meanmutton: bob_ross: Ah! I remember when Nintendo was relevant!

Total units sold:

Nintendo Wii: 95.85 million
XBox 360: 67.2 million
PSP: 63.9 million

Your numbers are out of date... The PSP has passed the XBox:
5 Wii (Wii) 96.13 million
6 Game Boy Advance (GBA) 81.51 million
7 PlayStation Portable (PSP) 74.52 million
8 Xbox 360 (X360) 66.91 million
9 PlayStation 3 (PS3) 64.68 million

Klivian: You'd have done better by having Pikmin on there instead of Metroid after what Other M did to the franchise

So one mediocre game ruins a franchise forever? Man, someone should tell Nintendo to stop making Mario games after Mario Is Missing and Mario Tennis.

meanmutton: Stupid typo.

Well, that explains that. :)

homarjr: With their "outdated" hardware, Nintendo competes on price these days. I assume that the WiiU will be cheaper than the next-gen PS or XBOX.

The motion-plus controller on the Wii is amazing though. They've done a great job of making it as accurate and precise as can be. The XBOX Kinect is still better, because it tracks the full body motion, but the Wii isn't far behind on that stuff.

I agree that the best titles seem to not use the motion features though, but that could be because we're still old-school gamers. The motion stuff is still relatively new, and it will probably only get better.

Price isn't always with them. They had to take a massive hit ont he 3ds, and continue to lose money per console, which is something very strange for them. Given that the ps4, nextbox, and wiiu are said to be built off very simular tech, i'm not sure how much price they could get as an advantage. Really depends on what the final specs look like for all three.

As for motion, yeah, we haven't seen anything yet. I get the feeling each of the three companies have a different idea of what they want to do with it. Nintendo seems to be switching to a more tablet/handheld style of gyro, MS is going full on kinect, and no one really knows what sony is doing, but I suspect we'll see more pseye stuff.

Wants a word:


Though, I've got to say, the NFC support of the Wii-U could be a cool gimmick. Look how well Skylanders did (and that was with people buying that giant base). It'd be interesting to see if they can make a decent sales model out of cards, figures, or some other tangible object. I mean, if they make a solid go of that tech with Pokemon, they're going to run out of space for all their money.

Klivian: The DS touchscreen is largely ignored (or at most used as an inventory/map screen)

I agree with you for the most part, but having worn a ring in my screen protector with Elite Beat Agents, so I'm going to have to go with "the touchscreen is still pretty cool."

/hot

Klivian: The video game market is driven by software sales, not hardware. The Wii crushed the other consoles in sales, but the game sales for either the 360 or PS3 crush the Wii, because people get tired of the gimmick.

Total global software sales by console:

X360 593,936,401
PS3 504,554,229
Wii 759,844,096
DS 715,803,986
PSP 256,024,743

Source: http://www.vgchartz.com/yearly/2011/Global/

I was an early adopter of the Wii, but I have to say... The Wii's laughable lack of graphics power has pretty much ruined it for me. It was fun to bust out the bowling or tennis at some parties, but that was about it. Otherwise my Wii just gathers dust these days.

The kinect was a pretty brilliant answer from Microsoft, and the technology makes the Wii look retarded by comparison. I've owned every US console released by Nintendo (even a few of their portables), I even had the stupid robot back in the day, but if this new console had better be considerably more powerful than the consoles currently on the market (Xbox, PS3) or this will be the first Nintendo I will pass on.

ProfessorOhki: Though, I've got to say, the NFC support of the Wii-U could be a cool gimmick. Look how well Skylanders did (and that was with people buying that giant base). It'd be interesting to see if they can make a decent sales model out of cards, figures, or some other tangible object. I mean, if they make a solid go of that tech with Pokemon, they're going to run out of space for all their money.

This needs to be done. Seriously, it's obvious, right up there with Pokemon AR.

homarjr: Klivian: The video game market is driven by software sales, not hardware. The Wii crushed the other consoles in sales, but the game sales for either the 360 or PS3 crush the Wii, because people get tired of the gimmick.

