Nintendo Wii U

[Elrina]

Nintendo has just been building supbar hardware since the SNES. If the deal between Nintendo and Sony hadn't been axed back in the early 90s, the industry would likely look a lot different right now. That, followed by them releasing inferior hardware each successive generation, led to them basically losing a massive amount of third party support that they never got back (and never really deserved back). They scored big with the Wii mainly because the gimmick was well timed, and made up for the inferior hardware and crappy online.

If they actually release top end hardware that third parties can make HD ports or dedicated games on at a reasonable price point with potential for good profitability, and they shop around early enough and convince the devs it's worth their time, I don't see why it wouldn't succeed. They definitely need to reshape their online policies and network as well to be able to compete with the XBL/PSN, but if they're going all out on the hardware for the first time in twenty years I don't see why they wouldn't or couldn't. There is a ridiculous amount of people that would buy a new Nintendo console simply because it is one, and if they managed to make it affordable out of the gate (i.e. $300 or less from the street date), they could score big. 360 got where it is today partially just because it released early with a strong online dynamic, so even if it resulted in MS and Sony stepping up their game for their next consoles, Nintendo would have the advantage if they're actually going top end and pull off it's online well. Especially since any new MS or Sony console is almost definitely going to cost out the nose.

The Wii was pretty huge, it's generally regarded as the lesser of the current generation, but it outsold both of the others by a pretty ridiculous margin and Nintendo isn't exactly hurting. I don't know how well the market is going to handle all three game companies going head on, Wii obviously succeeded because it wasn't competing head on until MS and Sony finally released their own motion controllers much later, but unless they completely screw up the online side of this new console, I'm reasonably confident that they've got the means and ability to challenge the Xbox and Playstation if they decide to step up to the plate.

Also, there isn't any solid specifications or details, even this article just says there are conflicting reports as to how powerful it will be, just that it will at least be comparable. Nintendo isn't really stupid, and I don't think they would try to compete directly without trying to push the bar. If they release even 6 months before a new rival console, never mind a year+, and manage to have hardware that will be competitive with them at a lower price point, I don't know how they could fail. They would have to leave their online network exactly as it is, or completely screw it up in some other way.

[Spira]

Its really gonna depend on what the specs are like on this new console. As far as I know, Nintendo is at a huge disadvantage because its always been the company that downplays technical superiority for gaming ingenuity (read; gimmick).

If it isn't going to play catch up and instead relies on some new gimmick (say HD Wii or something) then I don't see Nintendo having much of a bright future in the console market. It will still survive like it currently does with first party games and rehashes, but there is very little growth potential - especially if it doesn't up its online game.
If Nintendo decides to join the technology race, they've got some serious catching up to do, first by releasing something that can at least rival the other 2 players in the market (PS3, 360), let alone their 8th generation counterparts. If it doesn't do even that, then its really GG for them.

I suppose 3DS is a sign of embracing new technology, but its also another gimmick. 3D (stereoscopic or auto-stereo) does not belong with serious gaming, as little as motion technology does. And this goes for most of the biggest genres still around - FPS, RTS, MMORPGs and fighters. Thats one of the bigger reasons I feel 3rd parties aren't really keen on developing for them - I believe they are required at some points to utilize the gimmicks when developing for Nintendo, but these don't necessarily add value to the playability of the games.

[Isiolia]

Nintendo has just been building supbar hardware since the SNES.

Eh, I would say more since the N64, though with caveats. Parts of that system were beastly for the day - unfortunately there were also flaws in the design.

Arguably though, that system actually allowed them to make advances in game design. I don't think that could be said of the Gamecube at all, and not really of the Wii either. We've had gimmicky controllers since there have been consoles.

[Spira]

after their deal with Sony fell thru then.. lol

god i still remember buying that stupid Super Scope just to play Yoshi's Safari... and it'd give me a headache, a stiff nick and tired arms..

[Elrina]

If Nintendo decides to join the technology race, they've got some serious catching up to do, first by releasing something that can at least rival the other 2 players in the market (PS3, 360), let alone their 8th generation counterparts. If it doesn't do even that, then its really GG for them.

I don't know why they necessarily need to play catch up. Like I said, while the Wii depended on a gimmick, it has indisputably outsold both the 360 and PS3 by a pretty extreme margin. That doesn't make them any better for real gaming, but it does mean whether we like it or not, their gambit with the Wii's gimmick was a success.

They don't have the experience of a previous high tech console to draw from, but as long as they choose their partners in building it well, then I don't see why they would be going backwards at all. If they want to make something HD that's next gen, and release it late next year, I fully expect it to have the technology in it to reflect it's release point. Both MS and Sony, iirc, have been talking about extended life cycles because right now they don't really feel the need to release new consoles. For how much it will cost them, how expensive they'll be and how much desire people will have to start buying new consoles again when the current gen is fully capable of continuing to make good HD games, the tech boost for them isn't worth the cost right now.

