The Wii U is expected to be released this upcoming holiday season. Of course there are many new features that the Wii U will offer in the highly competitive, but limited gaming console world. I personally own the original Wii, and originally got my Wii for casual gaming. I enjoyed that it is so user and family friendly, but it also has the nostalgia of the older gaming systems of the past couple decades.
However, that is exactly what has gone wrong for the Nintendo Wii franchise, to most serious gamers look at the Wii as a kids toy, and mostly used to just play around on. Sure you can build a city of dead celebrities for your Mii parade, blow a whistle and watch Michael Jackson scurry to line up next to Billy Mays the Oxy Clean guy, but that enjoyment is temporary at best.
Nintendo has recognized this, and has now introduced the Wii U. (pictured above) This new system will be the first Nintendo home system to feature 1080p high resolution graphics, which for me personally is the major drawback of the original Wii. The system was just so limited, and it seemed like HD graphics, even in 2008 should of been a no brainer. But that will no longer be the case with the Wii U, which also features a controller with an embedded touch screen, allowing players to play even when the TV is off.
But I wont bore you with a list of all of the technical features of the Wii U, but from what I hear they will be able to compete with the Xbox's and Playstation's of the world for years to come. What does concern me about the Wii U is that they are succumbing to industry pressures to be relevant with "real gamers", while sacrificing that user friendly, simplicity that allows many levels of gamers to play together. I am a little skeptical that Nintendo is gonna bail on the people who like playing Lego Batman with their significant other, and Wii sports with there 4-5 year old. But fortunately it doesn't look that way.
The good news is the Wii U will be fully backwards with the original Wii, and will also be able to function with the Wii nunchuck's, Wii remote, Wii motion plus, and Wii balance board, as well as the games. You will be able to hang your hat on the Wii U still allowing you to enjoy the simpler things in gaming. This is an important feature, and although it won't be playable backwards with the GameCube, the controller on Wii U allows for much of the functionality of the GameCube. The drawback being of course you will have to repurchase your favorite Game Cube games when they become available online, if you haven't already.
So don't worry folks, although the new Wii U will have a brand new feel, you will still be able to capture the Nintendo nostalgia, and add Whitney Houston (to soon?) alongside Kim Jong Il to your Mii parade!
~Brandon
