The Wii U reveal at E3 2011 probably didn't go quite as Nintendo had hoped, with some confusion over exactly what the console is and how it works. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is keen not to make that mistake again though, and has revealed the console will be shown off in its "final format" at next year's E3.
That could mean the machine itself will be altered, or we'll see an official name and some real software for the "new controller", but whatever it is Iwata is determined to show off the console in its best light:
We are also planning to launch the Wii U, which is the successor to the Wii, during the next fiscal year. We would like to show the final format of the Wii U at the E3 show next year. As we learned a bitter lesson with the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, we are trying to take every possible measure so that the Wii U will have a successful launch.
Here's Nintendo's concept video for Wii U from E3 2011:
[source nintendo.co.jp]
Comments (73)
I watched that video again yesterday. Really, really excited about this console.
Interesting, but there are numerous reasons the 3DS didn't sell well I can name a few at the top of my head.
This. Looks. Amazing. Why. Can't. It. Come. Out. Sooner?
Very excited as well. Hopefully they'll have load of software to show. Like to see the circle pads replaced by analogue sticks.
Though I think the Wii U controller looks cool, I hope they make it a little bit smaller. I know Iwata isn't the biggest man in the world, but look at the size of it!
I ain't gonna get excited unless the actual launch games (& not just the hyped-at-e3-but-not-released-soon-if-ever games, 3DS I'm looking at you) fully utilise the capabilities of the console. That means all games fully utilising the new touch screen & pointer control in new ways that work, not just tacted on as a 2nd thought after porting multi-system games.
@Haywired That's what she said.
As for the Wii U, no way am I buying this at launch after the 3DS debacle. Call me when there is a game worthy playing for. Sounds like we'll wait 6 months like we did 3DS.
@Haywired, what I think they should do is what Microsoft did, the original Xbox had two controller verisions, the JP version (smaller), and the international version (the fatty), eventually they released both worldwide, with the smaller one standard, and the fatty, I think if Nintendo did that, a larger version for use as shown in that video, and a smaller one that, while not able to do EVERYTHING the bigger one can, would be cheaper, smaller, easier to handle, and able to perform MOST tasks, that would be the best way to satisfy most consumers
as for the 'Final Format' remarks, the 3DS add-on seems to be pointing at Nintendo standardizing the controls of all their modern platforms, the 3DS add-on will essentially make it a smaller Wii U controller, with two circle pads, the ABXY buttons, D-Pad, two triggers, two shoulder buttons, and then the + and - buttons on the Wii U (Start and Select on the 3DS, but same functions) and of course, the Home button. This would seem to hint that any redesigns Nintendo may make to the Wii U will not be overly drastic, and the final product will most likely be a refined version of what we saw at E3 this year
The fact that he wasn't definitive ("We would like to show the final format ...") suggests to me that they're again racing to get a product finished by a predetermined date. I hope they take as much time as they need to get this right, so early buyers aren't sitting around for months with no games and many promises of features that will be improved or added later. This thing needs to launch without a hitch.
they better offer more tablet like features and longer range for the wireless!!!
also a less clunky design on the upper part.
The real reason the launch of the 3DS did not go so well was the lack of quality software. They should have delayed it so they could have given third party developers more time to polish their games while Nintendo could have had more time to roll out their 3DS software updates. They cannot afford to make any more of these mistakes since the Vita is going to come out soon.
Still, I'm looking forward to the Wii U as it looks to deliver even more interactivity between the gamer and the console.
WiiU is so far an epic fail IMO, you cant even hope to have a creative image and target a different audience if you are sticking to the previous branding, a hit from the controller could kill you, AFAIK WiiU=PS3x1.5 when a graphically competitive next gen console should be WiiU>PS3x2, also 2012 is premature for next gen. But change that horrible name and I stop ranting
Maybe they'll flip the Wii another 90 degrees before the launch? Here's to hoping!
That's interesting, while I will be buying it I do hope that Nintendo change the look of the controller. I hope that they change the overall look of the console. I have a question though, does the Wii U only use the motion plus controller or does it use the normal ones too?
I imagine the changes will make the possibility of four controller compatibility more likely. The only thing I didn't like about what I saw regarding Wii U aside from the name was how only one controller was used at a time. Hopefully that's changed!
Roll on june 2012
I'm excited for it, but it REALLY needs a release date.
I'm excited for it, but it REALLY needs a release date.
I'm happy that this means the Wii U is launching after June. My finances will be severely drained after Vita and all the great 3DS games coming out this year. Hopefully I'll have long enough to save up the money by the Wii U Launch.
