Miyamoto: Super Mario Bros. Wii could be better, but the Wii's too weak

Look, it's no secret that the Wii is comparatively weak. It always has been, and unless some magical, unicorn-approved firmware update hits in the near future, it always will be. The Big N's Shigeru Miyamoto sat down at E3 this year with GameDaily and confessed as much, stating that he "would like to use Wii Speak more, but [in Super Mario Bros. Wii], the Wii processor is already being taxed." He added that this was all "part of being a developer to work with the tools you have to create new and interesting projects," but it certainly makes us wonder just how much more awesome this console could be with a specifications list fit for this millennium. Ah well, maybe we can actually look forward to native 1080p games from Nintendo next decade... if we're lucky.

[absolutc @ Jun 4th 2009 1:36PM]

A 1080p Nintendo console would kick ass! Imagine what the princess would look like :D

[m3nphls @ Jun 4th 2009 1:47PM]

Agree here. Time to upgrade the Wii to the next console........it will be named Woo with 1080p Mario!!!

[xcrunk @ Jun 4th 2009 1:48PM]

Gamecube+, that's what the Wii is, and guess what, they were selling Gamecube's for $99 at one point.

Throw in the waggle, change up the form factor, add ye olde wifi, and bam, Nintendo Wii!

Wii HD, in your dreams.

[patriotsn1 @ Jun 4th 2009 1:51PM]

Wow, you answered so many of your own questions... They don't do what sega did at "chitendo" (Even though it's Japanese) because they are making money hand over fist.. As far as "losers with Honda cars"... do we need a reminder of which car companies are bankrupt and which aren't?

[Wii60 @ Jun 4th 2009 1:54PM]

@iphone

My 05 Acura RL has 300 horsepower, on a V6. It won't break any records, but it's more than enough for my use, and it's basically a Honda like a Lexus is basically a Toyota. So screw you, a Honda is a very reliable investment. Those Japanese engineers are great at making a long term ride.

The Wii may have disappointed the hardcore set, but I'm a college student and its a great party system. It has it's place and it prints money for Nintendo and it's shareholders.

[Ray @ Jun 4th 2009 2:07PM]

@iPhone

I drive a honda, it maxes at 140 mph and gets me 35 miles to the gallon. The big blocks suck gas and are never even ran close to peak condition (who drives past 90 mph anyway). Theres a difference between being over powered and made for longevity.

The Wii is under powered, but im sure they knew this going in to the market. The thing is a cash cow and theyve saved and made enough money in its lifespan to make an even better system next go round.

[DWells55 @ Jun 4th 2009 2:14PM]

Just play games in the Dolphin emulator. Sure, support isn't the best, but titles that do work usually work well and 1080p, anti-aliasing, and anisotropic filtering are all options. I'm selling my Wii but holding onto Brawl since I emulate it already. Holding onto Twilight Princess and Galaxy as well in the hopes emulation and sound support will improve for them.

[Quix @ Jun 4th 2009 2:15PM]

Come on Nintendo, why wait for MS and Sony to reach EOL on their current consoles? Time for the Wii 2 with high-def graphics, high-def sound, *real* online gameplay....and (drumroll) profitable from Day One!

Love the Wii, but I'm starting to lose the urge to resist buying a PS3 with no promise of 21st century technology in a Wii in sight.

It's too bad the only three options are:

Sony (ugh)
Microsoft (double ugh)
Nintendo (vintage)

Time for a SEGA comeback!!!!

[iDavey @ Jun 4th 2009 2:17PM]

Nintendo is a business. They care not what the "geeks" want. They care about they moolah!
Their consoles always pull profit every cycle, and this one is doing above and beyond.
They are what Apple is to the phone market.
Big name, simplistic items, and large market share.

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 2:28PM]

urr the graphics on the ps3/x360 are nice enough to last a few years.. only when you see the PC go too far ahead in the artistic capabilities do they need to make a move I think.

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 2:30PM]

@Quix in side by side screenshot comparisons more often than not the xbox has the superior visuals due to the weaker graphics hardware in the ps3.

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 2:32PM]

http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6201700/index.html

[Quix @ Jun 4th 2009 2:50PM]

@ mirakutea:

Sadly, it's irrelevant. I don't support Microsoft with my dollars, for many legitimate reasons.

And even if I did, their horrific reliability history with the 360 would make me steer clear (my brother's on his third - and he's one of the "lucky" ones).

And no Blu-Ray...

Too bad my opinion of Sony these days is not too much higher than Microsoft...

[Quix @ Jun 4th 2009 2:54PM]

@ mirakutea:

And the link you provided seems to contradict the point you were making anyway:

"We're at the point where games look and play nearly the same on both systems--any differences tend to focus on texture resolutions and antialiasing nitpicks that most people wouldn't notice unless they were playing the games side by side and pausing every few seconds to compare the two. Fortunately, we've done all of that for you."

