Nintendo Wii U

[ranger]

I'm a little skeptical on how powerful this new console will be, I mean it looked nice with the cutscenes and cool, it's in HD.  I wish they gave more details regarding the console itself rather than the controller.

TBH, I still don't think the Wii U has the same quality as the 360/PS3 - which is kind of a problem.  As a next gen console, they had to really outstep the other consoles :/

How can you not think it has the same quality when the videos shown for everything except the Zelda tech demo, which is obviously still in very early stages, were from the 360 or PS3 versions of those games?  It's obviously not coming out for at least another 14-18 months.  They aren't ready to show any actual footage of the system doing anything yet.

Well, I was just speculating about it in terms of price range.  Once again, I am just making guesses here.  Sony's Vita is 250 dollars.  Nintendo is a rather "safe" company when it comes to prices; they never want to have something too high like Sony did with their PS3.  so we can assume the price is going to be around 300-400 dollars.  Now, their controller is going to be more expensive than average controllers today which are priced around 50ish dollars, so probably like 75-100.  If Nintendo wants to make a profit with that price range, the hardware for the Wii U can't be that great, especially with all their development into their new touchscreen/ "transfarring"(from Hideo Kojima) technology that probably cost a lot of money.

[GinRei]

Nintendo is a rather "safe" company when it comes to prices; they never want to have something too high like Sony did with their PS3. 

Didn't they just release a handheld with the same starting price as their last console?  I'd hardly call that a safe price.

so we can assume the price is going to be around 300-400 dollars.  Now, their controller is going to be more expensive than average controllers today which are priced around 50ish dollars, so probably like 75-100.  If Nintendo wants to make a profit with that price range, the hardware for the Wii U can't be that great, especially with all their development into their new touchscreen/ "transfarring"(from Hideo Kojima) technology that probably cost a lot of money.

There's no way it'll be weaker than the PS3/360.  They've touted it as being stronger, and they'd instantly lose any "hardcore" competition (which is what they're aiming for) if they don't make it stronger than what's already out with a library.

[ranger]

Nintendo is a rather "safe" company when it comes to prices; they never want to have something too high like Sony did with their PS3. 

Didn't they just release a handheld with the same starting price as their last console?  I'd hardly call that a safe price.

so we can assume the price is going to be around 300-400 dollars.  Now, their controller is going to be more expensive than average controllers today which are priced around 50ish dollars, so probably like 75-100.  If Nintendo wants to make a profit with that price range, the hardware for the Wii U can't be that great, especially with all their development into their new touchscreen/ "transfarring"(from Hideo Kojima) technology that probably cost a lot of money.

There's no way it'll be weaker than the PS3/360.  They've touted it as being stronger, and they'd instantly lose any "hardcore" competition (which is what they're aiming for) if they don't make it stronger than what's already out with a library.

Ginrei, 250 dollars for the 3DS isn't that expensive, especially in today's handheld world.  The Vita is the same price, and the reason why it costs 250 is because of the 3D.  While it may be a little more expensive compared to their other handhelds (I believe the DSi launch price was 170).  Still,  my point is it's not breaking the 300 barrier, which still allows it to be competitive, especially when the Vita is also 250, plus the 3D factor allows it to be competitive with Vita, despite lacking in hardware capabilities.

And Nintendo, compared to Sony and Microsoft, has always been the safest in terms of price.  If you look back at the console launch prices, Nintendo consoles were always about 100 $ cheaper than MS and Sony's consoles.

Regarding the Wii U's power, we shall see. While like you said everything we've seen is just demo footage, if it was more powerful than the 360/PS3, it won't be by that much, which is a problem for a next gen console.  Sony and MS's nextgen will just blow the Wii U out of the water.

I think the Wii U has already lost it's hardcore competition, the lack of online discussion was definitely bad, no huge 3rd party developers (Darksiders is just meh), and the hardware power is still debatable.

[GinRei]

Ginrei, 250 dollars for the 3DS isn't that expensive, especially in today's handheld world.

