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[OrangeGrayBlue]

Honestly, I find Nintendo to be the most wild of the three, and quite easily. They make the most risky choices and design things that can actually change gameplay in a lot of instances. MS never does anything(until now, due to the wii) and Sony would do side projects(stuff like eye toy), but neither would put their real evolutionary/revolutionary ideas to the forefront. It's always a side addition. Sega was the last hardware company to really push things the same way Nintendo has.

At least, that's how I've seen it over the years. Maybe I'm just jaded.

From Nes -> SNES -> N64 -> GCN the most bold deviation from the norm that Nintendo could stake claim to was a purple console or arguably the analog stick. The Wii was, more than anything else, an act of desperation that paid off.

From Nintendo's point of view it was going like this: the Super Nintendo sold less than the NES, the N64 sold less than the Super Nintendo, and the Gamecube sold less than the N64. Their entire console history up until the Wii can be summed up as being less successful than they were last time.

When looking at it from that perspective, the most wild choice would have been to release something similar to the 360/PS3 because history has shown that their sales would have diminished further. They didn't even have one instance that would have suggested otherwise. Where would a Super-Gamecube be at worldwide right now? The trend they were on pre-wii would suggest something like 12 million units. They wouldn't even be considered a competitor. The Wii was their hail mary at the end of the 4th quarter. They saw that offering a similar product with the name "Nintendo" on it was doing less and less for them every generation, so they offered an entirely different product that would not only differentiate them outside of brand name, but also be cheap to produce should it backfire. In actuality, I see the Wii as possibly the most logical and conservative choice in console history, even though it's widely seen as the exact opposite.

 

[manueldelalas]

From Nes -> SNES -> N64 -> GCN the most bold deviation from the norm that Nintendo could stake claim to was a purple console or arguably the analog stick. The Wii was, more than anything else, an act of desperation that paid off.

From Nintendo's point of view it was going like this: the Super Nintendo sold less than the NES, the N64 sold less than the Super Nintendo, and the Gamecube sold less than the N64. Their entire console history up until the Wii can be summed up as being less successful than they were last time.

When looking at it from that perspective, the most wild choice would have been to release something similar to the 360/PS3 because history has shown that their sales would have diminished further. They didn't even have one instance that would have suggested otherwise. Where would a Super-Gamecube be at worldwide right now? The trend they were on pre-wii would suggest something like 12 million units. They wouldn't even be considered a competitor. The Wii was their hail mary at the end of the 4th quarter. They saw that offering a similar product with the name "Nintendo" on it was doing less and less for them every generation, so they offered an entirely different product that would not only differentiate them outside of brand name, but also be cheap to produce should it backfire. In actuality, I see the Wii as possibly the most logical and conservative choice in console history, even though it's widely seen as the exact opposite.

It's easy to be a general after the battle is over.

Just check reactions to the Wii's announcement, to see how the ambient was there.

It was not logical nor conservative. Nintendo HAD to do something about their declining sales, that's true, but at the time, they had THOUSANDS of options and ways to go; you should go and see some of the Wii controllers prototypes; it's not that they magically gained the "casual" gaming crowd by doing something logical.

They worked their asses off, they created A FUCKING LOT of new franchises and revitalized many of their own, to appeal to a new kind of gamer. They created new genres, they had their developers trying new grounds, and they never knew if they would be successful.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

From Nes -> SNES -> N64 -> GCN the most bold deviation from the norm that Nintendo could stake claim to was a purple console or arguably the analog stick. The Wii was, more than anything else, an act of desperation that paid off.

From Nintendo's point of view it was going like this: the Super Nintendo sold less than the NES, the N64 sold less than the Super Nintendo, and the Gamecube sold less than the N64. Their entire console history up until the Wii can be summed up as being less successful than they were last time.

When looking at it from that perspective, the most wild choice would have been to release something similar to the 360/PS3 because history has shown that their sales would have diminished further. They didn't even have one instance that would have suggested otherwise. Where would a Super-Gamecube be at worldwide right now? The trend they were on pre-wii would suggest something like 12 million units. They wouldn't even be considered a competitor. The Wii was their hail mary at the end of the 4th quarter. They saw that offering a similar product with the name "Nintendo" on it was doing less and less for them every generation, so they offered an entirely different product that would not only differentiate them outside of brand name, but also be cheap to produce should it backfire. In actuality, I see the Wii as possibly the most logical and conservative choice in console history, even though it's widely seen as the exact opposite.

