[Rumor] High-DEF wii scheduled for 2011

[clotz2000]

I'm pretty sure the HD TV market will jump somewhat from now until 2011... That being said, why would they wait so long to put out an updated Wii? I'm pretty sure the way the Wii is currently setup that the hardware development team could throw this together in about 6 months. Although looking at it from their point of view, let's milk the current model for as much cash as we can and then we'll do an updated console later. 720p will not be good enough, most likely by then 1080p will be at the lower end of the HD spectrum and higher resolution video/games will start appearing. Everyone should realize that when movie studios are converting their films to Blu-Ray they are scanning them in at 4000 lines which will be more than enough to accommodate new HD TV models and newer Blu-Ray specs.

On another note, XBOX 360 and Wii DVD drives will need to be updated, if everything is going to be better quality they will need to update their game disc capacity.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I see your point, and I somewhat agree with it. This is a problem you get between technology transitions (SD->HD in this case), Nintendo opted for SD this gen... HD support would be nice indeed, and I have no doubt it'll be in Nintendo's next console.

The only thing that bugs me Audio, is people wishing the Wii to be something it's certainly not.

In my point of view, Nintendo segmented the Wii very clearly from the beginning. It was an entry level, party-oriented console. You can clearly see that from the games available, the "waggle" control schemes and the low price.

It's not supposed to be competing in horse power with the other consoles, it certainly wasn't designed to be a media do-it-all, it's merely an entry level console system for the masses, so asking for the Wii to be like a PS3/360 is like asking Peugeot to make the 107 with a 300HP engine and leather seats.

One could say that MS made a smart move by providing different models of the 360, so that it would cater to both "low end" and "high end" markets. Sony opted as we know for the high-end market alone and Nintendo stuck with the low end. Can we really blame them for that? Personally I don't think so, because I believe there's a console for everyone between these 3 brands.

To sum it up, I think in a few years HD sets will be widely available, with HD support being mandatory at least. Right now the Wii is just a "low end" home console and I think it does its job very well.

All very true.

The question has to be asked though, how long do Nintendo plan on supporting the Wii for?

A 10 year life cycle like what Sony constanly tell us, and what MS will like to emulate from PS2 days?

It's all nice and well going in as an entry level console, but neglecting basic market shifts is a risky path. Nintendo could have had less powerful hardware to reduce costs, but still have supported HD.

MS have two of their three 360 models under Wii RRP, only 2~3 years into this console race.

It won't be too many years down the line either till the higher end 360 and eventually the PS3 drop in price to Wii territory. At this stage the Wii has no advantage saying it's a "level entry console" at a "level entry price", unless they're selling it for like ?50.

But alas, this is just the first time we've ever really seen any company underpower their console so much in comparison to their competitors, so we'll really have to sit this one on the sidelines and see where this ends up.

We've seen hardware that's powerful on day 1, chug it out for 8-10 years, will we see hardware that's underpowered chug it out that long?

On the flip side, we've not really seen a phenomenon like "OMG Wii/MotionSensing/Wii Fit!!!111" hit us before, will that carry from day 1 to year 10, or will it burn out eventually?

But does it really all matter? The Wii is already a success, does it really need to finish in position 1? Guess not really.

Most of what I've said is really just a wee poke at Nintendo, from me hoping for a better balance in the future. I don't mind level entry options/new control schemes, but as a hardcore gamer I ask Nintendo not to cut us out too much. Basic support for obvious market demands would always be nice:yes:: (In this case HD).

[The Teej]

It won't be too many years down the line either till the higher end 360 and eventually the PS3 drop in price to Wii territory. At this stage the Wii has no advantage saying it's a "level entry console" at a "level entry price"' date=' unless they're selling it for like ?50.[/QUTE']

To be honest, I think the Wii current could probably sell for about ?80 and make a profit, but the thing is, sales aren't slowing down any time soon so why lower the price? Once sales start slowing down to the area that the PS3/360 currently is, then they'll probably do a dramatic price drop.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

It won't be too many years down the line either till the higher end 360 and eventually the PS3 drop in price to Wii territory. At this stage the Wii has no advantage saying it's a "level entry console" at a "level entry price", unless they're selling it for like ?50.

To be honest, I think the Wii current could probably sell for about ?80 and make a profit, but the thing is, sales aren't slowing down any time soon so why lower the price? Once sales start slowing down to the area that the PS3/360 currently is, then they'll probably do a dramatic price drop.

As I said in another thread or even in this one, of course cutting prices right now would be stupid.

Business practice dictates if you're outselling competition at a higher RRP, why the hell would you cut:p:p

All I'm doing is having an ironic poke at claims surrounding the Wii cutting powerful hardware out/DVD playback out to save costs, yet they get undercut on their RRPs by more powerful hardware WITH support for many of those thing:p:p

I just find that funny, I'm not really seriously stating Nintendo HAVE to drop, because thanks to the casuals and mums out there, they certainly don't need t;);)

[The Teej]

Oh yeah, I definitely see the irony there :p Hopefully the mass market will see this and think, although probably not (they probably don't even think about it).

