Will will follow in DS's footsteps

By Games Industry.biz Published 15 August, 2006

Says Reggie.

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has declared that the DS is the clear winner in the war of the handhelds - and that the Wii is set to follow suit in the home console market.

Speaking to USA Today, Fils-Aime said: "Nintendo DS in Japan outsells all of our competitors by a factor of five to one. We are so far in advance of our handheld competitors that they're not even on the map.

"That's all based on a market expansion strategy. And that's what we're looking to do with home consoles," he continued.

By expanding the market, Fils-Aime said, Nintendo will attract new consumers to gaming and dramatically increase its market share - leaving Sony and Microsoft to fight it out at the higher-end price range.

"Our competitors are both going down the same path. Both believe that more and more performance with a higher and higher price tage are their keys to success," he stated.

"What do I see? I think our two competitors will trade share between them, while we go off and grab share in a completely different way."

Fils-Aime went on to dismiss suggestions that the Wii will become the second home console of choice for consumers who have already purchased a PS3 or Xbox 360, stating: "I'd much rather have the consumer buy a Wii, some accessories, and a ton of games, versus buying any of my competitor's products."

Nintendo has yet to announce a price and release date for the Wii, although it has been confirmed that the console will launch this year. The company is still riding high on the success of the Nintendo DS, which has proved a hit with consumers around the globe - and particularly in Japan. According to recently released CESA figures, Nintendo sold 4.25 million DS units during 2005, while Sony shifted 2.61 million PSPs.

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Comments (94) Latest comment 6 years ago

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  • Teeth #1 6 years ago

    wiiiill

  • JetSetWilly #2 6 years ago

    What's with the title?

    "Will will..."

  • ProfessorLesser #3 6 years ago

    Woah, since when was Reggie top dog of NoA? What happened to George Harrisson?

    Damn good news, either way.

  • Hicksy #4 6 years ago

    Well they certainly have my vote of confidence

    I personally think that post initial fanboi release the PS3 is going to nosedive a la PSP

  • Sko #5 6 years ago

    Yay for the DS and all that but cut out patting yourself on the back already, you'll strain something. You know what the say about what comes "...before a fall".

  • MadMirko #6 6 years ago

    @sko

    That has certainly been true for the PSP :)

    See July figures for the US:

    DS: 377,000
    PS2: 241,000
    360: 206,000
    GBA: 163,000
    PSP: 161,000
    GCN: 44,000
    Xbox: 12,000

    (from PSP-Fanboy)

    Uh oh, PSP outsold by GBA. That must hurt lil' Ken!
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 11:44

  • kangarootoo #7 6 years ago

    "I personally think that post initial fanboi release the PS3 is going to nosedive a la PSP"

    Jesus Christ, if you are going to write ironic comments about fanboys, at least spell the word properly.

    The term was around well before Avril Lavigne was crashing the mall and looking grumpy. So there is no need to go all numetal and start spelling it "boi" like some music label exec.

    Rant ends.

  • Planet #8 6 years ago

    Will will follow in DS's footsteps
    Does that mean it gets a complete overhaul just a year after release? Fine, i'll get mine after that then... *eg*
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 11:35

  • mrbandersnatch #9 6 years ago

    Its going to be an interesting couple of years. If he big N get their pricing right and the marketing/games for the demographic that has/is buying the DS I wont be at all suprised to see them take a market lead (dowload demos/games from my Wii to my DS? Hell yeah).

    That said - what the hell do I know though? I loved the DreamCast and my favorite game atm is magic drop III on my X-Arcade/Myth box....its DOOOMED!!

  • gth #10 6 years ago

    It seems he is not very good at math... but nevertheless very impressive DS numbers.

    1. DS Lite - 163,572 [3,533,399] units
    2. PSP - 49,352 [1,116,075] units
    3. PlayStation 2 - 25,987 [882,231] units
    4. GBA SP - 2,784 [179,598] units
    5. GB Micro - 1,928 [111,444] units
    6. Xbox 360 - 1,389 [64,783] units
    7. NDS - 1,159 [950,903] units
    8. GameCube - 904 [60,417] units
    9. GBA - 34 [2,956] units
    10. Xbox - 14 [1,624] units
    (latest sales chart from the-magicbox.com)

  • Mr_Brown #11 6 years ago

    I agree, the PS3 after the intial launch hype and the novelty of the new technology wears off, just like the PSP many people will lose interest in favour of the Wii or 360. Mainly due to the pricepoint of the PS3 and lack of great games to justify the purchase.

  • MadMirko #12 6 years ago

    I don't know about that, but selling software is obviously key. The PSP does not have a single title in the Top25 software charts (again in the US), which I think explains why it has been defeated.

  • smelly #13 6 years ago

    It seems he is not very good at math...


    eh? How do you work that out?

  • el_pollo_diablo #14 6 years ago

    Hmmm.

    "We are so far in advance of our handheld competitors that they're not even on the map."

    true this might well be, but the trick to being the lovable underdog is to get public support behind you. It currently very much is. But spouting arrogant soundbytes isn't going to win you many friends.
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 11:54

  • Schiraman #15 6 years ago

    "Executive hypes own company and product" - gosh, there's some real news. ;)

    Seriously though, I'll believe it when I see it - despite the constant stream of hype and fanboy rhetoric, I've yet to see anything very exciting about the Wii - it is afterall basically just a slightly overhauled Gamecube with a novelty controller. Sure, it'll sell for a bargain price - but that's because you get what you pay for.

