In seven months, the Wii U has sold 3.45 million units. Yes, that’s the current figure on a global scale. Now, if you’re a Nintendo fan, that number should be pretty sobering. Life hasn’t been too simple for the Mario maker since the motion-control fad began to fade away, making next week’s E3 feel like a do-or-die moment for Nintendo. Software needs to be shown in order to get some sort of excitement for the Wii U, but according to Cowen & Company analyst Doug Creutz, a price cut is also likely.
Creutz acknowledged the Wii U’s shortcomings in a note to investors today concerning next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo. Right now, a price cut is “badly needed” if Nintendo wants to stay around for the next-gen fight.
"After seven months on the market, Nintendo's Wii U is struggling mightily," Creutz said. “We note that the company has essentially abandoned the field to Microsoft and Sony at this year's E3 as Nintendo will not be holding a press conference."
Yet, with plenty of software rumored to be shown during the many Nintendo Directs planned, things could always turn around.
"However, we do think there is a decent chance that Nintendo could announce a price cut for the Wii U at E3 in an effort to bring attention to the console and boost sales," he continued. “We note that the console will have a series of key new games coming out through the late summer and fall, beginning with Pikmin 3 in August. Nintendo's window for igniting interest in its console is closing with Microsoft and Sony's competing machines soon to come to market."