In one way, Wii Mini and PS3 Super Slim are superior to all other current-gen and next-gen consoles

The downgraded version of the console has one redeeming feature...but it's still not worth buying.

The Wii Mini is widely considered to be one of the worst console redesigns in gaming history. It's not backwards compatible with GameCube games and peripherals; it can't access the Internet, making it impossible to download Virtual Console games or WiiWare titles; it only has AV output...the system's inferior in every way to the original model of the Wii.

Well, almost every way. The Wii Mini features a top-loading disc drive, something no other console has boasted since Nintendo's own GameCube. While it's not as high tech, there are a lot of benefits to this type of drive. Sony's recent redesign of their current-gen console, the PS3 Super Slim, also features a top-loading drive, and it's definitely a change for the better.

The Wii U, on the other hand, features a slot-loading drive like the original Wii and older PS3 models. As you will see, the method used by the Wii Mini and PS3 Super Slim for loading discs is superior to those used by every other current and next-gen console for a number of reasons.

How the PlayStation 2 helped the Wii, and how current-gen systems could help the Wii U

While the Wii managed to outsell the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, it had terrible support from third-party developers. However, things could have been a lot worse for the system had it not been for the phenomenal success of the PlayStation 2.

Eiji Aonuma on the fate of Wind Waker 2

When the HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was announced, it instantly became one of the most wanted games for the Wii U. When it was originally released, however, it was very controversial, and many gamers did not like the cartoon look at all. While it went on to sell 4.6 million copies, Nintendo was disappointed with sales. Nevertheless, the company began working on another entry in the series with the working title The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker 2. The plan was to develop the game using the same cel-shaded graphics as the previous title, much like they had done when they created Majora's Mask using assets from Ocarina of Time. The project stalled, though, after director Eiji Aonuma asked Nintendo of America about the reason for sluggish North American sales of the first Wind Waker.

Similarities between the launches of the Wii and Wii U

When the Wii launched, it sold out immediately, with supply struggling to meet demand. The Wii U also got off to a great start when it launched in late 2012, and it was sold out at a number of retailers for weeks. While sales of the new console have dropped significantly, there are a lot of similarities between the two launches. From consumer attitudes to launch games, there are a many parallels. Let's take a look.

Differences between Wii U and Xbox 360 tech specs mirror those of Wii and Xbox 1

A few months ago, a hacker revealed the tech specs of the Wii U CPU and GPU, and tech experts have been discussing and analyzing the numbers ever since. However, there's one thing everyone seems to have overlooked: the differences between the tech specs of the Wii U and the Xbox 360 appear to mirror those of the Wii and the original Xbox.

Wii U: The first 2 months

Now that the launch is over, the downloads and updates have long been acquired, and launch titles have been beaten. I take a look back at my first 60 days with Nintendo's newest console.

Wii U: Bringing RTS to the Living Room

by Tony

The new weapon of RTS?

It’s been said by Satoru Iwata, it’s been said by Reggie Fils-Aime: Nintendo doesn’t care what the competition is doing. They want to innovate. While many can argue whether this lofty claim has done nothing but result in gimmicks, or create truly rewarding new experiences, it cannot be denied that the Wii was indeed unique, and then to a degree copied by its competition.

Enter the Wii U, which at first glance seems to be something of a retread of Nintendo's own DS. While some innovative concepts have been explored already in games such as ZombiU, there may be potential to do justice to some genres that have been a gaping hole in the home console line-up for years. Add a touch screen with a television screen, and a genre that has largely eluded consoles for years may finally be viable.

Real time strategy.

10 Year Anniversary of "Metroid Day"

by Jake

It is almost time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of what I have affectionately dubbed "Metroid Day."  On November 18th, 2002 Nintendo satisfied the appetites (which had long given way to pangs of hunger) of Metroid fans by releasing Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion on their relatively new consoles; The Gamecube and Gameboy Advance.

If Nintendo bought Rare...

by Steve

There is a rumor going around that Nintendo is interested in buying Rare back from Microsoft. While it is merely a rumor, I thought it would be interesting to speculate about what could happen if the Big N were to buy their former second-party developer back from Microsoft.

The mystery of the Wii U CPU

IBM's Watson team says the Wii U has a Power7 CPU. Developers say PowerPC. Who's right?

