Where does Nintendo's new system stand?

lgoss · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 09:42 AM

With XBox 360 (I will never buy a system made by Microsoft) out and the future release of the PS3, it seems that the new Nintendo system has become lost in the shuffle. It fascinates me how big the video game industry has become. If memory serves, there are more video games sold each year that cd's, dvd's, and theatre tickets. Here is an article on where the new Nintendo stands:
Nintendo Wii

weslinda · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 11:25 AM

While I'm not sure on your numbers of Video Games sold versus the rest of the optical media world, I am sure of one thing. The Wii will be a big hit. It's simple to understand why, so, make sure you are in line when they go on sale so you can snatch one up.

The Wii will be a hit for two main reasons:
1. It's price, at $250 it is $150 less than the other consoles. Price is a big thing in VG world.
2. It's has a USP or Unique Selling Point. The new controller system is going to be huge.

While the article you noted questions the sytems ability in FPS games, I actually think that this system is aimed away from the FPS player. I think this will be a hit away from the hardcore gaming community and I think that is what will drive sales.

MuNKyonline · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 06:14 AM

I think it will flop and it will flop hard. The only way it will be a hit is if its software and games are any good. People will pay more for a 360 or ps3 if they know that are getting something better. Kids wont want a console that isnt as good as another and parents will want to get them the best console that's out there. I think Nintendo will struggle especially when the PS3 is released next year.

It's going to be a battle between Sony and Microsoft. MS may have it this time thanks to their quicker release.

weslinda · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 11:19 AM

I thought PS3 was getting released around the same time as the Wii.

MuNKyonline · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 11:45 AM

Not sure about the wii but ps3 has been delayed to next year. They may be released at the same time, if so, then I think that will be really bad for nintendo especially since the gamecube wasnt a huge hit.

Sonic is even one of the games that is going to be coming out on ps3 on it's release and sega is now owned by nintendo.

weslinda · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 11:50 AM

Oh wait, you're talking about EU. US release is in November.

http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/press.html?pressID=2

MuNKyonline · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 12:13 PM

Oh yeah, of course!! Silly me =S

Lerza · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 05:44 PM

The last Nintendo system I owned was an NES, and I plan on getting a Wii the day it hits the shelves.

If the controller is even 1/4 as cool as it is reportedly, then I might buy two.

Also, the release date is currently set as November 19, 2006 for the US, and the price is definitely set at $249.99 USD. That's two days later than the PS3 release, and for $350 less!

**mike** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 06:04 PM

Nintendo is and has been the only console company doing any innovation in actual gameplay and design whatsoever. The PS3's motion detection controller was a blantant ripoff. And riddle me this Batman; when's the last time either one of those company's produced a totally original concept game that was worth playing for more than 15 minutes?

Sony and XBox preoccupy themselves with the rendering of textures and pixles in their hardware arms race. Nintendo actually creates new and innovative games that are fun to play.

I own and/or have owned Playstations, Xbox and Nintendo systems. Having been gaming hardcore since there have been games to play, I can say this with confidence: Games are about more than just graphics and Nintendo has one MAJOR advantage over both of their competitors. His name is Shigeru Miyamoto. To their credit, Microsoft recently hired another legendary game designer in Peter Molyneaux - now if they just let him do his thing, they could be on to something.

As such, I'd say Nintendo has an awful lot going for them.
The wii is going to come in at half the price.
Nintendo doesn't (typically) have all of that shortage nonsense at launch - so you can actually go buy one.
You can take it home and download games from the Nintendo library spanning the last 20 years or so.
The interface is a quantum shift in game control.
And it will be fun.
As far as I'm concerned, it isn't even a contest.

MuNKyonline · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

Nintendo is and has been the only console company doing any innovation in actual gameplay and design whatsoever. The PS3's motion detection controller was a blantant ripoff. And riddle me this Batman; when's the last time either one of those company's produced a totally original concept game that was worth playing for more than 15 minutes?

Name one that nintendo have released in the last 5 years! The only game that i'll give Nintendo credit for recently was super smash brothers melee on the game cube, other than that, it sucked. I mainly play first person shooters anyway or strategy games and would prefer both on a pc.

