Some Little Known Facts About The Wii U

I am so ready to buy this day one! Cant wait for the 13th.

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"][QUOTE="crippled_ram"] But the Wii U is not a current gen system, it is a next gen system.Wiiyou

Get a PC if graphic is all you care about...

Thanks Chaz..I think thisMIGHTput all those nay-sayers to sleep about how lame the Wii U is..there is still not much we know about but overall a good list of features Nintendo didn't really lay out on the table for people..Chaz you should work for Nintendo instead:twisted:

Mantleman

Vita yo

The Wii U is the first home console to do it, though the others will surely do the same since the groundwork was laid down this gen.

Slashkice

I REALLY doubt that Nintendo will have all retail games available on the eShop day one.Kaze_no_Mirai

[QUOTE="crippled_ram"][QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I already own one current gen console. I don't need another one. I am waiting til next gen to see what the PS4 offers. If they fight used games on the PS4, then I am done with consoles altogether.AmazonTreeBoa

so what would it have to actually have to be considered next gen to you?

They've already said that the Wii U will have all games on the eShop day one.charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]They've already said that the Wii U will have all games on the eShop day one.Kaze_no_Mirai

All I need to see thursday, is some big first party awesome exclusives to look forward too next year. There is actually a lot of quality coming out this year, but it feels underwhelming because we don't know what is coming in the future.

If they just show a trailer, for Smash Bros. Zelda, Metroid, or some new IP, and some bigger third party games, then I will be sold

Worst case scenario that Nintendo outlined was that FCs return but in the background. Like Steam.charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]Worst case scenario that Nintendo outlined was that FCs return but in the background. Like Steam.Kaze_no_Mirai

Yeah I so cant wait for the 13th. Im going to wait outside the store on the launch day.

one little known fact is that even after it launches your still going to be jelly of everyone but the lemmings :cool:

the lemmings will be beneath you cause they have no games :cool:

The CPU is sort of a letdown, but everything else looks nice.

[QUOTE="Kaze_no_Mirai"][QUOTE="charizard1605"]Worst case scenario that Nintendo outlined was that FCs return but in the background. Like Steam.Gamingclone

Yeah I so cant wait for the 13th. Im going to wait outside the store on the launch day.

Nintendo's handling of the Wii U has been shocking. The console, which will be their flagship product for the next five years at least, launches at most in four months, and people still know pretty much nothing about the system.

Since System Wars loves proliferating misinformation about the system, I decided to clear up some facts about the Wii U. It's not going to be the PS2 of the next generation like some of us might have hoped initially, and it will probably be the next Wii more than anything, but still, there are some things it is doing right.

