So you pulled out the big guns and you got your son (age 27 or otherwise) a console. You’re justifiably excited about the Christmas morning surprise, but there’s one thing you must absolutely remember to take care of before you wrap that gadget gift: Day one updates. Trust us.
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The time it took for my brother to get our new Super Nintendo out of the box and connected to our television couldn’t have been more than five minutes. I’m pretty sure we used the same coaxial cable connector that the NES before it used, though it’s possible he was bold enough to forge a new connection dedicated to the SNES. The time between when he arrived home with the console box and a copy of Super Mario World, and when we saw Mario’s astonishing level of detail, was extremely short. Open game console box, plug in game console, insert game, play game — pretty simple. I’ll never forget the yellow on Mario’s cape!
Today’s kids don’t have it so easy. The anticipation while waiting for holidays or birthdays or while saving enough allowance has turned into anticipation during firmware updates or software patches or mandatory installs, and all manner of nonsense. Even for those of us who grew up with PCs, the state of modern game consoles is a sad one when it comes to what’s inside the packaging representing what the outside says.
This is all the internet’s fault, as most things are. I’m joking! Partially, anyway. It’s really internet ubiquity that’s to blame for game publishers and console makers leaning on day one updates. With most buyers living in places with relatively strong connectivity, games can launch without, say, multiplayer, and consoles can launch without the ability to even play games. It might sound nuts, but it’s the story of the now-current generation of game consoles.
Nintendo’s pushing out version 4.0 of its Wii U system software, and it’s bringing a few unexpected — yet welcome — changes. Ironically, tweaks to how the hardware handles titles from The Big N’s last home console headline the update. Folks taking Wii games for a spin will now be able to do so using just the GamePad’s screen, and enjoy Dolby Pro Logic II surround output — though you’ll still need a Wii remote to play. Iwata and Co. have also rolled in an image sharing tool that mirrors the one on the 3DS, which lets gamers share screenshots on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter. With the fresh code in tow, demos from Nintendo can be downloaded automatically and a variety of USB keyboards are supported, to boot. The box’s internet browser also got some attention, as it’s been bolstered with the ability to open PDF files and remember user login details for web sites. Check your Wii U for the update or click the source link for the full changelog.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Nintendo
Source: Nintendo Japan (translated)
Nintendo fans in Japan have just been offered the motherload of Wii U bundles: two packages that include as many as three games, an extra controller and a subscription to a karaoke service. Both bundles come with either a white or black 32GB console, a matching Wii Remote Plus, 30 days of Nintendo x Joysound Wii Karaoke U service and digital copies of New Super Mario Bros U and Wii Party U. The lower-end package snags all of the above for a cool 32,800 yen (about $332), but an extra 2,000 yen (roughly $20) adds a copy of Wii Fit U and a Fit Meter — although it looks like the requisite balance board will be sold separately. Considering that a standard Wii U Deluxe system now sells for $300, these bundles seem like solid deals. There’s no word if a similar compilation is being prepared for international markets, but at least we have the limited-edition Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD bundle to comfort us.
Source: Nintendo
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Well, the Wii U’s time as the only “next-gen” console on the market is about to come to an end. Its brief reign was marred by software bugs, missing features and a questionable price. Now with the PS4 and Xbox One preparing to launch an all out assault on the gaming market, Nintendo is trying to make its console-plus-tablet platform a little more alluring by dropping the price. Starting on September 20th, the Wii U will cost $50 less, making the deluxe bundle with 32GB of storage a slightly easier to digest $300. (The basic bundle, should you be able to find it, will remain $299.) At $100 less than the PlayStation 4 and $200 less than the Xbox One, it’s not a bad option for those with smaller gaming budgets — especially if those people happen to have kids or like to host parties. Of course, its library of available games still leaves something to be desired and its hardware is nowhere near as capable as its competitors, so it’s not exactly a clear winner. If you were considering buying a Wii U, clearly your best bet now is to wait until at least September 20th for the new price to go into effect.
Update: A Wii U bundle that includes The Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker HD , which we first reported last week, will also launch on September 20th for $300. That rig includes a black console, a GamePad with special branding, a download code for the digital version of Hyrule Historia, a book and a Nintendo eShop download code.
Waiting for the Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker HD before picking up a Wii U? You’re in luck — the company seems to be prepping a bundle specifically for Hylian-minded buyers. NeoGAF users have salvaged an image of the special edition console from a trailer Nintendo posted to its YouTube channel and then immediately pulled. The video, which showed off the game’s “hero mode” difficulty setting, teased a black Wii U gamepad decorated a golden Triforce and other Zelda inspired accents. The leak doesn’t say much else about the hardware, but it’s probably safe to assume that the black console matches the 32GB internals of the standard deluxe edition. Price, availability and additional information will have to wait until Nintendo makes this bundle official, but curious folks can find a mirror of the leaked trailer at the source.
Filed under: Nintendo
Source: Destructoid, NeoGAF
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Ubisoft’s Alain Corre isn’t worried about the rise in mobile gaming. On the contrary, Corre, who heads up the company’s overseas operations, seems to welcome the uptick in iOS and Android gamers and not resignedly, either. “What we like in mobile gaming is that it’s bringing a lot of new people to games,” he told us. “Which for us is very good because it’s a teaching thing and… at one point, some of them will feel a bit limited with the scope of mobile games and they’ll want to experience something different in gaming.” Whether it’s the limitations of the casual genre or outright boredom, Corre’s confident a chunk of these new gaming converts will seek out home console or PC experiences. Something more along the lines of a Watch Dogs or Assassin’s Creed, perhaps. And with the advent of the next-gen, the timing for this gaming initiation couldn’t be better for Ubisoft.
Nintendo first shared details of its Wii U Web Framework at GDC in March, which it hoped would encourage more apps and games to be ported over, and facilitate quicker Wii U game prototyping. Fast-forward to GDC Europe and Martin Buchholz, manager of developer relations at Nintendo, confirmed that the framework has now been updated to include eCommerce support — such as DLC purchases. Something of a significant lure for those with existing games that have yet to be convinced to move them over to Wii U. It’s not quite in-app purchases, but it will certainly ease the worries of those game makers who prefer to monetize their titles after the initial transaction.
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