Nintendo enters into Panic Mode: Announces Wii U Price Cut, WWHD Bundle, and 2DS

So Nintendo appears to have gone into Panic Mode again as they have announced quite a few things:

1) Wii U is getting a $50 price cut making the Deluxe Model $299.99 now. They will also be releasing a Wind Waker HD Bundle that comes with a Digital Version of the game and a digital version of Hyrule Historia on September 20th for the same price:

http://kotaku.com/wii-u-price-drops-...-20-1214840727

http://kotaku.com/wind-waker-hd-rele...dow-1214863417

2) Nintendo has announced and in some cases moved up release dates for tons of Wii U and 3DS titles:

http://kotaku.com/nintendo-doles-out...lid-1214883870

3) Nintendo has announced the Nintendo 2DS. A cost reduced version of the 3DS with the 3D screen replaced with a 2D Screen. It will retail for $129.99 and is aimed at children under the age of 7:

http://kotaku.com/introducing-the-ni...ypo-1214807721

So basically Nintendo has gone into full swing panic mode for the upcoming Fall and Holiday season. So this might be a good time to get a Wii U or 3DS.

Well shit. I hope that day one buyers get some sort of deal like they did with the 3DS Embassador Program.

nintendo is sweating against the ropes going into the holiday season.

An ambassador program for the Wii U? The price drop came (or will come) 10 months after release unlike the 3DS which had a significant drop in price five months after release.

People say it is confusing enough between the Wii and Wii U yet now we're going to have a DS, 3DS and 2DS? What knucklehead thought of that idea?

That 2DS looks kinda neat actually, I may actually pick one up.

I don't think Nintendo is on the ropes to be honest, they're just trying to get ready to up sales for the holidays. After all, they do have a head start on both Sony and Microsoft at this point.

But who really cares about this console wars shit?

2DS? It's odd that they'd panic like that with the 3DS, considering sales have been excellent for the 3DS.

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Originally Posted by JCU

An ambassador program for the Wii U? The price drop came (or will come) 10 months after release unlike the 3DS which had a significant drop in price five months after release.

People say it is confusing enough between the Wii and Wii U yet now we're going to have a DS, 3DS and 2DS? What knucklehead thought of that idea?

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It's still an astounding timeframe for a new console to consider a price drop. MS and Sony were in the middle of their console lives before a price drop was even considered. I'm not saying Nintendo absolutely owes us something, but they've already set a precedent with the 3DS in that regard.

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Originally Posted by ApolloBoy

That 2DS looks kinda neat actually, I may actually pick one up.

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The upside to this is that, if it fails, you'll likely get double your money back from the Nintendo faithful in a few years. ;)

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Originally Posted by Metalwario64

2DS? It's odd that they'd panic like that with the 3DS, considering sales have been excellent for the 3DS.

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I see it as a strategic solution to reach a bigger audience. I have a (now) 6 year old who plays my 3DS more than I do, but it's always in 2D mode, as both my wife and I agree that he shouldn't be training his younger eyes to stare into a stereoscopic display for an extended time until more conclusive tests come in. Someone on either IGN or Kotaku equated the move as a Nintendo version of a Leapster, which, while oversimplified in it's implications, conveys the idea that Nintendo is actively targeting younger children with this move. Also, say you were on the fence before about a 3DS - you can now either have a 2D version that plays the same games, or, for 40 bucks more, you can take the plunge and get the full experience. It's a smart move, even if I don't care for the design (it just reeks of being rushed to market).

2DS is to help they get more money, since the Wii U is a failure.
Maybe I'll buy one when they release the 2DS XL, with a smaller size.

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Originally Posted by maxi

2DS is to help they get more money, since the Wii U is a failure.
Maybe I'll buy one when they release the 2DS XL, with a smaller size.

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They won't.

2DS is aimed at babies.

