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[Ollie Pooch]

Frustrating to see them cheap out again... I understand they're not in the specs race and haven't been for some time, but I really resent the 'only buy a Nintendo console for Nintendo games' thing.

They have been pushing the third party angle themselves for Wii U but it just sounds horribly underpowered and by many accounts will result in another Wii situation - a massive drought of games followed by being unceremoniously abandoned down the line.

Also, I really don't think they're competing with iOS and Android. Perhaps with the 3DS, but not the U. The Wii U is clearly aimed at the same audience as 360/PS3 etc - their push about having 'hardcore' games at launch shows this. It all seems so muddled - is it for the same audience as the Wii? The Launch games seem to suggest otherwise, but then they've cheaped out on hardware (again) and online (again) and seem to be heading down the same path as their previous console.

What does this even mean?

It's the exact same games. Buy a 360 pad.

The appeal of a console is being able to throw a game in and know it will work first time, without drivers or tweaking or settings or any of that stuff.

 

[majik13]

Whoa, wait, for real?? I haven't heard this bit of news, this is actually more concerning to me. I don't play alot in short bursts, usually I have 1 day to really play console games and I pick one and pretty much play it all day. This is not good at all. I really dislike my Sony Wireless headset for a similar short battery life with no convenient way to charge it while using and a long charge time.

it easily plugs into any wall outlet, if that helps.

 

[freenudemacusers]

wait, under 3 hours for the gamepad?

lolwut

 

[Zuhzuhzombie!!]

Frustrating to see them cheap out again... I understand they're not in the specs race and haven't been for some time, but I really resent the 'only buy a Nintendo console for Nintendo games' thing.

They have been pushing the third party angle themselves for Wii U but it just sounds horribly underpowered and by many accounts will result in another Wii situation - a massive drought of games followed by being unceremoniously abandoned down the line.

Also, I really don't think they're competing with iOS and Android. Perhaps with the 3DS, but not the U. The Wii U is clearly aimed at the same audience as 360/PS3 etc - their push about having 'hardcore' games at launch shows this. It all seems so muddled - is it for the same audience as the Wii? The Launch games seem to suggest otherwise, but then they've cheaped out on hardware (again) and online (again) and seem to be heading down the same path as their previous console.


The appeal of a console is being able to throw a game in and know it will work first time, without drivers or tweaking or settings or any of that stuff.

Steam does most of that for you.

 

[Baconsammy]

Whoa, wait, for real?? I haven't heard this bit of news, this is actually more concerning to me. I don't play alot in short bursts, usually I have 1 day to really play console games and I pick one and pretty much play it all day. This is not good at all. I really dislike my Sony Wireless headset for a similar short battery life with no convenient way to charge it while using and a long charge time.

You won't be gaming non-stop all day on a Wii U if the game uses the pad. I imagine I'd get 3-3.5 hours of battery life if I played games on the TV. You could always play with the pad plugged in, I guess, but that would be pretty awkward.

it easily plugs into any wall outlet, if that helps.

Yep, and if you want to play tethered it's fine. I'm using the charging cradle though, so it's not easy for me to play while plugged in. I don't typically game for more than an hour at a time though. Not a big deal for me. I just fear for the life of the battery if I'm going to be charging it daily.

 

[cajunator]

What does this even mean?

It's the exact same games. Buy a 360 pad.

It means I have a 360, ps3, wii, and wiiU and thus do not bother to upgrade my pc.
I like consoles.

 

[Y2Kev]

Did anyone expect Last Light to come to Wii U in the first place? I certainly didn't.

They have more things to worry about. Mainly, Last Light selling worth a damn on the platforms its coming out on. It's supposed to hit March 2013 which puts it smack-dab in the middle of some heavy hitters. Less time worrying about Wii U and more time hoping your game sells.

See, this type of post is very frustrating for me. First, Metro: Last Light (which was 2034 at the time) was shown in a Wii U promo reel at E3 2011. So your rhetorical question isn't even well researched. I expected it to come to Wii U. Anyone who was paying attention (until the game was...oddly unannounced a year later) would have expected it.

On top of that, the random address to THQ has literally 0 to do with the comments by the developer. It is the equivalent of "no u."

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

He also forgot to mention that THQ is going bankrupt, and probably can't afford to make another version of the game.

Yes, let the salt flow.

Dev tells truth, gaffer can't deal and makes jab at publisher.

See, this type of post is very frustrating for me. First, Metro: Last Light (which was 2034 at the time) was shown in a Wii U promo reel at E3 2011. So your rhetorical question isn't even well researched. I expected it to come to Wii U. Anyone who was paying attention (until the game was...oddly unannounced a year later) would have expected it.

On top of that, the random address to THQ has literally 0 to do with the comments by the developer. It is the equivalent of "no u."

Thank you.

