Post by Duke Dudeston on Jul 23, 2013 21:17:06 GMT
So the Wii U, has been out for some time now, and I have to say it doesn't seem to be the "wow" console everyone was expecting, in fact most people I have spoke too don't realize it is a brand new console, they thought it was a re-release console (like PS3 Slim ect...)
So what is different between the Wii & Wii U,
well lets start with the specifications of each
* Wii internal memory is the flash based memory that is hard wired into the console itself, internal storage can be increased with the use of High Capacity SD Memory Cards
** Wii U Basic (white) has 8GB flash memory hard wired into the console, the Premium (black) has 32GB, however this is expandable via SD Memory cards, or the use of an external USB Hard Drive (upto maximum of 2 TBytes)
# Virtual console games, and Wii games are available in "Wii" mode for the Wii U
So what does this mean?
The Wii U, can just seem as a high definition version of the Wii, which current Wii owners might not get totally excited about, but really this is the console you want to own instead of the Wii.
We are talking about higher resolution game play, much better graphics then any other system Nintendo have made to date. a mixture of control schemes for everyone to enjoy.
The biggest thing about the Wii U, is the new controller, it is like a control pad / tablet. It allows for more genius way's to play games, just like with the DS handheld, the console has 2 screens, that can work independently to each other (or even show the same thing, making the use of the Television no longer needed)
The touch screen for the Wii U, is the same as the DS, using a single touch method where a stylus gives you the best results, but from what I see the game pad has a lot of potential, it can be used as an inventory screen, or to show a map or other stats, or could be great in multiplayer games where one person has to try to "hide" from the others.
The fact that you can play games on just the game pad as well, means that this console can be played without a TV.
However saying this, the console can feel a bit "unpolished" this is mainly because I think Nintendo released the console in haste, to get it out before Christmas, the hint of this is the "Day one" update, which even had some bad press because if it failed would"brick" the console making it unusable.
That aside, the console does take a while to load app's that are installed on the system memory. which could mean that they are using the slower but more secure Flash memory? Or poorly written apps..
And another downfall with the console is that it comes in 2 flavours the 8GByte Model, and the 32Gbyte Model, that sounds like an ok amount of space for a Nintendo console (they make every bit count!) but when you find out that the System Update data takes up around 5Gbytes of that space, you can now see that 8Gbyte model seems pointless (where you will be lucky to get 3GBytes of usable space)
The Wii U supports all Wii controllers, and can even play Wii games, although to achieve this, the console switches onto Wii Mode, where the Game Pad becomes useless, and the console thinks it is a stripped down Wii.
Just like the Wii did with GameCube games, where you had to turn the console off then on again to get back into Wii mode.
Game play is exactly what you would expect from Nintendo consoles, I only got to play a few games around my friends, and the best game you can play is the "Free" disc that is included in the premium version, (kinda like the new version of Wii Sports but a funfair instead)
Control ability is fantastic, and really smooth, the Wii U Games all support Motion+ out of the box.
If you ask me, the Wii U is everything the Wii should have been, but unfortunately it wasn't.
So whats the verdict (If I actually get to one)
Wii U has a lot of potential as a serious games console (not much to compete with the PS4 & XBOne) But with current gen (PS3 & 360) it could hold its own, Remember Wii is still a popular console, and Wii U is a big improvement, they just need to sign some good games for it.
I just have this horrible feeling that Nintendo are going the same way as Sega (Please prove me wrong!)
If you are thinking of buying a Wii (for any reason) buy a Wii U instead, you might as well get a more powerful version!