Total global software sales by console:

X360 593,936,401
PS3 504,554,229
Wii 759,844,096
DS 715,803,986
PSP 256,024,743

Source: http://www.vgchartz.com/yearly/2011/Global/

Can't look at the link (at work), but will definitely be checking that out later. Very interesting...

tlchwi02: Doc Daneeka: The video game industry needs companies willing to think outside the box. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Doesn't always appeal to everyone, but I'm glad they're still out there doing their thing.

And I don't care how "re-hashed" they are, I hope I'll still be able to play new Mario and Zelda games for years to come. As long as they're still fun, I don't care how long they've been around.

you do realize that these two sentences are contradictory? you can't say that nintendo is tinking outside the box and then admit and celebrate that they just remake the same games over and over and over for 20-30 years

Well, for one thing, that's why I put "re-hashed" in parenthesis. Just because they involve the same characters doesn't make them a remake of the same game. Super Mario Galaxy is entirely different game than Super Mario Bros. 3. Not to mention being completely different from Paper Mario, Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Mario Tennis, Dr. Mario, etc. These are not only completely different games, but they belong to completely different genres. The fact that characters are re-used doesn't make a new game the same as an older games.

And secondly, the fact that Nintendo has stuck with their core franchises and characters doesn't mean that they have not been innovative or thinking outside the box in other aspects of gaming (notably in the areas of hardware and user interface).

homarjr: And maybe I'm in the minority on Fark, but I don't mind the same story being told over and over in my video games. The levels are always entirely different. And it's not like Sony and Microsoft don't remake all their games too. Nintendo's IP is one of the best in the world, and it's the main reason this system will likely succeed.

MoronLessOff: That goes to show how good they are. These titles have staying power. SSB is a great party game, so is Mario Kart. Hell, if I had the spare cash, I would go out and buy a 3DS right now just for Mario Kart 7.

I wouldn't mind the rehashing, because I like the games and the series (except Smash Bros, never got into it), but without something else going for it I can't see myself dropping the money on yet another system.

I dunno. I'm hardly a "hardcore" gamer, but the Wii just lacks variance in its library, I don't enjoy flailing around like a spastic orangutan, and considering my current Wii hasn't been turned on since I canceled my Netflix subscription, I just can't see myself falling for their tricks again. I get why people like it, but I also get why some people hate it, and I'm far enough into the second camp to think that while it's not a bad system, and there's some fun stuff on it, it's just not enough to get me to dump more money on the table.

Thorak: Much like every shooter ever on consoles is just Goldeneye 64 rehashed. Also, I don't think Xbox/PS really gets to complain about this, when they're pitching things like Halo 4 and Call of Duty 9.

Won't get an argument from me there. As far as I'm concerned reasons to buy new FPSes stopped right about the time UT 2004 came out.

Klivian: The selling point for consoles is that you don't need to be constantly buying new hardware to keep the system up to date. You don't have to go out and buy a new graphics card every 3 years, or add more RAM.

You don't need to constantly buy new hardware for a PC, either. If you don't, you get the exact same performance as you do when you bought it, just like a console.

That you CAN upgrade is an advantage. Nothing forces you to. If you mean there's games that you can't play on your out of date hardware, that's the equivalent of a PS2 player complaining that he can't play PS3 games. Console users WILL eventually need to upgrade too, but they need to upgrade the entire unit, rather than just the pieces that have fallen behind. Again, advantage PC.


A new console will be just behind top of the line PC specs, yes, but this thing is just barely going to be superior to the PS3, which came out how many years ago?

I use my Wii for playing retro games, or for throwing a group game (SSBB or Kart or the like) on when I've got family/friends over who want to play. If I want to play a single-person shooter or something, I'd much rather use my PC.

The only Xbox 360/PS3 games that I've had any desire to play are things like Uncharted; thankfully my sister has a PS3 and I've run through that series hanging out at her place. The ONLY reason they make me want a PS3/360 though, is because they're exclusive, and there's no practical reason they have to be console-specific (I understand the corporate politics involved, I'm just talking hardware). Nothing about either console itself appeals to me. The Wii, with its lower processor power, though, does, solely because it's a better system for faffing about with a bunch of friends.