• The Wii U uses a proprietary Blu Ray disc format for its games. Much like the Wii, which used a proprietary DVD format that Nintendo specifically developed for the console, the Wii U uses a modified Blu Ray format. A Wii U disc holds 25 GB of data per layer, which is the exact same as a Blu Ray disc. In spite of this, however, the Wii U will not play Blu Ray or DVD movies, a decision Nintendo probably made to avoid licensing fees.
• The Wii U will be the first console to have every single one of its games release at both retail, and digital, day one. The Wii U eShop will have every single game available on it digitally from day one itself, just in case you like digital better than retail. And for those of you worried about Nintendo's DRM that ties purchases to your system, and the lack of user accounts...
• The Wii U has user accounts. Only seven years late to the party, the Wii U is the first Nintendo system that supports user accounts. All purchases, achievements, and game play time tracking will be tied directly to your user account. More importantly, there will be support for multiple user accounts per system, unlike the Wii and 3DS.
• No more Friend Codes. This of course means that there will be no more friend codes on the Wii U. Your one user account can be used to add friends, access leaderboards, track achievements, and more.
• The first system ever to have a social network integrated at the OS level. Nintendo is creating an entirely new social network for the Wii U (which it promises will later come to the 3DS too) in the hopes to recreate that feel of community gaming that existed before the rise of the internet, on the internet. Miiverse has status messages, video and screenshot sharing, messaging, user tips and help, and more. The Wii U thus becomes the first system to integrate a social network at the OS level.
• The Wii U (probably) has 1.5 GB RAM on the final retail system... and 512 MB of this is saved for the OS. In what is unprecedented, Nintendo is reportedly dedicating 512MB of its system memory to just the OS. This is probably to enable full multitasking, Miiverse, streaming to the controller, and more, all at once, but it hints at a fully featured OS for Nintendo's new system. For context, 512MB is the total RAM that Xbox 360 and PS3 have available to them. Nintendo is apparently saving that much just for OS processes.
• Your WiiWare and Virtual Console purchases will carry over to the Wii U. Nintendo has announced that all of your WiiWare and Virtual Console purchases made on the Wii will carry over to the Wii U. The exact process that will enable this is as yet unknown - it might be similar to how Nintendo managed it on the DSi and 3DS, but they might retroactively enable user accounts on the Wii.
• The Wii U will play used games. Unlike both the next Xbox and the PS4, which are rumored to block used games, the Wii U will play used and borrowed games without any restrictions or limitations.
• Free online: The Wii U will offer free online play, and basic Miiverse access. Nintendo did, however, state that it was looking into offering a PS+ kind of tiered paid service for the system.
• 3D Compatible: The Wii U supports the HDMI 1.3 output standard, which means that if it is connected to a 3DTV, it can output 3D images, if the software supports it.
• The Wii U is open: It allows for any hard drive and any SD card to be plugged into the console and used for storage via its USB slots and SD card slot. You can use any hard drive you want to with the Wii U, like the PS3.
• Media functionality. Nintendo will not allow for DVDs and Blu Rays to play on the Wii U. However, they have expanded the media functionality of the Wii U, allowing for Amazon Instant, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Youtube. There is also allegedly an eBook marketplace in the works.
• Apparently, there will be an apps marketplace. This is one of the oldest and most persistent rumors about the system, and we haven't received confirmation about it either way, so just take it with a pinch of salt.

So yes, the Wii U might be doing a lot wrong, but there's a lot that is surprisingly progressive about it, even more so when one considers that this is all coming from Nintendo.

charizard1605

Nothing really impressive...lol

Some Little Known Facts.....buy a PS3 and you can have all of them and more.PS3 also have a 320HDD and it can play BR Movies....the WiiU don't.

WiiU is just a 350$ XBOX360 7 years later....and it sounds like a total unworthy console.PS3>>>>>>>>>>>>>>WiiU.....FACT.

The CPU is sort of a letdown, but everything else looks nice.

GameboyTroy

What were you expecting?

*fanboy dribble*AtariKidX

Dude. It is a PowerPC, the POWER7 same as the WATSON architecture by IBM. Just picking a couple of specs, 4 by simultaneous multithreading (SMT) per core, and quad core (they go to 8 core, but I chose the minimum for this example), therefore 16 SMT threads for the CPU; also - 1.2billion transistors, 4MB L3 cache. Compare that to the Xenon in the 360.2 by SMT per core, and 3 cores, therefore only 6 SMT threads for the CPU, only 0.165billion transistors, and not one single byte of L3 cache.

What were you expecting?

psymon100

[QUOTE="AtariKidX"]*fanboy dribble*charizard1605

Dude. It is a PowerPC, the POWER7 same as the WATSON architecture by IBM. Just picking a couple of specs, 4 by simultaneous multithreading (SMT) per core, and quad core (they go to 8 core, but I chose the minimum for this example), therefore 16 SMT threads for the CPU; also - 1.2billion transistors, 4MB L3 cache. Compare that to the Xenon in the 360.2 by SMT per core, and 3 cores, therefore only 6 SMT threads for the CPU, only 0.165billion transistors, and not one single byte of L3 cache.

What were you expecting?

psymon100

Would love it to be the 8 core model at 3.2Ghz but it's probably too expensive.

