The Wii U Era Is Proof That Nintendo Is So Corporate Now

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Approximately twelve years ago, I was quite young and eagerly anticipating the debut of my first recognized Nintendo home console – the Wii U. As a child, I adored both my Wii and DS, so this upcoming novelty piqued my interest more than anything else.

Indeed, for the majority of gamers, the experience was quite different. They encountered a system with some outstanding exclusive games, decent hardware performance that wasn’t exceptional, frustratingly long load times, and a feature that seemed to hinder rather than help more frequently.

From my perspective, and I daresay many fellow Nintendo enthusiasts who truly embraced the Wii U, it offered a captivating experience and was a period rich in fandom excitement. We found ourselves empathizing deeply with the console’s underperforming sales figures.

Due to the poor performance of the Wii U, Nintendo faced severe financial difficulties. However, solid sales from the 3DS helped them stay afloat during this challenging time. The underperformance of the Wii U was significant, forcing Nintendo to completely rethink their approach for their next system, regardless of the costs or changes required.

The Switch Situation

The Nintendo Switch underwent several transformations to become the device it is today. Initially, the poor marketing strategy behind the Wii U, which made it appear as a mere Wii accessory, needed to be revised. Additionally, a common misunderstanding about the system had to be addressed and rectified.

Many individuals, myself included, believed the Wii U could transport console games anywhere. This appealing notion served as the foundation for the creation of the Nintendo Switch, a device that combines the portability of a handheld gaming system with the quality of home console games.

Starting from approximately 2014, the idea began to circulate, but tragically, in 2015, the president of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata, passed away. Known as one of the greatest leaders in the gaming industry, this accolade was earned for numerous reasons.

1. To avoid job cuts, he reduced his own pay.

2. He was deeply fond of video games, and initially contributed to the development of the Switch. However, following his demise, Tatsumi Kimishima assumed control, and it was clear that there had been a change in management.

Toshiro Kimishima played a key role in launching the Nintendo Switch by focusing on popular titles during its initial year. This included bringing back a version of Mario Kart that was previously inaccessible to many gamers, introducing one of the largest Zelda games ever made, releasing a new 3D Mario game, developing a sequel for Splatoon, and much more.

Over time, the games released by Nintendo became increasingly familiar, as they tended to consist of remakes of classic titles, sequels to popular series, or fresh installments in cherished franchise collections.

The situation persisted for quite some time, leading up to the recent Nintendo Switch games appearing strikingly devoid of innovative spirit. While they’re all decent games in terms of quality, they fall far short of the extraordinary creative flair we were accustomed to.

It’s noticeable how the carefree, family-oriented spirit that characterized Nintendo, aiming to provide enjoyable and budget-friendly consoles, seems to have waned. This becomes particularly evident when comparing their different systems directly.

The Wii U Was Great

The concept of a tablet synced with a TV was fantastic indeed. It enabled games that mirrored the design of the DS, featuring dual screens and keeping the gameplay lively by shifting between various locations, maintaining an engaging, continuous experience.

I found it fantastic to have the ability to enjoy Smash Bros. using a gamepad from my bed, with graphics that were on par with those on TV, rather than compromising with games of lower quality, which attempted to mimic the same experience as on the DS.

Though the Switch offers comparable mobility, it seems unusually devoid of warmth. The playful, cozy, and stylish interfaces have been traded for a more rigid, functional UI that lacks any distinctive taste or character.

Each Wii U game adapted to Switch encountered some trade-offs. These could involve eliminating Nintendo’s innovative endeavor in creating a social media platform, or sacrificing distinct features reliant on the gamepad.

Beyond making the hardware itself captivating and forward-thinking, Nintendo went above and beyond to ensure the satisfaction of their loyal Wii U players. They even offered a complete free game as a bonus when purchasing Mario Kart 8.

Currently, Nintendo is working on creating enough supply to meet demand for their systems, but in the Wii U era, they reduced the price of many of their largest games to just $20. Interestingly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains priced at $60 on the original Switch.

Despite this, most Wii U games were priced below $60 upon release or would be soon after, including Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, which was initially sold at $50. Later, it was reduced to $20, then re-released on the Switch with minimal additional content but maintained its original price of $60. Today, it continues to sell for this amount.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a tad disappointed about games like 1-2 Switch, which, had it been a downloadable title on Wii U, might have cost around $20. However, with the arrival of Nintendo Switch, this seemingly trivial party game was transformed into a full $50 release. If it were to launch on the hypothetical Switch 2, I’d wager that it would command a hefty $60 price tag.

Switching To The Sequel

Following eight years since the launch of the Switch, Nintendo unveiled their subsequent console system, but rather than showcasing an inventive, engaging, and groundbreaking device that would revolutionize their previous creations, they revealed a upgraded Switch model priced at $450 with enhanced specifications.

In contrast to other industry giants like Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo consistently introduces fresh concepts in the gaming sphere, as demonstrated by their innovative approach even with the Switch. This suggests that they are growing increasingly confident at the pinnacle of sales rankings, seemingly content without striving for further improvement.

Essentially, despite the Wii U being a groundbreaking, user-focused console that gave the impression of Nintendo valuing each and every user, it suffered a significant failure and might discourage them from attempting something similar in the future.

Instead of pricing less affluent families out of their beloved pastime with exorbitant prices, Nintendo, under Iwata’s guidance, would have strived to innovate continually, seeking methods to market the console at both premium quality and an affordable price point.

In today’s world, I find myself questioning the financial feasibility of many modern gaming releases, including Nintendo’s offerings. It seems that they are catering more towards those with a consistent, substantial income, almost as if they don’t consider whether the average gamer can afford a $500 price tag for Mario Kart.

It’s frequently criticized that companies like Microsoft and Sony are deemed as questionable due to their practices of launching consoles with minimal changes, requiring payment for game updates, repeatedly re-releasing titles, and persistently increasing prices. Recently, it appears that Nintendo is adopting similar tactics.

For more than half of my life, I was an ardent follower of Nintendo, but lately, with the introduction of the Switch, I’ve found myself less inclined to stand by them due to their questionable business strategies that seem more greedy and detrimental to consumers. This change has left me rather disillusioned.

As a devoted fan, Mario Kart World seems to embody everything I’ve ever dreamed of in the series. Donkey Kong looks like it could be as fantastic as Super Mario Odyssey, while Kirby Air Ride remains one of my favorites. However, the thought of not being able to afford these games without emptying my savings account is a real downer.

Will This Ever Change?

If you share my preference for a Nintendo console from the Wii U era, one that prioritizes its consumers over profit, here’s an easy option: just buy one, unless you’re a gaming journalist who absolutely must play these games.

During the Wii U period, Nintendo went out of their way to be customer-focused. This was due to the fact that they had to earn consumer loyalty, since people weren’t purchasing the Wii U in significant numbers for various reasons.

To express disapproval of consumerism, one option is to not purchase their products. Instead, you can withhold your money and make them work for it by offering a better deal. While I enjoy the games, I don’t feel compelled to own them.

I strongly dislike the quality of AAA games at the moment, and I refuse to accept Nintendo lowering this standard even more. I won’t be a part of supporting it just because they demand it.

Devices such as the Steam Deck demonstrate that comparable power can be housed within a similar size for about $100 less, and Nintendo is aware of this fact. However, they will not market this console at any price other than a substantial profit margin, as they believe they can do so.

Even though my once-favored video game company has transformed into something corporate, anti-consumer, and disappointing, remember that it’s not mandatory to purchase their products. There’s an abundance of alternative games available, and we both have a stack of unplayed games waiting in our backlog.

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2025-04-21 17:39