As the Wii’s unusual life trundles to an end, Nintendo will look back with a bemused expression and wonder what exactly went wrong. Released in 2006 the console was met with immediate critical acclaim and commercial success – its main gimmick, the motion sensitive controls, opened up so many exciting opportunities for innovation. And then there was the glorious Mario Galaxy (which won Game Of The Year across the critical board in 2007). Yet as the years went by the console’s limitations became apparent, and third party support from leading games firms dwindled. The console began to smother itself with bizarre, family friendly, bargain bin nonsense that also had the habit of drowning out the brilliant games that were coming out on the console. And now it nears its end.
Hopefully Nintendo can learn from its mistakes and, judging from the list of games in development, there will certainly be a greater emphasis on more violent gaming experiences! Anyone who has ever played videogames will have noticed a distinct leaning towards bloodshed so this should please the gaming fanatics out there keen to wallow in escapist gore. This being Nintendo you can also expect some of the most perfectly created gaming experiences we have yet seen. So what can we exactly look forward to with the Wii U?
1. The Graphics
One of the main problems levelled at the Wii right from the off in 2006 was its lack of graphical prowess. The PS3 and Xbox 360 boast highly powerful and spectacular graphics, whilst the Wii was always a few steps behind. Now, however, Nintendo have upped their console’s abilities and the Wii U will be the first console to produce 1080p high-definition graphics. Given some of the games that have been announced this should make for some very dramatic results.
2. Tablet Control Pad
Some have already dismissed this as a gimmick, others think it is sublime. Regardless, the Wii U’s controller will be a tablet of sorts. It is touchscreen, and should you wish to end a game on your television and continue on the screen of the controller you can do so. The controller will also supplement the games you play on the television with, presumably, information and inventory screens.
Some other features it has are: a built in microphone, camera, Bluetooth, 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope, IR sensor strip and inbuilt rumble. It seems like an exciting piece of technology with plenty to offer the console.
3. Downloadable games and an app store
One of the best features of the Wii was its Virtual Console section. For £5 you could download and play wonderful classics from the SNES, NES, N64 and Mega Drive heyday. Some firms also produced games especially for the Virtual Console, and this resulted in the brilliant World of Goo and The Lost Winds. The Wii U will continue this trend and introduce an app store that will incorporate the tablet controller and allow you to, amongst other things, view digital magazines and walkthrough guides.
4. The games!
Any opportunity to give Nintendo’s wonderful franchises another outing is always an exciting development. It has already been confirmed that Mario Kart, Super Mario, Super Smash Bros, and Zelda will be on the console (major surprise there). Nintendo are arguably the best games designers in the world so let’s wait and see what they can come up with. The firm’s much belated Pikmin 3 will also finally get a release on the console. Expect all of these to be covered extensively at this year’s E3 show in early June.
Backwards compatibility is expected these days from any console, and Nintendo’s follows the trend. You will be able to use all of your Wii’s peripherals and games on the Wii U, although if you still have your GameCube it should be noted the Wii U will not support any of its products.
5. Third Party Support
It doesn’t matter if Nintendo’s first batch of Wii U games are complete genius – if there are no great third party games to back them up then the console will rapidly head the way of the Wii. Nintendo ensured they got abandoned by most good thirty party developers with their unusual approach to the console, but now they have seemingly learned from their mistakes. They are ensuring greater support for their console. This is the single most important thing they can do, even greater than making sure their latest franchises live up to expectations.
A scan of some of the games in development makes for interesting reading; Tekken, Formula One, Assassin’s Creed II, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield, Darksiders II. There are many more, but this means Sega, Ubisoft, THQ, Codemasters, Activision and Namco have shown their support to Nintendo and the list will grow.
Alex Morris is a writer and researcher for Office Kitten in Manchester where he produces articles and blogs about toner cartridges and office stationery supplies.
