Wii U hardware looks very much to be an evolution yet again of the Game Cube Hardware, which used a IBM Power PC 750 Core (released in 1997?) in a 2000 Console, by the time the Wii arrived (2006?), clock speed was increased on said chip to 729 MHz and now for Wii U, it's had clock speed put upto 1.2 GHz? (so hackers seem to think, Nintendo won't offically say), Core count been tripled and it has more on-board cache.

Reason they stuck with same chip? they wanted Backwards Compat.on new system with older system (ie G.G on Wii, Wii on Wii U.).

To claim Wii U is more graphically intense than 360 is odd choice of words though, 360 operates at 3.2 GHz, 6 hardware threads over 3 cores, equiv. to 1.6 GHz per thread, so CPU wise it (and PS3) easily have the edge on Wii U.

Tekken Tag 2 Producer Katsuhiro Harada said, when talking about developing for the Wii U, 'Creative Solutions are required, as CPU Clock is kinda low'.

Reggie would have been far better to release FULL tech specs for Wii U, when making that claim about hardware being more graphically intense, rather than being coy as to exact specs of Wii U and letting hackers reverse engineer the system and finding out the inner workings.

As Wii U currently stands regarding Third Pary games, developers seem to be struggling to get Unreal 3 Engine running as well on it, as they have on 360+PS3, how Wii U will fare when the 'switch' is made to engineslike Cry Engine 3, Unreal 4 etc, remains to be seen.

Honestly think Nintendo would be better taking a Trine 2 like approach when going after Third Party games for Wii U.Why?.

Trine 2 not only looks better than 360 (and PS3 espically, due to the blur effect used by the A.A method employed), being native 720P (other console versions use dramatic resolution resolution changes on the fly), has a more refined A.A method employeed, higher Res.textures and more detailed foliage, but it also contains the expansion pack, Goblin Meance, which was previousily PC only.

(It was initally reported the colour looked rather washed out, though i'm lead to believe this was a gamma issue which was going to be patched).

But the KEY thing here is, Trine 2 was designed NOT to be a CPU Intensive game, so it plays to the strengths the Wii U GPU etc offer, where as games designed for PS3/360 are more CPU intensive, with Cell offloading stuff to the SPU's etc.

If Nintendo get games running on Wii U that really use the potential of the hardware and offer exclusive (console) content, then it'll be seen to be offering better VFM and the best version of...these games from a console viewpoint.

Look how long it took developers to get Unreal 3 running AS WELL on PS3 as 360 or switch to PS3 as lead development platform for console, over 360, DOES the Wii U really have time on it's side to get evelopers to optimise Unrel 3 games yet again, this time for Wii U?.

Just putting these last 3 post's out there to get some debate going.

Well, as I thought would happen, I've bought a Wii U.  I took advantage of the same bargainous deal as DCRip via the Zavvi Ebay Outlet.

*very excited*

Another sinner!

My curiosity, scepticism, suspicious nature and that damn price forced my mouse hand.  Still, a risk considering my Wii barely gets used these days.  Fingers crossed for some great exclusive games.

I'm not influenced by the spec stuff, console comparisons, or what Reggie said. That's all a bit superfluous and irrelevant.  The bottom line is that the console already has some titles I'm interested in playing.

Well, as I thought would happen, I've bought a Wii U.  I took advantage of the same bargainous deal as DCRip via the Zavvi Ebay Outlet.

*very excited*

Another sinner!

My curiosity, scepticism, suspicious nature and that damn price forced my mouse hand.  Still, a risk considering my Wii barely gets used these days.  Fingers crossed for some great exclusive games.

I'm not influenced by the spec stuff, console comparisons, or what Reggie said. That's all a bit superfluous and irrelevant.  The bottom line is that the console already has some titles I'm interested in playing.

Not sure where the idea has come from that either Reggies claims or the console comparisons, had any influence on your purchase.

Reason's i've posted on both these issues....

