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Wii U Satisfaction Thread

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I need some advice WiiUGAF...

I have $200 in gift cards for best buy and I've wanted to get the WiiU.

1. Should I pick it up or wait for a price drop?

2. Deluxe or Basic?

Also, never picked up a Wii, but enjoyed playing some of the games at friends' houses.

Thanks!

Are there any Wii U games out now that you're really excited to play? Does the console's concept really do it for you? If not then hold off.
 
Went to buy Sleeping Dogs for the 360 today, and while I was roaming around the store I saw a demo booth for the Wii U. I haven't touched a console from Nintendo since Gamecube (I used to be a huge Nintendo fan, but I've felt disappointed by them for a few reasons the last couple of years), but I decided to give it a go.

♦ The first thing that caught my eye was obviously the HD-quality. It felt strange, but in a positive way, to play a game on a Nintendo console in high definition. Cant believe it took them so long to get there, but it's really enhancing the experience.

♦ The gamepad was larger than I expected it to be. It was comfortable in my hands, but felt odd playing with at times. I guess you have to fiddle around with it and get used to it to fully embrace it.

♦ The actual console looked really small! Had no idea..

♦ I played Rayman Origins (great game regardless of platform), and the Gamepad implementation felt natural. It took some time adjusting to the switching of focus between the TV and the Gamepad, but it probably becomes fluid after a while.

Nonetheless, I was surprised in a good way. Nintendo has a lot of work ahead of them, mainly with third party support and online experience, but I can see why people enjoy the Wii U. I have no plans of buying one, but I can see why you guys enjoy it.

Just my two cents!
 
I need some advice WiiUGAF...

I have $200 in gift cards for best buy and I've wanted to get the WiiU.

1. Should I pick it up or wait for a price drop?

2. Deluxe or Basic?

Also, never picked up a Wii, but enjoyed playing some of the games at friends' houses.

Thanks!

Take a look at the software list. If there are 2+ games that you really want to play, now's as good of a time as any.

But if that's not the case, I'd say wait until at least March which is when software should start picking up a bit.

If you think you're going to go primarily digital, I'd say the deluxe is worth it. It's $50 more, and you're going to need an external drive (I spent $100), but I've already recouped $25 from using the digital download promotion. I suspect I'll make that $150 back over time eventually over the lifetime of the system, but not everyone will so that's up to you. Plus, a lot of people really love nintendoland so if that interests you at all, go for it. Otherwise, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the basic.

If you're a bit unsure as to whether or not you should pick one up at all, I'd recommend waiting until at least March when we'll have Rayman, Aliens, NFS, and Monster Hunter hitting with W101 (hopefully) on the horizon. The additional benefit to that is that launch software will probably be considerably cheaper by then as well.
 
♦ The gamepad was larger than I expected it to be. It was comfortable in my hands, but felt odd playing with at times. I guess you have to fiddle around with it and get used to it to fully embrace it.

♦ I played Rayman Origins (great game regardless of platform), and the Gamepad implementation felt natural. It took some time adjusting to the switching of focus between the TV and the Gamepad, but it probably becomes fluid after a while.

The demo you played was a new Wii U exclusive called Rayman Legends. I remember that weird feeling with the pad... it does go after a few hours.
 
since you're not sure about #1, I suggest you hold off and do some more research to avoid any buyer's remorse in the future
ZombiU if you want a new today horror game....it was worth it to me just for that. Even playing black ops 2 was awesome with the off tv play....Trine 2, Neo....The Cave.... But nothing's like Zombiu the way you use the torrent to mo down the zombies in a special way with the gampad....I think you would in joy every min like me and the rest of my family...
 
Nope. I know you're trying to get all angry and stuff but it would have actually been better had he had digital games :-( At least then there'd be a chance of getting them back eventually

So is it possible to get your digital games back by contacting Nintendo if your Wii U is stolen or breaks?
 
So is it possible to get your digital games back by contacting Nintendo if your Wii U is stolen or breaks?

Yes though it is a hassle. If your Wii U breaks, they'll likely fix it or transfer it for you but you have to send it in to them. If it's stolen, you need a police report.
 
