Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has spoken about a successor to the Wii, be it Wii 2 or Wii HD, in a recent interview with Forbes. Talking about plans for a new platform and high definition, Reggie reveals that Nintendo is not thinking seriously about the next system and that the company is not interested in HD just to have HD.
When asked about the next system, and if any innovative jumps will be made, Reggie responded:
The way we approach that innovation, because we have hardware developers working side by side with software developers, is that when the software developer comes forward with an idea that can't be executed on the current platform, that's when we start thinking seriously about the next system. We're not there yet, from a Wii perspective.
And speaking on high definition, Reggie went on to say:
For us, technology is not an endpoint. Technology is an enabler for fantastic consumer experiences. So from a hardware standpoint, we are always looking at technology. But in the end, the technology has to enable a new, unique experience.
So when people talk about high definition for the Wii console, our feedback is that that by itself will not create a brand new experience. Therefore, we're not interested. What we have to push for are groundbreaking new experiences. Technology has to enable it, not to be a means all by itself.
Reggie also talks about the competition from Apple, Microsoft and Sony, in the full interview, along with Nintendo's thoughts about digital distribution and DLC.
[source forbes.com]
Comments 53
no new wii within 2011?
This is good because I don't think the wii needs a successor yet.
Interesting. I'll have to read the review sometime.
Can't they do something groundbreaking and innovative ALONG with HD graphics?
The man`s a genius I tell you.
Though HD graphics would be nice.
Good. There are still some things the Wii needs before it gets a sucessor.
Anyone that thinks Nintendo is not seriously working on the follow up to the Wii is a fool. Of course it might not hit for some time, but they're no doubt working on it.
I agree with TheFox. Who is Reggie trying to kid?
Nintendo began developing the Wii as soon as the Gamecube was released in North America. With the Wii already out for four years, you'd think that Nintendo would be at the point of considering its successor by now - especially with rivals Sony and Microsoft having released their iterations of the motion controller.
Even if it may take 2 years to reach the market.
I think the Wii's successor should obviously not be the Wii 2. It should be a new experience.
Even if Nintendo is planning on releasing an HD Wii this year, Reggie still would have said what he said. If they're planning to announce a surprise at E3, there's no way he's going to give it away in this interview.
Who else here thinks it should be called either the Super Wii, or the Big Wii?
I think they're working on something.... different not only have Reggie & Co. repeatedly talked about there not being just a HD upgrade but Akitoshi Kawazu(of Square Enix) said a Wii HD would be boring......
Duh, he's not lying he's just telling the fanboys not to get all worked up yet. Of course they're working on things, but he doesn't have to admit to anything being a successor until it has a name, a fancy plastic case and a press release which could be years off. Thats good news to me, since the Wii is still great now and has years of life left in it.
I just don't understand why Nintendo seems so hesitant to adopt technology that others have already been using for quite some time, and that some consider an industry norm. It happened with the N64 still being cartridge based. It happened with the Gamecube not being online. And now it's the Wii not having HD. Getting Nintendo to support "new" tech is like trying to pull teeth!
Reggie word smithing again'tut'talking out of his rear wii hd is already made.hd and inovation,whats the problem.
until they give it a name ther'll deny it.
Nintendo brain tap?
still don't give a dahlia about a HD Wii, i have fun with the Wii and thats good enough.
I love how everyone still thinks the successor will be called "Wii something".
Any Video Game Journalist / Analysist who thinks Nintendo will release / make a successor should stop, seriously i said it before and i'll said again Nintendo will release a New Console in 2015 or 2016. Why so late cause there taking advantage of their competitors idea make this Gen last a decade as for should they make a Redesign Wii Console like NES 2 and SNES 2 then yes since HD TV seem to increased in households as time goes on so from my point of view Nintendo announced a Wii HD aka a redesign console for HDTV (with 1080p capacity) is a more appropriate business choice then a bad idea for starting a NEXT GEN wars. Plus if Nintendo can release 3 redesign DS models i'm pretty sure 1 redesign won't hurt nobody.
no matter how bad the graphics are, I never seem to mind, probally because over half of my gaming time is dedicated to old games that i either missed out on the first time, or (more commonly), just playing old classics such as Super Mario World, or Megaman
Thank the North and South Stars, no more new consoles from Nintendo.
Keep in mind that the consils prior to the wii (Gcube, SNES, NES, etc) were mostly out for quite a bit of time, so nintendo shouldnt be under pressure to make a new consle or anything, just keep making awesome games!
