Nintendo is releasing the successor to the Wii this holiday season. Outside of that fact, and the console featuring a tablet controller, nearly every other piece of information is surrounded by rumors and speculation, even down to the console’s name.
One of the burning questions about the Wii U asks how powerful the console is. Considering its early release date relative to the Xbox 720/PS4 and that the Wii had far lesser muscle than its competition, will the Wii U qualify as next-gen or will it be a late competitor to the current-gen systems?
If we follow the trend of rumors about the Wii U’s power, it’s been decreasing with each successive rumor, so much so that today’s latest insider report from GamesIndustry International has the system even weaker than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
In January, an inside source claimed the Wii U was less powerful than Nintendo had originally claimed but was twice as powerful as the Xbox 360. Last week, Darksiders II Game Director Marvin Donald provided an update by describing the Wii U as “on par” with the current consoles. Today, an inside source claims that the Wii U “is not up to the same level as the PS3 or the 360.” Another source from GamesIndustry, this one apparently from a major developer, reiterates:
“It doesn’t produce graphics as well as the PS3 or the 360. There aren’t as many shaders, it’s not as capable. Sure, some things are better, mostly as a result of it being a more modern design. But overall the Wii U just can’t quite keep up.”
Note the downward trend.
If anything, the latest reports offer credence to what Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto said about the Wii U after E3 last year, that it wouldn’t really outperform the PS3 and Xbox 360.
If the Wii U does prove to be only as strong – from a technical standpoint – as six-seven year old consoles that we already have, then again, Nintendo will be relying on innovation. In this case, that innovation is the tablet controller and whatever new online infrastructure it offers.
While Epic Games VP Mark Rein believes the Wii U will succeed, industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that the low-powered console will “Dreamcast itself.” Seeing how Nintendo’s profits fell below expectations last year and that their executives had to take salary cuts, a lot is riding on the release of the Wii U.
Launching a console which may become obsolete a year or two later by more powerful PlayStation and Xbox consoles has us curious as to what will be revealed at E3 this summer when Nintendo answers all of our questions with the full unveiling of the Wii U.
Today’s Nintendo rumors also include a potential November 18th release date for the Wii U.
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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes.
Source: GamesIndustry International
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April Fools was yesterday.
For one, we’ve ALREADY SEEN examples of what the Wii U is capable of. Just look at the Zelda real-time demo and you know that accusations that Wii U can’t even do PS3/360 graphics is completely bulll.
We played that Zelda tech demo. It wasn’t different than graphics of this year’s big releases.
true, but those “big releases” suck in comparison GAME wise. Just having Flashy graphics does NOT make a great game. look at Skyrim for example, looked Amazing (kinda stupid looking to my eyes though) and was boring as hell. In fact, I have not been impressed by any of the new titles of late. the last game that looked amazing and was fun to play, to me, was Just Cause 2. everything since was mediocre. the only other game i played to the end without being bored or distracted by another, better and funner Nintendo game, was L.A. Noire.
If its graphics, as essentially a “launch title,” were equivalent to those of new games on consoles that have been out for six years, then doesn’t that mean the Wii U is at least as powerful as the other consoles, if not more so?
This article is bull. Could be a Microsoft/Sony that wrote this just to trick people. Only the truth will be on this E3
Fanboy*
I doubt the Wii U is less powerful than the PS3/360. I’ll trust the Darksider 2 devs over an “anonymous” source.
Anonymous to us, not to GamesIndustry. So it’s your trust with them that needs to be gauged
I’d take the official word over people actually developing one of the launch titles for the Wii U over that of GamesIndustry. It just doesn’t make any sense to make the console less powerful than current gen consoles.
Just like it didn’t make sense to release a “brand new system” to compete with the current gen which was really just a GameCube with motion controls.
THANK YOU.
This is EXACTLY what I have told people. Nearly word-for-word.
I would also go with, “It’s nothing more than a faster Gamecube.”
The Wii was a complete and utter failure. Even the “casual gamer” is hanging up their Wiimote/Wiichuck in favor of the other consoles.
Even KIDS have become incredibly bored with the Wii.
The Wii U doesn’t look like it has anything to offer anyone, either. It appears to be nothing more than a Wii with 1080p graphics.
Great. So they’re JUST NOW arriving at the tech level of console systems that came out 5 years ago.
Though I realize that most games on consoles actually run at 720p… It’s still not saying much.
