GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Why Need for Speed: Rivals is skipping Wii U

Creative director Craig Sullivan cites weak sales of Need for Speed: Most Wanted on Wii U as reason to skip over Nintendo's latest home console.

By on

278 Comments
No Caption Provided

Need for Speed: Rivals is not coming to Wii U. According to Ghost Games creative director Craig Sullivan, that's in part due to weak sales of the Wii U version of Need for Speed: Most Wanted, which was a launch title for the platform in November 2012.

"It didn't really sell that many, in terms of the Wii U market. I would love for it to have, because we put so much effort into that, trust me," Sullivan told The Sixth Axis. "I'd love for it to be way bigger than it was, and the same for the [PlayStation Vita]."

"[Rivals] is going onto new hardware, and you have to work out where you focus your efforts," he added. "The 200 people working on this game are only capable of making so much, and doing so many different versions of the game, so we had to go with where we think the biggest audience will be for the game, and that's where we are."

Ghost Games studio owner Electronic Arts shipped four games for Wii U: Mass Effect 3, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, FIFA 13, and Madden NFL 13. In May, EA confirmed it had no new games in development for the system. By comparison, EA shipped 74 games for the original Wii.

Need for Speed: Rivals launches in November for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Click To Unmute
Need for Speed Rivals - E3 Gameplay
  1. RKGK | Official Release Date Gameplay Trailer
  2. Helldivers 2 - Warbond: Polar Patriots Unlocks Trailer | PS5 & PC Games
  3. V Rising - Official Launch Gameplay Trailer
  4. Goddess Of Victory: Nikke | Last Kingdom Full Story II Animated Cinematic Trailer
  5. DNF DUEL｜Nen Master Official Character Reveal Trailer | Coming in Summer
  6. Starfield May Update
  7. Disney Dreamlight Valley – Thrills & Frills Update Trailer
  8. LEGO Fortnite | Star Wars Rebel Adventure Cinematic Trailer
  9. Apex Legends - Official Alter Legend Animated Reveal Trailer | "Based on a True Story"
  10. Batman: Arkham Shadow | Official Cinematic Teaser Trailer
  11. Mullet MadJack - Official Gameplay Trailer
  12. EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 - Official Release Date Reveal Trailer

Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

Sign up or Sign in now!

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Need for Speed: Rivals
Join the conversation
There are 278 comments about this story
278 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for malachi
malachi

299

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

malachi

And they expect << LINK REMOVED >> to do well on the Xbox One and PS4 for their launch compared to the Wii U launch?!?!?!?! Yeah...good luck with that!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 19James89
19James89

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

19James89

<< LINK REMOVED >> I didn't see NFS Rivals in the top ten US PS4 preorders list available on VGChartz.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Spartan_418
Spartan_418

4495

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Spartan_418

I would have bought Most Wanted for the Vita, but EA made the stupid decision to not support cross-buy with the PS3 version.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Hurvl

"The 200 people working on this game are only capable of making so much" Making a game is never easy, not even when you have 200 people making it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DiamondDM13
DiamondDM13

96

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

DiamondDM13

Makes sense. Wii U and Vita are not the consoles I would play it in. I prefer to play it in home consoles, not portables. Of course seeing the Wii U does have that big of an install base and the users don't seem to care much for NFS, no need to waste money they would get back.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Randy21021
Randy21021

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Randy21021

Who buys Need For Speed ? I stopped since Underground it got trash after Carbon

Upvote • 
Avatar image for lavadobrazil
lavadobrazil

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

lavadobrazil

<< LINK REMOVED >> Even carbon was bad , I'd say the best was the 1st most wanted .

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Hurvl

<< LINK REMOVED >> Yeah, who buys all the games that I don't like? It can't be me, because I don't like them.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for raddys2001
raddys2001

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

raddys2001

I think EA is just pissed off at Nintendo or vice versa cause I don't buy it. Even going back to the gamecube days when that system was not selling they used to still produce for it. Especially since they are still getting Batman, Assassin's Creed and COD.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for BrunoBRS
BrunoBRS

74156

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

BrunoBRS

"a port of a year old mediocre game didn't sell well as a launch title" oh you don't say?

5 • 
Avatar image for 19James89
19James89

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

19James89

<< LINK REMOVED >> It wasn't a year old port though was it? NFS: Most Wanted came out in Nov. 2012 and NFS: Most Wanted U was released in March 2014. That's a four month gap.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ivanchiz
ivanchiz

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

ivanchiz

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> It might have been a 4 month gap, but anyone who wanted the game bought it before the wiiu came out. The story was the same for all the other ports: AC3, Batman: AC, Mass Effect 3, Darksiders 2, etc. How many people did you know that said "I'm gonna wait for the wiiu to come out to get that game?" The decision to not bring this game to the wiiu based on bad sale numbers from a bad decision leads me to question the collective IQ of the people at EA.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 19James89
19James89

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

19James89

<< LINK REMOVED >> I agree with you, I think if a third party game was made for the Wii U or if they were to port a game like Battlefield 4 it would sell far better than last year's ports, for sure.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Hurvl

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Or was it, man of the future! March 2014 is not around until almost 5 months from now, but between March 2013 and Nov. 2012 there's only a four month gap.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 19James89
19James89

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

19James89

<< LINK REMOVED >> That serves me right for being a smug twit.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

xolivierx

Neef for Speed died after Need for Speed 2

2 • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >> well, kinda agree, but first Underground was pretty cool. The second though...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FreddieBootleg
FreddieBootleg

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

FreddieBootleg

<< LINK REMOVED >> You pray for a corporation to manufacture a specific videogame, just for you? What cooky religion are you a part of anyway?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> well, yeah, it was good. It's just my opinion, but I hated it because of that pointless sandbox/overworld thing.