Just what exactly powers this thing?

The speculation about the Wii U's CPU continues with no end in sight. For more than a year, the administrators of the Twitter account for IBM's supercomputer Watson repeatedly said that the console would run on a Power7 chip. According to IBM's documentation, Power7 chips come in 4, 6, and 8-core varieties. But a few weeks ago, anonymous developers told Eurogamer the system runs on a PowerPC chip with 3 cores. Then, on September 16th, weeks after Eurogamer's article, the Watson team repeated the claim that the Wii U's CPU is a Power7 chip. So which is it?

Wii U lineup will silence the "hardcore" critics

by Jake

For the past 2 video game generations, Nintendo has constantly been the object of criticism for allegedly ignoring the "core gamer." These critics point out the GameCube's lack of online options, FPS, racing, and fighting titles, and the Wii's presence everywhere from preschools to senior citizens homes, reinforcing the "Kidtendo" image.

   

Now you're playing with power. Hardcore Power!

 

At GameStop, Wii U Deluxe sold out in less than 2 days. The PS3, in less than an hour...both models.

Pre-order sales are no guarantee of success.

The system is selling well, but it's always a good idea to put things in perspective.

American video game retailer GameStop is apparently, nationwide, sold out of it's pre-order stock of Wii U Deluxe Sets and "basic bundles are dwindling" as well. This information comes from gaming site Kotaku. There had been rumors that the chain was expected to hit its cap soon and it appears it is now official.

While the media are talking about how incredible it is for pre-orders to be sold out roughly one day after they started, the fact is pre-order sales aren't a good indicator of how successful a console will be. GameStop hit their PS3 pre-order cap the same day they started. In fact, the PS3 was sold out in minutes...both models. And they were priced at $499.99 and $599.99. In case you don't remember, that system was a complete flop for the first 2 years of its life, and retailers were stocked up with more PS3s than they knew what to do with.

Another good example is that of Nintendo's own 3DS. Believe it or not, pre-orders for the handheld were two times higher than that of the Wii. And yet, shortly after launch, there were tons of them lying around on store shelves. The situation was so bad, the Big N had to drop prices by $80 and began selling units at a loss. The system launched on March 27, 2011, and it wasn't declared profitable until July 25th, 2012. That is mind-boggling.

For additional perspective, I tried to find the figures for Xbox 360 pre-orders but was unable to find any solid info.

Before closing, it's worth noting that GameStop reportedly had only 13 to 16 pre-order slots for Sony's console at each store, and many people who bought the system seemed to be more interested in reselling it for profit than actually playing games on it. Judging from the bloated Wii U prices we're already seeing on eBay, it is clear that some "entrepreneurs" are picking up the system purely to try and cash in on Nintendo's new console as well. That is definitely something to consider.

Also, we have not yet heard what sort of allotment Nintendo has given each retailer. If each store has just a handful of pre-order slots as was the case with the PS3, the word that the Wii U is selling out doesn't really tell us much about public interest in the console.

Conclusion

Don't get me wrong. Nintendo is by far my favorite company in the business, and the news that their new console is selling rapidly is encouraging. And yet, the fact remains: pre-order sales are no guarantee of success. There are a ton of factors that should be considered, and it is always a good idea to wait to see the full picture before celebrating.


Sources

GameStop has, nationwide, sold out its pre-order stock - Kotaku

PlayStation 3 pre-orders come and go in minutes - ArsTechnica

Nintendo: 3DS Pre-Orders Now 2X Level of Wii - Industry Gamers

Nintendo 3DS Remains in Stock, Demand Overestimated? - Industry Gamers

Nintendo: 3DS profitability "improving" despite overall losses - Eurogamer




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A comparison of Nintendo console launch prices

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Nintendo myths that need to die: Virtual Console edition

Nintendo's decision to cancel GoldenEye XBLA: bad for gamers, good for Nintendo?

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Nintendo should port the Mario Kart Arcade games to the Wii U

Top 10 Moments in Wii history

by Jake

No more speculation, no more rumors, later this week we find out the Wii U's launch date and price. Indeed, it is almost time to pre-order your console, games, and extra controllers. In the meantime why not join me and reflect on the best moments the Wii gave us over the past 6 years. By the way, I did have to restrain myself from calling this a trip down "Miimory lane..."

