Want to buy Nintendo Wii...but

[cujoca]

Hey everyone!

Sorry this has nothing to do with the mac, but I was thinking about buying a Nintendo Wii for my brothers for Christmas. I was wondering though, do you think Nintendo is going to come out with a new system (Wii 2?) anytime soon? Or is this still a good time to buy a Nintendo Wii?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MRU]

Not a Wii 2, but there will be a Wii with DVD playback.

Nintendo already confirmed before the launch of Wii, that a wii+dvd will be out at the end of 2007.

GamesIndustry.biz also reports that Sonic Solution, the company that's providing Nintendo with the appropriate DVD playback software, said that it signed a "worldwide agreement" for its new software to be included on the Wii, and that the software would be released in the "latter half of 2007."

I imagine they are holding it back till christmas or maybe even new year. Zero price cut, but new model.

And if they are adding DVD playback there's a good chance that we may finally get an optical audio output too.

 

[Sky Blue]

Hey everyone!

Sorry this has nothing to do with the mac, but I was thinking about buying a Nintendo Wii for my brothers for Christmas. I was wondering though, do you think Nintendo is going to come out with a new system (Wii 2?) anytime soon? Or is this still a good time to buy a Nintendo Wii?

Thanks in advance!

No, there is no new model coming anytime soon. WiiVD is a myth. it's pretty laughable to suggest a new model before the end of this year (or even early next year).

 

[GFLPraxis]

There might be an updated Wii with different colors or DVD playback, but no one really knows for sure. And really, it shouldn't matter. There won't be a price drop before the end of this year and I doubt we'll see a new model until demand for the current model drops off.

That shouldn't prevent you from buying a Wii right now. It's a very good time to buy.

 

[rockthecasbah]

Stores STILL are having trouble keeping Wiis on shelves, so I don't see a new model coming out until at least mid to late 2008 (just as a very small update). Just buy now and be happy.

As for the DVD-capable Wii being a "myth" as some stated earlier: Correct me if i'm wrong, but the Japanese version of the Wii already has this capability, and the feature was just left out for the other markets. I believe i read but i could be wrong...

 

[yetanotherdave]

Not a Wii 2, but there will be a Wii with DVD playback.

Nintendo already confirmed before the launch of Wii, that a wii+dvd will be out at the end of 2007.




I imagine they are holding it back till christmas or maybe even new year. Zero price cut, but new model.

And if they are adding DVD playback there's a good chance that we may finally get an optical audio output too.

Isn't that just a software update done over the wii shop?

I don't reckon there will be an update. They still haven't caught up with demand for the current console. Maybe they'll do colours, but that's purely aesthetic.

 

[MRU]

it's pretty laughable to suggest a new model before the end of this year (or even early next year).

Well at E3 before the wii launched Nintendo did say that Mario Galaxy would be Jan 08 , so I guess your right.

Wii gets DVD playback...in 2007
DVD-player manufacturer jumps gun on Nintendo announcement, says enhanced Wii due in "latter half of 2007."

By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted Nov 13, 2006 4:45 pm PT
When Nintendo dished out its final specifications for the Wii, there seemed to be one glaring omission--DVD playback. With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 touting built-in multimedia players, the Wii seemed to be only next-generation console unable to provide movie playback.

Now, less than a week before the Wii is even on shelves for the first time, it appears that those final specifications weren't so final after all. After weeks of speculation and Internet reports, it has been confirmed that the Wii will eventually get DVD playback.

Sonic Solutions, makers of the popular Roxio CD- and DVD-burning software, today announced that it has been chosen by Nintendo to provide "high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version" of the Wii. Sonic Solutions says the new version of the Wii is expected in "the latter half of 2007."

When asked for comment, a representative from Nintendo confirmed the statement from Sonic Studios.

Nintendo has yet to make a formal announcement about the new Wii, and has not indicated whether DVD playback is part of a console redesign.

DVD Playback for U.S. Wii Coming
It looks like we'll be getting a DVD-playing Wii after all.
By Li C. Kuo | Nov. 14, 2006


Not too long ago, Nintendo revealed that it would be releasing a version of the Wii that will support DVD video playback in Japan, but made no mention of whether or not this upgraded console would make it to US shores. Now it looks like we'll be getting this enhanced Wii after all. Nintendo has confirmed that a Wii with DVD playback support will make its way to the States, and said that the price would be increased as a result of the added features.

The Wii DVD playback support is being handled by Sonic Solutions, the same guys behind the Roxio CD and DVD burning software. It will be using this company's CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator to play DVDs. This DVD-capable version of the Wii is expected to arrive in the States in the latter half of next year, which is around the same time Japan is expected to receive them. Nintendo has told us that the cost of this newer Wii will be higher than the current $249 price tag.

We asked Nintendo if this version of the Wii would feature any other hardware upgrades, such as a digital optical audio output for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Their reply was, "There is no new info on new capabilities regarding audio." We'll keep you posted on new developments.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Okay, we're getting a bit sidetracked though; the OP wasn't really asking about new models, but about a new system. A "Wii 2".


Cujoca, for your question; consoles traditionally have a lifespan of five years. The XBox only lasted four, the PS2 lasted six, but generally most systems last five before a new system is launched.

The Wii has only been out one year, so you've still got four to go

 

[yetanotherdave]

Okay, we're getting a bit sidetracked though; the OP wasn't really asking about new models, but about a new system. A "Wii 2".


Cujoca, for your question; consoles traditionally have a lifespan of five years. The XBox only lasted four, the PS2 lasted six, but generally most systems last five before a new system is launched.

The Wii has only been out one year, so you've still got four to go

True, but the issue gets muddied as companies release streamlined versions of existing consoles, PS2 slim, xbox 360 extreme, DS Lite, PSP slim. Some of these do add functionality/features, the DS lite has much better quality screens that its predecessor.

If the wii is updates, the core machine will stay the same, it will still play the same games etc.

 

[Chone]

True, but the issue gets muddied as companies release streamlined versions of existing consoles, PS2 slim, xbox 360 extreme, DS Lite, PSP slim. Some of these do add functionality/features, the DS lite has much better quality screens that its predecessor.

If the wii is updates, the core machine will stay the same, it will still play the same games etc.

The important thing to remember is that the old versions of those consoles are not obsolete AND you have had them for more time than people with those versions.

I think it is kind of funny how people complain about companies releasing frequent updates (i.e. Apple releasing drastic yearly updates to iPods). I guess it just shows how frail the human mind still is.

Anyways, buying a Wii right now is a smart purchase decision, there is seriously very little they could do to the Wii that would make you buy another (for example, a DS Lite was a pretty big upgrade over the old DS simply because its easier to carry around, sexier and has better screens/brightness control).

So yeah my point is, if you want a Wii, go and buy one, it still has at least until 2010 before the next gen starts.

 

[zero2dash]

The Wii is good enough for the majority of people who have bought one, and good enough for 99% of people who will buy one.

I don't think a revised (ie more powerful/more featured) Wii system will come out for at least 3+ years, assuming the 3rd party support is there.
If you're looking for more features and more power, you have two other choices. (of which I'd put the 360 over the Ps3 but that's just my opinion...best bang for the buck IMO)