Wii U MacRumors members reviews.

[twietee]

Well, this is not a discussion I'm interested in. And to compare a company like Microsoft or Sony with Nintendo doesn't really strike me as fair.

Nintendo is running a healthy business as far as I know. Maybe they're not en vogue with the latest generation Idk and I don't care - but I rather see Ninty dead than selling their soul - sad but true. And the U is only one year old, not sure why they're written off as of now. I see lots of devastating user reviews regarding the other two consoles - let's not pretend just because the majority is doing x means doing y is bad.

And the wii remotes do quite well in the games I used them in, as did the Touchscreen (ZombiU i.e.) and the Pro controller is just as fine...the console itself is rock solid. So in the end one could criticize their marketing campaign: but I generally hate this because it only shows the stupidity of the customers (with only three consoles out).

I do see a lot of negative spin regarding Ninty news - and honestly: I really hate how gaming sites - even Nintendo only - seem to turn into financial analysts telling me the latest selling charts of which game is doing how bad and so on and on. I despise that ideology. On the other hand it seems most important which console has 5% better graphics...who cares!?! I know, I know: most do. I remember when N64 games had no voice over in comparison to PS - that I can understand as an argument, but today it mostly sounds like spoiled brats complaining about s***.


Anyway, just hate to see this discussion consuming everything everywhere: even in this sacred refugium!

 

[twietee]

nvm

 

[jedolley]

Well, this is not a discussion I'm interested in. And to compare a company like Microsoft or Sony with Nintendo doesn't really strike me as fair.

Why not? I realize, and I bet most others do as well, that MS and Sony are larger companies with different product divisions, but we are discussing the gaming divisions themselves. Also, Nintendo has been doing this a lot longer than both of them, so it's not like their the new upstart or anything.

Nintendo is running a healthy business as far as I know. Maybe they're not en vogue with the latest generation Idk and I don't care - but I rather see Ninty dead than selling their soul - sad but true. And the U is only one year old, not sure why they're written off as of now. I see lots of devastating user reviews regarding the other two consoles - let's not pretend just because the majority is doing x means doing y is bad.

I have no idea how Nintendo is doing "business" wise. Again, my points are all in regards to sales numbers of the Wii U. The Wii U had a good start (not PS4 good, but more than respectable), but sales have been stagnate all year I believe. I hope they got a little boost from BF/Holiday plus new games, but I doubt it was spectacular. I don't think the Wii U is written off, but it's very probable they will finish last this gen.

And the wii remotes do quite well in the games I used them in, as did the Touchscreen (ZombiU i.e.) and the Pro controller is just as fine...the console itself is rock solid. So in the end one could criticize their marketing campaign: but I generally hate this because it only shows the stupidity of the customers (with only three consoles out).

I think most of agree that we like the Wii U and what it does. To me the Wii U is a good console, with better games. The games are what sell the Wii U, not the hardware. I think Nintendo needed to evolve the Wii with next gen Wii motion control, but what we got was more of an update than an evolution.

I do see a lot of negative spin regarding Ninty news - and honestly: I really hate how gaming sites - even Nintendo only - seem to turn into financial analysts telling me the latest selling charts of which game is doing how bad and so on and on. I despise that ideology. On the other hand it seems most important which console has 5% better graphics...who cares!?! I know, I know: most do. I remember when N64 games had no voice over in comparison to PS - that I can understand as an argument, but today it mostly sounds like spoiled brats complaining about s***.

I don't listen to what "analysts" say, but I do think sales numbers are important. Some developers are don't going to develop for a platform unless they know it's going to make them money... This is not as big a problem for Nintendo as they have great in house games, but they still need 3rd party support.

 

[twietee]

Well, feel free to continue this discussion, it's just that I read too much about this lately. Lat remarks:

Agreed, Wii U is an evolution in regards to the wii - as are the competitors. So why focus on the U with this criticism? I don't see the other 'next gen' consoles/games delivering anything revolutionary. But I'm really avoiding this Kinect-cr*p - would be a reason not to buy for me, so if you see that as huge thing we may agree to disagree. Off-Tv is one for me and the fact that it isn't advertised properly doesn't change a thing for me.

Sales numbers is one thing - profit another. I don't care about those numbers but if you base your whole picture upon units sold I guess you shouldn't either.

Nintendo is entirely about games, while the other two (well, not sure about Sony) trying to invade/control your whole entertainment system(s) (not a bad thing per se, still big difference and approach). You want to play Zelda/Mario/Kart/Metroid/... > buy a Nintendo console. You want a plethora of M rated games + EA support > don't buy one.

