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[Lord Ghirahim]

As a consumer, I'm left wondering why I should even bother getting a WiiU. Will it be a SSB machine? Well, no, I'll be able to play that on 3DS too.

Should I get it for Super Mario World 3D? Well, it looks suspiciously like a 3DS game...

Thanks for the laugh.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

I think they should, but they need to do this in a way that appeals to both the console and handheld expectations. Otherwise, it could be a huge disaster. Here's some of my ideas for a concept/direction the could take:

• Release a console and handheld with the same architecture.
• The games (cartridges) would be 100% playable in both systems.
• All downloads would work on both systems and game saves would automatically update locally.
• Nintendo could still make a profit on both hardware models.
• The handheld would have one screen.
• They could even release two handhelds, one is ultra portable and one is a tablet.
• The console would use it's own controller with a mini touchpad (like PS4)
• The console would have some type of scaler to up-rez IQ, similar to how emulators up-rez. Perhaps this could be done with higher clock speeds?
• The console could do split screen gaming.
• The console would have a larger HDD included and could act as a local server.

Something like this could work. Maybe not all of it are the best routes to take, but there are a lot of benefits to merging the two together I think. It's becoming apparent that the bridge between portable and console gaming is becoming smaller and smaller and merging them together has more advantages than disadvantages. A unified account system and 100% compatibility is a must, so that's where a lot of R&D will need to go. There are still expectations for a certain visual fidelity on consoles that might not be possible on the handheld, especially if they're wanting to keep the prices down. They could go for 1080p gaming on both, but I don't know if that will be possible or have acceptable graphics by the time they would need to release this. That's where the idea of a scaler would come in handy. If the handheld had GC/Wii like graphics and the console could make it look like Dolphin, I think people would be fine with it. That's really what's being done now anyway, but it's eating up resources and recycling game ideas.

In theory it could work, but there are downsides. Battery life mainly. So it will never happen.

My prediction, you can keep me to this in a couple of years!

Nintendo will make the architecture of their next home console and their next handheld VERY similar. You will be able to play your handheld games on your console.

Then they still have the ability to take advantage of new tech with their new console, while avoiding game draughts.

Yes.

The PC Engine/Express concept is the only way which I find handheld gaming to be acceptable.

There is one console. There is one handheld.
A game developed for either is developed for both.
A game developed for either is developed for a non-proprietary resolution (i.e., actual 1080p instead of 960x544).
A game developed for either looks the same on both.
A game developed for either sounds the same on both.
A game developed for either plays the same on both.
A game which is found on the shelf for either is playable on both.

I can buy a game and never play it on a handheld. You can buy the same game and never play it on a console. We both play the same game, and the developer and publisher gets two sales. Everyone wins.

You both pretty much just hit the nail on the head. My idea of upscaling the games on the console would help with battery life on the handheld, but a PC Engine/Turbo Graphix 16 is the perfect example. I completely forgot that was even done. I used to love those little cards the games came on too.

 

[SuperJay]

Thanks for the laugh.

Any time!

 

[Immaculate]

I don't know how anyone can put these two shots side-by-side and say with a straight face that 3D World "looks like a 3DS game".

You stole my post. It baffles me.

cmon how do you not see it. The first thing I thought when it was first shown was "Super Mario 3D Land HD with multiplayer."