WiiU

[Lily Adler]

I would like it if they somehow worked Nintendo into the title again.

 

[Destructus86]

If those graphics are what the WiiU can produce, the "hardcore" set should have no qualms with the console now.

You mean other than the fact the controller is horrible?

 

[Spidey-Bat]

I recall most people who used it at E3 enjoyed it. But when will that ever stop whiny fans from complaining about something?

 

[rashad]

I recall most people who used it at E3 enjoyed it. But when will that ever stop whiny fans from complaining about something?

Definitely a small minority. People who have experienced it first hand said the controller feels great.

 

[Soapy]

They were also just using it for simplistic tech demos in short amounts of time.

 

[rashad]

What's in a name? Nintendo considering Wii U rebrand, sources claim
Next-gen console could be renamed before E3

Nintendo is considering changing the name of its next-generation console, Wii U, sources close to the platform holder have suggested.

http://www.computerandvideogames.co...endo-considering-wii-u-rebrand-sources-claim/

http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1217316p1.html

 

[KALEL114]

Beat ya!

 

[Lily Adler]

I actually like the name Super Nintendo HD, nice retro sound to it. Also Nintendo Revolution or N-Revo.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

They were also just using it for simplistic tech demos in short amounts of time.

They still used the controller and could determine whether or not it's comfortable to use. That is never going to chance. The actual controls of a game will always vary. There have been 360 games with horrible controls despite having a good controller to work with.

 

[terry78]

Yeah, WiiU is a little too easy to crack on. As much as I respect Nintendo for going against the grain, sometimes you just asking to get pantsed in the hallway at school.

 

[WolfCypher]

Change the name. Nintendo claims that this next system will be more driven towards "hardcore" fans, opposite the Wii's "casual" fanbase, so let's NOT give people the indication that might not be the case and call it Wii-Anything again. Wii brings up thoughts of games catering only towards the Wii Music/Wii Sports/Wii Play audience (like my mom), not the Street Fighter/Metal Gear Solid/Tekken/etc. gamer you guys are trying to catch up to. Even if the system continues some of its Wii trends, at LEAST you can get some non-Wii-gamers attentions by NOT suggesting this is just Wii+. Drop the Wii brand.


Give the actual system some spotlight. You'd be surprised how superficial people are. Nintendo didn't showcase the actual system during its unveiling because it looks almost exactly like the Wii. Make the system stand out a little. Even if the tablet-controller is the main draw, that doesn't mean people don't want to see the system. When the Wii first premiered, the hype behind the new motion controller took center stage, but Nintendo STILL gave the box itself a LOT of exposure. Do that again.



Fix the tablet controller situation. Nintendo has confirmed only one tablet is compatible with the WU at a time. Developers are going to want to design games where everyone gets a separate screen, not just player one. If this means shrinking the controller down to the size of a handheld (with a small interactive screen) or utilizing multiple 3DSs as an alternative, do that. The one tablet controller, one player rule is going to ruin an otherwise innovative gimmick.



FOCUS ON THE THIRD-PARTY TITLES. Don't get shortchanged here. The Wii hardly got any real 3rd-party games. Important or popular franchises saw their core titles released on the other platforms with the Wii got watered down spin-offs, if even that. SoulCalibur 4 on PS3/360 vs. Wii's horrible SoulCalibur Legends. Proper Final Fantasy games on PS3/360 vs. Wii's Crystal Spin-offs. Castlevania: Lord of Shadows on PS3/360 with rave reviews vs. Castlevania Judgment, a fighting game (?!) on Wii, with universally negative reviews. WiiU either needs to get some damn good 3rd-party exclusives or meet the oppositions and get what they get, no compromise.



Bring out the Nintendo All-Stars. Far too much of the Wii's lifespan was spent dishing out Mii-friendly games that rarely did we see the release of Nintendo's star characters. Unless your name was Mario, Link, or Samus, (Pikachu still had success on the DS), you got stiffed. The severe lack of Star Fox, Donkey Kongs, Kirbys (DK & Kirby came extremely late to the party...at least Kirby had life on the DS), F-Zero, & Wario was ridiculous. Just as bad was the lack of new character-driven franchises (again, the DS got to experiment with this). We need an occasional new series that doesn't star a mediocre avatar of ourselves (Miis) or a semi-character (FlingSmash? Really?!). And would it really kill Nintendo to release more than one Super Smash Brothers/Mario Kart in a system generation?

