Nintendo's Iwata Says Old Console Cycle Dead [Slashdot]

[DP ServBot]

1up is reporting on comments from Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, who has offered up the opinion that the four-year console cycle is a thing of the past. Instead, he says, companies should look to iterate on their hardware when an opportunity presents itself. "Launches should depend on when it can signify a major shift in entertainment, or when they have done everything possible with the current hardware. He also says that scheduling the successor to current hardware on a 4-year life cycle without paying attention to changes in the market 'appears to be too inflexible an approach to us.' This isn't to say that the company doesn't have eyes on the future. 'We need to forecast what the future will be like with the expected evolution of new technologies which are available at any given time, and try to identify the so-called 'sweet spot' of technology over the next few years,' he said."Read more of this story (http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/05/1851259&from=rss) at Slashdot.
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[heybtbm]

Well, duh.

[diskoboy]

If that's the case, you'd better have a console waiting in the wings, Nintendo.

The Wii doesn't have much of a life left, IMO. And the software you're throwing at us SUCKS ASS!!!

[16-bit]

More likely we will have a revision every couple years like apple's ipod. We're probably due for a new ds model soon.

[Melf]

Focusing on making games for people who don't buy games = changing entertainment completely?

[UniHamachi]

If you read it one way, it sounds like he's saying the Wii has reached its limit and perhaps a successor will be released before the 4 year cycle.

If they do such a thing, maybe they'll actually get the top shelf 3rd party dev teams making some blockbuster games.

[CartCollector]

That could mean an updated Wii with real next-gen (current-gen?) graphics. Maybe.

Or they could be bashing Microsoft and Sony as usual for making consoles with better tech specs but no major improvements gameplay-wise. Preaching to the fanboys yet again that hi-def graphics don't matter so they stay in the Nintendo fold.

[Cloud121]

If that's the case, you'd better have a console waiting in the wings, Nintendo.

The Wii doesn't have much of a life left, IMO. And the software you're throwing at us SUCKS ASS!!!
Yep, that's pretty much how it goes. I was hyped for Wii to no end, stood in line for mine on launch day, and loved it for about a month.

Granted, the launch titles were great, but in the span of a year since launch, I've bought a grand total of three games. One being a port of a 2 1/2 year old game that I already bought twice over. So basically, in the span of a year since launch, I'll have purchased only two original Wii games. 51 weeks after launch (Resident Evil Chronicles, and Super Mario Galaxy. November 14).

[Wolfrider31]

Odd, but for all the crap software that's been coming out for the Wii, mine's been getting quite a bit of use. Perhaps I got one of the special edition systems that Nintendo's been releasing good games for. That would explain all the non-disclosure agreements in the box.*Rolls eyes*

Anywho, I would expect this from MS or Sony, but I don't see how Nintendo is really in a position to state that the console cycle is over. The 360 and PS3 can stick it out for a hell of a long time, but if Nintendo wants to stay in this race they're going to have to release a souped up Wii. The disparity between the consoles doesn't matter at this point, but when developers really start cracking open the big boxes the Wii is going to have a hell of a time competing.

That said, I really doubt that the next Wii is coming soon. They have an over 10 million person install base, why would they risk losing that by releasing a new model? That would be, in business terms, stupid.

I'm curious to see how Nintendo is going to handle this though. They have painted themselves into a corner here (though I'm sure there's lots that can be done with current Wii hardware) and the only real solution would be to start doing things that they seem to have no interest in doing like adding a more robust online environment, a hard disk etc. Nintendo's about to have quite a situation on their hands.

[kazuo]

Yep, that's pretty much how it goes. I was hyped for Wii to no end, stood in line for mine on launch day, and loved it for about a month.

Amusingly enough, this is exactly how I felt about the Wii as well... and the GameCube before it.

[Nukie]

The only thing I can think of is do you really expect a new system when the current one, even with a lack of new games, is basically dominating the market sales wise (what was it, 27,000 less units against MS and Halo). I don't see the Wii leaving anytime soon, because there are a few behemoths coming (galaxies on the 14th, brawl on the 3rd).

[Wolfrider31]

The only thing I can think of is do you really expect a new system when the current one, even with a lack of new games, is basically dominating the market sales wise (what was it, 27,000 less units against MS and Halo). I don't see the Wii leaving anytime soon, because there are a few behemoths coming (galaxies on the 14th, brawl on the 3rd).

