Introducing the Wii U

[zerosum]

Nintendo today announced their plans to release the Wii's successor in 2012. The un-named console (Code Name: Project Cafe) is stated to be more robust than the Xbox 360 and the PS3 and will be unveiled at this year's E3. Kotaku has reported that both Microsoft and Sony are waiting until 2014 to announce their next gen machines.

In a written statement Nintendo stated:

We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held from June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles...

Via Kotaku: Possible Specs-

• GPU - Wii 2's GPU will be a modified version of AMD's R700 architecture.
• CPU - The CPU will be a custom-designed triple-core version of the IBM PowerPC chipset.
• Visuals - Project Cafe will run in 1080p, and may be able to utilize Stereoscopic 3D, though it hasn't been confirmed as a feature.
• Size & Design - The console will be around the same size as the first-gen Xbox 360, and may be designed to look like a futuristic looking Super Nintendo.
• Price - Say goodbye to Nintendo having the "budget" console: Project Cafe may cost between 350 and 400 dollars.
• Release Date - Supposedly, the Cafe itself could be ready to ship from the manufacturer to retailers as soon as mid-to-late October, but in order to give developers more time with the new hardware, Nintendo may not launch the console until early 2012.

[IGN Details]

[Source: Kotaku]

[Failed]

expect cheap console and expensive accessories :/

[nCogNeato]

... and 0 third-party support.   

[zerosum]

Personally, I think it feels like somewhat of an awkward time for them to do this. The proposed horsepower of this thing feels like it may be too little too late, especially if it's true that Sony and Microsoft are going to be unveiling their new consoles in 2014.

It's safe to say Nintendo's console launches have lost a bit of their luster in the previous cycles. 3DS had some buzz, but that quickly faded. I suppose we'll be sure of it by E3.

[Lukehi]

and in other Nintendo news quietly released today:

Nintendo annual profits slump 66%
Video games giant Nintendo has seen its annual profits slump by 66%, hurt by a strong yen and a drop in sales.

<Source>

[nCogNeato]

and in other Nintendo news quietly released today:

Nintendo annual profits slump 66%
Video games giant Nintendo has seen its annual profits slump by 66%, hurt by a strong yen and a drop in sales.

<Source>

So they've gone from having all of the money in the world to 44% of the money in the world?  lol

[Lukehi]

Too true...maybe they should ask JT to do their books...

[citatscEellE]

Nintendo should just do what its good at.
I mean the xbox/PS3 wasnt REALLY competition to begin with. Even though theyre all home consoles, i feel like theyre two different things :l

[Handshakes]

After the Wii I know quite a few people who will be wary of buying another Nintendo console.

[dfusioness]

aww looks like the kinect will win the war after all 

[Windedprism]

Well don't forget that Kinect and Move were a response to the success of the wii.But also that the Wii catered for a more casual market that sony/ms had largely ignored until social network games made bazillions.2 bad things for nintendo with a new console so soon:
1.Lack of third party support and nintendo milking those familar names we all know.
2.Lack of trust from wii owners disillussioned with the lack of decent games/expensive accessories and a not
so good online play service.

2 Good things that could help nintendo if done correctly
1.A true jump on the opposition in the 3d department (but do we really care?)
2.An improved online play system

But the odds are stacked ,any time in the next 1-5 years is going be tough to release new hardware,especially with Pc gaming on the rise and the monster growth of casual gaming.
As the current consoles stand now only the Ps3 has more power potential for the future,but there is no point in power if its either not used or too difficult to program for.
As for a future console war ,who knows,maybe just maybe Nintendo can bring us back to the halycon days and win us all over! All will depend on the games and not the console.As for Kinect there is great potential  but how would you play an FPS?no rumble for race immersion,move has no where to go and so time will tell.

This post is open to a lot of criticism but in the never ending console war it is but one opinion.

[Failed]

Kinect can be used in conjuction with FPS games, not used to play them.

Using Kinect to throw grenades, QTE's or throwing some custom murder pose after gibbing some kid in Gears 3


You gotta think outside the box

[Windedprism]

Exactly so it keeps it in the novelty box,unless casual games can become more creative.Dont get me wrong I would invest in it if that potential was brought on.i like the video chat idea and the mic without a headset.But it's an extraordinary price, almost the price of a console itself.
Anyway to go back to the threads original topic-good luck nintendo

[Failed]

You have to consider Kinect a new console, rather than an accessory for another console. So instead of owning a 360 and a Wii, you own a 360 and a Kinect.

[Windedprism]

Yeah but what can you do with a kinect without a 360?I see where you're coming from though.