Nintendo looking to release HD console before 2011
10-01-08, 11:08 AM
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Nintendo looking to release HD console before 2011
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...tendo-hardware
This all makes sense to me. The next generation Wii should be high definition, should include a large storage solution and most importantly should distribute its games via digital download. There is no reason to keep the same methods of purchasing a game via physical media which can be damaged or lost. By 2010 or so, most people will be buying their music, movies & games via digitial download. That is my prediction!
Also, since the Wii will still be hard to find thru this holiday season, it makes perfect sense to create Wii bundles where Nintendo can sell more games and accessories at a lower price. There is no need in the near future to lower the price of the Wii.
Chris
Speculation mounts on new Nintendo hardware
A fresh round of speculation about new hardware from Nintendo has been reported this morning, ahead of the company's autumn press presentation tomorrow.
According to What They Play, Nintendo is currently showing new Wii hardware to developers and publishers, with a view to releasing a high-definition console before 2011.
The new console is currently dubbed Wii HD and would be a true successor to the Wii, rather than a simple hardware refresh, in a similar move to Nintendo's migration from Game Boy to Game Boy Advance.
It's suggested that the new console will feature high-definition visuals, a greater emphasis on backwards compatibility and digital distribution, and a large storage solution.
The report notes that Nintendo has more than tripled its internal research and development spend since the release of the Wii back in 2006.
And following reports earlier in the week that Nintendo is due to announce a new DS tomorrow, complete with built-in camera, music playback and improved wireless functions, analysts have told Bloomberg that the company is also likely to release new Wii hardware bundles rather than cut the price of the current market-leading home console.
"Nintendo has no need to cut the Wii's price,'' said Takashi Oka, of CSK Institute for Sustainability.
"If Nintendo cuts prices now, people who already bought the Wii will feel they've lost money. Nintendo won't do such a thing," he said.
A fresh round of speculation about new hardware from Nintendo has been reported this morning, ahead of the company's autumn press presentation tomorrow.
According to What They Play, Nintendo is currently showing new Wii hardware to developers and publishers, with a view to releasing a high-definition console before 2011.
The new console is currently dubbed Wii HD and would be a true successor to the Wii, rather than a simple hardware refresh, in a similar move to Nintendo's migration from Game Boy to Game Boy Advance.
It's suggested that the new console will feature high-definition visuals, a greater emphasis on backwards compatibility and digital distribution, and a large storage solution.
The report notes that Nintendo has more than tripled its internal research and development spend since the release of the Wii back in 2006.
And following reports earlier in the week that Nintendo is due to announce a new DS tomorrow, complete with built-in camera, music playback and improved wireless functions, analysts have told Bloomberg that the company is also likely to release new Wii hardware bundles rather than cut the price of the current market-leading home console.
"Nintendo has no need to cut the Wii's price,'' said Takashi Oka, of CSK Institute for Sustainability.
"If Nintendo cuts prices now, people who already bought the Wii will feel they've lost money. Nintendo won't do such a thing," he said.
This all makes sense to me. The next generation Wii should be high definition, should include a large storage solution and most importantly should distribute its games via digital download. There is no reason to keep the same methods of purchasing a game via physical media which can be damaged or lost. By 2010 or so, most people will be buying their music, movies & games via digitial download. That is my prediction!
Also, since the Wii will still be hard to find thru this holiday season, it makes perfect sense to create Wii bundles where Nintendo can sell more games and accessories at a lower price. There is no need in the near future to lower the price of the Wii.
Chris
10-01-08, 11:14 AM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
This will probably be the first console I skip. The Wii has done nothing but sit in my entertainment center waiting for my niece and nephew to visit every 12 months. If the quality of Nintendo games don't improve then I'll never purchase another Nintendo product again... but, if they can give me some high quality sporting events (ie golf or tennis) in HD, I might bite.
10-01-08, 11:33 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
I'm with Rob - I only touch my Wii when I get games that I have to review. It's sad really. Poor little thing, sitting there all sad and mopey. But at least it has the PS3 to commiserate with.
