Is the Wii U the next Virtual Boy?

[The Hungry Samurai]

I mentioned this before in another post recently and I can't get past it. The Wii has become a runaway success because instead of fighting over the hardcore crowd it instead captured the hearts of family gamers and casual players. In a time where the local co-op game is almost non existent on ps3 and 360, the Wii reigns supreme as a staple of the social gamer.

IMHO the Wii U controller is a hideous frankenstein-like mishmash of controller features.

I'm totally speculating here but I can't see it retailing for less than $100 (The controller alone, that is. I havent heard jack about the console itself) Eat batteries like they were going out of style (or become regulaly useless things while they remain tethered to a charger) and have no comfortable place to sit in the living room for fear of someone breaking that lovely touchscreen. In addition I can't imagine any sane 3rd party willing to make cheaper alternative controllers without having to tear out major features. (instead were going to see a butt load more useless controller attachments like zappers light sabers and tennis rackets which Is exactly what we all need)

The thing about casual gamers is that they're casual. I still have a hard time swallowing the prices of controllers today. I doubt the more frugal casual Wii fan base is going to want to pay for a new console with the choice of either buying 3 more mini tablet pc's or playing alone

I've been surprised before and usually by nintendo. I even think the Wii U controllers technology and potential is exciting despite its perceived impracticality, but this all smells of a huge disaster waiting to happen. What does everyone else think?

 

[omega_peaches]

I don't think so. But if it is, I think the stakes are a lot higher now than it was back then.

 

[thenamelessloser]

No. Virtual Boy was dangerous, Wii U at worse is just stupid.

 

[I forgot]

The thing about Nintendo's virtual boy as I recall was that one of the execs decided to rush its release in order to work more on the N64. So if my history's right, the reason the virtual boy sucked was because it was still a prototype.
So the answer is NO because in order for the WiiU to be considered a virtual boy it needs to be a piece of hardware that was rushed to be released when it was still in a prototype stage. If anything, it would be more accurate to say "Is the WiiU the next Gamecube"?

My answer, too soon to judge. I don't have any details on the hardware or price. Overall, software is what sells a system and so far, it looks like it'll deliver but can't be too sure.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

We don't know the battery life. We don't know the features. We don't know if the controller size makes the analog positions smart. We don't know the launch games. We don't know the OS.

Stop trying to cynically speculate so early and wait for TGS or next E3.

 

[tologna]

No, that was the Wii. The fanboys(and their grandparents) just ignored it.
Also, it had SOME good games, despite that.

 

[Psycho Cat Industries]

The previous Wii's controllers are compatible so it will likely just use those.Plus,from what I have seen,the controller serves as a platform for the tv meaning that depending on use,it could be used in a multitude of ways like that golf simulation they demonstrated.

 

[internetzealot1]

Pretty sure that the battery will be built into the controller.

 

[NeutralDrow]

...didn't we just find out about this thing in the past week? How exactly are we supposed to know?

 

[Justanothergamer300]

We still dont know price or release date or launch games for that matter. Might as well wait until it comes out before we say it's the next Virtual boy

 

[Julian Daniel]

Nope. And I wonder why people think the controller is bad. As long as the console doesn't cost as much as the PS3 in the beginning.

 

[ZeZZZZevy]

Wii U won't ruin your eyes, or destroy your brain cells

also, it isn't all in shades of red.

as for sales? we shall see

 

[thenamelessloser]

Wii U won't ruin your eyes, or destroy your brain cells

also, it isn't all in shades of red.

as for sales? we shall see

Exactly this. Wii U probably won't injure the average person just for playing it for an extended time. That automatically makes it better than the Virtual Boy.

 

[ElectroJosh]

Yeah, I'm going to chime in and say the the virtual boy is a bad comparison. The Wii U could still fare badly but I doubt it will be that bad.

I am going to reserve judgement on this because I thought the DS was a terrible idea when I first heard about it and, even though it failed to convert me to hand-helds, I still see why it has done so well.

I want to have a play with this hands on before I decide. The controller doesn't necessarily bother me or attract me until I have tried it for myself. I currently have a Wii and 360 but haven't played either for months because I play the majority of my games on the PC. Most 360 games that I want are on the PC so I get the PC version and most Wii games coming out don't interest me (maybe Skyward sword will though).

I the past I have always had a console (or two) and a PC for gaming. The current "hardcore" consoles don't have many exclusives I want and the Wii, while a potentially different experience, hasn't had that many great games (yes some were very good but not that many). If the Wii U can provide some unique gameplay experiences while also being better supported I might be keen.

 

[Trull]

Wii U actually looks kinda smart.

 

[DarthFennec]

I seem to be the only one here so far that actually agrees with you on this. If they keep the design they showed us at E3, there's no way in hell that it's going to be practical at all. The Wii sold like it did because it was directed toward a wider audience, but the WiiU doesn't seem like it has any such strategy. Unless there's a huge design change or some kind of miracle involved, I really don't see how this wouldn't flop. And I'm concerned that so many people don't seem to see that ...

 

[Eacaraxe_v1legacy]

Consider this:

So far, neither Sony nor Microsoft have been very forthcoming with plans to release an eighth gen console. Both the PS4 and 360 are six years old, and use six year old tech. Nintendo came out swinging on the Wii U, from what was seen and said at E3 that is by no means an underpowered console. I'm no fan of this proprietary disc format, but whatever.

Now, for the sake of argument let's assume the Wii U will be ready to hit stores summer 2012. At this point, unless Sony or Microsoft have been playing their hands very close to see what their competitors will be doing, they are going to have to bust some major hump just to compete. I don't think any of the major players want to jump the gun and lose share like the Saturn debacle, or end up running last and sucking hind teat like the PS3 (especially with the ever-present retail price competition). Either way, Nintendo being the only major name announcing a console, or at least something at E3 2011 doesn't exactly bode well for Sony or Microsoft in the race for the big eighth gen console, in my opinion.