I wish Nintendo had included some system level games or secrets like the 3DS has. I'm not sure how you'd implement them without something like Streetpass though. Maybe something to encourage posting on Miiverse?
 
since you're not sure about #1, I suggest you hold off and do some more research to avoid any buyer's remorse in the future

What games do you want to play on WiiU?

Are there any Wii U games out now that you're really excited to play? Does the console's concept really do it for you? If not then hold off.

Played the Rayman demo and loved it. Want to play NSMB U and I'm excited for Wind Waker HD.
 
I wish Nintendo had included some system level games or secrets like the 3DS has. I'm not sure how you'd implement them without something like Streetpass though. Maybe something to encourage posting on Miiverse?

I'd be surprised if it's not coming in a future update. The service is pretty much the defining feature of Nintendo's online presence now.
 
How does the digital deluxe program work anyway? I bought trine 2 at full price by just paying for it directly at check out. Didn't notice a discount and my wallet is $0. Yes I have a deluxe.
 
How does the digital deluxe program work anyway? I bought trine 2 at full price by just paying for it directly at check out. Didn't notice a discount and my wallet is $0. Yes I have a deluxe.

For every $50 in the US that you spend on the eShop, you should get a 500 point credit (10%). Although it is already tracking your purchases, I don't know if they are distributing the credits back yet.
 
How does the digital deluxe program work anyway? I bought trine 2 at full price by just paying for it directly at check out. Didn't notice a discount and my wallet is $0. Yes I have a deluxe.
You have to use the website on the Digital Deluxe promotion logo on the box:
ddp.nintendo.com

Once you accumulate enough points, you can sign into that website with your Nintendo Network ID and redeem them for a code you can use on the eShop.
 
You have to use the website on the Digital Deluxe promotion logo on the box:
ddp.nintendo.com

Once you accumulate enough points, you can sign into that website with your Nintendo Network ID and redeem them for a code you can use on the eShop.

Is that automatic or do I need to sign up for something before buying? Would stuck to not get credited for that $20 trine purchase
 
Played the Rayman demo and loved it. Want to play NSMB U and I'm excited for Wind Waker HD.
If you love it alot and I mean alot that when yiu get the game you'll enjoy it and you want to play nsmbu and think itll keep you busy go ahead. Windwaker HD you got sometime so if thats the deciding factor obviously wait it out.
 
Played the Rayman demo and loved it. Want to play NSMB U and I'm excited for Wind Waker HD.

Nintendo Land and I'm guessing Yoshi & Pikmin this year will probably also appeal then, I'd say go for it. There's going to be more than enough to keep you busy.

Wonderful 101!
 
For every $50 in the US that you spend on the eShop, you should get a 500 point credit (10%). Although it is already tracking your purchases, I don't know if they are distributing the credits back yet.

You have to use the website on the Digital Deluxe promotion logo on the box:
ddp.nintendo.com

Once you accumulate enough points, you can sign into that website with your Nintendo Network ID and redeem them for a code you can use on the eShop.

That's really a douchey way for Nintendo to handle that. It should just give you 10% right off the top of any purchase.
 
Has there been any word at all about Fist of the North Star being localized in NA for Wii U? iirc, it's hitting EU eshop...right?
 
That's really a douchey way for Nintendo to handle that. It should just give you 10% right off the top of any purchase.
I imagine this is done so as not to piss off retail. If every retail game released day and date on eShop was priced straight up 10% cheaper, you better believe retail would have a big problem with Nintendo. Redeeming the savings in points not only allows them to "discount" games without dropping the price, it keeps customers spending money in their own eShop environment.
 
I just five star'd NSMBU and was prompted to post about this "accomplishment" to miiverse. This made me realize, Nintendo absolutely does have an achievement system.

Certain game events trigger specific tags that can be attached to Miiverse posts. These tags will only surface when specific criteria are met.

I don't care about random point accumulation, so this is great as far as I'm concerned. Only issue is, seems very few games have this incorporated so far.
 