[Ryujin @ Jun 4th 2009 3:20PM]

This car = system is stupid. Seeing how the wii doesn't look like its made for customization means it would have to be shipped in to be modified would increase the cost where you would want to just buy a 360 or ps3 anyway. Nintendo screwed up and built a product with a short lifespan.

Car wise the honda sucks reliable but you would have to swap the engine and change way to much to the point where its not even the same car. Real cars aren't 60-70's v8 big blocks either stupid, that only go in a straight line. Real cars are for example v10 Viper, V6 Skyline R35(360), v12 Lam(PS3), Jaguar XKR, and others who live on the race track (not counting formula 3 or above).

Subaru STI 500+ whp

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 4:20PM]

Well that's too bad Quix, I know Falcon has a reasonable failure rate, Jasper and future models are likely to be bulletproof. (Microsoft xbox version models).

of course now MS has this new motion control thing it could decimate the PS3 in sales numbers..

Wii fit sold 15million as an aftermarket product..

[Wewtaco @ Jun 4th 2009 4:24PM]

If I remember right, at the E3 where they announced the Wii, Iwata also said that the console after Wii would definitely be high definition. I don't feel like looking for that right now, but I'm 99% sure I remember them saying that. Whether it will be 1080p or 720p, I don't think they said.

[Chris Are @ Jun 4th 2009 4:47PM]

@iphone

You are the most obnoxious person I've ever... read. Both of those comments were so asinine it's sad. Please go away forever.

[CH3BURASHKA @ Jun 4th 2009 4:54PM]

Or... release some Mario/Link games on the consoles that can handle it. May I suggest a 360?

[WickedEast @ Jun 4th 2009 5:24PM]

It's called the PS3. (Here comes the low rank...)

[Quix @ Jun 4th 2009 6:06PM]

"of course now MS has this new motion control thing it could decimate the PS3 in sales numbers.." - mirakutea

You mean "will have." "Someday." "Price and release date yet to be determined."

And Sony will also have "this new motion control thing." Someday.

Maybe High-Def Wii will show up around the same time as these magical MS and Sony motion controllers.

And I don't support imagination-less, lawbreaking corporate thugs, hence I don't support Microsoft.

[jon @ Jun 4th 2009 6:34PM]

I assume then that you are posting from either a PPC Mac or an AMD, Linux powered PC. Intel's in about the same boat as MS.

[Vince @ Jun 4th 2009 7:12PM]

@iPhone:

Please go back to your mom's basement. You just embarrass yourself with your posts. And try to finish high school please.

FYI, a simpleton like you can never design anything remotely close to a Wii. Or an Atari 2600, for that matter.

[Carpet @ Jun 5th 2009 2:17AM]

I know this meant to be a conversation about a next-gen wii, but there's a few V8-obsessed Americans on here who obivous don't know much about cars.

@Ryujin. Honda are unreliable? They have never had a single VTEC engine fail ever! They're the only manufacturer in the world to be able to say that. Say what you like about old Hondas being uninteresting, as a twisted point this is because they've been designed for an American market and they were seen as too boring for Europe. Their current range is fanastic and check out the UK Honda Civic if you want to seen modern crazy Manga-inspired car design.

Back to the real topic, it would be great if the wii had all these extra features, but that would carry a greater price premium, plus it would be competing more with the 360 and PS3. At the moment it sets itself apart and that's what gets it the huge market share.

I do find it disappointing that online gameplay and chat has exisited for a long time on the PC and it only really seems that the 360 has managed to implement anything close to that. We're not asking the console manufacturers to break new ground here but rather implement what we already have but in a nicer box with a simplier interface.

[appsbyaaron @ Jun 4th 2009 1:39PM]

Which is why I own a PS3. Wii, in my eyes, is a toy for kids.

[SiXiam @ Jun 4th 2009 1:40PM]

The PS3, Xbox 360 and the Wii are all toys...

[y3k.nik @ Jun 4th 2009 1:42PM]

I think Nintendo will always be the game for kids. Its just how their first party titles are defined.

I cannot even imagine a T or an M rated Mario game, even with all the princesses in the games.

[Joseph @ Jun 4th 2009 1:43PM]

wii is a toy for people with friends
360 is a toy for people with online friends
ps3 is a toy for people with no friends

[insky @ Jun 4th 2009 1:48PM]

Says the grown man playing video games.

[Greg @ Jun 4th 2009 1:55PM]

Wii is to netbook as Xbox/PS3 is to Dell XPS/Alienware.

[cg0def @ Jun 4th 2009 2:20PM]

yeah wii is a toy ( mostly for kids ) but nonetheless it is so much fun to play! I don't remember when growing up ever having girls over when we were playing games yet it has happened quite a few times with the wii ( women but still the same diff ).

Buuut it's time for a revised more powerful version of the wii. The fun factor only goes so far before you want more visual effects and prettier graphics. Oh, and a wire free sensor bar pls.

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 2:33PM]

Inside every great man is peter pan.