I just hate that they had to sacrifice the graphics with the Wii. I hope they return to their pre-Wii stance with Wii U. What I mean by that is graphics that will essentially start next gen and can hold up to the next Xbox/Playstation. Nintendo has never been first to market with a console though. I hope we'll see something comparable to 3DS vs Vita at worst.

 

[GameplayWhore]

Nintendo has *always* been super cautious, not just in 2004-2006.

Nintendo 64 - no disc media

Nintendo stuck with cartridges for the 64 because they were super uncautious in their initial deal with Sony, which led to Sony almost getting the rights to every disc-based game that would have been published for the system. They ended up with an aggressively powerful machine, the PS3 of its time in terms of processing and graphics capability. That's not particularly cautious.

GameCube - 1.5 Gig mini DVD, no online

Not having a centralized online system is called having a different strategy. At the beginning of the PS2/GameCube/Xbox era, this wasn't really that big a deal. There was nothing particularly cautious about them pushing for single player and local multiplayer experiences, as it was seen as completely normal in 2001.

Other people have covered why DS and Wii could be considered risky propositions (and were before they ended up savaging the industry), so I don't need to put my twelve cents in there.

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

I just hate that they had to sacrifice the graphics with the Wii. I hope they return to their pre-Wii stance with Wii U. What I mean by that is graphics that will essentially start next gen and can hold up to the next Xbox/Playstation. Nintendo has never been first to market with a console though. I hope we'll see something comparable to 3DS vs Vita at worst.

Rest your fears

 

[Übermatik]

Rest your fears

0:10 is beautiful. They did a fantastic job with very early hardware.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

Rest your fears

Yeah I know. I thought the Zelda demo was really impressive too. There's a ton of lighting and particle effects being put to use. There's no doubt that Nintendo's games will never have looked better. It's still the third party support that concerns me. It seems like they always have a million excuses as to why they don't put their games on Nintendo systems. I think that has changed some, but time will tell. In either case, I have no doubt that Wii U will be my system of choice next gen.

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

0:10 is beautiful. They did a fantastic job with very early hardware.

Yeah, the on-floor demo is better lit and has some better textures than the E3 stage demo, so the hardware was definitely improving at the time. Regardless of what the specs of the Wii U are, I'm totally happy with what we've already seen so I'm really not concerned one way or the other.

 

[oatmeal]

I finally got SMG2 yesterday...and...holy shit...it looks unbelievable.

I can't imagine what they would be able to do with a powerful console.

 

[Übermatik]

Yeah, the on-floor demo is better lit and has some better textures than the E3 stage demo, so the hardware was definitely improving at the time. Regardless of what the specs of the Wii U are, I'm totally happy with what we've already seen so I'm really not concerned one way or the other.

Yeah, you can tell the difference at the exact spot I mentioned. Improved ray-trace shadowing and higher res/seamless textures in other notable places.

Like you say, if this is what the WiiU can do now, I'm already stoked. Leaving the graphical power at that would be enough for me, but that fact it's going to get better...

 

[JasoNsider]

I finally got SMG2 yesterday...and...holy shit...it looks unbelievable.

I can't imagine what they would be able to do with a powerful console.

It looks good because it's a good team. Honestly, I don't know why people make such a crazy deal about hardware here. Those that have been around games this long should know by now that a good art team, good sound team, and a good engineering team is what you need to make something beautiful. There's beautiful stuff even on SNES/Genesis era platforms.

 

[oatmeal]

It looks good because it's a good team. Honestly, I don't know why people make such a crazy deal about hardware here. Those that have been around games this long should know by now that a good art team, good sound team, and a good engineering team is what you need to make something beautiful. There's beautiful stuff even on SNES/Genesis era platforms.

Right.

but I mean, playing it on a 50" HD screen it is pretty blurry and whatnot. Being able to finally output HD, with their artists, would be pretty amazing.

Those Dolphin shots of SMG2 are incredible. I want that on my TV.

 

[JasoNsider]

Ah. Well sure. That's just image quality Haha, that is not such a big deal.

Regardless, I know what you mean. It is exciting when you think of the prospect of a killer team roasting the hardware. I think Galaxy 2 and Donkey Kong Country are technically and artistically better than most games I see on the HD twins. That's due to the care the devs give!

Going to be absolutely bonkers to see what EAD Tokyo, Retro, and other internal EAD teams do with Wii U.

 

[SolarPowered]

Yeah I know. I thought the Zelda demo was really impressive too. There's a ton of lighting and particle effects being put to use. There's no doubt that Nintendo's games will never have looked better. It's still the third party support that concerns me. It seems like they always have a million excuses as to why they don't put their games on Nintendo systems. I think that has changed some, but time will tell. In either case, I have no doubt that Wii U will be my system of choice next gen.

