What HVS wants from the Nintendo Wii 2

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 15 March, 2011

"Multi-core would be great." Wii visuals "haggard".

Speculation is rife that Nintendo will tease a new home console at E3 this year, with one analyst saying an announcement this June wouldn't be a surprise – but what does the hardware have to include?

For experienced Wii developer High Voltage Software, it is imperative the console displays in high definition and features more memory.

Why? Because Wii games look"haggard".

"From a development standpoint and from a games perspective, really there's not much that it would need," chief creative officer Eric Nofsinger told Eurogamer. "The primary things that would really help out the system is more memory, of course – you always want more memory on whatever system you're working on – and HD output.

"Having a fixed output resolution of 480p, even in widescreen, it's hard, because you make these assets and you know they look really great. Even if you show the same type of graphics but put it on a higher resolution output, it just immediately looks better on most modern televisions in the home.

"If they could just have a higher output resolution and more memory, really the system could do a lot. You also want a faster processor. Multi-core would be great. But even if they just did only those two things we'd be very excited about it as a developer. They'd be hard pressed not to do those two things."

Last week Stern Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia told Gamasutra: "We would not be surprised if Nintendo unveiled the specifications of its next console at E3 in June this year, followed by product introduction early next year."

Nintendo, he said, needs to catch up to the more advanced hardware used by Microsoft and Sony.

For Nofsinger, who is readying the launch of Wii-exclusive first-person shooter Conduit 2, the visuals capable on the Wii are now outdated – even by mobile phones.

"At the time they came out you could get away with it [480p visuals]. Now, it's kinda of a little haggard. You get cell phones with HD output. It starts making you fidget with your tie a bit."

Nintendo famously disrupted the home console business with the introduction of motion control. The Wii Remote, and subsequent improvements, did for many pave the way for Sony's Move controller and Microsoft's add-on Kinect.

Should Nintendo's next home console, which some are calling Wii 2, stick with motion control build in?

"I would love to see [motion control] transferred over," Nofsinger said. "I think they were a trend leader with that. It works really well, especially with Wii MotionPlus. I'd love to see them expand on that more. I'd like to see that incorporated into the hardware unit."

But, Kinect-style hands-free motion control is not what Nofsinger's after from Nintendo's next.

"It's an interesting piece of hardware but I still feel like no one has come out with that concept that makes me as a gamer want to reach out and go, I gotta get this! This is awesome!

"It's cool. We like it. It's just I don't think anyone's come up with that idea yet. I'm waiting for that brilliant idea that only works because it's a Kinect thing.

"Will Wright or somebody is going to come up with it and then everybody's going to come up with a dozen knock-offs.

"Not having a button is just such a huge risk, and it's a challenge as a design concept. Even iPhone has a button. Even they get you have to have at least one button. It's hard. It's a really challenging thing.

"I'm sure people are going to figure it out and there are going to be some really neat game ideas."

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (41) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • NotSoSlim #1 1 year ago

    Definitely think the missed boat on HD Wii so will need a totally new console.

    Still don't understand why they could not of made Wii at least 720p, didn't harm sales then but is certainly hurting them now imo.

  • TTP #2 1 year ago

    Why wanting something that is already out there? PS3 + Move is exactly what he's asking for.

  • Shakey_Jake33 #3 1 year ago

    ^That's the very real danger if Nintendo choose to go with a WiiHD, and I suspect Nintendo aren't simply going to offer a Wii with HD visuals. They surely know they're going to need something more, something that gets people talking and the hype train rolling.

  • spekkeh #4 1 year ago

    It's commendable that HVS is dedicated to bringing high-end FPS games to the Wii, but really the thing their games need is not better visuals, but better everything else.

    Besides, TTP and Shakey_Jake are probably right that Nintendo will not be going for a Wii HD but a new gadget console.

  • Jim_Lahey #5 1 year ago

    Some Wii games with the right art style can look stunning. The Conduit on the other hand looked haggard.

  • CallousB #6 1 year ago

    I'm surprised Nintendo seem so conservative when it comes to hardware revisions of their home consoles.

    When you considerer the success of various iterations of the Gameboy,GBA,DS..you'd think they'd try the same with their home consoles.

    A slight Wii redesign with enough extra juice to display its current games in 720p would have give them a nice extra sales boost (and would have been a good way to introduce stronger anti piracy measures).

  • Utopolitan #7 1 year ago

    I wish the whole industry would slow down the gimmick train and focus more on exploring this medium's potential for new modes of storytelling. These motion control gizmos are nothing but toys, which of course any video game is to a great extent, however I still believe video games deserve more sophistication.

  • TonyHarrison #8 1 year ago

    "For experienced Wii developer High Voltage Software"

    I lol'd.

    The last thing HVS need is more graphics tools to play with. We'll never hear the end of it...

    And they'll ignore the concept of making a passable game even more than they have been.

  • StooMonster #9 1 year ago

    I can imagine a Wii+ that has 720p output over HDMI, which is compatible with all current Wii games and gives them higher resolution graphics (like running the Wii emulator on PC), and also includes MotionPlus in standard controllers.

