Comments on: Nintendo Wii supply finally catches up to demand

Three years ago, Nintendo looked like it was on its last leg. But today, it's the king of video games. Who could have predicted this journey?

[saamson]

... and when most individuals finally got their hands on a Wii they played it extensively for a week. Then their consoles began to collect dust because of a severe lack of any games that were anything other than a Mario title. Finally your typical Wii owner would post it on Ebay and would make their full money back thanks to the interesting shortage of supply (artificial, I do believe so) .....on a system that had served it's purpose and shown little long term value.

[3tire]

........a-hahahahahahhaha. Are you 13? It sold nearly 50 million units in a couple years. Hmm, you say it's got little long term value. Typical owners resell on Ebay to get their full money back. It has a severe lack of games. And owners will play it only for a week anyway. What hole are you pulling those "facts" out of? WAAAAAAH......MOOOMMMMYYYYYY! I got no life so I get mad and rant when other people like something different.
saamson, get a grip. It's a just a fancy toy. Do you get this wound up if western digital sells more hard drives than samsung?

[tcr071]

I swear I don't understand the craze still. I was caught up in it when it first launched. Waited outside of gamestop two days in a row until they got a shipment of 12 and I took one home. It's fun to play every once in a while with a group of friends but when I don't have company over it just sits there. All the fun stuff that I have (purchased or given to me) is only fun with a group of people. Mario Kart, Mario Party, Wii Fit, Super Smash Bros, etc.

He isn't kidding that you could get all of your money back selling it. People buy these things like crazy and I just cannot understand why.

[sweaty_taco]

I totally agree. I bought it about a month ago and played it for about a week with my kid. We rented some titles from blockbuster, but in the end. It's just sitting there collecting dust.
We end up playing Xbox 360 (Lego games) more than the Wii. To me, there arent enough good games and the picture quality sucks. In the end it was a bad investment.

[isykal]

The Wii is the only thing that we play in my apartment. My roommate's PS3 is collecting dust in his room.

[paulimusmaximus]

Yeah, I got the Wii last summer, and it was fun for a while, but it's really not all that great unless you have someone to play it with, plus the games are more for kids. So fortunately, like you said, I sold it for full price around Christmas, and now I just stick with Xbox 360. Good timing too, I was just in Best Buy last week and they had a stack of at least 50 Wii's sitting there.

[synthetikz]

@3-tire - the only childish comment in this thread is yours, definitely not saamsons. i couldn't agree more with him, the supply was intentionally limited to artificially inflate demand, which, have no doubt about it, is a brilliant marketing move. but in the end, artificial demand is just that - ARTIFICAL, which explains why after you buy it, you turn around and wonder "why did i buy this thing?" you'll see most comments here fall in line with what saamson was saying.. people just get bored of their wii's, and in my personal experience, i've observed the same. i think in 10 years when gamers look back on this generation of video games and ask which console was king.... the wii won't be a contender.

lucky for nintendo though, they can survive to the next generation, where hopefully they get their hardware up to snuff and more 3rd party library support.

[aztec92154]

The Wii is just a fad, just give it time and people will get bored of using the niche controllers and console sales will drop. There is no way that something without PS3 like graphics and high-def movie playback can even compete in the console wars. PS3 and XBOX 360 are in a much better position, but PS3 is the most likely one to win since there are more PS2's that VCRs! It would be highly unlikely that the PS3 will, at the end of the day, end up in 3rd place with worldwide console sales. The safe bet is: 1) PS3 2) XBOX 360 3) Wii (if they even survive this generation)

- That last paragraph was actually plausible a few years ago....

[Inconnux]

lol the wii outsells the PS3 + 360 COMBINED! its a 'fad' that is completely dominating the market since its release. Kinda funny how sony/microsoft are now looking into motion detection for their controllers. Sorry fanboys Sony has made a HUGE blunder with the PS3 and is bleeding cash because of it.

