Is Wii winning the console race? [Archive]

The Art Keeper

03-19-2007, 04:15 AM

simple answer, no.

it's nice that nintendo is reaching out to new avenues, presumably attracting the elderly and non-gamers. as a business decision, it makes sense. will thse players buy games once the novelty wears off? or is another fate in store for wii?

no matter how many units nintendo pushes (and why do they count the DS sales in the number? if that's the case then count all sony's ps2 and television set sales, and count every copy of windows vista), they have to get past their own software lineup.

I guess there's been the case where the inferior quality system won the console war, but it was based on availability of titles. will even dusting off classic nintendo titles be enough? what is real and what is hype?

let's see where these consoles stand in a year?

Biofungus

03-19-2007, 06:12 AM

No, they listed the Wii and DS sales separately. But the article is based on Nintendo as a whole, not just the one system (or at least, it's meant to emphasize Nintendo's place in the market).

Even counting DS's, you're still talking apples and oranges if you're going to throw TV's and copies of windows vista into the mix. Totally unrelated (Not everyone who has a TV owns a console system, and not everyone buying a TV is buying one for a system. And even if they were, why would TV consumption be limited to just the PS2?)

Right now, the Wii is handily winning the console race. However, just like the HD vs. BluRay thread in Movies and Television, it is much too early to say who *will* win (or will likely win), but it is fair to say currently, Nintendo *is* winning. And for the record, dusting off classic nintendo titles IS a huge draw (not to mention the Sega and TG16 titles). It's bringing back many of the older players to the fold, who didn't keep up with the "gaming revolution". The smartest thing Nintendo could have ever done, was knowing that they're not marketing "The" console, but "a" console. They planned this to be exactly what it is being. The secondary console. Great for parties, kids, etc. And at the price it is an impulse buy. Nintendo knew what they were doing. Their competitors are busy trying to outdo each other, and by doing so, are alienating all but the most hardcore gamers. Nintendo is keeping it's accessibility extremely open and available.

You talk about availability of titles, but the simple fact is, the game makers will stay their course. Nintendo will stay a "fun for all" system, with the occasional foray into niche/specialized/hardcore gaming, and even though PS3 and 360 may get the occasional party game, the system prices will keep them from truly being "fully accessible". Nintendo will capitalize on it's history for years. People will say "I remember that game!" and voop, there goes another Wii off the shelf.

Mr.Musgrave

03-19-2007, 12:02 PM

On top of everything Bio just said, the PS3 was outsold by the PS2 last month. That's just pathetic.

MatthewMonster

03-19-2007, 12:13 PM

Lovecraft13

03-19-2007, 12:14 PM

On top of everything Bio just said, the PS3 was outsold by the PS2 last month. That's just pathetic.

There isn't a lot you can do on the PS3 right now. Besides Virtua Fighter 5, which was never an uber-popular game in its own rite, there isn't much to play either. This time next year, the PS3 will be doing much better because it'll have more stuff.

Mr.Musgrave

03-19-2007, 12:30 PM

So will everything else, though.

Nitecrawlah2

03-19-2007, 01:11 PM

I HATE video games...the last system I had was a playstation that I bought used and eventually it just gathered dust. But this Wii thing seems way cool...it has a sorta ipod vibe to it, it seems really fresh and innovative ...I'm actually thinking of getting one.
Sounds like an ideal Wii customer. The attractive selling point for the system is it's designed to garner interest from people who aren't necessarily gamers. Everyone I know who's played it says the same thing - it's a different experience. With respect to that, it's difficult to gauge just how much better the Wii is as a whole than the other consoles. The 360 and PS3 are for the hardcore gamers, and people who aren't into gaming as much will have different experiences and opinions on those machines. I'll be purchasing one in the near future, as it's not quite a must buy for me just yet.

GIGAFATTIMON

03-19-2007, 01:55 PM

On top of everything Bio just said, the PS3 was outsold by the PS2 last month. That's just pathetic.
Nothing pathetic about it, still money for Sony, and moreover actual profit for Sony

Mr.Musgrave

03-19-2007, 02:10 PM

Nothing pathetic about it, still money for Sony, and moreover actual profit for Sony

Sony hasn't made a decent profit in a long time. They had to take out millions of dollars in loans recently just to stay in business. It took the PS2 almost its entire lifecycle to turn a profit and it'll be even longer before the PS3 does (if it EVER does.)

And when your old, out of date console is outselling your new and "better" one you're in serious trouble. They thought they could sell on name alone and it failed catastrophically.

Calloway

03-19-2007, 02:23 PM

Nothing pathetic about it, still money for Sony, and moreover actual profit for Sony

Sony has to divert the profits they make into other buisness arms to help the company stay afloat.

