Wii U Live Announcement Thread

[ChadTower]

So, that does look interesting, but no indication if you can add your own video sources to that list.  I could watch Netflix/Hulu on my TV already through several sources, I could watch it on my PC, I could watch it on my phone.  Having this on the Wii U gives us nothing we don't already have.

Generalization or did you actually get a cell phone?

I had to finally get one a few months ago for business reasons.   




There was no technical reason for the wii to not support external storage via USB, too.  Once people had found their way into the OS it didn't take much effort at all to get external hard drives working.  Did they ever officially use those two USB slots for anything other than networking?

[Vigo]

Technically though, wiiware games will still not play on the SD card (officially). Any game you have on your SD card gets temporarily copied over to the wii and then booted. AFAIK, it was just for security reasons, not speed reasons. Pretty dumb they couldn't think of that solution from the beginning.

Did they ever officially use those two USB slots for anything other than networking?

Officially, the Wii microphone is all I can think of. Other than that, endless 3rd party chargers, fans etc.

[pinballjim]

Always the hackers that drive the innovation, it feels like.  Half the features on the new iPhone 5 are things I can do already on my jailbroken 3GS.

 

[Howard_Casto]

Technically though, wiiware games will still not play on the SD card (officially). Any game you have on your SD card gets temporarily copied over to the wii and then booted. AFAIK, it was just for security reasons, not speed reasons. Pretty dumb they couldn't think of that solution from the beginning.

Did they ever officially use those two USB slots for anything other than networking?

Officially, the Wii microphone is all I can think of. Other than that, endless 3rd party chargers, fans etc.

Some of the rock band/guitar hero controllers are usb as well.  Not the guitars obviously but I think the drumsets ect...

[ChadTower]

Always the hackers that drive the innovation, it feels like.  Half the features on the new iPhone 5 are things I can do already on my jailbroken 3GS.

And most of the time it's nothing new.  It's just unlocking features that are already in there but disabled.

[ChadTower]

Hahaha.  The official Wii U page on Facebook JUST posted:

Did you know you can expand your Wii U storage memory through external USB devices?

[Necro]

...so there's zero point in getting the 32gb version...unless the packin game is >$35-40 or so since you can EASILY get memory/storage of 32gb or greater for $10 or so.

[ChadTower]

There has to be some sort of reason.  Something like the Wii U only supports first party devices that are $5/gb.

[pinballjim]

...so there's zero point in getting the 32gb version...unless the packin game is >$35-40 or so since you can EASILY get memory/storage of 32gb or greater for $10 or so.

If you don't care about the shame of owning the white Pauper Edition, then nah.

[Well Fed Games]

Maybe we'll see Mario & Sonic & Master Chief at the 2016 Olympics on whatever the next Microsoft console is.

You better hope not.  Nintendo software is completely linked with it's hardware.... it is IMPOSSIBLE to seperate the two.  The end of nintendo consoles is the end of Nintendo.  Unless you count sad, pitifull attempts to keep an already dead brand afloat.  (See what SEGA is today.)

Now I've gotten myself excited. Maybe I can get a port of SMBWii where I don't have to shake the  controller to long jump.

[DaveMMR]

...so there's zero point in getting the 32gb version...unless the packin game is >$35-40 or so since you can EASILY get memory/storage of 32gb or greater for $10 or so.

You also get the game as you mentioned, the stand and dock, and premium access to the Nintendo Network store (whatever they call it) until 2014 with promises of 10% off digital downloads. So it seems the extra $50 may pay for itself depending on your download habits.

And as Chad suggested, I am guessing there could be some catch to using external storage - like limitations to what you can use it for.

[Howard_Casto]

Here's the thing.  Nintendoland comes packed with the deluxe version.  Unless they decide to sell it seperately (they might, but it's unlikely given their previous history) the only way to get Nintendo land is to buy the deluxe version.  So you buy the deluxe version.  I mean yeah it isn't going to be a deep game by any means, but like Wii Sports (and later wii sports resort was) it will be a must-have title and they might not actually sell the thing seperately until years later. 

And the storage thing seems sketchy..... there would be no reason to have a 8 and 32 mb ssd option if external drives really worked as well as the internal storage.

So we are going to have to sit and wait for more info most likely. 

[ChadTower]

Or like with any other pack in title you get it at Gamestop cheap a month after launch.  A whole ton of people sell their new system to Gamestop immediately to get some quick cash.

[DaveMMR]

Unless they decide to sell it seperately (they might, but it's unlikely given their previous history) the only way to get Nintendo land is to buy the deluxe version. 

