Nintendo Wii

[tommy]

Anyone thinking of getting this console? After seeing some people playing this console on tv it really does seem that Nintendo has taken their next gen console in a more fun real way to play games then Sony or Microsoft.

Actually having to move your arms to control certain aspects of the game and getting more involved in your favorite game seems more like an upgrade and a real next gen console of the future while other game makers just went with the same old controller setup.

To me Nintendo has always been the king of all games not having to rely on others to make great games for their console and making Nintendo's own games more fun and more sought after and original then others just trying to make money can ever do.

Money really isn't an issue but if Nintendo can offer exciting new gameplay and comparable graphics at a "reasonable" price i think i will buy me a new Nintendo when it's available. you?

[hypernova]

Wife will get it for me for Christmas.  Only starting out with the included sports game and Zelda.

Will be EAGERLY awaiting Mario Galaxy, SSB: Brawl, another Mario Kart, and especially Metroid Prime 3!

[tommy]

I heard a long time ago before the Wii ever had it's name that Nintendo will be making a new Punchout game of some sort. I'm sure it will be alot better than the sports package boxing that will come with the console.

Hopefully there still will be a great punchout game somewhere in Nintendo's future.

[lcddream]

getting it launch day.

hopefully i can walk right into nintendo world store grab a wii, zelda maybe another game and an extra controller....then walk out and b line it to my apartment.

i have a feeling i'll be using a sick day that monday 

[somunny]

getting it launch day.

hopefully i can walk right into nintendo world store grab a wii, zelda maybe another game and an extra controller....then walk out and b line it to my apartment.

Yeah, shouldn't be too busy there.    There's a lot of people trumpeting the fact that Wii's will be plentiful at launch but I remain skeptical.  I hope Nintendo proves me wrong.

[tommy]

When you get it/if, post some first impressions of graphics and the controler handling, make sure you play for a few hours because such a new controller will take time to get used to.

[Frosty]

Did the pre-order thing at Toys R US last week.  Amazingly, I showed up no more than 35-40 minutes before (this was about my limit--didn't really feel like waiting more than an hour.  Figured I'd take my chances on release date if that didn't work....) the store opened and was number 20 in line for the Wii.

I was in, paid for the pre-order and out the door in less than 45 minutes total.  Sweet!

[Hoagie_one]

I'll get one after xmas, only because I'm working so much overtime that I wouldn't have time to play it anyways.

[Tahnok]

getting it launch day.

hopefully i can walk right into nintendo world store grab a wii, zelda maybe another game and an extra controller....then walk out and b line it to my apartment.

Yeah, shouldn't be too busy there.    There's a lot of people trumpeting the fact that Wii's will be plentiful at launch but I remain skeptical.  I hope Nintendo proves me wrong.

Plentiful yes, but Nintendo is still saying that they expect them to sell out, despite having such a large number of them.

[AtomSmasher]

Plentiful yes, but Nintendo is still saying that they expect them to sell out, despite having such a large number of them.

I'm guessing they probably will sell out most places on launch day, but it'll take several hours to sell out so you shouldn't have to be there at opening to get one.  Also, if the supplies are as plentiful as they expect, then everyone who wants one should be able to easily get one within the first month of the release since more large shipments should come in a week or two after launch day.

[tommy]

For all the Playstation fans and how much more popular the ps2 was over the gamecube i still can't find a reason why it was loved over the GC.

I had a ps2 and a gamecube and ran soul calibur 2 on both at the same time, the gamecube loaded battles in half the time then the ps2 and looked as good or better. Thats only one example but i'm sure there are others.

Nintendo seems to always have a better machine then the rest.

On an unrelated note, should we be worried about the first run production of these new consoles not working well? PS3 or Wii?

I don't know alot about console production and wonder if a second batch Nintendo would be better then a first batch?

[leapinlew]

My dad had a Gamecube (to play tiger woods golf) and I had a Xbox. We both played tiger woods. His came on 2 discs and mine came on one. Nintendo Gamecube used those mini-discs.

