introduced two new Wii U Premium Pack bundles in Japan, called Family Set. The first included either a black or white Wii U console with 32 GB of storage, a black or white Wii U GamePad, New Super Mario Bros. U and Wii Party U preloaded, a black or white Wii Remote, a Wii Sensor Bar, and a 30-day trial of the Wii Karaoke U service. The second bundle included all of the previous one's contents, additionally preloaded with Wii Fit U and including Nintendo's official Fit Meter pedometer (with the Wii Balance Board available separately).[63]

On November 1, 2013, Nintendo released a Mario & Luigi Deluxe Set in North America with the intention of replacing the original Wii U Deluxe Set, which included a copy of Nintendo Land. The Mario & Luigi bundle contains both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U packaged as a "2 in 1" disc alongside a black Wii U console with 32 GB of storage and black Wii U GamePad controller.[64] The bundle was later released in Europe on November 8.[65] On November 14, Nintendo released a Just Dance 2014 Basic Pack bundle in Australia and New Zealand. It contains a white Wii U console with 8 GB of storage, a white Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote Plus controllers, a Sensor Bar, and disc versions of both Ubisoft's Just Dance 2014 and Nintendo Land.[66] The bundle was later released in Europe on November 22.[65] On November 15, Nintendo released a Wii Party U Wii U Basic Pack bundle in Europe. It features a white Wii U console with 8 GB of storage, a white Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote Plus controllers, a Sensor Bar, and disc versions of both Wii Party U and Nintendo Land.[65] On November 15, Nintendo also released a Skylanders: Swap Force Wii U Basic Set bundle in North America. It contains white Wii U with 8 GB of storage, Activision's Skylanders Swap Force game, a Portal of Power, three Skylanders figures, a collector poster, trading cards and sticker sheets, and a Nintendo Land game disc.[67] The bundle was released in Australia and New Zealand on November 21.[66]

On November 26, 2013, the Wii U was released in Brazil. However, the system is only available in the black Deluxe Set in the region.[68] On January 10, 2015, Nintendo announced that it would cease selling consoles and games in Brazil due to the high cost of doing business in the country.[69]

On May 30, 2014, Nintendo released a Mario Kart 8 Premium (EU/AUS) / Deluxe (US) Set bundle in Europe and North America. It features a black Wii U console with 32 GB of storage, a black Wii U GamePad, a copy of Mario Kart 8, a Sensor Bar, and special edition red Wii Wheel (North America only). Additionally, registering the game on Club Nintendo before July 31, 2014 presents the buyer a free Wii U game from a selection of four in North America and ten in Europe.[70][71] The bundle was released in Australia and New Zealand on May 31.[72]

In June 2015, the basic Wii U was discontinued in Japan, and replaced by a 32 GB "Premium" set that includes white hardware and a Wii Remote Plus.[73][74]

Hardware

An illustration of Wii U's MCM without heat spreader. The smaller chip, lower right, is the "Espresso" CPU made by IBM. The other chips are the "Latte" GPGPU (large chip) from AMD and an EEPROM chip (tiny) from Renesas.

The Wii U uses a custom multi-chip module (MCM) developed by AMD, IBM and Renesas in co-operation with Nintendo IRD and Nintendo Technology Development. The MCM combines an "Espresso" central processing unit (CPU) and a "Latte" graphics chip (GPU), as well as a SEEPROM memory chip.[75][76] The Espresso CPU, designed by IBM, consists of a PowerPC 750-based tri-core processor with 3 MB of shared L2 cache memory and clocked at approximately 1.24 GHz.[77][78][note 1] Despite belonging to the PowerPC family, the Espresso also shares some architectural concepts with the POWER7 architecture, such as the use of eDRAM cache and being manufactured at a 45 nm node.[79][80][note 2] The Latte graphics chip contains both a "GX2" GPGPU, which runs Wii U applications, and a "GX" GPU, which enables backward compatibility with Wii games. The GX2, designed by AMD, is based on the Radeon R600/R700 architecture and is clocked at approximately 550 MHz.[76][78][note 1] It is manufactured at a 40 nm node and contains 32 MB of eDRAM cache memory, which can also act as L3 cache for the CPU.[note 1] The GX, originally designed by ATI Technologies, contains a 1 MB and a 2 MB banks of eSRAM cache memory.[76] The Latte chip also includes a secondary custom ARM9 processor with 96 KB of SRAM memory that handles system tasks in the background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode, and dedicated hardware audio DSP module.[76]