@MiracleBlaze
Indeed. I'm glad that it's not being released too soon (gives me a chance to catch up with some Wii/DS games that I never got round to). If its "final form" is being shown at E3 2012 then maybe it'll be released Christmas 2012.
Hoping it would be a multi-touch screen on the tablet controller!
I'm predicting a Xmas 2012 release worldwide.
If the Wii U (or hopefully a name change to the Super Wii) is to be successful it must launch with a Mario game. New Super Mario Bros. Mii must be real, not a tech demo that doesn't come to fruition.
I got my fingers crossed that they change the name to Wii advanced
My final Wii U form says I earned a 4.0.
@motang Then you're hoping for too much. For a screen that's supposingly HD and at that size a mulit-touch would be considerably pricey, especially with it being just a controller.
I'm still just not sold on this thing yet. I foresee that touchscreen being a glorified (and likely expensive) item slot/map like on the DS. Until they wow me with some software, I won't be buying.
@Mully Yeah and I know Nintendo has to deliver in that department. What good are all the new features the Wii U will have if there aren't any great games to back it up? We all have to wait and see.
Since this pushes Wii U (please change name too) to next September at EARLIEST, I hope Nintendo will toss we Wii owners a frikkin' bone next year before Wii U is out. Like a new game or VC release once in a while. And with a name change, please make New Super Mario Mii not ony official, but also a launch title! That would make it insta-buy for not just me, but countless others. Let's see that you learned from the 3DS launch!
Plenty of time to overturn additional tea tables.
@FJOJR Launching the WiiU with a mario game that looks exactly the same as it would/does on the Wii, is a terrible idea actually. It's best that stayed as a tech demo.
What tosh @ coolvw what exactly have PS3 and Xbox360 done that is better ? Other than being graphical powerhouses if the Wii U is just an updated hardware cycle for Wii then that is still enough as PS3 and Xbox 360 are only updated versions of PS2 and Xbox with better graphics I don't know why different rules apply to Nintendo than the other two. As far as I'm concerned Nintendo is the only company even attempting something different the others just follow once it becomes a success
I really like the Wii U name. It's probably my favorite name for a video game system so far. Most of the other game system names throughout history have had nothing to them.
Promising to show it at next years E3 - after already showing it this years at E3 - doesn't give me any reason at all to get excited. It just makes me wonder what is coming out after Zelda: Skyward Sword on the Wii? Can somebody please tell me there is something to look forward to in the spring or summer? I can't think of anything at all, and I've tried.
Nintedno just reported a huge loss:
The game maker also confirmed a Japanese report earlier this week that pegged half-year pre-tax losses at over 100 billion yen ($1.3 billion). Pre-tax losses were originally forecast to be 55 billion yen ($725.6 million).
I think they needed to release the WiiU before E3 if they wanted to stop the bleeding.
hahahahaha well this isnt the thing that will make nintendo rank up in charts
wether you like it or not, graphic power will still dominate, as with physics technology so the consoles will be able to have complex games and the titles with the biggest productions.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Anybody see the new black uDraw video? The new ones are also available for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Nobody needs a WiiUpad now. (Ok, that a bit of an exaggeration) By the time next years E3 is over I bet everybody already knows about the new black uDraw pads - which seem even cooler on the other consoles - so Nintendo's "newness" factor will be old news. The WiiU is outdated before it's even released. (I still want one though.)
http://www.amazon.com/uDraw-Gametablet-Studio-Instant-nintendo-wii/dp/B005GWU0XE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1319824994&sr=8-9
The 3DS interested me, but not this system. Feel free to flame on me, but I think Nintendo is entering another dark age already - they flew too close to the sun.
@spookybif
true. they already entered something risky with the Wii. they shouldnt do more damage now and go for the mean powerhouse machine nintendo needs.
seriously. if nintendo can have a powerful thing that will attract third parties plus their franchised charatcers, tis one hell of a winner. kinda a mix of ps3 and nintendo.
ill stick with the 3ds, hoping nintendo wont suffer too much from their mistake and give us great deals on the handheld side. handheld is the future of nintendo.
Crimbo 2012 release then
During the next fiscal year? to me that means it will probably come in March 2013... if it were coming in 2012 they probably would have said next year, not next fiscal year...
I think the release of the Wii-U will be next Chrismas but how will they keep the Wii alive until then? expect to read more profit loses for the big N until then. I wonder where the 3DS will be this time next year....
Dead.
@rjejr That is nothing like the wii u remote its just a draw pad.