I just don't get the argument. You've got at launch: Wii Sports, Excite Truck, Red Steel and Raving Rabbits (those were fantastic for launch titles - remember the PS2's launch?) Then you've got WarioWare and Super Paper Mario. Mario Strikers and Metroid Prime. Now you have Zack and Wiki, Bwii, Fire Emblem, Galaxy and NIGHTS. Then you've got No More Heroes and Brawl immediately afterwards. In what universe does that constitute crappy software?

[Ed Oscuro]

While I agree with what he's saying at face value, the fact remains that the other companies are still going to bank on people liking prettier people and deeper forests. The other companies aren't going to sit around and wait for Nintendo to find its "sweet spot."

The question he asks is a fair one - do enough people care about prettier faces and deeper forests - and so we'll have to see how things turn out.

Myself, I just haven't been interested in enough of the games coming out for the Wii to really care. Personally, though, I think the system does just fine graphically.

[KeyserSoze61]

Personally, though, I think the system does just fine graphically.

Pretty much; in my opinion, the limitations on graphics should allow developers to focus on gameplay (look at the continued PS2 success). How many more FPS clones can we have simply to showoff the latest build of an engine? Bah. Gameplay should be king, not graphics. Then again, I'm not a fan of Michael Bay movies, so maybe that's my personality.

PS: If Zack and Wiki can bring back the adventure genre, the Wii will live in my heart forever.

[kentuckyfried]

The DS managed to overcome the touch screen doubt that surrounded it initially, but the Wii seems to be the other way around, being well received right off the bat and some speculation thereafter.

I've met alot of gamers (including myself) are finding the 1 trick motion sensing pony (well, maybe a couple of tricks ;) ) to be a bit tired. Still isn't slowing our inhouse sales of Wii games as a whole though.

Anybody else find it odd that guitar hero 3 is (supposedly) in limited production for the Wii? Is it more marketing zaniness, or doubts on enough older people owning a machine, or something else?

[scooterb23]

I just don't get the argument. You've got at launch: Wii Sports, Excite Truck, Red Steel and Raving Rabbits (those were fantastic for launch titles - remember the PS2's launch?) Then you've got WarioWare and Super Paper Mario. Mario Strikers and Metroid Prime. Now you have Zack and Wiki, Bwii, Fire Emblem, Galaxy and NIGHTS. Then you've got No More Heroes and Brawl immediately afterwards. In what universe does that constitute crappy software?


The "hardcore gamer" universe? I dunno, I'm having fun playing games on my Wii, and I'm not finding a lack of fun software for the thing. But I don't use guide books, and I don't play games every waking moment when I'm home...so games take me more than 6.8 hours to beat. So maybe that's where the difference is.

Yeah, I guess I'm just tired of hearing people whining about not having enough "good" games to play. Heck, even your list has 4-5 games I'm not interested in...and I still see enough to keep me happy for months.

[CartCollector]

The only thing I can think of is do you really expect a new system when the current one, even with a lack of new games, is basically dominating the market sales wise (what was it, 27,000 less units against MS and Halo).

Look at this. (http://nexgenwars.com/) The Wii sold more units in 2 years than the 360 did in 3. Also, it sold more than double the amount of units than the PS3 did.
There's a major problem, though: can the growth be sustained? The bigges obstacle is developer support: How many developers are really making good exclusive titles for the Wii? There's Nintendo and, um, Ubisoft, and... Capcom? Though a vast amount of it is Nintendo. Sound familiar?
It's possible that the Wii itself will sell in large numbers, but not titles for it. Though this would be just fine with Nintendo, which ekes out a (relatively) small profit on the Wii and makes most of the name-brand titles.

[Bojay1997]

I just don't get the argument. You've got at launch: Wii Sports, Excite Truck, Red Steel and Raving Rabbits (those were fantastic for launch titles - remember the PS2's launch?) Then you've got WarioWare and Super Paper Mario. Mario Strikers and Metroid Prime. Now you have Zack and Wiki, Bwii, Fire Emblem, Galaxy and NIGHTS. Then you've got No More Heroes and Brawl immediately afterwards. In what universe does that constitute crappy software?

Red Steel? Are you serious? That might be one of the worst Wii games released. I'll give you Raving Rabbits and Wii Sports which kept me busy for a few good hours, but the only thing I'm really looking forward to is Galaxy. Everything else on your list is either a GC rehash or something designed for 8 year olds. I mean seriously, did they really have to dumb down Nights?