    The success of the DS has been impressive, but let's not forget that Nintendo has dominated the handheld market for decades - for Sony to have *any* share in that market is a significant shift in Sony's favour. To say that because the DS has helped Nintendo keep hold of an existing market that the Wii will allow them to completely dominate one that they currently have a minimal share in seems like a big leap to me.

  • aine #16 6 years ago

    I agree, the PS3 after the intial launch hype and the novelty of the new technology wears off, just like the PSP many people will lose interest in favour of the Wii or 360. Mainly due to the pricepoint of the PS3 and lack of great games to justify the purchase.

    The PS3 will sell, though. It'll sell to the sort of people who bought a PS2 not for its huge and varied game library, but just to play yearly FIFA updates and generic GTA knockoffs (but not the real thing, that has a sense of humour). The sort of people who wouldn't dare play anything that doesn't aspire to complete unstylised realism, for fear their friends might call them "gay" or something. It'll sell to wankers, in short. And people who really want to play MGS4 and have a bit of cash to throw around, I suppose.

  • smelly #17 6 years ago

    it is afterall basically just a slightly overhauled Gamecube with a novelty controller


    And the 360 is a overhauled xbox .. *sigh*

    Hmmm.. actually considering most of the 360 releases seem to be ports of xbox games.. (whoops shouldnt say stuff like that, it'll wind the fanboys up)

  • gth #18 6 years ago

    "eh? How do you work that out? "

    By reading the article and by checking the posted sales figures...
    "Nintendo DS in Japan outsells all of our competitors by a factor of five to one." [...] "according to recently released CESA figures, Nintendo sold 4.25 million DS units during 2005, while Sony shifted 2.61 million PSPs."

  • ProfessorLesser #19 6 years ago

    But Smelly, that is all the Wii is. Or do you know different?

  • Darkedge #20 6 years ago

    "I'd much rather have the consumer buy a Wii, some accessories, and a ton of games, versus buying any of my competitor's products."

    Says president of Nintendo America.
    Well DUUUUUHHHHHH.

  • spazmo #21 6 years ago

    Could'nt care less how powerfull the Wii is. Mario Galaxy looks ace!

  • spongebob #22 6 years ago

    Wow. I mean, all this DS selling does make me so much warmer. I have one and now that I see almost everyone in Japan has five or something I feel GREAT! Too bad it's not paying my bills.

    And hey, I am still waiting for some quality RPGs for my DS. Come on, Nintendo, use your money to make some!

  • Arwin #23 6 years ago

    The Wii is going to release at a price that the PS3 and 360 are going to be at slightly later dates themselves. Sure, the Wii will be cheaper after that, but at this point, the difference between the prices of the consoles and the quality of the games will have become disproportionate. So we'll just have to wait and see. The irony is that the Wii would be able to sell best in the first years, during a large part of which it may well not be able to supply to the demand (considering the demand is as high as they themselves are projecting).

    Incidentally, the PSP is doing great. The DS is doing exceptional, on all levels in Japan, on the software level in other regions (where hardware is about equal). It would be a tremendous mistake to write off the PSP at this point however. The DS has it relatively easy, being cheaper and Nintendo having been a synonym for handheld gaming nearly since its inception.

    In the console market, Playstation is in that position, so it will take a considerable effort before Nintendo takes over in that area. I give them fair odds of getting a better share of the market this time around, but I think it will be far from a walk in the park.

  • Hog-lumps #24 6 years ago

    it is afterall basically just a slightly overhauled Gamecube with a novelty
    controller.

    Blimey, what a pessimistic person you are. I suppose the glass is always half empty for you?
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 12:22

  • smelly #25 6 years ago

    But Smelly, that is all the Wii is. Or do you know different?

    But by that logic, all the 360 is, is a souped up xbox. And ALL the ps3 is is a souped up ps2??

    IMHO the wii is offering MORE than the other two in terms of next gen. As all the others are offering is better graphics.

    But I dont want this to get into a discussion of why the other two are/arent rubbish or whatever. My point being is that you can apply the same flawed logic to the other two.

    But lets look at what the wii does offer over the cube.. More powerful graphics, More powerful cpu, is now using proper dvd's (so more storage space and can play movies), it's online, it has a built in storage system, it can download/upload stuff in standby mode, it's backwards compatible with the entire nintendo back catalogue, AND it has a swanky new controller.

    Slightly more than JUST a souped up cube me thinks.

    (And yes, before someone does the exact same list of ways the ps3/360 is better than prev gen - i dont care! I just used them as an example for a flawed argument)

  • smelly #26 6 years ago

    And less we forget, this generation, the best selling console WAS the least powerful (by a great margin!)

  • Aretak #27 6 years ago

    I didn't know Reggie was the NoA president... o_O

  • KraftWerk #28 6 years ago

    I'm pretty sure that there is a difference between getting what you pay for in hardware, and getting what you pay for in fun and entertainment. But that's just me and my silly ideas about valuable gameplay.

  • Dirtie #29 6 years ago

    Reggie got promoted after E3.

  • megastar #30 6 years ago

    "Our competitors are both going down"

    O_O

  • smelly #31 6 years ago

    I thought the Wii had no competitors? :-)

  • coojam #32 6 years ago

    The Wii is the novelty console at the end of the day...I agree, it has the most potential, but it will likely just be filled with Mario/Donkey Kong/Zelda rehashes with the same story but new control system.

