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Soundwave on 30 August 2012
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superchunk said:
Soundwave said:

I actually don't even think this is a budget issue.

This is casual-catering getting in the way. Nintendo is obsessed with released tiny consoles even though there's no practical purpose for it unless the console is meant to be a hybrid portable device.

But their "marketing research" has told them soccer moms prefer small, unassuming looking consoles, so we're all hooped by this need.

Even at $299.99 with a touchscreen pad, there should still be a decent enough budget there to smoke the PS3/360 outright, this shouldn't even be a question.

But when you force an arbitrary need into the equation, like the console casing having to be a fixed size, you have to start doing things like gimping the CPU to meet a certain heat output, because otherwise your case will just melt. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Wii U has overheating issues even as is.

It's all because of that silly (IMO) desire to have such a small console. I had an NES growing up, never had a problem with a console that size, even the SNES is larger than the Wii U I believe. 

I think you're ignoring certian realities into the equation.

360Arcade is $199 (at a profit).

WiiU will have larger cache, 3x the memory, far newer CPU, far newer GPU, tablet-esque controller, wiimote, nunchuk, and a bunch of software/a game. That easily pushes the price up $100 in order to keep a profit.

Also the console is a little misleading.... its quite long from what I've read and larger than Wii in other areas as well.

Even assuming the controller costs about $80 to mass produce/unit, that's still a ton of budget left over for the chipset. 

It doesn't matter what the 360 costs to make, it's a dated architecture. Nintendo with access to modern tech would be able to get far better CPU and GPU for the same price. 

The real reason the CPU is likely gimped is because they could not shove a powerful CPU into a casing that size with a GPU that size without having heating issues. So instead of doing something sensible (like opting for a bigger casing), they probably chose to keep the small casing, but gimp the CPU and pocket a few extra bucks in cheaper component costs. 

It sucks, but I have a feeling that's the truth. If they really wanted to they could've absolutely smoked the PS3/360 even for $299 even with an LCD slapped onto a game pad. But hey ... at least we all save a few inches of space on our TV stand. All this so soccer moms can have a "cute" sized console. Whoopity doo.