Well I guess I need an upgrade for my Netflix streaming box....

Hmm this might make me break out the Wii again just for some novelty fun.

Still have to get Kinect at some point and pick up the Star Wars Kinect for shiats and giggles.

My issue is going to be the cost of this thing. At best, it's a game system that comes with a Kindle Fire type device. I have serious doubts they will get the price of that thing below $400. I'm not shelling out $400 for that thing. Especially after my Wii died in under 3 years. Considering my NES, SNES, and my Gamecube are still kicking, I was a little disappointed by that.

scottydoesntknow: homarjr: Klivian: The video game market is driven by software sales, not hardware. The Wii crushed the other consoles in sales, but the game sales for either the 360 or PS3 crush the Wii, because people get tired of the gimmick.

Total global software sales by console:

X360 593,936,401
PS3 504,554,229
Wii 759,844,096
DS 715,803,986
PSP 256,024,743

Source: http://www.vgchartz.com/yearly/2011/Global/

Man the PS Vita is sucking all sorts of ass right now.

Yeah, nintendo taking a price hit really killed a lot of the vita hype, combined with the mandatory memory cards. Games wise, and hardware wise, it's pretty awesome, absolutely love mine.

Really hoping for a price drop announcement tonight, for both the console and the cards. Fix that, and I don't think sony will have a problem selling the thing. It's quite possibly the best handheld i've ever used.

But if they won't eat some crow and chop the price, it's going no where.

Wii had the advantage of being first to market with motion control and relatively inexpensive. This console doesn't have that same degree of newness, nor will it be cheap. I am however looking forward to the next generation of Wii broken screen videos - now it won't just be the tv, but also the controller screen. All that said, HD Mario will take your money.

Splinshints: MoronLessOff: That goes to show how good they are. These titles have staying power. SSB is a great party game, so is Mario Kart. Hell, if I had the spare cash, I would go out and buy a 3DS right now just for Mario Kart 7.

I wouldn't mind the rehashing, because I like the games and the series (except Smash Bros, never got into it), but without something else going for it I can't see myself dropping the money on yet another system.

I dunno. I'm hardly a "hardcore" gamer, but the Wii just lacks variance in its library, I don't enjoy flailing around like a spastic orangutan, and considering my current Wii hasn't been turned on since I canceled my Netflix subscription, I just can't see myself falling for their tricks again. I get why people like it, but I also get why some people hate it, and I'm far enough into the second camp to think that while it's not a bad system, and there's some fun stuff on it, it's just not enough to get me to dump more money on the table.

Well, I only got my Wii at the end of last year. I still break out Mario Kart on my DS. Granted, there are games I would love to play on the 360/PS3. (OMG I want Soul Caliubur so bad) But my limited funds combined with my limited game time, Wii was the best choice for me.

For the people discussing the numbers from VGChartz, I would look up that website's reputation prior to taking their word as gold. :)

Also, I like the symmetrical sticks on the ProPad. I don't really understand people's aversion to it.

jbtilley: It looks like they swapped the location of the right analog stick and the buttons for no other reason than to be different than the 360 controller. I'm guessing there's a patent on button/analog location... either that or it really was a "it's got to be different somehow" thing.

It's to be consistent with the main Wii U controller which hasn't changed drastically in that regard since it was originally unveiled. Sticks, buttons, D-pad, they're all generally in the same place as the video screen controller.

I'm apparently in the minority because I loved the original XBox controller.

Splinshints: MoronLessOff: That goes to show how good they are. These titles have staying power. SSB is a great party game, so is Mario Kart. Hell, if I had the spare cash, I would go out and buy a 3DS right now just for Mario Kart 7.

I wouldn't mind the rehashing, because I like the games and the series (except Smash Bros, never got into it), but without something else going for it I can't see myself dropping the money on yet another system.

I dunno. I'm hardly a "hardcore" gamer, but the Wii just lacks variance in its library, I don't enjoy flailing around like a spastic orangutan, and considering my current Wii hasn't been turned on since I canceled my Netflix subscription, I just can't see myself falling for their tricks again. I get why people like it, but I also get why some people hate it, and I'm far enough into the second camp to think that while it's not a bad system, and there's some fun stuff on it, it's just not enough to get me to dump more money on the table.