  • Schiraman #33 6 years ago

    @Smelly

    I stand by my comment that the Wii is basically just a slightly upgraded GC - yes it's more powerful, but the difference is tiny compared to the jump between Xbox and 360 - let alone PS2 and PS3. Sure it can go online, but so can all the current gen consoles. And now it has a memory card built in. Hardly revolutionary (especially when its competitors have hard-drives).

    As for it being backwards compatible with all previous Nintendo systems: that simply isn't true. As far as I'm aware it's only backwards compatible with the GC (which doesn't really detract from my argument, now does it?) - you may be able to download old Nintendo games for other systems and have it run them through emulation - but a PC can do that (and I'm sure a GC could too, if Ninty wanted). Personally I'd rather play my old SNES and N64 games on the consoles that I already own rather than pay for the games all over again to play them on a Wii... ;)

    @KraftWerk

    When you buy a console what you're paying for is hardware - not gameplay. The gameplay comes with the games... ;)

    Seriously though, you can't really argue which console will be better for gameplay until there are some actual games to play and compare - just because Nintendo's hardware is cheaper and less powerful doesn't in any way suggest that the gameplay will be better.
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 12:58

  • IMCO #34 6 years ago

    Go Big N !

  • coojam #35 6 years ago

    Yeh, assuming they do well with Sega, the Virtual Console will be one of the best selling features.

  • The_Programmer #36 6 years ago

    "IMHO the wii is offering MORE than the other two in terms of next gen. As all the others are offering is better graphics."

    So the Wii not having HD graphics, no hard disk, no much more powerful CPU, no online service comparable to Xbox Live, no Blu-ray as in PS3 makes it 'MORE' next gen than the Xbox360 or PS3. Have you been sniffing something.

    Let's see how long it takes for you too get fed up with waving that dildo of a controller around like a retard and cursing the lag as movement on screen takes a bit of time. I'm interested to see how people are going to be affected by the lights in their rooms as Nintendo have said that some light sources can effect the Wii's controllers. Must be another next gen feature.

    Anyway, I wouldn't insult my 50" HDTV by plugging some old gen console in it.

  • Schiraman #37 6 years ago

    @bengalibengali

    Fair point that a lot of people may not have access to old Nintendo hardware, so downloading old Ninty games for the Wii might be worth it for them. Still, when you think about it this isn't actually much different to all those retro compilations you can buy for most platforms already - either way you're paying for old games, while with backwards compatibility you can play old games you already own.

  • smelly #38 6 years ago

    I stand by my comment that the Wii is basically just a slightly upgraded GC

    1. Nintendo still havent announced any official specs. And as none of us are developers for it, we cant possibly comment on how much more powerful it is/isnt to the cube. Personally I thought the screens/movies of the new mario game looked quite stunning.

    2. Most people cant percieve the extra power anyhows, it's all emperors clothing. Tell someone something is more powerful and they'll believe you, but 9 times out of 10 they wont be able to tell the difference (look at how many people who think the ps2 is powerful!)


    "Sure it can go online, but so can all the current gen consoles".

    1. My point was that the cube couldnt. Therefor that's an improvement over the cube. Which therefor means it's more than just a souped up cube, which is what i was discussing. My discussion had nothing to do with the other two consoles.

    2. But as you're mentioning the other two console.. try going online with wifi with the cheaper ps3 :-)


    Personally I'd rather play my old SNES and N64 games on the consoles that I already own

    That's a stupid argument. The ps2 emulates ps1 games. As will the ps3 with ps2 and ps1. And the 360 emulates the xbox in software. Does that mean back-compat is pointless for them? I certainly dont have room for 100's of consoles under my tv!

    The wii is emulating the old games, but accurately in hardware (As opposed to a downloaded pc emulator which may or may not be accurate).

    I never owned a n64 or snes, so i welcome the ability to play old games (especially the old marios). Just because you dont want to do it, doesnt make it a non welcome feature.

    And again, I only mentioned it as an improvement over the gamecube (Which you argued there wasnt much of any).
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 13:06

  • smelly #39 6 years ago

    either way you're paying for old games

    Hows that any different to people buying street fighter 2/frogger on xbla anyhuws?

    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 13:07

  • ProfessorLesser #40 6 years ago

    smelly, if you can't notice the graphical edge of 360 screens over current Wii ones (granted they're early), then you're quite frankly blind.

    And... there are Wii developers here.

    The Wii will hopefully provide a lot more than a graphical update (which it will still do to a very incremental extent), as you say. But it is not a lot more than a Gamecube with added features. The 360 over the Xbox was a massive hardware leap. The Wii isn't - it's a peripheral upgrade. It's the difference between jumping forwards, and jumping sideways. Both are progress towards different goals.
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 13:16

  • Schiraman #41 6 years ago

    @smelly

    Actually I think most people can pretty easily see the difference between different generations of graphics hardware - the jump between SNES and N64 graphics is huge, likewise for PS1 and PS2 - and I expect the jump from PS2 to PS3 to be similarly noticeable - while the difference between GC and Wii looks to be rather small.

    I'm certainly not saying that graphics are everything, but I do think they can make a lot of difference and I think a lot of gamers really enjoy playing games with more detailed and immersive environments.

    As for online: all the current-gen consoles can go online, you just need to buy an adapter for the GC or the old version of the PS2. The difference is more that Nintendo are saying they'll actually support the online capability this time around. Similar to Sony's stance with the PS3 and their online service - so I don't see how this makes Ninty stand out from the crowd - surely both of them are just playing catch-up with Microsoft on this front?

