Wii U release date

Out of the blue new rumours about a new Nintendo console hit the web and people are getting very excited. Despite the huge success of Nintendo Wii from 2006 to 2009, sales thereafter have been slowing down quite considerably.

Nintendo themselves have stated that they are quite far from releasing a new console but if these rumours are true then we could see the first announcement of Wii 2 HD at this years E3 on June the 7th with a Wii 2 release date of 2012.

So far the most compelling details are that the Wii2 could be more powerful than the XBox 360, be using BluRay discs instead of DVDs and offering physical motion control more accurate then the PlayStation Move. Also there is talk of the joypad having an LCD touchscreen panel as well as the usual physical buttons, which sounds quite reminiscent of the Sega Dreamcast.

We don’t realistically see the new Nintendo console coming out until November at the earliest and even then, a new system right now could hinder sales of the Nintendo 3DS. But on the other hand this is the perfect year to strike hard against Sony and Microsoft, both offering high definition and motion control experiences at attractive prices.

What do we know?

• Custom CPU from IBM using triple core Power PC chip. It’ll be fast. Faster than a Playstation 3.
• 1080p 3D HD graphics using AMD graphics chip.
• The format wars have been fought and won by Blu-Ray, Nintendo are going to pick the largest storage media available.
• Traditional controller featuring dual analog sticks, D pad, shoulder buttons – hinting that Nintendo wants to chase hardcore titles.
• Large colour touch  screen on controller to display additional gameplay and menus for interacting with gameplay.
• Goes under the working title of ‘Project Cafe’.
• Rumoured to be launched as the ‘Nintendo Stream’.
• Retail price estimated to be between around the $400 mark
• Backwards compatibility with original Wii system, implying that motion controls still play an important role in the Wii 2. It would make sense for Nintendo to implement motion controllers with greater accuracy similar to the Playstation Move, if this can be achieved using a new sensor bar or more traditional camera remains to be seen.
• Once the Wii 2 has been released the Xbox 360 will be the furthest down on the food chain with the slowest processor, lowest spec graphics and DVD storage – Microsoft needs to step up the game with an Xbox 720 soon.

In the mean time don’t be under the impression that the current Nintendo Wii is dead, there are several big titles still coming and we expect that through 2011 there will still be some great games to buy. Here’s our current Nintendo Wii shopping list:

• The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
• Nascar The Game 2011
• The Conduit 2
• Virtua Tennis 4
• Wii Play Motion

For those wanting a taste of some next gen games for the current Wii we’ve compiled a list of recommended Wii hardcore games to keep you entertained until Nintendo’s HD powerhouse is released in 2012.
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