Nintendo Wii U

[Pikarya]

One thing I can tell you, they haven't made one "good" controller since the Gamecube generation. Ergonomics seems to be a big problem with Nintendo.

[Qalbert]

rumor was wiimote or wiimote 2 as primary controller, and the screen one is more for special uses.

[Qalbert]

oh and from joystiq

Nintendo has officially announced its intention to release a new console in 2012. According to a note published this morning on the company's Japanese investor relations website, "Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011."

The terse announcement does nothing to clear up rumors surrounding the system, which has been paired with high-definition graphics, motion controls and a handheld touch screen. Less trustworthy industry sources have even indicated that the system's rumored codename, "Project Cafe," hints at its ability to shoot a cappuccino directly into your gaping mouth.

According to the investor note (posted after the break), Nintendo plans to show off a playable model of the Wii successor during this year's E3, which takes places in Los Angeles from June 7th.

To whom it may concern:

Re: Wii's successor system

Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011.

We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Sales of this new system have not been included in the financial forecasts announced today for the fiscal term ending March 2012.

[Isiolia]

One thing I can tell you, they haven't made one "good" controller since the Gamecube generation. Ergonomics seems to be a big problem with Nintendo.

Since the SNES I'd say. It was the last standard controller they made that was universally good. The N64 and later Gamecube controllers got exceedingly more niche. For some titles, like first-party ones designed around them, they were good. For others, they were awkward at best.

Arguably, the same could be said about the hardware in general. Their consoles have increasingly been designed around the wants/needs/etc of their internal devs.

[Apelila]

Other's have already said this but I'll throw in my 2 cents.

It makes perfect Sense for Nintendo to do this now, and if the console is DX11 compatible it's going to make the start of Gen 8 very interesting.

If Nintendo does this now they have 2+ years of enjoying ports / original games in direct competition with PS3/Xbox. This is probably the Wii's current biggest disadvantage: For its larger install base, it is technically technologically a generation behind the 360/PS3. When was the last time you saw a triple platform release? 2009? 2008? Was the Wii version even similar or a completely different game due to the difference in technology & controls?

By releasing a console that can take ports, they can enjoy ports of the quality games that typically come out at the end of a consoles life. By making the system more powerful, their version might actually look better. That's a lot of 'might' and assumption, but it paints the picture. Depending on what the new controls add, it's not a bad position.

Remember also that just because the controller might have a screen, doesn't mean its going to have a fancy ass processor in there. It will need to be good yes but it wouldn't need to be too good. Nintendo got away with charging us 80$ a pop on the Wiimotes, but it was split across the Wiimote, Nunchuck and Motion+. More on controllers later. I will say if the controller is able to run Virtual Console games without the main system powered on that would be cool. Not holding my breath for that tho.

Another fun thing to consider is that if the console is priced right it could end up stealing from the 360/PS3 userbase towards the end of their life. More so the 360, as those have a much higher failure rate. If presented with the option of buying another 360 because your 4 year old console just red ringed for the 3rd time, or upgrading to a 'better' system that will hold out new release wise for at least another 2+ years for the same price I know which one I'm taking. Hell, is anyone actually going to buy another MS/Sony Console in their first year of release after the bullshit we went through in this generation? I'm not saying the Wii didn't have its hardware failures, especially the very first shipments. But I will bet money that there are multiple people in this thread who've replaced a 360 and/or PS3, or known someone who had to personally and not like a 'friend of a friend had to' sort of thing. Hell, out of my circle of friends I can count 10 off the top of my head that are on Xbox #2 or greater. One is on refurb #6. If Nintendo gets Steam on that bad boy like Sony has, watch the fuck out. Speaking of online though,

Ways this could fuck up as already mentioned:
Friend codes. Jesus titty fucking christ they need to fix their online system.

Also, DLC not transferring between consoles. This is less of an issue(really!) but it does create a potential PR nightmare. The way the Wii Authenticates DLC at the moment is Wiitarded. Not being able to transfer the downloads could be a big liability if they try and court old Wii owners to the new system. Like I said it isn't a huge issue, because if you think about it everything we're downloading this generation will someday become unplayable. But advertising that the system can play Wii games but can't transfer content is just going to invite a bunch of christmas news stories about how little Jhonny is sad he has to pay for Zelda:OoT again if he wants to play it on his new system.

