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Topic: Is there a Wii upgrade yet?

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Deckie

We're still playing on our Wii but it's been looking very dated for sometime now and the online multiplayer server was closed down ages ago (I believe). in particular, the graphics looks very low res after seeing what today's range of consoles produce like the PS4, Xbox, etc. I would have thought Nintendo would have brought out a more recent version by now but doesn't look like it as far as I can tell. The graphics on the Switch reviews appears to look great at 1080p (in the equivalent TV mode) but is it a Wii upgrade? As far as I can tell, no it isn't and I don't think the Wii U was either. We're not into RP or FPS games so what about HD versions of all the activity games available on the Wii like the archery, bowling, fencing, athletics games, etc etc. What about the great games for the balance board like the running, cycling, all the balance control games, tracking your weight, etc? The Mario Kart 8 graphics looks to be a great improvement on the Switch but on the Wii you can fit the controller into an actual steering wheel!! Can you do that on the Switch? Also, it appears to me that the Switch is now similar to all other consoles in that the games are meant to be played while sitting on the couch.
What do you think? Have I got it all wrong or is that why people are still playing on the old Wii?

Deckie

GoldenGamer88

The Wii was a one of a kind console. It very much captured core gamers as well as casual gamers alike. The WiiU was supposed to be its successor, its upgrade as you will. Now, the WiiU did offer WiiFit U as well as WiiPartyU to its more casual audience. But that audience had long migrated over to mobile gaming and over the lifespan of the WiiU, it became apparent that Nintendo had given up on that boat (though if you ask me, are trying to advertise to that very group now with their mobile gaming endeavors like Pokémon GO, Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes or the recently released Animal Crossing Pocket Camp). That trend continues to this day on Switch. Now, the Switch‘s Joy-Cons do have Wiimote Motion Plus technology in them so I think it‘s possible for them to return to Wii Sports, Wii Fit and so on. But the Switch is not even a year old and continuing these series is not a priority to Nintendo for the moment.

In conclusion, no, there is not a Wii upgrade if WiiU is not to your liking. I don‘t know if there are still that many gamers who still use Wii as their main console. Most of Nintendo‘s core audience has already upgraded to at least WiiU, which is downwards compatible with Wii software. You can very well play games standing. Nobody‘s forcing you to sit down while watching tv or playing games, especially with Switch being a handheld device, just sayin.

Edited on by GoldenGamer88

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Deckie

Thanks GoldenGamer88, I think you are right in that Nintendo have given up on that platform. I don't know why, it was indeed one of kind yet popular enough for Nintendo to state that they're hoping the Switch will reach the Wii sales levels. When I looked at the Wii U it didn't appear to be the same in many respects, the balance board was what made the Wii great for us. I guess you can play any game standing up but it's the activity aspects of the Wii games that make the difference. I assumed people were still using the Wii from the number of posts on the Wii forum. We'll have to stick to the old Wii then and give up hoping!

Deckie

StuTwo

Deckie wrote:

We're still playing on our Wii but it's been looking very dated for sometime now and the online multiplayer server was closed down ages ago (I believe). in particular, the graphics looks very low res after seeing what today's range of consoles produce like the PS4, Xbox, etc.

It depends on the game - in general you're seeing first party games rendered in 1080p on the TV (which is the same resolution as the PS4 and XBox and probably the maximum resolution of your TV). Third party games available on Switch as well as PS4, XBox etc. typically look a little worse side by side - either lower frame rates or resolutions - but they still look great if you've not got both set up next to each other.

...but is it a Wii upgrade? As far as I can tell, no it isn't and I don't think the Wii U was either. We're not into RP or FPS games so what about HD versions of all the activity games available on the Wii like the archery, bowling, fencing, athletics games, etc etc. What about the great games for the balance board like the running, cycling, all the balance control games, tracking your weight, etc?

There are HD versions of Wii Sports and Wii Fit on the Wii U that use the Wiimotes and Wii balance board. No-one bought them but they do exist (and by all accounts the Wii U version of Wii Fit is a great improvement - although I've never played either it or the original).

I'd put money on Nintendo revisiting the concept with Switch at some point but not for a while yet.

The Mario Kart 8 graphics looks to be a great improvement on the Switch but on the Wii you can fit the controller into an actual steering wheel!! Can you do that on the Switch?

Yes - you can if you're so inclined.