Maybe in 2 years ps3 will be deemed good enough as the price comes down but right now it's not even a competitor with only 32 titles out this year and an obsurd price.

Personally I can't believe it, I see at least 2 ps3s in stores and no wiis. Nintendo has no production problems yet no one I know can find one now. When it first came out it sold out around here and after a month you could find them everywhere, now...nothing.

Toyandgadgetguy

03-19-2007, 02:41 PM

For the average consumer (moderate gamer), the PS3 is lacking in 3 areas that I've found.

It's too expensive for what it is.
It's lacking enough games (and especially a flagship title...)
It was too scarce for too long.

It's the only game system from the big 3 that I don't have in my store.

Lovecraft13

03-19-2007, 03:26 PM

I don't have an interest in buying a Wii. I tried it, and I didn't find it that fun. Plus, I really don't like most of Nintendo's 1st party stuff. Mario Galaxy? Yuck. No thanks. I'll play the new Smash as a friend's house, but I'm not going to buy the system to play it.

Nitecrawlah2

03-19-2007, 03:35 PM

Sony hasn't made a decent profit in a long time. They had to take out millions of dollars in loans recently just to stay in business. It took the PS2 almost its entire lifecycle to turn a profit and it'll be even longer before the PS3 does (if it EVER does.)

And when your old, out of date console is outselling your new and "better" one you're in serious trouble. They thought they could sell on name alone and it failed catastrophically.
I agree with you on the Sony business concerns. The last two years, they've been making moves within the company and revisiting their financial focus to try and get back in the game. Sony's a big enough company dabbling in plenty of different technologies and products to keep themselves prominent on the consumer market, but that's only going to take them so far until they start seeing some profit dollars come back into their business model.

As for the older console sales, it helps everyone out. Sony's pushing more of the older product out the door so there's less "clearance" to concern themselves with once they stop supporting the unit, and customers get an inexpensive system with a huge, established catalog of titles that will keep them more than happy through this next-generation of gaming consoles. Sony will see some money from the current PS2 titles they're still releasing, although I'm sure most customers will be purchasing their older PS2 games second-hand if only because of availability and cost.

The current cost of the PS3 and lack of prominent titles won't net them profit anytime soon from the gaming department, that's for sure. I'm curious to see how well they'll do upon the release of MGS4, as that title will be flooded throughout the market and (ideally) they should have plenty of console units available for more customers.

Lovecraft13

03-19-2007, 03:37 PM

The Playstation always picked up steam when a Metal Gear game was released, it helped the PS and PS2. MSG4 will probably do the same for the PS3.

Biofungus

03-19-2007, 07:18 PM

The Playstation always picked up steam when a Metal Gear game was released, it helped the PS and PS2. MSG4 will probably do the same for the PS3.
Not if a consumer has to pay almost 700 dollars just to play the game.

Troy Wall

03-19-2007, 10:01 PM

Toyandgadgetguy

03-19-2007, 10:03 PM

I just can't afford the damned PS3. I want to play stuff like MotorStorm and I know that when MGS4 comes out that I'll sell plasma to be able to play it. :laugh: But DAMN I can't just throw down $600 plus tax on that mammoth chunk of machinery.

Hey... can you sell LCD, too? If so, I could use you in my store!
:laugh:

They just want too damned much for a system that doesn't have enough games that I'd like to play to justify the expense.

Calloway

03-20-2007, 12:28 AM

Well, you older folks will remember neo geo and cd-i....yeah, ps3 follows that path.

As for sony restructing...uh, they went through two ceos in less then a year...they have no direction currently....

Biofungus

03-20-2007, 01:48 AM

I'm not talking about Sony restructuring, I'm talking about them flat out sucking :laugh:

Mr.Musgrave

03-20-2007, 02:50 AM

Well, you older folks will remember neo geo and cd-i....yeah, ps3 follows that path.

As bad as the cd-i? Yeesh, that's harsh. I don't know if I'd go that far yet. But I could see them as a neo geo.

Troy Wall

03-20-2007, 04:59 AM

Or a Panasonic 3DO or an Atari Jaguar! Ah, the 90's. :)

onizuka43

03-20-2007, 12:45 PM

I got a wii because it was cheap and looked like fun (it is). The PS3 though is price and doesn't have many games I even want to play yet, alot like the 3DO back in the day. Nintendo is also kicking butt because it's the only system on the market that is turning a profit for every unit sold. PS3 and X-Box 360 are losing money on their systems. I have to give Nintendo a hand for turning around their entire company in a year.

