[v1oz]

Just read the analyst quotes about Activision/Konami support. Dude is insane. Activision supported the Wii with most of their fall line-up, why wouldn't they port it to Wii U? Konami on the other hand sounds plausible. They'll just port over PES 2013 and be done with it.

Have they announced COD yet?

[fabricated backlash]

Have they announced COD yet?

You could ask otherwise: Which device with a screen do you expect COD to not release?

[IdeaMan]

The thing is, the entire way that out-of-order instruction pipelines are designed is that they do the entire out-of-order thing automatically in a way which is logically equivalent to an in-order processor (ie the exact same instructions are run with the exact same outcomes, but the order in which they're computed is sometimes changed to speed things up). This means that an out-of-order processor will never be slower than an otherwise identical in-order processor at running the same code. It might be faster, it might take exactly the same amount of time, but it'll never be slower.

After seeing how some applications, once being optimized for the Wii U CPU, have a dramatical increase of their performances (many hundreds percent more), i tried to search what in the CPU is so different than its current gen counterparts to explain this. Then appear my scenario where maybe, its OoO nature is the problem, as normally, this architecture is supposed to speed the execution of a code by changing the order of the sequence here and there, and perhaps, in the case that interests us, the heavily customized processor involved had a problem (at a certain time in its designing, with certain applications, with a certain software to use it, with certain type of code), and this traditional OoO initiative to modify the order of the sequence is, in this scenario, counterproductive and slow the process. But clearly, IBM & Nintendo must have found such a deficiency if it existed quickly and correct it before implementing such CPU on their dev kit. Anyway, thanks for the precisions :)

Of more relevance is the fact that the instruction set will probably be quite different from those of the Cell and Xenon. Console CPUs generally have highly customised instruction sets, with extra instructions to handle whatever tasks the designers deem important. Hence, code which relies on custom instructions on Xenon may either run poorly or not at all on the Wii U CPU. AltiVec (yep, like VMX) is one such area, as Xenon has a highly customised variant of the VMX AltiVec unit, and it's quite possible that the Wii U CPU is using a customised version of the more modern VSX AltiVec unit. They'll have broadly the same functionality, but different instruction sets and data-formatting rules would mean there would be a bit of a learning curve in terms of getting code intended for the XBox360 to run well on the Wii U.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but to generalize/make this more accessible, AltiVec and VMX are like extended versions of MMX or SSE, an additional "package" of instructions set, of features, on a CPU. But do you really think that there are such differences between the instructions set of the Wii U CPU and the Xenon that it could explain the phenomenal increase of performances of some middleware after being optimized ? What is the probability that the same manufacturer, IBM, changed or added to or modified the VMX128 instruction set of the Xenon, already more adapted to gaming purposes, to an extent that the Wii U CPU see such poor performances for some middleware, and require a lot of optimizations ?

[abasm]

I don't think Nintendo can pump out Virtual Console titles the way everybody seems to think they can. Virtual Console games seem to strive for accuracy, and must undergo rigorous testing before being released. Nintendo's a big company--big enough to keep a few VC games on the back burner, but not so big that they'd have the majority of the GB/GBC library ready and waiting by this point, especially with the rate at which they've been releasing boxed games.

In fact, I would guess that the Ambassador games are a good look at what a "beta" Virtual Console release looks like. Consider the release time between Super Mario Bros to the ambassadors and it's finalized version to the eShop as an indicator of at least some of the time that might be required to finish up these games.

By trickling out VC releases one by one, Nintendo ensures that each game, however obscure, gets a modicum of attention. They can't afford to release them en masse and allow the bulk of them to be ignored; the cost of labor has to be recouped.

[IdeaMan]

Apparently, LucasArts could develop for Wii U

Don't know if it was said before

It could be related to their licensing of the Unreal Engine 3

Their "open world RPG" project

Or their Action Adventure game, First Person Shooter, or Aerial Combat game projects

Don't forget their job announcement for "a new way of connected online gaming that is going to revolutionize the industry."

So, Battlefront 3 with an extended online service (aka LucasArts battlenet) for Wii U ?

Source: mapyourshow

Edit: it's interesting because Rebellion is also listed (Category: Action & Shooter), and it's rumored they have pursued the development of Battlefront 3 after the difficulties of Free Radical Design and their acquisition by Crytek and Pandemic closing in 2009.