Also, it appears to me that the Switch is now similar to all other consoles in that the games are meant to be played while sitting on the couch.
What do you think? Have I got it all wrong or is that why people are still playing on the old Wii?

There are some Switch games that are definitely designed to have you stood up and flailing around like the early Wii days of 2006 but they're not as prominent. Stuff like Just Dance, ARMs and 1-2 Switch. Whether they're good or not I couldn't say (they're less successful in the marketplace) but they do exist.

StuTwo

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Janus1986

Deckie wrote:

The Mario Kart 8 graphics looks to be a great improvement on the Switch but on the Wii you can fit the controller into an actual steering wheel!! Can you do that on the Switch?

Yes you can, you put the Joycon in a plastic steering wheel. Works better than on the Wii. MK8 Deluxe on the Switch is even more kid-friendly, as it has steering and driving assistance built in that you can activate if you have a younger driver using the wheel.

What can change the nature of a man?

LzWinky

It's a big upgrade as far as I'm concerned

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GoldenGamer88

Deckie wrote:

I guess you can play any game standing up but it's the activity aspects of the Wii games that make the difference.

Hey now, standing up is for some people exercise enough!

Deckie wrote:

I assumed people were still using the Wii from the number of posts on the Wii forum. We'll have to stick to the old Wii then and give up hoping!

Well, yeah, but not as actively, let alone as a main console I don't think. I mean, mine is still standing alongside all the current consoles next my tv a decade later. Mainly use it for GameCube gaming and whenever the itch for some Mario Galaxy returns, though. Can't say that for the WiiU lol!

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Deckie

Thanks all for the replies, it's all a bit confusing but there's lots of information there that I didn't know about. I think the main reason for looking for an upgrade was to play the same Wii sports games in HD, it would make a lot of difference on a 65" screen. I looked at the Wii U when it came out but didn't look any further after reading that although the Wii games are compatible, they don't look very much different to playing them on the Wii, perhaps a slight amount of upscaling might be noticeable. I expected this of course but at the time I couldn't find any of the sports games we played reissued in HD, that seemed a bit too much to expect! Plus, as far as I could make out the Wii U res wouldn't appear HD on a 65" screen anyway, not like the Switch would. I can well imagine the Switch being an upgrade to the Wii if you only play the same games that you'd play on PS4, Xbox, etc (i.e RP and FPS type games).
Maybe I should revisit the Wii U and pick up a cheap one on eBay, specially as I see it's compatible with all the old Wii controllers. Nintendo may decide to develop the Switch for Wii active type games in the future but I doubt that the Wii controllers will be compatible. How does the resolution of MK8 on a Wii U compare with the same played on the Switch when viewed on the same TV screen? Is there a big difference?
Thanks.

Deckie

shadow-wolf

@Deckie So the Wii U is essentially the answer to what you're asking for. Unfortunately, there is no Wii HD that automatically makes Wii games like Wii Sports into HD, so the Wii U is the next best option.

The Wii remote and almost all Wii accessories (if not all) are compatible with Wii U. Mario Kart 8 is playable with the Wii Wheel if you prefer.

In addition, there are two games that may be of interest to you: Wii Sports Club and Wii Fit U. Both are HD sequels to the original Wii Sports and Wii Fit on the original Wii.

Mario Kart 8 is 720p on Wii U and 1080p on Switch. There is probably a slight but noticeable improvement in practice, but nothing major. Based on your preferences, the Wii U may be best as you can play the HD sequels to games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit. Plus all your Wii remotes and accessories will be compatible so there would be no need to purchase additional controllers for Mario Kart 8 or any other game (unlike the Switch).

shadow-wolf

Tasuki

Wow you must have been sleeping under a rock, it's ok I like sleeping under rocks. Untill my back starts giving me problems. But yeah there was the Wii U and the now the Switch. Don't blame you on not remembering the Wii U though even Nintendo seems to want to forget that fiasco.

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Deckie

Many thanks, sounds like the Wii U is worth another look (even though it may be a fiasco console 😊).

Deckie

Haruki_NLI

@Tasuki I'm convinced this is a joke post. There is no way in actual hell it isn't. The Wii U I can get the confusion over (Still pains me its 5 years later) but the general lack of understanding of the console upgrades calls to mind the people who are complaining and saying they wont buy a Switch for Pokemon because "Why do they have to upgrade #you've-been-upgrading-since-the-gameboy-you-twits" but how are you confused about the Switch?

Legitimately. How.

