Wii U Discussion

[Linkachu]

With E3 on the horizon and hordes of rumors to poke at, we might as well give this thing its own dedicated discussion thread. So, here it is. You can discuss your opinions on the Wii U here, share news or rumors regarding it, etc. And to start us off, I'm throwing up a quick poll. Will you buy the Wii U at launch? Tell us why or why not.

I'd say I'm undecided with my purchase but that's likely a lie. I'm a consumer whore and very interested in the Wii U, and I like Nintendo games, so of course I'm getting it. I just hope the launch price is reasonable.

And now, a rumor. Apparently Blockbuster UK has listed a bunch of upcoming Wii U games in their system and some images detailing these games leaked onto the internet. None of this is confirmed, but here's the full list:

• Just Dance 4
• Killer Freaks From Outer Space
• Marvel Super Heroes
• Metro Last Light
• Monsters Party
• New Super Mario Brothers Mii
• Ninja Gaiden 3
• Pikmin
• Rabbids Party Land
• Raving Rabbids
• Rayman Legends
• Shield Pose
• Splinter Cell 6
• Sports Connection
• Tekken
• Your Shape 2013
• Zombie
• Aliens: Colonial Marines
• Assassin's Creed
• Batman Arkham City
• Darksiders II
• Dirt 3
• Formula 1 All Stars
• Game Party
• Ghost Recon Online

Rumor or not, we already know that Rayman Legends and Pikmin 3 are coming to the Wii U. Assuming that I don't buy Rayman on a different console, those would be my two most wanted from this list.

[Doctor Oak]

Will I buy it day one? Yes. I'm stupid like that.

Will I find it to be a worthy investment? Well, that really will depend on what Nintendo is prepared to bring to the party. The console's interface and usability needs to be a million degrees better than their rubbish efforts on the Wii and 3DS; their online strategy (including content as well as multiplayer) needs to be a billion degrees better than anything they've managed thus far and the software available on the platform needs to be a trillion degrees better and more varied and competitive than the Wii has managed in its entire existence.

The Blockbuster list looks like they've just taken a list of anything attributed to the Wii U, including tech demos from last year's E3, and slapped it in there in the vague hope any of it will come to fruition. We got a glimpse at the possibility of games like Arkham City and Assassin's Creed coming to the Wii U last year, but soon after, it was confirmed that none of these games were actually in development for the system yet - Nintendo was just fielding out ideas from developers. This is the same crap that promised us similar games on the 3DS, only to see them never turn into anything at all.

For a successful launch, I'd like to see at least one massive Nintendo title in that line-up. A genuine must have like a brand new proper Mario adventure or a new console Pokemon game. They must not make the same mistake as the 3DS' launch and assume that something like Nintendogs will sustain the launch. And no, Pikmin does not count as a killer app.

Launching with at least one of the big titles due out at the end of this year on a multiplatform basis would also be a massive win. Rayman Legends looks likely to manage that - but what we really need is Assassin's Creed III hitting the Wii U alongside the Xbox and Playstation on the same day (or at launch, if it's a few weeks later).

Effectively, Nintendo needs to demonstrate from day one that the Wii U will not be a repeat of their persistent mistakes on previous platforms. I suspect I'm going to be rather let down in that regard either way, but at the very least, just make it a solid platform for better development and allow good third party games to shine on it. Being able to compete in a multi-platform market is necessary now more than ever - a vast majority of the best titles in the past few years have been on both the Playstation and the Xbox (and occassionally PC). The Wii was an abject failure in that regard, but the Wii U has the potential to match what the others can do with those titles and enhance it with the new controller. Seeing that potential realised, and not wasted, is what will make me happy with my £250-£300 lump of plastic (and if they want more money, they better deliver much, much more than that, too).

PS: I will offer myself up as a Man-Slave to anyone in Nintendo that has the fucking balls to force them to CHANGE THE FUCKING NAME TO SOMETHING SENSIBLE.