I am definitely not pleased with Nintendo’s console offerings. The 3DS was actually pretty cool… But their consoles have been tons of fail since everything that came after the Gamecube. (Which was AWESOME, by the way.)
The Wii U is the hardware that the Wii should have been.
With as disenfranchised with the Wii the public has become, I don’t see any kind of stellar sales that Nintendo had become accustomed to when it releases. I predict that their sales figures will be quite abysmal at first. (Assuming they gain much ground at all in the console market…)
Since Nintendo has stated that they plan on releasing a system that appeals to the hardcore gamers with the Wii U, as well as casual users, no it doesn’t make sense.
Official reports from developers working on games for the Wii U also state that the system is as powerful as current gen consoles…
As someone who played with the Wii U at last year’s E3, I can confirm that the Zelda tech demo for the system presented graphics that were, at the very least, on par with 360/PS3. Concerns that the graphics have gotten worse in a year seem unfounded.
Wii U will be faced with the same technological gap that plagued the Wii whenever the Durango and Orbis release though.
The Wii is commonly thought to be twice as powerful as the Gamecube, whose power was pretty much equal to that of the PS2 and Xbox. Meaning that the Wii was significantly more powerful than the PS2 and the Xbox. Making a new console that’s INFERIOR to consoles from the previous generation does, in fact, make no sense, and your citation of precedent doesn’t hold water.
so what about what Gearbox, Epic, Ubisoft and many others have said about it being more powerful?
Epic didn’t say it’s more powerful. They said it’ll do well.
Gearbox only said that A:CM on Wii U will do thing you can’t do on the other consoles, again not talking graphics.
What did Ubisoft say? I only remember that at E3 they said it’s too early to compare.
@Rob Keyes:
THQ: “WiiU is just a lot more powerful than current HD consoles it does 1080p very easy.”
Epic: “It will do things current HD consoles simply can’t do, it’s 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.”
I’ll trust the people who put their names out and said Wii U is more powerful than anonymous sources who claim it isn’t. Your rumor = disproved.
Good job seeking out those quotes, however, often times the anonymous rumors contain more truth than official corporate statements.
I don’t necessarily trust an EA or a THQ when they make those kinds of statements, but Crytek, Epic, and Vigil seem more credible.
Those comments were also made during a time when Nintendo’s competitors have yet to release any new hardware offerings.
In other words… They have only tech that is 5 years old to compare this new tech in the Wii U to.
Those favorable comments don’t hold any water when you take this into account. Those favorable reviews don’t mean anything at all.
They ARE comparing it to 5 year old tech. That’s what we are taking about. We are not talking about comparing it to the Orbis or Durango.
Uhhh… That’s what I just said.
Who said anything about “Orbis” or “Durango”?
You’re obviously not an idiot so… I don’t get why you felt the need to reiterate.
I wasn’t making comparisons. I was emphasizing the pointlessness of putting any kind of stock in favorable opinions from developers; just ‘because they’re developers’. (Seems to me that a lot of people are letting those dev opinions lead them by their noses.)
Why didn’t you say that then, instead of talking about comparisons and new hardware offerings? So because you can’t fully articulate your sad little thoughts, I’m the idiot?
At least I can articulate my reading skills…
Perhaps you should get some glasses?
Here. Let me help you read that again:
“You’re obviously =NOT= an idiot so…”
I gave you credit, jackass. Now take it and shut up.
It feels like you’re just trying to obfuscate thoughts that were perfectly coherent. I mean… Seems like you are the ONLY one who is unable to take what I am saying for what it meant. It’s as though you feel you have to inject unnecessary complexity or try to put words in my mouth to validate or justify some kind of argument on your part.
LIKE I SAID: You and I are not going to agree. (Did you miss that part, TOO?)
My opinion differs from your own. But this doesn’t give you grounds to run your mouth and imply that my thoughts on the story aren’t just as legible or valid as your own.
Quit being a dick. That’s not how we roll around here in these forums. (You must be new here.)
I’m sorry. I apologize, you’re absolutely right. I must need glasses or to go back to school, one of ‘em.
The point I was trying to make initially was the favorable comments, posted by Amfortas, DO hold water simply because they ARE comparing it to 5 year old tech. That’s what their opinions are based on, nothing more. That’s all.
Fair enough.
That becomes a matter of perspective. We are simply on opposite sides of the fence – looking at the same thing, but from different sides.
I offer my apology for getting short with you.
Thanks. No apology required, I was the one being *ahem*…an idiot.
Hehehe… Man… Sorry but… That actually made me laugh a bit. That’s good, witty humor right there.
