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Taking a Closer Look at the Wii U

By GameSpot Staff

How does the Wii U look in person? A picture is worth a thousand words.

You've seen the unboxing video, but now it's time to sit back, relax, and take a closer look at the Wii U hardware. Ever wonder how the Wii U compares to a Nintendo 64? Wonder no more! Be sure to click each image to view the full-size version. Enjoy!



Wii U GamePad, Wii U (Deluxe Set Ver.)



Wii U GamePad



Wii U (Deluxe Set Ver.)



Wii U GamePad, Wii U (Deluxe Set Ver.), Wii U Pro Controller



3DSXL, 3DS, PlayStation Vita, Wii U GamePad, iPad 3rd Generation



Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U (Deluxe Set Ver.)



Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U (Deluxe Set Ver.)



168 comments
SemperFi189
SemperFi189

Comparing the aesthetics of the Wii U along with pictures of the 3DS is a good way to remind people of what's in store for the future of Wii U.  Taking a technical and philosophical look at the 3DS can give you many clues as to what to expect for the future Wii U gamer. 

 

The 3DS has significantly improved online download and entertainment features, it operates on a significantly upgraded graphics system, it now delivers more of the type of games only developed for other consoles, and it incorporates more motion sensing technology along with an improved AR feature.  A camera feature is very much integrated with the system and the social integration is significantly improved. It's only direct competitor, the PS Vita is significantly more powerful and feature rich but will never surpass the high sales figures of 3DS, which clearly proves that higher specs and more bells and whistles don't guarantee success. 

These should all be things you have and will see with the Wii U system, which means that the Wii U will most likely outsell the new Xbox and PS4 or Omni system. 

Buck_Swaggler
Buck_Swaggler

That microwave door with the analog sticks is cool looking.  Also what brand is that External DVD Burner next to the old Nintendo systems?

MAS_LUDICREN
MAS_LUDICREN

This system looks great next to my 360 and it Roxxxxx

grbolivar
grbolivar

The WiiU console itself has such an uninspired design....

elleyy
elleyy like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

there are many morons and idiots who are complaining about the Wii U price but go out and buy iPad or iphone in a heart beat.

Superzone
Superzone

I always thought the Wii U console looked exactly like the Wii, but now that I look at them side-by-side, there's actually quite a bit of difference.  It's longer, maybe a little wider, and the curved edges definitely look much slicker than the Wii.

Blue-Sky
Blue-Sky like.author.displayName 1 Like

I was grumpy on first reveal but I'll probably get it in the future. Maybe next year when more titles release for it. 

xolivierx
xolivierx

@Blue-Sky I'm thinking the same thing. For the moment there isn't any game that seem like a must buy to me. I'm waiting for solid titles.

blackrunie
blackrunie

wow, how is microsoft not suing the hell out of that controller? it's just an xbox controller, only now with 2 stick positions switched, instead of the 1 of the original xbox controller, which is based on the ps2 controller.

 

you know you're doing something wrong when you need to buy extra stuff to get a decent controller.

sum_guy09
sum_guy09

looks mad sexy baby. can't wait to take its clothes off tomorrow @midnight

Savior4Life
Savior4Life like.author.displayName 1 Like

At least it comes with an HDMI cable unlike some consoles.... Is this almost 2013...? Come on Sony and M$ what the hell is with the AV component connection...?!?!

corrus
corrus like.author.displayName 1 Like

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA the gamepad is big like the whole console

xolivierx
xolivierx

@corrus I saw it at best buy and could not believe it was this big. Kind of make me hesitate to get the console. I hate tablets(yeah I have a asus transformer) and the gamepad is as big as a tablet.

iHarlequin
iHarlequin

The Wii U's gamepad will make several genres that otherwise were only accessible on the PC play that much better on consoles, much like the Wiimote did to games of the shooting genre. I can't wait to see hardcore role-playing games and other games which require multiple shortcut keys being performed almost as good as on a keyboard with the touch-screen.

Pieter_1986
Pieter_1986

 @iHarlequin I thought shooters sucked so much on the Wii that they added the pro controller. You're talking out of your ass!

nintendoboy16
nintendoboy16

 @Pieter_1986  I thought FPS on the Wii played better with Wii motion controls. The only FPS game I played with CIassic Controls most was Goldeneye Wii because I wanted a retro feel from that game.

nintendoboy16
nintendoboy16

 @Pieter_1986 Dude, you called out iHarlequin when he said that Wii motions are perfect for the shooting controls, saying he's talking out of his ass, while I just disagreed with you. How did I misunderstand?