    And wrt emulation: I have no problem with old games being emulated (although I should point out that PS2 emulation of PS1 games is hardware based - i.e. the PS2 effectively contains all the PS1 hardware, and the situation with PS2 games on PS3 will be similar). The issue here is that with the PS3 I'll be able to play all the PS1 and PS2 games I already own - with the Wii I won't be able to play the SNES and N64 games I own, I'd have to buy new version to play them on the new console. Not saying it's a crippling problem, just pointing out that being able to download old games isn't the same thing as being backwards compatible.

    It's also worth mentioning that Sony are going to offer PS1 software for download on the PS3 and PSP, so again Ninty aren't exactly unique here. ;)


  • Schiraman #42 6 years ago

    @smelly

    "Hows that any different to people buying street fighter 2/frogger on xbla anyhuws?"

    You're catching on - there's not much difference at all between Ninty's 'virtual console' and XBLA. So again, this hardly marks the Wii out as being special and different - it can do things that the 360 and PS3 can also do, and they can do things it can't.

    Still, it has got that novelty controller... ;)

  • smelly #43 6 years ago

    GRRRRR!

    Did i say that the wii being online or backwards compatible was special or different? No.

    Someone said that there was no improvements over the gamecube apart from slightly nicer graphics and a new controller.

    So I went on to list the other extra improvements.

    I EVEN said in my original post that im not comparing against the other two (apart from as an example!). FFS what is it with you guys not being able to read stuff in context and read it as some sort of slur on the machine.

    GRR!

  • moggsy #44 6 years ago

    Most people cant percieve the extra power anyhows, it's all emperors clothing. Tell someone something is more powerful and they'll believe you, but 9 times out of 10 they wont be able to tell the difference (look at how many people who think the ps2 is powerful!)

    Have you played GRAW on the 360? I personally can perceive a hell of a lot of extra power in just that one game without having to upset any emperor's. I would imagine so could 9 out of 10 people.

  • smelly #45 6 years ago

    Anyway, I wouldn't insult my 50" HDTV by plugging some old gen console in it.

    Well fuck off out of this conversation about a console you have no interest in then, and get back to masturbating over you 50" penis extension.

  • HIGHVOLTAGE #46 6 years ago

    I love how people keep saying the wii is innovative and doing something radically different when it only has the same bloody games Nintendo have been making for the last 20 years. What in gods name is innovative about another Mario, Zelda or Metroid game? They've all been done before. How the hell does the wii mote change the way we're playing games when its the same gameplay as before on screen? Personally I can't stand any of the 3D versions of these games. Before people start having a go at me for being a Nintendo hater-actually I was once a fan, I loved the old 2D versions. But when they moved into 3D they just felt wrong, outdated, something that belonged to a bygone era. I think they are some of the overated software going and it disgusts me how the entire gaming media always falls over promoting them whilst games that are actually innovative get ignored. Nintendo are right we do need some new gameplay-but they ain't the ones who are gonna provide that. I hate Sony but currently PS3's Assasins Creed looks like the most innovative thing in a long time. Why? Because the machine has the power to give you an enviroment that wouldn't be possible on current gen hardware-such as the underpowered Wii...

    If Nintendo are serious about this they need to have a complete gaming overhall and throw away all that has gone before, totally new titles that really push the capabilty of the wii mote. If they do indeed have some secret revolutionary software in development I'll forgive them and give them a big hug but so far the whole Wii project just seems to be even more cynical than PS3+Xbox360 in exploiting gullible die hard fans. I bet Sony and Microsoft are kicking themselves thinking "why did we waste millions making super powered hardware when we could have just brought out the a tarted up version of the current console with a novelty joypad."
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 13:37

  • Hog-lumps #47 6 years ago

    Smelly, for someone who admitted to occasionally putting in an "anti console quip just to wind the geeks up" on a seperate PSP thread, you are getting awfully wound up yourself by these trolls.

    :)

  • Schiraman #48 6 years ago

    @Smelly

    Actually what I said was that the Wii was a "slightly overhauled Gamecube" - I never mentioned graphics. Integrating the memory card and network adapter into the core hardware strikes me as fitting into the category of a slight overhaul, don't you agree? ;)

    Being able to play old games isn't a feature of the hardware, it's a feature of the online service - which Ninty could just have easily done for the GC. Again, seems like a minor update to me, rather than a 'next gen' feature. Afterall downloadable PS1 games are being added to the PSP sometime soon.

  • Hog-lumps #49 6 years ago

    If Nintendo are serious about this they need to have a complete gaming overhall and throw away all that has gone before, totally new titles that really push the capabilty of the wii mote

    So no more franchises? Well that's a stupid statement - I couldn't see nintendo, MS or Sony adopting that strategy - it would be comercial suicide.

    Believe it or not, it is actually possible to do new and original things with existing frachises e.g metroid vs metroid prime. Lets hope that nintendo can use the inovation in the controller to reinvigorate these franchises than just scrapping or 'porting' them like you say......

  • smelly #50 6 years ago

    @Hog-lumps

    Im getting wound up by people taking my comments out of context... Twats that they are :-)

  • smelly #51 6 years ago

    @HIGHVOLTAGE

    YAY!!! A nintendo thread.. and someone has mentioned lack of innovation because they keep using the same characters.. Sigh..