And yes, I still think that it's not 'fair' to compare a company like Nintendo to one of the biggest corporations existing cross financing their console/living room marketing breach as they please.

I understand that some people want to have 1-3 brand-new games per month, but I have no problem if that's not the case. Quality over quantity all day long. And there are plenty of great games available. And why do they have to 'win' this generation? According to sold units they've won last gen yet MS/Sony still got major support because of the money they spend. Who cares about that? I don't think Nintendo will ever again leave their niche - and as long as they make a (remarkable) profit with their products I'm not sure why one should worry. I'd worry when Miyamoto resigns.

 

[blesscheese]

Well, it will be interesting to look at this all in 5 years and see what is going on. There are likely (certainly!) issues we aren't aware of that will drive the "success" or "failure" of the consoles.

For me, the key issues in this saga are:
1) When is Nintendo going to stop calling their consoles "Wii's" or other silly names (remember the Wii's codename? Revolution...now *that* was a name!)

2) How much can Sony keep gaining the goodwill of gamers and keep the M$ juggernaut at bay? (And will they come up with more & better games for the Vita...I'm always tempted to get one, and the PS4 TV integration looks sweet)

3) How much longer will Microsoft keep subsidizing the XBox division, especially when other divisions aren't doing as well as they used to. And how will their strategy to get control of the living room (through the XBox) work? Especially after their early stumbles with DRM & other issues at E3?

Not mentioned...how SteamBox will serve as a disruptive factor...

Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to get Super Mario 3D land without my wife finding it on the credit card bill....

 

[gkarris]

Well, it will be interesting to look at this all in 5 years and see what is going on. There are likely (certainly!) issues we aren't aware of that will drive the "success" or "failure" of the consoles.

For me, the key issues in this saga are:
1) When is Nintendo going to stop calling their consoles "Wii's" or other silly names (remember the Wii's codename? Revolution...now *that* was a name!)

2) How much can Sony keep gaining the goodwill of gamers and keep the M$ juggernaut at bay? (And will they come up with more & better games for the Vita...I'm always tempted to get one, and the PS4 TV integration looks sweet)

3) How much longer will Microsoft keep subsidizing the XBox division, especially when other divisions aren't doing as well as they used to. And how will their strategy to get control of the living room (through the XBox) work? Especially after their early stumbles with DRM & other issues at E3?

Not mentioned...how SteamBox will serve as a disruptive factor...

Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to get Super Mario 3D land without my wife finding it on the credit card bill....

1) Nintendo's trying to call their console "not specific language favorable" so hence "Wii".

2) Vita TV as a console looks awesome - they need to add more compatible Vita games for it and make it PS4 controller compatible - maybe come out with a PS4 controller bundle. The $399 for next gen was ingenious - they can stay ahead with price drops as time goes on.

3) A new CEO will be in place by mid next year. Rumors is that they will spin-off the XBox division to its own company.

Extra question: Go to the grocery store and buy a prepaid Visa card. Then, go to game store and buy Mario 3D Land - problem solved….

 

[e²Studios]

Not mentioned...how SteamBox will serve as a disruptive factor...

The steambox will have about the same impact as Ouya has.. It won't be a contender or any sort of competition to anything but cannibalizing steams PC sales. Even that will likely be minimal since the loyal Steam followers are the "PC Master Race" elitists that would never buy a console anyhow. I welcome competition but the SteamBox won't be much of any to the major players in the console world.

I expect to see XBox spun off, sold, or dropped/transformed in to something else, they've lost too much in it and the board and investors are tired of carrying it around.

Nintendo can only live for so long on 3DS, the 3DS is still nowhere near the sales of the DS. The WiiU is doing abysmal and there's quite a few major developers that have either called it irrelevant and/or dropped production of games on it. I think splitting off their IP on to other consoles would be a smart thing, focus on the software and forget about the hardware.

 

[LethalWolfe]

I expect to see XBox spun off, sold, or dropped/transformed in to something else, they've lost too much in it and the board and investors are tired of carrying it around.

Not going to happen anytime soon as the Xbox is their trojan horse to get MS services (Xbox Live, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, etc.,) into homes. If they want to stay competitive with Google and Apple in creating a complete 'ecosystem' they won't give up the living room as that's the only area they a leg up in (the three areas being mobile, computer and living room). MS has been trying to get a computer in the living room since the WebTV days of the late '90s and the Xbox is how they finally did it.

