140°

Nintendo wants to dispel 'misconception' that Wii U is underpowered

"We understand that this cannot possibly be achieved overnight," says Iwata

Responding to a question about overseas developers' perception of the console, the executive told investors at the Japanese firm's annual results briefing earlier this week:

Read Full Story >>
computerandvideogames.com
PopRocks3594005d ago

Oh yeah? Well, that'd be great. But thing is you need to put out games that PROVE that. That's the only way to convince anyone of anything. Now deliver.

lilbroRx4005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

Did you actually read the comment by Iwata? Its the first sentence under the title.

I am of the same mind as him. This won't happen overnight. Making games takes time. The average AAA game takes at least a year to develop and the Wii U isn't even a year old yet.

Rushed games are generally garbage. I would rather have a good game with 16 bit graphics than a shiny, graphically astounding looking game that plays like crap and has bugs everywhere.

Monolith's Wii U game was enough to show me that the Wii U isn't underpowered.

PopRocks3594005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

Hey, chill dude. I actually am optimistic that Iwata means what he says and that he and the company do want to clear up said misconceptions.

But unfortunately right now the Wii U has that reputation because the games on it don't really prove it its true potential. I'm saying it's up to their development teams to rectify the proplem and create games that look and play great and prove to people that it isn't underpowered.

And yes, I'm well aware that those games won't come out overnight. That's why I say the sooner they reveal these projects, the better. Nintendo holds a high bar of quality, but no one in the general public is going to care unless they get something out of it.

EDIT: Part of the problem is that Nintendo seemed unprepared and did not provide a AAA game for the Wii U's launch like they did with the Wii (Twilight Princess). I know development issues can happen especially since they are now making HD games, but releasing the Wii U with nothing but New Super Mario Bros. U was not a smart move on their part.

Now people have this idea that the Wii U is actually on par with the 360/PS3, despite the developments involving Criterion and Need For Speed U. If Nintendo is serious about these misconceptions, then they need to make their new games look stunning and prove those misconceptions wrong. That's not unreasonable to ask of them, I feel.

Army_of_Darkness4005d ago

I make shitloads of cash but still live in a one bedroom apartment in the ghetto............hmmm...

beafsteak4004d ago

Why are their so many disagrees on this comment. Someone finally said something smart.

lilbroRx4005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

I don't get these, prove it, show me, i'll believe it when I see it, and all of this other in arrogant stances I see people giving to these statements.

Developing HD games can take years. Its like people have forgotten this.

Metal Gear Solid 4 and FFXIII didn't release in the PS3 launch or even the year following. Halo 3 and Gears of war didn't release in the 360's launch. It wasn't until both of their sequal that the 360 really showed its graphical capabilities and that was years later. Yet, people want Nitnendo to make better looking games on even more complex hardware in less time.

Its like people want terrrible, gimped games just so they can see some pretty graphics that most fanboys will dismiss anyway. You can't prove anything to fanboys, who the main ones making the remarks, because they've already made up their mind whether they will or will not like what they see before they even see it based simply on the fact that is on Nintendo's hardware. Namesakes are all that matter to them.

Let them actually finish the games. Goodness.

For me, the misconceptions never existed because of Trine 2: the Goblin Menace followed by NFS: Most Wanted and Deus Ex: Director's Cut. It has already been proven multiple times that the console is stronger than the last gen consoles and can produce better looking games than what is possible on them. Why do people keep begging this and ignoring the facts?

LOL_WUT4005d ago

Tell me something when has a 3D Mario game ever look like MGS4, FFXIII, Halo 3 or Gears of War? Never! Why? Because Nintendo games are usually never demanding.

The last big Wii game was Skyword Sword you're telling me ever since then Nintendo couldn't come up with some decent titles for the Wii U's launch? ;)

ABizzel14005d ago

I hate to jump on board, but not only that Nintendo had shown off the Wii U back in E3 2011 giving them AT LEAST 2 years by today, to have a decent array of games, especially considering a large bulk of their games and franchies are party / casual / side scrollers.

Mario Kart, Mario Party, Mario Sports, and tons of HD side scrollers (Kirby, Yoshi, Donkey Kong) all should have been ready by now.

Only games like 3D Mario, Metroid, Zelda, and the new Super Smash should be difficult in producing in most cases with one coming out per year.

On top of all that Nintendo knew the struggle MS and Sony had when they launched their HD console, so they should have been better prepared to deal with the same results. It's like their minds went completely blank after the success of the Wii.

Now that being said I'm all for Nintendo and I hope they resurge and fix every / most complaints regarding the Wii U. Is the Wii U underpowered "YES", it's going to struggle receive bar minimal PC ports because Llano, Trinity, and especially Steamroller APU's are already past it and they're becoming the new entry level for PC gaming, and in the next 1 - 2 years PC gaming will receive it's next huge leap on the GPU side of things making it the Wii U and complete obsolete console hardware wise.

Does any of that matter? No. As long as there's good software from Nintendo's 1st party none of us really care, but the problem is it isn't there yet, and 3rd parties are jumping shift to the PS4 and Nextbox, which makes matters even worse for current Wii U and potential ones.

dark-hollow4005d ago

Simply false! Nintendo's know how to get the most out of their platforms.

