The Official Nintendo Wii Thread.

[diskoboy]

One last thing....

When I first saw the 'Wii', I thought it meant W-2; Nintendo was just trying to be cool by using lower case "I's" as roman numerals.

And even then, I still gotta say, that's a better name than 'Wii'.

Then I clicked the link and read the story... The first sentence tells us how it's properly pronounced.
The first though that ran through my head.....

I gotta take a leak.

Sorry to be so graphic... But seriously folks, this name is gonna take some serious flack. Nintendo had better put out some damn flawless games to make up for that name alone. But I still don't think I'd ever admit to owning it.

[sabre2922]

Maybe its a big joke courtesy of Nintendo ....or were all part of some humungous "GEEK" NIGHTMARE, one that we have yet to wake up from LOL .................................................. ...............OR we are all in Silent Hill x_x

[goatdan]

I think that this is the dumbest name they could've come up with. Revolution was known and really defined the console. Wii? Um, no.

Then again, remember how stupid everyone thought Dreamcast was? And it turned out to be an all right console name after all.

[lordnikon]

I keep trying to imagine that I will be saying " Wii " 6 months from now as if it is perfectly normal. However, I keep trying to use it in a sentance verbally, and it's just not working.

I have no idea how I would have a conversation about this console on the telephone.

This name might work great in Japan, but in North America and PAL Territories it will continue to be odd, strange, and difficult to use in a discussion about video games. (Actually it might work well in France...)

I guess I will just have to call it "Nintendo's New System", or say screw everyone and keep calling it the Revolution for as long as I live.

Dreamcast I can say, GameCube I can say, Playstation I can say. But Wii?

It seems Nintendo designed this name specifically to be that "last 5 seconds" at the end of a commercial on TV. Great... that's cute, but as a name used in general social discussions, it is HORRIBLE.

[hezeuschrist]

There is far too much thought going into the name here.

[NintendoMan]

Wii. ???????

Hmm, I can live with that title, but shit, calling it the Revolution was great with me.

[Frica89]

yoo this is the funniest thread i ever read... but as long as the games r good i aint really gonna care. oh yeah and the woman from those pic has to be "the boss" from MGS3...look at the white clothes, blond hair, and snaked shaped scar

[Jasoco]

You guys sadden me. You're gamers! And you're crying over a name? Even when you know who it's attached to? This isn't some upstart. This is Nintendo. They probably know what they are doing. People will get used to it. Stop with all the "That name sucks so much I won't buy the console out of spite because it embarrasses my easily fractured soul."

Sheesh. Fine. DON'T play Mario 128. DON'T play Pikmin 3. DON'T play Smash Bros Rev--I mean Wii--I mean 3. DON'T play Twilight Princess in a new way with the controller.

Do I think the name is silly? Yes. But at least I'm not so immature the first thing that comes to mind is grade school potty jokes. And WWII? WTF? Also, "Copying Apple with the 'i'"? Not THAT'S just reaching. Apple (I am a Mac user and Apple fanboy.) didn't patent or even create the "i". Nintendo isn't even using it in the same context or even position as Apple does. Get over it.

I haven't even been to NeoGAF yet. I dread what their reaction was. [Copy Paste reply above]

[DeputyMoniker]

I heard they were also considering "Cum guzzling gutter slut"

I guess Wii is better than that.

[lordnikon]

Also, "Copying Apple with the 'i'"? Not THAT'S just reaching. Apple (I am a Mac user and Apple fanboy.) didn't patent or even create the "i". Nintendo isn't even using it in the same context or even position as Apple does. Get over it.
Sorry, if this isn't just like Apple, then I don't know what is:

http://insidermedia.ign.com/insider/image/item/325/3256435/wii_042706_spot.jpg

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/15/commentary/game_over/revolution/nintendo_control.jpg

http://www.cdrinfo.com/images/uploaded/Nintendo_Revolution3.jpg

http://www.playfeed.com/blogimages/nintendo_ds_lite_sm.jpg

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/nintendo-revolution-1.jpg

[Xizer]

What an awful name.

As a renowned Nintendo fanboy, I admit to this name sucking massive amounts of ass.

Dreamcast wasn't near this bad. In fact, I thought Dreamcast was a great name.

Nintendo, Wii would you name your system this?!

[Damaramu]

Not a fan of the name, but I'll still get the system. It's no biggie. LOL

[Slate]

Can you imagine (Or remember) PSP Discussions back in 2003-2005?

It'll be normal in all good time, But you have to know what the heck it is before you go on discussing it or hearing about it.

[Jasoco]

Also, "Copying Apple with the 'i'"? Not THAT'S just reaching. Apple (I am a Mac user and Apple fanboy.) didn't patent or even create the "i". Nintendo isn't even using it in the same context or even position as Apple does. Get over it.
Sorry, if this isn't just like Apple, then I don't know what is:
Wii're talking about the name here. Not the design. Try to keep up. The name is nothing alike. The design is a whole different thing. (Apple's design has influenced just about EVERYTHING since 1998. It's to be expected.)