As long as you don't mind playing Nintendo titles, I think there's a good amount of variance in terms of gameplay. I got my Wii a little over a year ago, and you've got Mario Galaxy 1/2, SSBB, Mario Kart, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Donkey Kong Country Returns, two Legend of Zelda games, New Super Mario Bros, etc.

/Love my PS3 for the Uncharted series

homarjr: Klivian: The video game market is driven by software sales, not hardware. The Wii crushed the other consoles in sales, but the game sales for either the 360 or PS3 crush the Wii, because people get tired of the gimmick.

Total global software sales by console:

X360 593,936,401
PS3 504,554,229
Wii 759,844,096
DS 715,803,986
PSP 256,024,743

Source: http://www.vgchartz.com/yearly/2011/Global/

Now wait for the "lol most of those games are subpar, waggle casual crap anyway" argument.

I certainly can't wait for Nintendo to mop the floor with everyone again, the bitter tears and/or denial is fun to watch. It really doesn't matter if they actually do below average, like with the GameCube, or hit it out of the park, like with the Wii, the haters won't change, maybe Nintendo beat their moms or something.

Antimatter: scottydoesntknow: homarjr: Klivian: The video game market is driven by software sales, not hardware. The Wii crushed the other consoles in sales, but the game sales for either the 360 or PS3 crush the Wii, because people get tired of the gimmick.

Total global software sales by console:

X360 593,936,401
PS3 504,554,229
Wii 759,844,096
DS 715,803,986
PSP 256,024,743

Source: http://www.vgchartz.com/yearly/2011/Global/

Man the PS Vita is sucking all sorts of ass right now.

Yeah, nintendo taking a price hit really killed a lot of the vita hype, combined with the mandatory memory cards. Games wise, and hardware wise, it's pretty awesome, absolutely love mine.

Really hoping for a price drop announcement tonight, for both the console and the cards. Fix that, and I don't think sony will have a problem selling the thing. It's quite possibly the best handheld i've ever used.

But if they won't eat some crow and chop the price, it's going no where.

Yeah, it's a pretty nice little piece of hardware. I've got some hope for it; the whole PS Suite devkit has some potential because it's a good first step in opening up handheld console gaming to a broader set of developers. It's admittedly a bit limited (and arguably an attempt to prop up the Xperia), but hey, it's a start. As far as games though, it needs time. The titles so far are so-so and you can only play so much Hot Shot's Golf. It really needs a few breakout exclusive titles before it'll really have a chance.

/Lookin' at you Gravity Rush

NeoCortex42: Doogled:
As long as you don't mind playing Nintendo titles, I think there's a good amount of variance in terms of gameplay. I got my Wii a little over a year ago, and you've got Mario Galaxy 1/2, SSBB, Mario Kart, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Donkey Kong Country Returns, two Legend of Zelda games, New Super Mario Bros, etc.

/Love my PS3 for the Uncharted series

The first-party stuff is consistently pretty good. What I really want though, is a new Zelda game done in the style of Link to the Past. Not a handheld game, but a full console game like they did with New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Of course, I made that request of Metroid, and we got stuck with Other M.

That would actually sell really well. My roommate who is not a gamer still plays Link to the Past every so often. I'm honestly a bit curious what Retro Studios is going to release during E3. Donkey Kong Country Returns was unbelievably good.

/Haven't made it to the Other M
//Still on Metroid Prime 2
///Diablo 3 took me away from my Metroid run
////My game list is long

Sarsin: My issue is going to be the cost of this thing. At best, it's a game system that comes with a Kindle Fire type device. I have serious doubts they will get the price of that thing below $400. I'm not shelling out $400 for that thing. Especially after my Wii died in under 3 years. Considering my NES, SNES, and my Gamecube are still kicking, I was a little disappointed by that.

Ditto. They've succeeded at being the cheapest in the market, and also for selling hardware at a profit instead of a loss. I don't see that happening with the WiiU, but I hope I'm wrong.

