Apparently quite a bit, as long as it's not compared to the unfairly brawny Playstation 3 or the Microsoft priced Xbox 360. Better compare the Wii to the Gamecube, a console much more powerful than Sony's PS2 and quite capable of producing the rather impressive graphics of Resident Evil 4:
Beside the obvious differences of the Wiimote, the WiFi networking, the Channels and the Virtual console, the inclusion of a full-sized DVDx6 (that's its speed really), 16:9 support, the new design and the SD cards thingy, the Wii improves on the core Gamecube hardware as well.According to Felix Domke's speech at the 23c3 Chaos Communication Congress in the free and always radical city of Berlin (see the speech here), this is what the difference between the two consoles actually looks like, when compiled into a chart by a gnome:
MaxConsole, on the other hand, estimates that the Wii is actually 1.5 times faster than the Gamecube, and then goes on to provide an extensive list of specs. Read it here. Just don't buy this outrageous Wii bundle...Related @ Gnome's Lair: Twilight Princess the PDF guide, a post about a Wii, HiSaturn Navi
Related Tags: Nintendo Wii, Wii, Wii specs, Gamecube, nintendo, Resident Evil, Game, Games, Video games, Consoles, 23c3
No need for it to be faster than a PS3 or anything of the sort. As long as you have the power to have fun, who cares what the graphics look like?! I play games because they're game like... not because they're real life like. I get enough real life in the real life.
ReplyDeleteA wise point there Amber. Mind you, Wii might be getting quite a few adventures too...
ReplyDeleteHere, here! Well done for pointing that out Amber! i wish more people attached the same logic to gaming...
ReplyDeleteSo do i dear father, so do I...
ReplyDeleteScrew that...I like most of the others out there that are tech junkies want the latest, greatest, and most powerful system that can handle anything thats thrown at it. All hardware become obsolete as soon as you buy it, so why would u want to buy something that resembles an outdated computer from the '90s. After all a console is just a stripped down computer.
ReplyDeletepersonally i bought a wii at lunch hoping great things and now i'm already bored of it. For me their is just so much that a billion different mini-game games can do (which looking at the wii, that genre of games seems to be taking a strong footing). i want games with plots so deep that you can't put the controller down. and gameplay so smooth that you don't have to keep re-learning new controls. sure the wii doesn't have much power but the truth is it's remote does not allow for very smooth and easy controls for games other than party games or the 15 second mini games.
ReplyDeleteWell, graphics are not the whole point of the game, and a game can definitely be fun without stellar visuals (Pong, anyone?). However, in this day and age, they do help... Test Drive Unlimited's realistic recreation of Honolulu makes you never want to go back to anything less...
ReplyDeleteSo, why upgrade the graphics at all? Why not make the Wii a GameCube + wiimote & networking?
ReplyDeleteYou're silly if you think the power of the machine doesn't matter. How long are you guys going to cling to "it's all about gameplay?" If graphics don't matter then you ought to not care about how much faster the Wii's GPU is than the Gamecube's.
Sort of defeats the purpose of this article, no?
@Arsalan "arSi"
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about? Were you one of the 5 people that didn't get Zelda : TP at launch?
@Chris
Face it, your a tech junkie, and the Wii is not enough tech for you.
This article is moot point. Content > Technology :
http://www.korexz.com/2006/11/18/new-argument-content-technology/
About the updated graphics power and even overall general power upgrade:
ReplyDeleteNintendo wanted to be able to produce the best possible image quality, but for a low resolution. It's like whan you cant play a game on full settings on a PC, then you just lower the resolution a notch and you get a full 60 fps on high.
Nintendo knows what they're doing. There are so many new shader systems that they are already using that were never available on the 'cube, and Zelda is a good game to prove it. the Wii version has many more shader effects in it (and thank you Nintendo for using them in subtle ways, instead of shoving them in our faces like some games!).
