Is Wii U For You?

 

The Wii U is scheduled to launch is 2012 and if your like most of us, your on the fence and not to worried about it. I myself am intrigued an can’t wait to see the real world applications. Oh but wait, Wii U controller or console? It would seem that Nintendo and mainstream media are focusing on the Wii U controller, which I will get into momentarily.
But first what of their new console? Yes we do get a new console, it’s design is close to the Wii, but more aesthetically pleasing with rounded edges and such. We don’t know much, but we do know that it will support all the current Wii controllers and accessories. It will use a similar disc system for games and will play current Wii games as well. We now get HD with screen resolutions up to 1080p using HDMI, Component or if you still need to use can use composite or S-Video. When using HDMI we get 6 channel audio. Internal Flash memory with the ability to add more via an SD card or a USB hard drive, connected to any of the four USB ports. And the sweet spot of the system is going to be the graphics and processor. While specifics are not known, we do know that the CPU is an IBM Power Based chip. Microsoft is using a version of the Power CPU in the Xbox 360 and Apple’s current iPod, iPhone, and iPad are all loosely based on the Power architecture. Apple was the first to take advantage of the Power CPUs back with it’s G3-G5 series based desktops and laptops. The graphics will be from AMD with the Radeon series. AMD Radeon GPUs are used everywhere from the Xbox 360 to high end gaming PCs. This is a good combination and a step in the right direction.

So what about that funny iPad with controls looking controller? Well, it has a 6.2in touchscreen display, and your traditional buttons/ sticks. It’s a nice idea and a way for us to get some information away from the big screen TV. Such examples would be your playbook for Madden or your inventory or Map with Zelda. It has potential, but we shall see.