gaming Do You Consider the Wii U to Be a Current Generation Console?

[Forlong 1,726]

The specs and what they can do are one thing.  The facts which show how the newest consoles are superior to the older ones as well as how programming games for said consoles is superior to older games for older consoles.

As of right now, it's hard to tell much of a difference between the look and feel of older games vs. the new games because the newest gens are just babies right now. However, the Wii U has been out longer, and other than HD and more disc capacity, the games don't look any different.  It's the same for the 3DS vs DS. Other than the 3D aspect, there's not much of a difference. However, as with all gens, the older a system is, the better the games and the more variety there is to choose from (just look at the PS2's life and games).

 

So with all that said, I consider the Wii U a step between generations. It's not on even playing field with PS4 or XboxOne, but it's a step above the Wii....

Yeah, the two consoles struggling to have Wii U quality graphics are the "true" next gen consoles.  We can also ignore the fact that you can't see a noticeable difference between their graphics and the previous generation either.  Can't apply logic universally.  Nintendo is the only company that HAS to have the greatest graphics ever.

 

In all seriousness, this gif is just for you:

 

Honestly, Nintendo's critics just don't think.  They have to pretend like the Wii U is the only console ever released.  If you compare it to anything else, their arguments fall apart.  It is not very far behind the Xbox One and PS4 in processing power, it has more high rated games than either (though that superiority won't last more than a year), it has a much lower price, it has excellent rewards programs, and is actually good for browsing the internet.

 

Now, if someone wants to wait until it has more games that interest them, that's fine.  I did that.  If someone can only afford one console and feels the PS4 has more to offer them, that's fine too.  But don't even try this absurd lying.  The Wii U is a next gen console, will have another five years to it's life cycle, and makes the Xbox One look like a joke (which, honestly, isn't very hard).

Edited January 24, 2014 by Forlong

[deadprofile 1,122]

Yeah, the two consoles struggling to have Wii U quality graphics are the "true" next gen consoles.  We can also ignore the fact that you can't see a noticeable difference between their graphics and the previous generation either.  Can't apply logic universally.  Nintendo is the only company that HAS to have the greatest graphics ever.

 

Honestly, Nintendo's critics just don't think.  They have to pretend like the Wii U is the only console ever released.  If you compare it to anything else, their arguments fall apart.  It is not very far behind the Xbox One and PS4 in processing power, it has more high rated games than either (though that superiority won't last more than a year), it has a much lower price, it has excellent rewards programs, and is actually good for browsing the internet.

 

Now, if someone wants to wait until it has more games that interest them, that's fine.  I did that.  If someone can only afford one console and feels the PS4 has more to offer them, that's fine too.  But don't even try this absurd lying.  The Wii U is a next gen console, will have another five years to it's life cycle, and makes the Xbox One look like a joke (which, honestly, isn't very hard).

 

I don't think any critics of anything (not just gaming) ever really think.  That's why in most topics, you have to be on an extreme end or else your words mean nothing (just look at politics).

 

I am just trying to look at the gaming market (and its arguments) practically.  I have played these consoles only at friends' houses. I personally own a GameCube, Xbox, and PS2...I don't see a reason to upgrade when there's still plenty for me to choose from now.  I do keep up on the gaming world to a high degree (it's a intellectual hobby of mine).  I think it's just better for people to listen to those on the outside looking in, because it's all about perspective.

 

As for the flame wars about the consoles, if you listen to people, it's not about specs or games. It all boils down to personal opinion. However, the PS4 and XboxOne are more like brother consoles (very similar overall but many unique differences) and Wii U is the only thing to stand out in that regard (mainly because of the stigma attached to it and Nintendo feeding that stigma).  >shrugs<  It's funny seeing people fight for so long over which is best, but as soon as something new comes out, those 'beloved' older consoles soon find the themselves in the landfill.  Humans are never satisfied

I doubt it's good to delve into human philosophy here...it is just a tool used to play, and everyone has their favorite toys, so why fight when no one's right?

[Discordian 6,015]

I'd like to resubmit my thoughts on this:

 

After some discussion with a friend it's come to my attention that the only real reason there are gaming-wide "generations" is because of two consoles that happen to be exactly like each other. Why is an entire generation defined by two consoles that aren't really any different from each other when there are at least four to six other consoles out there that do totally and utterly different things than the two who happen to be the biggest and happen to be exactly like each other. By majority the PS360 and the PS4/Xbone combos are the odd ones out trying to be like each other while other consoles, even by the same companies, have totally different things to offer from all the others.

 

All kinds of grammar killing in there. Forgive me for that.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Discordian

[Mutemutt 773]

I mostly consider the time the console releases instead of any kind of technological standards (unlike say phone generations). I just go by time frame simply because consoles usually come out relatively close together and stick around for close to the same time before the next wave (generation) of consoles come out. So, yeah I guess Wii U is current gen for me, not that I put much weight into that.

 

 

You have no issue with KI being sh*t because it's at 60 frames per second?