The console contains 2 GB of DDR3 system memory consisting of four 512 MB (4 Gb) DRAM chips with a maximum bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s. This is 20 times the amount found in the Wii.[81] Of this, 1 GB is reserved for the operating system and is unavailable to games. The memory architecture allows the CPU and GPU to access both the main DDR3 memory pool and the eDRAM cache memory pool on the GPU, removing the need for separate, dedicated memory pools.[82] The console includes either an 8 GB (Basic) or 32 GB (Premium (WW) / Deluxe (NA)) internal eMMC flash memory, expandable via SD memory cards up to 32 GB and USB external hard disk drives up to 2 TB.[83][84]

The Wii U features 802.11 b/g /n wireless network connectivity and support for Fast Ethernet with an accessory, Bluetooth 4.0, a total of four USB 2.0 ports, and an SD/SDHC memory card slot.[4][85] An additional power port is also included to power the Wii Sensor Bar, an auxiliary infrared emitter used by Wii Remote peripherals for motion tracking. Video output options include 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i, 480p and 480i, through HDMI 1.4 and component video (YPBPR, D-Terminal and RGB SCART) or 576i, 480i anamorphic widescreen through composite video (S-Video, SCART and D-Terminal). Audio output options include six-channel 5.1 linear PCM surround sound or analog stereo. The console also supports stereoscopic (3D) images and video.[46][77]

Controllers

An illustration of the Wii U GamePad (White)

The Wii U GamePad is the console's primary controller: its main feature is a built-in 6.2 inch (15.7 cm) resistive touchscreen, which can be used as a companion to games being played on a television, or as a means of playing games on the GamePad itself without a television. The GamePad is designed to enable a concept referred to by Nintendo as "asymmetric gaming": in multiplayer games, a player using the GamePad may have a different gameplay objective and experience than other players.[86][87]

The GamePad's display contents are rendered on the Wii U itself, and streamed wirelessly as video to the GamePad.[88] The GamePad also supports near field communications;[89] cards and specially-designed figurines, such as Nintendo's Amiibo line, can be used with the GamePad to interact with games. In Japan, it can also be used for contactless payments from eShop with Suica cards. NFC payment will be made available for other regions in the future.[90][91][92][93]

A white Wii U Pro Controller

A new Wii U Pro Controller was released alongside the Wii U. The Wii U Pro Controller is an updated version of the Wii's Classic Controller that is designed to appeal to "hardcore" players, with a more traditional gamepad design that resembles those used by the PlayStation and Xbox lines (and in particular, the Xbox 360's controller), and a claimed 80-hour battery life.[94][95][96][97][98] The Wii U Pro Controller is compatible with supported Wii U games, but is not supported by Wii games.[99]

The Wii U is compatible with existing Wii Remote and Wii Remote Plus controllers, along with their Nunchuk and Classic Controller attachments. A combination of up to four Wii Remotes or Pro Controllers can be used simultaneously, and the console can theoretically support up to two GamePads. Most software requires a Wii Sensor Bar in order to use Wii Remotes with the system, though some aspects, such as Off-TV Play and the Wii Mode, allow the Wii U GamePad to detect Wii Remotes.[100][101] The Wii U does not natively support Nintendo GameCube controllers. While a USB adapter accessory allows GameCube controllers to be used on the console in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, it is not compatible with any other software.[102][103]