The Console comparisons:We've been comparing likes of A8/C64/Speccy+CPC games, 7800 VS NES, ST VS Amiga, PC Eng.VS MD etc on the forum and the point was made in earlier post about Wii U from another poster that Wii U really should'nt be compared to PS3/360, yet IT was something Nintendo themselves were very vocal about doing.

Plus the issue of FUTURE 3rd party support is something i'd wager many potential buyesrs would be looking at with a Nintendo console, having seen how N64, G.C and Wii have fared in this dept, so i thought i'd put it out there get some debate going on this subject.

It's a valid point, as we're entering an era where development IS switching to DX11 etc.

The Reggie claims followed on from a reply to a point we had been discussing, in that case Activision promising Vita owners would get a TRUE COD exp.With Black Op's, in fact they got a poor spin off and, as mentioned above, it fitted in with a point another poster had made about why Wii U should be compared to PS3/360.

Think the miss-understanding MIGHT have come about as i posted on these subjects AFTER repling to your original post.

None of the 3 following posts were meant as a continuation of...

More a further entry into the (greater) Wii U debate in general, hence i put point about posting to get debate going and then made a suggestion along lines of 3rd party games Nintendo might fare better going after, which i'd welcome others thoughts on.

It's similar to how i personally feel Sony should stop going after almost PS3 quality versions of PS3 games on Vita and instead get exclusive games out for it, designed with hardware potential in mind.

Darksiders 2:Uses a lower quality A.A solution than PS3/360 versions, lower quality water and lighting effects, is missing trees from the wide open areas, lower quality textures on the ground etc, frame rate-better than 360, but below that of PS3 version.

I played this at Play Expo and graphically it was very noticably inferior, it also suffered from severe slowdown when things got busy.

Darksiders 2:Uses a lower quality A.A solution than PS3/360 versions, lower quality water and lighting effects, is missing trees from the wide open areas, lower quality textures on the ground etc, frame rate-better than 360, but below that of PS3 version.

I played this at Play Expo and graphically it was very noticably inferior, it also suffered from severe slowdown when things got busy.

Pre-release, developer was promising Wii U version would have graphics '.....at least as good as PS3/360 version' and it'd be 'visually the same' and 'getting game working on Wii U hardware was NOT any issue'.

Yet what's been delivered clearly took a hit in graphics and frame rate.

Extra content, use of controller, all great stuff, but developers really should'nt be making claims that they cannot deliver on.

Had he said, we'll be working hard to minimise any performance differences across all 3 console platforms, then fair enough, bet they were under pressure to get game out as Wii U launch title, but implying that it was a straight forward task to get a CPU intensive game running on Wii U and no comprimises had to have been made, was a touch daft, as they must have known places like Digital Foundary, lens Of Truth etc would be keen to see how Wii U versions compared to that of existing, 6 year old tech. console versions.

Sorry, RTrooper.  What I wrote was very much about my own process of making a Wii U purchase.  The idea to mention those points came because those points are in this thread and that they relate, somewhat, to my purchase.  I know you're stating what you've read so please don't read my reply as a swipe at you in any form.

I'd read that Nintendo had made comparisons.  It doesn't matter to me if the comparison came from Nintendo themselves, an industry independent source or a lay opinion on a forum.  Independently these don't affect my choice.  I do my research, think about whether I trust the sources and make my own mind up.  It doesn't always work out right, but hey!  Despite these things I'm still reeling a little bit from handing over the cash for a Wii U 

I do feel open-minded towards the Wii U.  I haven't had more than have a quick look at it in a shop so getting my hands on my own will be exciting.  This excitement is being tempered slightly by my feeling towards the Wii. 

What the heck, bring it on I say.  Bring on the competition for market share, some descent innovation and a bucket load of fun.  Whoever provides it.

🙂

No worries, i did'nt want ANYONE thinking i was anti-Wii U or anything.I do find the situation it's in to be a very good topic of debate, had it been released 2 years ago, think things would have turned out very interesting indeed, but the timing, with 2013 expected to be THE year the hype machine gets started for DX11 based consoles, well, i do wonder how 3rd party developers will treat it.

