Wii 2 on way by 2011 - Evidence of Nintendo developing ‘Wii HD’
By Dave Parrack
Rumours about the next generation of games consoles are becoming almost a daily occurrence even though we’re probably not even half way through this generation. But while speculation over the PS4 and Xbox 720 (or Phoenix) seems to be based on nothing but hearsay, there is strong evidence to suggest the Wii 2, currently dubbed Wii HD, is on its way.
I personally love thinking about the future of gaming, where the industry is heading, and which consoles we can expect to be playing in five years time. Sure, we should all be spending more time enjoying our current gen consoles, but a bit of crystal-ball gazing never harmed anyone.
We’ve spoken about the Wii 2 quite a bit here on Blorge already. With speculation that Nintendo is indeed working on a new console, what form the control method will take, and whether Nintendo’s next piece of hardware would beat the PS4 and Xbox 720. That is if Sony and Microsoft bother sticking around.
Now comes evidence that Nintendo is indeed working on a new console, with What They Play reporting the console to be currently dubbed Wii HD. That name is unlikely to stick because by 2011, the time frame Nintendo is said to be looking at, HD will be virtually standard everywhere anyway.
The Wii 2 is reported to be the “true next generation Nintendo console”, and “far more than a simple refresh of the current hardware.” The shift from the current Wii to the Wii 2 is being described as similar to “the shift from Game Boy to Game Boy Advance.”
As the name suggests, high definition will be assured, digitally distributed content is to be a major focus, and backwards-compatibility will be in place. These elements mean that a more permanent storage solution, probably in the form of a hard drive, is a must.
As for what to expect from the console itself. Well, Nintendo seems committed to eschewing graphical capabilities for the overall gaming experience, one that is open to all. So expect current gen graphics (if that) coupled with a new or improved control system.
The main evidence for this Wii 2 article seems to be the levels of R&D spending by Nintendo since the Wii was launched. While some of that increase could be explained away by the soon-to-be unveiled new Nintendo DS, the levels of investment seem to point towards something big on the way.
The Wii 2 is said to be on the way by 2011, so I’d guess at some form of official confirmation that it exists sometime during 2009. This is sure to make Nintendo the first of the big three to declare its intentions for the next generation of consoles. If and when Sony and Microsoft are going to follow suit is still not known.
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October 1st, 2008
The next Nintendo console will have this %100 guarantee. I hate Nintendo just saying PlayStation 4 LiFe…
1. HDMI Like the one on PS3 already
2. Hard Drive Like the one on PS3 already
3. Backwards Compatibility Like the one on PS3 already
4. An True Online Service That Works. Like the one on PS3 already
5. A Better Controller For Real Players Not Just Geek Like They Have Now. Like the one on PS3 already
6. DVD9 or Blu-ray Disc Drive Like the one on PS3 already
7. Way Better Graphics Like the one on PS3 already
8. Media Card Reader Like the one on PS3 already
9.Price About $400 Guaranteed Like the one on PS3 already
10. No Good Games Like the one on Xbox 360 already
October 1st, 2008
I would disgree with almost every point Ivan just made. Not that that’s news. I will be interested at what the price point will be and how many of the Wii owners will purchase this system. My guess is that their sales won’t even be close to the Wii. I just don’t see casual gamers buying another system that soon. And I don’t think this will interest many hardcore gamers.
October 1st, 2008
I’m a Sony fanboy.
That doesn’t mean I hate the Wiii. It just lacks, video games. But its classics video games, are still nostalgic & great as ever. Such as Super Mario Galaxy, & Twilight Princess.
That, was the only reason why I bought the Wii in the first place. Which I’ve that I’ve sold a few months ago.
Anyhow, The Wii is appealing, but lacks third party developers. But surely, the Wii 2 will look even more attractive than its predecessor. The Wii will most likely have most of what the PS3 already have.
But I don’t Nintendo is going to take their chances on getting blu-ray. Because I feel, that Blu-ray, will be dead in a few years. Even though a lot of people love owning their personal stock on a physical disc.
I didn’t mention Xbox 360. Mainly because it’s flawed system, that overheats, popping up with errors, scratches discs, paying Bill Gates for online play, and lack of quality games. Thus M$ using their wallet, to buy exclusive games from Sony. Which makes it dirty and rotten.