NeoCortex42: Of course, I made that request of Metroid, and we got stuck with Other M.

Am I the only one who liked Other M?

Yeah, the writing and voice acting was terrible. As was the narrative mechanism by which Samus' new weapons were unlocked.

But overall, I though the core gameplay was good. It was solid, 2D Metroid.

homarjr: Klivian: WHY is anyone interested in buying this thing?

Mario, Zelda, Metroid, DK, Smash Bros, Mario Party, Mario Kart.....

Shall I go on?

Yeah, keep flogging those 20-30 year old franchises. We're not tired of them yet or anything.

I would consider buying a Wii U if it supported titles that didn't just have cartoony graphics.

Lumbar Puncture: Sarsin: My issue is going to be the cost of this thing. At best, it's a game system that comes with a Kindle Fire type device. I have serious doubts they will get the price of that thing below $400. I'm not shelling out $400 for that thing. Especially after my Wii died in under 3 years. Considering my NES, SNES, and my Gamecube are still kicking, I was a little disappointed by that.

Ditto. They've succeeded at being the cheapest in the market, and also for selling hardware at a profit instead of a loss. I don't see that happening with the WiiU, but I hope I'm wrong.


Some folks are predicting that if this console bombs that it will be the end of Nintendo making anything but portable consoles, but I disagree. Even if this console bombs I think Nintendo will probably be back with the next one, stronger than before. That's pretty much in line with their history.

But this new console, sadly, looks underpowered and doesn't really look all that promising. The controller is kind of neat but.... I don't know how comfy for gaming it will actually be.

I do like the idea of bringing the old Dreamcast screen in the controller feature back, but without serious horsepower graphics wise I'm afraid that the new Nintendo is going to be about as successful as the Dreamcast.

extroverted_suicide: Yeah, keep flogging those 20-30 year old franchises. We're not tired of them yet or anything.

Grand Theft Auto 4, Gran Turismo 5, Halo 4, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2 (isn't really CoD5?), Final Fantasy 14, Doom 3, Quake 4, Civilization 5, Diablo 3, Elder Scrolls 5, Uncharted 3, Battlefield 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Mass Effect 3, Resident Evil 6, Madden NFL Roster Update 2012...

You're completely right. There's absolutely no evidence that the gaming public is getting tired at all of sequels to big franchises. On any platform.

Theaetetus: BrynnMacFlynn: The Xbox 360 is the best of both worlds--your left thumb is always going to be on that stick. Everything on the controller can be accessed and used by the right thumb. It's beautiful.

Wat? It's a pretty far stretch to the directional pad for your right thumb.

Not Nintendo's worst controller, though:
[farm5.static.flickr.com image 375x347]

Ahem.


Although, looking past the rose-colored glasses, I'd wager this one:

Do you remember actually playing with this thing for hours? They don't call it Nintendo Thumb for nothing.

Screw you haters. I prefer my Wii to my PS3 hands down.


The white finish doesn't show the dust from being unused for months as much as my black PS3 does.

/Xbox and PC meet all my gaming needs
//seriously valkyria chronicles GOW3 and MGS4 are great but not worth a whole system purchase.

mongbiohazard: I do like the idea of bringing the old Dreamcast screen in the controller feature back, but without serious horsepower graphics wise I'm afraid that the new Nintendo is going to be about as successful as the Dreamcast

I think they might have a shot actually. Tablets are still a big thing, and who hasn't seen a parent let their kid play with or own their in iSomething. $400 is still within affordable tablet range, Nintendo is a trusted brand, and they can market the hell out of it to people who would give the tablet to kids or folks like my Grandparents, who own a Wii but are hesitant to buy a tablet-type device.

extroverted_suicide: Yeah, keep flogging those 20-30 year old franchises. We're not tired of them yet or anything

People keep buying millions of them, so you might be tired of them, but there's obviously a demand for them.

extroverted_suicide: homarjr: Klivian: WHY is anyone interested in buying this thing?

Mario, Zelda, Metroid, DK, Smash Bros, Mario Party, Mario Kart.....

