Is the Wii U a next-gen console? Some will say yes, others will say no. This is a topic that has been debated since Nintendo announced the console at E3 2011, and will likely be a point of discussion in the future.

A few developers offered some insight regarding the next-gen nature of Wii U and its potential in the latest issue of GamesMaster. Below you’ll find comments from Ubisoft’s Gabrielle Shrager, Mass Effect 3′s external producer, and more.

ZombiU senior scriptwriter Gabrielle Shrager:

“Next-gen? Or Next-next-gen? Depends what you mean by that. With the Wii U, Nintendo has definitely recognized the importance of fast chips speeds and cutting-edge graphics, but that is not the hart and soul of the machine.”

Frozenbyte’s Mikael Haveri:

“Wii U is next-gen in the way the Wii was. Clearly revolutionary in many ways, but possibly slightly less on the pure power side. It is a reasonable guess that the next round of competition will trump the specs by a bit, but the important question is if they will also implement a touch interface. So in this way the GamePad is the most important new addition, clearly combining the console experience with the now-very-popular tablets. All of the games are designed whit the GamePad as an integral part, and if that proves to be even nearly as popular as the Wii Remote, then Nintendo might actually define next gen.”

FIFA 13 line producer Matt Prior:

“The Wii U is an exciting new piece of hardware that offer opportunities that other consoles can’t, simply because of the uniqueness of the platform, in particular the GamePad. We wanted to ensure that we utilized that uniqueness and delivered features that utilized the GamePad, not just in a gimmicky way but in ways that added real value and improvements to the game. Just as important, we wanted to use the power of the GamePad to open up the game to more gamers. Graphically, the Wii U is on par with the Xbox 360 and PS3, and we were even able to make some key graphical improvements.”

Mass Effect 3 external producer Melanie Faulknor:

“The way that the GamePad works, where you can take the game that you’re playing on the TV and instantly transition it onto the GamePad, I think that in itself is going to become a household standard, because if you are sharing a television, this constant fight for the TV is no longer an issue.”

I want to believe but can't help but feel concerned about WiiU's long term potential, hearing this "on par" talk from so many people.

However, the tablet-controller may well be a much bigger selling point than presently realised. Everyone I know who has a partner complains of the "fight for the tv" issue - the ability to continue playing while the tv is in use for other things would be a Godsend to myself and a lot of guys I know.

I think it has great potential.. and yes it is Next Gen.. for anyone to say otherwise.. well.. it's really sad./.. of course people will just like they say Wii is merely a toy.. which is funny... because as much as I look in the toy section at Wal Mart etc.. I just can't find where they stock The Wii's there.. But I do see Microsoft.. and Sony both if this goes over big implementing this to their systems somehow.. there is already some positive buzz about this from the Gamers who own a WiiU about this.. as well as Developers.. and some people love playing Mario etc.. while Husbands/Wives are watching their shows.. So I think the potential is there on so many levels.. and I also believe once word really gets out and some more games get on the shelves.. that we are in for another interesting..Generation.

Innovation + software is Nintendo's definition of next gen.

Their recipe is to incorporate their software with some kind of innovation that is co-dependent.

*As you an see 720 and PS4 doesn't have any room for that. Their way of next gen is power. Has any representative from Sony and Microsoft stated their definition of next gen? Supply us with sources please.

*Have you noticed you cannot play Halo with KINECT? or Uncharted with playstation MOVE? But all of Nintendo's software can be incorporated with any controller for the Wii-U.

What is pretty impressive is that when I play Call of Duty on the Wii-U....i see people playing with Gamepad, Pro controller OR Wiimote Nunchuck.

Nice to see the Wii U launch doing much better than the ps360 launches, can't wait for a ZombiU sequel!

I really think the WiiU is just a bridge console
Nintendo just played a secuel of their most successful console, introducing just a hint of their truly revolutionary hw, the touch interface.
I think Nintendo played safe in ordrr to really go DOA next gen
which will result in the WiiU selling half of what we Wii did, like it usually happens with many secuels
Thats my view, i could be wrong easily but......i cant wait for WiiU2

yeah, you have to wait like 6 years  :)

In terms of raw power, not really. I believe the WiiU will be for 720p what the Wii was for 480p. Based on its reported CPU clock, and Eurogamers own initial estimates (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-vs-e3-nintendo?page=3) I believe its GPUs performance is in the Radeon 4670/4650s league. Better than the Xenon or RSX but not a game changer. Perhaps more of its games will run at native 720p and in excess of 30fps with slightly better textures and the like, I don't expect more. I've yet to see what real world benefits we can expect from GPGPUs in consoles or my PC for that matter. I trust Nintendo's art and games will look fantastic though, as Pikmin 3 has shown.

The Wii U will definitely be behind the next xbox and the PS4, but it won't be the same as the Wii and the HD twins (at least imo). Sure it will probably not going to get all the multiplat games, but it won't be as bad the Wii.

Anyway, interesting in seeing the Mass Effect and the Fifa producer in there. If they are talking about the Wii U maybe they are "happy" with the sales of their respective games...don't really think so, but if they were mad they could simple not make an interview about the system.

yes the wii u is a next gen console it has more ram then the PS3 and 360