But for the next one, HD would be awwwwesome
Well said, Reggie !
@14: And yet, as far as I'm concerned, the N64, GameCube and Wii have all been the best consoles of their generations. What does that tell you about the importance of advanced technology?
Anyway, I also agree with The Fox. There's no way that, over three years from the release of the Wii, Nintendo aren't thinking seriously about their next console.
Nintendo, please! Don't let us down! The PS3 looks great, the 360 is looking great, and the Wii looks like crap on my TV... But I want to play it more than the others. What's taking you so long? Get with the times!
That is an good thing.
Right now, I am perfectly happy with the Nintendo Wii and I'm glad they are against an Wii HD, A.K.A. HD upgrade.
They must have realize that a upgraded DS did not work well in quality (I was disappointed with it), so they want to actually give us an new experience.
No matter what, HD or no HD, the Wii does not need a successor in any way, shape, or form in the next few years. That's all I have to say on the matter.
@DJ_Triforce: Are you at least getting visuals clear enough to see what's happening? Because that's all I think you would need. Do you have component cables, maybe?
Yeah ok, stop denying the fact that Nintendo is working on a next gen system every other month. Reggie is trying to brain wash us people, but ha...little does he know we his weak Jedi mind tricks won't work on us!
Whoever says that he's lying about a new Wii that's not what he meant. He tecnically is telling to Michael "the jester" Pachter to KNOCK IT OFF.
I just got component cables for my HDTV! Looks good! I am content at the moment that it looks like it does because I had composite cables, and that was no good. Im fine right now with the Wii.
Reggie "blah blah blah no new Wii"
What we all know "A Wii2 or WiiHD will still cost too much and Nintendo isnt going to have a expensive console on the market"
Super Smash Bros. Fan1999- The DSi was a COMPETE success.. Whata re you talking about? DID YOU EVEN BUY ONE?
I think the new wii will come out in 2014 or 2015
The successor will be announced by 2012 tops.
Well, he says they're not interested in HD just for HD, not that they're not interested in HD.
However, a little extra power under the hood does more than just make the graphics prettier. Bigger games, more things going on at once, and a better online experience are all accomplished by the HD twins because of the extra power they have. Better tech doesn't just equal better graphics.
Anyway, it sounds like me that there's going to be more to the next console than just HD (since it's not an outright denial that the console will have HD, and it's Reggie, the king of denials, I think it's safe to say it will have HD). Ninty might have some other surprises up it's sleeve. Maybe it's not much more than what the HD twins are doing right now (real online play would be a great, if late, surprise). But maybe, MAYBE, it's something completely out of left field like motion controls were.
Well, I'd love to see Nintendo pull something revolutionary out again, a bit before the competition again, but... what?
Before that big revolution, I could see a stopgap that makes it less painful. Figure out a way to bring the online experience up to the competition while still being compatible with already released games. Make everything HD. Consolidate the Wii remote into something slightly superior yet fully compatible.
After that a few years later, we could get the voice recognition 3D VR with no headset all encompassing no-controller mega Nintendo.
Really??...Honestly, why are there so many articles will there continue to be about the successor for the Wii and the DS? I believe that is just causes conflict. I am very happy with my Wii and my DS and DSi...I don't want a successor yet! I am still looking forward to a sequel to a Mario game and Zelda game! That is first time we have seen a Zelda sequel on the same console since the N64...But before you say Twilight Princess, I maintain that TP was a Wii game that was ported to the GameCube. And more so we haven't seen a sequel to a Mario game on the same console since the flippin' SNES!! That in itself is amazing! There is so much drama from Wii2/DSi2 to the lack of quality in games. Lets take stock in what we have and now what we want to see in the future due to the fact that you are bored. Find something else to play, honestly.
I love my Wii and DSi! I approve this message...
@ SilverBlacktail: 480p doesn't compare to 1080p.
I would like to see a successor to Wii soon which should be compatible to Wii games of course. I mean the Wii hardware is quite disappointing comparing to the other next-gen consoles and it wasn't even up-to-date on the release date. No HD, no Dolby Digital (even PS2/Xbox had it), not enough storage space (==> a ridicilous WiiWare size limit!)! Although the cheap price was perfect for targeting the casual audience. But I would like to know how many people bought the Wii just for Wii Sports and/or Wii Fit.
