160°

Iwata Asks: A Detailed Look At The Wii U Hardware

An interview with Iwata discussing the Wii U hardware.

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iwataasks.nintendo.com
wishingW3L4209d ago (Edited 4209d ago )

when are they going to release the CPU and GPU specs? Are we going to have to wait for modders to tell us what's under the hood of the Wii U? Nintendo can stay silent but they cannot hide this forever so what is the point of not making an official reveal?

SlavisH24209d ago ShowReplies(3)
Yodagamer4208d ago

I think their scared to show clock rates because by the sound of it the system has slower clock rates, but they are insanely efficient and can do more. If they threw out specs like sony/microsoft they'd get trolled to the moon and back, they probably just wanting to show examples of graphical power and rayman is pretty good looking :)

4208d ago
stragomccloud4208d ago

@gaminggod
You know that most Mario and Rayman fans are older gamers, right? Since you don't seem to get that, I'm assuming that you must be in middle school. Mario and Rayman are both amazing games that provide a good challenge and excellent gameplay.

You are correct about Yodagamers bad example though. A 2D game, while capable of being the most beautiful game on the market, is not a good indication of hardware capability, as it simply is not taxing on a systems hardware in the same way that 3D titles can be. That said, a Mario game truly can be a great example of hardware capability, assuming it is one of the 3D marios. Heck Galaxy was so great looking it looked like it defied the original Wii's hardware. Of course we'll have to wait until the next 3D Mario game in order to see what Nintendo does with it's hardware for that franchise.

ChickeyCantor4208d ago (Edited 4208d ago )

The a majority of console gamers have no clue how hardware works. And throwing around numbers will only mislead people.

Of course they will say it's a powerful CPU. What are you expecting?

It's called benchmarking, why the hell would they release benchmark figures? It's not relevant for you or anyone else unless you're a developer.

mamotte4208d ago

Why? If it has a better CPU and GPU, the console will have better games?

If it's about the power, why dont you buy a PC and problem solved?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4208d ago
yewles14208d ago

It IS built nice, no joke.

YoungPlex4208d ago

I'm actually surprised Nintendo actually reviled pics before anyone else did.

iamnsuperman4208d ago

I am surprised by how small it is.

deafdani4208d ago

@iamnsuperman

that's what she said. XD

firefly694208d ago

Well for those that expect the new ps4 and xbox..to be much more powerfull and at the same price has the wii u make your selfs a favor an read all thats been made to produce the WII U.And think how in hell its supose sony and MS do it so much powerfull at low price tag,with a small case,and without having RROD and ylod again.Better get a desktop pc because small and ultra powerfull dont link with the console name!

fei-hung4208d ago

Your comment is pretty much invalid as I don't think anyone thought the ps4 or next Xbox would be cheaper than a WiiU.

Also, don't know whether you are ignoring this or you have just failed to acknowledge it, we still don't know how powerful the WiiU is. We still don't have the clock rates and this can very quickly turn everything around in regards to what people think about the WiiU being "powerful."

2ndly, powerful compared to what? The WiiU is a next gen system and it is being compared to current gen systems that are over half a decade old. Damn right it should be more powerful.

Ultra slim is good, but lets face it. People who prefer an Xbox and ps3 over a Wii don't care about how slim and small their console is as much as what it can do.

Unlike the Wii they have enjoyed better graphics, better performance, DVD, BluRay, better online structures, media hub capabilities, photo music and video capabilities, browsing the net, social apps and projects, superior online features, better 3rd party support and later in their lives, revised smaller and slimmer editions of the consoles and they expect this again and more with their successors.

The 2nd screen has already been done with the ps3 and vita and although it may not work as well as the WiiU, you can no longer call it new exclusive next gen tech. The Wiimote as great as it is doesnt perform as well as the PSMove and the next gen Kinext will undoubtably be more powerful and more capable. Outside of that, what does the WiiU offer that the current gen doesn't?