Also, there's a dedicated physics sub-system in the CPU (and I think it bridges to the GPU) similar to the multimedia sub systems on Intel chipsets. having more power means general computing power means they can focus less on graphics and more on things that affect gameplay, such as physics. That physics sub-system is part of the custom chip they requested, and they could have used a generic chipset for cheaper if they wanted. But Nintendo KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
In short, The Wii is a very well-planned system, following the great design trend that Nintendo took with the DS. Just like the DS, there aren't many good uses of the new elements, but they will come in tidalwaves soon enough. And if you crave HD material, just pony up for a Wii60 like I did. Best of both worlds, right?
16:9 is on gc too.
ReplyDeleteThe Wii is a great example of putting usability over power. Initially I waited on the 360 because I was certain I would be buying a PS3. But after seeing the Wii my plans quickly changed.
ReplyDeleteJake D.
If it was all about "HD Gaming" and high end graphics, then why is line rider such a hit?
ReplyDeleteAlso if high end graphics was the deciding factor, then why didn't the 3DO, TG16, Dreamcast, Nomad, Game Gear and Neo Geo do better?......
yeah....case and point
I still question the longevity of the system. "Wiimotly" controlling games is awesome at first, but how will the sensor hold up over the course of three years (or your TY...)? How fun will it be - controlling the game, that is - in three years? What more will developers be able to do with this technology? Yes, yes, I know that this is the "exciting frontier" the Wii is treading on, but I have yet to hear any great ideas that have not already been done.
ReplyDeleteArsalan makes a good point that the Wii has become the leading console in mini-game attraction. It'll be fun for a while, but the lack of deep games will be detrimental to the system eventually.
As with the Gamecube, the Wii can only run on first-party games for so long. Additionally, the limitations of the media format restrict Wii games in many ways. Space on the disk will become an issue in much less time than it will on the 360 or the PS3, and will force developers to cut features, modes, and levels out of games.
I hate the people that only care about what the graphics look like. If the game has crappy gameplay but awesome graphics, people aren't gonna play it for very long. I know I'd rather play a game that was fun and not so great on the graphics than one that is boring and shiny.
ReplyDeleteif is is all about graphics why did i see 3 lonely ps3s sitting in Best Buy and no Wiis to be found
ReplyDeleteOh dear lots of comments... Guess I'd answer a few then...
ReplyDeleteSo... without further ado:
Charles: I'll have to disagree with you. A games machine, eg Dreamcast, is not obsolete as long as people still enjoy it... Oh and tech isn't only processing power... Reduced power consumption, Wifi and motion is high-tech too...
Arsalan: As already mentioned, you apparently forgot Zelda TP and the fact that the Wii is a console with the perfect interfce for both FPS and adventures...
Dear ross, we agree, as is customary...
Chris the fact you didnt bother reading the bloody posts, defeats the meaning of answering your comment... Tsk, tsk
Blass edge Interesting point of view. Cant say I disagree...
Jacob and anonymous I'll have to agree with you too... After all had I wanted graphics my PC (perhaps along with Half Life or Crysis would be many times better than a PS3.
Brian I really think you should take a look at the forthcoming Wii titles. The DS is an interesting case too...
Oh, and stephen, that's a good question ;)
ReplyDeleteI think there are many comparisons that can be made between all three but in the end for the wii comparing it to other systems doesn't matter. Nintendo's aim has been to target the casual gamer (at least this is my interpretation of their strategy for the wii, and it has been wildly successful thus far). The question is (in my mind at least): will these casual gamers continue to buy games for the wii after the initial buyers euphoria wears off? I personally don't know, I'd like to hope so but I can also see (by no fault of nintendo's) this "casual gamer" getting disinterested as quickly as they became interested. At any rate, this is all very interesting and I think Nintendo's approach is to be commended.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone said it was all about the graphics. However, graphics do play a role in the gaming experience. While Nintendo-style games might not benefit from bleeding edge graphical capabilities, games such as Gears of War and Metal Gear Solid almost demand them. The level of detail in those games create the atmosphere that makes the games so much fun.