I know you like Apple and all, but your zealot is showing.

[Push Upstairs]

I can't believe the number of people here writing the console off because of it's name. I thought that the crowd here was supposed to be more intelligent and open minded than the GameFaq people. Who really gives a shit what it's called? If they make good fun, games for it then it'll do well.

I wrote off the system because:

1. I haven't been happy with anything Nintendo has cranked out since...well, the SNES.

2. I fear some over-use of attachable "accessories" for the controller that you *need* to buy to play games.

The name didnt do squat to my opinion...other than make me wonder why they didn't change it to something else.

Kinda reminds me of that anime "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" and how it had to be changed in Spanish speaking countries. Why couldn't this have been changed in the English speaking countries?


But here is only one person who will give me a straight, non-biased answer when it comes to the name of this system and that is my girlfriend. She doesn't play games and she doesn't spend time discussing them so her opinon will be pure (and from what Nintendo has said, shes the person they are trying to market to)

[whoisKeel]

What an awkwrad ass name.

[Jasoco]

Only on page 3 of the NeoGAF thread and they're still taking it better. Here's a great reply:

You people overreact constantly.

1998: "DREAMCAST? That's the gayest name ever. I'm gonna keep calling it Katana!"

2000: "GAMECUBE?? What a faggy, blocky name! I'm gonna call it Dolphin, because that's much less faggy!"

2006: "Wii!? Oh my God, I can't handle it. It's just Revolution for me!"

Also..

Look at it this way:
1. When typing, you never have to shorten it. No "GC" or "PS", it's just Wii.
2. There's one more lowercase i than any single Apple product, which makes it better automatically.
3. Your friends and reletives will never confuse it with long, hackneyed names like "PlayStation" or "Xbox" when buying you gifts.

Embrace the Wii!

[lordnikon]

Wii're talking about the name here. Not the design. Try to keep up. The name is nothing alike. The design is a whole different thing. (Apple's design has influenced just about EVERYTHING since 1998. It's to be expected.)

I know you like Apple and all, but your zealot is showing.

I do not own any Apple products. I don't like their hardware or their software.

The Wii name, along with the design scheme of the console, its controller, and the DS Lite are all too close of a match to what Apple uses.

Sure, Apple didn't invent this design style and marketing lingo. But they are the most visible company using it. Because of this there is NO WAY Nintendo could have developed all of this without knowing about Apple or its products. Unless Nintendo locked some people in a cave for 10 years.

This whole "package" wreaks of Apple.

Because of this the looks of their new roleout of hardware, and the name do not qualify as original or unique.

Instead of coming up with a truely unique look and feel for their new console, they decided to attach themselves to a pre-existing popular design scheme in order to bring in more money.

[Jasoco]

Ignore the Zealot part. I got you confused with that other Mac user. My bad.

They didn't call it the "iNintendo". Think about that.

Also, the guy on the previous page is right, I was just thinking the same thing. The name is much more original than both the competitors. Playstation 3. Yeah. Originality flows out of Sony HQ. At least Microsoft added 359 to their sequel console instead of just 1. ;)

Jasoco out. Quibble amongst yourselves. I'll chime in if I see something worth replying to.

[hezeuschrist]

I can't believe the number of people here writing the console off because of it's name. I thought that the crowd here was supposed to be more intelligent and open minded than the GameFaq people. Who really gives a shit what it's called? If they make good fun, games for it then it'll do well.

I wrote off the system because:

1. I have never seen it in action.

2. I've never seen any videos of any games.

3. I have no idea what games are even on it.

4. I've never played it.

Glad we got that out of the way.

[Jasoco]

Prompted by a post at NeoGAF (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97127&page=3#297):

http://www.jasoco.net/data/files/images/Wii%20Are%20Not%20Yellow.jpg

[Bronty-2]

I can't wait to play with my wii all day long lol

seriously, HATED the name at first but don't give a shit now. getting over it pretty quickly. the name just doesn't matter. Frankly I think I'm going to enjoy the comedy value of the nonstop double entendres. I'll still buy one at launch.

[XYXZYZ]

LordNikon is right, their latest marketing is waaay too Appley.

All I'm really dreading is how annoying that name is going to be when other people get ahold of it; all those dumbass video game "journalists" who think they're funny, forum trolls, regular journalists who think they're funny, it's going to get real old real fast.

But yeah, it's better than "Gamecube 2". Of course if this system is successful enough, they'll need to keep the name for the next console and it'll be called the "WiiII".

I'll probably still call it the Revolution. As a matter of fact, I still think "N64" is a really dull name and to this day I sometimes call that system the "Ultra Famicom".

[Lothars]

I honestly don't know what to think of the name

I will hav et osay that when i first heard of the gamecube name i thought it was horrible but it grew on me

same with the DS

I would honestly prefer them to call it the Revolution

[GarrettCRW]

It would seem to me that Nintendo is going to play up a sense of community with the name.