Not counting used, of course.
-You could buy Super Mario Bros. NES separately.
-Not sure about Duck Hunt for the NES - that was the perennial pack-in. The Deluxe set with R.O.B., the pack-in came complete in cardboard box. I'm going to guess "yes" but not terribly common in stores.
-Guessing "no" on Gyromite for the NES since it required R.O.B. (in theory) and that was quickly forgotten.
-You could eventually buy Super Mario World for the SNES (when they released the "Control Deck Only" option).
-N64 and Gamcube, no initial pack-in.
-You could buy Tetris for Gameboy separately.
-It appears you CAN get Wii Sports standalone for Wii, as part of the "Nintendo Select" re-release series.

So NintendoLand will probably be available standalone (a) since they are selling a "console only" configuration and (b) as a rerelease years later.

And here's a bonus "pack-in" tidbit:
- You were actually able to buy Donkey Kong standalone for the Colecovision even though it always came packed-in with the console (before when Gemeni released a Colecovision clone without it years later.)

[Howard_Casto]

heh.. maybe I should have been more specific... by "previous history" I meant the wii, which was the first console to have a pack-in since the snes.  Yes you can buy wii sports seperately now, but that only came out earlier last year... at which point the console was 5 years old. 

[DaveMMR]

heh.. maybe I should have been more specific... by "previous history" I meant the wii, which was the first console to have a pack-in since the snes.  Yes you can buy wii sports seperately now, but that only came out earlier last year... at which point the console was 5 years old.

One thing to keep in mine though is that the original Wii only launched (and sold for some time) with that single configuration. You basically couldn't buy a Wii and not have Wii Sports. For the Wii U, you can buy the console - new, at launch - without the pack-in. So there's definitely a market to sell the game by itself.

But I think we're just splitting hairs here. For the extra $50, you getting a bit more than just a game and four times the (internal) storage. A charging station is something I'd buy eventually anyhow and digital downloads are often on my shopping list and I won't turn down 10% off for them for a year. And black is so much sexier. The extra money is a no-brainer in my mind.

What I'm concerned about is how I'll be able to take all my WiiWare and VC purchases and move them to the Wii U. Will the online capabilities of some games still work (e.g. Dr. Mario Rx)? Can those downloads travel over to the tablet like the Wii U games to free up the TV? A really good FAQ would be nice - hopefully one will pop-up soon.

[shmokes]

I haven't really watched or read anything about it yet. What's the deal with Wii TiiV? Do you actually get TV over the internet, or does it just integrate with your current TV provider? I ask because I have no interest in obtaining a TV provider, but I do miss the ability to watch sports. Also, I have Amazon Prime (awesome service, btw, worth every cent) and I assume the Amazon TV thing includes Amazon Prime video streaming. That'd be pretty cool because currently we use the web interface which is pretty clunky on a TV in the living room.

[Howard_Casto]

heh.. maybe I should have been more specific... by "previous history" I meant the wii, which was the first console to have a pack-in since the snes.  Yes you can buy wii sports seperately now, but that only came out earlier last year... at which point the console was 5 years old.

One thing to keep in mine though is that the original Wii only launched (and sold for some time) with that single configuration. You basically couldn't buy a Wii and not have Wii Sports. For the Wii U, you can buy the console - new, at launch - without the pack-in. So there's definitely a market to sell the game by itself.

But I think we're just splitting hairs here. For the extra $50, you getting a bit more than just a game and four times the (internal) storage. A charging station is something I'd buy eventually anyhow and digital downloads are often on my shopping list and I won't turn down 10% off for them for a year. And black is so much sexier. The extra money is a no-brainer in my mind.

What I'm concerned about is how I'll be able to take all my WiiWare and VC purchases and move them to the Wii U. Will the online capabilities of some games still work (e.g. Dr. Mario Rx)? Can those downloads travel over to the tablet like the Wii U games to free up the TV? A really good FAQ would be nice - hopefully one will pop-up soon.

Agreed.... I don't want to turn this into an argument thread.

Yeah you can.  That info was released over at kotaku.com.  It'll work somewhat like this:   You turn on both your wii and wii U.  Your wii U will communicate with your wii to detect which games you've purchased and make a note of it.  Now you can go back to your wii, pull all your games (and saves) off to a sd card and install them onto the wii u.  The wii's shop channel doesn't have a centralized database, so this is the only way to prove you own a title.  Of course the irony is I can install pretty much any VC title on my wii right now for free, so I wonder if piracy is going to be rampant from day one. 

[Howard_Casto]

I haven't really watched or read anything about it yet. What's the deal with Wii TiiV? Do you actually get TV over the internet, or does it just integrate with your current TV provider? I ask because I have no interest in obtaining a TV provider, but I do miss the ability to watch sports. Also, I have Amazon Prime (awesome service, btw, worth every cent) and I assume the Amazon TV thing includes Amazon Prime video streaming. That'd be pretty cool because currently we use the web interface which is pretty clunky on a TV in the living room.