Then you could extrapolate that, and take the DS's original launch price of $150 compared to the Wii's $250, and say if the 3DS is $250 then the bare minimum for the Wii U would be $416.  However, the Wii U is much stronger (comparatively in the market, since honestly the Wii isn't that much stronger than the Gamecube) than the Wii is, not to mention that outrageous controller, so it'll likely be closer to $500.

The Vita is the same price, and the reason why it costs 250 is because of the 3D.  While it may be a little more expensive compared to their other handhelds (I believe the DSi launch price was 170).  Still,  my point is it's not breaking the 300 barrier, which still allows it to be competitive, especially when the Vita is also 250, plus the 3D factor allows it to be competitive with Vita, despite lacking in hardware capabilities.

The 3DS isn't the "cheap" or "reasonably priced" one, the Vita is.  Everyone expected the Vita to be about $100 more, but they priced the same as the 3DS to be a big FU to it.

And Nintendo, compared to Sony and Microsoft, has always been the safest in terms of price.  If you look back at the console launch prices, Nintendo consoles were always about 100 $ cheaper than MS and Sony's consoles.

Cheapest doesn't necessitate actual safety.  Especially when it was using cheaper/weaker technology (not counting the Gamecube being slightly stronger than the PS2).

Regarding the Wii U's power, we shall see. While like you said everything we've seen is just demo footage, if it was more powerful than the 360/PS3, it won't be by that much, which is a problem for a next gen console.  Sony and MS's nextgen will just blow the Wii U out of the water.

Source?  Because you're just blowing anti-Nintendo bias now for no reason.  The only way it'll be only "slightly" stronger than the PS3/360 is if it's priced at $250-$300, but if that's the case they might as well just stop making consoles because no one will buy it for anything Mario and Zelda.

I think the Wii U has already lost it's hardcore competition, the lack of online discussion was definitely bad, no huge 3rd party developers (Darksiders is just meh), and the hardware power is still debatable.

Yep, definitely a Nintendo basher.  No evidence at all, system not coming out for over a year, but it's already lost by being weak despite its specs not being known.

[Commi-Ninja]

I wonder what its successor will be called.
Wii U dey?

I don't get it.

Really?

dey=they

Make more sense now?

[ranger]

Angry much? If I'm an Nintendo basher, then you are an Nintendo fanboy - Im merely giving the opinion of a gamer who isn't a hardcore Nintendo fan.  Ive owned Nintendo consoles up to the gamecube, and I own the 360/PS3 - of course I would compare the weaknesses/needs of Nintendo to the other two companies.  And it's not like "omg I've never owned an Nintendo console before, he's a MS fanboy!"  I acknowledge Nintendo's strengths.  I'm just saying Nintendo didn't sway me or people like me (target audience being more hardcore gamers in the 360/PS3 market), and they probably won't get back that casual audience again either, which is a bad thing.

Where be yo sources/information about the NGP being 100 dollars more? I recall back in February that their was a leak of the NGP being 299.99, which is still a reasonable price..  The 3DS is considered reasonable, due to the fact that when the PSP Go was launched, it was pretty much the same price as the 3DS right now... the world has seen a handheld released for this price, it's not a huge shocker.  

Regardings "safety", what exactly defines a company being safe then in your opinion?  My point was that Nintendo is the safest out of the big 3.  So you are disagreeing with me?  You think Sony or Microsoft are safer than Nintendo?  Sony launched their PS3 console at an absurd price, and it bit them in the ass with low sales during the first few years.  Microsoft decided to take on bluray with HD and ultimately lost, costing them a large sum of money.  Nintendo has always stuck with an inferior quality (in terms of hardware power) and therefore a cheaper price to be safe, to ensure they can reach their target audience and make them buy their products.  I'm pretty sure you could ask anyone in the industry this question and they would all say Nintendo is the safest out of the three.

