Despite being out for nearly a year before the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the Wii U's sales surely don't reflect Nintendo's lengthy head start. For as long as the console as been struggling, Nintendo has been trying to come up wit ha strategy for success, and they may have found it with classic properties, especially with the upcoming Mario Kart 8.
Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition Will Only Be Available At Nintendo World Store
Wii U owners, what little there are, don't want new, or risky games. They want the familiar, the Super Marios, the Metroids, Legend of Zeldas, Smash Bros., etc., with a Wii U polish, and after a depressing slump, Nintendo is finally starting to realize it.
One who believes as much is Roger Langford, Mario Brand Manager for Nintendo UK. Langford recently spoke with MCV on just how positive of an effect he thinks Mario Kart 8 will have on Wii U sales, and how it'll help the console play catch up to its competitors.
"Mario Kart 8 really harnesses the capability of Wii U. It has HD graphics and runs at 60 frames per second constantly in single and multiplayer," he said. "I certainly feel that Mario Kart 8 can be the catalyst that will broaden Wii U's horizons."
Early reviews of the racer are extremely positive, and has been declared to be one of the few must haves as for the console. But will it be enough? That's harder to say, but Langford did point out a special promotion to help prod sales even higher.
"You pick up the Mario Kart 8 bundle, and you can also download Wii Party U or Nintendo Land if you're getting it for the family," explained Langford. "Or if you're a Mario fan you can get New Super Mario Bros U. We also cater for more core gamers, as well, with Monster Hunter 3 and The Wonderful 101. We are offering that variety because Mario Kart 8 does attract such a broad demographic."
"It's very important for us that we have a successful launch and continue the promotion throughout the year and beyond." It sure is, because the Wii U has some serious catching up to do. A year and half in, only a shade over 6 million of the systems had been sold, compared to the PlayStation 4 at over seven million sales globally in six months time, and Microsoft's January reveal that "over 3 million Xbox One consoles were sold to consumers in 13 countries before the end of 2013."
It's receiving universally positive reviews, but most agree that the game has more hopes riding on its shoulders than just its own sales: Nintendo's last financial report listed Wii U hardware sales at a mere 6.17 million units in the 18 months since its launch.
Part of Nintendo's promotion for the racer is a number of TV spots showing various features of Mario Kart 8, such as the new anti-gravity karts, as well as the numerous items. You can check out the latest spot below which shows off the maddening lightning item, shrinking every last racer on the course and setting them up to be nice and smushable.
Mario Kart 8 releases at the end of the month as a Wii U exclusive. The racer features one of the biggest rosters yet, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Rosalina, their respective infant versions, Yoshi, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Toad, Koopa Troopa, Toadette, Wario, Waluigi, Shy Guy, Metal Mario, Lakitu, and Bowser's kids Larry, Morton, Wendy, Iggy, Roy, Lemmy, and Ludwig as playable racers. Pink Gold Peach, a counter character to Metal Mario, rounds out the roster, bringing the total character count to 30.
Beyond the characters, Mario Kart 8 also adds in new items, anti-gravity, both new and favorite retro tracks, and the return of bikes, gliders, and underwater driving. Nintendo's World Store in Manhattan will be holding a launch party to celebrate.
