80°

Wii U: Still a Contender for Next-Gen

Ryan Johnson | GoozerNation

Last week, Ryan Johnson at GoozerNation wrote an article lampooning Nintendo for April Fool's, but he does see promise in Nintendo's next-gen console, when many other people have written off the Wii U as a major fail. Inside the article, you'll find the reasons he feels that the Wii U can still come out as a top contender with the PS4 and Microsoft's next console.

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goozernation.com
Godmars2904034d ago

While its certainly under powered compared to the PS4 and Xbox3, if Nintendo can get its act together and focus on games - instead of gimmicks - they can and will come out on top.

Thing the definition of what a game is has become both generalized yet specific. Supposed open tools like what Epic Crytek and Id have been pushing only really support one type of gaming.

gamefiles4034d ago

lol. Nintendo reading this article must think that the author is not "there" yet.

FriedGoat4033d ago

The thing is, This is the time for the WiiU to shine, when there is no competition. I can't help but think once the PS4 and Nextbox are out The wiiU will be forgotten.

mcstorm4033d ago

@FriedGoat I see what you are saying but no one knows how much the PS4 or Next xbox will be. We don't know the specs of the next xboxz We also don't know what games it will have in its 1st 12 months. We all know when a console 1st hits the market it has a dry spell of games and its not until its been on the market for 12 months it starts to get its real big hitters so this will mean if Nintendo can get some of its big name games out it can still out do the next xbox and PS4.

One thing we all know and that is we don't know how well the PS4, Next Xbox or WiiU are going to sell over the next 18 months and its up to Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to give people a reason to buy there consoles.

sikbeta4033d ago

Only problem with the console right now is dem gaemz XD

nthstew4033d ago

yup this is the wii in next generation

Theyellowflash304033d ago

Of course they are. There are a lot of confirmed exclusives for the Wii U that will help push units. Bayonetta 2, The Wonderful 101, Pikmin 2, Zelda, Mario Kart, 3D Mario, Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem.

Even Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate saw a boost in Wii U sales. We don't know if the PS4 and Xbox 720 are going to fly off shelves. Did the PS3 and Xbox 360 break any early sales records? Nope, so don't expect those system to destroy the Wii U sales, especially when it will be more expensive.

Elem1874033d ago

See and thats what Nintendo doom and gloomers are forgetting, that even these "terrible" sales, the Wii U still has sold more than Xbox360/PS3 did in their first 5 months, not by much, but still sold more.

After its been on the market for a year we will get a better picture of where its going, anyone claiming its dead before its had a full year on the market really doesn't understand hardware, the industry or business.

The vita on the other hand, yeah we can call that a flop.

Theyellowflash304033d ago

Yeah, the Vita has been on the market for more than a year now, and it is being outsold by the Wii U on a worldwide basis.

The Wii U will sell well. Just give it some time for it's games to be released. Nintendo had a good launch, but lack of software screwed them for January and Feb.

All reports indicate that March was much better for the Wii U with the release of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Lego City, and Need for Speed U. April is going to be quiet, but May looks to be good with Resident Evil and Deus Ex.

Jek_Porkins4033d ago

It's a next gen console in accordance to the term, the main problem is that with the art direction of most Nintendo first party games, there really isn't a game that can show off what it can do.

If they were to come out with a game that looks better than the new Tomb Raider or Uncharted, people would notice and shut up about power, but a lot of their IP's are that kid friendly style and probably didn't even need HD.

Maybe when/if they do a new Metroid Prime game we'll see how great the console can do. Bayonetta 2 is another example of a game that could do this. I don't know how much better the PS4 or the next Xbox are going to be compared to the current versions, but as far as specs the Wii U is probably around 3x-4x as powerful as the Xbox 360/PS3.

I'm not 100% sure about the next PlayStation, 8 gigs sounds like a lot, but it'll probably be split up and offer some for gaming, some for apps or system management, so it'll most likely end up with 4 gigs for gaming, where as the Wii U has 1 gig. It's not a big of a difference as people try and make out.