Whatever they change will probably make the wii u better, so i'll wait for E3 before making my judgement.
@SteveW Bear in mind this is from a meeting with financial types so fiscal year is in keeping with Iwata's audience. I expect a late 2012 release myself.
Christmas 2012 would be in keeping with how they did the Wii: Partial reveal E3 2005, full reveal E3 2006, release Christmas 2006.
I'm just not feeling this new console. Just feels like a Wii upgrade to me. Ah well, at least it's something new to play around with. Maybe seeing some actual Nintendo franchises running on it will help boost my excitement level.
@Haywired I like the way you think.
E3 2011 Partial reveal
E3 2012 Here's something you won't be able to copy before we make trillions
Christmas 2012 Release
Well, I've come full circle on this, mostly due to the Marvel Pinball because I'm just such a sucker for that. If I can get a modest trade-in credit for my existing Wii then I'm on-board. I honestly don't care if I get to keep my WiiWare as I'm happy to repurchase the handful of titles still on my machine. The more I look at the iPad the less convinced I am of it being a gaming experience to replace the Wii and it's really a frivolous purchase by comparison.
Besides I've not had a console at launch before so that could be fun, even if I get hit with first-release hardware and software issues.
I'm betting on an early 2013 release myself.
The Wii U is being shown in it's final form during next years E3.
That's already the middle of the year.
I doubt it'll be released just six months later.
I smell a delay.
-whether or not they change the name, i don't care. i'm not that bothered by that. it's the games and the price that is key to the wii U's success.
Forgot about the Zapper bit in that video. They could make some really interesting shooters with that setup.
Also: Mario launch title = success, it's that simple Nintendo.
@Link79: And the Wii's final "form" was announced the same year it came out
I'm for the most part fine with the design, but do they have to make it white? Why can't they use other colors, white is ugly and looks junky. That's my only problem with it. Everything else is great!
@7ATalavera It also needs to be $600. I won't buy it if it's less than $600.
@Samholy Graphic power will still dominate? Graphics didn't help the Dreamcast, the original Xbox, or the PS3. It looks like the only thing graphical power dominates is third place.
I'm predicting the launch title of 1080p twilight princess and 1080p mario galaxy. Nintendo knows that people will rebuy their software... 'cause we're all idiots lol
They should release the Wii U worldwide in December 2012. People are looking to pay out more in that time, and so a new console looks more acceptable. It would be silly of them to do a repeat 3DS and release out of the holiday. They need to up their launch titles as well, and this thing needs to be tricked out. I've yet to be wowed by the Wii U.
@7ATalavera
If you follow console generations, then 2012 is right on time for the next gen. Console generations only last 5-6 years. Ever since the NES, it has always been like this.
@Koto
except for the fact that the other two consoles have been able to last longer and will continue to do so. Oops.
Pikman launch title?? <- pretending to know about Pikman
@Gamesake
In the beginning, the only reason the (original) Xbox and PS3 sold at all, was their power. Halo single handedly kept the Xbox alive, just because it was so far beyond what other consoles could do.
Regardless, I don't think those are great comparisons. The Wii has been such a failure with gamers because its lack of graphical power makes it impossible to play games like Assassins Creed, the Elder Scrolls, Grand Theft Auto, etc.. "Graphics" may not be important, but the power of the system still affects how complex games can be and how developers will make games for it.
The Wii U may be capable of playing all the games we're seeing on the 360 and PS3 now, but what's going to happen a year later when Sony and Microsoft reveal they're much more powerful systems? Nintendo are going to be in exactly the same position they are now with the Wii.
"...learned a bitter lesson with the launch of the 3DS..."
Yep. 3D alone won't sell a system.
I remember that. That video is a nice console to be competing RIGHT NOW, but a year from now? It better be a great launch if they hope to compete. 3DS will have to really carry this holiday season to keep everyone from getting other systems. I can almost see an oversaturation on the horizon and a bit of a crash. What we need now is just better AI in everything, standardized motion tracking, and a more integrated machine alltogether. They better be sure it plays nice with the apple machine coming out then.
I hope things change at the 2012 E3. I don't see any reason to buy a Wii U. It's like the 3DS but worse, having no launch titles and completely no stumping plans for the new hardware (1. I can now play on the console and the TV? Why not make it portable in the first place? 2. Just one big, bulky tablet controller per console? So, how it's going to be used? If it's only to have a botton DS screen on a console, big heap bummer 3. How can i really play with a tablet like that on a game like Zelda or Mario Kart? Impossible? A backwars step form the Wii?)