[Rob2600]

Wolfrider31 and scooterb23, I think there are plenty of great Wii games right now with plenty more on the way within the next 60 days:

Super Mario Galaxy
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Medal of Honor Heroes 2
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008
Link's Crossbow Training
Soulcalibur Legends
Trauma Center: New Blood
Bomberman Land
Endless Ocean
Nitrobike

Sure, there are a lot of worthless Wii games as well, but it was the same situation with the Game Boy, the Game Boy Advance, the DS, the PlayStation, and the PlayStation 2...you know, some of the most successful video game consoles of all time.

[diskoboy]

Wolfrider31 and scooterb23, I think there are plenty of great Wii games right now with plenty more on the way within the next 60 days:

Super Mario Galaxy
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Medal of Honor Heroes 2
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008
Link's Crossbow Training
Soulcalibur Legends
Trauma Center: New Blood
Bomberman Land
Endless Ocean
Nitrobike



On that list, there are only 2 games I'm intrested in. SMG and Bomberman Land, and after NiGHTS comes out in Dec., I see nothing on he horizion worth buying.

[j_factor]

after NiGHTS comes out in Dec., I see nothing on he horizion worth buying.

No interest in Mario Kart, No More Heroes, Wii Fit, Smash Bros. Brawl, de Blob, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Disaster: Day of Crisis, Harvest Moon, Sadness, Rygar, Sega Bass Fishing, Bully, Sonic Riders 2, Okami, or Samba de Amigo?

[Bojay1997]

No interest in Mario Kart, No More Heroes, Wii Fit, Smash Bros. Brawl, de Blob, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Disaster: Day of Crisis, Harvest Moon, Sadness, Rygar, Sega Bass Fishing, Bully, Sonic Riders 2, Okami, or Samba de Amigo?


MK - Have it for the GC and I can't imagine a racing game will benefit from the Wiimote.

NMH - If Red Steel was any indication, the Wiimote should not be used for sword fighting.

Wii Fit - You're kidding, right?

Smash Bros. - Have it for GC. Same complaint as Mario Kart.

de Blob - Don't know enough about it.

Project Hammer - Same.

Disaster - Keeps getting delayed.

Harvest Moon - already have multiple versions of it. Wiimote will add nothing.

Sadness - Keeps getting delayed.

Rygar - too early to tell how this will come out.

Sega Bass Fishing - Already have it with a custom fishing controller on the Dreamcast. Wiimote is not as accurate as that controller was.

Bully - Xbox 360 version will have much better graphics and no reason for Wiimote controls on this game.

Sonic Riders 2 - First one was poor. Doubt this will be better.

Okami - Have it on the PS2. The painting portion is a very minor aspect of the game and the Wiimote is not really accurate enough to make it more fun than the PS2 version.

Samba de Amigo - Have it on the DC with the maracas controllers. The Wiimote is not as fun to use as those are.

I'm really not trying to be difficult, but I want some really innovative software designed for a teen and adult audience, not just rehashes and ports from last generation. I am looking forward to SM Galaxy, but there really isn't anything else coming up that seems to be of that caliber.

[boatofcar]

It's a good thing we're having the ol' Wii Sucks argument again. Because, you know, we haven't beaten that dead horse in about a week.

[WiseSalesman]

No interest in Mario Kart, No More Heroes, Wii Fit, Smash Bros. Brawl, de Blob, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Disaster: Day of Crisis, Harvest Moon, Sadness, Rygar, Sega Bass Fishing, Bully, Sonic Riders 2, Okami, or Samba de Amigo?

Pretty sure H.A.M.M.E.R. was officially cancelled.

[OldSchoolGamer]

It's a good thing we're having the ol' Wii Sucks argument again. Because, you know, we haven't beaten that dead horse in about a week.


Agreed, I never get that shit I mean what is the fucking point? So some
people are loving the Wii and having a great time with it so if someone
comes along and bashes it your suppossed to be like "Oh right? What have I
been thinking? This DOES suck! Why didn't I see it before? I am not
really having fun am I?"

Seriously people, if you don't like a system then play the system you
like and STFU!!!!!! My god no matter how much you bash it the numbers
don't lie, fun games are fun games and that USED to be the point, hey
PS3 is incredible but where are the games? Are you enjoying PS3 right now?
Then great, who the fuck cares what I think?...........


:roll:

[Icarus Moonsight]

lmao @ OSG too true :D

*cuddles Wii* Don't listen to 'em snookums. Daddy lubs you. lol

All systems have their problems and shortcomings. VC alone should satisfy those who post on a retro-gaming board, or so you'd think. O_O

I really don't understand the gripes and honestly view most of them as either baseless or biased... I guess that I just don't see the Wii the same way some do.