    I imagine they could do this and still make a profit on each console sold, wouldn't be a loss leader for them; plus give them a chance for another stab at anti-piracy measures.

    Although Nintendo tend to want new hardware revision so they can sell you the same IP again, so I am not so sure they would do this.

  • Anciegher #10 1 year ago

    What I think wii 2 will have(by trying to stay in the 250$ range). quad core processor(AMD), 1GB+ RAM, 512MB graphics memory and sort of directx11 capable GPU (think AMD 5750 or something). With this it would be 3-4x as fast as an xbox360 and yet relatively cheap to massproduce.

  • kitsuneyo #11 1 year ago

    HD output and more memory is all HVS want from a new Nintendo console. Typical lack of vision from these fools.

  • Yaz #12 1 year ago

    The problem for any successor to the Wii is that Microsoft and Sony have now entered the space Nintendo created for themselves and dominated, i.e. motion controlled gaming, where MS have gone one step further than the Wii by eliminating the controller and Sony have refined the motion sensing wand. It's too late for a Wii-HD, so where do Nintendo go from here?

    I believe Nintendo are going to want to carve out yet another niche for themselves, again to disrupt the console business, and one way might be a gaming tablet, like an iPad but dedicated to gaming and with a twist or something new to seperate it from the tablets already on the market (maybe a way to read movement several inches above the screen?). Price will be an issue though, so we'll see what happens :-)

    Does anyone else have ideas on what Nintendo may do next?

  • sega #13 1 year ago

    I think Nintendo will simply release a Wii 2 with HD graphics - that's it. Backwards compatible, similar Wii-remotes but graphics superior to the current HD consoles. I think Microsoft and Sony will release even more powerful machines after that, but the current HD technology is now cheap enough to release a new cheap HD console (or it will be by the end of the year).

    However I think Nintendo will try and win over the hardcore gamers simply with games. Imagine a machine with the latest Mario titles, Zeldas and Metroid mixed with GTAs, Metal Gears and HD Call of Dutys. Besides I don't think the Wii 2 will be significantly less powerful than the competition this time around - this is the first generation Nintendo has had the weakest hardware, generally they're up there at the top. Now they have a lot of market share back, I doubt they'd risk losing it with only low spec hardware in the future.

  • Bander #14 1 year ago

    Yeah, Nintendo do have an easy opportunity to leapfrog the specs of the 360 and PS3 at a competitive price. Those machines are 5 year old designs after all, and they'll eventually fall more than a generation behind if they don't.

    What might make for an interesting announcement though is the ability to stream gameplay video to the display of a 3DS directly from a Wii or Wii 2. Like a short distance OnLive. It would make the 3DS more visually competitive.

  • randompanda #15 1 year ago

    Wii 2: 3D Without a TV.

  • Darren #16 1 year ago

    At one time a Wii HD would have raised my pulse but now after four years of owning a Wii withl hardly any decent software for it (it has barely been used at all in the last two) bar the odd admittedly excellent Nintendo exclusive such as Super Mario Galaxy 2 I've come to realise that HD visuals are not what the Wii needs, it's a steady stream of quality core games like the Xbox 360 and PS3 get on a regular basis.

    Whether I buy the next Nintendo console very much depends on whether their attitude to core gamers changes. One thing is a fact though: I won't be buying it at launch!

  • MavSkipper #17 1 year ago

    If Nintendo can profit from it from day 1, they'd do it. Otherwise, it's just wishful thinking.

  • esbenf #18 1 year ago

    The original Wii did not have 720p output because rendering 720p material takes a lot more processing power than 480p -they would have needed a faster CPU/GPU rendering the exact same games at a higher resolution.

    I'll bet we will not get a Wii2, or WiiHD. Iwata has stated that HD is not enough for Wii2, and I don't think nintendo will surprise us by delivering what they themselves has defined as 'not enough'..

    The next nintendo home console will offer something new like Wii, DS and 3DS did - we will just have to wait and see what that is... and it will probably be a HD console, but it will not be its selling point.

  • weebl #19 1 year ago

    What Darren said

  • Everblue #20 1 year ago

    It is really hard to try and guess what Nintendo's next console selling point will be. Initially I would have thought that they would have improved the motion control, but with the Kinect out there there isn't much they can do without appearing as if they are copying Microsoft. I think they will take a completely different direction, which may not regard control.

  • Bagpuss #21 1 year ago

    Whatever they launch, we know 2 things for certain, seeing as this is Nintendo....

    1. It will be underpowered

    2. It will be overpriced.

  • andijames #22 1 year ago

    Anyone remember the good old days where the next gen used to be a higher 'bit'? Master system = 8bit, Megadrive = 16 bit, which was then upped to 32 bit with the PS1 and then nintendo came in with the 64-bit nintendo64. I miss that for some reason :)

    But the point i was trying to make was nintendo have not always been about underpowered consoles. The nintendo64 was, at its time, a complete beast. It just seems nintendo try to make money using proven technology in a unique way more these days which, to be fair, has worked out for them! Nowadays HD compatible and motion are a given and are 'proven technology' so i guess these features will come as standard. It's just like Nintendo though to surprise us with a few tricks up their sleeves regards other features. Anyone who doubts this try to remember what you thought when you first seen the Wii announced and demo'ed.

