The latest word is that Café will not have a hard drive.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rumor/26204
The Wii follow-up is set to contain eight gigabytes of on-board flash memory and will not use a hard drive, sources have allegedly told gaming blog Kotaku. The new system, which is scheduled to be revealed at E3, may also use a disc format that can hold 25GB of data.
It is unclear whether the system will be using a blue laser technology similar to Sony’s Blu-Ray format or red laser technology like the defunct HD-DVD format and regular DVD. A dual-layer HD-DVD can hold 30GB of data, while a single-layer Blu-Ray disc can hold 25GB. Additionally, the console is expected to use SD cards for saving. High definition graphics are expected as the system is set to support resolutions up to 1080p.
Eight gigabytes is an increase from the Wii's 512MB of internal storage, and works out to approximately 64,000 blocks in Wii terms.
It is noted that specifications could easily be altered before launch.
There is no way any hard core gamer will take a system with 1/20th the storage space of current-gen systems as a legitimate next-gen system.
I sense another patch job in the works to allow SD card storage just like the Wii.
I sense another patch job in the works to allow SD card storage just like the Wii.
What do you mean "patch job"? The rumor is that the console will ship with SD card storage support.
I sense another patch job in the works to allow SD card storage just like the Wii.
What do you mean "patch job"? The rumor is that the console will ship with SD card storage support.
In the sense that it's a bandaid being placed on an axe wound. Given this pitiful main storage amount, I'd be surprised if we could actually play the games off the SD card. We'd probably have a 5-6 GB limit on game size, which would have to temporarily copy into memory like we have with the Wii.
I sense another patch job in the works to allow SD card storage just like the Wii.
What do you mean "patch job"? The rumor is that the console will ship with SD card storage support.
In the sense that it's a bandaid being placed on an axe wound. Given this pitiful main storage amount, I'd be surprised if we could actually play the games off the SD card. We'd probably have a 5-6 GB limit on game size, which would have to temporarily copy into memory like we have with the Wii.
I don't know the technical ins and outs, but it seems like if they design it that way from the beginning, the console could be capable of launching from an SD card. Definitely correct me if this isn't possible, though.
I don't know the technical ins and outs, but it seems like if they design it that way from the beginning, the console could be capable of launching from an SD card. Definitely correct me if this isn't possible, though.
I don't know the technical ins and outs, but it seems like if they design it that way from the beginning, the console could be capable of launching from an SD card. Definitely correct me if this isn't possible, though.
The question is whether the Wii 2's internal memory is designed in such a way that the system doesn't have to temporarily copy the data from the SD card before it can be run. What we have right now with the Wii's SD card support is functional and certainly better than what we started with, but I would hope for better from the next Nintendo console.
Well, the other thing mentioned in this rumor is 25gb game discs. Will this make the 360's DVD look old and busted?
This is pretty much going to screw Nintendo on DLC and downloadable games. Odds are they'll still get the main release but the other consoles will get exclusive DLC and we'll get the same bullshit where a downloadable title is on every format except Wii Ware due to size restrictions. I predict the Super Wii will lose some third party games because of this and will commonly get the "worst" version of multiplatform releases.
Unless this thing comes with an insanely large SD card but how big to those get and how expensive is it? The biggest ones I see in stores are 32 GB which is nothing compared to a hard drive. This is like cartridges vs. CDs again. Nintendo is all uppity about load times which NO ONE cares about. Meanwhile hard drives cost less money for more space. That is why CDs owned the **** out of cartridges and it's the same thing here. Just looking at Futureshop's web site the biggest SD card they have is 64 GB and it costs $300 while the first TB size hard drive I load up costs only $70. This is idiotic.
So, while collectively these issues might be a probably to a segment of heavy usage enthusiasts, big picture I don't think the average consumer is going to care, and that's Nintendo's bottom line. I wouldn't consider myself an average consumer, and this information still isn't making me bat an eye.
If this turns out to be true, I guess Gamecube games on Virtual Console will be out of the question at worst or difficult to manage at best. That is assuming the SD Card will work in the Super Wii as it does in the Wii.