 

[0098386]

Well, it will be interesting to look at this all in 5 years and see what is going on. There are likely (certainly!) issues we aren't aware of that will drive the "success" or "failure" of the consoles.

For me, the key issues in this saga are:
1) When is Nintendo going to stop calling their consoles "Wii's" or other silly names (remember the Wii's codename? Revolution...now *that* was a name!)

2) How much can Sony keep gaining the goodwill of gamers and keep the M$ juggernaut at bay? (And will they come up with more & better games for the Vita...I'm always tempted to get one, and the PS4 TV integration looks sweet)

3) How much longer will Microsoft keep subsidizing the XBox division, especially when other divisions aren't doing as well as they used to. And how will their strategy to get control of the living room (through the XBox) work? Especially after their early stumbles with DRM & other issues at E3?

Not mentioned...how SteamBox will serve as a disruptive factor...

Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to get Super Mario 3D land without my wife finding it on the credit card bill....

1) I'm surprised they kept the Wii name for the Wii U, considering how different it is to the Wii. Suppose it's better than the Nintendo Pad.

2) I wouldn't say the Xbox line is a juggernaut, they've hardly set the gaming world on fire (except the 360 in the USA).

3) I believe the lines will eventually be merged, I could have sworn it would happen this gen with the Xbox One. Why have seperate Windows and Xbox? Why not have Xbox games playable on Windows 8 computers? Why not sell a single "console" that will always play Xbox games (until the next "gen"). Then you'd have a vast market to sell games to, playable on your monitor, TV, stream to mobile...

 

[twietee]

Thought Wii a rather clever name (regarding the whole concept): Wii = we, without being too forced.

Glad they didn't call it Wii Mii or something.

 

[blesscheese]

Thought Wii a rather clever name (regarding the whole concept): Wii = we, without being too forced.

Glad they didn't call it Wii Mii or something.

Oh yeah, my wife thought it was clever...to this day she still snickers when I (or she) say I'm going to play with my Wii...

(That's how I know how tired XBone people are about hearing "it only runs in 720pee"--just give it a rest).

Of course, that won't stop me from saying that my Super Mario 3D World looks really sweet at 60fps in 1080p. Or is that 1080 ? Ok, I'm an *******

 

[Antares]

The big problem for wii is the Gamepad too. It's best feature is off screen gaming. But other than that - there is no compelling use for it yet. There has been no 'wii sports' type magic that makes people want to use a gamepad.

ZombiU pretty well showed something revolutionary with gamepad. When scanning with the Prepper Pad, you moved it around in a 3D space, in the real world, while looking at the screen…which exactly what you would do, if you were actually the character in the game. Also, looking down into your backpack on the gamepad rather than on tv left you vulnerable…but you could still look up and glance at the screen like you would in the real world (or as a character in the game). This is really cool and unique immersion and adds a lot to the experience in the game. This kind of function is exactly what you can only do with the WiiU gamepad that you can’t do with any other control system…

 

[MRU]

ZombiU pretty well showed something revolutionary with gamepad. When scanning with the Prepper Pad, you moved it around in a 3D space, in the real world, while looking at the screen…which exactly what you would do, if you were actually the character in the game. Also, looking down into your backpack on the gamepad rather than on tv left you vulnerable…but you could still look up and glance at the screen like you would in the real world (or as a character in the game). This is really cool and unique immersion and adds a lot to the experience in the game. This kind of function is exactly what you can only do with the WiiU gamepad that you can’t do with any other control system…

The fear being is zombi u the wii sports of the wii u. The game that shows best use of its unique potential, but then never taken advantage of ever again.....

More surprisingly however.. It wasn't even a Nintendo first party title.

 

[0098386]

And now the holy trinity is on the Wii U! Super Mario World, Super Metroid and Link to the Past

Between those 3, Mario 3D World and GTA Online my Christmas holiday is pretty much sorted.

 

[twietee]

And now the holy trinity is on the Wii U! Super Mario World, Super Metroid and Link to the Past

Yes! Have the first two already, but Link to the Past will be superb. Always a bit afraid of revisiting because if it fails it can pretty much damage one's fond childhood / teenage memories, but can't go wrong with with these gems. (Especially Mario and Zelda for me).

 

[MRU]

And now the holy trinity is on the Wii U! Super Mario World, Super Metroid and Link to the Past

Between those 3, Mario 3D World and GTA Online my Christmas holiday is pretty much sorted.

