Just like Nintendo opened the door to the 7th generation of gaming consoles they have also announced the first gaming console of the 8th Generation, “The Nintendo WII-U” whose specs show Nintendo really wants to appeal to more than casual gamers this time around.
Image from http://www.gametrailers.com
Technical Specifications:
Processor:
Ninendo claims the WII-U is 20 times more powerful than the Wii. Which from its specs, may even be an understatement as its tone isn’t too geared at Motion Sensor technology but power, unlike the Nintendo WII (which comes with a processor clocked around 729mhz), the WII-U comes with an IBM Power Architecture based multi-core processor (Details of the number of cores and clockrates have not been released yet, but the Power Architecture processor lines have nothing less than 7 cores, the WII-U may have more.), we can expect more life like games with incredible details (as long as developers can push its limits).
GPU:
An AMD Radeon GPU, not much is known about the WII-U GPU yet, but it sure is going to be stronger than all of the ones featured in the 7th Generation systems. According to Videogamer , MCM (Multi-Chip Module) will be used, in which both the CPU and the GPU will be integrated on the same chip/module, to speed up data exchange and reduce cost.
Storage:
From 8GB – 32GB internal flash memory, with SD and USB hard-drive support. Its an improvement from the inbuilt 512MB of the WII. Its features a proprietry 12cm optical disc drive with capacity of up to 25GB ( info ) but lacks Blueray and DVD format support.
Memory:
Fitted with 2GB ram (23 * that of WII, 2 * that of PS3 and Xbox 360 combined). With 1GB dedicated for games and the other 1GB for System software. Well, I think you can imagine how much next gen looking its game will be (maybe a soccer game, with one processor dedicated to the shirt and wind physics, with life like blowing effect).
Controller:
Aside from the games powerful hardware, another attraction is the WII-U’s controllers. Although it fully supports all WII controllers.
There’re going to be 2 kinds of WII-U controllers, The WII-U GamePad and WII-U pro controller;
WII-U GamePad, a Dreamcast controller + VMU looking device, a first glare at it takes you down the memory lane of the classic dreamcast controller. The WII-U GamePad is the main form of attraction, aside from the games power, it features;
WII-U GamePad:
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 slashgear.com |
- A 6.2 inches touch-screen display with FWVGA (854×480) display resolution (Stylus and Finger support).
- – Features the traditional NES-like D-Pad and 2 anolog sticks. 4 digital buttons (A/B/X/Y), 2 Bumper (L/R) and 2 trigger buttons (ZL/ZR), Select, Start buttons, a TV Control button, a Home and Power button.
- Front Facing Camera and Inbuilt Microphone (video-chatting and Multi-player chatting).
- Motion Control support (Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Magnetometer)
- Rumble/Vibration support
- Stereo Speakers and Headphones.
- NFC support. 🙂
- Relatively flat, less than an inch in fatness, but a whooping 10.2 inches wide.
- Extension connector/port for additional accessories (info)
- IR sensor and Wireless communication.
- Ability to supplement the TV display by displaying in place of the TV. (yeah! bro watching movie on the TV, u playing game on the GamePad screen :)).
- Remote Control for TVs.
WII-U Pro Controller:
Is the second form of controller, which is targeted at more hardcore gamers. It looks an feels more like the Playstation controller with weird analog positioning. Its going to be way cheaper than the WII-U Gamepad but more traditional for MGS like games but no TV replacement feature 😦 .
Others:
- Supports all WII video formats and finally brings the 1080p, 1080i, 720p HD video formats.
- An SD memory card support/slot, 4 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front and rear).
- AV multi-out
- HDMI
The WII-U is slated for November release and it is supposed to go for 50, 000 Naira to 60,000 Naira for basic and premium versions respectively.
The Good:
– HD Format Support
– Powerful Hardware, potential for quality games.
– Reasonable Introductory price judging from its hardware specifications
– Backward Compatibility (all WII Controllers and most of WII games).
– Fifa 13 among launch titles
The Bad
– Lack of Blueray and DVD support,
– WII-U GamePad Lacks Multi-touch support
– Awkwardly positioned analog sticks
– lack of internal storage or external SD card support for the WII-U GamePad.
– Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 13 is absent from the launch titles
WII-U has clearly set the tone for the 8th generation of video game consoles, just like the 7th generation is characterized by the “Media War”, “The Power War”, may be ignited.
Nijaspecs 