[Dreamwriter]

I don't think Nintendo can pump out Virtual Console titles the way everybody seems to think they can. Virtual Console games seem to strive for accuracy, and must undergo rigorous testing before being released. Nintendo's a big company--big enough to keep a few VC games on the back burner, but not so big that they'd have the majority of the GB/GBC library ready and waiting by this point, especially with the rate at which they've been releasing boxed games. In fact, I would guess that the Ambassador games are a good look at what a "beta" Virtual Console release looks like. Consider the release time between Super Mario Bros to the ambassadors and it's finalized version to the eShop as an indicator of at least some of the time that might be required to finish up these games. By trickling out VC releases one by one, Nintendo ensures that each game, however obscure, gets a modicum of attention. They can't afford to release them en masse and allow the bulk of them to be ignored; the cost of labor has to be recouped.

Once the emulator is created (a one time cost for all VC games for that game console), the "cost of labor" is ripping the Rom off of a cartridge, digitizing the instruction manual, creating the "banner" art, and uploading it. A few hour's work, most of that editing the manual.

[AceBandage]

I have no faith in Lucasarts to make any game that I woiluld want to buy.

[Rösti]

Apparently, LucasArts could develop for Wii U Source: mapyourshow

Yeah, I just got back from work and saw this. Deep Silver Inc. has also been added (to almost every category). Most interesting regarding LucasArts is that it's listed under "MMO - Nintendo Wii U". Star Wars: The Old Republic, m'kay? I know it's BioWare, but still.

Now I wanna know what we'll see at PAX East. Any news from there yet?

[AceBandage]

Once the emulator is created (a one time cost for all VC games for that game console), the "cost of labor" is ripping the Rom off of a cartridge, digitizing the instruction manual, and uploading it. A few hour's work, most of that editing the manual.

Except that is not how any of the consoles download BC works. There isn't a catch all emulator because it would be messuy and have many problems.
Every game has to have its own version of the emulator created specifically for it.
It's no where near as simple as people think.
Yes they could stand to release more games At once, but they can't just plop them all down at once. It's simply impossible.

[IdeaMan]

I have no faith in Lucasarts to make any game that I woiluld want to buy.

A real offline KOTOR 3 could be ijzseliejr huge !
A X-Wing vs Tie-Fighter modern revival could be iroizjuireu huge ! (i CRAVE for spatial combat titles, they are lacking since a few years)
A good Battlefront 3 could be cool

[AceBandage]

A real offline KOTOR 3 could be ijzseliejr huge ! A X-Wing vs Tie-Fighter modern revival could be iroizjuireu huge ! (i CRAVE for spatial combat titles, they are lacking since a few years) A good Battlefront 3 could be cool

None are actually from LucasArts. I'd be thrilled if BioWare or some other good dev made a good game under the StarWars banner.

[IdeaMan]

Yeah, I just got back from work and saw this. Deep Silver Inc. has also been added (to almost every category). Most interesting regarding LucasArts is that it's listed under "MMO - Nintendo Wii U". Star Wars: The Old Republic, m'kay (I know it's BioWare, but still)? Now I wanna now what we'll see at PAX East. Any news from there yet?

It could be a Old Republic console port with a sort of cross-play between PC and home system (therefore their teasing about "revolutionary online" thingy).

Or it could be the online mode of Battlefront 3, that may be listed as MMO.

Seriously, LucasArts, do a good job ! Regain your noble letters !

[IdeaMan]

None are actually from LucasArts. I'd be thrilled if BioWare or some other good dev made a good game under the StarWars banner.

Yeah of course, but they are the publishers, hence their appearance in the aforementioned listing. The studio contracted for these projects, for LucasArts, must do a good job if you prefer :)

Seriously, we need a spatial combat title on Wii U ><

[gunther]

A real offline KOTOR 3 could be ijzseliejr huge ! A X-Wing vs Tie-Fighter modern revival could be iroizjuireu huge ! (i CRAVE for spatial combat titles, they are lacking since a few years) A good Battlefront 3 could be cool

Imagine a tie fighter ramake with all the functions mapped to the touchscreen. Finally complex PC LIKE games in my console!!!!.

[jump_button]

Unless its a Star Wars rogue squadron game, Star Wars games are dead to me

[Dreamwriter]

Except that is not how any of the consoles download BC works. There isn't a catch all emulator because it would be messuy and have many problems. Every game has to have its own version of the emulator created specifically for it. It's no where near as simple as people think. Yes they could stand to release more games At once, but they can't just plop them all down at once. It's simply impossible.