Well, Nintendo themselves say IBM PowerPC, and Wikipedia says it will be a Power7, and IBM Watson tweeted this which is Wikipedia's source. What do you think, is that enough? I think that gives it a +95% chance of it having PowerPC Power8.

Would love it to be the 8 core model at 3.2Ghz but it's probably too expensive.

psymon100

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"][QUOTE="crippled_ram"] But the Wii U is not a current gen system, it is a next gen system.Mario1331

so what would it have to actually have to be considered next gen to you?

Sounds very appealing to me to upgrade from the old HD twins, might play the upcoming multiplatforms on the Wii U this year.

The UI and OS sounds very good, plus the gamepad, Wii U gonna be great, might be my first Nintendo console in years.

I don't get what the big deal of having a blu ray player, if I want a blu ray, I will get a blu ray for 80$ not a game system for 250+.layton2012

I don't get what the big deal of having a blu ray player, if I want a blu ray, I will get a blu ray for 80$ not a game system for 250+.layton2012

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]

[QUOTE="AtariKidX"] Yawn [QUOTE="psymon100"] Dude. It is a PowerPC, the POWER7 same as the WATSON architecture by IBM. Just picking a couple of specs, 4 by simultaneous multithreading (SMT) per core, and quad core (they go to 8 core, but I chose the minimum for this example), therefore 16 SMT threads for the CPU; also - 1.2billion transistors, 4MB L3 cache. Compare that to the Xenon in the 360.2 by SMT per core, and 3 cores, therefore only 6 SMT threads for the CPU, only 0.165billion transistors, and not one single byte of L3 cache.

What were you expecting?

psymon100

Would love it to be the 8 core model at 3.2Ghz but it's probably too expensive.

Current IBM POWER7 (8 cores) has a die size of 567 mm^2 on a 45 nm process with ~200 watts @ 3.8Ghz. Good luck in fitting 200 watts CPU into a small box.

IBM POWER7 (8 cores) 's die size is larger than the current AMD Radeon HD 7970's 352 mm^2 die size!!!

Each POWER7 CPU core can issue 6 instructions per cycle while Xbox 360/PS3's PPE core can issue 2 instructions per cycle.

PowerPC 970 (G5) CPU core can issue 5 instructions per cycle.

For games, a system with large CPU(e.g. Power7 Quad Core) with small GPU(e.g. Radeon HD 4770) would be destroyed by small CPU (e.g. AMD Steamroller Quad Core) with large GPU (e.g. Radeon HD 7850) combo (e.g. AMD Liverpool APU).

I'm glad its full BC. Not sure if I will be getting one though, As i don't have a PS3 or 360 (cheeper games at this point). I don't think that applies to most people though. Still a bit worried it will not get all games moving forward. Also worried about the durability of the controller. Still i hope they can follow up the wii with something better, no flops

[QUOTE="psymon100"]

Well, Nintendo themselves say IBM PowerPC, and Wikipedia says it will be a Power7, and IBM Watson tweeted this which is Wikipedia's source. What do you think, is that enough? I think that gives it a +95% chance of it having PowerPC Power8.

Would love it to be the 8 core model at 3.2Ghz but it's probably too expensive.

charizard1605

There's a decent chance it may be a lower clocked version of that which may be slightly weaker.This pretty much fits my prediction to how powerful the console may be, but SW doesn't think the console will display visuals at barely above 360/PS3 levels which I laugh at.

The Wii U will be the first console to have every single one of its games release at both retail, and digital, day one. charizard1605

Nintendo pretty much owns my wallet.

They are kind enough to lend it to me for food and gas from time to time though...

I hoping the rumors of the multiple SKU's are true. I'd be all over a $250 model.Shinobishyguy

If it's true, then I hope the black color is available for all options. I need the black WiiU to match my black Wii and PS3.

