But it’s 2009. Soon it is 2010. We are living in the future. The number of HD televisions continues to grow — yet the Wii is not HD.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with pretty graphics, and if I’m a consumer that has an HDTV, I’d want to be able to play my games with nice graphics too. And I think as we’ve seen the penetration rates for HDTV increase, we’re going to see video games and Nintendo’s games move along in step with the progression of technology,” said Miyamoto.

“But what I don’t think is necessarily true is that the graphics itself is something that’s going to make the gameplay experience better. So we’re still going to focus on the gameplay, but we’ll take advantage of the technology as it comes out.”

Lots of mixed signals in what Miyamoto is saying: Pretty graphics are nice, people with HDTVs want pretty graphics, number of HDTVs increasing, Nintendo will move with technology, graphics don’t make gaming experience better, Nintendo still focusing on gameplay, but will take advantage of the tech “as it comes out”.

It’s already out. Get on with it!

Miyamoto on HD Graphics: Nintendo’s Games Will Move Along with Progression of Technology [IndustryGamers] [Pic]

That stat was compiled over HDTV sales from only the last year, but the trend is contributed to the falling prices of HDTVs, allowing more of the 21-34 demographic to purchase sets—precious souls between 21-34 want to play their games in HD. And by “HD,” we mean “huffing daffodils.” It’s the only way we’ll play anymore.

Survey finds 18 percent of people bought a HDTV for gaming [Maxconsole][And yes, that image is real]

But the Wii and Xbox 360 aren’t far behind with 65% and 66% HD penetration, respectively. Component cables are the most popular option (which isn’t all that surprising since the Wii doesn’t offer an HDMI option and the Xbox 360 only jumped on that bandwagon late). Yeah, I’m thinking more and more that my theory that consoles sell HDTVs wasn’t so crazy after all.

Gamers Ripe for High-End A/V Systems, Research Shows [via maxconsole]

If instinct alone wasn’t enough to justify such a purchase, I have a tangible reason as well.

Tiny text.

The first game I encountered with a microscopic font was Capcom’s Dead Rising. So there’s me, with my standard definition yet decently-sized CRT television. And then there’s Dead Rising sitting in the DVD tray of my 360, laughing at me like a hyena on crack as I squinted blood from my eyes.

I thought I was going blind. Again. I played with the brightness and contrast settings on my TV, moved my couch closer to the screen, and even contemplated jury-rigging some massive magnifying glass. My total lack of jury-rigging skills and fear of transparent materials quickly put an end to that plan.

Dead Rising wasn’t just a $90 game. It was a $90 game with a $1500 hidden fee. It’s maddening to think that Capcom almost made the same mistake with Lost Planet.

That was ages ago. I thought I was done with tiny text until I cracked open World Series of Poker 2008. Somehow Activision complete forgot about the whole Dead Rising/Lost Planet debacle and said “What the hell? 20/20 vision is for the weak!”

Thanks for reminding me just how inadequate my TV is. Thanks a lot, you arsehats. How hard is it to include extra fonts for those of us without oodles of cash to spend on high-end equipment, or are perfectly happy with our investment in CRT technology?

I’m no typeface expert, but I imagine it’s not that hard. If it is, then put a warning on the packaging.

Maybe I’m the only person in the world who still uses a CRT TV. Am I? I need comrades to rally to.