Can a Single Title Save a Console?

 The tune many are singing right now is that Mario Kart 8 is a make-or-break title for the Wii U.  While I originally agreed, a brief conversation with GamesReviews’ own Mat Growcott made me change my mind, slightly.  My take on the situation is that one game does not save a system, but, if released at a crucial time, it can be the catalyst that changes everything.

The three main console makers – Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony – are all at different stages with their devices.  Nintendo finds themselves relying almost solely on first party titles to keep the Wii U relevant, while Sony and Microsoft sit in better situations with their next generation machines.  In my humble opinion, Playstation 4 and Xbox One have both been selling because of what the console will have available in the future.  Early on, most gamers loved their new consoles, but lamented the fact that very few exclusive games were available.  While this situation has slowly improved, it will still be some time before buying a Playstation 4 or Xbox One makes a lot more sense than buying or holding onto the previous iterations.  For Sony at least, games are not making or breaking its popularity in the marketplace.

Since launch, Microsoft has had a tough hill to climb, but this article is less about their problems and more about the issues Nintendo faces.  Poor sales, lack of third party support, and an expensive, and often useless, game pad has forced numerous price decreases with disappointing sales results.  For this reason, many have called Mario Kart 8 the most important game Nintendo will launch, perhaps in their long history.

Personally, I believe the attach rate for Mario Kart 8 will be incredibly high, well over 50%, making this discussion a lot less important than perhaps it would be if early reviews of the game were not great.  However, even if Nintendo can sell a few million consoles off the back of Mario Kart alone, the system is by no means saved.  A few million more consoles in the hands of consumers will not come close to closing the gap on the initial predicted sales.  That being said, I do feel that poor sales, including the inability to move Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundles, could push Nintendo to rethink the Wii U, changing it up completely or beginning plans for their next big project.

So, how does the Wii U turn things around?  For Nintendo, without ample third party support, it’s about consistent, quality titles hitting store shelves.  If Super Smash lands this year, Nintendo will have two huge, first party titles releasing within a six month time frame; however, these great games need to be followed up with other quality Nintendo titles in Q1 and Q2 of  2015 to sustain console interest, move bundles, and regain the support of third parties.  The benefit Nintendo has in 2014 is that aside from Mario Kart and Super Smash, they have their final chance with a third party developer since, despite many rumors, Watch Dogs is still slated for release on Nintendo’s home console.

So Nintendo fans, relax.  The chances of Mario Kart 8 stalling out of the gate is close to zero, and with more quality titles on the way in 2014, there is little chance Nintendo breaks the hearts of Wii U owners and abandons ship.  Not yet, at least.  The rest of 2014 will prove to be huge for Nintendo, and three strong releases will go along way in reviving a sputtering Wii U.