Hmmm, I just picked up my gamepad and I'm not sure if they could make it much smaller.

I would relaunch the Wii U with a different look, and a new name. Then, add a $20 "Xbox Live" type of service with a messaging system, voice chat while playing/browsing, an achievement system, and daily/weekly discount prices on the eShop.

I want to know how it feels to hold that prototype, it looked so nice. The circle pads are a compromise and OK on the 3DS.

Release it as a WiiU Lite Fit SKU, and I buy it for my parents.

@199, I do not see why not.

Just add analog sticks to the prototype, maybe it'll be cheaper to manufacture.

Those suggesting that Nintendo drop the Upad entirely (EDIT: from one of the bundles, that is) are kidding themselves - the Upad is too integrated into the system's design to permit a version with no Upad at all...

... that said, it occurs to me that there *is* an alternate solution, and it looks something like this:


Obviously, with layout matching the Wii U Pro Controller in terms of buttons. What I'm suggesting is that there could be a small touchscreen on the controller, still capable of doing everything that the Upad's touchscreen does, just at a smaller scale. They could also drop the NFC functionality.

Indeed, in a way, it would be much like the Nintendo 2DS, in terms of design - it just wouldn't have multiple "screens", and would have an extra analog stick. With the actual guts of the 2DS/3DS removed from the system, price should be kept relatively low. I could see the controller getting down into the US$70-80 range, which should make it affordable in a "Classic Gamer" pack that focuses more on gaming that one would do with the Pro controller. The screen would primarily be for the Wii U Menu, and for things like maps and inventories.

This would be a reasonable compromise, reducing controller cost and giving more of the form factor of the Pro Controller, without having to completely redesign the Wii U's OS and patch every game to account for the possibility of no Upad.

ProjectC is proof of nothing, everyhing youv seen is PC builds.  They have not shows the game runnnig on consoles yet.  You have hopes and dreams of them showing some imaginery WiiU power based of seeing screens made on i7 PCs, its hilarious.  SMS is a small indi dev kissing every fanbases ass hoping they buy their game, its just good pr.

Some of these screens are of PCs costing 2k, you need to get some reality based expectations.

Wiiu 720p 30fps
PS4 1080p 60fps

Indeed. I cant wait to see how Project CARS compares to Forza 4 (360) and Forza 5 (X1). I wonder what excuses they'll cook up after that.

The best version will be on incredibly powerfull PCs, they will just champion that.

There is literally nothing wrong with the design. It could use more internal memory, but then again you can also use SD cards and externals, making that a non-issue.

They don't need a new SKU. They need to make a MK8 bundle later this year. That will sell, bottom line.