Wii-U thoughts so far

[dsheinem]

How quiet is the Wii U compared to the PS4 and Xbox One? Anyone have all three to compare? Any decibel tests out there?

Also, doesn't a quieter system (slower or smaller fan) sometimes also mean a hotter system?

[RyaNtheSlayA]

How quiet is the Wii U compared to the PS4 and Xbox One? Anyone have all three to compare? Any decibel tests out there?

Also, doesn't a quieter system (slower or smaller fan) sometimes also mean a hotter system?

1. I don't have a decibel test for you but I can say the Wii U is probably the quietest system I've used since the era of passively cooled consoles. It's pretty much inaudible unless you have a disc in it and even then it's just a soft wrrr.

2. Yes, but at max power draw the Wii U is only pulling about 35 watts. It never gets warm. Ever. I put my hand at the back to feel it every once in a while and only luke-warm air comes out.

[MrPopo]

Also, doesn't a quieter system (slower or smaller fan) sometimes also mean a hotter system?

As compared to a system with a louder fan, yes, which is why the clock speed is lower.

[Jamisonia]

There were obviously missteps Nintendo made with the Wii U, its unfortunate and this console probably has very little chance of 3DS style bounceback. It would also unfortunately appears that the GamePad will be come a huge drag on the console. Its not cheap, and even Nintendo can't seem to think of any compelling uses for it. ZombiU and NintendoLand are the only games I've played so far that made me think, yes, this game couldn't be the same without the GamePad. Super Mario 3D World's GamePad centric features feel tacked on, not unlike the shake to spin jump from NSMBW. Super Mario 3D World is an awesome game, but it doesn't nothing to further the question, how will this GamePad create unique games? This wouldn't be a huge issue if it wasn't obvious that the GamePad cost came at the expense for a more powerful console.

Its also obvious Nintendo's internal teams are having major HD growing pains. I get Nintendo does things differently, and that is great, however; there is no shame in learning from other's mistakes and missteps. Many of these growing pains could have been avoided by studying the pains that occurred on the PS3/360.

Finally the glaring online problem. This is getting ridiculous. Nintendo has two blueprints of other companies to work from. I can understand not being fully caught up at launch, but we are one year post launch. Patience is wearing thin.

My biggest fear is that Nintendo has already internally written off the Wii U. Whenever I see a big announcement for the 3DS my stomach drops. I think, Nintendo the 3DS is fine, you have lots of great games, focus on the Wii U. I guess they're focusing on where the money is being made. But this seeming apathy from the company creates confidence issues. I could not recommend someone buy a Wii U right now, unless the currently released games were enough for them. The future is honestly questionable. Though I think the loss of confidence from Nintendo pulling the Wii U I think would be worse than sticking it out.

This is a painful console generation for Nintendo fans. I am resistant to comparing this generation to any other, as these comparisons are always fraught with problems. I had hoped the Wii U would be the Wii's SNES. Hopefully Nintendo's development teams will get their shit together and starting pumping out quality titles like they did with the 3DS. I mean real system sellers, putting Wii U's in houses. And most importantly we need titles that show us compelling ideas utilizing the GamePad. Give me titles that I really cannot play without this controller, and get a lot of them out, fast.

[Retrogamer0001]

Give me titles that I really cannot play without this controller, and get a lot of them out, fast.

Making a game to cash in on a gimmick just to make one is probably not the best idea. Wait until new games like Zelda, Metroid, and the new Xenoblade are released and you'll probably see many interesting uses for the gamepad. I really like the way it was utilized for ZombiU and think it's an interesting concept for maps, inventories, and gaming away from the console itself. Nintendo will find creative uses for it.

[mjmjr25]

As I said before, I only have 5 games right now - and each of them benfits strongly from the game pad. The only one I would say the gimmick is "added on" would be Swap Force.

Monster Hunter - you have a massive inventory, the most frustrating thing (to me) about games like this is having to pause the action, shuffle through pages to find maps, items, shops, etc. In this game, it's all on a secondary screen you can shuffle through with your fingertips. It's brilliant.

Lego Marvel - the Lego games are always great - the only major frustration traditionally, is in co-op mode, you are tied to the 2nd player, if they want to go one way and you another, your stuck. The game pad allows you to fully separate and each have a screen with only your character. It's also brilliant, and something the other consoles can't do right now.

Nintendo Land was already mentioned. It's used perfectly in the Wonderful 101 as well, shuffling through your characters and "drawing" your weapons.

[isiolia]

Making a game to cash in on a gimmick just to make one is probably not the best idea. Wait until new games like Zelda, Metroid, and the new Xenoblade are released and you'll probably see many interesting uses for the gamepad. I really like the way it was utilized for ZombiU and think it's an interesting concept for maps, inventories, and gaming away from the console itself. Nintendo will find creative uses for it.

To me, something like the Gamepad shouldn't be a "we'll find creative uses for it" kind of deal. It should be a matter of having so many great ideas that use the second screen, that it's unquestionably worth the cost of including it in order to ensure that every owner has one.

If it's just an occasionally creative use of an accessory, well, there'd be ways to use the Balance Board too. Doesn't mean they should build a system around it.

[Retrogamer0001]

Making a game to cash in on a gimmick just to make one is probably not the best idea. Wait until new games like Zelda, Metroid, and the new Xenoblade are released and you'll probably see many interesting uses for the gamepad. I really like the way it was utilized for ZombiU and think it's an interesting concept for maps, inventories, and gaming away from the console itself. Nintendo will find creative uses for it.

To me, something like the Gamepad shouldn't be a "we'll find creative uses for it" kind of deal. It should be a matter of having so many great ideas that use the second screen, that it's unquestionably worth the cost of including it in order to ensure that every owner has one.

If it's just an occasionally creative use of an accessory, well, there'd be ways to use the Balance Board too. Doesn't mean they should build a system around it.

Judging from the games released so far, I would say they haven't built the system around it. Naturally, everything we say here is just speculation - for all we know, there could be ten different games in development that use the gamepad in lots of interesting ways. Saying that the system is a failure after being out for less than a year is really jumping the gun though, especially for a Nintendo console - this isn't the second coming of the Virtual Boy.

Nintendo has such incredibly strong first-party titles that I'm not sure that one of their consoles could flop - just look at how successful the Wind Waker re-release has been. I think that as soon as some big titles start coming out, sales will increase substantially. As far as cost goes, the price has already dropped a fair amount since launch, so I really don't think that's a particularly strong point to make.

[Zing]

There are many enjoyable and successful games on the DS which do not use the touchscreen for any real functionality. There are going to be many Wii U games that do not "need" the game pad.

[ZeroAX]

It'd be sad if this ended up selling worse than the Gamecube though