New Wii, controller to arrive by 2011 - Square Enix CEO

Yoichi Wada expects Nintendo will introduce a new version of its best-selling console in two years, believes Project Natal interface will become standard.

In August, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explicitly stated that a successor to the best-selling $249 Nintendo Wii won't "happen any time in the near future." However, given Sony's recent introduction of the $299 PlayStation 3 Slim and Microsoft's $199/$299 Arcade/Elite strategy, the Wii has lost its pricing advantage. Further, even if Nintendo makes good on the increasingly likely $50 Wii price cut, the system remains the least technically proficient of the bunch.

Nintendo's Wii has certainly earned its keep thus far.

As such, many industry watchers believe that Iwata's "near future" could be a relative term. Speaking to the Financial Times over the weekend, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada said that he expects Nintendo to release an update to the Wii by 2011; one that will bring the console's technical capabilities more in line with the Xbox 360 and PS3. Wada also stated that he believes Nintendo may possibly introduce a new controller along with the console update.

Wada's comments come as both Microsoft and Sony target the Wii's other primary draw: motion control. However, the Japanese executive is down on how each company's camera-based motion technology will impact the overall gaming industry.

"Present game machines already have a lot of functions: They are a network terminal, a Blu-ray or DVD player, and a gaming machine," Wada told the FT. "Compared to these three pillars, the [new motion] controllers are quite limited, so the impact may be small. They are an extension of the gaming function."

Wada was particularly upbeat about Microsoft's Project Natal, saying of the device that "as a user interface, it's fantastic, and I think it will become standard." However, he cautioned that its success hinges upon software support, noting that games that take advantage of motion controls are especially difficult to create.

Unveiled during this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sony's EyeToy-complementing motion controller is slated for release during the spring of 2010. Also an E3 reveal, Microsoft's camera-based motion-sensing device has yet to be formally dated, though many industry watchers believe it will also see release in 2010.

333 Comments

  • LinkLuigi

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 5:44 pm PT

    As a wise man, a sage among men, once said:

    "What do we need?"

    "MORE POWER!!!!"

    This was spoken by the great, the magnificent, the one and only...Tim Allen from Tool Time!!!!

    Yes, in this day & age, it's all about getting the bang for my buck, and the Wii doesn't cut it. Sure, it has an innovative control scheme, but that's just a fancified way of saying "different controller". If It can't match the raw power of the PS360, then there is a problem.

    That, and they need good games. Good games are important as well.

  • gh0st_sp1rit

    Posted Sep 24, 2009 4:37 pm PT

    WII sucks for some games rocks for others

  • Dgalmun

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 3:02 pm PT

    Best if it's a update that makes it better, the wii can last for years..

  • jrb109

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    I know the wii is ment to be new and innovative, and i respect that, i just think they need something to match up with the other consoles... or at least graphic wise. you just cant compare an XBOX360 to a wii

  • Xtatic324

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 11:11 am PT

    @skateboard1587

    Well said man... well said..

    My wii is collecting dust as im typing this.. (looks at Wii) Hmm.. maybe i should get the windex out.

  • kca89

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 10:24 am PT

    While it would be nice for Nintendo to make the upgrade, I can say that for the first time I will probably avoid buying this system. Nintendo continues to let me down with their selection of games. Hopefully Nintendo's next console won't have this problem, but only time will tell.

  • dwd_27

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 8:45 am PT

    there all good expect when it come's to gamplay wii is better but in graphics the 36o n the ps3 better also some games on wii suck!! this controller will be orwight in my eye's

  • angelGP32

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 6:31 am PT

    @ Popoi108: you can absolutely compare the 3 when it comes to gaming quality. At the end of the day all 3 are game machines. So are you going to tell me that the quality of gaming you get on the Wii is better than PS3 and 360? Maybe in some cases, but I would bet the ratio of good games to bad games ranks higher on the PS3 and 360 than the Wii, even if you average it out since the Wii has more games. I think the Wii fails on quality. Which is not entirely Nintendo's fault, when developers pump out garbage to try to make a quick buck.

  • angelGP32

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 6:24 am PT

    @ E1025gama, you are starting to see even some die hard fanboys starting to either turn away or at least question the direction. There's a few observations I have made recently. #1. Nintendo fanboy rage syndrome has really gone down, this is the syndrome where people would die to defend the big N, and would go berzerko in postings, honestly, how often do you see that anymore? and #2. The amount of used Wii's for sale, at least in my area, are through the roof, with online classifieds, Craigslist, PennySaver, etc. Compared to what they have been even just months ago. It will be an interesting holiday season this year when it comes to hardware sales. I do not see the Wii being #1 this year.

