As you’ve repeatedly said, the average consumer doesn’t like to spend money on hardware. It is only accepted, because it is a necessity to get to the games.

Now the price of the Wii U turned out to be higher than many people hoped for, but one thing I haven’t seen you mention anywhere in your blog posts yet is that with the Wii U people do not have to buy controllers all over again to play local multiplayer with their family and friends, so the blow to consumers’ wallets is somewhat softened. A launch Wii costed $370 to be four players ready (Wii including Wii Sports for $250, three Wiimotes each for $40). For Wii owners a launch Wii U will be $410 to be five players ready (Wii U including Nintendo Land for $350, NSMBU for $60). That’s $40 more, assuming that Nintendo Land is a turd. If it’s a good game, all the better.

The Wii U price looks steep at a first glance, but at least for existing Wii owners it won’t be too bad, because they can still use all the controllers they already purchased for the Wii. This doesn’t make the Wii U’s price great, but it’s definitely worth pointing out.

Well, the Wii allowed us to keep using our Gamecube controllers so I don’t see your point.

If Nintendo is cognizant of us not wanting to spend money on hardware, then why is this super ridiculous expensive GamePad (so expensive that NOA is scared to tell us a price) being forced on us? The GamePad is certainly not required to play most if not all of the Wii U games.

“Integrated Hardware and Software” ideology. That is what is going on here. And it is wreaking havoc on the brand and the consume experience. And on third party support.

All I want the console to be is a box I buy to get to Mario. I don’t need these voodoo experiences.