E3: Nintendo's New Console Is: The Wii U

[Meathands]

Really? Six pages in and nobody has pointed out that WiiU is the only lyric in the Doctor Who theme tune? For shame, Escapists.

OT: It could be good, but I'm acutely aware that the games I fire up on the Wii most frequently have Gamecube written on the case, and can be played with a bottle in my spare fingers. Until this thing gets redesigned with a beverage holder, I'm out.

 

[BabySinclair]

Cost, that is what this'll come down to. If they can ship it for 300-400 USD they can sell them, otherwise it'll bust. The motion technology has been out long enough to drop that cost but we'll see. You can use the WiiMote and nunchuck so that'll help with the backwards compatibility.

 

[I forgot]

*snip*

The comment you copied is just plain wrong. Last to market never won because notice how the N64, Gamecube and ps3 were all last to market and despite being technically superior, were the worst in sales and number of valuable games.

it's just a generalization often repeated in the industry. there are extenuating circumstances in many cases. N64 for example failed because of the high cost of cartridges compared to discs and the fact the PS1 totally relocated the games market through branding from being "aimed at kids" to chasing after the 18-30 crowd (and in doing so changed the nature of the gaming industry). the Gamecube (much like the Wii) wasn't a direct competitor to the rest of its supposed generation. PS3 meets the 360 almost toe to toe while both are trumped in terms of sales to a far lesser machine. all the generalization implies is that in terms of hardware if you have the most powerful machine everything else being equal you'll come out on top.

Unfortunately, I don't know a single instance that was true. The ps3 and psp haven't come out on top. Having the best hardware never made the best console.

 

[The.Bard]

Let the "WiiU" jokes begin.

Sometimes... just sometimes... something is so stupid that no joke exists that could be anything but a hollow shell of the original lunacy.

This is one of those times.

A. We all knew jokes were coming when the name came out. B. Just felt like throwing the start flag. C. Nintendo will more than likely own this console generation AGAIN. D. Who cares if this line is as empty as a teenage hookers eyes.

No worries, man, I'm not ragging on you for saying it. But I do think the name is so stupid that no amount of jokes can do it proper justice.

I'm really really hoping the Grandmas who powered the soul devouring factories at Nintendo wise up and keep their wallets closed. The more I hear about WiiU the more I want to smash it in its stupid face. If this thing succeeds humanity is dooomed. DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!

... maybe it will release the day the Mayans predicted the world will end. That would be fitting.

 

[Jumpingbean3]

It has potential but I think they either need to change the shape and/or size or move the button, joystick e.t.c to the bottom of the tablet so it will be more comfortable to use. At least it sounds more innovative than the Wii. Seriously though the WiiU? That's the sound a drunken 4 year old makes.

Captcha: wsentra noces.

 

[The.Bard]

That's the Wii U...looks like a snes...me like

What are you smoking, boy? The SNES top loaded, and it was purple and gray. This thing looks like a 360 and GladOS got their groove on.

if glados and a 360 were siblings.

it looks like something from the 90's.

while the xbox and ps3 have a chrome layer that look fantastic. this..... looks like my old phone and an old dvd player went at it. if they were siblings.

Ooooh, good point. Yea, this thing is pretty hideous. The more I look at it, the uglier it gets.

I wonder if that trap door opens and spews vomit at random times while you're playing a game.

But hey, at least we'll have that killer touch screen remote that will probably cost $300 by itself!

Wooooooo! Nintendoooooooooo!

*slaps self in the face*

Ok, I'm better now.

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

The console and controller look pretty damn awesome. Probably as comfortable as an original game boy advance. Although, Wii2 is better then WiiU.

 

[taciturnCandid]

Am I the only one who saw that and thought this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JElywbkSbY


I mean really. Could the name get any worse?

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

That's the Wii U...looks like a snes...me like

What are you smoking, boy? The SNES top loaded, and it was purple and gray. This thing looks like a 360 and GladOS got their groove on.

if glados and a 360 were siblings.

it looks like something from the 90's.

while the xbox and ps3 have a chrome layer that look fantastic. this..... looks like my old phone and an old dvd player went at it. if they were siblings.

Ooooh, good point. Yea, this thing is pretty hideous. The more I look at it, the uglier it gets.

I wonder if that trap door opens and spews vomit at random times while you're playing a game.

But hey, at least we'll have that killer touch screen remote that will probably cost $300 by itself!

Wooooooo! Nintendoooooooooo!

*slaps self in the face*

Ok, I'm better now.

I think it looks like a Wii and an Xbox 360 got together. And was horribly deformed.

 

[littlewisp]

I like it. I like simplicity, and it certainly has that (gimme some ports on top to stash the controller/motes/whatever and we're awesome). Too, that is likely not the final design.

 

[pspman45]

thats a stupid fucking name...

 

[the lapalminator]

wow a nintendo controller i can roll my j's on. how inventive

 

[YunikoYokai5]

So when are they actually announcing the console to go with the controller?

That's the Wii U...looks like a snes...me like

It actually reminds me of an Xbox 360 more... (looks further down the comments. Sees other people say the same thing) Phew! Not the only one XD But I agree with those that say it looks like a deformed wii/xbox. The shape is more xboxy...

I'm also, like a few have commented here, dreading the controller price if you lose (which you may not, seeing the size of it) or break or something. The past 2 consoles (3DS and WiiU) don't seem that great so far. Wonder if Nintendo is going to get a 3rd strike on my list. Actually leaning more towards buying a 360 than a Nintendo console in the future XD

 

[SilverUchiha]

There is a lot of strange negativity to this. From what I've read, this seems like the most impressive showing thus far. However, Nintendo makes impressive showings at E3 (like last year's 3DS) and then it falls flat by being utter garbage when it is released (like this year's 3DS being nothing more than a remake machine... thus far).

Looking at this, I must say Nintendo surpassed my expectations (if this is a system and not just a controller). But I like the idea of incorporating a touchscreen into the mix since Nintendo's DS has been working rather well with that. The line-up of launch titles has me intrigued because most of them are so unexpected. I'm hoping that these bits of news will continue to astound me. Good work Nintendo, now just don't fuck it up like the last one.

(admittedly, the name is silly, but I don't really give a shit so long as it does something interesting).

 

[Gralian]

What an ugly peripheral. That controller looks far from intuitive. I honestly don't understand the focus with user interaction; buttons and analogue sticks will always be the most intuitive form of interaction because of the kinetic feedback the user receives. Touch screens may be good for small hardware that would otherwise have to make use of fiddly controls, but a small touch screen for a big TV? What's the point? Not to mention using it like an actual controller, with buttons and the like, looks like it's going to be a right pain in the arse. Not impressed, Nintendo.

 

[Phoenix_XIII]

I am looking forward to it, making the top screen of a DS your HD tv...and having controller have its down touch screen is just awesome and totally fits with their DS paradigm

wonder how long until sony and m$ take to get touch screens on their controllers

very very cool

Vita. That is all.

 

[Davroth]

Why do I get the feeling that the new Nintendo console might as well turn lead into gold, and people would still be underwhelmed?

I for one am very interested how the 3rd party support is going to work out this time around.

 

[Puzzlenaut]

It should just be called the "Yuu" or something like that. Sounds more in-keeping with with Wii and generally has a better sound to it than the Wiiu

 

[Rafael Dera]

Anyone else disappointed they didn't go for the "Puu"? Y'know, number one was the Wii; number two is the Puu. Would have been perfectly logical.

 

[raankh]

Anyone else disappointed they didn't go for the "Puu"? Y'know, number one was the Wii; number two is the Puu. Would have been perfectly logical.

Lulz!

Piuu~~