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.
posted Jun 4th 2009 1:31PM
A 1080p Nintendo console would kick ass! Imagine what the princess would look like :D
Agree here. Time to upgrade the Wii to the next console........it will be named Woo with 1080p Mario!!!
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.
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?
@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.
@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.
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.
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!!!!
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.
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.
@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.
http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6201700/index.html
@ 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...
@ 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."
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
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..
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.
@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.
Or... release some Mario/Link games on the consoles that can handle it. May I suggest a 360?
It's called the PS3. (Here comes the low rank...)
"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.
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.
@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.
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.
Which is why I own a PS3. Wii, in my eyes, is a toy for kids.
The PS3, Xbox 360 and the Wii are all toys...
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.
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
Says the grown man playing video games.
Wii is to netbook as Xbox/PS3 is to Dell XPS/Alienware.
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.
Inside every great man is peter pan.
"Wii is to netbook as Xbox/PS3 is to Dell XPS/Alienware." - Greg
You mean buy selling a bajillion units vs. not so much? :)
And inside every peter pan is Micheal Jackson
Xbox360 online friends is as good as no friend since the box is always at the shop.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ps3 dildos is this a total joke or reference to something real? links?
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.
oh yea I see http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/sony-announces-new-ps3-motion-controller/
inb4 fanboy tears....
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!
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.
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.
Further news: Miyamoto taken out to wood shed and beaten with Vitality Sensors for badmouthing Nintendo products.
He was then violated by Sony's motion controller for good measure.
Miyamot IS Nintendo for all intents and purposes...
@Shigeru Miyamoto
Ouch.
I think the game looks pretty nice.
*sigh* are we still beating this dead horse, almost 3 years later? An HD 1080 p Wii would cost hundreds more and would result in millions fewer console sales. We all know this, this has been brought up a million times, It's NOT going to happen anytime soon. Can we move on already? There's 2 console that do HD just fine. Not everyone wants to drop $400+ on a video game machine. This is all VERY old news.
Maybe they could focus on making good games to recoup the loss from hardware sales like the other companies this time around. Instead they're making vitality sensors. They could easily have had a better console, but decided to let some stupid principles get in the way, and it's us who are hurting.
@Zorque:
Uh, they *are* making games, unless the new Super Marios they announced are hardware add-ons, too?
I thought I specified *good* games. So far the general consensus on the Wii has been that there are only 3 or 4 of those.
"general consensus is". I believe you meant to say, "a small number of fanbois have declared that"
Sprint and Palm... Miyamoto w/ Nintendo...
Dang, there's just no self-confidence today...
you forgot sandisk and ipod... sucky day indeed :\
how is the wiis processor put under strain by super mario bros ive seen it and it looks 1999. but the wii can handle the conduit.
I know man he's just flinging bull crap ether nintendo has lost their touch and they can't code for crap or their just looking for an excuse for not putting in online. I mean seriously look the new super mario brothers and the conduit, their is no fucken way the wii being max out by super mario; It's just nintendo throwing out excuses.
Two Gamecubes duct taped together...Yes Indeed.
Glad I went the homebrew route (usb loader). I won't waste another penny on this sorry hardware and mostly shovelware games.
My Wii has been collecting dust at the bottom of my entertainment unit for ages. Haven't plugged it in for at least a year. Never even finished twilight princess.
Instead of being lazy and a pirate, read up on games worth your time - No More Heroes, LoZ, MadWorld, House of the Dead.
Good job! Now that'll *really* put a hurting on Nintendo!
Classic case of having one's cake and eating it too. You wail at the weakness of the system, yet you want to play it still, only you pirate games. At least be man enough to follow through on your convictions.
I still want the Nintendo On to come out.
:(
They should have duct taped 3 or 4 Gamecubes together.
Crap x 4= still crap
No, that would make it Quadcrap, and everyone knows that quad is awesome.
Really, I have no idea why they decided to go with such a weak console. The prototype specs for the Wii were far more powerful: dual-core processor with a more powerful video card. Instead we got an overclocked Gamecube. I hope the Wii HD is more up to par with the PS4 and the Xbox 720.
It wont be trust me.
@Longshot
And why will it not?
They realize they can make more money not going head to head with Microsoft or Sony. Smaller, cheaper hardware, lot of accessories, an rehashes.
Ohok...I totally agree with you, LOL
By the time Wii2 comes out, the HD capabilities should be far, far cheaper to integrate, allowing Nintendo to offer better graphics/sound at a 'mass market' price point. 1080p graphics don't make a game fun to play, creativity, design and talent do.
Trust you? You're a freaking pirate. How can anyone trust you? LOL.
Will anyone be fair enough to also accuse Sony and MS for being money-grubbers too when they release their motion controls? Those would also cost money, too, but I guess most Engadget readers are just so happy that their "hardcore" consoles finally got the motion control Nintendo has had from day one, that they can't see that those add-ons will also cost money.
If Nintendo bring out a new system that can match the 360's graphics horsepower and comes with a proper PS3/360 style controller as well as a Wii style one, maintaining their casual gaming market whiles attracting the big obsessive(?) game franchises and keeping a decent profit margin they could rule the world.
