Wii Successor confirmed for 2012 launch

[Swamperon]

Nintendo had their investors meeting earlier today and in a minor note Nintendo confirmed that Project Cafe is in development and is scheduled for a 2012 release. Apparently a playable build will be on show at E3.

This isn't surprising but rather excititng. I guess a lot of those rumours were correct. Now just gotta start saving for the damn thing.

(Felt like this needed its own thread but feel free to merge with the rumour thread)

[Icarus Moonsight]

What? No sauce? Were you at the meeting? Are your services as a mole for sale? Does Reggie sparkle in the sunlight? :confused:

[Oobgarm]

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/wii-successor-2012/

*glisten*

[heybtbm]

I'll be pre-ordering this thing at the first possible opportunity. No "will I see one on the shelves for the first two years"-B.S. this time.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Thanks for dropping the link Oobgarm. :) Noticed this straight off;
"The terse announcement does nothing to clear up rumors surrounding the system..." Damn.

Ultra-vague confirm of release date looks like it's going to be at or later than March 2012. As the successor is not being factored into this year's financial forecast. 2011 release speculation is a dead rumor walking now.

[Oobgarm]

I'll be pre-ordering this thing at the first possible opportunity. No "will I see one on the shelves for the first two years"-B.S. this time.

As much as I like to bag on Nintendo, I'll probably do the same.

Though, getting the Wii was a total impulse and I happened to be in NYC at them time, so getting it at the World Store a day after launch was pretty cool.

[RCM]

Is anyone -- especially all those "casual" folks who purchased Wii -- clamoring for a new Nintendo system?

[kupomogli]

Is anyone -- especially all those "casual" folks who purchased Wii -- clamoring for a new Nintendo system?

I don't think this system is going to sell anywhere close to what the Wii has sold. Pulling estimates from my ass because I really don't know what I'm talking about, probably 50% of people who purchase the Wii aren't gamers and picked the console up as a novelty, only for it to be used as a fancy door stop within a week. I assume that they'll remember they bought the Wii, used it for a week, and have never touched it again.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Is anyone -- especially all those "casual" folks who purchased Wii -- clamoring for a new Nintendo system?

I don't care much about that. I know I am. It's not that I dislike the Wii... It's just that the Gamecube is a decade old now. :deadhorse:

[Icarus Moonsight]

Doubles... Roll again!

[Swamperon]

What? No sauce? Were you at the meeting? Are your services as a mole for sale? Does Reggie sparkle in the sunlight? :confused:

Sorry, I just like to keep an aura of mystery ;) And yes I do believe he does.

[Joe Redifer]

Have you seen the controller?

http://i.imgur.com/4qZFs.jpg

Those buttons are tiny! There's NO WAY you can press just one! Have fun playing Street Fighter on that!

[Enigmus]

Have you seen the controller?

http://i.imgur.com/4qZFs.jpg

Those buttons are tiny! There's NO WAY you can press just one! Have fun playing Street Fighter on that!

Or the picture was taken at a far enough distance to make things appear small. :rolleyes:

[megasdkirby]

Is that even a real picture?

Honestly, I believe the controller will be the same size of the current Wiimote, just with a touch screen interface. Somewhere I read that the screen will be 6 inches or so, which is the diagonal size of the Wii controller itself.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Controller looks more and more like a tablet every time I see another pic.

[Leo_A]

Is that even a real picture?

Honestly, I believe the controller will be the same size of the current Wiimote, just with a touch screen interface. Somewhere I read that the screen will be 6 inches or so, which is the diagonal size of the Wii controller itself.

If it's going to have a useful screen as large as rumors say it will have, it certainly needs to be larger than a Wiimote and have a different shape.

You couldn't fit anything much larger than perhaps the screen of a Game Boy Micro on an existing Wiimote. Far too small to be of any use as a touch interface.

[megasdkirby]

If it's going to have a useful screen as large as rumors say it will have, it certainly needs to be larger than a Wiimote and have a different shape.

You couldn't fit anything much larger than perhaps the screen of a Game Boy Micro on an existing Wiimote. Far too small to be of any use as a touch interface.

Diagonally, if the controller is measured, it's roughly six inches. Yes, it needs a little more for the borders, but it's basically very similar. Most surely thinner, if a Li-on is used.