I imagine this is done so as not to piss off retail. If every retail game released day and date on eShop was priced straight up 10% cheaper, you better believe retail would have a big problem with Nintendo. Redeeming the savings in points not only allows them to "discount" games without dropping the price, it keeps customers spending money in their own eShop environment.

So how do you explain Sony launching the Vita with 10% discounts for digital purchases?

I don't buy it being about retail. This just seems like a way of making the customer jump through hoops to get the discount they were promised on the box.

It's similar to the concept of making people buy points on their store, rather than just allowing purchases at the exact price.
 
So how do you explain Sony launching the Vita with 10% discounts for digital purchases?

I don't buy it being about retail. This just seems like a way of making the customer jump through hoops to get the discount they were promised on the box.

It's similar to the concept of making people buy points on their store, rather than just allowing purchases at the exact price.

The discount promised is exactly this and was from the start and this is a pretty standard thing to do.
 
Time for an initial verdict:

My Wii U arrived yesterday (£249.99 - a steal!), set up was a bit cumbersome if I'm honest... however once that was out of the way its clear that there's been a lot over overly negative reporting about the wii u.

Controller: Way lighter than i was expecting and really comfortable. The UK demo pods have the pad on a really heavy steel spring which makes it feel terrible... I was pleasently surprised. The screen is bright and responsive and, so far, if there's any lag between the controller streams and the TV it's not noticeable. This is also the first controller ever where i can hold both sticks and rest fingers on both triggers comfortably. it looks a bit fisher price, but is otherwise perfect.

System Software and OS: Miiverse is super, super addictive and a ton of fun... and has a really great community feel. For me, Miiverse is the first console feature in years that has felt genuinely fresh - and i will take sharing (and seeing) the passion other games pour into Miiverse over comparing trophy lists any day. I have had more fun interacting with gamers on Miiverse in a few hours than in several years of trying to find the sense of community in PS Home (just as a for instance).

The OS takes time to switch from app to app, but the bitching about this is really exaggerated.... it's a few seconds. The only software that takes longer to open on my console is the e shop.... however if you think of what the PS3 and 360 dashboards used to be like... its certainly leagues ahead of the PS3 at launch... I only point that out because it's obvious with a few tweaks this could be really, really nice to use.... and those tweaks will certainly be coming. There's afew inconsistencies in navigation and UI, but no showstoppers.

Being able to open the browser and Miiverse in-game is just brilliant... it just works and I was surprised at what a difference it makes. By the way the browser seems FAST!

Nintendo Network: A littble bit like PSN, Nintendo network broiadly describes a range of online features, some of which integrate with each other and some don't. I hve been pleasantly surprised by this too... Its a very Nintendo take on online features, but it feels fresh... and considering Nintendo's online experience, they have done a better job than Sony did at the launch of their first HD / fully networked home console. It is an evolution of the Wii's online, but the changes and additions make this feel more connected and robust than that ever did. Wara Wara plaza is a really cool idea and it's fun just scrollling around seeing peoples comments. That you can see what people are playing, their comments and link straight to the e shop is a very savvy marketing tool.... and will do a lot to expose new and smaller titles to the masses.

Graphics: TBH this is where I start to get annoyed with how the press are reporting. Wii U's current games have been developed on incomplete hardware and new tools... and the press are holding them up against games on systems where developers have 6, 7, even 8 years of optimizing (if you count the devs working on software before launch) - you have to be completely retarded not to realize the Wii U will improve by just as much as the HD twins did over it's life. Beyond that, there's some really nice effects in the likes of Nintendo Land... and something very, 'crisp' about the lighting in some games.

One other point - on paper the PS3 has a weak ram set up, poor GPU and overly complex CPU. If all you did was look on the specs and discuss it on gaf,... and yet it plays Uncharted 2 and 3... lets stop willy waving over specs on paper and just enjoy some games...

