Given the number of hardware revamps the Nintendo DS has received, it’s unsurprising that rumours are always swirling about an updated version of the Wii. Yesterday, a report surfaced that claimed Nintendo is working on a version of the console with a Blu-ray drive, for release some time next year.
It’s not the first time that Blu-ray has been rumoured for the next iteration of Nintendo’s massively successful home console. Last October, MaxConsole reported that a Nintendo of France employee had supposedly leaked the specifications of the console, which would come with Blu-ray and support 1080p movies and games. However, that rumour pegged the console for a third quarter 2010 release, and in case you hadn’t noticed, that’s about now and we haven’t heard anything about it.
Whilst GirlGamersSuck, the source of the new rumour, say that they are “100% certain of [their] source accuracy and reliability”, there is no other evidence beyond long-standing rumours to back up their claims. The site also seconds a previous rumour that Nintendo want to make a surprise announcement only a month before release, to guarantee hype for the new console, which could explain why we haven’t heard anything yet.
The site couldn’t confirm if this “Wii 2.0” was a whole new console – think GameCube to Wii – or just refreshed hardware – think DS to DS Lite. The DS was out less than two years before the Lite came out, so if Nintendo is indeed planning a refresh, it would be about the right timing. As we’ve seen with the DS Lite and the PS3 Slim, a new look for the hardware and a potentially lower price point could help keep up the Wii’s sales momentum. Everyone’s favourite analyst Michael Patcher also expects a HD-ified Wii at some point in the next two to three years.
Obviously, we’re just reporting this as a rumour for now, but the time could be right for a restyled Wii.
Source: GirlGamersSuck
Paranoimia
“The site couldn’t confirm if this “Wii 2.0″ was a whole new console – think GameCube to Wii – or just refreshed hardware – think DS to DS Lite.”
I’d say it would have to be a new console. If they’re talking HD games, the current hardware has nowhere near enough power to produce HD images.
benny boy
That’s a pretty terrible website name. Why would you call a website “Girl Gamers Suck”. Surely that just throws any credibility out of the window?
Jas-n
I just went to have a look… My eye’s, I’m blind.
ColinR
I can see it now….Super Pony Party HD or Carnival games HD.
If Ninty don’t up their game and stop letting the Wii/DS library being filled with crap, I won’t be buying any new console from them.
cc_star
All consoles are filled with crap, just ignore them and choose not to buy them and only buy 1st party titles & stuff from EA/Acti or whoever
jimmy-google
It’s not Nintendo’s games that are the issue. It’s helping them make bucket loads as they’re the only ones consistently selling games people want to buy.
What you may see is Wii Sports HD, Mario Galaxy HD, Mario Kart HD… though I’m not so sure that HD versions are enough to sell the games to the same group again, they’d need to offer something more than just better graphics.
Blu-ray could of course be for a Wii 3D as they will likely be going up against the likes of Motorstorm, Killzone etc… in 3D. The 3DS has already shown Nintendo are happy to go down the 3D route.
cc_star
Nintendo will be more interested in creating a compelling gaming experience than merely adding pixels to their fantastic back catalogue.
What other devs do with that experience will of course remain to be seen
jimmy-google
Probably but the way they released a selection of Gamecube games for the wii (pikmin for example) with the motion controls dumped in shows they’re not above going for the cheap option either.
Nintendo know it’s Mario that sells. I think of the top 8 to 10 wii games only Wii Fit and Just Dance don’t feature Mario and many are established Mario franchises that go back generations.
Can they find a wiimote replacement? It will need another radical change to get the “casual” to jump on board again quickly because many will be happy still playing on their Wii (or even their PS2’s)
cc_star
Oh yeah, no doubt there would be new version of the same old faces, but the console or the control system or something will have to be game changing again
I think something along the lines of full body tracking, so maybe a Kinect style system but as MS have beaten them to it, they’ll have to add value to it another way.
Perhaps a mash-up of Kinect & Move containing Move’s accuracy, but with Kinects suitability for full body tracking and its inevitable suitability to a million fitness & dance based products, trumping Sony & MS yet again.
Peter Rushton
First motion controlling now blu-ray, everyone is swapping tech XD
Awayze
If I was Sony, I wouldn’t license Blu ray to any console especially not an Xbox >_<
cc_star
Sony are just one of many companies in the Blu-ray Group
TSBonyman
Awesome – every Wii game on one Blu-Ray disc! :)