@Artdeux: which comment exactly is that aimed at?

noliferuin (PSN+XBL)

I think what he was getting at (though doing so poorly) is that the main appeal of the wii is to a different crowd than the ps3, and to that crowd 250 bucks is a hefty sum to pay for a device they will probably only use at parties. Now keep in mind I'm not saying this is all wii owners (I certainly don't use it just for parties, though i will admit as of late my wii has seen very little love, based on schedule constraints mostly) however lets face it, the majority of wii owners right now are not the traditional "gamer". They are people who want casual games like wii sports and carnival games.

demonknightinuyasha

I just did a quick search: in the UK, price of blu ray player ~£199.99 for basic model. Price of Xbox, Wii: £180-£200. Price of PS3 (40GB) £330-360. So while PS3 is the cheapest way to get a blu ray player /and/ a games console, it's not the cheapest way to get a blu ray player, and we're talking £20-£40 here: about the price of a game, so if you were looking to buy a console, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to buy a blu ray player and then an Xbox 360 or Wii.

Are blu-ray players more expensive/rare in the US?

But then I suppose you get hi def games on PS3... as would you on the Xbox... or maybe the Blu ray player in the PS3 is a really fancy one, unlike the bog standard models that go at £199... although personally I'd rather have the games console and media player seperate, so when my sisters are hogging the tv I can still game in my room.

Till-Troll

@ahmeng: Why would they do that? It's the PS3 they need to sell, and it came with a motion controller on release.

stoneagedan

Holy hell, and I thought the Sony Defence Force was out there. You guys need to relax and realize that he's actually right, regardless of what he said about the PS3.

Artdeux

All hte platforms are expensive niche devices, since neither gaming nor hi-def movies are completely main stream quite
yet.

@GregoriusH: Where I live, the 360 is actually a fair bit cheaper than the Wii. (Wii: 2500 NOK, 360: 1700/2300/2800 NOK, Arcade Premium and Elite respectively)

UnklDee

Did anyone here actually bother to read the quote and what it was taken from? Stringer was attending the Allen & Co. media conference. He was there speaking about the PS3's role as a delivery system for various for media. The conference mainly focuses on the combination of media companies and high tech firms. I think it would be fairly safe to assume that Stringer was there positioning the PS3 as an idea platform for media sales and rentals.

In terms of video on demand, and online delivery of music, movies, and tv shows, the Wii is clearly NOT a competitor and is more of a niche device in terms of its goals in the marketplace.

Maybe people should actually take a moment or two to actually check the context of a statement instead of hearing it three times removed from its original source.

Kotaku should also actually do a bit of research on a story before just throwing it up on their page in order to create a fanboy hissyfit to boost page views.

reverbandwhiskey

If Sony is smart, they should release a motion sensing kind of controller to the PS2. At least the graphics of PS2 & Wii are roughly the same, and they will corner the Wii market for a cheaper price. Exepnsive Wii yes, but definitely not niche.....Nintendo is practically laughing all the way to the bank!!

ahmeng

"It's more of an expensive niche game device."

So what do you call a blu-ray player that sometimes functions as a game player?

Snukadaman_

Nintendo back up systems: ENGAGED.

kapow

If a product sells several times what your own product sells, you can't really call it a derogatory term like "niche" anymore. Especially when your next sentence suggests that your own product's sales rely on the tiny percentage of people in the market for a Blu Ray player.

I have a Wii, it isn't perfect. There are dozens of problems that could be legitimately picked out and criticized (the obvious potshot for Sony to take would be that the Wii is underpowered and unable to run the same blockbuster games the PS3 can). Suggesting that it only appeals to a small group of people in a specific demographic is not one of those legitimate problems.

Balius

I guess it doesn't have to make too much sense, so I won't try to make it make sense.

My360broked

@silkwood-scrubdown: Do you even know what the word "niche" means?

Huckleberry

And the Krazy Ken virus claims another hapless victim. How many more lives, Kutaragi?! HOW MANY MORE LIVES?

Retropants regrets nothing

Niche is right. People watch the ads, think it'll be "way-fun", buy it and then spend the next two weeks trying to convince themselves that (a) they don't have a serious problem with impulse shopping and (b) they don't look like a complete idiot trying to select menu options by awkwardly moving around a little gloved hand with an IR remote.

silkwood-scrubdown

He just hating because more people are buying the Wii than the PS3. Granted, the Wii may not have the best game selection at the moment, but it's still selling like hotcakes in comparison.

And...why did he bring up the Blu-Ray player? He could have dissed the Wii's game library, controller, and other stuff, but he instead mentions the Blu Ray? xD

Mazakona

Wow, talk about horse-shit.

How can you call the Wii a niche gaming device when the only way to shift a PS3 these days is to market it as a Blu-Ray player.

Sniper_Zegai

If had nothing interesting to say why did he open his mouth... jeeze all sorts of stupid things come out when that hapens.

Krumm

I would agree with the guy with what I've personally seen of the Wii, but I can't really say, I'm more of a PC gaming kind of guy myself.

SPESSMAHREEN

It can't be good for someone that delusional to be in a position of responsibility in your company.

paulmcg

Granted, the Wii has only a hand full of good games, but that bastard is getting picked up in stores like it was free.I'm not even sure why really, must be one awesome commercial not airing in my area or something. Something tells me that no matter what anyone does they aren't going to even make a dent in the market share the wii has had a choke hold on.

Vistigil

Ah, here we go. Sorry. n_n;

ara

@ara: Smack talk isn't exclusive the video game industry. Restaurants, radio stations, every industry will play down their competitors. This industry is a little bit more forward with it, but it isn't alone.

MykalBloom

Don't have one specific picture of Picard available now, but sure would fit perfectly. -_- I wonder when the videogame industry grows up and stops smack talking each other like some kids.

ara

Go away Kotaku, you're blowing into the fire.

MoaM

And Sony kicks off E3 week with yet another bafflingly moronic comment. Always in top form!

Huckleberry

Blu-ray is a niche while physical formats get phased out. Also, it'd be great if it was also a game player.

Talleh

@GregoriusH: Indeed.

Infil

@Murderdolls: by 2011 the nintendo wiiwii will probably be out(plz call it that nintendo, plz!)

Alpha85

Tottaly agree!! =)) The wii IS a great console but compared to a ps3 it is not a competitior. In fact most people I know that own wii's have previously owned a xbox 360 or have traded their wii's in already to save up for a ps3. See? No comparison.

