Nintendo's Iwata dismisses Wii HD

By Robert Purchese Published 2 February, 2010

"It needs something new," he says.

Satoru Iwata has denied ever talking about a Wii HD, and told investors that any new console from Nintendo would need significantly more than high definition graphics to gain his seal of approval.

"If asked if making the Wii compatible with high definition - just making it compatible with high resolution - will get players throughout the world to buy it, I would of course say, 'Do you think it would sell with just that? It needs something new,'" said Iwata, according to Andriasang.

He added: "If there were no rival makers in the world, I could give examples of the things that we are considering. However, for competitive reasons, I cannot give specifics today on the what or when of the things we're considering."

Iwata's comments echo Reggie Fils-Aime's statement from November that if HD were to be introduced to Wii then it would be as part of a broader revamp, the fruits of which we won't see until "far into the future".

Iwata also touched on the subject of a new DS, saying that high resolution graphics and a motion sensor are "naturally considered requirements". "However, do you believe it will sell with just this?" he asked, mysteriously.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (43) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • reelbigkris #1 2 years ago

    You know, I would prefer to have the option to have HD. my wii doesn't really look that great on a large television set, even through component at 480p. by the time the DSi XL is released we would have seen about four different re-incarnations of the DS adding subtle changes... Why not the wii?

  • MiniAmin #2 2 years ago

    What's with all the Iwata articles EG? Someone steal his diary?

  • menage #3 2 years ago

    Well, it's the biggest reason I don't have one yet.

  • twoism #4 2 years ago

    "Do you think it would sell with just that?" - Actually Iwata-san, yes I do.

  • login_name #5 2 years ago

    Surely HD graphics and a motion sensor are better additions than a poor camera or a bigger model of the smaller model which replaced the other smaller model that superseded the original bigger model...or something...

  • dr_faulk #6 2 years ago

    I cite Epic's people stating that from their stats, the HD uptake has been low.

    And for the record, a good SCART connection for the Wii and a decent HDTV makes it look perfectly fine.
    Edited by 1 at 02/02/10 @ 12:20

  • penhalion #7 2 years ago

    HD and central and graphics processors that are 4 times as powerful as a gamecube will do for now. Otherwise it's going to be some other gimmick controller or something silly from them.

  • Poorandugly #8 2 years ago

    Even though the HDTV uptake is pretty low, surely quite many people use their computer monitor for their consoles, as I do? Wii HD would be a good idea, but perhaps a bit late now.
    Edited by 1 at 02/02/10 @ 12:24

  • linksdad #9 2 years ago

    If nintendo find that 'next thing' it will force Sony and Microsoft to implement their own versions.
    If N wait until the next gen to reveal all, even if it never hits the stellar sales that the wii has, you will see hurried ad on implementations from Sony and MS, they wont risk not having it for 4 years like this gen.

    HD is a given, the price point to implement a console beyond the specs of the current xbox and ps would be far below that of what it was when they were first released.

    The difference between SD and HD is pretty staggering. The difference to most people between this gen HD (or this gen plus a fraction) and nexts wont be half so discernible.

  • Hunam #10 2 years ago

    Making it not look shit on my TV would be a boon.

  • seasidebaz #11 2 years ago

    The next Wii needs something more than just HD, eh?

    Well, that means it'll have higher than HD resolution, and make it 3D-compatible, with full-body force feedback, motion controls with pinpoint accuracy, fully realised open-world games and infinite storage capacity. And accessories. And multiplayer.

    In fact just brand a tennis racquet and ball with the Nintendo logo and stick it in a box with an instruction manual. It'll sell BAJILLIONS.

  • leftlion #12 2 years ago

    I don't think having HD wiis are a good idea because of the impact it will have on game makers having to make graphics (and so increasing their costs, and therefore the game costs to us), but also in that the game makers will have to cater for both HD and none-HD people. Do they release HD and SD versions of the games for example.

    I don't use a HD tv for gaming myself and I use a Wii and occasionally an XBOX360 and I get really annoyed with the small text issue that plagues xbox360 many games. I love Trials HD but can barely make out what the times I have to beat are. So if Wii game makers started HD Wii games then those of us without HD tv will suffer.

    I do plan on finally getting a new TV this year though! :)

  • Malek86 #13 2 years ago

    I wouldn't know about that, Mr. Iwata. It's not like you necessarily have to radically innovate in every single generation. You probably can't, anyway, because you are limited by existing technologies. Assuming that Nintendo's R&D isn't big enough to actually discover a whole new technology by itself, I mean. You could just add what's already here (HD, storage, a better online service) to the next console, it doesn't have to be something completely new.

  • IneptPercy #14 2 years ago

    Has anybody seen some of the PC wii emulators running at 720p with 4x AA, release a Wii which does nothing extra than this and I will have one.