For Nintendo, it is. They've already sold enough, the Wii is now dated with the lack of HD and the competition having their own motion control solutions, and they have the leeway to put out a new console without having to extend the Wii's life cycle. I'm not surprised at this move at all, and I think it'll probably succeed quite brilliantly. They just need to get their online crew in gear and bang out something a lot better for this next system of theirs.

Eh, I would say more since the N64, though with caveats. Parts of that system were beastly for the day - unfortunately there were also flaws in the design.

Arguably though, that system actually allowed them to make advances in game design. I don't think that could be said of the Gamecube at all, and not really of the Wii either. We've had gimmicky controllers since there have been consoles.

Rofl, totally meant to actually write N64 there. Must have had a brainfart or something, but I'm glad you said something because otherwise I might not have noticed. I agree with you.

[Sagacious Sundi]

Hopefully Nintendo creates a console that competes with the PS3 and Xbox, and it'll drive Sony and Microsoft to create a "next gen" console.

This is the only reason why I'm very excite.

Please, god, no. I was hoping this generation would last longer than usually, especially with this acconomie.

[Charismatic]

acconomie.

This just happened.

[ArchDizzle]

Please, god, no. I was hoping this generation would last longer than usually, especially with this acconomie.

It already has been longer then usual.....

Edit in before "nuuh"

PS2 started last generation in 2000 (Not counting Dreamcast for obvious reasons)
Xbox 360 started this current gen in 2005

Making last generation 5 years. We are already almost at 6 years with this current generation with no hopes of anything hitting before next year around year 7. (And that will only be the HDWii so kinda hard to consider it a "next" gen system)

5-6yrs seems to be the average cycle.

This just happened.

Yes it did.

[Mizango]

This just happened.

I was sort of hoping that my mind was playing tricks on me.

[Sagacious Sundi]

This just happened.

More people need to watch Plinkett reviews.

It already has been longer then usual.....

5-6yrs seems to be the average cycle.

Wii: 2006
Rumoured New Nintendo Console: 2012
(Okay, okay, I'll concede. You meant going by 360 release.)

Still, I want it to last significantly longer because I'm cheap.

[Rokku]

This just happened.

Oh man, that's golden.

[Kyo]

It already has been longer then usual.....

Edit in before "nuuh"

PS2 started last generation in 2000 (Not counting Dreamcast for obvious reasons)
Xbox 360 started this current gen in 2005

Making last generation 5 years. We are already almost at 6 years with this current generation with no hopes of anything hitting before next year around year 7. (And that will only be the HDWii so kinda hard to consider it a "next" gen system)

5-6yrs seems to be the average cycle.

Just to add to this, right now developers and publishers are doing so well with 360/PS3 that it would be detrimental to start a new generation of consoles, they already shell out buckets of money for development as it is and a new wave of consoles would make that even more. Microsoft/Sony are still building onto their current consoles. Economies still play a role in this as well, which is also an attributing factor as to why the 3DS is doing poorly as well. We probably wont see new consoles at least till 2014-2015.

Edit: Im counting Nintendo out of the 2014-2015 because im sure they will do some dumb shit with this next console and it will be inferior to the PS3/360.

PS: Microshaft get some more fucking exclusives, Gears 3 only this year isnt cutting it.

[Katlan]

Gotta realize Nintendo's "next gen" should be considered current "generation" for 360/PS3 lol.. They are basically a generation behind Sony/Microsoft since both of these companies now have the same gimicky motion controls

[miokomioko]

Developers would be wise to work with whatever Nintendo has got coming around, especially if they've changed their attitude towards 3rd-party. Their main (non-handheld) consoles do sell.

[Not Kuno]

/crosses fingers

no gimmicky bullshit
no gimmicky bullshit
no gimmicky bullshit

[miokomioko]

/crosses fingers

no gimmicky bullshit
no gimmicky bullshit
no gimmicky bullshit

I'm hoping, but I'm also expecting to be let down. I want some fucking normal controllers as standard equipment. The novelty of motion-controls have worn off most people by now.

[Rokku]

This time the controller will be a full body spandex suit with motion sensors, now you can really feel like you're in the game!

(Power Glove 2.0 awwww yeah)

[Kyo]

Developers would be wise to work with whatever Nintendo has got coming around, especially if they've changed their attitude towards 3rd-party. Their main (non-handheld) consoles do sell.

Sure they sell well, but the attach rate on third party titles is horrendous.

[Not Kuno]

The novelty of motion-controls have worn off most people by now.

The novelty of motion-controls wore off 3 seconds after I turned my system on and it barely worked.

The only thing I like about my wii more than my ps3 is that the wii actually fucking works on my old tv, whereas the ps3 is a complete mess.

[Cheerios]

No hard drive, no user profiles/accounts to track purchases or friends, and a hybrid HD-DVD and Blu-Ray format.

On the bright side, Wii points can now be purchased in any quantity so you'll never have leftover points!