Can Nintendo make Wii U the Console of Choice in Japan? - Article

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Home consoles are not what they once were in the Land of the Rising Sun. Handheld gaming systems have been Japan’s preferred method of play since last generation, but both of this generation’s released home consoles - the Wii U and the PlayStation 4 - have really been struggling in their home country.

However, Nintendo’s console actually does have a few key advantages regarding Japan. First, it’s a very energy efficient machine with a low power draw – something that generally appeals to Japanese households. Secondly, while the Gamepad is not a portable gaming system, it does at least grant the same capabilities as handhelds around the home with much of its library. Most importantly, though, much of its software on the horizon does bode well for Wii U in appealing to the Japanese market, which is imperative.

Mario Kart 8, while not moving an abundance of consoles, has at least helped to stabilize weekly sales above their previous numbers. Hyrule Warriors should go over very well with the Japanese audience, as should Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and of course Super Smash Bros U.  Other titles such as Bayonetta 2, Mario Party 10, and the upcoming Fatal Frame for Wii U should also be pretty well received. Then there are newly announced games such as Mario Maker and Splatoon that could prove to be surprisingly popular.  And, of course, tried and true IPs such as Yoshi, Starfox and Zelda certainly won’t hurt.

But with the vast majority of third-party software destined to be absent on Wii U, Nintendo needs to be aggressive in keeping its lead in Japan, increasing the install base, and making the Wii U a viable platform for software in the region.  Besides the games that we already know about, there are three major things that Nintendo should focus on to garner interest in Japan.

Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the 3DS did very well in Japan, shifting almost 4 million units in the region.  While the console versions have not proved as popular, with the Wii U’s touch screen interface the series' traditional ease of use could remain fully intact.  It's a perfect fit for this console and with the Animal Crossing Plaza already on Wii U, frankly, a fully-fledged version could well be in the works already.

Pokemon

This one is a no-brainer given Nintendo’s recently-announced Amiibo line of figures.  There are a great number of possibilities for what this line of toys could do for the franchise on the Wii U.  Having the console version feature connectivity to a version on the 3DS would also be a wise move indeed.  In fact, the Wii U having more connectivity with 3DS in general is something that should not be taken for granted.  The 3DS has sold a very respectable amount in the region (almost 16 million units) and to ignore the advantage that cross-functionality for the Pokemon franchise could bring to the Wii U would be imprudent on Nintendo’s part.

JRPGs and Strategy Games

These are two genres that are both enormously popular in Japan and tailor-made for Wii U.  Having a menu always present on the Gamepad’s screen with easily selectable options is something that could be quite demonstrative of its interface advantages.  Nintendo needs to actively pursue getting both JRPGs and strategy games on its console, and with the Final Fantasy and the Tales series set to arrive on the PlayStation 4, it’s of the utmost importance that Nintendo go all-out to secure the next console version of Dragon Quest exclusively for Wii U.

Thanks to its continued dominance in the handheld arena, Japan is one region where Nintendo has an incredibly high standing in the marketplace.  With no clear victor in sight in the console space, Nintendo needs to make Wii U Japan’s console of choice; doing so could very well have a significant effect on its standing worldwide in the long run.

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