Topic: If it's a successor to the Wii U- will we have backwards compatibility?

With everyone suggesting the NX has to use a similar architecture to the PS4 and XB1 to gain 3rd party support, there is the inevitable question of will we lose backwards compatibility? The Wii U has had some really fantastic games that only a small percentage of the gaming community have experienced, and it would be a fantastic selling point to non Wii U owners to buy the system and immediately have a library of brilliant titles like 3D world, Bayonetta 2 and MK8- even if they were downloadable from the NX eShop. Imagine if instead of Zelda U being moved to the NX platform, it released alongside the system and was compatible, much like Majora's Mask did with the N3DS.

Do you think 3rd Party or Wii U game compatibility would be better for the NX, or is there a way we can have both?

I think 3rd party games is what Nintendo should be focusing on. They need to leave the PowerPC architecture behind. Whatever the NX is going to be, (either ARM or x86) if the NX is a home console, it should not be backwards compatible due to a similar architecture, even though backwards compatibility with the Wii was one of the things that sold me on a Wii U.

I think it's going to get to a point where Nintendo will just drop backwards compatability.
They really need to be able to choose the hardware that suits what they want to achieve with their next console. They shouldn't be held back by picking the same tech over and over again because of a few people who want to play their old games on one console.

If it is compatable with Wii U games, it would also have to be compatible with Wii (due to most of the Wii U games using Wii accessories), which means more money being put into the system, which means the system could cost more than the PS4 or XONE...which would not be a good starting point for nintendo. If nintendo makes the next console $300 or less, they have a good chance of competing, but they first need to showcase some fantastic games, have more than just a few games at launch, have the launch games become amazing (Mario, Zelda, Metroid and some 3rd party titles that are exclusives), and also have some really good functions. Plus, I think they need just a regular controller. Advertise and get 3rd parties back...3rd parties are needed no matter what nintendo fans state. The 3rd parties fill the gaps between nintendo's major release titles, and gives consumers more game eras to choose from.

Gasp, if it's not backwards compatible, then we can't transfer the VC games over to the new system? I don't want to rebuy all the VC games again, it would widen the wealth gap between the poor/middle class and the rich via transfer of wealth.

I'd prefer it if it wasn't compatible. One of the biggest problems with the Wii U is the lack of 3rd party support. I'd like to see Nintendo making it as easy as possible for other publishers to make games on their systems.

However, I didn't own a Wii, so I'm glad that I can play Wii games on my Wii U such as Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess.

If it doesn't have backwards compatibility, I suppose I'll just hold on to my Wii U.

If it does, then I'll still hold on to it. Haha.

I really hope so. The Wii U is the worst selling Nintendo system aside from the virtual boy, so there will be quite a few people interested in the NX that will not have Wii Us.

But let's look at the PS3/PS4. The PS3 wasn't exactly a failure and the PS4 doesn't have (proper) backwards compatibility. Anyone that wants to play the PS3 library either has to...
A) Buy a PS3.
B) Get PlayStation Plus.
or C) Buy one of the remakes/remasters.

Nintendo could do the same thing (and if they did, we'd see even more "Nintendoomed" articles).

And if the PS4 had PS3 BC, I'd own one right now. But it doesn't, and the PS4 only JUST became a valuable purchase a month ago with Bloodborne.

IMO, the remakes and remasters are terrible cash grabs, I'm not going to want to spend 50-60 dollars on a game I can buy for 20 dollars or less with a slightly weaker resolution.

I really think that this is why they are trying wii VC so that they can prepare to drop native BC. If they get a hit with Wii VC I could see the next system (whatever it is) having WiiU VC. If they do that I think they will start selling the gamepad as a stand alone. (or make a new one for the new system) Either way I'll hold on to my wiiu systems.

I think the nintendo bono should just not be backwards compatible. I don't like the retro, vc, nostalgia experiences. I'm looking for new ones.

@foobarbaz I'd say that is proof that Sony did a great job marketing the system because I am hearing library complaints from many of the regular customers at my gamestop. (not knocking the system personally...I'll get one when the library expands more)

Why do people expect consoles to have backwards compatibility? Isn't the point of a new console to play new games? If you want to play Wii U games get a Wii U. Besides generations seem to blend together now. Companies are reluctant now to discontinue a current gen system when the new one comes out. Take the Xbox 360 and Xbox One or PS4 and PS3.

The point of backwards compatibility is to have early adopters have plenty to play and have consumers investment in your last product not go to waste. Especially with digital download games, I think backwards compatibility is a must now. It would be weird if when I upgraded my PC I lost all my steam games, that is what Xbox One and PS4 did and I don't like it. I imagine if Microsoft had all your digital downloaded games BC on the Xbox One they would be selling better. I invested hundreds into the 360 and all that is just gone.

Nope, no system transfer or anything...it will also require you to make a new NNID and everything as well. Speaking of that, monthly fee, be ready for the next generation guys.

And thus is a downside with buying digital. Besides if I were to buy an Xbox One I still have my 360 it's not like my 360 is going to disappear if I buy an Xbox One.

However most of your customers are wanting to upgrade their hardware, not buy another system. People want to take advantage of GameStop's trade in policies or at the very least unplug their old console to plug in their new one. I think expecting a consumer to hold onto their old system is a little ridiculous. People don't hold on to old DVD players when they get a Blu-ray Player. People don't leave their old computers hooked up when they buy a new one. People don't add a new line for their new phone. They replace their current hardware. I think no backwards compatibility is a negative against a console and we should expect more. Some people have space to have all their consoles plugged in, most do not. If consoles were only backwards compatible with digital downloaded games, it would be a bonus to go digital, which most companies want us to do, and it would still allow physical collectors to collect their physical consoles. Backwards compatibility doesn't negatively effect people that hold onto their systems, only those that can't afford to hold onto them.

Thing is though when a new gen hits companies don't end the production of the last gen right away. You can pick up a console from last gen cheap. Besides as I said if I buy a new console for new games. I didn't by a PS4 to play Batman Arkham City if I want to play that I would have bought a PS3.

With backwards compatibility replacing your old console with the new version means you can still play games released for the older system. Lets say you can play Arkham City on both PS4 or PS3, but PS4 is the newer machine, which system do you buy? If you can only play it on a PS3 then what do you buy? If you bought a PS3 how long will you be a consumer for Sony then? You just bought a PS3, you are unlikely to buy a PS4 soon. So they basically lost you as a consumer for their current line of hardware, at least in the short run. However if the PS4 had backwards compatibility, you could buy the PS4, play the PS3 games you wnat, and still be a consumer for Sony's new software/hardware. I know there are a lot of other factors that play into buying a console but I wanted to boil it down to simplicity.