Nintendo won’t release to the public its brand new Wii U console until sometime in 2012 (probably holiday next year if we had to bet for that), but given that the widely expected HD system will only be slightly more powerful than the current generation of consoles, PS3 and Xbox 360, some would debate that Nintendo’s caught in between and will be outpaced not long after launch by a much more powerful PS4 or Xbox 720. EA COO Peter Moore (former EA Sports head) doesn’t think that as a problem for the long running gaming company, Nintendo at all, however.
Speaking to IndustryGamers he said, “People will start talking about it being a transitional platform. And I don’t think that’s going to be the case, and here’s why,” Moore told IndustryGamers. “I think the [tablet] controller [is huge]. This is not about specs anymore… This is about, as it was with the Wii, is the controller a unique way of enjoying a game experience, regardless of what the graphic fidelity is?”
Moore just doesn’t see the importance of massive graphical leaps anymore. Gaming audience are less likely to care the way they did about the big graphics bump say, between Nintendo’s SNES and N64.
AM
Aug 09. 2011
As a happy Wii owner I can say that it is not all about specs. The focus on specs should not sacrifice reliability, price point, and gameplay innovations. I hope that Nintendo could have been (they still have the opportunity to) more innovative about the input method in the Wii U. The Wii U controller has many cool features (accelerometer, touch screen [resistive but still good for its purpose], gyro sensor, and classic controllers) and it seems like a pretty good controller (despite its size many who have actually held it feel it is very comfortable). This controller also offers a lot of creative opportunities for developers; however, I do not think that it is ground breaking because the controller has some limitations and the touch aspect has been achieved on tablets. The first limitation of this input device is the fact that only one will come and only that one will be able to connect, this can create a feud over who holds the new controller (it has been said that technically two controllers can connect to the system but Nintendo has no plans for this as price is a concern); another issue is the circle pads, the circle pad on the 3DS is fine and I am used to it, but I would like to have a full grip able analogue sticks because it is more comfortable; lastly, the back triggers are not pressure sensitive (like the ones on the GameCube and classic controller pro). However, most importantly, I feel the new controller does not have the wow factor that we saw with the Wii’s motion controls and it might not be able to capture the hearts of consumers because of this. Now Nintendo still has the chance to surprise us all specially since they have pushed back every press related item for the console to 2012. I hope Nintendo does enhance the Wii U and shows why it is a must have device.
Nintendoro
Aug 09. 2011
I agree. Nintendo should have changed sircle pads into analogue sticks (there is still hope). I like sircle pad on 3DS but home console is another thing. Only time will show if it was good idea. Nintendo is so price aware and it is not making the Wii U a perfect console. It could have many important features if they weren’t so money savers. I want to pay more if console has more, i can’t imagine HD console without HDD. sony has it, microssoft has it…. Why this is an issue with Nintendo?
Nintendoro
Aug 09. 2011
my 360′s graphics are amaizing. Do i want it be better than this? I don’t mind. But it is already clear that Wii U is going outpower 360 so that’s a guaranteed better graphics already. Only a nutt would complain about lack of power with Wii U. Console already is known to support unreal engine 3 and its way more than i expected. I shall wait for this console and love it as long as it works. Plus, the more powerful consoles become, the more unstable and less trustworthy they are. Heating will be biggest issue and that’s a fact
Maus
Aug 09. 2011
I have to agree. Graphics don’t mean much to me. I mean, it is nice that a game might look very interesting, but it isn’t a requirement. I love my SNES games still even compared to current games. They had a good story, good music and were fun to play. If they are fun, isn’t that what games are for?
Captain N
Sep 21. 2011
Um, I like how people are saying its only slightly more powerful than PS3/360 etc. First thing, this was based of the first tech version given to developers, the system is no where near final, so if the first tech units “which were claimed to be 50% more powerful than the current gen” were the first units given out, and at this time, I believe they have handed out either the 3rd of 4th version currently, dont you think they are going to be more powerful as we come closer to a final build? Plus Nintendo stated that the games will be running natively in 1080P …. hardly any games this gen are running 1080P and I believe most of the ones that are are upscaled. So the games are going to look a lot better from day 1. Plus, if the first batch of Wii U games match the last batch of current gen games…Imagine what the last batch of Wii U games will look like when the system is in its final years !!! As for the circle pads, honestly they dont bother me and compared to regular joystcks they arent that much different … people are making it into a bigger issue than it needs to be, plus Nintendo already said the cicrle pads were improved for precision on the Wii U. Now the analog triggers I do agree need to be put back, as those can be quiet useful in certain types of games.