Anytime he went to a different part of the game, he had to swap the disc. It was a major pain. When we played some tiger woods on my xbox he noticed that I had quite a bit more content(live demos and stuff).

Those mini-discs were probably a mistake on Nintendos part. I can't think of any other examples.

I'm looking forward to the wii

[tommy]

I think the small discs were to protect their games from being stolen, if i remember correctly.

The way you say he had to swap discs makes it sound like it was every five minutes. At the games halfway point you swap discs, so.

[leapinlew]

I think the small discs were to protect their games from being stolen, if i remember correctly.

The way you say he had to swap discs makes it sound like it was every five minutes. At the games halfway point you swap discs, so.

Yeah, I think it was some sort of anti-piracy move. It didn't work and ultimately ended up being more of a limiting feature.

You would have to swap discs anytime you wanted to go into the store to purchase gear. So, after finishing a round of golf and earning some money, you would have to swap discs, buy what you want, and swap discs back. They put all the courses on one disc and some of the other content on the other.

Point is... while the game looked nearly identical - the xbox version was superior.

[GoPodular.com]

Yes, the GC used a proprietary disc format to combat piracy.  The Wii will follow similar lines:
12cm dual-layer proprietary disc ~8.5Gb of data.  It will also play GC discs.

(according to the info I have anyhow)

We have one on our wedding gift list.  It was even *her* idea. 

[koolmoecraig]

I've got two on pre-order.  One for me and one to sell to help pay for the one for me.

[shmokes]

I think that right off you'll probably make a profit, but I wouldn't think more than $50 or so.  I just don't think they're gonna be all that scarce on store shelves -- not with 4 million coming to North America between launch and the end of the year.

[koolmoecraig]

You're probably right.  There is no risk of loss so why not try?

[Tahnok]

Yeah, I think it was some sort of anti-piracy move. It didn't work and ultimately ended up being more of a limiting feature.

I would say all their anti-piracy stuff worked pretty well. The GM couldn't be chipped until not too long ago. Compared to how quickly the other consoles got cracked, I would say the GC held out pretty well. They can't expect to stop piracy, but they can sure delay it.

As far as why the GC was so unrated, I've never known. I've never heard of this multi-disk problem; it's not something you'll run into on many games. It seems like the problem with the game you're describing is more poor software planning, as appose to hardware limitations.

[leapinlew]

I would say all their anti-piracy stuff worked pretty well. The GM couldn't be chipped until not too long ago.

Maybe it worked well. The fact that it wasn't as popular as the other consoles probably had more to do with it.

As far as why the GC was so unrated, I've never known. I've never heard of this multi-disk problem; it's not something you'll run into on many games. It seems like the problem with the game you're describing is more poor software planning, as appose to hardware limitations.

True. The GC was the favorite console from a few people I know. I wish I had the time to play it. It has all the games that I really would want to play. Except Tiger Woods Golf... It wasn't poor software planning. They made a game and while it fit on the standard sized DVD's for the xbox and ps2, the smaller disc size presented a problem for the GC owners. They could still play it, and it looked just fine - it was just a nuisance.

I'm pulling for the Wii to be a fun console. Xbox seems to have the online component going well. I hope the PS3 crashes and burns.

[Tahnok]

I would say all their anti-piracy stuff worked pretty well. The GM couldn't be chipped until not too long ago.

Maybe it worked well. The fact that it wasn't as popular as the other consoles probably had more to do with it.

Yeah, maybe. It's not really as capable as the Xbox, as far as running emus and such. Still...

True. The GC was the favorite console from a few people I know. I wish I had the time to play it. It has all the games that I really would want to play. Except Tiger Woods Golf... It wasn't poor software planning. They made a game and while it fit on the standard sized DVD's for the xbox and ps2, the smaller disc size presented a problem for the GC owners. They could still play it, and it looked just fine - it was just a nuisance.