W-Force4

ROFL. Oh, the irony.

freakout

And now with this, the week of E3 can finally begin. Remember comrades, lets all be nice to each other. Let us all remember that Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft are rivals in this business, and statements like these are common.

Eh, what the hell. Carry on. Gonna be a great week.

Saint Anima

We're selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it's still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player.

That part bothers me more than the other. He doesnt' mention gaming. Like, at all. Also, I love that this article basically declares Wii the winner. "Battle for Second" Haha.

MykalBloom

"We can't beat the Wii, therefore it's not part of the competition" is almost as good as the line "It's not for critics".

blunt

By calling the competition something else he can now have the highest selling console. It's like saying the SNES was a lamemachine so your Genesis was the best console.

Hoogie

Its basically a re-released gamecube with new games it's the only console since I started buying games that I have no plan on buying.

MAYBE when its 99 bucks in 2011 or whatever

Murderdolls

Falling into old habits are we?

lker

Yeah, and he wishes the PS3 was a 'niche' as the Wii.

Mire

He may site costs from all the peripherals need to play the Wii games.

RTW

If by 'expensive' he means cheapest system available, and by 'niche' he means the mass market.

GregoriusH

Isn't the PS3 supposed to be a niche gaming device too? He seems to think of it as a Blu Ray player first and foremost - in that case, no it's not a competitor, but then neither is the 360.
If he pays attention to the fact that his own product is actually supposed to be a games concole - a station at which on can play, no less - then the Wii is a very rel competitor. In terms of raw sales, a winning one too.

stoneagedan

He had to mention the blu-ray thing...watch people jump on him for using that as an "excuse"

runandgun

Expensive nice gaming device? Does Howie know how much his console costs?

MykalBloom

Ahh Nintendo. The kings of Nickle and Dime.

Artdeux

It's not expensive compared to the PS3.

It's not niche compared to the PS3.

You lose.

Snake726

I'm pretty sure that when he was thinking "niche", he was actually looking at that tiny little crevase on his desk-globe that's labelled "Grand Canyon" or somesuch.

@ara:
That so needs an audio clip of someone sighing and then mumbling under his breath.

Purple Dave

*Sigh*

Here comes last gen Sony, shitting on the competition to distract from their own failings.

Sony, you've taken two years to recover from your last foray into this tactic. I know you're feeling all ballsy having PR'd HD-DVD into submission by massaging PS3 figures into every studio that was dumb enough to listen. But. Really. Couldn't you just STFU and actually do something with YOUR system rather than looking to trash talk everyone else.

If anything Nintendo have shown you and MS up for a couple of fuckwits, dithering on your strategies, cutting corners, buying customers. Crap on them all you want but they have so far managed to stay on message and reap great success because of their vision.

So yeah, put up or shut up Sony.

Jelster

The PS3 is more niche in basically every possible way compared to the Wii. Even if you see it only as a Blu-ray player (which is predominantly how it's advertised by retailers here in Australia at least), Blu-ray sales are probably still below Wii software sales, and is of course absolutely nothing compared to DVD, so even in that regard it's still more niche. Do these MS and Sony guys ever say such idiotic things about each other, or only about Nintendo?

vantesaur

But when "niche" means "everyone and their grandpa," it's not really niche any more.

EmTeeZ

The Wii isn't expensive, it's greatly overpriced. I think that might have been what he meant.

HamThePharoah

@demonknightinuyasha: Actually I downloaded the demo to the DS version of Carnival Games from the Nintendo Channel and I can see why it sells so well.

It's got humor. And it's a setting most games haven't explored. When was the last time you saw a game based off of a carnival? Everybody can relate to a carnival.

When you think about it, it's really not that hard to believe why it's selling so well.
The DS version was pretty fun so I can imagine how fun the Wii version is.
John Lucas

johnlucas

@noliferuin (PSN+XBL):

lol. I know, i know. I wasn't trying to make an unflawed anecdote, just trying to point out that you can't use that crap as support for an already flawed argument.

NeoAkira

@Huckleberry: Do you even have to ask? ;-)

Kro

@NeoAkira: you're right, his anecdote is flawed. yours however... >_>

noliferuin (PSN+XBL)

He's STILL talking shit?

Wii has won. Give it up. Don't worry about being #1 for right now just worry about surviving the generation.
If they're lucky they'll end up at a Nintendo 64 level instead of a Sega Saturn level.

Better to be distant 2nd than nothing at all.
John Lucas

johnlucas

The Wii is not a competitor to the PS3 because it's far superior in everything that really matters. :)

Haf

@reverbandwhiskey:The Wii's goals is to deliver entertainment and play video games. Yeah I followed the link and I STILL think Howard's snorting crack because while he and Microsoft play around with their 'set top media box' dreams, they keep treating gaming like mule to get it there.

When it comes to video games, the Wii delivers by and large better..and cheaper then Sony does.

Foxstar Sixtail

@Till-Troll:

"Are blu-ray players more expensive/rare in the US?"

No but PS3s are a lot cheaper. Also, are you counting the cost of a player that's up to 2.0 spec?

JayD16

Anytime they let any of the three monkey kings of PR run their mouths, they say something stupid. Oh Howard, you stay classy there champ while charging people $55 dollars for a controller which should have been packaged in with your system WHEN IT LAUNCHED, yanking out features that you rubbed in everyone's face till you saw how much money they were costing you and how people were using them to play software you and third parties weren't getting $$$ from anymore and a software format which costs $10-$15 dollars more then it's grandfather which has a penetration rate Blu-ray will be lucky if it reaches in the next 10 years.

@RTW:Really?

Wii Wheel-Cost by itself? $5 bucks. Need?-Not at all, it's a plastic shell.

Wii Zapper-Cost by itself? $5 bucks. Need?-Not at all it's a plastic shell.

Balance Board-Cost by itself? ??? Need-Only if you want Wii Fit, so far there's games that support it, but it's not a must have.

@MykalBloom:Remember, no matter how much Sony talks about games, it's a just a talking point, getting people into Blu-ray has and will always be their goal, they make far more profit from it.

This mindset is exactly why Home isn't ready, why Rumble was last gen and why we had a $599 system at launch. Microsoft isn't going away Sony and they will fight you tooth and nail every step of the way. If it comes down to a money pissing match, Howard, you damn well know you guys would implode before them.

Focus on your games, you fucking tool and less on what the other two guys are doing because right now they are and it's kicking your ass.

Foxstar Sixtail

@W-Force4:

That logic is so flawed it's hard to believe you actually used it in your comment.

