Wii U review Building platforms around fresh gaming experiences is what Nintendo do best, and today they might just have revealed the culmination of that approach. The Wii-U controller adds streaming technology, vastly increased power and the ability to interact with existing Wii and 3DS tech to mark a bold new future for Nintendo gaming.
Of course, Nintendo make a habit of creating new tech that really has to be experienced first hand, and Wii-U is no different. What you don't get from the trailers and tech demos Nintendo premiered earlier today is the pin-sharp clarity of Wii-U's touch screen; the sturdy feel of the controller in your hands; the incredible precision of the gyro sensor; and the countless new ways in which games developers could use this technology.
It's early days, of course, but the handful of different experiences which Nintendo are demonstrating here emphasise that this next step in home console gaming will take many different forms. Most obviously, Nintendo gamers will be getting all those military/sci-fi shooters that bored my pants off in the Microsoft, Sony, EA and Ubisoft conferences yesterday. We'll be getting the likes of Assassin's Creed, Batman: Arkham City and full high definition visuals for the first time just like the other consoles, but of course we'll be getting much more than that.
We'll be getting the games that make Nintendo special on top of all that, and with the promise of greater online integration, Nintendo is clearly looking to hit back at the two main criticisms of the company - that third party games don't work on Nintendo consoles and that their online services aren't up to scratch. It's also reassuring to note that there was also a lot of rhetoric in the conference to suggest that yes, of course Nintendo wants to get its games into the hands of as many people as possible, but it'll always ensure that the 'core' gamer (sorry) won't ever feel left out.
Wii-U has the ability to win on both fronts, and take a swipe at Apple's iPad while it's at it. It is unique enough to recapture the incredible buzz we saw around Nintendo's last home console and it'll cater for the core gamer's needs. It'll serve as an internet-ready tablet device, and connectivity with 3DS means there are further, yet to be discovered ways the tech can be used. Last year's E3 was spectacular for Nintendo; this year was easily as good, if not better. Once again, Nintendo has shone a dazzling light upon the future of videogames and right now it feels like they're going to own it. The rest of the industry can only look on in admiration.
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Took me a while to be convinced to be honest as I didn't feel they presented the tech that well, but the hardware has great potential, and while we may have to wait for a game that other platforms are getting, once the Wii U is out, then we won't see so many games in adverts that say "Only on PS3 and Xbox 360".
I have nothing wrong with the consoles themselves mind as they are fantastic pieces of kit that have sort of caused Nintendo to follow on, I just think the modern games that do well are all FPSes which is my personal least favourite genre.
this is really really cool but all I can think of is how jealous I am
WANT IT NOW PUHLEASE!
How many FPSes does a console need? It would appear the answer is MANY! I've played a few Military/Sci-Fi FPSes in my time, but after Modern Warfare 1 on PC I went off them in a big way. I appreciate Nintendo trying to get in on the FPSes genre, as they have seen the success of the Call of Duty series on XBOX and PS3, but it's not a game that I would buy a WiiU for.
Couple of questions. One: can the tablet run on its own without the actual console on its on, and still play the game, or at least run but not play the game? (Since the game is in the actual console, i dont see a chance of it being played, but just want to make sure). That then leaves us with everything else the tablet could do, but what exactly is that? I already know it has its own games, but can you browse the internet too, you did say it is an internet-ready tablet. So basically, does the actual controller has wi-fi, and what else can it do? Im hoping it does everything an ipad does, face time is already off the list, but maybe you need the console on for tha too.
And secondly, there appears to be only one camera in the back, so how does the screen take pictures of the tv with the camera facing you? Is that got to do with the controller knowing what the screen shows anyway, because its wirelessly connected to the console? that would make sense, because it doesnt show an exact picture of the screen, in the videos i saw, it was a bit different, eg zoomed in, more detialed at wherever you point. So its not a camera, then what is it? Im thinking it must be a pointer, on the control, because then it can know where you are pointing. Ofcourse, it could just be the pointer from the wii remote, as in the videos i saw, there was the wii remote zapper, but im not sure if it was in every video. If it is the pointer, i think it would just be better if the wii u controller had its own pointer, saves bringing out a zapper/ wii remote, i mean a pointer is the only thing the zapper has that the wii u controler doesnt. Might as well just put it on the wii u.
Looks like ONM have done a "U-Turn" (lol u get it) on their stance on third party games and online. It seems these are things we now need and want and power is very important to make these work. Not something that doesn't matter that i've heard them brush away pretty much every time.
The graphics and such are awesome and its pretty cool to see the new system. But once again the graphics only look on par with the PS3 and Xbox. Meaning that in a year or two time when the PS4s and Xbox 720's are shown Nintendo will be lagging behind in the end.
Nice to see the 3DS getting a good injection of first party games though.
