Wii U

I will be holding back on buying one until next year, depending on what games are available by then. In the meantime I have a PC to upgrade.

So far for me, it doesn't look very appealing. Three different control schemes seems confusing. I've seen nothing to convince me the second screen controller is going to add anything fun / worthwhile to gaming. Personally I think it'll be a little too much to look from the TV screen to the controller screen on some of these gimmick games that will use both, though I'd want to try it first before completely dismissing it. Also that screen pad controller still looks huge and uncomfortable to use...

The price (in the US) isn't bad. I like that you could transfer over your virtual console games from the Wii. But that's about all I have to say positive.

The two main problems for me though are...

1. The games line-up. Nothing terrible exciting there, so far. Another 2D Mario game when one just came out for their handheld a month ago? Like always, it'll be buy a nintendo console to play Nintendo games, but shit, I'm pretty tired of those same five or six games. Also they're all on 3DS, which seems like enough Nintendo for me - I don't know if I need two devices to play essentially the same games. Show me something new (Pikmen 3 isn't new), not a sequel or mini-game collection.

2. The tech already seems outdated. Nintendo has finally caught up to 6/7 year old PS360, but there will be new, much more powerful consoles coming out from the competition in a year (most likely) or a year and a half, and again the WiiU won't be able to get the same high-quality AAA ports. Same problem as the Wii returns.

I don't think the screen on the controller is going to be used for much either. The screen on the Dreamcast controller's VMU was only used by a handful of games (Rainbow Six was the only one I actually played and it always caused me to get shot while I wasn't looking at the TV). And it's doubly redundant for the WiiU now that the TV is HD. It also seems very bulky, especially from the side. It's like one of those HTPC wireless keyboard/trackball gadgets. The Pro Controller looks like a Nintendo-fied 360 controller, and that seems more the way to go.
As for games line-up, the same applies to the other two next gen consoles. Maybe even more so, as most AAA titles, with the exception of some platform exclusives, are likely to have PC ports released at the same time. Why have a PS4/MSwhatever making a noise like a jet engine when I can have a relatively silent PC instead? There's the cost issue, but when games are priced at £60-70 a pop, hardware costs aren't as big an issue as they seem.

tbh i was all for getting one just for Monster Hunter HD but they are releasing the 3DS version at the same time so i'll be perfectly happy with that one

xp yeah but a solid, quiet gaming pc is gonna run you more than $300-400 for sure. also if you're already on the thrifty path, you're always six months behind on everything anyway, can't remember the last time I paid the full $60 on any game

Was surprised to read just now that CODBLOPS2 will run at 1080p60 on the wii U, but only 720p60 on the 360. So it might not be quite as underpowered as people are making out?

WiiU is roughly 2 360s in horsepower/graphics, whereas PS4/720 are rumoured to be at least 10 times a 360.
more surprised that the others are rendering BLOPS2 at 720p tbh, the amount of games that have rendered sub-HD has been this generations dirty little secret

Graphics are near saturation now though, right? I mean, the lower graphics of the Wii didn't stop it beating the crap out of the PS3/360.

It probably hurt them in the 'endgame' as it's being outsold right now. Isolated the WiiU graphics are good enough for most (in a way the wii graphics weren't), but the issue is still getting the hardcore 3rd party games. WiiU won't get 'Battlefield 5' or whatever, at least not the same version as PS4, xbox720, and so the perception of it not being the console for 'that type of game' lingers.

Its lead of one year as the most powerful and new console is pretty considerable, though, and may be important. The general consensus is that its launch line up will secure its place at the top in Japan but in the West maybe not.

Gamestop & Best Buy sold out of preorders for the Premium bundles reportedly. Who knows how many they were supplied with though.

Graphics are near saturation now though, right? I mean, the lower graphics of the Wii didn't stop it beating the crap out of the PS3/360.

