Thoughts on the Wii U announcements...

So Nintendo just ended their livestream presentation, so all the big news has come out. The Wii has a date, price, and a pretty good idea of what games we'll see in the first several months. Did any of it impress? I guess that's up to each individual, but personally, I'm really not sold.

First off the price. I understand the Gamepad is new and "revolutionary" technology, and that the Wii U is a new system. It's also no more powerful than what's on the market currently, and from Nintendo, who historically has the cheaper console. Two packages, one completely barebones with virtually nothing for storage (i.e. the one no one in their right mind should buy) at $300 and the proper package at $350 is too high when the competition offers better packages at either cheaper or the same price. Yes it's new, but to the average consumer just looking for an HD console, it's an incredibly hard sell.

The games are sort of a mixed bag as well. There are some extremely exciting titles. Everybody is hyped about ZombiU. Getting Bayonetta 2 as an exclusive is pretty big. Wonderful 101 (formerly Project P-100) looks incredible. But Nintendoland still doesn't impress. New Super Mario Bros U, while deeper than it initially appeared, still looks the same. And for the most part they really failed to show anything that really explains why we need the gamepad so we can get these unique game experiences you can't find anywhere else. Finally for the most part, it's nice that someone who is only getting a Wii U won't miss out on most 3rd party titles, but that just makes it the same as everything else, assuming they come out at the same time.

Then there's the hardware-Ok I do really like the idea that you can play/watch something while someone else is using the TV, it's a great idea for couples/families. But no word of online strategy or component whatsoever, and nothing about ideas they discussed previously (like using it as a universal remote).

Bottom line, I didn't come out of this presentation any more impressed really. The price is prohibitively high, the game selection does not impress (at least at launch) and we know nothing about online. I'm sure eventually I'll get one and it'll be great and provide some great unique experiences from Nintendo if no one else. But for now it's a pass.

That's all for today, I should have another post up this weekend. In the meantime, here's your TRAILER OF THE WEEK: The Bay