Topic: What COULD (have) save(d) the Wii U?

[Adrock]

EDIT: Never mind.

[Evan_B]

Don't put words in my mouth!

The idea of a Wii U Gamepad sized handheld with dual circle pads fills me with glee.

[NWR_insanolord]

I don't think they could do a mass market device at that size. It'd be even less portable than a 3DS XL, but not big enough to fit the components for a modern console-style experience. I'd probably buy one, but I also bought a Vita, so I'm clearly not someone you should base your market on.

[Adrock]

Don't put words in my mouth!

The idea of a Wii U Gamepad sized handheld with dual circle pads fills me with glee.

My bad. I read your post wrong.

In any case, I wouldn't want to carry that around. The XL is almost too big for my pocket.

[Evan_B]

I don't think they could do a mass market device at that size. It'd be even less portable than a 3DS XL, but not big enough to fit the components for a modern console-style experience. I'd probably buy one, but I also bought a Vita, so I'm clearly not someone you should base your market on.

I bought a PSTV (for 45 bucks, but still), so I'm DEFINITELY not the market someone should target.

Its the whole tablet mentality, you know? Why buy something small and portable when you can get something 2.5 times as large with the same (maybe fewer) features??

[NWR_insanolord]

We've heard talk that the NX might not be a single piece of hardware, but more like a platform such as iOS, so I guess it would be possible to have a more handheld device as well as a larger, tablet type thing, with separate resolutions but running largely the same software like the iPhone and iPad.

[Ian Sane]

In investor Q&A, Iwata has answered how the next Nintendo system will some how absorb the Wii U hardware. I would be surprised if the NX does not have backwards compatibility with the Wii U. I think it is safe to assume that the NX will at least be as powerful as the Wii U.

Maintaining the Gamecube architecture, because that's really what it is, is such a misplaced priority that if that's something they're going to insist on then they have already lost the next generation.  The only developer that gives the slightest **** about keeping with this architecture is Nintendo themselves.  If they design it just for Nintendo then the third parties will justifiably reject it and if there is no third party support the NX has already failed.  Nintendo has only two paths to console success.  Fix the third party support problem or somehow luck into another Wii-style fad that attracts a new audience.  One is a real strategy and one is like buying lottery tickets as your legitimate investment plans.

As for a tablet size handheld, I personally would just want a console.  If it isn't truly portable why am I putting up with this still fairly small screen when I could have it on my TV and relax on the couch?  But then in a world of Ian Sanes the iPad would have sold ZERO units (no one has ever demonstrated to me any practical purpose for having one; if I already have a phone and a computer what do I need this?) so I'm not really the target demo.

[NWR_insanolord]

They could have the old architecture in there as a secondary thing in addition to something new. The GBA included the GBC chip, which was completely different, and used it for sound or some **** when not in backward compatibility mode. The thing can't be that expensive to produce at this point.

[Ian Sane]

They could have the old architecture in there as a secondary thing in addition to something new. The GBA included the GBC chip, which was completely different, and used it for sound or some **** when not in backward compatibility mode. The thing can't be that expensive to produce at this point.

That would be fine.  Though I presume the intention would be to maintain the architecture to make for a smooth transition between generations for the devs.  In a bubble that's a great idea but in Nintendo's case it only benefits THEM.  The rest of the industry has been moving towards an x86 inspired design because everyone (except probably Nintendo) is familiar with it and it's easy to make a game on one platform and port it to others.  No third party is going to be impressed that this architecture that they've never used, beyond having their c-team make some waggle shovelware on the Wii, is being used again.  If anything it might be a turn-off because third parties aren't that familiar with it and porting is just going to be that much more difficult.  And just getting anyone to give Nintendo the time of day at this point at all is going to be hard.  Third parties will pretty much be looking for an excuse to not risk it and Nintendo would be giving it to them right off the bat.

The second "please understand" comes out of Iwata's lips for the NX it is OVER.  Everyone is tired of Nintendo's bullshit at this point.  No more compromises or hoops to jump through.  Supporting Nintendo should be so painless that no one should feel any reason not to.

[MagicCow64]

It's also interesting that tablet sales have slowed dramatically in general. People's comfort with giant-sized phones along with ever lither laptops seems to be crowding out the questionably-useful-for-anything-other-than keeping-kids-busy pure tablet market. So not only did Nintendo's tablet suffer in comparison to full-fledged up-market tablets, the whole concept might not stick. I certainly wouldn't expect anything like the Gamepad form factor to appear again.

[ShyGuy]

Interestingly, I work for a school district and we got in a three mobile devices for a test run: The Surface Pro, the iPad, and the Chromebook. Surface was out right away, and after a year of widespread use, now the iPad is being pushed to the side in favor of Chromebooks.

[Evan_B]

I was just joking about the tablet stuff, guys... I would never, ever, EVER want a handheld that size.

[Mop it up]

I'd like a system that offers better value, lowers game prices and makes everything more affordable.

...Fine, fine, I'll show myself out.

[NWR_insanolord]

I'd like a system that offers better value, lowers game prices and makes everything more affordable.

A smartphone?

