There have been a lot of articles circulating as of late concerning the next big console to be released by Nintendo. The potentially exciting news, if the rumours turn out to be true, is that the next iteration of the Wii is to be released next year. Vikki Blacke, of small gaming site GirlGamersSuck, claims to have been given information, regarding what is being dubbed the Wii 2, by someone working at Nintendo. A big claim and one many are hoping is true.

So, what can we expect from this new improved console?

The only confirmation, if the source is indeed reliable, is that a Blu-Ray drive seems very likely, not only because they are now becoming more widely used, but also as a means to cut down on piracy. This inclusion then suggests that outputs of 1080p, full HD to those that aren’t familiar with the term, will be possible. No other details about what’s inside regarding processing and graphical power were given. The only other information was that buyers would be able to trade in their old Wii consoles to get money off the new one, although this is becoming the norm nowadays anyway.

However, before getting your hopes up too high, MaxConsole reported something similar in October of last year. They also claimed to have got information from a Nintendo source, who confirmed a release in Q3 2010. They may have been correct, and the no show of the Wii 2 might be down to a delay caused by technical issues, but I’ll believe this latest news when Nintendo release an official statement.

A statement might be only a few months before the release though. Worldwide president Satoru Iwata informed share holders at a company meeting that development on a new Wii console was taking place, yet told them that announcing products as near as possible to a release date would be more surprising. Indeed it would, and this backs up what was also given in the MaxConsole report. They went on to say that Nintendo were going to make a worldwide statement on the next Wii, one month before release, which would give them lots of publicity. So, choose what you want to believe.

A new console is desperately needed for Nintendo though. They may have the monopoly on casual gamers, but they are being killed off by Sony and Microsoft when it comes to hardcore games. The new Wii will need a vast makeover on what is currently available. The addition of a Blu-Ray player and HD graphics will not be enough to win everyone back. And with yet more rumours suggesting that a PS4 will also be ready for release in 2011, Nintendo will need to future-proof their next console so that, in what will be the eighth generation, they won’t be lagging miles behind when it comes to console power and performance.