Nintendo Wii U - review

[originalbadboy]

It's just a shame the only surround is LCPM. That's no good to me using a headset with a Turtle Beach DSS decoder.

My setup is Wii U -> HDMI -> TV -> Optical -> DSS decoder -> Headset.

And I can only get stereo sound?! WTF?!

Fair play that is annoying .. Saying that LCMP is better than DD as its uncompressed, and as Adam Stone said the audio quality is very nice ... Its just a shame Nintendo didn't think of everybody rather than just those with HDMi Amps.

[Adam Stone]

Yes, like I said I'm definitely no expert on these things - but personally - i thought the sound quality from my TV was perfectly good but the quality from the pad itself was amazing. Having the two together created an unique 3D Sound experience I was not expecting at all.

[JSR]

First impressions are very positive - In fact so much so all the negativity around the net seems utterly confounding.

Par for the course for every console launch. Probably from people who are bitter because they've decided not to get one and want to validate their decision, or from people who had unrealistically high expectations. Therefore people throw arguments like limited RGB range without having a clue about what difference it makes (none). [typing on the gamepad again, this time while making dinner]

[Kieran76]

Par for the course for every console launch. Probably from people who are bitter because they've decided not to get one and want to validate their decision, or from people who had unrealistically high expectations. Therefore people throw arguments like limited RGB range without having a clue about what difference it makes (none). [typing on the gamepad again, this time while making dinner]

I love this post.

[Daragon]

I'm not one of those bitter chaps who've decided not to have one, hoping for one for Christmas infact. I can see where some people are coming from though. Nintendo have attempted to market this towards the hardcore/mature demographic and it's a lot of people from that category that seem rightfully disappointed with it. They expected hardware to keep up with the times and it hasn't. It's typical Nintendo - if you want a fun experience without the added bells and whistles then it's fine (well, I say fine, if all the negativity surrounding the CPU is true then that is somewhat unsettling in any case - presumably it means inferior ports compared to 360 and future console exclusive titles will need to reign in their ideas or face low frames per second).

[MisterBubbles]

This is defiant, and im not bitter, its too over priced for what it is and what it does and doesnt do.

[originalbadboy]

Par for the course for every console launch. Probably from people who are bitter because they've decided not to get one and want to validate their decision, or from people who had unrealistically high expectations. Therefore people throw arguments like limited RGB range without having a clue about what difference it makes (none). [typing on the gamepad again, this time while making dinner]

Agreed .. Apart from the Limited RGB .. .. Which I still maintain is an unnecessary omission.

[gambit6613]

I have to say the Gamepad really really is a great bit of kit. I dont know about anyone else but im finding im using the Gamepad for playing games more than the TV at the moment, i just love being able to go anyway in the house and just sit in pure comfort, be it sitting on the couch or lying on the bed, the screen is so nice and big and the pad itself is pretty much perfect in weight and size.

The Wii U really has totally delivered for me. I have to admit with all the negative comments about it, mainly on Gamefaqs i was ever so slightly nervous it would turn out to be a disappointment but i am so pleased it has turned out to be the opposite. I really cannot praise Wii U enough

[Kieran76]

End of the day, our lass is watching strictly while I play Mario. Win win.

[originalbadboy]

I have to say the Gamepad really really is a great bit of kit. I dont know about anyone else but im finding im using the Gamepad for playing games more than the TV at the moment, i just love being able to go anyway in the house and just sit in pure comfort, be it sitting on the couch or lying on the bed, the screen is so nice and big and the pad itself is pretty much perfect in weight and size.

Yep .. Even though I haven't actually played it much yet, and I don't have to share my TV (PJ) with anyone, I can quite easily see me sitting on the sofa playing on the Gamepad as much ... Very nice piece of kit.

[mr_sockochris]

Gaming on the controller is a big selling pointfor me. What kind of range does this thing have then? My living room TV is directly below where my bed is in my bedroom. What are the chances i could be playing it in bed?

[gambit6613]

Gaming on the controller is a big selling pointfor me. What kind of range does this thing have then? My living room TV is directly below where my bed is in my bedroom. What are the chances i could be playing it in bed?

Well mine works through the floorboards just fine. I have the Wii u in bedroom but i can take the Gamepad downstairs, i do lose signal about halfway down the stairs but when i get into the living room it picks it up again no problem, i can even take it into the Kitchen. It does depend i guess on how thick the floor boards are but works a treat for me

[mr_sockochris]

Cheers for the info I probably won't get one until this time next year when there's more software to choose from but is good to know the pad has some decent range on it as with 2 kids my TV time is limited.

[mugetsu]

man it feels weird having the full use of the console without needing the tv on but its damn good, just used the video chat with my sister and it worked flawlessly.

[Adam Stone]

I must admit I am a little concerned for future ports if the Wii U cant handle Direct X11 - however saying that, people are going to be in for a hideous reality check when the next set of consoles are announched. They simply wont be as powerful as some people think, i imagine there are also going to be some heavy changes in regards to how games are made and distributed, for example focusing primarily on a 'service' - rather than traditonal gameplay experiences, much like the ipad etc: Triple AAA - huge titles cost too much to make, and getting your money back is a very risky thing nowadays. Microsoft, and perhaps Sony, simply wont be your traditional console. Better or for worse.

Nintendo hasnt chosen that route - they are doing things their way... and it just may pay off. Or it will burn them - it will be an interesting next 5 years, certainly.