CrunchGear

Do you think this will make my Nintendo stocks rise? :) http://iam.always.online.fr/tr.php?wordid=456

When you said that the Wiimote was failing you lost all the credibility that you had built up thought the article. There are a very limited number of games available right now and many of those have tacked on controls that are ineffective so it is WAY to early to judge its success yet. In a year or so if then Wii is still selling/not selling then you can call it failure until then you are just a crazy fanboy.

I can accept that lack of horsepower leaves some people cold on the Wii, but I have no idea how you can say vibration > wiimote.

First, vibration is, for many people, an annoyance, not an enhancement. I’ve often turned this “feature” off for the games that give you an option. Hey, some people like it, some people don’t. To suggest that vibration is a “revolutionary” feature, but that a freaking motion sensing controller that tracks your movements is a “baby step,” well, that’s idiotic. Even on a purely objective, technological level, you’re just wrong. The first time I swung a bat using the Wiimote I twitched the controller behind my head, ever so slightly. And my little avatar looked like a major leaguer doing the same thing. That’s not a mini-evolution.

That’s not to say I don’t have a few friends who think the Wiimote is a mere novelty, despite its impressive technology. To them, and to you, I say it’s a little early in the game to call it a disappointment. There’s a lot of games we haven’t seen. I’ll be interested to see what you say in a year.

suck it, john.

You say that you like Nintendo when it is obviously a lie. You are a bitter fanboy of either Xbox or PlayStation who feel threatened by the wii’s success. Grow up and get over it.

I saw the Wii as a novelty system from the very beginning. It’s really a de-evolved game system. What made games take off was the difficulty level. I don’t want to be good at the game as soon as I pick up the controller. I want to struggle and feel like I’ve accomplished something.

The Wii doesn’t offer enough depth of control to support a game that offers more than a few hours of replay value. It’s a limitation of the hardware, not the software developers. All of the best selling Wii games will be novelty games or classic genres where the Wiimote won’t add substantially to the game play.

No, Nate05, he lost all credibility when he said “Gameboy DS.”

The other credibility-detracting point is the contention that the Wii hardware is “rinky-dink” next to the PS2. In fact, the GameCube hardware was more powerful than the PS2, and the Wii hardware is more powerful than the GameCube.

Wait for Metroid Prime on the Wii and you’ll see what I mean. Or heck, play the GameCube version of Metroid Prime on the Wii…

Can you say, paid for by Microsoft!

You don’t think that DS is a winner? It was the best selling console last year (selling considerably more than the 360) and it is kicking some PSP A**. The DS really shows the point of how having fun games is infinitely more important than graphics.

Ill admit…when u said shooters are failing,..thats true, i havent played one good shooter on wii yet(and shooters are my favourite games)..but racing, your wrong, you played excite truck?…i love excite truck…its awsome, theres nothing bad about it except the lack of online play

^Good point. Excite truck is one of my favorite racing games on any console.

I disagree with you on the fact that Nintendo is failing or not making it’s mark but not because you don’t have credibility but because you view the video game market quite differently than what Nintendo’s target market is. Nintendo has said time and time again that they are not trying to attract the same crowd as Sony or Microsoft. Statistics show that less than 20% of home have televisions that are HD capable. So it seems that Sony and Microsoft are targeting the percentage of gamers within that 20% that own HD sets.

Nintendo is going after a larget market of individuals who don’t usually play video games. This makes it “safer” for them. After their last failed console and only the DS saving their butts, I don’t believe Nintendo could afford a gamble with a high end HD system and going head to head with Sony and Microsoft (which both have significantly more resources than Nintendo). An HD Wii unit with more features would be awesome but I believe this was the most cost effective way for Nintendo to be competitive.

