Wii U: New Tech Built on Old Tech? Maybe not.

By Aragrist — June 7, 2011
Tags: e3-2011 nintendo-wii wii-u

Just watched the Nintendo press conference for the wii u. I love the wii u but hate that they are still using the Nintendo wii as the console it runs off of. Or is the wii-u a totally new console with improved graphics and 1080p outputs?

UPDATES

Appearantly I was hasty with my take on the video from the conference. My brother-in-law pointed out this tech spec list that claims to be from Nintendo. I hope our guys at the conference got a copy of this spec sheet to confirm it. But it shows that the wii u is actually a NEW CONSOLE with updated graphics and 1080p outputs. Here is the list of specs
It also seems there are some games that are displaying PS3 game play visual levels. I'm not 100% sure just how well they compare at this point since I'm going by what I see on the videos. Actual game play could be less pretty if these early builds turn out to be final builds. I am completely blown away by the Aliens trailer, the new wii-u UI and controller will make that game jump off the screen and completely freak you out like the movie did.

Nintendo has released a specs sheet for its upcoming system, Wii U.

Text direct from Nintendo:

Launches: 2012

Size: Approximately 1.8 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide and 10.5 inches long.

New Controller: The new controller incorporates a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads. This combination removes the traditional barriers between games, players and the TV by creating a second window into the video game world. The rechargeable controller includes a Power button, Home button, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons. It includes a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.

Other Controls: Up to four Wii Remote (or Wii Remote Plus) controllers can be connected at once.
The new console supports all Wii controllers and input devices, including the
Nunchuk controller, Classic Controller, Classic Controller Pro and Wii Balance
Board.

Media: A single self-loading media bay will play 12-centimeter proprietary high-density
optical discs for the new console, as well as 12-centimeter Wii optical discs.

Video Output: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI,
component, S-video and composite.

Audio Output: Uses AV Multi Out connector. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI.

Storage: The console will have internal flash memory, as well as the option to expand its
memory using either an SD memory card or an external USB hard disk drive.

CPU: IBM Power-based multi-core microprocessor.

Other: Four USB 2.0 connector slots are included. The new console is backward compatible
with Wii games and Wii accessories.

Wii U

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Release Date: Nov 18, 2012

Buy it! 40% - Rent it! 20% - Flush it! 40%

Comments

The only thing I have a problem with is the fact that demo doesn't show any games that look like PS3 or xbox 360 level graphics.

Aragrist has not rated Wii U yet.
Jun 7, 2011 by Aragrist

It's a step up from the Wii, but I have no desire to buy it. They still have time to build it up, but this E3 seemed like a waste for them.

DragonKiss83 has not rated Wii U yet.
Jun 7, 2011 by DragonKiss83

I'm not sure why this caused so much confusion. Mabe the name? Good job nintendo. I got that it was a new console while watching the conf. It seems I was one of the few.

BatRastered rated Wii U Flush it
Jun 7, 2011 by BatRastered

I only saw the video and they kept referring to it as a controller and never mentioned it as a new console so that's what messed me up. That and the first video I saw only showed standard wii games being played with the wii-u. Oh well, everything is sort of straightened out.

Aragrist has not rated Wii U yet.
Jun 7, 2011 by Aragrist

Cool and all but...feels like we're still gonna get too much of the old. Re-hashed Mario games up the ass.

iorilamia has not rated Wii U yet.
Jun 8, 2011 by iorilamia

Cool the video changed and it shows the console. I like it. Nice design Nintendo. I'm still worried that they might not have beefed up the GPU of the system. I hope they did but the trailers I see don't look that much better than the old wii games.

Aragrist has not rated Wii U yet.
Jun 9, 2011 by Aragrist

have those specs been confirmed ?

kof2012 has not rated Wii U yet.
Jun 18, 2011 by kof2012

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Wii U: New Tech Built on Old Tech? Maybe not.

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