So the WiiU is cheap for what it is?! That we will only know once the full specs have been released.

deadfrag4208d ago (Edited 4208d ago )

Were we have the pure ps3 fanboy that is Jumping Someone Else's post because he dont understand whats the meaning of the words writed!

people dont care of the size of the box!??Right go tell that to those that change console every time a new model comes out!Unlike the wii they have enjoy......??But sill the wii sold more than the PS3 AND XBOX360!Im just imagining how much more willthe wii u will sell.
The 2nd screen has already been done with the ps3 and vita and although it may not work as well as the WiiU, you can no longer call it new exclusive next gen tech. The Wiimote as great as it is doesnt perform as well as the PSMove and the next gen Kinext will undoubtably be more powerful and more capable. Outside of that, what does the WiiU offer that the current gen doesn't? BOY you are a delusional fanboy the vita dont do the same has the WII U gamepad neiter the gamepad do the same thing has the VITA!WAKE UP!Messing things that dont matter its not replying!There was and still are plenty of people that think the ps4 and the next xbox will be much more powerfull than the WII U and at the same price!I even seen and read that on many comments in N4G and other web sites!

Theyellowflash304208d ago

FireFly's comment is not invalid because there are people who think the PS4 and 720 will be around the same price as the Wii U but more powerful. You don't have a radar on EVERYBODY who comments so for you to say " I don't think anyone thought the ps4 or next Xbox would be cheaper than a Wii U" is invalid in itself.

Next, anybody with a brain and a internet connection could have gotten their Wii's to play DVD's, media hub capabilities, photos, music, social apps, and all that on Wii's homebrew channel. The Wii can browse the web too while the 360 can't as of now.

And PLEASE the Vita/PS3 combo is NOT doing what the Wii U does. You just buy a PS3 game and you get the SAME Vita game for free. There are a few exceptions like LBP Vita but those are few and far inbetween. Plus The Vita remote play features has known latency issues that users complain out all the time. Once I see the PS3+Vita doing games like ZombiU, NintendoLand, and New Super Mario Bros U then i'll admit what you said is right.

cleft54208d ago (Edited 4208d ago )

This couldn't be said any better. People keep saying that the ps4/720 will be light years ahead of the WiiU and maybe that is correct. But if it is light years ahead of the WiiU then the price tag is going to be much higher for those consoles as well.

The only way I don't see this happening is if Sony and Microsoft release their consoles 2 years from now when the price of current advanced technology has gotten much cheaper. We know the tech inside the WiiU Gamepad is fairly advanced and that tablet alone cost around $120.

DarkHeroZX4208d ago

Well if Sony does it right Gaikai can be the leaps and bounds Sony needs. All they really would need to focus on is the streaming aspect as they'ed handle all the processing while the ps4 just streams things that go beyond it's natural capabilites.

Smashbro294208d ago

I can't believe they left off the freaking ethernet port. WHO DOES THAT? Fighting games are screwed, all it has is USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi.

ninjabake4208d ago

Chill out homie, they'll most likely have a 3rd party Ethernet connector available at some time just like with Wii. The only fighting games that are coming to Wii U so far is tekken and injustice anyway so I don't think fighting games are screwed on the system just yet.

Smashbro294208d ago (Edited 4208d ago )

Ok there is just so much wrong with that.

USB 2.0 cannot carry as much data as quickly as ethernet, no adapter will change that.

More fighters will come out, Smash Bros. will come out and they are all screwed in the internet department because most people will use wifi anyways and even if everyone used the USB add ons it'd still be a worse situation than straight ethernet. So yes, unless there's a new SKU fighters are screwed as far as online play goes.

ninjabake4208d ago

Well you can complain if you want, you have that liberty. You and whoever else uses a wired connection. Me, on the other hand will do just fine over Wi-Fi. I use wireless for my PC, PS3, 360 and Wii and its more than capable but then again that's just me I understand you may not have the same speed as me but still I don't think its anything to get pissy over

Emilio_Estevez4208d ago

Well said sir. It's a bad move, lose/lose. Either you have to use wireless or pay for an add on. Both are less than ideal.

ninjabake4208d ago

Its a matter of preference. You may want to play wired while others are just fine over Wi-Fi. Its not a lose-lose for everyone, just those who need to use a wired connection. I think that the Ethernet port should've been added but its not make or break just as the 360's original lack of Wi-Fi and the need to buy a proprietary Wi-Fi adapter that was $100 wasn't make or break. That's just my opinion tho I respect yours.

cleft54208d ago

I connect my 360 wirelessly to the internet and I don't have anymore problems with that then my wired ps3 connection. Wireless signals are pretty good nowadays. I do wish there was an Ethernet port there, but the truth is that it's not a big deal.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4208d ago
Wolfbiker4208d ago

The graphics will be fine...its not like the graphics look bad now anyways...they will just be a bit more refined on the Wii U.

Show all comments (31)
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?"

purple1016d 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.

Chevalier5d 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.

Xeofate5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

PRIMORDUS11d 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.