Regarding the article: Maybe it's a little mud slinging at Sony's supposed 10 year plan for the PS3. Instead of planning the lifespan how about letting it run it's course naturally?

[UniHamachi]

I don't know what's worse -- posts that list all of the "awesome" games that are seriously padded or the hater responses that give the weakest reason for not wanting a game. Saying something like, "Halo 3? Nah. I have Halo 2 already" is total jackassery. I mean, come on -- take a step back and read what you wrote. You sound like a buffoon.

BTW, I realize the later is definitely worse.

[BydoEmpire]

Agreed, I never get that shit I mean what is the fucking point? ... Seriously people, if you don't like a system then play the system you
like and STFU!!!!!!Amen, and nicely put. Thank you.

I think it's hard to gauge when the Wii successor will come - I could see them doing a new system in 2-3 years, and I could see them trying to support it for 7-8. Which is sort of his point. Whenever they have something new to offer, they'll do it. The ps3 and 360, imho, will follow exactly the same course as their predecessors. You'll see a new console from one company in 4 years, and the other will follow shortly thereafter.

[heybtbm]

I love my 360 to death, but I'm more excited for Super Mario Galaxy than I am for Assassin's Creed or Mass Effect. What's wrong with me? What have I become?

[Wolfrider31]

Amen, and nicely put. Thank you.

I think it's hard to gauge when the Wii successor will come - I could see them doing a new system in 2-3 years, and I could see them trying to support it for 7-8. Which is sort of his point. Whenever they have something new to offer, they'll do it. The ps3 and 360, imho, will follow exactly the same course as their predecessors. You'll see a new console from one company in 4 years, and the other will follow shortly thereafter.

I dunno... the PS3 is going to have to spend a lot of time recouping their losses so I don't see a new iteration within the usual time span. Especially when the graphical upgrade is going to be moot being PS3 and "PS4". The 360 too is finally generating MS some change, so why risk loosing that by releasing another system? Plus, the Wii is proving that the average consumer isn't really interested in SUPER ULTRA MEGA SPECS so I think this generation might be longest (and hopefully most innovative) one in years.

[mailman187666]

I love my 360 to death, but I'm more excited for Super Mario Galaxy than I am for Assassin's Creed or Mass Effect. What's wrong with me? What have I become?

actually, I kind of have higher hopes/expectations for Mario Galaxy than I do AC or ME. Because of that, I tend to look foward to mario more than the other two. I can honestly say though that out of all my systems I own, the wii has been getting the least amount of play. I have been wanting to pick up Metroid, but my time has been takin' over by Drac X Chronicles, FF Tactics for PSP, Eternal Sonata. Not to mention I still gotta finish the last 2 disks of Blue Dragon. Oh yeah, and I have to play some Eye of Judgement too. I should just stop buying games till x-mas so I can finally finish some of the ones I already own. I am also looking foward to the new Trauma Center game. I loved Second Opinion.

[Oobgarm]

I love my 360 to death, but I'm more excited for Super Mario Galaxy than I am for Assassin's Creed or Mass Effect. What's wrong with me? What have I become?

I think that's a perfectly normal mindset.

[Bojay1997]

It's a good thing we're having the ol' Wii Sucks argument again. Because, you know, we haven't beaten that dead horse in about a week.

The thing is, I don't see this as a Wii sucks argument and I do think it has value to discuss the shortcomings of every system. I think the Wii is a neat system. Having said that, I don't play it much because there is a real lack of games aimed at older gamers and most of what's coming out is rehashed stuff from the Wii or PS2. My belief is that if we as consumers continue to be vocal about what we would like to see from the big three, they are more likely to be responsive if for no other reason than to make even more money.

To get back to the original post, Iwata may be right as far as Nintendo is concerned. I'm sure, just like they have done in the handheld space, they are planning on releasing updated versions of the Wii on their own time schedule. That doesn't mean that Microsoft and Sony are going to go off the typical cycle or even react directly to what Nintendo is doing.

[diskoboy]

No interest in Mario Kart, No More Heroes, Wii Fit, Smash Bros. Brawl, de Blob, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Disaster: Day of Crisis, Harvest Moon, Sadness, Rygar, Sega Bass Fishing, Bully, Sonic Riders 2, Okami, or Samba de Amigo?

In order...

God no (there will be another one in 5 months). No. No. Maybe. No. Project H.A.M.M.E.R. was cancelled. Maybe, No. No. Yes. No. No. No. If it's a port of the DC version, no.