Ginrei, come on man, think about it.  The Wii U is launching next year.  The 360/PS3 are still in their life cycle probably until 2014.  When they announce their next-gen consoles, there will be no doubt that they will be vastly superior in terms of hardware compared to the Wii U, just because they had more time to check out Nintendo's console, and basically one-up them.

I'm basing off the fact that the Wii U's power will be similar to the 360/PS3 now because they will be launching games on multiplatform with the Wii U/ PS3/ 360, meaning they will be at somewhat similar levels.  For the past couple of years, triple A games that were multiplatform would always be released on PS3/360/PC , and sometimes there would be a Wii port that would be vastly inferior to the point that they couldn't even be called the same game.

Yep, definitely a Nintendo basher.  No evidence at all, system not coming out for over a year, but it's already lost by being weak despite its specs not being known.

Ginrei, seriously?  Okay, dude, let me put you in charge of the Nintendo E3 press conference/development of the Wii U.  Wouldn't you agree that you have to take care of the weaknesses, or at least address them?  Online has alwways been a large issue for Nintendo - not saying anything at all about this during the unveiling of the console is really disappointing.  Hardcore fans demand online!  The hardcore competition is all about online gameplay and core games - Nintendo has always done well for first-party, but have always stunk when it comes to third-party.  Address the issues!  Darksiders isn't going to cut it!  Don't just call me a Nintendo basher, give me a reason why you disagree.  Sure the system isn't coming out for a year, but E3 is all about making a strong impression.

[GinRei]

Angry much? If I'm an Nintendo basher, then you are an Nintendo fanboy

That's funny, considering I said I was disappointed in the Wii, have said I'm not buying a 3DS, and other things along those lines.  But I guess saying a system you know basically nothing about is going to lose the next gen race isn't being a basher anymore?  In that case, Microsoft already lost!  Their next gen system is so bad!  I mean, they're focusing on the Kinect now, so their next gen must be awful.~

Where be yo sources/information about the NGP being 100 dollars more?

Are you even reading what I wrote anymore?  I said most people thought it'd be $100 more.  Based on its specs.

The 3DS is considered reasonable, due to the fact that when the PSP Go was launched, it was pretty much the same price as the 3DS right now... the world has seen a handheld released for this price, it's not a huge shocker.  

And the PSPGo was the biggest flop since the VirtualBoy.  Using your logic, we've seen a $600 console, so it wouldn't be a shock for Nintendo to price it at that.

My point was that Nintendo is the safest out of the big 3.  So you are disagreeing with me?  You think Sony or Microsoft are safer than Nintendo?

Sure, it's the safest of the three.  Doesn't mean it automatically has reasonable prices because of that.

Ginrei, come on man, think about it.  The Wii U is launching next year.  The 360/PS3 are still in their life cycle probably until 2014.  When they announce their next-gen consoles, there will be no doubt that they will be vastly superior in terms of hardware compared to the Wii U, just because they had more time to check out Nintendo's console, and basically one-up them.

End of next year, perhaps.  And Sony and Microsoft have both already said they're working on their next consoles, so I'd expect them to only be one year behind Nintendo.  Also, how much stronger do you think you can get than 1080p?  Because that's what the Wii U will have.  And who knows how much stronger a processor can become between when Nintendo announces its specs and when Sony/Microsoft finalize their specs, but I doubt it'll be by that much.

I'm basing off the fact that the Wii U's power will be similar to the 360/PS3 now because they will be launching games on multiplatform with the Wii U/ PS3/ 360, meaning they will be at somewhat similar levels.  For the past couple of years, triple A games that were multiplatform would always be released on PS3/360/PC , and sometimes there would be a Wii port that would be vastly inferior to the point that they couldn't even be called the same game.

They launched multi-platform games for the Wii/PS3/360 too.  Developers stopped doing that because no one bought the Wii version, since they always used horrible motion control controls.  Just because it's on multiple platforms doesn't mean the quality of graphics and design are all the same.  It doesn't mean anything, except the Wii U has at least that much power.  It clearly has more.