Software

Main article: Wii U system software

The Wii U's main menu has two main components: by default, the GamePad displays a home screen consisting of a grid with shortcuts to games and apps, while the television screen displays a lobby (WaraWara Plaza) populated by other users' Miis. The two displays can be switched between the television screen and GamePad.[104][105][106]

Pressing the controller's "Home" button suspends the current game or app and opens the Home Menu: it shows basic information (such as the current time, controller battery levels, and notifications), and allows access to several "multitasking" functions, including the Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, download manager, a web browser,[107] and the user's friends list. To play Wii games, the user must enter "Wii Mode", an emulation of the console's system software and Wii Menu interface. Initially, Wii Mode could only be used on the television screen, but the October 2013 firmware update enables Wii Mode to be used off-TV. Either way, Wii controllers must be used.[108]

Online services

The Wii U uses the Nintendo Network platform for online services (replacing the friend code system of the Wii), enabling online multiplayer, downloading and purchasing games or apps via Nintendo eShop, video chat using the GamePad's camera and the Wii U Chat service, and other services.[109] Up to twelve accounts can be created per console.[110]

A social networking service known as Miiverse is integrated into the Wii U's system software; it allows players to interact and share content in game-specific communities using their Mii as an avatar. Miiverse allows users to share accomplishments, screenshots, drawings and hand-written notes. Select games are integrated with Miiverse, where social interactions can also occur within the game, or appear within their content (such as in Splatoon, where drawn posts can appear as graffiti on walls in its settings).[111][104] Miiverse is moderated through software filtering as well as a human resource team in order to ensure that the content shared by users is appropriate and that no spoilers are shared. In order to facilitate this, it was initially stated that comments posted could take up to 30 minutes to appear on Miiverse.[112]

Multimedia integration

The Wii U supports online video services through apps, such as Amazon Video, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube.[113][114] The Wii U does not support playback of DVD or Blu-ray Disc; Iwata explained that the decision to exclude these formats was motivated primarily by patent licensing fees, and the fact that such functionality would be redundant to DVD and Blu-ray players that users may already own.[115]

The Nintendo TVii service allowed program listings from a user's television provider to be aggregated with online video on demand services into an electronic program guide with recommendations and search functionality, and the ability to use the GamePad's infrared functionality to tune a set-top box to a particular program. The app also provided integration with IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, and Wikipedia to provide additional information, and social connectivity through Facebook, Twitter, or Miiverse.[116][117] TVii was made available with the Wii U's release in Japan on December 8, 2012,[118] and in North America on December 20, 2012.[119] Following delays, a European launch was cancelled,[120][121] and the service was discontinued worldwide on August 11, 2015.[113]

Games

An opened Wii U Optical Disc case, without its paper cover and instructions. The eco-friendly design uses less plastic, reducing manufacturing waste. The Recycle logo does not appear on European or Japanese cases. These cases are identical to common Wii cases made for Nintendo-published titles released since circa 2010, save for having Nintendo's own logo embossed above the disc area instead of Wii's logo.

Wii U games can be downloaded digitally through Nintendo eShop, or at retail on physical media. Retail copies of Wii U games are distributed on Wii U Optical Disc, a proprietary high-density optical disc format co-developed with Panasonic. The format is similar in design and specifications to Blu-ray Disc, with a capacity of 25 GB per layer, but the discs themselves have a soft, rounded rim.[122][123][124] Unlike previous Nintendo consoles, game manuals are only available digitally. The console is region locked; software purchased in a region can be only played on that region's hardware.

New games in Nintendo's flagship franchises (including Super Mario, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda), as well as several Wii series games (including Wii Sports Club, Wii Fit U and Wii Party U) have been released, in addition to many original titles and third-party-developed games. Nintendo has received third-party support from companies such as Ubisoft, Sega, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Activision Blizzard and Capcom, and various independent developers such as Two Tribes.

