Technology is always updating, improving and changing. Sometimes, however, we have to question whether or not the newest gadget is worth upgrading from what we already have. Fans of Nintendo have a few upgrade options to consider this season, such as the Nintendo Wii U and the new Nintendo 3DS XL.
Nintendo Wii U:
Nintendo’s newest console seems to have a long list of improvements over its predecessor, the Nintendo Wii.
First of all, the system will be backwards compatible with old Wii games. With the AMD Radeon-based High Definition Graphics Processing Unit, the Nintendo Wii U will be able to support high definition quality to both games and videos streamed on the device. Also new is the support for external USB hard drives that can provide additional storage. Another change is that the CPU will have an IBM Power-based ,multi-core processor making it faster than the old Wii.
Overall, we are looking at a system that will provide the highest quality for videogames and videos that Nintendo has ever had to offer.
The Wii U Game Pad controller is a notable addition to the new hardware and features that the Wii U has to offer. The Wii U Game Pad connects wirelessly and has a 6.2 inch touch screen interface, NFC locating capabilities, two analog sticks, a D-pad, camera, microphone, audio jack and stylus.
The system itself will include built-in software like its predecessor; however, there is a noticeable change to what it comes with. Built-in software will include the Nintendo TVii, Wii U Chat, Miiverse, Internet browser, Wii Maker, and Nintendo eShop.
Wii U Basic Set will cost $299.99 and comes with 8 GB of internal memory, the console and Game Pad.
Wii U Deluxe will cost $349.99 and comes with a copy of Nintendo Land, 32 GB internal memory, Game Pad and console.
Nintendo 3DS XL:
Improvements to the 3DS XL obviously include the 90 percent larger screen, but there is a little more to the new system than its screen. Other bigger changes include a 4 GB SD memory card, which doubles the original 3DS’s memory capability. The battery life has been improved from a 3.5 to 6.5 hour expectancy. The system is also slimmer with a matte finish. Other hardware changes include the location of the stylus, which has been placed back to a more comfortable position.
The Nintendo 3DS XL will be $199.99, roughly $30 more expensive than its original 3DS counterpart.