    Read what hog-lumps say. Personally i'd rather play a new zelda/metroid or mario (all of which have changed significantly in terms of gameplay over the years), than a new racing game, or (dare i say it) a new halo (with just prettier graphics, but not much else).
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 13:54

  • ProfessorLesser #52 6 years ago

    Sigh...

  • smelly #53 6 years ago

    Hang on... I've got to stop doing this.

    This started out as a conversation i was interested in, I got involved... Then the trolls started taking me out of context and then like every other nintendo conversation the fanboys jump in and start going on about nintendo regurgitating the same old same old.

    And every time i fucking fall for it - and get hooked in left right and centre, and feel the need to reply even though it's all been said a billion times before.

    Well fuck em.. I'm stepping away from this thread until someone says something relevent.. Not gonna allow myself to be sucked in any more by fanboy trolling geeks.

    Normal service will resume shortly.

    Please leave your message after the bleep



    Bleep.

  • el_pollo_diablo #54 6 years ago

    I think the real question here is, will it have Great Giana Sisters on it?

  • HIGHVOLTAGE #55 6 years ago

    If what I said about a total overhall was a stupid why is this what Nintendo are coming out with in their sales propoganda? They're the ones who are claiming the Wii represents a total gaming departure-so far none of the software represents this-that is my criticism. If they want to achieve this they need an overhall. Like you say this wont happen because Nintendo clearly have no intention of doing anything new with Wii, its just sales bull. They are no different to Sony or Microsoft.

    By the way 3D metroid is a total rip off of an old Saturn game called Exhumed (Powerslave in the US), so it isn't actually original. It also isn't as good to play as the old Saturn game either.

  • Schiraman #56 6 years ago

    @bengalibengali

    "PS3 and Xbox 360 cant mathch Wii fr new way in playing games. I.e. Interactivity."

    Whether the Wii remote truly provides unmatched potential for interactivity is very much something that remains to be seen.

    @Hog-lumps

    Franchises can see innovation along the way (Mario 64 is a great example of that), but I do think Nintendo tend to be overly formulaic with some of their big names - Metroid and Zelda in particular are very guilty of producing the same game with new graphics time after time.

    Metroid Prime is pretty much identical to all the previous Metroid games in terms of content and gameplay - the change to 3D is mostly cosmetic when you get right down to it, and I'm afraid the same thing is even more true of Zelda's move from 2D to 3D.

    Not saying they should scrap these franchises, but more genuine gameplay innovation would be nice.

  • el_pollo_diablo #57 6 years ago

    I'm not a massive fan of Metroid myself, but

    "Metroid Prime is pretty much identical to all the previous Metroid games in terms of content and gameplay - the change to 3D is mostly cosmetic"

    is simply not correct.

    Edit:

    "Yes it is."

    "No it isn't"

    "Yes it is."

    "No it isn't"

    "Yes it is."

    "No it isn't"

    "Yes it is."

    "No it isn't"

    ...

    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 14:08

  • Hog-lumps #58 6 years ago

    They are no different to Sony or Microsoft.

    HighV, granted that Nintendo are obviously in it for the money -they're not a charity afteral.

    However, you cant deny that their marketing strategy (i.e be more accessible) is quite different to both MS or Sony. It may not be a better strategy, but it's certainly a diffent strategy and one that has worked for the DS so far.

    Even though you say MP is a retread of a staurn game, I still think Metroid prime is a good example of a significant evolution of an exsiting franchise as hardware iterations increase.......

  • Rufus #59 6 years ago

    @ the programmer:

    "So the Wii not having HD graphics, no hard disk, no much more powerful CPU, no online service comparable to Xbox Live, no Blu-ray as in PS3 makes it 'MORE' next gen than the Xbox360 or PS3. Have you been sniffing something."

    What makes it next gen is the way people play the games. Who cares if a console has a great CPU and hard disk if the games are the same old clones and sequels with updated graphics. Sure, the games may be good, but its nothing new.

    No online service comparable to Xbox live? Jumping the gun a bit there arent you, the Wii isnt even out yet. The same applies to the power of Blu-ray (i.e. the PS3).

    HD graphics? haha cmon, you materialist. Since when does that matter. So you have a 50 inch screen eh? sure, your games may look ever so pretty on them but does it make them play better? I think not.

    As for the Wii controller, again, THE MACHINE ISNT OUT YET. Everyone keeps on saying how its a fad. The controller is a fad? Who out there thinks the touch screen on the DS has the creative edge on game design and control?

    Look, call me a Nintendo fan boy. Whatever. I think the 360 is a great machine (I really want one) and Im sure the PS3 will be also. But Im more concerned with innnovation and creativity when it comes to games. The term 'Next-gen' shouldnt be equated with hardware specifications, but what it can add to the gameplay.

  • smelly #60 6 years ago

    Shit.. okay.. i'll bite once more just to say That I thought metroid prime was crap too (almost as over rated as FEAR).

    But to say it's not an evolution is just plain nonsense.

    Take every fps game on another console for example, and give them all the same name, (say generic fps game #3242, etc) and you could have the same argument. At least metroid expanded upon the fps genre.

    So ner.

  • Hog-lumps #61 6 years ago

    The term 'Next-gen' shouldnt be equated with hardware specifications, but what it can add to the gameplay

    Amen brother!!

  • octo #62 6 years ago

    "Speaking to USA Today, Fils-Aime said: 'Nintendo DS in Japan outsells all of our competitors by a factor of five to one. We are so far in advance of our handheld competitors that they're not even on the map.

    'That's all based on a market expansion strategy. And that's what we're looking to do with home consoles,' he continued."