― Andrew Farrell

The reasons I think the wii sold so well is that it was a lot cheaper than the other consoles and it gave the impression of having a lot simpler, family-friendly controls that really took off with the wii sports craze and that exercise board. I'm doubtful Nintendo can replicate that kind of sales, because 1. The wiiU seems to have much more complicated controls 2. Lots of people with Wiis collecting dust in their closets who won't be running out to buy another one.

For the traditional video game market, graphics still matter and in theory they should be considerably better on the more powerful offerings from Microsoft and Sony in a year or so. I also have more faith in those companies online services & multiplayer support, which is extremely important on a home console.

I do think the poor graphics of the original wii hurt its sales to some extent, as I know several people who didn't buy one for that reason. It definitely hurt in terms of cross platform games, look at the very shitty versions of FIFA and Call of Duty that the wii got - look at how much those games sold on PS360 & how much they sold on Wii. Okay, this fall the WiiU may get slightly better ports of those games, but by the end of next year the console will probably be back in the same position the Wii was, with downscaled b-team ports of the biggest games, because the performance of the WiiU will be so much less than the new consoles being released... I'm not saying the WiiU is going to flop (though I don't see it being the hit the Wii was), just some of the reasons it hasn't really got my attention yet.

That said, the WiiU is still pretty affordable. I could definitely see myself buying one at some point, just to fool around with & for nintendo games, because it's so cheap it's not really an issue. I'm just much more interested in seeing what Microsoft & or Sony bring to the table with true next-gen hardware at this point.

crossporting will be easier this time round as the gap between WiiU & others will be smaller. this time Sony can't afford heavy upfront losses on each console, which should scale their ambition back a bit (then again they are kinda crazy!). Microsoft can afford to be hella aggressive though. By the time they both release WiiU will be significantly cheaper with a years headstart, but i don't think anyone is really expecting WiiU to get close to Wii sales.

I think the casual gamers that drove early Wii sales are more into mobile/tablet games now. What's really going to be interesting is how gamers' expectations for the graphics quality of 720/PS4 titles affects developers. It'll cost more time and money to make AAA titles for the MS/Sony next gen consoles, so maybe quite a few AAA developers will tap out and switch to the WiiU.

And graphics quality has become less and less important with subsequent generations. With the N64/Saturn/PS it was the main selling point. Even something as relatively mainstream as the 'Sega Does What Nintendon't' campaign was all about the kind of technical specifications that just aren't mentioned today.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was getting at, and the low return on investment of detailed/realistic graphics vs enjoyable (and yes casual) gaming.

Isolated the WiiU graphics are good enough for most (in a way the wii graphics weren't)

Just checking, this is the same Wii that spent 2-3 years outselling the PS3 and 360 combined, right?

gonna go see if I can get one of these tomorrow. Not gonna try very hard.

good luck, if you want it.

guys maybe this will turn out to be an awesome system like the gamecube.

i mean i think pound for pound in terms of good memories the gamecube may be my favorite console ever. largely animal crossing related. so maybe nintendo will accept that the wii lightning ain't gonna strike twice and focus on doing the weird shit the GC did so well.

plenty of weird shit on Wii if you look for it

i mean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bQiyXPaNUc

I bought the last two Nintendo consoles at or near launch, loved them for a while and then sold them for something else. I'm taking a wait and see approach this time, though I expect I'll eventually get one once the next Zelda or Mario Galaxy comes out.

what game is that?

struck out at GameStop and two Best Buys; at the first Best Buy I missed the last console by minutes apparently. Probably good that I didn't spend hundreds of dollars today on a thing I sort of wanted.

yeh probably for the best, and if you really want one you should be able to get one without much hassle in the near future, i doubt this will be sold out for months after launch like its predecessor. sounds like Nintendo are at least doing the right things to attract indie developers - can set their own price, have sales whenever they want, patches/updates are incredibly cheap & can be as frequent as needed. basically the same as Steam/Apple.

haha i had successfully quashed that new-console fervor until my student worker came into my office today and started talking about his own fruitless wii u quest, then we spent the whole afternoon calling suburban sears and toys r us and shit.

i'm over it now though. fervor is re-squashed.

yeah like 90% of the reason i never got a wii was because by the time they were actually available to buy without any hassle i wasn't excited about it anymore

though now i kind of want one of these so i can catch up on all the games i missed plus new stuff

yeah like 90% of the reason i never got a wii was because by the time they were actually available to buy without any hassle i wasn't excited about it anymore

― ciderpress, Tuesday, November 20, 2012 8:50 AM (28 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

yes me too exactly

I would still play my Wii, but the damn controllers won't stay charged and I've been too lazy to do anything about it.

