The Nintendo Wii U is set for release this fall, and many gamers have one question in their minds regarding the console.
Why?
Why would Nintendo release this new console? Of course, the Wii sold incredibly well worldwide, so a new hardware launch would be a good idea. In addition, the Nintendo DS and its derivatives — namely the DSi, DSi XL, 3DS, and the newly announced 3DS XL — have proven that the game giant is still king of the handheld market.
Returning to the core question, why would Nintendo release the Wii U?
Why would the company continue to bash the idea that a new console is necessary? Because Nintendo, like most businesses in the tech industry, believes in innovation. This renewal-focused approach is quite similar to the Apple model of constantly releasing new versions of current products. The truth is that this approach works. And, in the case of Nintendo, it has worked quite well, especially when considering the success of its portables. Will the strategy work with the console market? I believe it will…to a diminished degree.
I say this mostly due to the fact the Wii was an astounding success. Not merely due to sales but for the simple fact that Nintendo took a risk in supporting motion. The addition of the Wii Remote to millions of homes worldwide stands as an impressive testament to Nintendo’s ability to tap into a mainstream market.
Nintendo provided a platform for developers to innovate with — even though it took some time before we started seeing first-party Wii support with titles like Super Mario Galaxy. And rumors indicate that the Nintendo Wii U will follow a similar path.
A large multitude of casual-gaming-minded individuals purchased the Wii and, as of now, millions of white boxes are probably nested neatly beneath television stands (under a pile of dust). The owners of these boxes are probably thinking twice about purchasing another Nintendo system. Even with this in mind, the Japanese giant chose to dive head first into the next console generation, and only the jaws of time will let us know if that decision will be profitable.