[sound4film]

The Wii is not just a fad! it revolutionized not only gaming but the tech industry as a whole. Nintendo brought accelerometers into the home, and the iPhone followed as did Sony and Microsoft with their respective console controllers. Graphics and high def are a very small part of what makes the the consoles good, that is just hard ware that can be upgraded,wait for Nintendo's next machine what ever it is will be High Def and I believe the Wii supports 720p which is in fact high def.
I would not categorize each console by its power and graphics I would assign them pros and cons.
PlayStation 3 +Blu-Ray
-Price
XBOX-360 +Netflix (good thing since they went with HD-DVD and lost, they needed Net-Flix)
+# of Games
-Paid live subscription
-Base model Xbox is lame elite model is expensive
Wii +revolutionary controller
+Cheap
+partners with DS

Furthermore the Wii brings gaming and interactivity to the masses where as PS3 and X-Box target gamers.

[E80LA]

@ sound4film

The Wii does not support any resolution other than 480i and 480p (not 720p).

Your pro/con list is very one-sided with no cons for the Wii.

Also, having all three systems, I enjoy Xbox's Live service the most (you get what you pay for).

[Renegade Knight]

Yup. Fad. They have less games sold per console than the other two and unless they do something it's going to stay that way allowing the 360 and PS3 both to catch up in time.

Oh, wait, they are workign to do soemthing so even Nintendo "gets it" even if the fans don't.

[xcal78]

"Yup. Fad. They have less games sold per console than the other two and unless they do something it's going to stay that way allowing the 360 and PS3 both to catch up in time."

Yea that's it buddy. Please keep up the great work so I can get a laugh a few times a day. Maybe in another 3-5 years the fad will fade huh? Do you understand the definition of a fad? Keep up the humor it's great! LOL

[mediaHACK]

The comment:

GameStop Senior Vice President of Merchandising Bob McKenzie told the publication that his company waited almost three years for this to happen.

Wii was released 12/08/2006 and its barely over 2 years old.

[yoyoyo3]

good point, and I swear its always on the shelves this time of year and will be up to Nov. when suddenly a mad mob of parents with no ahead planning comes out and must by it within a certain range of time.

[Sporlo]

It released on November 19th, 2006.

[yoyoyo3]

The 1st 2 comments posted here are funny. A little bias are we?? When are PS3 fans going to learn its not about how high end everything is. Its about the content. Is it fun to play, is it fun to play online etc. Who really gives a flying F about how powerful a system is as long as the games are fun. "Obviously" if it were just about the powerful system and not the games, wouldn't the PS3 be above the 360 and Wii?

Also really, they just end up on ebay within a few weeks. Wouldn't that cause a over supply of the market, you know supply and demand, or are the 1st posters just 13 year olds posting your lame ramblings online

[Inconnux]

PS3 fans are just bitter that their console is collecting dust on the shelves... Sony fell for the old fallacy that fancy graphics == fun gameplay. There is barely a day that the Wii is not played in my house... great system and Nintendo knows its market.

[Renegade Knight]

PS3 Fan here. Lets look at the 'ol library. Oh, cool more PS3 titles worth buying than Wiil No wonder my Wii collects dust. Heck I don't even like the 360 and I have more of those titles as well.

Sorry to say guys, but even though the Wii sells like hotcakes, it takes more than selling dust catchers to last as a console. Wii has some work to do. I'd love to blow the dust off mine and do something with it.

[gofalcons]

hey iconn, another ps3 fan here, not collecting dust, getting used all day for blu ray and gaming.....your the bitter child playing your little mario games, isnt it nap time...lol

[Inconnux]

When I said collecting dust on the shelves, I meant the store shelves. Every store in my town that sells consoles always has tons of PS3's for sale. There is usually signs up saying the Wii isn't available right now and you have to sign up to buy it... Im sure PS3 owners love their systems, the problem isn't brand loyalty, its sales and Sony is not doing well in sales.

As for the bitter child... lol. Father of two and when I made the decision on what console I wanted in my house I looked at available games and what I felt was appropriate for my house. Nintendo will always win with parents because they make family friendly games their priority. They also have their fair share of 'adult' titles as well... Nintendo wins on both fronts.

[madefiend]

Wow gofalcons.

