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Nintendo Says Wii U Basic Set Is For Hardcore Gamers

There are two Wii U bundles, but only one of them – Wii U Deluxe Set – will include a copy of Nintendo Land. Because it doesn’t include the party game, Nintendo product manager Bill Trinen says the Wii U Basic is targeted toward consumers who are more interested in ‘core’ games, such as Bayonetta 2 or ZombiU. Remember, the Wii U in the Basic set includes 8GB of internal storage, whereas the Wii U in the Deluxe Set features 32GB.

133 thoughts on “Nintendo Says Wii U Basic Set Is For Hardcore Gamers”

      1. Absolutely. It seems that Mr. Trinen has been caught in a situation in which he had to explain what is the appeal of the Wii U basic set, and why people should go for it. That’s why he came with this odd speech…

    1. No, Bill Trinen’s point still stands.

      Think about it for a second…

      If you are a hardcore gamer, chances are you have a terrabyte USB harddrive lying around and don’t need the extra memory on your console itself. Another supposition is that you won’t be interested in Nintendo Land–a game meant to be played with family and friends to showcase the Wii U GamePad.

      The thing he is WRONG about is that hardcore gamers would be attracted to white. It’s pretty well-regarded that most people who consider themselves “hardcore” and play games like CoD are uncomfortable with their “Bro Status” and think that white is a color for sissys. No joke. There ARE stereotypical people like that in this world, and I know many of them that do the same each and every day with me when I even mention anything of Nintendo’s brand to them. It’s pitiful.

      If you are hardcore, you WOULD be more interested in games such as ZombiU and Bayonetta 2. Those are two Wii U exclusives that are going to prove to be major system sellers for that group of people.

      That said, I see myself somewhere stuck in between. I don’t think of myself as “hardcore,” but I definitely know I’m not the casual gamer either. I just think of myself as a gamer, plain and simple. I dislike using the terms “casual” and “hardcore” to describe how someone plays games, but, in most cases, the terms do fit the general category of how someone plays. As long as a game is appealing to me, I will buy it and play it–doesn’t matter what specific “audience” it’s trying to appeal to.

        1. Lawl, I only kid.

          They are available now, though, and for those who love to download games and other content, they are great for storing data (up to around 1000GBs).

          As Reggie stated from before, the Wii U is compatible with up to a 3TB USB Harddrive.

          1. It actually doesn’t have a space limit for Externals, he only gave an example of the size using that capacity if you wanted to use it.

        2. Absolutely, this is true. I AM a hardcore gamer and I have a room full of terrabytes of external HDD, just for this very purpose. In fact, I belong to the Hardcore Gamers Buyer’s Terrabyte of the Month Club at Best Buy. Don’t you? lol.

      1. the colors should of been optional but imo black and white are the top two colors i mean the so-called hardcore xbox is white so the white u should be fine

    2. Yeah man! Let’s make our casual version Black with the most space to teach those HARDCORE GAMERS who they’re fuckin’ with!

      1. Hardcore gamers probably would save the extra money on the Deluxe set and buy the basic set and some external hard drive and other core games, in my oppinion, Nintendo is completely right.

        It makes more sense for core gamers to buy extra storage by themselves.

        1. If you’re a “hardcore gamer” money would be no such obstacle. Trust me, the space matters. Nor can you imply they all have external HDDs for whatever reason just lying around.

    3. Bill Trinnen said on his official Twitter @trintran that he did not say that Wii U “Basic” is more hardcore than “Deluxe”.

    1. Sorry for the english, its not my native language

      I’d like to have a White deluxe version too. i mean, if the basic set is for hardcores, why the white color? and if the deluxe set is supposed to be for casuals, why the black color? if we could choose the color of the sets, everyone would be happy and i wouldnt be complaining about that in every single site :P

  1. It doesn’t include games so you can spend you money in whatever game you want, and it has only 8gb of storage so you can spend your money in an external HD. It makes sense. I wish it was black.

  2. I think it’s the other way around. The Deluxe pack has more accessories that only core gamers would buy, such as the Wii U stand and the GamePad stand. Also, it includes a bonus for everyone that downloads on Nintendo eShop (this appeals more for core gamers as well). Just because it comes with Nintendo Land, it doesn’t mean the Deluxe pack is for casual gamers.

  3. I see what they’re trying to say. Because core gamers will not buy the Deluxe Pack because of the party game “Nintendo Land” will be included, the regular will be considered the “core gamer pack”. Where as it could be that they’re just broke, and you’re getting less than the deluxe (and the fact that the black just looks more epic). Basically saying, the plain is for core, and the deluxe is for…casual because it includes Nintendo Land. That’s bullshit, sir.

