Wii will, Wii will, Rock you.
So begins the next generation of gaming with the introduction of the PLAYSTATION 3 and Nintendo Wii. Microsoft surprised the industry with an early head start by releasing their console last year around the same time. A new wave of technology and a new era of gaming. Generally the video game industry has been rather linear by only introducing more power. It's safe to say there hasn't been much innovation in control mechanics in console gaming. This year, Nintendo has challenged the consumer to play in a whole new way and they were willing to sacrifice technology for a new form of entertainment. Sony and Microsoft have stuck to the generic routine of cramming the highest end gear together to provide the most up to date gaming power. So let's compare sales figures as of December 20, 2006:
XBOX 360: 8 804 6233
PLAYSTATION 3: 493 042
Nintendo Wii: 1 849 720
With the holiday season in full effect it looks like the Nintendo Wii is well on it's way to dominating the industry at just one month old, selling almost 2 million before the new year. Microsoft managed to secure their head start by releasing a year ahead of the competition but it wasn't till recently that they began earning profit because of material fees, as opposed to the Nintendo Wii which has been making nearly $100 USD profit per system. And I haven't said anything about Sony because quite frankly this generation is not about Sony. Yes the leader of last generation has turned in to the Miami Heat (if you don't watch basketball this means they went from champ to chump with just one season's time) of this generation. With their supposed to be "revolutionary and edgy" commercials that are absolute nonsense to anyone with a brain and their ripped off gimmicks, Six-Axis anyone? It's clear the consumer is not buying into the hype any more. Without the Sony fan base it's hard to believe the PS3 is going anywhere this time around. The real story here is the Nintendo's drive back to dominance with the Nintendo DS and Wii. The new Zelda alone is worth the price of admission and although alot of games have yet to put a revolutionary use to the motion control, Wario Ware is just around the corner and is sure to be the party hit of 2007. It's obvious that Nintendo has put in the effort to make up for their horrible attempts last year, GameCube? More like LameCube! Right!?
It comes down to power vs. utility. If you had a huge rock that's great but you're not going to do anything constructive with that rock. I'd rather have a hammer!
Buy into the hype.
Nintendo Wii is legit.
XBOX 360: 8 804 6233
PLAYSTATION 3: 493 042
Nintendo Wii: 1 849 720
With the holiday season in full effect it looks like the Nintendo Wii is well on it's way to dominating the industry at just one month old, selling almost 2 million before the new year. Microsoft managed to secure their head start by releasing a year ahead of the competition but it wasn't till recently that they began earning profit because of material fees, as opposed to the Nintendo Wii which has been making nearly $100 USD profit per system. And I haven't said anything about Sony because quite frankly this generation is not about Sony. Yes the leader of last generation has turned in to the Miami Heat (if you don't watch basketball this means they went from champ to chump with just one season's time) of this generation. With their supposed to be "revolutionary and edgy" commercials that are absolute nonsense to anyone with a brain and their ripped off gimmicks, Six-Axis anyone? It's clear the consumer is not buying into the hype any more. Without the Sony fan base it's hard to believe the PS3 is going anywhere this time around. The real story here is the Nintendo's drive back to dominance with the Nintendo DS and Wii. The new Zelda alone is worth the price of admission and although alot of games have yet to put a revolutionary use to the motion control, Wario Ware is just around the corner and is sure to be the party hit of 2007. It's obvious that Nintendo has put in the effort to make up for their horrible attempts last year, GameCube? More like LameCube! Right!?
It comes down to power vs. utility. If you had a huge rock that's great but you're not going to do anything constructive with that rock. I'd rather have a hammer!
Buy into the hype.
