Nintendo released it's 8th generation console, Wii U, in November 2012. The system is the successor to the Wii which was released in 2006. The Wii U console is similar to the Wii in many ways in terms of system design and interface structure, but the controllers are completely different and revolutionary in their own ways. The Wii's controller was structured like a remote and featured motion control. The Wii U GamePad does everything that a Wii remote does and has a touchscreen in the middle. Shortly after the launch of the Wii U, sales were strong but ended up dwindling. What will the sales for the system look like in 2014, 2015, 2016 and so on?
2013 will be the Wii U's weakest year. Everybody who has a brain can see this trend. Low system sales and low software sales won't spell out a year of success for Nintendo's latest home console. After the summer of 2013, however, more games will be released and once 'Wind Waker HD' comes out, sales will increase dramatically for the system. When the PS4 and next Xbox are released at the end of the year, the Wii U definitely won't outsell these systems, but sales will still be strong. The original Wii, however, won't sell very many units. The 3DS handheld, at the end of 2013, will most likely outsell the PS4 in terms of sales for November and December combined.
Once 2014 hits, sales for the Wii U will be a little more healthy and look much better than what the beginning of 2013 looked like. Sales for the PS4 and Xbox 720 will still be above sales for the Wii U, but not by a dramatic difference. By the 2nd quarter of 2014, a few flagship Nintendo titles will see the light of day for the Wii U. With 'Mario Kart' and 'Super Smash Bros' being released for the system as well as a new Yoshi game, sales for the system will rise above the PS4 and Xbox 720 for a few months. By the end of 2014, the next 3D Mario platformer will hit shelves. Just like the 'Galaxy' series, the game will most likely receive critical acclaim and boost system sales. Sales for the Wii U in the 2014 holiday season will be on par with the PS4 and Xbox 720 and possibly surpass the two.
2015 will be the Wii U's biggest year ever. Just like how 2009 was the Wii's biggest year, sales of the system will skyrocket. With a possible $50 - $75 price cut, the Wii U will be the most affordable option compared to the $400+ price of the PS4 and Xbox 720. Nintendo will prove that you don't need a great amount of power to have a successful system which is exactly what they did with the Wii. All of the best Nintendo titles for the Wii U will receive a slight price cut which will boost game sales as well as system sales dramatically. At June's E3 conference, Nintendo will announce some fantastic titles and possibly announce the next 'Legend of Zelda' game for a Q4 release date. The game may use 'Wind Waker' style graphics, but it's likely that we'll see the same style from 'Skyward Sword' return once again.
2016 and 2017 will be great years for the system. Another $25 price cut will most likely take place and more great flagship Nintendo titles will be released. Sales will stay stable until late 2017 due to Nintendo announcing a successor to the Wii U at that year's E3 conference. By early 2018, the Wii U will receive a dramatic price cut in early 2018 and the system will be priced at around $150 while the original Wii, which will be 12 years old at this time, is only $40. Sales for both systems will increase, but only for a short amount of time until the 9th generation of gaming consoles comes into place.
The Wii U will have a healthy life cycle but may not be as great as the original Wii. The PS4 and Xbox 720 may beat the Wii U in terms of sales, but it's always possible that since the Wii U will be the cheapest option, sales will be better than the PS4 or Xbox 720. Long-term sales for the system will look much better as soon as more games are released. Of course, everything written here is purely based off of speculation and shouldn't be taken as a fact.
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