Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts, and Ubisoft have all shipped buggy games this fall, and now Nintendo is a part of that trend as well.
Nintendo acknowledges that the scary system-memory issue that some Smash fans are running into on Wii U. The publisher is working to figure out exactly what is causing the issue. While playing, the Wii U sometimes goes to a black screen that warns players about an issue with the console’s memory alongside an error code that reads “160-0103.”
Some gamers are reporting that their Wii U consoles no longer function once they run into this error. Others claim that they have simply lost their save data.
The publisher says that the problem is only affecting a fraction of Wii U players, and anyone with serious issues should hit up Nintendo’s support department. You can try the site at support.nintendo.com, but you’ll probably have better luck talking to a human by calling 1-800-255-3700.
Nintendo has not announced whether it’ll need to update the Wii U, Smash Bros., or both.
The problems of Smash and Wii U are a single example of a wider trend in gaming this holiday. In November, Microsoft released its Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which has had a number of matchmaking problems in its online component. Sony’s Driveclub has had similar problems, and the developer even had to turn off a number of racer’s features to get it functioning at all on PlayStation Network. Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed: Unity, which has a list of game-crashing glitches and performance issues. Electronic Arts released its massive Dragon Age: Inquisition role-playing game last month with a number of bugs.
These buggy games all debuting around the same time are likely a coincidence — although, it is also possible that the rush to launch a game in time for the gift-giving holiday season played a part.