[Nukie]

If your going to say your not interested in a game because it's a rehash of an older game, then we'd still be playing (and I am) Mario Kart for the snes, because all the others are re-hashes, or Halo because Halo 2 and 3 are re-hashes of that game (wouldn't even be playing Halo, because it's a basic fps so insert older pc game of choice here). I can understand thinking that the wiimote won't add a lot to a game, but the claim that it's just a re-hash makes no sense.

[WiseSalesman]

God no (there will be another one [Mario Kart] in 5 months).

Hyperbole, how do we love thee? Let me count the ways.

There have never, ever been two Mario Karts on any one system. Try to stick to the facts, huh?

[Cloud121]

Amusingly enough, this is exactly how I felt about the Wii as well... and the GameCube before it.
The only difference being, the GameCube being a really good system, and Nintendo's best in my opinion (Sega > Nintendo before GameCube).

[esquire]

Hyperbole, how do we love thee? Let me count the ways.

There have never, ever been two Mario Karts on any one system. Try to stick to the facts, huh?

The facts are that there will be 2 on the Wii - Mario Kart 64 (VC) and Mario Kart Wii. Add in the fact that Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is fully compatible on the Wii, and you really have 3 versions to play on the Wii.

[UniHamachi]

Please tell me you're kidding. I need smilies or something.

[j_factor]

Since when is Project H.A.M.M.E.R. canned? Gamestop is still taking preorders for it...


I want some really innovative software designed for a teen and adult audience

Talk about picky. You must play, what, 3 games a year? So few games are truly innovative that that's not even a meaningful standard IMO.

[Gamingking]

If that's the case, you'd better have a console waiting in the wings, Nintendo.

The Wii doesn't have much of a life left, IMO. And the software you're throwing at us SUCKS ASS!!!


That is just stupid. The Wii isn't going anywhere. We've got SM Galaxy, then Super Smash Bros brawl, SVR 08. TNA iMPACT next year, i'm really impressed with the Wii. I've got 6 games for it.

[Nesmaster]

Look at this. (http://nexgenwars.com/) The Wii sold more units in 2 years than the 360 did in 3.

I'll get back to you on this one late next year.

[Leo_A]

Since when is Project H.A.M.M.E.R. canned? Gamestop is still taking preorders for it...



Talk about picky. You must play, what, 3 games a year? So few games are truly innovative that that's not even a meaningful standard IMO.


6 months ago or so. Its officially "on hold", so it isn't officially cancelled but it seems unlikely to be released now.

[otaku]

I like the four-five year upgrade model dammit! The wii is a nice little machine (as was the gamecube which this basically is) but I am still likely going to sell mine by xmas all I've played besides wario and mario party 8 are a bunch of vc downloads

[WiseSalesman]

The facts are that there will be 2 on the Wii - Mario Kart 64 (VC) and Mario Kart Wii. Add in the fact that Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is fully compatible on the Wii, and you really have 3 versions to play on the Wii.

Oh, cool. I didn't know that backwards compatibility was now looked at as a detriment rather than a feature. I've been out of the scene for awhile. When did that happen?

[Icarus Moonsight]

When only Nintendo decided to support it any meaningful way. Now it's bad and sooooo PS2 and that's OLD!!! Damn Wise, get with the times! ;)

[robotriot]

NMH - If Red Steel was any indication, the Wiimote should not be used for sword fighting.

Well, by the same argumentation, you could say that FPS-games shouldn't be done on the Wii, because Farcry sucked. Yet look at how they solved the controls in MP3. Same thing with No More Heroes, there's a good chance they won't be doing half-assed sword controls as in Red Steel, and it's actually going to handle pretty well.

[Bojay1997]

Well, by the same argumentation, you could say that FPS-games shouldn't be done on the Wii, because Farcry sucked. Yet look at how they solved the controls in MP3. Same thing with No More Heroes, there's a good chance they won't be doing half-assed sword controls as in Red Steel, and it's actually going to handle pretty well.

That's correct. Unless Nintendo releases a controller that is far more accurate, there is no way a sword fighting game will control well. Having said that, there really is nothing preventing them from releasing a more accurate controller other than the fact that it might be confusing to consumers. I agree that MP3 plays fairly well, but if you really break down the control scheme, it's pretty simple and doesn't require the same multi-axis accuracy that a swordfighting game does.

In response to a previous comment, you're correct that I play about 2-3 innovative games a year per system I own. Since I own and use a PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PSP, that's not a bad number of games per year, although I have to say that the number for the PS3 so far has been 0 since launch. I'm hoping it gets better soon.

