Topic: Wii Successor and Glassess Free 3D: How Will It Work?

[MaryJane]

I didn't read all the posts, but when the Wii was announced and we were still speculating on it, I suggested that it have a projector inside so you wouldn't even need a T.V, and gives it a reason to be taken outside the home.

Nintendo tried the 'take your console to your friends house' with the GC's (some would say obtrusive) handle, and it didn't work. But with how small and common projectors are getting, and their ability to display 1080p we could have a WiiHD with projector. And projectors also have the ability to display 3D, but the question is; can Nintendo pioneer glasses-free projection 3D?

I would think if such technology was readily available movie studios would have adopted it already, but it would cool if Nintendo could develop (and possible patent) this technology.

Both the PS3 and 360 have gotten midlife facelifts, but the Wii has not, so is it due for one, or is Nintendo holding back to release its successor. Nintendo does like to surprise people (maybe just to boast at how well they can keep a secret) so it would be cool to see the next Wii (facelift or successor) at E3 2011 and it would be cooler yet if the 3DS was somehow the next Wii... I'm just saying.

[Adrock]

The six button Genesis pad (which, by the way, is way better than the SNES pad) also mixed convex and concave buttons.

Ah, right you are, sir. I keep forgetting that controller exists. I still prefer the SNES controller.

Both the PS3 and 360 have gotten midlife facelifts, but the Wii has not, so is it due for one, or is Nintendo holding back to release its successor. Nintendo does like to surprise people (maybe just to boast at how well they can keep a secret) so it would be cool to see the next Wii (facelift or successor) at E3 2011 and it would be cooler yet if the 3DS was somehow the next Wii... I'm just saying.

Nintendo hasn't released a major console facelift since the SNES, unless you count the Pikachu N64 which I don't. I believe they removed the digital AV output on Gamecube, but the size and shape remained unchanged. I'm sure Nintendo could refresh the console, but why? It's pretty small as is.

[MaryJane]

Yeah, unlike the competition the Wii doesn't need to be smaller, it needs more power.

The N64 had the Expansion Pack, and the 64DDS (Im only like 90% sure that's what the disk playing attachment was called), and though they were only ever used for the GameBoy Player, and Broadband Adapter, the GC had those ports on the bottom that should have allowed for new tools like the 64 had.


While the Wii isn't necessarily built (who knows, maybe it is) to be expanded upon, a NeWii could be released that has the extra power, like DSi vs DS.

[Kytim89]

To be honest, the Wiimote and nunchuck are fine the way there are, all Nintendo really needs to do is upgrade the motion sensing of the controller and sensor bar. I mean as long as it does not have that goofy looking orb like the PS Move then everything should be okay.

[Spak-Spang]

Adrock:  I agree the SNES controller maybe the best controller ever created.  The buttons were placed well.  And it just worked perfectly and felt great in the hand.

I am not a fan of 6 face buttons.  They are great for fighters, but it is not natural feeling to move your thumb that much distance to play a game.  And if you rest your thumb and use the middle buttons it still isn't intuitive.  The 4 button face layout works perfect which is why it has become the standard.  DS, SNES, PS, Xbox, Gamecube, classic controller...ect.


MaryJane:  You just brought something interesting up...The Wii doesn't need more power, it needs more power and then talk about expansion. 

I wonder is there a way, to communicate with the Wii in a way to wake it up from sleep mode?  Basically plug the Wii into the Wii 2.0 for backwards compatibility.  You can turn on your Wii 2.0 and have a classic Wii channel that wakes up your Wii and plays Wii games through the Wii on the Wii 2.0?  It sounds needlessly complicated, but it would allow for quite a few options.  Like, being able to transfer over virtual console games...or even not needing too.  ect...  And it could help keep the Wii 2.0 cost down but still allowing backwards compatibility to be marketed.

[Ian Sane]

I think 2 controllers is fair.  So I propose Nintendo start treating the Wii remote and nunchuk for Wii 2.0 as a slngle controller unit.  When you buy an extra controller you get both.

I agree.  This is how it should have been from the get-go.  I'm pretty certain the two components were only sold seperately as a cash-grab.
 
I find it odd that some of you have problems with the CC.  The layout is like a SNES controller.  That's just second nature to me.  It's also like the, dare I say it, Dualshock which again I'm quite used to (except for the shapes as buttons, I still struggle with that).  I like how the SNES controller had the concave and convex buttons but it's not like I really used that to figure out what was what.  It's only four buttons and they work like up, down, left, right.  It was really easy for it to become second nature to me.  The similarity between that setup and a d-pad is probably why it is so easy.  It's very easy to think in that simple directional shape.  Your d-pad, face buttons and twin analog sticks all use the same basic shape.

