Topic: Feeling sad about Wii U, but also loving it very much

@ThanosReXXX I didn't know about this stuff. Thanks. But doesn't it result in a loss of signal quality?

And what about the Scart to HDMI converter? Does it improve image quality?

The old Wii U saw some use today! I spent a couple of hours questing and beating up Indigens in XCX. I really don't understand why the devs are so fond of murdering Ma-Non, tbh.

@NEStalgia, @NaviAndMii: Yeah, the lack of difference in the picture (to my eyes) is another sticking point for me as well.

@Moroboshi876 You're welcome. No, there's no loss of quality. In fact, the SCART box is more of an amplifier. It cleans up/boosts the signal. And the SCART to HDMI upscales to 720p or 1080p, but of course it's not true full HD, but I guess that goes without saying. It looks clean, though.

@NaviAndMii @Tyranexx Yeah, people, I think associate the jump from HD to 4k (and then to 8k) as the same thing as SD to HD, but it's really not. SD was VERY low res and based on analog transmission. It couldn't actually accurately represent a photographic image with any fidelity, while FHD easily can. While the difference between HD to 4K to 8k is a factor of detail and ppi vs. distance, SD to HD was simply "accurate image versus not".

Not just 8k, but 4k makes a lot of sense as a CAPTURE format. Just looking at TV and highlight reels of events 8 years ago let alone 12 years ago, it looks muted, grainy, and very old. The capture equipment of the time was just so limited to 720p or less. For computers and handhelds getting ppi to emulate paper is a good plan. But for TVs where they're actually pushing it it's the least practical application possible. From a meaningful distance from the screen, a 1080p and an 8k screen (showing content caputured at 8k) won't look very different unless you close in and pixel peep. 8k cameras? Absolutely, an excellent plan, it captures more origin detail, and lends itself exponentially better to post processing without loss and conversion to any lower resolution, allows high density VR applications for said content, etc. 8k display equipment across the room? Silly. Even 4k is silly. On a 100"+ projection surface, yes, the image can look soft at only 1080p and 4k starts making sense. But 4k projection is $$$$$$$$ compared to TVs and remains far from standard unlike TVs (on the one device that really benefits.) They're counting on consumers not realizing the limitations of the eye to perceive such detail at a distance and confusing the overall better picture due to better cameras with being because of the TV. It's a product to sell to have an upgrade to sell people on.

Meanwhile 4k video consumes mega bandwidth, at a time when ISPs (namely Comcast) are starting to add data caps and surcharges for using too much., and optical discs are getting scarcer.

@Moroboshi876 I can totally relate to what you wrote!
I got my Wii U in late 2013, I think, and it's still my all-time favourite console. The dual-screen concept is ingenious and I also hate how circumstances + bad/non-existant marketing ruined the chances of this beautiful system being commercially successful.
It definitely delivered some of the most memorable gaming experiences I ever had and I still have it hooked up and occasionally play it. There are still some games I haven't finished or even barely played.
While I play more on the Switch (which I only relucantly grew accustomed to), I definitely don't want to abandon the Wii U. It's still better in some departments than the Switch is.

@Moroboshi876 Found a good video mentioning some interesting, cheaper options for HD converters for the GameCube, might just be the thing you're looking for:

@ThanosReXXX Thanks! Well, the thing is I have the Wii plugged to the very LED TV where I'd like to plug the GC, but I have to use the latter with a 14 inch CRT that is on the same desk because my LED doesn't appear to have RGB signal (I had a RGB cable and didn't work).

So I have, next to the GC, the easiest solution to play its games on a 32 inch LED screen, but I don't want to play them through Wii's backward compatibility.

@Moroboshi876 Aha... Well, in that case, you have either two options: either a SCART to HDMI converter, or the more expensive option which is mentioned first in the video above, both of which would spare you the need for that extra screen sitting next to your main screen...

Came across this yesterday, kept meaning to post it but then kept forgetting. I think it's pretty cool.

Portable Nintendo Wii U

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Technically, pretty interesting.

Makes you appreciate the Switch even more.