Anyone who claims that their gaming system gets used ALL DAY probably doesn't have the right to call anyone elses' maturity into account, because anyone that has the time to play games and watch movies ALL DAY is either 12 years old or a complete loser.

I'm going for probably 12 years old, since anyone who would assume that Mario games are for children obviously hasn't been gaming long enough to understand better.

Also, it's "you're", as in "you are". Don't worry, your 4th grade teacher just hasn't gotten to that one in the lesson plan yet.

[wolvesgod]

Wow, two bias posters... o well... Anyways the Wii really made a huge turn around since GameCube, with Madworld out and selling like the Wii did i'm pretty sure that there will be more "M" rated games to come. I'm not much of a video gamer anyways no to play with at my house but since my sister came over we've been playing Madworld together and super smash bros: brawl.

[giga90]

I have both Wii and Ps3, i got my Ps3 as a gift and I saved about 8 months of allowance on buying the Wii ( I live in a 3rd world country). At first I was playing my Ps3 all the time, but when i bought the Wii, i stopped playing my ps3 for a month. After that, I got tired of my Wii and i regret ever buying it. Now i play with my ps3 all the time. PS: i borrow most of the games from my rich ass fren)

[FireyIce01]

Okay, here's the deal, the PS3 has a few REALLY GOOD games, and a bunch of mediocre ones with amazing graphics, and a bit of crap as well. The wii on the other hand has some really fun games, and a TON of crapware. Games that were released on more than one console, should be purchased on a console other than the wii, because controls are almost always an afterthought for wii ports. Look for wii games that were made for the wii, and stop trying to compare the wii and ps3. I don't see them as competitors, they are complimentary systems. the wii goes well with an xbox or ps3, the ps3 and xbox are clearly in direct competition.

[giga90]

I know that we should not compare Wii to the Xbox or the ps3 but still, in just my opinion, it's a poor investment. Even my frens are tired of it. And i got plenty of friends, about 100 or so... Really hope madworld would change my opinion towards the wii, plan to buy it soon xD

[viper396]

@giga, you're a complete liar. In one post you claim you "saved about 8 months of allowance" to buy a Wii, then three days later you post again and act like you don't even own one. What little credibility you thought you had is now gone. The only thing worst then dumb fanboys are posers pretending to be one.

[giga90]

Thats the point, I have a wii, and its collecting dust, it just dont make it feel like i own the wii anymore, the last time i remember playing the wii is like 3~4 months ago. All i mean is that it's a bad investment, i could have used that money to buy an xbox. You don't have to believe me, go ahead and own 1, if you're 16+ most chances are you will regret your purchase, if you're just about 13 most chances you'll find the wii very very fun. To make it clear, in my previous post, i plan to buy madworld* soon.

[mordantennui]

To people who say the wii is just a fad I say this. The wii may just turn out to be a fad for the typical gamer, yes, but what about everybody else? The reason the wii is selling like hotcakes is obvious, they're selling to a vast market. For all those people who have been introduced to videogames by Nintendo, do you really think they will see the wii as a fad? No, they'll see it as the norm and because of this will come to think of the traditional game controller as a relic of the past, when gaming wasn't "cool". That's why I think in the next generation Microsoft and Sony will put some serious effort into creating a new experience. Just imagine a console with controls like the wii AND great graphics, drool.
The best of both worlds.

[Renegade Knight]

everbody else doesn't buy games...that's a problem. You need gamers. Gamers are why the DS kicks the PSP's butt. They got that forumual right and Sony while making a better device (overall) didn't make a device with "game magic".

The Wii's got potential but they need to do something with it to realize that potential.

My Wii and my PSP both collect dust.

[xcal78]

@Renegade Knight

When the train left the station you forgot to get on it. I feel for you but the Wii isn't nor will it ever be for gamers. It was designed for everyone, targeted for everyone, and sells to everyone. If you want a gaming system stick to a PC or Mac. Seperate gaming consoles has been obsolete for a while but have a great time spending more for a uni-tasker then a multi-tasker.

[saamson]

3tire, who are you? waaaah mommmy?? me thinks someone is getting a little carried away with a simple comment.