[Spak-Spang]

I'd like a system that offers better value, lowers game prices and makes everything more affordable.

...Fine, fine, I'll show myself out.

This is what I want!!!!

Simple $249.99 dollars system with cheap controllers ($29.99) a pop or less.
And Games that cost from $29.99-39.99, for new games.

Digital content can be much lower. 
Can I please have this Nintendo?

[Ian Sane]

I'd like a system that offers better value, lowers game prices and makes everything more affordable.

...Fine, fine, I'll show myself out.

I'd like that too... if most of the major games were playable on it.  So I guess I want a PS4 that also has Nintendo games but costs like half the price?

The price thing is kind of funny for a Canadian like myself.  Our games are actually CHEAPER now.  $60 for a game might have been an increase for Americans but I remember when games could cost $80.  Last gen when the prices went up for Americans our dollar was quite strong so our prices pretty much reached parity which was a big decrease for us.  They've been going up again and are now about $70 for brand new games.  Of course in both markets we're in the era where a game goes down to $30-20 like six months after release (except Nintendo games usually).  These days it is very affordable to be a gamer, provided you have enough willpower to hold off getting a game on day one.

[broodwars]

I'd like a system that offers better value, lowers game prices and makes everything more affordable.

...Fine, fine, I'll show myself out.

I'd like that too... if most of the major games were playable on it.  So I guess I want a PS4 that also has Nintendo games but costs like half the price?

The price thing is kind of funny for a Canadian like myself.  Our games are actually CHEAPER now.  $60 for a game might have been an increase for Americans but I remember when games could cost $80.  Last gen when the prices went up for Americans our dollar was quite strong so our prices pretty much reached parity which was a big decrease for us.  They've been going up again and are now about $70 for brand new games.  Of course in both markets we're in the era where a game goes down to $30-20 like six months after release (except Nintendo games usually).  These days it is very affordable to be a gamer, provided you have enough willpower to hold off getting a game on day one.

I can think of a few Canadians I know on this site who would very much disagree with you when it comes to games being "CHEAPER" lately...

[Shaymin]

To be fair, Wii U games are just now hitting $70 MSRPs in Canada.

But it's hard not to look at $75 for the Uncharted "Quick, throw them a bone!" Collection and $80 for BLOPS 3/Fallout 4/Battlefront and realize we're getting boned here.

[Spak-Spang]

There is that industry death watch thread, and I just can't help but think that the cost of games is really a huge part of the problem. 

Yes, I understand gaming budgets have gotten higher, and with production values basically making interactive movies games are incredibly expensive to make.  But you know what...movies are incredibly expensive to make too...and movies often have higher budget.  If people had to pay $20-30 dollars to see a movie they would stop going.  There is a point where gaming becomes too costly, and paying $60.00 for a single game is that rate for me.  I just won't do it anymore.  The sweet spot is where portable gaming was/is with the DS/3DS.  $29.99-39.99 is a fair price for a full game.  I don't mind DLC and additional content costing more, if the original price includes enough game to justify the price. 

Also, for that matter I still think Nintendo has the right idea when it comes to console prices.  I don't need a super computer to play my games.  I just want to play good games.  I care nothing about story, I want the experience.  So for me, I really want those price points listed above...or I just am out.  I can't believe how much money I have saved not playing games in the last 6 years. 

[Evan_B]

The sixty dollar price point is hard to swallow, but seeing as I rarely buy full sized console games anymore, it could be worse. When they hit 65-70 that's when I'll tap out.

[Nile Boogie Returns]

Who's idea was it to give the Wii U 1GB of usable Ram? I know they were not competing with MSony, but this was a pathetically short-sighted move  on Nintendo's part. I'm sure having to render 2 views on that fly isn't taxing at all and the robust nature of the 10year old architecture is magnificent to work with. was 4GB of ram too much to ask for? Maybe tweek the OS not to use a FULL GB OF RAM. Sometimes it feels like a stop-gap console,




 If we ever get a game that looks better than Beyond: Two Souls I'll retract my statement but I don't think that will happen.

[Enner]

Who's idea was it to give the Wii U 1GB of usable Ram? ... Sometimes it feels like a stop-gap console,

If it feels that way to you, I doubt Nintendo meant to do that on purpose. The simple, brutal possible answer is that Nintendo was finding where ever they can cut costs in order to make the sunk costs of the GamePad hurt less.

[Evan_B]

Considerin Nintendo barely had any ideas for the Gamepad, they should have just dropped the feature altogether.

[Soren]

They had plenty of ideas for the GamePad. They just put them all in 1 game.

[Spak-Spang]

I think the problem is Nintendo was looking for another gimmick, and they thought the Gamepad was a worthy gimmick, and for many it is.  OffTV play, menu and Map not taking up valuable display.  Touch gaming and custom controls for unique game experiences.  These are things that can make a game great.

However, the 3rd parties didn't care for it, and it add difficulties to porting games over, beyond just the limited specs.  So Nintendo was forced to release games quicker and worry less about the Gamepad.  I think probably many Nintendo games could have implemented it better, but were forced to abandon those ambitions to get games out faster.