Topic: The OFFICIAL Big N rumor thread *bring your own salt*

[BlackNMild2k1]

Time to refill those salt containers, cause I don't think you have enough salt for this one...

Official Nintendo docs leaked to reveal Wii specs?

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The Wii Hardware

- Nintendo Wii’s ‘Broadway’ CPU operates at 729MHZ with a maximum bandwith of 1.9gbyte/sec.
- Nintendo Wii’s ‘HollyWood’ GPU is clocked at 243MHZ, the internal memory of it includes 3mb of embedded graphics memory and 24megabytes of high speed main memory.
- 64megabytes of GDDR3 (MEM2) as the external main memory. Just like the internal memory, it can be accessed from the CPU and GPU with a maximum bandwidth of 4gbytes/sec and can also store programs in the MEM2.
- The GPU of the Wii is identical to the GC’s but it is on average 1.5X faster.

Wii's Optical Disc Drive

- Opitcal Disc Drive (ODD) supports single and dual layer Wii disks, discs eject with software or button and the maximum read speed is the equivalent of DVDx6.
- Two main disc types supported the single sided 12cm single sided 4.7gb and the double sided 8.51 GB. Nintendo GC discs also supported. Some of the capacity of the discs are used by the system and games can not use full disc space.
- Inserting a disc will start the Wii console, even if it was already in an off state. Pressing the eject button will change the console to an on state to take out the disc also.

General Overview

- An optional wired LAN adapter that connects to a USB port is in the pipeline for users who do not possess a wireless LAN set-up currently.
- Internal non-removable 512MB flash memory used to storage game save data and downloadable content thus eliminating the need for a memory card.
- Both Wii discs and Gamecube discs can be played via an intelligent mode swap. When running in GC mode, the Wii’s CPU and GPU will lower to the respective speeds of the GC and some of the MEM2 functions as ARAM.
- Software development environment is an upgrade to the ‘Dolphin SDK’ used with the GC; the same libraries are used so developers can get up to scratch easily as well as the possibility of ports being easier.
- The following interfaces are included with the Wii; SD card slot, Wireless controller, two USB 2.0 ports, wireless LAN, 4x GC controller ports, 2x GC memory card slots and an AV multi output jack (only an analog jack).
- Supports Wii disks (one sided 12cm) and GC discs (one sided 8cm) and console auto switches depends on what disk is inserted
- More than just the Nunchaku is planned as an extension. GC peripherals such as DK bongos can be used in both Wii and GC modes.
- Three power status, on, off and unplugged. To prevent mistaken turn offs, the power button must be held for about a second.

The Wii Control System

- The Wii controller features; Direct Pointing Device, Three axis accelerometer, Wii power button (remotely turn console on/off), buttons, wireless connectivity, indicator LED’s, rumble, battery powered (two AA alkaline batteries) and ability to connect extension unit.
- The Wii controller supports three types of operations; by itself, with a nunchuk extension or with a classic controller. Classic controllers will ship to developers during August 2006.
- The SYNCHRO button on the Wii controller exchanges wireless ID numbers when pressed at the same time as SYNCRHO on the Wii console. Wireless communications are only possible with consoles which have been authenticated.
- The rumble motor can be turned on and off and the intensity can be changed.
- The Wii remote has a pointer for fine movements as well as a motion Sensor +/- 3.4G suitable for larger body movements, the nunchuk attachment has a Sensor of +/- 2G
- The sensor bar must be placed above or below a TV set, the pointer measures coordinates between the ends of the bar which are about 20cm apart.
- The Wii remote has four status, disconnected, communicating, establishing connection and pairing wait status.
- The pointer can measure co-ordinates within bounds of rectangle centered upon the sensor bar, thus it can also measure points beyond the screen. It also responds to strong light sources, windows, fluorescent lamps, fireplaces, mirrors etc.
- Due to players hands shaking while holding the controller, a ring buffer allows a precise direction to be created to hold and average accelerator samples.

*UPDATE* The dev mailed us and said he was shocked to see all these cries of 'fake', so he provided some more info to show he's not bluffing...

Broadway CPU

Broadway is Wii's CPU. Broadway functionality and specifications are as follows.