 

Most fighting games run at 60 fps right now anyway, so that's not even impressive. They've been running in 60 fps for a while now. But, from what I've read, the game itself isn't that bad.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Mutemutt

[Autumn Mane 4]

generations have always been about timeframe, not power, the turbo grafix 16 is still a 4th gen console even though it is underpowered next to the mega drive and SNES

The Wii U is the only current-gen console I own, actually. Gotta have my Mario and Zelda.

same here

[Forlong 1,726]

I'd like to resubmit my thoughts on this:

 

After some discussion with a friend it's come to my attention that the only real reason there are gaming-wide "generations" is because of two consoles that happen to be exactly like each other. Why is an entire generation defined by two consoles that aren't really any different from each other when there are at least four to six other consoles out there that do totally and utterly different things than the two who happen to be the biggest and happen to be exactly like each other. By majority the PS360 and the PS4/Xbone combos are the odd ones out trying to be like each other while other consoles, even by the same companies, have totally different things to offer from all the others.

 

All kinds of grammar killing in there. Forgive me for that.

You just totally blew my mind!

Edited January 25, 2014 by Forlong

[Discordian 6,015]

You just totally blew my mind!

Using Roseluck will get you everywhere with me.

[SPGiraffe 2]

I don't even want to call the PS4 or XB1 next gen, not a real big step up, very boring so far, need to see some exciting games that really push the systems to their limits and do some interesting things.

[CastletonSnob 3,077]

Yes which is why I stated.

 

 

 

 

 

They aren't USING it, or they're using it in ways that just isn't showing it. Graphically and gameplay wise even with games ported, it's showing off far weaker abilities for having such superior tech compared to last gen..

 

As for GoTY, who decided and when? Nintendo? some random magazine?

I recall a time when this had to actually be EARNED, and wasn't just randomly given. Something that had to be proven worthwhile by the players and not given just because its a new game in a long standing line of a popular title  like Call of Duty, or randomly labeled just because it has extra content packed in to a new version.

Nintendo of late has just been given a free ride, and both those games actually prove this with how little new those games bring to the front outside of their own series.

 

 

 

 

Even so, the Wii U has blundered terribly, so terribly, the President of the company has been told by others that he should step down (He won't). He himself has even admitted that despite strong sales of the 3DS (something that IS selling), it was still considerably lower than hoped, and as such the company and its stock are suffering. That ten years of losses is upon them, and if they don't pull something better than a shovelware console out of the hat this next round, they may see it sooner than that.

 

TBH they should probably drop the home consoles and stick to hand helds. No idea why their hand helds are selling so well given the past few iterations have been such tiny upgrades of the previous and released almost bi-yearly, but people do seem to enjoy them. However this style minor upgrading isn't exactly working out well for the home consoles, even with the bigger leaps taken, they just aren't trying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBH not sure where you were hanging around, but most barely considered it a game cube in sheeps clothing with new controls...

Hell, aside from broken tv's one of its most commonly complained about issue was how it wasn't able to hold itself as a "next gen" at the time.

 

The only reason that died down is because after the initial mass sales of it (pretty much only made for the Wii Sports game that had old people going nuts for it), and the eventual stagnation into shovelware hell, everyone pretty much forgot it existed.

Likely that the Wii U will also be essentially forgotten before long as well tbh. Cute console, but for all that it has, its losing to the other two as they add their own second screens and continue to push the bar for GFX, new titles, and not peripherals.

 

 

 

 

They are also nothing when your being given a free pass to go forward apparently.

The Wii U, high resolution aside, hasn't pushed its own bar yet, let alone gone beyond anything else. If it did try, I'd half bet it'd loose that full 1080. Which is really why the other aren't fully up there. To much emphasis on one angle, and not on the other.

 

The Mario 3D world there is a fine example. Its barely a graphical update from the not that old NSMBWU, let alone much more beyond anything the console has.

It's easy to make a cartoony looking game look good with its bright colors, and lack of need for actual shading and lighting.

 

While I agree that gameplay means a LOT more, the Wii U isn't even being given that, and most "gamers" are looking for graphics that wow, not ones that are simply smooth.

 

Give me a source that says 10 years of losses are upon Nintendo. 

 

And Nintendo has ALWAYS made a profit on their home consoles.

[Mutemutt 773]

Give me a source that says 10 years of losses are upon Nintendo. 

 

And Nintendo has ALWAYS made a profit on their home consoles.

 

Always... until the Wii U came around.

 

They just had 2 years of annual losses largely attributed to the Wii U, and they're expecting a third. They had a pretty big drop in shares too. Things aren't going well for them right now.

[BreakingJesse 111]

I've looked into the Wii U many times before. It is undoubtedly an 8th generation console, because the original Wii was meant to be a 7th along with the Xbox 360 and PS3.

[CastletonSnob 3,077]

Would you consider the Wii U next gen, a significant leap over last gen? Could X, Bayonetta 2, MK8, and Smash Bros be done on the PS3/360?