ReplyDeletegnome: There is promise in the new Wii titles. I guess the point I was trying to make is that I don't see what will continue to separate the Wii from the other systems other than its control system, which seems limited to me. As for the DS, I think that's where Nintendo's strength is. At the Best Buy I work at, the DS is in higher demand than any console or handheld system. I wouldn't mind owning a DS because it would be a great time-killer in the little 20 minute blocks that often punctuate my day.
All that being said, I am very curious to see where the Wii will head, and whether it can meet its new expectations.
Justin, using only myself as an example, and I've been an almost strictly PC gamer for quite some time, I must say the Wii is most satisfying... I can play "party" games with friends or the *very* hardcore Zelda by myself... At any rate, I'll have to agree... The Wii is quite an interesting experiment. May I also point I don't care the slightest bit about Nintendo's profits? Yes I may, and I just did :)
ReplyDeleteDear Brian I can't disagree with the graphics point, but being a firm believer that Colossus on the PS2 is more beautiful than Gears on the X360, I do think that there's much more to the visual result than tech. I don't mean of course to ignore that better tech gives artists more possibilities. Oh, and I do agree that the Wii's interface is indeed its only strength (well, that and those dreaded Mario games) :)
Love the conversation! Cheers!
@Brian
ReplyDeleteThe Xbox 360 uses the exact same disc media that the Wii uses. DVD9. HDDVD is for movies only on the 360, not games. PS3 is the only one with the upgrade in media. Plus, is it really that bad to have to switch a disc?
Thanks for setting things straight stu. Much appreciated :)
ReplyDeleteThe GCN also had 16:9 support, just nobody used it and it only worked with component video.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone else suffering from Ennuii? Check out http://www.richandmark.com
ReplyDeleteThanks anonymous... Never knew it...
ReplyDeleteOh, and nice site R&M...
congrats on the digg, gnome. :)
ReplyDeleteBrian: You say that you can see the wiimoting getting old. I kinda understand your point, but look at how long gamers have been pushing mice and mashing buttons. Yes, wiimoting is novel now. The fact that it can and will become just another way to control a game doesn't diminish the fun you can still have because of that interface rather than directly from that interface control. Mousing is commonplace but doesn't diminish the fun I can have with games that take advantage of the mouse.
As for mini-games vs. deep stories, don't assume that everyone wants the deep game. Someone a while back checked out the Xbox Live stats and found that the casual games got far, far more play than the deeper games. I'm not saying that mini-games are the same as casual games, but there are similarities. The point is that there are different types of players, and the Wii seems to be attractive to people who don't want or can't spend time on deep games. As you noted with the DS, you can see killing 20 minutes on it playing a game. The same is true for the Wii games. At the same time, I don't see them not producing the deep games for the Wii.
Like gnome, I'm primarily a PC gamer, though I have a PS2. Since getting a DS, I can see the fun of using a different interface and how games can play differently because of it. The DS has helped sell me on the Wii. The DS has both the casual and the deep games, and I expect no less from the Wii.
Holy motherfucking shit!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere the fuck did all these people come from???
Welcome one and all! Tis great to see so many responses/commentors...
(Father Krishna begins to weep about the responses to his X Men DS review on the very excellent "Gnome's Gaming On The Go" -see the links on the Lair's side bar)... *Cough!*
However I,ve got two points to make that I think are relevent to this particular (fan-fucking-tastic) debate...
Number one: The recent and quite frankly phenomenal rise in interest in Retro Gaming is not just nostalgia based... It's because gameplay far supercedes graphics... * shamelessly plugs http://thesaturnjunkyard.blogspot.com - cough!*
Number two: Sales of the Wii and the DS in the US and Japan over the month of December (Vs. 360, PS3 and PSP respectively) prove on a consumer level that Nintendo have got it right)
And quite frankly I'm thrilled about both facts!
