Is Nintendo Wii an Xbox 360 gateway console? Microsoft seems to think so. Critics of Nintendo’s successful game system cite dated graphics and lack of next generation media features as reasons the Wii popularity bubble is getting ready to burst. We'll see if Wii critics are correct though the next several month's sales figures.
I don't disagree with the idea, but I don't know if the 360 will be around long enough to be the next step for Wii gamers. The 360, because of MS's rush and shortsightedness, is not slated for too long of a life itself. The PS3 is the current system with the longest probable life ahead of it.
You will see the next MS console (if they so choose to stay in the hardware game...which is not a definite, imo) while the PS3 will still be in its prime.
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I view long shelf life as a negative. If MS updates the console in 3 years, and PS3 waits 5-6 years, then MS will simply have a box that is twice as fast and capable of better graphics. And, assuming that it is fully backwards-compatible, people WILL upgrade.
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Is Nintendo Wii an Xbox 360 gateway console? Microsoft seems to think so. Critics of Nintendo’s successful game system cite dated graphics and lack of next generation media features as reasons the Wii popularity bubble is getting ready to burst. We'll see if Wii critics are correct though the next several month's sales figures.
I buy all the games my 13yr old plays, so I end up going to about 3 different Gamestops quite often. We have a Wii, 2 - 360's and 2 - PS3's in our household. What this guy at Microsoft is saying, i've basically been hearing from different Gamestop people the last few months. I'll ask them, "Do you own a Wii?" to get a more unbiased opinion on some of the games and accessories, prior to buying, and most of them say "yes" (5 out of the 6 did that I can recall), and they go on to tell me about the different items I'm inquiring about, then they go into what their favorite game is for the Wii, etc, BUT, they also have said the same thing, basically, what MS is saying. There aren't many good games at all, and they don't see too many coming out in the future that can compete in gameplay or graphics with the other next gen consoles. 2 of the "veteran" GS guys, who both own a Wii, actually said, "the Wii will crash back down to Earth very soon.""The controllers are cool, but, that's about it" is what they said. I think MS may be right as far as a looming "bubble burst" for the Wii. As for when this will happen, I personally think it's going to be within the next full year, possibley 1st few months of 2009.
It sounds a bit like wishful thinking on the part of MS. The "wii bubble" may indeed burst, but Nintendo does have one thing going for them- price. I've been an avid console gamer since about 1989, and have owned and/or played nearly every machine since then. But I don't own a 360 nor a PS3. I think they're great machines and all, but I just haven't been willing to plunk down $400+ on a game console.
Don't get me wrong- I really intended to buy both. But I was initially spooked by the rumors of the very high failure rates of the 360 (and my brother had two, both died the old 'red ring of death'). Once they had that more or less licked, then they started their "Xbox Edition of the Month." Hmmm...what size is the hard drive this month? What color is the console? Does this one have HDMI? Which old Xbox games will or won't work on the 360? The main advantage of a console for me- stability & a machine that didn't needed to be fussed with- started to evaporate.
Sony seemed to have it together a bit better with the PS3, but pigs will fly before I spend $600 on a frickin' game machine! Eventually the price has come down, but even Sony seems to be tinkering with the specs- some will play PS2 games thru software emulation, some thru hardware, some won't play PS2 games at all. A huge part of the success of the PS2, and a big reason I bought it, was that it was backward compatible. Early in the life of the PS2 when there weren't all that many games out I had 75 or 80 PSX games to play on it to tide me over.
So maybe Nintendo recognized the potential pitfalls to making the next generation of "Super Boxes" so cutting edge; price. $200-$250 is a lot more reasonable, especially to parents, than $400-$600.
Now that it appears that Blu-Ray is about to finish off HD-DVD, I may take the plunge and get a PS3 soon. Or maybe I won't, now that standalone BRD players have crossed the $400 threshold. I imagine it will depend on what games become available (a new KotOR game for the 360 or PS3 would get me off the fence, as would a good new Resident Evil game).
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If that's true it could be said HD-DVD is a gateway to Blu-ray
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Originally Posted by admin
Is Nintendo Wii an Xbox 360 gateway console? Microsoft seems to think so. Critics of Nintendo’s successful game system cite dated graphics and lack of next generation media features as reasons the Wii popularity bubble is getting ready to burst. We'll see if Wii critics are correct though the next several month's sales figures.
Well I guess the above is true and I somewhat agree. Hey the Wii games are fun, for a few times around but long term play "staying power" drops off fast. At least for the modern era gamers, whom it attracts more of.
Then it could be said that "HD-DVD is a gateway for Blu-ray". Afterall once HD-DVD gives way to the successor (even if it isn't Blu-ray) many Blu-ray sales will be generated. Same as when more and more studios announce "allegiance" to the Blu-ray format. Anyhow. if nothing else this will shurely garner some comments. Hee-Hee.
I have a wii and a ps3. I think this is MS just hating cause the wii is rolling. Dont forget that nintendo started all this. The wii has some tight games still coming out including mario cart and super smash bros. Plus you still got zelda, and mario galaxy. When nintendo puts out a big hitter it is a big hitter! And ps3 is coming on now, all the xbox has going for it is shooters. I hate shooters. The xbox controller sucks also.
I am going to end up getting a xbox when ninja gaiden 2, and fable comes out but that is the only 2 games that interest me. Nintendo has the family, children, and even older people market locked down! The ps3 and the xbox have the young adult market to fight over. I think that the ps3 will end up winning that market eventually. Oh and if you are single which system do you think will help get you some snatch! It aint the xbox!
Wii, An Xbox 360 Gateway?
Eventually the price has come down, but even Sony seems to be tinkering with the specs- some will play PS2 games thru software emulation, some thru hardware, some won't play PS2 games at all. A huge part of the success of the PS2, and a big reason I bought it, was that it was backward compatible. Early in the life of the PS2 when there weren't all that many games out I had 75 or 80 PSX games to play on it to tide me over.
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