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Originally Posted by Lastcallhall

It's still an astounding timeframe for a new console to consider a price drop. MS and Sony were in the middle of their console lives before a price drop was even considered. I'm not saying Nintendo absolutely owes us something, but they've already set a precedent with the 3DS in that regard.

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The way Nintendo addressed both price drops is a bit different though. The 3DS was an $80.00 drop at a time when there was barely anything worth playing. Not only did the early adopters lose eighty dollars but there was barely anything worth playing. The only retail game I had for the system around this time was Ocarina of Time 3D which was an almost 13 yr old game. Fifty dollars this time around isn't as bitter tasting because the library is getting quite healthy. Who doesn't like anything free, right? I'd be extremely surprised if Nintendo addressed the early adopters of the Wii U.

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Originally Posted by Metalwario64

2DS? It's odd that they'd panic like that with the 3DS, considering sales have been excellent for the 3DS.

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This "panic" hyperbole is off base. It's called holiday marketing.

The 2DS; as stated in the original post here, (edit, I see Metalwario64 also picked up this fact a couple posts later) is aimed at children 7 and under who are otherwise directed not to play the 3DS for potential damge to their eye development.
This underserved market is now catered to with another game playing device. Where is the panic?

"Panic mode"? That's a bit sensationalist, if you ask me. The Wii U price cut makes perfect sense and needed to be done to have a better chance at competing with the next-gen consoles. The 2DS seems like a neat cost-effective idea as well. The later especially is more an example of Nintendo offering revisions to their handheld hardware every few years, just as they have been doing since the '90s. Hardly panicking if tou ask me, especially considering the 3DS is selling fine as-is.

Anybody notice the article that said the Vita's price had dropped?

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Originally Posted by TrekkiesUnite118

So Nintendo appears to have gone into Panic Mode

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That statement alone deserves rep because it's so true.

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You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to TrekkiesUnite118 again.

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:(

Nintendo will unload a substantial amount of consoles. But the question remains, will it outsell the Xbox 360, PS3 in October? Only time will tell because that is the true test. The Xbox 360 continues to be the best selling console in the US for quite some time now. If Nintendo can't sway enough mainstream gamers to buy a WiiU, then they are in serious trouble. IMHO, a re-hashed Gamecube game cannot possibly save the WiiU.

However the shit will hit the fan come this November.

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Originally Posted by Zz Badnusty

This "panic" hyperbole is off base. It's called holiday marketing.

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I agree with the Holiday marketing statement, but Nintendo is scraping the bottom of the barrel with a lack of innovation and last minute snap decisions. They probably had this option on the table for a long while and realized that they have no choice but to drop the price and exploit an old Gamecube game at the same time.

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

Anybody notice the article that said the Vita's price had dropped?

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Yeah, a couple of days after Best Buy dropped the price by the same amount. :lol:

Can you hook up an external harddrive to a Wii U? The reason I ask is, 32gb seems really low for this day and again, and I don't think an SDHC card's gonna cut it.

I'd be interested in the 2DS if it were maybe closer to $100. There's a few 3DS games I'm interested in but I don't like the 3D effect and I don't want to make a big investment.

Honestly I think it's a pretty brilliant and thinly-veiled attempt to get more copies of Pokemon X & Y under Christmas trees.

I don't know if I'd call this "panic mode," it's just holiday marketing mode. Nintendo is positioning itself as the budget alternative to Sony and Microsoft. It's something that always worked for them in the past.

Nintendo what the hell are you doing?,
A 2DS? huh.
Attachment 7564

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Originally Posted by The Jackal

Can you hook up an external harddrive to a Wii U? The reason I ask is, 32gb seems really low for this day and again, and I don't think an SDHC card's gonna cut it.

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Yes, it is an officially supported feature.

Work harder Reggie. I'm not spending more than $250 for a game console. I never have and never will. These things are toys with a limited lifespan that have to be continually supported with software. Call me a cheap old fogey if you want. I don't care. It's my money and you can't have it.