    What I like about this quote is that before the DS was released, Nintendo were telling everyone who would listen that the DS and PSP were not in competition with one another. So, unless he's talking about the GPX, Nintendo have no hand held competition.

  • toy_brain #63 6 years ago

    I do often wonder just how much correlation there is between the handheald market and the home console one. Is it really possible to take sucess in one and 'transplant' it into the other?

    I guess its sorta helped the PSP. All other rivals to Nintendo's dominance have dissapeared into obscurity, but the strength of the Playstation name have ensured the PSP shifted decent numbers (though its still about 3million units behind the DS).
    But then, strong GBA sales didnt help the GC any, likewise the old GBC and N64.

    I supose the questions to ask are.
    1) Will people take to waving a wand as naturally as they took to tapping a stylus?
    2) Are the people who bought a DS thinking to themselfs "Oooh I'd love to play this game at home on my telly"?

    I'd offer my opinions right now, but I dont wanna be branded a 'harer' or 'fanboy', so I'll just leave it open.

  • HIGHVOLTAGE #64 6 years ago

    Yeah I mean if people have played all the games out there and genuiely think Ninty to be the best, cool, if its just fanboy crap-meh. But for me with Ninty is you look at how good they were in the SNES era, remember when they just came out of nowhere with the SFX chip and Starfox-that was doing some new, that was innovation. To me these days they've learnt all they have to do is print "Mario" on the box the game will pick up good reviews and sell regardless of how good it actually is. I want them to amaze me again, not just bash me over the head with propoganda that tells me I have to like them which the fan boys pick up on and rather like the Spanish Inquisition burn anybody at the stake who dares speak any blasphemy against he big N. Step out of the Mario comfort zone please.

  • manic_mouse #65 6 years ago

    "IMHO the wii is offering MORE than the other two in terms of next gen. As all the others are offering is better graphics."

    Erm, have you played Oblivion? Because that single early next-gen game alone proves the above statement to be garbage. It's also the kind of game and gameplay you'll never see on the Wii because it's hardware simply isn't up to it.

    And handheld success has very little to do with home console success, as Nintendo should know better than anyone.

    "By the way 3D metroid is a total rip off of an old Saturn game called Exhumed (Powerslave in the US), so it isn't actually original. It also isn't as good to play as the old Saturn game either."

    That was one heck of a game, wasn't it? It's a shame that not many got to play it...
    Edited by 2 at 15/08/06 @ 14:52

  • Schiraman #66 6 years ago

    @smelly

    Actually I thought Metroid Prime was a good game - I just didn't think it moved the Metroid franchise forwards (and yes, it was overrated). Going from 2D to 3D is fine, but I think the gameplay needs to change and evolve as well.

    @Rufus

    "The term 'Next-gen' shouldnt be equated with hardware specifications, but what it can add to the gameplay."

    Fair enough, but I think it's also fair to say that those hardware specifications might well make a huge difference to gameplay - a true 'next-gen' platform (in pure hardware terms) might well be able to offer gameplay experiences and/or a degree of immersion that a current gen machine simply isn't capable of.

    A new controller might also enhance gameplay, but then again it might not - and surely you could just add a new controller to an existing console, but you wouldn't call that 'next-gen' now would you?

  • smelly #67 6 years ago

    it's taken 9 months to release SF2 on xbla, the wii will have new classic arcade games worth paying for every week.

    That's because the classics will work "out of the box" as opposed to having to be converted..

    The biggest thing i'm looking forward to on the wii is playing SMB3 again on my tv screen with a nintendo pad.. AND all the other Mario games i missed first time around! Cant wait!

    In fact, apart from zelda, cant even see myself wanting to buy a "proper" game for it for a long while (too many retro games to play!)

  • Rufus #68 6 years ago

    @ schiraman:

    "A new controller might also enhance gameplay, but then again it might not - and surely you could just add a new controller to an existing console, but you wouldn't call that 'next-gen' now would you?"

    Come to think of it, I think I would :)

    The term seems to be entrenched in talks about specs. However, when the original Mario 64 came out, it was considered the 'next gen' of platformers not because of the graphics but because of the free roaming nature of the game world and the fact that people had complete control of Mario through use of the (at the time new) analogue stick.

    If the XBox360 or Ps3 brought in a new, innovative type of controller that changed how we interacted with a game, I definately would call it next gen. But then they havent (yet) have they? (I await a stream of punishment from PS3 fans, feel free guys).

    The Wii controller may be rubbish, but he who dares etc. Even if it is rubbish, at least the technology is out there, and it can be improved upon.






  • Steroyd #69 6 years ago

    PS3 and Xbox 360 cant mathch Wii fr new way in playing games. I.e. Interactivity.

    Actually with the tilt function in the PS3's controler and the eye-toy peripheral the PS3 at least can keep toe to toe with the Nintendo wii in that respects.

    Of course the PS3 will go the way of the PSP i mean the PS3 will get alot of badly done PS2 ports.

    /sarcasm

  • JetSetWilly #70 6 years ago

    zero_cool:

    How much free time does a person need to play more than one game a year like Oblivion? To paraphase Iwata: when you read a book do you only ever read the Encyclopedia Britannica, never a novel or a magazine? The Wii will offer a broad spectrum of games: deep and pickup-and-play. Detractors choose to focus on the latter not the former.

    I personally can't wait for the 17th Zelda game. I'm sure many people can't wait for the 17th GTA game either.

