Wii 2 goes HD?

(PhysOrg.com) -- Is Nintendo working on a high-definition console called the Wii 2? That is the big question flying around the world of gaming today.

As a matter of fact, rumors are circulating that the Wii 2 is expected to be announced as soon as the next E3. The rumors, which are based on sources close to the company, according to those who are spreading them, would bring the Wii 2 to a level similar to that of an Xbox 360 or a PS3. Though, some bloggers have speculated that this would be a contradiction to the accessible to all image that the original Wii has created. That would leave the Wii 2 fighting with the Xbox 360 and PS3 for a share of hardcore gamers market.

Specific rumors swirl around the idea of the console having a Blu-ray drive, because those disks can hold the amount of data that Nintendo would need to launch their HD titles on a larger scale.

This comes only days after the rumor that Wii is ready to go in for a price drop, to $149.99, on May 15. If the Wii 2 is to be announcement by Nintendo during E3 this year, then the price drop would make a lot of sense. No real information about possible release dates or the cost of the device is available at this time, but If the rumors pan out the new Nintendo Wii would be launched in 2012. That type of lead time will give developers time to create games to come with the console. Nintendo recently released a new version of their hand held DSi console, called the 3DS that features 3D graphics.