Now that this system is a success I don’t doubt that Nintendo will soon release an upgraded system with more features. I also agree with the previous poster that force feedback was not that “revolutionary.” Wiimote is definitely a bigger step. Some may call it a novelty but I think that depends on the person. I think the Wii is a great system that could use additional features but it is definitely not a novelty like Sony has labeled it (and apparantly is catching on to those who are loyal to other systems).

I personally don’t believe in a system that will dominate the industry yet. It’s obvious that Sony has a killer system but they have blundered through this launch. I will probably eventually get a PS3 if certain games are exclusive to it. Won’t get a 360 and got a Wii to play Zelda and Super Smash Bros. Nintendo may be focusing on software but that’s because software sells hardware.

Man, of all the things you could’ve chosen as an example of evolution, you choose force feedback? If it changed the way that you play that much, then most games wouldn’t let you turn it off. (And, for that matter, does that mean that the PS3 is, by definition, a de-evolution because the controller lacks force feedback? I think you could call the PS3 a lot of things, but a complete step backward isn’t one of them.)

Of course everything’s gimmicky right now. The developers haven’t had that long to think about how to design for the new controller, so they’re taking baby steps. Once you get a designer who gets it, then you’ll see new games that aren’t possible on other systems, the way that you’re starting to see that on the DS now. But to dismiss the Wiimote as a gimmick based on the launch titles is way premature.

If you’d like to compare it to a revolution, let’s talk about 3D graphics. How gimmicky were some of the early 3D games? Heck, how many 2D series have been ported over to 3D unsuccessfully just because they could? (Sonic, anyone?) It took developers a long time to stop making 2D games in 3D and actually start making 3D games, and it’ll take a while for developers to stop making games that are traditionally designed for an analog stick or a keyboard and mouse and start making games that are designed specifically for the Wiimote.

This column is essentially like saying that a baseball team has no chance to make the playoffs after playing .500 in April. There’s a lot of baseball left to play.

Is HD and good graphics really all that important? People nowadays make it seem like if it’s not HD then it’s worthless. The same thing is true with video games, if it’s not broadcast in 780i-1080i with the most insane graphics possible then forgetaboutit. I say poo-poo to you. I don’t watch “The Veiw” now, and that will never change, regardless if it is produced in HD 1080i or not. Same thing with these next gen consoles I don’t care about playing the same watered down FPS again and again with a different name. I’ve played Halo, Counterstrike, Unreal Tournement, and on and on and on and they’re good, maybe even great, but come on, it’s the same thing. But hey, you know what I haven’t done? Moved my freaking controller and have that same motion carried out by an onscreen character, I was imediately school girl giddy and had way more fun than I have ever had playing yet another FPS. I can’t escape the fact that I do agree that the difficulty of the games is a little questionable, but that will change over time. Oh and by the way rumble pack more inovative than Wiimote, that’s like saying a portable phone is better than a cellular phone because portable phones don’t have cords.

Peace

I think you are confusing ease of use with gimmicky. Just because it has a fairly good learning curve and anyone can play doesn’t make it a bad idea.

In my experience the reason why many people don’t like the wiimote is that they feel threatened by it. Many gamers have no life but they can always brag about how they “are the greatest Halo player ever” and they can give their parents sarcastic looks if they ever ask to play. But with the wii your mom can pick up the remote and kill you at tennis or bowling with very little practice. Now your kid brother can fire a sniper rifle pixel perfect and blow your head off (when and if they come out with a decent fps).

Gamers need to be more secure with themselves.

So you wouldn’t call motion sensing control rocking the boat? Seems to me like the other consoles are the ones that are slightly evolving. They are just upgrading. The wii is something totally new. Nothing like we have ever seen before. Thats revolution. Thats rocking the boat.

I honestly don’t know who Nintendo was aiming at with this console. I know 5-year-olds that would get bored with the games on the Wii.

Boardgames and free web-based Flash games already fill the niche that the Wii is trying enter.

