Nintendo denies Wii HD rumors - Pachter begs to differ
By Dave Parrack
Who do you have more faith in? The President of Nintendo of America, who claims that the existence of the Wii HD is just speculation, or Michael Pachter, chief Nostradamus-alike, who seems convinced a high-def Wii is on its way?
October began with speculation over a new version of the Wii, currently the leading console in this generation, being on the way. The new console would be called Wii HD and basically be an upgraded and improved version of the current console.
This means high-definition gaming, a hard drive, improved graphics (possibly PS3/Xbox 360 quality), and a new control system. The evidence provided for this new console was the amount of R&D money currently being spent at Nintendo, and the new Wii HD was reported as targeting a 2011 release.
Since the story broke, Nintendo has denied the existence of Wii HD. In a revealing question and answer session with VentureBeat, Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo of America, states:
It’s pure rumor and speculation. I find it disappointing that it’s being reported as fact by a number of online outlets.
Short, straight to the point, and not very sweet. But, it seems clear that even if there is a Wii HD being developed, Nintendo isn’t ready to talk about it yet. And it seems Fils-Aime is even denying the existence of such a product. But Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst and glorified cystal ball gazer, thinks he knows better.
In an AFP article about how Nintendo is trying to start to woo hardcore gamers to the Wii, he says:
A Wii HD would really position Nintendo well, which is why I’m absolutely convinced there is a Wii HD coming. Business wise, they can’t have people saying that their machine is a toy for my mom.
While the Wii HD story was clearly based on speculation, Pachter’s explanation is convincing. It would certainly be in Nintendo’s best interests to be working on a beefed-up version of the Wii. Fils-Aime doesn’t state that a new home console isn’t being developed, so his comments are more like “no comment”.
I may take everything Pachter says with a pinch of salt, but I have to agree with him on this score. A Wii HD makes so much sense, continuing the brand but improving it in every way, to better compete with the PS3 and Xbox 360, so if Nintendo isn’t working on one, I think the company is mad.
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Tips N4G
October 8th, 2008
i dont trust either.
October 8th, 2008
“to better compete”?
!
It doesn’t need to compete any better. Or if somebody does have to compete better then Nintendo isn’t the one.
Really, what planet are you and Pachter on?
October 8th, 2008
“A Wii HD makes so much sense, continuing the brand but improving it in every way to better compete with the PS3 and Xbox 360”
So Nintendo needs to compete better with PS3 and Xbox 360??????
October 8th, 2008
To better compete with its rivals by offering HD, a hard drive, and better graphics.
Sure, the Wii is selling great guns at the moment, but we’re talking 2011 here, and by then, the Wii could have reached saturation point and visually look absolutely shocking against the PS3 and Xbox 360.
October 8th, 2008
Dave,
I hope you’ve been keeping up with games like The Conduit and Call of Duty World at War because you need to realize that the Wii is more capable of graphically high quality games in SOME (notice I didn’t say ALL) aspects of what the 360 and PS3 have then its getting credit for now. Even as 2011 draws near both companies will be in the process of releasing new consoles (I don’t buy the 10 year life cycle for the PS3 claim). If anything the PS3 and 360 need to find a better way of competing against the Wii if they have any chance of winning this console war for the current generation.
October 8th, 2008
Ironically Nintendo said the same thing about a new DS being rumor and speculation and it turns out the rumor was right so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a Wii HD in the works now.
October 8th, 2008
“Wii could have reached saturation point and visually look absolutely shocking against the PS3 and Xbox 360.”
It didn’t stop the PS2 against the xbox.
October 8th, 2008
@ Dave parrack
That was the funniest shit you have ever written. I don’t know if it’s because I’m high but I laughed my ass off. Well all I know is that I was planning on getting a Wii sometime in the future but I will now hold off.
October 8th, 2008
Denial means it’s a sure thing.
WIIHD is coming, but that’s a given. Expect 4K HD (UHD) products from Sony and MS…
Also, most probably all console games will be distributed along the Web 2.0 “free” model with tertiary monetization models (subscriptions, inline contextual advertising, etc.)
Rob
October 8th, 2008
Is there a “Wii HD” in the works? YES!
Just as there is an Xbox 129600 (I would rather 360^2 than 360*2) and PS4 in the works.
Nintendo can stick with more cartoony games and get just as good, if not better, graphics than the PS3 or 360, if they try to stay realistic. Mario Galaxy, Rachet and Clank, and Banjo Kazooie are all amazing looking games, when compared to more realistic games that have more things that look out of place, glitchy, or jsut flat out bad.
NES, revolution, D pad. SNES, evolution, shoulder buttons. N64, revolution, analog stick. GC, evolution, pressure sensitive buttons. Wii, revolution, motion controls.
The next console will likely be an evolution, without too much new, though there will likely be something to get a bit excited about, but not a big change in controls.
As for the Wii being “a toy for my mom,” someone’s mom has good taste, at least for where I stand. I would love to meet the mom that likes RE4, MP3, Brawl, SMG, and No More Heroes. Think she’ll adopt me?
October 9th, 2008
@Matt
Good post.
OMG I said it. I never thought the day would come
October 14th, 2008
Hardware power (as we have seen) has very little to do with a console choice. The Wii is outselling all and is the weakest in Hardware.
Xbox is doing better then the PS3 but not sure how long that will last. And the Xbox is weaker then the PS3.
It’s all about the software and Games.