Still waiting on the online details myself. I've been looking for a good reason to drop Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo in favor of Nintendo/Sony/PC or Nintendo/PC....

 

[BurntPork]

Still waiting on the online details myself. I've been looking for a good reason to drop Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo in favor of Nintendo/Sony/PC or Nintendo/PC....

I approve of this post.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Still waiting on the online details myself. I've been looking for a good reason to drop Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo in favor of Nintendo/Sony/PC or Nintendo/PC....

I'm with you on the Nintendo/Sony/PC part. If wii-u really impresses me I might have to get it along with the PS4.

Now back to the 6 month wait.

 

[oatmeal]

Ah. Well sure. That's just image quality Haha, that is not such a big deal.

Regardless, I know what you mean. It is exciting when you think of the prospect of a killer team roasting the hardware. I think Galaxy 2 and Donkey Kong Country are technically and artistically better than most games I see on the HD twins. That's due to the care the devs give!

Going to be absolutely bonkers to see what EAD Tokyo, Retro, and other internal EAD teams do with Wii U.

That's what I'm talkin' bout.

 

[Fourth Storm]

I see alot of talk on here about having a 28nm GPU and 1T-SRAM. What makes anybody believe that this is anything more than another fabricated rumor? Sure, it's possible, maybe even likely that they include 1T-SRAM, while Nintendo opting for a 28nm process is somewhat less likely. We all just want to believe it, because deep down we're all fanyboys and we want this system to be technically superior. Who is the source? Some guy who claims to know a MoSys investor? Bottom line, this rumor holds even less credibility than Wsippel's admittedly questionable source, who claimed that Wii U would be a SoC. We need alot more salt around these parts.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Rest your fears

Ya know what...fuck pilot wings, I want a game where I can be a bird.

 

[Gravijah]

Ya know what...fuck pilot wings, I want a game where I can be a bird.

might i recommend angry birds?

 

[Fourth Storm]

Ya know what...fuck pilot wings, I want a game where I can be a bird.

Better invest in a 32X then.

 

[likeGdid]

I've been checking out this thread off and on for quite a while and I don't quite remember much speculation on price point.

I'm quite sure it's price is a major factor in how it'll be received, and while it's difficult without specs/etc, i'm sure there are guesses.

Would it still be the lowest priced console in its generation? Would the lowest price point be $250 dollars? Or even higher?

EDIT: I imagine the controller would be a major factor, as well.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

might i recommend angry birds?

Aren't you really the slingshot there

 

[Fourth Storm]

I've been checking out this thread off and on for quite a while and I don't quite remember much speculation on price point.

I'm quite sure it's price is a major factor in how it'll be received, and while it's difficult without specs/etc, i'm sure there are guesses.

Would it still be the lowest priced console in its generation? Would the lowest price point be $250 dollars? Or even higher?

EDIT: I imagine the controller would be a major factor, as well.

I think $299 is the sweet spot. With Wii U Sports preloaded on the system, or perhaps on disc, depending on how robust they decide to make that title.

 

[Gravijah]

Aren't you really the slingshot there

in mario 64 you are actually controlling lakitu who is in turn controlling mario

 

[BurntPork]

I see alot of talk on here about having a 28nm GPU and 1T-SRAM. What makes anybody believe that this is anything more than another fabricated rumor? Sure, it's possible, maybe even likely that they include 1T-SRAM, while Nintendo opting for a 28nm process is somewhat less likely. We all just want to believe it, because deep down we're all fanyboys and we want this system to be technically superior. Who is the source? Some guy who claims to know a MoSys investor? Bottom line, this rumor holds even less credibility than Wsippel's admittedly questionable source, who claimed that Wii U would be a SoC. We need alot more salt around these parts.

I came to this conclusion as well. I'm backpedaling to 40nm being the most likely case. If it's 45nm, however, I'll give up all hope of Nintendo making competitive hardware ever again.

 

[Fernando Rocker]

The biggest feature I would love to see on the Wii U is the ability to render Wii games in HD, just like the Dolphin emulator.

It won't happen, but it's nice to dream.

 

[MDX]

Bottom line, this rumor holds even less credibility than Wsippel's admittedly questionable source, who claimed that Wii U would be a SoC. We need alot more salt around these parts.

Well thats being alluded by IBM themselves.

The all-new, Power-based microprocessor will pack some of IBM's most advanced technology into an energy-saving silicon package that will power Nintendo's brand new entertainment experience for consumers worldwide. IBM's unique embedded DRAM, for example, is capable of feeding the multi-core processor large chunks of data to make for a smooth entertainment experience.

