Slashdot Mirror
HD Wii By 2011?
1Up noticed an interesting post up at WhatTheyPlay which put together some public information with more from private sources suggesting that the next version of the Wii console is planned for 2011. Quoting:
"Unlike previous console transitions from Nintendo, the new system will be presented as a true successor to the Wii, and is being dubbed by those that have seen the presentation as 'Wii HD.' There is no indication if this will be its eventual name, but the nature of the transition has been characterized as similar to 'the shift from Game Boy to Game Boy Advance,' where familiar, key elements were left intact while the core hardware was made more powerful. It is expected by all those that we have spoken to on the subject that the new device will retain the Wii name in part."
I like that one too, but "wii" isn't a japanese word. In fact, that's not even sound that's native to the language. At least, that's what I heard when it was announced. The last time I was in japan was when the DS was launching, does anyone know if they pronounce it the same over there? I don't know if that would be a difficult sound for them. I would guess they actually say "uii" or something that uses the U sound instead of the W.
If you're wondering, to express happiness, the japanese do not say "wee!" they say "Yatta!"
From TFA:
High definition visuals are assured, as is a greater emphasis on digitally distributed and backwardly compatible content, indicating that the new system will feature some form of local storage medium such as a hard drive or large flash memory solution.
On that note, it'd be great if Nintendo would fix up their save-game system.
I mean, seriously, save slots? Still? Sure, it made sense when using carts where there was a limited space tied to the cart. It kinda stopped making sense when you had memory cards and most certainly stopped making sense when the console has built-in storage.
I'm assuming it's some Nintendo requirement because even third-party games will have a limited number of save slots stored on the Wii. Based on the memory browser, it looks like Wii games are allowed to say "I need this much space for saving" and then get a single chunk of space, which then gets divided into save slots. Which is ridiculous.
While they're at it, poach the whole user profile thing that Sony has on the PS3. You can create multiple "users" on the console, and each "user" gets their own collection of save games. It's very nice to be able to share a console without worrying about accidentally overwriting someone else's save. I'd imagine the Xbox 360 has something similar (although I don't know).
'Course, presumably this is possible to do on the Wii, although it might require a firmware update or something...
You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
Have you tried buying the upgrade Component cable to get the full 480p out of the Wii? Or are you using the composite cable that came with the Wii? That only lets you get 480i.
... and in the DRM, bind them.
Its the gamers who want something to buy beyond Zelda or Mario.
meh, there's lots to play out there. Radiant Dawn, Mercury Meltdown, Zack&Wiki, Metroid3, Godfather, ...
I dunno, there are easily 20+ games that are more than difficult enough to be a 'gamers' game. And there are several 'casual' titles that are worthy of play too, and then there's plenty to to be had on the Virtual Console/WiiWare. I just can't be that sympathetic; there is plenty of value there.
And honestly, if you are consuming titles at such a high a rate that the Wii library is 'woefully inadequate', you've already got at least 1 of the other consoles in addition to the Wii, and possibly a DS or PSP to boot.
If that is you, and you are still complaining about the lack of titles... then your expectations are out of whack, or you are skipping tons of good quality games... probably both.