The Wii U version of Rayman Legends presumably has a couple of exclusive features, for example using the touch screen's NFC to enable playing as Ezio and the Rabbids by buying figures. I'll probably buy the Wii U on Day 1 along with Pikmin and Freaks. I'm getting tired of these "New" Mario games. But i agree with Doctor Oak, if it doesn't launch with one of the big 3rd party hits like Call of Duty or Assassins Creed fewer people will probably buy it.

Simple enough, if the WiiU can grab the multiplats the PC/xbox and PS3 share already on top of their own IPs, everybody will be in trouble.

Both Xbox and PS3 dont have exclusives that sell consoles much.
FPS people prefer CoD over Halo nowadays mostly and stuff like God of War isnt the greatest thing either.
Its at the point where people argue about dumb features that nobody cares about like multigame online chat, some internet thats supposedly better because you pay for it (even though both are p2p) and bluray players that have shitall to do with videogames instead of actually talking about the games that come out on each console.

Most games simply are multiplat now and when Nintendo can grab those then they will have a huge advantage.

This list already shows some multiplats, true or not, and now all we need is some Nintendo stuff to kick it off.

Buying it when I can count 10 exclusives that are worth it or when I get a very good deal.

[King of Lucario]

Will I buy Wii U? Of course. In the first three months, looking at the release lineup? Fuck no.

Sorry, but nothing on that lineup catches my eye at all. I honestly hope that isn't the finalized list, because for me personally it's crap.

I probably still won't get it early anyway. The only console I've ever bought near release was the DS Phat, and I was playing nothing but GBA games on it (Metroid Prime Hunters demo doesn't count) for about a year after I bought the thing. I've learned from that mistake.

I'll probably be one of the fools who buys it on release. The main reasoning behind it is games such as Arkham City and Assassin's Creed have been for the PC, Xbox and Playstation. I only own 1 of the 3 (PC) so I've not had chance to play them. Secondly I'm a sucker for Ninty series games especially Mario and Pokemon.

However I do agree that this starting line-up could be better and is minimal much like the 3DS's. I would like to see at least the LoZ from the WiiU trailer come out on release day. As for other game I would like to see in the future would be a 3rd installment to the Galaxy series and a console Pokemon game. And finally I hope to god they do the SSB game right this time ^^

[Linkachu]

I would like to see at least the LoZ from the WiiU trailer come out on release day.

The chances of that happening are very, very slim, and considering how long it takes to develop your typical console Zelda game I personally would not want to see that happen. The last thing we want is a rushed LoZ simply to have one out at launch. I'd say a year or so after launch would be much more reasonable.

But I fully agree with Alex that the leaked list is likely not an accurate reflection of the true launch line up (just assumed releases), and that Ninty needs to give us a better Mario launch title than an extended tech demo. Either way, E3 will undoubtedly show off a few new key titles that haven't yet been revealed.

Wasn't there rumours of a Majora's Mask remake for the WiiU and I've also heard about a possible Twilight Princess HD remaster if either of these turn out to be true then we could possibly see a LoZ game on or not long after release similar to OoT for the 3DS.

[Linkachu]

Wasn't there rumours of a Majora's Mask remake for the WiiU and I've also heard about a possible Twilight Princess HD remaster if either of these turn out to be true then we could possibly see a LoZ game on or not long after release similar to OoT for the 3DS.

All rumbles I've seen regarding a Majora's Mask remake have been directed towards the 3DS, and I've yet to read anything hinting at a possible Twilight Princess HD version. It's always a possibility, but I'll believe it when I see it. For now it sounds mostly like the desires of hopeful fans.

Yeah it probably just is hopeful fans, but I'm hoping it is true I think MM might suit the WiiU better :P

If at all then MM would be a 3DS title simply because they would be able to work with the OoT3DS assets just like they did in the past on the n64.

[Linkachu]

Nothing major, but it appears that Nintendo has slightly redesigned the Wii U controller. This image was tweeted by a QA tester at Traveller's Tales:



Aside from repositioning a few buttons, the circle pads have been replaced with analog sticks. There could still be more changes that this image doesn't take into account, but we'll see it all soon.

