Countdown to Wii

[Ruslan74]

Everybody now : Wii will rock you!

Firingsquad has an article on the Wii and what it will do when its released.

What is known about the specs is that the processor is based on the IBM PowerPC design and that the graphics are being handled by a custom ATI chip code named “Hollywood” (ironically, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 processor and graphics chips are also being handled by IBM and ATI, respectively). Right now, there are no known speeds for the processor nor any known amount of memory for the graphics chip. It does have 512 MB of flash memory as well as a slot for SD storage cards. Two USB ports and support for up to four of the Wii’s unique wireless controller will be available. The disk format will be DVD based but the Wii will not apparently be able to play DVD movies on its own like the PS3 or Xbox 360 can (an optional add-on for DVD movies was announced but so far has not been seen) The Wii will have a built in WiFi card (something the Xbox 360 doesn’t have) for its Internet connection. It will also be backward compatible with Gamecube titles.

Perhaps the biggest tech difference for the Wii in comparing the system to the PS3 and Xbox 360 is the lack of native HDTV support. Nintendo execs have said that they feel that HDTV does not yet have enough of a foothold in the marketplace for the company to support HDTV systems. This sound suspiciously like Nintendo’s excuses for not trying to fully support online play for the original GameCube. Indeed, it’s been proven that sales of HDTVs are on the rise in the US and could surpass the sales of standard TVs in this country this year. Part of the reason for this rise? People want to play games on their Xbox 360 and the upcoming PS3 on their big screen TVs. This simple fact could keep at least a few hardcore gamers from picking up the Wii.

[TG]

Ok, assuming I could afford a console, here's my take on this whole saga (whether it's applicable to this thread or not ):

• Sony has made a (several) serious blunder(s) with the PS3.
  
  1. It's over priced
  2. It's over priced
  3. It's over priced
  4. The appearance that they are doing everything in their power to prevent people selling or borrowing used games
  5. It's over priced
• Nintendo's wii has a really strange name, but I can get over that. What I'm not crazy about it the new swish 'n' slash controller thingymabob that they've come up with. It will either work, and work well, or be a miserable failure. Quite honestly, I don't know if I'm prepared to try something new. I like my rut(s).
• It seems Microsoft has hit the nail on the head with the 360. I can see myself getting one of these.

[Alluvium]

theres a count down ??

i want wii, now!, i want WII!... my poor bladder

[Ruslan74]

TG, if you ever come down (up rather) to the Coca Cola Dome area i will be most please to show you the X360 in action. Currently playing GRAW and enjoying it more than the PC version to be honest, i have even got my wife into some COOP GRAW missions! Albeit the outcome is best left err... unanswered.

[SlappY]

That Wii seems to be a bit lacking in the tech dept. I mean no HDTV support... common! Where is the foresight. Also, No DVD support?? WTF!

Saw a demo video of the new PS3 controller. VERY nice. you dont even have to push buttons, just wave it around like a wand. 6 degrees of control without pressing a button. Plus it is wireless. Now there is a selling point if ever I seen one!

[Ruslan74]

err.... Wii's controller is also motion enabled, wireless and etc.

the biggest drawback from Sony's controller is that they got rid of the rumble effect... i like that... it gives me feedback on whats happening on screen.

and one thing which worries me about controllers which are motion sensing in games... how long will you actually hold out in a hectic game before getting tired?

[FeralBanana]

@Useless: Hehe... imagine 64 player BF with a high-recoil machine gun...

Actually, after seeing the recoil in DOD:S, imagine THAT...

Apart from that, I still love my comp too much to spend money on a console instead of upgrading it...

[doobiwan]

www.wii60.com FTW!!

Slappy the whole idea of the wii is to be a really affordable, all inclusive, cheap to develop for, fun platform. The thing with HD is that dev cost are HUGE. It takes 4-5x the processing power. Nintendo's trying to bring whole familys back to play fun and engaging games.

Ninty and Microsoft are sort of in an unholy, unspoken alliance 360 is chasing the HD hardcore market, Wii trying to expand the market.

Have a look at what some of the press have to say about it.
http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/200...loves-the-wii/

PS3 is just a debacle in a farce. But I don't doubt it'll be successful. (buy 360 and a Wii and it'll be cheaper than PS3!)

[FeralBanana]

Doobi, I don't think that they're unbiased... Look at the website name...

"nintendowiifanboy" "loves-the-wii"

[doobiwan]

That would be where one gets pro Wii propaganda

But the articles is actually a set of links to other non-wii-obsessed sites, who've had a chance to play with it.

3 months to Go!!!