Nintendo actually not resting on its laurels, already working on the Wii's successor
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 29th 2008 10:43PM
posted Jul 29th 2008 10:43PM
No need to phone in the shock police -- you had to know this was coming. After all, what kind of stockholder-pleasing company would Nintendo be if it wasn't already thinking about how to top the Wii? According to information in a recent Forbes piece surveying the field of gaming consoles, Nintendo is "already working on the Wii's successor." President Satoru Iwata shared that the Big N was "always preparing for the next hardware," though it would be unwise to expect said hardware anytime soon. With Wii consoles still hard (or at least not "easy") to come by in some locales, we'd say Nintendo is in no hurry to move beyond its current cash cow. Still, even Iwata admits that it "will be difficult" to exceed expectations now that the Wii has proven so successful. Not really, though -- throw in high-def support and you've got an entirely more lovable machine.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
also known as the Wii Jr. or better yet the Wii ii
Call it the WiiWii. Then you can tell all your friends you gotta WiiWii.
Wii + II = WII
wiiiPC, seriously though, who Nintendo has more shovelware for Wall-E to clean up than Asus (though I know it's really just chinese plastic toy companies trying to cash in)
I prefer: WW2
WiiToo
This might be a stupid idea but I want them to fix the Virtual Gear and bring it back. REAL 3D!
WWII please
They should call it WWII... and blame the Germans when it's a disaster
It's going to be called the Super Wii, I just know it.
Is it going to be two Wii's duct taped together or just 4 Gamecube's?
* 2 Wiis or three Gamecubes. That's a far more fair exchangerate.
It's fairly obvious what they need to do: Offer high-definition graphics (on par with Xbox 360 and PS3) with 1:1 motion sensing in an affordable package!
Well they already got the 1:1 motion sensing, they need to do something else to top it. It won't just be a HD Wii.
what I think is they might put something that stays on sale with the Wii, keep wii's popularity and something for the core gamers, similar to PS2 slim and PS3, but more so since we're still waiting for the colorful wiis and ones with DVD playback, seems kinda questionable yes but you see it in every other industry keeping a device on the high end and low end
We're waiting on a Wii with DVD playback? Really?
Yes.... DVD playback is exactly what we need....
It's been about 13 years since DVD players came out.... is it realy crucial to have one inside my Wii (aside from my Xbox 360 or PS3) to be able to play DVDs?
If you're that desperate for a DVD player that you're hoping for one in your console.... Nintendo console at that... then you're probably not in the market for something as *new* as the Wii 2 in the first place....
The Franklin twins say the Wii II (maybe WII) wont top the first one...
P.S. Where the hell is the next DS?
the next DS would excite me the most. Portable gaming ftw.
DS sales are even higher than the Wii, just talk of another unit would shudder sales, but I did read they have a new model ready, not a successor like GBA to DS, more like DS to DS lite, but this time bigger screens and even thinner, not sure where I read it though
Coming in 2010: Wii HD
Just take the basic Wii hardware, give the CPU and GPU a steroid injection, throw in a small flash HD (4-8gig), tweak the controller a bit, and there you go.
Full backwards compatibility with upscaling for older games, DVD, and maybe Blu-ray playback, too.
Anyone wanna bet against me?
Don't forget to start making them now so they'll actually have enough so everyone can get one.
I bet Nintendo are actually quite happy their machine is relativity underpowered. Gives them somewhere to go without spending loads of cash on r&d.
Honestly, I can think of a bajillion awesome enhancements without changing the hardware one bit. They're called "services" and "channels". Seriously...just by adding and upgrading some software components, the Wii could be a completely improved animal.
But, as long as we're talking hardware upgrades, here's my list:
HD (1080i or p, I don't care) out with decent upscaling of legacy games
Digital audio out
Native DVD support (maybe even BD, but I can live without it)
SDHC slot (not just SD)
Gigabit Ethernet (right now, it's the only thing in my house that isn't)
And if anyone at N is reading this, consider adding two more Sensor Bars (for a total of 3) so you can triangulate on the Wiimote and give me true spatial relativity (I still think that'd be better than the add-on piece they've offered up).
I see no point in Gigabit Ethernet. If network connection is only (officially) used for online games... And most people do not even have 100mips internet... Than Gigabit is pointless. Even if they add network media playback you do not need Gigabit. My Modded XBOX with XMBC plays 720P content wthout problem over 10/100. (Most of my network is 10/100/1000)
My Wii works just fine via WiFi.
I agree with HD and Digital Audio Out. I am tired of seeing games that have Surround Sound logos on them... And no way to get said surround sound!
