Bad Nintendo Wii software sales, is it a big issue?
October 28, 2007 By Daniel
Filed under Gaming, Nintendo Wii
Lately I have been hearing a lot of people claiming that the Nintendo Wii software sales are very bad and that this is also the biggest issue that the Wii has.
Some Wii owners also say that many of their friends and themselves only have one Nintendo Wii game.
As an owner of the Wii, Xbox 360 & Sony PS3, I have to admit that I do have over 10 Wii games and many on the PS3 and 360.
So I do find it hard to believe that the Wii is having bad software sales, after looking into it a bit more this does seem to be the case.
One comment we had on another post said “The software sales for Wii are bad and the publishers know it. With only a 1.3 attached rate, and majority of software sales going to 1st party, it really doesn’t bode well for Wii’s future. Wii owners ask yourself, how many games do you own? Seriously? Most ppl I know still only have Sports. Thats it. This is the main problem.”
Do you agree with this persons comment and Wii owners, how many games do you own?
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You know what would solve it, if third party’s stopped making shite wii games.
Now back to Metroid Prime 3.
I have Wii Sports (obviously), Zelda, Tiger Woods 07 (what a disappointment), Madden 08, and Mario Strikers (the online feature really saves it).
On top of that, I have at least 15 Virtual Console games.
Once Nintendo figures out the “new” game download channel, and the third parties start including online gaming for most games, the sales for them should pick up.
Mario Galaxy will rule all however.
I’ve got Wii Sports, Zelda, Wario Ware and Resident Evil 4. Also in my house, but not owned by me are : Trama Center and Metal Slug.
Plus I own about … 10+? Virtual Console games.
It’s mostly a matter of money for me, I can’t afford video games like I used too. Plus, there have been only a few must have titles.
And I know I’ve missed some of the must haves
Those sales are about to get a very big boost wih Guitar Hero 3 coming out today and Manhunt 2 following on the 31st.
Well I have to be honest and say I own only three Wii games and not much actually interests me. I got very bored of Wii Sports and Wii play very quickly. Only really Zelda has saved it for me to be honest. I should get Metroid I suppose but I’m too busy playing Halo 3, Heavenly Sword, Bioshock and PES2008. Hmm I still have PGR4 as well. Fact is there isn’t much worth owning on the Wii at the moment and I can only see Mario Galaxy improving that situation, both the PS3 and 360 have better line ups and better forth coming titles.
If you look at the likes of vgcharts.com you’ll find that the Wii’s attach rate is 2nd to the 360 with the PS3 having the worst attach rate of 3 current-gen consoles. It’s a Wii urban myth.
A lot has been made of the amount of non gamers buying the Wii. Unfortunately I feel a lot of those people bought it just for Wii sports, not for it to be their gaming platform for the next 3-5 years like people who buy the 360 or PS3.
The problem is the thrid party games on the Wii all suck or are ported PS2 games with Wii controller in mind. There not taking risks or making big budget games on it. Capcom announced a “finely tuned whole hearted effort” of Okami. Problem is, its a PS2 game still. Carnival games, pool party, etc. sum up what devolpers are cashing in on. Low cost production, little revenue, nice profit
I’m confused at how you reached this conclusion that Wii software is selling badly considering Nintendo just came out bragging about how much software they have actually managed to sell.
Nintendo claim to have sold 65.81 million units of software since launch and 13.17 million Wii consoles. Admittedly that’s including Wii Sports, which is packaged with the console (everywhere but Japan), however it is still a mightily impressive figure which appears to show an attach rate of about 5 games per console. Considering the Wii is less than a year old with many new casual players buying, this is a very impressive figure so I’d hardly say the games are selling poorly…
If you want to see the facts for yourself, then go to http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/?v=news&p=18726
to see how well Nintendo is doing with regards to software.
Well, Eugene, there IS Zack & Wiki, Guitar Hero 3, and Manhunt 2. I’m guess if 2/3 of those titles are not successful, Wii third party support will die again.