Wii=We. (This could also work with the "Who Are You?" campaign.)

It's too bad Meston got himself banned, though, because this thread would be so much more interesting with him around. ;)

[Chronodriftersx]

It's too bad Meston got himself banned, though, because this thread would be so much more interesting with him around. ;)

You know before long the posts and the topic title end up edited as N/A ...see the DS thread Heuzus linked to. Must have been some real gold there for sure here as well. :hmm:

[Avenger]

i got the 'wii' news from my teacher today in my texturing class...like all of you i was totally shocked at first and thought it was ridiculous, as did the rest of the class...no one could figure out what to make of it. I wasnt going to post anything but what the hell here are my 2 cents

Revolution was, hands down, a better name no questons asked, everyone loved it and was eagerly awaiting more Rev news. The name change was a major curve ball, no one saw it coming.

I think people WILL get used to it, but only because they HAVE to.

If you think of it in the context of WE and not WEE(PEE/PENIS/etc), its not a BAD name...yes there are dozens of names that would have been better but, oh well.

I dont know about you guys, but i havent said Wee, for going to the bathroom, since i was probably about 4. Again, people WILL stop making this connection (unless the console is a horrible failure, then it was be made fun of for the rest of time).

Nintendo is looking at the bigger picture here, they want you, your mom, your dad, and your sister to play. Just for an experiment, go ask your parents, or someone who is a non-gamer what they think of the name...I don't know what the reaction will be but let us know it might be interesting.

Nintendo has screwed up big time in the past, but since the DS i have learnt to trust them...look at how much that was hated when it was announced....those people who wanted to kill Nintendo are the same people playing their DS everyday.

And last but not least, let the games speak for the system. If the games kicks major ass, who's gunna bash it for the name? But they definetly have guts changin the name like that.

[hezeuschrist]

No one saw it coming? It was a code name from day one. They'd said in many, many interviews that it wasn't the actual name for the console.

[Gamereviewgod]

[quote="Jasoco"]You people overreact constantly.

1998: "DREAMCAST? That's the gayest name ever. I'm gonna keep calling it Katana!"

2000: "GAMECUBE?? What a faggy, blocky name! I'm gonna call it Dolphin, because that's much less faggy!"

2006: "Wii!? Oh my God, I can't handle it. It's just Revolution for me!"

The difference is that Wii has alternate meanings when you pronounce it. It doesn't just sound bad, but it means piss, penis, and tiny. Look, we're all going to buy it because of the games. That's us though. We know it's about the games.

What of the mainstream crowd Nintendo is trying to pull in? You know, the people that DON'T play games? Say someone is working in an office and in a casual conversation, they say "Hey, wanna come over tonight and play my Wii?"

Awkward? Believe it. Maybe Ipod sounded bad. Maybe Dreamcast sounded terrible. Maybe Xbox 360 doesn't roll off the toungue. The difference here is meaning, and the first things in my mind were the three alternate meanings, long before I grasped the whole "togetherness" aspect.

You can't sell a console named Wii to a soccer mom no matter how used to it we get. From a marketing perspective, it's a mess.

[Daniel Thomas]

Likely scenario:

"Say, baby, why don't we go back to my place and play with my Wii-"

<SMACK!>

Oh, yeah, this is gonna be good. The parody ads alone will be worth the laughs.

<goes back to reading books>

[badinsults]

I wonder what Freud would have to say about the initial reaction. To be honest, I would never have though about the "urinating" connotation at first.

Anyways, as for the name of the Nintendo Wii, I could care less. People who critisize it are just the whores of marketing, and I am sure once NIntendo markets it enough, you all will eat it up with a spoon. Is the Nintendo Wii really worse than "Sony Playstation 3", "Sony Playstation Portable", "Microsoft Xbox 360", or "Nintendo DS"? Or are you just bashing the name because you are following the crowd?

[-hellvin-]

If you bought two of them, you'd have a wii wii.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAaaaa

[diskoboy]

Likely scenario:

"Say, baby, why don't we go back to my place and play with my Wii-"

<SMACK!>

Oh, yeah, this is gonna be good. The parody ads alone will be worth the laughs.

<goes back to reading books>

That would be funny to see... But Nintendo wouldn't dare tarnish their 'family-friendly' image.

At least i wasn't the only one praying that Nintendo themselves, would make fun of the name.

And I have to begin to agree with some of those, who are making fun of those of us, making fun of the name 'Wii' (I'm sorry... It still sounds a little funny to me)

After all.... Most of us old gamers, our first run in with Nintendo was with an oddly named game titled 'Donkey Kong' .

Then we played it, and totally cared less about the name, even though there was not a donkey to be found anywhere in the game.

The name still is funny, though. I probably would've liked the name better if they spelled WE correctly ;)

[ozyr]

WHen I came here (to the forum), I expected that there would be a huge topic on the new Wii system. I guess most people just are not that open to new ideas.