[Joe Redifer]

Or the picture was taken at a far enough distance to make things appear small. :rolleyes:

Nah, those are definitely DS-sized buttons. Nintendo must think only small children play their shit. A real console deserves real buttons. I'm kind of hoping it's a fake, though.

[Leo_A]

Diagonally, if the controller is measured, it's roughly six inches. Yes, it needs a little more for the borders, but it's basically very similar. Most surely thinner, if a Li-on is used.

And if the touch screen filled the entire face of a Wiimote, where do you propose that things like buttons, a d-pad, and dual analog joysticks be placed?

Not to mention the extremely odd aspect ratio that such a setup would have. A long thin screen wouldn't be of much use to anyone. What would you use it for?

[Cornholio857]

Nah, those are definitely DS-sized buttons. Nintendo must think only small children play their shit. A real console deserves real buttons. I'm kind of hoping it's a fake, though.

Like these buttons:
http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/saturn_a.jpg

I'm hoping it's a fake as well. I don't know how you would use the twin analog sticks at the same time and press other buttons(Not the Face buttons). Unless there are Triggers underneath or on top of that controller in the pic. Which I can't see.

[megasdkirby]

And if the touch screen filled the entire face of a Wiimote, where do you propose that things like buttons, a d-pad, and dual analog joysticks be placed?

Not to mention the extremely odd aspect ratio that such a setup would have. A long thin screen wouldn't be of much use to anyone. What would you use it for?

As the iPad, iPod Touch, and the link, on the touch screen itself. The screen itself is the controller.

I hate these type of controls (I've yet to gotten used to the iPad itself), but depending on the game, the controller can change depending on programming used. Like those on Apple products.

Weird? Yes. And I hope it's not this per se.

[Swamperon]

That picture is fake. There's a hundred of these so called pictures being shared around the internet.

That said, it may be quite close to what the controller turns out to be but it's definitely not the official thing.

Now Nintendo have kicked off the 8th generation, will Microsoft/Sony be pressured to release their next console?

[megasdkirby]

Now Nintendo have kicked off the 8th generation, will Microsoft/Sony be pressured to release their next console?

I surely hope not.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 are great as it is. There is no need to actually release another console at the moment.

[Swamperon]

I surely hope not.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 are great as it is. There is no need to actually release another console at the moment.

I'd agree but... the 360 is getting to be 7 years old now, and neither will want to let Nintendo have too big a start I'd have thought. I can't imagine we'll be seeing the PS4 any time soon but I guess we'll have the 720 in 2013 at the latest.

[Leo_A]

The same rumors that mention a 6" touch screen mention things like dual analog sticks.

So I don't see how you can believe that we're going to get something in the shape of the current Wiimote with a touch screen plastered across the face. Why run with that rumor in such a odd way yet ignore the other information?

And even if we're talking about a controller without any traditional inputs (Which I highly doubt, especially when Nintendo just brought a traditional analog stick to their new handheld for the first time), the shape you're proposing would be much too strange to be of much use.

About all such a thing could accomplish would be to serve as a virtual d-pad/stick and buttons. And such things just don't work very well in practice (Not to mention that it's an awfully expensive way to replace a superior method of control).

Bet it doesn't happen (And there's certainly no rumor that suggest it will).


I'd agree but... the 360 is getting to be 7 years old now

The Xbox 360 is approximately 5 and a half years old. It won't have been on the market for 7 years until November of 2012. So it has some time yet before it's that old.

If we get this in 2012, I bet we'll see the Xbox 720 in 2013.

[heybtbm]

Last week it was reported Sony and Microsoft weren't going to release their new consoles until 2014 at the earliest. This was from both companies. However, they did reserve the right to launch in 2013 if their competition was leaping ahead. I'm assuming they meant Nintendo.

[Leo_A]

Last week it was reported Sony and Microsoft weren't going to release their new consoles until 2014 at the earliest. This was from both companies. However, they did reserve the right to launch in 2013 if their competition was leaping ahead. I'm assuming they meant Nintendo.

I never saw such statements from Sony and Microsoft about timetables for their next generation consoles.

Sounds like additional rumors to me.

[heybtbm]

I never saw such statements from Sony and Microsoft about timetables for their next generation consoles.

Sounds like additional rumors to me.