Now just give us online profiles and stats and achievements so we can all form our own unique idenity online with nintendo and i'm sold.
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha- *breath* -ahahahahahahaha
Seriously??
The wiiU reveal was confusing and incredibly poorly executed, leading to people not being sure if it was even a console until an hour later when actual info started to come out. Last years E3 was amazing for Nintendo. This year was nothing compared to it, at least as far as the conference goes.
Goddamn propaganda here.
The unveiling was poorly executed and mired in confusion. Articles like this shouldn't have to fill in the major details about this incredible console. And it will be incredible.
Great article though. Probably made me want this more than watching the E3 conference itself has done.
This makes the wii look like a little lost boy.which makes me think,what about all the great titles that were coming to wii? zelda SS pikmin 3 and loads more will all be left behind.
OH YEAH and one more thing.WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD GAMECUBE GAMES?
Personally, I don't feel power is that important. What Neil was saying, however, is that the apparent lack of power and 'core' games is something many criticised the Wii for, and this is something the Wii U will address.
As you yourself say, we have never criticised the Wii for this - we've spent the last five years reviewing genuinely great first- and third-party Wii games and anyone who's read ONM for long enough knows that there are some Wii gems out there if you look hard enough. The problem is the majority of 'core' gamers who dismissed it almost immediately because of its graphics - those are the people Neil was referring to.
HD Zelda is all I needed to see. They showed it and now I. AM. SOLD.
As others have said, do we know how powerful it actually is? I'm just worried it will once again be left behind on the multiplatform releases once the next ps and xbox consoles come out. I missed out on so many great games this generation by not owning one of the other consoles, dont want to see that happen again.
I think the wii u is pretty amazing. When the wii first came out, how many people people thought it was rubbish and a copy of the eyetoy? Now pretty much 90% of families in Britain has one. I think the wii u is different to other consoles. Apart from the DS, I've never seen any console with 2 screens; one of them's the controller! The graphics on that demo film was so crisp and detailed. And Super Smash Bros. I just needed to hear those words from that guys mouth that they were producing a Smash Bros for the wii u and 3DS to want to get one *drool*
I think there are 2 things to convince people - Range of games and price. 3DS didn't sell very well because the line-up was kind of weak and it was expensive, but I think as it's closer to releasing games such as Zelda and Kid Icarus more people are buying. If the wii u had a line-up that included that Zelda and mario game, people will buy it.
Overall, I've quite impressed by the wii u. I think I'll definately get it on the first week like I did with the 3DS, but I think Nintendo still has a lot of work to do to get a majority convinced.
So basicly a very powerful console, with developer friendly architecture on the inside, that can handle brown 'n' bloom shooters that the masses love........ AND it gets HD first party Nintendo titles?
Sounds like the second coming of jesus rather than a new console.
Im sorry but i havent heard of anyone who didnt understand that it was their next console? They both stated it and showed HD graphics which arent possible on the wii... What wasnt to get?
The console itself had about 4 seconds of screen time in the trailer, and it was in the background with the focus being on the controller. Far too many people started asking questions like "is the controller the console?" because of the fact that Nintendo didn't show it properly. Many assumed that the controller was just an extension for regular Wii games, which is natural when you consider the fact that the trailer showed the controller being used for New Super Mario Bros. Like others have said, the console and controller themselves are actually good, but Nintendo did a poor job in advertising both of them clearly.
NINTENDO HAVENT SAID ANYTHING ABOUT ONLINE YET"!!!!!!!!! THIS IS ALSO WORRYING ME!!!!
I'm not convinced that game graphics can go any further than what we have on the 360, PS3 and WiiU to be honest. A lot of games look very realistic these days anyway so trying to push the graphics further is pointless.
Graphics is just a number, that number will keep on going higher, maybe at a decreasing rate, but it surely will carry on going up generation by generation to get better gaming experience. If your not sure, just think what the most futruistic gaming experience graphic wise would be, and confirm that we are not at that point yet.
I.NEED.THIS.RIGHT.NOW.
Quick question: Can you connect multiple WiiU controllers to the console or do you have to use Wiimotes for multiplayer?
We don't know, they haven't shown it yet or commented on it.
Nintendo is kicking butt
GO ONM
looks like sony and microsoft are going down with there motion controled games
i'd love to see a touch screen xbox or playstation controller
GO NINTENDO
Is it true there's no blu ray in it? If that's true, it's a fail. Why having a HD console/media device as powerful as that and not being able to play hd movies? Also, but that's just first impression, controller gonna look too big to the 'hardcore' gamers, I believe.
Look here:
http://wiiu.nintendolife.com/news/2011/06/wii_u_games_using_two_new_controllers_being_considered
I can see a lot of potential with 3DS AR, just because of the ease of being able to display them on the WiiU screen. So many potential cards available at the slide of a finger! Can't friggin wait til AR Mario Party or Warioware
Blu ray is dead for movies already, downloads are very obviously the way forward, so to think that no blu ray means no hd movies is stupid.