[LunaKitty R5 88]

THis made me laugh so hard im crying. Wii U is more powerful than PSpoor And the Xbox crap. It has 2 times the power.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I don't think those games could be played on the last gen consoles, especially if they have to port the games and ask for permission to have their games available on the PS3 and 360. I wouldn't call it a leap.

 

But, it could be powerful.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Scootalove

[Celtore 2,770]

You know, I don't know if it's just me, but I really don't care about the Wii-U's specs. I bought it because I want to play Nintendo exclusive games on it. If I want to play a game with the highest graphics settings possible, I just buy it for my gaming rig.

 

And of course those games could be ported over to other consoles, but they won't because they're Nintendo exclusive. Games are the biggest selling point for a console and it wouldn't be a smart move to push those games outside their own platform.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Celtore

[Discordian 6,015]

It is most definitely the next generation up. Even if it's graphically no better than PS3 or 360 (not saying it is or isn't. Don't know for sure since I don't have one) it's still a huuuuuuuuuge step up from the previous Nintendo generation. That's all it needs to be considered the next gen.

 

On top of that, the tech is completely different from the powertwins. I'd say that's as much qualification for being in the same gen because it's doing something the others aren't and can earn it's own exclusives through that tech or just because they can.

 

The idea that OMG EVERY CONSOLE NEEDS TO BE THE SAME IN EVERY WAY for them to be the same gen is the most retarded way of thinking. The more two consoles are the same, the more I say they should just be one console. That's not "competition", that's just Simon Says.

 

--

 

I should also note that even if it's not graphically as powerful as the PS4/Xbone consider that it's at least as powerful as PS3 and 360 and it still puts a ton of processing power into the gamepad and you can play games on that pad with no loss of graphical fidelity (as far as I know) so it's using more power than the PS3 and 360 typically did even using the same processing and graphical power. So no, I would NOT consider it underpowered in any way.

Edited February 20, 2014 by Discordian

[Forlong 1,726]

It is more powerful than the PS3 and Xbox 360 combined.  It's next gen.  Can people stop asking?

[Megas 27,726]

It's between PS3 and PS4/Xbone, It's weaker than the latter, but still strong enough to hold it's own from what I've seen

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

The Wii U isn't exactly underpowered. It just isn't fully fleshed out.

 

The Wii U's is capable of so much. It's just not utilized to it's maximum potential. There are games like Rayman Legends and Deux Ex (Or however you spell it) that utilize the game pad well, but games like that are few and far between.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I think I read that it has the twice the raw power of the Xbox360 and PS3 and stands up better in the hardware dept to the competition far better than the Wii did. 

Edited February 20, 2014 by Shoboni

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

I think I read that it's has the twice the raw power of the Xbox360 and PS3 and stands up better in the hardware dept to the competition far better than the Wii did. 

For one thing, it's in a 1080p resolution, something the Xbox One doesn't have.

Not sure about the PS4, though.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

For one thing, it's in a 1080p resolution, something the Xbox One doesn't have.

Not sure about the PS4, though.

 

Which is odd because the 360 has several 1080p games.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

Which is odd because the 360 has several 1080p games.

Well, I call this generation "Generation 7.5"

It's going to be a repeat of last gen. Developers will be more focused on visuals and making the game look nice than bothering to make a solid game that's worth playing when it comes out.

[Discordian 6,015]

Well, I call this generation "Generation 7.5"

It's going to be a repeat of last gen. Developers will be more focused on visuals and making the game look nice than bothering to make a solid game that's worth playing when it comes out.

The intentions and habits of the developers aside I'd still say it's a whole gen up. Graphic have soared on most consoles, there seems to be more processing power behind them allowing for more realistic particle effects and having more things on screen (have you seen Infamous: Second Son's trailers? That shit's impressive.) That's not even to mention the overall integration with other systems. I'm not one to care for any non-gaming integrations like the Xbox One's goal of being the "everybox" but you can't deny that it still looks good while doing it. Overall there's still a lot of improvements over previous consoles regardless of how developers use them in the coming years.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

The intentions and habits of the developers aside I'd still say it's a whole gen up. Graphic have soared on most consoles, there seems to be more processing power behind them allowing for more realistic particle effects and having more things on screen (have you seen Infamous: Second Son's trailers? That shit's impressive.) That's not even to mention the overall integration with other systems. I'm not one to care for any non-gaming integrations like the Xbox One's goal of being the "everybox" but you can't deny that it still looks good while doing it. Overall there's still a lot of improvements over previous consoles regardless of how developers use them in the coming years.

All of these systems have tons of potential. Even though the Wii U isn't as advance, it has just as much potential as the PS4 and Xbox One. Like I said, though, outside of graphical standards, I don't think that they're going to try any innovation gameplay-wise. Good graphics are nice and all, but that's more of a plus than anything. If you're gameplay is nothing special or is just plain bad, good graphics don't matter much in the long run.