Wii U comparison video

New video compares the size of the Wii U to the Wii and GameCube consoles.

The official Nintendo Magazine got their hands on a Wii U console, and luckily, they brought a camera with them. The video shows the Wii U console and GamePad controller in lots of close up shots, and finally, it’s compared with the original Wii and the GameCube as well. You can see that while the Wii U is about the same width and height as the Wii, it’s considerably longer. Full video below.

Be sure to also check out the previous Wii U vs Wii size comparison.

TAGS: GameCube, wii

Jon

I’m SO happy someone made this video. I haven’t been able to find specific measurements on how big it is and this really helped. My gaming setup is super tight as it is with a Wii, 360, PS3, N64, and NES all sitting on essentially the same shelf so I’ve been trying to make room early.

This probably means the Wii will have to go under the bed for a while.
- RoboticLink
  
  You are right, it is very important to show the size of the machine.
  - AKA-Link77
    
    Yah! and like how they emphisised the fact that it is NOT a portable. Have u seen the comments on the wii u trailer? Most are trolls but some have very stupid assumtions to wat Wii U is.
    -_-”
- Bicentennial_Pidgeon
  
  Cause, you know, it has a whopping great screen on it.
- WiiUFan745
  
  You know what? You would’ve been SO happy hours ago if you checked My Nintendo News. Wii U Daily posts things later than all other Wii U news websites I’ve come around. To make it worse, they don’t even make up for it. If it’s not even LESS news than other Wii U websites, it’s the same ol’ thing… Just saying. This isn’t to diss WiiUDaily or anyone; it’s just so that you’re pleased with interesting Wii U news hours or days early.
  - WTF Wii U Daily
    
    I just posted about the same dam issue I have with this site. Before I scrolled down to read the comments. I really enjoy the site but Copy and Paste journalism is not respected. Come on take pride in yourself, your work, U!
- NavyBlueYoshi
  
  Mii too, luckily I got to try it last week and got exact measurements, the booth peeps were like: What is this person doing? O_o
  I now say to you the words of the great Ike:
  Prepare yourself
  - Grodus
    
    This was even funnier for me because Ike is my main in brawl. So I see that all the time.
    I’m playing the Wii U with, friends, and in Zelda Battle Quest, I will fight for them.
- ridley vs. samus
  
  two retro consoles? nice!
- mr potato
  
  no snes or gamecube?
  - Starfoxguy
    
    the white console was a Gamecube.
    - Thepokemonmaster
      
      Gamecube. Memories I had that Silver gamecube, (that GC was silver right?)
- Chris
  
  My game set up is basically just a N64, PS3 and Wii… you got a better setup than me
- wiiuland
  
  but wii can play nes and n64
- Watch_Dog
  
  Originally I thought the video was going to compare the Wii U to PS3 and Xbox 360. Then I thought it’d compare all of Nintendo’s consoles in terms of Specifications. I really wasn’t expecting size. In the end still interesting.
  
  I hope when the Wii U arrives, that someone does a Specifications Comparison Video or Chart of Wii U, PS3 and Xbox 360, and the same of the rest of the Next-Gen Consoles.
- DURPAdurpa
  
  Why would you need to keep your wii. The wii u can play your old games, and you can transfer any purchases you’ve made on it, so there really isn’t much point in keeping it
WiiUhyper

Cool, I already know all this though…
- Boing
  
  XDDD
  
  I also feel that way whenever there’s a new story on here.
  It feels like they have to copy the story from another site which they copied from another site that copied it from another and so on, by the time it’s on here its becomed old news to me.
- Wozaha
  
  You made the video? :O
NintendoMan :D

Thats *sniff* so beautiful. :’D
Nintendo is da best

Wait a sec did I hear him say motion sensors? Does he mean like wii Remote sensor? or a kinect style thing.
- sergiosms
  
  he means like a wii remote sensor
- Shankovich
  
  Wii remote, i.e. integrated circuits that detect motion
- kone
  
  This site is stupid your thumbing down people for opinions and questions. if this is what a nintendo community is like then im gonna avoid online like the black death.
  - Nintendude
    
    Because they can just look up the answer with a few clicks and/or finger strokes.
- zonda777
  
  He meant the built in gryroscope.
Ryu No Hadouken

It’s bigger cause it has to house all that power! Nintendo, FTW!!!!!!
- NintendoMan :D
  
  “You do not know the power of the dark side Luke”
- Wii (want) U (r momey)!
  
