Wii HD

[ras el hanout]

A Nintendo console with streaming music, movies, and TV entertainment as a selling point? I'll keel over and die if that happens, assuming their big E3 surprise isn't that they've been bought by a media conglomerate. It sounds more like wishful thinking from people enviously eyeing the featureset of the PS3 and Xbox 360* than something Nintendo has the connections, attitiude, experience or ability to create.

*Like myself

Streaming games though. Nintendo could do that. But isn't that bit from ign exactly what I said?

I'm pretty certain I'm 100% correct about this. I think it's mental that people think Nintendo are going after the hardcore. What are they doing? Enviously eyeing the 360's sales and thinking we gotta make a console that'll sell half the amount of our one?

You guys are going to be super disappointed come e3.

[ras el hanout]

Worth quoting again because I totally think that this is what's going to happen:

And like others have said, motion control will still be in there only they won't release a new controller for it. It will be the same wiimotes that everyone already has or you can buy separately. The only question is whether ardent waggle lovers like Scott, ramone and insin will think it's pure Nintendo genius yet again or that they will explode in fanboy rage over Nintendo moving on from their beloved motion controls.

Everything Nintendo does is genius. Motion controls are genius. The next thing they do will also be genius of this there is no doubt.

[Mr. Gerbik]

I'm not going to be disappointed whatever it turns out to be, I'm just looking forward to finding out whatever Nintendo will come up with next. Even if it turns out to be an über-powerful console aimed at hardcore gamers (which I'm not expecting it to be, simply a bit more powerful than the ageing 360 and PS3 like the Wii was a bit more powerful than the Gamecube) I'm not interested in buying it anyway.

[Massive Invisible Dog]

Streaming games though. Nintendo could do that. But isn't that bit from ign exactly what I said?

I'm pretty certain I'm 100% correct about this. I think it's mental that people think Nintendo are going after the hardcore. What are they doing? Enviously eyeing the 360's sales and thinking we gotta make a console that'll sell half the amount of our one?

You guys are going to be super disappointed come e3.

Going after the publishers and developers more than the hardcore. They're clearly envious of the third party support the other consoles have had, Iwata has said several times that it's something they need to work on. A more powerful console with a standard controller would be a good way ensure that.

[ras el hanout]

I'm not going to be disappointed whatever it turns out to be, I'm just looking forward to whatever Nintendo will up with next. Even if it turns out to be an über-powerful console aimed at hardcore gamers (which I'm not expecting it to be, simply a bit more powerful than ageing 360 and PS3 like the Wii was a bit more powerful than the Gamecube) I'm not interested in buying it anyway.

You're not interested in buying what exactly?

[Transient Curse]

You're not interested in buying what exactly?

Mario Kart and Zelda, probably.

[mushashi]

The analyst at Macquarie tweeted details of yesterday's investor meeting, have to wait for the official transcript to confirm he's 100% right, but not much reason to doubt it, a mention of Cafe and the Wii's future:

- Made decision on Wii successor announcement because of logistics for getting people to E3

- Nintendo still wants a surprise at E3 with their new console

- Iwata admitted that Nintendo has relied to much on its own, won’t do everything on their own from here on out

- Expect to see something about the above at E3

- More talk of Nintendo saying that Project Cafe is a new concept/structure for a console

- Nintendo will still be pushing the Wii

- Nintendo releasing one Wii title every month to push the console’s performance

http://twitter.com/#!/gibbogame

[Nespresso]

Moar Rumors

Emily Rogers has fed us a fair amount of rumors so far. We’re not sure of their validity, so take everything with a grain of salt, but she says she’s dating a guy who “works close with Nintendo,” hence the leaks. And now she’s posted up a new batch of rumors to enjoy. And if it all turns out to be bunk, at least it’s entertaining.

We know Retro Studios is working on something for the next Wii. People begun speculating that maybe they’re working on a Zelda game. It was even brought up that Eternal Darkness 2 could be on its way. Rogers is very direct in saying that this is not happening. She doesn’t say what is being worked on. But it’s neither of those games.

The bittersweet reality of ports is also brought up. As a concept, I’m not totally against games being ported as it means a launch line-up can be buffered with a few extra games I may not have played. But according to Rogers, “one third party in particular is planning to shamelessly milk the new Nintendo console,” by shilling out a ton of ports, which isn’t hard to believe as Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have development kits.

And finally, Rogers has supposedly seen a few screenshots from a game on Nintendo’s new console and refers to them as “more beautiful” than any game she’d seen on the PS3 or Xbox 360. Granted, this is a subjective viewpoint as she points out the art style is a big influence on how a game looks, so it doesn’t necessarily indicate a powblablablalblaomghype!

Like I said, it’s all rumors. But they’re not implausible and I want them to be true, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope to be wowed when E3 rolls around in June.

