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[Vic]

From Kotaku:

This is the Wii U console, the part of Nintendo's big new gaming machine that's been getting a lot less attention than its stunning screen-based controller. I got my hands on the console today. Take a video tour with me.

A few important notes:

1) There is an error in the video... I thought that the Wii U could be stood vertically, but the pieces of plastic I describe in the video as feet are not feet. The Wii U will not stand, not on its own. It needs to lie down.

2) You can see four USB ports for this system and an SD Card slot. You won't see an Ethernet jack, suggesting that, like the Wii, this Nintendo console is made to go online strictly via Wi-Fi. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime cautioned me not to conclude that. Sounds like this design, while apparently final, is still open to some tweaks.

3) You won't see GameCube memory card slots, which the Wii had. That's because Wii U can play Wii games, but isn't backwards compatible to GameCube.

4) You won't see a way to plug the rechargable screen controller into the Wii U. The yellow port I point out in the video is power, the black port an AV port. Perhaps the controller plugs into USB, or there'll be a USB power dock? Hard to say. We've not been shown whatever charging station will be used to recharge the controller.

5) The unit didn't feel much heavier than a Wii, though it's not clear if this unit is a finished device with all the required guts. The machine seems to be about as wide as a Wii, and similarly thick, but it does appear to be longer. To use a metaphor rather than an actual size comparison, think of the relative relationship between letter size paper and legal size paper.

6) I hadn't realized until I was done handling the unit that I had some ink on my left hand—whoops! I got a little ink on the system's front hatch. It wiped off with a tissue. I apologized profusely.

I like the hardware. It looks good. What do you think?

http://kotaku.com/5810084/

BTW, I thnk the two like bumps at the side of the console is to make sure that the exhaust fan won't be be obstructed by a flat surface.

Edit: Please edit my thread title with my latest one. Thanks.

 

[Matt]

BTW, I thnk the two like bumps at the side of the console is to make sure that the exhaust fan won't be be obstructed by a flat surface.

That's exactly right.

 

[Jocchan]

BTW, I thnk the two like bumps at the side of the console is to make sure that the exhaust fan won't be be obstructed by a flat surface.

Likely.

 

[iNvid02]

would have looked better in black

 

[Baller. PhD]

would have looked better in black

All my Wii shit is black, I'm not buying one of these until there's a black one.

 

[Quadrangulum]

I have quite a few reservations about the Wii U but aesthetically, I think it's stellar.

 

[Door2Dawn]

would have looked better in black

Everything is better in black.

Thats why I'm black.

Cause it's better.

 

[rollingstart]

That's because Wii U can play Wii games, but isn't backwards compatible to GameCube.

are they assuming that or did someone from Nintendo confirm it?

 

[Busaiku]

It looks pretty long.

 

[RSP]

Ports on the back look like power, composite/component video & audio and HDMI.

 

[Chao]

I see many ventilation holes, that's a good signal. This machine will need to cool down a lot of heat.

 

[Jocchan]

are they assuming that or did someone from Nintendo confirm it?

No controller/memory card ports is a very strong hint.

 

[Vic]

It looks pretty long.

Compared to the Wii? It does, indeed.

 

[AceBandage]

I do hope they include an Ethernet port. My WiFi works fine but I like the stability of wired for consoles.

 

[Vinci]

I like how it's super long and the controller is so damned wide. They seem like a perfectly matched odd couple.

 

[CrankyJay]

Real HDMI port...about time. None of this proprietary BS.

 

[rollingstart]

No controller/memory card ports is a very strong hint.

PS3 didn't have PS2 controller ports or memory ports either!

actually...ignore that point

Xbox 360 didn't have Xbox controller ports or memory ports either!


I think it will be cool to play Gamecube/Wii games on the WiiU controller. (you can play Wii games on it, right?)

 

[clav]

No Gamecube ports.

Ruh roh.

 

[nckillthegrimace]

I do hope they include an Ethernet port. My WiFi works fine but I like the stability of wired for consoles.

I agree with this.

 

[Fuzzy]

Ports on the back look like power, composite/component video & audio and HDMI.

Plus sensor bar and two USB.

 

[antonz]

No Gamecube ports.

Ruh roh.

Gamecube VC. Can practically guarantee it

 

[Exuro]

It really looks like a 'Wii 2.0'. I like the look. I'm hoping nothing was compromised in wanting to retain the small form factor.

 

[Medalion]

I like it, but I also know this system is still in progress for final specs

 

[Always-honest]

for the love of god, WHY NO SEPERATE AUDIO OUT?????? OPTICAL OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this.

me too. ethernet port just to be sure.

 

[Vic]

I do hope they include an Ethernet port. My WiFi works fine but I like the stability of wired for consoles.

Didn't the Wii supported ethernet through a USB adapter?

 

[clav]

Didn't the Wii supported ethernet through a USB adapter?

Yes.