It was in an interview with Kotaku. I'm on my phone so I can't copy/paste the link. Just search Google for "kotaku 2014". That brings up a million articles about it.

[Leo_A]

Thanks, found it with ease.

http://kotaku.com/#!5794000/microsoft-and-sony-targeting-2014-for-new-consoles-leaving-nintendo-in-the-clear

It certainly belongs in the rumor category though (Not that you said it wasn't), so that's worth keeping in mind.

I'm no expert, but I'm still inclined to think we'll see the Xbox 720 in 2013. The timing of a 2013 release just seems to feel right, I think. Not about to venture a guess about the Playstation 3 beyond betting it will be the last of the three to be replaced.

[rkotm]

http://purenintendo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-23-at-9.39.05-AM.png

[Graham Mitchell]

If they release skyward sword for it, ill bite.

I sold my wii last year. I kind of regret doing that, buuuuut not that much. If this console has graphics comparable to the current competitors (and in hd) it will probably turn out awesome. I think this is critical because, as others have mentioned, the "casual" consumers who bought a wii on a lark will probably not stock around for the next generation.

[megasdkirby]

If the new console is backward compatible with Wii and GameCube, and the price is right, then I may pick it up and give my Wii to my brother.

Just hope the successor is capable of being soft modded with something similar like the Homebrew Channel. :)

[j_factor]

It seems really weird that they would make a big show at this E3 and have it in playable form, and then have this finished hardware that they just sit on for over a year. At E3 2005, we only saw PS3 and "Revolution" in the form of a very limited teaser; neither was playable and neither showed its final controller. Xbox 360 was not mentioned at all at E3 2004.

[WCP]

As the successor is not being factored into this year's financial forecast. 2011 release speculation is a dead rumor walking now.


I find it strange that the system is going to not only be playable, but playable to the general attendees at large. Also, 3rd party and first party software will be shown in playable form. Why show all this so early?

Is it possible that Nintendo could have left that out of their financials, for fear that it would ruin the surprise factor with an announcement at e3? I'm thinking they could legally get away with it, just saying that at the exact time of the financials, it was thought that the system would be held back for 2012, but just prior to their e3 press conference they change their minds?

I can't think of another e3 in which a system was shown in playable form, playable not just behind closed doors to the elite gaming press, but playable to any Joe Schmo that goes to e3. Not just one tech demo, but actual games from 3rd parties and Nintendo? This would definitely be a first, in terms of showing this much of the goods without launching the thing the same calendar year.




It seems really weird that they would make a big show at this E3 and have it in playable form, and then have this finished hardware that they just sit on for over a year. At E3 2005, we only saw PS3 and "Revolution" in the form of a very limited teaser; neither was playable and neither showed its final controller. Xbox 360 was not mentioned at all at E3 2004.

ha ha... didn't see your post. That's funny, we were thinking the exact same thing. It does seem really weird.. I'm glad I'm not the only one scratching my head. :)

[kupomogli]

Wii2 with one controller? $399. Wii2 stand alone controller? $150. Finding out it's not backwards compatible with prior systems once you bought it? Priceless. There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's MasterCard.

I will pick this up if it's backwards compatible, but it just doesn't look like it with the complete new remote control. Sure Nintendo allows the Gamecube controllers to work on the Wii, but with the new controller is this system going to even be a motion gaming system anymore? I don't think Nintendo wants to pour money by adding multiple ports on the system for both the Wii and the Gamecube.

[swlovinist]

I think that Nintendo will launch this for the Holiday of 2011. I know that they have stated differently, but look at it this way. Announcing the system for this year early would mean that they would stop selling alot of Wiis. Showcasing the system at E3 and building excitement for the system can only intensify the demand for this thing when they announce it for the holidays at a later date.

Announcing it this year would be key. The competition will have an average at best lineup to go against the system this year. The longer they wait, the less of an edge they have. If the system is priced right(under $299) this system could really be a nice bridge between hardcore and casual market.

I hope:
They actually now have an real game system to offer online gaming
Can I have a real controller?
I want another pack in game please :)

[G-Boobie]

Wii2 with one controller? $399. Wii2 stand alone controller? $150. Finding out it's not backwards compatible with prior systems once you bought it? Priceless. There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's MasterCard.

