Nintendo wants to keep details of the next version of the Wii console shrouded in mystery to prevent its rivals from imitating the latest tech in that console (at least initially) and also to ensure that it maintains its wow factor for the official launch.

 

At a question and answer session at the Japanese company’s 70th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Nintendo’s president Satoru Iwata stated that “…we are of course studying and developing the next console to Wii. However, there is a big difference between studying a product and announcing what it is and when we will release it. I am afraid to say that the history of entertainment is also the history of imitation.”

 

“A great idea will promptly be copied unless protected through patents. At the same time, it is really important for our business to positively surprise people. Will you be surprised by our completed product if we told you how it is surprising three years in advance? Therefore, we basically disclose information on our products as late as possible. We believe this is the best approach for the entertainment products we are developing. Again, we are planning the next products for Nintendo’s continuous growth, but we cannot tell you what, when and how we will release it here. Thank you for your understanding.”

 

Whenever the company do get around to unveiling the next generation Wii console it is sure to be as highly anticipated as the 3DS portable gaming system and even more desirable than the gold covered Nintendo Wii Supreme which is worth almost R3.7 million.