Wii U ???s…Or just happy story :). Your reading choice

[Romyro]

****After I finished typing this, I realized I ramble a lot…and this story is preeeettty boring. So feel free to skip to the TL;DR part if you don’t care****

Sorry this post is long. Bored as $&(#* at work…

Hate to drop my age cause I may get weird looks…but maybe I’m among friends here…hopefully.

So my 30^th birthday (yowza) recently passed and my loving wife threw me a Mario themed surprise birthday at a restaurant near us. I guess she’s accepted the fact I’m never going to grow up (in some aspects). I’ve always like Nintendo and Mario (I’m a short Italian guy, him and I are practically brothers!). Call me weird…I’ve just always been a fan of the lovable Mario family. But not creepy weird…or maybe a lil creepy…I dunno

It wasn’t some super videogame crazy type party. Appetizers and booze among fam/friends along with some light decorations. She did however make some cool looking center pieces. I’ll try and snap a pic. Anyway, we don’t make tons of money and especially since we’ve had kids, we’ve done very little for ‘each other’ when it comes to birthdays. We mainly go all out for our kids and just do light things for eachother. So it was a nice surprise.

Anyway, my buddies asked her about gift ideas and she suggested they all go in on a gamestop giftcard. I stopped asking for that stuff long ago because she’s the opposite of me when it comes to video games. The only thing I can get her to play with me is Wii Jeopardy. She’s smart, I’m an idot….i typically lose.

At the party, I saw a small gift table with some envelops. I was actually hoping for some Home Depot giftcards to be honest (I enjoy woodworking). Anyway, turns out everyone pitched in a little and got me a $300 gift card to gamestop, a little extra cash, and a recite for 2 Wii Us put on hold (standard or upgraded, which ever I choose).

Very surprised and was very happy. I currently have a Wii and LOVE it. I know it’s nowhere near the caliber of PS/Xbox but it’s something I could do with my young ones…plus hang out with Mario a few more years. And it was moderately priced compared to the others (and I worked at ToysRus on the side when it first came out, I got one EEEAARRRLLLY!!!).

I’ve been jokingly hinting I wanted a PS3 and trying to sell her on the Blueray aspect for years…but she knows better. Anyway, I knew this system was coming out, but wasn’t anticipating one. Also didn’t realize the release is right around the corner. But it looks like I’m getting one now. Haven’t decided which system to get (stander/upgraded). And depending on how soon or late I get it, I may wrap it up as a family Christmas gift and let the kids open it.

Technically it’s mine , but I remember screaming my head off when I unwrapped my original Nintendo oh so many years ago.
Hopefully they'll be as happy as i was way back when. And maybe I can relive that moment through them lol.

thats that background story. Just had some basic questions.

TL;DR part*****I’m getting a Wii U and I wanted some info on it*******

What games should I look forward too?
What’s different from Wii/Wii U?
Any Square Enix stuff coming out?
Backwards compatible?
Whats this touchscreen thing?

[Yygdrasil]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

inb4 OMGBBQ posts a bible!

[Romyro]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

inb4 OMGBBQ posts a bible!

i did prepare myself for a long zelda posting of some sort.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

What games should I look forward too?
What’s different from Wii/Wii U?
Any Square Enix stuff coming out?
Backwards compatible?
Whats this touchscreen thing?

Games

Rayman Legends - 2D platform, gorgeous and awesome Gamestops have demo kioskes with it playable right now.
Zombie U - pretty much traditional survival horror with a twist
Lego City Undercover - Open world GTA-ish Lego game, but kid friendly and full of movie references you'll certainly get (Die Hard, Matrix, Dirty Harry, etc)
Scribblenauts Unlimited - Similar to the DS entries, but with more creative tools to toy around with, upload and share
New Super Mario Bros. U - Mario in HD, pretty much says it all
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - Final update to the MH3 expansions, compatible with the 3DS version for local play, the Wii U version also is playable online. (3DS version isn't without the local connection, sadly).
Bayonetta 2 - no release date, but a stylish action game that's Wii U exclusive.
Nintendo Land - comes with the Premium Bundle, essentially a minigame collection themed around Nintendo franchises
Mighty Switch Force HD - If you haven't played the 3DS one, its a good downloadable game on the eShop near launch

Differences

Wii U obviously has the touchpad controller, your old wiimotes and nunchuks will be compatible with it as well so keep those around for multiplayer. There's also a traditional 360-ish controller without the screen for games that don't use it (the traditional controllerhas an 80 hour battery life on it, so that's good).

User account, no friend codes needed, up to 12 personal users can be stored on the Wii U so everyone can have their own saves and also have access to the all the games downloaded to the console.

A big feature is Miiverse, which is sort of its own social network, which was social pages for whatever game you might be currently playing - so if you're stumped or need help you can check the page for that level/game, etc.

Nintendo TVii is an app that puts all your video apps under one roof so if you have Hulu, MLB, NFL and Netflix apps you can access and of that from that app without having to open them individually to watch shit, just search and watch.

Square Enix stuff? Nothing so far.

Backward compatible? Yup all Wii games work, but no more Gamecube stuff. All WiiWare and VC games can also be transferred over to the Wii U.

Touchscreen - it will be used in various games, Rayman Legends showcases the features rather well, but it also has other practical uses. Mass Effect 3 will be on Wii U and if you ever played those and got annoyed how you had to order squadmates around you'll be happy to know you can assign there positions by poking a map on the touch screen instead of aiming a Y axis to do it. Lots of applications for the touchscreen - some developers get it, some don't.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

Called it.

