Wii U MacRumors members reviews.

[peskaa]

Well, Nintendo finally admitted it and have lined up a price drop for the 32GB WiiU SKU, going down to £249 or $299. Looks like the white 8GB model might be dead as a dodo going forwards, with the 32GB remaining the only option...though I personally think they should make a 64 or 128GB model.

 

[musicpenguy]

Lots of amazing Nintendo news today:

$50 for Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, Mario is coming out a month early, $50 for Wind Waker plus 2 week early digital release, and many more - so excited this is gonna be a killer holiday season for Nintendo folks.

 

[Michael CM1]

Maybe some owners can explain this: How backward compatible is the Wii U? I thought 100 percent backward compatibility was just a thing you expected now on consoles after seeing all the stops Nintendo pulled out on the original Wii. But then Sony made the PS3 cheaper by not making it play PS2 games. Then both Sony and Microsoft made their next-gen consoles NOT BACKWARD COMPATIBLE AT ALL.

I let my sister have my Wii because her kids are of that age where they like video games, and I hadn't been playing it much a couple of years ago. But now that I'm sick of all the games I can afford for my 360, I would really like to tear through some of my Wii VC purchases, Twilight Princess, and maybe find Skyward Sword.

So I would love to know about experiences owners have had. Microsoft threw a real curveball when it said you couldn't even play Xbox 360 downloads on the new system, which means it might be four years after launch when I buy THAT console as well.

 

[musicpenguy]

Maybe some owners can explain this: How backward compatible is the Wii U? I thought 100 percent backward compatibility was just a thing you expected now on consoles after seeing all the stops Nintendo pulled out on the original Wii. But then Sony made the PS3 cheaper by not making it play PS2 games. Then both Sony and Microsoft made their next-gen consoles NOT BACKWARD COMPATIBLE AT ALL.

I let my sister have my Wii because her kids are of that age where they like video games, and I hadn't been playing it much a couple of years ago. But now that I'm sick of all the games I can afford for my 360, I would really like to tear through some of my Wii VC purchases, Twilight Princess, and maybe find Skyward Sword.

So I would love to know about experiences owners have had. Microsoft threw a real curveball when it said you couldn't even play Xbox 360 downloads on the new system, which means it might be four years after launch when I buy THAT console as well.

It is 100 percent backwards compatible. It plays all Wii disc based games and supports all accessories and controllers. Supports all Wii downloadable games including VC and WiiWare. You will need to do a system transfer if you want to access your old purchases otherwise your sister now owns that content.

But it is as BC as they come and that is rather nice as I never owned a Wii so I'm enjoying those games for the first time now.

 

[oklaonion]

so excited this is gonna be a killer holiday season for Nintendo folks.

Agreed. My wallet is whimpering in the corner. It's almost too much...

 

[musicpenguy]

Agreed. My wallet is whimpering in the corner. It's almost too much...

Yea my wallet is already yelling at me. On November 22nd alone we have a brand new Zelda, 3D Mario and Mario Party!

Thankfully Wind Waker, Donkey Kong, and Sonic are all $50 instead of $60 so that is something

 

[oklaonion]

Yea my wallet is already yelling at me. On November 22nd alone we have a brand new Zelda, 3D Mario and Mario Party!

Thankfully Wind Waker, Donkey Kong, and Sonic are all $50 instead of $60 so that is something

Yes - that's something, ha. I am also thankful for the digital deluxe promotion. I just got $10 back after buying Pikmin 3, so that is also something. I will try to be disciplined and finish games before buying more (fat chance that it is).

 

[musicpenguy]

Yes - that's something, ha. I am also thankful for the digital deluxe promotion. I just got $10 back after buying Pikmin 3, so that is also something. I will try to be disciplined and finish games before buying more (fat chance that it is).

Yea I've got $10 through that program and $30 from the Fire Emblem/Shin Megami Promo - so I'll be able to pick up Pokemon X for "free" - should lighten the load for that game

 

[Michael CM1]

It is 100 percent backwards compatible. It plays all Wii disc based games and supports all accessories and controllers. Supports all Wii downloadable games including VC and WiiWare. You will need to do a system transfer if you want to access your old purchases otherwise your sister now owns that content.

