Nintendo Announces Wii Successor for 2012

[Corris Veteran]

Nintendo has officially announced its intention to release a new console in 2012. According to a note published this morning on the company's Japanese investor relations website, "Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011."

The terse announcement does nothing to clear up rumors surrounding the system, which has been paired with high-definition graphics, motion controls and a handheld touch screen. Less trustworthy industry sources have even indicated that the system's rumored codename, "Project Cafe," hints at its ability to shoot a cappuccino directly into your gaping mouth.

According to the investor note (posted after the break), Nintendo plans to show off a playable model of the Wii successor during this year's E3, which takes places in Los Angeles from June 7th.

To whom it may concern:

Re: Wii's successor system

Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011.

We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Sales of this new system have not been included in the financial forecasts announced today for the fiscal term ending March 2012.

Joystiq

[The Teej]

This **** is gonna be EPIC. Can't wait! :D I have a very funny feeling Nintendo is going to blow the socks off of everyone at E3.

(Please show a teaser for next-gen Zelda)

[Kreuger]

And when the big boys announce their next consoles. Nintendo will yet again be left behind.

[+John. Subscriber¹]

NICE! Looking forward to what they can bring. *holds off on buying Kinect*

It would be lovely if they could make this slightly more geared to a more mature audience?

[saxondale.]

I'm buying this just for Mario Kart!

[The Teej]

And when the big boys announce their next consoles. Nintendo will yet again be left behind.

You don't know this for sure - considering Microsoft are considering doing an incremental leap a la Wii rather then a giant leap like XBOX to XBOX 360 as a means of making money from the console (or a very small loss) from the get go, I wouldn't be too far surprised if the gap is as small as the gap between the PS2 and the XBOX. There's obviously going to be a gap (considering the new XBOX will probably now launch 2013) as technology doesn't stagnate for a whole year, but I wouldn't have said there's going to be a huge gap. The tech in this (or so the rumours go) is over a generation newer then the PS3 - and will have 1GB of RAM for the graphics, which is 4 times the amount the PS3 has.

I'm not burying my head in the sand and saying Nintendo will now be on par for the next generation but what I am saying is, don't count 'em out for launching first.

[Chasethebase Veteran]

And when the big boys announce their next consoles. Nintendo will yet again be left behind.

Didn't stop people buying it last time.

[Blackhearted]

And when the big boys announce their next consoles. Nintendo will yet again be left behind.

Funny how you ignore the fact that the "big boys" are starting to get left behind at this very moment due to how they plan to continue to sit on their asses for the next 3 years or so.

[TheLegendOfMart]

Funny how you ignore the fact that the "big boys" are starting to get left behind at this very moment due to how they plan to continue to sit on their asses for the next 3 years or so.

How are they being left behind, reports are that Nintendos next console will be comparable if a little bit more powerful than the current Xbox 360, now Nintendo have announced their next console will be coming in 2012 i dont think Microsoft and Sony are just going to sit there expect their next consoles to be end of 2012 or early 2013 and once they do launch they will blow the next Nintendo console away and it will end up looking how the Wii looks compared to current consoles.

[Kreuger]

Funny how you ignore the fact that the "big boys" are starting to get left behind at this very moment due to how they plan to continue to sit on their asses for the next 3 years or so.

Given the fact that by power alone, Nintendo is a full generation behind IMO, I dont think Microsoft or Sony have to worry about them getting too far ahead. I didn't see much improvement over Gamecube so it's not like they're breaking ground. The big boys could probably sit for at least 5 years before they'd have to worry about Nintendo putting out a powerhouse console.

[Ayepecks]

We've been discussing this in another topic, FYI:

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/990174-multiple-sources-confirm-new-nintendo-hd-console/

And unless Nintendo's control method is as innovative as the Wii's was, I could see them possibly getting left behind. If the rumors about games being easily portable from the 360 and PC are accurate, then that will definitely work in their favor, though. But here's the thing: why buy this if it's only slightly more powerful than the 360 or PS3, if it is at all? The innovation will be the dealbreaker.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

Given the fact that by power alone, Nintendo is a full generation behind IMO, I dont think Microsoft or Sony have to worry about them getting too far ahead. I didn't see much improvement over Gamecube so it's not like they're breaking ground. The big boys could probably sit for at least 5 years before they'd have to worry about Nintendo putting out a powerhouse console.

but your other comment still makes no sense... the Wii is/was a HUGE success.

also, the Wii is basically a Gamecube in a new shell. Nintendo obviously had a strategy and it paid off. people buying Wii's dont care about graphics.