This is the problem... the wii does well because developers HAVE to use the wiimote and nunchuck. e.g. Pro Evo which is a far better experience on the wii (although graphics could be better).
This is also why natal will fail. If developers dont HAVE to use it, they wont, except for a few gimicky titles.
....and yet, they're raking in the huge piles of cash. Not from me though, I never liked the Wii. But, enough people have bought it.
I think their next console is going to be ps3-ish in the sense that it's micro architecture is miles ahead of any other gaming device.
I agree. Nintendo appears to plan long term, calmly executing their strategies when they want to, not in response to what any other companies are doing.
Sony and Microsoft seem to be scrambling to keep up, just now officially releasing their take on motion-sensing gaming, something the Wii pioneered two and a half years ago. I can only imagine what Nintendo has in the works right now and what it will be capable of upon release.
I'm fine waiting for the new Zelda ONLY if it's a launch title on the next Nintendo console.
Ya Ninty did this two years ago. But if you ask me at least in the case of Natal, MS took the idea of getting up off your couch and interacting with the game and completely expanded upon that so much so you don't need the controller anymore.
Could the Wii even have a AI that can interact with the player like what was shown with Natal? No way at least not with this kind of hardware. Like someone said before the prototype Wii was alot more powerful. But for whatever reason ($ im assuming) they chose to gimp it. It's sad when your 2.5D'ish (face it it's not 3D) sidescrolling platformer is taxing your system.
It'll be PS3-ish in the sense that it will utilize be slightly more powerful that than the Xbox 360 or the PS3 but it will still be weak compared to the 720 and the PS4. Nintendo isn't going to be trying to push the hardware envelope.
I don't see what's so "taxing" about this game. 4 players create ridiculous graphical mishmashes all the time in Smash Bros, and the graphics in the trailer they showed did not look as good as Brawl.
Brawl is contained in a single area, with only 4 characters simultaneously. Super Mario has long levels and tons of enemies in addition to 4 players.
I thought that too, then I remembered the Mushroomy Kingdom stage.
With the xbox 360 and ps3 being popular sellers at higher price points (for the good stuff) Nintendo might as well up the next system. 1080p, high def content, they need processing power to spare
That is one aspect of Nintendo systems that I seriously hope they re-think. They're right that good gameplay doesn't depend on better hardware, but it damn sure makes it easier to make games look great, handle more simultaneous events, run smoother, etc. If they could just get over it and put some decent processor and graphic horsepower into their next console, Miyamoto would be happy and so would we.
For a company that really embraces innovation and tries to come up with new things, they are pretty much restricting what's possible due to the constraints of the hardware. I still like my Wii though. And my Gamecube, and my N64, and my SNES, and my NES...
I'm quite confident yall don't care. But I played the Wii for a weekend, and at the end of the weekend I was glad I had a ps3. I will admit the initial interactions are awesome but at the end, it was just boring and not as responsive as I would have hoped for. Alas. Maybe Ps3 will make a wii type interface and will not poach on their patents, but till then, I'm still a happy camper.
All these "analysts" with their predictions of Nintendo doom...I tire of seeing it.
You are probably the same ones that say Nintendo was going to fail after N64. Then after GC. And now the Wii.
Nintendo will never lose. Even whne they're losing...they're winning. Remember that!
1080Pii?
The way I see it, Nintendo has so much money from the number of DS and Wii systems they've sold over the past five years, they've got plenty to put into their next consoles. As a company, they're not stupid.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now only if the rest of the brain dead geeksters could understand this.
This is the company who just released a 'vitality sensor' instead of something decent. How long will it be before another Sega comes along and knocks them off their throne? it took them 15 years to finally dominate the console business again after the Genesis...
It's not the point of "dominating" or market shares (even though they have it this time around for home consoles).
But it's about turning a profit. Which if people pay attention...even with the poor Gamecube, Nintendo was the ONLY profit who turned a profit throughout the entire life of it. Sony and MS lost money and didn't see profit til later down the road.
And even so...handheld division...no one, and I repeat NOONE will beat Nintendo in that game. Nintendo and handheld is basically as synonymous as Blackberry and Email. Google and search. iPod and MP3.
@Bradwart:
What did they need to release? They already have motion control from way back, which MS and Sony only are getting today. The big news to take from E3 is that MS and Sony realized there was more to motion control and it got Nintendo huge sales, so they want a piece of the action, too, a couple of years after Nintendo floored them in Wii sales.
I'm happy for every average XBox/PS3 Joe that they will finally get to experience motion control gaming in a year's time, but they should at least acknowledge that Nintendo brought something new and exciting to the table, which forced the hand of MS and Sony to also develop similar technologies and even make it better.
For the record, Microsoft DID release a controller with an accelerometer well before the Wii, but I don't know of any games that used it.
Don't you mean the Wii is to "Wiik"?
...sorry.
I have about 10 games for my Wii and no games for my PS3 (bought for Blu-Ray).
I don't need a game to be 1080p I just want it to be fun.
Not that that is an excuse for the underpowered hardware/technology in the Wii. I just don't particularly care about super-HD graphics on my gaming system.