I've played them all too many times over the years to revisit again on wii u.

 

[-SD-]

I think the most interesting thing announced in today's Nintendo Direct is the collaboration with Tecmo Koei on 'Hyrule Warriors' (working title). I'm quite looking forward to this as the trailer looks like great fun.

I'm considering Dr Luigi as I loved the original on the Gameboy, but I'm not too sure about NES Remix at the moment.

There's a bit more footage of Donkey Kong and Mario Kart as well.

Has the recent patch made much difference to Sonic Lost Worlds? My son would like it, and the new Yoshi 's Island Zone DLC looks cool too.... is a decent game overall?

 

[0098386]

NES Remix!
This is so far up my street it's moved in next door and dug a tunnel into my heart. I sincerely hope this becomes a series; SNES Remix, N64, Gameboy/GBA on the 3DS. Maybe I jumped into it too soon but I can't see my friends scores by my own... I don't know if it features that but I did hear there are online scoreboards.

Quick fire micro-challenges for retro games. Surprised it took them this long to be honest! In utter love with this.

 

[twietee]

NES Remix!
This is so far up my street it's moved in next door and dug a tunnel into my heart. I sincerely hope this becomes a series; SNES Remix, N64, Gameboy/GBA on the 3DS. Maybe I jumped into it too soon but I can't see my friends scores by my own... I don't know if it features that but I did hear there are online scoreboards.

Quick fire micro-challenges for retro games. Surprised it took them this long to be honest! In utter love with this.

I've just seen the icon an hour ago in the e-shop. What's it about? isolated levels from all kind of nes games or completely new challenges with the old engines? TELL US MOAR!

 

[0098386]

I've just seen the icon an hour ago in the e-shop. What's it about? isolated levels from all kind of nes games or completely new challenges with the old engines? TELL US MOAR!

It's 5 or 6 NES games with their own challenges (get x number of coins on this level in Mario, etc) and then there are Remix stages that unlock every so often that are much harder, strange things like using different characters. They get really tough! I'm still stuck on the 4th one!

 

[musicpenguy]

I'm LOVING this NES Remix game - here is my hour of gameplay from last night that I captured:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru4Xkzc3PcU

To me this is Iwata giving Nintendo employees a fun little project. Hey can you guys just have a blast with our old classics and present a fun package for 2014. The game looks fantastic - I love the shadows and enhancements they've done for HD. This is a lovingly created game that has tons of content and breathes new life into some of these older games that I might have never played again.

This is my first time playing Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong Jr and I'm sure a few more by the time I unlock the rest.

----------

It's 5 or 6 NES games with their own challenges (get x number of coins on this level in Mario, etc) and then there are Remix stages that unlock every so often that are much harder, strange things like using different characters. They get really tough! I'm still stuck on the 4th one!

You eventually unlock 16 different NES games - can't wait to unlock them all - tons of content already

 

[0098386]

You eventually unlock 16 different NES games - can't wait to unlock them all - tons of content already

Whoa!
It's funny, I find myself playing this as GTA Online boots up (since that takes approximately 4 years to do so). But I get so sucked into NES Remix that I get timed out from the GTA server
So those other games unlock as you progress through? That's great! I wondered why I saw sprites for games not listed on the main menu.

 

[musicpenguy]

Whoa!
It's funny, I find myself playing this as GTA Online boots up (since that takes approximately 4 years to do so). But I get so sucked into NES Remix that I get timed out from the GTA server
So those other games unlock as you progress through? That's great! I wondered why I saw sprites for games not listed on the main menu.

Yea I'd say once I get through the levels available it'll unlock the next set of games probably a group of 5 at a time. I can't wait to unlock Zelda. I will say if I had a kid I would have them play this all the way through and after that they might have an idea of what ones they want to play the full originals of. It seems like the perfect intro pack to NES games.

Love the idea of next December having a SNES Remix game lots of potential to this becoming a kind of weird franchise for Nintendo.

 

[0098386]

Love the idea of next December having a SNES Remix game lots of potential to this becoming a kind of weird franchise for Nintendo.

What I'd really like is some kind of hot-seat mode. I want a load of friends to play this with taking a turn each on the challenges. It's a bit odd there is no multiplayer mode (or is there? I haven't found it yet if there is!) considering Nintendo is the king of local multiplayer!

 

[twietee]

Nice! Ex-Rare dev working on a new platformer for the e-shop..The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup. Looks promising.