 

[Lily Adler]

Those comments in the IGN article gave me a good laugh. I can't believe there were people who tried to sand down a 3DS catridge to fit the DS.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

Interesting and I do agree with the name change specially if the idea is to keep the Wii on shelves as a cost efficient console for the casual gaming people and WiiU/HDntendo for the more hardcore gaming crowd. Since they are going after more hardcore gaming peeps, it would be cool if they finally give Metroid prime type FPS a nice push as a core title for this system since its a more adult title.

 

[StrainedEyes]

Wii U Gets NFC, New 2D Mario, And More Juicy Tidbits

After announcing its first annual operating loss, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata met with analysts to discuss the future of the company, and the steps he'll take to address Nintendo’s issues.

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit was word that Wii U’s tablet-sized controller would include near-field communication technology.

Iwata said it "will become possible to create cards and figurines that [it] can electronically read” and “will enable various other possibilities such as using it as a means of making micropayments.”

In other words, imagine if Nintendo decided to take Activision’s Skylanders concept and apply it to Pokemon.

Iwata confirmed Nintendo’s online service will now be called “Nintendo Network,” which coincides with 3DS’ native ability to sell downloadable content through eShop. Nintendo is also considering the ability to sell “packaged software” (read: retail games) through the Nintendo Network, but it hasn’t decided when to roll out such a feature.

“The decision must be made by taking into consideration such factors as the relationship with the wholesalers and retailers," he said, "and the best way to be embraced by consumers, as well as the environment surrounding the market and consumers, such as the required memory capacity on consumers’ SD memory cards.”

If Wii U comes with a decent amount of hard drive space, this could become an option. It should become an option.

There is other reasons to be optimistic about Wii U’s leveraging of Internet connectivity. Iwata said Nintendo would be introducing the ability to have multiple accounts per system, the machine will include a “variety of different services and content,” and also work to have online systems work across games.

“Whether it’s our first-party titles or third parties’ titles, for a number of games,” he said, “we will actively attempt to achieve compatibility so that our consumers can enjoy our online services that we will deploy under the name of the Nintendo Network.”

When it comes to games, Iwata mentioned a new 2D Mario game is in the works for 3DS but said little else.

“We are planning to release a totally new side-scrolling action Super Mario in 2D as a key title for the Nintendo 3DS in the next fiscal year,” said Iwata.

This mention came just after Iwata promised Nintendo’s next wave of games would be released “without any extreme interruptions.”

http://www.giantbomb.com/news/wii-u-gets-nfc-new-2d-mario-and-more-juicy-tidbits/3942/

 

[rashad]

^Awesome news!

Nintendo Confirms Nintendo Network
Wii U to get individual online accounts.

January 26, 2012

Nintendo has finally confirmed its plans for the Nintendo Network, a formal, branded service for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Outlining the concept in brief during an investor's program, company president Satoru Iwata confirmed the online infrastructure is already in place for the service.

Iwata quickly drew a contrast with his company's previous Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection program:

"Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers."

The publisher's plans are as follows:


Personal Accounts for Wii U - Nintendo will now allow personalized accounts for its next home console, which will allow multiple users per system. Online profiles will no longer be system-based. "We will also be able to construct and offer the [personal account system] by combining a variety of different services and content," Iwata said.

Digitally Distributed Packaged Software -Nintendo is exploring the idea of selling full retail games through the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. The company is not willing to say when this program will start, but it now has the full ability to do so. Iwata noted Nintendo would need to consider retailer relationships first. He also noted SD card space limitations would be another factor. "The significance of this business field will increase," said Iwata.

Paid Downloadable Content - As we've heard previously, publishers will now be able to offer paid DLC for different games, starting with Square's Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, which will allow players to purchase new songs for the rhythm-based game. The title releases in Japan on February 16.

"As a software maker, Nintendo believes that its packaged software should be sold to our consumers in a form so that the consumers will know in advance that they can enjoy playing the software they purchased just as it is," Iwata said. "We believe that our consumers will be able to feel more secure if we offer our add-on content as an additional structure in which those who love the game will be able to enjoy it in a deeper way for a prolonged play time."