If Nintendo want to appeal to the gamer audience in the next generation they should release a console which is technically in the same league with the competetion. Maybe the major third party developers would then support Nintendo's next console instead of avoiding it like Wii and Nintendo64.
Everyone knows the new system will be called Wii64, so let's knock off the Wii 2 nonsense already.
In all seriousness they'll take this line until they're ready to unveil it in order to reassure the market (not just owners, but developers) that the rug isn't going to be pulled out from under them.
I expect the Wii will continue to be sold and supported side-by-side with any successor system much like the GBA SP/Micro was with the DS when it launched. Any incremental upgrades will probably be limited to increased internal storage, wireless sensor bars/nunchuks/Classic Controllers and integrated Motion Plus. I would be shocked if there was a Wii released that had HD at this point; I expect that to be reserved for the new machine.
Wii isn't a brand that can be updated this soon.
If they did there's no way they would see the same success unless it was truely ground breaking. (think Nintendo On)
Also I don't think console sales really benefit, like handeld devices do from re-designs, unless it's right near the end of the current gen life cycle (PlayStation One/PS2 Slimline)
There are a list of things I would like to see improved with the current Wii hardware. But to be honest for what it is, the current specs are adequate enough.
What they need to be focusing on however is keeping it defined as a console. By that I mean, the motion controlled innovation.
So far it has struggled to really impress on motion control. The pointer has been used well, and there are enough waggle gestures for you to shake a remote at. But nothing really meaty like what many of us envisioned before launch.
Motion plus seeks to rectify that, games like Red Steel 2 and the next Zelda could be a turning point. If these games turn out to be amazing, then it's clear there is still much much more potential in the Wii.
Edit: Oh, and they need to get on with all this before Natal and PS3 motion start capitalizing on it. Not that I see any fully fleshed games using them soon, but Sony in particular has a habit of turning tech demos into fantastic mini games.
HD alone is not enough, I agree on that. But I think the graphics of the Wii succesor should AT LEAST be equal to the PS3's, if not better. Wii is great and all, but we have to face that were playing with last gen home console graphics! I don't want that to happen again...
Yay! I get a bit more life out of the Wii console!
@JebbyDeringer
I think it will be called Wii2. The Wii is a massive brand
o well ...no new system in the near future means more time for me for by alot more games for wii and ds
I for one am VERY glad to hear that Nintendo knows it would be a stupid to release a new home console now. Focus on software that uses the WiiMotionPlus (& encourage third parties to do so) as well as more software for WiiWare & new VC releases. The Wii is just too good of a console, I don't/won't buy a new console to get the new games for it.
Rhansley why do you keep insisting that the Wii will be around until 2015 or 2016?
If I could I'd bet you $1k that a new Nintendo system will be released no later than 2013.
This generation, Nintendo has the most cripplingly underpowered hardware, and there's no reason for it. The tech is cheap now, so Nintendo should have a more powerful system.
I think should release a real third pillar platform. One that holds to high end graphics and mainly hardcore games and keep the Wii for a couple years for casuals. People who just bought it for wii sports and fit won't wanna spend another $200 on a new system.
Call it the Wii-Wii! All jokes aside, it needs HD, better motion controls and 3rd-party games, and a way to re-download all of my dlc and Virtual Console games.
@Nintendoftw: Yes, I actually do own one right now. All I can say is that I'm not really satisfied with the system. It could due to the fact that I'm mainly focusing on console gaming, but I never played my DS much anyway.
@ Rhansley64
LOL!
Are you serious!? You honestly think Nintendo will release their new Console in 2015 -2016? Nintendo's next console won't arrive any later than 2012. 5 years seems about right...any later than 6 is a no no.
Really though, I don't mean to be rude but that's just a ridiculous and flat out silly opinion. By 2016, there might even be talk about the Wii3. lol
I believe that Nintendo will speak openly about the Wii's successor at Spaceworld later this year.
Nintendo won't do it now since doing that would make people think the Wii is over with. And all these people will surely abandon the Wii for good and they will move over to the PS3 and 360 (more so with their motion control systems in place).
Based on that, I don't get why ppl seriously expect Reggie or Nintendo to admit the Wii2 or whatever is called is on it's way. It makes little sense to admit to it (at least until much later this year).
I reckon he's just playing the cards clos to his chest. Maybe end of 2011
I say early 2013 before we hear abou ANYTHING
@JCMGamer Fail.
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