Way to become the personification of retarded internet forum posters for one shining paragraph. We don't know anything about this thing except it actually exists and isn't 3D. Maybe we should wait for some FACTS before laying out that kind of invective.

EDIT: I see you came to the same conclusion all by yourself. Good job!

[GarrettCRW]

Wii2 with one controller? $399. Wii2 stand alone controller? $150. Finding out it's not backwards compatible with prior systems once you bought it? Priceless.

No, priceless is an online network that, you know, works.

[PapaStu]

No, priceless is an online network that, you know, works.

But it does work.... all be it with multiple friends codes. All that means is that as of right now the Wii online experience is a smoother one than the PSN online experience.

[M.Buster2184]

Now we wait and speculate. I hope this new system gets a noticeable update in the graphics department and we get a non motion controller. I love Nintendo and there are a decent amount of good games on the Wii, but I'd love for the next Nintendo console to be marketed a little more towards serious gamers. Just my two cents.

[G-Boobie]

But it does work.... all be it with multiple friends codes. All that means is that as of right now the Wii online experience is a smoother one than the PSN online experience.

I wish that was still funny.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

[Icarus Moonsight]

I find it strange that the system is going to not only be playable, but playable to the general attendees at large. Also, 3rd party and first party software will be shown in playable form. Why show all this so early?

I think they intend to launch before June of 2012, that's why. I could be wrong though.

[Corey_GB]

I just don't see how some of the rumors could be true. Especially the 6.5" touch/traditional controller. First, unless it is wired the battery life would be an issue. And second, how much do they plan of charging for a controller of this spec? $75-$100?

As for the power of the system, I am sure Nintendo will surpass the existing consoles, but that isn't too hard seeing the technology is already 5 years old. So I see Nintendo easily trumping the current platforms in the horsepower category, let's just hope the get the 3rd party support like during the SNES days.

But, their biggest hurdle will be their online infrastructure. Let's face it, Nintendo hasn't created a successful online community and to be a serious contender this time around they need to deliver something that is on par with PSN. And while they are at it, toss those damn friend codes and add some form of achievements.

Regardless, I am looking forward to seeing what develops at this years E3. Gonna be fun! :)

[Swamperon]

I think they intend to launch before June of 2012, that's why. I could be wrong though.

That's the reason I'm thinking. E3 is probably the best time to make any major announcements such as this for maximum coverage etc.

I can't see it being released later than June 2012 and they'll want to build up interest, hype and pre-orders.

As for the screen rumours... if they used what is essentially the lower screen of the DS and then 'moulded' the GC controller around it, I could see it working. If they restrict it for VC, Wiiware and in game menus etc then the demands on it wouldn't be so bad. I could see it being sold for... £50? Not nice but certainly dealable with.

E3 this year is gonna be mighty interesting :D

[Leo_A]

Nintendo typically announces their new consoles well over a year before release. The Wii, for example, was first announced at Nintendo's 2004 E3 press conference, unveiled at the 2005 E3 conference, and the controller was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show. All were well before the late 2006 launch of the system. So nothing too unusual with this timing.

Still, I'm also surprised. They still have a successful and profitable console in the Wii (Although it's certainly in decline). So I didn't think they'd show anything off so early since they don't have a need this generation to create a stir during a time when Nintendo is essentially inactive on the console front, like they were with the N64 and GameCube well before each was replaced at the end of their respective generations. The Wii is still a going concern at this time.

[Zap!]

I will pre-order this the second I get the chance. If I somehow still miss out, I will pay triple the price if I have to, just to get this on day 1. So yeah, you can take that as a yes, I'm interested. :D

[The 1 2 P]

I surely hope not.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 are great as it is. There is no need to actually release another console at the moment.

True that. Theres nothing wrong with the 360 or PS3(besides PSN's current issues) that would cause them to have to launch a new system in the next year or two. They both still have lots of good games coming down the pipeline. The Wii still sells pretty well but it has a severe lack of compelling games to play, atleast to me(which is why mine hasn't been played since last year).

Like I said in the other thread about the rumors, I think that Project Cafe will be launching in either Spring or Fall 2012. Spring would probably be better for consumers because, if they sell out initially, they would be able to greatly ramp up production before the all encompassing holiday buying season. If it launches in the Fall then once again most people will have a better chance at being stuck by lighting then finding one on store shelves.