  Which Power? There is no Pkwer inside of it! The Wii U is just WEAK, the only reason it is “more” powerful is just the more modern parts the rest is just WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for the specs!
  - NintendoMan :D
    
    The Wii U has 2GB of RAM and the XBox and PS3 only have 1/2GB of RAM. How is it not powerful? I downvoted your comment just so you know.
  - deSSy2724
    
    We dont know? you are saying its weak and even if we dont know the full specs? idiot, ofc its not a “powerhouse” when comparing it to 1500-3000 $ PC or something like that but it is obiviously more powerful than current gen (atleast, i think the Wii U GPU is way more powrful than current gen PS3 and Xbox 360).
- Grodus
  
  Sine I’m in an Ike mood:
  
  Aether way is fine with me! (as in whether it’s bigger, the same as, or smaller than the Wii.)
Keath

GAH! id never hold my wii u that high off the ground. Im glad i preordered the deluxe edition its sooo beautiful! but i still love that cube on top twas so portable and durable. Great video hope people take the time to watch it all.
Elite

Posted this on the forums earlier today. Good comparison. Still wish Nintendo mag was sticking around.
- Nintedward .
  
  ONM UK isn’t going anywhere. At least I hope it isn’t . I have Years and years worth of issues – it’s an amazingly entertaining magazine.
  
  N-gamer the unnoficial magazine is shutting down – *whispers* ”their reviews are dogshit- They gave ocarina of time 3d like 82% , I mean seriously…. Who the Fuk gives that game 82% ?”
  - Wii (want) U (r momey)!
    
    You’re right 82% is UNFAIR because…..
    
    it is WAY TOO MUCH for that shitty game!
    - Wii (want) U (r momey)!
      
      Epic bash Bro I gave you a thumbs up!
      - Nintendude
        
        Why are you talking to yourself?
      - Grodus
        
        I like how he didn’t bother to change his user name, and his 1st comment doesn’t have any thumbs up.
      - Roedburn
        
        and 11 thumbs down isn’t enough for your shitty comment
  - BloopbopBeepbop
    
    People who believe that a remake of one the most iconic games of all time should be on a console, not a handheld.
    - Nintedward
      
      Naaaaaah. Ocarina of time 3d is the best version of the game with master quest built in all in 3d with enhanced graphics , gyroscope features etc etc.
      
      It’s a 9.5/10 at least. ONM gave it 98% accordingly.
  - Elite
    
    I wonder if its just in the USA then. I remember hearing this on ign a while back.
  - Kev
    
    82% rating does not offend me as an Oot fan or an adult. It would actually be a logical rating if websites didn’t exaggerate the number perfect or near perfect scores they so easily hand out.
Grove Street N****

i can’t wait, to bad that i haave 12 days more to wait lolz
- NintendoMan :D
  
  The earliest release is Nov. 18 which is 19 dayz away. Sorrr to rain on your parade.
  - Grove Street N****
    
    ehm its coming out on Nov. 30 for me, so i guess its right, i have 12 days more to wait then americans, thats what i meant……
- KINGTENDO
  
  they thumbed you down because sheep don’t understand what you are talking about.
  
  instead of thinking for themselves and say maybe he mean’s the 30th,the monkey’s will just thumb you down because the first monkey did it.
  
  it’s something i call the ”bonobo effect”.
  