A total of 69.05 million Wii U games have been sold worldwide as of September 30, 2015,[3] with ten titles surpassing the million-unit mark. The highest selling game is Mario Kart 8 at 5.87 million units, followed by Nintendo Land at 5 million units, and New Super Mario Bros. U at 4.88 million units.[5] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the fastest selling Wii U game as of November 2014.[11]

Launch titles

The Wii U was launched with 23 games in North America,[125] 26 games in Europe, 25 games in Australia, and 11 games in Japan. Some download-only games were also available on launch day for the Wii U via Nintendo eShop. An additional 30 games were announced for release during the system's launch window, which included the three months after the system's launch date.

Key:

Virtual Console

Main article: Virtual Console

In January 2013, Nintendo announced that NES and Super NES titles would be made available for the Virtual Console service on the Wii U in April 2013 and would include the option to use Off-TV Play on the GamePad.[126] On March 26, 2014, Game Boy Advance titles were confirmed and started to appear on the eShop the following month.[127] Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS games were added in April 2015.[128][129]

Backward compatibility

The Wii U is compatible with most Wii games and with Wii accessories such as the Wii Remote (Plus), Wii Nunchuk, and the Wii Balance Board. It is possible to migrate most downloaded software and save files from a Wii to a Wii U.[84] Although Wii games can be displayed on the GamePad's screen, they can only be controlled using a Wii controller, and not the GamePad's controller.[108][130]

The Wii U is not compatible with GameCube discs or accessories. A USB GameCube controller adapter with four ports was released exclusively for use with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and does not support any other titles.[102][103]

Reception

John Teti of The A.V. Club's Gameological Society considers the Wii U a compelling video game system which lacks focus, citing Nintendo Land as "ideas act[ing] in service of the technology".[131] Ben Gilbert of Engadget states that Nintendo delivers on its promise of releasing "a modern HD gaming console" but notes that "there are also some major missteps and half-baked ideas: a befuddling Friends List/Miiverse connection, a complete lack of many system-wide console standards (group chat, achievements, the ability to play non-game disc-based media) and a game controller that lasts only 3.5 hours", and stated that he could not give a complete assessment of the console with online components such as Nintendo TVii missing at launch.[132] Similarly, TechRadar praised the system's GamePad functionality and HD graphics, but criticized the limited battery power on the GamePad, and the insufficient number of top-tier launch titles.[133] Some industry figures do not consider the Wii U as an eighth-generation console,[134] with many citing the hardware's processing speed.[135][136] However, Fils-Aimé has noted that similar comments were made in 2006 when the Wii first launched.[137]

Following the launch of other eighth-generation consoles, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, in November 2013, it has been suggested by some critics that the Wii U would continue to struggle as it lacked the third-party support of its rivals.[138][139] However, New York Times writer Chris Suellentrop stated that the Wii U was the only new console with a video game worth playing, citing Super Mario 3D World as "the best Mario game in years". Despite the praise, he noted that "one great game won't save a console", and although other good games exist on the Wii U, he admitted that its lineup "is still pretty thin".[140] Time writer Matt Peckham said that the Wii U was the system of choice to pick up during that Christmas season, praising the console's game lineup, affordable price, Off-TV Play, the absence of subscription fees for its online services, backward compatibility and media features. However, he noted that the system still needs a price cut and an improved first and third-party software lineup.[141] CNET also noted that the Wii U had a better lineup of games and lower price in comparison to its competitors, mainly due to its one-year head start.[142]

