Wii U - 11/18 @ $300/350

[Sudz]

Game Stop had a kiosk of the Wii U in their store along with a demo of Rayman. Game looks nice but nothing earth shattering compared ton the 360 and PS3 graphics. Initial impressions is that the controller is too big. I imagine my kids would would feel the same. Wasn't overly impressed but its only one game.

Totally agree on the controller size.

[fanatic]

I got in on the second wave of "pre-orders" at Gamestop. It's not a day one guarantee. Instead I'm on a waiting list where I'll get an email and have 3 days to pick it up if I want one.

I like this article on the ZombieU games local multiplayer. Human player gets an FPS perspective on the TV, while Zombie player is using the Gamepad like an RTS game.

http://kotaku.com/5927823/zombius-multi ... -the-wii-u

After some initial skepticism, I decided to pre-order as well - I got lucky actually...walked into a Gamestop last week and while asking about their waiting list, the clerk told me that 3 pre-order spots just opened up. So, guaranteed Day 1. Now, if only my in-laws weren't staying with us that weekend and sleeping in the tv room. Figures that my first ever launch console would backfire!

I'm still not sure how the gamepad is going to add value, but I figured that I'll always be interested in the core Nintendo games - Between now and March I'm very excited to play Zombie U, Super Mario, Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3 and a few others.

[sportdan30]

Who's all excited for the Wii U release??? Have a little bit more interest than I did a few weeks ago. Playing NSMB in HD sounds enticing, but I'll wait for some more games that interest me.

[toonarmy]

Was in a local Walmart today and saw the Wii-U stand with all the games. Out of curiosity, I asked the clerk in the games section if they would have any units other than preordered units. He said they had no preorders at all and that they would put 16 Wii-Us on sale at midnight. I've still been trying to convince myself that I need one, but there are not enough exclusive games I want to warrant buying a Wii-U, especially with Zombi-U getting some pretty meh reviews and impressions early on. I look forward to hearing how members of this forum like the Wii-U.

[Danimal]

No interest in a $300 dollar machine that won't get first run on games except first party games that are so-so anyway. I already have a PS3 that fills that role.

I fully expect everyone I know who buys one to tell me how awesome it is though.

[Spooky]

Yeah - I'm passing on this one. First console launch in a long time that I have not been a part of.

I am truly shocked at the lack of top notch launch titles. A 2D side scroller and a mediocre zombie game are the system sellers?!?!?!?

[pigpen81]

I am passing as well. My boys love the lego games on the Wii, and they cost $15 used.

I will wait until they outgrow the Wii.

I figure the next XBOX will be out next fall and will save/pre-order for that.

[Diablo25]

The Verge's review of the Wii U.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/18/3658 ... i-u-review

Polygon's review.

http://www.polygon.com/2012/11/18/3660470/wii-u-review

[Pete1210]

I still want one, but not bad enough to go out hunting.

[fanatic]

Looks like I'm the only one....

Picking up Mario and Nintendoland for sure - still waiting for more reviews of Zombie U. Picking the system up around 1pm. Really happy to hear that games are playing great on the gamepad alone- my wife can now watch The Voice as much as she likes!

[Rodster]

Engadget's review which was pretty fair: http://www.engadget.com/wii-u-review/ni ... -u-review/

I may get one but only after some quality must have titles come out and by that time we'll see if the console has a future. If I do get one i'll wait for the white model. It appears you can use the GamePad as a remote for some TV's and you can watch TV on the GamePad. That's a nice feature.

[pk500]

Zero desire. Zero interest.

Hope those who buy one enjoy it.

[WillHunting]

Bought my preorder, I think I will try to unload it before Xmas' frenzy. I played with the demo for a bit and really didn't see the advantage of the tablet.

[DivotMaker]

Zero desire. Zero interest.

Hope those who buy one enjoy it.

Ditto here.

[toonarmy]

These guys have been live streaming all the Wii-U launch games today and are still going strong. A few things they have noted: long load times, very long download times while updating, and crap framerates of third-party games.

http://www.twitch.tv/giantbomb

Here is one of the best forum threads of the year. Apparently someone accidentally hacked into the Miiverse on a standard Wii-U and has put himself in the position of potentially wreaking havoc with Nintendo, lol. Very entertaining stuff to say the least.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500411

[Inuyasha]

Played it today at the mall, they only had Rayman as a playable demo.

The pad was pretty big but it was easy to hold and use. Lot of interaction between the pad and tv so I think they did that well. But sometimes I'd look at the pad too much and not follow along on the tv side.

I thought the graphics were on the level of PS3/XB3.

Maybe if they had some more demo's available to play I could say more if I liked or disliked. I see they have Madden and Fifa for the system so it would be interesting how sports games will be implemented. I guess madden would be like the old dreamcast VMU system where you call the play on your pad or the pad is like a playbook.

Wouldn't buy one right now but it has some potential.

[RobVarak]

Nice detailed review from The Verge



Wasn't considering it before. Considering it even less after viewing.

[Rodster]

Nintendo's version of Windows 8.

[Naples39]

I'm thinking hardcore flop. Not enough reasons for "core" gamers to get onboard, yet its focus otherwise is too muddled to attract social or otherwise non-gamers.