But perhaps the Xbox 720, might be something to look into, rather then its predecessor. Microsoft, might actually redeem themselves with the 720, from the infamous Ring of Death on the 360.
We all don’t want the 720 to end up like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2GMPmWADhs&feature=related
Would we now?
October 1st, 2008
That’s an interesting point Wylie, that Nintendo may have screwed itself over by targeting casual gamers so heavily. You’re right in that the Wii 2 may end up actually not having an audience to sell to - the casuals will be happy with what they’ve got, and the hardcore wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole.
October 1st, 2008
You may be right about casuals buying new consoles but 2011 is a long way away. If Nintendo think of something new and Sony and Microsoft just copy the controls of the Wii it’ll be déjà vu.
October 1st, 2008
“I didn’t mention Xbox 360. Mainly because it’s flawed system, that overheats, popping up with errors, scratches discs, paying Bill Gates for online play, and lack of quality games. Thus M$ using their wallet, to buy exclusive games from Sony. Which makes it dirty and rotten.”
Meh, you make sound wayyyyyyy worse than it actually is.
October 1st, 2008
I thought Bill Gates retired?
October 1st, 2008
@SW
Compare any Xbots rants about “Brickstation” and you have a favourable ratio in comparison to reality.
68% failure rate off the line, 33% failure rate on the market in the first 2 years… compared to PS3s 2.40 patch (which bricked about a dozen PS3s) and the ratio of vitriole in these statements accurately reflects the actual number of problems each console had.
October 1st, 2008
I got two PS3 the original 60GB and the MGS4 80 none of them got brick by firmware 2.40. aLL MY BUDDY THAT HAVE ps3 NONE HAD ANY PROBLEMS.
October 2nd, 2008
hahaha a dozen PS3s. Who’s in denial now?!?!?!
October 2nd, 2008
What exactly is Microsoft’s strategy now? Target casual and hardcore gamers?
October 2nd, 2008
I really can’t believe 360 fans here have the audacity to even mention hardware failure. You have so many feet stuck in your mouth right now your hands are “evolving” into feet so you could walk (until that is you stick those in your mouth as well)
October 2nd, 2008
harry sachz:
Your so called life revolves around crying because PLAYSTATION3 kick’s serious ass and Xbox 360 doesn’t get a real real life. Xbox was a failure you can’t see that because you can’t stop dick riding Microsoft. Unlike you i own both consoles. You just a hater with no facts but but useless poser crappy post. Firmware 2.40 only hurt some PS3 owners who don’t know how to use it. But it was fix instantly unlike the Red Light of Death which is still a huge problem.
October 2nd, 2008
*question to all Bill Gates cock smokers*
Has MS’s firmware ever bricked the Xbox 360?
My opinion of the wii HD.
It will be spec’d slightly higher than the ps3 and 360 in terms of power. Be cheap as hell since at that time will be using last gen technology. This is the way Nintendo has been doing things. They wait a bit till the technology gets more cost effective, and then release their system (super nintendo, N64, gamecube, wii)
Not a bad way, but they seem to get more ports and 1st party exclusives this way. I really wish Nintendo was strictly 3rd party. I love their games but rarely cared for their systems.
October 2nd, 2008
LOL you people need to think before you speak.
And Ivan, Hurry up and die already. You piss me off every time you post you stupidity.
Why the hell would Nintendo drop all their first place consol ideas to copy the last place consol?
Get a life! If Nintendo came out with Wii 2 today I would buy it and I am a casual gamer.
you are all in dream land and have zero business skills.
October 2nd, 2008
@norm.
I don’t think Nintendo would be dropping all their first place console ideas to copy the last place.
other than point #4,#9 and #10, Ivan is right (ouch…gave me a stomach ache).
Sony came out to early with all that greatness built in therefore assuring an expensive console and a last place console at that.
By the time Nintendo comes out with stuff to come close to what the ps3 is, that technology will be that much cheaper and therefore not put them in the stratosphere that Sony put themselves in.
From reading stuff on this site, it appears that Sony will be making the same approach with the ps4. If Sony was smart they would release games in “higher def” where the player could choose which system to play his game on from a menu at startup. Kind of how PC’s have higher specs settings . This would enable developers to utilize the ps4 and the ps3 at the same time.
