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[TheAngryMonkey]

What we got in NSMBU is what I wish the Wii was capable of outputting towards the end of its life. NSMBU is acceptable HD output from the ps360 era of hardware. I look at Pikmin 3 and think it would have worked fine on ps360 hardware. It's incredible to see HD on Nintendo hardware, but I feel like it could have been done before and Nintendo is a generation behind in hardware with Wii U.

Then again, I feel like we've reached the point of diminishing returns in 3D graphics so maybe Nintendo is on the right track in hardware power. How much work and detail needs to go into a game for ps4 and xbox to fully utilize them and is that even sustainable for developers in the long run? The difference between launch titles on the ps360 and end of life titles is pretty big. I'm not so sure we're going to see that kind of improvement with this new generation of hardware and not because of "lazy developers" but simply because of the costs involved vs returns. The real innovation in this generation is going to be based around how the internet is used to enhance the systems and connect players. We're seeing this today with the sharing capabilities and things like Forza's ability to learn how you drive and apply that to drivatars.

 

[Don't Laugh]

it's good enough

dream cast graphics were good enough for me

so is wii u

the price is too high for last gen graphics. though

 

[StevieP]

Until all games run at 1080p 60fps....no

PC is the only platform where this is going to happen

 

[ASIS]

First party, yes. The rest (aside from one or two games) lol no.

The thing with the Wii U's power was never really concerning Nintendo themselves, those guys know how to make a game pleasing to the eyes, it's about getting the rest of the industry to support its console, so I am still disappointed in that regard.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Don't worry, I hold Microsoft guilty as well.
Though the situation on XBO is no where near as bad as Wii U.


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=90182102&postcount=329

Maybe Im not in the xbox one threads you troll then

 

[Raysoul]

Before, I was that guy who thinks that Wii is a casual console with poor graphics. I am much more biased to PS3. I also don't like the DS.

That is until a friend lend me a DSlite. Things change you know.

Now I am here typing this on my WiiU. I know the other nextgen consoles are much powerful, and I can clearly see the difference. But, from what I have played on my WiiU, the graphics + artstyle already makes me happy. So yes, I am very satisfied.

 

[Dabookerman]

I hope that Nintendo fans aren't -this- concerned about graphics. The WiiU is HD and that was all it ever needed to be. Everything else is just a bonus.

 

[MissDeviling]

Was playing a demo of WW HD, and I gotta say that I think Wii U graphics are gonna be great for first-party titles, as a lot of them use a "cartoony" style that doesn't require as much power as some other games. Third-party titles that are more demanding may not work out as well, but since I plan to buy the Wii U primarily to use it as a Nintendo exclusives machine, it doesn't matter too much for me.

 

[Dukey]

Until all games run at 1080p 60fps....no

So you never got into gaming until PCs were able to do 1080p?

 

[chadboban]

These daily Wii U validation-seeking threads are getting a bit tired.

?

 

[Exile20]

I hope that Nintendo fans aren't -this- concerned about graphics. The WiiU is HD and that was all it ever needed to be. Everything else is just a bonus.

Nintendo Land, SM3DW and WWHD are gorgeous by any standards.

 

[TAS]

I'm actually amazed at the visuals Wii U can produce with such modest specs. And this is just the first year too. Imagine 4th and 5th generation games. :O

 

[jet1911]

Yes I'm satisfied. Mainly because we knew in advance what kind of power the console had so I was not expecting "true next-gen" graphics from it.

 

[Y2Kev]

All their games look good, but they look soft to me and have too much bloom. Are they using FXAA?

 

[Kai Dracon]

Based on Pikmin 3 and Mario 3D World, it seems Nintendo is trying hard to develop a specific art style using modern lighting and shader technology. It's unique from nearly anything else out there.

3D World in particular looks damned close to the soft-shadowed CG concept art Nintendo's been refining for years now.

It seems, as is always the case with Nintendo hardware, the Wii U was designed around what Nintendo's internal development staff thought they'd need to make good games and good looking games. So I guess Wii U is set as far as first party content goes.

 

[Y2Kev]

That water looks fucking shit. I don't understand why people keep insisting it looks somehow impressive. It doesn't. Even worse it doesn't sit well in the overall artstyle.

I just finished this level. The water is so bad. Do people think water looks like this?

Based on Pikmin 3 and Mario 3D World, it seems Nintendo is trying hard to develop a specific art style using modern lighting and shader technology. It's unique from nearly anything else out there.

I'm not sure. 3DW seems to be using a lot of the same things that the Galaxy games did, though the Galaxy games had a sharper look with less bloom lighting and fewer, "We just discovered shaders!!!" moments than the 3DW game. That water is the prime example, but there are other examples too.

I might just be in the boring part of the game still but Galaxy made a much grander visual impression on me than 3DW has. That game had vision.