Iwata wrapped the Nintendo Network segment of his investor presentation with the following statement: "Whether it's our first-party titles or third parties' titles, for a number of games, we will actively attempt to achieve compatibility so that our consumers can enjoy our online services that we will deploy under the name of the Nintendo Network."

http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1217360p1.html

 

[StrainedEyes]

This news is great and all, but I can't shake the feeling of giving the slowest kid in the race a gold star for finally making it to the finish line. Congrats, Nintendo, online profiles and DLC. Welcome to 7 years ago.

I really wonder how well the online side of the "Wii U" is going to function, Nintendo still seems extremely skittish about the whole thing.

 

[munchie64]

The Nintendo Network is shaping up to be good. Glad for some change.

 

[munchie64]

Nintendo now allies with several new previously unconsidered third parties:
http://www.vooks.net/story-20673--N...w-previously-unconsidered-third-parties-.html

 

[rashad]

E3 is going to be epic.

 

[munchie64]

To rap up the investor meeting:
Wii U:

• User accounts: Wii U will have individual user accounts, rather than one system-wide account.
• NFC: Near Field Communication ("touch" data transmission from accessories, credit cards, etc... sort of like QR/Streetpass combined) will be built-in.
• Online: Miyamoto: "Network has to have a totally new concept to be different."

3DS:

• NSMB 3DS announced: Planning to release a totally new side-scrolling action Super Mario in 2D as a key title for the Nintendo 3DS in the next fiscal year.
• 200 3DS titles in development.
• Nintendo first-party DLC: Nintendo considering DLC for their own software, mentions "Super Mario" as an example: "If a Super Mario user gets tired, we can then sell digital extras which will drive extra revenue, encourage higher communication amongst users, and possible increased satisfaction and hardware install bases."
• More Swapnote-like apps? Because of the success of Swapnote, Nintendo is considering other strategies to benefit from this social behaviour.
• "Path to profits is improve 3DS and focus on software. Super Mario titles will drive a lot of profitability."
• 60% of 3DS users have connected to the Internet; wants to expand digital offering, but at "infant stage" now.
• Iwata: "Nintendo's priority is to satisfy existing 3DS users, as well as to prepare titles that will expand the user base combined with network."

General:

• Third parties: Several new, previously unconsidered alliances/partnerships with third parties.
• Communities: You haven't seen the last of them!
• Retail title downloads: 3DS and Wii U both support digital download of retail titles, but... they still aren't quite sure how to implement it just yet.
• Item billing: "We should not decline third parties if they want to offer item billing" (paying to unlock content).
• DLC: Still planning to offer DLC (possibly talking about their own software), but needs more time to complete its feasibility study on the market and its needs.
• More sharing: "Digital will include user to user communications and sharing" (More social networking integration? More Swapnote-like apps? More emphasis on Streetpass/Spotpass?).
• Better-paced software + DLC: Nintendo has learnt that it shouldn't have stagnant periods between software launches: can fill the gap, and DLC can extend the life of a title.
• Asia: Planning products for Asia, local partners (WiiQue U?) yet to be announced; still issues of copyright.
• This will be Nintendo's worst financial year, but Iwata thinks the company can reach break-even on 3DS hardware in Q3 of this year.
• Miyamoto still around, Iwata angry at Wired. "Miyamoto is saying his basic work is to create a big hit."

Summary from NeoGAF

 

[terry78]

Frankly as long as we get a new F-Zero with 20+ people on wifi, we are good to go.

 

[munchie64]

Frankly as long as we get a new F-Zero with 20+ people on wifi, we are good to go.

Damn right.

 

[terry78]

While it might be kind of stealing Wipeout's idea, if it could be a downloadable title on both WiiU and 3DS and the ability to play it on either/or.

 

[Lily Adler]

Frankly as long as we get a new F-Zero with 20+ people on wifi, we are good to go.

SAUCE. But I doubt they'll do it...

 

[munchie64]

There is going to be A LOT of Wii U (or whatever they're calling it now) at E3. Maybe even some first party launch titles.