"The wii IS a great console but compared to a ps3 it is not a competitior."

Really? I assumed since they are both video game consoles that they were competing.

"In fact most people I know that own wii's have previously owned a xbox 360 or have traded their wii's in already to save up for a ps3. See? No comparison."

Actually most people I know that have owned PS3's traded it in so they could buy a Wii and not just own a Blu-Ray player (which Stringer so clearly deems the PS3 as). See? flawed logic.

NeoAkira

He looks canadian.

Fryfat

The wii is kinda like professional wrestling....

It is a fantastic form of entertainment, probably the MOST entertaining console there is. The problem is some people simply turn their noses at it for no reason. Basically you "get it" or you don't.

And just like professional wrestling, what the critics don't get is the things they find as faults are the SELLING POINTS for most wii owners.

"It's underpowered."
Yes, yes it is... so for a game to sell well it has to rely soley on (gasp!) gameplay.

"The controller is gimmicky/funky/too few buttons ect."
Yup it's a different controller. Since 3d games are a reality, the ONLY way to innovate gaming is to work on the interface itself. The wiimote isn't perfect, but it puts new life into a stale media that is video games. Fewer buttons is a step in the right direction as well. A game that uses more that 6 buttons is just poorly designed.

"It's for kids/old ladies/ casual gamers/ ect"
No, it's just that EVERYONR likes the wii. The wii is like pacman, except instead of a single game it's a whole system. Pacman is easy to play, so any idot can play it, but the hardcore can go to a level beyond any mere mortal.

"It's not a 360/ps3"
Thankfully yes, those systems, while good in their own right, are only giving us the exact same games available on the last systems, only with a graphical upgrade. It's more of the same. If you fear change then by all means, avoid the wii like a plague.

HowardC

I guess Howard Stringer doesn't know the meaning of the word niche...we should set up a fund raiser and send him a dictionary ;)

I don't understand why he'd say something like that. People are going to get the system that will mostly fit their needs. As long there are good games out you can't go wrong with any of the systems. From the 3 systems i've got two and the one i haven't got is PS3 basically because it was too expensive and the selection of exclusives to the platform were too little to allow myself to buy it (before this generation i did have the original Playstation and the PS2). The Blu ray argument is something that's unique, but i don't have the feeling the format is getting embraced by the general public the way DVD was. Basically because the difference isn't big enough for most people. I'm looking forward to E3 to see what Sony will show....

dreamc

@Mongoosekun: Thats it. To not speak about the expensive money of hardware, Nintendo makes the full system for just 50 euros, - since its just a redesigned CG. Man,i even find the Xbox 1 better than the Wii (if i remove the pads), at least came with HDD and now it's much cheaper.)

Gambly

Can this just stop? Really.
Healthy competition is healthy competition - as humans we're naturally competitive regardless of how we are brought up. But please, ladies and gentlemen, stop with the hating of other people because of what they prefer. And that goes for both sides; just because you prefer a console doesn't mean you should hate on the others.

Some people need a family entertainment system because they host alot of parties, like to get together, enjoy themselves getting mildly drunk, or breaking the ice with their new girlfriend. The Wii is in a whole fucking different court than Xbox 360's and PS3's.
I refuse to accept that companies, people, us - gamers are slowly declining more and more into this pit of hatred for others.

The term 'next-gen' doesn't -mean- 'Awesome Graphics!'. It doesn't mean 'Incredible Library Of Games!'. It doesn't mean 'Wonderfully Easy To Pick-And-Play'. That's how -children- see things, in a tight-tunnel vision. Whatever your idea of next-gen is probably won't matter to 10% of others. But overall, it means using the newest technology, the newest methods, the newest devices, to deliver a (Get this;)FUN, ENJOYABLE, and PLAYFUL experience and atmosphere. Killing Horde, to stomping on Goomba - they're all fun to different people.

So next time, Mr. Hotshot-Company-Owner, or you Mr.Console-Hater, when you feel the urge to complain and hate on another console because it doesn't appeal to you, or your family or pet Ostrich - think about this;
You're slowly killing the whole 'Fun, Enjoyable and Playful' part of gaming.
Can we just feel the love? :( Next-gen style?

P.s; As I was re-reading 'Next-gen style', the MSG4 butt-video that Kotaku had, along with awesome graphics and a long..white thing came into my mind. Gamer-orgy. ;]

Sanjo

I never understood the abbreviation 'lol' (hey, I'm Dutch!), until I read Howards comment...

By the way, Howard also commented on the Nintendo DS:

"It's like a little expensive laptop without a mouse and Windows operating system! On the other hand, the PSP will do your dishes, it vacuums the entire house and gives you back rubs while it's loading God of War."

GerarDOS

@Jelster: No, Nintendo has big big hype... its a new toy. I find it fun, but its just another game system. And sadly, not even HD. Not even ready for for the web (no HDD) no media player,... and we pay so "much" for just that. So if u think now about PS3...i think u pay for something more worth the $.

Gambly

He's correct. People typically only buy a Wii for Wii Sports and maybe Wii fit. Maybe a copy carnival games. It's hard to call it a full fledged console. Also it's fairly expensive if you get 4 controllers or a balance board. It might as well be a stand alone unit with a fixed rom for many owners.

Mongoosekun

@Ricksterlau: Dont worry, they will have... they just did some mistakes with this one...coz they inserted the Bluray too early. But it was somehow good, it will make the prices of BD decrease faster. But like i always say, a faster Bluray drive (to not install games) and good Dev Kits, would be really really nice for SONY. Now for nintendo, would be really nice for them to decrease the console for 150 euros, since its just another camouflaged GC.

Gambly

@HamThePharoah:

The PS3 and 360 are overpriced, that is why they don't sell and that is why MS and Sony are throwing all manner of "extras" in there to make their systems appear more value for money.

Jelster

@dirkdady: That's a joke right? Irony or something?

JokesJokes

I find the Wii very expensive for the quality of hardware and for the quantity of extra pads u need to buy to play some games. Common, 260 for a improved Game Cube? PS3 is high tech... no one get a cheaper for that components. Now wii, without HDD, without DVD player,... too much. He's right.

Gambly

I don't see the need for Sony to make such remarks about their competitor's machine. Let us, the gamers and fanboys do the talking and flaming. Instead you could concetrate and devote more of your time into AAA first party PS3 games.

Ricksterlau

@Snake726: It is expensive when compared to a PS3, it is expensive when compared to a X360, it is expensive when compared to a PS2, it is expensive when compared to a Xbox 1. Well, 260 euros for a gc with different pads, it's somehow expensive.