 

[fallagin]

Alot of games look really decent, but it does make one wonder what kind of graphics they could bring with ps4/xbone level power :drool

 

[Kai Dracon]

I'm not sure. 3DW seems to be using a lot of the same things that the Galaxy games did, though the Galaxy games had a sharper look with less bloom lighting and fewer, "We just discovered shaders!!!" moments than the 3DW game. That water is the prime example, but there are other examples too.

I might just be in the boring part of the game still but Galaxy made a much grander visual impression on me than 3DW has. That game had vision.

I always had the impression Galaxy represented EAD twisting the the Wii into knots, simulating effects that it would taken most developers much more modern hardware to achieve. The Japanese version of the Swedish Demoscene Coder.

 

[Otakumegane]

I found it odd that they chose that water for 3DWorld. Mario Sunshine water looked better than that.

 

[Haunted]

Considering the system in a vacuum, just looking at the specs and what Nintendo managed to achieve on the system so far? Definitely.

Considering the system as a next generation console released in 2012... not really, no. It's impossible with the specs.

 

[Raysoul]

Also just to point out, Mario and Zelda games loads very fast, considering the graphics are that good.

 

[blankempathy]

Also just to point out, Mario and Zelda games loads very fast, considering the graphics are that good.

It sure does. It takes about a few seconds to load a level. While watching some of the ps4/x1 streams I noticed how long some of those games took to load (like cod ghosts) and was just happy that mario 3d world barely has any load times.

 

[clem84]

I'm very satisfied so far. I honestly didn't expect 3D world to look this good. One thing is certain, for all those that were calling Wii U a last gen system, there is no way 360 or PS3 could pull off 3D world. And this is only 1 year into the WiiU's lifecycle. I have great hopes for the next Zelda. It will no doubt look jaw dropping. X should also be a real stunner.

All around I'm very satisfied so far.

 

[Comandr]

sony is selling ps4 at loss,

Nintendo was selling the Wii U at a loss when it first launched. Might still be selling it a loss with the price reduction. What's your point?

 

[MisterHero]

I found it odd that they chose that water for 3DWorld. Mario Sunshine water looked better than that.

Maybe they didn't want it to look realistic or too cartoony, and just existed on its own.

The quality of Nintendo water is moot until we get a new Wave Race. >_>

 

[sappyday]

Honestly, 3D World and Wind Waker look more amazing than some of the top graphical games of the PS3 and 360.

 

[Eusis]

First party, yeah, absolutely. Big third party publishers have dropped the ball completely thought.

What I was thinking. Well, ZombiU actually looked solid and a few games apparently are marginally better looking along with some of the indie titles, but for first party Nintendo's struck it out. Maybe it's because of how I'll jump between handhelds and computer, but I was still blown away by SM3DW even after playing the PS4.

 

[phosphor112]

They produce good looking stuff with their art styles but I'm not a fan of all the shaders and depth of field they shit on the screen. It screams "we finally have shaders".

 

[NewGame]

WiiU games look fantastic. Anyone who says so otherwise is obviously talking with a sour tongue.

Don't you start talkin' 'bout uncompelling floor textures of a Nintendo 64 that rub sand into your eyes.

 

[Currygan]

yes, very satisfied. Nintendo in HD is gorgeous

 

[Dueck]

I'm caught undecided. A lot of Nintendo's games utilize an art style that can't really look a lot better now that they're in HD. On the other hand, it's definitely not impressive at all in any way, and it's kind of a bummer to have no "wow factor." New Super Mario Bros is pretty much as good looking as possible, but if they made a new F-Zero it would not be at its best.

 

[OG_Original Gamer]

Wow, so now realistic graphics weren't possible last gen. Although WiiU has more memory, a modern GPU with higher efficiency. Much more bandwidth coming from its eDRAM. SM3DW looks stunning, but the only reason this in stores is because of its design and not creating these huge environments. There's no doubt in my mine that if Nintendo took SM64 route we'll still be waiting for something from them.

The only thing possible WiiU now is great art style.

 

[Chindogg]

"Art direction" sure is thrown around a lot in these discussions. The only games i can think of where art direction is a legitimate fault are LoL and Darksiders.

I've seen people say that Crysis has bad art direction, lol.

Crysis does have terrible art direction. That suit is so goddamn generic and boring that it looks more like a tech demo than a game.

Come to think of it, the more "realistic" a game tries to get, the more it falls into horrible hues of brown and grey.

All this said, specs and art direction should be kept separate. Poor specs can be covered by fantastic art direction (Psychonauts,) but no amount of power will save shitty art direction (Knack.)

 

[chadboban]

Wow, so now realistic graphics weren't possible last gen. Although WiiU has more memory, a modern GPU with higher efficiency. Much more bandwidth coming from its eDRAM. SM3DW looks stunning, but the only reason this in stores is because of its design and not creating these huge environments. There's no doubt in my mine that if Nintendo took SM64 route we'll still be waiting for something from them.

The only thing possible WiiU now is great art style.

X is pretty huge and it looks beautiful so far. And considering that we're not seeing it until next year and it's last trailer was 5 months ago, it should look even better by the time it releases.

