The Nintendo What?

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Wii, that's right, Wii. Pronounced we. As in us. As in :gay: . Yes they took a cool name for a console "Revolution" and changed it to Wii... all ii have to say is WTF? This is what they had to say.

Introducing … Wii.
As in “we.”
While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.
Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.
Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone.
Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.
And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.
Because, it’s really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.
And together, Wii will change everything.

The controller is unusual, It's more of a remote than a traditional controller and is motion sensitive. You can swing it like a golf club or bat... That's kinda cool, Nintendo has always been on the front line of cool input devices (the Duck Hunt Gun, The Donkey Kong Bongos, and the DS) But it's a risky move seeing that they hold little share in the console market.

http://www.bestsyndication.com/2005/Dan-WILSON/Whats_NEW/09/images/091705-nintendo-revolution.jpg

The way I see it, the controller, not the games or the game console is what is going to make or break it.

[Pork Pie]

that controller is :gay: seriously that looks so dumb. and the name is even dumber. the graphics need to be good or else its going to be a flop just like dreamcast was.

[Chris]

Dude, they need to change the spelling to "wee" as in "this new console is going to be wee wee." Seriously, that controller is never gonna work for any sort of action/sports/driving game. Not that Nintendo is known for those styles of games anyway, but damn. If they are going for the audience that plays role playing games and the Mario franchise, then I guess it's ok. But they should probably be trying to steal some customers away from Xbox and PS, since Nintendo's customer base has been declining since 1990...

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And I think the thing that is really ironic here is this:

1) Nintendo's customer base is currently the younger set. Of which they have a good niche. (Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Pokemon, etc)

2) They are trying to grow that market to be all ages (Some of the upcoming ads will even feature people in their 60s)

3) They remote they have deigned is asking current gamers and non-gamers that they are trying to woo, to re think and re-train themselves on how gaming is controlled. (which I think is unlikely to catch on)

4) The only demographic that is easily trainable on new 'technology' like this is the younger set.

5) They are back where they started from and have the 6-12 age group playing their games.

Make sense?

[Chris]

I agree dude. I understand the need to be trend-setting and to differentiate yourself from competitors, but they controller is never going to work. Who knows though? I'm sure they know more than I do. Maybe it will be the next big thing, but I think it will be the next Sega Saturn...

[PreludetotheG]

Aparently, this controller is pretty innovative for a console however... it has been talked about for well over a year, I held a lecture in my video game design class for the students about this controller.

It is sensitive to movement, as in those little electronic fishing games and such, where you pull the controller back and then sling it forward to cast... this controller would do that. They are supossed to also work as a universal remote and the 'revolution' / 'wii' will also respond to the remote, allowing you to turn it on and off with the remote control. They are planning on adding additional elements such as a circular unit that will snap over the controller, that would turn it into a steering wheel.

Pretty cool controller, too bad nintendo sucks.

[PreludeKid2204]

I think the controller will be good for shooters, but other than that it seems pretty :gay: . Anyone hyped for the PS3 coming out?

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Aparently, this controller is pretty innovative for a console however... it has been talked about for well over a year, I held a lecture in my video game design class for the students about this controller.

It is sensitive to movement, as in those little electronic fishing games and such, where you pull the controller back and then sling it forward to cast... this controller would do that. They are supossed to also work as a universal remote and the 'revolution' / 'wii' will also respond to the remote, allowing you to turn it on and off with the remote control. They are planning on adding additional elements such as a circular unit that will snap over the controller, that would turn it into a steering wheel.

Pretty cool controller, too bad nintendo sucks.

I totally agree with you CG on the innovation of the controller. It has some really really cool features but I just don't see it catching on with the mainstream like they are hoping it will. It's just too out of the box. It will definitely be something that kids will like and pick up easily, but again I just can't see you average PlayStation and XBox gamers making the switch. Nor do I see it attracting many other non-gamers to the market. This is evident by the few responses to this thread already.

It may be something that people will have to pick up and play to appreciate. I'll let you guys know if they have any playable Wiis (would that be the plural?!) at E3 and report on it's playability.

[PreludetotheG]

I totally agree with you CG on the innovation of the controller. It has some really really cool features but I just don't see it catching on with the mainstream like they are hoping it will. It's just too out of the box. It will definitely be something that kids will like and pick up easily, but again I just can't see you average PlayStation and XBox gamers making the switch. Nor do I see it attracting many other non-gamers to the market. This is evident by the few responses to this thread already.

It may be something that people will have to pick up and play to appreciate. I'll let you guys know if they have any playable Wiis (would that be the plural?!) at E3 and report on it's playability.
100% agree... you won't see a lot of people switching from a controller, to a remote control... at least right away.

But just think about how they really brought about change with a controller in the first place...

before Nintendo, everyone used a joystick... and it only had 1 button!!!

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Conceptual drawings for the next Gen Controllers can be seen below... I kinda miss the one button!

http://www.hanshansen.com/images/fake.png

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/8840/controlfaketh3sx.png

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7692/nintendo6ra.jpg

http://photos21.flickr.com/31765801_5e44946b93_o.jpg

[PreludetotheG]

Those are great. :rofl:

[Reverend]

http://www.cardork.com/fun/STLPC/cRAP/wii.jpg

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Link no workie al!

[Reverend]

fixed

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Nice!

[dubbs]

I think they had a good idea with the whole deal of being able to put any game on it. But I'd feel like a dumbass holding that controller.