Nintendo Network @ E3 2011 – Introducing Wii U

June 22nd, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in News - (0 Comments)

Nintendo revealed it’s next console at Los Angeles in the E3 2011 – the Wii-U. Looking much like a curvier version of the Wii it packs more power under the hood and is rumoured to be more powerful than the PS3, however more focus has been placed on the new controller that features a 6.2″ touch screen. The versatility of this controller not only means that the additional map and inventory screens can be seen on the controller, providing easier access and not taking up valuable television space, but also allows the game play to continue on the 6.2″ screen if the TV is turned off or turned over.

The Wii-U will be backward compatible with the Wii allowing the use of existing games and peripherals, such as the Wii Balance Board and Classic Controller, but will not be backwards compatible with Gamecube games.

Probably the most significant improvement in the actual console is that the Wii-U will be sporting HD graphics, explaining the choice of Nintendo to use ‘blu-ray’ type discs with a 25GB capacity. The console, however, will be using a proprietary format of the disc and as such will not be able to used as a blu-ray player.

A handful of games has so far been named to arrive on the Wii-U including big titles such as Assassin’s Creed and Batman:Arkham City. Nintendo has also said that the online gaming will be updated, becoming more of a mixture between the Xbox Live and the PSN services – whether this means they will start charging is yet to be seen (but let’s hope not!).

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Wii U to have app store

January 7th, 2012 | Posted by matthlock in Hardware | News - (0 Comments)

Rumoured from The Daily, The Nintendo Wii U could have a dedicated app store. Although downloads are already available via the DSi and Nintendo Shop the source says that the app store will “go far beyond this, proffering a wider variety of apps.” With Android and Apple tablet devices available on the market, and the Wii U controller tablet-like, it makes sense for Nintendo to introduce such a feature extending the offline usefulness of the controller.

HD Graphics Demo – Wii U Zelda

July 1st, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Games | Hardware | News - (0 Comments)

IGN demonstrates Zelda in HD for the Wii U console showing off the high definition capabilities of the new system, as well as the interaction and versatility of the new controller.

While this demo of Zelda looks amazing, Eiji Aonuma, explains that it may not necessarily be representative of the Wii U Zelda game but only intended to be a graphic demo.

“You probably remember that when we introduced the GameCube, we showed a somewhat realistic Zelda demo. And what we actually created was the cel-shaded Wind Waker. So when we show a graphic demo, people think, ‘Oh, this is what the next Zelda will look like,’ but that’s not necessarily the case.”

Despite being just a demo, the Wii U is certainly looking to be a great improvement on its predecessor.

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Wii U Controller won’t be sold seperately?

July 1st, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Hardware | News - (0 Comments)

A Nintendo spokesperson a the VIP stall at the E3 conference commented on the price of the console and controller saying that they will be bundled with a single RRP, also commenting that multi-player games are only being designed for one Wii U controller with other players using a Wiimote.

“Both the controller and the console will be sold as one unit. You won’t be able to buy the controller alone.”

It is not currently known if the console will support more than one controller sync’d to it, negating the ability to pop around your friends house with your controller for a good session on Call Of Duty (other FPS are available).  Let’s hope that this isn’t the case and we can avoid household arguments over who’s going to use the controller next.

Realistically I can’t see Nintendo restricting the purchase of an additional controller since accidents happen and replacements are needed.  However, the processing power of the Wii U may be restricted in this sense, not being able to process and transmit more than one screen simultaneously.

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Ubisoft Supports Wii U

June 30th, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Games | News - (0 Comments)

Ubisoft LogoUbisofts Yves Guillemot has commented how they “were impressed by the level of quality of the experience you could get” and plan to quickly build a big audience by getting in their first with Nintendo.

“…being able to have the pads plus touch is really something that can enhance your interaction with the game…”

Ubisoft has announced a bundle of upcoming games for the Wii U to follow its release, including new intellectual property for the system.

“…we will announce one game that we want to launch day one that is a new type of game, which should be interesting. It’s a first-person shooter game.”

Yves was also asked if he knew more of the specifications and capabilities of the Wii U compared to that of the PS3 or XBOX360.

“…I think at least. It should be even superior for some of the games. We don’t know everything, so we have a few things Nintendo is telling us that will have such and such powers.”