Um, poor software sales?
Nintndo released their report and it showed that the Wii has an attach rate of 5 games per console. Given how fast it’s selling that’s phenomenal.
And based on NPD data, the Wii has a higher attach rate then the PS3.
This is a myth spread by Microsoft to try and pretend that attach rate is everything, simple because it’s the last thing they’re ‘winning’. The gamecube had the best attach rate of last gen, did that make it the best selling console? No. Consoles that keep selling have worese attach rates because hardware sales keep dragging the ratio down, that’s all.
Everyone who is saying that Wii has software sales of 65.81 million that includes the virtual console online games. People are buying the online games but not the retail games which has a attach rate of about 1 or 2 games a console.
The game is usually first party which is not good for the third party devs. I think for two reasons maybe. One the third party games are shit, they suck since they just want to throw out water down PS2 ports, party games, whatever people don’t want to buy that. Two, Most people are ok with one game, Casual gamers don’t go out and buy games every month like Hardcore gamers so that could be another reason.
Yeah there is an attach rate problem for retail games. When people do buy them though its usually first party and not third party.
It’s kind of a hard assumption to make seeing as how the wii is relatively new and now developers have to figure out how to write games to take advantage of the new controls. I’d say give it another year
shayne
Firstly One has hit the nail on the head with Nintendo’s announced sales figures. If you read the small print it also includes DLC. THe Xbox 360 and Live Arcade is still the king where that’s concerned and Sony a few months back announced very impressive DLC sales figures also. I desperately want the Wii to do well but as of now I don’t see too much in the way of software out there. That’s ok as I brought the Wii for Nintendo’s first party games. I think the general consensus is that third parties are just porting PS2 games and not doing much else. Its a poor state of affairs and even the most ardent Wii fan has to admit its far from ideal. As of right now I think Microsoft has the strongest pre Christmas line up and then its Sony. I own all three consoles and there is plenty for me to look forward to. The Wii on the other hand… Mario and that’s it for me.
Impossible… I don´t know who wrote those info and got those rates… the mayor issue is that Nintendo is very superior to the 3rd party publishers of the wii console… If they want to sell more they need to compete and make really good games like Nintendo that means quality and at this point every hardcore gamer knows that a Nintendo game means fun and well done and thats why Nintendo sells more. In the Xbox and PS3 the 3rd party´s has less competitors.
Can someone please stop the emotional 360 fanboys from claiming that the Wii has a low attachment rate? It doesn’t take much effort to go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games#Wii and find that the Wii has sold 65.81 million Wii games and 7.8 million virtual console games. It doesn’t take much extra effort either to click on the foot note and go to page 22 of http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/071025e.pdf to find the Wii attachment rate in the Americas is 6.13 including Wii Sports and, for the 360 fanboys, 5.13 without Wii Sports. The Wii attachment rate is better than the 360 attachment rate in the same period. Yes, those figures are for software sales, which does not include virtual console games. In fact, the PDF from Nintendo doesn’t even have the word “virtual.”
The Wii is a smash success. Please come out of lala land.
Well that’s because the wii sucks, not hard to see you idiots.
3rd party developers don’t want to develop for this piece of garbage hardware…but they do in order to make big bucks on the 1st wave of nextgen gamers.
Nintendo always does well year 1, then bombs like a bitch when Sony starts taking over in year 2.
Cry more..everyone knows developers dont care about making quality software for garbage nintendo hardware..it’s all about the money bitches.
Plus the average wii gamer is female and owns 1 game lol…to bad so bad, the nintendo fanbase is patheticly worthless lol.
Does the above post make my point even more relevant? I suspect 360 fanboys are on the border or illiteracy.
Software sales are probably no where near the 360, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying bad. WiiPlay has sold over 2 million, and Zelda has to have similar numbers. I think many people over look VC games. They aren’t NEW games, but it is a major feature to some people and buy it just for that. I own over 13 VC games, and they are classics that I’ve never played so it’s just as enjoyable as the new stuff thats coming out.
