Wii U Has Arrived, But Should You Get One?

The new Nintendo system, Wii U, is Nintendo’s step into the realm of next-gen technology gaming. Set at the whopping price of $300, the Wii is currently selling at $199, does the new Wii have the software and hardware to make gamers pick up another Nintendo console, or will this incarnation be Nintendo’s final nail in the console coffin? Let’s look at what’s improved:

Always one to innovate, Nintendo has done away with the Wiimote and nunchuck, sort of, and instead packaged their next-gen console with this, the GamePad tablet:

It’s a fancy looking piece of hardware that is more than just a controller, but also an integrative tool with motion detectors, a large touch screen and a front camera that will immerse yourself into your game experience unlike any other controller has done before.

While it’s a bit wide, and not as comfortable to handle as, say, an Xbox or PS3 remote, there’s also the option of buying the “Pro” controller for an extra $50, which bares a striking resemblance to an Xbox controller.

The WiiMotion Plus controllers and nunchucks will still be compatible with Wii U games, so keep them handy, but it’s the Gamepad that developers will be adhering their processes to, so expect to use the new controller in novel and fascinating ways once developers start pumping out software compatible with it (as of now, only a few games are using the Gamepad’s full technology).

Perhaps one drawback is the fact that Nintendo isn’t selling any “Gamepads” separately, as there aren’t any games that allow for duel Gamepad use. Essentially, during multiplayer games, this makes the Gamepad player the “captain of the ship”, and this is on purpose.

Nintendo calls it “asymmetrical gameplay”, and what the “captain” sees on their Gamepad screen will not be necessarily what others see on the TV screen—which will lead to countless child melees over who gets to use the Gamepad. On paper though, this could add an interesting dynamic to gameplay, as one player shouts directions from an over-head map while another slashes and dashes their way through a dungeon with their friend’s help.

As for the console itself, Nintendo finally has an HD system, with 2Gb of RAM that will play games at a full 1080P, and that will connect to your HDTVs through an HDMI cord. So, you finally will be able to see Mario in lush HD as he bounces around collecting coins and mushrooms. The drawback here though, is that while the Wii U can compete with current next-gen systems, PS3 and Xbox 360, it will once again fall back in line when the new Xbox and PS systems release with even better graphic processor engines.

So What do you think? Will You be buying a Wii U?