[BCF1968]

Sorry the Wii still sucks has always sucked and will always suck. Old technology and gimmicky controllers. I'm sure the fanbois will say "graphics aren't everything". Well if that's your point why not just get a PS2 then? Same graphics, HALF the price. There's 1000 MORE games and most are under $20. And of course none of that gimmicky controller crap. That controller is one thing that will for sure keep me from ever getting a Wii even if it was $50.

At first I got that is was cheaper than the PS3 and XBOX 360. But you can get an Xbox 360 Arcade for $50 cheaper than the Wii so why people still by more Wiis is beyond me.

To say the Nintendo "got it right" is a joke. Are you telling me if the PS3 had been nothing more than a PS2 with slightly better graphics, wireless controllers, built in wi-fi, built in HDD and used the same old DVD technology but could be sold for $250 like the Wii it would have been a success? Hardly. People wouldn't spend double just to get a few new features but basically the same games. Game developers wouldn't dedicate time, money and other resources making PS3 games when they are only marginally better than PS2 games. The Wii it has the WORST 3rd party support despite having more systems out there than the 360 and PS3 combined. Hmmmmm.

Xbox's problem is that they should a have waited a year and worked on the RROD issue by then the cost of making the machine would have dropped enough they could have included the HD-DVD player with it and still kept the same price. HD-DVD would have won the format war by now then and effectively killed off the PS3. And the 360 wouldn't have the reputation of always breaking. Which probably still hurts sales to this day.

The fact that the Wii is supposedly winning this round and Sony is 3rd means nothing. Last time the GameCube was dead last and everyone was writing Nintendo's obituary and Sony was #1. In 5-6 years when the next genration of systems comes out, who won this time won't mean anything. And who says Nintendo will 'win" anyways. Within 2 years the 360 and PS3 will both be outselling the Wii.

[sound4film]

Yeah your right gimmicky controllers..... millions of people who use Wiis and the new Xbox and PS3 controllers with accelerometers or the I phone are just stupid for not thinking that this revolutionary technology is gimmicky.

[madefiend]

Not really.

I have owned every system that Sony has ever put out save the PS3 and while I never made the jump to Xbox, I have gamed on my PC quite extensively and have nothing against Microsoft. So given that I could HARDLY be called a fanboy.

I used to be a "hardcore gamer", but I'm in grad school now so I have neither the time nor the money, and when I come on here and constantly see the "hardcore gamer" simply throwing technological specs around to illustrate why their console of choice is better than another, I slap my forehead. You'll notice that you (the poster above me) doesn't say anything about actual games save a mention about how many third party companies are developing for the Wii vs. the PS3/Xbox360.

There is a REASON that many "low-tech" games of the past and present are going to continue stick out in people's minds 20 years from now when the technological marvels of today are long forgotten and relegated only to the clearance bin. With technological constantly improving, who remembers an older game for its resolution? Does anyone today remember games like FFVII for having amazing graphics? No, they remember it because it was an amazingly fun experience even if it looks ridiculous by today's standards.

The point is, Nintendo has consistently made truly fun games (albeit I feel they slipped up a lot in the GC era) and those games, irrespective of whether they use state-of-the-art technology can and will continue to sell. And when fun games are selling and selling well, the fanboys who hang out in the background stuttering "but...but it doesn't have HIGH DEFINITION!!!" seem pretty ridiculous.

[jfrdricks2009]

This is just double speak for "not many people are buying the wii right now so we have plenty on the store shelves"

[QMT]

We've probably just reached a saturation point, in that virtually everyone who wanted a Wii already has one.
Now is the time where Nintendo has to convince the fence-sitters and hardcore gamers that a Wii is a worthwhile purchase. Flatlined new sales is when the system's shortcomings come back to bite it.

[Inconnux]

Its funny that in hardware sales the Wii still sells more than the PS3 and 360 COMBINED.... so much for flatlining sales.

[E80LA]

Hardware sales maybe good, but their software sales are poor. What's crappy is the software sales look stronger than they really are due to Wii Sports being considered a software sale (it's packaged with the console).