Hardware: the console itself is pretty bland in terms of design but feels well built and sturdy. as you know its about an inch or less 'deeper' than an xbox 360 S from front to back, about 1/3rd less high and about the same width as a wiii. It's neat but unexciting in terms of styling. Nintendo probably call it understated, but the design is a touch dull. The plastic will collect every spec of dust and finger print in your home... but beyond that this feels as robust as any Nintendo system - and they've all been built like tanks.

Games: I only have Nintendo land on disc and I'm currently trying to decide what to buy (likely Mario and ZombiU)... Nintendo land has been a mixed bag, but the aesthetics are brilliant... so much fan service (although it feels a touch like they had one eye on little big planet when coming up with the visual style in places - burlap trees anyone? I got goosebumps when I heard the Zelda theme :), Also tried the Rayman Demo, SOOOOOO pretty, but I probably would buy Mario over it. Sonic racing transformed, there's something different to the 360 version? Not sure whether it is just the Wii U video out, but it looks different somehow and not in a bad way. Whatever it is is subtle though.

To sum up: So far I am delighted and can't wait to see how the system grows over time... I wonder how many people bitching about the Wii U even have one... it's weird that on Miiverse the consensus seems to be 'what's the problem'?

People are writing this off in favour of the promise of better graphics (aren't we tired of that yet? We KNOW what unreal games are going to look like next gen - draw a straight line from today, add some more particles and lighting and better textures... then probably play the exact same experiences you can get today, but in 1080p). Are you really so shallow as a so-called gamer (i'm guessing you're not on GAF because you like flower arranging... humour me) that this is all that matters to you?

Given what's already been announced there's plenty coming out to justify the price of a Wii U and even if that was all thats coming (and it's clearly not) you can look forward to some great games.

All in all it appears there's been a lot of unfair bitching about Wii U - just because it dares to be different and not follow the linear path that that eveyone else is pushing us down. If all you want is endless COD and Gears clones then this system isn't going to be for you. Real gamers should embrace this system, it gives you the chance to experience things in either new or different ways and it is obvious that Nintendo will deliver a ton of unique experiences. In short: if you consider yourself a real gamer, why would you complain about that unless you have some other agenda?

To everyone else... welcome home :) see you on Miiverse!!!

Add me if you want to play some games rather than count cores in next gen consoles without knowing what it really means.


NNID: NinjaMoomin
 
Nintendo land has been a mixed bag

If you're like me you will grow to LOVE Nintendo Land. It just recently realized how fun it is, but it's a game I can pick up and play at any time and have a great time with iby myself or with others. And it is freaking HARD. I don't know if I'm losing my gaming touch or if things like regenerating health have made me complacent when it comes to difficulty in games, but it's been a while since I've been this challenged by a game.
 
If you're like me you will grow to LOVE Nintendo Land. It just recently realized how fun it is, but it's a game I can pick up and play at any time and have a great time with iby myself or with others. And it is freaking HARD. I don't know if I'm losing my gaming touch or if things like regenerating health have made me complacent when it comes to difficulty in games, but it's been a while since I've been this challenged by a game.

I already love it! just some bits more than others.
 
I love everything in the OS and i wish to attached Youtube link and camera shot in the miiverse.

And also to have party chat any time with your friend while playing.

I wish to get 3rd party support (rising, crysis 3, dead space 3 , tomb raider , hitman 4 , bioshock 3) i think this is only dream & will not happen.
 
That's really a douchey way for Nintendo to handle that. It should just give you 10% right off the top of any purchase.
The $5 codes you get are neither Wii U specific nor tied to any account, which means you can also redeem them on 3DS or give them away. More flexible than a simple discount.
 
FYI If anyone come across the problem where the Mii Plaza icons revert back the default, and is only inhabited by NINTENDO Mii's then this may be a solution.

Short of deleting my account, I tried absolutely everything to get it back to how it should be. Restarting routers's and deleting internet connections does absolutely nothing. I created a dummy account and everything worked fine. (MiiVerse Posts, updated game icons etc.) but it continued to be the default icons and Mii's for the problematic account.

After giving up, I found installing the Zombi U demo managed to kick it back into life. The game icons and MiiVerse posts all came back like they should. Seems like installing games causes the OS and related account to soft-reset or something.
 