John, John, John… The more you try to defend your arguements, the more you come off sounding like nothing more than a Xbox fanboy.
There’s no debate that 360 and PS3 are technically superior to the Wii. Nintendo freely admits this, and again, aren’t catering specifically to the hardcore, hi-tech, gamer, such as yourself. It’s not a great system for everyone, but it’s a great system for anyone. That’s the difference.
You really seem way off base on the DS though. It’s creaming the PSP because it’s cheap and has kids games?? That’s just crazy. Look at the top selling games:
Pokemon (Okay, you’re right on this one)
Brain Age, Nintendogs, New Super Mario Bros. - Major buyers? Middle-aged men and WOMEN. DS is a success because it appeals to a WIDE base, and so is the Wii.
The Wii-mote is one of the single biggest revolutions to the industry in it’s history. Why? Because it’s returned video games to the masses. Women like it, kids like it, middle-age guys like you and I like it, our parents even like it. Everyone likes it! With the expection of some Halo diehards that have to have the greatest visuals possible in order to get a woodie. That said, I’ll likely get a 360 or PS3 at some point to compliment the Wii already in my house, but not until their prices drop below the $200 level (which for Sony, may be never) as I’d love to play Gears of War and Halo 3 as well, but pretty graphics aren’t enough to get me to shell out serious cash. 90+% of the games for 360 & PS3 are vertually the exact same games as the last generation but prettier. So what. Halo 2 and Vertua Fighter 4 on the xbox and ps2 will do just fine thanks.
Give Nintendo some credit. An entirely new control scheme (although it’s not yet been maximized by anyone yet) is revolutionary. Improved graphics, are evolutionary and merely to be expected in time.
In 1 to 3 years Nintendo can release a HD-Wii easily enough. Unlike Microsoft or Sony, their making a profit off of each system sold from day 1. But they’ll wait until HD-TV is more than a small percentage of users.

Rather than wondering why the Wii has far lower specs than the XBOX360 and PS3 perhaps you shold be asking why those over-powered systems can’t compare to Nintendo’s awesome game play?

I’m a 30-something myself and I honestly do not care about graphics. I still break out Space Quest now and then because I want to play a good game!

Graphics are icing on the cake. Icing on a cake made of crap still tastes like crap.

There appear to be a lot of Wii fans here, but I haven’t heard anyone mention an awesome must have game that’s a Wii exclusive?

Also, how long do any of you spend playing the Wii? Is it so much fun that you just can’t put it down and play for hours? Is it riveting to compete against the computer?

“Games for anyone” only work if they are single player. The point of multilayer gaming is competition. And the heart of competition is who is more skilled.

I haven’t heard anyone say why the Wii is so good, just that it is revolutionary. Revolutionary doesn’t equal good, just new and different. Which is similar to the definition of novelty.

Whatever- you don’t like the Wii, wow man you are really an individual. I don’t like the PS3 or XBOX360 and the Wii perfectly fits my gaming needs and desires. I think what it’s time for the fanboys to understand is that the video game market is big enough now where the “there can only be one” philosophy that has dominated the last 20 years no longer holds true. This is like debating what the best candy bar is- different players have different tastes. To me the Wii is the most exciting console I have ever owned and even this early into it life I’ve had more fun with it than any over console I’ve ever played and even with 360 HD-crazy friends we always end up playing Wii even though 360 has had over a year to get some good games out they have pretty much nothing that excites me for same-room multiplayer. Also, most the games in that Walmart bundle are sh*t- this would like saying the 360 sucks because Superman Returns sucks.

re: There appear to be a lot of Wii fans here, but I haven’t heard anyone mention an awesome must have game that’s a Wii exclusive?

-One could make an arguement for Wii Sports (Time Magazine’s Game of the Year) or Zelda. But that’s not the point. The Wii doesn’t need a killer app. Even half-baked games like Red Steel are fun because it’s just more intuitive. Don’t get me wrong, the controls on Red Steel are mediocre now and will seem like complete crap one Metroid comes out. But I’d always hated FPS on consoles because the controls just couldn’t compare to PC and mouse. With Wii, that (hopefully) will change. That’s the point, the ‘fun’ factor. Games should be fun.

