Devs: Wii U not up to same level as 360 & PS3

[dryvlyne]

SOURCE

Yesterday reports emerged that the Wii U might be heading to shops on November 18; however, more information about Nintendo's next console also emerged that might be less pleasing to the Nintendo faithful. Speaking to GamesIndustry International, a number of anonymous developers compared the new console in unfavourable terms to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, suggesting it didn't have the graphical horsepower to compete with either, despite being able to output HD video.

"There aren't as many shaders, it's not as capable. Sure, some things are better, mostly as a result of it being a more modern design. But overall the Wii U just can't quite keep up," said one source. Another developer who is reportedly working on software for the new console said "it's not up to the same level as the PS3 or the 360."

The developers also opened up on the issue of the new console's controllers. "The whole thing about the tablet controller is that you only get one of them, and you can only use one and it's not completely independent," which means that multiple players on the same console will get different experiences, which may not suit all games or all players. "Other controllers are just Wiimotes [sic], or other Wii controllers. They may change the form factor or looks a bit, but it's the same controller," the developer continued.

It was also suggested that the uniqueness of the tablet controller is likely to be severely undermined as Sony moves further towards integration of the PS3--and its successor--and the Vita. "You can do everything with that combo that you can with the Wii U, and more," GamesIndustry's source said.

As of press time, a Nintendo representative had not returned GameSpot's request for comment.

How sad if this is true. Nintendo is already so far behind and yet these sources are suggesting the Wii U will still be behind the current gen systems in terms of technical power when it comes out later this year. Imagine then if the following year a true successor to the 360 & PS3 comes out... I can't imagine many devs would even want to waste their time and effort working on Wii U games.

I know as a consumer I wouldn't want to waste my money on console that's still basically a generation behind. I'm afraid Nintendo is on a downward trend that could ultimately see them going the way of Sega after the Wii U.

[Link316]

Hard to believe that the Wii you wont have more shaders than the current gen when its believed (not totally confirmed) that the GPU is somewhere in the AMD 4000 series, we all know thats technically far ahead of what 360 and PS3 has. Not saying its untrue because nothing has been confirmed just hard to believe at this point.

[Irontiger]

One thing that you'll probably be able to do on Wii U and never be able to do on PS3+Vita is play your entire library of games for the platform on the controller. If I believed that would ever be possible with a Vita, I wouldn't hesitate in buying one. However, even if it were possible, buying a PS3 and a Vita would cost hundreds of dollars more than I'm sure the Wii U will launch at. And just linking the two via standard 802.11g wi-fi would net less than ideal results.

[Sparafucil]

One thing that you'll probably be able to do on Wii U and never be able to do on PS3+Vita is play your entire library of games for the platform on the controller. If I believed that would ever be possible with a Vita, I wouldn't hesitate in buying one. However, even if it were possible, buying a PS3 and a Vita would cost hundreds of dollars more than I'm sure the Wii U will launch at. And just linking the two via standard 802.11g wi-fi would net less than ideal results.

Personally, I judge the merit of a console on its frontlist titles, not on its backlist from previous generations. Different strokes, I guess.

[Link316]

Personally, I judge the merit of a console on its frontlist titles, not on its backlist from previous generations. Different strokes, I guess.

Im sure everyone would agree that the frontlist titles are what to judge consoles on but the extra options aren't a bad thing,

[Sparafucil]

Im sure everyone would agree that the frontlist titles are what to judge consoles on but the extra options aren't a bad thing,

It's certainly a nice to have feature, but not need to have.

[Invertigo]

Crappy, I used to like Nintendo from the N64 to before and actually considered myself a moderate fan. Now it is like I keep hating Nintendo more and more after every gen. I was hoping the great financial success of the Wii would allow Nintendo to go old school with competitive hardware and god forbid competitive online but guess not :(. I'll be skipping Nintendo this gen after being loyal fans up to the Wii and feeling burned. Nintendo is just not the same to what it was and I have to finally accept that.

One thing that you'll probably be able to do on Wii U and never be able to do on PS3+Vita is play your entire library of games for the platform on the controller. If I believed that would ever be possible with a Vita, I wouldn't hesitate in buying one. However, even if it were possible, buying a PS3 and a Vita would cost hundreds of dollars more than I'm sure the Wii U will launch at. And just linking the two via standard 802.11g wi-fi would net less than ideal results.

Does this mean you can bring the Wii:U controller on the train and play titles or you mean just at home in front of the console? Doubt it's the former but have to ask.

[Irontiger]

Personally, I judge the merit of a console on its frontlist titles, not on its backlist from previous generations. Different strokes, I guess.

If we're talking about PS3+Vita, then every PS3 game counts as part of this generation.

Does this mean you can bring the Wii:U controller on the train and play titles or you mean just at home in front of the console? Doubt it's the former but have to ask.

No, you've gotta be within range of the console. Fine for me, because I just want to be able to play while I've got something else on the TV, or if I'm away from the TV. I probably wouldn't have stacks of never-played console games if I didn't have to sit in front of a TV to play them.

[Sparafucil]

If we're talking about PS3+Vita, then every PS3 game counts as part of this generation.

Not sure I follow you, or if that's what the OP's source meant.

[Ruzhyo]

I don't see how it's in any way possible that the Wii U could be slower. Nintendo isn't that stupid.
Sounds like some kind of propaganda to me.