That is poor planning. They knew what systems they were going to put the game on when they started. They knew how big the GC disks are. There's no excuse for not being able to create something better. If nothing else, if they didn't want to eliminate too much content, I'm sure they could have arranged the swaps to be more conveniently placed. Yes, it was probably a bad move by Nintendo to use mini-DVDs, but other developers don't seem to have such problems porting their games to GC.

I hope the PS3 crashes and burns.

Amen. Sony needs a reality check.

[AtomSmasher]

The reason the GC wasn't as big as the xbox or PS2 has a lot to do the lack of 3rd party support, the vast majority of good-great games on the GC were made by Nintendo.  PS2 and xbox had a lot more games because of their 3rd party support.  So far the Wii seems to have a lot of 3rd party support, which will help them out a lot.

[somunny]

Find out exactly how many Wii's your Target is getting.

http://boards.ign.com/nintendo_wii_lobby/b8270/130542464/p1

[AtomSmasher]

Find out exactly how many Wii's your Target is getting.

http://boards.ign.com/nintendo_wii_lobby/b8270/130542464/p1

Nice.  Looks like the 2 stores closest to me will be getting 60 each, and the store about 30 miles away (where I have to travel a couple times every week anyways) is getting 120.  Assuming best buys will also be getting roughly this many, and eb games/game stops probably getting about 1/2 as many each, there should be plenty of Wii's to go around on launch day.

[hypernova]

I hope the PS3 crashes and burns.

Amen. Sony needs a reality check.

We can hope, but I don't think it'll happen.  Too many people just have money to throw away anymore.  And apparently it's being loved at the show in Hawaii right now.

[somunny]

I hope the PS3 crashes and burns.

Amen. Sony needs a reality check.

We can hope, but I don't think it'll happen.  Too many people just have money to throw away anymore.  And apparently it's being loved at the show in Hawaii right now.

Why does that make you have a little sad face? 

[yalborap]

For all the Playstation fans and how much more popular the ps2 was over the gamecube i still can't find a reason why it was loved over the GC.

I had a ps2 and a gamecube and ran soul calibur 2 on both at the same time, the gamecube loaded battles in half the time then the ps2 and looked as good or better. Thats only one example but i'm sure there are others.

Nintendo seems to always have a better machine then the rest.

On an unrelated note, should we be worried about the first run production of these new consoles not working well? PS3 or Wii?

I don't know alot about console production and wonder if a second batch Nintendo would be better then a first batch?

One good trick by Sony combined with one big mistake of Nintendo's. When Nintendo ditched them to go with carts again for the N64, Sony managed to appeal to what is now known as the 'casual' gamer. Through this, they in turn managed to gain massive marketshare filled with people who will now buy damn near anything that says 'playstation' on it.

Ideally that will end soon and Sony will either die or get their head out of their ass.


As for the Wii, I'm camping out in the local super wal-mart and getting one. If that fails, I'm heading down to the local Target and waiting from midnight till opening(Wal-marts are doing midnight sales). And if THAT fails, Toys R Us. I'll have a Wii no matter what it takes.

[shmokes]

You crazies!  That's totally unnecessary.  Nintendo is sending millions of Wiis our way.  You totally don't need to camp for one.  There's not going to be a significant Wii shortage.

[AtomSmasher]

For those trying to get a Wii on launch day, these links may help you out.

http://www.wiiloaded.com/wiinews-3082

Looks like toys r us is getting more of them then anyone, which makes sense since they have been announced as Nintendos official launch partner.

Heres a Guide to finding a Nintendo Wii at Launch
http://www.wiiloaded.com/wiinews-3040

Lots of their info is still considered rumors, but probably not far from the truth and they'll update it as the facts come in.

[yalborap]

You crazies!  That's totally unnecessary.  Nintendo is sending millions of Wiis our way.  You totally don't need to camp for one.  There's not going to be a significant Wii shortage.

1 million, actually, not millions.

[somunny]

No, millions.  As in four million by Christmas.

