TLOU has better character models but X does better environments.

It is one of the best looking games of the 7th gen. It doesn't need HD or normal mapping on every surface, it achieves beauty by using simple visual but eye-pleasing effects to make things shimmer and sparkle attractively among vibrant colours and at a silky framerate.

All of Nintendo's studios have the talent, especially EAD, Retro and Monolith, but they've just started with HD development. Think about it, they just started, very little experience and their games already look this good. Don't you expect their next games to look even better? We're talking about a company who has moved from DX7-ish leveled capabilities to DX 10.1/11 capabilities, that's a huge jump compared to Xbox to 360 and PS2 to PS3, they likely are trying to apply Wii-leveled techniques on the newer hardware because of unfamiliarity with the hardware. Just look at DKCTF, obviously an HD DKCR with extras, Pikmin 3 with its origins in Wii. What Nintendo needs is more experience, not "better" studios, they have that covered. Retro Studios can prove this if they quit monkey-ing around. When their studios finally get their act together with the newer capabilities compared to PS360 (the hardware has more than extra just raw power), i'm sure you'll see something not possible on PS360. Don't count on multiplatform games for this, because no studio is going to want to invest in extra money just to take advantage of the better Wii U hardware considering how the console is selling.

And for the record, there is no bandwidth issue with the hardware. If that was true, then there would be no way NFSMWU would have both higher draw distance and better textures. Improving draw distance and using larger quality textures requires more than just extra RAM just so you know.....

Better draw distance view in environments for sure but environment itself is less detailed in a closed view... well it a open world so you have a bigger world to render after all... so at closed distance it have less details.

It is impressive and it really shows a better use of Wii U but just that.... I need to view the game running because  in the trailler I didn't like the lack of AA and some weak textures.

This developer always do a good job in graphics terms.

It's a work in progress, there's already been noticeable improvement from the January reveal trailer to the E3 trailer in terms of visuals. Personally, I'd still give X a leg up over anything I've seen on PS3 and 360 as an entire (graphical) package.

And yeah, Monolith's games looked great even on PS2 and Wii.

On one hand, I agree with you that visually SMG 1 and 2 are probably some of the best visually appealling games of last generations...but for the art style.  Most people I've encountered (I'm not claiming the following statement as a definitive truth but as something I've seen first hand) would see Wii Demos or videos of a game like SMG 1/2 or WindWaker in a store like Bestbuy or Gamestop and then see The Last of Us or Uncharted 2 and totally forget about the Wii video or demo, because they were in such awe of the tech behind the latter games.  And I'm talking about the layman, like my gf or family members, not people who go on forums to discuss video games all day.

So this issue is not just about graphics whores, its about possible future consumers that aren't hardcore gamers.  Regardless of the artistry and attention some games might have on Nintendo's platforms, its tech will make it look a generation behind PS4/XB1 in the eye's of many potential consumers.

You being blind to that and calling people graphics whores for not seeing a Wii game as a visual contender against the best of PS3/360 doesn't change the fact that the same thing may happen to the Wii U but this time Nintendo will not have the allure of innovative controls to sell their system.  Ultimately, the gaming system is still a consumer electronics product and graphics do matter to a lot of people, not just graphics whores!

What some of you have failed to realize is the the Wii U hasn't even passed the first year mark. The games you are comparing the Wii U to have come out late in the PS3's life cycle. At that time, Naughty Dog or Santa Monica were able to realize and push the PS3's graphics to the limit.

This happens with every single console out there. The first year has some good/okay looking games, then the last few have some incredible looking games. Stop pining Nintendo studios down as "not trying." because they probably are.

@danasider

Not the same thing. The leap will most definitely not be the same as Wii to PS360. Not saying it won't have graphical drawbacks, but if it's graphics people will be attracted to, then 3DS would have never sold better than Vita, or DS would have never sold better than PSP, and those are less gimmicky than Wii U. All Wii U needs are games the consumer wants, graphics would only be a plus.

inb4handheldmarketsarentthesameasconsolemarkets

Well they have Platinum Games doing Bayonetta 2. I would say their one of the best developers in the industry. They look like their making fine use of Nintendo's tech.

I admit I'm not aware of many other Nintendo exclusives but my point is it does look like the console can deliver high graphical performance.