Whooohooo 2DS! awesome for people like me who can't see 3D!

Isn't a 3DS without 3D, like, I dunno...

A DS? :)

Could this save Nintendo from total extinction?

I remember when the GameCube did badly and Nintendo went out of business.

Oh wait... that didn't happen at all.

This just sounds like a sensible price cut to compete with the new consoles to me. And others have explained the 2DS.

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Originally Posted by Lastcallhall

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I see it as a strategic solution to reach a bigger audience. I have a (now) 6 year old who plays my 3DS more than I do, but it's always in 2D mode, as both my wife and I agree that he shouldn't be training his younger eyes to stare into a stereoscopic display for an extended time until more conclusive tests come in. Someone on either IGN or Kotaku equated the move as a Nintendo version of a Leapster, which, while oversimplified in it's implications, conveys the idea that Nintendo is actively targeting younger children with this move. Also, say you were on the fence before about a 3DS - you can now either have a 2D version that plays the same games, or, for 40 bucks more, you can take the plunge and get the full experience. It's a smart move, even if I don't care for the design (it just reeks of being rushed to market).

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I would have to agree with this assessment. But personally I think Nintendo's marketing team should be fired. 2DS? Oh come on! The name itself is bound to create confusion for alot of parents. Nintendo is not being very creative in the way they name and market their products. They have so many identifiable mascots to draw from but they rarely if ever use them!

I personally don't mind the idea of the 2DS. No idea why it's getting so much hate, or why people are thinking that Nintendo is about to collapse as a company or something. Their stock has finally shown an uptick in July of this year after starting a huge downfall in Q4 of 2010. What was a $40+ dollar stock is now $15. Any improvement is good though. Nintendo's making the right move here to keep their systems cost-effective while getting the jump on the yet-released Xbox One and PS4. I don't see how either of these moves is going to truly hurt Nintendo in the long run, they're setting themselves right up for that holiday run.

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Originally Posted by TrekkiesUnite118

So Nintendo appears to have gone into Panic Mode again as they have announced quite a few things:

1) Wii U is getting a $50 price cut making the Deluxe Model $299.99 now. They will also be releasing a Wind Waker HD Bundle that comes with a Digital Version of the game and a digital version of Hyrule Historia on September 20th for the same price:

http://kotaku.com/wii-u-price-drops-...-20-1214840727

http://kotaku.com/wind-waker-hd-rele...dow-1214863417

2) Nintendo has announced and in some cases moved up release dates for tons of Wii U and 3DS titles:

http://kotaku.com/nintendo-doles-out...lid-1214883870

3) Nintendo has announced the Nintendo 2DS. A cost reduced version of the 3DS with the 3D screen replaced with a 2D Screen. It will retail for $129.99 and is aimed at children under the age of 7:

http://kotaku.com/introducing-the-ni...ypo-1214807721

So basically Nintendo has gone into full swing panic mode for the upcoming Fall and Holiday season. So this might be a good time to get a Wii U or 3DS.

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yes it's very good to get a system from a company in full panic mode rushing games left and right

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Originally Posted by Baloo

I don't think Nintendo is on the ropes to be honest, they're just trying to get ready to up sales for the holidays. After all, they do have a head start on both Sony and Microsoft at this point.

But who really cares about this console wars shit?

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what headstart? ps4 has more pre-orders already than nintendo has wii-u's out in the open

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Originally Posted by NeoVamp

Whooohooo 2DS! awesome for people like me who can't see 3D!

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You know you can turn the 3D off on a regular 3DS right? It's how I play mine since 3d on the XL is eyeball rape.

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Originally Posted by Metalwario64

2DS? It's odd that they'd panic like that with the 3DS, considering sales have been excellent for the 3DS.