  • Excedra

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 3:29 am PT

    great

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 1:21 am PT

    lol last year you would have heard people talking about a possible Wii HD in the future, myself included. Then Wada comes aong and tries to make it look like he is the only one that ever considered that. I am not amused.

  • E1025gama

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 12:13 am PT

    This doesn't matter, I wouldn't buy another nintendo console again after being let down with its selection of games. It's a kiddy console.

    I can already tell I'm going to rated down by fanboys, demanding me to believe that there's something for everyone or what ever it is they're saying now.

  • Jhoalot

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 9:05 pm PT

    @Chernnunos

    The xbox has only 4 halo games and the ps3 has only 4 like 5 metal gears, now lets count your mario games:MArio bros,mario bros 2, mario bros 3, super mario world,mario 64,mario kart,mario party,super smash brothers,mario doctor,mario tennis,mario baseball,mario basketball,mario football,mario rpg,mario all stars.I dont have the doubt of what of the series is most repetitive

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 7:19 pm PT

    I'd be quite bothered if they released an HD wii that upconverted all the old wii games, but still wasnt as powerful as 360 or PS3... quite bothered indeed,

  • punkdsk8erdude

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 7:11 pm PT

    nintendo shouldn't release another version of the wii if it's to play the same games and such as the current wii until the next gen really starts.
    and analysts and companies have predicted the current gen will actually last up to 2015 before we see ps4/xbox720/wii2.
    i think thats the way to do it.
    10 years for a life cycle before releasing another system will make me happy, bc ill have gotten my moneys worht out of all these systesm and games that are 400 bucks and 60 per game. (ridiculous if u ask me)
    Ninty would be dumb to release a wii 2 or wii 1.5 within a year or two, then try to sell a real sequel to the wii in 2015 with the true next gen.
    They might just be talking about the black wii though in this case...and the new controller may be either a black controller w/ wii plus built in (my guess) or maybe a N. American/european release of that super classic controller from japan, which is basically a ps/2/3 controller lol.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 6:57 pm PT

    It just occurred to me maybe the new controller is the black Wii-mote bundled with Motion plus and gamespot misunderstood CEO Yoichi Wada.

  • Simple_malk

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 6:47 pm PT

    Ugh I hope the natal thing is not the case as much as motion control is a cool gimmick and fun for short periods I play videogames to unwind usually. Flailing arms and legs not only makes you look like a complete moron it's not usually very relaxing. At the very least give us both and don't make us use terrible controls.

  • skateboard1587

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 6:44 pm PT

    I got a wii as a present, and for the amount of time i've spent with it, i'd say it's worth around $100 to me. While I don't exactly hate it, the amount of time I've put in to it simply pales in comparison to the amount of time I've used my 360. It's not like I don't have any games for it either; I have pretty much every game that gamespot has given an 8.5 or over to on the wii. I just find the 360 to be a much better gaming console in many, many ways, not the least of which is the absolutely amazing xbox live.

  • kickballer

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    I think they should add bonus unlockables to all Their new Wii 2 games.

  • Xtatic324

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 5:27 pm PT

    Its over for the Wii...

  • wiidsduelpack

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 5:10 pm PT

    As a Nintendo fan, I must admit that the Wii is the least powerful system of all. PS3 has blue-ray and more gigs and 360 has gigs and technology. In terms of games, ps3 and 360 have a huge lead. The Wii has underdeveloped games compared to the two systems and there is basically no on-line service. The Wii is probably the most expensive console of the moment as it needs too many accessories and almost all games are child like. The Wii just has games for all types of ages and that is the difference and explains its huge sales. DS and DSi is the reason why the company profit since it sells the most in hardware and software.

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 4:53 pm PT

    I think the only way I would buy a Wii agian or Anything from Nintendo again is if they go HD (IE more then 720p please), ditch friends codes, and add in better online system that fixes the massive problems Wii owners have online now. Also do more to stop cheaters then locking down the console with a single line of code!

    It also better support DVD upscaleing, and have a great title for it's online service. IE Wii Online? Nintendo Network? Wii Network? Nintendo Online? Note: my vote is for the last one mind you. And if they fallowed Microsoft's lead came up with more Harcore titles other then Metroid, ditch Mario or do one last adventure, and get VOIP bundled with the system, as well as a good standard controller interface (Super Classic Controller thats online in Japan sucks! Give the US market this thing!)

  • Brawl578

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 3:38 pm PT

    @santinegrete

    I guess that's why I sold my 360 and kept my Wii, because the 360 would change my mind about the Wii, right?