Check out VG Chartz for some good info. http://vgchartz.com/hwcomps.php

[yoyoyo3]

I tried to make this point earlier and I'll try again. Take a look at http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=11067
Feb. sales for the Wii were at 753,000. Feb. of 08 it was 432,000 and Feb. of 07 it was 335,000. If you look at this you'll note that it ALWAYS jumps for units sold in Dec. well this time of year its always low. Its just cause parents are dumb and even still their on the store shelves this time of year they wait until Dec. to get the must have gift.

Also jfrdricks2009, try looking up real numbers to support your statement before rambling off lies or talking out of your A@$

[Inconnux]

E8OLA

Sorry, but Nintendo also dominates in the software sales, just go to gamespot, every month they post software sales and Nintendo usually has had at least 5 out of the top 10. Ive seen Nintendo as high as 8 out of the top 10 in some months. Gamespot never adds Wii sports to the top 10.

[tcr071]

Inconnux

8 out of the top 10? Please throw your ******** elsewhere. There has never been a month where the Wii had 8 of the 10 best selling games. Never happened.

Top selling games of 2008: One of which includes Wii Play which is a complete crock of **** considering they essentially give the game away. Notice the FOUR Nintendo Wii titles one of which is Wii Play. Exclude Wii Play there are THREE games all of which were made by Nintendo and none of which aren't party games.

01. Wii Play (Wii) - 5,280,000
02. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 5,000,000
03. Wii Fit (Wii) - 4,530,000
04. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) - 4,170,000
05. Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) - 3,290,000
06. Call of Duty: World at War (Xbox 360) - 2,750,000
07. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) - 2,310,000
08. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3) - 1,890,000
09. Madden NFL 09 (XBox 360) - 1,870,000
10. Mario Kart DS (DS) - 1,650,000

[Inconnux]

Yup top 4 are For the Wii, and the last game is for the DS... Nintendo systems 5/10
Microsoft 4/10
PS3 1/10

Thanks for posting the figures and proving my point. You might not like these games, but they are the BEST SELLERS.

my 8/10 was for one month (about 4-5 months ago posted on Gamespot) Nintendo systems (Wii + DS) had 8/10 of the top 10 spots.

[3rdalbum]

Yeah, the controllers are just a gimmick that will never catch on. Except when Microsoft releases its motion-sensitive controller that is currently in development, and when someone developing games for the PS3 actually makes use of the Sixaxis.

Critics of the Wii should note that there are many, many people who continue to play their Wiis and buy the mature games whenever they come out. Titles like Deadly Creatures, Madworld, House Of The Dead Overkill, Dead Rising have been released recently for the Wii and are very appealing to "real" gamers.

[tcr071]

Yeah. Except those "real gamers" obviously aren't buying them because the sales of the games you just listed are beyond abysmal.

[venomhotboy2]

@3rdalbum

The real reason why the sales are low is because gamers have now modified their wii so they mostly just download the games. I live in jamiaca and almost everyone out here has a wii. A couple of my friends and enemies have the 360 and the ps3 but games are so expensive they got the wii.

We all have linked up and play and battle all the time and it's fun as hell. The 360 i owned one and it red lighted out "I HATED THAT!" I don't see myself getting a ps3 til about 2020 so that's out. I have about 80 games for my wii and i can't stop playing. Especially my daughter and my son. As the first slogans say "WII CAME AND WII CONQUER!!!!!!"

Venom

[gopnick]

The negative comments here reflect a snobbery from hardcore gamers that clouds their judgment. The Wii is designed for normal people, not just people who can deal with ten million buttons and demand 1080p graphics. The Wii is a hit because it is the first gaming console aimed at everyone... young, old, experienced and inexperienced gamers.