Yes, I myself thought the name was rather wierd, until I went to Nintendo's website and saw the animation for the name. To me, it makes sense now, and I loved the animation of the new system name.

Anyway, I plan on buying it no matter what it is called. If you don't like the name, deal with it! It Is JUST a name... :hmm:

[Push Upstairs]

I can't believe the number of people here writing the console off because of it's name. I thought that the crowd here was supposed to be more intelligent and open minded than the GameFaq people. Who really gives a shit what it's called? If they make good fun, games for it then it'll do well.

I wrote off the system because:

1. I have never seen it in action.

2. I've never seen any videos of any games.

3. I have no idea what games are even on it.

4. I've never played it.

Glad we got that out of the way.


Would i get same response if i had said "PS3" or "360", or do these responses only apply when Nintendo is named?

Just curious. :D

[studvicious]

Just as long as people don't start calling the controller the "wii-ner" LOL


That would be funny to see... But Nintendo wouldn't dare tarnish their 'family-friendly' image.


Then I guessed you missed their commercial where they had a mouse humping a Micro? :D

[Sylentwulf]

Just adding another "my god that name sucks" reply.

My god, that name sucks. Can you imagine going into any store as a grown human and saying "Can I get a nintendo.......wii?"

[Frica89]

aight i slept on it and im now that im over the initial shock i sorta like it (in a non-gay way, assholes) its a much more colorful name than XBox or ps3.

[robotriot]

As already mentioned before, the name reminds me much more of Intel's Viiv (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/06/Intel_Viiv.png) than anything Apple made. Personally, belonging to the non-English majority worldwide, I think the name is ok, because the first thing I thought of when hearing it was "we".

[FantasiaWHT]

Too busy to read through all the replies but...

1) The bathroom humor jokes are going to be rampant

and

2) I'm still going to keep calling it the Revolution. Honestly I think Revolution was 100% perfect.

[NintendoMan]

You can't sell a console named Wii to a soccer mom no matter how used to it we get. From a marketing perspective, it's a mess.

I agree. I personally don't really like the name, but don't really give a shit and will get used to it.

But i don't think the "casual" gamers will buy something with a stupid name that might not be able to pronounce. They have the look of the system right, but not the name. Those casual gamers care about looks and names first, everything else second.

If nintendo was trying to get the non gamer, they really fucked up with the name. My opinion is that with this name people will turn the other way.
Real gamers won't care, but everyone else will.

[QBert]

I can't believe the number of people here writing the console off because of it's name. I thought that the crowd here was supposed to be more intelligent and open minded than the GameFaq people. Who really gives a shit what it's called? If they make good fun, games for it then it'll do well.

I seem to remember people complaining at one time the the name Dreamcast was stupid as well.

Thank you!! Sure it's weird and is taking me a bit to get used to it, but 2 years from now, EVERYONE will know what it means and will be a household name just like ipod and everything else that was once weird.

Just from reading about the wii today, it's already growing on me.

Just calm down people, damn. :roll:

[NoahsMyBro]

I haven't read this thread since early on (maybe page 2), and haven't got time now, so I apologize if this has already been pointed out, but earlier in the thread I believe somebody said something like:

“Am I happy it’s called Wii? No. Will I still buy the console? Yes.”

Well, you're famous (sort-of)! Check this out:
Rocky Mountain News (http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/denver/freePlay/2006/04/wii_has_fans_asking_why.html#more)

[Happy_Dude]

I still really hope they change the name but no matter what it ends up being
called it will be refered to as "The Nintendo" around my place. Just like EVERY
other nintendo console I'v ever owned :)

[FlashStash]

What an awful name...You think Nintendo would know that there has NEVER been a company or product ::winniethepooh:: that has been successful ::bj'swarehouseclub:: that has had a silly name ::dick'ssportinggoods:: or some sexual connotation ::longjohnsilver's:: associated with it's name ::seaman'sfurniture::.

I mean just look around...why in the WORLD did they think this would be a good name?!?!?! What company would be foolish enough to name themselves after something that could be ridiculed so easily??

Ok guys, but seriously...you're ALL taking the wrong perspective on this...

What kid is going to want to be accused of not playing with his Wii?!? "Little Billy, you don't play with your Wii!??! What kind of freak are you? EVERYONE's playing with their Wii these days!! Are you from another planet or something? Who refuses to play with their Wii?!?!?

Sheesh people, it's just a name...I'll be lined up day one to buy one, no matter what the name.

FS

[calthaer]

Look, of course I am a gamer. But most of my friends are not. I try to encourage them to play games, and occasionally they do come over or I bring my GameCube over or PS2 or whatever and we play a multiplayer game. And usually they have a good time playing it - it's fun.

So what am I going to say to these people - normal, average, everyday people - about Nintendo's new system? Up to this point I was stoked about it. It was cool. I did not write off the DS when it came out (thought it was promising), I had no problems with the "Dreamcast" name when it was released, the GameCube was neither one way nor the other with me, and the Revmote has great promise as a gaming device.