Also, how long do any of you spend playing the Wii? Is it so much fun that you just can’t put it down and play for hours? Is it riveting to compete against the computer?

My teenaged son averages 2 hours a day (I check) and I probably play about 15minutes a day. Not a lot granted. I have a life outside of games and I won’t touch Zelda because 70 hours would take 3 years of my life. No thanks. Wii Sports is gold to me and a lot of people.
My daughter plays whenever she’s over and her mom is looking to buy one because she loves Wii Sports (although she scares me with how vigerously she flings the Wiimote around…)

“Games for anyone” only work if they are single player. The point of multilayer gaming is competition. And the heart of competition is who is more skilled.

Huh?? This makes no sense. Wii Sports is great competition, as is Red Steel and any multi-player Wii game. Wario is a laugh riot with a group or friends. Once Wii goes online with Super Smash Bros. Man!!! That will be awesome and insane. But back to Wii Sports. Know what’s great about it? My friend who plays baseball for real, creams me everytime in it, even though I have a Wii and he doesn’t. Why? He’s more skilled. For once real skill matters, not stupid button mashing. That’s fun. That’s revolutionary.

Okay, well Time magazine did name you as person of the year as well.

My point is the “fun” you have with the Wii can be duplicated w/o it and that Nintendo isn’t really achieving anything revolutionary with the Wii.

Your son would play hours on an XBox or Playstation. Your friend would still probably beat you in any sports game because he has better reflexes and hand-eye coordination. The fun you have is with your friends, not with the Wii.

I’m not saying the 360 or PS3 is any more special. I am agreeing with John that the Wii is just not that special.

By the way, I don’t own any of the 3 console and admit I am entirely full of shit. I just want people to stop thinking that novelty is revolutionary.

The DS was just a minor step up from the GBA? Are you kidding? Have you played Metroid Prime: Hunters? Elite Beat Agents? The DS has prevailed over the PSP, despite the PSP’s bigger screen, more powerful hardware, and multi-functionality. Because it’s games are more fun, are offering a new experience that you can’t find anywher else, and they’re cheaper to boot. The Wii will prove you wrong.

This is a rediculous article. This guy is obviously a 360 or PS3 owner who is trying to justify his purchase to himself. I seriously doubt he even has a Wii. I have not met anyone who has played Wii Sports and have not been blown away at the amazing gameplay. It’s a fantasitic video game system and a huge step in the right direction.

John sorrry but your WRONG. Nintendo your doing great keep it up.

re:Your son would play hours on an XBox or Playstation. Your friend would still probably beat you in any sports game because he has better reflexes and hand-eye coordination. The fun you have is with your friends, not with the Wii.

-Chris you are right on the money here. But the point I trying to make, is that half of those friends (like my daughter) wouldn’t play 360 or PS3 with me. I rented Rayman and it was so much fun watching my daughter play. When shooting Rabbids she’d go from highly concentrated to laughing hysterically. She’d never play Halo or any game on traditional controllers because dual sticks and a dozen buttens is too complicated for the uninitiated. That goes for a lot of adults too.

By the way, I don’t own any of the 3 console and admit I am entirely full of sh*t. I just want people to stop thinking that novelty is revolutionary.

-You made my day with that. It’s only novelty until it becomes the standard. Rumble was a novelty once too.
When (and if) xbox and PS3 come out with their own wii-motes, all you doubters will be going, ‘but of course, but the — version is way better…’

PS3 is the best console EVER

http://crunchgear.com/2007/01/26/the-playstation-3-is-the-best-console-ever/

I take it you were confused about the date. April fools day is not for several months. What a joke calling the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 the systems with the big changes in gaming. You get the to play games the same way you always did with the same basic controllers worked the same basic way. You cannot have really been serious.

