Wii U hardware discussion and investigation *rename

[sfried]

I am sure Nintendo will make 3DS as an alternative to Wuupad somehow, maybe using an additional add on to 3DS.

After the confirmation that the Expansion Slide Pad for 3DS also features a second set of analogue shoulder buttons (See editor's reply with pic), I'm starting to believe it is likely. Question is how it will keep latency down.

 

[bgassassin]

I never believed it for a second.

Armchair message boarders are always massively too aggressive on process shrinks. Just go to any negoaf next gen speculation thread...they'll probably be penciling in PS4/XB720 for 18nm fall 2012 or something...

I had a couple of separate debates with someone arguing the possibility of PS4/Xbox3 having 22nm if they came out late enough.

 

[V3]

Networked DSes exchange position and player actions through Wifi and each console renders its own game.
The tabletmote has no rendering or processing capabilities at all, it receives a video+audio stream from the main console and send back the remote input.
The amount of data between Wii U and tabletmote is probably thousands of times larger than the data transferred between DSes.

A fair comparison would be how many Wii Us you could connect through WiFi with one of them being used as a server. I'd say some dozens isn't unrealistic. But that's a moot point. Who would buy several Wii U's for one house?

Then that's what Nintendo should do, they should at least fit the tablet with a mobile version of Wii U GPU (The screen in Wii U is estimated to be only WVGA).

So while it still can receives video and audio stream from Wii U main unit, when dev called for multiplayer mode or a standalone tablet mode it can do what DSes does. If the tablet has its own CPU+GPU, you can take it elsewhere too, have its own games. Wii U as a whole will just function better, if Nintendo includes CPU+GPU on the tablet as well.

 

[MDX]

Then that's what Nintendo should do, they should at least fit the tablet with a mobile version of Wii U GPU (The screen in Wii U is estimated to be only WVGA).

So while it still can receives video and audio stream from Wii U main unit, when dev called for multiplayer mode or a standalone tablet mode it can do what DSes does. If the tablet has its own CPU+GPU, you can take it elsewhere too, have its own games. Wii U as a whole will just function better, if Nintendo includes CPU+GPU on the tablet as well.

And how much memory should it have to store games on?
And what kind of battery should it run on?
How much would you be willing to pay for it?

You might as well just buy the 3DS.

 

[fearsomepirate]

Really poor effort

Come on...the thing is basically a restatement of failed ideas from 2001. Maybe the reason a controller with a screen didn't set the market on fire in 2001 was cost and cables...or maybe it's just not that great of an idea. They've packed in the motion controllers, but my bet's on them trying to emphasize the screen in their internal software development. And the reason I say they've made it even worse is that it's all about playing alone. The Wii was a social phenomenon. Wii U is targeted at...who, exactly? I'm your typical 'hardcore gamer,' and I've got no interest. My dad bought every Tiger Woods for the Wii, and he's got no interest. I guess they're retreating to the kids' market (my friends with young kids are thinking about it)...i.e., the Gamecube.

The problem is their software support for the Wii has stunk. A lot of people were really let down when by 2009, they realized Nintendo just had zero interest in making motion-controlled games...they just liked making new hardware and playing around with it until they got bored, not until consumers got bored (now they're into 3D). So what's going to convince people, even if a single-touch tablet with gigantic cable is something that people want, that Nintendo's going to do anything more than release 3 or 4 games that use the tablet, then prematurely kill off software development in order to chase after some other new gimmick?

 

[Deleted member 13524]

Come on...the thing is basically a restatement of failed ideas from 2001.
(...)

Wait.. are you talking about the iPad?

 

[AlNom]

Gamecube and GBA had interconnectivity for multiple screens beyond just extra controllers. Splinter Cell for instance.

 

[bgassassin]

Then that's what Nintendo should do, they should at least fit the tablet with a mobile version of Wii U GPU (The screen in Wii U is estimated to be only WVGA).

So while it still can receives video and audio stream from Wii U main unit, when dev called for multiplayer mode or a standalone tablet mode it can do what DSes does. If the tablet has its own CPU+GPU, you can take it elsewhere too, have its own games. Wii U as a whole will just function better, if Nintendo includes CPU+GPU on the tablet as well.

You may have missed my response to you, but I pointed out that Wii U is capable of handling up to four controllers.

 

[Teasy]

Come on...the thing is basically a restatement of failed ideas from 2001. Maybe the reason a controller with a screen didn't set the market on fire in 2001 was cost and cables...or maybe it's just not that great of an idea. They've packed in the motion controllers, but my bet's on them trying to emphasize the screen in their internal software development. And the reason I say they've made it even worse is that it's all about playing alone. The Wii was a social phenomenon. Wii U is targeted at...who, exactly? I'm your typical 'hardcore gamer,' and I've got no interest. My dad bought every Tiger Woods for the Wii, and he's got no interest. I guess they're retreating to the kids' market (my friends with young kids are thinking about it)...i.e., the Gamecube.

A controller with a screen in 2001?, are you referring to GBA/GC connectivity? GC didn't come with a GBA or allow you to play any GC game on the GBA just the same as its played on a TV, its a none comparison. Also you and you're dad don't define the target market for a console..

