The contents of the package:
Everything is inside, what is needed: console, gamepad, sensor bar (for Wii Remotes), charging cable and so on. Very nice is also that an HDMI cable is included. In my PS3 that was not the case, and when I tried to connect it at home, I was able to drive off right again and buy a cable. Everything is included. Very nice!
The body of the device:
The outer shell of the device and the gamepad (more on that later) have a very high quality. Many reports have spoken of a cheap plastic bag. This opinion I do not share. The exterior of the Wii U Gamepad and act just as valuable as the exterior of my PS3. In this limited edition Zelda Bundle the gamepad gets a special treat: Golden, Zelda typical runes on the edge on the black paint of the gamepad. That's not an exaggeration and looks really, really nice noble! Great work, Nintendo!
And what's under the hood?
Nintendo keeps as a whole very covered. Numerous technology blogs examine the hardware architecture of the Wii U even now. And can be well 3 points, hold despite existing uncertainties, as fact: 1) The Wii U can appreciably more power yield than the PS3 or 360. Item 2) The way in which Nintendo seems achieved not programmatically so easily be. Point 3) Even if the Wii U has more power than a PS3 or 360, it does not reach the level of the Xbox One or PS4. But for the details:
The Wii U has 3 cores. Originally went out of 1.2GHz per core, which would be compared to the PS3 and Xbox One very little. Relative but seemed clear that these cores were explicitly throttled, including for electricity consumption. With an update, the power of the CPU seems to have been significantly increased. The significantly better performance, the previously recognized throttling and other technical factors such as a power adapter, which brings significantly more power than the Wii U was necessary at the beginning, would attest to that. It is thought that the performance of the cores was thereby raised to over 3GHz per core, almost a tripling of the original performance. Whether the whole was now actually lifted to over 3GHz, has not been proven. That a dramatic performance boost has occurred in this area, but is very likely. One advantage of Nintendo's architecture is that, unlike all other consoles of the CPU can be fully used for games. The operating system runs on a separate ARM processor, so that the operating system itself takes no real influence on the gaming performance. Especially with the competition from Sony and Microsoft, whether Next- or current gen, which is exactly the opposite. There claimed by the PC-like hardware architecture, the operating system a lot of CPU power.
When Memory sees the whole thing very similar. The Wii U has 2GB of RAM, 1GB of which is used for the operating system. The 360 and PS3 have 512 MB of RAM, of which are for games depending on the console about 448 or 480mb available. Here the Wii U brings so forth accordingly even more than twice as much power. Against the PS4 or Xbox One 8GB of it comes, however, not directly. Practically, the memory for the Wii U but also less interesting. It pursues a relatively new and modern approach with eDRAM. The memory of the Wii U will be still used as a data provider, where the speed of data transfer is relatively insignificant. The eDRAM ensures data delivery, which requires a high speed. And he does so rapidly and indeed with a speed that calculations are possible, which would not be possible on the Wii, 360 or PS3. By comparison, the Wii has 3MB eDRAM, which provides 10MB 360, the PS3 and PS4, however no. Only the Xbox One pursues its 32MB sRAM a very similar approach. By the eDRAM and other small gadgets, the CPU of the Wii U can also be relieved again significantly, so even more power for games remains.
When GPU Nintendo pursued even an approach that in theory at least, even the Xbox One surpasses. Practically this is the total package of course still noticeably more power. Nintendo followed here for calculating a graphic GPGU approach. Unlike a normal graphics chip, a certain GPGU also perform calculations that can only charge a CPU else, for example, to some degree, the AI of NPCs or even physics. Here Nintendo pursued actually a very modern approach. This technology is also used in computers only since around 2011.
What does this mean as a whole? From the architecture of the hardware, the Wii U is really an impressive piece. Basically should technically significantly longer be possible as the PS3 and 360. The technical difference for PS4 and 360 will be significantly smaller than the technical ratio of Wii compared to the PS3 and 360. However, the whole bound one a prerequisite. The games must be strongly adapted to the hardware of the Wii U. The PC-like architecture of the Xbox One and PS4 makes programming a whole lot easier. In the Wii U veritable adjustments are necessary. If one takes advantage of the architecture, the hardware would be hardly or not more than the 360 or PS3. If they are, however, uses, then the games can be much better technically. The trailer for X (presumably Xenoblade 2) gives a foretaste where we are headed. But ultimately, it must be said just as well that the Wii U will not reach the strength of the PS4 or Xbox One. The difference, however, be less than that of the Wii compared to the PS3 or 360vorausgesetzt developers deal with the hardware of the device.
