Wii to make debut in US, Your thoughts...?

[Robin]

I think this is new news but its official that the Wii will be released in the US on november 19th two weeks before the Japan launch! (2nd december) This must be some kind of first but I think its logical as they will want to get into the US market before the PS3 comes out not that its directly competeing......

Finally a country other than Japan gets it first...... so what are your thoughts on this move? Do you think this will hurt the Japan launch in any sort of way? Do you think its a good idea to launch in the US first? Will it sway people away from the competion because its available?

Any thoughts or happiness about the news welcome 👍

Heres the news link.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5344510.stm

Robin

 

[Tornado]

I personally think Nintendo pulled a brilliant manuevre. With the PS3 being sold with only 400k in U.S. and 100k in Japan, Nintendo could sell it at any time they wanted in November.

 

[JNasty4G63]

The other big issue in Nintendo's favor is the fact that they say they will have shipped 4 million Wii by the end of this calendar year. So, by XMas they will have 4 million units out there. Not only is it going to be very well priced, but it will be readily available.

But Sony, on the other hand, is only saying they are "on track" to ship 6 million by then end of their fiscal year, which ends March 31. And, we all know how well Sony has been doing lately with predictions and shipping announcements.

By the end of March next year, Sony could very well be sitting right dead in 3rd place, with lots of ground to make up.

Hilg

 

[TopHat]

its logical as they will want to get into the US market before the PS3 comes out not that its directly competeing......


Robin

Why wouldn't it be competing with the PS3?

The Wii has the processing power, the innovation, AND the Price Tag!

They are in the Same Generation, but who would you rather compare, an Alienware Desktop?

Only Wondering.....

 

[DuckRacer]

Why wouldn't it be competing with the PS3?

The Wii has the processing power, the innovation, AND the Price Tag!

They are in the Same Generation, but who would you rather compare, an Alienware Desktop?

Only Wondering.....

The Wii is only slightly more powerful than the original Xbox...

And it's not directly competing with the PS3. The Wii is a 2nd console for gamers. People won't buy only it.

 

[TopHat]

I just think that Nintendo is going to come out on top here, considering they cost a fraction of the price.

( hey nintendo, this could be great publicity for you )

 

[Tornado]

The Wii is only slightly more powerful than the original Xbox...

I wouldn't say that, when people said that the Gamecube may have been dead even with the original XBox.

 

[DuckRacer]

I just think that Nintendo is going to come out on top here, considering they cost a fraction of the price.

( hey nintendo, this could be great publicity for you )

The PS3 has a massive fanbase. Every 20-something will probably buy one. Every kid under that age will want one. Even though initial sales might be slow, once the PS3 becomes cheaper, and more good games (MGS4, GT5, etc) come out, every kid will have one, one way or another.

And that's another thing: games. Not everyone likes Mario. Or other Nintendo games.

But, I kind of agree with you. I don't think they'll come out on top, but I'll think it'll do better than the X360.


Also, here's some clips showing the Photo, News, Weather, and Mii Channels.

Weather Channel.

News Channel.

Photo Channel.

Mii Channel.

 

[TopHat]

Yeah, I only said that because Nintendo has the lowest prices for a reason... nonexistent(ok,lower) manufacturing prices.

Nintendo actually made money on selling gamecubes alone, which is phenomenal.

 

[Tornado]

Nintendo actually made money on selling gamecubes alone, which is phenomenal.

Which makes me laugh whenever I hear people calling for Nintendo to go third party, when the only one who lost money on hardware in the sixth generation was Microsoft and Sega.

 

[JNasty4G63]

I wouldn't say that, when people said that the Gamecube may have been dead even with the original XBox.

I agree. Sure, specs-wise, the original XBox may have been slightly better. But, the original XBox was more or less just cobbled together PC parts that were tuned to play games only. I mean, yes, its specs were slightly better almost across the board. But, they were basically old parts thrown together to be as cheap as possible, while still being fairly similar to code for.

But in-game graphics show the Gamecube in a different light. Sure, Halo 2 looks great, no doubt. But, in the last generation of consoles, I don't think any game looked as good as Resident Evil 4 on the Cube. The one downside is that most of the games on the GC didn't push it as hard. I mean, yes, Metroid, Zelda and Killer 7 looked fantastic. But, that was about it on the "graphically intense" front.

