Wii U dev unit.

Hello guys,

Hope that you all are fine.

I have a Wii U dev kit in my hands and I have few question about it.

If I am right, there is 2 kind of dev kit for Wii U. A CAT-Dev unit, which is the big one and usefull when developing with something else than the Nintendo Web Framework, and the CAT-R which can be used to test games developped using the NWF.

My question is : Is there any other dev kit ? Because the dev kit I have in my hands isn't a CAT-Dev, and doesn't look like the CAT-R (the green unit) that we may found on the web.

The Dev kit I have is a Wis-001 model, as the Wii U kiosk unit are. I don't have the classic wired/wireless switch at the top of the unit, the outputs connectors at the bottom are also different from the green CAT-R. This week end, I have been able to upgrade the firmware of the unit, in order to test the game I am currently developping. I am now able to test it like with a classic CAT-R.

Do you guys think that older CAT-R units can be the same as the units used as kiosk units ?

I will post pictures later.

Thanks guys !

Wish you a good day !

 

I can confirm that there are only CAT-DEV and CAT-R units. The former being more of a debugger unit, and the latter being closer to retail.

 

Thanks a lot for your answer !

I may have an early Cat-R, or something like this.

As long as I can use it to test my game, I am ok with that

 

Maybe, idk. For as long as i've been a dev, CAT-R was the green faced thing, and CAT-Dev was a brown box thing, lol.

 

Hello Reisyukaku,

As you said, the green one is a Cat-R, and the Cat-Dev is the brown one lol. So I still don't know what is the unit I have. Here are some picts for you (an Doulomb ).

 

Interesting. Either its a different one then they sell on wiiu-developers.nintendo, or someone changed out the faceplate, lol. I haven't bought one myself since even a refurbished CAT-R is $1k USD.

 

It looks exactly like a kiosk unit. The back connectors are also different from a Cat-R and the switch on the top of the unit is not present.

I was ready to buy a Cat-R on their website but I have found this one, and I have upgraded it with the last SDK.

The number at the bottom of the unit may be a date. So this is probably an early dev kit.

 

Possibly a trade show devkit which would explain the standard coloring. I suppose the best way to find out would be to check what discs it accepts. Anyone have a CAT-R disc available?

The other thing thats strange though is how different it is from a regular CAT-R. Compare with the one in this thread: http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/wii-u-developer-console.49116/

This looks an awful lot like a kiosk unit, and I've long suspected they could be converted into a devkit. I wonder if thats the case could this unit hold some hint about how it could be done?

Thanks for the pictures though!

-doulomb

 

you have a CAT-R made for exhibition:
- it's Kiosk console (same) with dev firmware.
- you have a sticker from Nintendo Europe stock (0127 9535)
- you faceplate is white

NOE has this model because you can put in a Kiosk and find all the connections. (if the gamepad are Retail wired version, they make an update).
This gamepad model made for exhibition on stage.

this console accept all dev disk if you have a dev firmware
it accept update disk if you have a kiosk firmware (for kiosk update or switch to dev mode)
you can't use retail disk.
the condition of having a disk drive and no hard drive (like mine)

 

Thanks for your answers guys (I didn't saw your comments earlier). So I now know what I have. The important thing is that I can continue to develop with it

 

if u dont have access to the full sdk and tools to use the CAT-R or CAT-DEV im licensed NOA, and can help with that. native c++ or web or even unity 4 , gl

 

Thank you but I am also a licenced developper. And I use the Nintendo Web Framework to develop

 

yay well nvm then :3

 

That one is a CAT-I, 3rd Party Developers can only get it as a loan unit, in case they want to show their games off on a public event, but other than that, it's nothing different from a CAT-R (which is green).

 

Yes, I have a CAT-I (someone else told me this on here, and a Nintendo employee has confirmed this).

But I didn't know CAT-I where available for Third Party developper, as they are not listed on the Developper portal. I thought it was only for First party developper or Shops (setted up as Kiosk).

You looks to be familiar with Wii U hardware. Do you know if I can use a CAT-R Writer (I have one) to burn a Nintendo Web Framework developped game, and use my CAT-I for showing off my game at an event ? I know that we can do this with games developped without the NWF. If you don't have the answer, I may ask directly to Nintendo.

Anyway, thanks for your comment

 

I never used a CAT-R Writer before, neither I've used NWF, so I don't know.
Alternatively, you can simply make an Installable thingy out of a WUMAD, put it on your SD Card, and Install it through the System Config Menu.

And actually, I'm only familiar with Wii U Hardware as they were, before I stopped working as a Game Developer, but I heard nothing has really changed there yet.

 

Thanks a lot for your answer.

I will try to do the WUMAD thing. I guess I can use the SDK to export as WUMAD, right ?

 

Not quite, you'll need to master your RPX File to a WUMAD File.
Back in the days we used WarioWorld, Nintendo has put up an entire Tutorial on how to do that, but since they switched to NDP long before I left, I don't know where this Tutorial resides now.

 

Thanks a lot for your answer. Some other developpers told me that Warioland was more complete and usefull thant the new portal. But we can find good informations on the forum. I hope they will keep it open until the end of the Wii U era.

 

Hello and My friend gave me a Wii U console He had Extra for Free and I'm not Sure What it is. I have a black 32gb one already but he gave it to me for helping him out since he was low on cash. It's a little old from 2 yrs back and was used as a Gamestop Demo Model but other then that it's all I know. looking @ the Pictures above it sort of looks like that one but need Conformation of what it is and What can I do with it. I took a picture of it with a not so good Cellphone Camera since it was all I had and please excuse the quality. Picture is Here @ https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1eYL7zbcccOdEdjQk1QOE5PWlU/view?usp=sharing