Gambly

ugh, flame topics attracting the fanboys...

only point worth contending: you can argue about sony's marketing as a blu-ray player first and all, but those of you saying "lack of games" or "sometimes plays games etc"...really, you're as bad as the RROD jokes and mocking the Wii's name. that shit went out in '06, early '07 or so. let it go. find new, brave ways to defend your financial decisions. Check NeoGAF, im sure there's new memes to be found.

TheIrishNinja

@vantesaur:

You're comparing the "video gamer" stereotype player of the Wii to the "casual" stereotype player of the PS3.

Either it's the guy who puts 100+ hours a month into Brawl/Mario Kart/etc vs the Biggest PS3 fanboy enjoying his 2 good games.
OR

The stupid mom who bought Wii Fit and a Wii, 4 controllers, used it for a month, then let it gather dust next to her pair of pink crocs vs The gray-haired balding dad watching shitty action movies in HD on a CHEAPER THAN AVERAGE BLU-RAY PLAYER.

In terms of NON-CASUAL gaming, the PS3 is niche, yes, but when it comes to CASUAL, the Wii loses in total use.

Terance : Soul Calibur :: Leigh : MGS

Wii is a niche market, motion sensing games. DUH!

You guys need to learn the definition of words before fanboys start screaming foul.

dirkdady

buh?

Chef

Wow, so much Nintendo Fanboyism in this topic.

As soon as he said something about people buying the PS3 for Blu-Ray, you should of known he meant the basic consumer.

I'd be willing to bet REAL money that 70-90% of Wii sales are to people who use it once or twice and never touch it again.

For 250 (410+ really, after all the shit old ladies/mothers/teenage girls buy), using it once or twice really IS expensive.

For something that makes you play it 1-2 times it IS expensive.

However, even if you only use the PS3 for BluRays, you're doing something cheaper than normal.

Keep in mind this post is from someone who owns ALL THREE Next-Gen systems, and uses the PS3 the least.

I just happen to know how to read in context.

Terance : Soul Calibur :: Leigh : MGS

@Jelster: Dont worry, Wii will fall... and im almost sure that will be already in the end of next year. The PS3 will get cheaper, the X360 even more, they will have more games, more exclusives, more 3d parties games (something that nintendo wont have that much). Well, u'll see... Nintendo may be just fun, because the pad thing is new, but when the new gets over... it may not be anymore fun. For example, just compare the N64 and GC games, basically what comes to WII its just the same...the games, more pokemon, more mario, more fzero, more mario, more animal crossing, more mario... Well, the GC wasnt a success coz didnt have the wiimotes. Well, the PS2 also started to sell slowly, in the same way as PS3, in the end everyone got one. :)

Gambly

"Yeah, I played a Wii and it's just an expensive niche game device. We, on the other hand, are selling a lot of Playstatio....huh? What's that? Uh huh...uh huh.... Wait, our system isn't the small white one? Well which one is ours?"

ridleysaria

@dreamc: Well put, its all about the games, and until Biohazard 5 ends up on the 360, I'll still be putting plenty of hours into my Wii.

PITwelve

I also love how everyone doesn't consider Nintendo a competitor when they continue to dominate the market.

PITwelve

@Jay:
Yeah, you are right about the technology, but in the end nintendo has shown it isn't about that anymore....it's about the games and the experience. Both PS3 and 360 have some really next-gen (hate the term) games that couldn't be done previously, but as long as the gameplay is good technology isn't the highest on the list for me...

dreamc

Hey Howard, maybe after the PS3 has more than one good title you can talk about "Expensive Niche's"!

PITwelve

@Gambly:

It's priced to sell and does. Yes Nintendo could likely knock $100 of the price and still be profitable but that's capitalism for you. Supply and demand.

Remember only trepanned gamers buy a system because of specs or hardware. Most normal consumers (because these are the people that bulk up the gaming market) will ask, does my $250 investment bring me a suitable return in entertainment. The Wii's continued success seems to indicate yes, otherwise word of mouth would have killed off the system a long time ago.

Jelster

@Sanjo: The point it's not to have money to buy, the point is when u fell that you're buying something new that feels kinda "old". Because they dint put so much effort on it. They made a new gadget for the pads, yes, but and the console? Just to reorganize the components its not enough. Its what i think about. I own the Wii and a X360. And i think that what he says is right, when im playing X360 and i pass to the wii (in the plasma screen), seems like.. its "old". Hey, its just my opinion. Its just missing something that the other High End consoles has.

Gambly

he makes absolute sense... and i said it a lot of times nintendo are ripping us off...

@dreamc:

he is not talking about price in ($)... the technology (is at least 5-7 years old). lasting appeal for the system is the least of them all and features that the system provide do not match to the price tag... meaining they are ripping you off... even though PS3 is the most expensive of them all, the value (in terms of technology and sevices) is far higher, meaning that the ps3 is a bargain!

Jay

While there seems to be more sensible people here, I'm still going to post what I said over at GoNintendo.

He didn't call the Wii an expensive video game console, which we all know, including him, is not expensive. He called it an expensive niche game device. Niche gaming devices do not usually cost $250. Therefore, this comment is not "outrageous", and if you have a problem you need to argue why he thinks it's a niche gaming device, not "ZOMG U R STUPID 250 DOLLARS IZ CHEAP UR CONSOLE IZ 500". Missing the point entirely...

Anyways, Nintendo really isn't a competitor, because they've moved into a different market entirely. I work at GameStop (bleh), and people considering buying a 360 or a PS3 are never still considering a Nintendo Wii in the back of their minds. Vice versa with people buying Wiis. It's different markets pretty much. Sony doesn't lose sales to Wii, Wii just gains more sales from people Sony wasn't going to satisfy in the first place. If Wii was only selling systems to actual gamers who were choosing Wii over a 360/PS3, it would easily be the worst selling system of all time right now, and a major failure.

SO, if you made it past the first part about price and are still going to argue his point, argue that you think the Wii is in direct competition with the Playstation 3 (and good luck with that). Otherwise, wtf are you going on about?

Mit

tsk tsk.... someone is jealous and failed at Smart mouthing.

Shachihoko

@reverbandwhiskey:
Kotaku should also actually do a bit of research on a story before just throwing it up on their page in order to create a fanboy hissyfit to boost page views.

Good one. Haha.

nou_phabmixay

Yeah. Cause I don't know about you guys, but as a serious gamer, I am CONSTANTLY asking myself, "What's the best way to buy a Blu-Ray player?"