Personally I'm looking forward to a Nintendo consoles that'll be the most powerful ever and more focused on traditional games again. The touch screen on the controller is interesting and I can see how it can add a lot to gameplay, but its something I'll wait and see on. I'm also looking forward to much improved online in comparison to Wii. I didn't even think you were serious with that "GameCube HD with worse connectivity" comment , hence my reply.

The problem is their software support for the Wii has stunk. A lot of people were really let down when by 2009, they realized Nintendo just had zero interest in making motion-controlled games...they just liked making new hardware and playing around with it until they got bored, not until consumers got bored (now they're into 3D). So what's going to convince people, even if a single-touch tablet with gigantic cable is something that people want, that Nintendo's going to do anything more than release 3 or 4 games that use the tablet, then prematurely kill off software development in order to chase after some other new gimmick?

That's a fair point and something Nintendo will have to work hard on. I don't know if they'll be able to fix it all in one generation, but moving back towards more traditional games is a good start.

 

[MDX]

Metro: Last Light and Darksiders 2 will be “superior” on Wii U

The future of WWE videogames.

Recently, I had a chance to speak with an employee at THQ about the future of the future of THQ, who publishes all of the WWE licensed games. Due to some of content in these conversations, the THQ employee has asked me to keep him anonymous to avoid controversy. If you are a gamer, then you might find some interest in article. The comments in this interview do NOT reflect the beliefs or opinions of THQ as a company.

...

Question: What games should gamers be most excited for from THQ?

THQ Employee: Well, personally, gamers most excited for "Darksiders II" and "Metro: Last Light".

Question: And what platforms will we see these games on?

THQ Employee: Both games are expected for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii U, and PC.

Question: Is there any graphical differences between the console versions and the PC version.

THQ Employee: Well I would expect the PC versions to be graphically superior over the console versions. And I'm sure the Wii U versions of Darksiders 2 and Metro Last Light will be superior to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions.

Question: In what ways would the Wii U version be superior over the 360/PS3 versions?

THQ Employee: Well the Wii U is full of potential as far as specs go. I know that Metro: Last Light is running at a good 50-60 fps on the PC, so I'm not sure how the Wii U version will compare to that. But the Wii U version of games from ALL developers and publishers, have potential for much smoother framerates, improved textures, and additional bonus content that the 360/PS3 version's won't have. In a way, buying the Wii U version over the 360/PS3 versions, will be like buying the Blu-ray version of a movie instead of the standard dvd version. You get better visuals, and more additional content with the Wii U version of any game compared to the other console version. But this will only happen as long as a developer or publisher puts in the time and effort instead of doing a straight port.

Question: I noticed a lot of games for 360 and PS3 don't take advantage of TRUE 1080p. Could we see more games on Wii U taking advantage of true 1080p resolution?

THQ Employee: The Wii U is much more powerful than the other HD consoles, so Wii U doesn't have a huge problem doing 1080p for the majority of its games. Will Darksiders 2 and Metro: Last Light be in 1080p on Wii U? I can't speak for the teams behind those games. I don't work on those specific teams so I can't say what they plan to do with the Wii U versions of their games as far as graphics or content go. I do know based on the specs I've seen, the console is more than capable of graphics that surpass current consoles. It's like I said before. Expect majority of third party Wii U games from most publishers to have true 1080p, additional content, and smoother framrates than what the PS3/360 versions offer. If you want the DEFINITIVE version of any game in your library, I would suggest either the PC version or the Wii U version...at least for now. This is not a knock agains the 360/PS3 versions of any games either. Fans of the 360 and PS3 are the majority of the gamers who games...period. So publishers have to give them the best product we can.

Question: There is a lot of emphasis on graphics nowadays. Where do you see graphics going with future consoles? And will the Wii U be able to graphically compete against new consoles from Sony and Microsoft?

THQ Employee: Listening to people within the company, people are pretty happy with the specs of the Wii U. I don't think anyone has anything to worry about. There is one thing I want to mention though. Better graphics is not all rosey for gamers in the long run. Better graphics means that game developers have to increase their staff and their budgets so games will tap into the full potential of next gen hardware. The costs to hire more artists or programmers to a team would get passed down to gamers. Which is why 360 and PS3 games went up 10 bucks compared to the previous generation with Playstation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. It's fun to dream about the possibilities of the kind of graphics you could see if a console had 10 times better graphics than the current consoles. But with a console that is 10 times more powerful...expect 10 dollars to be added to the price tag every generation. Again, I'm just speculating. I'm not saying any publisher would add to the price. But games aren't selling like they use to, and costs to produce high budget games need to be passed down to the consumers who can afford to play. I predict a very expensive future in gaming.

http://wiiugo.com/metro-last-light-and-darksiders-2-will-be-superior-on-wii-u/
http://www.fedwars.net/wrestling_article.php?article_id=6


I wonder which version DEV kits they are basing this from?

 

[Rangers]

It looks like that article/website isn't very credible.

 

[homerdog]

It looks like that article/website isn't very credible.