  ‘FEAR THE FEARLESS” NINTENDO
- KINGTENDO
  
  they thumbed you down because sheep don’t understand what you are talking about.
  
  instead of thinking for themselves and say maybe he mean’s the 30th,the monkey’s will just thumb you down because the first monkey did it.
  
  it’s something i call the ”bonobo effect”.
  
  ‘FEAR THE FEARLESS” NINTENDO
BananaPwnz

Nintendo will always be number 1! They always manage to develop new and fun ways to play video games that no ever company has done before. Just look at the Nintendo DS, and the Wii! They are both SO unique, and now the Wii u comes into play. I personally cant wait, Nintendo FTW!
- wawawaLoop
  
  I wouldn’t exactly say the Virtual Boy and the Power Glove were “fun”.
Jc

Time can’t go by fast enough. Nov.18 is just around the corner but it feels like forever.
Andrew Holliger

Really well made video, a great watch for anyone looking to learn a little more about the console!!!
Firebro

THIS IS AWESOME CANT WAIT TO GET THIS AT LAUNCH! =D
SteampunkJedi (3DS FC: 5284-2360-9145)

I never realized how big the GameCube was. And the Wii U is pretty small.
- Swic11
  
  I disagree, if you we’re to put the Wii U in a cubular type box, it would probably be close to the same size.
  - Linskarmo (3DS FC: 5284-2360-9145)
    
    Good point. It just looked bigger to me.
    (I’m the same person, I just changed my name to my 3DS one.)
  - Lazara the Last
    
    Nintendo actually played with the thoughts of making å cube of the WiiU
- Elite
  
  Well i actually found it quite small back when i have all the last gen systems. Being xbox, ps2, and gamecube. The gamecube was so small i could take it anywhere and i even had a small screen that was attached to the gamecube.
Master of Awesomeness

Awesomeness.
MEH

WOW!!!!! it bigger then the wii OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! big deal
Nintendo Power (Wii U FTW)

Damn the Wii U is long but the Gamecube is a…..Well a Cube Shape
Name

This is amazing. The WII U will be the best consol ever
Hello

hi
- NintendoMan :D
  
  hello hello
Angus Young

Gamecube rules!!
Name

Got to love wii u size comparisons
Gamechemist8

Fantastic new looks at the Wii U. Definitely gonna buy one hopefully around Christmas
sergiosms

WOW. I love this overview
- Nintedward .
  
  That’s English people for ya – Excuse the patriotism americans *dips biscuit in tea*
  - ridley vs. samus
    
    INDEED, CHAP! CHEERS!
    …
    said the american in a bad british accent
  - Roedburn
    
    I admire patriotism, in fact I would expect that from people. It’s when they start needlessly insulting other countries (like Nintendoodoo) that I have a problem.
    - Nintedward
      
      Definitely. that shit is just racism .
DJ

The Wii is one small packed gorgeous console. It’s unfortunate that the Wii U had to be bigger to contain its pure awesomeness.
Falcon PAWTCH!!!

Amazing..I really want tp get my hands on that controller
nintendofreak

i knw dis is off topic and everything but does somebody know something about the wiiu os cuz if its goonna use 1 gb of ram then dat would mean that it would be capable of playing aps u knw like angry birds n shit….n i would love dat since i hate apple n i have a shiity phone
- Draco Breach
  
  The final size of the OS is not known, at least as memory serves. If I’m wrong, I’m sure somebody will correct me. [We do know/I remember] that developer kits make 1GB of RAM inaccessible.
  
  The 1GB of system RAM is inaccessible to applications. The remaining 1GB of resource RAM is managed by the [probably] GPGPU for the main and background apps.
Shankovich

Thank goodness it’s a bit bigger, I was so concerned of thermal management. Again, your engineers are Gods Nintendo
Mid-core Gamer

I found it strange that they compared them to the GameCube, I found it even stranger that the they used the one with the Resident Evil 4 logo.