Also, now with 7GB more storeage space to work with per disc, there is that much more room for better textures and sound. And, with a more powerful architechture to put that extra content to use, the Wii should be just fine on the graphics side. No, not a rival to the 360 or PS3 for graphical domination, but no slouch. I mean, the pictures that have come out today from the news conference look great.

....Even though initial sales might be slow, once the PS3 becomes cheaper, and more good games (MGS4, GT5, etc) come out, every kid will have one, one way or another.

But, you have to also think, when the time comes for Sony to drop prices on the PS3, the other 2 will almost certainly be cheaper as well. I mean, there is already talk of MS coming out with 360 bundles soon, like XMas or early next year. So, not only would the system be cheaper, but your $400 would be getting an extra controller and a game. Thats basically $100 worth of stuff right there. And hell, the Wii (with a game) is already HALF as much as the CHEAPEST of the PS3 versions (no games), let alone once they start dropping prices.

I think you are close though. There will no doubt be a lot of people that will buy the PS3. But, with as little of them as they will have available, and as expensive as they are going to be, that surely will limit how many get sold. I mean, a less-than-half-priced Wii that is VERY readilly available will be a pretty easy sell this holidays.

And that's another thing: games. Not everyone likes Mario. Or other Nintendo games.

And not everyone likes Sony and MS games. I mean, they both have their own franchises. Halo, PGR and Forza on XBox, Final Fantasy, GT and MGS on the PS. They all have their highs and lows, depends on what you like.

Hilg

 

[JCE]

The PS3 has a massive fanbase. Every 20-something will probably buy one.

I'm 26 (and in 1.5 months 27) and I will not buy the PS3. Nor am I interested in it at all. Sony's hardware is notoriously bad, and the price point makes it rediculous beyond belief. It's bad enough Sony's gouging there customers on the PSP but the PS3 will take the cake. Maybe in 3 years when the PS3's used price is $150 I'll buy it, but not until then.

I'm frankly excited about the Wii--except for the name. Nintendo should of kept it the "Revolution". Between the 360 and Wii/Revolution I should be good on my next-next-next generation consoles.

But I'll still be playing my SNES, DS, and XBOX the most for years to come.

 

[Wolfe]

And it's not directly competing with the PS3. The Wii is a 2nd console for gamers. People won't buy only it.

Oh really? I didn't buy a 360 because I didn't want to spend a few hundred dollars on something that I knew one of my friends would buy (now two of my friends own 360's), and I definitely won't be buying a PS3 for a multitude of reasons. The Wii will be the only console for Mii.

Now, I was under the assumption that, given the popularity of the 360 and the steep price of the PS3, other gamers would find themselves doing the same thing as I'm doing -- playing their friends' 360's and buying a Wii for themselves. Not a majority by any means, but a significant minority.

The PS3 has a massive fanbase. Every 20-something will probably buy one. Every kid under that age will want one.

You know, I hate to admit it, but you're right. My best friend explained to me why, and it makes perfect sense:

The more I think about it, the more I realise that the PS3 is going to do just fine. The XBOX360 delivered just what Xbox guys want, better graphics, and better online... The Wii offers just what any Nintendo fanboy is looking for at this point, (a different gaming experience) and as always Nintendo is managing to drag in people who wouldn't normally play videogames. And Sony is doing exactly what it has been. Produce an over priced, over powered system that graphically owns all of it's competitors and has a certain exclusivity to it.

No one bought a PSP cause it's a good handheld (I did, then sold it, cause it only had 4 good games, soon to be 5 with Ace Combat X) People buy the PSP so they can go "Hey look, I have a PSP." and so other people will go, "Aww damn, you have a PSP?!"

Replace PSP with PS3 and there ya go.

 

[JNasty4G63]

"Hey look, I have a PSP." and so other people will go.....

Hilg

 

[Omnis]

The Wii is only slightly more powerful than the original Xbox...

And it's not directly competing with the PS3. The Wii is a 1st console for gamers. But, People won't buy only it.

Fixed.

 

[JCE]

And Sony is doing exactly what it has been. Produce an over priced, over powered system that graphically owns all of it's competitors and has a certain exclusivity to it.