Ideally yes, how the game plays is the primary thing. I will most likely end up buying one at some point. I'm not judging the whole system on its name alone.

But I will probably be keeping it in the closet and bringing it out when I want to play it. I will not be talking this up to my friends whatsoever. How can I? Their reactions are going to be the same as all the English-speaking gamers. Why? Well, because "we" is such a common word that it will not even be considered in association with it, and so you're left only with "wee" - urine, penis, and / or small. I don't particularly care what they think about my games - I play Pokemon, and don't really hesitate to mention that to my normal, adult friends. But "wee?" Even I find that embarrassing. It's asinine, retarded, ridiculous, ludicrous - and just plain stupid. It's not a name that will create positive word-of-mouth in English-speaking countries, I don't believe - it certainly won't get good word-of-mouth from me.

Perhaps people will "get over it" given enough time and exposure to the name. But there are lot of people out there - the so-called "casual gamers" - who will not spend significant time with the name / brand. They will hear about it once and either dismiss or embrace it right then and there. The buzz regarding this name will flare up initially and then die out, and this flare that will reach the mainstream audience just plain stinks.

I used to think highly of Reggie's marketing skills. Part of me is wondering whether (and hoping that) this is a joke, a marketing ploy, in the days building up to E3. I hope they're just creating a stink so that the smell of a real name will seem like a fragrant aroma in comparison. But we'll see.

[Fighter17]

I can see why Nintendo call it the "Wii," but the problem is that putting the word in a sentence will make it more of a sex joke than a console. Let me tell you this, many French porno videos saids "Wee" on them! :P

[downfall]

At least me and hezeuschrist aren't the only two who know what's up. Chris Kohler just kicked all your internet asses.

http://blog.wired.com/games/index.blog?entry_id=1467976

That is completely all that needs to be said about it.

[diskoboy]

Just as long as people don't start calling the controller the "wii-ner" LOL


That would be funny to see... But Nintendo wouldn't dare tarnish their 'family-friendly' image.


Then I guessed you missed their commercial where they had a mouse humping a Micro? :D

Actually, I don't think I have ever seen that commercial. I'll go see if youtube has it...

[sabre2922]

Ok after all this I still dont like the name and I still hope this is some kind of brilliant marketing joke/scheme from Nintendo BUT I still cant wait to play Metroid Revo...um Wii.

[hezeuschrist]

What of the mainstream crowd Nintendo is trying to pull in? You know, the people that DON'T play games? Say someone is working in an office and in a casual conversation, they say "Hey, wanna come over tonight and play my Wii?"

I know you may find this hard to believe, but the first time anyone HEARS the name, they'll see the word WE. Not Oui, not Wee, not Wii, We. And that's exactly what they'll think.

As for your casual conversation, have you structred a sentance so poorly as such to call attention to the name of some object since third grade? Honestly, no one would ever say, "Hey, wanna come over tonight and play my Wii/Xbox 360/Playstion3/Dreamcast/DS?" And again, hearing the word will bring familiarity to the word we all use everyday. We. Not Piss.

And Push, yes, this is a unique case, as it's obviously not comparable to the 360; it's been released and you've very likely had your hands on the system by now. Writing it off based on actual experience is quite alright. The PS3 is very likely going to deliver the exact same experience the PS2 did, just more expensive and prettier. Writing something off based on skeptiscm and internet toilet humor is absurd. The point is to be open minded and not write off a totally different idea just because it sounds wierd. Try it out before making a judgement. You know, books by the cover and all that.

[DigitalSpace]

A sig I saw on CheapAssGamer:

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9849/wiisig9gl.gif

[Gamereviewgod]

I know you may find this hard to believe, but the first time anyone HEARS the name, they'll see the word WE. Not Oui, not Wee, not Wii, We. And that's exactly what they'll think.

As for your casual conversation, have you structred a sentance so poorly as such to call attention to the name of some object since third grade? Honestly, no one would ever say, "Hey, wanna come over tonight and play my Wii/Xbox 360/Playstion3/Dreamcast/DS?" And again, hearing the word will bring familiarity to the word we all use everyday. We. Not Piss.

Of course people think of it in other ways. This six page thread proves it. Also, it's not used to think "we." There's nothing when it's spoken to make people think as it reffering to multiple persons. It's used like "play with the Wii."

And of course people have conversations like that. Let's change it:

"Hey, I got a Xbox last night. Want to try it out after work at my place?"

Let's flip it:

"Hey, I got a Wii last night. Want to try it out after work at my place?"

It doesn't work. Ever. In any casual situation. In a month, I'll forget that I thought of it as piss. When it releases, a non-gaming crowd won't give it that time or thought. They won't search out a product, not matter how spectacular it may be, when it gives the illusion that it's a tiny penis that plays video games.

[hezeuschrist]

I know you may find this hard to believe, but the first time anyone HEARS the name, they'll see the word WE. Not Oui, not Wee, not Wii, We. And that's exactly what they'll think.

