Wii U - The Next Nintendo Console

[Zeroº]

So, it looks like a there have been a lot of rumors flying around in the gaming community due to Nintendo's recent/upcoming lack of game releases for the Wii. And according to GameInformer, there are multiple sources confirming the big rumor: Nintendo is working on a new system that has HD capabilities, might be graphically comparable to the current powerhouse systems, and is probably going to be showcased at this year's E3.

Squeal!

I for one cannot wait to see what Nintendo's new system is going to be like. I eagerly await the Super Wii. My only caveat is that there will have been only one proper Zelda game released on the Wii (Twilight Princess doesn't count 'cause it was a port), whereas the typical Nintendo system sees at least two releases. This also raises my hopes that we might see the revelation of a new Metroid game in the works to be released early in the new system's life, but you never know.

[Mason]

I look forward to big N's e3 presser now. Woot.

[doc O. Mire]

Edit: I just hope I can afford it

[Infinity's End]

Let's come up with ridiculously crazy nicknames for it, k?

HDii
WiiDii
WiiWii
Wii+

[doc O. Mire]

N6400
Super Wii
Playing Catch-up

[Zeroº]

SuperWiiOr
Wii²
Super WiiNES
WiiNES Next
WiiToo
WiiTwo
NGC (Next Generation Console )
Nintendo 六
WiiTakeYourMoney Part 2

[KingBroly]

WiiHD

Pronounce it as one word.

[Zeroº]

WiiNG (Wii Next-Gen)

[MaiAriSquee]

HNNNGG... But... I just got a Wii! ARRGGH!! UGGH. Ssssonofa... I'm always behind the generation!

[HYRUL3]

I read the article on Kotaku during my lunch break today and got very excited. The possibilities for an HD system that plays Nintendo franchises are... fantastic.

I can't wait. I really can't. Taking off all 3 days for E3 so I can see it on TV. It's going to be great.

Hopes for launch titles?

A new Metroid for sure.

F-Zero?

Star Fox?

A new Smash Bros?

Now would be a good time to really try and push awesome, more mature franchises like the above four. Well, Smash Bros isn't so much a "more mature" title as it is awesome and universally loved and appreciated.

[kronoridley]

Graphics comparable to current powerhouse consoles? I doubt so, as I remember Nintendo saying that they wouldn't make a Wii HD because they said that they will wait till the next highest pixel count appears, so they won't need to catch up again.

[TheBlackCat]

WiiHD

Pronounce it as one word.

Nice, but this is Nintendo we're talking about. Then again, that is the same company that has their mascot eating magic mushrooms...

They are saying now that it is going to be considerably more powerful than the PS3 or X360. That isn't surprising considering the amount of time that has passed. However, there has to be more to it than just that. Nintendo has stated that they need something more than an HD Wii, there has to be more substantial changes.

Companies are also saying Nintendo intends to retake the hard-core market. A simple HD Wii won't do that. They may even try to change the branding more.

If they are going to retake the hard-core market, besides HD graphics at the very least they would need much more storage space, blu-ray discs, a much better download service, and a stand-alone (i.e. not add-on) traditional controller. Whether they do any of these things remains to be seen. If they don't include HD 3D support they are almost certainly going to lose out when their competitors announce their systems (which almost certainly will have HD 3D) at the E3 after (since the release is not predicted happen until the end of 2012).

[yodanut]

Well, the rumor now is that the controller has a touch screen on it, so maybe it's the WiiDS!

Seriously, I missed the crazy speculative hype that builds around a console launch. Time to move into full gear.

I remember Nintendo saying that they wouldn't make a Wii HD because they said that they will wait till the next highest pixel count appears, so they won't need to catch up again.

Nothing more than PR babble to defend the Wii's woefully underpowered GPU. There won't be a higher pixel count for quite some time, and even if we had such displays, consoles would almost certainly take time to fully use them as they did with HD. As others have said, making a console at least as powerful than the current generation is a no-brainer. To make it more powerful is a smart move, but let's be honest with ourselves: it may be more powerful than the current gen, but it will almost certainly be fairly less powerful than Microsoft and Sony's next gen. The next Wii will be like the 3DS, more powerful than its current competitor (the PSP in the case of the 3DS), but much less so than the future competitor.

Nonetheless, finally seeing Zelda and Metroid in HD will be awesome, and if it supports stereo 3D all the more so!

[doc O. Mire]

Wait... could the games still be played without an hd television, just at a lower resolution?
Anyways, I'm glad they're releasing a new console, as from what I know from my friends' wiis, they seem to break after three years, and min will be three years old this summer

[HYRUL3]

IGN reported in their article that they have multiple sources stating the controllers have a touch screen.

That'd actually be pretty cool. Interact directly with the game, have more buttons that adapt depending on the game...