`

Straight from Emily

Rare (or Rareware if you prefer) and Nintendo have had discussions about 3DS development. Nintendo and Rare still have a good relationship with each other, especially since Diddy Kong Racing DS did so well. Just like with the GBA and the original DS, Microsoft doesn’t seem to have a problem with Rare developing a 3DS game since none of Nintendo’s handhelds are in direct competition with any Microsoft products. Nintendo brought up the idea of a 3DS enchanced port of Star Fox Adventures, but nothing is in development. Basically a port with extra enhancements, similar to Rare’s Diddy Kong Racing DS for the Nintendo DS. Don’t be surprised if Rareware gets 3DS development kits by the end of this year. Banjo-Kazooie on 3DS is not out of the question either. Microsoft thinks that if some of Rare’s games do well on Nintendo’s handhelds, then it may lead to Nintendo gamers buying Microsoft systems to play Rare’s games.

Ports galore of PS3/360 games for Project Cafe’s launch. One third party in particular is planning to shamelessly milk the new Nintendo console with lots of PS3/360 ports. Nintendo told developers how easy it is to port games from 360 to the new Nintendo console. Unfortunately, third parties think that is giving them the greenlight to throw all of their 360/PS3 projects onto the new console instead of making brand new projects that take advantage of Project Cafe’s extra power.

Nintendo might start making less Metroid games since every Metroid game released after Metroid Prime 1 has sold less and less with each new Metroid released. Yoshio Sakamoto would love to be involved as director, producer, and writer of future Metroid games if Nintendo will allow him. Nintendo will still make Metroid games, but it won’t be considered one of their “big 3″ priorities in comparison to Mario/Zelda like it was for the last 5 years. They feel that Metroid fans who made Metroid Prime a huge seller, aren’t really showing enough excitement and support for the franchise like they did when the first Prime game came out.

Nintendo thinks Earthbound makes more sense on a handheld than a console since Earthbound was never a game that relied on heavy intensive graphics or extremely detailed art styles in the past.

One final note, I have seen a few screenshots of a game for the new Nintendo console, and it was more beautiful than any PS3/360 game I’ve seen. Why? Because it’s nice to see a game that uses 360/PS3 quality graphics where it uses more colors than just grey/black/brown/dark green….which seems to be the only color choices that the majority of 360/PS3 games are allowed to have. Any game that has more colors than those four colors seem to get slammed as “kiddy” by 14 year olds who can’t buy Call of Duty from Gamestop without their mother in the store with them. People want to debate about which system has the best specs. But the truth of it all is, graphics are defined by a game’s art style. And that is where Nintendo shines above other developers because this particular game looks amazing. You will know what game I’m talking about when E3 comes around.

More beautiful!

[ras el hanout]

Going after the publishers and developers more than the hardcore. They're clearly envious of the third party support the other consoles have had, Iwata has said several times that it's something they need to work on. A more powerful console with a standard controller would be a good way ensure that.

And a great way of losing 70million customers. A Wii ten times as powerful as a ps3 would be the thing to keep everybody happy. Devs would wanna work on it and Helen mirren would wanna play on it. Seems they're not going down that route.

[Fatsam]

Maybe some Dual Shock/Dual Shock 2 type scenario, where the old controllers still work but there's some refinement and some nonessential new feature in the new version that makes it much nicer. But something more convincing than analogue buttons.

Maybe, but how would that tie in with the Edge rumour that Stanley keeps mentioning?

They have also claimed that the system retains motion control, with capabilities that are “better than Move”, meaning that they boast higher fidelity. We do not yet have word on whether or not its motion-controlled solution introduces a camera.

Anyone have an idea about how they are going to do tracking better than balls of light?

And how this system would work together with motion plus controllers?

[Not Thread Owner]

Moar Rumors

More beautiful!

Than Muramasa? Unpossible!

[Mr. Gerbik]

You're not interested in buying what exactly?

Mario Kart and Zelda. But even if a new Nintendo console is not for me it will still be interesting to find out whatever crazy new idea they have thought up. And to see whether it will send MS and Sony into panic as they're still trying to catch up to the motion control fad with their seven year old consoles.

[Bojangle]

Moar Rumors

`

Straight from Emily

More beautiful!

F-Zero plsthx. Though she's probably talking about Skyward Sword. It's surely a tie-in for being moved over to a launch title for the new console?

Star Fox Adventures was terrible (apart from the, at the time, amazing looking fur) too. Now Blast Corps 3D I could get behind!

[Stanley]

Worth quoting again because I totally think that this is what's going to happen:

And like others have said, motion control will still be in there only they won't release a new controller for it. It will be the same wiimotes that everyone already has or you can buy separately. The only question is whether ardent waggle lovers like Scott, ramone and insin will think it's pure Nintendo genius yet again or that they will explode in fanboy rage over Nintendo moving on from their beloved motion controls.