Maybe, but it doesn't take much to be "much more powerful" than the X360 or PS3. Even lowish end modern hardware would slam those consoles. It just wouldn't be hard for Nintendo to make the Wu twice that, and the benefits would be huge for Nintendo if multiplat titles looked way better on their console.

So I do expect the Wu to be the most powerful console for a while. And if it's more powerful than my GTX260 I won't be able to show my face in public, though I don't think that's likely.

 

[Deleted member 13524]

I agree that some things in the article sound a bit off, and the website doesn't inspire much confidence.

The "content" talk seems like something actually coming from someone in the industry, but then there's something like this:

I know that Metro: Last Light is running at a good 50-60 fps on the PC, so I'm not sure how the Wii U version will compare to that.

"On the PC"? What PC? The run-of-the-mill laptop with a 2GHz Core i5 + HD5650M? 6-core SandyBridge-E + three GTX580 in SLI?

It's an awfully generic statement.

 

[MDX]

I agree that some things in the article sound a bit off, and the website doesn't inspire much confidence.

The "content" talk seems like something actually coming from someone in the industry, but then there's something like this:




"On the PC"? What PC? The run-of-the-mill laptop with a 2GHz Core i5 + HD5650M? 6-core SandyBridge-E + three GTX580 in SLI?

It's an awfully generic statement.

True, but nots like we just heard audio. Someone transcribed an interview to words. Who knows how accurate he or she was in the process. This is after all for a website dedicated to wrestling info.

The interviewer happened to get more info from the source simply because their angle was different- caught the 'THQ rep' off-guard. But nothing that was said was contrary to what other developers have been saying. Those who have said anything about the WiiU have basically said positive things about its capabilities.

Im sure the WiiU will have some graphical surprises in store, and will hold its own against anything that MS or Sony will offer. Each one of these guys will have to look for a USP this time around. Sony doesn't have Blu-ray as a selling point, MS wont be able to rely only on its online, and neither can make a big deal about being HD because their last consoles were HD.

I would like to know how much $$$ R&D Sony and MS have been putting into their future consoles.

 

[bgassassin]

And if it's more powerful than my GTX260 I won't be able to show my face in public, though I don't think that's likely.

I can see it being more powerful. Not saying you're one of them, but somehow some people are acting like the specs we heard for the first dev kit all of a sudden means that will be the final final version. I don't recall any alpha kits looking exactly like the final or else Xbox 360 owners would be gaming on Apple G5s.

 

[Megadrive1988]

I finally saw the B3D article. Great work guys. I'm so interested in what's inside the Wii U, this thread will be great to read over the course of the next coupple days.

 

[homerdog]

I can see it being more powerful. Not saying you're one of them, but somehow some people are acting like the specs we heard for the first dev kit all of a sudden means that will be the final final version. I don't recall any alpha kits looking exactly like the final or else Xbox 360 owners would be gaming on Apple G5s.

Really? That doesn't seem very likely but we shall see, and all kidding aside I'd be super happy if it outpaces my PC.

 

[pjbliverpool]

Really? That doesn't seem very likely but we shall see, and all kidding aside I'd be super happy if it outpaces my PC.

That would put it above 4850 level performance with most seem to thing is the absolute highest it's going to get, albeit pretty unlikely. So I don't think it will match your GPU. It won't come close on RAM. CPU will be interesting.

 

[bgassassin]

Really? That doesn't seem very likely but we shall see, and all kidding aside I'd be super happy if it outpaces my PC.

As long as you don't stick with what we heard back in April, it makes sense. After all, we heard what the first dev kit had and later on we heard they were underclocked due to heat yet we still saw some decent demos considering those factors.

That would put it above 4850 level performance with most seem to thing is the absolute highest it's going to get, albeit pretty unlikely. So I don't think it will match your GPU. It won't come close on RAM. CPU will be interesting.

The first dev kit already had at least 1.5GB of memory so there's really no reason to doubt the final won't have more than a GTX260. You're doing what I mentioned before. Taking the first dev kit specs and treating them like that's going to be the final. We've already seen them taking from post-R700 cards. lherre said there was maybe one thing on the specs given to them that resembled an R700. To me that would probably be the ALU count since he said they didn't have clocks at that time. I also seriously doubt they would stick with an R700 tessellator. That wouldn't make much sense considering how picky Nintendo is about how their games look on top of how they play.

 

[pjbliverpool]

The first dev kit already had at least 1.5GB of memory so there's really no reason to doubt the final won't have more than a GTX260. You're doing what I mentioned before. Taking the first dev kit specs and treating them like that's going to be the final.

Dev kits usually have more memory than the final hardware, not less. Besides, that 1.5GB is split between system and graphics. I'm guessing homerdog has 896MB dedicated to graphcs alone and then I believe anothr 4GB of system memory. WiiU isn't going to come close to that - although the end results will probably be largely similar thanks to the console environment.

I certainly won't be suprised if the WiiU GPU borrows elements from R8xx and even R9xx but in overall throughput the signs seem to point to something more modest than a 4850 both in cores and in clockspeed.

So again, raw power wise I don't expect it to match a GTX 260 but the end results will likely be comparable or maybe even better due to the console environment.