I honestly feel had Wii U hit 2 years back, PS4/Xbox Next development would have taken a different direction and possibly 1 for the better, now? too much set in stone.

My rants at developer and P.R peoples claims-axe/grindstone situation for myself there.Honest to god sick of tech.claims, it was bad enough when Sony went all out to destroy the DC with raw polygon claims and talk of emotion in gaming, the PS3 VS 360 arguements just got worse again and the prospect of another 'arms race' P.R war of words, does not appeal.

I mentioned Reggie, as previousily Nintendo been very much about pushing the FUN side of the hardware and the exp.it offers, yet to see Reggie saying crap like 'More graphically Intense' (just WTF does that mean, anyway?) seems they too now see it as the market speak to be talking.

Lord knows the industry as a whole, damn well needs REAL innovation, what are we seeing now? a 6 month cycle on Apple products? PC gaming just offering better looking versions of key console games? prospects of bloody Move MK 2, Eyetoy 3, Kinect 2 etc?.

Going to repeat myself again here (sorry guys), but PC gaming once appealed to me as it was the ONLY place to get things like Red Alert 2, Freelancer, Xcom 3, Realms Of The Haunting, AVP+MOH ( which differed greatly from console versions).These days? i don't care IF PC version runs at 1080P, 60 FPS with 4X A.A compared to 720P, 30 FPS, 2X A.A on console, at grass routes, it's the same game.

IF the potential of Wii U 2nd screen is NOT used by developers for little more than maps, inventory screens+mini-games, then i dispair at the industry.

Sony:ohh, shown some great demo's of possible uses for newer technology (Killzone 3 3D demo, 2 players 1 TV set or Vita-PS3 link up in Dust 514), but they are SO few and far between.

Eye Toy was initally squandered on PS3, Move? originally planned for PS2.

Where's the sheer fun, vibrancy i felt booting up Powerstone, Ready 2 Rumble, HOTD 2 etc on DC?.These days it seems to be nothing but sandbox or massive game worlds and draw distance and bloody resolution, frames per second yet again.

Rant over.

It's good to have a rant sometimes  8)

It's good to have a rant sometimes  8)

Just posted another rant on another forum, subject was PS4 controller-Sony will basically HAVE to package in a 2nd screen device with PS4, rather than rely on Vita, otherwise developers won't support it etc.

Speculation was smaller, newer touch screen tech, better battery life, talk of Sony patent on Biometric tech, ie controller reading nerve signals, higher res.etc.

'Highlights' of my RANT post (in NO particular order):

Sony need to do damn sight more than just mimic what everyone else is doing, IF Vita anything to go by, logic wise (whats better than 1 touch screen? why 2 of course!), i dread to think what's being seen as the PS4's answer to Wii U 2nd screen....

But mainly, LOOK how they've constantly squandered the tech they DID have.

PSP/PS Vita link up to PS4-Where are the games that really use/used it? PSP was shown being used as rear view mirror for PS3 F1 racing game, what games did we get? Resistance 2+Resistance PSP, that was it?.

Eye Toy, hell Move was in R+D at same time, left to fester, along with Eye Toy 2 on PS3, when PS3 launched (Eye Of Judgement, Burnout Paradise using Eye Toy 2, not much else), until Sony knee-jerked and brought it out to combat Wii/Kinect and even after years in R+D, you still had to re-calibrate the damn thing each time you changed games etc.

3D TV-Sony showed demo.of 2 players, 1 TV Killzone 3 etc on PS3, anything done with it? Yeah right.

Where's the Sony that had the stones not only to continue with the Playstation, after Nintendo said, well auctually screw you guys, we're going with Phillips for the Snes CD drive, and not only continued to develop it, but had the vision to see 3D as the future, when Sega/Atari etc saw a balance of powerful 2D with  increased 3D abilities over what SVP/SFX chip offered?

Only thing i'd say with regards Wii U, i really DO hope it gets BETTER 3rd party support than Wii ended up with, else it's going to be home to a lot of shovelware, which would be a crying shame.

