One of the biggest criticisms levied against the Nintendo Wii is that it's not capable of displaying games in high-definition -- something that even the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox could do. As a result of this glaring shortcoming, rumors of an HD Wii have been bouncing around the Internet for years.
I think there's absolutely no chance that were going to see a Wii HD. The system's doing just fine from a sales standpoint, and it seems that the only people that have a real issue with the console's graphics capabilities are hardcore gamers, all of which bought the system anyway.
But just because Nintendo isn't coming out with a new Wii with dazzling visuals, doesn't mean we'll never get to experience the Wii in high-def. Quite the contrary, actually. Check out these screens of Super Mario Galaxy running in 720p on the Dolphin emulator. (Screens from NeoGaf):
Beautiful, aren't they? Mario Galaxy is a fantastic-looking game even on a standard-definition television, but it's breathtaking in HD. Capturing video with the emulator causes the framerate to take a nose dive, but this YouTube clip gives you an idea of what the game looks like while in motion. (Click the video to go to YouTube, select the HD option, and view in fullscreen to get the maximum effect)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess doesn't look as amazing as Mario Galaxy in HD, and it's obviously not really playable at the framerate shown in this video. That said, it's much more attractive in its emulated form than it is on the Wii or GameCube.
As the mere existence of the Dolphin emulator project proves, there's certainly a group of people who would love to play their Wii games in glorious high-def. While I would have loved for the Wii to support HD from the start, I don't think I'd buy a new-and-improved Wii just to enjoy some enhanced graphics. What about you? Would you buy a Wii whose sole improvement was that it could display games in HD?
I'm impressed with the work that Project Dolphin has been doing. I will most likely buy the Wii HD if it exists (I'll probably wait in line over night for it just like I did for the Wii). But to be honest, I bought the Wii for it's motion controls and the promise of something different ( a few surprises so far but still waiting for more). Despite all the shovelware and crap being released I'm content with my Wii and never really was much of a graphics whore (is there another word for that because graphics whore sounds like I'm insulting someone and thats not my intention). I have HD with my PS3 and 360. In the end it's gameplay and story that matters to me most. Its nice to have pretty visuals though its not a deal breaker to me. Sorry about my mini-rant, I'll shut up now. Happy Gaming everybody.
P.S.- I'm a huge Nintendo fan but not a fanboy considering I own a both a PS3 and 360. Chalk up to nostalgia.
Gabriel Figueroa ,
July 08, 2009
+0
Nope. I see no reason to buy a new Wii just because it can display games in HD. Buying another version of the same system for enhanced graphics just doesn't seem worth it to me. Especially sense that would mean I'd have to repurchase all the games I've downloaded on my current system. Which something I never want to go through, and I'm sure many other people wouldn't want to either.
Besides, if Nintendo were to release one they'd basically be going back on what they've said in the past, which is that they're not going after cutting edge technology with the Wii. By releasing HD version, they basically say that they were wrong to go down the path they chose with the Wii. Which obviously isn't true considering how well its sold sense launch.
Callum Rakestraw ,
July 08, 2009
+1
Why the hell has this coverage been making the front page of Giant Bomb, 1UP, and now Bitmob. This has been around for a while now. I'm not saying it shouldn't be covered, but it really clues you in on how misguided online games journalism has become. It's like the editor of 1UP boots up his computer, looks to see what other websites are covering, and then cover the same stuff all over again. It's just bad journalism.
I saw videos of Wii in HD months ago. If it should be covered at all, it should have been covered then.
Allistair Everett ,
July 08, 2009
-3
Allistair, I see what you're saying and you're right. However, I tried to cover it in a different way (perhaps I failed). Rather than just post the screenshots, like over at Kotaku, I wanted to spark some discussion.
Do people even care that much that the Wii isn't in HD? Would people buy a second Wii if Nintendo released a Wii HD? Are there actually people that haven't yet purchased a Wii because it doesn't do HD? That's what I thought about when I saw the screens and that's what I'm curious to hear about from our readers.
Like I said, perhaps my intentions aren't obvious in the article, but I wasn't trying to just shovel out another "me too" story. I do appreciate the feedback though. Sometimes negative feedback is much more valuable than praise.
Aaron Thomas ,
July 08, 2009
+0
I don't agree that this should have been solely covered a few months ago. The Dolphin emulator is a continuous project that will be changing and evolving in the time coming.
I'm very excited to see what they can do with this and if Nintendo decided to make an HD console I'd have to really think about it before deciding, but I wouldn't just shut it down of the bat. Their games look good now, but as the video shows, they can look far better and I love good looking games!
James Cotellesse ,
July 08, 2009
+0
My Wii sees little to no use, but when it does see use it is not on a HD tv. So I doubt giving me HD on an item I don't use it now for would make me want to go buy one.
Toby Davis ,
July 08, 2009
+0
Sometimes negative feedback is much more valuable than praise.
But, but, I was going to praise you! I like how you questioned the importance of an HD Wii. After all, when has good graphics really swayed anyone's overall enjoyment of a game? I do like to occasionally drool over the likes of Gears of War and Killzone 2, but to me, it's all about how much fun I'm having. Just look (literally) at Madworld, it's filled with low-res textures, but I haven't stopped fully enjoying hitting zombies heads off with a golf-club.
In short: zombies and golf-clubs have a higher importance to me than how much frames can run per-second (among other technical nonsense).
Michael Burridge ,
July 08, 2009
+0
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