[Kytim89]

Apparently Reggie believes that the Wii 2 is not necessary for holiday 2011. If so, I still have a strong feeling that Nintendo will reveal the Wii 2 at E3 2011 and hype it until 2012 and then release it some time that year. Christmas 2011 will most likely be the Wii's last year as Nintendo's major holiday home console.
 
http://kotaku.com/5688540/wii-2-is-not-a-must-for-late-2011

[Adrock]

I wouldn't put too much stock in that. Reggie pushed that "DS is a 3rd pillar" nonsense and I believe he also said Super Mario Galaxy would be released within 6 months of the Wii launch. I'm sure there are many other examples. I don't think he's being devious. He's only allowed to say so much and he's not privy to everything from Kyoto.

Also, keep in mind he said "Wii 2 is not a must for next holiday" but he didn't say they weren't trying. Just like they wanted to launch 3DS this year, I'm sure Nintendo would LOVE to launch their next console in November. I think Nintendo knows they've pushed the Wii as far as they can and that sales have started to drop due to market saturation and paltry 3rd party support among other things. Additionally, Nintendo themselves have one major game announced for next year (Skyward Sword) in all major territories as well as smaller releases like The Last story and Xenoblade (which already came out in Japan) if they even localize those 2 games. That's a telling sign that the focus is shifting.

Considering many of Nintendo's development teams have recently (i.e. EAD Toyko with Galaxy 2) or will be launching new titles (i.e. Retro with DCKR), I wonder how strong Nintendo's launch could be late next year. At the same time, Software Development Group No. 4 has been quiet since New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Pikmin 3 is MIA for example. Getting ports of PS3/360 games could fill the lineup and inspire confidence in the platform early. I'd bet on a reveal at E3 without a promise of a release date though I believe they're pushing to launch next fall.

[Kytim89]

For the exception of a handfull of titiles, is there any major titles from Nintendo or third parties past summer of 2011? Unless Nintendo has some new IPs or third party support rekindles then 2011 could be the last year of the Wii. But releasing the Wii 2 in 2011 would cannalbalize the 3DS and visa versa, right? What I expect to happen is that 3DS will be in all regions by the end of April next year, Skyward Sword will be out by summer and then another price cut for the Wii will announced for holiday 2011. Nintendo will spend the last two quarters of 2011 for hyping the Wii 2 for a release in 2012.

[Ian Sane]

For the exception of a handfull of titiles, is there any major titles from Nintendo or third parties past summer of 2011?

Well third party is a wash.  It's been a barren wasteland for years (hell I would argue it has been that the Wii's entire existence).
 
Meanwhile Nintendo is super secretive about future projects.  We've had times before where around this time in the year it looked like there was squat for the next year.  But it was just that Nintendo didn't announce it well in advance.  They don't like keeping us filled in.  That personally pisses me off and I see as insulting to their fanbase but that is what they've done for a while now.
 
So I don't think we can make a good prediction about when the Wii 2 is going to drop because it would not be unlike Nintendo to just drop something huge like that at some point next year, six months away from launch.

[Adrock]

But releasing the Wii 2 in 2011 would cannalbalize the 3DS and visa versa, right?

Not necessarily. Nintendo launched Gameboy Advance and Gamecube in 2001. Sales of the former didn't really affect the latter though we were living in much gentler economic times and GBA didn't cost a kidney and your first born child.

Meanwhile Nintendo is super secretive about future projects.  We've had times before where around this time in the year it looked like there was squat for the next year.  But it was just that Nintendo didn't announce it well in advance.  They don't like keeping us filled in.  That personally pisses me off and I see as insulting to their fanbase but that is what they've done for a while now.

Last year, they announced Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid Other M, and Sin and Punishment while Kirby's Epic Yarn and Donkey Kong Country Returns were unveiled at E3 2010. I don't see that happening for the Wii next year. We have Zelda as the only definite. Unless Nintendo is planning on surprising us with Star Fox and F-Zero, Skyward Sword is looking like the console's swan song. It's hard to ask for a better game to go out on.

So I don't think we can make a good prediction about when the Wii 2 is going to drop because it would not be unlike Nintendo to just drop something huge like that at some point next year, six months away from launch.

Nintendo announced DS in January 2004, unveiled it in May at E3, revealed the redesign in July, and launched in November 2004. They attempted on an even faster turn around with 3DS. Unless you're Michael Pachter, I think most of us can make an educated guess. November 2011 is a good prediction and there are a lot of telling signs pointing to it.

[NWR_insanolord]

But releasing the Wii 2 in 2011 would cannalbalize the 3DS and visa versa, right?

Not necessarily. Nintendo launched Gameboy Advance and Gamecube in 2001. Sales of the former didn't really affect the latter though we were living in much gentler economic times and GBA didn't cost a kidney and your first born child.

The 3DS could be the reason Nintendo hasn't said anything about the next console, though. I don't think releasing them both next year would cannibalize sales, but you don't want to be talking about two upcoming systems at once. If Nintendo were planning a successor to the Wii for next holiday season but didn't have the 3DS launch coming soon, I think we'd have at least some info to go on at this point. The question is whether Nintendo's silence in that regard is because there's nothing to talk about, or because their media and PR focus right now is the 3DS and they want to stay on message.

[Kytim89]

If Move and Kinect fail and some how third party support is rekindled then the Wii might have a stronger foundations going into 2012, but I do not see this happening. However, what ever happens with Move and Kinect will ultimatly decide whether thr Wii 2 gets revealed soon.
 