Wii TVii works with what you've got and gives you options.  It's like the smartest smart remote ever.  Let's say you search for Firefly and want to watch episode 4...... If you have cable/sat it will tell you the next time it'll be on in your area and make a reminder.  If you have a tivo it will set a recording time or pull it up if you already have recorded it.  If you have a hulu account it will start streaming it immediately.  If you have amazon.video or a similar service you can buy the episode and watch it.  Regardless of the method, you'll get streaming info regarding the show as you watch it.  And of course there will be the usual slew of big commercial support as well...... netflix, hbogo, ect...

So what it does is actually brings all of these rather clunky internet, live and marketplace services into a unified interface.  That's the part that really excited me because as you said, most of the options to interface these services on your actual tv are really clunky. 

I've got a really nice web tv with hulu and amazon video support, but the menus given is so slow and hard to navigate that I rarely use those services. 

[ChadTower]

Let's say you search for Firefly and want to watch episode 4...... If you have cable/sat it will tell you the next time it'll be on in your area and make a reminder. 

I can only speak to DirecTV here.  DirecTV only makes two weeks' scheduling available.  You can't search any further into the future than that, not with a standard receiver, a DVR, a Tivo, or the website.

[sharpfork]

I picked up the Wii and DS on launch day but think I'm going to wait a bit on this one.
I want to see a few things first:

• how easy will my kids dropping it kill the tablet controller thing?
• am I going to have to shell out a bunch more $ so everyone playing has their own tablet controller thing to have a "full" experience?
• just how good are those graphics compared to my 360?
• is the media playing part of it fully baked or the typical weird, almost OK stuff I've see from Nintendo like their news reader and browser on the wii?

I'll likely end up with one sooner or later.

[pinballjim]

Watched some of the press conference on the news last night.  I dunno, guys, this looks an awful like My First Tablet Playset.  Interface and features seem awfully kiddie.

Went ahead and pre-ordered one at Best Buy, though.  WTF YOLO

[Well Fed Games]

Went ahead and pre-ordered one at Best Buy, though.  WTF YOLO

September 14th, 2012. The day YOLO reached the arcade controls forums. While some took it as an ironic use of a popular acronym, others saw the occurrence for what it was: the first sign of the coming apocalypse.

[ChadTower]

• how easy will my kids dropping it kill the tablet controller thing?

That's a very good question.  I hadn't thought of that yet.  Nintendo does have a history of making things that stand up to kids being rough with it... but this is a tablet...

[Mysterioii]

...so there's zero point in getting the 32gb version...unless the packin game is >$35-40 or so since you can EASILY get memory/storage of 32gb or greater for $10 or so.

You also get the game as you mentioned, the stand and dock, and premium access to the Nintendo Network store (whatever they call it) until 2014 with promises of 10% off digital downloads. So it seems the extra $50 may pay for itself depending on your download habits.

And as Chad suggested, I am guessing there could be some catch to using external storage - like limitations to what you can use it for.

It doesn't say that you can use ANY external USB device, does it?  The implication is there, but maybe it only works with 16GB Nintendo-branded thumb drives for $80....

[Howard_Casto]

• how easy will my kids dropping it kill the tablet controller thing?

That's a very good question.  I hadn't thought of that yet.  Nintendo does have a history of making things that stand up to kids being rough with it... but this is a tablet...

Well those cost analysis guys (you lknow how off they can be) as well as a price point set by the stand-alone controller being offered in Japan suggests that the controller is 150 dollars of the 300 dollar price tag.  I'm hoping at least that the thing would be durable considering the cost. 

This is also the reason, btw, that Nintendo won't sell a stand alone controller  in NA yet.  They are hoping to get the cost down to something more reasonable.  And right now ZERO launch titles can use multiple tablet controllers, so it would be a waste of money to get one anyway.

[ChadTower]

This is also the reason, btw, that Nintendo won't sell a stand alone controller  in NA yet.  They are hoping to get the cost down to something more reasonable.  And right now ZERO launch titles can use multiple tablet controllers, so it would be a waste of money to get one anyway.

It would be an awful bummer for your tablet to get broken and end up unable to play any of the Wii U games.  Or to lose access to all of your multimedia stuff because you went all in on Wii TVii.

[Howard_Casto]

Well Nintendo usually gives a 1-2 year warranty on their consoles, so I don't think that would be an issue until they actually do start selling the tablet controllers.

[pinballjim]

Less moaning, more pre-ordering.