For me it's that i cant game in standard definition any more. Really wish they'd tune up wii games to HD on this thing but that'll likely take a year and only if u rebuy the game.

its pretty unreal that they used all these neat shaders on Skyward Sword that make the sets look painted, and then they're practically invisible at standard def and you have to run the game emulated on a PC to see the detail

missed this thread what with the vast ocean of people clamouring to buy a wii u

there's been some low-grade clamoring itt

Oh mine arrived on Friday, I got it out of the box and ran through the setup and the day one firmware update took an hour. By which time Jo was almost home from school, so I just had to pack it away again and hide it in the wardrobe (it's his christmas present) and I've basically been too busy and/or not interested enough to get it out again since.

you are a smart parent to check for downloads prior to gifting.

i've been thinking of getting this for the new sidescrolling Mario but I'm a little skeptical of it, I don't get at all what that clunky controller is supposed to do and I don't think I'd ever use it in "detached" mode. what does this thing do that regular Wii doesn't?

well it plays wii u games so thats one thing

don't think Wii could do this

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_meidi73F181qzp9weo1_500.jpg

Unyeah!

spoilers

what is a "Yeah"

Unaaliyeah

got a Basic one at target along with Mario, the thing is currently d/ling software updates so I'm enjoying the odor of my chanukah candles and the peaceful loading screen music

I'm sure I will get years of enjoyment from this but at this particular instant I feel slightly irresponsible.

i really want to play the last story but i feel sort of stupid buying this to play a wii game on and i mean theres going to be a zelda game for it that ill want to play at some point sooo

Housemate bought one of these on the weekend, despite my "wtf WHY?" protests (like he cares what I think haha). TBH we still used the wii a reasonable amount, or at least I do: I do wiifit a lot, and I dabble in various Zeldas and Animal Crossing CIty FOlk, so I'll just move those over to the new console.

Its built in browser and touyube app are rather handy. No more pissing about plugging someones laptop into the television with qa HDMI cable, and no futzing about trying to "type" urls in using a joystick and an onscreen kbd! For that alone, the screen controller is gonna be handy (hand it around at parties and let ppl put youtube clips on for lulz)

touyube ? geez im getting dyslexic.

is that what the kids are calling it these days?

hi its a me mario

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SECWlFInyFM

I'm going to have to buy a Wii U when this new Zelda comes out. Looks amazing. I love having the map on the controller.

prefer smushed cartoon link

Just caved and bought one of these things. I'm already perplexed by the whole transfer system, it seriously just keeps all your old Wii stuff in a separate interface without integrating it with any of the Wii U controls? Its cool that it transfers your points but the fact that there are two separate stores, the old store seems to have a lot more VC stuff right now, though it may be because I can't figure out much on the Wii U store, it just seems like a bunch of links to different subsets of products rather than like an actual list of stuff you can buy.

That said the gamepad is a seriously neat piece of hardware and I'm having a blast with the New SMB Wii U, I'll never get sick of these games, I know they likely never will, but wouldn't it be cool if they did DLC for new worlds on this one periodically? I mean it's the same game as the regular Wii one give 'er take a few things (even reusing most of the music), so why not?

Sounds like Mario Maker is the upcoming Wii U release for you.