Nintendo are always relying on old characters and games. The wii doesnt sound that great to me. You can get emulators for free to play most of their old games on the internet already!

What's the multiplayer capability of the wii then?

Lerza · #11 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

Name one that nintendo have released in the last 5 years! The only game that i'll give Nintendo credit for recently was super smash brothers melee on the game cube, other than that, it sucked.

The Mario Party franchise is wonderful and excellent for all ages, but by no stretch an innovation. I think Mike might mean the DS (which hasn't fared as well as some of the other Nintendo handhelds, nor its primary competitor, the PSP) in terms of innovation.

Let's not forget that all modern controllers to date (of course not including the Wii controller) are highly evolved versions of the SNES controller that share primarily the same button layout - four primary buttons in a diamond with triggers on the top for the index fingers. Nintendo also gave us the first vibrating controller, the system link, and the infared handhelds which would later give way to a wifi-capable handheld before the PSP's release. I'm sure there have been more - those were just off the top of my head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

Nintendo are always relying on old characters and games.

I agree that they recycle old characters in any way they can think of, but I wouldn't say they 'rely' on them. I think the recent Mario sports games have been a great idea (some have been executed much more effectively than others), and I like playing Gamecube solely because of the Mario Party games. I think this will illustrate my point this best:

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

[I've] been gaming hardcore since there have been games to play

Most gamers maintain a relatively high interest in video games, and Nintendo's biggest fans have continued to support Nintendo games. I think Nintendo knows that in order to maintain a close place in the hearts of oldschool gamers, they have to keep the oldschool characters fresh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

You can get emulators for free to play most of their old games on the internet already!

Actually, while you can find them for free, you have to actually own the original cartridge to legally obtain the ROMS. Internet services that handle in-browser emulation of older games require a monthly fee to handle copyright issues. So, no, you can't legally play old games completely free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

What's the multiplayer capability of the wii then?

IMO, this has been my largest hesitation in regards to the Wii because not much has been elaborated apon. We know that one controller can be passed around, but that won't work well for any real-time cooperative games. Not much has been said about linking multiple systems, other than that it will resemble the Xbox and PS3's networking capabilites. There has been no word on how many systems can be linked simultaneously. The name is supposed to bring to mind togetherness, but the only multiplayer functionality that has been stressed is the online capability. Playing online isn't nearly as fun as playing a game with someone in the same room.

**mike** · #12 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

Name one that nintendo have released in the last 5 years!

Smash Bros, PikMin, Mario Kart, Mario Party, Metroid... All Nintendo only, and all of them break completely new ground in some capacity. And I can play them all with my kids too. My 6yr old is a formidable gamer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

I mainly play first person shooters anyway or strategy games and would prefer both on a pc.

I thought we were discussing consoles? No console can match the PC for FPS. Why is that a knock on Nintendo? The revamped FPS-like Metroid was a lot more fun than either of the Halo titles in the single player mode as far as I'm concerned. The only complaint I had with the Cube was the lack of online support. Miyamoto has always leaned towards the living room experience. The wii is going to support online vs however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

Nintendo are always relying on old characters and games.

Old characters, sure... but why is that a problem? Smash Bros gameplay would have been the same with all new characters. Having the classic characters in there just enhances the fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKyonline

What's the multiplayer capability of the wii then?

In the room or online? It's going to support online vs. play if thats what you're asking.

weslinda · #13 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:16 PM

Anyone remember the "Legend of Zelda" series? I mean, probably the best selling series ever for Nintendo.

The system will sell like hot cakes, and it will be a huge success.

Lerza · #14 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weslinda

Anyone remember the "Legend of Zelda" series? I mean, probably the best selling series ever for Nintendo.

Not even close! Didja forget about Mario? "Third-best selling series ever for Nintendo" would have said it, though. Here's the facts:

* Super Mario Bros. (40.24 million)
* Duck Hunt (28.31 million)
* Super Mario Bros. 3 (17.28 million)
* Super Mario Bros. 2 (7.46 million)
* The Legend of Zelda (6.51 million)

Those are the top 5 selling games for the NES. Units are in copies sold.