[Goz]

With all of the controller options the Wii should be a bad-ass system. With anyluck there will be some good physical games like MOCAP Boxing, etc.

The new Mario game though is enough to encourage most fans to get the system.

-Goz

[AtomSmasher]

No, millions.  As in four million by Christmas.

And Nintendo has said if the demand is high enough, then they may even ship more.  Supply doesn't seem to be a problem for them.

[shmokes]

It certainly shouldn't be a problem considering it's basically a glorified Gamecube as far as the hardware is concerned.   

To be fair, I think the allocation might actually be 1 million units for the day of launch with 3 million more coming in the following weeks.  So if you ABSOLUTELY had to have one on launch day maybe it's a good idea to camp.  But it's not like the Xbox 360 or the PS3 (or the PS2 for that matter) where if you didn't get one at launch you didn't get one until March.  With the Wii, if you don't get one at launch you just won't have one for a few days -- maybe a week.

[tommy]

I was just checking out the Wii's graphics compared to the 360's and they can almost pass for the same to the naked eye.

The 360 has 3 - 4.2ghz processors compared to the Wii's 1- 729ghz, something seems abit off to me. I know the processor is hardly related to the video cards but the Xbox SEEMS so far ahead of the Nintendo on paper they should be decades apart.

[leapinlew]

I was just checking out the Wii's graphics compared to the 360's and they can almost pass for the same to the naked eye.

The 360 has 3 - 4.2ghz processors compared to the Wii's 1- 729ghz, something seems abit off to me. I know the processor is hardly related to the video cards but the Xbox SEEMS so far ahead of the Nintendo on paper they should be decades apart.

What kind of display was it? Where you'll see the xbox/ps3 shine is on a large HD display.

[shmokes]

729ghz . . . that's a fast processor!   

Seriously, the difference in horsepower is significant and immediately obvious.  I'm including some screenshots.  The first ones are direct comparisons of the Wii and 360 versions of Call of Duty, Madden and Tony Hawk.  After that are screenshots of Red Steel, which is probably the best looking Wii game, and Gears of War which is the best looking 360 game I know of.  Actually, Zelda: Twilight Princess is probably the best looking Wii game, which is pretty telling considering it'll be available for the gamecube looking 100% identicle to the Wii version exceept that it won't run in widescreen mode.

[shmokes]

Keep in mind that I am unreasonably excited about the Wii and pretty much indifferent about the 360.  I just think that the difference in graphics capabilities between the two systems is very significant and immediately apparent even to the naked and untrained eye.

[tommy]

I'm starting to wonder why Nintendo put forth such an effort that was not the best they could have done, if only they went all out i think they could have made a console head and shoulders better then the rivals.

Why not get some heavy duty processors going in the Wii? ATI and Nintendo made a CG graphics card much better then the PS2 in my opinion. Put a gig of ram all up in that thing with a great 6.2ghz processor.

I will be getting a Nintendo and i still stand by my original post but they could have made a better console i think.

I guess i will have to wait till the next next gen system to play movie like games? Or is that the next next next gen?

[shmokes]

Yeah, I agree.  If the console hit at $150 I could completely overlook the subpar graphics, but $250 ain't a mainstream price, IMO.  Especially with the controllers being $60 a pop.  A Wii plus one controller already costs more than an Xbox 360.  That's just not a significant price difference. 

I want the Wii more than any other console because of the innovative controller, but graphics are important.  It isn't just icing.  It makes gameplay better and creates new kinds of gameplay, and makes games more immersive.  Physics is important.  AI is important.  Sound is important.  These are all legitimate pieces to the next gen puzzle and they all require processing power. 

Nintendo should have either given us a truly mass market price, which they could have done while still not taking nearly as heavy a loss per unit as MS with the 360 or Sony with the PS3 (they aren't taking any loss on the hardware at all), or they should have made a console that was more competitive visually with the 360 and PS3.  Since they did neither I truly doubt they will end up market leader in this round.  Had they done one or the other I think they would have been.