E3: Wii U Lineup Impresses

[nima55]

Nintendo WiiU
sucky name
great game(s)

lol =P all joking aside im really excited also i really don't understand the people saying it's way to big, I just don't get why it's size would affect how fun it is as long as you can reach the buttons.

 

[Condor219]

So, wait, if the full-size things are WiiU's, is the portable console called a WiiTouchU?

 

[StriderShinryu]

Yeah, I fail to see anything overly impressive here. Ports of stuff we can already get on consoles we already own and glorified minigames/tech demos doesn't not an impressive line up make. It may appear that at this point the WiiU will be less of a joke than the Wii was, and I do appreciate the full backwards compatibility for peripherals (though that really just means Nintendo will keep gouging you when you buy their old tech just like with their old games), but there really is nothing impressive here unless you're a fanboy of the Nintendo variety.

Arkham city and ilk looks as good as the ps3 vision? So the next gen console.... Is as good as the current?

Welcome to the world of the Nintendo Fanboy. Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[babinro]

I'm not remotely sold on it yet.

The controller seems awkward, the examples shown via the touch screen feel like they will be used on very rarely in reality. Taking your eyes off the TV to manage from a controller interface sounds like taking a step backwards, not forwards. The name is simply awful (not that a name has any bearing at all on my decision to purchase something).

Of course, these are all knee-jerk reactions to what little I've been exposed to up till now. I'm more than willing to give Nintendo time to put my concerns to rest.

 

[Jumpingbean3]

I have to admit I was kinda jaded by the Wii and the controller needs work (I think it could still work as smaller, standard shaped controller if executed correctly) but so far I'm relatively impressed. Nintendo seems to be learning it's lesson from the Wii and trying to appeal more too A) it's original audience and B) the people who liked the PS3 and 360 both of which, I feel, are good decisions. It's also good to see that the graphics have caught up with the competitors. Yeah on the surface it's not saying much but considering modern graphics I doubt there's much left to improve and there's a good chance the graphical differences will only be marginally different.

Overall the Nintendo WiiU (seriously?) looks to be, in the words of Starscream:

"Extreeeemely promising."

 

[senobit]

Stupid, stupid name, but its looks like it has a lot of potential. With the DS Nintendo have had the last few years of practicing integrating touch controls with games, so I'm not so sure it will be as gimmicky as people seem to be expecting.

As for possibly not being as poweful as the next-gen xbox or PS, who gives a shit, since when did polygons equal more fun. I'll take the chance on something being innovative with new options for gameplay over another Halo with extra shiny textures or a new metal gear with more angst.

 

[Kaland]

Wow. Nintendo got third party games. They must be so frigging proud.

Yeah, you you know what else has all those games? The Ps3. Oh, and the 360.

This is pathetic. They couldn't even manage something like Mass Effect 3. Hell, they didn't even manage Overstrike. They got games that are going everywhere, games they'd have to gop out of their way to not get on their system. Congratulations Nintendo, your third party su;pport is now where it was at for the Gamecube.

Damn, you sound pissed!
By the way, how do you know that they're not getting ME3 or Overstrike? We have no idea how much experience companies like Bioware have got with this consoles development tools for the system yet. Just because it's not announced at the earliest possible time, doesn't mean it definatly won't happen.


As for me, I don't really care about the third party games since I've already got the current generation consoles. As the lineup exists now it seems decent, but I suspect most people with either a 360 or PS3 would care that much about it. What makes me excited are the prospects of its future. The first party games with (finally) gorgeous HD graphics, and the inevitable 4 player platformers (both 2D and 3D) where people can wander off the camera from the TV screen..(or so I hope, with the controllers having its own screen and all.) The Wii is my favourite current generation system for platformers, and the Wii U sets itself up to continue that trend with these controllers. HD 4-player Zelda in the style of four swords wouldn't be wrong either. Sooner or later, some exclusives will come around too, capitalizing on the system's unique features.... that, and tons of shovelware. =)

 

[CrystalShadow]

Nintendo have been very successful with all of their controllers so I'd be surprised if its uncomfortable.

Again, none of them were big square blocky looking things with a giant touch screen in the middle. This is a new kind of controller, and pointing at all their previous traditional controllers doesn't do much to say that something so different will be comfortable.

Plus, I think you forgot about this monstrosity: http://n64controller.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/n64controller.jpg

Oh give me a break. The N64 controller may be weird-looking, and confusing if you don't get why it was designed that way, but it is not even remotely uncomfortable to hold.
Personally, I find it more comfortable than gamecube controllers, and I would prefer an N64 controller to a GC one were it not for the fatal flaw in the N64 analog stick that means they have little if any durability.


Anyway, I'm curious how hackable these new controllers will be. It was notoriously trivial to hook up Wii remotes to a PC, thanks to bluetooth.
But... I'm at a loss as to what kind of wireless protocol makes it possible to stream HD video to (presumably) 4 portable displays in realtime.

 

[BanthaFodder]

I'm laughing my ass off at all the idiotic fanboys here who can't comprehend a Nintendo console being hands-down BETTER than every other home console available...
FUCK YEAH, ALIENS.
THE SECOND SCREEN ACTS AS A MOTION TRACKER. OH SWEET JESUS.