• Operating speed: 729 MHz
• Bus to main memory: 243 MHz, 64 bits (maximum bandwidth: 1.9 gigabytes/sec)
• 32-kilobyte 8-way set-associative L1 instruction cache
• 32-kilobyte 8-way set-associative L1 data cache (can set up 16-kilobyte data scratch pad)
• Superscalar microprocessor with six execution units (floating-point unit, branching unit, system regis
ter unit, load/store unit, two integer units)
• DMA unit (15-entry DMA request queue) used by 16-kilobyte data scratch pad
• Write-gather buffer for writing graphics command lists to the graphics chip
• Onboard 256-kilobyte 2-way set-associative L2 integrated cache
• Two, 32-bit integer units (IU)
• One floating point unit (FPU) (supports single precision (32-bit) and double precision (64-bit))
• The FPU supports paired single floating point (FP/PS)
• The FPU supports paired single multiply add (ps_madd). Most FP/PS instructions can be issued in
each cycle and completed in three cycles.
• Fixed-point to floating-point conversion can be performed at the same time as FPU register load and
store, with no loss in performance.
• The branch unit supports static branch prediction and dynamic branch prediction.
• When an instruction is stalled on data, the next instruction can be issued and executed. All instructions
maintain program logic and will complete in the correct program order.
• Supports three L2 cache fetch modes: 32-Byte, 64-Byte, and 128-Byte.
• Supports these bus pipeline depth levels: level 2, level 3, and level 4.
Reference Information: Broadway is upward compatible with Nintendo GameCube’s CPU (Gekko).

Hollywood GPU

Hollywood is a system LSI composed of a GPU and internal main memory (MEM1). Hollywood is clocked at 243 MHz. Its internal memory consists of 3 megabytes of embedded graphics memory and 24 megabytes of high speed main memory.

Hollywood includes the following.
• Graphics processing unit (with 3 megabytes of eDRAM)
• Audio DSP
• I/O Bridge
• 24 megabytes of internal main memory
• Internal main memory operates at 486 MHz.
Maximum bandwidth between Hollywood and internal main memory: 3.9 gigabytes per second
• Possible to locate a program here
Reference Information: Hollywood is similar to Nintendo GameCube’s Flipper and Splash components.

External Main Memory (MEM2)

Wii uses 64 megabytes of GDDR3 (MEM2) as external main memory. Like internal main memory, MEM2 can be accessed directly from Broadway and the GPU at high speed and has a peak bandwidth of 4 gigabytes/sec. Programs can also be placed in MEM2.

Reference Information: Nintendo GameCube ARAM is used as auxiliary memory for the DSP. The CPU and GPU did not have direct access to it.

Source - MaxConsole.com

I'm no techie or nothing, but this just seems like a collection of most of the stuff we already heard. I personally believe that the Wii will be a little more powerful than this (still looking for the 1+ghz cpu and a 4-500mhz gpu) and I hope that that is something Nintendo does prove at Liepzig, especially with a speech titled "Wii will prove our promise" lined up for the opening of GC in Leipzig in August.  

[Ceric]

Yeah.  But at least it's not to unreasonable.  The Gamecube thing is an interesting concept.   To actually throttle back the processor to make sure it's compatible.  I wonder if there be an energy savings?  Also sounds like a big place for problems.  A Wii getting stuck in Cube mode.

[Athrun Zala]

heh, interesting....

I wonder, since this claims it's underclockable, if it'll be Overclockable......

oh, since this specs seem very much like those IGN had, I'm assuming these might not be final....

[BlackNMild2k1]

There have been other rumors that they have at the minimum upped the ram since E3, no exact #'s but the people that are "supposedly" in the know say that these specs seem to be from the same time as when IGN supposedly got ahold of the spec sheet, and these specs are not accurate.
Whos telling the truth? I gues we'll just have to wait until the Wii is released to be 100% sure since I know someone will open theirs up and do some sort of benchmarking on it.

[Kairon]

What is this GDDR3 RAM?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Nephilim]

gdd3 is a cooler version of ddr2

[Kairon]

Why not 1T-SRAM?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[ToothpicksL]

This site states that 1T-SRAM will be used, as well as some other sites.  So credibility is not certain..

[Jensen]

Only some minor new stuff revealed, and it is all fairly obvious.  He accurately described how the WiiMote will work, which most people don't seem to understand  (including the people who answer the mailbag at this site)  That alone makes me believe him.

Even if this isn't really from a developer, it is accurate to what we have heard so far, and he understands how everything works.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Wii uses electricity and fancy tiny parts that are extremely efficient and cost effective.  Bad consumer technology involves making bigger, noisier, more expensive machines.  Good consumer technology is about compact, dollar-friendly, and being packed with effective features that are accessible without strings attached that say "i hope you have a new very expensive ____ to take full advantage of it!  are you sure mommy can get you that for Xmas?"

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Get over specs guys.  You knew they would be low from the start.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

NO.

YOUUUUU reveal PGC's new NAME!

