Nintendo president says Miiverse is Wii U's 'killer app'

Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime says the Miiverse will be the unexpected surprise of the Wii U, claiming that users "may not totally understand it" until they try it out.

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Wii Sports quickly became the "killer app" for Nintendo's last-generation Wii. But, what will lure in the mass market to Wii U? Surprisingly, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime says that the company's online offering via Miiverse could be it.

"I think that [Miiverse] will pleasantly surprise people," Fils-Aime told AllThingsD. "As the network grows and the installed base grows, it will prove to be a true killer application for the system, and I say this loving what we have done with Nintendo TVii and loving all the games. Until you try it and experience it, you may not totally understand it."

Miiverse marries aspects of services like Xbox Live and social tools like Facebook or Twitter. You can see what your friends are playing, share screenshots, ask for tips, and share your thoughts on a game. You'll also (eventually) be able to access the Miiverse through your 3DS, PC, or mobile devices.

Some rah-rah cheerleading for an impending hardware launch is normal, and it's not surprising that an outspoken Nintendo executive is playing up one of its new features. At the same time, much of Nintendo's online strategy for the Wii U is still shrouded in mystery. The Miiverse has some interesting ideas in its favor, but emphasizing its impact on the market is a bold move considering how much catching up Nintendo still has to do with other aspects of its online initiative.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 3, 2012 4:00 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Nintendo president says Miiverse is Wii U's 'killer app'.

    Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime says the Miiverse will be the unexpected surprise of the Wii U, claiming that users "may not totally understand it" until they try it out.

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      October 3, 2012 4:18 PM

      Stop Reggie. You're drunk.

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      October 3, 2012 4:28 PM

      I suppose he's doing the best he can.
      I mean, how else do you spin "there is not a single first-party game on launch that anyone would buy"?

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        October 3, 2012 5:29 PM

        You don't think New Super Mario Bros. U is a decent choice for a launch title?

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          October 3, 2012 6:52 PM

          I gotta say I think New Super Mario Bros U is kind of a good launch title but at the same time I don't think it has the wow feeling to sell a new $300+ system. I'm sure the Big N has some really cool games but this isn't the game that I'm going out to buy a Nintendo WiiU for, and thats hard for me to say because I really did enjoy New Super Mario on both my DS and Wii.... I gotta say i really wish a low resolution Wii version would be scheduled to just so I don't have to miss out on it.

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          October 3, 2012 9:43 PM

          It looks more of the same like the last offering, but with better graphics. Nothing revolutionary and screams "buy me!"

          Same reason I didn't pick up New Super Mario Bros 2 for the 3DS. Not really an improvement over the DS version.

          Also, with the big N venturing into DLC, I can't help but feel that this WiiU version won't be any different than the 3DS New Mario 2. WiiU, more like FU. And this is coming from someone who loves playing with his Wii. Hehee

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            October 4, 2012 9:26 AM

            I hesitantly picked up NSMB2 after reading all the mediocre reviews, but I'm so glad I did. It has some of the most surprisingly unique Mario levels I've ever played. There are a few that feel inspired by old Sonic games, one reminded me a bit of Castle of Illusion, but made to fit a Mario game. Unlike the first two NSMB games, the secrets are tough to find and many of the golden coins are difficult to collect. I've been playing a few time a week since it was released, and just yesterday I found Flower World. I still haven't been able to unlock Star World.
            Mechanically, yes, it's a Mario game. There are no surprises in how it functions. But it easily has the best level design of any NSMB game. I'm having so much more fun with this game than I did the first two NSMBs.

            Then there's Coin Rush. Seriously challenging. I've only made it through a set of levels twice out of at least a dozen tries. When was the last time a 2d Mario game was difficult?

            I highly recommend picking it up; try to find it used somewhere if you don't want to spend full price.

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              October 4, 2012 9:33 AM

              They've talked about a "challenge mode" dlc for NSMB:U, should be interesting.

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                October 4, 2012 12:29 PM

                "Challenge mode" could be the freshest thing the 2D series has done in a while.

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          October 3, 2012 10:47 PM

          For me it's nowhere close to a decent, choice, haven't really been a fan because they're too easy.

          I have no clue whether fans of the Wii version would be really excited about this one though.

