I don't usually pre-start threads (not fond of that behavior) but since we haven't yet had a dedicated Wii U thread and it's sure to be the big story of E3 I am doing that here.

Brief early discussion after last year's E3 here:
http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/forums … hp?id=6276

My early sentiment remains that...
-Nintendo have their head under a rock if they don't make the touchscreen multi-touch.
-Having a touchscreen controller in the first place feels like a desperate attempt to match the novelty of the original Wii, which is why...
-Nintendo should take the opportunity to noticeably up-spec their competition this time around (as a buffer).
-The system would have vastly more promise as a console/portable combo if Nintendo didn't have the 3DS around to worry about cannibalizing sales of.

But I'll wait until we see what software they have in store at the show before saying any more.

did you check out the pre E3 video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AkPdAWfFjI

some of your questions were answered here.

I'm very impressed with the Miiverse functionality announced Sunday. It's very forward thinking and takes all of the asynchronous trends from the mobile platforms and integrates them at the hardware level. I'm also pleased that Nintendo fixed the sticks and announced the Wii U Pro controller (although it looks too much like a 360 controller). That said, some of the stuff they showed was typical Nintendo silliness (the curtain, for example). The real test will come in less than 12 hours when Nintendo starts announcing Wii U games. Ubisoft announced several today, but outside of Zombi U, there's nothing unexpected so far (although Rayman Legends looks lovely). We have been waiting since 2001 for a major new core IP from Nintendo. Will they deliver or keep us waiting even longer?

http://mynintendonews.com/

I use this site to follow all the Wii news. Recommended.

I just saw some footage of this, and I'm not sure what to make of it yet. My initial impression is that the controller is too big. Still, maybe Nintendo is on to something, but then again, maybe not. By the way, I also saw footage of Zombie U (original name there /sarcasm) and it looks to be pretty infuriating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4-mRBeH … re=related

At least I for one, do not want to play a game where my character is easily killed and then gone for good. Oh yeah, sure it may be "realistic", but I'm here to have fun, not get annoyed. Just my initial impression...

But you respawn as someone else!
There's no real difference with just losing a life in a Mario game.

Thing is, in a Mario game you respawn as Mario, while in this game it sounds like you lose any "abilities" your previous character had. I'm also not sure, is there a storyline to this? Bosses? Progression? Or is it merely just surviving for some time? I certainly enjoy a challenge, but it sounds like it's so easy to die, and you don't really have any attachment to your character. Then you have to go find this bag-thing? I'll wait and see what the final product is like, but so far this does not sound like a game I would enjoy. On the other hand, I'm hoping for a disk release of Orcs Must Die!

source: http://mynintendonews.com/2012/06/29/wi … processor/

-_-

source: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news … ducer.html

I attended the "Wii U Experience" on Saturday in DC. It's a touring show to give fans a chance to try the Wii U in a controlled environment.

The following games were playable:

-New Super Mario Bros. U
-Rayman Legends
-Zombi U
-Game & Wario
-SiNG
-Just Dance 4
-Batman: Arkham City
-Wii Fit U
-Pikmin 3
-Project P-100
-Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
-Nintendo Land

There were lots of people and only two hours to try stuff, so I didn't have time to try everything. Of the above, I tried Mario, Rayman, Wario, Zombi, and Pikmin. Mario and Rayman and exactly like their predecessors except they both add "asymmetric" play by having an extra person affect the main screen gameplay by tapping things on the gamepad screen while other players use Wiimotes (Mario) or the Wii U Controller Pro (Rayman) to play the game proper. Game & Wario is another minigame collection, Pikmin is just like the first two but prettier, and Zombi U offers some interesting but ultimately distracting uses for the gamepad in combination with the TV.

The gamepad itself is very comfortable to hold, but feels too big. It's also awkward trying to switch from the right analog stick to the four face buttons since the stick is above and to the right of the face buttons instead of being below and to the left as it is on all other dual analog controllers. The Wii U Controller Pro feels great in the hands, but I only tried it with Rayman, so I don't know if the same issues I had with the dual analog setup on the gamepad are also present here.

It was a fun event with lots of energy and ample Street Passing opportunities, but there was nothing on display that made me feel like I had to own a Wii U. Granted, I'm going to buy one anyway just because I'm OCD, but if you have more self control, I see no reason why you need to buy a Wii U this year.

Will the Wii U also be backwards compatible with Gamecube games?

Doubtful. Wiis currently on store shelves have been stripped of Gamecube support, and they made mention of Gamecube games for Wii U's Virtual Console.