Hey, maybe they'll let us use a hard drive through USB. That would be swell.
If this rumor is true, this is a sick joke. My 360 has 120 GB and my PS3 160 GB, and if I didn't routinely delete install data for games I'm no longer playing I would have run out of space a long time ago. Even deleting old install data, I still only have something like 40-50 gb left on my PS3.
I should do that.If this rumor is true, this is a sick joke. My 360 has 120 GB and my PS3 160 GB, and if I didn't routinely delete install data for games I'm no longer playing I would have run out of space a long time ago. Even deleting old install data, I still only have something like 40-50 gb left on my PS3.
Why don't you upgrade your HDD then? I installed a 500gb HDD on my friend's PS3 replacing his old 80gb. Its ridiculously simple to do and all you need is a screwdriver. I heard the 360 only accepts proprietary expensive Microsoft approved HDDs, so upgrading that is more expensive, but the PS3 will accept any generic 2.5" HDD with no problem.
if the extra features of the Wii2 version of multi-plat games couldn't convince you to buy the Wii2 version because they don't have the other 120GB of HDD space you wouldn't even need for that game, then good riddance.
This console is supposed to be the one that "brings the core audience back", so I do think it matters what we want out of it. This whole "well, I guess they don't need this thing we don't to pay for" attitude is a large part of what led to the Wii being summarily abandoned by the 3rd parties.
If this rumor is true, this is a sick joke. My 360 has 120 GB and my PS3 160 GB, and if I didn't routinely delete install data for games I'm no longer playing I would have run out of space a long time ago. Even deleting old install data, I still only have something like 40-50 gb left on my PS3.
Why don't you upgrade your HDD then? I installed a 500gb HDD on my friend's PS3 replacing his old 80gb. Its ridiculously simple to do and all you need is a screwdriver. I heard the 360 only accepts proprietary expensive Microsoft approved HDDs, so upgrading that is more expensive, but the PS3 will accept any generic 2.5" HDD with no problem.
1) This is still unconfirmed.
2) Hard drives = moving parts = more potential for hardware problems.
3) Who's to say they won't support a USB hard drive in addition, offering developers the option to require it?
If true this shouldn't be a problem I think. SD cards are cheap and are getting larger. Those that would be willing to buy DLC would be willing to pick up a SD card or cards.
16GB plus the 8GB onboard should be plenty for 95% of the customer base.
Most DLC probably wouldn't be over 100MB anyway, most Wii2Ware probably won't cross .5GB & outside of the possibility of GC games on the VC, no VC games are gonna be bigger than 256MB, so 8GB + 16GB expanded will cover almost everyone.
To me it just seems like if Nintendo didn't do the exact same thing as the other consoles, then they didn't do it right.
Cloud gaming/storage anyone? I have a feeling Nintendo is going to do something "cloud" based this time around.
The original Xbox has 0 bytes of onboard storage (+ 8GB HDD)
The original Xbox360 had 0 bytes of onboard storage (+ Optional 20-250GB HDD)
The PS3 has 0 bytes of onboard storage (+ 20GB - 250GB HDD)
Wii has 512MB of onboard storage
New 360slim has 4GB of onboard storage (+ Optional 250GB HDD)
3DS has 2GB of onboard storage (+ 2GB SD card)
Wii2 is rumored to have 8GB of onboard storage
sounds like Nintendo is ahead of the curve on Onboard storage
Even if they just match the included flash by giving a free 8GB card, you would still have 16GB available @ launch, and that sounds like plenty until you use one of those those other SD cards you likely have laying around somewhere or go buy a bigger one.
I would be surprised if Nintendo allowed mandatory installs.
when these hard drives in the ps3 and 360 start dying off I am going to laugh and laugh.
QuoteI would be surprised if Nintendo allowed mandatory installs.
I don't care for them but if it comes down to "mandatory install or we just don't bother releasing a Super Wii version at all" I think I would take the mandatory install. I just want them to be flexible for third parties.