YOU LOSE. GOOD DAY, SIR.

Insomnia Bob

@Gambly: So you go for the cheaper one. It doesn't mean people should hate just because of prices. It's just another example of looking for weaknesses in other 'less-prefered' consoles.
Your posts just seem to hint you don't like the Wii being expensive, but others may (and there's alot) be able to afford the Wii AND other consoles. So they have different ideas of what they want. I hardly think you're a bad person, but you contradict what you said by 'Typical from nintendo. They always make the cheap look expensive. Sadly' thing - just accept it might be out of your price range, and enjoy playing it when/if you do get one. :)

Sanjo

Then... cheap fad?

Mayu-mayu

@dreamc: simply he said its expensive. And it is.

Gambly

@Sanjo: Well, in that case we must accept is opinion, but that doesnt mean we have to agree. I agree, but if some dont agree...its fine. To comment, its not to kill anyone, it's just to share an opinion.
Yes, i agree that wii may be all what u mentioned, but wii its expensive. Simply as that... its not HD ready, doesnt come with anything, coz u have to buy everything extra. Simply, expensive. Typical from nintendo. They always make the cheap look expensive. Sadly.

Gambly

I would have to concur as I haven't touched the Wii in months, with GTA4 and then MGS4 the system has been collecting dust.

phalanges

@Gambly: I find your lack of faith on the Wii disturbing... *choke hold*

Shiryu

Two words; epic phailings.

Master Saji

@Gambly: Man, give it a rest. I could sit here and fisk your ridiculous paragraph but ...what's the point? Honestly.

dowingba

@Gambly: The Wii is going on 2 years of ass wuping the market, while the PS3 is just barely starting to gain some ground. I think everyone will be quite surprised as to how well the Wii will continue to do in the coming years. Sure, you can argue that Nintendo survives only off their brand names, but who doesn't? How many Metal Gear's have we had now? 3 of them were on the PS2 alone. Keep an eye on E3, you'll get what I'm saying ;)

PITwelve

Yes! I missed your statements Sony. Not only that but now that E3 is here, we can expect all companies to do this. I'm excited!

Zho

"Expensive" and "niche" have no business being in the same sentence as "Wii". It's as simple as that. Like it or not, it's cheap and appeals to a broad audience. The exact, polar opposite, of what this moron seems to think.

dowingba

I know it's just slander on his side but it's kind of sad, they seem to be prepping there ego to go as large as it was before and the only way to do that is to deny they are losing by stating the leader of the console race isn't a competitor.

Wii is a gaming machine, it's no more a fad that the PS3 (apart from it's shorter lifespan but it'll have a normal console life span so it's not bad still). Sony need to just acknowledge there in the same compeition as Nintendo and losing.

Llost

@HowardC: Some points, my friend:

Power can be tied to what you can do in terms of gameplay.

Any game that uses more than 6 buttons is poorly designed? Way to call almost every PC game a poorly designed title, plus many more blockbuster//AAA titles out there such as MGS4 and even Super Smash Bros. Brawl, lol

360 and PS3 just the game, only graphics upgrades? I'm sorry that you did not realize that most of the Wii library consists of ports and lame cash-ins at $20 to get the money of the ignorant house wife for their family/child. 360 and PS3 have more power and with more power comes more gameplay abilities, as well. If you dont understand this than I suggest you research AI, Physics, Networking, etc. before making such rash comments.

Ken

Haha, some of you need to look up the word 'niche' as it relates to marketing, you all FAIL!!

"Term referring to a specialized target market characterized by a particular interest, topic or subject. Niches are usually potentially profitable, but depend an inordinate amount on the loyalty of the audience to whom it is catering."

"a specialized but profitable corner of the market"

Just because someone uses the word does not make it completely negative. Now, 'expensive' that is something else, but the Wii IS a niche device and at 300 bucks for a redesigned Gamecube that one has to buy a lot of accessories for, I'd agree, expensive.

iNime

@Jelster:

Mostly I think you're on point, but here's a revision: PS2 was successful because it launched at a fairly reasonable price and because it rapidly grew a massive library. Much like Wii today, PS2's library was (and remains to this day) primarily *shovelware trash*. Yes, we have some awesome games that make the system well worth the price (MGS, FF, GoW and numerous others), but that doesn't remove the simple fact that 80% of the PS2's library is garbageware. That's the lesson of Playstation, and it's a lesson that Nintendo has learned all too well as it happily lets publishers dump every piece of half baked, ported trash they can find straight to Wii (half of it from PS2, no less!). And you know what? I say go to it and good luck. It's clearly the strategy that sells the most systems, so get on it!

jasongw

I'm enjoying the misinformed fanboys talking about how Wii owners don't buy games. That's really funny in light of the fact that PS3 has the lowest attach rate of the home consoles this gen, with poor little PSP (PlayStationPaperweight) running in dead last.

"Joystiq inquired with the NPD Group to find out their attach rate for the five major platforms. Xbox 360 of course leads the way with 7.5 games, followed by the Wii at 5.3, DS at 4.7, PS3 at 4.6, and PSP at 4.2"

In really short, Mr. Stringer and you're associated fanboys, not only is the "niche" Wii kicking your system's ass in hardware sales month after month in every country on the planet, it's doing the same in software sales.

Who's "niche" again? Oh, wait, that's right: YOU ARE.

jasongw

@Gambly:

Same tired old rhetoric. Anything to substantiate your bold predictions or is it just a wet dream of yours? Similar claims of doom were leveled at the DS, "it's a gimmick", "the software is shallow and gimmicky", "it can't stand up to the power of the PSP". All of which have been proven as way off the mark.

All three systems have sequels. As much as you lambaste iterations of Mario, I can easily counter with iterations of PS3 or 360 titles. I think Nintendo always seem to stand out more though because they have a huge number of exclusive and successful first party titles.

PS2 was successful for two reasons, word of mouth and low price. You're displaying naivety if you think it was the "AWESOME POWER OF PLAYSTATION" which drove it to success. That was the kind of idiotic thinking that made Sony waltz into this generation with a $600 console and a "we'll tell you when" attitude.

Jelster

This whole console war is funny. Prior to Wii being a success Nintendo claimed they weren't competing. They were going in like a beaten dog on a hot summer day. Then they got that salty summer breeze and turned in 1993 Nintendo. If they had stayed 2003 Nintendo then this wouldn't have come about.

Now that Sony and Microsoft are jumping on something Nintendo themselves have said suddenly they're competing.