Either way, I think Nintendo has a couple high hits coming, and I think GH3 Wii should be on the top to rival the PS2 version
This might be true but the nintendo wii out sold the ps3 in september.
I’m working on an online magazine kind of like IGN or Gamespot called ‘The Wii Fan Alliance.’ You can find all sorts of news, info and reviews all at one site. Saves surfing time;) Also I’m recruiting writers to help me with reviews if anyone is interested?
myspace.com/wiifanalliance
mike
I have Zelda, Elebits, WarioWare, and Res 4 (plus Wii sports which doesnt really count). I’ve enjoyed them all.
I’m waiting for Galaxy, Battalion Wars, Res Chronicals, Manhunt 2, Zac and Wiki, Medal of Honor Heros, and Smash bros.
Also i may get Metroid, mario strikers and paper mario soon. I consider all of these must haves.
So for just over a years worth of games 14 must haves is not bad. I’d have struggled to come up with 14 games i badly wanted from the Xbox’s first year and a bit’s lineup.
Pues como dicen los americanos… estos pendejos de los 3rd parties siguen haciendo juegos bien mierdas y quieren venderlos como si los que compran juegos no supieran que es bueno… Quien rayos quiere jugar algun juego que no tenga el fun factor de Strikers ahora mismo??? o el flow de MEtroid…
Again, si siguen haciendo juegos charros ala “PS2 ahora en en el Wii” pues que breguen con sus shity ventas…
saludos desde PR
Zak and Wiki!
Probably the best 3rd party game released for wii yet.
Other than that, I agree with most of the other comments, I’ve rented and BOUGHT alot of third party software for wii most of it is complete and utter ass.
That and Mario Galaxy will sell better than Mario 64… it’s the most intuitive game of that type I’ve ever played.
There is a BIAS here. A LURKING VARIABLE
THE MAJORITY OF 360 OWNERS ARE “HARDCORE” and in there teens, 20s, 30s. THey have the interest in video games to create a high attach rate, such as the 3.3 360 carries.
but, the wii has less of the “hardcore” , thereby lowering its average. Its not that wii has no good games, like retards often suggest. Its that house wives have no need for metroid prime 3, which might i add rapes all. once more hardcore start to adopt, the attach rate will jump. and once more casuals start to adopt 360, which will never happen, their attach rate will drop. So this figure, the attach rate, is not a very good judgement of the system overall.
ALSO
THe forums are not a good judgement of the system overall, becuase since 360 stil has more “hardcores”, 360 will have more people online checking forums. Therefore, you have more bias.
Isn’t Advanced Placement Statistics amazing?
one more note, When I bought Guitar Hero 3 this morning the sales went like this:
Wii, Wii, Wii, 360, 360, Wii, 360, Wii, Wii.
(then I left)
I think it’s safe to say that the wii is selling third party software that is GOOD, just fine.
I own 3 games, all Nintendo, I understand the problem, but i am not going to go and spend my hard earned money on shitty 3rd party games. If they want sales they have to start making good games.
Right now no one can compete with Nintendo when it comes to making games, and that it because Nintendo puts time, money, and effort into all there games. They just Delayed their biggest game until after the holidays so they could make it “perfect”. How many third parties would do that. None.
i have 8 wii games this person is mentel
i have 6 wii games: Scarface, Resident Evil 4, Wii Sports, Wii Play, Metal Slug: Anthology and Zelda: Twilight Princess.
i have had my wii for about two months, and bought them all within the first couple weeks.
there is a lack of standout titles on wii right now- but in the next few months, that will see big improvement. Mario Galaxy, Guitar Hero III, Metroid Prime 3 (not out here in Australia yet), Battalion Wars II, Medal of Honour; Heroes II, smash brothers brawl, manhunt ii, No More Heroes- these are the ones i can name off the top of my head that i plan on buying, not to mention all the ones i’ve momentarily forgotten.