[Quix @ Jun 4th 2009 2:57PM]

"Wii is to netbook as Xbox/PS3 is to Dell XPS/Alienware." - Greg

You mean buy selling a bajillion units vs. not so much? :)

[bombgigitty @ Jun 4th 2009 3:33PM]

And inside every peter pan is Micheal Jackson

[WickedEast @ Jun 4th 2009 5:29PM]

Xbox360 online friends is as good as no friend since the box is always at the shop.

[Templarian @ Jun 4th 2009 1:41PM]

Once PS3's "dildos" are completed and the 360's Project Natal I feel were going to see Nintendo game sales slide (if they haven't already).

[Joseph @ Jun 4th 2009 1:44PM]

didn't ps2 have a camera that allowed you to kick and punch ninjas? I think it is more than a motion sensor or camera.

[Jonh @ Jun 4th 2009 1:46PM]

I don't think they will hit Nintendo that hard. Remember it's not just the technology but the total package. Nintendo has a good name with casual gamers and has a child friendly image to parents. They have a different demographic audience than Xbox and PS3 have and that won't change, some will make the jump if they are but many still will stick with Nintendo even though their Wii is inferior.

[The Souljourner @ Jun 4th 2009 1:52PM]

They won't. My in-laws have a Wii. They'll never buy a PS3 or 360. The Wii has been touted since its inception as a family-friendly console. Neither of the other consoles was ever effectively marketed that way, and they're too entrenched in their current markets to break out.

Wii is socially acceptable for non-gamers to own, almost "cool".
360 is cool for gamers to own, and people who want to feel "hardcore"
PS3 is... well, I don't know. The other console. Supposedly more powerful, but somehow without ever realizing its potential. Best for people who want both a console and a blu-ray player. Good for those who don't feel the need to buy the console "everyone" else says is the best.

[Wii60 @ Jun 4th 2009 1:57PM]

It's all about marketing, and Nintendo has an insurmountable lead.

Next gen is up in the air though, as the audience Nintendo moved into may not see a need to replace the Wii if it's just collecting dust.

[iDavey @ Jun 4th 2009 2:20PM]

I feel those will amount to nothing but side items.
Wii "incorporated" the motion into their gaming.
These are just add-ons. Meaning it's only for select games.
It will be ok for casual games, but 360 has a niche demographic they hit...and that demographic does not want to be standing up to play a game.

[Snake Robot Podium @ Jun 4th 2009 2:32PM]

I think casual players enamored by Wii Sports would not want to pay for whatever PS3+Motion ends up costing (hopefully they've had a price cut by then). 360 may have an edge if Natal is cheap enough, but it needs killer apps like Wii Sports and Wii Fit.

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 5:29PM]

Ps3 dildos is this a total joke or reference to something real? links?

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 5:31PM]

If the Ps3 comes out with an enhancement like that and cuts the price significantly combines with ms's new thing then yea the Wii could slip down the toilet with nobody noticing.

[mirakutea @ Jun 4th 2009 5:45PM]

oh yea I see http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/sony-announces-new-ps3-motion-controller/

[WEGGLES @ Jun 4th 2009 1:42PM]

inb4 fanboy tears....

[Amun @ Jun 4th 2009 1:54PM]

You could call me a fanboy. I've been shedding tears over the suckiness of the Wii hardware since it came out. I don't think you're in before those!

[The Souljourner @ Jun 4th 2009 1:44PM]

It is really too bad that Nintendo decided to skimp so much on the hardware this time around. I really don't understand it. I get that it's all about gameplay.... but why can't it be about gameplay *and* have decent graphics? If they'd debuted the Wii at $299 and had some modern hardware in there and maybe a slightly slimmer profit margin, does anyone doubt it would have been any less successful? I don't.

Graphics aren't everything, but come on... a 2D platformer tasks the hardware enough to not allow voice communication? That's some seriously weak sauce.

[Kenofthedead @ Jun 4th 2009 4:49PM]

I can't really doubt them for what happened.

SNES was better off then Mega Drive and lost half the market due to how long it took to come out and some other issues.
N64 was just as powerful if not more then Playstation and Dreamcast, didn't do so hot.
Gamecube was better then the PS2, got in third place.

They properly saw that, forgot all the other things like them being terrible to third parties in SNES days, cartdridges in N64, etc. , and said "screw it", let's just make something that works well with this crazy idea, Hell, it worked for the Gameboy for years.

I still want them to make a better system next time computing wise. Not graphics per se, but physics, A.I., that sort of thing. Which can be possible now that they are no longer in third place with a system that is just "me-too" as the Gamecube was and a poorer image of "kiddy".

Ha, I just realised the absurdity we all have for the seriousness of talking about toys like this. Good thing Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo make fun toys.

[jon @ Jun 4th 2009 1:44PM]

Further news: Miyamoto taken out to wood shed and beaten with Vitality Sensors for badmouthing Nintendo products.