@ Amfortas, Thank You. Sega also said they were “finding it to be quite powerful”. Ubisoft’s CEO said it will “at least” be as powerful graphically as the 360.
Just so everyone is clear, of this list only the THQ quote indicates that the console offers stronger graphics than the PS3 and Xbox 360 and I hope it’s true.
All of the other quotes do not say that, however.
Also, it’s not OUR rumors as you stated. It’s GamesIndustry International’s and we reported it.
It’s THQ, after all… Can’t put much stock in it NOW. LOL!
Damn, Cyryl, that’s cold. Pretty witty though.
Well… =I= was amused, anyway. Hehehe… (^_^)
I have a hard time believing that it will not be AS powerful as the PS3 or 360. Nintendo is at a very good strategic point to release a new console ahead of the competition. I don’t think they would put out a product that is not even on par, graphically, as their competitors current gen systems. This contradicts everything else I’ve read from actual named sources. I know they want to keep the costs down and they are not going to release a graphical tower of power, but not even as capable as the 360? This one I’m taking with enough salt to kill a large mammal.
Which sources? I’ve heard that too, but not directly from any developers.
It’s hard to believe that Nintendo would purposefully search for a graphics system for the WiiU that is inferior to hardware built into PS3/360 from 6 years ago. Heck even chipsets from 5 years ago would be sufficient to out-do PS3/360. So why would you say that the WiiU chipset won’t be able to out-perform the current competition? It’s not hard to find cheap chipsets these days that will run circles around PS3/360, AND for less the price of either one.
Oh… It’s one of these articles again. I’m glad no one believes this.
Funny, articles claim Wii U is X% more powerful than current-gen, people claim it’s not. Articles claim it’s on par and everyone is in disbelief. Take it how you will, nobody knows what’s inside the machine yet.
I think the developers have a fair idea of what it’s capable of since they are working on games for it now
Let me rephrase, WE don’t know what’s inside that machine yet. I know the devs do.
Right?
Nintendo is a JOKE. I used to love Nintendo growing up. They gave me some of the best gaming years in my child hood. I wanted Nintendo to grow up with me. Treat me with respect as a gamer. Instead they keep pulling gimmicky crap like the Wii and Wii U. Nintendo have shot themselves in the foot by pandering to the casual market which isn’t even a sustainable market. Just look at the incredibly low attach rate to the Wii and how terrible third party games sold for the system. Nintendo is living in their own little world and as much as I can’t stand Pachter, I think he’s correct in saying that the Wii U will Dreamcast itself. I bet Nintendo will pull out of console market and focus on handhelds when the Wii U fails.
You sound like me.
I mean… I don’t know about them pulling out of the console market.
But everything else?
+100
Nintendo IS living in their own little world and IMO they are better for it. You get a different gaming experience than from Sony and Microsoft. They are just trying to differentiate themselves from the pack. I don’t condemn them for that.
Almost all third party titles did suck on the Wii. That’s not Nintendo’s fault. That’s developers being lazy and not using the Wii to it’s potential. I for one am not looking forward to the Wii U for it’s multiplatform games. I buy Nintendo for Nintendo. I’ve said it before, Nintendo’s consoles are only used as a distribution system for their software. And their first-party titles are top notch, I find it hard for someone to argue that. Even some of the third party titles are better than a lot of the crap on the 360 or PS3. My ol launch day Wii is going to be getting a workout with Xenoblade and The Last Story. I haven’t been this excited for a game release since Uncharted 3.
I don’t expect the Wii U to be an end all console, but as a companion piece to the Orbis or Durango. It will offer up gaming experiences that you will not be able to get from the competition. And for that I say Thank You Nintendo for living in your own world.
….nicely said, EastOfTheAnduin…..i agree with you 100%…..
Despite the quality of a game’s story, characters, gameplay, etc… It still stands that it looks like absolute CRAP on my $1,000 TV.
I fault Nintendo for not managing better than 480p in a market where HD video was already widespread.
They definitely could have done a better job. They could have at least compromised with 720p.
But instead, they decided that they needed to tap a market of “casual gamers” because suddenly it was all about money to them.
No matter how you slice it, they left us old-schoolers in the cold. After (quickly) realizing what a gimmick the Wii was, us old-schoolers performed a mass-exodus to other consoles that could deliver the substantial improvements that we are accustomed to expecting.
Sure. Some of the games on the Wii were entertaining. At least…for a little while. But the controls were annoying and the graphics were crap compared to other consoles.