Wouldn't you agree that you have to take care of the weaknesses, or at least address them?  Online has alwways been a large issue for Nintendo - not saying anything at all about this during the unveiling of the console is really disappointing.  Hardcore fans demand online!  The hardcore competition is all about online gameplay and core games - Nintendo has always done well for first-party, but have always stunk when it comes to third-party.  Address the issues!  Darksiders isn't going to cut it!  Sure the system isn't coming out for a year, but E3 is all about making a strong impression.

Last I checked, the Wii does have online.  As does the DS and 3DS.  It's not completely random, which is indeed bad, but why would they mention anything about that when they still have another E3 before the system is launched?  You're acting like it's going to be released in a couple of months or something.  And Nintendo has hardly "always stunk" with third party.  It failed with the Wii.  That's the only system where it failed in that department.  And forgive them for only mentioning a small handful of games when the system, once again, still has another E3 before launch.  You're asking them to divulge everything about the system now, but that's just not realistic.  If they did what you want, what could they hype next year?  Just look how much smaller the hype is for Skyward Sword and Kid Icarus, since they started hyping them last E3.  At this point, people aren't really hyped by how they look, they just want to play it already.

Don't just call me a Nintendo basher, give me a reason why you disagree.

I'm pretty sure I've said many times why I disagree with you.

[Akonyl]

my only question is if the hugeness of the screen is really worth having such a large controller, but we'll see

at the very least, this'll be very useful for multiplayer games that want to have secret information sent to only certain players.

[GinRei]

at the very least, this'll be very useful for multiplayer games that want to have secret information sent to only certain players.

There's actually a concern coming from E3 that you can only have 1 of that Wii-Pad controller connected to a Wii U at a time.  The press release and the demo stations only had 1 of that controller and all other players had to use Wiimotes or Classic Controllers.

[kkslider5552000]

lots of tl;dr, thanks Ginrei and Ranger

I don't care about this yet. We'll see where Wii U goes and what the launch is like and E3 next year etc. before I have much of an opinion.

And Ginrei, if you wanted great Wii games, I'm right here. I know the system, its many gems. (don't laugh dammit )

[ranger]

That's funny, considering I said I was disappointed in the Wii, have said I'm not buying a 3DS, and other things along those lines.  But I guess saying a system you know basically nothing about is going to lose the next gen race isn't being a basher anymore?  In that case, Microsoft already lost!  Their next gen system is so bad!  I mean, they're focusing on the Kinect now, so their next gen must be awful.~

Dawg, I'm just saying there's no need to be flipping out and calling each other bashers.

Are you even reading what I wrote anymore?  I said most people thought it'd be $100 more.  Based on its specs.

Yesh I am reading what you are writing - what I'm saying is that people actually only thought it would be 300 instead of your mentioned 350, due to the price leaks.

And the PSPGo was the biggest flop since the VirtualBoy.  Using your logic, we've seen a $600 console, so it wouldn't be a shock for Nintendo to price it at that.

If Nintendo were to flaunt a console that matched PS3's hardware capabilities for its time back in '06, if Nintendo released some mammoth console with crazy hardware, I mean I wouldn't be that surprised.   However, that's uncharacteristic for Nintendo to release a pricey console.

Sure, it's the safest of the three.  Doesn't mean it automatically has reasonable prices because of that.

Cool, you agree with me - but I would say they have the most reasonable prices out of the three companies.  

End of next year, perhaps.  And Sony and Microsoft have both already said they're working on their next consoles, so I'd expect them to only be one year behind Nintendo.  Also, how much stronger do you think you can get than 1080p?  Because that's what the Wii U will have.  And who knows how much stronger a processor can become between when Nintendo announces its specs and when Sony/Microsoft finalize their specs, but I doubt it'll be by that much.

Whatever, 2013-2014 release dates.  You'd be surprised Ginrei, but I could pretty much guarantee you that the nextgen 360/PS3 consoles will be stronger than the Wii U hardware wise.  If not, you can ban me when they are released :] Simply put, MS and Sony aren't going to let their next-gen consoles be weaker than the Wii-U.