    I felt like that 10 year old once again asking after a new 16 bit console from my old 8 bit one :)

  • infernox1 #23 1 year ago

    iphone has quite a few buttons actually. the volume buttons for example xD. saying that none of them affect gameplay. you cant program an action to the home button.

  • coolbritannia #24 1 year ago

    What Darren said, again.

  • makeamazing #25 1 year ago

    I dont see it. I mean HD games take longer to make. So if they are releasing early next year and no dev kits are out there, then companies will have 1 year to make a HD game.. .dont see it happening, or the first games will be poor (Nintendo might be working on games they can releases of course).

  • Jel #26 1 year ago

    I defected from Sega Mastersytem/Gamegear to SNES, then N64, then GC. I was totally captivated by the concept of the Wii, but sadly in comparison to the previous iterations found it quite awful. After completing Twilight Princess on my launchday machine it went the way of the 'Bay. My DS Lite is the last finger on the glory days.

    If Nintendo can come out with a machine which recaptures playground bragging rights again then I am most definitely there. At present my 360S is serving me well (my Kinect is still in the box) but is do miss the excitement of the Ninty exclusive IPs.

    Come on Nintendo, I bet there's a generation of Sega/NES+ gamers out there with considerably more disposable income than the current waggle/fitness types itching to play beefed up classics. Surely you've enough in the coffers to make it happen?

  • PixelPirate #27 1 year ago

    Nintendo *always* sell their consoles at a profit. Simply put, they will get the best CPU, GPU, largest amount of RAM, biggest HD they can without harming their bottom line.

  • Rack #28 1 year ago

    It's a pity the Wii wasn't HD to begin with, it wouldn't need much more power, just the ability to output an HD signal and that bit of extra juice to handle something on the level of Beyond Good and Evil HD. On an HD tv Wii games don't look great.
    Edited by Rack at 15/03/11 @ 13:38

  • BonzoBanana #29 1 year ago

    Considering the wii is less powerful than the original xbox and the 3DS hasn't gone far beyond the PSP and is lower spec in some ways I think we are looking at something 360/PS3 level and may infact go below them for parts of its specification. However it could be well presented and easy to develop for and with Nintendo's amazing first party games that will be enough I'm sure. However Nintendo will do it with a stylish and reliable console.

    My guess for what its worth will be a 3ghz dual core powerpc chip with a gpu sufficiently powerful to emulate the wii gpu (not difficult). Something like 512MEG main memory and 128meg video memory.

    I'd like to see the powervr gpu return to the home console market maybe one of their 8 or 16 core designs. This would take the console beyond PS3 and 360 quite easily but still remain relatively low power to allow for a stylish compact console.

    I have a fear that Nintendo cost cutting may horribly compromise this console even before its launched but fingers crossed they launch something that goes beyond 360/ps3 even if only by a tiny amount.

  • andijames #30 1 year ago

    Not to mention up the audio too as most wii games still only support stereo!

  • Ignatius_Cheese #31 1 year ago

    Better quality hardware is also a must. The rate of degradation of the Wii chipsets is appalling...

    My 20-odd year old NES deals with textures better than the Wii on occasion(!)

  • CrunchinJelly #32 1 year ago

    But 10 year old tech is Nintendo's fortι.

  • TravisTouchdown #33 1 year ago

    [link url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQLZV5iXn7w
    ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQLZV5iXn7w
    [/link]

    You never know...

  • ruddiger7 #34 1 year ago

    If zelda is better than ever then im all for it

  • uknortherner2000 #35 1 year ago

    Back in the old days where RAM was measured in kilobytes and CPU speed measured in MHz, programmers learned to work within these restrictions and push the hardware.

    I suppose in the age of generic "realistic" shooters, sequels and minor rehashes, there's simply no need any more. Programmers can just develop for one machine and shovel out crappy ports to the rest and call it a job well done. Until the next year where they make minor tweaks and slap on another £40 price tag.

  • linksdad #36 1 year ago

    Nintendo could piss all over the 360 and ps3 hardware today for cheaper than MS or SONY can make them. They need at least true HD (1080) output and given MS and Sony's 10 year product cycle, will leave Nintendo with a clear few years before there is any better specced competition.

  • Stuz359 #37 1 year ago

    Off the shelf components would wipe the floor with the 360 and PS3 and probably be cheaper to manufacture too.

    The only reason Nintendo would have to release a new console would be if their hardware or software sales dropped off significantly.

  • BuddyChrist #38 1 year ago

    Exclusive titles such as Mario Universe and chopshitup kitchen, and jumpaboutabit

  • smelly #39 1 year ago

    Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • smelly #40 1 year ago

    Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • smelly #41 1 year ago

    @BuddyChrist - AS opposed to the walking down grey boring corridors, moving your cursor over things on screen and pressing the fire button - em up.