Sales

Life-to-date number of hardware and software units sold, in millions
Date Japan Americas Other Total
Hardware Software Hardware Software Hardware Software Hardware Software
2012-12-31[143] 0.83 1.48 1.32 6.40 0.90 3.82 3.06 11.69
2013-03-31[144] 0.92 1.73 1.52 7.28 1.01 4.40 3.45 13.42
2013-06-30[145] 1.01 1.91 1.58 7.80 1.02 4.73 3.61 14.44
2013-09-30[146] 1.15 2.57 1.75 10.97 1.01 6.17 3.91 19.71
2013-12-31[147] 1.75 5.21 2.61 15.23 1.49 8.94 5.86 29.37
2014-03-31[148] 1.81 5.62 2.81 16.98 1.56 9.67 6.17 32.28
2014-06-30[149] 1.87 6.43 3.08 19.28 1.73 10.95 6.68 36.67
2014-09-30[150] 1.97 6.96 3.43 22.58 1.88 12.13 7.29 41.67
2014-12-31[151] 2.30 8.48 4.45 29.25 2.46 15.15 9.20 52.87
2015-03-31[152] 2.33 8.95 4.65 31.59 2.56 16.13 9.54 56.68
2015-06-30[153] 2.48 9.97 4.85 33.65 2.68 17.61 10.01 61.23
2015-09-30[154] 2.66 11.00 5.21 38.28 2.87 19.77 10.73 69.05
2015-12-31[155] 3.08 12.68 6.10 43.76 3.42 22.86 12.60 79.30

As of December 31, 2015, according to numbers provided by Nintendo, 12.60 million Wii U console units and 79.30 million software units have been sold worldwide.[3]

Launch

During its first week of release in the United States, Nintendo sold its entire allotment of over 400,000 units[156] and sold a total of 425,000 units for the month of November, according to the NPD Group.[157] It also sold over 40,000 consoles in the UK in its first weekend.[158] In Japan, over 600,000 Wii U units were sold during December 2012.[159] Nearly 890,000 Nintendo Wii U units were sold in the United States after 41 days on the market.[160] From the Wii U's launch till December 31, 2012, Nintendo reported that 3.06 million consoles and 11.69 million software units had been shipped worldwide.[146]

In January 2013, Nintendo sold 57,000 Wii U units in the US.[161] By comparison, the original Wii sold 435,000 in January 2007, also two months after launch.[162] Initial sales numbers in the US and other territories were lower than expected, resulting in Nintendo cutting sales projections for fiscal year 2013 by 17 percent, from 5.5 million to 4 million;[163] the system actually ended up selling 3.5 million units.[164] During the first quarter of 2013, Nintendo reported that 390,000 consoles and 1.73 million software units were shipped worldwide.[144] From March to June 2013, the system sold approximately 160,000 units, which was down 51 percent from the three months prior.[165] During the second quarter of 2013, Nintendo reported that 160,000 consoles and 1.03 million software units were shipped worldwide.[145]

Loss of support

In May 2013, Electronic Arts announced that it was reducing support for the Wii U and had no games in development for it,[166] but then partially reconsidered this decision a few days later, with EA's CFO announcing that "We are building titles for the Nintendo console, but not anywhere near as many as we are for Playstation or Xbox".[167] At E3 2013, Ubisoft revealed that they were not going to make any more exclusives for the Wii U until sales of the console improved,[168] though they stated shortly after that they are still "big supporters" of the Wii U, and plan to release as many Wii U games in 2013 as they did in 2012.[169] In July 2013, Bethesda Softworks announced that they had no games in development for the Wii U, with Bethesda VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines explaining: "It depends on the games that we are making and how we think it aligns with that console, and how the hardware aligns with the other stuff we are making".[170] This explanation was later refined to being largely due to the hardware.[171] Contrarily, Activision has stated that they will "do everything they can" to support the system.[172]

At the end of July 2013, Asda, the second-largest supermarket chain in the UK, confirmed that they had no plans to stock the Wii U, but would still stock games "on a title by title merit basis".[173] Despite this, many specialist retailers continued to emphasize their support, with Game CEO Martyn Gibbs saying "We fully support all Nintendo products, including Wii U."[174]

Price cut and first-party titles

Following the system's $50 price cut and the release of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD on September 20, Wii U sales in North America saw a 200 percent rise over August.[175] From July to September 2013, the system sold approximately 300,000 units, which was up 87 percent from the three months prior. Despite only having sold 460,000 consoles since April, Nintendo maintained its 9 million Wii U sales forecast for the fiscal year through March 2014. Wii U software showed improvement in the Q2 period, reaching 5.27 million units, a 400 percent jump on the previous quarter. Nintendo credited the software growth to key first-party releases like Pikmin 3 and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD.[176] During the third quarter of 2013, Nintendo reported that 300,000 consoles and 5.27 million software units were shipped worldwide.[146]

