Gearbox: "Wii U is a Powerful, Powerful Machine"

Nintendolife writes: "Gearbox Software, the team behind Aliens: Colonial Marines on Wii U, has been a vocal supporter of the machine so far. Comments from chief creative officer Brian Martell sit at the top of our Wii U power thermometer and Randy Pitchford said the Wii U's A:CM will be the best-looking version."

[Brosy]

I just don't see much hardcore gaming going on with that gigantic controller. They should have just made a regular controller and went with the extra power of the Wii U. Now if there is a way for player 1 to use something besides that gawky controller then the Wii U could be interresting. Especially with their 1st party line up. I'm just not a fan of that gimmicky controller.

[dark-hollow]

it have d-PAD, 4 face buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, two analog sticks. it basically a traditional controller with a giant diplay on the middle, and if its comfortable to hold, whats the harm?

[iamnsuperman]

I agree. I do not think the controller is going to be the hard sell. I think it is more to do with 3rd party just releasing multiplats that are not really using the tech but making them work on all three systems (PS3, 360 and Wii U). Nintendo's core fanbase will buy the Wii U. It is the others who have a 360 or PS3 (or both) who can play a lot of multiplats all ready without buying a new system ( as we have known multiplats tend to be equal on all systems). That is going to be the problem for Nintendo.

OT: Good to hear it is a powerful machine.

[BattleAxe]

Gearbox: "Wii U is a Powerful, Powerful Machine"

Gearbox is smart, they understand how the industry politics work.

[Shok]

People are so stuck on the screen lol. I don't get it, the Wii U is essentially a standard controller, just with a screen in the middle.

[SilentNegotiator]

"whats the harm?"

Probably its weight.

[DigitalAnalog]

@silent
from the impressions I got, they were extremely light. The display is just the receiver so there's no HW components inside to display native graphics.

[inveni0]

Remember the original Xbox controller? People hated it. Why? It was massive and uncomfortable. I think people fear the same from WiiU. How will it hold up in an extended play session?

[zero_cool]

The comfort level of the controller design is debatable.

Cheers Gamers & Happy Gaming!

[dcbronco]

Some of the same people complaining about the size of the controller probably love tablets.

[hellvaguy]

Id like to be optimistic about hardcores liking that flat controller. But then I think its kind of like holding a skinny chick with no chest or butt. I mean theres just no sexy curves there to be seen, idk.

However, for more casual and nintendo fans I can see the appeal of new game experiences that screen in the center could add.

[fragnificent]

@SilentNegotiator
""whats the harm?"

Probably its weight."

the problem is... when people see that controller they instantly think, Tablet PC, which are heavy in comparison with controllers.

Yet the Wii U controller is just a standard controller with a screen, no cpu or ram like on tablet.
and screens are quite light.

Nintendo aren't idiots and even though some people might not have like their previous ventures they know what there doing, if you have any interest in this console just wait. all will be revelled soon

[Akuma-]

the wii u is weak compared to tech of today. all the code speaches from these guys are just hype for their game. most developers would say the ps3 is a powerful machine in this day and age but we know it cant do certain things way better than what weve been seeing on the console as of late. i dont doubt the wii u maybe able to do better anti-aliasing and little things better than a ps3 or xbox but being 1.5 as powerful or a little more powerful doesnt mean a thing to most core gamers. the wii u should be more than 5 times as pwerful as these old hd consoles of today to be taken seriously by the core. why should a core gamer who owns a ps3 and xbox 360 buy a multiplatform game for the wii u if its just barely better for that console. a small minority will want to try the wii u but thats it . it doesnt make any sense to spend 300 and up to buy a multiplatform game for wii u when you have hd consoles when the games look similar.

most core gamers of today like the ergonomic design of the hd consoles and for them to move on to a tablet controller to game for mass amount of time doesnt cut it. i know alot of people will cite quotes from people that have held the wii u controller to back up an argument about he controller being comfortable but playing on the wii upad for 10 minutes doesnt mean anything. im quite sure that long playtime with the wii upad will become quite uncomfortable for the player. have anyone gamed on an ipad or any big tablet device? they become very uncomfortable quickly.

heres the deal, nintendo needs to make a controller that is very comfortable to hold for any extended playtime and stop messing about. they made the wiimote and said its amazing but core users will agree that its rubbish. they had to release a wiimotion plus for better accuracy and even that doesnt make it as accurate as a ps move. nintendo is suffering with the wii and the casuals have abandoned them so they are trying to trick the core gamers into thinking they are designing something for them. a screen on a controller to interact with in core games especially online isnt a good idea because taking concentration away from the screen for a second can be futile. the screen is good for more casual gameplay and such and proving it isnt for the core. i saw certain previews of the wii u where developers will want gamers to hold up the wii upad infront of them to mimic a 3ds or ds but that is just silly.

notice nintendo made the wii upad with functions and buttons like the traditional controller but they are still messing about with the design of the controller.