Good Article. There are a LOT of Wii fanboi reading this article…I feel for ya, man.

The Wii is only slightly more powerful than the ORIGINAL xbox. This “motion” sensor that all the fanboi keep raving about is a 15 year old technology. But, give credit to Nintendo for finally bringing it to the mainstream. It’s not “revolutionary” though, by any means.

I like this cliche’ term that the Wii fanboi uses…”the Wii is more FUN”.

I can guarantee you that NO Wii user has had more fun with all there games COMBINED than I’ve had with a SINGLE one of my 360 games:

Gears of War
Chromehounds
Lost Planet
Rainbow Six Vegas
Call of Duty 2 (didn’t much like 3)
Dead Rising
Elder Scrolls

You know why? Because I immensely enjoyed playing these games with LITERALLY 100’s of people ONLINE. (Except the last two - no online)

The realism, the uncanny surround sound effects - pulls you into gaming like no other. This is not your little cartoonish jump hopping / arm flapping - short lived arcade game.

This is fun at the MAX.

When I get home…I just don’t feel like flapping my arms to have fun…I want an intense - movie/gaming experience.

Mark my words. You will see XBOX 360 and PS3 games that will make your JAW DROP over the next few years.

You’re Wii is Maxed out! That’s it! The games are going to be passing you by. And if you DO happen to get a port…it will be so watered down, it will be hardly recognizable. ENJOY.

Don’t forget even Sony says the Wii is more fun then the Playstation 3.

http://blog.wired.com/games/2006/12/sony_australia_.html

I own a Wii, have since day one, love it, am playing Zelda (although my gf, who has not played since NES, is farther than I am) and I am still amazed at how subtle the controlls on Wii tennis are.

It has been mentioned several times that Nintendo could care less about the people like Napalm there, and several others on this list. Nintendo actually had a marketing strategy that involved expanding the consumer base, as opposed to just relying on the same people. So instead of trying to carve a bigger piece of the pie along with Sony and MS, they decided to bake another pie, and created a system that would allow them to appeal to people who would have never spent the money to begin with.

Someone else mentioned that the technology was old in the Wiimote, and several have mentioned that there is nothing revolutionary about it.

revolutionary, radical
markedly new or introducing radical change; “a revolutionary discovery”;

By definition, Nintendo did create something revolutionary. Never before had anything come close to the precision of the Wiimote, let alone having 2 independant controlls be able to function in a 3d environment. Already there are several games coming out Wii exclusive due solely to the fact that the controlls are so different. A great example of this is the new Scarface game.

One last thing that can be considered is Nintendo will not have to wait the usual 5 years before they release a new console due to making a profit since say 1. I would not be surprised if they released a much more powerful console in a 3-4 year period that can compare or beat the current 360 or ps3 hardware wise, and be able to do it for a comparable price. There is no way that either of the other companies can consider that as they are losing far too much on each system now and will take several years to break even.

And I cannot wait until someone makes a Star Wars game where I get to use a lightsaber baby!!! that will be awesome.

My opinion:

Microsoft and Sony: “Lets just do what we always do, upgrade the hardware, make the graphics tighter and force everyone to give us more money.”

Nintendo: “Lets forget about the graphics cold war with the other two, lets change the face of gaming and come up with something completely new.”

And as for your argument about the wii-mote. Have you played wii sports? In old sports games, all you had to do was memorize 2.2 seconds holding down a button so that you get just the right amount of power to hit a home run. With golf on wii sports, I find myself being forced to do a bunch of practice swings because of how sensative the control is. It takes muscle memory to a whole new level. ………..your an idiot

There was once a time when film in color was considered a gimmick by many film makers. Just because something can be defined as one thing, does not mean it is axtually another.

The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.

a fool is always certain.

There was once a time when film in color was considered a gimmick by many film makers. Just because something can be defined as one thing, does not mean it is not actually another.

The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.

A fool is always certain.