EricShadow366
EricShadow366 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

I'm not one for comparing. I'm not one for arguing, or debating. Heck, I'm not even one for defending. But I'll say this much. The Wii U looks pretty good. Tried it at Best Buy today. And It wasn't bad, The Gamepad itself was extremely comfortable, and i was relieved, because I was worried that it would be awkward to handle. All I can say is I can't wait. Nintendo was a big part of my childhood, time to relive it again.

tgwolf
tgwolf

Bulky, awkward, overpriced and under-promising for features...still I don't see any other options for this holiday season...

helzefeld
helzefeld like.author.displayName 1 Like

Already have my Deluxe paid and ZombiU waiting for me at launch. Excited for the next couple years for the new gaming gems that will come our way from all develops for all consoles. No reason to fanboy about it... just get them all when you can save up enough money.

SIDEFX1
SIDEFX1

I have seen the Wii U in action in Japan and i am impressed. I still don't think Nintendo is doing enough to cater the 'Hard Core players'. Every game they are using to lure Hardcore players is a port *exception of a small few and of which i already have* but importantly it is not the game that makes the player a 'Hardcore player' but the player him or she themselves. I am Hardcore/Pro player and Nintendo's machine just does not cut it for my type of gaming even with limited chat on most games. It guts me. If your a harcore player on Nintendo machines.. It must be lonely.

Equinox9
Equinox9 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SIDEFX1 By Pro player you mean all you do is sit at home playing games? You say you're impressed but you don't think they're doing enough to cater for the 'hardcore' players? Wait for a few more games to come out maybe?

SIDEFX1
SIDEFX1

 @Equinox9 I pretty much do that all day everyday if i am not busy with other commitments.  Pro player my meaning is i will enter Tournaments for money etc. Sure i will wait to see what Nintendo brings in the future but most already have and beaten/trophies etc. I will even buy the machine release day. 

SNESNOSTALGIA2
SNESNOSTALGIA2 like.author.displayName 1 Like

@SIDEFX1 ill give the person below credit that the Wii could be considered a "lonely system" if you fancy yourself a hardcore gamer but its gonna be different with this one unquestionably it will be the top tech for the next 2 years of course it will succeed with the HC crowd lol you'll get one eventually lets be serious...

Rinku_Kiyoshi
Rinku_Kiyoshi like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SIDEFX1 well for the wii it was lonely because 3rd party developers love focusing on graphics and high budget games but with the wii u there is no excuse

abHS4L88
abHS4L88 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SIDEFX1 

Not really if you prefer single player games :P

IanNottinghamX
IanNottinghamX like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SIDEFX1 its not fair to say that everything coming out at launch is a port,think about the last 2 generations people gave the Xbox 360 a hard time because it came out with ports of ps2 games the first year of its life cycle. Same with other launch lineups. Its rare for killer apps to come out during a launch line up on any system save 1 or 2 instances(usually handhelds).

dinslacck
dinslacck like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

nintendo are good at making consoles.

Dragdar
Dragdar like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

last time i owned a N system was the legendary SNES

 

i wish N good luck with courting more dev support, and who knows, i might own the Wii U one day .

GH05T-666
GH05T-666

yay cant wait for the wiiU

its great to know that it will be backwards capable with wii games after an update on day 1.

no consoles have backwards compatibility yay nintendo

Korgamer84
Korgamer84 like.author.displayName 1 Like

The controllers for the Wii U look beautfiul. Can't wait. 10 days and counting.

 

jon_bone
jon_bone like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

Gotta love people saying the PS4 and Xbox 720 games are going to look so much better than the Wii U's when they aren't even out yet.

SIDEFX1
SIDEFX1

 @jon_boneIt is irrelevent for them to even bring it up. Simply it is to hard for them to admit the Wii U will look so much better than the PS3 and XBOX 360. Nintendo very cunning in releasing their console and graphical capabilitys. The graphical powerhouse of the PS4 in particular will make the Wii U look like a 3DS. So nothing new besides a new controller and features already up and running on Xbox and ps3. In no way is this machine design for Hardcore or Pro players.

 

SebbeG7
SebbeG7

 @SIDEFX1  @jon_bone If the PS4 makes the Wii U look like a 3DS then Sony will have doomed themselves, considering the financial situation they're in. What Sony needs is another PS2. Less focus on graphics and more focus on the games.

SIDEFX1
SIDEFX1

 @SebbeG7 Yet developers are pushing for next generation. I doubt Sony would have doomed themselves despite the financial situation. All 3 machines do what is right and needed for this world. A fourth console would throw it all out.