  • Darien

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 3:09 pm PT

    I'm sure everyone will be watching the EyeToy/Project Natal scene very closley. As exciting as the prospects are, though, I think Wata has a point, given software limitations it may be another five years before this technology becomes anything more than a novelty. Just as wireless controllers were cumbersome and unreliable in the late '80's and '90's. But as Wata said, it will eventually become a standard. But anything that incorporates more interaction, and less cramping fingers is a good start!

  • grant4500neo

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 3:03 pm PT

    360 and PS3 have been doing a lot lately, so Nintendo and its Wii have to pick it up

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 3:01 pm PT

    the wii for what it is is a farce, im not paying that much for a wii, even $199 is steep when i can get an xbox for the same price, what are nintendo's overheads?
    the wii is a fantastic console, but when i can get so much more from the other two for an either cheaper(360) or more bang for buck(ps3) the wii is a dim prospect, now if we were talking $149 i think they would skyrocket in sales, as that kind of money is moving into impulse purchase territory.

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 2:49 pm PT

    If Nintendo made a Wii successor with PS3-like graphics, then this would be great for developers who wants to port their games to more systems. You can't port Bayonetta to the Wii for example.

  • konradak

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 2:39 pm PT

    Cool. Can't wait to see where all this goes.

  • Spider-Jim

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 2:33 pm PT

    Popoi108 is correct, all proper "gamers" I know that own a Wii also own one of the other two consoles. Wii attracts users for different reasons. BUT, I think 360 and PS3 are quite comparable.I prefer PS3 but bought a 360 in the end because I think it has a stronger game selection.

  • x-2tha-z

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 2:30 pm PT

    I really, really hope motion control does not become standard. If it does, that will be the time I stop buying new games and stick to old releases that have control pad support. Damn you Sony and Nintendo for introducing motion control and making it popular.

  • Popoi108

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 2:00 pm PT

    I don't know why so many people compare Wii/Xbox360/PS3. They are just differents products that target different audiences and support three different bussiness models. Or is there just ONE way to make things good? It would be very dull to have 3 'xbox-like consoles' in the market around.

    (English is not my native language, sorry if it's bad).

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:46 pm PT

    Yup, I agree oozyrat.

  • santinegrete

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:46 pm PT

    @Chernnunos:

    Just to let you know how full of yourself you are, and at the same time a different argument, I'll say this: Dead Space Extraction is a On a Rails Shooter because of the Wii technical limitations (and it could been so much more). You can't play those awesome games in the Wii because the limited hardware of the console can't run it. Keep defending the Wii your mum purchased for you, but you'll change of opinion when you get a ps3 or a 360.

  • Oozyrat

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:36 pm PT

    @errorcode69 - In sales, the Wii already beat the 360 and PS3.

    *Sigh* Why can't people keep some ORIGINALITY. Come on, Nintendo made the motion wand thing...so leave it to them. I LOVE to play games with a controller, even though I like the Wii. I perfer a controller to the wand, so I think that Sony and MS should just leave Nintendo with the motion and focus on the controller that they have practically perfected. I have to say I play my 360 a lot more than my Wii (even before my Wii stopped working). So my point here is that I would like to play some games with motion control, but more without it, so stick to your roots please.

  • Mr_Versipellis

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    Damn, I thought this was an announcement...

  • Xion2787

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:29 pm PT

    I don't really play my wii anymore either...SSBB was the only game I played hardcore and even then the online wasn't that great. Ever since Gamecube, Nintendo has lost its former glory. 64 you will always live on in our hearts.

  • errorcode69

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:23 pm PT

    i dont even really play my wii anymore, i just use it for SSBB and occasionally Mario Kart. the wii is only good for Hardcore Nintendo gamers and motion control. oh, and remakes of old games. so im pretty sure that it wont ever be better than PS3 or 360.

  • bowlingotter

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:06 pm PT

    As much as I'm a Nintendo fan, my Wii isn't played much. And when I do play it, it's either Okami (a re-hashed PS2 title) or Metroid Prime Trilogy (obviously re-hashed Gamecube games).

    I'll always be a Nintendo fan, but to say that it's a better gaming system than either the 360 or PS3 is for fanboys.

  • buffdaddy69 posted Sep 22, 2009 1:00 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    buffdaddy69

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:00 pm PT (hide)

    @Chernnunos

    Hahahaha, Atleast my 360 and PS3 can run Fallout 3, FInal Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid and Gears of War flawlessly, unlike you're Wii, which would explode and fry out as soon as you put the disc in, because it can't handle the graphically power and awesomeness the PS3 and the 360 actually deliever.