"Hahah, we're winning! Why yes, we are competing!"

"If you were losing like last gen you would have said otherwise."

"What? We can't hear you! Our money and legions of over zealous fans are drowning you out!"

"I hate console wars."

"Little Big Planet doesn't belong on PS3! We could have made Halo! Metal Gear? Haha! We've been doing online forever! Core are happy! Happy! Blue Ocean! Hurhurhur money!!!"

Black-Dog-Howls

@Jay:Hooboy..

You know what? I'm sitting this one out. There's some good arguments and coversations here, and there's some really stupid shit as well. So... yeah. I'm out.

Ampillion = That Man.

Nice shit talking, Howard. Considering the PS3 is way back in third place and is the most expensive system, I would have thought "expensive niche" would be a more appropriate term for the PS3?

photoboy

@jasongw:

I agree, there certainly were other factors in there too. It's another reason why I find it quite hypocritical when the Wii is painted as a purveyor of poor quality software by the same people who paint the PS2's history like a golden era of gaming.

@iNime:

I'd actually say Nintendo's success has shown the niche market MS and Sony are trying to reach with their "hardcore gamer" message. It's quite obvious Nintendo reaches an untapped casual market and a traditional gamer market. They did this at the expense of the so called "hardcore market" by aiming their hardware lower and their software more accessible.

I guess what Sony should have said is "It's niche until we have a competing product and call it mainstream".

Jelster

If Wii is an expensive niche, is the PS3 an extravagant indent?

markusdragon

Calling it a niche device is absolutely wrong. It's completely the opposite.

However, he was correct about the Wii being expensive. Surely, considering that it uses older technology, doesn't have DVD licensing attached to the device, and no hard drive, it doesn't need to be as pricey as it is.

It's the cheapest, that's for sure, but you certainly do get more (hardware-wise) bang for buck with a Playstation 3.

There's a reason why Nintendo are making profit on every Wii sale, and Sony losing money. It's because Sony is actually letting their wallet take a blow for the consumer, in the hope that they will make up their loss in software and Blu-ray sales.

Gestahl

"We're selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it's still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player."

Nice sidestep on a "PS3 = niche" rhetoric.

Apparently humility hasn't sinked in.

questworld

It's not surprising to find that nobody is saying anything about the post Mit made (which is well put and logical), but then again, logic kills fanboys so they tend to avoid it all together ^^

tozz

LOL ... The Sony Execs calling the Wii and Expensive Niche? That's a Good'un.

JamesR87

Yes, Howard, you have a very nice blu-ray player, I'm sure.

Booji-Boy

The people here who think the PS3 and Wii are directly competing with one another are sorely mistaken. They offer completely different things. A consumer will not go into a games store planning to buy a PS3 and coming away with a Wii because it is 50% cheaper.

For what you get, the PS3 is better value for money in my opinion. I sold my Wii after six months as I just wasn't playing on the thing.

1981suede

I might be a Sony fanboy but I still think they are HUGE dicks.

SirNirian

Wasn't this one of the same people trying to argue that a $250 console was somehow an impulse buy?

TRT-X

I think that there are a few people out there who bought wii sports and forgot that they were buying a console along with it. I can see the basis for his angle. The Wii's uniqueness definitely helped it sell to many more than just the people that owned and actually liked the Gamecube.

It's marketing, it works, some people are swayed. Just like the people who are swayed by numbers and specs and end up buying a PS3. There are plenty of people who cherish their PS3s, of this I'm certain. But Howard, the only person I know that owns one hasn't turned it on in 3 months save to watch BluRay movies. So I ask you Howard, which is the expensive niche in my own little neck of the woods? I needn't state the obvious here.

As a disclaimer, I must say, I'd definitely purchase the PS3 down the line if I were to get another console.

Ptolemy

Lol. All I have to say really.

juliopalio

@1981suede: Sounds like typical SDF to me.

"Wii isn't 'winning' because technically they're not competing. But wait, PS3 is definately stomping the 360."

It's the basis of the "Wii isn't next-gen" argument that Sony has been pushing around since day 1.

TRT-X

"We're selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it's still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player."

$150.00 Blu-Ray Player (PC) Newegg

V.Volker

Stinger is projecting. Specifically he's projecting the problems of his own console onto it's far more successful competion.

EmeraldDragon

Nice Try!

griffinrider

Sony always has the attitude of being on top of things so they look at everyone as stepping stone. Here is a great example, a great video, which I found on youtube, the History of Playstation.

+ Watch video

here guys did a good job on this, check it out.

tokyoshi

I wonder if he really did play the wii or just tried to play DVDs on it. >.>

DRCAM

Biggest problem with this comment is that the PS3 ISN'T the best way to buy a Blu-Ray player. My media center PC was recently updated...BR only set me back $130!

Shandy706

Stringer's just mad that Nintendo and Microsoft is stealing all of the PS2's fanbase since the PS3 games are mostly mediocre (aside from MGS4 and few others).

hunter8man

@JayD16: Sorry for the late reply to your query. I was looking at price of the bog standard blu-ray players, so they are probably not 2.0 spec. And yes, the we-are-british tax strikes again :). What is the pricing like in the US: can you get a blu-ray player and other console for the same price as a PS3?

HD has passed me by for the moment: I am too poor to own more than a wii and a PS2, both of which I mostly use to play old games. However, I have a feeling that by the time I am rich enough to own a PS3 the price of a blu-ray player will have dropped to the point where it'll still be cheaper to buy that and the Xbox 360. And I am still not sold on the idea that all the home entertainment system should be in the same box.

Till-Troll

@Señor Vorpal Kickass'o: which tend to be remakes of remakes of remakes of remakes.

Just like Halo, MGS, GTA, FF, GoW, R&C, GH, RB, etc...

TRT-X

It's PS3 that's the niche console, and that niche is Metal Gear and Final Fantasy fans.

Unless by "niche" he means "majority of current-gen console owners," then yes, Wii is a niche console.

Oh Sony. You were doing so well, but now we have to take away that gold star.

TheCakeIsALie

Yeah, I'll be the first to admit I'm not going to read the 135 responses ahead of me. It can only end in tears.

My personal opinion (read: nobody cares) is that the Wii so far has indeed been a niche console. I don't know where Sony gets off calling anything expensive but here we are. I don't feel the Wii has to be a niche device, but that's just the way it's been led so far. It just has a feel of vast potential that's being ultimately wasted. We all know the argument of shovelware, which is disasterously prevalent, leaving the only things that sell well being Nintendo manufactured games which tend to be remakes of remakes of remakes of remakes.