It's exactly how Nintendo does it. They stopped making game-specific emulators after the first year in the Wii VC (it was very obvious even without hacking, the size of the downloads went way down, including the size of previously-released games). I don't see how you can say a catch-all emulator would be messy and have many problems, we've had catch-all NES, Gameboy, and SNES emulators since the 90's. And even in the early days of the emulators, they were able to run a large number of games accurately enough for the layman. Certain games require extra work, such as Castlevania 3 which had a special chip in the cartridge that allowed for more color (and better music in Japan), but most games don't need that.

[IdeaMan]

Deep Silver Inc. has also been added (to almost every category).

It could be a lot of titles, MMO's, Risen, Dead Island, X-Factor... Let's hope it's an ambitious game

[Louis Cyphre]

http://www.bestgamesnetwork.net/2012...i-u-power.html

I still wonder if Nintendo is better off just doing software. It is clear they have no interest in providing gamers with the latest technology available and instead concentrate on providing hardware designs they think we want. Will the Wii-U go the same route as the 3DS and the original Wii where gamers want more? The 3DS added a circle pad because that is what gamers want. They also wanted better 1-1 movement and then they came out with the Wii-Motion Plus.

So will they then add an actual touchscreen on the Wii U pad instead of just a stylus because that is what gamers want? Seems to me Nintendo is always more interested in making money off the console right away which means gamers never reap the benefits like we see with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo knows this which is why they are always trying to offer different experiences to differentiate themselves from the competition. I just fear the Wii-U will not meet its full potential because of Nintendo's unwillingness to either sell expensive hardware or sell hardware at a loss. I also see the online experience to be ho-hum again because they certainly see no reason in actually investing in an online servie that can compete with PSN/XBL and Steam. Instead it will be parentally guided that's bare-bones in comparison.

[DXB-KNIGHT]

It could be a lot of titles, MMO's, Risen, Dead Island, X-Factor... Let's hope it's an ambitious game

Wii U is already listed on their website under the game section.

[frankie_baby]

http://www.bestgamesnetwork.net/2012...i-u-power.html I still wonder if Nintendo is better off just doing software. It is clear they have no interest in providing gamers with the latest technology available and instead concentrate on providing hardware designs they think we want. Will the Wii-U go the same route as the 3DS and the original Wii where gamers want more? The 3DS added a circle pad because that is what gamers want. They also wanted better 1-1 movement and then they came out with the Wii-Motion Plus. So will they then add an actual touchscreen on the Wii U pad instead of just a stylus because that is what gamers want? Seems to me Nintendo is always more interested in making money off the console right away which means gamers never reap the benefits like we see with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo knows this which is why they are always trying to offer different experiences to differentiate themselves from the competition. I just fear the Wii-U will not meet its full potential because of Nintendo's unwillingness to either sell expensive hardware or sell hardware at a loss. I also see the online experience to be ho-hum again because they certainly see no reason in actually investing in an online servie that can compete with PSN/XBL and Steam. Instead it will be parentally guided that's bare-bones in comparison.

The wii u doesnt have a touch screen? Since when

[gashikunFLCL]

http://www.bestgamesnetwork.net/2012...i-u-power.html I still wonder if Nintendo is better off just doing software. It is clear they have no interest in providing gamers with the latest technology available and instead concentrate on providing hardware designs they think we want. Will the Wii-U go the same route as the 3DS and the original Wii where gamers want more? The 3DS added a circle pad because that is what gamers want. They also wanted better 1-1 movement and then they came out with the Wii-Motion Plus. So will they then add an actual touchscreen on the Wii U pad instead of just a stylus because that is what gamers want? Seems to me Nintendo is always more interested in making money off the console right away which means gamers never reap the benefits like we see with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo knows this which is why they are always trying to offer different experiences to differentiate themselves from the competition. I just fear the Wii-U will not meet its full potential because of Nintendo's unwillingness to either sell expensive hardware or sell hardware at a loss. I also see the online experience to be ho-hum again because they certainly see no reason in actually investing in an online servie that can compete with PSN/XBL and Steam. Instead it will be parentally guided that's bare-bones in comparison.

Move and Kinect?

[magash]

The wii u doesnt have a touch screen? Since when

LOL. This should show you that people talk shit without actually knowing anything. The Wii U's tablet video montage included a board game that had two people making use of the touch screen yet this joke of an author seems to think the the opposite.