[Romyro]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

holy cow it is a mini bible
None the less. Reading it now

[geogolem]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

I definitely think you should get the Deluxe Set.... Its much better value then the Basic Set... and it includes "Nintendo Land" which, by the sounds of it you and your kids will enjoy!

You'll probably want to get New Super Mario Bros. U at launch.

Personally I'm picking up a Deluxe Set, Wii U Pro Controller, New Super Mario Bros. 2 at launch day and I already pre-ordered Rayman Legends and Pikmin 3 for early next year.

[Romyro]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

I’m planning on going with the deluxe set for now (that’s what I’d rather have), but not sure. I haven’t been to gamestop in a while and I was basically told they don’t do pre-orders anymore. Or at least for this system they aren’t.

I haven’t checked how far I am on this ‘waiting list’ but seeing as were about 2 weeks out from release date…I can’t imagine I’m getting one anytime soon. When I was working nights at Toys-R-Us there were people lining up daily well past Christmas IIRC for Wiis. I was fortunate enough to have a cool store manager that held one for me as long as I bought it that day. if it’s anything of that caliber, it could be a while.

As I said, I wouldn’t mind making it a family Christmas present…unless I do get one too early ><

As for games, Mario and any eventual Mario Party game will be purchased. That’s a given.

I do however want some adult type games. Always been a fan of RPG and/or puzzle & stragety types. How is Assassin’s Creed III? Do I need to play the first 2 in order to enjoy it?

- - - Updated - - -

also, thanks BBQ for the breakdown. Looking into some of the titles you mentioned.

man when i was a kid, i knew what every game was. now that i have kids, i'm so far out of the loop.

there's already a halo 4??

- - - Updated - - -

Hey BBQ, what about previous purchase/DL'd games. is it safe to assume i can DL them again on the new system?

Is there any use now for the old Wii system? (i only ask that because the remotes and things are used for the new system)

[Armando]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

Is there any use now for the old Wii system? (i only ask that because the remotes and things are used for the new system)

GameCube games. Also, if yours is hacked, there's that.

Miyamoto and Iwata will have to pry my external hard drive from my cold, dead hands. Fuck the loading times of discs.

[geogolem]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

There will be the ability to transfer existing content from your wii to the Wii u through the use of an SD card. Instructions come with the Wii U...

My local Bestbuy flyer came in the mail today and it said they are guarenteed to have stock of Wii U's available on launchday (Nov 18th) at store opening! I already have one preordered from bestbuy.ca and one from futureshop.ca (wasnt sure who would have the better deal).... You might have some luck lining up before the store opens on launch day!

[Romyro]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

i have $330 worth of gamestop gift certifitates so i cant hit a Bestbuy
i'm ok with waiting. i just want it before christmas is all

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

This was one of the best levels from the Rayman Legends demo, shame its coming a few weeks after launch, but I hope it does well.

And the original song...

[Icemage]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

Here's a bunch of info from Kotaku's Q&A:

We'll Answer Your Questions About The Wii U [UPDATE: Q&A Over]

Stuff I mined out of the discussion:

- GamePad weighs about a pound and is comfortable.
- Buttons and sticks take some getting used to
- Effective range of the GamePad looks to be about 25 feet maximum, assuming no walls are in the way.
- The black edition is a fingerprint magnet
- Battery life on the GamePad is low. 2-3 hours before needing to recharge, and it charges slowly. You can, however, play while the controller is charging.
- Charging cable for the GamePad is about 8 feet long, and plugs into a standard electrical outlet.
- No unified achievements/trophies.
- GameCube games are not supported.


Icemage

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

Also worth pointing out that if you want, you can swtich out the gamepad's LI battery for something stronger if it will fit.

Other things - the external HDDs that are supported for Wii U are the ones that have a Y USB 2.0 cable, this is largely for game installation. The SD card slot is for supporting Wii VC games and Wii game saves.

Wii VC games will not have Gamepad functionality (as in, playable on the gamepad screen), but it should be noted that Wii U VC and eShop games - as they come along - will support the Gamepad.

Mighty Switch Force HD and Chasing Aurora will be among the eShop's first Wii U digital games at launch.

EDIT; Also this:

Wii U eShop game devs can set their own prices - Destructoid

Nintendo is now not only better than the Nintendo of the past on its online storefront, but now on par with Steam and Apple. Indie devs where also won't be stiffed with patch fees like they are on PSN and XBLA.

[Icemage]

Re: Wii U ???s…Or just happy story . Your reading choice

Don't Lose/Break Your Wii U, Because Your Nintendo Network Account is Tied to it

Q: Can I log into my Nintendo Network account on a different console?

A:

No, you cannot. A Nintendo Network account can only be used on the console where it was created. In the future, you will be able to use your Nintendo Network account with future Nintendo consoles and other devices, such as PCs.

Currently, the Wii U supports up to 12 individual Nintendo Network IDs per console, which enables each member of the family to have his or her own unique identity on the system.

...seriously, Nintendo? It's like we've time warped back to 2006 again. According to this, it appears like if your Wii U breaks - just like with the Wii - you can't just buy another console and reload your content from your account.

Why, oh, why can they not get this right? Every other service has figured it out: Steam, Xbox Live, PSN, iTunes, even Origin let you log in from any qualified device. Hell, my PS3 and Vita can both be on and logged into my account simultaneously, and Sony doesn't even bat an eyelash.

Moral of the story: Better pray your Wii U doesn't break.


Icemage