[BlackNMild2k1]

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source

Apparently, the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly features the following rumors: One, that a Luigi's Mansion game is already in development for Wii, and two, that some Virtual Console games may be bundled with new games.

The Virtual Console games being bundled with New Games is something that has been specualted on here a long while ago. I also think thats what Sony should have done with UMD's, bundle them with their DVD counterparts at a slightly higher price, but thats a whole 'nother subject.

As for Luigi's Mansion, I never played the first, but I remember seeing it played, and I think it would be a perfect fir for the Wii and its mote controller.
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Originally posted by: IGN.com

August 4, 2006 - Sources close to Nintendo of Europe tell IGN that the company is underway with a sequel to the hit GameCube sports title Super Mario Strikers. Furthermore, insiders allege that the title could be unveiled later this month at the Games Convention 2006 in Leipzig, Germany.

Since its release in the states last December, Super Mario Strikers has sold more than 500,000 copies, effectively making it a sleeper hit and likewise a prime candidate for a Wii sequel.

No details about the Wii version are yet available, but as with most Wii titles, it is very likely to take advantage of Nintendo's unique new controller in some fashion.

As with the rumor above this one, I've never played the original, but the more the merrier.

[Spak-Spang]

I actually think Soccer could be done really well with the WiiPointer.

The Pointer would be used to flick passes and shots on goal.  Holding A and flicking the Pointer will do a Pass, and Holding B will do a shot on goal.  Perhaps the D-Pad can be used for special moves like Bicycle kicks, headbutts, and such.

It could be super fun.

[Requiem]

I don't know...

You can't really make Super Mario Strikers control any better. It's so simple and intuitive now that any changes would seem to be an attempt to fix something that ain't broken.

Plus, the Wiimote is perfect for arm and wrist gestures...none of which are used in the game soccer (except by the goalie).

[ShyGuy]

2 words: leg strap.

It's the top secret new Wiimote attachment! Megaton!

[BlackNMild2k1]

More news from an IGN podcast, but how reliable are they?

IGN Wii-k N review...  <--*Warning* extremely boring podcast.

- Possible delay for Metroid Prime 3
- Star Wars Wii a go
- Dragon Quest Swords probably not going to make launch, probably more info at TGS
- THQ Wii exclusive event next Tuesday

I hope Lucas Arts makes something akin to Jedi Knight for the Wii.  

[Ceric]

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- Possible delay for Metroid Prime 3 (Not Surprised considering that around here its not even really talked about.  I personally put it back into the oven and release it later.)
- Star Wars Wii a go (Not Surprised, every fan wants it and it would print money)
- Dragon Quest Swords probably not going to make launch, probably more info at TGS (Not to Surprised on this, I mean it's Square and considering we haven't really seen much except the barest of bare I think they'll take there time.)
- THQ Wii exclusive event next Tuesday (This is a little interesting)

I'm actually hoping that MP3 goes back in the oven for a little bit on this one.  Why you asked?  Just as Zelda and Mario can't really coexist in the same Quarter.  It be worse with Metroid and Zelda.  There are going for a much similar demographic.  Most people who care about Zelda probably like Metroid in some way and vice versa.  Mario on the other hand is less specialize and more general.  I don't think launching Zelda and MP at the same time was a good idea anyways.  Sort of like I wouldn't do SSBB and MP together either.  No I think this one should come later.  If Zelda would have released when it was suppose to I would say otherwise.

[mantidor]

Ive always said that Corruption didn't give me a good vibe, it felt very unfinished, I have no concerns if they delay it.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

the launch is falling apart already.

[Ceric]

It's the end of the world as we know, its the end of the world and I know it but I feel Fine...

[Strell]

That's ok.

We still get Avatar at launch.

[ShyGuy]

We still get your Loli golf Pro!

I say delay a few titles, this launch is getting crowded.

[Spak-Spang]

If Corruption is delayed.  I am willing to bet its so it can get online play.  We saw a demo at E3 which probably wasn't the final build they had...and its been worked on for awhile since then.  It should be infinitely better.  We aren't talking about it, because we don't have any more information, and we all know what Metroid Prime is, and plays like.

Personally, I thought Metroid: Corruption would have been the perfect exclusive game to release multiplayer online madiness, since Brawl won't be out for some time.

The only other option is that Nintendo is gracifully backing Metroid Corruption back to give the 3rd party FPS more attention at launch.  This would be a good strategy for 3rd party relations, and would allow Metroid to be released in the summer where gaming droughts might exist.

[Darkheart]

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We still get your Loli golf Pro!

I thought that was a Japanese only title, they are considering it to come to the U.S. but last I heard it was not even confirmed for a Stateside release.