As for your casual conversation, have you structred a sentance so poorly as such to call attention to the name of some object since third grade? Honestly, no one would ever say, "Hey, wanna come over tonight and play my Wii/Xbox 360/Playstion3/Dreamcast/DS?" And again, hearing the word will bring familiarity to the word we all use everyday. We. Not Piss.

Of course people think of it in other ways. This six page thread proves it. Also, it's not used to think "we." There's nothing when it's spoken to make people think as it reffering to multiple persons. It's used like "play with the Wii."

And of course people have conversations like that. Let's change it:

"Hey, I got a Xbox last night. Want to try it out after work at my place?"

Let's flip it:

"Hey, I got a Wii last night. Want to try it out after work at my place?"

It doesn't work. Ever. In any casual situation. In a month, I'll forget that I thought of it as piss. When it releases, a non-gaming crowd won't give it that time or thought. They won't search out a product, not matter how spectacular it may be, when it gives the illusion that it's a tiny penis that plays video games.

You've got some issues man, because I don't how the hell you got the illusion that it's a tiny penis that plays videogames. The name will accompany images of the system, or the games, or the controller. It'll rarely be displayed as "Wii" without context in print, on TV, or in PoP displays.

The only thing this six page thread "prooves" is that it's absolutely a discussion that took place on the internet. It's ripe with overexaggerations, absurd conclusions from almost no context and overflowing with pee jokes. Really, this doesn't represent humanity in any reasonable way.

It's a name for a videogame system. That's it. There is WAY too much thought going into this. When you tell someone about the system who has likely never heard about the system, you aren't going to introduce it as Wii, you will introduce it as a new Nintendo product that plays games X and Y in manner Z. Thats it. If you do introduce it as "Wii" you'll preface it with "The Nintendo."

When you go to work next, given you don't work in a gamestore or a heavily game related environment, ask someone what they think of the Nintendo Wii. They'll ask what it is, you'll explain it, and thats it. Unless provoked, the average mature person won't make these stupid jokes.

If you take ANYTHING out of context you can make absolutely retarded observations about it. The examples in that wired blog that were posted were perfect. In sixth grade "Oui" is the subject of the same stupid jokes, but once you get past middle school it's not funny or entertaining, just like all the allusions made in this thread. I'm a fan of stupid humor as much as anybody, but so far every Wii to pee joke thats been made isn't funny.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

But it's starting to grow on me. Like a fungus.


You probably want to go and get that checked out.. after all, it may just be a STD caused from playing too much Wii.

Anyways, the name may be Wii but it stinks like a big 'ol deuce.

[blissfulnoise]

In the span of 4 hours I've gone from being repulsed by it, to accepting it, to loving it. Just like a retarded child. 8-)

I imagine that will be everyones eventual response, I just have no patience so I went through the phases as fast as I could.

Don't worry, you'll all catch up soon.

Viva La Wii!

[tylerwillis]

It's a name for a videogame system. That's it. There is WAY too much thought going into this. When you tell someone about the system who has likely never heard about the system, you aren't going to introduce it as Wii, you will introduce it as a new Nintendo product that plays games X and Y in manner Z. Thats it. If you do introduce it as "Wii" you'll preface it with "The Nintendo."

When you go to work next, given you don't work in a gamestore or a heavily game related environment, ask someone what they think of the Nintendo Wii. They'll ask what it is, you'll explain it, and thats it. Unless provoked, the average mature person won't make these stupid jokes.

I believe that I read in one of the interviews that Nintendo does not want to preface the Wii with anything (ie, the Nintendo Wii) because they want it to stand apart from the "traditional" game playing machines.

I might be alone, but I don't generally preface the name of the company to the name of the console... I say Xbox, not Microsoft Xbox; PlayStation not Sony Playstation; etc. With the Wii, I almost feel the need to append Nintendo to it just so that it's understandable as a game machine.

[gamegirl79]

Personally, I don't like the name, but you can bet I'll happily walk into Gamecrazy and ask for my very own Wii on launch day. LOL

Remember how in the late 80's/early 90's there were some people who called every video game and every system "Nintendo"? Maybe that's what folks will start calling Wii. Just Nintendo. Instead of "hey wanna come and check out my Wii? I've even got attachments and accessories for it!" we'll all revert back to "hey wanna come check out my Nintendo?".

[hezeuschrist]

It's a name for a videogame system. That's it. There is WAY too much thought going into this. When you tell someone about the system who has likely never heard about the system, you aren't going to introduce it as Wii, you will introduce it as a new Nintendo product that plays games X and Y in manner Z. Thats it. If you do introduce it as "Wii" you'll preface it with "The Nintendo."

When you go to work next, given you don't work in a gamestore or a heavily game related environment, ask someone what they think of the Nintendo Wii. They'll ask what it is, you'll explain it, and thats it. Unless provoked, the average mature person won't make these stupid jokes.

I believe that I read in one of the interviews that Nintendo does not want to preface the Wii with anything (ie, the Nintendo Wii) because they want it to stand apart from the "traditional" game playing machines.