Wind waker and metroid prime looked stunning on the GameCube. Same to Mario galaxy and skyward sword on the Wii.

Monolith X game for the Wii u which actually is early alpha footage looks on par/ better than the games you mentione, and we still didn't see what retro game will look like and everybody knows retro are very experienced in the graphics department.

jcnba284005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

Why are you comparing an SD console to a HD console? Of course the HD console is going to be graphically superior.

"Nintendo games are usually never demanding."

That's why Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 were the highest rated games of last gen.

"The last big Wii game was Skyword Sword"

No it was actually Xenoblade and The Last Story.

Eyeco4004d ago

He was talking about graphics, not the overall game, yes SMG 1-2 are excellent games but VISUALLY there not demanding why is that so hard for you to grasp.

2. He's right Skyward Sword was the last big game on the Wii, Xenoblade and The Last Story are 2010/11 games the latter was released BEFORE Skyward Sword, or have you forgotten about Operation Rainfall ?

beafsteak4004d ago

Mario is not the type of game to look like those titles. For example Super Mario Galaxy had perfect crisp graphics but Its cheery colorful world prevents it from looking similar to games such as FFXIII, MGS4, and Halo 4. A better example would be the Metroid series. Metroid Prime was released for the gamecube in 2002 and looks almost as good as those titles. A metroid game would be perfect for the wii u. But the only problem is if you look at the gap between most of Nintendos 1st party titles you'll notice it takes them about three years to make a game. Nintendo will probaboly start releasing some games late 2013 and early 2014 so lets quit whining. It'll be worth the wait.

Eyeco4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

You honestly think Metroid Prime looks almost as good as MGS 4, Halo 4, FF13 ?please tell me your trolling

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4004d ago
Xer0_SiN4005d ago

what do you expect? the ps3 era was a significant jump from the gen before. the games you mentioned demonstrated that. but even before that with the launch games you could tell the difference in the more modern system. nintendo is claiming that the wii u is next gen but cant even pace with the ps3. you look at the ps4 vs ps3 and you can tell what is last gen and what i next gen.

MysticStrummer4005d ago

Seems like Nintendo forgot it takes awhile to develop games, or they would have some more ready for WiiU.

WiiU is underpowered compared to PS4 and 720, not PS3 and 360. WiiU is underpowered because even though some consider it a next gen console, it is comparable to last gen. In short, WiiU is underpowered. There is no misconception to dispel.

beafsteak4004d ago

It will be underpowered but it innovates with its touchscreen tablet controler so its acceptable. Plus they'll release their amazing 1st party titles in wich they're known for, so no one will really care by the time that happens. Just like the wii.

MysticStrummer4004d ago

WiiU will have it's fans, no doubt. The touchscreen controller has a lot of potential, but it will be up to developers to use it properly. WiiU is definitely innovative in that way, no argument there. It's underpowered, but that won't matter for many people with the right games, just like the Wii as you said.

SilentNegotiator4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

Except they already have first party games on Wii U...running at 720p.

It doesn't take "years" to program the resolution and if 2.5D mario games won't play beyond 720p, nothing likely will (other than 2D games and some Wii ports).

PopRocks3594004d ago

You're basing all of the Wii U's graphical potential on launch games? Those which being New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land? Really?

So I guess it doesn't take years to make a full fledged Zelda game or Metroid in your eyes then? Please development guru, show me the ways!

SilentNegotiator4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

Some of the launch Ps3/360 games ran at slightly sub-720p resolutions, but absolutely none of them ran at 480p. We're talking about a new generation here. Nintendo isn't going to go from 720p games to 1080p WITHIN a generation.

"So I guess it doesn't take years to make a full fledged Zelda game or Metroid in your eyes then?"
-
Your reading skills are horrible if you seriously read that. But then you love to cry "putting words in mah mouth!!" while doing exactly that. I said it doesn't take years to program the resolution because they ALREADY HAVE GAMES OUT and they're native 720p.

PopRocks3594004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

Hey, what goes around comes around. Maybe next time you reply to one of my comments you won't make shit up. When that happens I'll gladly oblige by doing the same.

Also Nintendo just started programming HD content. Their jump this past year was from 480i to 720p. I remember around launch time it was stated that Nintendo's inner developed software would initially be rendered in 720p, like NSMBU and Nintendo Land, but would later on be made in 1080p.

Either way, you seem to be insisting that Nintendo's launch content is a sure sign of the Wii U's full potential and I think that's incredibly naive when you look at how games graphically progress on home console hardware in every single generation with 3D graphics.

SilentNegotiator4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

"Either way, you seem to be insisting that Nintendo's launch content is a sure sign of the Wii U's full potential and I think that's incredibly naive when you look at how games graphically progress on home console hardware in every single generation with 3D graphics"

Do you have any idea how much more power it takes to run 1080p compared to 720p? This isn't a matter of hammering out the details. If Wii U could reliably run Nintendo's games at 1080p, they would have done it already.