[Inconnux]

I laugh at these so called 'hardcore' gamers. Ive been playing video games since you could hook pong machines up to your tv so I've been around. Truly 'hardcore' gamers don't use the lame console controllers, they use a mouse/keyboard combination that offers real precision. Play an FPS on a PC and then play on a console... complete frustration for the lack of control on the console. Is it any wonder why they don't let cross platform games compete against each other (ie xbox or PSN vs PC). Simple fact is that a mediocre PC FPS player would completely DOMINATE a console player do to the controller difference. Same goes for a RTS game. Console games are typically dumbed down to fit the controller... The only truly innovative console out there is the Wii, because they decided to try something new with their controller.

[xcal78]

@Inconnux

I agree. I've been a gamer longer then most of the people have been alive. I started in D&D books before it became AD&D. I've played on a trash80, atari, bbs games, the first online games, even games to this day. I got a kick out of the 'new' batch of gamers making these tricked out systems then taking them to LAN parties. What moron thought of that? It's a riot to watch people at those LAN parties talking about who's system is the best. A PC or Mac will kill a console like the 360 or ps3 anyday. The PC/Mac cannot replace a Wii on the other hand. The Wii is unique and hasn't been duplicated but leave it to Microsoft and Sony to COPY the winning system's controller features. They have historically copied Nintendo for decades so why stop now?

[Inconnux]

gofalcon

One only has to read what you posted to know that you haven't completed school yet (if you did graduate then there is major problems with the teachers who passed you)

xcal

I also had the first edition of D&d :) the one in the little brown box :)

[fmladineo]

Having owned a Wii since Feb 2007, I must say that the Wii has served my purpose. I am no longer in the "hard core gamer" stage of my life. Simply put, my wife and I enjoy playing the Wii for quick spurts (no longer than an hour). Then we go and does something else. The Wii doesn't dominate our lives and sure, we don't play it as much as people who might own an Xbox 360/PS3. But that doesn't matter.

As for some comments complaining about the controller...I love the new design. It's simple, easy to use, and overall very fun. Nintendo did a great job with the Wii. It's even got my parents and in-laws into video games. I definitely know MS/Sony could never do that.

To be fair, I do admit that it would be great if the Wii offered better graphics. It also lacks in the online arena. Maybe these will be addressed with the next generation Wii. I don't know. However, to say that the Wii hasn't been a success is irrational and dumb. You don't have to be a Wii fan to acknowledge such a fact. The numbers speak for themselves.

[IndianaJim]

Ebay is still loaded with Wii, but the prices have started to slip....it's amazing how the stores shelves are full, now that internet prices have dropped below full retail....maybe the headline should be "Demand finally slips to meet supply"...

[synthetikz]

well put about the headline.

[puckpuckdotcom]

48 million is not a fad...

The PS3 will be a fad, if anyone checks the monthly stats form NPD, you will see the PS3 is declining in sales year over year.... xbox 360 is great, not because of graphics but because of online GAME play... geez isn't that the same reason why the WII is so hot.. GAME play...

I have a 52" inch tv, pool table, Wii, PS2, Arcade machine, and wet bar.... when I throw a party (which is often), the Wii gets constant gameplay, be it the classics Wii Play, Wii Sports, or Ravin Rabbits... what makes the Wii great is that you don't have to be a gamer to play it... you just need to be a person... the controls are natural... quite frankly I find a dual analog 10 button controller gimmicky and unnatural... when i want to drive, I turn a steering wheel, not point an analog stick...

Next gen consoles, will all come with full blown accelrametors (maybe multiples) as well as infrared and be wireless.... looks like Nintendo once again innovated, while the others just went with status quo.

[pepperpup]

It's funny: most of the posters here refer to having saved their "allowance" to buy one system or the other, but still profess keen insight into the finer points of mass marketing, product development, and macroeconomics (look it up, children.) For those of you that HAVE a job...a house that YOU pay for...and kids that YOU feed, you'll get it. My girls have the Wii (since Dec. 2006: I bought it as a $750 GameStop bundle with 7 games, additional controller, etc. online) and I have a PS3 (a $300 refurbed unit off eBay.) I play the PS3 by myself; the Wii with them (and even, occasionally, with my wife.) The fact: there are more of them than there are of us. Both are HD-wired to a 56" Sony HD unit that 'I' bought, not my parents. They both look fine for what they are supposed to do. PS3: eye-candy. Wii: interactivity. Who's made more 'money'? Nintendo, of course, even when nearly all PS3 games are $60 each while Nintendo's are $40-$50. In today's economy, which system will appeal to those who will have to spend the cabbage...that actually have jobs?

