The Nintendo Wii U is an absolutely fantastic system that offers unique experiences you can’t find elsewhere. Provided you were patient enough to wait for these experiences, that is.
It’s no secret that the Big N has had issues supporting their consoles with a steady stream of game releases. Thanks in part to the lack of consistent third-party support, the Wii U, as well as the Wii in its later years, suffered keeping up with competing consoles in terms of a steady game library. Like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the Wii U features a solid selection of high quality titles. The issue, though, is the quantity of these high quality titles; there just isn’t enough. Judging by their most recent Nintendo Direct, that trend is going to continue.
The gaming community, at least those who still care, has spent the better part of a year looking at the Wii U and waiting for it to do anything. Sure, Xenoblade Chronicles X is releasing this month, but aside from another Mario Tennis release and a lacking mini-game collection disguised with an Animal Crossing skin, that’s pretty much it. While others eagerly await their Fallout 4, their Call of Duty: Black Ops III, their onslaught of holiday releases, Nintendo is countering with a JRPG.
I can’t remember the last time a console’s big ticket title for the Christmas season was a JRPG. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s not exactly the best way to garner positive attention.
Now comes the report that the NX, Nintendo’s upcoming console, is due to ship sometime in 2016. Considering the delay of Zelda Wii U until next year, this feels like the Gamecube into Wii all over again; Twilight Princess’ unfortunate delay pushed back the highly anticipated title from a late entry on the Gamecube (it still came out for the system) to a launch title on the Wii. Will the same thing happen with the NX? Probably; having a Zelda game as your system’s launch title is a great way to make sure you sell systems. Of course, nothing is set in stone yet; this is all speculation, but it’s hard not to see the writing on the wall.
Let’s go back to the most recent Nintendo Direct. What were the big takeaways? Star Fox Wii U, Xenoblade X, Amiibo, and the “big” announcement of Cloud appearing in Super Smash Bros.
This isn’t how you sell people on a sinking console. Your “major, game changing” announcement was add-on content for a game that’s already out. While it’s great news for Super Smash Bros. fans, its terrible news for people like myself who were wondering why I still owned a console I haven’t touched since this time last year. They’ve stopped catering to me, the person who is fortunate enough to own all three consoles and has a wide bevy of choices when it comes to gaming, and have doubled down on the die-hard fans that collect every Amiibo and spend their days Splatooning, Smashing, and Mario Karting. It’s not a bad strategy, but a disappointing one.
For that, I must say see you later, Nintendo. This isn’t a goodbye; I still adore my 3DS and I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what the NX has in store. Until then, take it easy old friend. I’ll always look on our time together fondly.
Plus it was super nice of you to at least mention Metroid publicly.
