Rumor: Wii HD "Set for 2011"

[Ross101]

Citing "multiple sources in the game industry" veteran games journalist John Davison has filed a report on a new Wii, set to launch in 2011.

Posted at WhatTheyPlay, the story says that Nintendo is currently "showing early presentations of its next home console hardware" . It's going under the name Wii HD, suggesting a significant graphical overhaul.

Davison admits details are sketchy but says his sources are pointing towards "a greater emphasis on digitally distributed and backwardly compatible content". Nintendo will once again focus on innovating the console's controller.

Davison, who is extremely well connected and respected in the game industry, points towards surging R&D costs at Nintendo as supporting evidence of his story.

Report: Wii HD "Set for 2011" | Edge Online

[sherlockisback]

It better be HD, considering its pretty much the wave of the present. By 2011, I think HD will have taken hold in most households, especially considering the switch in the U.S. to all digital signal in February.

[OogieBoogie]

The interesting R&D figures referred to in the original article is:

In 2003, Nintendo declared that $34 million was spent on R&D. This figure steadily climbed to $103 million in 2006 and the following year bumped dramatically to $370 million.

[Squigs Ghost]

Originally Posted by sherlockisback

It better be HD, considering its pretty much the wave of the present. By 2011, I think HD will have taken hold in most households, especially considering the switch in the U.S. to all digital signal in February.

We have a similar programme in place in the UK with regards to digital conversion where analogue transmitters are gradually being turned off forcing people to go digital.

With regards to the Wii going HD, how much of a difference do people think this will make to game play? Personally I don't think it'll make a jot to the average Jo like me. I can't afford a 42" flat screen with HD, SD, DVD, MFI and CIA investigating it. So the graphics will be a bit smoother with some leaner rendering. It doesn't look like going HD will make me upgrade.

Squigs.

[Hooblue]

I do agree abit with Squigs in that having a Wii HD will not be the only deciding factor in my decision to upgrade to a new console. Yes, everyone wants to see better graphics on the Wii, more in line with those of the X360 and PS3 and to be honest I don't think Nintendo have much of a choice when it comes to their next console. It'll simply have to be HD to keep up with the market, as by then as has been said, HD will be pretty much standard throughout most houses.

However for me there are many other features of a new Wii console that would appeal, such as a HDD, ability to play DVD's (bluray on a Wii?), a similarly revolutionary control system, and finally a load of decent games!

[biddenden_sue]

I think it would be sensible to go High definition for the next Nintendo console. By 2011, most (gaming) households will have moved on to a flatscreen TV, and most of those will have a HD input or two.

Also as time moves on, and more games are released with more powerful AI and accurate graphics, our expectations rise. Nintendo would undoubtedly fall flat on their faces as people howled with laughter if the next console still relied on cutesy Miis as in Wii Sports etc while M$ and Sony strove to improve the amount of sweat droplets on a character's brow as he plays tennis against the world number one seed at Wimbledon...

So long as they don't forget the fun factor in the gameplay, all will be well.

After all, a Wii with a hard drive and high definition output (plus hopefully 5.1 audio) - that's basically what we've been asking for, isn't it?

I for one look forward to the full announcement, and hope it isn't too vague.

[Venerable(ish)Bede]

I'd agree with the thoughts regarding what the Wii HD needs to have. But its all a very good way to draw attention away from the xbox price cuts in particular. Two and a bit years hmmm? - i'll wait

[hughjass]

Yes nintendo wait until you are stinking rich to release the console you should have released in the first place. Once this is announced officially, we arent going to see much more for the wii. Remember how dead the gamecube became after the wii was announced?

Anyway,
"a greater emphasis on digitally distributed and backwardly compatible content"
sounds like it's going to be a lean, mean, emulating machine. In other words, virtual console 2. me no like.

[Wiinter]

I have always maintained and still do that Wii should have/should come out in HD. As a matte of fact Nintendo has no choice in the matter (if they wish to remain successful). The number of households that own an HD tv is rapidly increasing.

However i still think that HD factor alone will not secure Nintendo the same amount of success as Wii did. Nintendo have to come up with some decent features suh as BR support, and a more advanced controller. The existing controller was/is a good novelty idea which has kinda worn out especially since quite a few comentators in the media have pointed out to the 'gimick' aspect of it.

And nintendo definately needs some 'new blood' games in its catalogue. In my experience games like Harvest moon, Sim city Mario games etc may be good but they're starting to get a bit repetitive and have a bit of child like feel to them. Some more games in the style of Burnout, Motorstorm, COD, Resistance, etc.

[SammyPegs]

Here's young Miss comfirmation:

THE world's most popular games console is being upgraded.

Japanese games giant Nintendo is developing a high-definition model of its Wii console, which has sold more than 30 million units globally.

Though no official announcement has been made, games developers in Japan have been given top secret briefings on the next-generation console, thought to be named Wii HD.

The new console will support high-definition graphics, bringing it in line with Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 and will likely debut in late 2011.

World favourite Wii going HD | Herald Sun