Nintendo Considering A New U Name

Wii U

When Nintendo announced their next console at last year's E3, there was noticeable miscommunication in the mainstream press about what exactly Wii U was. The name, and the lack of focus on the physical console box itself, lead many to report that the tablet controller was a peripheral for, well, the Wii.

In the aftermath of the 3DS's lethargic start and similar public confusion about whether that handheld had the same innards as the DS it shares a name with, IGN is reporting that Nintendo might be reconsidering its next console's branding.

You can't blame them for wanting to keep the Wii brand name - it's the console that launched them into first place after years of slump. Their reticence to let go of a good thing is understandable, but 'Wii 2', and in fact 'Wii <anything>', doesn't have a ring to it. Plus, the 'U' name is an apt reflection of Nintendo's new goal of providing the experience you want, be it hardcore or casual. If they end up on Nintendo U, I'll be happy.

And let's avoid Wii Touch, please.

Do you think a better name is necessary, and what would you suggest?

Reader Comments:

Posted by zen 27/01/2012 2:08pm

the NintenDO

Posted by Master Chief 27/01/2012 2:52pm

Keep it as it is. People are stupid and you can't fix that by wording your product correctly. Almost everyone over the age of 45 thinks you can just plug a Wii Fit into your tv.

Posted by zen 27/01/2012 8:22pm

what did they think of the xbox kinect or ps eyetoy then??

Posted by Master Chief 28/01/2012 4:48am

Same thing with the eyetoy. I think I left the game sales business too early to see the idiots asking for a standalone Kinect. Most parents that don't know what they're doing don't buy a 360 though.

Posted by zen 28/01/2012 6:58am

haha i can just imagine little johnny's face when he gets a kinect to go with his non-existent 360