But just wait, they will remake it just like Most Wanted

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Riddick123
Riddick123

218

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

Riddick123

LOL, does this even need explaining?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shango4
Shango4

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Shango4

<< LINK REMOVED >> Yeah,Mark your ignorant words.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> yeah, he's right. It got pulled like 3ds, right?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for emptycow718
emptycow718

676

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

emptycow718

@komuchen @b74kd3th the budget for wiiu games are higher than the budgets for 3ds games if 3rd party cant sell games on wiiu they wont be making games for wiiu its that simple

Upvote • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> no, because Vita has no competition, that's what "history expert" here is implying

Upvote • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >> well, WiiU will have to. In time, just like... 3DS!

Wow, that was easy

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Queuingreturns
Queuingreturns

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Queuingreturns

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

Yeah. Just like how I predicted Wii U was a failure.

So ignorant aren't I? LMAO.

Ciao loser. ; )

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shango4
Shango4

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Shango4

I was really never planning on buying any EA games.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Queuingreturns
Queuingreturns

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Queuingreturns

*Rubs hands with glee*

Yes. Nintendo will leave the console race by 2017. Just as I predicted.

Then, Sony will have the ENTIRE Asian market.

Oh, I'm loving it.

MUAHAHAHAHAHA.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for emptycow718
emptycow718

676

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

emptycow718

<< LINK REMOVED >> microsoft is doing great and keeps building ryse looks better than any sony launch game

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Zoza24
Zoza24

61

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Zoza24

<< LINK REMOVED >> I think all consoles are doomed after the next decade or earlier..

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Queuingreturns
Queuingreturns

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Queuingreturns

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

Nope.

Sony and Microsoft will "adapt" to whatever threat lies in the future.

Nintendo are out of "sync" with what's going on.

They're AWFUL.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Zoza24
Zoza24

61

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Zoza24

@Queuingreturns @Zoza24 I never said Microsoft Or Sony will leave the gaming industry, the consoles will not make it, withing 7 or 8 years we have so much more processing power in tablets and smartphones that we don't need home consoles for our gaming needs, just plug your smart device onto your tv and play with a controller or Keyboard and Mouse and you have the same gaming experience..

I will buy the Ps4 to enjoy Sony's console for the last time...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shango4
Shango4

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Shango4

<< LINK REMOVED >> ok?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >> don't disturb him, let him have some love with Sony

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Hurvl

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> That sounds like the reason why people watch romantic comedies: they love them even though or because they're stupid.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Queuingreturns
Queuingreturns

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Queuingreturns

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

No. I love Nintendo.

They're SO STUPID!

MUAHAHAHAAHAHA. : D

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Zoza24
Zoza24

61

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Zoza24

Why am i not surprised?.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shango4
Shango4

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Shango4

<< LINK REMOVED >> Because EA dislike's Nintedo right now.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Zoza24
Zoza24

61

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Zoza24

@Shango4 @Zoza24 It's probably not about EA disliking Nintendo, It has to do by the fact that the Wii-U isnt doing well on sales and being an open platform.

EA would love to publish games for Nintendo, but the profit isnt there. That's the problem.

3 • 
Avatar image for SavageEvil
SavageEvil

719

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

SavageEvil

Who wrote this story, they also left out that Vita isn't getting it either. Need For Speed Most Wanted was garbage anyway, 2006 Most Wanted was the last good game bearing the NFS logo. EA just mass releasing trash constantly with nothing actually interesting in it, no tuning, no garages, no story, no anything...just a bloody arcade game with cop chases in between racing the AI. Only Nintendo games and really interesting one's sell on Nintendo systems and NFS is neither.

4 • 
Avatar image for 19James89
19James89

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

19James89

<< LINK REMOVED >> Need for Speed Rivals just reminds me of Hot Pursuit and I thought that game was quite dull in all honesty.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for komuchen
komuchen

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

komuchen

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> it's a hard choice between NFS and Sonic Transformed

Upvote • 
Avatar image for kamikazeespleen
kamikazeespleen

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

kamikazeespleen

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Sonic All Stars Transformed is a killer game. Coming from someone who prefers the sim races/sim-arcade, that game is a load of fun. Never been into Mario Kart but this one really grabbed me and I've played it for a good number of hours. I'm going to hold out for The Crew rather than getting this NFS. I used to get all of them each year for christmas until Carbon. Tried the Pro Street demo and it was shite. The only one I really liked since then was The Run but it was very short. Last years Most Wanted just plain sucked. There was no progression value as you just 'find' cars.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 19James89
19James89

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

19James89

<< LINK REMOVED >> Most Wanted is not a bad game by any means, but the multiplayer is at times difficult to get access to due to the small player base, as for Sonic transformed, it's a fun game and well worth the investment.

Upvote •