I don’t know if anyone ever played them, but i’d like to see developer genki make a samurai sword slasher by the likes of kengo: master of bushido, and sword of the samurai for wii (they’re ps2 titles). these games weren’t overly popular, but i loved them. It’d be great to use a samurai sword on another sword wielding opponent via the wiimote in a game that isn’t cheesy and cartoony. i know genki has expressed support for the wii, so yeah, hope that comes about.
Oh my god
LISTEN!
When everyone talks about attach rates Downloadable content is inclued. This goes for the Wii, 360 and PS3. The Wii has the best attach rate for DLC, then the 360 then PS3 since there is nothing really great to buy on PSN.
When you take away DLC from all the systems 360 still has the highest attach rate for retail, then PS3, then the Wii.
The 65 million Wii games sold includes virtual Console games in that number. That is a FACT. Also Wii Sports is in there too. Also you must note that Wii Play is in there since it sells so well since you can get another controller with the game.
For Retail games the Wii has a low attach rate. Usually the games bought are first party games so third party games usually get screwed.
The Wii can sale all the hardware it wants but most people are buying games on virtual console so retail games. Wii needs to have better games. It has some great games but a lot of them are just PS2 ports are bad party games.
Doing even the tiniest bit of research would have shown the attach rate is just under 5. For a console one year old, that’s fantastic.
One, you are a completely delusional 360 fanboy. The attach rate for Wii includes 7 million VC games out of 65 million total software sells. That’s still lightyears beyond the PS3.
Stop trying to spread the proposterous myth that the attach rate for Wii is low just because you’re jealous and upset that it outsold your precious console.
The Wii’s attach rate is 5. The same as the 360 at this point in its lifecycle. Thats pretty good. Third party support is getting better and the good third party games are selling. If the bad third party games don’t sell well, that will just teach third parties not to make shitty games. Is that so bad?
No, the Wii is selling hardware just fine. A recent post on NeoGAF showed a graph of software sales for the year and the Wii had sold the most in its first full year Jan-Sep. Thats right, even more than the 360. What now?
Wii games will never be made to a great standard cause they use old gen tech, while adding motion sensing. how lazy they could have done better than using gamecube tech.
wii games will always look like shit compared to PS3 which has the best future outlook and 360.
THATS WHY THEY WONT SELL
I have almost 20 wii games and loving it!
the biggest problem is wii sports is so good, we need a full version of each game in wii sports…. most other games by the 3rd party suck, which is the problem
imagine wii sports, full versions, of baseball, tennis, bowling,golf, boxing. that would be 5 to 1 straight away that everyone would by
whoops forgot wait until lucas arts starts designing for the wii properly, every man will want to wave his lightsaber…..
[quote]The Wii can sale all the hardware it wants but most people are buying games on virtual console so retail games.[/quote]
That’s just not true. In the financial report, it says that they have sold 65.8 million games. Nintendo announced on October 9th this year that they have sold 7.8 million VC games. Even if the 65.8 million did include the VC titles, that’s still 58 million regular Wii games sold.
B:
The wii does do better than use gamecube tech, check out Super Mario Galaxy which at gamestop is sitting next to the PS3. It looks more colorful and more defined than 90% of the crap on that expensive POS. Most 360 games look better than that, but the 360 will 90% of the time turn into a blinking red light doorstop.
Jim:
You are right. And of ALL the consoles this christmas the Wii has the best _hardcore_ lineup. It also will continue it’s market disrupting ways and appeal to NON-gamers.
I have over 12 games, and I think after GOOD third party games start putting up impressive numbers, (Zak and Wiki should push 150,000 in the first week easy, alot of gamers are having trouble finding it. GH3, is also putting up impressive numbers, I think matching or possibly even beating the 360 numbers.)
Here’s how the holiday looks:
PS3: NO system sellers coming out this year after Ratchet and Clank. If Ratchet and Clank doesn’t move more systems, Sony is in trouble!
360: Besides Mass Effect (which is just another in a long line of FPS), What else does Microsoft have? Halo 3 has put up it’s numbers for the year, and will continue to drop off.