The major innovation: The gamepad!
As with the Wii Nintendo tried again lift the input device. Here a gamepad is provided having a touch screen. This can complement the game or, if the developer support it, the whole game can be played regardless of the TV on. The calculations to takes over the console. Playing all games on the gamepad is really rather trivial. Of course it's a great thing to be able to play an Assassins Creed perfect and visually great if someone else insists on television. Much more interesting is the ability to support a game with it. Some games dare not even particularly much and show only one card. But games like ZombiU that exploit the gamepad full already, show where we are headed. And I look forward to! Even Wonderful 101 does make a successful use of the gamepad. If the developers to get creative here, then come as great opportunities to us. The upcoming Wii U Party in the trailer already showed very interesting possibilities for party games. For example, it was shown there that the game pad is placed on the ground. There one sees in plan view a golf ball. On TV you can see in the distance the hole. Now it is a Wii Remote on the golf ball and align these then beat quasi into the TV to match the hole. Here you can see how the whole thing in party games can be used great. ZombiU rather shows how the whole thing in Core Games is put to good use for the individual. I'm curious what there still is so.
To my surprise, the piece is really very easy and is very comfortable to hold. Here I have personally with larger hands nothing to criticize.
Furthermore, the thing is also compatible with many televisions and Recievern so the gamepad can be used as a remote control. For me, unfortunately, that did not work, but I also have not the larger, well-known TV. According to various tests from the internet that works well but in very many devices.
Also the thing has an integrated camera. The resolution of this is relatively low, but so far hardly not generally used to. Possible application is video telephony, but only of Wii U for Wii U has its own app. A full-fledged Skype would have been better. But that would probably keep exclusively for its Xbox One Microsoft.
One complaint brings the gamepad but with it: The battery life is not very long with 3-5 hours. Can be charged the whole thing with a separate charging cable regardless of the Wii U. A socket is nearby if needed so needed. However, Nintendo delivers with a charging station, which can be connected to the outlet. When you get there the gamepad reinstellt repeatedly, you start at least without major problems usually with a full battery.
The most important reason to buy: Games!
Here you have a fact in the eyes look: As for games, Nintendo has done exactly what has happened at the 3DS. Not enough good games for too long a period. Hardly anything worth mentioning, which justifies the purchase of this really really great console. However, just like the 3DS slump seems to be over and there are so many great exclusive titles that you do not know what to buy first. Already available buying reasons for the console: New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101, Rayman Legends, Zelda The Wind Waker, Sonic Lost World, Assassins Creed 3 or Deus Ex Human Revolution Director's Cut. And what else besides? In November alone, Assassins Creed 4, Batman Arkham Origins, Call of Duty are: Ghost and Super Mario 3D World to. In the further course of the year and the next year would be there even Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart, Bayonetta 2, Watch_Dogs and X (presumably Xenoblade 2). Of course, good company with some unannounced games. According to an interview Ubisoft Assassin's Creed 4 and Watch_Dogs should also look a little better than on PS3 and 360. As so many reasons to come to us! However, one should be clear that the special architecture of the Wii U, and yet significantly more potent PS4 and Xbox One cause probably only a few cross-platform title will appear on the Wii U. At least as long as the sales figures remain so. For me, this is not tragic. For those titles I still have a current PC. Should this not eventually reach, so there is certainly also the first bundle and great exclusive titles for the PS4 or Xbox One. The Wii U, however, has what no one else has: the great games from Nintendo, which are a guarantee of quality and always captivate. And since many already are on the agenda. And an announcement on a new and developed exclusively for the Wii U Zelda, I think for the coming year as well as realistic.
One should be aware of what games you get here. The Wii U is a supplement to the PS4, Xbox One or a good gaming PC. She has really some great titles in the program and many great titles will follow. The Games lull the Wii U seems therefore overcome so that this console now has a full right to exist at the latest.
And in the games, one must remember that the existence of good cross-platform titles is vital not for a console, provided there are enough good exclusive games. The Wii has the most games of PS3 and 360 not abbekommenund yet she was the most successful by far console of last generation. The Wii U has to repeat the stuff that! Nintendo has to do is bring more great exclusive titles. The foundation for this is after a long slump but finally laid. And the near future looks succeeded. Exactly this way must maintain and if possible expand Nintendo.
Others, notable things?