In October 2013, online retailer Play.com announced that its Wii U sales saw a 75 percent sales increase. The company also predicted that the Wii U would be more popular than its competition, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, amongst children during the holiday season.[177] Following the release of Wii Party U on October 31 in Japan, weekly Wii U sales spiked to 38,802 units sold.[178] On November 29, 2013, Nintendo of France deputy general manager Philippe Lavoué announced that the Wii U had sold approximately 175,000 units in France since launch.[179] During the first two weeks of December, the Wii U was the top performing home console in Japan, with 123,665 units sold.[180] After one year in the market, the Wii U had sold approximately 150,000 units in the United Kingdom.[181] According to the NPD Group, Wii U sales in November increased by 340 percent over sales in October in North America, selling approximately 220,700 units sold in that month.[182] According to several publications, including NPD Group, December 2013 was the best-selling Wii U month in the US since its launch, selling around 481,000 units.[183] Independent estimates put the number of Wii U consoles sold by the end of 2013 between 4.5 and 5.2 million.[184] During the fourth quarter of 2013, Nintendo reported that 1.95 million consoles and 9.96 million software units were shipped worldwide.[147]

In January 2014, citing lower-than-expected sales during the 2013 holiday season, Nintendo announced that Wii U sales forecasts for fiscal year 2014 had been cut from 9 million units to 2.8 million.[185] In light of this announcement, the Wii U's long-term viability has been called into question.[186] In February 2014, Nintendo revealed that the Wii U had improved about 180% in year-over-year sales in the United States due to the launch of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which sold 130,000 copies.[187] By February 26, Wii U sales had surpassed those of the Xbox 360 in Japan.[188] In March 2014, Nintendo sold just over 70,000 Wii U units, tracking it down 50% less than the GameCube and 90% less than the Wii during equivalent time periods.[189] During the month, total worldwide sales of the PlayStation 4 surpassed those of the Wii U.[190] During the first quarter of 2014, Nintendo reported that 310,000 consoles and 2.91 million software units were shipped worldwide.[148]

During an annual investors' meeting, Satoru Iwata revealed Nintendo's projection of 3.6 million Wii U unit sales during the fiscal year ending March 2015.[191] On May 22, 2014, Nintendo France announced that sales were 50% higher compared to the last year.[192] With Mario Kart 8 being Nintendo's biggest game launch,[193] Wii U console sales reportedly increased by 666% in the United Kingdom, with the Mario Kart 8 console bundle representing 82% of the region's Wii U console sales for the week.[194] NPD Group reported that in the United States, when comparing the month of June 2013 to the same month in 2014, Wii U software sales were up 373% and console sales were up 233%.[195]

The record would be surpassed in November 2014 by Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, which sold 490,000 copies in the United States during its first three days of availability.[11] According to Nintendo of America, December 2014 was Wii U's biggest month in terms of sales in the United States. Hardware sales increased 29%, and software sales increased 75% in comparison to December 2013.[196]

In July 2015, Nintendo announced that as of the end of fiscal third quarter 2015, and nearly three years following its launch, it had sold over 10 million Wii U units worldwide. However, sales of Wii U units during this quarter were down in comparison to the same quarter in 2014, with 470,000 units sold (in comparison to 510,000 in 2014). In comparison, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One had each yielded sales of 10 million units after approximately one year from their respective launches.[197]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Neither Nintendo, IBM nor AMD has revealed detailed specifications, such as the number of cores, clock rate, or cache sizes.
  2. ↑ Official reports made by IBM only confirm that the chip contains "a lot" of eDRAM and "the same processor technology found in Watson".[80]

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