    With that has anybody got the wii remote full working on the PC yet with an emulator, would solve the problem for me.

  • rotmm #15 2 years ago

    I honestly don't understand the constant calls for HD and proper 3D in gaming. Nintendo have already hit the level after those, as Cammie Dunaway explained when confirming New Super Mario Bros. Wii being an actual 4D Game

    What more do we want?

  • gjgjg #16 2 years ago

    3d hd? will that do it for you?

  • crazyhorse174 #17 2 years ago

    @leftlion: Nintendo could quite easily release games that have the option for SD and HD enabled on them at no extra cost. Its been happening on the 360 and PS3 since launch - you dont need an HD telly to play those consoles, it just looks better if you do!

  • originaljohn #18 2 years ago

    i cant complain how my wii looks on a 42" plazma tv through component output. Its not as good as my ps3 but my pioneer does a great job of smoothing out the jaggies the experiances on LCD tvs.

  • makeamazing #19 2 years ago

    I agree 100% with the guy, he knows that many of the people who have the wii (excluding the gamers) will not upgrade to the next version even if its HD, so they need something else to go with it. It sounds like a smart decision to me. Just wonder what that "Thing" could be.

  • dr_faulk #20 2 years ago

    Contrary to my earlier point: Itawa talks as if HDTVs are some disputed, unsure technology that's yet to make it into the home. Considering almost no one sells SDTVs now, he'd want to wake up.

    Further to that, most HDTVs are absolutely cock-awful at displaying SD images, particularly through the Wii's standard component cables. He should realise that the net effect of his product's setup in the market are games that look decidedly poorer than the previous generations', in the case of many of its consumers.

    In fairness to his arguement, he's talking about selling Wiis. Most people buying one are unaware of what it's going to look like on their tv before purchase.
    Edited by 1 at 02/02/10 @ 17:19

  • Stompy #21 2 years ago

    The next Nintendo home console will feature unbelievable improvement on the Wii, including:
    A voice changer to make you sound like Charles Martinet (Mr. Mario)
    Mind control
    The smell of eggs
    A hug from Iwata every time you turn it on

  • MyPointIs #22 2 years ago

    Anything like a real-scale plastic horse will do.

  • el_pollo_diablo #23 2 years ago

    I want even more Pony games next time please Satoru.

    MAKE IT SO.

  • chrisjm #24 2 years ago

    somethign new, like games?

  • budgietheii #25 2 years ago

    Whilst normally I'd let my gaming heart say this is a load of rubbish and I'd snap up a HD Wii I can see Iwata's point in this.
    The Wii's bread is buttered by casual users who wouldn't be excited by a graphical update for more money (remember, the Wii has barely dropped in price so currently a new HD Wii would need to cost more than the original). A significantly improved input method is required to get their interest.

    As an aside, this is why the Arc is likely to fail, similar tech with improved visuals won't excite the casual user. Natal might be different enough...
    Edited by 1 at 02/02/10 @ 13:31

  • Waffleaber #26 2 years ago

    Beyond the fact the next Nintendo console will have the vast majority of the gaming community saying that they've gone insane and that this will be the last Nintendo console it's impossible to predict.

    My guess is it'll be a perfect sphere and use aura control. Also there will be an iPad style input device to go with a more "traditional" control method which you can use as a constant inventory/menu screen, a bit like a full size VMU.

  • Alterego-X #27 2 years ago

    @Malek86:
    "You could just add what's already here (HD, storage, a better online service) to the next console, it doesn't have to be something completely new."

    The problem with evolutionary innovation, is that it doesn't open up new markets. a FRAGMENT of current gamers would buy it, the rest of them would be fine with old technology.


    Development costs are increasing, even for Nintendo, who are a lot slower at it than other companies.
    They can't just spend more and more money on an old audience, and somehow still expect growth! That's what the other two did, and they lost billions of dollars on this move.

  • TonyHarrison #28 2 years ago

    I imagine the next Nintendo console will be HD compatible, it just won't be the main attraction of the console. Playing Nintendo games in HD would just be a novelty after all, as it doesn't change the way the game is played.

  • CallousB #29 2 years ago

    The only reason i would bother to sell a Wii HD at present (if I was in their position) is if they could redesign the hardware to stop piracy among tech savvy consumers. Then it might be financially worthwhile.

    Otherwise they might as well just keep going for the mass market casual consumer (who are far less likely to pirate or care about resolutions) and boost sales with price cuts, software and new colours.



  • Quak #30 2 years ago

    "If there were no rival makers in the world, I could give examples of the things that we are considering."

    It makes no difference if you keep the details secret til the 11th hour, mate, you'll still get Sony shoehorning the idea into their next console anyway.