But it is as BC as they come and that is rather nice as I never owned a Wii so I'm enjoying those games for the first time now.

Awesome. I know it's not a really great system, but a Wii with HD graphics -- and I assume HDMI out, right? -- is good enough for a lot of stuff. Nintendo banks on the huge catalog of games and characters. I've had an Xbox for three years and there's nothing close to a Zelda game.

 

[twietee]

Wii U not a great system? Tell me more...


Anyone played Giana Sisters already? Looks like some really decent platformer, not as fancy as Rayman (and no Kung-footsy ) but still kinda nice.
Maybe I'll give it a whirl over the weekend until Rayman arrives.

 

[musicpenguy]

Wii U not a great system? Tell me more...


Anyone played Giana Sisters already? Looks like some really decent platformer, not as fancy as Rayman (and no Kung-footsy ) but still kinda nice.
Maybe I'll give it a whirl over the weekend until Rayman arrives.

The Wii U may have started off with a sluggish OS, but it is now fast and responsive, with a nice indie library, VC library and lots of great retail games. I'd say for sure it is worth picking up on September 20th for either the Zelda Bundle or the regular premium bundle.

I'm very happy with my Wii U and all the better that it is 2 systems in one with that great backwards compatibility.

 

[twietee]

yea, thx, but it was a rhetorical question. I have one already, plenty of very fine games, hence my question

Now, tell me more about Giana Sisters...

 

[musicpenguy]

yea, thx, but it was a rhetorical question. I have one already, plenty of very fine games, hence my question

Now, tell me more about Giana Sisters...

Haha I know - I guess I quoted the wrong person - I could definitely pick up on your sarcasm

 

[twietee]

Haha I know - I guess I quoted the wrong person - I could definitely pick up on your sarcasm

To be honest, I was quite surprised at first.

And a little bit sad, since I thought you were going to tell me about those sisters...
Aren't you the guy who's got every game at least once for every console? But not sure if the game was already released in the US.

 

[musicpenguy]

To be honest, I was quite surprised at first.

And a little bit sad, since I thought you were going to tell me about those sisters...
Aren't you the guy who's got every game at least once for every console? But not sure if the game was already released in the US.

No I only own a Wii U and a 3DS XL (plus my retro systems). No PS3 or XBox 360 - so no I buy games just on my Nintendo hardware.

 

[twietee]

No I only own a Wii U and a 3DS XL (plus my retro systems). No PS3 or XBox 360 - so no I buy games just on my Nintendo hardware.

Sorry, then. Probably that MacRumorUser then. Doesn't matter anyway, although I'm always a bit curious why so many people seem to buy games twice for different consoles.

 

[GluedOnBeard]

No I only own a Wii U and a 3DS XL (plus my retro systems). No PS3 or XBox 360 - so no I buy games just on my Nintendo hardware.

I have switched to Nintendo as my main gaming systems now too, between the 3DS and the Wii U you don't need anything else.

I am still picking up a PS4 but that is simply to be a media center mostly.

Great end of the year for Wii U, can't wait for Zelda.

 

[twietee]

Love the name, GluedOnBeard!

Not going to lie, first I thought I could take the Touchpad with me and use it as a handheld.

I'll probably pick up a PS4/XB in a year or two as a secondary BluRay player and because I really want to play Fifa and Mortal Kombat and a serious driving game.

 

[musicpenguy]

I have switched to Nintendo as my main gaming systems now too, between the 3DS and the Wii U you don't need anything else.

I am still picking up a PS4 but that is simply to be a media center mostly.

Great end of the year for Wii U, can't wait for Zelda.

Yea there is plenty to play on 3DS and Wii U between the fantastic first party releases and even some solid 3rd party titles like Rayman, Call of Duty Ghosts, Sonic, Watch Dogs.

I also don't feel the need to own another ecosystem of games. I would hate to split my money between multiple ecosystems of games - I'd end up with pretty poor collections of games in each if I did that. I'd rather have a kick butt collection of games on Wii U and 3DS.

There will be almost too many games for Wii U this fall/winter. I will be waiting until 2014 to pick up many of them - not enough time in the day to play all of em

 

[GluedOnBeard]

Love the name, GluedOnBeard!

Not going to lie, first I thought I could take the Touchpad with me and use it as a handheld.