[buzz_n64]

Since everyone considers the Wii, Gamecube 1.5, this would then be a Wii 1.5.
Will wait until the first price drop since that's when it will have a decent library of games.

[WCP]

Nintendo typically announces their new consoles well over a year before release. The Wii, for example, was first announced at Nintendo's 2004 E3 press conference, unveiled at the 2005 E3 conference, and the controller was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show. All were well before the late 2006 launch of the system. So nothing too unusual with this timing.



Yeah, the controller was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, which was in late September 2005, before the November 2006 launch. Not June 2010 before the November 2012 launch. Also, I don't remember there being playable Wii games on the Tokyo Game Show floor.

[WCP]

I can't see it being released later than June 2012 and they'll want to build up interest, hype and pre-orders.




I've heard other people mention a possible late Spring 2012 launch, but can you name me a home console that launched anytime before mid August? The Earliest launches I can think of was the Genesis in mid August, and TG-16 and SNES in late August. Everything else was September, October and November. Even December (Jaguar).

I'm not saying it's absolutely impossible that a "home" console will launch prior to Fall, but it would be totally unprecedented, for a very... long time.

[Leo_A]

Yeah, the controller was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, which was in late September 2005, before the November 2006 launch. Not June 2010 before the November 2012 launch. Also, I don't remember there being playable Wii games on the Tokyo Game Show floor.

And your point is?

Nintendo first discussed the Wii at the 2004 E3 show, a full two and a half years before the system was launched. And the system was officially unveiled at the 2005 E3 show, a full year and a half before the system launched.

Seems like business as usual to me to be getting information about a new Nintendo console well in advance of launch, even if it's somewhat on the early side for playable software to be shown off compared to the Wii. It hardly seems to make this some extraordinary, unusual, odd event. If you do some checking, we were getting information about things like the Super Nintendo, N64, GameCube, and Wii years in advance of launch.

And a late 2011 or early 2012 launch seems unlikely. Nintendo unveiled a new system for 2012, and at the same time, announced to investors that it doesn't affect the next 12 month's financial forecast. That means we're not going to be seeing it released through March of 2012. The earliest it can launch, barring a huge turnaround in their plans, is April of 2012. They wouldn't be witholding that valuable information that would have a huge effect on their earnings forecast, the valuation of their stock, etc, just to conceal their true intentions for a couple of months. Without being familiar with Japanese financial laws and standards, I even doubt the legality of it. And certainly, the ethics of such a decision due to the negative effects on their stockholders would be enough to keep them from doing so.

The Sega Saturn was launched in May. And of course, Japan semi regularly has console launches before August. The Nintendo 64 and Playstation 2 immediately come to mind as having been released there before mid year. And the original Xbox launched early in the year in most of the world, outside of North America. So there are some examples of a console launch outside of the October/November timeframe. It isn't without precedence, although I just can't see it being released in North America outside of the Christmas shopping season.

[Leo_A]

Sorry for the double post, it gave me a error message the first time and wasn't there when I checked, so I reposted and the original post was suddenly there afterwards.

[Zap!]

Since everyone considers the Wii, Gamecube 1.5, this would then be a Wii 1.5.
Will wait until the first price drop since that's when it will have a decent library of games.

The Wii was called Gamecube 1.5 because it was generally considered not even twice as powerful; barely more powerful than GC. Calling Cafe Wii 1.5 would be factually incorrect. It is not barely more powerful then the Wii. It will be more powerful (how much is unknown) then the PS3/360, systems that themselves are substantually more powerful then the Wii.


I've heard other people mention a possible late Spring 2012 launch, but can you name me a home console that launched anytime before mid August? The Earliest launches I can think of was the Genesis in mid August, and TG-16 and SNES in late August. Everything else was September, October and November. Even December (Jaguar).

I'm not saying it's absolutely impossible that a "home" console will launch prior to Fall, but it would be totally unprecedented, for a very... long time.

The Saturn in 1995 was supposed to be released in the Fall, but wound up being released in May if I recall correctly. Not sure when the Sega Master System was released in 1986, was that Fall too?

[Rob2600]

The Saturn in 1995 was supposed to be released in the Fall, but wound up being released in May if I recall correctly.

Yes, Sega launched the Saturn prematurely in the U.S. to beat the PlayStation to market by four months.

[j_factor]

And your point is?