    1. I JUST GOT THE DELUXE SET FOR
      THE CONSOLE COLOR AND 32GB SPACE… SELLING NINTENDO LAND AS SOON AS I GET IT ON EBAY. GETTING
      BLACK OPS 2!!!

        1. I don’t think it will be downloadable since I am sure they know not everyone has a strong Internet connection. AND I’m sure people would be upset if they weren’t able to start playing the system the moment they got home lol. And since Nintendo Land is a full fledged $50-60 retail game, it’ll be quite easy to sell on eBay compared to like Wii Sports.

  4. I don’t consider the inclusion of Nitendo Land making the premium a casual bundle. The price has a lot to do with the White being casual

  5. Maybe not core but definitely a subsidary. Alot of core gamers hate digital, and its really a bare bones console, you reeeally dont need the 32GB if you’re going without digital, because the disk speed is faster, theres no need for installs, its as simple as a gMes console can get so i get his point.

    1. Not to mention with NintendoLand and the other thing you get that arent exactly neccessary, gamers will apprieciate the value. Id buy it if i didnt like digital, and if it was in black.

      1. And on top of that, people who like digital will most likely have their own external HDD….okay, now i kinda want the basic version xD

    2. Where did you get the logic that disc speed is faster? When you load digital, everything is already in the console and loads quickly. With discs, the laser eye in the disc drive has to scan everything and process reading the disc from two different pieces of hardware (the disc and the console), whereas digitally, it’s already inside the console. I understand you want to defend Nintendo’s claim, but if you are, use actual reasoning. False information will lower your respect for your defense.

      1. i think he meant is: disc speed is faster [than disc speed on previous systems] – not faster than flash memory. at least i hope that’s what he meant…

        though you’re explanation isn’t really good either – there are no boundaries between different pieces of hardware. a hard-disk or flash memory are hardware components as well, stuck to the consoles mainboard with a cable, as is the disc drive, and memory needs to be read and interpreted as well as a disc (although not with a laser). but of course, flash memory is read digitally while a disc is read optically/mechanically, and of course flash is way faster.

  6. That doesn’t make sense… I thought the casual gamers would go for the cheapest one, and the hardcore ones will go for the other one with more memory. Even if it had a party game… Hardcore gamers always want the best version..

      1. Yeah I guess it is if you don’t mind having less stuff and not being able to get free games via the deluxe promotion. C’mon it’s also in the names of the bundles
        “basic” For casuals..
        & “deluxe”- For hardcore, The superior one…

    1. Casuals are used to forking out $500 for a small machine with little innovation. I think $350 is plenty cheap for a decent innovation.

    1. I know right, a 50/50 chance of people liking a colour, how stupid of them /sarcasm.

      In fact, alot people here wish the deluxe was in white.

  7. I might actually just go with the Basic set. I have a 500GB USB Hard Drive, if it’s true that you can use them for storage then I should have no problems with that. If Nintendo Land gets awesome reviews (which it will) then I’ll be sure to get it eventually. For now, I’m just happy we’re finally getting the HD Nintendo console!

  8. I’m only getting the basic cos the deluxe is sold out. Honestly, I wanted white anyways, but I’d love the extra memory and items with the deluxe. Ah well. Excited for New Super Mario Bros U anyways! I’m just glad Nintendo made this system compatible with external hard drives! I bought a 1TB a year or so ago for pretty cheap. I’ll just get a 250GB or something for it and be good for a long time!

  9. I think he is saying “hard core gamers” don’t want Nintendo Land and most likely have an extra hard drive laying around (if they need more that storage). So they can use the $50 toward another game.

  10. I have to disagree with this. I feel “core” gamers would want the Deluxe version because it has more memory. I pre-orded the deluxe version because of everything it comes with. That and it’s in black.

  11. I get it.
    It’s because they expect that Core gamers will probably buy fewer games than a Casual or Middle gamer would.
    A Core gamer will likely focus more on games like Bayonetta 2 or the other third-party ports, and will likely not focus as much on the variety of other party games like Mario Kart/Party, possibly even not Zelda or Metroid or Pokemon.

    That’s how I think their thought process is going, at least. It’s been proven through sales before that core gamers are less open to trying a huge variety and stick to a few specific genres whilst middle-ware gamers and casual gamers branch out far more.

  12. I dunno, ever since I read that 12 game feature on IGN, that Nintendo Land game is starting to look kinda appealing, at least as a time killer. I don’t need a core game to waste time, man, I can play on pinball games all day long and this game evokes that same feeling. If I had a choice of what game to kill time with between Nintendo Land and Wii Sports, I would pick Nintendo Land.