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Deckie

Wow, my first ever troll, very impressive!

Deckie

Haruki_NLI

@Deckie No I'm just impressed because you actually answered a lot of the questions you asked in your first post....in your first post. It seemed odd, but if you want some genuine advice, for what your tastes seem to be, namely the Wii demographic that left straight after (Minus a few, yourself included), the Wii U is a good bet right now (If you can find one...) as it has a lot of the games.

I would suggest Switch as the feature set is very much the same and has by far the best looking games and even some Wii U multiplayer highlights, as well as the superior gyroscopic controls and vibration tech and stuff like Monopoly and Uno the former of which is played a very interesting way in tabletop mode (The screen becomes a board!).

I would...hmmm how to put this.

If you want the Wii experience, the fitness stuff, but in HD, get a Wii U, but I'm not so sure how well that can satisfy you given...you know...Wii U...

If you want fun multiplayer stuff and the best looking games, get a Switch, it's a far superior party game device honestly. Ultimately though it comes to what you want more.

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Deckie

Thanks, looks like the Wii U is my best bet.

Quite honestly I don't play or even like computer games and I know nothing about them or the consoles but the Wii was very different. I did buy the PS4 Pro when it came out last year along with all the PSVR paraphernalia but ended up sending it all back because I didn't get on with it and the PSVR was faulty anyway. Thankfully Amazon refunded the whole lot, all except for the few games I'd downloaded of course. Perhaps that puts things into perspective a bit.

Deckie

8Darky

nintendoland might be another game for u to check out on wiiU. its a fun minigame experience

follow your heart <3

Deckie

Thanks 8Darky, I checked it out on YouTube and it definitely looks like one to try.

Deckie

Haruki_NLI

@Deckie PSVR peripheral, not paraphernalia. Two VERY different things there

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Anti-Matter

@Deckie
Hiya !
Looks like you still live under the rock, hehe...
Okay, both Wii U and Switch are your buddies.
Wii U for some Wii U games in HD + play Wii games as well in better rendering.
Switch is for BOTH Console and Handheld. A new update for Switch allows you to use your Wiimote and previous Nintendo controller to play Switch games, so you can use your Wiimote + Nunchuck to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Btw, are you Boy or Girl ? Because between both of them have different game references. Looking from your game references, i think these games might be for you :
Wii U
1. Super Mario 3D World
2. Mario Kart 8
3. Wii Sports Club
4. Wii Fit U
5. Wii Party U
6. Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014
7. Nintendoland
8. Paper Mario Color Splash
9. LEGO CITY Undercover
10. Super Mario Maker

For Nintendo Switch, these games might be for you :
1. Super Mario Odyssey
2. Puyo Puyo Tetris
3. Portal Knights
4. ARMS
5. Super Bomberman R
6. LEGO CITY Undercover (Remastered version from Wii U version with some differences and new outfits)
7. Poi : Explorer Edition
8. 1, 2, Switch
9. Overcooked : Special Edition
10. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Remastered from Wii U version. You start with all DLC and All characters including some new characters that never before exist on Wii U version. And some HUGE Changes such as Battle Mode, totally Revamped from Wii U version. Battle Mode in Switch version is just like we want from beginning)

Well, try to expand your game genre. I'm sure you can enjoy the games with genre such as 3D platformer, Action, RPG, Rhythm, Strategy, Simulation, Puzzle, Racing, etc. Have fun and don't forget to update your knowledge about Nintendo Switch.

Anti-Matter

Deckie

It's all paraphernalia to a non-gamer like me!

Thanks Anti-Matter, I'm quite happy living under my rock! 😊. Many thanks for the excellent list, it will take time to go through it all, I usually check out the various reviews on YouTube.
I'm a retired 58 yo guy and I'm not really that interested in researching all the ins and outs of all the various consoles, making detailed comparisons, etc. No doubt it's bread and butter to you young whipper-snapper gamers! ☺️. I did some rudimentary checks on the basics tho but it's difficult finding the required information like what all the experts on this thread have explained. If the old Wii controllers, nunchucks and balance board will work with the Switch then maybe I do need to look at that then as it will indeed be a Wii upgrade, I didn't think they were compatible (I'm not so keen on the Switch's little L & R controllers). I know there's no disk drive on the Switch but is there a way of playing the old Wii games on the Switch so as not to have to shell out on a complete new set of games?

Edited on by Deckie

Deckie

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