I hope Nintendo amaze media and us players with new, interesting concepts. As everything looks now, the Wii U is a step backwars from the wii on HD graphics. It's a console i really wanted to like but failed gracefully.
You have another chance then, Nintendo.
@Highwinter: #64 - My exact sentiments about the WiiU. Consider: WiiU right now will only be approx., not actually, but approx. only 50% more powerful, than current-gen tech console XB360. MS, & Sony's next consoles will probably be at the very least 2x as powerful as their current-gen counterparts. That means that it will only be/is a matter of time, before the WiiU becomes out-classed tech, in the face of more technologically-current console capabilities standards.
You said this best, & I agree: ""Graphics" may not be important, but the power of the system still affects how complex games can be and how developers will make games for it.".
Yes, Sony, & MS have enough financial resources to make very powerful machines, but thanks to the success of the Wii/DS family, now so does Nintendo. If Nintendo wants to march to their own drumbeat, they better be prepared to make full use of their ips, as most co.s will go where there's money. There's a chance that the most profits will go to the more powerful systems, but I could be wrong. Wii was an example of different controller, though less powerful system, getting more profit.
Good news! It's good to see they're taking measures to ensure a successful launch, because I've never been so excited about a console before.
I just hope they keep the current design for the controller, I think it's a wonderful/practical design. (Of course, improvements are always welcome)
I can already imagine RPG games using "hotkeys" just like the MMORPGs, where you can access dozens of skills just by touching their icons on the touchscreen, instead of searching for skills on a boring menu. This would drastically improve the RPG genre on the consoles, and probably exclusively on the Wii U.
I don't know what Sony and Microsoft are planning, but the idea of a touchscreen controller is a winner for me, and in terms of graphics..I could be wrong, but being 50% more powerful than the PS3 should be enough to display high quality graphics and offer excellent gameplay.
All I want is the Wii U to be just like its predecessor and the Wii Fit uses a motion sensing device (similar to X360's Kinect) instead of a balance board which might easily break from overweight players. Also, I forgot to mention the HD improvement they claim will be added.
But I have a feeling Wii U will be released in Fall 2012. Great.
@1 - Seconded! In a way, E3 2012 will see the unveiling of another Nintendo console - the Wii U could end up being THAT different...
...or the same, either way, I'm happy!
@70 - the HD improvement they have SHOWN. Nintendo have confirmed the Wii U will run at 1080p. Also, I'm quite happy the machine will possibly be delayed - it just gives the 3DS more room to shine (plus it lets me finish my stack of unfinished games...).
I say the original Wii seems better than this clunky sequel.
@Highwinter I think you're worried about nothing. The graphical differences between the Wii U and the Nextbox will most likely be the difference between the PS2 and the original Xbox.
Maybe they should add another circle pad or two, just to be safe.
Even before the whole 3DS price drop fiasco, I knew what we've seen of the Wii U was prototypical and far from the actual system Nintendo will release a year from now. Here are the changes I expect to see when the system is shown at E3 in 2012:
-The console itself will feature a more striking design that looks less like the original Wii, as is the case with the one we've already seen. Nintendo needs to make it clear that this is a seperate system and will have to create a unique identity for it. My guess is Nintendo will go for a look that's inspired by tablets with a glossy black case that sits horizontally, with rounded edges and LED lights that indicate the touch based power, reset and eject buttons and a lighted disc slot similar to the current Wii.
-The controller screen and the shell will be slightly smaller and more streamlined to appeal to both the tablet croud and traditional gamers. Multiple tablet controllers will be able to be synced to each system as well as all current Wii controllers.
-Nintendo will have an HD New Super Mario Bros. game as the system's flagship launch title. Won't look like the NSMBMii demo seen at E3 2011 but a denser look that takes advantage of the systems graphical capabilities. Sort of how Super Mario World showed off what the SNES could do when it was released.
-It's possible a name change is being considered, or at the very least, the logo will be redesigned. This again would be to help the system create it's own identity.
-Nintendo will emphysize traditional game experiences enhanced by the tablet controller rather than new casual like experiences.
-Mii's will sport the same style they always have but with more customizable options exclusive to the Wii U system.
-Nintendo will focus heavilly on the system's network capabilities and will market it as such.
-The hardware will be noticably more powerful than any other console released but the technology will also be efficient and affordable. Not top of the line but no slouch either basically.
I don't know what it is about system releases but it's my favorite thing to speculate about. I base my predictions on the lessons Nintendo has learned from the 3DS, the current technology trends and Nintendo's history of simplicity and style.
I wonder what nintendo will come out with next?
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