If Nintendo can show us some games, they could easily pull out a 6-8 million console lead by the time the PS4/720 release later this year, and if there are shortages on those consoles it could be even bigger.

Fishy Fingers4033d ago

RAM, suddenly everyone's favourite component. Fortunately there's a bit more to it than that.

Jek_Porkins4033d ago

Ya, I think everyone heard 8 gigs from Sony and went a bit crazy over it, too bad consoles and even PC's don't work like that, a lot depends on where you have your resources and how you have it divided up.

Before that announcement nobody seemed to bring it up as far as consoles were concerned, I mean Wii U has 2 gigs, which is light years ahead of what the 360 and PS3 have.

delboy4033d ago

RAM is the next CELL, and you forgot "low level access" lol
Like no console before had low level acces.
But that's just stupid Cows, knowing nothing about tech, but like to brag about tech.

Elem1874033d ago

The 8gb of GDDR5 provides high bandwidth, but the system is still locked at the speed of the CPU/GPU which are nothing to really brag about... The CPU is a low end low power consumption CPU designed with ultrabooks and tablets in mind (AMD Jaguar) and the GPU is on the pretty mid to low performance side (Radeon 7850).... and by the time the system actually launches late this year, it will be considered a low end GPU.

If you want true nextgen graphics, you wont find it on any console..... Looks like PC gamers and steambox owners will be the only gamers experiencing true nextgen, DX12 level of visuals.

wheresmymonkey4033d ago

By the end of the year, the wiiU is going to have some fine exclusives and more on the horizon.

If they knock the price down to thae impulse buy sweet spot of £200 by next christmas coupled with Wind Waker HD, Bayonetta 2, Pikmin 3 Wonderful 101 and all the usual suspect s that haven't been announced yet i could see sales pick up no end.

shivvy244033d ago

its $400 in australia! for a console with just better specs, people will rather go for PS3/360 since its far cheaper and gets similar games! i dont see the WiiU selling like hotcakes until a huge price drop to atleast $250, but it also needs more exclusives! i rather spend $500-$700 on a PS4 then $400 on WiiU

Show all comments (27)
80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10110d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref9d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde9d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19729d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville9d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21839d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos9d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
isarai10d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref9d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan9d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0078d ago (Edited 8d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197210d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

10d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19729d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

9d ago
9d ago
Zeref9d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde9d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19729d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19729d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier9d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto9d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21839d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto9d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
Hofstaderman9d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts9d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts8d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic8d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
90°

Nintendo's War Against Player-Made Content Will Hurt The Company In The End

Danish from eXputer: "Nintendo has historically gone against player-made content and emulation of its games. This has done much to harm the company's image."

XiNatsuDragnel16d ago

I agree nintendo hire some these folks to help in your games it'll help imo.

banger8815d ago

They need to stop announcing these mods and fan remakes until they're finished. Finish it, upload it, and then if Nintendo dmca's it tough shit. Once it's online, people can share it around, even if the original download gets taken down.

Jingsing15d ago

True, but most modders need constant admiration during the process to motivate them.

PRIMORDUS15d ago

Yup, once it's a torrent nothing can be done Nintendo is helpless at that point. But it would be wise if they just had a site on the dark web, it's also easy to use with Tor and no one will bother you.

mastershredder14d ago

This is all coming from the mouth of short-sighted fandom and grifting madness.
No.... it wont. There is a clear defined reason why they don't. This is nothing new. Make your own shi7 from your own original ideas especially if you are trying to capitalize of it it. Duh.

Yeah, hire people that have zero respect or understanding for an established process. Wow. Yep. Totally makes sense.

shinoff218314d ago

Those guys that made that sonic game got a gig from sega or something along those lines and that game was dope as hell. One of the best sonics as of late.