I might be alone, but I don't generally preface the name of the company to the name of the console... I say Xbox, not Microsoft Xbox; PlayStation not Sony Playstation; etc. With the Wii, I almost feel the need to append Nintendo to it just so that it's understandable as a game machine.

I've read that too, and I agree. But those are established brand names, do you think anyone in 1994 would have much of any idea what the crap a PlayStation was? The first time I heard it i thought it was some backyard plastic playset, not a next gen gaming machine.

For the sake of context, people will brand it "The Nintendo Wii," regardless of what Nintendo themselves are going to refer to it as. Until it becomes an established pillar of the industry (Just as the Nintendo DS has become the DS, look at the cover of the Lite, Nintendo is nowhere to be found), people will refer to it in context.

[JPeeples]

Saying "Wii" in a gaming conversation isn't much weirder than just saying the initials of a system. "I'm going to buy a Wii game" isn't worse than saying "I'm going to buy a PSOne/PS2/PSP/DC/DS/GC game" - it'll just take some getting used to.

[portnoyd]

After a day of soaking this in, my stance on buying it has not changed (a launch day Yes), but I have this thought:

Why couldn't they have called it Wi or even still Wii and have them pronounce it like Wi?

The Nintendo Y. Would have been a better name, imo.

[hezeuschrist]

Ugh, Y would have been terrible, even worse that Wii from a marketing standpoint.

The Nintendo Why. It would instantly cause the consumer to question the product itself and wonder why Nintendo made it. It would be an instant negative disposition towards the product.

[boatofcar]

Just to throw my 2 cents in, I think that every new system name sounds dumb. The PlayStation. The X Box. They sounded dumb, but everybody got over it. Personally, I think the Wii spelling is cool, who else can incorporate their controller design in their logo?

[meancode]

http://www.breakingwindows.com/new/OWiily.jpg

Hey, I got bored.

[Overbite]

Nintendo is gonna make a portable version called the WiiMan

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7318/08weeman4bw.jpg

The european version is gonna be called the Loo!


ahahahahahahahahahah

MAYBE THERE WILL BE A MASTURBATION SIMULATOR FOR IT

[CartCollector]

I'd just like to point out that Nintendo has already sold something in the States named stupidly. Its name was so stupid that even the guys that ran Nintendo's U. S. operations laughed at it, thinking Nintendo was certainly going to be bankrupt pretty soon.

The name, of course, is Donkey Kong.

[Kid Ice]

First: don't come out with something people aren't even sure how to pronounce.

Next: Don't make people ask "why?". Come on.

Third: Wee is not a good thing. It has negative connotations regardless of context.

Finally: Revolution was a good name. Even "Rev" invokes excitement.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Re-reading this thread is the funniest thing since ytmnd LOL I love it! keep it going!

[Iron Draggon]

They have got to be kidding. This is a belated April Fool's joke, right? If not, it will go down in history as the lamest name ever for a console. No, it will go down in history as the lamest name ever for anything. How purely retarded!

[o2william]

"I got the new Nintendo console: Wii."

"You sound excited."

"Why?"

"Cause you said 'Whee!'"

"No, not 'whee.' Wii."

"Yeah, whee. Like you said."

"But I didn't say 'whee.' I said 'Wii!'"

"Wha...?"

"No, not 'Wha!' Wii!"

"The machine is called 'Wii'?"

"Wight! I mean, 'Right!'"

"Why?"

"Not 'why!' 'Wii!'"

"No, why is it... never mind. How's that spelled, anyway?"

"W-I-I."

"Why?"

"No Y. W-I-I."

"No, why W-I-I?"

"Why not?"

"Well, shouldn't it be pronounced 'Why'?"

"Why?"

"Right!"

"No, I mean why should it be pronounced 'Why'?"

"'Cause it has two I's!"

"'Why' is stupid. 'Wii' is cool."

"Why?"

"No, 'Wii'!"

"Why is 'Wii' cool?"

"'Cause we're cool, dude!"

"What?"

"We're cool! Or at least I am. I'm starting to wonder about you."

"Just forget it. I'm getting a PS3."

[Gamereviewgod]

You've got some issues man, because I don't how the hell you got the illusion that it's a tiny penis that plays videogames. The name will accompany images of the system, or the games, or the controller. It'll rarely be displayed as "Wii" without context in print, on TV, or in PoP displays.

I don't have issues. I'm looking at this from outside the video game driven side of my mind and looking at from the average consumer standpoint. Wii, when pronounced, offers to many different ways of thinking. Even if their ads call it the Nintendo Wii, it's still baffling.

Microsoft did the same things with those goofy Jump In ads, but at least Xbox was a known brand by this point. The ads were still stupid, but at least it couldn't be looked at as a Nintendo piss machine. Again, to you and I, it doesn't matter what it's called. You honeslty believe that Nintendo can capture a market that doesn't play video games right now with advertisements calling something Wii? Honestly?


