Wii U Thread

[therealjaxon]

Veteran Bushnell "baffled" by Wii U, says this is the end of an era

Atari founder and games industry veteran Nolan Bushnell has predicted bad things for both Wii U and the wider console games industry.

“I actually am baffled by it,” Bushnell told The New York Times of Nintendo’s new machine. “I don’t think it’s going to be a big success. These things will continue to sputter along, but I really don’t think they’ll be of major import ever again.

“It feels like the end of an era to me.”

Anyone that’s been in the games industry for any meaningful amount of time will be wary of betting against Nintendo. Both the DS and Wii were greeted with derision prior to their launch, and both went on to be massively commercial successes and arguably redefine the nature of mass-market gaming.

But that’s not to say that all of the questions being asked of Nintendo are without merit.

As has been widely documented, for all its quirks the Wii worked because anyone could pick up a Wii Remote and play. Anyone. The same can certainly not be said of the Wii U and its somewhat complicated relationship with the GamePad.

Bushnell ‘s “era” comment, of course, references another spreading belief – that games consoles are heading for extinction and will be replaced by free-to-play gaming on devices such as tablet, browser and smartphone.

Again, the arguments for this school of thought are sound but it would take a brave man or woman to predict the death of consoles in their entirety.

The games market is unquestionably broader than ever before and publishers are working hard to attract emerging markets. But the hardcore console gamers have been there for 30 years now and don’t make the mistake of thinking that they’re all waiting to drop their hobby.

[therealjaxon]

Wii U's TVii service confirmed for Europe

Nintendo’s impressive TVii service has been confirmed for Europe.

The previously North American only functionality will arrive in the region some time on 2013. In Nintendo’s words it “enables you to find, watch, and engage with TV shows and movies in entirely new ways”.

The blurb adds: “Using the Wii U GamePad, you can browse and search for programming from sources you subscribe to, including cable and satellite channels and video-on-demand services.”

TVii will allow users to access all their various streaming video services through the Wii U console, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and others. It’s powered by tech provided by i.TV.

Other functionality will be included, too, such as Universal Remote Control functionality for the GamePad as well as using the pricey peripheral for that much touted “second screen experience”.

This mainly comprises the ability to talk to others via a social network – specifically, Nintendo’s own social network. It will also offer additional information, such as stats for sports coverage or IMDB information for TV shows.

“Nintendo TVii makes watching TV more simple and fun by combining and displaying video content from a variety of sources all in one easy-to-use second screen experience,” NoA’s director of network business Zach Fountain said back in September. “i.TV’s strong legacy and commitment to reinventing TV make them an ideal partner to help bring Nintendo TVii to life.”

Nintendo has also promised some sort of level of compatibility with cable and satellite PVR boxes, though TiVo – which remains a big brand in the US – was the only brand named. Wider compatibility remains a question.

[Pious the chosen]

I really dispair over the future of gaming at times, especially after reading those last two pieces.

[therealjaxon]

We may not like it but if the games market really is struggling (which I personally don't believe), then I guess they need to look for different ways to attract and maintain consumers.

[maf-me-quick]

Go back a couple of years ago and people were saying the PC was dead.

[Guinnes1981]

Nintendo releasing the wii mini...

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/the-wii- ... ed/0107063

[therealjaxon]

So it's confirmed then. Still strange though Normally a 'slim' version is released to boost flagging sales, well I suppose the Wii is flagging but every man and his dog has one plus Nintendo has just released the WiiU so surely they should be encouraging punters to buy that?

[Vletr]

Looking forward to getting mine - I'm a sucker for that Nintendo magic!

Not bothered with multimedia capabilities though. Apart from iplayer once or twice I've never used any of the music/film/tv services on the PS3 or 360. I don't understand the obsession with everything on everything generally. No, I don't want to watch a film, read a book or take photos on on my phone!

[Guinnes1981]

So it's confirmed then. Still strange though Normally a 'slim' version is released to boost flagging sales, well I suppose the Wii is flagging but every man and his dog has one plus Nintendo has just released the WiiU so surely they should be encouraging punters to buy that?

Update - it's now a Canada exclusive with no internet or Gamecube BC..
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/99-wii-m ... ve/0107071

[therealjaxon]

Wow, stranger still. Only in Canada?? The $100 price tag means £62 in our money. Not bad but I've seen the blue Wii with Mario Kart for a touch under £90 and I'd rather have that with its GC BC and internet - who is this Wii Mini aimed at exactly?

[Pious the chosen]

Canadians?

[Guinnes1981]

Canadians?

[Maryokutai]

Update - it's now a Canada exclusive with no internet or Gamecube BC..
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/99-wii-m ... ve/0107071

Now that thing looks really cool, in a weird way. It’s as if Kubrick had designed a special Space Famicom for 2001: A Space Odyssey (neglecting the fact that the Famciom didn’t exist back then).

[Mr Marvellous]

Is it just me or is the Wii Uk TV ads really uninspiring.

[Shadowman]

Update - it's now a Canada exclusive with no internet or Gamecube BC..
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/99-wii-m ... ve/0107071

Now that thing looks really cool, in a weird way. It’s as if Kubrick had designed a special Space Famicom for 2001: A Space Odyssey (neglecting the fact that the Famciom didn’t exist back then).

I like the design, I wonder if it was intentional or if its just a coincidence but it looks an awful lot like the book style dual screen Game and Watch games (most specifically Mario Bros with a colour scheme like that):


Anyway, Shopto has charged me for my 3 Wii U games (Mario, ZombiU and Sonic and Sega Racing Transformed) and I'm hoping Amazon will send out my Wii U soon