Nintendo first discussed the Wii at the 2004 E3 show, a full two and a half years before the system was launched. And the system was officially unveiled at the 2005 E3 show, a full year and a half before the system launched.

Do you remember E3 2005? I don't think "unveiled" is the correct term for the very limited and vague showing that the Revolution got. They didn't even explain what kind of controller it would use, or give a rundown on the hardware. The system was still quite veiled. It was a far cry from the rumors about what Nintendo is supposed to show this year, including revealing the controller and the hardware and showing games in progress. Even at TGS 2005, they demo'ed the controller, but the demos weren't running on Revolution/Wii hardware, nor were they even purported to be Wii games (and the controller wasn't quite finalized either). We didn't see an actual Wii game until the year it launched.

[retroguy]

I'm a budget gamer, so I won't be getting a Cafe right away, but I will be getting a Wii for cheap directly after Cafe is launched (I should be able to get a used one from Gamestop for less than $100 at that point. If I'm lucky, the previous owner will have forgotton to wipe their system and maybe I'll get some VC games as a bonus).

[Zap!]

I'm a budget gamer, so I won't be getting a Cafe right away, but I will be getting a Wii for cheap directly after Cafe is launched (I should be able to get a used one from Gamestop for less than $100 at that point. If I'm lucky, the previous owner will have forgotton to wipe their system and maybe I'll get some VC games as a bonus).

Probably even cheaper. If the Cafe launches around the Presidential Elections, the Wii maybe lowered to $99 by then, new.

[Breetai]

I've heard other people mention a possible late Spring 2012 launch, but can you name me a home console that launched anytime before mid August? The Earliest launches I can think of was the Genesis in mid August, and TG-16 and SNES in late August. Everything else was September, October and November. Even December (Jaguar).
*cough, cough*

http://www.pugo.org/media/collection/console/segasaturn.jpg

[Zap!]

What month were the FairChild Channel F, RCA Studio II, and Odyssey II released? :D

[NayusDante]

Nintendo hasn't confirmed the screen-on-controller idea. We might be looking at a GameCube controller with extended handles and a Z2 button, for all we know.

Assuming the rumors are correct, though, I'm projecting a $99 price tag for a touchscreen controller. You know those crappy $99 Android tablets? Yeah, imagine one of those with Nintendo parts. The panel itself can't be more than $60, so just add some buttons and bluetooth.

[Zap!]

Nintendo hasn't confirmed the screen-on-controller idea. We might be looking at a GameCube controller with extended handles and a Z2 button, for all we know.

Assuming the rumors are correct, though, I'm projecting a $99 price tag for a touchscreen controller. You know those crappy $99 Android tablets? Yeah, imagine one of those with Nintendo parts. The panel itself can't be more than $60, so just add some buttons and bluetooth.

Hopefully, the screen itself adds on to the controller and isn't necessary. Also, maybe we can hope for price drops in the technology by '12.

[WCP]

*cough, cough*

http://www.pugo.org/media/collection/console/segasaturn.jpg



Dang..... That's embarrassing. How could I forget the Saturn? I actually got the Saturn the day it was released. I have a interesting story to tell in regards to the Sega Saturn. I happened to be at my local mall the day before the Saturn had it's surprise launch. I stopped by the Electronics Boutique, and they had just gotten their Saturn display boxes in. It was exciting to just see the actual box. One of the employees there, a guy that I knew from buying my games there, walked over to me, and said, "Be here tomorrow. Be here tomorrow when we open".

I said, "Why?".

He said.... "Just, trust me..."


I honestly had no idea what the heck he was talking about, and I had to work the next day. But I did go to that EB during my lunch break, and was shocked to find out that the Saturn was having a surprise launch. I couldn't get enough money from my ATM card (the system was $399 and I had a $300 limit), so I put a deposit down to make sure that I would get one of the launch systems. Right after work, I stopped by the bank to withdraw some more money,and was then able to get it. That was an amazing day!

[calthaer]

Nintendo's only coming out with another system so that they can keep the big boys interested in developing for them. Their systems are centered around gimmicks, and one thing those gimmicks do - that I don't see discussed often - is keep piracy at bay, at least to some extent. If a game requires specific hardware, then it gets harder to run the game on other hardware. Nintendo probably gets nervous when people like this (http://www.wiiprojects.org/bluetooth.html) start to make their hardware available on other systems, because it means someone might be able to make their games run on other systems through an emulator (http://www.zophar.net/n64.html).