The only thing this six page thread "prooves" is that it's absolutely a discussion that took place on the internet. It's ripe with overexaggerations, absurd conclusions from almost no context and overflowing with pee jokes. Really, this doesn't represent humanity in any reasonable way.

It's overflowing with pee jokes because that's how the majority of people thought when they first heard the name, in additon to Weeeee and penis.


It's a name for a videogame system. That's it. There is WAY too much thought going into this. When you tell someone about the system who has likely never heard about the system, you aren't going to introduce it as Wii, you will introduce it as a new Nintendo product that plays games X and Y in manner Z.

I don't say Sony Playstation. I don't say Microsoft Xbox. I very rarely write the company name when I write a review. You use the name of the hardware, not the company.


When you go to work next, given you don't work in a gamestore or a heavily game related environment, ask someone what they think of the Nintendo Wii. They'll ask what it is, you'll explain it, and thats it. Unless provoked, the average mature person won't make these stupid jokes.

Were not making jokes. Were stating that the pronunciation of the consoles name leads to other things, like thoughts of urine. It's not about being immature, it's about trying to draw in the non-gaming public, which I believed Nintendo had a great chance of doing, with a game console called the Wii.


If you take ANYTHING out of context you can make absolutely retarded observations about it. The examples in that wired blog that were posted were perfect. In sixth grade "Oui" is the subject of the same stupid jokes, but once you get past middle school it's not funny or entertaining, just like all the allusions made in this thread. I'm a fan of stupid humor as much as anybody, but so far every Wii to pee joke thats been made isn't funny.

it's not about being funny as I've stated multiple times above. I'm not trying to make a joke. If they released the console and called it the Nintendo Pii would still think it would sell? The people out there who don't play games won't give it a second thought. They may be watching TV casually, multitasking and hear the commercial. They'll hear Nintendo Wii, and there's about a two in three chance they'll think something other than "We" as in people like I did. [/quote]

[diskoboy]

I'd just like to point out that Nintendo has already sold something in the States named stupidly. Its name was so stupid that even the guys that ran Nintendo's U. S. operations laughed at it, thinking Nintendo was certainly going to be bankrupt pretty soon.

The name, of course, is Donkey Kong.

There's an echo in here ;)

I said the same thing a few posts back, CartCollector. I remember the first time I saw DK in the arcade. I (like alot of other people) though there was a misprint on the marquee, and it was supposed to be Monkey Kong

BTW - I love the avitar! Oh, snap! Time to unpimp ze auto![/i]

[hezeuschrist]

Again, neither you nor I are marketing executives or persons with access to market research that would lend to naming this system Wii.

People are taking this like Nintendo just sat down and said, "Well, Revolution is a code name. How bout Ultra 128? Uhh... Battery? Backie? Waterfall.. uhh, hrm, I gotta take a wicked yes. pee.... wee... Uhh... Wii? Wii! Yeah, that'll do it. Moving on!"

They market tested the shit out of this name, in all three regions. Why didn't they leave it Revolution? Ask a Japanese person to say that. They have credible analysis that lends to the thought that yes, this is a mass marketable item with the title "Wii." How do I know they did all this? They're Nintendo, and they're more about making good business sense than making leaps to gain acceptance. They always have been, and they're not going to stick any flagship product out there without making sure that whatever it's called is going to be accepted. Count on it.

And again, you don't say Sony Playstation or Microsoft Xbox because those are proven brands. You don't say Apple iPod... speaking of dumbest names for products ever, iPod? What the hell does that mean?

I don't know why people are so upset over the name for any reason, and I especially don't get why they're upset because they think the name of the system is going to sink Nintendo. They've been around for quite some time and they aren't going anywhere. They've always been profitable and as long as they continue to remain profitable, you and I will continue to play the games they make... so who gives a shit?

[Buyatari]

The name, of course, is Donkey Kong.

As far as names go. Donkey Kong was bad. Pacman was bad. Game Cube was bad. We grew numb and over time accepted them.

No one has an example that is as bad as Wii.

Wii is just plain horrible.

Horrible.

When Wii games are in the budget bin and the system is no longer supported it will still be an horrible name.

[Gamereviewgod]

Again, neither you nor I are marketing executives or persons with access to market research that would lend to naming this system Wii.

No, we're not. We're consumers. We're looking at this from the position of the people who will buy this, not a PR or advertising firm. All the market research in the world doesn't mean a damn thing when you choose a name with so many meanings.



I don't know why people are so upset over the name for any reason, and I especially don't get why they're upset because they think the name of the system is going to sink Nintendo. They've been around for quite some time and they aren't going anywhere. They've always been profitable and as long as they continue to remain profitable, you and I will continue to play the games they make... so who gives a shit?

I don't think it's going to killl the company. They'll turn a profit because of a dedicated fanbase. I'm saying that they had a huge chance to take gaming and broaden into somethnig so excepted, that like movies, every body watches/plays them, from senior citizens to four year olds. You can't capture a market with a name like Wii.