So what is different between the Wii & Wii U,
well lets start with the specifications of each
Wii | Wii U | |
CPU | IBM PowerPC "Broadway" @ 729MHz (1 core) | IBM PowerPC "Espresso" @ 1.2GHz (3 cores) |
GPU | ATi / AMD "Hollywood" @ 243MHz | AMD "Latte" (Radeon Based) @ 550MHz |
RAM | 88 Mbytes | 2 Gbytes |
Internal Storage | 512 Mbytes* | 8 or 32 Gbytes depending on model** |
Game Media | 12CM "DVD" Based disc's (4~8Gbytes) | 12CM "BluRay / HD DVD" based disc's (25Gbytes) |
Wireless Tech | 802.11 b/g | 802.11 b/g/n |
Max Resolution | 480i | 1080p |
Controllers | Wii Remote, Nunchuck, Classic Controller, Wii Balance Board, GameCube Controller | Wii Remote, Nunchuck, Classic Controller, Wii Balance Board, Pro Controller, Game Pad |
Backwards Compatibility | Virtual Console Games, Game Cube Game Disc's | Virtual Console Games, Wii Games# |
* Wii internal memory is the flash based memory that is hard wired into the console itself, internal storage can be increased with the use of High Capacity SD Memory Cards
** Wii U Basic (white) has 8GB flash memory hard wired into the console, the Premium (black) has 32GB, however this is expandable via SD Memory cards, or the use of an external USB Hard Drive (upto maximum of 2 TBytes)
# Virtual console games, and Wii games are available in "Wii" mode for the Wii U
So what does this mean?
The Wii U, can just seem as a high definition version of the Wii, which current Wii owners might not get totally excited about, but really this is the console you want to own instead of the Wii.
We are talking about higher resolution game play, much better graphics then any other system Nintendo have made to date. a mixture of control schemes for everyone to enjoy.
The biggest thing about the Wii U, is the new controller, it is like a control pad / tablet. It allows for more genius way's to play games, just like with the DS handheld, the console has 2 screens, that can work independently to each other (or even show the same thing, making the use of the Television no longer needed)
The touch screen for the Wii U, is the same as the DS, using a single touch method where a stylus gives you the best results, but from what I see the game pad has a lot of potential, it can be used as an inventory screen, or to show a map or other stats, or could be great in multiplayer games where one person has to try to "hide" from the others.
The fact that you can play games on just the game pad as well, means that this console can be played without a TV.
However saying this, the console can feel a bit "unpolished" this is mainly because I think Nintendo released the console in haste, to get it out before Christmas, the hint of this is the "Day one" update, which even had some bad press because if it failed would"brick" the console making it unusable.
That aside, the console does take a while to load app's that are installed on the system memory. which could mean that they are using the slower but more secure Flash memory? Or poorly written apps..
And another downfall with the console is that it comes in 2 flavours the 8GByte Model, and the 32Gbyte Model, that sounds like an ok amount of space for a Nintendo console (they make every bit count!) but when you find out that the System Update data takes up around 5Gbytes of that space, you can now see that 8Gbyte model seems pointless (where you will be lucky to get 3GBytes of usable space)
The Wii U supports all Wii controllers, and can even play Wii games, although to achieve this, the console switches onto Wii Mode, where the Game Pad becomes useless, and the console thinks it is a stripped down Wii.
Just like the Wii did with GameCube games, where you had to turn the console off then on again to get back into Wii mode.
Game play is exactly what you would expect from Nintendo consoles, I only got to play a few games around my friends, and the best game you can play is the "Free" disc that is included in the premium version, (kinda like the new version of Wii Sports but a funfair instead)
Control ability is fantastic, and really smooth, the Wii U Games all support Motion+ out of the box.
If you ask me, the Wii U is everything the Wii should have been, but unfortunately it wasn't.
So whats the verdict (If I actually get to one)
Wii U has a lot of potential as a serious games console (not much to compete with the PS4 & XBOne) But with current gen (PS3 & 360) it could hold its own, Remember Wii is still a popular console, and Wii U is a big improvement, they just need to sign some good games for it.
I just have this horrible feeling that Nintendo are going the same way as Sega (Please prove me wrong!)
If you are thinking of buying a Wii (for any reason) buy a Wii U instead, you might as well get a more powerful version!