Nintendo Wii is legit.
posted by Earl Oliveros at 6:16 AM
5 Comments:
Earl! Good post, very insightful. I have to admit I completely agree. Not only is the PS3 too over priced, but other than the new blue ray features, I really don't see anything different from the PS2. The hype over the PS3 lasted like a good 2 weeks before it completely died down. I haven't played the wii yet, but it looks a lot more interesting than the PS3, that's for sure! =) LONG LIVE THE ORIGINAL XBOX ... if I had my console choice though I'd have to go with Nintendo's SUPER Nintendo, now THAT was fun.
The lamecube, that's a good one. But the fact is, the hype that they have created is indeed superior to that of other systems. But does this mean their system is the best choice, I'd beg to differ. Nintendo's use of the true hype of their Mario character is starting to die down and the fact that their hardware is no where up to their competitors keeps me away from the product. However, one thing I acknowledge is that 'imitation is the greatest form of flattery' and for PS3 to stick a 'tilt motion sensor' into their controller last minute really tells you one thing: Sony has bought into the hype.
hey earl,
The video game hardware market is a pretty tricky to break into and to predict. Before the wii and the ps3 came out, most people believed that the ps3 would sell incredibly fast because of the new features like blue ray and it was a pretty much a given that the wii would sell like hot cakes because of its revolutionary controls and game play and lastly, because it was cheap (well cheaper than the ps3).
The ps3, i feel, was aimed towards the older more "mature" generation, while the wii was definently geared towards the younger generation with their cute games (mario, cooking mama and the now infamous sports games => miis ^__^)
i personally had a really hard time deciding between a ps3 and a wii. while i was impressed by the controller of the wii, the graphics on the wii are not half as good as those found on the PS3. So to make things easy for my cousins and i to decide, my aunts bought 5 wiis and 5 ps3s for the family for christmas.
So having both i have to say i absolutely adore the ps3. the graphics are incredibly beautiful, sophisticated and life like and for me when playing a game I need graphics as well as game play. i mean final fantasy would not be what is without the graphics.
the wii on the other hand is perfect for having fun and parties. it is simple and easy to pick up and classic games like zelda definently lived up to the hype (although it was kinda easy...) and i agree with you when you say that people are not taking advantage of the motion control and making the games more interactive (just look at mario party 8...)
so, i guess what i am trying to say is (sorry about the rambling) is that while the wii is revolutionary and the better system to buy because of easy and interactive controls
however i wouldnt completely pass over the ps3... think of the graphics (well if you're into those things) and the games you will being missing out on!
some people say it comes down to not only power v.s utility but game play v.s. graphics
and to me although the game play is not as revolutionary on the ps3 but its still good
soo in the end... if you have the money
buy both ^________^
gah im such a consumer
great article earl!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I vaguely remember trading in my Nintendo 64 plus some cash for a brand spanking new playstation 1. yes, can you believe it? i don’t regret the trade as I find that I have a lot more fun with the traditional gameplay of sitting down with the controller. I also prefer the playstation because of its games. While the majority of Nintendo’s games are subjected more towards kids with games like Mario Party 1, 2, 3, 15, 40, and 47, the playstation offers more variety with more sophisticated and mature games that have depth like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, and Grand Turismo.
Those were my two main concerns, how good the graphics were and what kind of games released for each system.
Nowadays, I have been pretty out of the loop however I’ve had the chance to try all of the recent consoles. Personally I still prefer the traditional sit down game play of xbox and playstation where the focus is mostly put from the mind onto the controller. My experience with the wii is also very entertaining, however I see it more as a social activity during parties rather than competing with the other game consoles.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally appreciate and am fascinated by what Nintendo has done over the years to always try to be a step ahead of the game, however, as you were saying, we are still waiting for games that will put the revolutionary motion system to good use.
I guess it is the depth in the actual game, story, and things you can do in itself that intrigues me, which has been that way for me ever since I was little, rather than changing the way I play.
But that’s just me. Maybe I’ll purchase both, one for my gaming pleasure and one to compensate for the long hours of unhealthy and non-physical activity. After all, Wii does rhyme with healthy. =)
ps. keep up the great writing earl
john p
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