I see no need for DVD/BD playback. All that will do is increase the price. Everyone (mostly) already has a DVD Player. And I have yet to see a BD player that is even close to $200.00
As for SDHC, that would be awesome, but the only reason for it is for Home Brew.
If you have a system that can decode SPDIF over digital coax or toslink then it can surely decode Dolby Pro Logic II over stereo analog. Just because it's not "digital" doesn't mean it's not true surround sound.
If you have a system that can decode SPDIF over digital coax or toslink then it can surely decode Dolby Pro Logic II over stereo analog. Just because it's not "digital" doesn't mean it's not true surround sound.
I hope its at least as powerful as the 360 or people are gonna laugh at them.
Any votes for names? Wii II?
I think Nintendo proved by dominating the other 2 superior consoles that hardware power is nothing without gameplay.
I don't think anyone is laughing at Nintendo owning the console market AGAIN but with a "laughable" system
Gameplay? Wii? What gameplay? Stick waggling?
@ Mmisterio
it needs to be more powerful than the xbox 360, just like the wii is more powerful than the original xbox
gameplay helps, but let's face it, you need to have some decent hardware, and hd support is a must this time
and i'm speaking as somebody who has a wii and loves it
I'm glad you don't work for Nintendo. What kind of thinking is that?!
Of course there'll be another DS.
You mean that they are not like motorola and sitting on their rear ends living off one successful product? (RAZR), and then finding out years later that they have nothing to offer except dated tech and antiquated design?
RADICAL!
Yup, you're absolutely right. Sales of games for the iPod touch and 3D games for it are so successful that Nintendo will never make another touchscreen-based handheld.
It could always be called the "Wii - Nii"
with a foot print only half the size, with half the power but integrating an entirely new mind control feature.
It would support all Big N formats and be half the price of it's competitors
Oh and who needs HD when there are perfectly good 60Hz telly's still floating around
Clever. (For anyone who doesn't know, "ni" means "two" in Japanese).
Personally, there are a lot of things I'd change about Wii:
1) Developers don't like creating games that utilize add-ons that not
everyone has. If the Wii Remote could double as a Classic Controller
rather than the Classic Controller being an extra peripheral, more
developers would make games for Wii.
Add X and Y next to 1 and 2 (they'd probably want to change the
numbering/letter scheme at this point, swapping 1 and 2 with the
current A and B), and add L and R.
In the many games that use the Wii Remote in its awesome Remote style
(pointed toward the TV), L and R would not be functional in order to
prevent accidentally pressing them.
2) I dislike the nunchuck. Holding two separate pieces of controller
is somewhat awkward, the cord can be annoying (smacking against you
when shaking, or accidentally pulling it out of the Wii Remote), it
is far less responsive than the Wii Remote, and it offers only two
additional buttons and (thankfully) a joystick.
There's a good deal of innovation that can be poured over the
recreation of this thing.
Hmm... maybe they could figure out a way to allow locking the Wii
Remote and Nunchuck together to form a standard controller...
I think it could be done. They'd be very different controls in
themselves, but as they are now, they're far from perfected.
You're crazy, obviously. Move along.
Bluray, internal storage, much more powerful, etc..
Oh yeah, throw in some strong recoil forces into the 1:1 Wiimote2 :D
Im expecting graphics that match or exceed the PS3, a new controller design with more buttons, 1:1 motion sensing that doesn't require an add-on, a streamlined online service, dvd playback and a wireless nunchuk.
They have plenty of areas to improve on, so i dont know where the HELL "Iwata admits that it "will be difficult" to exceed expectations now that the Wii has proven so successful." THAT comes from.
Something tells me your wishes for a better online service will not come true...Nintendo is too worried about little kids. I mean come on we won't even have a headset until the new Animal Crossing game comes out...and even then it won't really be a headset just a speakerphone type mic without the speaker.
> Im expecting graphics that match or exceed the PS3
I will not be surprised if Nii (Wii2) would be Cell based.
Cell prices went down considerably in recent times. If more manufacturers would pick Cell for some embedded stream processing (think HDTV) prices would only go down.
And since Cell already has one PowerPC core, that would provide easily backward compatible processing unit for Wii/GC games.
uh.... I know dozens and dozens of college kids who love their DSes. And even if there is a maximum age where you no longer like your DS Nintendo is making out like a bandit day after day until kids reach that. i'm frankly none too keen on picking up an iPod touch for the games and hint, I'm over 14, so there you have it.
