Matt Martin
09:28 (BST)
01/10/2008
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Speculation mounts on new Nintendo hardware
A fresh round of speculation about new hardware from Nintendo has been reported this morning, ahead of the company's autumn press presentation tomorrow.
According to What They Play, Nintendo is currently showing new Wii hardware to developers and publishers, with a view to releasing a high-definition console before 2011.
The new console is currently dubbed Wii HD and would be a true successor to the Wii, rather than a simple hardware refresh, in a similar move to Nintendo's migration from Game Boy to Game Boy Advance.
It's suggested that the new console will feature high-definition visuals, a greater emphasis on backwards compatibility and digital distribution, and a large storage solution.
The report notes that Nintendo has more than tripled its internal research and development spend since the release of the Wii back in 2006.
And following reports earlier in the week that Nintendo is due to announce a new DS tomorrow, complete with built-in camera, music playback and improved wireless functions, analysts have told Bloomberg that the company is also likely to release new Wii hardware bundles rather than cut the price of the current market-leading home console.
"Nintendo has no need to cut the Wii's price,'' said Takashi Oka, of CSK Institute for Sustainability.
"If Nintendo cuts prices now, people who already bought the Wii will feel they've lost money. Nintendo won't do such a thing," he said.
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