Difference Between Nintendo Wii And Wii U

What Is Nintendo Wii?

The Wii was the seventh generation home video game console released by Nintendo in 2006 and an upgrade to its predecessor, GameCube. This console introduced motion controlled gaming to a wide audience of Nintendo fans and people who didn’t traditionally play video games. It’s often credited with having made video games more popular with a broader audience, especially women and older people.

The Wii was the first console to include motion sensors as standard, meaning that the console can detect how you move the controller around. To capitalize on that motion-sensing capability, Nintendo included a Wii Sports game with every machine sold. This game includes versions of tennis, golf, bowling, baseball and boxing, and you swing the controller to represent movement. In 2009, Nintendo released the sequel: Wii Sports Resort, a collection of 12 more sports games that came with ‘Wii MotionPlus’, a box that plugs into the Wii controller to allow even more precise motion sensing.

The Wii can connect to the internet through wifi to enable players to play games online, download games and connect to other services. It’s possible to browse the web through the Wii, but the online capabilities are limited compared with other consoles. Unlike other consoles, the Wii cannot display a picture in high-definition (HD) format. It’s also far less powerful than its rivals, so by and large games don’t look as impressive on the Wii as on other consoles.

What You Need To Know About Wii

• The Nintendo Wii was created by a Japanese company Nintendo in the year 2006.  
• The Wii was the seventh generation home video game console released by Nintendo in 2006 and an upgrade to its predecessor, GameCube.
• The main distinguishing feature of the Wii is the Wii Remote (WiiMote) which is the primary controller of the device featuring motion sensing technology to make gaming more attractive.
• The Wii contains 512 MB of internal flash memory with an additional SD card slot for external storage.
• The Wii is a 729 MHz single core device with a Broadway microprocessor
• The Wii has 88 MB system memory.
• Wii is not compatible with Wii U games.  
• The Nintendo Wii was Nintendo’s smallest console and was not inbuilt with a touch-screen.

What Is Nintendo Wii U?

Wii U is a home videogame console created by company Nintendo in the year 2012. It is the souped-up version of the Wii and the first eighth-generation video game console.  This console directly competed with rival video consoles such as the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3 and 4, in terms of processing power and graphics display.

A key part of Wii U is the Wii U GamePad, a controller with an in-built display that opens up new gameplay possibilities. You can experience multiplayer gameplay by using both the Wii U GamePad and the television, giving each player their own screen, and even completely different viewpoints and objectives in certain games. In supported software, if the television is in use, players can continue to enjoy games on the Wii U GamePad display thanks to off-TV play.

Wii U offers plenty of great multiplayer experiences, presenting perfect opportunities to gather and play together with everybody in the family. The system can also be used to communicate and play with other gamers via the internet. Take a look around to find out more about Wii U’s features.

What You Need To Know About Wii U

• The Nintendo Wii U was created by the Company Nintendo in the year 2012.
• The Wii U is the souped-up version of the Wii and the first eighth-generation video game console.
• The main distinguishing feature of the Wii U console is the GamePad which takes gaming to a whole new level.  
• The Wii U comes in two models- the 8GB Basic model and the 32 GB Deluxe model-with enough storage to store game data.
• Wii U comes built-in with a much powerful 1.243 GHz Triple-core PowerPC-based Espresso microprocessor.
• The Wii U has a 2GB RAM with 1 GB reserved for the operating system.
• Wii U is compatible with Wii games. It allows users to connect to old Wii controllers for multi-player games.
• The Nintendo Wii U has a 6.2-inch LCD touch-screen with a microphone, camera and stereo speakers to improve the gaming experience of users.
• The Wii U’s online system is Nintendo Network. With Nintendo Network, users can play multiplayer games with friends and other players around the world.

Also Read: Difference Between Input And Output Devices

Difference Between Nintendo Wii And Wii U

Console Design

• The Wii has a horizontal design and is relatively compact.
• The Wii U has a larger and more tablet-like design, with a touch screen on the controller.

Controller

• The Wii uses the Wii Remote (Wiimote) as the primary controller, with optional attachments.
• The Wii U introduces the Wii U GamePad, which features a touch screen and additional controls.

Backward Compatibility

The Wii is backward compatible with GameCube games and accessories.
The Wii U is also backward compatible with Wii games and accessories.

Graphics and Power

• The Wii’s graphics capabilities are relatively modest compared to other consoles of its time.
• The Wii U offers improved graphics capabilities and is more in line with other contemporary gaming consoles.

Game Library

• The Wii has its own unique game library, with motion-controlled and family-oriented games being prominent.
• The Wii U has its own exclusive games along with ports of some Wii titles and newer, more traditional games.

Online Services

• The Wii’s online services are relatively limited, with the emphasis on downloading games from the Virtual Console.
• The Wii U enhances online features, introduces the Nintendo eShop, and offers more extensive online multiplayer capabilities.

Miiverse

• The Wii U features Miiverse, a social platform where players can share messages, screenshots, and drawings in-game.
• The Wii does not have a built-in equivalent to Miiverse.

Second Screen Experience

• The Wii U’s GamePad provides a second screen that can be used for gameplay enhancements, inventory management, maps, and more.
• The Wii does not have a dedicated second screen on its standard controller.

HD Support

• The Wii is primarily an SD (Standard Definition) console.
• The Wii U supports HD (High Definition) graphics, offering a better visual experience.

Multiplayer

• The Wii supports local multiplayer through Wiimotes and some games.
• The Wii U expands local multiplayer options and online multiplayer capabilities, often utilizing the GamePad’s unique features.

Also Read: Difference Between Xbox X And S Series

Key Takeaways