Calloway

03-20-2007, 02:29 PM

As bad as the cd-i? Yeesh, that's harsh. I don't know if I'd go that far yet. But I could see them as a neo geo.

The point was being overpriced compared to the competition. CD-i was like 1000 bucks when it came out and neo geo was what? 500 plus 150 a game when the genesis and snes were like 150.

Mr.Musgrave

03-20-2007, 04:20 PM

Yeah, neo geo was insanely over priced.

Lovecraft13

03-20-2007, 05:20 PM

The Neo Geo's price wasn't nearly as bad as the games.

Mr.Musgrave

03-20-2007, 05:35 PM

Did they ever say why their games were so highly priced? It never made sense to me, even back then. I always liked their arcade games though.

Nitecrawlah2

03-20-2007, 05:43 PM

Did they ever say why their games were so highly priced? It never made sense to me, even back then. I always liked their arcade games though.
Does anyone know if they were possibly importing these games direct from overseas? Those games were insanely priced. My friend had a Neo-Geo growing up and only had two games for the damned thing.

Saraquael

03-20-2007, 06:15 PM

Did they ever say why their games were so highly priced? It never made sense to me, even back then. I always liked their arcade games though.

I think the justification was that it had actual arcade parts inside it so for the most part you're buying the same parts that arcade owners would.. just in cartridge format.

At least that's what I remember reading.

Calloway

03-21-2007, 12:58 AM

Did they ever say why their games were so highly priced? It never made sense to me, even back then. I always liked their arcade games though.

The megabits used in them. 150...a dollar a megabit which was a deal compared to genesis and snes 8 megabit sized games.

I remember the price of the system being complained about more then the games because no one wanted to pay double for a system that had 5 games (at the time if I remember right) when they had the genesis with about hundred games. Me personally, I saw the system price and the cartridge price and said screw that. No one I knew ever bought one and I was satiesfied playing the games at the arcade on the 5 in 1 neo geo.

Troy Wall

03-21-2007, 06:58 AM

How much did the Neo Geo retail for? The 3D0 went for $600 in 1993!!!

jimmycakes

03-21-2007, 11:09 AM

I love playstation. But.... I'd rather buy a cheap laptop than a PS3.

Is or will Nintendo win this "war?" I doubt it. They don't seem to be fighting. They took a different route and are riding a wave with an incredibly "entertaining" system. I couldn't keep up with the price of gaming so I dropped out. Now I have a Wii. Cause I can afford it. Simple isn't it?
Many PS3 and X360 owner is going to have a Wii on the side because most can't afford both the PS3 and X360. The Wii is a drop in the bucket for most. In my opinion, Wii Sports is worth the $250 alone.

That's cool that some people aren't into the Wii, Nintendo or its games, but you're a minority. With that being said! I'm going to go play DBZ BT2 and kick some butt and whip out a spirit bomb Goku style. And if grandma wants to join in, I'll kick her ass too. Maybe. I am such a child. :banana: :carrot: :carrot:

Calloway

03-21-2007, 02:18 PM

How much did the Neo Geo retail for? The 3D0 went for $600 in 1993!!!

I remember 500 dollars in 91? It's been a long time. The other consoules were going for about 150 to 200 at the time.

Lovecraft13

03-21-2007, 04:00 PM

I remember 500 dollars in 91? It's been a long time. The other consoules were going for about 150 to 200 at the time.

$500? Try double that. Samurai Showdown 2 and the King of Fighters cost around that much.

Mwynn

03-21-2007, 04:02 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_%28console%29

Even at 649 the Neo Geo still sold 1 million units.

Learn to splurge once in awhile.

Hob Anagarak

03-21-2007, 04:29 PM

Man I hope the Wii goes the way of every other goofy non-controller gizmo Nintendo has come up with. (Remember the Power Glove?) Give me innovation in the games themselves.

On top of everything Bio just said, the PS3 was outsold by the PS2 last month. That's just pathetic.

Seems Sony overestimated their target audience with the home entertainment system/blu ray silliness, and it's biting them in the backside, hard. How many casual to average gamers can plop down 6-700 bucks for a new game and system? Ask all the ones that bought a new PS2 instead. Brand loyalty is there, just not the money for an overpriced new system and new DVD player combo.

jimmycakes

03-21-2007, 04:41 PM

Man I hope the Wii goes the way of every other goofy non-controller gizmo Nintendo has come up with. (Remember the Power Glove?) Give me innovation in the games themselves.

.

Well, you're missing the mark on that. The Wii isn't just a controller novelty. They brought the public low price gaming (not to mention the vast 'family factor'). Even if people get sick of wielding a light saber as if it were actually in their hand (which I doubt they will), it's inexpensive and comes with many free ad-ons, not to mention the ability for non-computer literate person to download a vast library of games instantly and legally.