They didnt say "chip"

I myself am leaning towards a 3D integrated circuit. It would be a "Nintendo" type move.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Better invest in a 32X then.

Hey I had one, almost bought Kolibri.

 

[BurntPork]

I think $299 is the sweet spot. With Wii U Sports preloaded on the system, or perhaps on disc, depending on how robust they decide to make that title.

Iwata: WTF does "preloaded" mean?
Miyamoto: I think it's a PC game.
Reggie: *phew* I was worried that it was something that we might need to localize!
Iwata: (laughs)

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

I think Nintendo will go all out at Launch. $250 price with loss planned until mid 2013, packaged with Super Mario Wii U in the box to show off the multiplayer creativity and craziness that the controller provides. So many people have so many wiimotes already that it seems like a perfect replacement than a Wii U Sports, where only one person gets to enjoy the new experience of the U controller at one time. A mario game, even if its just a slice of a full game, will do wonders.

 

[bgassassin]

I see alot of talk on here about having a 28nm GPU and 1T-SRAM. What makes anybody believe that this is anything more than another fabricated rumor? Sure, it's possible, maybe even likely that they include 1T-SRAM, while Nintendo opting for a 28nm process is somewhat less likely. We all just want to believe it, because deep down we're all fanyboys and we want this system to be technically superior. Who is the source? Some guy who claims to know a MoSys investor? Bottom line, this rumor holds even less credibility than Wsippel's admittedly questionable source, who claimed that Wii U would be a SoC. We need alot more salt around these parts.

Nobody has treated it as fact.

 

[FreeMufasa]

in mario 64 you are actually controlling lakitu who is in turn controlling mario

Going into the mirror room in Peachs castle and seeing Lakitu blew my mind as a kid.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Going into the mirror room in Peachs castle and seeing Lakitu blew my mind as a kid.

It would be cool to have a 3D Mario game with cool multi-player and everyone was followed by their own Lakitu.

 

[oatmeal]

Going into the mirror room in Peachs castle and seeing Lakitu blew my mind as a kid.

YES!

I forgot about that.

Amazing.

I remember some of the screens before the game came out, that exact scene was one of them and it blew my little mind.

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

I think Nintendo will go all out at Launch. $250 price with loss planned until mid 2013, packaged with Super Mario Wii U in the box to show off the multiplayer creativity and craziness that the controller provides. So many people have so many wiimotes already that it seems like a perfect replacement than a Wii U Sports, where only one person gets to enjoy the new experience of the U controller at one time. A mario game, even if its just a slice of a full game, will do wonders.

My head's spinning from all the crazy here. Last gen, with a cheaper-to-produce controller, a system that didn't use current tech, and lower inflation, Nintendo released the Wii at 249.99. You expect them to launch Wii U at the same price with a more expensive controller, a system that does use current tech, and higher inflation? Not to mention a packed-in Mario game that they could easily sell stand-alone for full price? I really think you're setting yourself up for disappointment expecting such a low price. I see a $299.99 minimum, with 349.99 being most likely.

 

[Shiggy]

It would be cool to have a 3D Mario game with cool multi-player and everyone was followed by their own Lakitu.

A 3D Mario multiplayer game in general would be cool (looks at Super Mario 64 DS multiplayer mode...well, no).

 

[bgassassin]

I think Nintendo will go all out at Launch. $250 price with loss planned until mid 2013, packaged with Super Mario Wii U in the box to show off the multiplayer creativity and craziness that the controller provides. So many people have so many wiimotes already that it seems like a perfect replacement than a Wii U Sports, where only one person gets to enjoy the new experience of the U controller at one time. A mario game, even if its just a slice of a full game, will do wonders.

I would see the lowest being $269 to maintain at least a $100 gap between it an the 3DS. $299 is my expected target with a current max of $329.

 

[guek]

I'm predicting $299.99 with some awesome packins

online store wont be up day 1 though :-(

 

[Fourth Storm]

I think Nintendo will go all out at Launch. $250 price with loss planned until mid 2013, packaged with Super Mario Wii U in the box to show off the multiplayer creativity and craziness that the controller provides. So many people have so many wiimotes already that it seems like a perfect replacement than a Wii U Sports, where only one person gets to enjoy the new experience of the U controller at one time. A mario game, even if its just a slice of a full game, will do wonders.

That's a solid alternate scenario to the one I present. It may come off as a bit desperate, but that's exactly the mentality Nintendo's recent actions seem to indicate.

Well thats being alluded by IBM themselves.