Daian
Daian like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @jon_bone It's not exactly that hard to imagine that, they are just releasing their first HD console 7 years after everybody else so it's natural for people to believe M$ and Sony are aiming for higher processing capabilities compared to Nintendo who aim for reduced costs and "innovation", Nintendo is playing by their own standards not by the others'.

 

So don't be condescending with people that say that, it's to be expected, not some crazy conspiracy theory.

skateryanboarde
skateryanboarde

 @Daian  What irks me is that you all expect the same leap that last generation had. What is traditionally expected is double the processing power of the previous generation. Microsoft and Sony broke the mold. Don't say something is expected when it's only happened in one console generation.

CrillanK
CrillanK

 @Daian  @jon_bone

 Actually, the other consoles aren't full HD.  The Wii U is full 1080p, not some upscaled conversion like the 360 and PS3.

abHS4L88
abHS4L88 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Daian  @jon_bone 

Yet those who say that the Wii U is only "on par" with the 360/PS3, that's something you have to love since it doesn't make any sense. 

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @VastarNovasun  @Korgamer84  @Daian 

Indeed, we're in control of what we buy and we have reviews to let us know if the game we're getting is a complete product, glitchy, or flat out broken so there's really no excuse. Out of the 50 something games I've purchased in the last year, I think only 1 I really didn't care for (MadWorld for the Wii, gave it away) because I made sure that every game purchase I made was a game that I know I will thoroughly enjoy. 

VastarNovasun
VastarNovasun like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Korgamer84  @abHS4L88  @Daian  @jon_bone 

What people dont realize is that when a new console comes out, developers dont make games that max out its graphical power. It takes them time to learn all its bells and whistles. So for the PS3 and 360 you can say its already maxed out. Compare all games that came out in any systems early life to its final years, big difference. I've been with Nintendo since the NES and i have to admit I caught myself saying "I cant stand all these kiddy party games" but then I realized its not their fault. Their AAA games were the most enjoyable and the 3rd party games sucked. Fanboys have to admit that Nintendo always brought something new to the table and that Sony and Microsoft watched silently while fanboys bashed the "gimmicks" but then come out with their own version because they seen the potential.

 

I enjoy games and I dont care who comes out with it or not, I just want to play. Leave the gaming politics to the makers we are all here because we enjoy the games period.

Korgamer84
Korgamer84 like.author.displayName 1 Like

@abHS4L88 Yeah I think I remember you too.

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @Korgamer84  

Aren't you on IGN? I saw these same username on there.

 

But yeah, I totally agree.

Korgamer84
Korgamer84 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 9 Like

 @abHS4L88  @Daian  @jon_bone

 Who cares what the fanboys think. I have a ps3 and i have played the Wii U , and im going to say it, the Wii U is next generation people. You can tell yourself all you want the Wii graphics are bad, blah blah blah, Whatever, I have played it and the graphics may not be a huge leap from the ps3 but its significant. And thats not even the best part. The gamepad is amazing, it feels extremely comfortable to the point you dont even realize your holding big a** controller  and the gamepad is extremely reponsive and does some amazing stuff. Fanboys can tell themselves all they want , but until they try it they are just fooling themselves. This system is amazing. Truely next generation.

Kos1c
Kos1c like.author.displayName 1 Like

I'm really on the edge with the Wii U. I want it, but I don't. It's a hard decision. >.<

I really like playing games in bed, and having the lights off. It's why I got a Ps Vita (but didn't use it as much as the Ipad2, RPG's aren't in their plenty on the Vita yet).

Being that I can use it without the need of the TV is a huge plus for me, since it's just simple to drop it on the bed side table to charge.

 

Bad things for it, is the cost (roughly £360), and the lack of great titles for me to bend over backwards for em.

It's a Nintendo console, so it's going to be hard to judge before it's actual release and a few months pass (check the Wii and the 3DS, lack of major supporting games and  companies).

I'm really hoping this console actually turns out to be good, because for games in bed, it'll be down to either the Wii U, or one of those new gaming tablets with the analogs attachments.

Korgamer84
Korgamer84 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Kos1c

Hey man, let me tell you something. the Wii U gamepad is amazing. you buy this sytem you won't regret it. i can promise you that. And think about it, you buy one of those gaming tablets, your not getting get the same high quality games as you would on the Wii U . Trust me on that . And the controls and the level of confort on the Gamepad, all controllers, the xbox, the ps3 all fail in comparsion. Trust me. I have played one at best buy. And let me tell you something, I have ps3 and i didnt even buy the Wii. This is the first time, I've been excited for NIntendos system in a long time. I suggest you go to your best buy and try this thing out, you'll know what i mean.  

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