[FiB3R]

@DARKFiB3R - It actually all went ###### up with the N64, commercially speaking. The N64 was an amazing console, and hosts some of the greatest games of all time (Zelda: OoT, Goldeneye). The Gamecube, while a commercial failure, gave Nintendo a lot of money (which they needed) and still had it's fair share of gems (RE4, Twilight Princess, SSBM)

Yeah, I was speaking from a gamers point of view. Personally, I think Super Smash Brothers is pants. And Twilight Princess is in the Wii not the Game Cube. *makes note to read things properly*

A commercial failure, and gave them a lot of money?

Edited October 8, 2008 by DARKFiB3R

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Oh yeah, I definitely see the irony there :p Hopefully the mass market will see this and think, although probably not (they probably don't even think about it).

I guess what it proves is ?179-?200 is a very affordable price for the mass market in terms of consoles.

Therefore even with the 360 almost ?100 cheaper than that, people will buy what is hyped/what buzz is surrounding/what they want, more than something potentially offering "better" value, due to both options being in an affordable categoryBy better value I mean it in the case of what you get with your money hardware/feature wise. Paying ?99 for a 360 will be a lot more in-line with what it costs MS to manufacture it, than paying ?180 for a Wii..

In saying that, 360 price drops are only recent, therefore sales in the run up to Christmas/at Christmas should be interesting to read this year!

Maybe it's just a case that Nintendo have created a sort of hybrid device. Not really just a games console (although it only really plays games), but a console/"gadget" (don't want to say toy to annoy pe:ple :p), that has penetrated the market in a way not to present itself as a gaming console that would turn off previous ignorant people.

People like your parents who'd probably look at a 360/PS3 and say "Games consoles are for kids". Where as with the Wii being recognized as this "misc device", they're purchasing it without that bias.

My mum for example heard of Wii Fit, then thought the Wii sounded like a potentially "fun/good" investment. She'd never hear about KZ2/GoW2/LBP and think, "Ohhh gotta get a PS3/360&q:pt; :p

Edited October 8, 2008 by Audioboxer

[Ricardo Gil]

All very true.

The question has to be asked though, how long do Nintendo plan on supporting the Wii for?

A 10 year life cycle like what Sony constanly tell us, and what MS will like to emulate from PS2 days?

It's all nice and well going in as an entry level console, but neglecting basic market shifts is a risky path. Nintendo could have had less powerful hardware to reduce costs, but still have supported HD.

MS have two of their three 360 models under Wii RRP, only 2~3 years into this console race.

It won't be too many years down the line either till the higher end 360 and eventually the PS3 drop in price to Wii territory. At this stage the Wii has no advantage saying it's a "level entry console" at a "level entry price", unless they're selling it for like ?50.

But alas, this is just the first time we've ever really seen any company underpower their console so much in comparison to their competitors, so we'll really have to sit this one on the sidelines and see where this ends up.

We've seen hardware that's powerful on day 1, chug it out for 8-10 years, will we see hardware that's underpowered chug it out that long?

On the flip side, we've not really seen a phenomenon like "OMG Wii/MotionSensing/Wii Fit!!!111" hit us before, will that carry from day 1 to year 10, or will it burn out eventually?

I don't think it will last as long as the other two, it wasn't designed with such a long span in mind. PS2 was cutting-edge when it came out, hence the current 8 year life span.

Like you said, this is still uncharted territory, there's really no way to tell how long the Wii will sell at this price, or even at below the 100? mark.

Regardless of what happens, as long as they keep pumping Mario and Zelda, I'm go:) :)

[FiB3R]

I can't wait for the day when I play a Zelda game that looks as good as say... Gears 2. And I don't want to have to swing my bloody arms around, thank you very much.

You make me cry at night, Nintendo :'(

[Southern Patriot]

Not frowned upon, I'm just giving some advice.

Buying a high end 720p 32" set is money better spent than going after 1080p support at that size.

36" would start making more sense for 1080p, although the general "rule of thumb" people kick about is 1080p for 40"+.

The store that I work in doesn't even offer any 1080p TVs at anything less than 40" (actually 42" I believe is our smallest 1080p set). Yes, higer resolutions on a smaller computer monitor make sense when you are sitting 2 feet away, but when you are sitting 8 feet or more from a 32" set, you are NOT going to readily see the difference between 720p and 1080p.

[Eric Veteran]

Bravo, you just regurgitated some numbers. You conveniently avoided the reality of the 2 systems, which was there GC games that looked far better than anything that ever came out on the Xbox. And they played better, too.

