Wii 2.0 to Feature Blu-Ray from 2011

Wii 2.0 to Feature Blu-Ray from 2011

Aug 10, 2010

In late 2009, the gaming press was swamped with rumours of the Wii 2 – a new generation of the family-favourite console to ship with a Blu-Ray drive.

The rumours, allegedly leaked by a Nintendo of France employee, stated that the Wii2 system will feature a Blu-Ray drive (with the additional aim of capping piracy), 1080P and lower resolutions, a worldwide release and the capacity to trade existing consoles in exchange for money off the new Wii.

Turns out that the rumour is true. A bashful but reliable source from within Nintendo has confirmed directly to GirlGamersSuck that Japan is definitely manufacturing the new console, but thinks a more realistic timescale may be a 2011 release.

There’s no official word from Nintendo – which is no surprise, given they want to “make a worldwide announcement, only one month before release date [to generate] huge publicity and viral marketing” – but watch this space. More details as they come.

Edit: there’s been a lot of attention on this item so let’s just make one thing very clear: I wouldn’t post this if I wasn’t 100% certain of my source accuracy and reliability. Also, I am not confirming the 1080p or the trade-in facility – this was a rumour that surfaced in November last year. The only confirmation I’ve had is about the blu-ray drive.

Seriously. We might be a ‘little’ site but this is one of those times when it’s who you know not what you know. Nintendo’s a big company. The world’s a big place. Thousands of people work there. You do the math.

37 comments

  1. Alex Wight /

    AWESOME! I’m looking forward to snagging one of these when it comes out! Plus, the trade in is a great idea (and one that Sony and Microsoft should start doing).

    Reply
  2. Now, are we talking about a new system in itself, with improved visuals and such? Or are we just rebranding the Wii with blu-ray playback and upscaling of previous Wii titles? I wish some possible hardware specs would be released.

    Reply
    • Regrettably, I don’t know. The reported leak at the end of last year gives some information, but not enough to help us decipher that particular question, and my own source wasn’t forthcoming about those kind of specifics, either.

      I too would love to see some specs – not least to back up my claim! – but it looks like we’re going to have to wait and see.

      Reply
  3. Bearmon /

    I dont know. It might be false rumor or true fact. Just wait and see, thats all.

    Reply
    • Yup. Seriously – the faster this is confirmed and substantiates my claims, the better it is for me, too!

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  4. I think I just blew my load….

    Reply
  5. wiiboy101 /

    BUULLLL SHIIIT TOTAL BULL SHIT wii is the lead system why would they do that and offcourse its the year of the 3DS

    and anyone thinking bluray is nintendo next thing is some kind of sony fanboy with insanity issues

    if you said A WII 2 3ds-xl HYBRID CONSOLE COMING IN 2012 THEN ID MAYBE BELIEVE YOU

    bluray generic/HD generic/ 3D generic these things are generic they are not the next nintendo HOOK like motion controls or a 3DS

    there has tro be a HOOK a innovation of some kind AND AT THIS POINT IN TIME THE ONLY ONE I CAN THINK UP IS A HYBRID CONSOLE/3DS-XL

    SEE IM BETTER AT THIS THAN YOU MY IDEAS MAKE NINTENDO SENCE YOURS ARE JUST ANTI Wii HD hype properganda

    Reply
    • Why is having Blu-ray a Sony fanboy idea? It’s a misconception that Blu-ray is ‘owned’ by Sony – it’s not. They’re just one of several partners in the Blu-Ray Association.

      Look, dude – you’re welcome to think it’s bullshit. You’re welcome to come over here and CAPLOCKS MY BRAINS OUT. It’s not bullshit though – and eventually you’ll going to find out for sure.

      Oh, and LOL @ propaganda.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  6. billy-core-basher /

    nintendo makes aps3 who would even belive that wiiboy i agree a 3DS BIG with HDTV out and backward compatability the 3DS-XL would play all ds and 3ds games wen docked it would play wii and wii 2 games and also hybrid games that work both ways a evolved 3DS chipset would be easy to use in scaling games and would complete nintendos domination think COMMONSENSE i.e think like nintendo

    Reply
  7. Gamiac2002 /

    Finally a console I can be proud of so none of the men at GP can make me look like a little boy anymore, even though I am a little boy. teehee specially that yummy Zex.