The power glove did suck, but when we all saw the kid strap that bad boy on in the movie "The Wizard," our jaws dropped. :har: Woah! I think I just dated myself.

Anyway, being a playstation fan, myself, I still don't see why people are getting worked up about how sucky they think the Wii is. Why bad mouth it? The odds are that you, or your friend, are going to end up with one in their living room, sooner than later. And you'll have fun. Green eggs and ham my friend.

Lovecraft13

03-21-2007, 04:59 PM

The power glove did suck, but when we all saw the kid strap that bad boy on in the movie "The Wizard," our jaws dropped. :har: Woah! I think I just dated myself.

That entire movie was one big informerical for Nintendo, but the way Lucas used the Power Glove was just a work of fiction. That thing didn't work like that.

jimmycakes

03-21-2007, 06:05 PM

That entire movie was one big informerical for Nintendo, but the way Lucas used the Power Glove was just a work of fiction. That thing didn't work like that.

I know all too well. :cry:

Hob Anagarak

03-21-2007, 06:22 PM

Well, you're missing the mark on that. The Wii isn't just a controller novelty. They brought the public low price gaming (not to mention the vast 'family factor')...

Didn't Nintendo establish that they had that market with the Gamecube?

...Anyway, being a playstation fan, myself, I still don't see why people are getting worked up about how sucky they think the Wii is. Why bad mouth it?...

I'm an XBox fan. And I'm worked up about it because if there's anything the video game industry is known for doing, it's jumping on the bandwagon for something that "works" and proceeding to beat it to death. (Like First Person Shooters or Nintendo and their party games or Dynasty Warriors Hyper Turbo Edition.) I don't want a wiimote. If I did, I'd have bought a Wii. I don't want Microsoft to think that the wiimote is a grand idea, but they can do it better.

Calloway

03-22-2007, 12:09 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_%28console%29

Even at 649 the Neo Geo still sold 1 million units.

Learn to splurge once in awhile.

I just gotta laugh at this.

First, the system was out for over 14 years. Second the price was halved 5 years after it's intial US release.

Third, haha, HOW THE HELL DOES A 14 YEAR OLD SPLURGE 700 bucks!?

Mwynn

03-22-2007, 10:08 AM

I just gotta laugh at this.

First, the system was out for over 14 years. Second the price was halved 5 years after it's intial US release.

Third, haha, HOW THE HELL DOES A 14 YEAR OLD SPLURGE 700 bucks!?
Oh I assumed people had jobs. I had a summer job at 14.

Mr.Musgrave

03-22-2007, 10:15 AM

$700 for a video game system is a waste of money no matter what kind of job you have. A price that high is found acceptable only by idiots and people who want to show off.

Calloway

03-22-2007, 02:31 PM

Oh I assumed people had jobs. I had a summer job at 14.

Lucky you...so did I but amazing I was saving the money for things like, I dunno, a car, clothes and things to do with friends instead of staying by my lonesome pretending it's cool to own the costliest video game system around. That and it was 91. What kid made 700 in a summer then? If they did that was about it.

Sorry I don't B.S. to pretend to make myself look better then what I am.

Mwynn

03-22-2007, 02:34 PM

Lucky you...so did I but amazing I was saving the money for things like, I dunno, a car, clothes and things to do with friends instead of staying by my lonesome pretending it's cool to own the costliest video game system around. That and it was 91. What kid made 700 in a summer then? If they did that was about it.

Sorry I don't B.S. to pretend to make myself look better then what I am.
I made 2000 over the summer, working for my Grandfather.

Lovecraft13

03-22-2007, 02:37 PM

I made 2000 over the summer, working for my Grandfather.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1560243686.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Calloway

03-22-2007, 02:37 PM

haha, damn I wish I could give points!

Mwynn

03-22-2007, 02:39 PM

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1560243686.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
If my Grandfather was still alive, I would find that funny. He is not so I do not.

jimmycakes

03-22-2007, 03:31 PM

Didn't Nintendo establish that they had that market with the Gamecube?

I'm an XBox fan. And I'm worked up about it because if there's anything the video game industry is known for doing, it's jumping on the bandwagon for something that "works" and proceeding to beat it to death. (Like First Person Shooters or Nintendo and their party games or Dynasty Warriors Hyper Turbo Edition.) I don't want a wiimote. If I did, I'd have bought a Wii. I don't want Microsoft to think that the wiimote is a grand idea, but they can do it better.

yeah, maybe. like i said, the wii got me back into gaming.