Iwata dismisses the importance of being first to market

Wii U will be the first next-console to market, but Nintendo boss Saturo Iwata has dismissed the idea that it gives the machine a competitive advantage.

"Being first in the next generation race is not important at all," he told Gamasutra. "One of the reasons we believe this is the time for Nintendo to launch the Wii U is it’s going to be important for the world.

"Our intention is to return to profitability after just one year of losing money. I just cannot say that it’s a good thing for Nintendo at all to record an annual loss for two or more years in a row.

The [loss of the] past year is due to the 3DS hardware sales. We were selling hardware below the cost, so this year we are already recovering and improving the profitability of the 3DS."

Seemingly in a dismissive mood, Iwata also moved to brush aside concerns relating to the Wii U’s alleged power in relation to not just PS4 and Xbox 720 but also PS3 and Xbox 360.

"Even when we were going to launch the Wii system, there were a lot of voice saying ‘Nintendo should stop making hardware’," he added.

"The reasoning behind that was Nintendo would not have any chance against Microsoft and Sony. The fact of the matter was: I did not think Nintendo should compete against these companies with the same message and same entertainment options for people.
"We have not changed our strategy. In other words, we just do not care what kind of ‘more beef’ console Microsoft and Sony might produce in 2013. Our focus is on how we can make our new console different than [others]."

So if getting a year’s head start over your competitor(s) and computing power aren’t the key to Wii U’s success, what is?

"The pricing of Wii U is going to be one of the most important elements when it is going to be launched," Iwata argued.

"The environment is different. Wii U is going to be launching in a different environment than when the Wii was launched. Also, the involvement surrounding [mobile and social] businesses is different than several years ago."