It's not 'moving on' though it's moving backwards to traditional controls with a screen built it (if we go with that rumour). What you're saying is that Nintendo are going to abandon the machine that sold 70 million (I didn't realise it was that many) and go back to what sold half that. Won't happen.

The last thing they'll want to do is confuse their customers who can't quite understand what the benefit of owning a 3DS and this new console is - because regardless of how the game gets on the screen the end result is too similar.

[Nespresso]

I more than enjoyed Starfox Adventures so I would very much welcome a 3DS counterpart.

[RubberJohnny]

It's not 'moving on' though it's moving backwards to traditional controls with a screen built it (if we go with that rumour). What you're saying is that Nintendo are going to abandon the machine that sold 70 million (I didn't realise it was that many) and go back to what sold half that. Won't happen.

The last thing they'll want to do is confuse their customers who can't quite understand what the benefit of owning a 3DS and this new console is - because regardless of how the game gets on the screen the end result is too similar.

It's moving on if it uses the touchscreen significantly because DS and, yes - smartphones have sold pretty well. Use the touchscreen for the swipes and bandboxes and so on that can't be done on a gamepad, and traditional controls to avoid having to stick a virtual joystick on screen.

[Stanley]

It's moving on if it uses the touchscreen significantly because DS and, yes - smartphones have sold pretty well. Use the touchscreen for the swipes and bandboxes and so on that can't be done on a gamepad, and traditional controls to avoid having to stick a virtual joystick on screen.

It's too close the DS/3DS and will confuse or alienate their customers. The whole point of a home console is to take advantage of the a living room space, otherwise you're just delivering another handheld device. And there's enough of those already.

Just look at how many copies of Wii Sports and Wii Fit have been sold. They will not ditch that to give those customers F Zero HD Mini (or whatever). Not in a million years.

[Danster]

Obviously the 3DS will be able to be used as a streaming device too.

[the_debaser]

Starfox Adventures was fucking garbage. Leave it in the past and focus on some new shit ffs.

[Stanley]

Obviously the 3DS will be able to be used as a streaming device too.

Obviously

I do think they will promote connectivity bewtween the new machine and the 3DS - and that may well include streaming media (although the 3DS is quite capable on its own). But they won't include a new controller which would effectively be competing with it.

I've just thought though, Wii Stream

[scottcr]

shame about Metroid - but its inevitable. I'd love to see a 3DS Metroid game using the Other M approach - but there just doesn't really seem to be the interest in the character.

I doubt Skyward sword is going to be a launch title for this. Skyward Sword will be out this year for Wii - it's last big 'core' hurrah.

She's got a point though, just flick through a multi-format gaming mag and the colours are all brown and grey - doesn't mean the games aren't great, but we're lacking some vibrant colour in our HD games.

PUMPED of course.

[RubberJohnny]

Starfox Adventures was fucking garbage. Leave it in the past and focus on some new shit ffs.

Yeah this. Starfox Adventures was a shit content-less Zelda clone that had some Nintendo characters shoved in it. Dire.

shame about Metroid - but its inevitable. I'd love to see a 3DS Metroid game using the Other M approach - but there just doesn't really seem to be the interest in the character.

Well there wouldn't be after Other M fucked it up.

[scottcr]

Starfox Adventures was fucking garbage. Leave it in the past and focus on some new shit ffs.

I finished it - and I think I was asleep the whole way through.

[Qazimod]

I'm confused. The parent is the console, the controller the child, yeah? So, multiple parents ?? Cartridge in the controller ???

Bizarre.

Maybe info from the console and controller could feed into one another, like a modern-day VMU.

[RubberJohnny]

We probably should rename the thread, given it's going to be nothing like the Wii.

[luth714]

I've got a 360 and a Wii, I like them both on their own merits, their two different control devices and the different types of games that both consoles have. I picked up a DS at launch following getting very excited from the Edge hands on, would love a 3DS as it sounds really interesting. So I'm not a Ninty fanboy or any fanboy (umm, okay, except where the Dreamcast is involved)

Sitting back and reading everyone slamming each other's theories on this is hilarious and entertaining. I'm excited about what Nintendo have up their sleeves and how it will provide a new way of playing. The fact we're all here, debating on something which may or not be, I think is a testament to how we now expect Nintendo to shake things up...(or fuck things up, some might say.)

Considering when I read this thread a few days ago it was wild speculation and now there are more and more tidbits of info, I'm finding all this really exciting. Can't imagine I'll feel the same reading what Sony and Microsoft will try and do next.

[Rev]

All I know is that it'll definitely come with a shovel.

[Stanley]

I can't wait to hear about new XBoxs and Playstations too. We're all graphics whores at heart - we all want more power and to wow at things never been seen before.

Next gen consoles are looking so far off they're gonna be absolute beasts when they do arrive.

[RubberJohnny]

I don't.

[Stanley]

Liar.