I don't get my Wii U until next month but yeah, I'm pretty satisfied with what I'm seeing. Really glad I decided to go PS4/Wii U in terms of home consoles this gen.

 

[Chie Satonaka]

Sure.

I can still play NES and Atari 2600 games and be okay with those graphics too.

I don't understand why this is such a big deal to people.

 

[Incitemaybe]

Very satisfied, I think everything looks great

 

[Hyperactivity]

That's what's amazing about owning hardware, specially with Nintendo and once with Sega. THEIR games need to sell the console so they're all amazing. Nintendo adapted to HD faster than nearly anyone else

 

[foxuzamaki]

I'm content, but then again I grew disinterested with the graphical arms race sometime last gen. There's always room for improvement, but even on last gen hardware there are infinite possibilities for good devs to create convincing illusions. Sometimes it feels like people go into a game looking for IQ issues, frame rate stutters, etc. I dislike blatant performance issues as much as the next guy, but it really feels like gamers have slowly become the proverbial princess with a pea under her mattress when it comes to minor inconsistencies in presentation.

Hell sometimes creative solutions are born directly from problem solving within a defined set of limitations, which isn't to advocate a return to Atari 2600 graphics or anything, but nonetheless the fact remains that much of what's iconic in gaming today was originally the result of necessity. Any artist, musician, writer, developer or otherwise creative type should know this well, as it permeates virtually every creative endeavor. So while it's nice to give someone all the power in the world to create something new, sometimes hard and fast limitations help to refine the approach, within reason of course.

So, I'm glad to have more powerful hardware at whatever rate it can be offered for an affordable price without sacrificing reliability. Better draw distance, new shaders, improved AA techniques, and subtle particle effects are always nice, but that's not what's going to make a better game. There's enough frosting to bury the cake at this point, now developers need to focus on creating a better recipe. If stuff like Pikmin 3 and Super Mario 3D Land are the result of "weak" hardware, I guess I can cope just fine.

Exactly what you said here.

 

[JaseMath]

They're not bad, but then nothing has come close to making me say wow either.

 

[Ryce]

WiiU games look fantastic. Anyone who says so otherwise is obviously talking with a sour tongue.

Don't you start talkin' 'bout uncompelling floor textures of a Nintendo 64 that rub sand into your eyes.

I don't care about graphics, and I'm obviously not anti-Nintendo (look at my avatar!), but none of those screens impress me. I've been playing PS3 games that look on par with or better than those for years.

 

[Hazelhurst]

I'm very happy with NSMBU and 3D World. They look so good.

I'm looking forward to Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart, Smash Bros, and the next Zelda.

 

[SPACECADET]

from what i've seen with pikmin 3, mighty 101, windwaker hd and super mario 3d world the graphics are pretty good and the art direction does the rest of the job, they just look clean and really purdy.

 

[FlashbladeGAF]

X is pretty huge and it looks beautiful so far. And considering that we're not seeing it until next year and it's last teaser was 5 months ago, it should look even better by the time it releases.

fixed

(Staff interview said these were teasers... when the official name is announced in the next video then you can call that one a trailer)

 

[OG_Original Gamer]

X is pretty huge and it looks beautiful so far. And considering that we're not seeing it until next year and it's last trailer was 5 months ago, it should look even better by the time it releases.

I don't get my Wii U until next month but yeah, I'm pretty satisfied with what I'm seeing. Really glad I decided to go PS4/Wii U in terms of home consoles this gen.

Technically, I'm impressed with what both of them can produce.

 

[Mistle]

Yep. And they'll only get better the more experience they get.

 

[foxuzamaki]

X is pretty huge and it looks beautiful so far. And considering that we're not seeing it until next year and it's last trailer was 5 months ago, it should look even better by the time it releases.

I don't get my Wii U until next month but yeah, I'm pretty satisfied with what I'm seeing. Really glad I decided to go PS4/Wii U in terms of home consoles this gen.

ahhh there we go

 

[chadboban]

fixed

(Staff interview said these were teasers... when the official name is announced in the next video then you can call that one a trailer)

HOLY SHIT!!

 

[-Horizon-]

fixed

(Staff interview said these were teasers... when the official name is announced in the next video then you can call that one a trailer)

I just really want to see how they've spruced it up from what we've last seen of it.
If those were just teasers, the trailer will knock me off my feet.

 

[JordanN]

How much work and detail needs to go into a game for ps4 and xbox to fully utilize them and is that even sustainable for developers in the long run?

It can't be much more than what games currently cost.

I think a lot of people are forgetting developers are not maxing out the top of the line PC's you can get. They're maxing out mid-range ones (PS4/XBO). That's a huge drop in expectations.
Though I would say more hardware power actually improves development (more memory and power = less time spent optimizing. Also, less dependence on prebaking lighting).

 

[FLAguy954]

If this doesn't satisfy you then...

Looks straight out of Playstation 1.

It does remind me of those parts of FF7/X when they overlay the in-game world over late 90's CGI lol.