[Linkachu]

Bumping with the latest pricing/release date rumors (which surfaced a few days ago but I wasn't around then). Imma be lazy and copypaste this directly off IGN:

"While we’ve heard multiple reports in the past that suggest Nintendo’s console will arrive in North America on November 18, today’s listing suggests it’ll actually be on November 11.

That's according to a listing spotted on Video Product Distributors, which is a distribution company that supplies Amazon, Blockbuster and Overstock.

According to an entry on the site, the Wii U will become available in North America on November 11. Three SKUs are listed:

WIIU SYSTEM - GM - 11/11/12 $249.99
WIIU SYSTEM W/ - GM - 11/11/12 $299.99
WIIU SYSTEM 349 W/ - GM - 11/11/12 $349.99"

They currently do not know what the two bundle sets refer to, but if those truly are the North American prices then I'd be fine shoveling out for a higher end bundle - assuming it was actually worth the extra $100. Whether it's released on the 11th or 18th is of little consequence to me. Both are fine dates.

[Doctor Oak]

So, discussion of this has mostly boiled down to two things (since the date is basically going to be around then either way):

1) The price of the lowest SKU. IIRC, the Wii was $250 at launch, and this does wind up at about the same as the £180 we paid for the Wii at launch when you convert and add in VAT. Basically, below $300/£200 is the sweet spot Nintendo has to hit, and this would indicate that they plan on doing so. This is a good thing.

2) The multiple SKUs that vary by as much as $100. No-one has any idea what the SKUs actually are, but the speculation is basically that the first version features the system itself, the second features a 'pro' controller (which is a pricy addition if that's all that extra $50 amounts to), while the last one features two GamePads.

Alternatively, they refer to the inclusion of a game, or a game and another controller (of either variety) respectively.

Either way, they look set to be bundles as defined by Nintendo, not the retailer, so the idea of a game being bundled means it would likely be a very specific one. Possibly Nintendo World - though one would hope for the sake of that having any value at all, it would be a freebie ala Wii Sports. This does put further emphasis on it being solely a hardware thing - so a variety of controller bundles is probable.

Of course, it is just a rumour, but given that we're on the cusp of the release period anyways, information really can't be far behind.

We already know that we in Europe will see the system delayed (seemingly not to next year, but likely mid-December at the earliest) to accommodate extra stock for Thanksgiving sales in America, so the system must be out around that period at either rate.

For a successful launch, I'd like to see at least one massive Nintendo title in that line-up. A genuine must have like a brand new proper Mario adventure or a new console Pokemon game. They must not make the same mistake as the 3DS' launch and assume that something like Nintendogs will sustain the launch. And no, Pikmin does not count as a killer app.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I think it would be cool if they got an older game like, I'm not sure, lets say Legend of Zelda, and made it playable of the Wii U. I also think it would be a good idea for the Wii shop games to be playable on the Wii U. Games like "My Pokemon Ranch", "Pokemon Rumble" or "Pokemon Battle Revolution" would be nice to play on the Wii U. But, unfortunatly, I know very little of the Wii U. (So, please ignore any mistake I may have made)

I don't plan on getting the Wii U. Mostly because of the price. With cosplaying and online gaming, I don't think I will be able to buy it. I don't even touch my Dsi anymore, why should I buy another gaming device? Despite the cute console, I don't think it'll be that good. I didn't think the 3DS was that good, so maybe the Wii U won't be. If there's more game for the Wii U then, sure. Nintendo Dogs and Cooking Mama wasn't good enough for me. I thought the games for the 3DS weren't.. great. Pokemon Rumble bored me after a little while, same with Starfox. I'll still think about getting the Wii U, must be better than the Wii, right?
*Glances at her Wii that hasn't been touched in almost two years*

The Wii is cheaper then the Wii U so, there must be something better about it then the size and pretty buttons.

[Linkachu]

Now that a rough price point has been leaked, one which seems believable considering Nintendo's past console pricing and insistence on wanting to keep Wii U costs down, I pretty much have no reason not to buy Wii U at launch. It really just boils down to this for me: do I want to keep playing Nintendo console games? And yes, yes I do. I won't find those games on PS3, 360, PC, or even 3DS for the most part, so that means I need a Wii U.