[theoakwoody]

As far as the sword not being able to control well just take a look at Wii Sports baseball. When you are waving your bat it your mii character almost mimics you exactly. Maybe there is some slight lag and there is a limited space in which your character can swing but how much different is that than swing a sword really? I mean you can't swing the bat downward or upward but it registers the angle at which you are swinging which effects whether or not you pop the ball up. I just think a lot of companies haven't taken the time to perfect the controls, it can be done.

Now that I think about it, it doesn't really matter that much that the animation matches your actions exactly as long as the hit detection occurs at the correct time.

[UniHamachi]

What you need to do is to get the IR pointer to help triangulate where the remote is in space. Accelerometers alone won't cut it -- none of the games have shown that the accelerometers can track where the controllers are in space. The gyros can tell the Wii the pitch and angle. So I think a swordfighting game can be done.

[Rob2600]

If Red Steel was any indication, the Wiimote should not be used for sword fighting.

Why not? For something like sword fighting, I imagine swinging the Wii remote is more fun and intense than pressing a button on a controller.


I didn't know that backwards compatibility was now looked at as a detriment rather than a feature.

It isn't. Esquire is the only one who seems to think so.

[koster]

Off-topic...

Speaking of sword controllers, I've always wondered how the Hori Katana Soul Controller (http://www.hori.jp/us/products/ps2/katana/index.html) for PS2 Onimusha 3: Demon Siege handled. Is it worth the $60-$80 several Ebay store sellers are currently asking for it? Anyone?

[robotriot]

What you need to do is to get the IR pointer to help triangulate where the remote is in space.

But I guess that would mean you'd have to point the Wiimote at the screen (sensor bar) all the time, so you probably couldn't do free directional swings with it ...

[Rob2600]

But I guess that would mean you'd have to point the Wiimote at the screen (sensor bar) all the time, so you probably couldn't do free directional swings with it ...

If Nintendo implements something like that several years from now for the Wii's successor, imagine how cool that'd be. It seems like the next logical step.

[UniHamachi]

You wouldn't need to point the remote -- as you start pointing away, the accelerometers would estimate where you are, then reacquire when the remote starts picking up the IR signal. I'm not sure how much of an angle you need to keep reading the sensor, but I'm sure it extends off-screen in each direction for a bit. Since it's free swinging, you don't need a reticle to show you where your sword is on screen -- that would be determined by your sword.

[esquire]

Oh, cool. I didn't know that backwards compatibility was now looked at as a detriment rather than a feature. I've been out of the scene for awhile. When did that happen?

Dude chill out. You and the rest of the Nintendo mafia need to calm down. Where did I say it was a detriment? I merely pointed out that there are 3 versions of Mario Kart that can be played on the Wii, 2 of which were released for the console. God forbid anyone say anything about the Big N.

[WiseSalesman]

Dude chill out. You and the rest of the Nintendo mafia need to calm down. Where did I say it was a detriment? I merely pointed out that there are 3 versions of Mario Kart that can be played on the Wii, 2 of which were released for the console. God forbid anyone say anything about the Big N.

I'm not flipping out, nor am I attacking you, per se. I think my comment was much calmer than some of the things that have shown up in this thread. I was simply pointing out an error in your judgment - an action that is part of any real discussion. Don't try to turn this around as if I'm unjustly persecuting you - I'm not.

As it is, I do own a Wii (since launch) because it's the only next-gen console I could afford. And, no, I'm not particularly happy with mine. I do have some complaints - mainly lack of games and the relatively low built in memory - but I also don't go around making blanket statements like a lot of people on these boards (and I'm not saying you are included) do. I won't talk about the Wii's lack of games, for instance, while ignoring the same problem on the PS3 - something many people here seem fond of doing.

[FantasiaWHT]

Dude chill out. You and the rest of the Nintendo mafia need to calm down. Where did I say it was a detriment? I merely pointed out that there are 3 versions of Mario Kart that can be played on the Wii, 2 of which were released for the console. God forbid anyone say anything about the Big N.

When your argument is basically trying to refute the point that, unlike most major franchises, Mario Kart is not spammed out on a yearly basis, the presence of backwards compatibility is irrelevant. The point is that Nintendo does not (thank god) put out Mario Karts on a yearly basis like, say, Mario Party or every sports game.

Would you argue that the fact that you can play 11 different Final Fantasy games (not including spinoffs) on the PS2 shows that Squaresoft/Square Enix is making Final Fantasy's too frequently?