Señor Vorpal Kickass'o

@Gambly: Polygons do not make for a good game. Gameplay does. Christ, Wii Sports (free with console) is a better game (gameplay-wise) than anything that is exclusive to the PS3.

Cupajo

Hahahahahaha what?

Eclectus

That's an interesting take on the Wii, since it's being marketed (and sold in great volumes) to be the exact opposite of what he mentions.

With that being said, I appreciate my Wii, 360, and PS3... but they all serve distinct, separate, definite purposes when I sit down and play.

Omnimon

@1981suede: People who like PS3's may not want Wii's but equally they might want one. It doesn't matter if they offer different things or not, if I had a choice between a phone with a camera and a phone with MP3 I'd choose the phone with MP3 cos it's more useful to me. I wouldn't sit around claiming it I need them both or something cos they offer different stuff and don't compete.

They're both game systems, they both appeal to people who want to play games. Just because they appeal more to a different audience doesn't mean they're not competing. If two block buster movies were competing for customers you wouldn't say it's not competing just because one is action and one is comedy. My girlfriend has a PS3 and a Wii because she loves Nintendo but she also loves Sony, she doesn't just play mini games on the Wii though. She was after a games console when she bought them both.

Llost

@Murderdolls: I doubt that it'll be 99 bucks anytime soon.

KM91

@TRT-X: I don't know if RB and GoW really count, what with their sequels not actually existing yet, but I see what you're getting at. However, I have bought games that I've enjoyed for non-Wii consoles that haven't been franchises. For the Wii, I've bought... No More Heroes, and even then I refused to complete it because of the difficulty curve and it's random sodomizing.

I have nothing against the Wii. It was the first of the current gen consoles that I bought, it's the horse that I initially backed. I just eventually had to get some other horse action on the side, because it wasn't delivering me the goods.

Señor Vorpal Kickass'o

IMO blu-ray is an expensive niche. DVDs still look fine upscaled, and who wants to pay $30 for the regular edition of Commando, or Robo Cop on Blu-ray?

darthmatt

lol, even Mr. Stringer knows the ps3 is a blu-ray player, not so much a games console ^-^

genbeef

If the Wii is niche then I'm some kind of ferret.

Polysics_2004

@TheCakeIsALie: I wasn't using it as a knock or anything, just making the statement that if you're going to call Nintendo out for rehashing, you can't really let the other consoles slide either. (Especially when the last three or four *huge* titles have all been sequels)

Somebody pointed out up above that Nintendo is the only company of the three with a stable of strong first-party franchises.

Sony and MS both have equally strong franchises, that are equally milked. The only difference is that fewer of them are first-party.

I think that's a testament to why Nintendo's been able to survive this long. Even when 3rd party support wanes, they're still able to produce popular software for their hardware.

What better way to ensure you'll always sell hardware than to ensure that you'll always have software people want.

TRT-X

Ahhhwwwggghhhuhh, the hypocrisy!!!! It buuurrrnnnsss!

Herabec

Anyone wanna place odds on if they think Mister Howard cries himself to sleep every night?

Seriously, I'd give it 4:1 odds.

Sony just be hatin', yo.

Salen

@TRT-X: Yup; they're what we in the gaming world call "franchises."

Ooooooooooohhh

TheCakeIsALie

I admit that I don't use my Wii very often, but it still gets used more than my PS3.

robinandtami

@darthmatt:

Keep telling yourself that upscaled DVDs look just fine compared to true HD sources. People still using that "we have to re-buy our old collections" bit? Players are backwards compatible for a reason, and catalog titles are printed in limited quantities and expensive simply because they're niche.

The man may be blowing hot air to an extent, but you're on par with your comment. Though he has the fact that the Wii is essentially a souped up GC hardware to back up his expensive comment. Niche, hardly.

SG79

@EnigmaNemesis: High Def Captain Picard?

Señor Vorpal Kickass'o

@darthmatt:

Same was said when DVD came out.

EnigmaNemesis

@Black-Dog-Howls:

So damn true!

@V.Volker:

Still not the best Blu-Ray player for your home entertainment... especially with all the HDCP you have to have.

EnigmaNemesis

"Wii isn't a rival to the PlayStation 3 because it doesn't offer the broader features of the Sony console, including the ability to watch movies and access the Internet, Sony Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer said in an interview." O RLY? Seems the author of the article is a bit skewed himself?

phil2dot6

Ohh man this controversy could be bigger than Ice Tea vs. Soulja Boy.

susurrate

despite what Stringer says, i bet his kids want a wii more than his product

genbeef

Hey Sony, I get it, Blu-Ray won, get over it, I've never seen a victor harp on it so much. People will eventually buy Blu-Ray devices they just don't largely care right now.

It's like advertising a new Cadillac or something and bragging about it's unique cup-holders. Don't you have anything else going for that system? Oh yeah, MGS4 and that supposed Final Fantasy that I hope crashes and burns critically.

Absent Blue

@Polysics_2004: What if I'm a ferret? Does that make the Wii a niche product then? Maybe that just makes it a gimmicky product. A very fun, gimmicky product though.

Salen

Does he know what "niche" or "expensive" means?

If you don't know what a word means, word to the wise is not to use it.

Ninegauger

Wow, is today opposite day?

ƒox

I can kind of see the logic behind the "expensive" argument, if you add to it that the Wii currently is more expensive than the 360, that has a better game library, more powerful hardware and more features. But somehow I don't think that was what Howard was implying. The "niche" argument, however, makes no sense to me. No current-gen console is niched, especially not the Wii. They're all targeting the masses by now.

Anyway, I would love to own them both (PS3 and Wii that is), but I simply don't game enough to warrant such a purchase. It will probably be a PS3 for me, as soon as Sony get their act together and release something worth buying here in Europe.

haggis

@Gambly: ..."but wii its expensive. Simply as that... its not HD ready, doesnt come with anything, coz u have to buy everything extra. Simply, expensive."

How do you figure that? HD is expensive, I don't have an HDTV and have no plans on getting one in the near future so paying for an HD system is a useless feature to me. I haven't been forced to buy any extras either. The Wheel came with Mario Kart, but I don't really need it to play and wouldn't have gotten it otherwise. I don't own Wii Fit and thus have no balance board, but without Wii Fit I don't NEED a balance board either. I only have one controller right now, but I am pretty much the only gamer in the house and have no need for another one.