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          October 3, 2012 11:10 PM

          I don't think it's system seller material. The NSMB games have always been throwbacks, not stars. They're cute and shallow and something I'm more than happy to pass on.

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          October 3, 2012 11:16 PM

          Not really.

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          October 4, 2012 6:41 AM

          I think it would have been for the last gen, I think they needed something first party with visual pop and on that they didn't deliver. A Zelda, Metroid, or Galaxy game would've been it most likely.

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            October 4, 2012 5:52 PM

            I agree with this for sure, just to give a bit of hype to the mature/core/graphics whore/dude bro gamer. However something like NSMBU will be extremely popular and sell gangbusters.

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          October 4, 2012 6:44 AM

          Not really, Pikmin 3 is a better choice.

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          October 4, 2012 6:46 AM

          I know people that are really excited for it, but it just does nothing for me. Between the Wii and 3DS, I feel like they have had over saturated the market with 2D Mario titles recently and it lost it's appeal.

          Pikmin 3 would have been a fantastic launch title, sad to see it got pushed back but I'm sure it's for the better.

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          October 4, 2012 6:48 AM

          I see what all of us nerds say, but for the larger population? I think tripps is right.

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          October 4, 2012 6:56 AM

          No. A new Galaxy would have been much better. Or even a Zelda or Metroid.

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            October 4, 2012 7:01 AM

            That shit takes a while to make. Great first party titles don't come at launch anymore.

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              October 4, 2012 7:12 AM

              Yeah, but that's what they needed, hell we got smash bros melee near launch for the gc.

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        October 4, 2012 5:50 PM

        HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! May I quote wikipedia

        "As of March 2012, it is the fifth best-selling game on the Wii, at 26.26 million copies sold worldwide"

        Regardless of whether you or I like it or not (I sure don't) NSMB series is insanely popular.

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      October 4, 2012 6:53 AM

      Wii U will sell like Crack Cocaine.
      and we all live in a connected world. So if they have somehow implemented this seamlessly into their design the this can only be a plus. One of the Wii's greatest flaws wasn't hardware, it was that for the most part it was a stand alone device. Very few titles offered connectivity and as I said before, we all want to be connected to our little worlds.

      Nintendo has done an AMAZING job to try and understand the flaws of their last console, and address them AND give the devs the tools they need to make fantastic games.

      I cant think of another console that ever did that. All that remains now is to see whether years of making shooters has killed all creativity from all these devs or if they have some original ideas left in their heads.

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        October 4, 2012 6:57 AM

        It's going to be Nintendos biggest failure ever, they may close over this thing.

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          October 4, 2012 7:00 AM

          hahahahaha. I don't necessarily agree but this was the perfect response.

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            October 4, 2012 7:02 AM

            Its everything we could want out of an abrasion response. ty abby <3

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              October 4, 2012 2:31 PM

              Gotta drop my honest opinion man, it's how I roll.

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          October 4, 2012 7:08 AM

          thats ridiculous they will continue to hobble along, hell Sega still exists. still i agree this will be a massive failure

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            October 4, 2012 7:18 AM

            I think Nintendo will go the SEGA route and sell software on other people's hardware at some point in the future. I think the Wii U could be the beginning of this change in their business model, but they may have enough cash to make one more stab at hardware.

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            October 4, 2012 9:31 AM

            [deleted]

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            October 4, 2012 2:32 PM

            Sorry, I'm dumb - they won't close (derp) they'll stop making consoles and pull a Sega. My idiot hyperbole.

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          October 4, 2012 7:13 AM

          Their biggest failure ever was probably the virtual boy and this has preordered many times the amount of consoles that vb sold in its (albeit very short) lifetime.

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          October 4, 2012 7:20 AM

          Oh you

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          October 4, 2012 10:03 AM

          lol, dude.

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          October 4, 2012 10:15 AM

          If anything, this is their Saturn.

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      October 4, 2012 3:59 PM

      Everytime i look at the wii U or wiiu or whatever its call, i can't help but think "Show me ONE THING that makes me want this". I have no desire to get one...

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        October 4, 2012 5:54 PM

        I guess my advice to you is to not get one then.

        Me on the other hand see about 1/2 a dozen games I would purchase at launch if I had the money.

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