They did release dlc for that, I think? New luigi U or something?

oh. that one's on the disc I have

Ah, there you go then.

the Wii OS was hacked so comprehensively that when they decided the WiiU would have backwards compatibility the Wii part had to be completely fenced off to prevent hacking of the WiiU OS. this also means that most if not all previous hacks of the Wii can run in Wii mode on the WiiU - for example with Nintendont you can play most Gamecube games on the WiiU straight from an SD card or USB device with minimal setup, and its next to impossible for Nintendo to detect or patch it. I believe it also supports that Smash USB adapter thingy so you can use a wavebird if you want!

haha, I totally forgot that was the reason for their fenced-off mode

maybe another reason is that their transfer system just involves storing everything on an SD card which technically you could then open up with a hex editor on a PC and give yourself 100000 Wii points (and yes, I realize this isn't the way you do it anymore, but I haven't 'hacked' anything since I was 14)

the idea that I would have to buy something like SMB3 again on the Wii U if I want to use the new controller is a real bummer. that said it's literally a dollar right now, so whatever

I still think they are missing a huge opportunity by not doing online leaderboards or anything for the VC stuff, nor any sort of online capability - wouldn't have to be much more complex than what your standard issue emulator does. Like with New Super Mario Bros. U you can kinda see them adding in some challenges specifically for the high-difficulty/speedrun crowd, why not take it a step further and let people speedrun SMB3 with the possibility of getting on a leaderboard/making the video available for all to see

Man, those Gamecube adapter things are sold out everywhere...

fortunately unlike the Amiibos it sounds like they'll keep producing them, I imagine the supply will catch up within a few months

their lack of cross-platform buy ala Sony/Steam is a real waste, considering how much of their stuff works across 2DS/3DS/Wii/WiiU. it's held me back a little from buying any retro titles

so i thought i'd try this Hyrule Warriors thing out for a few minutes. 3 hours later i look at the clock and wonder where the time went. can't even tell you if the game is any good, just ... want to play more. wth.

super mario galaxy 2 now available from the eshop - half-price at £8.99 for the next seven days. metroid prime trilogy will be the same price the week after next, which seems like such insanely good value i have to wonder whether it's a misprint.

metroid prime trilogy 10 bucks right now yall

hurry up and tell me when i can play this dammit

http://i.imgur.com/nGvDg5W.gif

april 29 2015!

(if you live in japan)

Bought one of these, struck by how a lot of the stuff I got for it (Bayonetta, Captain Toad, Marios), you can literally just play it on this tricked out tablet while someone else is on the TV. Almost games as game industry criticism - how important is HD if the games are this good?

Lego City Undercover is a nice exception, it turns out that TT's Lego skills + Grand Theft Auto + some nifty tablet use (sections where you can hold up the tablet and move it around to see in 3d wireframe) = a very cool game.

anybody playing splatoon? it is thus far a ton of fun. a little limited at release, but the core mechanics are surprisingly deep and very well executed. if you have a wiiu it is absolutely worth looking into

yeh sort of obsessed with Splatoon at the moment. finished the single player part last night, that final boss fight was incredible. not really touched 'splat zone' battles yet, seems a bit too competitive shooter for me. the other night someone Kraken'd in front of me, but i managed to jump over them 3 times and when they turned back i splatted the hell out of them - felt soooooo goooood haha!

turned my wii u on for the first time in a long time and one of the updated apps it has downloaded is... napster? wtf

I succumbed and bought a Wii U & Wind Waker. Excited!
― Chuck_Tatum, Friday, 1 March 2019 13:55 (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

welcome to 2012 chuck!
(srsly tho the wii u was a great and tragically overlooked machine)
― Backdoor Pathway To Making Human Penis Started With A Wallaby (bizarro gazzara), Friday, 1 March 2019 13:56 (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

ones that haven't gotten switch versions, you mean? like half of them have now
― ciderpress, Friday, 1 March 2019 14:28 (forty minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

yeah i love the wii u but most of the switch catalogue is just upgraded rereleases of wii u games, i'm glad y'all get to enjoy the games but it's a bit frustrating for those of us who already played these games :)
― the scientology of mountains (rushomancy), Friday, 1 March 2019 14:45 (twenty-three minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Given how expensive Switch games are, I realised I could buy a secondhand Wii U + a bunch of games for the price of 2 or 3 full priced Switch games. So I've retired the Game Cube from the living room, and I can finally get round to playing Wind Waker, Majora's Mask, etc. for the first time on one machine.