10-01-08, 11:37 AM
#6
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Makes sense. They were five years late with online play, so another five years to go HD seems about right.
10-01-08, 11:41 AM
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10-01-08, 12:40 PM
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It'll be interesting to see how much they improve the hardware. Will it be, in processing power, something close to the Xbox 360 and PS3? below them?
With all the advancements in hardware they should be able to fit hardware that does near HD in the current case.
With all the advancements in hardware they should be able to fit hardware that does near HD in the current case.
10-01-08, 12:53 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
I have no interest at this point in time for Wii 2. I have no interest in Wii 1 that I spent 16+ hours waiting in line for at launch.
Eventually Metroid, Zelda, and Mario could bring me back in, but I might just end up borrowing someone else's for the time.
They're going to have to seriously revamp their entire view on appealing to gamers like me. Gamers that grew up with and love Nintendo and hate to see their potential not even approached, let alone fully realized.
Eventually Metroid, Zelda, and Mario could bring me back in, but I might just end up borrowing someone else's for the time.
They're going to have to seriously revamp their entire view on appealing to gamers like me. Gamers that grew up with and love Nintendo and hate to see their potential not even approached, let alone fully realized.
10-01-08, 01:02 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
I dunno. I love Nintendo. But the Wii is the most expensive paperweight I own. The last time I touched it was for Kart, prior to that Galaxy and prior to that Wii sports that came with it.
10-01-08, 01:07 PM
#15
DVD Talk Hero
10-01-08, 01:27 PM
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I am truly surprised at everyone that doesn't play the Wii anymore. I am on mine at least 3-5 days per week. Mostly for Kart or Brawl, but also for a lot of VC Games (just beat Super Metroid last night!) and WiiWare games (MM9 kicks my ass). The biggest disappointment for me is about to happen when they don't release jacksh*t this Christmas. WiiMusic is a joke IMO, and they have nothing else that appeals to me for this holiday 
At least I bought a PS3 not too long ago
At least I bought a PS3 not too long ago
10-01-08, 01:32 PM
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So it'll be 720p and have a 10gb hard drive, then?
Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed my time with the Wii, but it peaked way too early. The release slate is anemic at best. They've already put out most of their heavy-hitters, and many of those, while good, were simply more-of-the-same (Kart, Brawl, Galaxy). Meanwhile, third-party support seems almost entirely limited to kid-friendly shovelware.
Regardless, I'll be skipping the Wii HD. Sad to think that there will be a Nintendo system that I'll be skipping, but their glory days are behind them as far as serious gaming is concerned. I'll be picking up a PS3 in the near future to meet my gaming (and blu-ray) "needs" that Nintendo has failed to satisfy.
Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed my time with the Wii, but it peaked way too early. The release slate is anemic at best. They've already put out most of their heavy-hitters, and many of those, while good, were simply more-of-the-same (Kart, Brawl, Galaxy). Meanwhile, third-party support seems almost entirely limited to kid-friendly shovelware.
Regardless, I'll be skipping the Wii HD. Sad to think that there will be a Nintendo system that I'll be skipping, but their glory days are behind them as far as serious gaming is concerned. I'll be picking up a PS3 in the near future to meet my gaming (and blu-ray) "needs" that Nintendo has failed to satisfy.
10-01-08, 01:36 PM
#18
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I bought a Wii again on Friday to see if the things have changed. They haven't. I did enjoy going through some of the Zapper games (like Ghost Squad), but that was short lived.
Mario Kart is coming in the mail and it is my last ditch effort to keep my Wii. If I don't get into it, I will sell the whole thing, which I probably will anyway as I can't justify $300 for one game.
But my biggest complaint with the Wii is still.....the Virtual Console SUCKS! There is just no other way to say it. All those games at their disposal with numerous systems and they release a title or two a week to cover the entire portfolio of options.
