The Wii 2 Thread (formerly Alex's Wii 2011 Rant Thread)

[WorknMan]

It truly is. I ended up getting a receiver remote so I could have a remote that didn't turn on the damn PS3 every second of every day.

Got the bluetooth/IR adapter for my dad's harmony one remote - way overpriced, but works great

[alexjlopez]

I know we've seen tons of these rumor lists, but on the eve of E3 this one is extremely detailed and contains some very interesting information"

The System:
Uses a custom IBM triple-core CPU running at 3.6GHz per core
The development kit contains 1gb RAM, but Nintendo have hinted that the console will actually have 1.5gb
Nintendo will be releasing games that will run 1080p natively. Sources say that with Nintendo’s art style and the power the system has, the games look ‘stunning’.
The system does run on AMD R700 card, but the architecture is slightly different and the clock speeds are much higher.
The System resembles JPN/EU SNES machines in color only and not in shape
The development kit is about the size of a 360, not the console
Close sources say it’s as if Nintendo is in “damage control” with 3rd party developers.
Nintendo is trying really hard to get 3rd parties on board to develop games and have offered incentives such as not releasing big-title Nintendo games in holiday seasons to compete against 3rd party titles.
Nintendo went to many 3rd party developers on guidance on what they were after with the new console in terms of system specs, controller and online system.


The Controller:
Nintendo have been keeping this really quiet and have only given developers controller prototypes to start designing games. However, the final controller build with all the features have only been given to Nintendo 1st and 2nd party developers for now.
Nintendo had planned on inserting a screen on the controller back when the Gamecube was in development, but opted out due to technology not being advanced enough to be functional
The controller that’s been given to developers has a large 5.7inch hd (960x640pixel) screen, 2 analogue sticks, 4 face buttons, 3 middle buttons (select/home/start in that order), 2 shoulder buttons and 2 triggers.
The triggers aren’t as deep as the 360’s triggers, but have plenty of push
The big thing about the screen is that it’s a multi-touch screen, contains it’s own battery and is detachable from the controller unit
The screen when detached contains its own memory so developers can store data on it, so gamers can play whatever the developer designs for the screen-only use
When the screen is attached to the controller it works by streaming content directly from the console
Nintendo are giving developers ideas other than just having it function as a quick menu screen for games while attached, or as a simple tamagochi-like mini-game when detached
The controller contains a gyroscope, but motion controls isn’t the focus of the controller like it was for the Wii

Games:
Nintendo will release a Mario platformer as a launch title which hasn’t been done since the N64.
The Mario platformer looks to be the spiritual successor to Mario 64.
Gamefreak and EAD are hard at work developing a Pokemon online RPG.
The Pokemon RPG is not an MMO, but does have a large online emphasis and will be Nintendo’s flagship title when showing off the online capabilities of the console.
There will be at least one new IP Nintendo will reveal at E3.
Nintendo is working on a new Zelda, but didn’t reveal anything to developers.

Other:
Some developers have had the Wii 2 dev kit for going on 2 years now. When the Wii 2 is released in late, that’s 3 years to develop games on.
Because of such generous development time, Nintendo have pushed 3rd parties to develop high quality games to be released at or near launch.
Nintendo have sourced an external company to develop their online network, which the developer has commented, surpasses both the PS3 and 360 in terms of speed and functionality.
Nintendo is pushing for the console to be online 24/7 and have seamless online integration with many of their games
Friend codes are confirmed to be gone
Nintendo has been toying with the idea of a game where the main character is your Mii
Nintendo will be pushing their Pokemon RPG to showcase their online network
Rockstar are supposedly hard at work in bringing on of their “most popular” titles to the console.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Boy oh boy, should we give the E3 cup to Nintendo right now before the show even starts?

[Chris]

I'll be in chat for the press conference

[TripHamer]

It does sound like they got something good in the works.

[TripHamer]

Ok, just for fun....let me slap a newly thought of conspiracy theory spin on this one.

A few years back, Nintnedo sees that Sony and Microsoft are developing really good systems and realizes that they cannot compete in that arena with them. So they hurry up and design a different controller and revamp/upgrade their current hardware to support it. They have some success with it and sell a bunch....so Microsoft and Sony get in on the act and now they are locked into that "Placeholder" hardware. All the while, Nintendo has been developing a really good system that will, in time, take first place....leaving Sony and Microsoft to play catch up.

Yep, I see their plan now!

(for those who don't get it...it's a joke...totally made up here....now...on the spot.....get it? Just being creative again.)

[Chris]

Ok, just for fun....let me slap a newly thought of conspiracy theory spin on this one.

A few years back, Nintnedo sees that Sony and Microsoft are developing really good systems and realizes that they cannot compete in that arena with them. So they hurry up and design a different controller and revamp/upgrade their current hardware to support it. They have some success with it and sell a bunch....so Microsoft and Sony get in on the act and now they are locked into that "Placeholder" hardware. All the while, Nintendo has been developing a really good system that will, in time, take first place....leaving Sony and Microsoft to play catch up.

Yep, I see their plan now!

(for those who don't get it...it's a joke...totally made up here....now...on the spot.....get it? Just being creative again.)

Haha, that's hilarious, the ole' switcheroo. Then Nintendo walks up to Sony and Microsoft and says "what're you doing with those damn plastic tennis rackets?"