  • buffdaddy69 posted Sep 22, 2009 12:57 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    buffdaddy69

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:57 pm PT (hide)

    pfft. Unless they drop the Motion Controls and actually update their system specs for and actually become a next gen threat and actually cater to both the casual and hardcore gamerbase then, Nintendo gets no love from me. They can keep their crappy Gamecube 1.0 and their equally crappy motion controls.

  • josetakapele

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:54 pm PT

    SWEET!!

  • xRmRxfreakBOMB

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    @Chernnunos Clinging to old franchises? Hmm, lets see... Nintendo clings to Mario and all of its spin-offs, Zelda, Metroid, and Donkey Kong. Most of which came more than 20 years ago. I think that it would be safe to call your post an EPIC FAIL.

    Btw, I do hate the Wii. That doesnt make me a PS3 fanboy. I havent even made an effort to touch my Wii for a good 4 months. There are no games that would appeal to me. Mostly a bunch of been there done that with tacked on motion controls.

  • austinite04 posted Sep 22, 2009 12:52 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    austinite04

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:52 pm PT (hide)

    Why is nintendo even bothering?? it has crappy games and no solid IP's look at PS3, it used to be in the same boat then Little Big Planet and MGS4 came out. I can't see the wii surviving another 2 years without new AWESOME games. thats why I sold my wii.

  • facistinabag

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:35 pm PT

    Maybe they should make a decent game to use with the current controller instead of making us pay for another piece of hardware, without a game to back it up. It's like nintendo's replaced games with controllers.

  • Rockman_X9

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:14 pm PT

    I understand the point of almost everyone here, Wii sadly had been marketed more to casuals gamers than hardcore, but if you see it from other perspective, this has helped to create a bigger audience to play video games (more consumers), and besides Wii has great hardcore games too. Last year, I was so boring for the lack of good releases for the console, but after I played No More Heroes (that same year) I decided to give it another chance, and so far, the Wii hasn't disappointed me. Games like the Metroid Prime Trilogy, RE4 with new controls, The Conduit, Muramasa, even the crappy port of Dead Rising was fun to me. Now in the future we are gonna have RE Darkside Chronicles, Deadspace Extraction, Red Steel 2, my long awaited No More Heroes 2 (series that Suda 51 stated in a new interview that is gonna be exclusively for Nintendo, so the past news about changing to another console was a misundertanding), Arc Rise Fantasia, Silent Hill Shattered Memories SMG 2, Metroid Other M. So I don't think that Wii doesn't have good games like everyone had stated; and what about the games that had been released in the last years, like Fire Emblem, Zelda Twilight Princess, SMG, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Kart Wii and so on. Wii may not have the best catalog of games, but is far from being an awful console!!! Ps.: Sorry for my spelling, but English is not my native language.

  • TheJamin

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:09 pm PT

    in response to Chernnunos.

    um, clinging to old franchises was literally invented by nintendo. not a bad thing at all by the way! but omg! what a wiitard.

  • LegionXVIII

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:06 pm PT

    @Churnnunos Who are you? Do you live under a rock with an internet connection? Nintendo IS clinging to old franchises. It makes them money. Just like Sony is doing. Also GTA is a mass platform game, your only angry cause the Wii didn't get it. Let me list the archaic (yet awesome) franchises that Nintendo still updates, Mario and all his various spin offs, Metroid and Zelda. Those are three franchises from the NES ERA!! So please take your hate mongering somewhere else.

  • Dragdar

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 12:03 pm PT

    "Chernnunos

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 7:45 pm GMT

    Listen to all of these people bashing the Wii... Mostly PS3 fanboys who think that NINTENDO is the company clinging to biblically old franchises? Don't even get me started on your precious Metal Gears, Grand Theft Auto, FINAL FANTASY, or the Ratchet and Klank crap."

    Fanboy alert! what a lame argument. This generation gave birth to some great new IPs ( nintendo didn't bother with that "nonsense" shovelware is good enough for them) and the number of old franchises is more than satisfying (more than two-three).

    FF is a new game every time in a similar style, not a sequel. And remember where FF started and where it moved.

    Now be a good Wi*ard and go away.

  • gregjblair

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 11:55 am PT

    I think that what nintendo has done has broadened the number of gamers whether casual or hardcore.....but sadly its true that i only play my wii sparsely, we need more hardcore games that can really captivate audiences....maybe a Wii HD will help maybe not

  • Chernnunos posted Sep 22, 2009 11:45 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Chernnunos

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 11:45 am PT (hide)

    Listen to all of these people bashing the Wii... Mostly PS3 fanboys who think that NINTENDO is the company clinging to biblically old franchises? Don't even get me started on your precious Metal Gears, Grand Theft Auto, FINAL FANTASY, or the Ratchet and Klank crap.

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