Does the Wii U really stand a chance?
If you've read my "Final Thoughts on E3 2012" blog you know how I felt about Nintendo's press conference and the state of the Wii U in general. Recently, IGN posted an article (full article here: IGN Wii U Article) where company president Satoru Iwata was asked if the Wii U would be able to compete with the next Xbox and Playstation. In a nutshell Iwata says the there will be a very small difference in the graphics and overall power of the Wii U compared with the other next gen systems. Iwata also stated that Nintendo is working to make sure that the Wii U will be able to meet technological advances and won't become out of date soon. I have different thoughts on this.
Now before you decide to flame me for this blog let me state that I do not dislike or hate Nintendo. I grew up with a NES, Super NES, Gameboy, N64, etc. However, over the last 10 or more years I have really moved away from Nintendo as far as their consoles and games are concerned. I bought a Wii and liked it for a little while. Then the fun wore off quickly and I stopped playing it, then sold it. Whenever the Wii U was first announced my initial reaction was, "Oh look. Nintendo is making a more powerful Wii that adds a tablet for a controller. Meh!" I wasn't excited for it then and even with all of the information that comes out now I'm still not excited.
In my opinion I don't think the Wii U will be as powerful or be able to keep up with the next Xbox or Playstation. I mean, the other next gen systems are coming out a year or more after the Wii U. Surely they will be adding some more goodies under the hood that the Wii U won't be able to. Microsoft is already counteracting the Wii U's gamepad with Smart Glass technology. I can also see Sony implementing the Vita to act more like a touch screen gamepad for the PS3 right now. Will the Wii U be able to handle better looking games than the Wii? Absolutely! I just don't see the system being able to compete as far as performance or graphically.
Nintendo has announced in previous interviews that the Wii U games look just as good as Xbox 360 and PS3 games. So the Wii U may be more powerful than current gen systems...but that's current gen! It still amazes me that Nintendo is showing off Wii U games that are titles released last year on the Xbox 360 and PS3. All they show are new controls or add-ons with the touch screen gamepad! It just seems that the Wii U will lack the third party support and hard hitting games that the Wii does. I don't think there's anything wrong with there being multiple gaming systems out there. I've always owned several myself. It just seems like the Wii U will be like the Wii. It'll come out strong for a few years, and then seem to flounder in the wake of the other systems.
Again, I don't hate Nintendo. I'm just disappointed in the direction they are moving. To me, Nintendo is really going to have to show some awesome new IPs, great third/first party games, more multimedia options, solid online capabilities, and that the Wii U can truly stand up with the other next gen systems. Nintendo has a large fan base and I'm sure the Wii U will sell very well. I know the Wii U hasn't been released yet and I'll admit that I could be wrong. In the not so distant future, after the Wii U is actually out in gamers' hands, it could be awesome and I'll be eating my shoe. For now, for this gamer, I'm still not sold.
Again, I don't hate Nintendo. I'm just disappointed in the direction they are moving. To me, Nintendo is really going to have to show some awesome new IPs, great third/first party games, more multimedia options, solid online capabilities, and that the Wii U can truly stand up with the other next gen systems. Nintendo has a large fan base and I'm sure the Wii U will sell very well. I know the Wii U hasn't been released yet and I'll admit that I could be wrong. In the not so distant future, after the Wii U is actually out in gamers' hands, it could be awesome and I'll be eating my shoe. For now, for this gamer, I'm still not sold.
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