I have a couple of questions reguarding Wii software playback and system colors available at launch. Will the system upscale the resolution of Wii games and will it play all Wii games? Also, in what colors will the system be launching in(NA)? Rockman999

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]The Wii U will be the first console to have every single one of its games release at both retail, and digital, day one. blue_hazy_basic

I know a little known fact about the Wii-u myself, I know for a fact i'm not buying one

All I need to see thursday, is some big first party awesome exclusives to look forward too next year. There is actually a lot of quality coming out this year, but it feels underwhelming because we don't know what is coming in the future.

If they just show a trailer, for Smash Bros. Zelda, Metroid, or some new IP, and some bigger third party games, then I will be sold

VendettaRed07

the virtual console was always the biggest draw....

my only other issue is can i play games from the wii that doesn't require that stupid wand....the wand was the only reason i didnt buy a wii in the first place.

So you are saying that I can save Wii U games on my 350gig PS3? Was going to get Wii U regardless but now this has me pumped.

Nintendo's handling of the Wii U has been shocking. The console, which will be their flagship product for the next five years at least, launches at most in four months, and people still know pretty much nothing about the system.

Since System Wars loves proliferating misinformation about the system, I decided to clear up some facts about the Wii U. It's not going to be the PS2 of the next generation like some of us might have hoped initially, and it will probably be the next Wii more than anything, but still, there are some things it is doing right.

• The Wii U uses a proprietary Blu Ray disc format for its games. Much like the Wii, which used a proprietary DVD format that Nintendo specifically developed for the console, the Wii U uses a modified Blu Ray format. A Wii U disc holds 25 GB of data per layer, which is the exact same as a Blu Ray disc. In spite of this, however, the Wii U will not play Blu Ray or DVD movies, a decision Nintendo probably made to avoid licensing fees.
• The Wii U will be the first console to have every single one of its games release at both retail, and digital, day one. The Wii U eShop will have every single game available on it digitally from day one itself, just in case you like digital better than retail. And for those of you worried about Nintendo's DRM that ties purchases to your system, and the lack of user accounts...
• The Wii U has user accounts. Only seven years late to the party, the Wii U is the first Nintendo system that supports user accounts. All purchases, achievements, and game play time tracking will be tied directly to your user account. More importantly, there will be support for multiple user accounts per system, unlike the Wii and 3DS.
• No more Friend Codes. This of course means that there will be no more friend codes on the Wii U. Your one user account can be used to add friends, access leaderboards, track achievements, and more.
• The first system ever to have a social network integrated at the OS level. Nintendo is creating an entirely new social network for the Wii U (which it promises will later come to the 3DS too) in the hopes to recreate that feel of community gaming that existed before the rise of the internet, on the internet. Miiverse has status messages, video and screenshot sharing, messaging, user tips and help, and more. The Wii U thus becomes the first system to integrate a social network at the OS level.
• The Wii U (probably) has 1.5 GB RAM on the final retail system... and 512 MB of this is saved for the OS. In what is unprecedented, Nintendo is reportedly dedicating 512MB of its system memory to just the OS. This is probably to enable full multitasking, Miiverse, streaming to the controller, and more, all at once, but it hints at a fully featured OS for Nintendo's new system. For context, 512MB is the total RAM that Xbox 360 and PS3 have available to them. Nintendo is apparently saving that much just for OS processes.
• Your WiiWare and Virtual Console purchases will carry over to the Wii U. Nintendo has announced that all of your WiiWare and Virtual Console purchases made on the Wii will carry over to the Wii U. The exact process that will enable this is as yet unknown - it might be similar to how Nintendo managed it on the DSi and 3DS, but they might retroactively enable user accounts on the Wii.
• The Wii U will play used games. Unlike both the next Xbox and the PS4, which are rumored to block used games, the Wii U will play used and borrowed games without any restrictions or limitations.
• Free online: The Wii U will offer free online play, and basic Miiverse access. Nintendo did, however, state that it was looking into offering a PS+ kind of tiered paid service for the system.
• 3D Compatible: The Wii U supports the HDMI 1.3 output standard, which means that if it is connected to a 3DTV, it can output 3D images, if the software supports it.
• The Wii U is open: It allows for any hard drive and any SD card to be plugged into the console and used for storage via its USB slots and SD card slot. You can use any hard drive you want to with the Wii U, like the PS3.
• Media functionality. Nintendo will not allow for DVDs and Blu Rays to play on the Wii U. However, they have expanded the media functionality of the Wii U, allowing for Amazon Instant, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Youtube. There is also allegedly an eBook marketplace in the works.
• Apparently, there will be an apps marketplace. This is one of the oldest and most persistent rumors about the system, and we haven't received confirmation about it either way, so just take it with a pinch of salt.

