Multiple sources confirm Nintendo set to reveal Wii successor at E3 2011

Game Informer has today revealed that “multiple sources” have revealed to the publication that Nintendo are set to announce a Wii successor at E3 2011, if not sooner.

Such a move will see Nintendo takes the steps necessary to match the graphical prowess offered by their rivals, and will see the new console offer HD resolutions. This will ensure that the console will be able to receive third-party multi-platform titles alongside the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and will aim to strengthen Nintendo’s historically poor relationship with third-party publishers and developers.

Nintendo are reportedly already showing publishers the new system in an effort to gain their interest and provide plenty of time for them to start developing titles in anticipation of the system’s predicted late 2012 launch. Such advance support is a different move in comparison to when the Wii was launched, which surprised a number of western publishers and meant that third-party software support for the system was initially hampered.

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has himself acknowledged that the company needs to do a better job with its publishing partners during a Nintendo 3DS press conference in late 2010: “We need to decrease the concern that only Nintendo software can sell well on Nintendo platforms and third-party software cannot sell in the same volume. We feel a need to have closer ties with our third-party developers from the beginning.”

“Nintendo is doing this one right,” stated an anonymous source to Game Informer. “[It’s] not a gimmick like the Wii.” As to what such a comment means for the new console beyond graphical capabilities is unknown, yet it is predicted that Nintendo may remain to implement both a classic analogue control scheme alongside the continual motion control success that the Wii had.

There is reportedly no confirmation that the new system will be backwards compatible with Wii titles or if it will even carry the Wii branding, with Nintendo keen to embrace the western gamer and so may launch a new brand name with their latest console.

Having contacted a Nintendo representative regarding their newly discovered information, Game Informer were told that the company wouldn’t discuss it’s E3 plans but teased a rather promising “stay tuned.”

Kotaku then jumped on the bandwagon by referencing Game Informer, and adding their own twist in stating that sources have revealed to them that the Wii successor packs more horsepower than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

This was further expanded by Game Informer editor Andy McNamara, who commented on Twitter: “We had conflicting reports, some of our sources stated the new console was more powerful, others said less than an Xbox 360. Perspective.”

Spike TV and GTTV frontman Geoff Keighley then added “Nice scoop” in response to McNamara’s statement.

IGN have also chimed in, adding that a pre-E3 announcement will be made later this month and that the new console will retain backwards compatibility.

It’s all kicking off, but do you think that it is time that Nintendo share news on a Wii successor this year?