They launched multi-platform games for the Wii/PS3/360 too.  Developers stopped doing that because no one bought the Wii version, since they always used horrible motion control controls.  Just because it's on multiple platforms doesn't mean the quality of graphics and design are all the same.  It doesn't mean anything, except the Wii U has at least that much power.  It clearly has more.

The horrible motion controls are one thing, but also because of the hardware, the game itself would be limited, levels/graphics/polish.  While Darksiders 2 may be better on the wii-U graphics-wise, it's not going to be like the 360 and PS3 versions are utter crap compared to the wii-U, like how the wii versions were.

Last I checked, the Wii does have online.  As does the DS and 3DS.  It's not completely random, which is indeed bad, but why would they mention anything about that when they still have another E3 before the system is launched?  You're acting like it's going to be released in a couple of months or something.  And Nintendo has hardly "always stunk" with third party.  It failed with the Wii.  That's the only system where it failed in that department.  And forgive them for only mentioning a small handful of games when the system, once again, still has another E3 before launch.  You're asking them to divulge everything about the system now, but that's just not realistic.  If they did what you want, what could they hype next year?  Just look how much smaller the hype is for Skyward Sword and Kid Icarus, since they started hyping them last E3.  At this point, people aren't really hyped by how they look, they just want to play it already.

Bro, I wasn't saying it won't have online at all, jeez, I'm just saying they didn't mention it all is kind of disappointing, because the wii's online is craptastic.  For the most part, Nintendo has been pretty bad with 3rd party games since the Gamecube in my opinion. That's quite a long time!  I'm not saying they should show all their big guns at once, I was just saying like one big thing from 3rd party would of just completely changed my opinion and we wouldn't have had this argument right now - like CliffyB from Epic walking in making an announcement, Hideo Kojima, Gabe Newell, etc etc etc.

I'm pretty sure I've said many times why I disagree with you.

And when that doesn't work, it's time to namecall!!!

[GinRei]

Whatever, 2013-2014 release dates.  You'd be surprised Ginrei, but I could pretty much guarantee you that the nextgen 360/PS3 consoles will be stronger than the Wii U hardware wise.

Of course they'll be stronger, they're coming out a year or so after it.  But you said "vastly superior", which I don't find likely.

The horrible motion controls are one thing, but also because of the hardware, the game itself would be limited, levels/graphics/polish.  While Darksiders 2 may be better on the wii-U graphics-wise, it's not going to be like the 360 and PS3 versions are utter crap compared to the wii-U, like how the wii versions were.

If you discount the motion controls, the only difference between those early multi-platforms were the resolution.  Other than those two things, they were exactly the same.

And when that doesn't work, it's time to namecall!!!

I calls 'em like I sees 'em.

[Akonyl]

at the very least, this'll be very useful for multiplayer games that want to have secret information sent to only certain players.

There's actually a concern coming from E3 that you can only have 1 of that Wii-Pad controller connected to a Wii U at a time.  The press release and the demo stations only had 1 of that controller and all other players had to use Wiimotes or Classic Controllers.

oh wow, if that's the case then I don't really see a whole lotta use for it aside from single player games, did they actually show any multiplayer games that utilized it?

aside from like, having a D&D game where the DM gets the controller for his nefarious deeds :V

[KaitoKidMagic]

Concerning Pricing

Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata stated that the Wii U is likely to be priced over 20,000 yen (roughly $250). This was revealed a recent interview with the Nikkei newspaper in Japan, where he stated that the cost of the new console is unlikely to sell for the same price as the Wii .

The Wii currently retails for 20,000 yen in Japan and originally launched for 25,000 yen.

[Vylash]

Yup, they expect it to be over 250$, but nintendo's been pretty safe about pricing, so we can assume it'll be 300$-400$

Also, apparently they're not selling controllers separately