 

[Johnny Dazzle]

ohwow.jpg

I wouldn't mind if they went into more detail about the CPU, it was a bit vague.

 

[QaaQer]

Why are people so hung up on this?
The WiiU will be capable of unique experiences different from the other consoles.
It was the same way with Wii.
If you want those unique experiences then buy the WiiU.
If you want more traditional experiences look elsewhere.
It has become this never ending circle where Nintendo fans are given a very fun and unique gameplay opportunity with the new system but they are too worried about how the system will look to a group of gamers that will never be satisfied with a Nintendo console to begin with.
Quit worrying about sales or whether the system can run ports of games the PC can ultimately do best anyway and just enjoy the really neat things WiiU is able to do.
It is what it is. You know what youre going to get with it. You know what you wont get with it.

Some people, maybe not you, like to talk about technical specs. It's fun. Oh and people don't know what they are getting, cuz nintendo wont say.

 

[prwxv3]

The battery thing is even worse when you look at this

 

[Callibretto]

wait, under 3 hours for the gamepad?

lolwut

how come the battery life is so short? I was under impression the tablet is not doing any processing/rendering etc, Wii U console is the one doing that and stream it to gamepad, all gamepad had to do is show video stream right? I thought that would have give it pretty long battery life.

 

[Plinko]

The battery thing is even worse when you look at this

Yes, this is ridiculous.

 

[Callibretto]

The battery thing is even worse when you look at this

what?! it has space for bigger battery but they decide to just cut cost and skip it?

 

[Bear]

The appeal of a console is being able to throw a game in and know it will work first time, without drivers or tweaking or settings or any of that stuff.

I've never understood this argument. Maybe it applied 5-10 years ago but I pretty much never have to do any of that. One-click install is pretty standard now, and I can't remember the last time I couldn't jump immediately into a game I bought once it finished downloading. Only time drivers have ever been an issue for me in years was the BF3 beta which was a mess in general.

The only one of those I would need to access is the settings, and that typically amounts to going to options and setting the global setting to max. It hardly takes any longer than turning on subtitles.

 

[Ponn]

You won't be gaming non-stop all day on a Wii U if the game uses the pad. I imagine I'd get 3-3.5 hours of battery life if I played games on the TV. You could always play with the pad plugged in, I guess, but that would be pretty awkward.



Yep, and if you want to play tethered it's fine. I'm using the charging cradle though, so it's not easy for me to play while plugged in. I don't typically game for more than an hour at a time though. Not a big deal for me. I just fear for the life of the battery if I'm going to be charging it daily.

That is concerning to me. It really makes me want to hold out for a revision. Handhelds i'm fine with battery life like that because i'm not concentrating completely on them all day and always sliding them into their cradle.

 

[teh_pwn]

what?! it has space for bigger battery but they decide to just cut cost and skip it?

That room was for the little easter egg printout with a picture of Reggie with "Why? Because fuck you, that's why."

 

[The Boat]

what?! it has space for bigger battery but they decide to just cut cost and skip it?

Cutting costs and making it lighter yeah.

 

[saunderez]

what?! it has space for bigger battery but they decide to just cut cost and skip it?

It's the only real explanation for all of that extra room in the chasis. Maybe they'll just make the slot smaller for future revisions.

 

[Plinko]

It's the only real explanation for all of that extra room in the chasis. Maybe they'll just make the slot smaller for future revisions.

More likely they'll sell a bigger battery.

 

[astroturfing]

heh, didn't Nintendo make some serious bank this gen..? you'd think they have the resources to invest in a better battery. what exactly are they doing with all their profits?

 

[i-Lo]

Some of your getting blinded by the graphics of a PC game. As a multiplat game it wasn't going to leverage Wii U's supreme capabilities and exquisite OoO CPU anyway. Zelda, a game specifically made for the console can truly exploit the system's "potential".

Like MentalFloss said, it's not "horribly slow" rather "challenging". Why? I don't know. But I am sure those small time devs don't know either.

Because they thought it would be a good idea to make the console run off a potato.

Nintendo's insistence on low TDP means nothing to gamers and for gaming. Why they keep pushing is beyond me.

It's simple really. Nintendo cares about how much time you can spend playing on Wii U without having to sell a kidney to pay the electricity bill. So you get more hours of enjoyment per unit of electricity bill...

I'm jealous of anyone getting 3 hours from the gamepad. I get 2.5 hours maximum when I'm streaming my games to it. I'd probably get more if I played on the TV, but I feel like using its unique features now. Definitely is in need of a bigger/better battery.

... oh wait...

 

[statham]

More likely they'll sell a bigger battery.

this is it, bigger battery $39.99

 

[TheD]

I would also like to point out that by my math, the Xenon in the 360 Slim at 45nm should have a die size of approx 96mm squared, nearly 3 times the size of the WiiU CPU.