    Reply
  8. R=This is facking fake! Nintendo has a deal with these people and read more about it on their website.

    This media is already powerful then the blue ray and this is the new format Nintendo will use to combat piracy. Stop posting fake rumors about Nintendo using blue ray.

    Reply
    • It’s not fake. Believe what you want to – I don’t hold it against you – but it’s not fake and the news will eventually break to back me up.

      Reply
  9. MegaBonez /

    You said you aren’t confirming 1080p, but since Blu Rays are 1080p you are confirming it by reporting the Blu Ray drive. However a company that have never put DVD players with consoles won’t jump to Blu Ray!

    Reply
    • Fair enough. I was simply trying to distinguish between what *I* was reporting, and what was supposedly leaked back in November.

      Can’t comment on why Nintendo are doing it, or why they’ve never done DVD before – can only comment on what I was informed, and that was that Nintendo will categorically – without doubt – be producing Blu-ray consoles.

      And I’m not an idiot. Kthxbai.

      Reply
      • I saw an interview with the nintendo president a while back and he was asked this question. He said they didn’t want to distract from the core business of making video games everyone can love. This is one of the reasons I’ve always loved them even when the market didn’t.

        I would be surprised if there wasn’t a wii2 in 2011 with or without rumors. They want to come large and come before the other two know what hit them. Nintendo isn’t stupid, they know they get to stay fresh to stay number one and I doubt they’ll give it that spot again.

        Also I think you hit an important point in the article that along with blue-ray you get increased security against piracy. Well casual piracy which is what the original wii has over the competition right now.

        It’s probably a shot in the dark but I wonder what the sales numbers would look like if the wii wasn’t so easily hackable. I know not many people do it but I’m curious as to how many. I also have little doubt homebrewing will be the same on the new console. Of course, I’m buying it anyway (and keeping the old one for all the sweet hacking goodness).

        Thanks for the news!

        Reply
  10. This is facking fake! Ur a bullshitter Vikki Blake! Take this rumor and shove it up ur ass! Nintendo will not accept blue-ray because they will have to pay a lot of fees that the makers of blue-ray have and it is something Nintendo will not do since they operate cheap on hardware and software. Nintendo is already in talks with the people at InPhase Technologies that will be making blue-ray look like shit. Also Nintendo held an investor meeting saying how the next system they are researching is within their company and wont comment on what they are researching because they don’t want facking compaines like Sony/MS copying them. People like u and ur facking rumors can go to hell. U can’t prove shit and have to rely on other people that don’t have real proof of their backup. Nintendo will never ever release what they are working on until they are finished to what they have and are ready to show off the final product. Go eat some rits bitch and I pray that
    wiiboy101 does CAPLOCKS MY BRAINS OUT!

    Reply
    • (ERROR)I pray that
      wiiboy101 does CAPLOCKS MY(UR)BRAINS OUT!

      Reply
      • Thanks for your intuitive and constructive critique. Please do call again! :)

        Reply
        • Andrew Jack Fenn /

          Oh LOL ;)

          Reply
          • Tom Mackenzie /

            The is Wii HD. It’s not like she’s claiming when Satan himself will rise up and smite us all. It’s not a big deal, get over it.

  11. Guido /

    bluray? are video consoles these days still reading from optical media to play games? they should try these things called hard drives.

    Reply
  12. Jen Hawkins /

    Guys, seriously! We are running a gaming news site here, not a Sun Newspaper gossip column! We strive to be as professional as possible, which means reporting on news that has come from a reputable source. This article wouldn’t have been posted unless there had been solid grounds to do so, and your frankly purile comments make you looks like nothing other than juevenile fanboys.

    We’re just reporting on news here, you don’t have like it. It’s just keeping up to date with the latest goings on, it’s not gospel, it’s just what is being talked about now. If you have something to say, at least command some respect in your messages because right now you’re just embarassing yourselves. Inarticulate trash talk like yours opens no forum for healthy debate.

    Reply
    • Andrew Jack Fenn /

      ^^ This. Not that we share a brain or anything.

