Topic: Radio Free Nintendo Episode 4 - Wii Rumors Within

[StrikerObi]

The 4th podcast is done and ready. As usual, you forum peeps are getting first dips. This won't be on the site for about another hour.

AAC Version (enhanced for iTunes/iPod)

MP3 Version

Stream it via Odeo!  

[nemo_83]

I think they need to pack in a small (replaceable) ten gig hard drive just for the VC and Wii24 downloads, otherwise, people are going to end up with three hundred dollars worth of SD cards.  Seriously who wants to pay eighty dollars for every two gigs of storage on SD cards?  

I would have two packages.  


Tard pack:  $149 for console, remote, nunchuck, remote strap, remote charger cord, one SD card, and your TV hook ups.

Smart pack:  $249 for console, two remotes, one nunchuck, one pistol, two remote straps, two remote charger cords, ten gig harddrive, Wii sports pack-in, and five free VC games.  

[Pale]

Let the silly game stores make their silly and worthless packages.  The discounts are always minute and pointless anyway.

I want to decide exactly what I want to buy.

[BlkPaladin]

One 2Gig SD card should be more than enough for anyone, not to mention since it is data you can store it on the computer. On 2GB you can store 31 N64 games.

[Artimus]

More like 80 some N64 games.

Don't forget you can also likely use an external drive.

[nemo_83]

moving data from an SD card would require me to use the Wii, my PC, my PDA, and its hub station.  

Nintendo's new slogan should be, "we're about making things more complicated every consecutive year; who can forget classics like GBA/GCN connectivity, or more recent hits among the hardcore gamers like friend codes."

I really think it would simplify things to have a standard harddrive; forget my stupid packages, I was just brain storming.  

[Pale]

And how would you move data from a built in hard drive?

News Flash: Nintendo doesn't want you to move data to your PC.  Expect the SD cards to be encrypted and take some effort and cracking to do that.  Why do you want data on your PC anyway?  Surely not to pirate stuff.

[StrikerObi]

They've already said that the Wii will accept lots of forms of external storage.

[nemo_83]

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
And how would you move data from a built in hard drive?

News Flash: Nintendo doesn't want you to move data to your PC.  Expect the SD cards to be encrypted and take some effort and cracking to do that.  Why do you want data on your PC anyway?  Surely not to pirate stuff.

I don't want to have to store my VC games on my PC, I want the Wii to come with its own HD so I don't have to deal with multiple pieces of hardware.  

[Kairon]

Packing in more storage space is talking about the cart before the horse (or something like that). I'm fairly certain that the majority of Wii users, casual gamers, won't download anywhere near 512 MBs of games.

Thus, more storage capacity off-the-bat is a hardcore game only concern, and thus secondary to the mass-appeal issue of price, durability, and simplicity.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[nemo_83]

if they pack in more memory storage then developers will be more encouraged to do updates, downloads, demos, and full on new games through the VC

[Kairon]

I suspect that Nintendo isn't hot on the "updates and expansions via download" rout for games. At least not to the extent that Hardcore gamers are used to with Oblivion etc. I think that for the things that Nintendo DOES have in mind, they think that 512 MB is more than enough.

And remember, focus on the mainstream casual gamer, not on the technical bells and whistles hardcore gamers dream over.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com  

[AnyoneEB]

I thought people had been saying that you may be able to hook up any USB mass storage device to the USB ports.  Then you could plug-in any normal card adapter, any USB flash stick, and any USB hard drive enclosure. That would make sense.

[TrueNerd]

So, I need an answer to a question that I probably should already know. The guest host (don't know his name) said he'll be importing Super Paper Mario from Japan on August 3rd. Sounds pretty sweet, considering that's two months before we'll get it here in the States. Now, I know the DS is region free, but is the GameCube? Do I need some kind of mod to play Super Paper Mario two months early?  

[vudu]

The GameCube is not region-free.  You'll need either a modded Cube or a Freeloader to play import games.

[King of Twitch]

I like to keep my save files on games I've rented, but it uses up a lot of memory space. It'd be cool to save those on my computer with the wii but if I can't, oh well I guess. I'll be happy with having more options than just MC59.

[StrikerObi]

Um, the system will work with "many forums of external storage" according to Iwata. Just run a USB cable to your PC... problem solved.

Also, game saves take up next to no space. You should never need more than 512MB.

[King of Twitch]

Curse my skimming I should've known better

[BigJim]

Iwata said the Wii could work with a HDD via USB.  There was no guarantee of a product. Just the possibility.

Don't get your hopes up that any off-the-shelf external HDD will just work, or assume that Nintendo will market their own yet.  

[Pale]

Yeah, I'm personally quite skeptical of being able to hook any drive up to it.  It would open the door for MANY pirating opportunities, especially with VC games.  It could even move into actual games as well.

When have we known Nintendo to open a door like that?

I realize he said it, but still...

[AnyoneEB]

Pale: Why? If Nintendo is worried they can use DRM on paid VC downloads like the iTunes DRM tied to the Wii's serial number. (Free downloads and save files would be unprotected and could be transfered between Wiis, I hope.) It will get cracked eventually, but it will be enough to keep the average consumer from pirating VC games. After all, if someone is willing pirate the classic VC games, they can download the ROMs already quite easily. Also, the low prices will discourage pirates.

[BiLdItUp1]

Hey guys, I'm dling the new podcast on iTunes now, and I was just wondering, does the name of the podcast ("RadioFreeNintendo") resemble the changed name of PGC?

[BiLdItUp1]

Also re on external storage and SD card use - Nintendo has NOT revealed whether they're going to use the standard FAT/FAT32 file system (from my post is a train wreck) to read SD cards and outside devices. I don't see how they could get around this, short of using some proprietary journaling FS from Linux or developing their own. Such a file system would be incompatible with the majority of computers. Somehow, I think Nintendo will bite the bullet and license FAT32, if only because it just MAKES SENSE. The SD port could be used for lots of multimedia purposes - viewing photos/movies taken by a DigiCam and music are the two most obvious - which could also be applied in games. Facemapping from pictures taken on a real digital camera for example, or background music ala Xbox. Of course, this doesn't exactly square with Nintendo's philosophy, but they haven't spoken much about it, and I'm hoping for a surprise. SD cards, btw, are getting VERY cheap. Right now, after rebates, a 2GB card could be had for $35, and it can only go down from there moving forward.  

[Jonnyboy117]

The podcast name is independent of the site's old and new name.  The new name hasn't even been decided yet, but we are discussing it and are getting closer to a decision.  It has been somewhat delayed by needing to sort out some other things first, including our new ad networks, which will make sure the site is around long enough to warrant a new name and redesign.  :-)

[vudu]

Any chance you'd like some user-input?