I think that this and the commercial for the Wii U for UK are great ways to show people just what the Wii U is and is capable of.
ssb4 3dsFC3007 8585 6950

SO BEAUTIFUL :’D
- ;)
  
  No, you are
  - ssb4 3dsFC3007 8585 6950
    
    why thank U! oh wait, are u a boy or girl?
Starfoxguy

I thought the GamePad was gonna be huge but after seeing it next to the 3ds xl I have a new look at how big it is.
ThisGuy

I would be really cool if you could use a 3ds as an extra remote
- ssb4 3dsFC3007 8585 6950
  
  u can but there arent any games that currently support that setup.
Maverick-Hunter

Wii u is still smaller than ps3 slim edition
rjm420247

Nov. 18 is almost within reach! Can’t wait!
marioU

has hurricane sandy destroyed a bunch of Wii U in all stores on east coast? sad news
- NintendoMan :D
  
  I’m pretty sure that if they are inside a building, in a room, probably in some strong steel cage like at most Best Buys, in a box, tucked inside layers of shipping protection material (foam), that it won’t get destroyed.Oh, and knowing Nintendo its probably super durable like the GameCube.
- Hey, Jerkoff
  
  Yeah, that sad news is that the fact the Wii U stores were destroyed, not the fact that people died, the tunnels and subway in NYC are totally f’d up, and parts of Jersey and Long Island are underwater.
  - NintendoMan :D
    
    My grandparents live in New Jersey and they only lost power once or twice but the storm hit them dead on so I’m happy that they’re OK but confused that they didn’t have a lot of damage.
NoPUNintendo

I’m not entirely sure how to fit this console near my PS3 fat slim and super slim Xbox360 Wii Gamecube N64 Ps2 Ps1 NES Sega Dreamcast Sega Genesis SNES. But at least I now have time to prepare.
- NintendoMan :D
  
  That’s easy, just duck tape it to the wall. Duck tape solves EVERYTHING
Burnannator

uhhh sexy
Swic11

Ok so I have made a point not to play the Wii U until I unpack my own. Today I went to BestBuy and saw the Wii U demo station, I walked up to it with every intention of not touching but I couldn’t help myself. I took the gamepad in my hands and pressed all of the buttons and it feels fantastic! I didn’t play a game though! I just handled the controller. My only complaint about the controller are the trigger buttons just being a typical button opposed to analog triggers, I’m personal confused to see how racing games with work.
- kone
  
  Only way i can see racing games work is by using tilt forward and back with controler to go and brake and also use controler to stear
- lakersfan
  
  I noticed that and was a bit dissapointed as well but i will day they fell really good for button triggers. Maybe we will have a wheel fir the gamepad that’s mounted on a stand gt5 style for the gamepad, using its motion sensors for steering. That would be cool. :^D
- Neonridr
  
  yeah, I wish they had stuck with analog triggers, it would have worked so much better. I mean if Gamecube games come to the VC, how are they going to map the controls for games where pressing the trigger partway did one thing, while pressing it all the way down did something else? They are now going to have to use two buttons to do the job of one.
NoPUNintendo

Gee. I sure wish my wallet and all my money somehow fell into Nintendos pockets and they shared 75% of my income. If only dreams came true.
LP

Wow, didn’t realize up until now how “big” it is… I thought (perhaps without reason) that the Wii U was maybe smaller than the Wii. It still has a good size. However I really think it’s gonna look better vertically. Good vid, thanks.
Ayane

Thought it might be a specs comparison video. That’s okay, I can wait.

This is pretty awesome too, I
Dan

Cool Wii U logo effect there, I hope thats a start up
Draco Breach

Nineteen days simply cannot pass quickly enough.
Hard Core Nintendo Gamer1865

Man this vid was awesome” my jaw dropped when i saw the shinyness of the Wii U

Also i like the model 1 Black Wii which can play Gamecube games, man now that was a wii but sadly i own a white wii cuz i got mine at launch in 2006, and now it stopped reading disks, now i have to wait 18 more days to play my Wii games but i have a “GCN” so i can just play my GCN games on my gamecube.