 

[BanthaFodder]

*watching Sony's conference
"the Sony Vita has new features like... and augmented reality..."
*months after the 3DS did augmented reality in a handheld
"and dual cameras..."
*years after DSi had dual cameras in the front and back
"and a touch screen..."
*years after DS had a touch screen

PS3 rules, but Sony's handhelds are, have been, and always will be SHIT.
Nintendo innovates, Sony does it's own little thing, and Microsoft does the same thing over and over and over. 'tis the natural order.

EDIT: not to mention, the N64 was the first one to have dual sticks. if you wanna REALLY nitpick, it'd be Raiders of the Lost Arc on the Atari 2600 (it used 2 standard controllers for 2 sticks)

 

[WanderingFool]

WiiU, Me, Us? As a Nintendo fan the name is questionable, but everyone will get used to it if it doesn't change anyway.

At least it's not called Nintendo Vita.

HAHA! Im so late to this party...

Sounds impressive, but Why would I buy the WiiU if most of those third party games mentioned will be on the 360 or PS3? If they want to interest me, I want to see some of those oh so lovely first party titles.

 

[CrystalShadow]

I don't have a problem with Sony too much, I just hate the fact that they constantly wanna bash Nintendo. (yet they copy Nintendo lol)

I'm not bringing this up to be a dick, I'm genuinely asking this because I'd like to hear an opposing view, but in what ways do Sony copy Nintendo? The whole motion control thing was done on the Eye-toy years before the Wii did it, it just didn't have the full weight of a company behind it... And I'm pretty sure Sony were innovating when they kicked off all this craziness in earnest with the PS1...

Thats my view anyway, thoughts?

lolimage

Sigh...

The whole motion control thing was done on the Eye-toy years before the Wii did it, it just didn't have the full weight of a company behind it.

Like I said, motion controlling/you are the controller shite was 3 years old when Nintendo took an idea from the PS2, and made it the whole experience. All the Wii proves is that Nintendo are masters of marketing... But you know what, your weak ass response was all I needed to know about whether or not this could be an interesting conversation. Don't bother replying, you'd be wasting both our time.

Uhuh. Look The eyetoy was unique in implementation, in that nobody had really done much research on that kind of thing with cameras.

But, ever seen the control schemes for early 90's VR systems? How about Nintendo's frequently referenced Powerglove? How about the Sega Activator?

Tilt based controllers for earlier game consoles? (Atari 2600 for instance).

Nintendo based a control scheme around motion, as did sony. Sony's tech was actually more innovative (but thus, at the time, less practical), while nintendo went with technology that has been in use since the 60's or 70's in other contexts.

But, the concepts, even for gaming purposes go back to the mid-80's at the very least. People really do have myopic vision for these kind of things.

As for the PS1 being innovative... Yeah... In what way is a game console that started life as an Snes CD add-on (And has a controller layout to prove it.) innovative?

It's more like the end result of a business deal that went sour, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if a substantial portion of the PS1's abilities were closely related to what Nintendo originally asked Sony to build them.
But, given that such things are probably business secrets (if anyone even remembers such details all that well after all this time), we'll probably never know for sure.

 

[BanthaFodder]

to all of the butthurt fanboys whining,
"NNNOOOOOOO!!!! IT'S JUST THIRD PARTY GAEMS!!! SONY AND MICROSOFT HAVE HAD THOSE!!! JUST LOOK AT MICROSOFT, ASIDE FROM HALO, GEARS, AND FORZA, THEY HAVE NOTHING BUT THRID-PARTY GAMES!!! WE HAD IT FIRST!!! NINTENDO SUCKS!!! IT HAS TO SUCK!!! I NEED TO JUSTIFY THE 360 I REPLACED 4 TIMES, NINTENDO HAS TO SUCK, EVEN IF IT'S GOOD, IT SUCKS!!!"
and all that, the WiiU has advantages over the other consoles.

take Ghostbusters on the Wii for example. it had awesome motion-controlled proton packs, but had to take a hit in the graphics department to work. now? THERE'S NOTHING TO COMPROMISE. the WiiU can handle the innovation AND the graphics. this proves that the WiiU is the best console to get thrid-party games on.

take Aliens Colonial Marines. on any other console, you'll probably have the standard HUD and such.
the WiiU version? the second screen acts as the Motion Tracker, adding a nice extra layer of immersion to this tasty-ass sandwich.

accept it. WiiU beats PS3 in the graphics department and 360 in the games department. it wins.

 

[BanthaFodder]

I'm laughing my ass off at all the idiotic fanboys here who can't comprehend a Nintendo console being hands-down BETTER than every other home console available...

I'm laughing my ass off at fanboys who seem to think being more expensive, having less support and having an awkward controller makes something "hands-down BETTER".

all the reports are flying in that the controller, while awkward looking, is actually incredibly comfortable. one argument debunked.
they have not announced a price yet. two arguments debunked.
the latest video shows SOME of the games being released in the FIRST year of the WiiU's release. WiiU obviously has TONS of third-party support. and there, you have NO arguments to stand on.

but then again, this IS the Escapist.
where Nintendo is automatically bad. even if it's the best thing at E3. it still SUCKS!!!
BECAUSE IT'S EXPENSIVE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED A PRICE!!!

and no matter how expensive it gets, there's no way it'll top 599 US dollars.

 

[Kaland]

Nintendos announced it ccan only support one of those screens at a time - so no, you can't have four people wandering in different directions and have all four views show up on the screens.

Really? : ( ...I didn't pay enough attention then. Damn, that was todays biggest disappointment...I'm not as excited about local multiplayer any more then. Anyway, thanks for making me aware of this! : )