[IdeaMan]

Wii U is already listed on their website under the game section.

http://www.deepsilver.com/en/games/

Let's pray for a game from the X series for Wii U

Or it could be Ellen Whitaker's Horse Life, you take care of your horse through the touch screen...

[onilink88]

Seriously, we need a spatial combat title on Wii U ><

A home console Macross by Artdink is the only right answer here. :D

[Louis Cyphre]

The wii u doesnt have a touch screen? Since when

Is it a multitouch screen?

[ASIS]

Is it a multitouch screen?

I still have no idea why people think that is better for gaming. I saw many knock offs of EBA and Trauma center and suffice to say, they play like crap on the multitouch screens.

[DynamicG]

Is it a multitouch screen?

I don't think so. Does that mean it isn't a touch screen?

[Louis Cyphre]

Move and Kinect?

Move and Kinect were after-thoughts, they were never an integral part of the original concept. Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 were technically capable on the outset of its release compared to what gamers were familiar with. When the Wii came out people were already owning HDTV's and were also enjoying online experiences Nintendo didn't seem to care about. Now the 3DS comes out and it too looks terrible graphically with what handheld devices were capable of (Vita blows it away) and was also hindered by having one analog control.

I fear the Wii-U will once again make compromises at the sake of not wanting to sell expensive hardware and/or not willing to sell hardware at a loss like Microsoft and Sony do. Instead they cater to gimmicks that try and offer different experiences. The Wii was fun to play but never offered the best experience because again Nintendo doesn't care about pushing technical boundaries. Same with the 3DS where the 3D aspect was also a gimmick. So will the Wii-U continue this quest of Nintendo's to pursue their vision of what gamers want without the actual involvement from gamers needs?

It's a fine line between offering the moon and an affordable device. Which direction do you think Nintendo leans towards?

[tkscz]

http://www.bestgamesnetwork.net/2012...i-u-power.html I still wonder if Nintendo is better off just doing software.

Stopped reading here. If Nintendo stops doing hardware, games will become tedious, atleast they try to change things up. Analog sticks, rumble, hell the current gamepad, none of those would be if not for Nintendo.

Move and Kinect were after-thoughts, they were never an integral part of the original concept. Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 were technically capable on the outset of its release compared to what gamers were familiar with. When the Wii came out people were already owning HDTV's and were also enjoying online experiences Nintendo didn't seem to care about. Now the 3DS comes out and it too looks terrible graphically with what handheld devices were capable of (Vita blows it away) and was also hindered by having one analog control. I fear the Wii-U will once again make compromises at the sake of not wanting to sell expensive hardware and/or not willing to sell hardware at a loss like Microsoft and Sony do. Instead they cater to gimmicks that try and offer different experiences. The Wii was fun to play but never offered the best experience because again Nintendo doesn't care about pushing technical boundaries. Same with the 3DS where the 3D aspect was also a gimmick. So will the Wii-U continue this quest of Nintendo's to pursue their vision of what gamers want without the actual involvement from gamers needs? It's a fine line between offering the moon and an affordable device. Which direction do you think Nintendo leans towards?

You keep posting, but each one makes you sound pretty ignorant. When the Wii was first released, only a few percent of the populous had HDTVs. HDTVs didn't take off until around 2008, when they became cheaper. The 3DS's graphics aren't as bad as you're claiming. The 3DS supports OpenGL ES 1.1, which maybe a mix of fixed and programmable shaders, but in the right hands, it can produce great things, RE: Revelations for example. We know no truths about the WiiU, just rumors. Same about the other two consoles (you expect me to believe a 16 core CPU and 2 GPUs?). So shhh.... you whiner. Wait until E3.

[Easy_D]

I still have no idea why people think that is better for gaming. I saw many knock offs of EBA and Trauma center and suffice to say, they play like crap on the multitouch screens.

Because of what? Using your finger? That could be worked around :p, not like there aren't styli that work with capacitive touch screens.

[Louis Cyphre]

I still have no idea why people think that is better for gaming. I saw many knock offs of EBA and Trauma center and suffice to say, they play like crap on the multitouch screens.

Think of an RTS game where you can expand the world with your two fingers.

[ColdBlooder]

Is it a multitouch screen?

No multitouch and it dosent need it. It has actual buttons on the controller. Multitouch is just a subsitute for "buttonless controls" wich make sense on a smartphone, not on a gaming console.