You may be one of the few out there who can accept this. But there are far more out there who ended up just shaking their heads, facepalming and walking away from Nintendo out of disgust. (Their handhelds are a bit different, however.)
Nintendo has a lot to make up for to gain our favor back.
It is simply evident that you and I are not going to agree on this.
Exactly. I want to like Nintendo again. Seriously. When Nintendo was getting ready to announce their new console (which I now know is the Wii U), I was excited for it. I was like, this is it. This is Nintendo’s chance to get the old school gamers back. I watched their press conference with anticipation and excitement – crossing my fingers that maybe, just maybe, Nintendo would come to their senses. Then they announced the Wii U. The Wii U…terrible, terrible name. Not only that, but they were STILL embracing the casual market. Oh, we’re appealing to the hardcore gamer, don’t worry they said. Yet everything they showed off in that commercial was just an extension of the Wii. All the “hardcore” games they showed were simply games coming out for systems that I already own and which are 5 friggin years old. Way to win me back Nintendo. No…Nintendo made me angry that day and, unless they go back to their roots, they have forever lost me as a fan of anything they currently do (I’m currently looking to buy an original NES to go along side my SNES). Le sigh Nintendo. Le sigh.
In 2006 17% of U.S. households had an HD TV. I hardly call that widespread.
To me good graphics is something that is definitely nice to have but it’s not a deal breaker. Right now I’m playing through FF VII, you want to talk about s*&! graphics. Why would I torture myself by doing this? Because it’s a great game.
Why are their handhelds different? Why does that gimmicky, graphically inferior 3DS get a bye? Because it’s selling like warm, delicious hotcakes? Or because its fun, innovative and has some great games?
If you don’t like Nintendo just don’t buy from them. Don’t rant and rave about how much they suck. They can do whatever they want to do. And people are still going to buy their products, because they make fun games and offer something different that you can’t get anywhere else. All at an affordable price point, mind you. You will never hear the words “599 US Dollars” come out of Reggie’s mouth.
Sesame Street is a JOKE. I used to love Sesame Street growing up. They gave me some of the best television years in my child hood. I wanted Sesame Street to grow up with me. Treat me with respect as a viewer. Instead they keep pulling gimmicky crap like puppets and cartoons. Sesame Street have shot themselves in the foot by pandering to the childrens market which isn’t even a sustainable market, and so on.
That is a terrible analogy.
I would agree Nintendo always made games for a much older Target group thou you may have played nes and Snes ect at a young age all of them were meant for adult that has since changed
I enjoyed it.
ResidentoOd made a point, you’re just being a troll.
I’m just waiting for what Micheal Pachter has to say about this, Then I will make my decision about the Wii U based of what he says. (Of Course I’m kidding or not)
Anyone else think the next rumor about the Wii U’s graphical power will say something about how much weaker it is than the original Wii? That seems to be the path these rumors are heading to…. And before someone takes my comment the wrong way, no I’m not saying the Wii U will be weaker than the original Wii… Lol
grrr I was about to get all bent out of shape at you for saying the wii u’s graphical power was weaker than the wii, but now I see that you were just joking. But all kidding aside, I agree with you. These rumours from these so called sources sound more like MS and PS fanboys ripping on nintendo as usual.
Hmm…anonymous sources saying the graphics are below the PS360, or actual developers saying that they’re just as good, and better?
I’ll go with the people that’re actually willing to give their name out.
can someone please list me ALL the NINTENDO 1st and 2nd Party Casual games.
I count brain traing, wii sports + resort (even if the first is a demo disc really), Wii music, wii play, wii party, wii play motion, wii party, MArio party 8+9 and the two mario sonic games. Thats 12 games Now count the non-casual nintendo own brew Wii games! Zelda TT, Zelda SS, Mario Galaxy 1+2, Metroid 3, Metroid Other M, Mario Kart, LastStory, Donkey Kong Returns, Day of Crisis, Mario Sports (3 games), Smash Bros, New Super Mario,Paper Mario and a load more.
So blame the 3rd parties for the casual image
Oh, but they’re not M games, and they don’t feature excessive gore/blood/guns, so they’re casual.
Don’t forget profanity! Gotta have that **** too.
sorry I forgot that to be a non casual game you need to make it so its not a casual game you need drug references, murder and all other types of violence.
Although saying that Mario should be hardcore gaming by default and mean he has been taking Mushrooms and leaf since the 80′s!
also Mario has Kidnapping too.
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