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I agree that they're in trouble. Maybe not full on panic, as they have money in the bank and 3DS rules the dedicated handheld market, but the Wii has faded, the Wii U has not taken off, the PS4 and Xbox One are looming large while Nintendo has squandered any hope of a head start, and the dedicated handheld market is shrinking due to casual gaming on phones and tables. So over both the short and long term, Nintendo definitely has reasons for concern. I think the Wii U may end up being their biggest misfire of a console.

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Originally Posted by Baloo

I don't think Nintendo is on the ropes to be honest, they're just trying to get ready to up sales for the holidays. After all, they do have a head start on both Sony and Microsoft at this point.

But who really cares about this console wars shit?

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I think the temporal head start will be of no use to them as they are selling so slowly, Sony and Microsoft will blow past Nintendo in a matter of months.

And I care about the console wars inasmuch as I like the competition between the three companies (as none of them is perfect, and all of them would pull ridiculous shit like Microsoft tried with their DRM for the Xbox One). The competition is good for us gamers, and it will be bad if one of the three goes down the tubes.

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

Anybody notice the article that said the Vita's price had dropped?

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Yeah, Sony is trying to get a little momentum as well. The Vita's in pretty bad shape. $199 is honestly a good price for the hardware, but they still have the expensive memory cards.

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Originally Posted by Baloo

I personally don't mind the idea of the 2DS. No idea why it's getting so much hate, or why people are thinking that Nintendo is about to collapse as a company or something. Their stock has finally shown an uptick in July of this year after starting a huge downfall in Q4 of 2010. What was a $40+ dollar stock is now $15. Any improvement is good though. Nintendo's making the right move here to keep their systems cost-effective while getting the jump on the yet-released Xbox One and PS4. I don't see how either of these moves is going to truly hurt Nintendo in the long run, they're setting themselves right up for that holiday run.

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It's a weird looking machine, but I don't mind the loss of 3D. I've been pondering a 3DS XL because of some of the games in the 3DS library, but I have no intention of playing them in 3D. It does nothing for me. I might pick up the 2DS if the screen is big enough (i.e. bigger than the 3DS screen, which is too small IMHO).

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Originally Posted by old man

You know you can turn the 3D off on a regular 3DS right? It's how I play mine since 3d on the XL is eyeball rape.

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Oh, you got the XL? No wonder Uprising makes your hand hurt!

I think the 2DS looks kinda neat, though. My first thought when I saw it's design? Wonder how Uprising plays on it?

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Originally Posted by Lastcallhall

I see it as a strategic solution to reach a bigger audience. I have a (now) 6 year old who plays my 3DS more than I do, but it's always in 2D mode, as both my wife and I agree that he shouldn't be training his younger eyes to stare into a stereoscopic display for an extended time until more conclusive tests come in. Someone on either IGN or Kotaku equated the move as a Nintendo version of a Leapster, which, while oversimplified in it's implications, conveys the idea that Nintendo is actively targeting younger children with this move. Also, say you were on the fence before about a 3DS - you can now either have a 2D version that plays the same games, or, for 40 bucks more, you can take the plunge and get the full experience. It's a smart move, even if I don't care for the design (it just reeks of being rushed to market).

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They already account for much of that though. The 3DS requests the user's age (or birth date) during initial set-up and will lock to 2D mode if under 7.

That's also nice since it means young adopters will later be able to play in 3D mode as well, without changing their product.


The 2DS just seems silly to push out now, and especially bad with that ridiculous form factor . . . really awkward and basically makes using buttons/d-pad and touch screen concurrently impossible. (especially for the small fingers of the children it's supposedly targeting)

On top of that, it ruins the convenient clamshell form factor (including the nice viewing angle), changes the screen bezel distance (ruining games that painstakingly account for the bezel gap), and also makes it generally impractical to grip for games intended to be played sideways. Plus the L and R buttons are placed awkwardly


That and for some stupid reason it's mono sound (speaker, not headphones).


If they WERE going to do this just to cut costs, why not just take the regular 3DS form and drop the 3D screen?