Even if they just match the included flash by giving a free 8GB card, you would still have 16GB available @ launch, and that sounds like plenty until you use one of those those other SD cards you likely have laying around somewhere or go buy a bigger one.
Sheesh, you sound like Congress arguing over budget cuts. Whether we have 8 GB or 16 GB of storage at launch like your hypothesize, the underlying problem is that that's still way too small. My original PS3 had 80 GB of storage, and even that was too small for the means of installing and downloading games. If Nintendo's serious about solving storage issues, we need to be talking in the > 100 GB range, especially since by the time this console launches downloadable and mandatory-install games will only have gotten bigger in size.
What do you need 100+ gigs for anyhow? Piracy?
If this turns out to be true, I guess Gamecube games on Virtual Console will be out of the question at worst or difficult to manage at best. That is assuming the SD Card will work in the Super Wii as it does in the Wii.
Hey, maybe they'll let us use a hard drive through USB. That would be swell.
Why would you assume that? Why wouldn't you assume that it would work the same was as it does in the 3DS and allow you to launch directly from the SD card?
Loading times will already be improved therefore eliminating the need for game installs by not using a 1xBluray drive and instead using a much more recent 8xBluray drive instead1You really think Nintendo would include a faster Blu Ray drive (this is assuming they go BR)? And I recall you mentioning a non-proprietary HDD in the other topic? Are we talking about the same Nintendo? Because the Nintendo I'm privy to makes everything proprietary and takes the cheaper option every single time. I sure would have liked a faster optical drive when playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
I have demos, games, HD movies on my PS3 and it's only taking up 17 gigs. Really, you people are crazy. You don't like it? Don't buy it, simple as that. Plus, most people don't but DLC. For instance, I don't and many of my friends who are "hardcore" gamers don't either.
If this turns out to be true, I guess Gamecube games on Virtual Console will be out of the question at worst or difficult to manage at best. That is assuming the SD Card will work in the Super Wii as it does in the Wii.
Hey, maybe they'll let us use a hard drive through USB. That would be swell.
Why would you assume that? Why wouldn't you assume that it would work the same was as it does in the 3DS and allow you to launch directly from the SD card?
Oh!
Because I don't have a 3DS and wasn't aware of this particular ability.
Nintendo seems to be recognizing the importance of a system's storage solutions so I do hope that Project Cafe will have something that makes it easy to store gigs of stuff if I so choose so. I guess SD cards could work, but I would at least prefer the ability to hook up a hard drive.
Loading times will already be improved therefore eliminating the need for game installs by not using a 1xBluray drive and instead using a much more recent 8xBluray drive instead1You really think Nintendo would include a faster Blu Ray drive (this is assuming they go BR)? And I recall you mentioning a non-proprietary HDD in the other topic? Are we talking about the same Nintendo? Because the Nintendo I'm privy to makes everything proprietary and takes the cheaper option every single time. I sure would have liked a faster optical drive when playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
I have demos, games, HD movies on my PS3 and it's only taking up 17 gigs. Really, you people are crazy. You don't like it? Don't buy it, simple as that. Plus, most people don't but DLC. For instance, I don't and many of my friends who are "hardcore" gamers don't either.
Same. In fact, I've only used around 4 GB on mine.
If this turns out to be true, I guess Gamecube games on Virtual Console will be out of the question at worst or difficult to manage at best. That is assuming the SD Card will work in the Super Wii as it does in the Wii.
Hey, maybe they'll let us use a hard drive through USB. That would be swell.
Why would you assume that? Why wouldn't you assume that it would work the same was as it does in the 3DS and allow you to launch directly from the SD card?
Oh!
Because I don't have a 3DS and wasn't aware of this particular ability.
Nintendo seems to be recognizing the importance of a system's storage solutions so I do hope that Project Cafe will have something that makes it easy to store gigs of stuff if I so choose so. I guess SD cards could work, but I would at least prefer the ability to hook up a hard drive.