Apparently they're 25GB optical discs that are backwards compatible with DVD but not compatible with blu ray, sounds good to me
errm, isn't blu ray owned by sony anyway? i don't think it'll be on a console that isn't a playstation...
Looks amazing. Can't wait! Someone described the controller as looking abit babyish in the newspaper. Looks rather apple like to me!
Streaming and downloads are an alternative, not the way forward, at least for now. Not enough people can stream or download HD movies at a reasonable speed yet. That's why blu ray, or even normal dvd, for that matter, are still NOT DEAD. You might still find one or two shops selling them. (A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1).
No, they only owns some patents as they developed it together with other 17 companies.
I love Nintendo but I'm not convinced by this new console, not in till they reveal some more impressive specs. All I've got from this so far is a pretty impressive controller and a more powerful system that is capable of HD visuals.
Here is what I wanna see. A better homescreen on the console, like xbox 360's dashboard. Easy to update and navigate, speak with friends. It would also be nice if Nintendo developed more partnerships with companies such as sky, zune, youtube. It would also be nice if you had your own account to play on that you could get rewarded on in some way so your friends could look at your profile see how your progressing.
Yes I know I pretty much described the basis of xbox and honest I'm not a fanboy. It just seems that Nintendo are a head in ways such as 'new' ideas and more fun ways of gameplay but Nintendo have serious amount of catching up to do before they try and compete in the 'hardcore' gamer market.
Few more things. If it doesn't have all of those specs and more (dvd player) at least make it cheap (one of the many reason wii is successful).
I think that the Wii U has potential. It's HD and has a unique controler. Most importantly there looks to be a good, quality game line up ie. super smash! Nintendo's targeting casual and hardcore gamers so we need ONLINE ONLINE ONLINE. Then is a win win situation!!!
Now i have seen the remote in hands, it has shown that it wasn't as big and chunky as i thought, which is a relief. The tech looks incredible, the only thing letting it down currently is the games line-up.
Well yeah but it is a year off I think the e3 unveiling was mainly to drum up a lot more 3rd party support so games will be ready for launch next year. But even at the minute it's looking ok.
If Colonial Marines uses the controller screen for the little beeping motion sensor thing beeping and all, I'm sold lol
The is a 99.999% chance I'll b....nevermind who am I kidding, of COURSE I'm going to buy it, the only thing I am not sold on, is how the control sticks are above the buttons........its something I've never seen done before, and I am unsure as too how well that could work, although I hear the are two sets of triggers ( the L and R buttons, I don't know what the technical term is ) on the back, and I'd imagine those would be used, in games where both control sticks are needed.
Not much is shown off so far, but I'm excited for this, it'll have all the first party Nintendo titles I love, but it'll be powerful enough to have 360/PS3 games ported too it, which means I don't need my 360, and can lob the thing out the window, and hopefully on a direct course for Bill Gates's head............and never have to deal, with stupid re-billing, that you have to phone up to cancel, EVER again.....PS: for the people here who only play Nintendo, you have NO idea how well your being treated, compared to Microsoft players, who are treated like stupid cash cows, to be manipulated, and exploited, just felt I'd mention that.
I am always amazed at what Nintendo can do. They are always the one to dive into the deep end and create something truly exciting and original. Microsoft and Sony can keep making blocks with good graphics but Nintendo's consoles will always catch my eye. They did it with the DS, they did it with the Wii, they did it with the 3DS and now there doing it again with the Wii U.
im just worried that the touch controler will take the action away from the tv because u will probly stare at the controler more then tv did u have this problem when u used it
Wow. The Wii U is looking awesome! It looks a bit like a 3DS with the circle pad, I didn't watch E3 so I don't know a thing about it, but it just looks awesome!
Nintendo always come up with bold and brilliant new ideas! No other company can compete with the innovation of Nintendo!
As a die hard fan, I can't wait for the Wii U! Some people have said that by the time that Sony and Microsoft release their next-gen consoles then Nintendo will just be left behind again! That's nonsense because the Wii is of the current generation with the Xbox and PS3. So they won't outdo Nintendo in the next generation in terms of the technology, this is early days so there is still much to be revealed, also nothing is a sure success so they have got to make sure of this one! This is also the only time where i can say that i can wait for it, because i'm enjoying the 3DS a lot! 
i wish i never saw this
now i have to wait a long time to get this 
but anyway well done nintendo loving the new console and controller ..i consider myself a hardcore gamer and this console has deffinetly appealed to me .... i will deffinetly be getting batman arkhum asylum, ghost recon online, killer freaks from outer space, zelda (if they make one which i highly think they will) aliens colonial marines 