So yes, the Wii U might be doing a lot wrong, but there's a lot that is surprisingly progressive about it, even more so when one considers that this is all coming from Nintendo.

charizard1605

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/06/13/wii-u-will-feature-simplified-friend-codes

Might need to check a couple of other things too.

[QUOTE="blue_hazy_basic"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]The Wii U will be the first console to have every single one of its games release at both retail, and digital, day one. clone01

[QUOTE="psymon100"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] Is this actually confirmed?

ronvalencia

Would love it to be the 8 core model at 3.2Ghz but it's probably too expensive.

Current IBM POWER7 (8 cores) has a die size of 567 mm^2 on a 45 nm process with ~200 watts @ 3.8Ghz. Good luck in fitting 200 watts CPU into a small box.

IBM POWER7 (8 cores) 's die size is larger than the current AMD Radeon HD 7970's 352 mm^2 die size!!!

Each POWER7 CPU core can issue 6 instructions per cycle while Xbox 360/PS3's PPE core can issue 2 instructions per cycle.

PowerPC 970 (G5) CPU core can issue 5 instructions per cycle.

For games, a system with large CPU(e.g. Power7 Quad Core) with small GPU(e.g. Radeon HD 4770) would be destroyed by small CPU (e.g. AMD Steamroller Quad Core) with large GPU (e.g. Radeon HD 7850) combo (e.g. AMD Liverpool APU).

I know a little known fact about the Wii-u myself, I know for a fact i'm not buying one

Chris_Williams

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/06/13/wii-u-will-feature-simplified-friend-codes

Might need to check a couple of other things too.

amaneuvering

So you are saying that I can save Wii U games on my 350gig PS3? Was going to get Wii U regardless but now this has me pumped.

drufeous

[QUOTE="ronvalencia"]

[QUOTE="psymon100"] Well, Nintendo themselves say IBM PowerPC, and Wikipedia says it will be a Power7, and IBM Watson tweeted this which is Wikipedia's source. What do you think, is that enough? I think that gives it a +95% chance of it having PowerPC Power8.

Would love it to be the 8 core model at 3.2Ghz but it's probably too expensive.

GameboyTroy

Current IBM POWER7 (8 cores) has a die size of 567 mm^2 on a 45 nm process with ~200 watts @ 3.8Ghz. Good luck in fitting 200 watts CPU into a small box.

IBM POWER7 (8 cores) 's die size is larger than the current AMD Radeon HD 7970's 352 mm^2 die size!!!

Each POWER7 CPU core can issue 6 instructions per cycle while Xbox 360/PS3's PPE core can issue 2 instructions per cycle.

PowerPC 970 (G5) CPU core can issue 5 instructions per cycle.

For games, a system with large CPU(e.g. Power7 Quad Core) with small GPU(e.g. Radeon HD 4770) would be destroyed by small CPU (e.g. AMD Steamroller Quad Core) with large GPU (e.g. Radeon HD 7850) combo (e.g. AMD Liverpool APU).

[QUOTE="layton2012"]I don't get what the big deal of having a blu ray player, if I want a blu ray, I will get a blu ray for 80$ not a game system for 250+.locopatho

Day fuking one, locked and loaded. :P

Bigboi500