As we’ve posted earlier, speculation is aloft that Nintendo will be coming out with either an HD version of the Wii, or a new console all together. Having only launched in November of 2006, the Wii is not even 5 years old yet. This is still fairly young to middle aged as consoles are concerned nowadays. The Nintendo GameCube lasted nearly 7 years before being discontinued, and the direct competition, Sony’s Playstation 2 has been around, and still supported (although barely) for 11 years.
So why the outs for the current Wii? Here’s our take:
When the Wii first launched back in 2006, it was one of a kind. It’s solution to motion controlled gaming was creative and elegant, and truly did set a trend for the future of gaming. For those readers unfamiliar with how the Wii operates, here’s a basic explanation. The sensor bar utilized by the Wii is named rather deceptively. There is nothing even resembling any form of sensor actually built into that bar. The sensor bar is actually a set of of 4 infrared light emitters (2 bulbs on each side). You can confirm this yourself by pointing your cell phone camera at the sensor bar while it is on. All of the work is done in the Wii remote itself. When pointing the remote at the sensor bar, a camera built into the end of the remote (the large black portion on the front), is detecting those IR lights, to determine the controllers orientation, as well as its general altering position. It can determine it’s orientation a little more accurately with the use of built in gyros as well.
As discussed in our motion control comparison article written months, back the Playstation Move and the Microsoft Kinect are far more advanced. Due to the technology used in the Wii, the remote is little more than a glorified yard stick. Pointing at the screen, your position in Z space is irrelevant. The point you are pointing at will be hit in the same manner no matter where you stand, or what direction your remote is coming from. Because the Move, and Kinect interpret 3D space in addition to motion, far more can be done with them. This isn’t a fault of Nintendo’s. Again, they tackled this system first, created an elegant solution to make it happen, but now without 3D depth detection, are pigeon holed into a very particular set of motion controlled gaming. They simply cannot perform motion controls like the competitor anymore. They are however still outselling, and are more well known for motion controlled gaming than its competitors. Largely due to coming first, and doing it nearly 5 years longer than anyone else.
We want to hear your thoughts and ideas. Is abandoning the Wii in favor of a new console a good strategy? The prospect of improved graphics, and possibly improved motion controls is nice, but this will force gamers and current Wii owners to prematurely buy a new system (remember, many people were unable to even find a Wii to purchase on a regular basis until 2 – 3 years ago) . Leave some comments and let us hear what you think on the matter!
the wii now sucks and new buying a new updated one still sucks
So just because something is inferior in your mind, that means it can’t be improved upon?
Having a HDTV, I wouldn’t mind the option of a HD unit that was backwards compatable with my current Wii library. I have to admit that this last year or so, I stopped buying digital distributed games, becuase of the way Nintendo locks the to the system you buy them on. Unlike on my PS3 where I can re-download my games if I get a new system, I’m going to lose my downloaded games when a new ststem comes out. This is the only thing I am unhappy about with a new Nintendo system.
Agreed, however if you do call nintendo and make a fuss, they are able to either transfer them for you (you’d have to send out your consoles for them to do it) or at least reimburse you wiipoints to re-purchase. I’ve heard it both ways with people. To have to do either though is a pain in the neck, and their online system really does need to be improved and streamlined, i agree there.
I think it will definitely make a lot of people angry, seeing as many of them did just finally get a Wii, after years of trying. But in the long run it’s a good move. Wii owners are going to be left behind in the motion controlled world of gaming. The wii just simply cannot do what the competition can now. When I worked for Gamestop, prior to this announcement I was telling all my customers, Nintendos focus will more than likely now be shifted on 3ds, as the wii is simply outdated technology. If it was just graphics that were outdated, then fine you deal with that. and do the best you can. Now they have a system that can’t compete graphically, and doesn’t do its intended purpose as well as the competition. It’s really the only move Nintendo can make.
To bad they can’t just somehow do an upgrade. If they do decide to make a new console, hopefully you can still use the games from the original Wii on the new one. It’s to bad companies don’t do a trade-in (I don’t mean what you can do at your local Gamestop) but say Nintendo would have you send them your original Wii and say $75 bucks to get the new console, and for those who don’t have one to trade in pay the full price.
If there’s one thing Nintendo does, and does well, it’s backwards compatibility. I’d be shocked if this new console didn’t play current wii games. I’d also be somewhat surprised if it still didn’t play Gamecube games.
The games writer in me says, “good move.” The gamer in me says, “I just bought an (expletive deleted) Wii this past holiday!! (expletive deleted)!!!!”