Online mode and store! The online mode and the eShop Wii were very dowdy compared to the 360 and PS3. With the Wii U Nintendo is catching up here. The whole thing absolutely reached the level of 360 and PS3. The eShop is similar in design to the AppStore of Apple devices. It is clearly laid out and easy to use. Also full games like Darksiders 2 or even Assassins Creed 3 can be loaded directly from the store. The terms of indie titles have become much better, so there are already interesting games like Cloudberry Kingdom and pearls as Trine 2. Demos to selected matches are also available, so you can make use of some games in advance an impression. The Virtual Console also exists still.
Furthermore, Nintendo introduces the Miiverse. The Miiverse is Nintendo's idea of a social network with a channel for published and upcoming partially games. Here can be discussed and commented. The painting pictures is also possible. One form of the Likens, there are of course. Nintendo calls it Yeah! instead I like it. The Miiverse seems to also be integrated into games. In Zelda Wind Waker can, for example, send and receive message in a bottle. As you sail through the world and presto you will find a bottle with a message. To ensure that all messages whether even stay in Zelda or Miiverse app, spoilers, each message before sending it can be characterized as a spoiler. Only after confirmation the message is then read.
This all works surprisingly well and is something that it so in this form are on any other console. Here we have a well-functioning quasi Nintendo Facebook to all the games of the Wii U.
An Internet browser is also integrated, which runs on TV and gamepad. Flash does not support this again. But for this is very fast and is the fastest thing I've ever seen on consoles and most tablets. However, a comparison with the Xbox One and PS4 missing of course.
To make the whole thing in the film area of interest, Nintendo wants to offer two parts: LOVEFiLM, the video library of Amazon and TVII, Nintendo's own service. Both are in Germany not available in spite of existing menu items. According to Nintendo is still working on it to bring them to Germany. I hope that they create, because here I imagine the possibilities of the gamepad interesting before. Comfortable movies in bed, as long as the television is unfavorable, if the toilet is not so far away, keep watching or similar to scenes Additional information and background Show. I hope we will see more there.
And if I have a Wii?
For the Wii U has an app that will launch the Wii mode. Here is an SD card is supported again. The data can be transmitted all. All hardware of the Wii is compatible with the Wii U. So there needs to be nothing given away and sold inevitable. Especially nice because there are games on the Wii, which still surpass many other games such as Zelda Skyward Sword, Mario Galaxy or Xenoblade Chronicles.
And how is Zelda, when I already buy me the bundle?
I could already play the old version on the Game Cube. And playful and content, this game is a masterpiece. For many players, as you can read on the net, even better than Ocarina of Time. If you have even a little bit fun to Zelda, here gets a huge title. The playful adaptations are rather low. We have here no leap similar to the jump from Ocarina of Time Master Quest to. Nevertheless, some tweaks were made that do the game yet in any case well and make the game even better anyway ingenious. Biggest change point is the graphics. Basically, Nintendo has only new lighting and shading effects introduced upscaled diverse textures and added some new textures, as well as increasing the foresight. But that's enough! While other games do not look as HD remake as a modern game, but only as an optimized stock, sees Wind Waker HD like a produced for the 2013 game. Blame is certainly the cartoon graphics have that is timeless in general as a realistic graphics. But my goodness! When I first re-visit the ancient islands here durftedas looks really good sau! Each of the Wind Waker has played and liked it, should look at Wind Waker HD calm. Anyone who has not played it, I urge hereby to buy directly at the thing and play!
The only downer: The thing is just a download code for the store here. That's not a problem, that has everything worked well really great, but a physical shell would have been nice. There are indeed doing a limited single version with a Ganondorf statue. Had the been there, I would be 20-30 euros also again been worth more!
And now again brought the whole thing in a nutshell:
The Wii U has a much better hardware than the PS3 and 360, the developer just have to learn to exploit them properly. On the technology of the PS4 or Xbox One, the Wii U will not reach. The difference will presumably be smaller than the difference of Wii to 360 and PS3. The Nintendo consoles are usually purchased for the exclusive titles that Nintendo is directly developed or participated in the development. Although there was a lull in the beginning games, there is now a significant number of games that are really good. And there have already been announced many great exclusive titles coming yet.
For how someone like me, who still has a sufficiently strong computer for the next few years, the Wii U is the only logical console at the moment. Xbox One and PS4 have to start on a my opinion rather weak starting lineup. Title as watchdogs I can still play on my PC and get even for the Wii U. The Wii U can, however, now have many great titles and many great titles that come yet. Among just several exclusive titles.
The gamepad is great and brings many great opportunities. I am very satisfied and I am curious where the development of the Wii U will go! There currently are some great games and still get many great and the console itself is really great, there is of me a full five stars!
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