[fanatic]

Due to family commitments, I was only able to perform the system setup and install the initial update yesterday. However, I will say this - there is definitely a certain "magic" to the controller. I have the feeling that trying it in the store doesn't quite do it justice. Much like the iPad (which doesn't inspire you while standing in an Apple store perhaps), you really need to have some quality time on the couch to sit back and get the feel for what it can offer.

I'm happy to see that Mario is getting some nice reviews. The 2D series may never live up to the 3D Galaxy versions, but it seems as if this Wii U title is the best a 2D Mario has played in a long time - lots of challenge, great level design, etc...

Nintendoland looks to be an above average mini-game collection and Zombie U is getting reviews all across the board! A 4.5 from Gamespot, but a 9 from Eurogamer. Crazy.

I'll agree that the tablet aspect of gameplay may not really hold much promise. However, I'm happy to pay for an HD Nintendo system with it's assortment of Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Metroid, etc...titles which are always a blast. I figure that much like this current generation of consoles, in the next one I'll mostly be playing my Sony console for serious action/adventure titles and using the Nintendo console to get my platformer/classic fix.

[fanatic]

Just read the Digital Foundry review of the Wii U. They also echo the sentiment that tablet gaming (and the awkwardness that may come with looking up and down during gameplay) may not be that promising overall.

However, this final paragraph explains my excitement for the system quite nicely:

What Wii U's first-party exclusives do provide, however, is a first look at how some of the greatest games designers in the world might utilise more modern hardware than we found in the original Wii, and in this respect Nintendo's new console delivers, because its first HD offerings are enjoyable, beautiful games that undoubtedly have a unique appeal to gamers of all ages. What's more, the quality of these unique, untouchable games will only get better as the Wii U matures. Nintendo is the Pixar of video games, and despite the odds stacked against the console, for many prospective buyers, that in itself will be more than enough.

[Danimal]

Nintendo is the Pixar of video games, and despite the odds stacked against the console, for many prospective buyers, that in itself will be more than enough.[/i]

Really? I don't recall Pixar asking me for $300+ to go watch Toy Story.

I think sites that write like this are still stuck in the old school thinking that brand loyalty exists in video games anymore. Things have change dramatically this generation. Nintendo and Sony don't get a free pass because of their history anymore, at least from most people I know.

I think the age of owning multiple systems is coming to an end. Myself as a hard core gamer will likely only get one system in the "next" generation. I see no reason anymore to justify the expense so I can play a new Mario, or MGS or Halo.

Those exclusive games pale in comparison to the number of game available on all platforms. The company who finds a way to add value outside of the games themselves will be the on the prevail IMO.

[fanatic]

Nintendo is the Pixar of video games, and despite the odds stacked against the console, for many prospective buyers, that in itself will be more than enough.[/i]

Really? I don't recall Pixar asking me for $300+ to go watch Toy Story.

I think sites that write like this are still stuck in the old school thinking that brand loyalty exists in video games anymore. Things have change dramatically this generation. Nintendo and Sony don't get a free pass because of their history anymore, at least from most people I know.

I think the age of owning multiple systems is coming to an end. Myself as a hard core gamer will likely only get one system in the "next" generation. I see no reason anymore to justify the expense so I can play a new Mario, or MGS or Halo.

Those exclusive games pale in comparison to the number of game available on all platforms. The company who finds a way to add value outside of the games themselves will be the on the prevail IMO.

From an economic perspective you might be right - but I think the point of the article was to look at what enjoyment the console might bring to the people that actually have an interest in buying it! You have to remember that millions of people worldwide are very loyal to the Nintendo brand - I get that it might not appeal to everyone, but the idea of spending $300 on a console you will likely use for 6 or so years shouldn't really be so offensive that it gets people's blood boiling, should it?

[dbdynsty25]

You have to remember that millions of people worldwide are very loyal to the Nintendo brand - I get that it might not appeal to everyone, but the idea of spending $300 on a console you will likely use for 6 or so years shouldn't really be so offensive that it gets people's blood boiling, should it?

But I know myself and a few others bought Wiis and used them for a few months and then the novelty wore off. It was then a dust collector. So I think it's fair to say that most of us "gamers" are skeptical about the longevity of a system that ONLY plays decent first party titles and a bunch of bad 3rd party ports.

[fanatic]

You have to remember that millions of people worldwide are very loyal to the Nintendo brand - I get that it might not appeal to everyone, but the idea of spending $300 on a console you will likely use for 6 or so years shouldn't really be so offensive that it gets people's blood boiling, should it?

But I know myself and a few others bought Wiis and used them for a few months and then the novelty wore off. It was then a dust collector. So I think it's fair to say that most of us "gamers" are skeptical about the longevity of a system that ONLY plays decent first party titles and a bunch of bad 3rd party ports.

I hear ya - I definitely think you need to love their first party stuff to make it worth your while. If you simply just have an interest and are intrigued by the controller stuff, then you might very well be disappointed.

Although the Wii failed to live up to expectations on many fronts, the 25-30 great first party (with a few 3rd party ones scattered in there) were enough to keep me happy. Over a 5-6 year span, that's about 5-6 games a year, to go along with the 5-6 PS3 games a year I purchase. Maybe having two a console split like that isn't for everyone, but Nintendo offers something different enough to provide the perfect balance for me.