And regarding BOTH the Wii and Wii U . . . why didn't they design the Wii U to use the 3DS as the added controller/screen rather than add the Wii U Gamepad? It would encourage 3DS sales as well as make a neat tie-in in general (and finally do properly what the GBA attempted with the GC -and what they probably should have tried with the Wii and DS). That and you'd have the neat 3D features too, and the dual screens, etc. (and the 3DSXL for a larger screen)

Even better would have been if they launched the Wii U a year or so earlier and directly tied in with the 3DS from the start (or even back in 2010 and tied in with Wii Motion Plus and then the 3DS the following spring -and had a bunch of the late gen Wii games pushed over to Wii U -like Skyward Sword)

Like with what Sega should have done with Dreamcast: wait until the PlayStation hype is over and the dust has settled and I am sure sales will still be solid.

Something was pointed out to me concerning the 2DS: Its pretty much meant to be the Pokemon machine. Look, it comes out on the same day as X/Y. So we have a portable that can probably take a much greater beating then the standard 3DS, is way cheaper (system and one of the games can be had for less then $200 and getting the other doesn't pump it much over...in fact they could probably run a deal if they wanted to. System and both games for 200). This thing isn't primarily targeted to teens and adults. This is a current gen portable, being directed at moms looking to occupy their kids...and there are a lot of those. If the kids keep playing and want to expand, they'll likely "upgrade" to a 3DS. Also, if anyone else buys the 2DS it'll just be a bonus (I can see importers and hackers buying the thing. Because the two screens are actually one screen hackers may be able to do some fun things with that.)

Yeah, it looks dumb on the surface, but I'm starting to think this is one of Nintendo's trojans. In and of itself not selling in great numbers, but definately expanding its main line user base...kind of like the GBA micro and GBA SP did.

^ Yes I said that earlier in the thread.

It doesn't have the 3D effect that can harm developing eyes and it doesn't have the hinges that kids have notoriously broken in previous DS models and arguably Nintendo's biggest Pokemon release in years is on the horizon. It's pretty clear what they're doing.

This is considered panic? Maybe just standard procedure.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rIJmGj4g-s

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Originally Posted by old man

These things are toys with a limited lifespan that have to be continually supported with software.

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says the guy posting on a website dedicated to gaming on a system that halted production 15 years ago. i rarely post outside the Haul thread, but come on

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Originally Posted by genocide-superstar

says the guy posting on a website dedicated to gaming on a system that halted production 15 years ago. i rarely post outside the Haul thread, but come on

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What does making a post on this website forum have to do with how I feel about the price of the Wii U? Way to strip my post of context there guy. Did you actually have something to say, or were you just trying to insult me?

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Originally Posted by old man

What does making a post on this website forum have to do with how I feel about the price of the Wii U? Way to strip my post of context there guy. Did you actually have something to say, or were you just trying to insult me?

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if you're on this website then i assume you still get some enjoyment out of retro gaming--something that, to me, implies an endless lifespan. not really insulting, just illuminating hypocrisy

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Originally Posted by genocide-superstar

if you're on this website then i assume you still get some enjoyment out of retro gaming--something that, to me, implies an endless lifespan. not really insulting, just illuminating hypocrisy

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Easy, Tiger.

You can NOT compare retro systems to today's consoles. Just flip through a couple pages of an old EGM or GamePro and you'll see that it was a completely different time. Konami has a two-page spread for Super C and, shockingly, they are still promoting games like Metal Gear & Castlevania. Good luck finding magazine adverts these days saying "BUY GOD OF WAR ASCENSION!!! ...Oh, and have you played God of War III yet?"

Today's systems more than ever before require a continuous flood of new software to keep the ball rolling, because today's consumers are idiots. ... Or, are we idiots because of media oversaturation? I dunno, but people are dumb.

But if you take anything away from this, it's this: don't be a dick. Old Man is a good guy.

Myself, I'll probably be getting two of the 2DS systems this Christmas. Cheers.