Let's add up all of the Zelda titles:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64 - 7.60 million)
The Legend of Zelda (NES - 6.51 million)
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES - 4.61 million)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES - 4.38 million)
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GC - 4.32 million)
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages (GC - 3.99 million)
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (GC - 3.83 million)
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64 - 3.36 million)
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords (GBA - 2.50 million)
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA - 1.23 million)

Add them all up, and you get 42.33 million copies sold - or in total, only 2 million more copies than Super Mario Bros. sold by itself.

Need more? Here's Wikipedia's list of the top 10 video game franchises of all time, by units sold:

* Mario (281 million)
* Pokémon (143 million)
* Final Fantasy (68 million)
* The Sims (58 million)
* Madden NFL (51 million)
* The Legend of Zelda (47 million)
* Tetris (45.2 million)
* Sonic the Hedgehog (44 million)
* Donkey Kong (43 million)
* Dragon Quest (40 million)

weslinda · #15 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:45 PM

You have definately got too much time on your hands man...but props on the stats. I obviously didn't know them, ust went on WOM knowledge.

That'll teach me. Still, three of the top 10 games ever, that says something about Nintendo in and of itself.

Lerza · #16 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weslinda

You have definately got too much time on your hands man...but props on the stats. I obviously didn't know them, ust went on WOM knowledge.

That'll teach me. Still, three of the top 10 games ever, that says something about Nintendo in and of itself.

It was actually very easy to find, and all on the same page. Wikipedia is great for stuff like this.

Also - don't forget about Donkey Kong - so they've actually got the top 2, 3 of the top 6, and 4 of the top 10. Nintendo is definitely here to stay. Also, I think it's almost guaranteed that all 4 of them will find next-gen installments on the Wii. Personally, I can't wait.

weslinda · #17 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:53 PM

Thought Donkey Kong started on Atari. Didn't think it was Nintendo only, but hey, what in the world do I know.

MuNKyonline · #18 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 04:14 PM

Sorry, not a fan of metroid or any new mario games, including mario kart. I did like smash brothers though. I guess it just depends on what games you like to play then.

Nintendo hasnt seemed to be as popular over here. Everyone went mad over the PS2 and then the XBOX.

The xbox 360 is the most powerful machine on the market at the moment but i think the PS3 is well worth waiting for.

**mike** · #19 (**permalink**) 10-25-2006, 12:02 AM

I found this articlethat's pretty much dead in line with my take on the state of games and the new goodies coming out.

For the most part it's all been there done that 10 times already.

MuNKyonline · #20 (**permalink**) 10-25-2006, 05:26 AM

I do get what you mean about the games but I still dont think they are that bad. Sounds like the person that wrote this article is just having a big moan! If this guy believes that most people actually thought that those screenshots are from real in-game play then he must be pretty stupid! Doom 3 is an awesome game and if you take your time when playing it, then you will notice some pretty mental stuff happens!

It's just like saying - Microsoft has had the capability to make a robust operating system that will please everyone for years but chooses not to!

The price tag for the ps3 is not that far off what the ps2 was when it was released over here!

**mike** · #21 (**permalink**) 10-25-2006, 09:37 AM

I don't take it as a moan or even that he's saying games are that bad. He's just pointing out how much room for improvement there really is - and it goes waaaay beyond just making things "shinier".

"Do NOT duck inside those doors, men! Honorable warriors need no cover!"

Classic.

MuNKyonline · #22 (**permalink**) 10-25-2006, 10:16 AM

LOL. That shot was from Time Splitters Future Perfect. Great game made by people from the goldeneye team - I think you'd like that if you havent played it. It has loads of challenges away from the main game which make it pretty unique. Like cat racing and throwing bricks through windows!

Dont get me wrong, every gamer would like something more realistic & original to play. If Nintendo's new advancements work well and they arent just taken as some crappy gizmos then that'll be great for the gaming industry. The others will surely follow their example but based on their recent games and last console, it will have to be something really special.

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