    Now if I wanted a concrete experience to play through, like Assassin’s Creed or Mass Effect, then that’s another matter.

  13. I <33333 Nintendo sooooo much, but Bill's statement just kinda shows how…. little… Nintendo knows about hardcore gamers' mindsets…. :\ It's an opinion kinda thing… but I would assume "hardcore" gamers would buy the better…. deluxe version… I mean… idk…I bought the deluxe and I would most certainly consider myself a hardcore gamer lol

    they don't know who their selling to anymore, imo. I still <3 them though… lol

    1. This is how they should’ve packaged the bundles… Basic Black Wii U with 32gb and enrollment discount and points for use on digital purchases for $299.99. And the Deluxe version with the White Wii U and everything else that comes with Nintendoland and a wiimote plus for $349.99.

  14. The premium console is black, has a higher hard drive capacity, and comes with more accessories, more likely to be lost on/useless for casual gamers. That just screams hardcore…

  15. Are you serious Bill? That does NOT make sense at all! -_-
    Obviously the hardcore pack is the one which includes 32 Gb of internal storage and free subscription for Nintendo Network Premium -_-

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  17. I think he’s trying to explain that the Deluxe set has all the stuff a casual gamer may need to get started with Wii U. It has all the pieces with it and comes with a game to introduce them to the Wii U Game Pad.

    The Basic set on the other hand, is just a bare bones package. It’s for people who already have an extensive game history, maybe even has one of the competitor’s console. Already has an external hard drive or 2 laying around and has no interest in Nintendo Land cause it’s kiddy or they don’t feel the need to have a game explain the concept of Wii U to them. In that case just buy the basic and spend that $60 on a hardcore game of your choosing. Leave luck to heaven.

  18. i like how this guy is implying “core” gamers are people who buy systems for one or two games without thinking about future needs

    well maybe that’s what the industry thinks they are idk

    stupid label anyway

  19. Either way 32gb isn’t enough so I’ll be buying a new hdd. I just hope Nintendo actually gives us demos like the ones from e3 or something because they slack in so many different areas. I’m glad the 3ds has demos but Nintendo didn’t put 3d land up or other games I bought like kid Icarus or star fox. They need to reach out for new fans and videos aren’t enough. It would help them especially with miiverse with people talking about a new game they tried out.

  20. For me an hardcore gamer is someone who can play Xenoblade for 15 hours non-stop… or finish F-Zero GX on hard dificulty… or finish every courses at Pilotwing resort with 100% score.. or ending Darksouls without dieing once. If you are a Hardcore gamer, you will give everything you got in every games you play to be the best… offline or online.

    The color of the console… or the storage capacity have nothing to do with this.

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  22. I decided to get the white one because it apeal to me more all my friends got the black one and they thought i was gonna get the black one too
    But when they heard me saying that i wanted the white one they where like WTF is wrong with this foo

  23. I too think the Deluxe pack is for hardcore gamers…
    I hope he really just says this so that more will buy the basic…however at this point both versions are being pre-ordered at about the same amount so it doesn’t make much sense…
    I will get the Deluxe though.
    A hardcore gamer will want access to online and deluxe is far more accessible for it…

  24. Its actually very simply!

    Basic = no game, cheaper and they can buy a external HDD and games they wish
    Deluxe = game (maybe thes wont play Nintendo Land, that game is more a family title, not online MP) and more expensive.

  25. In the UK we have a bundle that is the deluxe without Nintendoland, however instead it has ZombiU and the pro controller bundled. I think that is what you would call a ‘hardcore’ bundle.

  26. Aka, Nintendo have noticed the basic preorders are low, so they want to challenge the hardcore gamers to buy it by challenging their gamer manhood.

    The way I see it is:
    Wii U basic: For families who will most likely be upgrading from the Wii.
    Wii U Premium: For gamers.
    Wii U Premium ZombiU (EU)/Monster Hunter (JPN): For the hardcore gamers.

  27. Actually i understand fully, the casuals will be fine for long with the 32gb as core gamers will need to buy external HDD soon anyways.. Though i think most core gamers want their Console black

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  30. the only reason y fans want this cuz its nintendo if ps3 could pkay nintendo games then everyone will get tht am i right

  31. if your a hardcore gamer your not going to want to buy every single game that comes out on the wiiU you will probably get zombiU and the other game (sorry dont know all game titles) they wont want to play all the family/kid games plus whats the point of 32 gigs when your going to buy more storage anyway? xbox has 250 and ive already used up more than half of that

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