Yup... My 'cube is sitting in its place of honor on top of the stereo cabinet... The Xbox is at the bottom of the rack with 1/2 an inch of dust on it. :)

[Ricardo Gil]

The store that I work in doesn't even offer any 1080p TVs at anything less than 40" (actually 42" I believe is our smallest 1080p set). Yes, higer resolutions on a smaller computer monitor make sense when you are sitting 2 feet away, but when you are sitting 8 feet or more from a 32" set, you are NOT going to readily see the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Not groundbreaking, but it still makes a bit of difference, considering you're not too far.

And now you can find 32" 1080P Samsung LCD's for under 700?, much more affordable than 720p sets just a year ago.

[FiB3R]

http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/in...p;prodID=B88240

http://www.froogle.richersounds.com/showpr...=SONY-KDL32W400

[Emn1ty]

Who said that? :laugh:

This guy...

The impression I get is that "Not HD" was just an excuse to disparage Nintendo for being "Not Microsoft" and "Not Sony." That Gears of War 3, Halo 4, Uncharted 2 and Metal Gear Solid 5 could all come out on the next Wii in full 1080p/60 with the most advanced online play imaginable and people would just say "LOL, waggle! Waggle waggle waggle LOL LOL!"

[DELTETHISACCOUNT]

I can't wait for the day when I play a Zelda game that looks as good as say... Gears 2. And I don't want to have to swing my bloody arms around, thank you very much.

You make me cry at night, Nintendo :'(

Couldn't have said it any better. Flailing my arms around when I really didn't need to completely diminished the gameplay experience.

Twilight Princess is the only Zelda game I played that I did not finish.

[Joel]

Couldn't have said it any better. Flailing my arms around when I really didn't need to completely diminished the gameplay experience.

Twilight Princess is the only Zelda game I played that I did not finish.

Well, all of the unnecessary flailing probably wore you out. I managed to finish the game without throwing my back out. What did you do wrong?

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Couldn't have said it any better. Flailing my arms around when I really didn't need to completely diminished the gameplay experience.

Twilight Princess is the only Zelda game I played that I did not finish.

Perhaps you exerted yourself a little too vigorously. I found the game thoroughly enjoyable, however I didn't get a chance to play much of it.

[DELTETHISACCOUNT]

Lol, I did nothing wrong or unnecessary. I just didn't see how jilting your arm in order to swing your sword is even necessary in the first place. Not to mention it registered half a second after you jilted. Giving us the option to play with the GC controller would've sufficed...

[PiracyX]

Nintendo are going to keep everything the same but just change the CPU to a slighly faster one , say 1Ghz and just overclock the GPU to get games running at 720p (I wouldn't be surpised if games didn't run natively at 720p in Wii HD and just upscale from say 576p, Nintendo lovers wouldn't notice/care)

So everything will remain the same apart from slightly updated CPU and GPU but same controls and who knows with might get DVD playback.

Yea Nintendo i applaud your creativity i really do /sarcasm

Wii HD = Wii (What it should of been in the first place)

[Groovedude]

It'll be Wii HD but the games will still be developed in 480p :p

Honestly, though...I don't see Nintendo in any rush to show anything like this to the public.

i agree with that :)!

[The Teej]

Nintendo are going to keep everything the same but just change the CPU to a slighly faster one , say 1Ghz and just overclock the GPU to get games running at 720p (I wouldn't be surpised if games didn't run natively at 720p in Wii HD and just upscale from say 576p, Nintendo lovers wouldn't notice/care)

So everything will remain the same apart from slightly updated CPU and GPU but same controls and who knows with might get DVD playback.

Yea Nintendo i applaud your creativity i really do /sarcasm

Wii HD = Wii (What it should of been in the first place)

Do you honestly believe the Wii HD (assumably with 3.0Ghz dual cores or whatever) would have survived in the market? Nintendo did that dance last generation and got rinsed because of it. Instead of playing the power game (which was all about who had the bigger epenis back in the console launch and leading up to it) they chose the route they're on currently. And it worked. They're financially better off then Microsoft and Sony's better game division, currently selling more hardware then anyone else.

What they're going to do next generation is anyone's guess. There's multiple theories (go with the same tactic of slightly upgrading hardware) or using the R&D to go big on hardware and be just as good as the PS4/XB3, or do something compeletely alternative again. Who knows.

[thealexweb]

If they do that it won't be the cheap as chips option in the console war, don't go for it. Theres already good competition between hi-def consoles.

[Joel]

Lol, I did nothing wrong or unnecessary. I just didn't see how jilting your arm in order to swing your sword is even necessary in the first place. Not to mention it registered half a second after you jilted. Giving us the option to play with the GC controller would've sufficed...

There was that option.

[kuballer10]

nintendo is so far behind on everything they should just make a completely new console and release it with the new xbox and ps4 in 2011

[DELTETHISACCOUNT]

There was that option.

Alright smarty-pants. I get the message. :p