260°

3 Days After Wii U’s Announcement, It’s Future Already Looks Bleak

NightmareMode delves into why the Wii U's future doesn't look too bright. From a single Wii U controller per console to the system's proprietary disk format, we break down all the system's flaws and ponder the questions Nintendo has left us with.

Read Full Story >>
nightmaremode.net
iamnsuperman4701d ago

The biggest concern Nintendo has is are the third party support going to use the hardware in a different way. With a lot of people owning either a PS3 or 360 the third part support would need to have enough level of functionality (especially in the first two years) to make people instead of picking up a £40 spending money on this. I know exclusives sell systems but is Mario, Zelda and other going to do it. They have the functionality but in early console selling period third party games matter (not going to release all exclusives day 1)

darthv724701d ago (Edited 4701d ago )

its would be easy to make something just like the other guy but this isnt how nintendo works. Never has.

It is almost like we are expecting the systems to be the same like when you go to buy a tv or movie player. You have all these brands and you know the basic functionality is the same so you base your choice on name or experience or features.

Playing a game should not be about anything other than putting the game in and pressing start. Nintendo went back to that simplicity with the wii but changed the manner in which we played with their controller.

Keep in mind their controller was the focal point for the wii. So now the controller again is the focal point for the wii-u. As if they upgraded the box like any other company that comes out with the next version. It playes the same as before but now it has a new remote to learn all the stuff it can do.

Wii-u is the evolutionary hop as opposed to the revolutionary jump when it comes to the actual console. Every system is basically viewed like that but its controller is the revolutionary jump like the wii-mote was when it came out.

theaceh4700d ago

Man... the wii-mote was as revolutionary as the lambada or the macarena.

Lyle914701d ago

Why would the disc format make the future not look too bright? It's the exact same as a Blu-ray, except this way they don't support their rival.

The one good point he made is that tech demos don't support consoles. A lot of actual games are now being shown though, so that problem is going away. I'm also sure that tons of more games will be shown at the Tokyo Game Show and next years E3.

Kanji084701d ago

The lack of blu-ray means it's not going to play disc-based HD movies. More and more, game consoles are expanding to entertainment hubs. And while online streaming is definitely the future, right now blu-ray is a big deal. To skip over it seems like a pretty significant oversight.

On it's own, it's not that big of a deal. Obviously the 360 manages to survive even on the archaic DVD format. However, as I'm sure some 360 owners would like the system to support blu-ray, so too will people want blu-ray on the Wii U. Is it a fatal flaw? No. Does it matter when it's another fault in a long list of faults the console seems to have? Yes.

Lyle914701d ago

Well I don't consider the Wii U to have a long list of faults, especially considering we don't know anything about it (which may be it's only real fault), I do see where you are coming from. To me though, Blu-ray will never be as big as DVD was, and online streaming will probably do very well on the Wii U.

Active Reload4701d ago

" And while online streaming is definitely the future, right now blu-ray is a big deal. To skip over it seems like a pretty significant oversight."

Whoever thinks this is some type of fanboy. Anyway, they don't have to have games on a Blu-ray disc, obviously. And I'm rather sure theres some research that would probably say streaming is more popular than Blu-ray. Having a Blu-ray drive for movies is another solution, if they so choose, and they haven't spilled the beans on what all is exactly under the hood.

darthv724701d ago

movie playback is not a concern for nintendo. Hasnt been for some time. The only system to get "official" movie playback via disc was made by panasonic and it was a gamecube hybrid.

Nintendo is all about games and if the disc they chose was the failed HDDVD then so be it. I always thought the format was suitable for games when it lost to bluray. MS could have used it for that from then on but stuck to their guns and has now revised their dvd discs to suit games more so than movies.

Why we are under this idea that every system has to have the same or similar features is beyond me. Looking back, systems all played carts and they were of different capacities and shapes and sizes. That didnt stop developers from making games for those platforms.

I mean really, game data is game data and if nintendo used a 5.25 floppy for their system is fine with me so long as the developers are able to use it for their intended purpose. And by that, I am referring to the type of medium not the capacity.

D2K4701d ago

The key word is 'right now' BLU-RAY is a big deal. There was a time that DVD was a 'big deal'. There was a time that CD was a 'big deal'. The problem, not being able to watch a movie on a video game system has never had anything to do with success or failure. And please do not bring up the Dreamcast because not having DVD is not what killed it. The fact that people bootlegged the bejabbers out of the Dreamcast is what killed it.

The Nintendo Wii without DVD or BLU-RAY capability at all has sold 86 million units. The PS3 with BLU-RAY capability has sold 50 million copies.