God bless you Gnome!
Holy crap balls. I caused some comments!
ReplyDeleteGraphics are an awesome thing, but like was said before, if the game has awesome graphics, but has no story line or crappy game play, there's no point.
Sure there are great games with both awesome graphics and great game play, but are you playing because of the awesome graphics or because of the great game play?
If you put that same game play into a game with lesser graphics, I'd bet you'd still play it.
Anyways... I like the discussion!
And Gnomey... can't WAIT for the adventure games to come out. Now all I need to do is buy a Wii. Damnit.
gnome: It's funny you mention Colossus, as I share the same sentiment :)
ReplyDeleteStu: Yeah, thanks for that tidbit. I was under the impression Nintendo was using their own format.
guttertalk: I see both of your points. With regard to the casual games, I thought Justin brought up a good point concerning buyer's euphoria. What will be interesting - and what will decide, in part, the future sales and development of the Wii - are the casual gamers.
As a sidenote, this has been a very nice discussion :) Much appreciated.
the next gen systems in 5 or whatever years will prove that the best place for graphic extremes meeting game depth extremes is on a pc. this will happen because the next gens will be what we now look at as pc's. gaming and computing will apex and ibm will be even happier then they are now. further more, all i care about for a system now, if its not my pc, is gameplay. if you think wii's only quality is mini games obviously you arnt considering what games will be released in the future for the system. hopefully my drunkeness didnt effect my point to much.
ReplyDeleteHaving beat both games (Shadow of the Collossus and Gears of War) I can say personally that I feel gears of war is a much prettier game. Both of which are incredible, IMHO I feel Shadow is one of those absolutely great "near last gen" games that fully utilizes the potential of the PS2. Gears on the other hand I think just begins to express what the 360 is capable of. Does that make one better than the other? Absolutely not, its all about the gameplay to the gamer - which is what I think a lot of us are getting back to. If the graphics are nice but the play sucks, whats the point? Regarding the suggestion that superior graphics ultimately remain on the PC, I don't agree. Years ago when the first xbox launched, it was at the top of its class ("top secret" chip designed by nvidia that was a hybrid geforce3/geforce4 architecture that wasnt seen in video cards until a generation later on PC's. Looking further back the ps 1 was getting "emotion engine" lovin while people on pc's were rockin the RIVA cards. Moving into the present, we see the xbox360 - a piece of hardware sporting a 3 cored processor and a unified shader architecture not even out yet for PC video cards (or just barely out) and the xbox is a year old. So, it's my oppinion anyway that (dependant upon your buisiness strategy and games you want to offer) it's in M$ and Sony's best interest to continue "future proofing" their hardware with the best possible components they can. Now, does that leave Nintendo in the dark? No. Now, I may get flamed for this but simplyfing this as much as possible I think what they did was simply brilliant: they overclocked a gamecube and gave it a new controller and some features that gamers connected to the internet would really enjoy. My main concern is that after the new "polish" sort of begins to dull with the Wii, will it ultimately leave the "hardcore gamer" fans of the wii feeling a gen behind in 3 years or so as Sony and MS begin to really hit their stride? I hope not but its possible. Thanks for the intelligent and decent coversations all, they are rare when touching upon this topic.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that people continue to bash the wii? If you don't like it, don't play it or buy it. It's the most FUN that I have ever had playing a video game since the atari/activision/colecovision days. Why? Because it's new and different and becasue it doesn't focus SO much on how the game looks but on the fun factor. Did I mention that it's just fun!?! If you are into the 360 or the PS3...thats great. Good for you. But why bash another system that so many others obviously love? I live in Columbus, OH and it reminds me of Buckeye fans slamming hockey fans when the NHL came to town. Do you see the wii as a threat? I mean really...whats the point?
