Xbox One Vs PS4 … Vs Wii U? ‘Mario Kart 8’ Clocks In At 1080p, 60fps

Could the Xbox One vs PS4 console war have a third opponent we’ve been underestimating? It’s been pointed out in this era of current-gen consoles, hardware manufacturers are trying to push for 1080p 60fps gameplay, and the latest first-party title from Nintendo for their struggling Wii U actually accomplished the feat with Mario Kart 8. The frame rate only dropped when splitting the screen to accommodate multiplayer action, but the resolution never did.

Was that the sound of a blue turtle shell being launched in the Xbox One vs PS4 console war?

It appears everybody has been ignoring Wii U, a console like the others which connects to the TV for high definition gaming. It’s gotten a bad reputation because people keep focusing on its gamepad screen, and some developers may be focusing on the handheld gizmo as well. If Nintendo could get enough attention focused on its latest major console and convince major publishers that the Wii U doesn’t need to be limited to the gamepad screen, they might even compete with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Let’s say it again: Nintendo’s Wii U actually supports 1080p at 60fps and might prove to be a worthwhile investment.

Veterans of the Mario Kart series probably know that it’s just a racing game, and racing titles are the most likely to maintain a consistent resolution. However, this racing title uses Nintendo’s trademarked animation styles and the Mario Kart series is right up there with Twisted Metal when it comes to vehicular combat. That is a lot of graphics power being pushed right there, and the Wii U’s upcoming Mario Kart 8 is pulling it off, while games we appear to be focusing on these days can’t quite reach the elusive 1080p 60fps benchmark.

The next time you head to the store and have to make a choice in the Xbox One vs PS4 console war, you might just consider the Wii U, Nintendo’s little engine that could match and beat them both with Mario Kart 8.