Wii 2? NO, U!

[Darren Dirt]

The new Wii is gonna be called "Wii U". And it's not Nintendo playing catchup, it's another leapfrog ahead in the innovation race. Maybe.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jun/07/wii-u-nintendo-games-console

there are an awful lot of Wiis out there, and if people are going to upgrade to Wii U, they'll be thankful that those Wiimotes, at least, won't become redundant. So to create gameplay from the interplay between the two types of controller could just be a stroke of genius.

...refreshingly unlike anything we had played before

In typical Nintendo fashion, Wii U is one of those objects that you have to get your hands on before you get what it is trying to achieve.

The new controller is such an odd, unlikely-looking thing that it will undoubtedly generate a wave of early cynicism. But the joyously unusual nature of the gameplay experiences that even a couple of hastily assembled tech-demos can engender bodes more than well.

It will launch some time between 1 April and 31 December 2012.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_U

[Lazybones]

Here have a tablet (your probably already have an iPad or Android), that needs to be around this expensive base station.

[Mr. Analog]

I saw this at the crack o' dawn this morning and I have to say that I'm feeling some trepidation, it seems almost like back-pedalling in a way when you see what the Kinect is doing already. But that seems to be Nintendo, when everyone zags they zig.

I guess when more info is out it will more easily solidify in my mind how or what this is and what it means, for now it just seems like something designed to take my eyes of the big-screen action, which is exactly the opposite of what I want as a player.

[Darren Dirt]

Here have a tablet (your probably already have an iPad or Android), that needs to be around this expensive base station.

I saw this at the crack o' dawn this morning and I have to say that I'm feeling some trepidation, it seems almost like back-pedalling in a way when you see what the Kinect is doing already. But that seems to be Nintendo, when everyone zags they zig.

I guess when more info is out it will more easily solidify in my mind how or what this is and what it means, for now it just seems like something designed to take my eyes of the big-screen action, which is exactly the opposite of what I want as a player.

Sounds like the tech demos were partly intended to show off the new KINDS of games that might arise as a result of each player having an "extra" screen available. And in fact one of the demos seems to be almost like One Player is Pacman vs. 4 other players who are all Ghosts... with the right people that could be an excellent game involving teamwork and strategy and blaming others when it all doesn't work out.

In the end it comes down to FUN. Which is more fun, Warioware/MarioParty/SSB or [insert name of Wii game ripoff that uses the MS Kinect controller]?

[Tom]

The coverage I've seen so far today is fairly positive. People/reviewers seem to like it. Mind you they are somewhat cautious at this point. Nothing glowing yet, well except one review (At least its title looked glowing), but I haven't read that one yet.

[Darren Dirt]

I selected certain chunks of text for a reason -- because I was surprised that such a "weird looking" controller would result in such positive comments:

...Wiimotes ... gameplay from the interplay between the two types of controller could just be a stroke of genius.

...refreshingly unlike anything we had played before

Wii U is one of those objects that you have to get your hands on before you get what it is trying to achieve.

joyously unusual nature of the gameplay experiences

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jun/07/wii-u-nintendo-games-console

[Mr. Analog]

I'M AT E3 AND EVERYTHING IS FUN!

I'll wait until they have games instead of tech demos.

Oddly enough, there's already porn of it -> http://chombiecho.tumblr.com/post/6295665036/japan

[Melbosa]

Here is the demo video for it: http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/60743/E3-2011-Meet-the-Wii-U

Impressive... but yes just adding a tablet to the Wii it seems.

[Lazybones]

An example where an iPad already kind of does some of this stuff without the need for a console base station
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/real-racing-2-hd-beats-wii-u-to-the-wireless-dual-screen-gaming/

I suspect a whole whack of iPad games to come out now demonstrating the tablet controller like functions of the Wii U.

[Darren Dirt]

more details about the specs
http://www.zeldainformer.com/2011/06/wii-u-uses-25gb-discs-will-not-support-gamecube-controllers-or-games.html

Depending on pricing, the system will be either a phenomenal success or a phenomenal failure, as competitive bundles for Xbox 360 with Kinect and PS3 with Move are likely to be priced below $300 by the time the Wii U launches.

[Lazybones]

I still have no interest in this console.... Lack of compelling titles (for me at least), our Wii hardly got used after the novelty wore off, that and the need for you to have lots of people over for it to really be fun.

[Mr. Analog]

One of my sister's friends is at E3 and took some photos, the controller/tablet  is HUGE, I think this might be a huge misstep for Nintendo.

Even if it's a super-fun console the major hurdle is going to be that honkin' big tablet. Wii I could get my mind around, fits in your hands and the idea of being able to finally move things around by just moving things around was a natural idea, at this point in time though it seems crazy to want to play a game with an etch-a-sketch interface...

[Darren Dirt]

Introducing the new iPad2 now with bulky controller accessory!
http://www.cracked.com/forums/index.php?topic=69172.msg1915747#msg1915747

(David Wong is funny)

[Darren Dirt]

[Mr. Analog]

Maybe you can hold up the massive tablet-controller as a shield when playing the inevitable Zelda game...