[NYC_Gamer]

Really doubt people would buy the Wii-U just for 3rd party software...Most people buy Nintendo consoles/handhelds for the first party exclusives....Real 3rd party support for Wii-U is just a bonus after how bad the original Wii was treated by 3rd party studios....That tablet controller and it's features is a selling point in my opinion...None of us can say the controller is uncomfortable since never used it before..

[sidar]

"most core gamers of today like the ergonomic design of the hd consoles and for them to move on to a tablet controller to game for mass amount of time doesnt cut it. "

what?
No one said you will play games "only" on the tablet. It compliments the TV. And if the TV needs to be used you can continue playing on the tablet.

So far no one is complaining about the controller( people who actually used it).
Facts, do you have 'm?

[Akuma-]

''No one said you will play games "only" on the tablet. It compliments the TV. And if the TV needs to be used you can continue playing on the tablet.''

*******ok SIDAR********

you are correct dude, most core gamers will be satisfied with playing their core hd games on a 6inch screen that most likely will be at 480p resolution.

most households in todays modern society has more than one teli so the feature of playing games on the wii upad is silly. most people will try out the feauture but wont go back to using the feature a second time.sort of like the 3d on the 3ds which most people dont use.

i game on a 65inch and i love it to where if i game on a 50inch or smaller it upsets me. im quite sure that most people that are useto their big screens wont want to game on a 6inch screen. i dont even understand the point of gaming on a 6inch screen because someone else is using the teli unless you are a child. whats the purpose of having a hi def console if youll be gaming on a 480p screen of today when hd telis are so cheap?

people, stop spinning bad decisions made by the companies or apologize for rubbish. demand quality.

[Ravenor]

You can use the Classic controller Pro...holy fuck. Every god damn article, you're here spouting the same shit. THE EXACT SAME CRAP.

Take your parents 65 inch tv and cram it up your rear, maybe that'll jolt your brain dead head into realizing absolutely no one cares for your poorly written speculation and whining.

Why the fuck do you care if I enjoy Nintendo franchises and enjoy their brand of couch MP with friends and family? What are you trying to prove? Do you think people care? Do you think you aren't irritating?

My PC for awhile now has been several times more powerful then either console, and yet I take them "seriously" still. Your theory is flawed, get back in your hole.

[dark-hollow]

Core core core!!!!

Who the f@#k made you the official spokesman of core gamers?

[sidar]

"most households in todays modern society has more than one teli so the feature of playing games on the wii upad is silly."

Then what is the problem?
I said the controller compliments the TV.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE MAIN SCREEN ON IT IF THE TV IS USED.

You play the game on the bigger screen while tons of other information are off put to the controller....Why am I even bothering.

I'm seriously questioning your intelligence.

"people, stop spinning bad decisions made by the companies or apologize for rubbish. demand quality."

Stop being a fool. And stop dramatizing the sh/t out of everything Nintendo does.

[StraightedgeSES]

I hope you know the Wii U is a new console not a controller.

[360GamerFG]

Your head is so far up SONY's rear that nobody takes the crap you spew seriously.
Just stop.

[Ashunderfire86]

The Wii U is the Dreamcast of 2 generations ago, it will do well in sells like the Dreamcast did, but Wii U will last longer than the Dreamcast ever did.

[Uncharted2Vet]

aren't you the same dude that says you want the best hardware specs but you game on consoles which in itself is contradicting

[yabhero]

Honestly dude... how do you know anything about WiiU... you don't work at Nintendo... the ONLY information we have about WiiU is the positive things devs have said about it. Also, saying a console is power doesn't help sell your game... it helps sell the console... Also please stop "core" in replace of "... REAL gamers adpot the challenge of new controller instead I beggin for the redesigned version the PS controller from 17 years ago in 1995

[Moncole]

What's a hardcore game to your standards? To me a there are no hardcore games, only fun and boring games.

[VanillaBear]

Cooking Mama - Casual Game

Wii Fit - Casual Game

Half life 2 - Core game

You see how this works

To the casual gamer Wii Fit isn't boring and Cooking Mama is fun

Don't start with the "Theres no casual and core" BS because since the Wii was released in 2006, there is.

[Moncole]

I love Half Life 2, it's tons of fun. But Duke Nukem is considerded a hardcore game and it sucks and Jetpack Joyride is considered casual and it's lots of fun. Just because it's considered a core game doesn't mean it good.