Nintendo hasn't forced me to buy any of their extras in order to play and has set their console in my price range. Sony on the other hand has loaded their console with features I can't use and charged me nearly twince as much to buy it. So how is Nintendo the expensive one?

EmeraldDragon

@ pretty much everyone

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Wii is only got Wii Sports and Wii Fit, PS3 is only a Blu-ray player, and the 360 is a FPS machine. Now that we have the massive generalization out of the way can we all grow the hell up? Really?

It's been two years. The Wii has taken the world by storm for plenty of good reasons that have nothing to do with Wii Sports or Wii Fit or grandmothers or soccer moms. Deal with it.

The PS3 has some good games and looks really impressive. People do actually buy it as a game machine. Deal with it.

The 360 has plenty of games that aren't FPSs and still sell just fine. Deal with it.

You know why people like Jack Thomson and Politicians pick on us? because we are so busy fighting amongst ourselves we can't fight back. Do you think every publisher/reader/author out there is a raving fan of every genre of literature? Of course not. But if Politicians threaten one genre, they all come up against the entire system. Do you think every movie studio loves every type of film available? Of course not, but if there was a bill in the works to lower the violence in films, do you really believe that every studio in the nation wouldn't be falling all over itself to send out their lawyers and lobbiests to protect themselves?

For the love of all that is holy, get a grip. PR people say stupid things, we laugh, move on. Every topic about consoles sales/game sales/PR blunders/ect doesn't call for a fanboy pissing contest.

EmeraldDragon

If you look at it from a video game perspective, the Wii was designed because video games are at risk of becoming niche because they cater to the hardcore. So the Wii was designed to appeal to a larger market, and has been wildly successful at it. So, Wii = not niche.

He may be saying that the Wii only plays video games, while the PS3 plays movies, and far more people watch movies than play video games. In terms of media, movies are more popular than video games. That's a fair assertion, actually. However, when you start talking about HD in particular, only 25% of American TV owners have one or more HDTVs. Keep in mind, this doesn't factor in the number of people who don't own a TV at all, it doesn't mean that 25% of TVs sold are high-def, and this doesn't cover Japan's market, which probably means a bit more to Sony than America's market. Also, the number of movies made for Blu-ray is low compared to regular movies. So, guess what, even if you think of the PS3 as a movie player rather than a console (which people who are out to buy a Blu-ray player are not going to do), the PS3 is still a niche product! I'd be willing to bet that the Wii's market of casual game players is still a lot bigger than the PS3's market of HD movie watchers. Either way you look at it, that comment was still inaccurate.

Lastly, anyone else notice this one?
"Wii isn't a rival to the PlayStation 3 because it doesn't offer the broader features of the Sony console, including the ability to watch movies and access the Internet, Sony Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer said in an interview."

Now I know the Wii is a bit lacking when it comes to internet functionality, but since when was it missing the ability to access the internet altogether?

Tiber

@Vistigil: Google "Wii Fit Girl". That's all the reasoning you need.

dagamer34

Expensive Nich: noun, adjective
1. A distinct segment of the market that is expensive
2. The Playstation 3

Helioz

I do agree with him that the Wii is a niche platform, but he comes off as clueless when he calls it expensive. Makes you wonder if there's a sane person still helping run Sony. His words a great for fanboy fodder but if I was a Sony investor I would suggest he brings down the rhetoric and explain in better detail how they plan to keep up the momentum the PS3 has been gathering from fizzling out once the big titles for the system have been released and they actually have to rely on making multiplatform games more attractive for gamers.

I still think Sony's strategy is still banking on exclusive titles to help move them back into the number one position when the industry as a whole seem to be moving away from exclusive titles and more into multiplatform releases. The only exclusive titles being those where the console company is willing to put up money to buy the exclusive rights and I can't see Sony ever outbidding or outspending Microsoft in that arena.

Yeah, that's an underhanded move people will complain about but until someone makes it illegal it's the only way exclusive titles will remain exclusive.

Tull

You know, I've posted too many defense comments about how much the Wii sucks.

I'll keep it short and sweet. The Wii is a gimmick. It's for little kids. It's no fun to play if you don't have at least 3 friends in your house at all times.

The Wii is a joke.

GTA4er

Why is everyone so offended by the niche statements? If the Wii's target audience is millions of people who want more Mario and other recycled Nintendo greatness then why is giving them exactly what they want a bad thing?

IMHO I don't see the Wii as a competitor for the 360 or PS3 either. Wanna know why? Cuz everyone I know who has a Wii ALSO has either a 360, PS3 or all 3!

Nintendo is brilliant in marketing and targeting the Wii to be cheap enough for people to own their console and their "competition's" console as well. Instead of making people decide what console to buy they got people to buy theirs AND the other guys as well. In doing so they also CREATED an new market of "casual gamers" that kinda like video games but for one reason or another felt threatened by the complexity of consoles like the 360 and PS3. Hence the dominating numbers.

Mr.SithNinja

@SG79:

The PS3's hardware is what? Happy thoughts and pixie dust? The PS3 is just a PS2 with more polygons and a blue laser instead of a red one.

EmeraldDragon

My experience with the Wii is that it's more fun to know someone who has it. Unfortunately, when they have friends over those people become intrigued and go out and buy one but only play it for 3 months and within that time period they have friends over and the cycle starts all over. Then you have the people who just buy things because everyone else is buying it. Great marketing scheme.
Too bad Nintendo could have done this with a good gaming system. Too much shovelware is burying the integrity of the system. I bought mine on launch night and have only purchased 2 games since. All I have deemed worthy. Oh well.. here's hoping.

Dr.Fondler

And so the poo flinging begins!

lantus

Regardless of what the flaming fan-boys on this site say the wii is indeed an expensive niche game toy when compared to a real game machine. $250 for a Fisher Price like imitator that plays mindless mini games and has graphics worse than the 7 year old XBOX1.

The wii could be the downfall of gaming in the same way the summer blockbuster (like Jaws) ruined the film industry. Say goodbye to cutting edge graphics, storytelling, and HD epic quality when the rest of the industry tries to imitate Nintendo's success.

thund3rstruck

Some people haven't been watching sales numbers. Sony also forgot that there console was twice the weaker of the market and yet they still managed to rise above the competition. Nintendo regularly outsells 360 and ps3 combined.

I do think more third parties need to be slapped though. The begginning was promising showing great potential with titles like Red Steel (not perfect but an honest attempt), Godfather (A port but the controls alone made it newer then most), RE4(see godfather). These first titles show that noone had faith that the wii would be this successful but at least they tried now nint