 

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EA blown away by Wii U

June 30th, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Games | News - (0 Comments)

EALogoFrank Gibeau, manager of the EA Games label, spoke to Gamesindustry about the Wii U at the E3 and gave them his thoughts on the console. It’s positive to hear the supportive comments of a leading third-party games developer.

“We were really blown away by the unique innovation that Nintendo brings with the Wii U controller on a high performance machine. The ability to do HD graphics and access game experiences in a completely novel way and a way that’s never been seen before, it really struck our fancy…There’s great horsepower there, great innovation and Nintendo’s got fantastic branding.”

Hopefully this is the start of such comments from third parties and means that we will see hard-hitting fun-packed games at release.

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Wii U Software Lineup

June 24th, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Games | News - (0 Comments)

Sneek peek at some third-party titles confirmed for the Wii U.
Darksiders 2
Dirt
Alien: Colonial Marines
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online
Metro Last Light
Tekken
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge

Other confirmed titles include:
Assassin’s Creed
Batman: Arkham City
Smash Bros Wii U
Rabbids
Killer Freaks From Outer Space
Pikmin
LEGO City Stories
No More Heroes Wii U

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Wii U Demonstration

June 24th, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in News - (0 Comments)

Three mini games are shown to demonstrate the versatility and functionality of the Wii U controller.

Chase Mii
Using the Wii U controller, the chased runs around the map trying to evade the other players.  The chasers, using Wii Remotes, play watching the split-screen TV trying to find and capture the main player.

Battle Mii
The main player controls the flying ship using the Wii U controller, flying it around the map on the built in screen.  The other players, using Wii Remotes and the TV, need to find the ship and shoot it down within the time limit.

Shield Pose
The Wii U controllers is used in combination with the TV giving a different view to the game.  The TV show one pirate ship ahead of you which moving the Wii U controller to the left and right of the TV shows two more.  Arrows are fired at the player from the three ships while they hold up the controller in front of them like a shield.

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Wii U Controller

June 23rd, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Hardware | News - (0 Comments)
Wii-U Controller
Wii-U Controller

Since the revelation of the Wii U at the E3 Conference, the main focus has been placed on the new controller, smacking you in the face with a 6.2″, 16:9 touch screen.

Feature wise, the new controller boosts an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone, speakers and a rechargeable battery.  But let’s not forget the controls -  two analogue thumb pads, D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons, provides plenty to press and bash.

The touch screen of course is the main feature.  With the Wii U processing all the intense graphical computations, the images are streamed wireless to the controller – this means that the controller is not a hand-held console by itself like the NDS.  The second screen can be cleverly used for a multitude of purposes – additional map and inventory screens, second perspective during single or multi-player games, or simply to carry on the game play while the TV is off.

Coming back to the other features packed into the controller, it is obvious that the Wii U isn’t going to be just for gaming.  With the inclusion of an inward-facing camera, microphone and speakers we can certainly assume the integration of chat and social networking.

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Technical specifications

June 22nd, 2011 | Posted by matthlock in Hardware | News - (0 Comments)

Size: Approximately 1.8″ tall, 6.8″ wide and 10.5″ long
CPU: IBM Power Architecture-based multi-core 45 nm microprocessor
GPU: GPU: Custom-designed AMD Radeon HD
Storage: Internal flash memory, expandable via SD memory cards and USB hard disk drives
Media: Slot-loading optical disc drive compatible with 12 cm  “proprietary high-density optical discs” (25 GB capacity) and 12 cm Wii optical discs
Video: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p or 480i, standard 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic widescreen
“AV Multi Out” port supporting composite video, YPBPR component video, S-Video (NTSC consoles only), RGB SCART (PAL consoles only) and D-Terminal (Japan only)
HDMI out port
Audio: AV multi out connect.  Six channel PCM linear output through HDMI
Ports: 4 USB ports (2 front, 2 rear)
New Controller: Built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, speakers, front-facing camera, microphone and a 6.2 inch 16:9 resistive touchscreen
Two Circle Pads and one Digital Pad
Stylus
Select, Start, Home and Power buttons
A/B/X/Y face buttons, L/R bumper buttons and ZL/ZR trigger buttons
Controller sync button
Other Control: Up to 4 Wii Remote controllers.  Supports all Wii controllers and input devices, including the Nunchuk controller, Classic Controller, Classic Controller Pro and Wii Balance Board.

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