Multitouch fanatics: "But but but... we cant pinch zoom! Nintendo am doomed!"

Me: "Press L1/L2 R1/R2 is easily as quick to use!"

Buttons are (imo) faster to use than gestures!

Its not like im missing multitouch on my 3DS...

Think of an RTS game where you can expand the world with your two fingers.

See my post above.......

[Louis Cyphre]

Stopped reading here. If Nintendo stops doing hardware, games will become tedious, atleast they try to change things up. Analog sticks, rumble, hell the current gamepad, none of those would be if not for Nintendo.

Tedious like the PC?

[Jokeropia]

Because of what? Using your finger? That could be worked around :p, not like there aren't styli that work with capacitive touch screens.

None of them are as good, though. Even the most expensive ones have tips many times wider than for example the 3DS stylus'.

[Louis Cyphre]

Stopped reading here. If Nintendo stops doing hardware, games will become tedious, atleast they try to change things up. Analog sticks, rumble, hell the current gamepad, none of those would be if not for Nintendo. You keep posting, but each one makes you sound pretty ignorant. When the Wii was first released, only a few percent of the populous had HDTVs. HDTVs didn't take off until around 2008, when they became cheaper. The 3DS's graphics aren't as bad as you're claiming. The 3DS supports OpenGL ES 1.1, which maybe a mix of fixed and programmable shaders, but in the right hands, it can produce great things, RE: Revelations for example. We know no truths about the WiiU, just rumors. Same about the other two consoles (you expect me to believe a 16 core CPU and 2 GPUs?). So shhh.... you whiner. Wait until E3.

Ahh, so it's ignorant to think the Wii would do what the PS3 did in the same year as the Wii launched? I guess it's also not feasible to think the Wii would even do what the Xbox 360 did the previous year. Yup, call me ignorant for wanting my games to look good.

As for the Wii U , you are correct, we don't know anything. Did i imply my findings to be factual? No. However going by history it's pretty safe to say the Wii U will not meet it's full potential as the reasons i explained on the way Nintendo works.

[DefectiveReject]

You know I really do hope Nintendo have done what sites are saying with the system doing HD .

720 and PS4 are going to be EXPENSIVE.


ON another note.
That video company Nintendo acquired....could that of been to get decent tech for their video chat application??

[Grampa Simpson]

Nothing quite like the smell of trolls in the morning.

[lwilliams3]

Move and Kinect were after-thoughts, they were never an integral part of the original concept. Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 were technically capable on the outset of its release compared to what gamers were familiar with. When the Wii came out people were already owning HDTV's and were also enjoying online experiences Nintendo didn't seem to care about. Now the 3DS comes out and it too looks terrible graphically with what handheld devices were capable of (Vita blows it away) and was also hindered by having one analog control. I fear the Wii-U will once again make compromises at the sake of not wanting to sell expensive hardware and/or not willing to sell hardware at a loss like Microsoft and Sony do. Instead they cater to gimmicks that try and offer different experiences. The Wii was fun to play but never offered the best experience because again Nintendo doesn't care about pushing technical boundaries. Same with the 3DS where the 3D aspect was also a gimmick. So will the Wii-U continue this quest of Nintendo's to pursue their vision of what gamers want without the actual involvement from gamers needs? It's a fine line between offering the moon and an affordable device. Which direction do you think Nintendo leans towards?

Ok, the thing is that it is obvious that you think gamers "need":

- the best graphics available

- online

The popularity of the DS and Wii shows that the gaming market is alot more diverse than that. Also note that the 360 got the boost to surpass the momentum of the Wii only after Kinect was released. Striving for a different interface can be a gamechanger.

[onilink88]

I fear the Wii-U will once again make compromises at the sake of not wanting to sell expensive hardware and/or not willing to sell hardware at a loss like Microsoft and Sony do.

I think pandering to graphic whoring pissants and selling hardware at a loss is a brilliant idea. It's even more brilliant when it's compounded by the fact that the company's only source of revenue is the video game biz.

Instead they cater to gimmicks that try and offer different experiences. The Wii was fun to play but never offered the best experience because again Nintendo doesn't care about pushing technical boundaries.

I'm with you, man. Why play stuff like the Trauma games when I can experience the usual with prettier visuals. Absolutely a no brainer.

Same with the 3DS where the 3D aspect was also a gimmick.

Yeah, totally. I don't get this HD stuff as well. I was perfectly fine with my standard definition images and my black and white TVs.