 

[TAJ]

Like MentalFloss said, it's not "horribly slow" rather "challenging". Why? I don't know. But I am sure those small time devs don't know either.

Emotion Engine was "challenging. Cell was "challenging".
This is "horribly slow".

It's simple really. Nintendo cares about how much time you can spend playing on Wii U without having to sell a kidney to pay the electricity bill. So you get more hours of enjoyment per unit of electricity bill...

It uses very little power, yes. And it looks like it will also have the same ultra-low power mode as Wii... being in a closet. Nintendo truly does care about your electricity bill.

 

[Zuhzuhzombie!!]

You know that Nintendo is gonna lay the blame on the short battery life on "not wanting people to play games an unhealthy amount of time"

 

[i-Lo]

I just GS's review of Wii U version of Darksiders 2. According to the reviewer the Wii U version suffers from framerate issues that are comparably more often than other versions. Gah... Clearly these incompetent developers know not how to port games on to a more powerful platform.

Leave it to Nintendo to show these developers how to make games for a truly next gen system.

 

[HiiiLife]

Shots fired.

 

[J.W.Crazy]

there is no doom and gloom, nobody thinks nintendo is going out of business. In fact, many think that they will make a fair amount of money off the wii u.

Some people are just trying to tell other people that the wii u almost certainly has really cheap, weak parts (for 2012) in the main console that will likely mean a repeat of the wii situation wrt 3rd party games. thats all.

That's the doom and gloom I'm talking about. It's nothing to write home about but anyone looking at it objectively can see it's clearly a capable machine.

 

[delta25]

I would suspect that it may take 3rd party Devs some time to find effective ways around the low clock speed, but like most Nintendo consoles it will be the first party offerings that will really show what the console is capable of.
If the zelda HD demo from E3 is any indication of what to expect, then we're all in for a real treat.

 

[QaaQer]

That's the doom and gloom I'm talking about. It's nothing to write home about but anyone looking at it objectively can see it's clearly a capable machine.

[not sure if serious]...what makes you think it is a capable machine?

 

[ProfessorMoran]

I really don't understand how they could build a console that is just on par with 6 and 7 year old systems. They had to have gone out of their way to make something that weak.

Because they thought they can get away with it, they did that with the wii and the wii basically dominated for the most part of this gen.

 

[Buggy Loop]

New hardware and a different architecture is rarely slower = worst.

Im having a hard time believing that wii U CPU's is worst than 360's it might be slower but it still has updated tech, a dedicated sound processor.. i cant see it as being worst. Of course, if you dont want to reshape what you've been working on for a long time because another architecture poped up, thats another story.

But anyway, i dont have a Wii U yet but i will for 1st party titles, from nintendo, retro, monolith.

Wii U + my PC for these kind of multiplat games, that would end up being better on PC no matter the platform anyway.

Still, i believe Retro will surprise everyone with what can be done with this console. Or monolith soft, just looking at what they did with xenosaga III on ps2, or xenoblade on wii, they're no amateur.

 

[delta25]

[not sure if serious]...what makes you think it is a capable machine?

The Wii technologically speaking was terrible, yet that still didn't stop it from having amazing looking games.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Leave it to Nintendo to show these developers how to make games for a truly next gen system.

Or more accurately how to design a game for the specs they wanted.

I have no doubt that Nintendo's best will be a fair clip more impressive than what 3rd parties are getting out of the system. Not because of any hidden capability of the platform, but because this is the tech they wanted.

 

[Poimandres]

I just GS's review of Wii U version of Darksiders 2. According to the reviewer the Wii U version suffers from framerate issues that are comparably more often than other versions. Gah... Clearly these incompetent developers know not how to port games on to a more powerful platform.

Leave it to Nintendo to show these developers how to make games for a truly next gen system.

If it didn't know better, I'd think you were being sarcastic!

 

[chertipros]

Wasn't there that wii homebrewer that said that the og Wii CPU in comparison to the "POS CPU the 360 uses" wasn't actually all that bad? IIRC he said that the Wii CPU was around 60% as powerful as the one in the 360. If this is true, then wouldn't the Wii U cpu which is in the worst case 3 wii cpu's duct taped together not be as slow in comparison? Can someone shed some insight on this please? I know nothing about tech

 

[TAJ]

I just GS's review of Wii U version of Darksiders 2. According to the reviewer the Wii U version suffers from framerate issues that are comparably more often than other versions. Gah... Clearly these incompetent developers know not how to port games on to a more powerful platform.

Lawl. They wouldn't shut up about how great Wii U was.

 

[Router]

Still undecided if I should try to get one on launch (EU). Will buy one for Bayo 2 eventually though.

I'm keeping myself busy over the launch so I don't cave in for that sweet new hardware smell.