 

[hypernova]

I'm hoping I can hold out on this one until at least one price drop.  I don't see any other major franchises like Zelda, Metroid, or Smash Bros scheduled for release any time soon.

And CoD Black Ops II is the same as the ones being released for the other systems, so it's nothing special.

[DaveMMR]

Interface and features seem awfully kiddie.

Jim meet Nintendo.   

In all seriousness, it would actually seem very alien of Nintendo if their hardware WASN'T "family-friendly" (read: kiddie.) I don't it mind it terribly.

[Well Fed Games]

Interface and features seem awfully kiddie.

Jim meet Nintendo.   

In all seriousness, it would actually seem very alien of Nintendo if their hardware WASN'T "family-friendly" (read: kiddie.) I don't it mind it terribly.

This is why touting Bayonetta 2 as an exclusive seems kind of off pitch for them.

[Howard_Casto]

Don't confuse kiddie with clean and easy to use. 

I know that the wii "channel" menu is, to this date, still the best interface on all of the consoles and it has remained virtually unchanged for 6 years. 

I can remember my first experince with the microsoft "blade" interface back in the day thinking "yup microsoft designed this pos alright" Umpteen revisions later and the dash is now *almost* as good as the wii's.  It's still cumbersome and convoluted though.... one or two settings are buried so deep I have to check online to figure out how to set them and it's a good thing they added bing search, because you sure can't find anything in the marketplace via navigation. 

As for bayonetta... I don't think anybody cares either way.  It's kind of a cult game that nobody liked, so getting a sequel as an exclusive isn't much of a feature. 

I'm seriously disturbed by the lack of capcom support myself.  The Wii U should be more than capable of handling RE6 and yet they haven't made an announcment for the game yet.  I mean look at UbiSoft.... all of their games will be released on the Wii U that were originally going to be ps3/360 titles. 

[shmokes]

As for bayonetta... I don't think anybody cares either way.  It's kind of a cult game that nobody liked, so getting a sequel as an exclusive isn't much of a feature. 

Actually critics near-universally loved it. I tried to get into it, though, and thought it was dreadful. I really wanted to like it, too. The main character is an impossibly proportioned angel slaughtering naked chick who covers up her naughty parts with nothing but her long hair. Amazing. Unfortunately, the game was just the same thing over and over and over, ad nauseum.

[shmokes]

Wii TVii works with what you've got and gives you options.  It's like the smartest smart remote ever. 

Hmm . . . that doesn't appeal to me at all. Anyway, isn't that already what the poorly received Google TV does? Regardless . . . even if it's amazing for lots of people, it's not for me. I don't have any TV service. Everything I watch is streamed or downloaded. And I already use XBMC. I understand that XBMC is not a reasonable solution for the average person. But it's a far better solution for me than what you described, i think.

[SithMaster]

Chad I'm pretty sure PBJ had a topic awhiles back on using hdmi Y cables to have multiple things connected to one port.  The only higgle I remember was if two devices using the same port were turned on so that might be an issue for you.

Someone commented that they shouldn't be releasing extra tablet controllers for a while since that would impair supply of complete units available for sale for something no one can use immediately.  That and they could bundle an extra tablet with a game to increase perceived value.  To bad people can't use a DS/3DS as a controller.

Its interesting how after the price announcement Walmart bumped the price of the kinect bundle by around $50.  The price for the WiiU probably reflects how nintendo could have made more money if they priced the wii higher at launch since supply allegedly lost to demand.

As far as capcom goes I wouldn't be surprised if they announce res6 in the new year to at least see how well the system does in sales.

[ahofle]

I really don't want to buy one of these, but a Metroid game in HD will be too much for me to resist.  For that matter, it's amazing to think that as of late 2012 Mario has never been rendered in higher than 640x480 resolution.

[pinballjim]

I've googled the hell out of this but no love yet.

Can anyone confirm whether or not the New Super Marios Bros Wii-U (or whatever) is new levels?  It looks like exactly the same game in the screenshots.  I'll likely cancel my pre-order if it's just the same game again.

[Howard_Casto]

I've googled the hell out of this but no love yet.

Can anyone confirm whether or not the New Super Marios Bros Wii-U (or whatever) is new levels?  It looks like exactly the same game in the screenshots.  I'll likely cancel my pre-order if it's just the same game again.

It's a brand new game.... they have new machanics like the flying squirrel suit as well.  Now it's obviously going to look a lot like NSMBWii and NSMBDS ect... because they are all essentially running on the same engine.  That series is notorious for revisiting a level or two from previous titles though, so don't be suprised if you've played a few of the levels before. 

[pinballjim]

Pre-orders are sold out... maybe I'll just flip this thing on Craig's List.