The Internet is abuzz with rumours that the successor to the Nintendo Wii may be unveiled this June at the E3 convention, fuelled by a story released by CVG (computersandvideogames.com) last week.
The Wii is, in terms of sales, the undisputed victor of the fiery console wars that have bitterly divided humanity (or at least fanboys) for more than half a decade now — it has sold above 84 million units till date, compared with roughly 50 million units that Microsoft and Sony have each sold.
Yet the Wii’s graphical hardware was dated even when it was released, the graphics of the Xbox360 and the PS3 far surpassing it. If the rumours are true, then it seems Nintendo is gearing up for a fresh assault well before Sony and Microsoft release their next consoles- which will apparently be only after the PS3 and Xbox 360 complete 10 years on the market.
The Wii 2 will reportedly have graphics far superior to the 360 and the PS3, but this is unsurprising since today’s graphics cards can already outperform the six-year-old consoles with ease. The Wii 2 will apparently have a triple core IBM CPU that will allow it to outstrip the other consoles on the market.Another interesting feature reported is that the Wii 2 will have a small tablet-like controller, something like an iPad. If the rumours are true, the controllers will even have a built-in HD screen.
Full backward compatibility with the Wii will also be ensured.Finally, the “industry sources” of CVG claimed that Nintendo is planning to make its upcoming console more accessible to third-party software, since their current console was said to neglect independent software developers. The website put the launch date for the new Wii at the end of 2012. Sadly, these rumours will only be verified come June, since Nintendo declined to comment about them.
I’m not sure what to make of these rumours — the idea of an HD screen on a controller sounds pretty strange to me, but then again Nintendo is known for its innovative ideas, so one can only wait and see.
I’m equally interested in whether this will put pressure on Sony and Microsoft to release their next range of consoles earlier. (I sure hope not, because I don’t want to shell out any money for another console anytime soon.) And finally, what kind of release cycle is Nintendo following?
Do they intend to bring out yet another console around 2016 (which is roughly the time Sony and Microsoft are supposed to release their next models) or do they plan to always be half a step in front? (Or behind, depending on which way you look at it.)