I would rather play Jetpack Joyride over Dukem Forever any day.

[Ducky]

Casual = Is played every now and then. Requires relatively little amount of attention. Most mobile games fall under this category.

Core = Require more 'seriousness' from the player. Average game session lasts longer than a casual game (it's arguable)... and you usually can't just pick it up half a month later and know exactly what's going on.

HardCore = Requires the player to be an elitist.

Liking one doesn't mean you find the other boring. PopCap are the masters at casual games, yet I love most of their games.
If the WiiU controller is comfortable to hold, then I don't see why both Casual & Core gaming isn't possible.

[SilentNegotiator]

"But Duke Nukem is considerded a hardcore game and it sucks and Jetpack Joyride is considered casual and it's lots of fun"

You're not talking about "Forever" are you? Because the old Duke Nukem games aren't considered "hardcore" in today's standards and Forever was a POS cash-in of a half-completed product.

Stop downplaying the separation of casual, core, and hardcore. No one is saying any of them are "bad"

[jessupj]

There are core and casual games aimed at core and casual players. Deal with it.

[Fel08]

Just watch the controller become a success and MS and SONY coming up with something similar a few years later.

[mike1up]

It had to be said.

Bubble Up+

[GamingPerson]

I would say wiiU will be fit for mmo more than ps3 and xbox! So many hot keys can be on it.

[mamotte]

But everyone want remote control between Vita and the PS3, wich in the end is the same thing: A normal controller with a screen in the middle. So... forget it, we all know N4G is funny like that.

[ABizzel1]

Just use the Classic Wii Controller, since all Wii accessories are suppose to work with it.

[xtreampro]

At first I disliked the controller but after reading more into it and seeing more people praise it's functionality and the practicality of having a screen I'm starting to like it more and more.

It's only now that I realise that it'd probably be a great controller to hold in your hands.

[richierich]

Now I really cant wait till E3

[user5467007]

You know I will still wait for E3 before getting excited, to me this just seems more about Gearbox wanting Aliens: Colonial Marines to sell more on the Wii U, so it's the reason why I'm not going to take their word for it

I mean it's funny how it's mostly just Gearbox saying things like this about the Wii U.

[iamnsuperman]

You do have a point. By doing this their game is in the gaming media. I am not seeing others developers doing this.

[user5467007]

" I am not seeing others developers doing this."

My point exactly

The Wii U specs must be in nearly every developers hands by now, if Gearbox is telling the truth then other developers would be joining in with Gearboxes comments about how powerful it is.

So far it's just been Gearbox and as I've said I think it's only because they want the Wii U version of Aliens: Colonial Marines to sell well

I think people have just got to take a step back and be insightful when developers do this sort of thing. Not just take their word for it.

Lets just wait untill E3

[yabhero]

Umm guys...

THQ: “WiiU is just alot more powerful than current HD consoles it does 1080p very easy.”

Epic: “It will do things current HD consoles simply cant do its going to be a powerful box.”

Crytek: “WiiU devkits are very powerful,the specs are very good”

Vigil Games: “We had the game at the same level as high end pc version in a matter of days and a few lines of code got the game up and running on tablet in 5 mins.”

EA: "Wii U is not a transitional platform, it is a true next generation system."

[VanillaBear]

Least someone else dosen't just automaticaly take their word for it. I like it when people actually try and think about the comments logicaly and why they would say something like that. As you have said they pretty much want to make sure Alien CM will sell on the Wii U. It's not like they are going to come out and say it's not powerful because then people will just buy the PS3/Xbox 360 version of Alien CM, I'm guessing it will be a little more expensive on the Wii U because of it being a new console.

Your right where is other developers comments to back up Gearboxes claims, if they were telling the truth then I bet developers who are developing for the Wii U would glady speak out.

[LOL_WUT]

VanillaBear Well said +1

[PopRocks359]

What are you guys talking about?

Crytek

http://wiiudaily.com/2011/0...

And Epic Games

http://www.xbitlabs.com/new...

Have both echoed similar sentiments eons ago. God, some of you are incredibly ignorant.

[AdvanceWarsSgt]

Not ignorant. They just want to so badly believe the WiiU is underpowered they immediately ignore any statements that contradict their beliefs.

[NastyLeftHook0]

i cannot wait for next gen.

wii u and ps4! ahh good times.

[jacen100]

lookin forward to E3 to see this hype backed up

[patriotZero]

Think about PS4 and X8OX

[ninjahunter]

OMG Blah blah blah, ninendos the greatest rumor rumor rumor opinion opinion opinion. Wheres the fact fact fact?

