Wii Street U Uses Google Maps to Create 'An Immersive Experience' (Video)

Nintendo says, "With Wii Street U powered by Google, you can step into Google Street View with an immersive experience that feels like you’re actually there! View a 360-degree Google Maps Street View of locations all over the world using the Wii U GamePad motion controls. Use the GamePad touch screen to type in an address or location and explore, or instantly travel to over 70 fascinating, hand-picked locations around the globe." It all looks lovely, but can't we do most of this with Android phones? And couldn't a smart developer make the Google Street View Android phone experience even more immersive, so we wouldn't all need to buy a Wii U? Nintendo, we love you, but the Wii U still looks pretty dead unless it gets some major rethinking, and this Street View app doesn't seem to be it.

Comments

I like my wii-u

[i kan reed]

I'm almost certain to not buy any other consoles this generation, and I like my Wii-U, but this app is really lame. The "tablet as window" input paradigm is kinda clever, but also not worth the physical effort involved. Oculus rift looks like a better approach to this same concept. I'd rather see street view with that.

Re:I like my wii-u

[medv4380]

It's a cute little app that's interesting for all of about 5 min.

Why not play games instead?

[Anonymous Coward]

>the Wii U still looks pretty dead unless it gets some major rethinking, and this Street View app doesn't seem to be it.

Yes a video game system with only Google Maps would suck.

That's why I'm playing the free Rayman Legend Challenges App and Tank Tank Tank!

Not to mention Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and Super Mario Wii U.

Why hate on Wii U?

[a_big_favor]

I saw a video and assumed this was another Slashdot advertisement disguised as a story but surprise! Why all the Wii U hate?

Re:Why hate on Wii U?

[Rougement]

Who knows? I like my Wii U but it certainly isn't perfect. Now that the other two consoles have shown their hands, expect the hate to be redirected shortly.

Re:Why hate on Wii U?

[AdamHaun]

Why all the Wii U hate?

It's not just Wii U hate. The console wars are as old as consoles themselves. Buying a console costs a lot of money and limits your choice of games, which is a big emotional investment. People like to defend their purchasing choices, and are often unpleasant about it. Aside from that, there are some specific factors relevant to the new generation and Slashdot in particular:

* Anti-Microsoft sentiment from Windows spills over onto the XBox.
* Anti-Sony sentiment from ongoing IP-related arguments spills over onto the PS3.
* Anything that involves DRM of any kind causes a fuss.
* Slashdot has a lot of gadget geeks who want to use game consoles for things other than gaming. They tend to overestimate the importance of non-gaming features.
* The Wii (and Wii U) are "casual" gaming platforms for "casual" gamers. The (somewhat artificial) distinction between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers is hugely controversial and bitterly fought over. This also comes into play when people bring up tablet and smartphone gaming.
* New consoles normally only have one or two good games on launch. Marketers have to sell the consoles by talking up the hardware and non-gaming features to their chosen target audience. This ties in with everything I already mentioned.
* The success or failure of a console is determined by whether third-party companies decide to support it. Perceived success is very important here. There's a lot of money on the line for the manufacturers and the people who paid top dollar for the new consoles.
* In previous generations, we all argued over which console was best. This time, we're arguing over which console is least bad.

In most generations, there's a clear winner in terms of sales and games. Most recently, the Wii won on sales by selling a ton of units to casual gamers while the PS3 and X360 split the hardcore market. The question today is, can the Wii U repeat that tactic? And can either the PS4 or X1 gain an advantage over the other? With similar hardware and lots of cross-platform games, the manufacturers are clearly hoping that non-gaming features will be a deciding factor. It's happened before -- the PS2's ability to play DVDs was a huge selling point -- but seems unlikely to happen again. As usual, it'll almost certainly come down to the games. If this console generation does poorly, we might see a resurgence of PC gaming.

Personal opinion: As someone who's been playing PC and console games since about 1990, I'm not very interested in the Wii U. Ever since the N64 Nintendo has mostly relied on their own games to push their platforms, and there's only so many times I can play Mario, Zelda, and Metroid before I get bored. And the foray into motion control is very gimmicky to me. I would like to see more PC-focused games. The biggest difference between consoles and PCs is the controls, and there's a lot you can do with a keyboard and mouse that just doesn't work on a gamepad.

Re:Why hate on Wii U?

[rsborg]

* Anti-Microsoft sentiment from Windows spills over onto the XBox.

Really, if so, it's just lazyness on the part of the complainer. There's plenty of annoyances/stupidity that Microsoft has done directly with Xbox that deserves scorn. Examples: RROD, requiring Xbox live subscription to use Netflix, requiring stupid "points" to buy stuff, etc.

Anti-Sony sentiment from ongoing IP-related arguments spills over onto the PS3.

Is the rootkit on cd an "IP-related argument"? How about Sony losing their customer records?

A company putting out a decent product that makes missteps or show character issues like the above examples still deserves scorn and criticism. Haters who kick a dead horse repeatedly should be hellbanned.

Re:Android fanboy detected

[Aerokii]

I don't know about you, but I find it very hard to have an "immersive" experience on something the size of a phone.

Safe for kids?

[dmomo]

Is the contributed data public? I can just imagine a 6 year old saying: "Hey, strangers! This is my location. Here is a picture of me in my living room, playing with the Wii U!"