ReplyDeletePeople don't really realize that if a game becomes too realistic, it would be boring. A true to life game would include 3 hours of gameplay that involved sitting on a computer browsing the internet, or sleeping for 8 hours, and I don't think that would be very appealing to gamers. Hence, the graphical power doesn't really matter in a console as long as it is able to deliver the most important aspect of a gaming experience - fun.
ReplyDelete(squeezes into the kitchen, boils the kettle.... agrees with Amber, smiles at Gnome... looks at Gnomes Wii... sheds a tear....considers how beautiful Gnomes Wii is......)
ReplyDeleteanother jackpot Mr.Gnome... (bows in front of the master....)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI strongly disagree with the notion that a game too realistic is boring. I think its all preference, and the gamer. For example: I work with some ubergeeks who love their flight sims. Can we agree that flight sim fans thrive on the realism of the whole experience? EA games makes a whole grip of sports games featuring actual athletes and wartime sims based on actual battles that sell incredibly well. SECOND LIFE. Maybe YOU don't like realism, but that doesn't mean others aren't eating it up. Personally I think all of us play games for the same reason and that's escapism. A "realistic escape" can be just as fun for some as a completely wild and imaginary escape. Typically its a healthy blend of both that I really enjoy. There are alot of people buying up The Sims and every disgusting little expansion they release for that game. There are A LOT of people playing WoW. Different strokes...
ReplyDeleteOk think about it like this:
ReplyDeleteThe big focus for all games is graphics. Every new game wants to look real wants to look and emulate the real world as much as possible. Every new generation of games we get closer and closer to that goal. But the way we interact with those games remains unchanged from the time gaming as a whole was invented the only difference is now the controllers have more buttons and the computer has a mouse.
What happens when the goal of looking and emulating real life and having photo realistic games with real time graphics is here? When the graphics for computers and consoles cant get any better because they look and behave like the real world what then?
It doesnt matter if its 10 years from now or 100 years. When it happens and the entire time the focus for all gaming mediums has been to achieve that photorealism and real world look and behavior what do we do? Does the entire gaming world just stop and never advance beyond that point?
Nintendo has been the only company to realize this so far. Theres WAY more to gaming than graphics. Sony and Microsoft focus solely on graphics and gaming systems that do way more than just play games.
Nintendo has constantly tried to invent new ways to interact with games without focusing completely on how we see them.
Would you want completely real behaves exactly like the real world like Star Trek holo deck type graphics that you interact with while sitting infront of your computer with whatever monitor is the norm at that time and using some form of keyboard/mouse or some weird lookin controller with 20 analog sticks and 100 buttons?
No you want your experience to match what you see. You want virtual reality or somethin like the computer in Minority Report. You can see you want that when looking at it as a whole but when you rush out to buy your PS3 and say the Wii only plays to kids and mini games thats exactly what you do.
Good hardware isn't just about polygons and shaders, it's also about processing advanced AI and physics, which have as much impact on a game as anything else.
ReplyDeletePeople that think hardware is only about graphics know nothing about games or programming.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think physics are calculated for real world object interractions? How about deformable terrian or large scale multiplayer? Don't get me started on AI (artifical intelligence) that uses a ton of CPU and games with good AI are 10x better than running around collecting rubies of jumping on turtles and goombas over and over the same way.
Guttertalk, my friend, thanks and I have to agree on all accounts. I also remembered that my favorite genre -the text adventure- needs absolutely no graphics, but wouldn't be playable on the Wii. Rats!
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton revered Father Krishna... As is usual we agree. Oh, and feel free to lug freely, as you would when freely plugging :) And retro games are quite a point too... I'll just add that the games' & console price may have some impact on the overall sales...
Amber dear, judging from the DS at least a few adventures will hit the Wii. Accrding to Telltale Sam and Max too... Gameplay is -quite obviously I believe- King!
brian I'm glad you're a man of great taste ;) OH, yes, and thanks for being a great debater too...
Let's hope so freudian slip... Love the nickname.