Two Wii U launch window titles (Pikmin 3 and Rayman Legends) are must-plays for me, and for $350 - let alone $250 - there's no reason why I would wait to play them. I already own everything else that interests me aside from PS Vita anyways, and I'll likely have one of those too at some point - as soon as it releases its first must-have game.

[Doctor Oak]

Nintendo will be officially giving launch information about the Wii U in a NY Press event on Thursday. A European episode of Nintendo Direct will also be online at 3pm BST the same day.

I'd probably go in expecting to be disappointed in terms of pricing - but launch titles will probably be ok so long as the vague indication of Nintendo and third parties as to what will be there this year from E3 holds true at all.

[Linkachu]

I'm currently watching the North American preview (click here to watch it for yourself) and they announced the prices/release date right off the bat. Release date is November 18th as previously rumored. The prices and sets look like this:

Basic set (8GB) (White Hardware) - $299.99: Wii U console, GamePad, HDMI cable, sensor bar, AC adapter

Deluxe set (32GB) (Black Hardware) - $349.99: Same as basic set, plus a GamePad charging cradle, a stand for the GamePad and console, and Nintendo Land

Apparently new game announcements are coming, including a key franchise that "people have wanted to see on Wii U". I'm guessing Zelda, Metroid, or Star Fox. Looks like they were referring to third party, not first party.

I don't have time to look into the Europe region info right now, sorry! I know there already is some going around though.

Edit: Kotaku summed up the presentations fairly nicely in a single article. Check it out if you missed anything.

[Doctor Oak]

Nintendo aren't giving an RRP again for the Wii U, as is standard now. Expect Tesco, Sainsbury's and ASDA to fight over undercutting eachother and for online retailers to follow suit soon after.

To begin with, though, this is what we've got:

White Wii U (Basic) for £249.99 at Amazon (£247.85 at ShopTo) and that has 8GB of storage and basically nothing else. The controller is included, obviously, but no Wii sensor bar. No indication on whether or not we'll get an HDMI cable either.

Black Wii U (Premium) for £299.99 at Amazon (£296.86 at ShopTo). That has 32GB, the controller, an HDMI cable, stands for the console and controller, NintendoLand and '3 Months Nintendo Network Premium subscription' which is essentially Nintendo's 'PS+' kinda thingy. So far they only seem to be indicating that it allows you to get points back from your purchases to spend on other things.

And then, there's the ZombiU bundle featuring the black Premium Wii U and Ubisoft's ZombiU, going for £324.85 on ShopTo. Which is the one I'm getting.

So far, I don't think there's been any news about the Pro controller or buying a separate Wii U gamepad here, but hopefully that will come around sooner rather than later. Given that the Yen price of the Gamepad comes to £100 already, though, the idea of splashing out up to £150 for a controller, no matter how super awesome, may be too much for anyone here for them to feel it worth the option at all.

I think the price is pretty fair, and the differing SKUs actually has worked out fairly well. Though the money you'll save by getting the 8GB is really going to be a false economy once you have to start buying external storage anyway.

In all, it looks like this launch will set me back around £450, but thankfully I can spread that out across two months thanks to ShopTo allowing early pre-order payments. I think I'd have appreciated Nintendo giving us an opportunity to clear our balances a little earlier, though. Two months before launch is kinda ridiculous to have to wait for this kind of info.

[Linkachu]

Black Wii U (Premium) for £299.99 at Amazon (£296.86 at ShopTo). That has 32GB, the controller, an HDMI cable, stands for the console and controller, NintendoLand and '3 Months Nintendo Network Premium subscription' which is essentially Nintendo's 'PS+' kinda thingy. So far they only seem to be indicating that it allows you to get points back from your purchases to spend on other things.

And then, there's the ZombiU bundle featuring the black Premium Wii U and Ubisoft's ZombiU, going for £324.85 on ShopTo. Which is the one I'm getting.

You may be interested in this. They're charging £249.99 with free delivery for the premium edition. No ZombiU included with this one though.