The Wii is home to shovelware right now. Few big companies other than Nintendo seem to be making any moves to make use of the system - and why should they, if the games they make can only be for that system (and its unique controllers), and they can't port it to the other segments of the game market that own a 360 or PS3?

To top it off, third-party software just doesn't sell well on the Wii. (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4237/thirdparty_publishers_react_to_.php) Nintendo appears to have hit a sort of craptastic "sweet spot. Their barriers to entry are designed to keep out the "garage developers" which they have no interest in catering to (http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/03/nintendo-garage-developers/), and which sometimes produce interesting and unique games (http://indiegames.com/index.html). Early on in the life of their consoles, third-parties have an opportunity to make good games and stand out from the crowd - competing, of course, with Nintendo's first-party software, which has the advantage of having had the hardware for longer, I'd imagine. Later in the console's lifespan, development probably gets cheaper, making it at least marginally profitable to make shovelware Barbie games...big-name devs get crowded out and the good games get lost in the shuffle, and yet the indie "garage" devs aren't in the game to breathe life into the mix of shovelware. So what you get is garbage (http://www.theredshell.com/nintendo/news/is-shovelware-hurting-nintendo.php).

Nintendo has to come out with a new system and gimmick every 5 years to raise the cost of development and clear the playing field of the shovelware devs so that the big boys have a chance again. Of course, they could just open it up to the "garage" devs they so despise, but then they'd have people in the clubhouse who prefer beer to tea and crumpets.

[The 1 2 P]

Project Cafe is the code name and Stream is the rumored name but I'm guessing Nintendo will somehow come up with another kiddy sounding name for this new system. I suppose nothing could be worse than the name Wii.

[NayusDante]

I read an article last week about how, in the odd chance that they call it the Wii 2, the Japanese name won't be pronounced "Wii-Ni." Since Wii is a foreign word (???), the number would be romanized as well, so it would be "Wii Tsuu."

How about Nintendo Link? It references one of their properties, and implies online interaction. Or, if the black prototype is real, maybe they're going to target the "hardcore" segment they lost. They could call it Lylat, or Arwing.

Or they could do something kiddy and joke-worthy. Bring back the old portable naming scheme - Nintendo Home Boy.

[Baloo]

Nintendo definitely is making the right move announcing a new console, as it feels like the Wii has really lost a lot of steam over the past year or two. Lack of new titles really, and virtually nothing on the virtual console. Hopefully this one will be more like the Gamecube, I had a lot of fun with that system. The Wii was very lackluster in comparison, even though the sales numbers were loads better.

Am I the only one who thinks the 360/PS3 still have a lot going for them right now though? Not sure if Xbox especially should really move on, both system still seem like they have a nice amount of potential.

[Graham Mitchell]

Am I the only one who thinks the 360/PS3 still have a lot going for them right now though? Not sure if Xbox especially should really move on, both system still seem like they have a nice amount of potential.

No youre not alone in this. Heck, I bet these consoles would continue to make money for 20 years as long as they kept making new games for them.

I know that the atari 2600 was an outlier, but in general the only thing historically that ever kills console/game sales for any successful platform is the announcement of a new console.

In all the years I've been gaming, I've never been playing a game and said to myself "gee, this sucks. We need another generation of consoles." We wouldn't give a fuck about online gaming if microsoft didn't shove it down our throats 8 years ago. Now we demand it. Just an observation I've made.

[j_factor]

Am I the only one who thinks the 360/PS3 still have a lot going for them right now though? Not sure if Xbox especially should really move on, both system still seem like they have a nice amount of potential.

I thought Xbox had plenty going for it, in 2005.

[Icarus Moonsight]

The Wii has sucked as of late, yet I still don't find much worth looking at on PS3/360. Well, not for the $300 each entry fee. Have some games for each system (10 for 360 and 4 for PS3) but nothing has driven me toward wanting to actually go out and buy a system yet (2 games came very close, Demon Souls and Splatterhouse). I don't get it at all, I guess. Other than the 5 dozen Wii games and a handful of non-Wii games I've bought, I thought this cycle was overall a degrade over the last one.