If you think no one over 14 buys a DS you must've been living under a rock...I'm 16 and I have one...so do a WHOLE lot of kids in my grade at school...in fact we play them at school. So yeah we might have ipods but don't say we don't have a DS too. Now I just need to buy a DS Lite...
Well, their successor to the Gamecube was basically a motion sensing gamecube, so I don't see where the huge difficulty in topping the Wii, at least technologically, could come from...
I don't know what Nintendo are cooking up, but hundred bucks says it'll have headtracking as standard. Johnny Lee is going to get PAID.
That's what they said about Boom Blox, but EA pulled out that bonus feature out at the last second. It would be really cool, though. A bit nauseous, but still really cool.
People are surprised that Nintendo is working on the successor to the Wii?
You'd be stupid to think that they wouldn't be working on one. Both Microsoft and Sony are working on successors to their respective consoles. Why do you think Sony put a ton of money into the Cell tech?
This is Nintendo we are talking about. They thrive on the concept of "exclusivity". We will only produce what it ordered. Did no one ever try to get all of the games for the Nintendo 64 or the Game cube. Don't get me wrong I am an avid fan but when back order times start to shoot out to a couple of months and you have kicked your mates butts so much that they don't like you any more you start to look for something else.
The motion sensing needs to get more sensitive. I can't see my Wii lasting forever with some quirks. Plus I'd like better graphics.
Also this flicking motion can't be good. Remember iPod's thumb? How about Wii's wrist.
Durex dual pleasure.
I sure hope that iPod touch can replace at least 7 of the tactile buttons on the DS with equivalents:
L and R shoulder buttons
D-Pad
A, B, X, Y
Gamers need tactile feedback.
I also hope ad-hoc multiplayer is really good.
I also hope it can play 7 years worth of brilliant Game Boy Advance games
I also hope the unit can match the price of a DS.
I also hope major publishers don't laugh their arses off when posed with the question of whether or not it can challenge the DS.
Until then...let's just say I won't be investing a cent in any gaming company you imagine you could run.
They should take another stab at the Virtual Boy.
Wii.B
The next revision of the Wii with Blu-ray and HD gaming support with new Wii.B games, full backwards compatibility.
-----
I highly doubt they will release anything before 2010 at the earliest, but I like the name, Wii.B
iPod touch won't even compare to a DS Lite, much less whatever the DS2 turns out to be. Nintendo isn't dumb, and will easily sell the crap out of their new hardware, for the simple fact they are Nintendo. A real gaming company. :P
I am 19 and have a DS. Though I do have an iPod as well, for MUSIC.
Just the other day I saw what must have been a 33-year-old (at least) woman on the bus with a DS.
Portable gaming is a huge market, don't expect apple to even get CLOSE to taking that from Nintendo/Sony.
HD output, more horsepower, WAY more storage space, and a more fleshed-out online service should just about do it. Also, they'd better make purchases from the Wii Shop Channel carry over!
Guys as long as Sony Has blu ray in there future playstations dont hold your breath on the others having it to cause sony holds the right and im sure they will get some sort of cut of profit for the other companys sales of blu ray so dont expect blu ray on other systems for a while atleast as long as dvd is still around
You are an idiot of course the next Xbox will have blu-ray, but I am not so sure about Nintendo. Sony doesn't have all the rights to blu-ray, the blu-ray association does. Anyone can license blu-ray for their hardware.
Sony also partially owns the CD and DVD formats. This never stopped competitors from using them, so why would it be any different with blu-ray?
2 words - Head Tracking
which is doable now already, just search youtube for Wii Head Tracking.
Keep the case design similarity "Apple" like, nobody believed me, but product design is actually very important in sales & marketing, even for a game console!
All the hardware improvement will be typical old school Nintendo, like what Apple is doing now... buy massive to lower cost, getting the best technology at the certain price point.
I really wish that you people would SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT THE GRAPHICS!
Gameplay always and FOREVER >>>> graphics.
"Okami" is one of my favorite Wii games. There was nothing about that game (including the 5 CD soundtrack) that wasn't spectacular. I would not have loved it any more in 1080p than 480p. Similarly, "Carnival Games" would have sucked just as much in 1080p as it does in 480p.
Graphics don't mean ANYTHING if the game itself sucks, and if a game is awesome to play it's not going to be any more awesome just because of more pixels. You people have had "more pixels = better gameplay" shoved down your throats so hard by the Microsoft and Sony marketing machines that gameplay seems to be almost an afterthought now.
Sheesh.
