“We didn’t release strong software continually [for the Wii] and let the good mood cool down,” said Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo, in an earnings press conference.
In Japan, Nintendo started the year with New Play Control: Mario Power Tennis and other New Play Control titles. This strategy allowed Nintendo to release roughly one first party game a month. Unfortunately, their made for Wii titles such as Takt of Magic and Another Code R weren’t blockbuster hits.
Nintendo of America and Nintendo of Europe only published a portion of Japan’s line up so games were spread out more overseas.
Take a look at Nintendo of Japan’s line up and decide if it was weak, strong or needs key franchises like Pokemon to keep the Wii growing.
January
New Play Control: Mario Tennis
February
Another Code R
New Play Control: Metroid Prime
March
New Play Control: Pikmin 2
May
Takt of Magic
June
New Play Control: Chibi-Robo
New Play Control: Metroid Prime 2
Wii Sports Resort
July
Punch-Out!!
September
Endless Ocean 2
October
Wii Fit Plus
Sin & Punishment 2
November
Mario & Sonic at the Vancouver Olympics
December
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s Big Adventure