IdeaMan. Could I ask if you know what type of memory is targeted to be in/will be in the retail Wii U? ie: GDDR3/GDDR5 ect?
Not asking you to reveal anything other than if you do know.
I don't know the exact type of memory. But some other infos could hint about it (like super fast cutting edge ? normal ? not as quick/efficient that it could/should be considering the setup ? (read: additional screen to handle, etc).
But it's in the specific context that i've talked about (third party, v4 dev kit, etc.). In Nintendo first-party studios, with a more optimized development framework (latest hardware and software dev kits), with engines tailored specifically for the Wii U, what i would have heard could have been different.
All in all, the hardware will be balanced and enough for what the Wii U will be on the technical side : not a powerhouse between 5x and 10x the xbox360 in paper, capable of running 2014 complex 3D engines at 1080p, 60fps (or even 30), max AA, etc, a generational leap as important as some older ones. But it will not be a xbox360 in disguise, a Nintendo make-up applied on current gen hd tech. And of course, the main interest is really the padlet and all the wonderful ideas of gameplay that can come with it.
And it's a matter of perception also, people who sticked with Nintendo consoles will really feel the difference if the few experiences on their friends PS3 were not enough to accustom their eyes to HD graphics. Hell, even in the case of "PC + Nintendo gamers (who don't use Dolphin)", Big N visual style is so distinct and not common on computer that even the power-users who upgrade their GPU every year will feel the leap on first-party titles (granted Nintendo will not release a modern war fps). They are far more used to see what western developers make of Epic/Crytek/XX engines, which are relatively related in terms of aesthetic results once on screen (and from that come all the complains that 80% of games look the same occidental/industrial/cold color/technical with sharp edges/plastic render/etc.), so Nintendo HD games will refresh their view, it will be a very noticeable step for them.