Anyway, er, - recommend me some Wii U games! Got my eye on SMG2 and Metroid Prime (which I've never played either)

super mario 3d world is u&k

stuff that hasn't gotten switch port/sequel yet:

Mario 3D World
the 2d Mario formula in 3d, people who like this one really like it

Pikmin 3
it's pikmin, it looks nice

Tokyo Mirage Sessions
a smt/persona spinoff about teen fashion idols with fire emblem personas. google image search should tell you immediately if this is for you or not, it's really visually distinctive like persona 5 but in a completely different direction

Xenoblade Chronicles X
Paper Mario Color Splash
these are less popular entries in their respective series but have some defenders

Star Fox Zero
whereas this one doesn't really have any defenders afaict

oh there's also The Wonderful 101 which i know nothing about other than it's a platinumgames game so it'll be some sort of stylish action thing

its very weird but i liked the little i played of it

and by weird i don't mean the content so much as the control scheme. like you ever played The World Ends With You? kind of like that but maybe less effective

Is The World Ends With You worth it on Switch? I have a DS emu

TWEWY really wants to be played on the DS I think. All the other releases have compromised the gameplay somewhat.

from what i'm hearing that seems to be the case.
but i'm biased, i'd say it's worth buying a DS Lite or 3DS just to play that game

This thing is wild! It’s like a switch made by an idiot. Good games though

After the total silence of the Switch, the low rumble noise of the Wii U is super annoying. (I also have hyperacusis, which doesn't help.)

I bought WWHD on disc and I'm already thinking of buying the online version instead so it's quieter - although now I have to find an old USB stick to save it on to, because my Wii U doesn't have enough memory. What a weird system! It's amazing how many dumb UX problems the Switch solved.

The demo of Pikmin 3 is adorable. Wondering if the game play style will get more tiring the more complicated it gets.

the noise is more likely a fan than the disc drive

Yeah, the fan isn't too bad when I'm playing games on the hard drive, but the disc is really loud during Wind Waker, like PS3 loud.

(I have major hearing damage, though, so everything sounds loud to me.)

oh ok carry on then

Given how expensive Switch games are, I realised I could buy a secondhand Wii U + a bunch of games for the price of 2 or 3 full priced Switch games. So I've retired the Game Cube from the living room, and I can finally get round to playing Wind Waker, Majora's Mask, etc. for the first time on one machine.

Anyway, er, - recommend me some Wii U games! Got my eye on SMG2 and Metroid Prime (which I've never played either)

― Chuck_Tatum

if you're going from gamecube to wii u, don't overlook wii games! there are a lot of really good ones that nobody bought, and the wii u will play them

Yeah, I have a Wii too but the resolution is *terrible* on my TV which really affects playability. Weirdly the Cube looks a lot crisper.

the switch is silent?! between the fan running and the stupid hd rumble playing like little mini symphonies (have to turn it off in half of the games) i can now only imagine that the wii u sounds like a jet engine

i forgot about Yoshi's Woolly World in my earlier list of stuff not on switch which afaict is the most well regarded yoshi game outside of the original yoshi's island

but yeah of the like 20 good wii u games more than half are on switch now

Besides Wonderful 101 what's left?

Nintendoland is VERY hit and miss but the good bits are really good, Mario Chase might be the multiplayer game we played more than any other on that console.

If you care at all about lego games then Lego City Undercover is still one of their best and is much better on this, the console it was designed for than on the the others it was later ported to.

But I'm clutching at straws. Mario 3D Land and Pikmin 3 are really the only exclusives left that are truly worth owning the console far.

3D World sorry. 3D Land was the 3ds one (and is just as good, maybe a little bit better in fact).

Tokyo Mirage Sessions if you love Atlus JRPGs, would love a port of that game so it has another chance to find an audience.
People seem to love 3D World but I found it disappointing tbh.