[mamotte]

So Gearbox is not anonymous enough for you to believe it?

[ninjahunter]

The only thing thats been said about the wii U is that it has a controller. I find it amusing the people are jumping the bandwagon, grabbing their sword and cross and going to war over rumor and opinion.

[mike1up]

LMAO

Bubble Up+

[aviator189]

How come these guys are the only ones I've heard saying really good things about the graphical prowess of the wii-u?

[Shok]

They're not. THQ, Epic, Crytek, and Gabe all have said the same thing.

[mshope10]

wait till e3 it will be proven a next gen system and powerful but all you hater crybabies will cry about it anyway.the truth is you dont want to see nintendo get a powerful system with nintendo games and great 3rd party games.!

but its to late they will have a system that does hd with great 1st and 3rd party support get over it.yinz will never own it so stop crying online about it! cause it doesn't effect you crybabies!

[CaptainN]

I love how the article I posted the other day keeps being reposted....good job moderators !!

[MrWonderful]

I will reserve judgement for after e3

[Neko_Mega]

I don't know about the Wii U, so far the controller makes me think of the Dreamcast when it had the VMU memory card inside the controller.

Plus I don't see why they couldn't make a hand held system to do this for the Wii U, anyways I don't think it will do as well as the Wii.

But time will tell.

[ThePsychoGamer]

I don't care how powerful it is, if it has the pointless restriction known as region locking.

[PopRocks359]

I think we got it the last ten dozen times you commented with that same reasoning.

[LX-General-Kaos]

Please dont encourage him to stop. I literally look forward to his region locked comments. He is seriously one of the few people that entertain me here. I never knew region locking could have this type of effect on people. Its almost as bad as someone going around praising a console in every article. Who would go around doing something crazy like that?

http://n4g.com/news/1004205...

http://n4g.com/news/1004903...

http://n4g.com/news/1002834...

http://n4g.com/news/1001845...

http://n4g.com/news/999484/...

http://n4g.com/news/999165/...

http://n4g.com/news/997151/...

http://n4g.com/news/996862/...

http://n4g.com/news/996692/...

and many many MANY more..

Rated E For Everyone

[mike1up]

LMAO

@ PopRocks359 & LX-General-Kaos

Rated O For OWNED

[Gaetano]

All aboard the PR train.

Seriously, can we hear some feedback from a developer that ISN'T trying to sell their Wii U game to the public?

[mike1up]

-"Seriously, can we hear some feedback from a developer that ISN'T trying to sell their Wii U game to the public?"

Ummm, is safe to assume that you actually believe that Nintendo just hands out dev kits to... everybody?

Why would a dev that is not planning on making WiiU games have a kit in the first place?

Gee, why don't we just visit your parallel universe and ask Sony and Microsoft what they think of the WiiU dev kits?

After that, we can visit Nintendo and ask them what they think of PS4's dev kit!

[beerkeg]

If it was an anonymous dev criticizing the Wii U all the negative people would take that anonymous devs opinion as total proof that it isn't powerful.

But when it comes to well known devs giving a positive opinion, they're just trying to sell their games.

It's funny how that works.

[DivineAssault]

Yes yes yes its very powerful.. i want one & all but its going to be a system that perfects the plagued games we had this gen with framerate & screen tearing issues.. adding a great new controller to the mix as well.. No doubt in my mind the system is strong cuz why else would Nintendo invest in using 25GB discs for their games? Xbox 360 doesnt even have 10.. I just want the Nintendo Network to have the services psn or xbl has with a nintendo twist.. wii u will be awesome. i just hope it stays that way

[Zha1tan]

Sorry but Iron Sights on the pulse rifle?

wtf is this?

[josephayal]

Powerful like a ps4 n 720

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

Please hurry E3! So that I do not have to see these Haters constantly giving excuses for their Hate of Nintendo.

At least "ThePsychoGamer" has a real reason to complain.

[nolifeking]

Wow it has more power than 6yr old tech, quite the accomplishment. The real question should be if it will be able to contend with the MS and Sony consoles when they release. As far as I'm concerned the gap just may stay the same between the three consoles.

[Metroid007]

A Powerful Powerful machine coming from a developer known for graphics and pushing tech to the max is pure proof the WiiU is pure Next-Gen also he does say in that same interview that you should keep your eyes open for what Nintendo have in store ?

Plus Epic isnt happy with the 720 having a HD6670 gpu that's less than a terra-flop ??? no 1 talks about that,the WiiU had was comparable to a 1.2 terra flop gpu in its 1st stage ???