According to a report published in Forbes today by IHS Screen Digest, Nintendo's upcoming Wii U console will sell approximately 3.5 million units worldwide between its release (Nov. 18), and the end of December, which is a small increase compared to sales from the Wii's launch in 2006.
The report points to the increase as a result of Nintendo fanboys, more or less. But since such a term doesn't bode well in the pages of an analyst report, IHS refers to them as "Nintendo evangelists, many of which were introduced to the console market through the success of the Wii," whose "pent-up demand...is predicted to drive this explosive start."
However, while the report offers an explosive start for the new console, sales will begin to recede in the next few years following the launch. According to the Forbes article, the "new console will only reach around 70% of the Wii's sales volume in the first four years after release. The Wii moved 75.9 million units during that period, while IHS forecasts Wii U sales around 53.2 million units."
Why? According to Piers Harding-Rolls, head of games at IHS...
"Wii U's pure innovation, coupled with a limited volume of high-quality Nintendo software, will not be enough to drive the ongoing sales momentum we witnessed with the Wii console, especially at a higher price point. Long-term success depends on ongoing consumer engagement delivered through the constant release of high-quality content from both first and third parties, a competitive non-games entertainment proposition and a sound digital and online strategy to go along with such innovation. Nintendo is still some way short of delivering a comprehensive engagement-led value proposition at the launch of the Wii U."
So, somehow, Harding-Rolls apparently knows something about, not only, the library of a console four years down the line, but their future "online strategy" as well. You mean the Miiverse and Nintendo Network they mentioned at E3, back in JUNE? Industry "insider knowledge" is one thing, but this is absurd. In essence, I think Harding-Rolls and the rest of IHS Screen Digest fortune tellers might want to polish off their crystal balls a bit before making their next prediction.
Wii U titles available at launch are listed below.
Activision
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Skylanders Giants
TRANSFORMERS PRIME
Wipeout 3
Electronic Arts
EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 13
Namco
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
Nintendo
New Super Mario Bros. U
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
Nintendo Land
SiNG PARTY
SEGA
Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed
Tecmo
WARRIORS OROCHI 3 Hyper
THQ
Darksiders II
Ubisoft
Assassin's Creed III
ESPN Sports Connection
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
ZombiU
Just Dance 4
Rabbids Land
Warner Bros
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Game Party Champions
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
Keep in mind; these are the titles available on launch day only. Nintendo has let us know a few other titles that will release in the "launch window," which goes later in November, and into March of next year. But as we don't know the exact release dates yet, they're not listed here.
A basic Wii U package will be available in white with 8GB of storage, and will cost $299.99. Nintendo will also have a premium package with 32GB, in black, and will cost $349.99.
Nintendo's Wii U launches in the US on Nov. 18, Europe and Australia on Nov. 30, and in Japan on Dec. 8.