Justin, welcome back. Unfortunaely I'll have ti dosagree again, but still it's a matter of taste... Colossus is just beautiful. Gears is impressive. It's like comparing -say- a Dali to a holographic photo... Oh, and PCs were way faster than the Celeron based Xbox... Even before it were released... I have to agree with you on the realism thing though... Realism doesn't necessarily mean boring... At least not very boring ;)
Aridale, you've made an excellent point! Games are simply so much more than graphics... Thay are indeed art, and art might be broadened through technological evolution but never really shaped by it...
Mr. Elderly please... take a sit.. don't just look at it... You might want to try Zelda... Just give me this tea.. Great!
Hi guys,
ReplyDeleteI find this debate very interesting. Thanks for being so informed. I've been trying to decide which next gen system I should buy. I can only afford to buy one of them so I don't want to regret my purchase. I would have to agree with concerns that hard core gamers may be left out in the cold if they purchase a Wii. I've been a loyal Nintendo fan since the 80's. When the Game Cube dropped I was one of it's hardest campaigners. This is where my issue begins though. Even though Mario Kart and Smash Brothers are 2 of my fav games of all time... I love shooters and conventional fighters. I like adult games and I felt that the GC (although fun) threw people like me a bone here and there with awesome games like Resident Evil 4 but didn't give us the attention that owners of the PS2 and XBox got. I would agree that processing power is important too (not just for graphics but they help). Because I've played some games on the GC and XBox and noticed that the GC versions had elements missing. I'm assuming that this is because they didn't have the capability to hold as much information as the XBox counterpart. I think the challenge of the Wii is prove to hardcore gamers that they DO matter. Otherwise the short attention span of the casual gamer will be it's demise.
Welcome Actionman. Have a seat... And a cup of tea...
ReplyDeleteNow, I wouldn't like to advise people on what ot buy really, but I have been personally very happy with my Wii. It might have extremely expensive games (compared to the PC) and its graphics maybe lacking, but it's fun. As far as hardcore gaming is concerned, well Zelda is the best the machine has got to offer... Red Steel wa quite generic,but showed how good FPS can be played on a console... Other than that, i think it's still early to guarantee the console doesn't end up being a PC/PS3/Xbox party accesory... Time will tell ...
This sounds like angry fanboys on a game forum. Entertaining to hear, though.
ReplyDeleteOh, come on now ross, I think it's been quite an interesting conversation... Very civilized too...
ReplyDeleteIf graphics are so important why did the PS2 (the weakest of the three contenders) win the last console war.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
A wise and quite correct thought too... Thanks for dropping in :)
ReplyDeleteWell, the PS2 did have GTA exclusively for awhile, which boosted its sales massively, and plus it was released a year before its competetion. I know I got one before the Xbox/GC came out. Also something like GTA 3, VC, San Andreas, etc. could not be done on a single GC small disc, it would have to be on multiple cds which would break up the game. My favorite of last generation was Xbox though...
ReplyDeleteBTW Gnome, the conversation does seem a bit better once you read more into it... damn this ADD-causing TV which makes you just want to skim through everything without reading...
Ok - great conversation and I'm back to argue some more!!!! Ok not really argue, but you get me.
ReplyDeleteA few things - gnome: absolutely cpu's were doing much more than the celeron based Xbox. I was referring to the GPU of each device. Typically (not always, but each of my examples - the xbox, the ps1, x360, and a few others still stand) consoles will get technology not yet available to consumers. That was all I was getting at there.
Regarding graphics, I personally believe movies and video games have A LOT in common. A movie can be great without anything flashy, just a great story. A movie can be horrible with a lot of special effects and a big budget. A movie can also have a great story and have a big budget and great special effects. I personally am a fan of the Peter Jacksons Lord of the Rings trilogy and I also feel that the effects used in that movie were VITAL to making it an immersive film.
Consumers aren't the only people looking for more powerful hardware. Most importantly, GAME DEVELOPERS ARE TOO. It gives them the flexibility to put forth their vision of a game exactly as they intented it to be viewed and played. Hardware is important because it's the vehicle for the games, and the games can only be as good as the hardware.
