Wii U in Brief (ish)

Well, it's finally here - the true successor to the GameCube.

Let's start off by saying, yeah ok, Nintendo did a really bad and confusing job at explaining that this was Indeed a controller for a new HD system. But as our resident "Nintendo Guy" I felt the need to throw a few thoughts and whatnot down for the site.

Let's talk about really the only thing worth talking about - the controller itself.

Honestly, I think Nintendo can push these out at about $65. I know a lot of you think I'm crazy for this, but the tech in this isn't all that crazy. The touchscreen is very old, a single touch, and the fidelity of that is probably something along the lines of the DS screens. The wireless functionality of it might not be as crazy as something like the Vita, and the idea of it doing web streaming and all of that is something that we see in almost all cell phones. Simple tech done with a little bit of Nintendo flair.

The Design is what people are most freakin' out about. I think the design is pretty sharp myself, although I do have one concern. The controller is a bit bulky, being about, what, 10 inches or something, and it does have all the buttons you would need for all traditional gaming purposes. But my only concern is not really where the face-buttons are, but their positioning respective of your thumbs natural movement. I know a lot of people think this thing is very non-ergonomic, but the way the grip is set up on the back doesn't make it seem that way at all, but the way you would move your thumb from analog to buttons might be the only issue.

Ya see, on a normal controller, the analog stick and face-buttons are at a diagonal from each other, making your thumb find them very naturally. With the Wii U controller, they are directly underneath. So, until I get one in my hand, that one will remain unsolved.

Overall though, I was holding onto some game cases (I lack an iPad) just to feel what a bulky square woudl feel like, and I found it very comfortable for grip, and with the added curvature of the controller for the triggers and analogs, I think this thing might actually feel comfortable even though it might be kinda big.

As for the system itself, There are just too many leaked specs and rumors about them to know what's what for sure. It seems like its normal memory for the unit will be flash like the Wii, but support USB and SD expansions including hard drives. It has been rumored to have graphics just under the 360 and even more powerful than the PS3, but regardless will be on the same playing field so long as they keep their promise of their online and digital content.

Will this be too late for Nintendo? Or will these consoles last longer than we have thought through firmware and accessory innovation? Nintendo has a LOT of ground to make up to catch up to the other two companies Microsoft and Sony, but this does have potential. I always look forward to what Nintendo brings to the table in terms of simple innovations, let's just hope they can get the ball rolling for everything.

(final prediction - Wii U = $250-$300 controllers being $60-$70)

-Eddie