Actually the PS2 is lacking in the hardware department versus the XBOX and GameCube. That and the PS2 is horrible quality hardware...worse than the XBOX. And the Saturn actually had better hardware than the PS1 when it came out--the Saturn even came out first! Sony hasn't been producing superior hardware, what have been producing is HYPE and 3rd party support all these years...and it's worked. If the Wii gets massive 3rd party support the PS3 will be in third place.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

You guy's all make me giggle, as if "1st" or "3rd" place really matters. It does absolutely nothing for YOU to have your "console of choice" to "win".

Even in "third" place, the PS3 will still snag up awesome exclusives and wonderful titles. But, then again, you'll be bragging that your "Wii" is in "first" and blah blah blah.

It's so ridiculous, it makes me gigL.

 

[Robin]

And it's not directly competing with the PS3. The Wii is a 2nd console for gamers. People won't buy only it.

I agree... the Wii for any hardcore or even semi core gamer will be a second console much like it was with having maybe a PS2 or Xbox and a Gamecube...

My mates got a 360 and he will be buying a Wii 'on the side' so to speak due to its more multiplayer fun orientation (like when friends are round) but not for proper all out next gen gaming.....

Especially with it being so cheap I would expect alot of people to get one to complement a PS3/360, because it offers a kind of 'unusual tilt' that the others dont have.....

Oh and NEW NEWS!... the EU launch date is set for the 8th of december at £179......and games will be about £34-£39.

Plus, and I quote..."With the Wii console Nintendo is hoping to win fans among people who rarely or never play games." See, even Nintendo admit its not a mainsteam fulltime console...Its aimed at novice gamers...

Heres the news link...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5349720.stm

Robin

 

[Tornado]

And Sony is doing exactly what it has been. Produce an over priced, over powered system that graphically owns all of it's competitors and has a certain exclusivity to it.

Though it is quite arguable, this is really the only time Sony has come out with a console that is legitimately the most powerful.

 

[Wolfe]

Actually the PS2 is lacking in the hardware department versus the XBOX and GameCube. That and the PS2 is horrible quality hardware...worse than the XBOX. And the Saturn actually had better hardware than the PS1 when it came out--the Saturn even came out first! Sony hasn't been producing superior hardware, what have been producing is HYPE and 3rd party support all these years...and it's worked. If the Wii gets massive 3rd party support the PS3 will be in third place.

Though it is quite arguable, this is really the only time Sony has come out with a console that is legitimately the most powerful.

In my friend's defense, the PSP is the powerhouse of the handheld market, and although the PS2 was by far the weakest (processing-power-wise) of the 6th-gen consoles, it could be argued that its lack of power and unreliable hardware made it "overpriced."

I will not, however, claim that his argument was perfectly flawless. Just keep in mind that those words weren't mine, and were quoted verbatim.

You guy's all make me giggle, as if "1st" or "3rd" place really matters. It does absolutely nothing for YOU to have your "console of choice" to "win".

Even in "third" place, the PS3 will still snag up awesome exclusives and wonderful titles. But, then again, you'll be bragging that your "Wii" is in "first" and blah blah blah.

It's so ridiculous, it makes me gigL.

Wow, you're right! Just like with the console wars, rooting for your favorite team in football, Formula 1, or any other sport is completely pointless because their victory or defeat does nothing for you!

I can't believe how ridiculous we all are, discussing which console(s) we think will do well and which one(s) we like. How stupid could we be?! It's not like the success or failure of a console will have any effect on the amount of good games that will be available in the years after its release. Even if it did, we could just buy all three and avoid that problem, because we all have money shooting out of our 🤬 !

I'm glad you called us out, Jeremy. You've saved us all a lot of headaches. 👎

I agree... the Wii for any hardcore or even semi core gamer will be a second console much like it was with having maybe a PS2 or Xbox and a Gamecube...

My mates got a 360 and he will be buying a Wii 'on the side' so to speak due to its more multiplayer fun orientation (like when friends are round) but not for proper all out next gen gaming.....

Especially with it being so cheap I would expect alot of people to get one to complement a PS3/360, because it offers a kind of 'unusual tilt' that the others dont have.....

Although I've come to like the 360, I still think it's a bit overrated, and it only offers a small handful of games that I would buy if I owned the system. Even one my friends who did buy it rarely plays it, and I'd probably be the same way. Still, when I do want to play it, all I have to do is mosey on over to one of their houses.