  • Quak #31 2 years ago

    And for the record, a good SCART connection for the Wii and a decent HDTV makes it look perfectly fine.

    What a load of bollocks. My Wii runs through component cable (> SCART) and I'm afraid the Wii looks pretty shit on my 50 inch. So bad in fact that I'm seriously considering getting the 24" SD TV down from the attic just for the Wii and leave the plasma for the 360/PS3.

    Edit: Mark me down all you like - it's true. On anything bigger than a 32 inch, the Wii looks totally shit.
    Edited by 1 at 02/02/10 @ 14:22

  • Darren #32 2 years ago

    At some point Nintendo will have to make a high-definition compatible console whether it's next generation or the one after that because people will eventually expect it. However, the kind of people interested in buying the Wii are likely not bothered whether the games run in HD or not so I don't think there's anything to be gained by releasing an HD Wii at this point in the system's life. For many people, myself included, it's not the fact the Wii is SD that makes it a disappointment anyway, it's the lack of decent games from both Nintendo and third-parties.

  • IneptPercy #33 2 years ago

    I can see how the "wii 2" may have problems in the future, not many of the current market will be bothered. Or if like both my parents and my other halfs parents, they will realise they fell for the hype and haven't played anything since the novelty of wii sports and wii fit worn off. So it is true it will need to re-invent the hype of the first console with something new.

    Likewise they need to prove something to us gamers bwfore we buy next time, the wii may have made a bucket load of cash but they need those reserves as the wii may have trouble moving forwards.

    I can see how a Wii HD would fail, while the others went for bigger better graphics which is why customers bought them, make another but better again and we will buy again, the wii sold on a gimmicky controller, how do you make that better?

  • sneetch #34 2 years ago

    How about you also put a camera on it and built-in/bundled Wii speak? It worked for the DSi.

  • FogHeart #35 2 years ago

    The moral of this story is, when buying an HD TV, ensure you get one that upscales SD inputs. You know, like doing scan line interpolation etc. Because, unless you rigidly stick to watching Sky HD, at some stage you WILL watch something SD on it.

    The problem is, of course, that features like this cost quite a bit more than they should. Still, buy once, buy the best, and look after it...

  • chukcyQ #36 2 years ago

    Of course we don't want Wii HD. We want Wii 2 HD, something that has got at least the same horsepower than XBox360...

  • SliderNL #37 2 years ago

    What we need is Nintendo heavily investing in game making capacity so that they can finally make enough good quality games for both the hardcore and the mainstream.........

  • Caimbeul #38 2 years ago

    "it needs something new"

    Yes - a new CPU, GPU and more RAM...and maybe some decent games and quality control on 3rd party stuff.

  • GamesConnoisseur #39 2 years ago

    Still just having a HD resolution enabled Wii would looks just prettier but still ugly, unless there is much more processing power and memory bandwidth to enable real capacity to throw 1080p 60hz minimum. Even both current HD consoles struggles to achieve that across the board.

    Fair point regarding needing extra new features rather than just HD option, as people would expect perhaps a new look dashboard/XMB and extras such as multi media perhaps?!

  • smelly #40 2 years ago

    >Making it not look shit on my TV would be a boon.

    Try buying a tv which isnt shit then?

  • Ryze #41 2 years ago

    "It needs something new"

    Natal?

  • KDR_11k #42 2 years ago

    Surely HD graphics and a motion sensor are better additions than a poor camera or a bigger model of the smaller model which replaced the other smaller model that superseded the original bigger model...or something...

    A revision's sales are added to the other versions, a new console starts from scratch. Selling 5 million of a revision would be a success, the same number would be a total failure for a new console.

  • BonzoBanana #43 2 years ago

    Nintendo will try to get the maximum cash out of the existing wii, its incredibly cheap to make and they make an absolutely huge amount of money on each console. Its pretty obvious Nintendo are looking to bring out something equally cheap in future when later technology has matured. So the next wii will probably be about as powerful as 360 but with some innovative low cost feature.

    At the moment one of the chips in the wii houses the gpu, gpu memory, main memory, 2 channel sound processor and minor arm processor. The reason you can get all that on one piece of silicon is its all low spec crap from a gpu that is below dreamcast in functionality to a sound processor that is limited to 2 channels. Its frankly all rubbish but is run at a higher speed than the designs merit. I mean a 240mhz gpu with super high memory bandwidth but only a 2meg frame buffer and a 1meg texture cache. At least developers have learned now that the way to max out the wii performance wise is to reduce textures and go for a cell shaded look.

    I'm not knocking the wii but if you were Nintendo and you could sell such dated technology at such a huge retail price would you want to destroy this cashcow by bringing out a replacement? Nintendo are waiting until consumers actually see sense and stop buying the wii then they will be forced to offer an upgraded console. Nintendo are being very clever but sadly consumers are not.