Re:I'm glad to see this

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

...and I don't mean street view. I'm glad to see Nintendo get the spanking they deserve on the Wii U. They need to step up, stop reshoveling the same old franchises and strategy. Your games are getting old, stop betting the farm on them every gen, branch out and CREATE SOMETHING. Make some awesome games, or you deserve what you're getting.

I'd be happier about it if I thought that Nintendo were getting spanked for some reason other than the fact that they aren't releasing Mario Sequel X: HD Polygons as quickly and effectively as Microsoft and Sony are shoveling out their respective franchise warm-overs, and failing to get EA on board for FIFA 20-something-or-other-who-gives-a-fuck: Roster update edition...

Re:This app is silly.

[Time_Ngler]

The Wii U is doing pretty poorly. Even the original Wii is outselling it.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/pachter-wii-u-sales-hit-55-000-in-april-20-000-below-wii/

Wii U?

[sesshomaru]

Wii U looks a damn sight better than the new Xbox, which I believe Microsoft has named the Xbox Catastrophe. (It goes along with the Calamity operating system that they released for PC/Tablets.)

Nothing wrong with Wii-U

[Anonymous Coward]

This is the same stupid shit I've heard about every Nintendo console. No way would anyone buy the 8 bit NES, when you can get a Commodore 64 or an Apple!

Why would anyone buy an SNES? Genesis is already out!

N64? Competing against Sega Saturn, Jaguar, Playstation, 3DO and CD-i? YEAH RIGHT!

Gamecube? WHY IT HAS SMALL DISCS WHAT IS THIS SHIT

Wii? It's only for people who like having fun, and IM A GAMER!

Wii-U.. WHAT ITS NOT AS POWERFUL AS PS4 this thing is dead in the water.

Nintendo is a small company, 5000 employees. Per employee, it's the most profitable company in the world. Unlike any other developer, they have cultivated and generally respected their IPs. Being a small company, and being focused on the overall quality of their AAA titles, it takes them a while to get them out. They average maybe one AAA game a year. In between they placate their fans with remakes and such.

Remember when Sonic games were playable and fun? Sega doesn't, they fired all those guys. Jak and Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Oddworld, etc, etc etc.. All those franchises started out great, until the IP was licensed to the lowest bidder, and turned shovelware dogshit.

Nintendo is doing just fine. Realize that they do not need to outsell anybody to stay afloat.

SNK lasted forever, despite selling about 7 Neo-Geo home consoles, and maybe 4 Neo Geo CDs. If not for shitty management, they'd still be around. Sega was pretty much the same story.

Don't worry about Nintendo. And who cares if you don't like their street view app.

Re:I'm glad to see this

[JWW]

Yep. The reason the Wii U isn't selling is that there are only about 4 worthwhile games for it right now.

Nintendo needs to get some new titles out there.

Re:This app is silly.

[hackula]

Get a new SSB out and it will sell like hot cakes.

Re:I'm glad to see this

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't get how people say this. They re-use characters and art styles, sure. But the games themselves are usually pretty innovative, and even if elements are retained, gameplay is usually radically different.

Compare the original SMB, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.. How is this the same game?

Now compare every Call of Duty title (and pretty much every other shooter).. Other than graphics, they really are the exact same thing.

The people chirping about Nintendo retreading the same tires are the same guys with a big hard on for Half Life 3. How long does it take Valve to re-release the exact same FPS?

Re:This app is silly.

[vux984]

That aside... the Wii U's far from dead. If anything I'd say it hasn't even lived yet. What it needs are games, first party, be they classic IPs or new ones. It's a game console, guys. Give us some good games and you can take all my money.

Agreed. Its having a similar start as the 3DS did. Its only real weakness is the dearth of good games. Even looking through what's coming out, its a bit weak.

I've got one, and the family like it a lot for what it is. We've got nintendoland, super mario, skylanders giants, batman, and lego city undercover.

I'm looking forward to the DLC update to mario "New Super Luigi U", along with Pikman 3. I know the kids will want the next skylanders installment which has been announced along with Yarn Yoshi, given how much they liked the Kirby yarn title for the Wii.

The re-release of Windwaker in HD will be great for players who missed Windwaker on Gamecube, but I'm not sure I'd buy it myself having already finished the original.

There is also another new Zelda title in the works, that will likely be a must-buy for me.

If you skipped the Wii the Wii-U is good value, being backwards compatible. But otherwise, its still a bit weak.

I'd love to see a new Fire Emblem strategy game, or a BattleToads. Could do some great stuff with the touch screen controller there. The console lacks a good Kart racing game , ssbb title. FZero's been away for a while too now. And another good metroid outing is due. I'm hoping the planned Eternal Darkness "spiritual successor" shows up as well.

And there's always room for new franchises.

Re:This app is silly.

[Aerokii]

Even the original Wii is outselling it.

I'm not sure how relevant that is. The top comment on that link shows that the PS2 outsold the PS3 for quite a while immediately after the PS3 was released, and the PS3 didn't die.

My guess is that people keep buying the old generation console until there are enough major games that only run on the new one. There aren't that many major titles for the Wii-U yet, so I wouldn't say its sales are too surprising.

Quoted to reiterate what AC said.

Re:Android fanboy detected

[VortexCortex]

"Size of a phone"
Hmm, I'm having a problem with this unit. Could you translate it to something like Fortnights times Domestic Laden Swallow Velocity at Sea Level?