Mario Kart is coming in the mail and it is my last ditch effort to keep my Wii. If I don't get into it, I will sell the whole thing, which I probably will anyway as I can't justify $300 for one game.
But my biggest complaint with the Wii is still.....the Virtual Console SUCKS! There is just no other way to say it. All those games at their disposal with numerous systems and they release a title or two a week to cover the entire portfolio of options.
10-01-08, 02:02 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
This all makes sense to me. The next generation Wii should be high definition, should include a large storage solution and most importantly should distribute its games via digital download. There is no reason to keep the same methods of purchasing a game via physical media which can be damaged or lost. By 2010 or so, most people will be buying their music, movies & games via digitial download. That is my prediction!
Chris
10-01-08, 02:36 PM
#20
DVD Talk Godfather
I am truly surprised at everyone that doesn't play the Wii anymore. I am on mine at least 3-5 days per week. Mostly for Kart or Brawl, but also for a lot of VC Games (just beat Super Metroid last night!) and WiiWare games (MM9 kicks my ass). The biggest disappointment for me is about to happen when they don't release jacksh*t this Christmas. WiiMusic is a joke IMO, and they have nothing else that appeals to me for this holiday
At least I bought a PS3 not too long ago
At least I bought a PS3 not too long ago
Seriously. I don't have a problem with the Wii, I finished Okami a few weeks ago and put about 60 hours into it, but I wouldn't have if my 360 hadn't RROD'd on me. I have Metroid 3 and RE4 still sitting there staring at me, but as long as my 360 is kickin', the Wii is a paperweight.As for Wii2, Nintendo is going to have to seriously prove that they are going to support the 'core' gamers instead of chasing the casual gamer money train. I doubt those casual consumers that ate up the Wii will be on board a Wii2 so soon.
10-01-08, 02:43 PM
#21
DVD Talk Godfather
10-01-08, 02:58 PM
#22
DVD Talk Legend
I haven't played it as much as my 360, but I still wouldn't consider money wasted. I spent a LOT of time playing Galaxy, No More Heroes, Zelda, Strikers, Metroid, and I made pretty much all my money back selling some of those games. I sold WarioWare for 45 bucks just a month ago!
10-01-08, 07:14 PM
#23
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I still haven't played Mario, finished Zelda, finished Rayman RR, unlocked everything in Mario Kart or Brawl, etc. We still haven't bought RE4 or Metroid either.
My buddy and I are busy cracking out on Soul Calibur IV
There's plenty of Wii gaming for folks that don't put in hours upon hours every week.
The only people that are griping are those that blow through a game every few days or weeks...and want to know what's next. Nintendo is never going to be able to keep you happy.
You know how many 360 games I've finished since I got it in Feb 2007? 2. Gears and DMC4. Maybe you can count Soul Calibur since I've finished the the main Tower mode.
Sure, I spent a lot of hours playing multiplayer Gears online. Lots of hours. I could probably have finished another handful of games if it wasn't for the Gears addiction. I'd still have a massive backlog.
Hell I've got about 3 dozen PS2 / Xbox / GC games still backlogged. Tons of 'em.
My buddy and I are busy cracking out on Soul Calibur IV
There's plenty of Wii gaming for folks that don't put in hours upon hours every week.
The only people that are griping are those that blow through a game every few days or weeks...and want to know what's next. Nintendo is never going to be able to keep you happy.
You know how many 360 games I've finished since I got it in Feb 2007? 2. Gears and DMC4. Maybe you can count Soul Calibur since I've finished the the main Tower mode.
Sure, I spent a lot of hours playing multiplayer Gears online. Lots of hours. I could probably have finished another handful of games if it wasn't for the Gears addiction. I'd still have a massive backlog.
Hell I've got about 3 dozen PS2 / Xbox / GC games still backlogged. Tons of 'em.
10-01-08, 08:24 PM
#25
DVD Talk Godfather
Seems about right. I bet it would sell tons since the Wii name is so popular now and throw in HD behind it and by 2010 even more casual folks will buy into it.