You can't keep pretending like games at last gen resolutions at launch are normal. Wii U is a 720p console and minor visual upgrades from Ps3/360 will only be worth yawns in 6 months. Keeping up this delusion will only result in egg on the face.

Like Wii U? Congrats. Like Wii U for what it is. But don't keep lying that it's something that it isn't. Wii U is underpowered for a system releasing in 2012 and meant to be around for several years.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4004d ago
+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4004d ago
Jek_Porkins4005d ago

I never thought it was under-powered, I think we all are just waiting for a game with the graphical style to show off what it can really do.

jcnba284005d ago

Exactly. People seem to forget how bad games looked on PS3 and 360 when those consoles first launched.

Jek_Porkins4005d ago

A good example is to go back and play a game like Prey or Saints Row on the Xbox 360, then play Halo 4 and you'll see a huge difference.

Nintendo's first party games lack the graphical style to show off what the Wii U can do, if they released a new Metroid Prime or proper Zelda game it would show people how good games can look on the console.

Hicken4004d ago

If you NEVER thought it was underpowered, you weren't paying much attention. From the start, the system has not looked like much of a leap over current gen consoles.

Except the Wii.

The thing is: that's not gonna change, because the Wii U IS underpowered. Not when compared to this gen, but to next. There are no two ways about that.

Jek_Porkins4004d ago

There is a lot to be seen, we don't know how much system memory will be set aside in the PS4/720, the Wii U has a ton more memory than current consoles, there does indeed come a point when games cant really look that much better, if they can get something that looks better than Crysis 3 or Rage on the console, gamer's will take notice.

2pacalypsenow4005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

who cares by that time the much much much more powerful Ps4 and the next xbox will be out making the wii u's power obsolete

lilbroRx4005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

And by the time those are out, Nvidia's next line of of GPU and Intel's next CPU will be out making the PS4 and Xbox 3's power obsolete. So what's your point?

If you want the strongest hardware and best looking games, then is foolish to buy any console because they all suck compared to the PC. Power isn't what console are supposed to be about. They are about cost effective gaming, stability and uniqueness.

My PC is already stronger than the rumored specs of the PS4/Xbox 3 so nothing they get will impress me at all.

If I buy a console, I want something I cannot get "better" on my PC and the Wii U is the only thing that looks to offer that right now with its two screen parallel gaming, touchscreen and gyroscopic motion control.

stuna14005d ago (Edited 4005d ago )

But aren't the comparisons being made concerning consoles not pcs? It's a known fact that PC's will outpace Consoles! Just like it's a known fact that Consoles will have a minimal shelf life of at least 4 to 5 years.

And out of the 3 things you just listed the PS Vita can already do 2 of them, bar the two parallel gaming screen! So what's your point?

So I guess what I stated is inaccurate!? Sometimes it just too hard to see the truth! SMH.

zebramocha4005d ago

@limbro You are trying to hard,next gen console won't be affected by next gen PC's as some of the feature are already the same but much more efficient.

N4g_null4005d ago

It's a know fact that Nintendo 1st party games out sale hd and pc games with over 20% of the industry gamers agreeing.

It is also a known fact that multi platform games will be better on pc so no you can't take that out of the equation. Now if you can't afford better hardware, then why are you even putting the wiiu down?

I'm not really worried about the powershow. I don't really like Sony or ms execlusives and I never buy Sony for power but I always buy nintendo for game play.

I wonder what you are going to say when the wiiu starts selling again?

MysticStrummer4005d ago

"But aren't the comparisons being made concerning consoles not pcs?"

Of course they are, but someone always has to throw PC hardware in there.

4004d ago
LOL_WUT4004d ago

lilbroRx always likes to bring up the old PC card argument when things aren't going in his favor. ;)

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4004d ago
ThaBlackBaron4005d ago

Wii already know the Wii U is powerful its just the idiots knows as sony fanboys are in denial lol

MysticStrummer4004d ago

WiiU is comparable to last gen consoles yet is considered next gen.

It's underpowered.

End of story.

Show all comments (60)
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?"

purple1015d 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 ☝️

Zeref5d 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.

DarXyde5d 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.

PhillyDonJawn5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

Einhander19725d 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.

MrBaskerville5d 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.

shinoff21834d 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.

Profchaos4d 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 4d ago
isarai5d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref5d 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.

MrNinosan5d ago

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

mkis0074d ago (Edited 4d ago )

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

Einhander19725d 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.

5d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19725d ago

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

5d ago
5d ago
Zeref5d 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.

DarXyde5d 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.

Einhander19725d 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.

Einhander19725d 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.

BehindTheRows5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

Zeref5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

Chevalier4d 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.

Tacoboto5d 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.

shinoff21834d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto4d 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 4d ago
Hofstaderman5d 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?

crazyCoconuts5d 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.

Xeofate4d ago (Edited 4d 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.

crazyCoconuts4d 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

FinalFantasyFanatic4d 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."

XiNatsuDragnel12d ago

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

banger8811d 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.

Jingsing11d ago

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

PRIMORDUS10d 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.

mastershredder10d 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.

shinoff218310d 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.