They didnt say "chip"

I myself am leaning towards a 3D integrated circuit. It would be a "Nintendo" type move.

It does make sense, considering the case size and rumored specs. There's just nothing solid to go on, though. It's mere speculation. What would be the point in IBM sending out a coded message in their press release rather than just saying it was a SoC design as another added bullet point? Unless they are that unsure of the their own success in designing the system. That's scary.

Nobody has treated it as fact.

Of course not, and it is fun to entertain the ideas, but it's hard to take it seriously at all when the source smells so much like other "leaks" such as that supposed specs sheet (which hilariously changed several times as it made its rounds of the internet). Or maybe I just don't wanna get my hopes up.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

My head's spinning from all the crazy here. Last gen, with a cheaper-to-produce controller, a system that didn't use current tech, and lower inflation, Nintendo released the Wii at 249.99. You expect them to launch Wii U at the same price with a more expensive controller, a system that does use current tech, and higher inflation? Not to mention a packed-in Mario game that they could easily sell stand-alone for full price? I really think you're setting yourself up for disappointment expecting such a low price. I see a $299.99 minimum, with 349.99 being most likely.

I wont be disappointed. In my heart of hearts, i believe $299 and up is the way it will probably roll out, just airing what i think a crazy aggressive Nintendo would do , to build that install that publishers next gen simply cant ignore. I should have added some caveats to that post, like if Nintendo doesnt think they have a killer six months post launch, it might be priced a bit lower and more to make more logical sense.

 

[kinggroin]

I want to want this console, but not until they get their online shit in gear. The 3ds burned me good.

 

[Strife91]

I just want it to be a noticeable difference from today's consoles. When I buy a nextgen console I want too feel like I've done an upgrade. They've talked about making a more powerful console to make games more scalable to their console. As far as I know they've only compared it to 360 and PS3, which doesn't bode well in my ears. That aside, Nintendo biggest problem is the weak third party support and online. For some reason they have to be really stubborn about supporting online. If Nintendo can fix these things and not just make empty promises and trying avoid the topics it would be great. I won't be buying this console based on what's "coming", but what it has to offer NOW.

 

[[Nintex]]

I want to want this console, but not until they get their online shit in gear. The 3ds burned me good.

Nintendo's online 'service' is like the budget of Greece.

 

[wsippel]

I see alot of talk on here about having a 28nm GPU and 1T-SRAM. What makes anybody believe that this is anything more than another fabricated rumor? Sure, it's possible, maybe even likely that they include 1T-SRAM, while Nintendo opting for a 28nm process is somewhat less likely. We all just want to believe it, because deep down we're all fanyboys and we want this system to be technically superior. Who is the source? Some guy who claims to know a MoSys investor? Bottom line, this rumor holds even less credibility than Wsippel's admittedly questionable source, who claimed that Wii U would be a SoC. We need alot more salt around these parts.

My "questionable source" was one of the engineers who worked on the project.

It's unlikely he made shit up, but it's certainly possible that we're not talking about a "real" SoC. Maybe it's just an "SoC" similar to Hollywood - a single chip containing everything but the main CPU. But in general, I have more confidence in that statment than in a random, unsourced post by a new member on B3D.

 

[kinggroin]

Nintendo's online 'service' is like the budget of Greece.

Lol, that's fine. I can be just as fiscally conservative when it comes to my future console purchasing budget.

 

[bgassassin]

Of course not, and it is fun to entertain the ideas, but it's hard to take it seriously at all when the source smells so much like other "leaks" such as that supposed specs sheet (which hilariously changed several times as it made its rounds of the internet). Or maybe I just don't wanna get my hopes up.

I understand not wanting to get your hopes up. I think what makes that leak interesting is because it touched on an area we haven't really talked about much, it was something no one considered, yet it is still plausible considering NEC and MoSys have been involved with the last two Nintendo GPUs.

Nintendo's online 'service' is like the budget of Greece.

Bravely Default? (yeah, I stole it)

 

[[Nintex]]

Lol, that's fine. I can be just as fiscally conservative when it comes to my future console purchasing budget.

So you'll borrow $4 billion to buy 8 consoles and then set the rest on fire or?

 

[Shin Johnpv]

might i recommend angry birds?

You may not.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

Still waiting on the online details myself. I've been looking for a good reason to drop Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo in favor of Nintendo/Sony/PC or Nintendo/PC....

Personally, I'm more interested in them setting up a cloud based DD service like Steam than online multiplayer. The idea of having games that you can download and play on 3DS and Wii U is far more appealing than anything else to me. VC games especially prior to N64 would be a huge selling point if they did this imo.