Wii U is gonna be epic! and it’s the beast that’s gonna kill and slauter the 360, PS3, 720 and PS4”
CRT_hater777

Should’ve used a white one
Phases

I can’t stand to watch this with that terrible background music. Arg, how distracting!
TheBaconator

Lol it’s soo long and black. xD
TheBaconator

No puns intended sickos lol. But seriously though every day I regret not preordering. Looks like I have to wait til christmas. Come on Santa
Sammie

I posted something about this on the previous article asking Wii U daily to credit me if they use it. My post awaited moderation and never went through. Not cool.
ninjabake

Didn’t know the wii u wad that much bigger than wii. Pleasant surprise tho.
- ninjabake
  
  *was
Neonridr

Also, the days seem to be dragging so slowly now. I end up jumping from nintendo site to nintendo site to try to get any new bits of information, but it’s all the same on every site, and now information has seemed to slow to a crawl and we are just over 2 1/2 weeks away until release. I really wish November 18th would get here already. I also really hope my EB Games store (Gamestop for you Americans) will do a midnight launch so I don’t have to wait an extra 12 hours to get my system on the Sunday.
THAT GAMING GUY

Legend…wait for it…dairy, legend
nintendoododo

is wiiu gandgeld?
- Roedburn
  
  If your going to speak English then learn to speak it properly.
- Grodus
  
  Op
  Op
  Op
  Op
  Op
  Oppum gandgeld style!
  - Roedburn
    
    Pretty much.
srpg2ishere

I already knew that the Wii U was bigger than the Wii but when I went to GameStop and actually saw It I was like “Damn! The Wii U is big as Hell!!” Probably because it has all that awesome power!I’m so glad I lay awayed the deluxe. I also tried it out at GameStop on the Rayman Legends demo and It was just TOO fantastic! The controller was just GOD AWESOMELY comfortable and the demo was EPIC! I can rest assured knowing that Rayman Legends will difinitely be one of my games in my Wii U inventory!
srpg2ishere

Nintendo: With nintendo tvii, you can watch tv on your gamepad, in your kitchen, in the living room, while your taking a shit, or even while your doing it!!!
Me: Cool.
dude

Wii u is long
dude

wow!
Great Aether

So the wii u is longer than the wii? Cool.
harley dawber

my set up is a wii, ps3, gamecube, 2 n64′s for some reason (most likely so i can choose xD), snes, nes, dreamcast, sega saturn model 2, megadrive, master system, atari 2600 and a sinclair spectrum, yes im genuinly OCD and yes i have 6 scart/plug and rf extentions at the back of my tv xD
- Great Aether
  
  My setup is a Wii U and a PC.
  - Grodus
    
    Nice name. I love Ike.
Great Aether

Ugh.. Who put this picture on my account get it off!!!
The Velvet Squirrel Pounder

“even while your doing it!!!”

…..With your one free hand.
NesToWiiU

Please don’t fool us into thinking we’re comparing specs to rub in people’s faces on how the Wii U isn’t a Wii with a new controller.
Austin

man the WIIU is so sexy
Deli us

They could’ve at least wiped all the marching powder off the machine before they made the video
Madmagican

It looks so sleek and shiny o.O …I really need to find some means of getting a Wii U cuz I missed the pre-order
Kev

Was that the old wii or the new slim version?
Grodus

Ike said:

If you’re upset about the fact it’s bigger, well, you’ll get no sympathy from me.
- Great Aether
  
  lol
ProWiiU

Is the person who made this video High on crack? nobody has mentioned the filmer’s poor video-taping skills..
JJJ

SO SHINY!!! 0__0
Crapcake

wow all my friends said the fearless is a handheld what the crap is wrong with them
- NintendoMan :D
  
  They’ve probably only seen the GamePad. Someone else I know said that it’s just a portable Wii. Plus he’s a Nintendo hater.

POPULAR WII U GAMES

ABOUT THE WII U

Wii U comparison video

POPULAR WII U GAMES

ABOUT THE WII U

Wii U comparison video

Further Reading