We've been discussing this in another topic, FYI:

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/990174-multiple-sources-confirm-new-nintendo-hd-console/

And unless Nintendo's control method is as innovative as the Wii's was, I could see them possibly getting left behind. If the rumors about games being easily portable from the 360 and PC are accurate, then that will definitely work in their favor, though. But here's the thing: why buy this if it's only slightly more powerful than the 360 or PS3, if it is at all? The innovation will be the dealbreaker.

consider where the Wii stands in the market. While a lot of hardcore gamers have Wii's, its real intention is for families and kids.

i regret not buying a Wii, but i'll be sure to buy a Wii2 :yes:

[NienorGT]

I hope it will AT LEAST hold off graphics that equal current gen of consoles...

Maybe crappy graphics isn't bothering casual players, but come on...

[Argi]

I think the biggest problem will be convincing everyone who bought Wiis that it's worth spending money to shell out for another console. Hardcore gamers were massively disappointed at the lack of decent third-party titles and casual gamers/families are probably happy with their current consoles as it is. Unless it really offers something truly innovative I can't see any reason why (given that my Wii has been collecting dust for quite some time now, too).

[The Teej]

How are they being left behind, reports are that Nintendos next console will be comparable if a little bit more powerful than the current Xbox 360, now Nintendo have announced their next console will be coming in 2012 i dont think Microsoft and Sony are just going to sit there expect their next consoles to be end of 2012 or early 2013 and once they do launch they will blow the next Nintendo console away and it will end up looking how the Wii looks compared to current consoles.

Have you noticed how kings rule in twos (Atari for 2 generations, Nintendo for 2, Sony for 2, and now Nintendo on their first once again), and have you noticed how despite attempts to out-muscle Nintendo, Nintendo just went "lol innovation get" and cream crackered both consoles.

While I'm not saying Nintendo will definitely outsell the PS4 and the next XBOX because of this, I'm just saying that writing Nintendo off is unbelievably fool-hardy of you, to the point where I'm surprised you'd say something like that.

EDIT: @Chaos - the hardest part of that plan is making sure the console brings enough innovative features to the table that makes a new purchase worthwhile. Considering the casual market doesn't mind buying new TVs every 5 years and new phones every 3-4 years these days, expecting people to pay for a new console after 5 years doesn't seem so bad. Obviously those who just bought a Wii a couple of years ago won't leap out and buy this new one, but well, this goes for ALL gamers, not just casual ones.

[Blackhearted]

How are they being left behind, reports are that Nintendos next console will be comparable if a little bit more powerful than the current Xbox 360, now Nintendo have announced their next console will be coming in 2012 i dont think Microsoft and Sony are just going to sit there expect their next consoles to be end of 2012 or early 2013 and once they do launch they will blow the next Nintendo console away and it will end up looking how the Wii looks compared to current consoles.

Reports are actually varied on its power. But it's not surprising that the neowin crowd would miss that and only see what they want, seeing as so many mindlessly hate nintendo.

I'd comment on more, but the sloppy use/lack of punctuation makes me not want to try to make out more from that mess.

[OOOOOOOO]

And when the big boys announce their next consoles. Nintendo will yet again be left behind.

Big boys?

Left behind?

Dude ... Nintendo have sold over DOUBLE what Sony have sold on PS3's and Sony's figures are higher than Microsofts ...

I don't think somehow Nintendo feel left behind ... ;) They made profit on their machines damn near every time. They're doing very well :)

[S00N3R FR3AK]

Big boys?

Left behind?

Dude ... Nintendo have sold over DOUBLE what Sony have sold on PS3's and Sony's figures are higher than Microsofts ...

I don't think somehow Nintendo feel left behind ... ;) They made profit on their machines damn near every time. They're doing very well :)

Not damn near but every time. Nintendo won this gen and people who hate on it need to get over it. And if they innovate to the level of the Wii again they will win the next gen.

[TheLegendOfMart]

Reports are actually varied on its power. But it's not surprising that the neowin crowd would miss that and only see what they want, seeing as so many mindlessly hate nintendo.

I'd comment on more, but the sloppy use/lack of punctuation makes me not want to try to make out more from that mess.

That's nice.

This is the first time I've seen any of your posts on Neowin and most probably the first time you've seen me post and in that one post you jump to the conclusion that I mindlessly hate Nintendo. Bravo.