It's unfortunate, but despite what you say, no matter how true it may be, you alone cannot convince all of the consumers that higher resolutions and more realistic graphics are not necessary to make a game entertaining, and as long as consumers believe that better graphics == better gameplay == better console, that console will sell best (unless the price is right, such as in the case of the Wii) and game developers will focus on that console. The next generation may be determined by graphics (unlike previous generations) so capcom may not develop so much for Nintendo's console unless it has good graphics. I think Nintendo makes the best games for Nintendo's consoles, so I'm not that worried about how their next console's games will be, but if you prefer third-party games, you may want to agree with the majority of consumers on this matter.
While gameplay is most of it, graphics DO play a part. Things just look WAY better in HD, WAY clearer and easier to see stuff.
@zomg0t
Not only was the gamecube cheaper than the PS2, but it was also graphically more powerful. And of course the Xbox was even stronger still, and sold at the same price. And yet despite all this, the PS2 massively outsold the both of them combined.
They will need more than HD output to make a good successor but it's a start.
And clearly the fact that Sony released the PSP with the ability to play music completely made people stop buying dedicated mp3 players right? Say it aloud to yourself before typing.
MIND CONTROL!!!!
oh and maybe hd would be nice. but more importantly mind control.
meaning...the game controls your mind, or your mind controls the game?
Not too surprising considering they started working on the Wii right after they launched the GameCube.
No surprise here. No company should be shortsighted in the gaming industry. You always have to be a few steps ahead of the game to still be able to play in it. (For instance, a friend of mine's dad was already working on the successor to Xbox a few months before Xbox Live was launched.)
However, I guarantee you that Sony is the only member of the Big Three that isn't working on a successor, given they feel that every product of theirs has a ten year life-cycle. To their credit, though, the PS2 is still holding strong, and the PS3 is a good piece of hardware that only needs to be discerned properly by developers.
Dude, your tag is SuperSexyEric. You're not even allowed to TRY to insult anyone after you pick a name like that.
Conceited much?
did you guys see the Super Monkey Ball demo run on the ipod/iphone? Amazing! the iphone has nearly everything the DS has and more: touch screen, wifi, mic, accelerometer, etc.
i think it's also important to consider that Nintendo has a way to go a little against the norm. I would like to see them play ahead of the curb, but at the same time keeping the most important traits that continues to bring success to Nintendo.
The sad part is that, while all of the things required to bring the the wii successor up to date are simple, it would be a phased change. They would have to occur in steps with more drastically random things representing different models.
improved video quality
dvd playback
possible switch to solid state memory in order to drastically reduce the size of the device.
triangulation of the wimote via triple sensor bars.
they do use solid state memory there internal 512MB is flash, flash is Solid state, they just need to drastically increase that measely 512MB
I actually think I might wait a few months after all the next-gen consoles come out before I buy one, since I only have enough money to buy one (I'm 14, get $30 a month allowance), and I bought a wii last gen and wishing I bought a 360.
They'll probably play the Microsoft game this time around and get their system out first. That's my bet. That's not based off this post, because I'm sure Sony and Microsoft are working on their consoles, too.
And when are the next generation of portable game systems coming out?
I must mention that if nintendo decided to rerelease the nintendo64 they would have record sales maybe they can upgrade it first but either way big sales
Accelerometer. Great feature. DS doesn't have one. PSP doesn't have one. Super Monkey Ball. Quite possibly an enjoyable game.
Now just think of how long the novelty will last without tactile controls and with JUST an accelerometer and large touchscreen to bring this 'gaming platform' to life. I'll see you here in 2 years with a bunch of crappy games and people still using the iPod touch (and iPhone) primarily for music and media consumption...with games pretty much an 'oh it does this too' thing. In other words, pretty much like how everyone uses their mobile phones today.
A very casual gaming platform, at best.
Predictions
1:1 motion sensing
2.8ghz quad core IBM CPU
32gb built in Flash memory chip (to keep it thin,not thick and to store games like the PS3)
512MB ATI Graphic (to keep the price low as possible but HD,thats why not to choose Nvdia)
universal card reader
HDMI 1080p port
system memory 512MB
HD audio
Cross pollinate with apple for the iWii
Erica,
I have neither DS nor iAnything, but one flaw springs to mind:
How the hell can you see what you're doing if your chubby sausage-fingers are clamming up the screen? Doesn't that kind of limit the potential for simultaneous control and observation?
SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 30th 2008 3:21AM
do you realize that DS, gba, Gba SP, nes, genesis, and ps1 games can be played on iphone/ipod touch... why waste money on a peace of plastic that only plays them. im sorry but there is no need for gameboys anymore.
