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Can a single game save the Wii U?

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MarioKart8 (8)

Nintendo’s Wii U isn’t doing well, but that’s a diatribe you’re tired of hearing. Can it, however,  claw its way back to relevance? Is there anything that can revive consumer interest? Nintendo thinks so. And it thinks that thing is Mario Kart.

Speaking to MCV UK, Nintendo UK’s Mario brand manager Roger Langford has said that the company’s hedging its bets on Mario Kart.

“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,” said Langford. “It’s very important for us that we have a successful launch and continue the promotion throughout the year and beyond.”

Mario Kart 8 is enjoying near universal praise right now, with many saying it’s about the best thing you’ll find on Nintendo’s beleaguered console. historically, Mario Kart titles have always done well – helping the company shift hardware and software units.

“Mario Kart is one of our killer titles. Looking back at Super Mario Kart and then moving through the ages, you can see how integral Mario Kart is to Nintendo hardware. It always brings out the best in whatever hardware it is on.”

That is undeniably true – but is Mario Kart enough to save the Wii U? though I love the heck out of Mario Kart, I’m not convinced. If Nintendo really wants people to consider the Wii U to be a “must have” item, it may have to bring out the big guns; Pokémon.

That aside, here’s a neat video about Nintendo.

Last Updated: May 21, 2014

20 Comments

  1. Umar_Zero

    May 21, 2014 at 14:33

    “Mario Kart 8 really harnesses the capability of Wii U”

    I guess it really does harness the capability of the Wii U…BUT oh wait…..isn’t the gamepad one of / if not the biggest selling point of the system?……Yeah, MK * really utilizes that bad boy.

    Big guns would be Pokemon and Metroid. Metroid will be perfect for gamepad, whatever version, be it 2D or 3D FPS …. MK 8 will NEVER be enough to save WiiU

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      May 21, 2014 at 14:40

      I agree MK is unlikely to significantly turn Nintendo’s fortunes around. But I don’t think Metroid is the answer either as it is very niche – Pokemon possibly.

      I think Nintendo’s biggest issue is the lack of 3rd party support, lack of knowledge by public of what the hell the WiiU even is. I think they unfortunately mistepped this one – people say Gamecube was poor seller but by this time it had something like 3 or 4 times the sales of the WiiU.

      Reply

      • Umar_Zero

        May 21, 2014 at 14:45

        True, Metroid is pretty niche…Pokemon would sell like hot cakes on the WiiU. They have a lot of untapped games that can work great on the system. Fire Emblem? Firefox…I mean Star Fox?….

        But besides what you mentioned, Nintendo is lacking the understanding of modern gaming. Things are no longer what it used to be. People play online, they shop online, they expect different experiences. If you look at eShop, the games are overpriced and the clear lack of any compelling indie games is jarring. They’ve been in this bubble for far too long, and they’re not doing enough to expand their horizons….And I seriously doubt Quality of Life is gonna change anything

        Reply

        • CAE9872

          May 21, 2014 at 14:52

          Oh yes I do agree Nintendo have been in a bubble. I can only assume it came down to the success of the Wii and they “kinda” rested on their laurels and simply didn’t pay attention to wider audience, where people play, how they play, etc.

          It was almost an arrogance of “We are Nintendo, nothing can undermine us.”

          Reply

  2. HvR - THE Average GAmer

    May 21, 2014 at 14:41

    Come on pony do you one trick, come on, don’t be shy.

    Reply

  3. Skyblue

    May 21, 2014 at 14:42

    No.

    Reply

  4. RinceofFuturePast

    May 21, 2014 at 14:43

    • Umar_Zero

      May 21, 2014 at 14:45

      Damn that baby is fucking cute as hell

      Reply

      • RinceofFuturePast

        May 21, 2014 at 14:47

        I love the way the hand goes up to the face as if in contemplation then BOOM!

        Reply

  5. Admiral Chief in Space

    May 21, 2014 at 14:44

    this picture sums it up for me

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      May 21, 2014 at 14:50

      whahahahaha…very cool

      Reply

    • Xcalibersa

      May 21, 2014 at 18:38

      Awesome

      Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    May 21, 2014 at 14:53

    No, but 3rd party support sure can.

    Reply

  7. EvaBrain

    May 21, 2014 at 15:08

    Mario fan’s are reaaly crazy.. Girl made mario tattos on her sexy body.. http://bit.ly/1jqxm5F

    Reply

  8. derp

    May 21, 2014 at 15:37

    In short: no.

    The Wii’s biggest hit was that it was primarily casual gaming. That market has shifted onto cellphones, and to an extent, other consoles.

    Reply

  9. zeemonkeyman

    May 21, 2014 at 15:50

    So many quality games on the Wii U!! it’s a shame people don’t realize what they’re missing out on!

    Reply

  10. Brandon Tackett

    May 21, 2014 at 16:03

    I think that Mario kart can help a lot especially that new bundle, but i thing smash bros and zelda will help it more,they haven’t come out with any Zelda games on the Wii u (windwaker doesn’t count) and that’s a problem.

    Reply

  11. TyrannicalDuck

    May 21, 2014 at 16:56

    Probably not, but people should play MK8 anyway–it’s one hell of a fun racer! 😀

    Reply

  12. MakeItLegal

    May 21, 2014 at 18:04

    Hd graphics ??? Really ? Boet u missed the last generation by like 7 years …

    Have fond memories of Mario Cart on the n64 , my first consule , and that game pad with it’s tri what Eva it was , was the best

    Reply

  13. Distantsmoke

    May 21, 2014 at 20:19

    I’m waiting for a new Animal Crossing and JRPGs. Neither of which seem to be on the horizon. Every few months I go to RPGamer and see what’s coming up. Lately I’ve been forgetting to check Wii U because the answer is always, “Did you buy a Wii U? Sucker!” So I haven’t bought a Wii U.

    Reply

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