I think it shows what the Switch is.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Do you mean to say that the Switch is a portable Wii U?

It was a necessary stepping stone to the Switch - as ever with Nintendo, we see how they got there and we see later that even unsuccessful ventures being repurposed. Like the original poster, I got my Wii U in early 2015, which was the best time to get one in my opinion as the existing catalogue was now strong, there were 2 system defining games released and as someone who had skipped the Wii, it was an embarrassment of riches as far as games to choose. Given its low sales, Nintendo made almost everything they did for it count. Sure, we got the stop gap Amiibo Festival and Ultra Smash and Star Fox became a stubborn tech demo for some, but this was clearly the moment the wheels were still running but the engine well and truly turned off. The library might not cater to everyone, but for traditional Nintendo players I think they hit so many home runs (but for those there from launch, I don't think it would have been as much fun waiting for the games as it was for those jumping in much later like I did).

@GrumbleVolcano It's possible, but unlikely. Even if it does happen it shouldn't affect the Wii U eShop since even XBone/PS4 owners still have free access to their systems respective store, plus PS4 allows you to use video streaming services such as Youtube, hulu, and Netflix without PS+. Also PS3 and Vita say hi! They both still offer free online.

@GrumbleVolcano Another thing to note is that the Wii Shop isn't closing fully until January 2019 and a few third party Wii games' online servers are closing in May 2019. Also Netflix on Wii will be shutdown in 2020. I doubt that the Wii's online services will actually outlast the Wii U's given the fact that the Wii released 6 years before the Wii U. There's just no way, even with the Wii U being a commercial failure it would be business suicide no ifs, ands, or buts.

I got my Wii U in May 2015 as well. After that it went a little different though. I've used it nearly every day since then. It has seen thousands upon thousands of hours of use. This is counting YouTube, the Internet browser and Netflix though (my TV isn't a smart TV, so these apps are perfect).

I made a wish list containing ~40 games and I'm halfway through right now. The list includes many third party games as well, because I missed most of them when they initially came out (I was nolifing a MMORPG 24/7 in those years...) and now those games are dirt cheap on the U.

Currently having a blast with Deus Ex and next on the list is Tropical Freeze & mopping up The Champion's Ballad. Gotta love all them Switch ports: means I can get those games on my U for even cheaper lol. I have a Switch, but it's used mostly for Odyssey and XC2 right now. The Wii U is seeing a lot more use to this day... And due to my third party situation it feels like it never even had a lack of third party support either. xD

I usually go PC + Nintendo and next to my PC this is probably the console I've had the most fun with, ever. I like the GamePad as well, despite a Fisher Price feeling. For me it's an underrated gem that will continue to live on for years next to its Switch brother.

For a system that was a failure, I have sure gotten a lot of use out of it (3465 hours so far). While a Switch intrigues me and I bought a SNES classic, I plan on purchasing a few more gems (just picked up Bayonetta 1 & 2) over the next year. The pain/cost of rebuilding a library of games + system, and the lack of non-TV play of the SNES classic probably will keep me using the Wii U for now. When I travel, I just throw the SNES Classic into the bag to use on the road.

While I am sad the online features are gone (not that I really used them a lot), it is still a great system. The backlog of games I have (plus the ones I am still looking for) should keep me busy for a while. When all else fails, I will pick up Minecraft and finally give it a try

I've rekindled my love for my Wii U. Got distracted by the PS4 for a while, but it couldn't compete. I actually missed the GamePad and I need to finish my games haha Still trying to complete all my games. I've only finished ZombiU, AC3 & 4, 007 Legends. And I've had my system since launch.....

Wii U is my excuse to delay buying actual new games or systems. Or one of my excuses.

Despite any issues it has, I'm still gonna playing the good games I have for it until somewhere near the end of the year. Bare minimum, I plan on finishing BOTW, beat two more actual retail games (these existed on Wii U sometimes), and replay Wonderful 101. Good use of my time, might do some other things, I do need to at least buy Rainbow Curse already (can't forget about any major Kirby release, ever).

Glad I'm not the only one using it as an excuse! Some of the others are for budget and more important purchases that I need.