Rumor: Nintendo Set to reveal HD Wii at E3

[BreakABone]

This comes courtesy of GameInformer

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/a...ole-at-e3.aspx

Gamers have been waiting years for Nintendo to finally release its Wii successor, and Game Informer has heard from multiple sources that the company will unveil it at E3 this summer if not sooner.

We have confirmed with multiple sources that this new home system is capable of running games at HD resolutions. There are conflicting reports, however, as to whether its graphics will be comparable to those on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 – meaning it could surpass or fall short of those systems. Either way it will offer competitive specifications. Moving to HD should greatly help Nintendo and its new console in getting more multi-platform triple-A titles like Portal 2 or Mortal Kombat. This, in turn, will strengthen Nintendo's historically poor relationship with third-party publishers/developers.

In fact, Nintendo is already showing publishers the system in an effort to get them interested and allow them plenty of time to start developing titles in anticipation of the system's reported late 2012 launch. This advance support marks a change from when the Wii launched. At that time, several Western publishers were outright surprised by the announcement, and it affected the software support for the platform.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata himself acknowledged that it needs to do a better job with its publishing partners at a 3DS press conference in the fall of 2010. "We need to decrease the concern that only Nintendo software can sell well on Nintendo platforms and third-party software cannot sell in the same volume. We feel a need to have closer ties with our third-party developers from the beginning."

"Nintendo is doing this one right," said an anonymous source. "[It's] not a gimmick like the Wii." What else, beyond graphics, this may infer about the system is unknown. What kind of controls the system will support (we imagine a need for both classic analog configurations and motion controllers) or what level of software and infrastructure Nintendo will provide for online gaming is also unknown. However, it's a positive sign that the system might be more than just an HD Wii.

We've heard about an HD Wii for some time now, and the time is perfect – almost necessary – for Nintendo to jump start itself with this new system. The company has been feeling the bite since Wii sales have declined from previous years, and this week's news that Nintendo could be dropping the price of the Wii on May 15 could be a precursor to this announcement and an attempt to move as many Wii units as possible out of the retail channel before the new system hits.

We do not have confirmation if this new system will be backward compatible with the Wii or if it will even carry the Wii branding as has often been rumored. It is our understanding that Nintendo is trying to embrace the western gamer and will likely launch a new brand with this console . Around the office we have dubbed the system Nintendo HD. However, this information at this point is conjecture.

We contacted a Nintendo representative regarding this information, and while they wouldn't comment on it or the company's E3 plans, they did sign off with a intriguing "stay tuned."

Either way, it should be an exciting E3 for Nintendo and gamers alike.

[Ginkasa]

I hope it gets a cooler code name than "Wii HD." I'm thinking "Ultra Revolutionary Whale" or something.

The actual name will, undoubtedly, be lame.

[Angrist]

Ugh, here we go again. Can't the stupid rumor-boys drop the term 'Wii HD'?? An HD upgrade to the Wii won't do anything.

What we need is the Yuu. A true sequel to the Wii, not just some upgrade. Am I excited about that? Always.

[BreakABone]

More rumors from varying sources

Furthermore, we've heard that the machine will be more powerful than current-gen systems, meaning Nintendo, currently backing a Wii that is weaker in horsepower than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, will be showing a new console that is more powerful than those current competitors.

Multiple sources have confirmed to Game Informer that Nintendo will reveal a new console between now and E3 2011 in June.

Game Informer's sources say the console is capable of running games at "HD resolutions," though it is unclear whether not it will be as powerful as Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Our sources have said the console's power will be greater than or equal to the PlayStation 3. Nintendo is reportedly showing the console to publishers to garner interest for a late 2012 launch.

Sources tell IGN that Nintendo will release a pre-announcement this month with a full reveal expected at E3. Sources say the console will be backwards compatible with current Wii software.

Our sources have said the the console is significantly more powerful than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and that Nintendo's intent is to recapture the hardcore market.

http://kotaku.com/#!5792165

http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161875p1.html

[KillerGremlin]

First pictures of the Wii HD. Looks pretty good.

~Edit~
Yeah, we're not that far gone yet!

[KillerGremlin]

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

First pictures of the Wii HD. Looks pretty good.

~Edit~
Yeah, we're not that far gone yet!

Boooo. The fact that someone edited my post means I got one of you.

Also, my link was highly accurate...Wii in HD.

[gekko]

The wording of these reports worries me. There seems to be no confidence in the product, being called the "Wii HD" and it'll be "as powerful as the PS3." I'd hope so, it's 5 years old! Seems like a lack of confidence in Nintendo from the journalism community.

I wish Nintendo the best.

[Bube]

Originally Posted by Angrist

What we need is the Yuu.

The new console should be named DoubleWii.

[TheGame]

Super Wii

[BreakABone]

Mock-up of the controller based on rumors.

[BlueFire]

Originally Posted by BreakABone

Mock-up of the controller based on rumors.

This seems like a terrible idea.

[Ginkasa]

The screen in the middle? I'm sure it could be pretty cool for a few games, gimmicky and a slew of others, and unused in even more. So, I wouldn't go for terrible... Maybe "unnecessary."

Also, I've the console is codenamed "Project Cafe." I'd have preferred Yuu.

Edit made after reading mana's post:

I think its meant to be another image entirely. The second screen on the DS, or whatever. Maps or menus or other things.

[manasecret]

So the next trick up their sleeve is using wireless video to transport the video output from the main console to the screen on the controller?

Is this actually for realz?

[manasecret]

Oh, and thank you BaBs for posting the rumors. I can still trust GT for my good source of Nintendo rumor news, and I am happy.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by manasecret

Oh, and thank you BaBs for posting the rumors. I can still trust GT for my good source of Nintendo rumor news, and I am happy.

Well, not like much else is being discussed these days, and here are some more

Controller
- 6" touchscreen, not HD, not multitouch
- D-Pad, L, R, two triggers, others
- 'Front-facing camera'
- A sensor roughly analagous to the Wii sensor bar is incorporated in the controller - i.e. some kind of IR beacons/transmitters. Purpose isn't clear.

Specs
- Custom triple-core PowerPC
- AMD/ATI GPU. 'Probably' derived from R700 series.
- RAM unknown
- Developer quotes: graphics capabilities "roughly equal to those of the Xbox 360", performance "over the Xbox 360, but just a notch"

Misc
- One other 'huge surprise' about the system

Ubisoft studios have had development kits “for months”, motion-sensing “better than Move”; announcement at E3?

Sources have this morning confirmed reports that Nintendo has a successor to the Wii in the works, telling us that thirdparty studios including those of Ubisoft, Activision and Electronic Arts have had development units of the new hardware for months.

They have also claimed that the system retains motion control, with capabilities that are “better than Move”, meaning that they boast higher fidelity. We do not yet have word on whether or not its motion-controlled solution introduces a camera.