      Reply
  13. BTW why u guys block neo for? He was just telling the truth. Looks like u people try to block people that can see right through the BS lies this story has lol. Good luck making people believe this. L8r.

    Reply
    • lol indeed.

      If you want to have a grown-up, mature discussion about this, you’re very welcome to stay. But we have neither the time or inclination for name-calling, hence Neo’s (your) comment restriction. We don’t block people who disagree with us – but we do and will block people who flame or make it personal.

      I will say this for the final time – it is not bullshit. You’re very welcome to think that it is, and nothing I can say will convince you. But if all you want to do is flame, please take it elsewhere. Buh-bye.

      Reply
  14. educate me.

    Reply
  15. wiiman /

    Sure hope (assuming this is true) that nintendo does more than simply update the wii’s graphics. Please Nintendo don’t turn into Sony and Microsoft by giving us the same console every generation with just upgraded hardware. You gave us something completely original and different in the wii and I know you can do it again.

    Reply
  16. R J Yancey /

    So this is the flame fest I missed out on. Oh, well. Hopefully I can host a couple of my own in the future. I’m not sure if you already answered this Vikki, but why did the source have to remain anonymous? I would bet that Blu-ray playback is supposed to remain proprietary information until the official release. That might explain the apprehensive nature of your source. Still, great that you were able to break this news and I’m sure all the skeptical folks will feel silly when we get the official word from Nintendo.

    Reply
    • Yup, you got it. As I understand it, it’s been revealed to Nintendo staff on a need-to-know basis, but they (my source) were prepared to tip me off providing I didn’t name them (which is frustrating but understandable).

      Like I said, it’s one of those instances when it’s who you know, not what you know.

      The news will break eventually. 100%. :)

      Reply
  17. Drake_Knight /

    First of all, it is obvius that both Nintendo and Microsoft are going to use Blue-ray technology, so I don`t see any surprise at all, Second, I really REALLY doubt that the Wii’s succesor will be announced on 2011, They won`t ruin the debut of the 3DS and they have to fully support it `cause of Sony`s reveal of the PSP 2 on next years E3. Soo, If there is something I`ve learned is that Anonymous source = fake, and they only want to drag attention. Yup, good one, but not good enough, he he he, Nintendo Employee leaking info…. he he he oh people is sooo naive. Oh, one last thing, Ninty`s Wii succesor won`t appear until late 2012, at least. He he he, Nintendo Employee…. He he he..

    Reply
    • Andrew Jack Fenn /

      You seem to know an awful lot. Who’s your source?

      Reply
  18. Vikki,

    I have just one question, and i hope you asked your source the same question.
    How will nintendo take 54 million wii’s back and exchange it for money off the new Wii. While Nintendo is working on the real next-gen wii 2 that will probably be announced at e3 2012.

    I can’t see the purpose of that. You tell me.

    Reply
    • Hi,

      Unfortunately, I can’t comment on this. As I stressed in the edit, I am NOT confirming the trade-in – that comes off the back of a rumour that hit a different site last November and was NOT mentioned nor confirmed by our source.

      Sorry I can’t be more helpful but I will, obviously, update as and when I know more.

      Reply
      • Ok i understand the only thing they told you is that there is a new wii coming? what could be next gen in 2012 or a wii upgrade like ds -> dsi ?
        I’m asking you that because it’s not clear what your source has confirmed.

        Are this the only lines you received by mail?
        =============================================

        A bashful but reliable source from within Nintendo has confirmed directly to GirlGamersSuck that Japan is definitely manufacturing the new console, but thinks a more realistic timescale may be a 2011 release.

        Reply
        • They could not confirm if it was a new next-gen or an upgrade as per DS > DSi (I did ask, but the answer was vague and – despite contrary opinions – I won’t post anything unless I’m 100% certain) – but it was confirmed that the new Wii will feature Blu-ray.

          And yes, the correspondence was via email.

          Reply
  19. It is perfectly possible that your source was drunken and told you all this..
    Seriously, I won’t flame like others, because I just hope there will be that blu ray player because i’m bored of those fuc*in jagged lines on a HDTV

    Reply

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