I bought lego star wars for x360 instead of the gamecube because of the difference graphically. I believe most people would've made the same decision.
As pointed out much earlier as well, this whole discussion began due to hardware comparison of the Wii and the GC. No one chimed in to defend the GC because it's simply a fact that the Wii is a more powerful system. That being said, people assume it's capable of more than the GC. This very same logic is the one being applied to the Wii's competition and it's not necessarily flawed.
Ross buddy, I'm glad you not only contributed, but also started appreciating the conversation :)... And your point, GTA etc, also prooves (well, tends too) that it's more about the games than tech specs. As for the GC disc capacity, I don't believe it wouldn't be enough, but really dont know, so guess I'll believe you. For now. But, I'll be back...
ReplyDeleteMost verbose and enlightened justin... I do see your point, partly agree, but still believe that beauty is mostly irrelevant with tech. Vertigo for example is much more beautiful than LotR and Star Wats combined, as is Sin City, which utilizes some moderg CGI effects. You are of course right that movies like LotR wouldn't be possible some years ago, and I agree. Still, the movies did a disservice to the books, but that's a matter of taste i believe :)
Then again, back to games, I, just like you, would prefer the more graphically inspiring version of any game, and that's why I actually started the GC - Wii comparison.. To sort of understand what I could expect from the Wii in terms of graphics...
Cheers and thanks for actually discussing stuff mate!
Gnome:
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely - thats really all I can say regarding Vertigo, and your comparison. Great movie, great taste.
Now back to our other stuff:
I think you and I are mostly saying the same thing...almost. I know I sound like a hopeless anti-nintendo fanboy but I assure you I'm not. I would very much like to see the Wii make it for several reasons, and I think what Nintendo did was very interesting. What we intially began discussing was innovation, specifically the "Wii-mote" and whether or not the device would retain its luster in the long run. We got sidetracked by the never-ending hardware debate, and it really seems to me like most people here are saying the same thing. Graphics are simply not everything and I agree.
In a nutshell, here's my concerns: I owned a Gamecube and felt that of all the three last gen consoles I own, it had the fewest titles that appealed to me. Between the ps1 and the N64, (I own both as well) I also felt Nintendo had fewer titles that appealed to me. Looking back even further, Nintendo has (as others have mentioned) been innovating new ways to interface with the games for a very long time. The Power pad, the power glove, and "ROB THE ROBOT," were all great gimmicks that got a lot of people excited and then fizzled out just as quickly. For the first time also, Nintendo is not alone in their innovation, the ps3 has a motion sensing controller now also, and they simply need to develop games for it. All these things combined make me wonder about where this puts the Wii in the long term. We can go on and on but you guys get the picture. I'm not making any predictions about where the console will be in three years, just suggesting Nintendo has some very interesting challenges to face.
I think I've "trolled" long enough and I'm starting to repeat myself as far as my concerns with the Wii go. I thank you all for not only taking the time to read my babble, but for replying in a polite and informed manner. I read up a fair share on this stuff and I don't really have anyone to geek out with like this and I absolutely love having these crazy in depth conversations that don't involve politics or religion. If the conversation keeps on going I'm sure I'll chime in regurgitating the same stuff you all have likely read elsewhere too, but for now lets just see how and if it sort of subsides.
Justin, I also feel we're quite, almost, generally etc saying the same thing... :)
ReplyDeletePoint is, that I do think it's interesting to see whether Wii wins a "console war" or not, but frankly I just dont care. As long as 15-20 games hit the machine -the only console I've ever bought before it turned retro- before it dies as a format I'll be happy.
What I would like to add, is that unlike ROB and other failed but interesting Nintendo ideas, the Wii mote doesn't feel gimicky. Well, not to me at least, and as an added bonus it does feel quite different than the PC.