--------
It's obvious to me you're not a gamer, let alone someone who enjoys games with others.
1) Tactile controls. Without this any 'gaming platform' that hopes to challenge the big cheese in the industry is quite simply playing on the sidelines. Have you actually played a game on a console versus mobile phone? Have you enjoyed multiplayer?
2) emulation is a half-arsed, 'if-you're-in-the-know-you-can-try-it' activity with very unpredictable results and a huge learning curve for the average user. If tapping on a flat screen with no feedback (half-arsed and uncomfortable tapping on virtual controls, I might add) is your idea of enjoyable gaming, knock yourself out.
Sure, my knife can sharpen pencils but somehow I don't think pencil sharpeners are gonna be too worried.
I suggest that Eric pull out the iphone out of his ass and re-reads his asinine comments and realizes that his below-average IQ is having a severe impact on his thought process.
Personally I would love to see them do something with voice recognition. It seems like the technology is just about ready to hit the prime time.
oh and triangulation of the sensor bars would not work unless they completely changed what the sensor bars were, the sensor bars are IR and IR wont really work for triangulation as the IR reciever in front face of the wiiimote needs to have a direct line of site with sensor bars, but they could change the tech ad something into the sensor bar and and put a couple diff sensors that only have the added tech in them in 2 other locations but i dont see Ninty doing this
that was supposed to be a responce to uclinux but we all know how the reply system here works on occasion.
"do you realize that DS, gba, Gba SP, nes, genesis, and ps1 games can be played on iphone/ipod touch... why waste money on a peace of plastic that only plays them. im sorry but there is no need for gameboys anymore."
I own both a DS fat and an iPod Touch. They're not even closely related in purpose. If you own a Touch and have played an emulator on it, you'd see it in no way is sufficient to supplant, nor even compare, to the DS. Unless you enjoy playing games where you don't know which button you're pressing.
You make a good point... why waste money on a peace of plastic. The only reason I would waste money on a peace of plastic is to put an end to the "Plastic Wars" you're alluding to? I'm not sure.
Now answer my question. Why waste money on an English tutor when you can live a life of being incoherent?
You're right... there's no need for Gameboys anymore. You've converted me, Deacon Dipshit. Now explain that to the 77 million others who own a DS.
Your avatar speaks volumes. Apple fanboys are the chavs of the Internet. Thanks for labeling yourself with your corporate allegiance though, saves us all the trouble of listening to you.
They should definitely stick with the Wii name. Call it Wii Bii. It needs to be 1080p and true surround out of the box. Slap on an HDMI Output. Nintendo with HD prices falling it should have a HD as well. If not a HD then the ability to really add one on using the USB jacks since we are crossing our fingers to be able to do this for the existing Wii. I really want Zelda and Metroid in 1080p
DS jsut for 14 year olds? I see older people all the time playing DS while waiting at places. I've even seen a couple that was well into their 50's looking at what DS games they thought would be fun to play. Yeah We'll see how fun games on iPhone are in about a year from now.
Yeah that's what I was thinking. Nintendo is going to definitely drop first. Then M$ and last Sony. I see the PS3 finally catching on globally when the price is finally sub $300. When that happens Nintendo should/probably will release the Wii-2.
^^^response to El Taco.
WHAT!? Come on.. I just got up to snuff and new system is in the works!? I can't keep up anymore..
It'll still be several years before this is actually released. Consoles take a long time to develop. (it's said that they began work on the Wii immediately after the GCN was launched)
No way it will have Wii in the name. GameCube, Gameboy, DS, Wii, etc. If anything it will be something lame like, "PhunSphere" and it comes with a spherical helmet along with two motion sticks and a treadmill.
Gameboy -> Gameboy Color -> Gameboy Advance.
Nintendo Entertainment System -> Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
It's not totally unprecedented for them to recycle a name.
The only new feature I want to see:
Actually being able to walk into a store and buy one.
put cartridge ports for every console Nintendo has ever made (like the revolution was going to), 1080p HD, 80gb HDD, Blu-ray and an expresso machine.
Give us a heavy duty cell processor, with a Video Card that can be swapped out (Throw in 4 PCI-Express 16 slots), 1G/100M/10M, Wireless G, BlueRay (with playback), Multi Video Out, A lot of controllers in, Full on 7.1 audio per controller.. Ah.. What else. 2 SATA ports, USB2.0, WUSB, upto 16GB of ram..................
My girlfriend and I are in our 20s and we both enjoy playing our DSes. Just wanted to add that in.