PS4 vs Xbox One vs Wii U: How Do the Specs and Features of Nintendo's Console Stack Up?

With so much talk focused on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it is easy to forget that Nintendo is still a part of the console wars. With the poor sales numbers of the Wii U and cacophony of complaints that the company does not have enough quality games on the system for fans, many have already declared the Wii U as a failure, despite Nintendo's plan to release many first party games in the coming months that should be blockbuster hits such as Pikmin 3 and a new Mario game. So how exactly does the Wii U compare to it's next-gen brethren?

The Wii U comes in two different models. An 8GB version costs $299, while a 32GB deluxe model costs $349. That is fifty dollars less than the upcoming PlayStation 4, and $150 less than the Xbox One. Instead of using blu-rays, the Wii U uses specially made optical discs. Though the Wii U has a multicore processor in it's CPU, it pales in comparison to both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One's eight core CPUs. The Wii U does not have cloud storage, voice commands, or cross-game chat.

So what makes the Wii U stand out? Besides the system's cheaper price, the Wii U is also backwards compatible with the original Wii, meaning players will still be able to play their current library of games, unlike future Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners. The Wii's many different controllers also work for the system. The console's Gamepad also seems to have started a new craze amongst console makers, as the second screen capabilities of the controller have inspired Sony and Microsoft to implement their own second screen functionality through smart device connectivity. Gamers without steady internet will not need to worry about the Wii U being unable to function, as the Wii U is capable of running offline.

So if you are looking for a cheaper console that has it's own unique library of games and a unique setup for controls, the Wii U is a good fit. If you would rather go for consoles with the latest technology and third-party titles, then you may want to look into a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.