  • jmctavish #71 6 years ago

    @Zero_Cool

    "After the failure's that were the N64, and Gamecube, you'd need to be crazy or a Nintendo fan to pick up the Wii"

    "Nintendo fans maybe happy playing the 17th mario or zelda, but there's a lot of us that won't be."


    Why can't you just let people get excited by the Wii? What harm are they doing to you? Is the Wii that threatening to your existence that you need to spout a load of shite to make yourself feel more secure?

    Edited by 1 at 15/08/06 @ 16:23

  • spongebob #72 6 years ago

    Isn't it weird that everyone and their cousin's neighbor is telling how INNOVATIVE and NEXT-GEN the WII is because it has Wiimote, yet the same people are completely ignoring Sony's new motion sensing controller (carbon copy, maybe, but don't you think it's possible there are some pretty interesting uses for it) and the new EyeToy, which at least to me looked pretty damn wicked (it can decipher the video data and transfer it to gameplay - like umm.. you move yourself and something moves on the screen..).

    Oh yeah, THOSE Sony inventions are just crap, there's nothing to see here. And actually thinking about it, I think Sony already did motion sensing with the original EyeToy.

    I think that people are SO desperate for some good games that they're hungry for a revolution. Nintendo has gutsy solutions to offer but in reality only the games need to change (not that Wiimote and all the novelty stuff are bad but). We need more mature games, more innovative games, better stories, better dialogue, better gameplay.

    All the next-gen consoles offer the same thing in essence: a new platform. Be it new CPU, new graphics or new way to move something on screen, the software is the king. You can see that with DS and PSP. It's not the touch screen that's winning the war, it's the better games.

  • smelly #73 6 years ago

    @Smelly i'm banging your girlfriend.

    Ace, can you let her know from me that i've accidently given her and you a dose of something nasty?

  • smelly #74 6 years ago

    "Your the biggest troll I've seen in this thread actually. "

    See.. that's what happens when i respond to the fanboy trolls... I get accused of being one myself!

    Must just learn to ignore the sad twats.

  • jmctavish #75 6 years ago

    Sorry Smelly.

    I thought that quote was from Zero-Cool.

    Why can't you quote people in this section anyway?

  • smelly #76 6 years ago

    "Sony's new motion sensing controller (carbon copy, maybe,"

    it's not a carbon copy.. it's a mile away from the wii controller. It's more like those old shitty sidewinder pads which everyone thought were shit and no-one bought.

    As for the eyetoy, it's been done in the past before sony did it.

    Oh, BTW.. Talking about innovation. Nintendo was the first company to have a dance mat for a console and also they had the first console karaoke game.

    So ner! :-)

  • Schiraman #77 6 years ago

    @spongebob

    Good post.

  • MadMirko #78 6 years ago

    Of course the Wii will repeat the success of the DS that people are buying it like mad, which sells games like mad, and therefore attracts developers like mad: It proves that Sony's strategy is a dud.

    After the failure that is the PSP you would be insane to buy a PS3, eh Zero_Cool?

    It's the spotty no-girlfriend kind of loser who is to (zero_)cool for a Nintendo machine, and that's all this thread is about.

    But back on topic, I can't see what the PS3 brings to the table that you couldn't have now with the 360, you only pay more and get even less, considering MS Live, and that's why the Wii will beat the PS3 like the DS beat the PSP (which is even outsold by the GBA in the US, LOL).

    PSP and PS3 are just souped up traditional specimen of their kind. The PSP is a game boy with a widescreen. Super. The PS3 is just the 360 without the online strategy. Superduper.

    Both DS and Wii offer games that are not possible on the competing platforms, due to unusual system features that no amount of last minute shoehorning will get into a Sony box.

    End of story, Nintendo 1, Microsoft 1, Sony... maybe next time.


  • spongebob #79 6 years ago

    MadMirko:
    Ehh, you have a brain, or? What PS3 brings to the table is the exact same thing as Wii and X360. New games. And the biggest difference between the platforms is that you get games you don't get on the other platforms, or in some cases, game experiences that differ from the other platforms. On the other platform it maybe better graphics, on the other different way to shoot on screen baddies.

    So, when thinking of purchasing the PS3 you shouldn't be thinking of the hardware you're purchasing (except maybe Blu-Ray, if you want to watch the films on that format) but games that are going to be released for it. Many games franchises that everybody loved on their PS1 and PS2 will resurface on PS3. And there will be new games by the truckload from new and old studios who are tight with Sony.

    Same applies to Wii and X360. Even more on Wii, since Nintendo is both notorious and well known for trusting their franchises and mascots. On Wii you'll see Mario escapades, on X360 Master Chef. And more of course.

    This is how most of the (regular consumer) people will see the new consoles anyway. Don't you dare think that they'd know better or that they should know better. These are not personal computers where processing power and other hardware information is essential for running everything from word processing to web browsing.

  • JetSetWilly #80 6 years ago

    Loyd Grossman on the 360 ftw!

  • ProfessorLesser #81 6 years ago

    I smell Metroid Prime hate.

    Burn fools.

  • smelly #82 6 years ago

    As people keep pointing out, games matter, hardware doesnt.

    The thing the Wii DOES have in its favour will be games. Most developers already have a gamecube engine. Update it a bit to cope with better gfx and cpu power, and you have a game engine ready to role.

    Add to that quick development times, and cheap development costs - and in theory the wii will have LOTS of games.

    Actually, thanks to the downloadable back catalogue of nintendo games, it already has before it even starts!