So will the Wii-U continue this quest of Nintendo's to pursue their vision of what gamers want without the actual involvement from gamers needs? It's a fine line between offering the moon and an affordable device. Which direction do you think Nintendo leans towards?

Affordable systems that don't break the bank. Lord in heaven, help the poor fools.

[BD1]

Yeah of course, but they are the publishers, hence their appearance in the aforementioned listing. The studio contracted for these projects, for LucasArts, must do a good job if you prefer :) Seriously, we need a spatial combat title on Wii U ><

I hope LucasArts gets its act together this next cycle. They have a wonderful legacy and access to some of the most beloved IP in the world. Be smart and be creative, LucasArts! And give me a great Indiana Jones game.

I'm still annoyed IJ and the Infernal Machine never came to the Wii VC.

[IdeaMan]

I hope LucasArts gets its act together this next cycle. They have a wonderful legacy and access to some of the most beloved IP in the world. Be smart and be creative, LucasArts! And give me a great Indiana Jones game. I'm still annoyed IJ and the Infernal Machine never came to the Wii VC.

I think that like many, my first dreamed game, before even Zelda, when witnessing the first demos of the Wii controller, was a very good Star Wars action/rpg title (more action-centered kotor, a jedi knight, etc.), with 1:1 motion control of the light saber. A pity it didn't come to fruition ><

[ASIS]

Think of an RTS game where you can expand the world with your two fingers.

It has buttons for that which is even more efficient. That said..

Because of what? Using your finger? That could be worked around :p, not like there aren't styli that work with capacitive touch screens.

If the stylus works as well as it does for the normal touch screen then I'm all for it. Regardless though, it's not a necessity at all IMO.

[Louis Cyphre]

I think pandering to graphic whoring pissants and selling hardware at a loss is a brilliant idea. It's even more brilliant when it's compounded by the fact that the company's only source of revenue is the video game biz. I'm with you, man. Why play stuff like the Trauma games when I can experience the usual with prettier visuals. Absolutely a no brainer. Yeah, totally. I don't get this HD stuff as well. I was perfectly fine with my standard definition images and my black and white TVs. Affordable systems that don't break the bank. Lord in heaven, help the poor fools.

I'm just as much of a fan of Nintendo as anyone. Forgive me for not wanting more. I had a Wii and enjoyed it but always felt how much more I would have enjoyed it if the hardware was actually created for the times it was released. Now we are hearing rumblings from developers that the Wii U is basically on par with current hardware that was released years ago.

I will watch DVD videos if that is all that is available to me but I much prefer blu-ray for my viewing pleasure. Nintendo knows people will buy their hardware knowing that is the only place to play their software. It's just too bad knowing deep down how much better those games could have been.

[IdeaMan]

http://east.paxsite.com/

a livrestream is available

[JoshuaJSlone]

Seems to me Nintendo is always more interested in making money off the console right away which means gamers never reap the benefits like we see with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo knows this which is why they are always trying to offer different experiences to differentiate themselves from the competition.

This seems like asking whether a glass is half empty or half full. You'd say: They know they don't let gamers reap the benefits, so they have to differentiate themselves. I'd say: Providing a different kind of product is the benefit gamers reap.

[udivision]

http://east.paxsite.com/ a livrestream is available

i dont' think this is relevant to the Wii U or anything, is it?

[Nibel]

There will be nothing at PAX - plus I hate Penny Arcade and their bad, bad, bad webcomics.

[IdeaMan]

i dont' think this is relevant to the Wii U or anything, is it?

For the moment no, but maybe after, with a LOT of hope :p

[Door2Dawn]

You know I really do hope Nintendo have done what sites are saying with the system doing HD . 720 and PS4 are going to be EXPENSIVE.

This is pretty much why I'm only sticking with one Console next gen. I have no fucking clue what that new 720 rumor with the 16 core processor means, but it sounds like it's going to be a really powerful, and expensive console.

Which begs the question: How on earth is Nintendo going to score 3rd party support when it seems like MS/Sony are going batshit insane next gen?

[megashock5]

Stopped reading here. If Nintendo stops doing hardware, games will become tedious, atleast they try to change things up. Analog sticks, rumble, hell the current gamepad, none of those would be if not for Nintendo.

Good place to stop. Seriously, "I still wonder if Nintendo is better off just doing software"???

It might be what the author personally wishes would happen, but it Nintendo would be better off not selling these machines that make them so much profit? Makes sense.