Conversely you could say that because you blindly love Nintendo you can't think clearly, Nintendo might gain ground with the 'Wii 2' with reports stating that it could be anywhere from as powerful to more powerful than but Sony and Microsoft are just going to leapfrog past. While they may not gain the same sort of jump in graphical fidelity like they did from their previous to current generation, they are just going to make the 'Wii 2' look like the current Wii does compared to current gen consoles.

A quick tip, the mark of a person who can't form a coherent rebuttal are the people that just reply with insults while picking on grammar, punctuation and spelling so you might want to avoid it in the future if you don't want to make yourself look bad.

[Elessar]

So Nintendo is finally bringing out a console that they should have brought out 5 years ago? Pass. Looking forward to the NGP though :)

[Kreuger]

Reports are actually varied on its power. But it's not surprising that the neowin crowd would miss that and only see what they want, seeing as so many mindlessly hate nintendo.

I don't hate Nintendo at all. I really wish I could enjoy them again. I just feel they haven't put out a good system since the N64. I'm sorry the gimmic of a controller does nothing for me and I've grown out of playing Mario. And it's a shame to expect a console to be able to display graphics that are better than what they were in 2000. I mean c'mon, Call of Duty on the Wii is an effing joke. It's so cripped, that it's just sad. Sure you could say that's a poor example but given that's a huge franchise and one I partake in, makes it a pretty valid statement to me. Let me put it this way, I haven't been able to enjoy a Nintendo console since then. The games are just garbage for the most part and if not, they're even worse ports which are available on the better consoles.

Dude ... Nintendo have sold over DOUBLE what Sony have sold on PS3's and Sony's figures are higher than Microsofts ...

I'm not talking sales, I don't really give a damn. You could sell all you want, that doesn't make it good. It's a weak, under powered POS sold on two things. A gimmic of a controller and it's budget minded cost (IMO). They have no redeeming quality for me at all.

[former1]

^ + 1 the Nintendo Wii isn't all that appealing to an adult / mature audience. Plus there's only so many versions of Mario Kart remakes you can get... surely? :/

I honestly don't see the Wii as original other than it's controller system - which they'll be hard press to beat this time. The reason it became so popular in my eyes = kids + xmas + price done.

[AOXOMOXOA]

^ + 1 the Nintendo Wii isn't all that appealing to an adult / mature audience. Plus there's only so many versions of Mario Kart remakes you can get... surely? :/I honestly don't see the Wii as original other than it's controller system - which they'll be hard press to beat this time. The reason it became so popular in my eyes = kids + xmas + price done.

I agree. As an older mature audience. I have seen them all from the first release of the odyssey.

The Wii controllers suck. I would much rather play the same game on the Xbox 360 than the Wii any day. And my kids have them all. I in fact have bought games for the Wii only to go out and also buy it for the Xbox.

there is just something about having a real controller in your hands that makes playing more fun. SO unless Nintendo goes backwards with their controllers for get about it.

After getting the Xbox 360 this past Christmas even my kids play it way more than the Wii. Even when we have some of the same games for both.

I also just see the Kinetic as Microsoft's way of getting some of the Wii faithful back. But i think they were too late for that.

just my 2 cents. as an older gamer. :)

[yeoo_andy_ni]

I for one can't wait. Love the Wii, even now, and I own a 360 and prefer PC gaming most of the time.

There are some genuinely good games, both geared towards older and younger audiences. Zelda Twilight Princess, Mario Galaxy 1 & 2, Mario Kart (online paly!) Epic Mickey, Metroid, Goldeneye, Boomblox (think that's how to spell it), PES (for the innovative control system), Wario Ware, No More Heroes, Madworld, etc. I know a lot of them are from the Nintendo vault, but they have a HUGE fanbase that will guarantee a sale of a piece of hardware. Plus the BC with the Gamecube was quality, not to mention the Virtual Console games from the Megadrive/Genesis, NES, SNES, N64, etc everything just worked and forced the hand of Sony and Microsoft to cath up.

Technologically speaking, the Wii was dated from day one. However, it took Sony and MS 4 years to get close to the Wii's unique (and innovative) control system, with only MS bettering them as the Kinect gets rid of the physical controllers altogether. The Move on PS3 is really no different to the Wii's control system, it just has newer tech under the hood, but the principle is the same.

[Fourjays Veteran]

I'll be interested to see if Nintendo try to make it into a more mature platform or not. The games coming out on the Xbox360 and PS3 have revolutionised gaming, turning it into a valid and artistic form of adult entertainment, rather than a kids toy. If they do take it down the more mature route I'd definitely be interested.

Although given their "adult games = boring/violent vs happy sunshine world of the Wii" advert a while back I somehow doubt it.