Overpricing the god damn thing. America's probably about to enter round #2 of the recession, anything over 400$ is a terrible idea. And even then I think that is too high. Look at the PS3 when it came out for 5/600. People said hell to the fuck no, and that was a system that was guaranteed some of the greatest games in this last generation.

The controllers. The Wii has a main gimmick controller and a cluster fuck of add on's. By releasing 2 seperate controllers, ie Wiimote 2 and WiiTouch they make the system harder to develop/plan for.

Thinking their going to pull a 360 and end up pulling a Dreamcast. MS got a lead this last generation by launching early, forcing Sony's hand and throwing money at the game division. Nintendo has money, but they're also launching a console at a potentially hostile crowd. And there's nothing to say that just before the thing is release Sony or MS wont show off their Next gen systems and torpedo the launch. Anyone remember the massive tsunami of hype for the PS2 and how it helped to obliterate the Dreamcast? If in 2012 Sony/MS are able to show, and give a release date for their next systems before this next systems launch it would be very bad for Nintendo.

Holy shit I wrote a lot. I'm going to sleep now.

[Cantih]

Since the SNES I'd say. It was the last standard controller they made that was universally good.

^
And there's a reason why you still see the SNES layout on PS controllers even after three generations, because it's fucking perfect.

[Mizango]

^
And there's a reason why you still see the SNES layout on PS controllers even after three generations, because it's fucking perfect.

Yezzir.

[Hyan]

My only hope is that there won't be many if any third party exclusives. I don't want to buy yet another console to be able to play what I want to play. Especially when the 'true' next gen consoles aren't that far away anymore.

Otherwise, this seems good.

[Kurokikaze]

Wonder how far ahead of PS3/360 it'll be. In terms of specs/openness...

[Akiyama]

Nintendo ahead? lol

[XalienLevi]

This should be interesting, from the leaked pics of the supposed controller (exact lay out as the XBOX + screen in center) and news of this new console using Blu Ray it seems Nintendo is going for the other guys' market share.

[Hyan]

The specs are probably a bit ahead of the current consoles but not like it matters..

I wonder why the hell would anyone buy this shit for any other reason than to play a HD Mario. And if they try to sell this thing with many third party exclusives I'll go and punch them in the dick.

[dejet]

Apelila: 4 PS3s(3 of my own and one for my brother) and not one has died. My old ass one that I bought at over $500 a month after it came out is still kicking. Ill buy a SONY product(if they can fix online lol) MS i may very well pass on till its proven it can work. On my 3rd Xbox 360 and. My old ass Xbox still works, why do 360's crap out so much? lol

As for if id buy the next gen from Nintendo? Thats a maybe, the wii was crap for what I liked. No HD(I no they should fix that...) 90% of the games are crap(to me anyways) and a lot of the decent ones just dont have lasting value to me. The Wii was a good idea, and made them crazy money, its just not a system a gamer would buy over a 360 or PS3. Its one you would buy after if you like a few games.

I am going to go based on track record, and I think the winner there is SONY > MS > Nintendo. this is all based on my opinion, but for the most part id say a lot of people would side with me in that the Wii failed hard for any real gamers.

[sruon]

Wonder how far ahead of PS3/360 it'll be. In terms of specs/openness...

Seeing how fast Nintendo moves when it comes to technology... probably 2 Gamecubes worth.

[Ragnell]

So guys lets have a Vote on the Hype for this thing

Who's hyped?

[Insanecyclone]

Not being hyped until I see it in action.

[Ragnell]

>mfw i'm hyped about this

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5134/kingpin.jpg

[Ragnell]

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/8391/kingpin2.jpg

[Katlan]

Is anyone else not impressed w/ the controller? idk if it pushes 1080p or w/e to that controller, if I want to watch something on a small screen I have my 3DS, Iphone, ect... type of devices. I don't want to have to deal w/looking at a controller that will arguable have a smaller screen then other portable devices while playing a home console game. If this turns out to be the main "gimmick" of the console.. i dunno.. obviously have to see it in action, but it doesn't impress

[izembo]

Is anyone else not impressed w/ the controller? idk if it pushes 1080p or w/e to that controller, if I want to watch something on a small screen I have my 3DS, Iphone, ect... type of devices. I don't want to have to deal w/looking at a controller that will arguable have a smaller screen then other portable devices while playing a home console game. If this turns out to be the main "gimmick" of the console.. i dunno.. obviously have to see it in action, but it doesn't impress

pretty much this. honestly, i just want motion gaming secondary, not required as well.