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Analysts revise Wii U forecasts downward, expect GameCube-like sales
Coming from analyst firm DFC Intelligence...
"We are once again lowering our outlook for the Wii U. Right now it is looking to do about what the GameCube did during its lifespan which is mainly be another system for Nintendo first party product.
I think Nintendo is carving out a different audience. I think that being said it is the right strategy. The audience they are going after is not the ones that Sony and Microsoft are going after. Right now they need to go after Nintendo fans first. They should have done that last year but better late than never. So in answer to your question it is the right approach but really Nintendo now is just trying to do as well as the GameCube so they have a base to sell first party software."
The following comes from independent analyst Billy Pidgeon
"I think it's smart for Nintendo to launch three titles featuring major franchises on the same day. Yes, Xbox One also launches on November 22nd, but major game retail events can energize consumers to buy more games and hardware. There's an audience waiting for these Nintendo titles, and Mario and Zelda have system-selling potential. It's a good move to get these games out before the holiday season kicks in on Black Friday, a tactic that Sony and Microsoft are employing for their eight generation console launches. Nintendo is moving 3DS hardware, and 2DS adds value priced hardware to Nintendo's handheld mix. Wii U hardware sales need a boost, and Super Mario 3D World will help. Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. releases in 2014 will also help, as will more value added bundles and hardware price cuts.
For the bottom line, console launches drive hardware, software and accessories purchases not only for the new hardware but for older hardware as well. Value added bundling, price cuts and highly anticipated new software for older hardware can boost sales of older systems during a fourth quarter retail period with one or more new console launches. Xbox 360 made big gains in hardware and software in 2006 as Wii and PS3 launched, and PS2 made hardware gains and maintained relatively high attach rates in 2005-2006, particularly during Q4 when Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 launches were underway."
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"We are once again lowering our outlook for the Wii U. Right now it is looking to do about what the GameCube did during its lifespan which is mainly be another system for Nintendo first party product.
I think Nintendo is carving out a different audience. I think that being said it is the right strategy. The audience they are going after is not the ones that Sony and Microsoft are going after. Right now they need to go after Nintendo fans first. They should have done that last year but better late than never. So in answer to your question it is the right approach but really Nintendo now is just trying to do as well as the GameCube so they have a base to sell first party software."
The following comes from independent analyst Billy Pidgeon
"I think it's smart for Nintendo to launch three titles featuring major franchises on the same day. Yes, Xbox One also launches on November 22nd, but major game retail events can energize consumers to buy more games and hardware. There's an audience waiting for these Nintendo titles, and Mario and Zelda have system-selling potential. It's a good move to get these games out before the holiday season kicks in on Black Friday, a tactic that Sony and Microsoft are employing for their eight generation console launches. Nintendo is moving 3DS hardware, and 2DS adds value priced hardware to Nintendo's handheld mix. Wii U hardware sales need a boost, and Super Mario 3D World will help. Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. releases in 2014 will also help, as will more value added bundles and hardware price cuts.
For the bottom line, console launches drive hardware, software and accessories purchases not only for the new hardware but for older hardware as well. Value added bundling, price cuts and highly anticipated new software for older hardware can boost sales of older systems during a fourth quarter retail period with one or more new console launches. Xbox 360 made big gains in hardware and software in 2006 as Wii and PS3 launched, and PS2 made hardware gains and maintained relatively high attach rates in 2005-2006, particularly during Q4 when Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 launches were underway."
Link