Wii U: Nintendo Focusing On First-Party Titles To Drive Sales, Admits Third-Party Sales Are Important

Ever since Nintendo launched its Wii U console late last year, the company has found itself struggling to convince consumers that their new hardware is worth the investment.

Industry analysts have offered a number of possible reasons, but taking a glance at the Wii U’s current game library reveals that, as it stands, there just aren’t enough quality games, be they first-party or otherwise. Considering that Nintendo is selling the Wii U as a game console, you can see where at least one major problem lies.

Speaking to IGN, Nintendo global president Satoru Iwata admitted that the company still has much work to do in order to bring Wii U sales up to acceptable levels. Part of the solution, Iwata explains, is expanding the console’s first-party library.

“What we need to do is regain the momentum of the Wii U in the marketplace and establish successful examples of third-party Wii U software,” Iwata told the site.

Third-party titles are important for the success of the console in the long-term, Iwata admits, but right now the company is focusing on delivering on the fans’ expectations for first-party titles.

“Our focus is, first of all, to regain the momentum of the Wii U towards the end of this year, and then we’ll try to establish successful third-party Wii U software titles. I believe in the importance of third-party support for Nintendo platforms. I’m very willing to change the current situation.”

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime also chimed in on the matter, telling the site that third-parties are already preparing to change course in light of Nintendo’s ongoing efforts.

“I’ve had conversations with a number of the publishers,” Fils-Aime said. “As they see what we’re doing and the commitment we have with Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda … As we have behind-the-scenes conversations about what’s further in development and what’s coming down, the decisions around the next lineup of development and where they’re going to put their development dollars are starting to shift.”

Do you own a Wii U yet? If not, what would it take to convince you to throw down your hard-earned money?