They said it will not be backwards compatible with GameCube games. The Virtual Console thing is just a rumor as far as I know, but it wouldn't surprise me. Personally, I'd love to see some HD Collections of classic Nintendo games now that Nintendo is finally going to HD. Can you imagine how lovely it would be to have things like Wind Waker and Mario Sunshine in HD?

source:http://mynintendonews.com/2012/09/13/nintendo-america-nyc-wii-u-preview-event-roundup/

Starting to sound like an xbox...

"New Super Mario Bros. U offers unprecedented ways for friends and families to play together and explore Mario’s world"

What if you don't want to play with friends and families? What if you want to play a nice video game all by **YOURSELF** Anyone else tired of so much crap being multiplayer/online...bleh...?

Yeah, I hear ya.
I think Nintendo is still doing a decent job of catering to people like us, though.

One of my biggest pet peeves is a 'you need multiplayer to get everything", especially in a case like FFIII DS where it's not normally a type of game one would associate with multiplayer.

But I doubt I matter to the companies as my newest console is a Gamecube. I pretty much a game here and on PC (I have a 3ds and have yet to get a 3ds game) and play older stuff.

For better or for worse, I pre-ordered the Deluxe Set today. I don't really even want it, but it's a new Nintendo system with a new Mario game, so the OCD sucker in me has to have it at launch. Having read today's announcements, I don't think Nintendo announced much of anything of interest to gamers, but the TVii app looks pretty cool, and it could be a major selling point to casuals if it actually lives up to its trailer. For gamers, I'd recommend holding off until the price comes down or some halfway decent exclusives show up. There's nothing in the launch window that justifies the price they're asking. Right now, this is just for diehards who can't live without owning the latest Nintendo system (of which I am sadly one).

I think the announcement is rushed. Has there really been a lot of details to hype this thing all that much? Or is it just primarily hardware driven? I seriously have been out of the loop on console information and my assumption was they were making the announcement for NEXT year to build hype and release killer apps and whatnot. But 2-3 months from now?

I have to say, the updated "classic" controller they have looks serious. Like a more gamer-friendly 360 pad. But the tablet controller...Um, yeah. Looks awkward as hell to hold and if there's anything I learned from the DS, the best games used ONE screen and not two for primary gameplay.

This over-reliance on multi-player thing doesn't surprise me in the least. That was my issue with Gamecube's main selling point/gimmick, the GBA connectivity. In theory, not a horrible idea considering most people who owned one owned the other, but restricting it to multi-player only limited it to occasional usage if it all. And Mario Party has gimped through close to ten bland incarnations, based on being an excuse to sit around and get wasted with your friends than anything worthwhile.

source: http://kotaku.com/5943092/wii-u-games-will-cost-5999

Yuck. I'll be renting games and waiting a long time for big price cuts.

at this point Nintendo should be going the opposite way and making their !@#$ cheaper just so ppl will buy it. having an internet connection lets me know exactly how jaded and disappointed ppl have gotten w/ Nintendo over the Wii. my niece got a Wii for Christmas a year or two ago. she thought it was the most awesome thing when she first got it, but hardly even touches the thing now (you will get shot for making a phallic joke. this's my little niece we're talkin about here)

Wii U = Nintendo's Dreamcast?
Some think so...

http://theweek.com/article/index/233369 … e-nintendo

This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone...many in the industry have been saying this since the Wii U announcements from last year...a friend of mine very close to the industry is predicting DOA

Could you imagine a Mario game (done at the level of quality we've come to expect (not Philips CDI of course)) on a Sony, Apple or Microsoft system?    My inner child just died a little

I've been saying Nintendo should have gone 3rd party since the Gamecube era, so it would not surprise me if that is the case with Wii U. This is not a particularly strong time for console gaming, so I don't see Wii U pulling a miracle here. I think we are still seeing the effects of their 3rd party policies from early on, plus the decision to go with cartridges in the N64 era, which probably elicits little remorse from 3rd party developers. Even though Wii sold a ton back in the day, everyone knows that library has been on shaky grounds outside of 1st or 2nd party games in terms of sales.

Then again, knowing how Iwata's mind works, watch Nintendo fully embrace Move/Kinect as a 3rd party developer...:/

On the other hand...Nintendo on Steam doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

Personally I thought the N64 was their last hurrah back when Mario 64 and Goldeneye were the only games on it anyone cared about. It was really doing horribly in Japan especially.
It might have been were it not for Zelda and that little thingy called Pokemon that a few people liked...

Nintendo needs saving? Are we just going to completely ignore DS and Wii sales? How about the fact that Nintendo is the second richest company in Japan? Stupid article.

Comparisons to the Dreamcast are oblivious to Sega's console history sales. Got news for everyone here -- even on their worst selling console, Gamecube, Nintendo made a healthy profit off it. Whoever wrote that article should find a train to run over their fingers.