 

[Varjet]

No controller/memory card ports is a very strong hint.

How low are the the chances that they release some kind of USB-dongle?

 

[Jocchan]

Compared to the Wii? It does, indeed.

The joke writes itself.

PS3 didn't have PS2 controller ports or memory ports either!

actually...ignore that point

Lol.

EDIT:

Xbox 360 didn't have Xbox controller ports or memory ports either!

True.

 

[babyghost853]

I do hope they include an Ethernet port. My WiFi works fine but I like the stability of wired for consoles.

No wired connection means absolutely no buy for me, I have more reasons but that put the nail in the coffin.

 

[Vic]

Gamecube VC. Can practically guarantee it

Why when you can remake them in HD and charge $40-50 bucks each?

 

[Fuzzy]

for the love of god, WHY NO SEPERATE AUDIO OUT?????? OPTICAL OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nintendo: "What? HDMI does audio also!"

 

[PIMPBYBLUD]

It looks pretty long.

 

[udivision]

No wired connection means absolutely no buy for me, I have more reasons but that put the nail in the coffin.

USB -> Ethernet Port like the Wii, probably

There's 4 this time around, too.

Ah, what am I saying. You never had any intention to buy it anyway :-/

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

Good to see so many vents.

would have looked better in black

I'd rather they went back to SNES gray or at least whatever the Dreamcast was. Getting a little tired of gloss regardless of color.

 

[Always-honest]

Nintendo: "What? HDMI does audio also!"

indeed, that's how they think.

 

[Vic]

The joke writes itself.

I.. I knew it.

 

[Dunlop]

Didn't the Wii supported ethernet through a USB adapter?

it was an adapter you needed to buy from Nintendo directly I believe. There was a USB wifi adapter you could connect to you PC but back in the day it had no support for that cutting edge windows vista.....

This system better have a proper ethernet jack

 

[Jocchan]

No wired connection means absolutely no buy for me, I have more reasons but that put the nail in the coffin.

The Wii had an Ethernet <--> USB adapter. This one will probably do the same (perhaps the same adapter will still work?).

 

[antonz]

indeed, that's how they think.

Thats exactly it. Their PR sheet says audio over the A/V port or 6 channel over HDMI

 

[AlphaTwo00]

Nintendo: "What? HDMI does audio also!"

My receiver still doesn't do HDMI audio decoding. I rather still have an optical out.

 

[clav]

it was an adapter you needed to buy from Nintendo directly I believe. There was a USB wifi adapter you could connect to you PC but back in the day it had no support for that cutting edge windows vista.....

This system better have a proper ethernet jack

The DS/3DS didn't have an ethernet jack.

Nintendo's not going to include one. Go buy a USB adapter.

My receiver still doesn't do HDMI audio decoding. I rather still have an optical out.

I think he knows that. He was making a Nintendo joke response.

 

[Dali]

What do you think?

I think Nintendo am fail for not introducing us to the console themselves at their conference.

 

[Always-honest]

Thats exactly it. Their PR sheet says audio over the A/V port or 6 channel over HDMI

fuck.. so for decent sound, you'll need a receiver that has HDMI in and out. There is always something with these Nintendo machines.

 

[K.Jack]

I will wait for the black version. I hate white electronics.

 

[babyghost853]

USB -> Ethernet Port

There's 4 this time around, too.

So you are saying I should go out and buy an adaptor for something that should be in the box? Funny man, you're funny.

Edit: I buy things I think are worth it. And certain things I refuse to do without, a wired connection is one of those things, call me a troll or whatever, I don't care. I had no interest in Wii what so ever, so I never posted in a Wii thread, or stated my opinions about it, I did up until this point have some interest in the Wii U, that has now changed and I will no longer post in any related threads. Have fun defending Nintendo.

 

[dragonfart28]

for the love of god, WHY NO SEPERATE AUDIO OUT?????? OPTICAL OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep.. I should have figured.

 

[clav]

So you are saying I should go out and buy an adaptor for something that should be in the box? Funny man, you're funny.

Nintendo is pulling a Steve Jobs dealwithit.jpg.

 

[Jocchan]

So you are saying I should go out and buy an adaptor for something that should be in the box? Funny man, you're funny.

Going out is fun. Every day is a new adventure.

 

[Saint Gregory]

it was an adapter you needed to buy from Nintendo directly I believe. There was a USB wifi adapter you could connect to you PC but back in the day it had no support for that cutting edge windows vista.....

This system better have a proper ethernet jack

You're thinking about the old adapter to make ethernet -> WiFi and I'm pretty sure that everyone else is talking about the usb adapter that adds an ethernet port to the Wii.

So you are saying I should go out and buy an adaptor for something that should be in the box? Funny man, you're funny.

Didn't MS do the same thing by leaving WiFi out before the slim? Sony was the only one who got it right from the start and made everyone happy. . . until they started removing features at least.

 

[LuFel]

is long...