October 2nd, 2008
I’m sure Nintendo will beef up the hardware but they have proven it is not needed. It’s the games they make that appeal to the kids and adults. The PS3 and Xbox are aimed at teens and young adults.
I like the games Nintendo makes and I also like the games Ms an Sony makes. So If Nintendo beefs up the hardware and third parties start making FPS games that would suit my entire household.
Ivan is just a retarded kid who is hoping his lies will impress someone.
October 2nd, 2008
Good post Norm. Couldn’t agree more.
Nintendo doesn’t play the same game that Sony and MS play. They like to make money on their hardware as well as their software where MS and Sony will tolerate the hardware loss to make it up in software. So far this strategy has yet to work for MS….ever. They pulled out of the xbox race a bit too early to have all developers strictly concentrate on the 360. This was both a good a bad thing. The bad: The rushed the console too much and caused faulty hardware, while killing the fanbase of 20 million consoles that could have potentially grown higher on what was cheaper hardware at the time.
While the good in a way contradicts the bad…they got a console out there and got a good headstart with developers for userbase and software dev kits.
Sony in retrospect is finally catching up (they are only like 4-6 million behind in worldwide sales).
I’m really interested to see what will be happening in the next year or two.
theory.
MS will release a wii ripoff mote that will come with the arcade and a free wii sports like game.
Sony will sell a cheaper ps3 with eyetoy and eyepet. Don’t underestimate this game. If marketed correctly this will be a casual lovers dream!
While I like Ivans PS brand enthusiasm sometimes, he mostly just makes Sony fans (fanboys) look bad.
October 2nd, 2008
@Jofamang
Hey I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, clearly it does, I have a buddy on his 5th or 6th machine (I’ve lost count), but I’ve owned my PS3 and 360 for about the same length of time (ps3 maybe a month or so more) and I’ve played my 360 heavily some days but it keeps a chuggin’ along.
Now obviously MS tweaked the design to stop them failing in the new batches, but still, he talks like if you buy a 360 its going to explode. Also WTF are these ‘pop up’ errors? Bill using his money to buy exclusives, ITS CALLED FUCKING BUSINESS…
Paying for online, have to agree with. Ill never buy a gold subscription. Ever.
October 3rd, 2008
Bill buying exclusives is a brilliant business decision. Why pay mega $$$ for a machine that only has a handful of exclusives, when you can buy a machine for much less which has 95% of the games on the expensive system, plus it’s own kickass exclusives? Not to mention the fact that the majority of multiplatforms look better on 360.
Buying away the exclusivity of Ace Combat, Devil May Cry, GTA IV, FF13, Asassin’s Creed etc has put forth an extremely strong reason to buy the cheaper 360 rather than the more expensive PS3. If Sony spent money on keeping these exclusives rather than losing money on their hardware then it would be a better outlook for Sony, but unfortunately for them, they deserve 3rd place.
October 3rd, 2008
@harry.
While I’m not saying it a poor business mode, It’s anti competitive, and that why I dislike MS. Instead of earning in on their merits (which the Xbox brand does have this generation) They need to break out the check book!
Sony however does it similar …yet different. They buy the studio and make them 1st party.
Lets also get one thing straight.. If a game is on both systems…I couldn’t care less. I’m not a douche about that (except for ff13 but Ill get to that later.) I for one believe that 3rd party exclusives have gone the way of the dodo due to development cost. If a third part game is exclusive, there usually is some sort of publishinig/buying it deal. I don’t like buying a game to keep it away from the competitor. Smart..Ok…fucking crooked as hell- check.
Ace combat is one of them. Take an established PS franchise..buy it..try and make your. Just Sad.
DMC is another, but I care less since its not exclusive.
GTA was a poor decision in Sony of Japan. They could have kept it but didn’t count on MS pocketbook-silly them
FF13. I dont care if a game comes out on both systems at the same time. The game is expensive as hell to produce and SE needs to pay for that. I am however angry that NA gamers on the PS3 need to wait for a completed game to come out in NA, because of MS keeping it out of our hands in order to wait for the US version.-shame on SE…for taking the money and running!!! translating will not take as long as porting and translating. I don’t care what anyone says!
this post could have also been in the other one. details of PS4.