Still, I also wonder wha will happen to the Wii, and taking into considerations that the firms I was slightly fond of were Atari, Amiga and SEGA does say quite a bit on Nintendo's future ;)
Anyway. Thanks. It was really both great and interesting having you here and -really- why not stay and comment on stuff. We're always civilized you know...
Now, lets talk Communism, Islam and Creationism....
Cant wait till Wii get one at our house!
ReplyDeleteQuite understandable and quite a blog you got there :)
ReplyDeleteThe 360 for bashing the "jiffers" out of everything and everyone... And getting all the gory detail - love it!
ReplyDeletePS3 is screwed IMHO - it can all be done on the 360 (and the head start MS has... it's mind boggling).
Wii is fun! The more consoles Nintendo ships - the more developers that will become interested in devloping games.
What we have seen so far on Wii hasn't even scratched the surface of all the crazy things that can be done with their new interface.
Nintendo took a huge gamble - and they have hit they jackpot. They will cash-in like never before. I don't think anyone expected this.
They games will get better. To me it won't replace the 360 for "gaming" --- but pure quicky "fun": it's brilliant.
Again, it will get better.
The 360 for bashing the "jiffers" out of everything and everyone... And getting all the gory detail - love it!
ReplyDeletePS3 is screwed IMHO - it can all be done on the 360 (and the head start MS has... it's mind boggling).
Wii is fun! The more consoles Nintendo ships - the more developers that will become interested in devloping games.
What we have seen so far on Wii hasn't even scratched the surface of all the crazy things that can be done with their new interface.
Nintendo took a huge gamble - and they have hit they jackpot. They will cash-in like never before. I don't think anyone expected this.
They games will get better. To me it won't replace the 360 for "gaming" --- but pure quicky "fun": it's brilliant.
Again, it will get better.
The 360 for bashing the "jiffers" out of everything and everyone... And getting all the gory detail - love it!
ReplyDeletePS3 is screwed IMHO - it can all be done on the 360 (and the head start MS has... it's mind boggling).
Wii is fun! The more consoles Nintendo ships - the more developers that will become interested in devloping games.
What we have seen so far on Wii hasn't even scratched the surface of all the crazy things that can be done with their new interface.
Nintendo took a huge gamble - and they have hit they jackpot. They will cash-in like never before. I don't think anyone expected this.
They games will get better. To me it won't replace the 360 for "gaming" --- but pure quicky "fun": it's brilliant.
Again, it will get better.
Ooops!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the massive dups... :-(
Was getting an error message on the visual confirm.
Nah, that's fine... Besides, I agree :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that its all about gameplay and the wii is great (currently posting using wii‘s browser) but you‘re saying if in the near future we had access holodecks (from star trek) it would be boring cause its too realistic?
ReplyDeleteNot really, no, though it would still be about the games. Then again, realism doesn't reality have to be part of fun/art and a holodeck wont be appearing for a long time.
ReplyDeletehi folks been reading through some of the posts and just thought id drop a line or two.
ReplyDeletei had an argument a few yrs back that went on for about 3-4yrs. it was an argument about nintendo being better than ps2. i always reckoned the ps2 was better. any way me and my mate was round another friends housewhen we started talking about it. needless to say my other two friends jumped into it. and ended up fighting. it got so bad that one of them left the estate we live in. now my point is it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks, its about what you like and get along with. and it certainly isnt worth fighting over. im a pc man myself but also like the sony consoles. although i currently own a wii. im still a firm believer in nintendo being too cartoony. which is why i prefer the sony's. anyway just my 2p worth. sorry if its slightly off topic i only read the first two pages of posts. cheers and happy gaming.....
Hey, nice of you to drop in and share those to 2p of yours. Being a PC gamer with a (relatively underused) Wii I also do tend to agree with quite a few of the points you made. Nintendo games can be too cartoony and a (modded/international) PS2 will be the next gaming purchase after the new Speccy I intend to grab...
ReplyDeleteCheers and welcome :)