Playing with power: A history of Nintendo's controllers

by Jake

From the Intellivison's disc, keypad, and plastic overlays to the PS3's Sixaxis (ever notice that Sixaxis is a palindrome?) gaming giants love to laud their shiny new controllers just as much as their shiny new consoles. As the Wii U launch date draws close, along with the Wii U GamePad, it is clear that once again Nintendo intends to change the way we "play with power."

A comparison of Nintendo console launch prices

by Steve

How much did your favorite console cost?

With all the guessing games about the price of the Wii U and what will come in the box, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the launch prices for all of Nintendo's home consoles, along with a listing of what came bundled with each system.

Nintendo's decision to cancel GoldenEye XBLA: bad for gamers, good for Nintendo?

by Steve

The game would have been available on Xbox Live Arcade, and the Wii's Virtual Console.

Everyone loves GoldenEye 007, and when it came to light that Rare was working on an enhanced version of the N64 classic, people were absolutely ecstatic. The screenshots that surfaced were amazing, and the leaked footage of the game running at 60 frames per second, the way it was meant to be played, was the stuff of dreams. According to many different sources, including actual members of Rare's staff, the project was all too real. As the story goes, Nintendo, Microsoft, Rare, and Activision, the current holders of the Bond license, had reached a joint agreement which would have allowed the game to be released on both Xbox Live Arcade and the Wii's Virtual Console. Unfortunately, just as the game was nearing release, Nintendo backed out and pretty much sabotaged the project, ensuring that no one would get to play it.

The 15th Anniversary of GoldenEye 007: A Retrospective

by Steve

Released in the US on 8/25/97

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the release of GoldenEye 007, one of the greatest games ever made, and my favorite game of all time. GoldenEye is the number one selling N64 game in the United States, outselling Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. On this historic day, I'd like to say a few words about this enduring icon of the industry.

Nintendo and hockey; a tradition lost?

by Jake

The recent announcement of Madden and FIFA for the Wii U both excites gamers and leads to inevitable questions regarding EA Sports' other titles. What about Fight Night? Tiger Woods PGA Tour? SSX? Rugby (remember that one)?  And, nearest and dearest to my Minnesota-born heart, NHL?

They sell these shirts right down the street from me. I do live in the State of Hockey!

Nintendo should release Star Fox 2 on the Virtual Console

by Steve

The real sequel to Star Fox.

In case you don't know, Star Fox 64 is not a sequel to the legendary Star Fox. It is a reboot of the series. The true sequel to the polygonal space shooter was simply titled Star Fox 2, and it was a Super Nintendo game. According to lead programmer Dylan Cuthbert, the title "was fully completed," but was never released because the N64 was about to launch, and Miyamoto "wanted to have a clean break between 3D games on the SNES and 3D games on the superior 64-bit system." As a result, the game was quietly canceled and the big N decided to hit the reset button on the franchise, reworking material from the two games to create Star Fox 64, a re-imagining of the Lylat System.

Star Fox 2 was so close to being released, the box art was already done.

There have been a lot of rumblings about a new entry in the series, and Miyamoto himself has said that he would like to see a Star Fox game on the Wii U. The question is, would enough fans buy the new title to make it a good investment? The series hasn't been selling as well as Nintendo would like, and Miyamoto himself has acknowledged this. According to vgchartz, 650,000 copies of Star Fox 64 have been sold worldwide since it's release almost one year ago. While that might sound like a lot, those aren't exactly the kinds of numbers that would warrant a brand new game. Creating something from the ground up is exponentially more expensive than repackaging old material, and that is where Star Fox 2 comes in.

Nintendo myths that need to die: Virtual Console edition

by Steve

The Wii's Virtual Console was a major selling point for a lot of people. The idea of playing classic games from a multitude of different platforms on one console was very tantalizing and seemed too good to be true.

Unfortunately, it now appears it was too good to be true. Instead of giving us great game after great game, the Big N offered a ton of mediocre titles, with a gem thrown in every now and then. Now the trickle of Virtual Console releases has almost completely stopped, and Wii owners have been trying to come up with answers as to why some very big names are still not available on the service.

I have chosen a few titles to focus on, and I will examine some of the explanations Nintendo fans have come up with to explain their absence. As you will see, these explanations are nothing but myths.