I need some advice WiiUGAF...

I have $200 in gift cards for best buy and I've wanted to get the WiiU.

Assuming you're in the US, I would just buy Amazon gift cards with your Best Buy credit and wait for a WiiU system to pop up on Amazon Warehouse Deals. I've seen Basics for $230 and Deluxes for $300.
 
Falling more and more in love with the GamePad, it's super comfortable and I love how it changes the "browsing" aspect, I don't need 50" full HD to browse the eShop or Miiverse. It's the perfect way to turn on the console, to check what's new, who's online, etc. and THEN decide if I should play a game, on- or off-TV. And I already have more real life friends added on Wii U, than I do on 360, so that's extremely promising as well.
 
I just accidentally discovered the following amusing fact, which some gaf might find helpful:

If I set up WiiU output to 480p, while my TV's format is set to 'native', and the connection goes over HDMI (so the tv is perfectly aware it's getting a 720x480p source signal), I can get 1:1 non-scaled 480p picture on my TV.

Xenoblade, here I come!
 
That's really a douchey way for Nintendo to handle that. It should just give you 10% right off the top of any purchase.

I rather it how it is. I can let the codes accumulate and then use them when I wish. Also, I can use them on the 3DS eShop if I want. That wouldn't be possible if the discount came off automatically.
 
The demo you played was a new Wii U exclusive called Rayman Legends. I remember that weird feeling with the pad... it does go after a few hours.

Oh, it looked a lot like Origins!

And I think every Wii U owner should buy a pro controller, I know I would. Not that the pad isn't good enough, but a smaller controller is probably more convenient at times, especially if you're making the transaction from 360/PS3 to the Wii U.
 
In Miiverse, what does the counter under the community title stand for - people posting that actually have the game, or generally everyone who has posted?
 
I just accidentally discovered the following amusing fact, which some gaf might find helpful:

If I set up WiiU output to 480p, while my TV's format is set to 'native', and the connection goes over HDMI (so the tv is perfectly aware it's getting a 720x480p source signal), I can get 1:1 non-scaled 480p picture on my TV.

Xenoblade, here I come!

So you get giant black borders? Does the same work for 720p games on a 1080p TV?

Well, doesn't seem to work for me. Even if i set it up as "original" on my tv, it still stretches. Have an LG 50PK550, WiiU over HDMI.
 
I just accidentally discovered the following amusing fact, which some gaf might find helpful:

If I set up WiiU output to 480p, while my TV's format is set to 'native', and the connection goes over HDMI (so the tv is perfectly aware it's getting a 720x480p source signal), I can get 1:1 non-scaled 480p picture on my TV.

Xenoblade, here I come!


Yes sir, black borders.
 
This gen I have skipped Wii and I feel I have missed a lot of great games (donkey kong, mario galaxy, metroid, zelda...) so I was thinking to get wii u to play wii games. Is it a smart move or should i just get a wii?
Currently there are 0 games I am interested in playing on Wiiu but later on, when zelda or next mario comes out i am definitely getting wii u.
 
So I just downloaded Balloon Fight, for a game almost 30 years old, it is pretty good fun - especially for 30p!

I can see me playing alot of VC games on the gamepad in the future. Will pick up all the 30p games over the next few months for a start.

Strangely, playing Balloon Fight on the gamepad reminded me of those very old "cocktail cabinet" style arcade machines, not exactly sure why, but that was the feeling I got.
 
Something I didn't know was possible. In Balloon Fight I'm playing off screen mode with the game pad on my kitchen counter. But the pro controller still works. Pretty cool.
 
In Miiverse, what does the counter under the community title stand for - people posting that actually have the game, or generally everyone who has posted?

Individual posters with at least 1 contribution. Don´t know about the actual ownership of the game but i am pretty sure it is considered. Otherwise the communities would be much bigger.
 
Question for tech savvy people: I have a 720p native set, but 1080p is much sharper. Would normal Wii games look any better if I have 1080p over 720p? Do 720p native games automatically switch over to 720p if the system is set to 1080p?
 
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