Oops, MS Forgot About The Wii In World Hardware Sales (That's Because The Wii Doesn't Count)
How could Microsoft make such a huge error? Because the Wii doesn't count. That's why. Remember back before the Wii launched and Nintendo fanboys were trying to temper everyone's expectations by claiming the Wii wasn't meant to compete with the PS3 and 360 and that you shouldn't hold them to the same standard? But now that Nintendo has returned to dominance, those same fanboys are always the first to post sales numbers and gloat over Nintendo's supposed victory in the console wars. Sorry kids, I'm not buying it.
Why don't I buy that viewpoint? Well, for one thing,the Wii should be held to a different standard. How can you consider it among the current generation when it is running last-gen hardware? That has yet to showcase graphics that actually look better than the original Xbox's graphics, by the way. It is running last-gen technology and cannot compete with the Xbox 360 and PS3 in terms of graphics, or online play, or a multitude of other features. Why does it sell so well, then? Because it is far cheaper because of that inferior hardware and it is selling so well directly because of that lower price point. Why is it such a shock that the cheapest systems on the market, the Wii and the PS2 (still) sell so well.
Another reason I don't buy it is that everyone I know that buys a Wii gets sick of it about a month later. Epic Games President Michael Capps had the right idea when he compared the Wii to a virus. See original quote. You play it for a while and "infect" other people who then go buy a Wii, who infect people who go buy a Wii, etc. But everyone eventually gets tired of it. If we were counting the number of consoles currently collecting dust and not getting used for months at a time, yeah, Nintendo totally wins that. Or if we're counting the number of consoles sold and then zero games are purchased afterwards for that console, yeah, Nintendo wins that. But if we're counting the number of systems that actually get used every day, the Xbox 360 and PS3 easily out pace the Wii. And everyone knows 76% of statistics are completely made up.
The Wii was made to appeal to a new and different audience. It isn't a hardcore gamer system. It is a casual gamer system. And that is fine. The former Nintendo fanboy in me is happy that Nintendo is doing well after a decade of being in the dumps. But the current Xbox 360 and PS3 fan in me is greatly annoyed by the Wii's shoe horning into the current arms race. It is like the 360 and PS3 are packing nuclear weapons and the Wii brought a pop-gun. It is a fine system for what it does, but it doesn't really belong in the current-gen console wars conversation.
Between the double standard among Nintendo fans, the last-gen tech, and the virus effect, the Wii just really grinds my gears.
Comments
Sorry, i disagree with your opinion, first of all, i own a 360 and ps3 as well i loved bioshock, halo 3, uncharted, etc, but i loved the wii even more because it has funnier games and innovative games that cannot be made in the other two consoles, even the wii is revitalazing the adventure games and arcade shooters, something that you cannot say about the other two companys ( zack and wikki, boom blox, umbrella chronicles).
and for the casual gamer term, please stop using it, because every person that plays on regular basis a game no matter the type of game it is a videogamer, take for instance a person that plays 6+ hours a day of wii sports or wii play, it is a hardcore gamer, not because the type of the game he plays, but because the amount of time and dedication put into the game, this is going to make this person to know the ins and outs of the game better than anyone, and for me thats hardcore my friend
Wow. This whole ‘blog’ is totally lame. You’re not counting a Wii in the console race because of it’s graphics? Graphics don’t even make the game. Any gamer should know that. What about it’s technology? The wii mote in itself. It’s new and stands out by a mile. I can’t believe someone can’t see what a true gem this is. The online play is great, this review is very very lame. Maybe play the Wii more than 1 hour and we’ll talk.
Thank you for your comments!
I’m not saying the Wii is a bad system, I’m just saying it should probably be categorized differently. Generally when you compare things, they need to have common features/abilities/etc. to start with and then the slight differences distinguish them. Otherwise, direct comparison and competition is kind of pointless. The Wii, in terms of price, audience, technology, features, etc. just doesn’t have all that much in common with the other systems other than it is a videogame system, so lumping it into the next-gen “console wars” doesn’t make a lot of sense.
“direct comparison and competition is kind of pointless”
Sorry again, but i think sony and microsoft are including the wii in the race with them, see the atempts of copying the wii mote, the six asis for instance as soon as nintendo reveiled the wii mote sony came up with a half bake motion controller,and now are rumors for microsoft as well, so i think they are including the wii in this race, and let me tell you something if the graphics are the only thing which you messure the next gen term, then all of us were still plaaying games in 2-D with HD graphics because thats the only thing that makes next gen, so i see innovation is a part of that and wii wins in that by a large margin, in the graphics deparment if you see super mario galaxy with the component cables 480i i think is next gen, because it has better graphics than the gamecube by a lot even some effects are better done than the 360 and ps3, even the colors are prettier and far more involving, so there you have it of course the wii is a next gen system, and sony and microsoft knows this.
I think it’s hilarious that you’ve bought into the MS spin on this one. Don’t think for a minute that if the 360 was truly on top MS wouldn’t be counting the Wii amongst its fallen victims. Nintendo gambled big time and won this generation - further proof can be found in how all the “next gen” systems have fallen in line with motion control concepts (as an earlier poster pointed out). Also, the Wii is still so successful because its way more fun for everyone at family gatherings, parties etc. I love my 360, but my Mom isn’t interested in playing it. Nintendo proved THIS generation that most people were looking for something more from a video game experience.
I have a Wii. I have a PS3 on the way. I don’t care for the XBOX. Until Sony and MS make you have to actually move more than a few fingers, you can’t over look the Wii. It is interactive, which was THE selling point for me as well as others that I know fom this area.
I’m not denying the Wii’s success or that it definitely appeals to some people more than others. But what is the harm if it is classified as its own side market? 360 and PS3 are one gen, and the Wii is its own class.
I think this is was an excellent article. I totally agree with your points. I like the point about the Nintendo fanboys (that apparently like to leave comments here) and how they tried to downplay the Wii before launch, and now have turned and take every opportunity to gloat. I’m a Wii60 owner myself so there isn’t any slant to this, they are both fun but different.
I guess you could also say the Xbox is also behind the PC. The PC hit 10 Million a while ago. But the sales are just talking about the typical, standard console. If Nintendo had sold an IR bar as a peripheral, and then Wavebirds with motion sensors for the Gamecube, would Xbox 360 be competing with that? That’s just about what has happened here when you consider the hardware involved.
Great article, I appreciate your opinions on here.