[venomhotboy2]

I totally agree with you :)


Vennom

[tarmentano]

It's pretty simple. It's not either or. The Wii has a different target market than xbox 360 and ps3. It's just like the auto industry. You have a Corvette (ps3) $$$, Camero (xbox 360) $$, and Cavalier (Wii) $. They all have a place in the market. And yes, their are a lot more Cavaliers on the road than either Corvettes or Cameros.

[homercles82]

A cavlier is not made anymore. Maybe it should be called the Camry.

The Wii is a fun console. I find myself playing the thing for 15 to 20 minutes spurts a couple times a day every day. I can play for that short time period, feel satisfied and entertained and go back to what i need to do. Every once and a while I spend time looking throught he VC Store or the Nintendo Channel then play some bowling go back to the main menu and try to finish beating Super Mario Brothers from the NES.

The system appeals to our run and gun lifestyles now whereas my Xbox 360 mainly gets used for 15 to 20 minute spurts of Guitar Hero. My brother plays his 360 a lot more but he is a college student with a part time job. He has the free time to devote to games like COD4, RE5 and such.

Even then I still play games like Super Mario Galaxy for 15 minutes and feel like I accomplished something in game.

[cabrillo24]

What about software sales? Irregardless, I'm happy Nintendo has become relevant again. More competition = better innovation and products for users.

[ccmike72]

Name of the game is software. Sony dominated the last 2 generations of console gaming because of the games. Just like Nintendo did back in the day to beat out Sega. But the Wii doesn't have squat for games. There are a handful of worthwhile 3rd party titles worth playing. Outside of that only the nintendo produced games are worth it and even a few of those titles aren't that great. Good for Nintendo for pulling themselves up and make a tidy profit (on a system that I still feel is overpriced for what you get). Most companies take a lose on hardware sales because the money is in listening games to 3rd party developers. Third party Wii games are mostly junk and its sad to see them pushed on unsuspecting buyers.
Nintendo has tapped a new market segment the non-gamer. We will have to see how Sony's losses on hardware, Microsoft's losses on hardware failure (now including E74, the new RROD), and Nintendo's lack of software licensing revenues balance out to find the victor in time.

[HatecrewDr]

I completely agree with all your points. I mean, you have to give them credit for tapping a completely untapped demographic. I don't know anyone who had a PS2 or XBOX that bought a Wii. They all bought 360s and PS3s. I am sure there are a ton of people who did this, I am just saying that I don't know anyone. All my friends that have Wii's are the ones who never really were into gaming. There is no serious need for quality games because most of those who play Wii aren't looking for a real great game. I am not sure they would know the difference between a great game and what is essentially a collection of mini games. To me, it seems like the few great games they have don't really sell. Good for Nintendo making a ton of dough off of it.

[Inconnux]

Good games for the Wii

Super Smash Brothers Brawl
MarioKart
World of Goo
Call of Duty: World at War
Guitar Hero: World
deBlob
MadWorld
The House of the Dead: Overkill
Deadly Creatures
FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play
Super Mario Galaxy
Resident Evil 4
Super Paper Mario
Okami
No More Heroes
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Thats a good start to keep any gamer going... Nintendo has great games.

[littlesmashy]

i gave my wii to a relative, sometimes i miss mariokart, which in my opinion is worth the price of admission.

[The Noble Robot]

""And with those shortages and skyrocketing sales, somewhere along the way, those who criticized Nintendo for naming its console Wii and going against conventional gameplay wisdom, learned a valuable lesson: Nintendo is back--in a big way."" Hmmm... I seem to remember someone saying that the Wii was merely a fad, and that the 360 would easily win this console generation... Listen, plenty of people thought that, so it's no big deal, but I can't believe that you have the gall to admonish people who counted Nintendo out, while omitting the important fact that you were one of the loudest among them. Pathetic.