It's good to have a rant sometimes  8)

Just posted another rant on another forum, subject was PS4 controller-Sony will basically HAVE to package in a 2nd screen device with PS4, rather than rely on Vita, otherwise developers won't support it etc.

Speculation was smaller, newer touch screen tech, better battery life, talk of Sony patent on Biometric tech, ie controller reading nerve signals, higher res.etc.

'Highlights' of my RANT post (in NO particular order):

Sony need to do damn sight more than just mimic what everyone else is doing, IF Vita anything to go by, logic wise (whats better than 1 touch screen? why 2 of course!), i dread to think what's being seen as the PS4's answer to Wii U 2nd screen....

But mainly, LOOK how they've constantly squandered the tech they DID have.

PSP/PS Vita link up to PS4-Where are the games that really use/used it? PSP was shown being used as rear view mirror for PS3 F1 racing game, what games did we get? Resistance 2+Resistance PSP, that was it?.

Eye Toy, hell Move was in R+D at same time, left to fester, along with Eye Toy 2 on PS3, when PS3 launched (Eye Of Judgement, Burnout Paradise using Eye Toy 2, not much else), until Sony knee-jerked and brought it out to combat Wii/Kinect and even after years in R+D, you still had to re-calibrate the damn thing each time you changed games etc.

3D TV-Sony showed demo.of 2 players, 1 TV Killzone 3 etc on PS3, anything done with it? Yeah right.

Where's the Sony that had the stones not only to continue with the Playstation, after Nintendo said, well auctually screw you guys, we're going with Phillips for the Snes CD drive, and not only continued to develop it, but had the vision to see 3D as the future, when Sega/Atari etc saw a balance of powerful 2D with  increased 3D abilities over what SVP/SFX chip offered?

Only thing i'd say with regards Wii U, i really DO hope it gets BETTER 3rd party support than Wii ended up with, else it's going to be home to a lot of shovelware, which would be a crying shame.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow. I may live in the land of hogmanay, but I don't like New Year's Eve. I get as grumpy as hell, I can feel it in my bones already, and if I've not had a blazing row with my wife by the time it's 3pm that row isn't far away. I wonder, with all the ranting, RT, do you not like new year either?

I never bought a PS3 so feel I can't say very anything about it really and i know even less about it's proposed successor.

If the Wii U gets poor third party games it'll inevitably kill it for me. And, like the Wii, it'll only get used for the odd exclusive must have game. And some Mario Kart. There will be a Mario Kart? Right?

@Mire Mare:

New Year stuff? hmmn, not my thing, much prefer Xmas, but only time i'd really rant at it, was when i was living in town and even then from a practical point of view.

Despite HUGE No Parking markings, people would always park up, blocking my paid for parking space outside me flat and leave car/s there until 24 hrs later at least, so often i could never get out when i wanted.

IF your changing job or doing something wonderful for the upcoming year, then yep, party on, but when it's same shit, different day time, then really do'nt feel in the party spirt.

2013-Another year of job cuts, foul weather, spending cuts and same smug faces beaming at me from TV/House Of Commons.

The PS3/PS4 rant though..given that this gen, Sony really did'nt do that much to improve Playstation online over the PS2 days, when they KNEW MS would really be pushing it and PS3 could'nt even handle cross game chat or host a decent web browser, i honestly cannot see them coming out with a 2nd screen PS4 controller, included with each PS4 that's really going to offer anything above what Wii U's is offering.

Oh dear . . . . .

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/rumor ... /#comments

Yawn! Haterz gonna hate, lol!

I'll be posting my thoughts on Wii U soon now that I've played five games and two game demos on it.

After seeing how publishers like E.A treated the Wii after their more 'hardcore' titles fared on it (i.e BOMBED at retail) this made for interesting reading:

Wii U S.E of Mass Effect 3 did'nt even make it into the UK top 40 games chart, nor did it make the Wii U specific Top 10 either.

Crytek ruled out Wii U version of Crysis 3 as well, saying E.A lacked the buisness drive to bring it to the platform.