I'll probably pick up a PS4/XB in a year or two as a secondary BluRay player and because I really want to play Fifa and Mortal Kombat and a serious driving game.

Haha thanks!

I tried gaming on the iPhone as the portable fix but I ended up just playing rubbish like Candy Crush which is a major waste of time.

I would pick up the PS4 next year too but I am really sick of how loud my PS3 slim gets when playing movies/netflix etc I am not sure how many games I will buy for the PS4 but I have Playstation Plus for another 2 years so I'll get some free stuff, War Thunder will be free to play as well on it.

There will be almost too many games for Wii U this fall/winter. I will be waiting until 2014 to pick up many of them - not enough time in the day to play all of em

Exactly, now I am a bit older and have more responsibilities and different interests I am finding I can no longer do gaming marathons and my playing time is extremely limited. I haven't even completed Pikmin yet and that is such an amazing game.

Another reason why I value Nintendo more at the moment as I would say they are actually making games, if that makes sense. Other companies are making experiences or competitive titles. Nintendo always makes fun, vibrant relaxing games that also provide a challenge.

 

[oklaonion]

There will be almost too many games for Wii U this fall/winter. I will be waiting until 2014 to pick up many of them - not enough time in the day to play all of em

My problem exactly. I will have to pick and choose. I'm actually hoping for a drought in Jan-May, ha.

 

[twietee]

My problem exactly. I will have to pick and choose. I'm actually hoping for a drought in Jan-May, ha.

No way! lol I want Mario Kart. Badly!

But agreed, already decided to skip this Zelda!

And (probably) MarioWorld!

And Sonic!




Just give me Donkey Kong and MarioKart!

 

[musicpenguy]

Haha thanks!

I tried gaming on the iPhone as the portable fix but I ended up just playing rubbish like Candy Crush which is a major waste of time.

I would pick up the PS4 next year too but I am really sick of how loud my PS3 slim gets when playing movies/netflix etc I am not sure how many games I will buy for the PS4 but I have Playstation Plus for another 2 years so I'll get some free stuff, War Thunder will be free to play as well on it.



Exactly, now I am a bit older and have more responsibilities and different interests I am finding I can no longer do gaming marathons and my playing time is extremely limited. I haven't even completed Pikmin yet and that is such an amazing game.

Another reason why I value Nintendo more at the moment as I would say they are actually making games, if that makes sense. Other companies are making experiences or competitive titles. Nintendo always makes fun, vibrant relaxing games that also provide a challenge.

I feel the same way. I don't want to re-enact a movie - I want to have fun and be delighted by these creative minds creating great games.

I'm also liking that Nintendo is starting to understand pricing a bit more than blanket pricing which was done in the past. Sonic and Donkey Kong being $50 is Nintendo seeing the landscape of games coming out and positioning each of them appropriately. Same thing in the 3DS realm with $35 games when appropriate.

It's shaping up to be a great end of 2013 and I can't wait to see what announcements Nintendo has in store for 2014. Tons of unannounced games.

 

[oklaonion]

Exactly, now I am a bit older and have more responsibilities and different interests I am finding I can no longer do gaming marathons and my playing time is extremely limited. I haven't even completed Pikmin yet and that is such an amazing game.

Another reason why I value Nintendo more at the moment as I would say they are actually making games, if that makes sense. Other companies are making experiences or competitive titles. Nintendo always makes fun, vibrant relaxing games that also provide a challenge.

Yep. Now that I'm older I appreciate character and emphasis on gameplay and design over realism and big explosions. Also, now that I have kids, we can actually enjoy Nintendo games together while the other systems offer slim pickings for QUALITY games the whole family can enjoy. Lately they have really nailed the balance between accessibility while still providing challenge for newbies.

The GamePad is also perfect for this environment as my wife often likes to watch TV after the kids go to bed and so I can still play my games with the off-tv play.

Just following E3 it seems clear that Nintendo is the only company left that focuses on fun, accessibility and charm. The sizzle reels for the Sony and Microsoft kind of depress me...I like DIVERSITY! I will take a realistic game or shooter every once in a while, but they have just not done it for me since I left high school.

 

[Kurri]

I did not have a wii before getting the wii u. are there any good mature games for the wii that I might have missed? not really interested in mario, etc.