[The 1 2 P]

How about Nintendo Link? It references one of their properties, and implies online interaction.

I actually like that one, although the part about the online interaction will most likely turn out to be substandard again. And on that note, they should have named the "Wii" the "Missing Link" since it was missing so many features that are present in the 360 and PS3(hard drive, HD graphics, competent online multiplayer, etc.).


Bring back the old portable naming scheme - Nintendo Home Boy.

Only if it has optional dreadlocks/braids on the side.


Am I the only one who thinks the 360/PS3 still have a lot going for them right now though? Not sure if Xbox especially should really move on, both system still seem like they have a nice amount of potential.

Both of those systems could easily go another 5 years or so. Neither are lacking in the graphics department, theres still more of their big franchises on the way(Halo, God of War, etc), both have a pretty robust online marketplace with tons of cheap entertaining arcade games and of course the actual online multiplayer itself is enough to keep you playing the same games over and over again.

With Kinect and Move they both showed that they really want to extend this gen as long as possible. Nintendo really didn't have a choice but to announce a new system since they have lost so much momentum in the last 2 years. If the new Wii doesn't manage to beat the 360 and PS3 in monthly sales for the first several months it's out(which I don't think will happen unless Nintendo overprices their new machine) then there will be even less of a chance that Microsoft and Sony will be ready to launch their next systems.

[parallaxscroll]

I'm hoping the GPU of Wii's successor uses at least an AMD RV770 (Radeon HD 4870) as the basis, even though it'll be a custom GPU. That would provide like 5+ more graphical performance than Xbox360 or PS3. Coupled with 2 GB RAM and we'll have a Nintendo console dozens of times more powerful than Wii.

[NayusDante]

Interesting Iwata quote here, interesting to consider for the new hardware announcement. That DVD drive isn't going anywhere.


The only message that I had hoped to convey at GDC was , since my keynote speech was dedicated to the game developers, that, without carefully trying to preserve the value of the games we develop, the digital distribution revolution could very easily depreciate their value, which might make all of us have a hard time.

[TonyTheTiger]

Ironically enough, since game consoles are now making strides as central entertainment hubs, "Nintendo Entertainment System" or some derivative would not be an inappropriate name.

[Bojay1997]

No youre not alone in this. Heck, I bet these consoles would continue to make money for 20 years as long as they kept making new games for them.

I know that the atari 2600 was an outlier, but in general the only thing historically that ever kills console/game sales for any successful platform is the announcement of a new console.

In all the years I've been gaming, I've never been playing a game and said to myself "gee, this sucks. We need another generation of consoles." We wouldn't give a fuck about online gaming if microsoft didn't shove it down our throats 8 years ago. Now we demand it. Just an observation I've made.

I actually feel completely the opposite. If there was no such thing as PC gaming, there would possibly be less demand for on-line gaming and new consoles, but as long as you have something else in the market pushing people to want something more because of its enhanced capabilities, you will always have demand for new consoles and gaming technologies. In the old days, that push was arcade hardware. I can remember playing some of the mid-cycle and later PSOne games and thinking the console was underpowered for doing the kinds of games it was doing. I never enjoyed FPS games on the PSOne and that really marked the point that I became a dual console and PC gamer simply because the PSOne and Saturn couldn't do many games in the genres I liked half as well as a decent PC.

[Leo_A]

I agree, I think when people are able to play the latest multiplatform release and notice a significant graphical boost with the PC version on just a mid ranged PC, I think it makes many console gamers that also enjoy PC gaming start to itch for a new new console generation. It's evident on many games these days, even in something like Portal 2, despite running on what is essentially a nearly decade old engine. PC games have gapped the 360 and PS3 a fair bit, where as a few years ago, many of us without a huge PC budget actually were able to have a superior experience on our consoles.

I think manufacturers have sometimes killed off consoles before their time (The Xbox, for a prime example), but more often than not, it's developers and consumers that seem to force a new console generation. I'm sure Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony would love not to make such a massive investment and risk possibly years of losses if they could. But when sales start slipping, such as what happened with the DS and the Wii before either one had an announced successor, it ties the manufacturer's hands.

There's no way something like the Playstation 3 could be viable as their primary console for decades. While I wouldn't particularly mind such a thing, too many are accustomed to seeing a significant boost in power and start to want something new after a few years.