Having the ability to watch a disc-media in no way, shape, or form has anything to do with a console's success as the proof is in the numbers. As a matter of fact, the 360 was behind the PS3 in overall console sales and with the advent of the Kinect (a VIDEO GAME feature) it surpassed Sony.

With the explosion of Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, and other movie services who needs a BLU-RAY player IN the video game console? I don't buy a game console to watch movies. I buy a video game console to.......

Wait for it.....WAIT FOR IT.....

PLAY VIDEOS GAMES!!!!!! What a novel idea eh? Having BLU-RAY is convenience, not a necessity. Anyone who thinks not having BLU-RAY in the Wii U will have any part of it failing is either a fanboy whom want it to fail and is grasping at straws to find something to back up their biased opinions, or an COMPLETE idiot. Period.

Kanji084701d ago

@Darthv72: Movie playback might not be a concern for Nintendo, but it's definitely a concern for the growing population who expect their game consoles to be more than devices to play games on.

@D2K: While DVD playback may not have killed the Dreamcast, it definitely lead to the initial success of the PS2. Just like the PS3 led to Blu-Ray winning the format wars. You are a fool if you think these two don't go hand in hand.

And while you might buy game consoles only to play games and nothing else, I'd say the average 360 player who spends 40%+ of their time watching shows and movies disagrees with you. Or the 36% of Netflix users who watch content on their PS3s.

Again, is not having Blu-Ray a massive, catastrophic failure for the system? No. Is it a flaw nonetheless? Yes. Simple as that.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4701d ago
JsonHenry4701d ago

The biggest fault so far is they didn't mention anything other than a new disc type for the actual console itself. This has to be one of the most vague product unveilings in history.

Lyle914701d ago

With the Wii at least they showed some actual gameplay from launch games. Now we'll probably have to wait until the TGS for that. Hopefully someone can dissect this baby and give us some real details.

D2K4701d ago

Uh no. Actually when the Revolution was first unveiled at E3 2005 they did NOT show any games or describe the Wii-Remote AT ALL. It wasn't until TGS 2005 that they unveiled the Wii-Remote, and it wasn't until E3 2006 that we saw the games in action.

So actually, people got more this time around when Nintendo first unveiled their new system than when they did at E3 2005.

Peaceful_Jelly4701d ago (Edited 4701d ago )

we know that the Wii U will only support 1 Tablet per console, it will not have a centric online service and it will cost more than $250... Things aren't looking so bright if you ask me. For the time this console is out the PS3 and X360 will be cheaper, offering better online service and wider game catalogs.

And from a multiplat perspective devs are not going to go out of their way to make one version superior than the other even if the Wii U turns out to be more powerful than the other consoles. Developers always try to make all versions equal so people doesn't feel like they are paying $60 for an inferior version.

Mini Mario4700d ago (Edited 4700d ago )

"we know that the Wii U will only support 1 Tablet per console"

I actually thought i read it supports two and and possibley 3ds's (in other articles).....unless i read wrong?

NESpower4701d ago

FUD...nothing to see here.

8bit_Nes_Rambo4701d ago

Agreed. Nintendo is doomed ver 2.0. Remember how they said the Wii would fail? Yeah, how did that one work out? Next to nothing is known about Wii U, it's still an unkown quantity and way too early to be passing judgement on it's success or failure.

VampiricDragon4701d ago

The future is as bright as ever.

This is just another troll who doubts nintendo. Then nintendo burns them

and then they come out with an article why its succeeding.

Not to mention its only 1 wii u controller for NOW. The system doesnt come out for over a year. They will figure it out

Kanji084701d ago

"Already, I know a lot of you will say it’s far too early to make the bold claim my headline infers. “The console isn’t coming out for another year at the earliest. A lot can change in 12-18 months.” you will say, and I agree. What we know about the Wii U now is not indicative of how the system will fare when it’s finally released. However, that doesn’t mean we should ignore what we currently know about the system until it’s launch."

Way to read the article there, big guy. Oh wait, no. You didn't. You took one glance at the headline, your fanboy mentality kicked in, and you decided to rant about how any negative remarks about Nintendo must be a troll. The piece is concise and well thought out. It addresses that there are things we don't know about the console or things that could possibly change in the future. Perhaps a little reading will suit you well in the future.

Butt0n_m4sher4701d ago

well said my friend, few people in this thread seem to have read the article which brings up valid and developed opinions.

Show all comments (56)
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.

shinoff21838d 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.

Profchaos8d 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 8d 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.

Einhander19729d 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.

9d 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.

shinoff21838d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto8d 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 8d 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.