Buying it never even crossed my mind, and the same is true with the PS3.

To say the Wii has nothing to offer for a "next-gen" experience is unfair, IMO, and relies on the "old" presumption that a console needs significantly faster hardware to be considered one of the "next-gen" consoles.

Plus, and I quote..."With the Wii console Nintendo is hoping to win fans among people who rarely or never play games." See, even Nintendo admit its not a mainsteam fulltime console...Its aimed at novice gamers...

I see no such admission in that quote. All I see is Nintendo hoping to attract a broader audience. Last time I checked, trying to exclude the largest portion of the market -- hardcore gamers -- is not the best way to increase the size of your audience.

Perhaps you're only reading what you want to read? Nah, I'm just giving you crap.

Besides, the Virtual Console and support for the GameCube controller seem to say to me, "don't worry, hardcore gamers, we haven't forgotten you." Or is that just me?

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

Wow, you're right! Just like with the console wars, rooting for your favorite team in football, Formula 1, or any other sport is completely pointless because their victory or defeat does nothing for you!

I can't believe how ridiculous we all are, discussing which console(s) we think will do well and which one(s) we like. How stupid could we be?! It's not like the success or failure of a console will have any effect on the amount of good games that will be available in the years after its release. Even if it did, we could just buy all three and avoid that problem, because we all have money shooting out of our 🤬 !

I'm glad you called us out, Jeremy. You've saved us all a lot of headaches. 👎

I seem to have forgotten the point where mockery was necessary?

If you believe deep down in your heart that which ever console comes in 3rd is going to effect the titles it will get, you've lost your mind. Any one of those companies who spent nearly 100K on a PS3 development kit is going to put as many games as possible, port as many games as possible, just to get their return back on their investment (and their additional overhead costs).

The same goes with Wii and 360.

This is an entirely different animal in comparison to sports...seriously now. Mature a little bit, I don't need your attitude just because you think it's important to endlessly debate how your console is "teh winnAr" and will be "nUmber oNe 0MG 1337!!1".

 

[Wolfe]

I seem to have forgotten the point where mockery was necessary?

I could have asked you the same thing about your previous post.

If you believe deep down in your heart that which ever console comes in 3rd is going to effect the titles it will get, you've lost your mind. Any one of those companies who spent nearly 100K on a PS3 development kit is going to put as many games as possible, port as many games as possible, just to get their return back on their investment (and their additional overhead costs).

The same goes with Wii and 360.

If you don't think the GameCube's "failure" affected the amount of good games that could be found on the system, you need to open your eyes. The GCN didn't lack good games because it was impossible for good games to exist on the platform -- the GCN lacked good games because the PS2 and XBOX won the popularity contest by a significant margin, and were showered with all of the best 3rd-party titles, while the GameCube was left to wither and die with terrible ports of the relatively few 3rd-party blockbusters it did get. If you've ever played Need for Speed Underground 2 for the GCN, you'll know exactly what I mean.

Also, part of the reason why the GCN was ignored is because the development kits for it were rumored to be harder to work with than the kits for the PS2 and XBOX. If you think the PS3, with its revolutionary Cell processor and other hardware, will be a piece of cake to work with, you haven't been reading much about the console.

This is an entirely different animal in comparison to sports...seriously now. Mature a little bit, I don't need your attitude just because you think it's important to endlessly debate how your console is "teh winnAr" and will be "nUmber oNe 0MG 1337!!1".

Not really. Just because you consider sports to be infinitely more important than the console wars doesn't mean I have to, and frankly, I don't give a damn whether you think debating about each console's strengths and weaknesses is a complete waste of time.

In fact, I'd say that trolling the subforum of a console manufacturer that you (apparently) hate, jumping into a "console-wars"-themed debate, and painting everyone in it with the same immature-13-year-old-who-insists-"nuh-uh-t3h-*blank*-1z-d4-b3st-y0u'r3-just-a-b1g-d00-d00-h34d" brush when in fact a civilized and well-thought-out discussion is taking place, is much more of a waste of time.

Your callous disregard for the opinions of others in this thread is much more pathetic than any console wars debate could be. If you don't have anything useful to contribute to the debate, then leave.