    So lots of games over a handful with pretty pixels.. hmm tough choice.

  • Carrybagma #83 6 years ago

    Yesssss all Nintendo IP is rubbish - replace them with Shiny Suited bouncing space goat warriors solid wiv big gunz etc etc etc fucking hell it never ends. Carzzzzzz are rubbish 'cos they still have four wheelszzzzz after all theze yearzzzzzz

    Anyway.

    I don't like cocky Nintendo announcements, 'cos they suggest confidence and confidence suggests a higher-that-I'd-like pricepoint. The Wii isn't so wonderful that I wouldn't consider a 360 instead if the price was close enough. Perhaps Nintendo intend to cash in on some fanboy soakage for the first 6 months or so, but a 360 price-drop will buggerup non-fanboy sales, and people may have set their minds on 360 or PS3 by then anyway. It'll be €99 Wii specials for Xmas 2007 if they're not careful.

  • hjarg666 #84 6 years ago

    Carrybagma, what can i say...

    Weeee, 99£ Wii! Can i order one now?

  • quantumsheep #85 6 years ago

    I think the success of the DS has at least made me think that the Wii could be a success too.

    I'll be honest. When I first heard about the DS, I wasn't too impressed. I was more interested in the PSP. I thought the touchscreen was a gimmick. Oh, and it didn't look nearly as lovely as the PSP.

    How shallow.

    A year on, I've got around 10 games for my DS compared to 4 for the PSP.

    The DS (like the Wii), is less powerful than the PSP (like the PS3/360). Yet the kind of games available for the DS appeal far more than the majority of PSP games.

    I wonder if that'll be true of the Wii?



    After my Speccy, I missed out on the AtariST/Amiga wars. I'd just lost interest in games. Didn't play for almost five years.

    Then I got an original Gameboy as a present. That re-ignited the spark in me. And yes, I got a SNES because I wanted the same kind of experience at home. Only it was much, much better ;)


    I've become disenchanted again with games of late. I always used to buy consoles on day 1 of release and never had any 'brand loyalty' - I just went to where the best games I thought I'd enjoy where!

    But I passed on the 360. Not because it's not a great machine, but because I really wasn't interested in the games available. Just not my cup of tea.

    Or rather, to my mind, 'more of the same' and not enough new or interesting stuff to want me to shell out £300 to play.

    (though I admit the Live Arcade stuff is starting to sway me!)

    Even this once harder than hardcore gamer is balking at the PS3 price.

    I thought it might be because I was getting older, had less time. And that may be true. But games just weren't as 'fun' for me anymore. Which I never thought I'd ever, ever say.

    Like the GameBoy before it, the DS has re-ignited the love of gaming for me. I am so looking forward to the Wii. I may be disappointed. But the succesful implementaion of a new control system on limited hardware represented by the DS, in my mind, bodes well for the Wii.

    And with a re-invigorated gaming sheep, maybe my love for games in general will come back. I can certainly see myself getting a 360 with Live and a PS3 at some point.

    I really hope Nintendo get it right. And don't get too cocky about it in the process ;)

  • Carrybagma #86 6 years ago

    :o)

    Did Dr. Sam Beckett ever get home in the end? Maybe I should get the last episode out on DVD..

    hjarg666 - £99 at launch would make it the best console ever!

  • IronGiant #87 6 years ago

    Hmmm seems that being an arrogant twat is catching.. first KK and now Reggie.
    The PSP is a big success so far and will continue to be, the DS is an even better success. Great for gamers, this winning the war bollox is well, bollox.

  • secombe #88 6 years ago

    I think the Wii could open the gaming market up to people who traditionally are not in the "gaming market".

    My parents have never bought a console but they loved my Mega Drive and played it frequently, after that the controllers got too complex due to the shift to 3D and they gave up, but they do use my PS2 for the retro compilations from time to time. On explaining the general idea of the Wii controller, and the fact that it's looking likely that they can play loads of old 8/16bit games, they are already very interested in getting one.

    Also people who dismiss the downloadable "retro" titles because you can get them through Emulators or actually play them on the original console are missing the point, one is relatively complicated and the other takes up too much space, convenience and speed is key these days.

    As for the Nintendo rehashing old IP and just releasing more Mario/Kong/Metroid/Zelda games, surely the other consoles will also "suffer" from this just the same situation? You can guarantee that your Grand Theft Autos, Gran Turismos and Pro Evos will be making up the high-end of the sales charts on the next gen machines.

  • webcider #89 6 years ago

    Yeah it will, ive seen the lite already. (looks at DS Lite)

  • Darren #90 6 years ago

    I really hope that the Nintendo Wii is a massive success as it might pave the way for more original games that are fun to play and less emphasis on hi-def graphics as the only thing that differentiates next-gen games from last-gen ones!

  • smelly #91 6 years ago

    WAYHEY DARREN!

    Someone speaking common sense :-)

  • dk_rare #92 6 years ago

    Wii ftw.

    Sony ftl

    MS ftalready some market share

  • Carrybagma #93 6 years ago

    MIGHT pave the way for more original games.
    MIGHT pave the way for the same old multi-platform shite and the controller earning 'gimmick' status

    (apart from a few golden, reliably good 1st party favourites, of course)

  • Zuiyo #94 6 years ago

    "I'd much rather have the consumer buy a Wii, some accessories, and a ton of games, versus buying any of my competitor's products."

    Isn't this, like, OBVIOUS?