Metroid Prime 3, will INCREASE in sales as more hardcore gamers pick the wii up this holiday for the massive increase in GOOD hardcore games coming out.
All that needs to be said is a list of games to be coming out.
GHIII, Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario
I think that people buy 360 games and sell them. I own 15 360 games that I have bought off of ebay all for less than 25 dollars. Games including halo 3 and gears of war. I think that attachment rating is stupid because most people on 360 play and sell their games. The problem with selling your games is that developers don’t make any money off of this. Also a majority of people that I know have modded 360, which is another problem to the 360. Fact is developers are allocating more and more time and money into the wii. Poor PS3 doesn’t have a chance.
Oh yeah I forgot to mention the people with wii games tend to keep them.
I don’t really think 3rd party developers tend to take the Wii as serious as the PS3 or the 360. The Wii may have been labeled as the family system but it’s still capable of really great games and we’ve seen it. All it is is that 3rd party developers don’t think through the control scheme very well and don’t use the controller to its full potential.
I bought Zelda but that’s it. Might pick up Mario Galaxy but I’ll need to try it first before I buy - never liked Mario Sunshine for the GC.
Metroid is a great rental, but it will have zero replay factor.
I think I’m the only one in the world that thinks the Wii controls kind of suck. Even Metroid, the current king of all things Wii, gives me controller headaches. The controls are just not that responsive, and for someone used to the absolutely instant reaction I get from a 360 wireless controller, I expect instant response from my Wii controls too. I want a Tiger Woods golf game that will actually help me with my golf swing. I want a bowling game with more control than Wii Sports gives me (to be able to bowl a near 300 every time is rediculous), and I want a tennis game that tracks more than just the fact that my controller moved. Things are better when I’m just using the “old style” joystick on the nunchuck and buttons on the WiiMote but at that point, everything that makes the Wii special is not being used (and the graphics suck in general).
Unfortunately I think Wii is really only good for party games, there are just WAY better games on other systems. Wii is a great system for old ladies but if you’re a gamer there are better choices.
Ok ok so still everyone is throwing around this 65 million software number. Well lets look at it.
Over 13 million units sold
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/071025e.pdf#page=22
65 million in software sold.
minus the virtual console games 7 million
Minus Wii Sports that comes in every box 13 mil.
You have 45 million. Yes Wii Sports is included in the 65 mil. number.
Then take into account that Wii Play is selling so hot due to the fact it has another controller with it so lets say minus 6 mil (even though its more than that)
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/071026e.pdf
Sonce September it has sold over 6 mil but we will say 6 mil. for now.
That puts us at 39 million. With about 13 million Wiis sold would wide that would leave at about an attach rate of about 3 games per console. Plus there are more than 13 million Wiis sold.
Daggre:
1) Wii is a great system, and Galaxy blows the snot out of sunshine.
2) The controls are responsive in all the GOOD games I’ve played, But I can understand your “lag” complaint.
3) If you’re a gamer there are better choices?
You’re right the PS2. Seriously, if you ONLY care about gaming, it has the LARGEST selection of any system out. (as will the wii, next holiday season, for the current 3.) The thing is, like Brad (different topic) You don’t care about “gaming”, but flash in the pan graphics and sh** talking online play.
Phil:
>>Fact is developers are allocating more and more >>time and money into the wii.
I agree! From looking at the rumor mill, the Wii will have an AWESOME line up next holiday season with Monster Hunter, and Kingdom Hearts sequels being EXCLUSIVE. (and a Final Fantasy 14 port of some sorts, a version of Spore developed exclusively for the Wii)
>>Poor PS3 doesn’t have a chance.
Sony Gamers should worry more about Sony… They are BLEEDING money this holiday.
One:
Wii sports is not bundled in Japan
@bluewire
Yes I know that Wii Sports is not included in Japan. There are also more than 13 million systems sold, There is more than 6 million units of Wii Play sold so that should offset it a little that the numebr is still an attach rate of about 3.