 

[Toski]

Wasn't there that wii homebrewer that said that the og Wii CPU in comparison to the "POS CPU the 360 uses" wasn't actually all that bad? IIRC he said that the Wii CPU was around 60% as powerful as the one in the 360. If this is true, then wouldn't the Wii U cpu which is in the worst case 3 wii cpu's duct taped together not be as slow in comparison? Can someone shed some insight on this please? I know nothing about tech

What is their experience with the Xenon to make the claim that the Wii CPU had 60% of the power/capability? Sounds like someone who disliked programming for the 360 (if they had any experience).

 

[falconzss]

I'm keeping myself busy over the launch so I don't cave in for that sweet new hardware smell.

Yeah that's the sane thing to do. I still have plenty of games to play thanks to PS+ but I have this craving for new hardware

 

[Meesh]

All I really know is this; we've already seen more support for wiiu than we did with wii at launch and with meatier titles, regardless of their hiccups. Future games will undoubtedly prove exactly what wiiu can do...if things were really so dire would Gearbox, Capcom, or Ubisoft really give it a second look? I don't think so...so it's CPU is on the slow side, or it's RAM isn't enough or whatever, I honestly don't see this as a big deal unless all were doing is comparing wiiu to what 720 or ps4 might be. But then again, so what? When you buy into a Nintendo console you buy into their philosophy, that gameplay comes first, that our enjoyment comes with a combination of fresh gameplay ideas and good graphics. They were right with Wii, (if talking sales numbers) and judging by how quickly wiiu is selling out they appear to be on the right track again. So a couple devs got their knickers in a twist, big deal, by and large the majority report they're happy with the console. For anyone who honestly thought wiiu would be running circles around current hd alternatives, give your head a shake cuz this is Nintendo were talking about. They delivered an hd system whose graphical prowess has yet to be tested, all we have are ports to judge by.(for the most part) They also delivered a uniquely engaging controller that perfectly marries traditional and innovative play styles to cater to a wider range of gamers. Like it or not it's a win IMO, I finally get to play the Ninja Gaidens and Mass Effects, and Dark Siders...who knows what else is coming? Since when did a consoles worth lay with a couple disgruntled individuals, why so many care about what so few think is beyond me. Some amazing games are coming, if this wasnt the case I'd be worried. Fortunately Nintendo has managed to blaze it's own path and secure some great games in one fell swoop. If anything wiiu will be more popular than its predecessor...to those who say Nintendo is dead I say long live Nintendo.That...and whatever I don't get on wiiu I'm sure ill play on PS. Multiple console owner rejoice get!!! Sorry for the ranty post, peace

 

[teiresias]

I just GS's review of Wii U version of Darksiders 2. According to the reviewer the Wii U version suffers from framerate issues that are comparably more often than other versions. Gah... Clearly these incompetent developers know not how to port games on to a more powerful platform.

Leave it to Nintendo to show these developers how to make games for a truly next gen system.

More powerful platform? If someone is playing Darksiders 2 on a gaming PC of any decent spec than they're already playing it on a far more power platform than the WiiU.

 

[chubigans]

Or more accurately how to design a game for the specs they wanted.

I have no doubt that Nintendo's best will be a fair clip more impressive than what 3rd parties are getting out of the system. Not because of any hidden capability of the platform, but because this is the tech they wanted.

Or maybe it's because for first parties this is the only hardware they have to focus on, and 3rd parties have multiple skus with much, much larger userbases to worry about with hardware they're much more familiar with.

 

[shinra-bansho]

I don't suppose it's worth noting the quote is 'horrible, slow' not 'horribly slow'.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Or maybe it's because for first parties this is the only hardware they have to focus on, and 3rd parties have multiple skus with much, much larger userbases to worry about with hardware they're much more familiar with.

Which rolls back into what I said.

It's not power that will make Nintendo endeavors shine on WiiU. It's their singular focus.

 

[freenudemacusers]

The battery thing is even worse when you look at this

... this is a joke right?

 

[metalslimer]

Or maybe it's because for first parties this is the only hardware they have to focus on, and 3rd parties have multiple skus with much, much larger userbases to worry about with hardware they're much more familiar with.

That's exactly what he said, and this is why Sony's 1st party PS3 games blow anything else away this generation on consoles.
I do wonder if Nintendo will be willing to spend the money to get their games looking any bit better than anything this gen because Nintendo has said they aren't going to get drawn into the tech race.

Edit: Considering the loss they're taking on the system the battery was probably the first cost cut they pulled.

 

[chubigans]

Which rolls back into what I said.

It's not power that will make Nintendo endeavors shine on WiiU. It's their singular focus.

Oh I misunderstood you, sorry about that.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Oh I misunderstood you, sorry about that.

Believe me I'm just happy all of this is out in the open now.

The healing process on the Nintendo fan side can finally begin.