Nintendo Says It May Buck the 5-6 Year Console Cycle With Wii
- May 29th, 2007
- 5 Comments
Nintendo knows it’s got a winner on its hands with the Wii and now it looks like the company is starting to project some hubris. George Harrison, the head of marketing for Nintendo of America, says Sony screwed up by releasing a PlayStation 3 that’s simply too expensive for what it does. Hence, as Harrison points out, Sony is still selling a large number of PS2s.
Harrison also says that this video game cycle may well last more than the 5-6 years that’s been the norm for the past few cycles. The key to its broad success is focusing on non-typical gamers this generation. That’s fine, but I’ve seen my fair share of message board flame wars (here, too) where people complain that Nintendo is losing the traditional gamer audience by making so much mini-game-like games. That’s a shame since it was Nintendo’s hardcore faithful who helped it through the dry spells in the N64 and GameCube’s lifetimes.
Johnal (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I never considered the N64 as part of the Nintendo dry spell era. Anyway, I’m sure the number of gamers Nintendo has brought back and also added as “new” far outweighs the number of faithful gamers they’ve lost.
sly (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I can’t speak for the entire gaming community, but I consider myself a hardcore gamer, and I’d just love to get my hands on a Wii (even if it means enduring endless taunting for saying something that is so easily interpreted as homoerotic innuendo!)
Jon (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I would prefer to be ahead of the curve while others catch-up then at the bottom - PS3 isn’t a mistake by a long shot - it shows very forward thinking - I believe once all this hype goes away with the Wii, Nintendo better come out with something with a bit more power (ei: features) then current version or they are put back into N64 territory yet again. How long do you figure before PS3 comes out with technology that kills Wiis “interactiveness” - I bet this Christmas the Wii will have a serious challenger in what currently is a niche market.
Jon
Tanner (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I actually have a Wii and although it is a lot of fun, I find myself already getting bored with the games available. Sure, Wii Sports is fun, but it is more of a party game since it lacks online play. I have the new Tiger, but the graphics are outdated and there is also no online play. I know look at the 360 (I don’t even consider the PS3…they screwed that one up) and am thinking about grabbing one at some point so I can play some of the newest “hard core gamer” games.
Bottom like is that Nintendo is at a high point right now and needs to start coming out with new ways to use the Wii. New channels, new games, and a hardware upgrade by Xmas (they will sell millions). Like all markets, MS can come late to the game, steal your ideas, and simply outspend and market you. If MS is smart, they will have a motion sensitive controller by xmas.
Orga (Who am I?)
1 year ago
The Wii needs games. Right the hell now. For all that people talk about how the graphics are “only” 480p, you have to realize that most people don’t have TVs that can take advantage of your precious 1080p yet. That’s just truth.
While this is still the case, the Wii needs to come out with a shitload more games to cement their surprising (to some, at least) position. Otherwise, come Jesus Day, MS and Sony are going to beat Ninty into 3rd. For good.