Is there any way the Wii 2 can be 3D like the 3DS? If not, could the 3DS help in any way?

[Spak-Spang]

I don't think a new console and 3DS will cannibalize each other.  They are very different markets.  The 3DS is going to be huge when it hits for people wanting to play games on the go, and it is going to have a huge push from everyone that owns a DS.  The Japanese market and children's market and anyone that if interested in 3D is going to jump on. 

The next Nintendo console is going to be huge for console owners that like Nintendo, but also the casual market that is excited and satisfied about the Wii experience.  Specially, if Nintendo does something great that proves Nintendo is still pushing the market forward.  I believe 2011 is the BEST time for Nintendo to release a new console.  As people are trying the PS3 Move and Kinect for the first time a lot of press and excitement for motion control is going to be pushed forward.  Ride the wave.  Show the Wii 2.0 during E3 2011 as the next advancement of motion control, and announce that it is coming early 2012. 

I know holiday 2011 would be prime buy, I can see allowing the 3DS to have holiday 2011 and releasing the Wii 2.0 March 2012.  I think holiday 2010 is the last big holiday for Nintendo Wii...look at what Nintendo is releasing this holiday...what do they really have for 2011?  I think November 2011 would steal Microsoft and Sony's thunder.

[Kytim89]

How much would the Wii 2 sell for in the west? I am betting on $299.99 since the HD consoles are selling that much and Nintendo has admitted that they could have charged more for the Wii. Also, since the Wii 2 is most likely going to be HD then the price can be justified.
 
Nintendo enjoys having an equlibrium between too cheap and too exspensive because they want to get their systems into your hands as quickly as possible and then resell you all their game series.

[ThePerm]

i am betting against 299 because thats way too expensive. I think 250 for the wii was too expensive...i still bought it, but im thinking thats where the next system will be. As time goes buy, levels of tech at prices decrease. I think by now Nintendo can get a system made that is more powerful than the xbox360/ps3 made at a lower price. I don't expect it to be a gigantic leap though.

[Kytim89]

i am betting against 299 because thats way too expensive. I think 250 for the wii was too expensive...i still bought it, but im thinking thats where the next system will be. As time goes buy, levels of tech at prices decrease. I think by now Nintendo can get a system made that is more powerful than the xbox360/ps3 made at a lower price. I don't expect it to be a gigantic leap though.

I heared a while back that Nintendo realized that they could have charged more for the Wii, but still could have stayed out of the PS360 price range at that time. Nintendo's investors played a hand in their pricing for the 3DS (in Japan) and it might very well happen again. I look for Sony and Microsoft to do another price drop soon ($50), but Nintendo would kick ass again if they released an HD Wii for $250.
 
As for the Wii in 2011, now would be a good time to spear head the RPG genre onto the console. This genre has been lacking since the Wii's launch and so now would be a good time. Hell, port over a couple of the PS2 RPGs to get the cycle wrolling and then release the bigger titles through the years.

[Caterkiller]

i am betting against 299 because thats way too expensive. I think 250 for the wii was too expensive...i still bought it, but im thinking thats where the next system will be. As time goes buy, levels of tech at prices decrease. I think by now Nintendo can get a system made that is more powerful than the xbox360/ps3 made at a lower price. I don't expect it to be a gigantic leap though.

Man I hope you're right. But after the 3DS announcement I can't see the home console being sold for the same price. Or maybe I can, if it doesn't sport brand new 3D on TV without glasses.

[ThePerm]

i really dislike how people use the word HD like it means better graphics. HD is just a resolution. I dont want an HD wii, I want a new console with decent graphics that happens to support a higher resolutions with motion control that has mario and zelda.

[Kytim89]

I am satisfied with the Wii's graphics, but I want the Wii 2 to be HD because third party support for the Wii is dying and HD graphics and horse power equivalent to the 360 is about the only thing that is going to kick start third party support again.

[TJ Spyke]

I think Iwata already confirmed that there next home console (which I doubt will be released before fall 2012) will be HD, so there is nothing to worry about. Sony and Microsoft don't even require games to be in HD, although I realize some developers prefer it (like Hideo Kojima).

[King of Twitch]

Yeah, and the Wii will have Brawl for lunch.

Knowing Iwata, he probably just meant Highly Desirable. This far out, nobody can say anything for sure.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I think Iwata already confirmed that there next home console (which I doubt will be released before fall 2012) will be HD, so there is nothing to worry about. Sony and Microsoft don't even require games to be in HD, although I realize some developers prefer it (like Hideo Kojima).

MS requires all games to be in atleast 720p, that's how it's been for a long time unless something just recently changed.

[SixthAngel]

MS requires all games to be in atleast 720p, that's how it's been for a long time unless something just recently changed.

They don't really require that or maybe they just force it on 3rd parties.  It wasn't long ago when Halo 3 was released and there were a bunch of people complaining because it wasn't 720.

[Stratos]

They did require that at launch. But I think they lifted the restriction after a while.