A new Nintendo console, possibly the Nintendo Wii 2, is already in the works, and could be unveiled as soon as this summer. So say the folks over at Game Informer, who predict Nintendo will demo a rejiggered, next-generation Wii console at the annual E3 expo in June. Game Informer puts the launch date of this new Nintendo console at 2012, and reports that the company is already "showing publishers the system" in an effort to rope in some of the big-name houses.

"We have confirmed with multiple sources that this new home system is capable of running games at HD resolutions," writes Matthew Kato of Game Informer. "There are conflicting reports, however, as to whether its graphics will be comparable to those on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 – meaning it could surpass or fall short of those systems. Either way it will offer competitive specifications."

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So is Kato correct? Well, the timing certainly makes sense. The original Nintendo Wii was released in 2006. Among hardcore gamers, the rap against the Wii has always been that Nintendo stinted on the graphics, especially compared to the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360, which launched in 2006 and 2005, respectively. A new, HD-capable Wii 2 would shake things up for Nintendo.

Meanwhile, over at Engadget, Sean Hollister relays a rumor that a Nintendo Wii price-cut could be on the way – often a sign that an electronics manufacturer is close to rolling out an updated model. "The timing would make some sense, given how Nintendo's profits have tanked for a while due to flagging hardware sales," Hollister writes.

Interested in the future of motion-sensing peripherals and platforms? Check out this report from last year. In the meantime, to stay abreast of the big tech news, sign up for the free weekly Innovation newsletter, which is emailed out every Wednesday.

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