If you weren't aware of that, then you might not have also been aware that Nintendo packed in a free 2GB SD card with the 3DS too.
So it's entirely possible and plausible that if there is no HDD built in, that Nintendo would pack in a free SD card (already installed) to increase storage space out of the box.
I would guess at minimum 8GB and at best 32GB (like my phone)
4GB SD card goes for less than $10 ($4 - $8)
8GB SD card retails for close to $15 ($11 - $18)
16GB SD card goes for around $25 ($20 - $30)
32GB SD card will run you about $50 ($44 - $56)
I would imagine in the bulk Nintendo would order these things, they could get them at a fraction of the price I would pay above and cost them next to nothing in the grand scheme of things to include out of the box.
During a recent conversation with CNN (focused on cheaper game prices), Nintendo President Satoru Iwata suggested that the Revolution would support a multitude of storage options. Referring to the console's USB ports, Iwata confirmed that "practically any storage method can be used."And we all know that Nintendo never lets an idea just die... it just get thrown back into the pot to cook some more until the time is ready.
The Nintendo Revolution will not feature an internal hard drive. Instead, the unit will utilize 512 MB of flash memory and built-in SD memory card support. In addition, Iwata's remarks imply that Nintendo intends to, ultimately, leave the best storage solution up to the consumer's discretion — a freedom that could give Nintendo an edge (in terms of consumer satisfaction) over Sony and Microsoft.
It isn't because they're doing it different, it's because they're doing it different and WORSE.
I legitimately consider it to be inferior because it blantantly is.
Going to put another bit of my 2 cents in here. Flash is fast.Flash is fast for reading, but it is slow for writing. The things people are talking about here, using it is a temporary storage location for streaming or in-game content, would see no benefit because they require both reading and writing.
If I'm not mistaken the write time of Flash memory is faster then the Read time of Optical media. I went to find a good chart with all of them on but I can't find it. Nothing and I repeat nothing will ever be a better scratch pad then RAM.Going to put another bit of my 2 cents in here. Flash is fast.Flash is fast for reading, but it is slow for writing. The things people are talking about here, using it is a temporary storage location for streaming or in-game content, would see no benefit because they require both reading and writing.
As I pointed out before, Microsoft tried using flash memory as a temporary storage location in Windows Vista, but the slow write times meant it had no real benefit. Intel even released a dedicated mini flash memory drive to take advantage of this, called Turbo Memory, but once again the slow write times meant it didn't help in real life.
So it does not offer any benefit as a temporary storage locations, the space is too small to be useful as a permanent storage location, this is a console not a handheld so the small difference in power consumption is not a real issue, since this is a console it isn't going to move while running so the moving parts are not a major issue, and it costs about ten times more per GB. There are simply no benefits whatsoever to using flash memory in a console for consumers. None. The only possible benefit is that the lowest-price flash memory might cost less than the lowest-price hard drives (it is already hard to find any flash memory below 2 gb these days, by late next year 4 gb will probably already be on the way out). But that is simply Nintendo cutting corners to the detriment of consumers.
Rumor says that they are not including a HDD, not that they won't support one.
I can tell you why. SKU confusion. For anyone who reads or post on this forum this is not a large problem but, for the rest of the world having multiple different SKU's muddles things and the feelings of people who know who parents and like get the "inferior" version. If getting the console doesn't make Timmy happy, which is the parents reward, then getting him other products from that company/for that system may also not make Timmy Happy, a no reward all loss situation.Rumor says that they are not including a HDD, not that they won't support one.
I hope the rumor is false, or at worst it just means there is going to be a low end version of Cafe which lacks a hard drive ala the 4gb Xbox 360 but doesn't exclude an additional high end model which does include a HDD. I would gladly pay an additional $50-$100 more for a higher end Cafe that includes a HDD and other bundled perks. If the 360 can do that, why can't Nintendo? The low end 8gb model can be marketed to casuals and the high end can be more for hardcore gamers who tend to spend more on DLC and therefore need the extra storage.