Shall I go on?

Yeah, keep flogging those 20-30 year old franchises. We're not tired of them yet or anything.

Nope, we sure aren't.

"Each game will have a community of players who can leave messages and tips inside the game -- several message bubbles popped up on one Mario's defeat, for instance, with real people expressing frustration with that section and offering support."

So all Nintendo games are like Demon's/Dark Souls now?

extroverted_suicide: homarjr: Klivian: WHY is anyone interested in buying this thing?

Mario, Zelda, Metroid, DK, Smash Bros, Mario Party, Mario Kart.....

Shall I go on?

Yeah, keep flogging those 20-30 year old franchises. We're not tired of them yet or anything.

Sales numbers would indicated "not yet." Perhaps we should stick to the 24 year old Madden series, the 11 year old Halo series, the 15 year old Gran Turismo Series (GT5 being top-selling PS3 title), and the 14 year old Metal Gear Solid series. Or are you suggesting we go with stuff that's new and fresh like CoD, only being the same game for 9 years?

If you want to complain about the industry being full of franchise-milking, go for it. Just don't pretend that only one of the big three does it. Yeah, MS is the smallest offender, but that's because they don't really have long running franchises to flog yet.

Bring back the Duke!

Nexzus: Theaetetus: BrynnMacFlynn: The Xbox 360 is the best of both worlds--your left thumb is always going to be on that stick. Everything on the controller can be accessed and used by the right thumb. It's beautiful.

Wat? It's a pretty far stretch to the directional pad for your right thumb.

Not Nintendo's worst controller, though:
[farm5.static.flickr.com image 375x347]

Ahem.
[www.360blog.org image 320x240]

Although, looking past the rose-colored glasses, I'd wager this one:
[www.lukiegames.com image 375x315]
Do you remember actually playing with this thing for hours? They don't call it Nintendo Thumb for nothing.

The VB controller is weird. It's main downfall was their idea to put the battle pack on the controller, rather then the console. But the layout itself worked well, and the dual dpads predicted modern dual analog control. They just didn't do anything with it.

genepool lifeboat: [www.motifake.com image 336x258]

Every time I hear Wii - U, this is the only thing I can think of.

Thanks. Now I can't stop giggling.

Antimatter: Nexzus: Theaetetus: BrynnMacFlynn: The Xbox 360 is the best of both worlds--your left thumb is always going to be on that stick. Everything on the controller can be accessed and used by the right thumb. It's beautiful.

Wat? It's a pretty far stretch to the directional pad for your right thumb.

Not Nintendo's worst controller, though:
[farm5.static.flickr.com image 375x347]

Ahem.
[www.360blog.org image 320x240]

Although, looking past the rose-colored glasses, I'd wager this one:
[www.lukiegames.com image 375x315]
Do you remember actually playing with this thing for hours? They don't call it Nintendo Thumb for nothing.

The VB controller is weird. It's main downfall was their idea to put the battle pack on the controller, rather then the console. But the layout itself worked well, and the dual dpads predicted modern dual analog control. They just didn't do anything with it.

If Faceball made it to the VB with ext cable compatibility, it would have been awesome.

DoBeDoBeDo: Theaetetus: BrynnMacFlynn: The Xbox 360 is the best of both worlds--your left thumb is always going to be on that stick. Everything on the controller can be accessed and used by the right thumb. It's beautiful.

Wat? It's a pretty far stretch to the directional pad for your right thumb.



People have some small hands, the PS controllers are WAY too small for me, the original Xbox controller (The Duke) was just a tad big in that I could reach everything but my hands gor tired fast. Xbox 360 is perfect.

This. The 360 controller is the closest I've ever experienced to ergonomic perfection. I would argue it's probably the reason why the console is as successful as it is, given that its game selection is essentially identical to the PS3, and charges for online service (whereas PS3 does not).

Saw the stream last night, and a few things which came to mind:

1. Why the hell didn't that 30 year old virgin just use Google to look for help?

2. Who the hell is this thing going to be marketed for? From what I can tell, Nintendo is abandoning the casual market entirely in favour of the game pad and controllers. Last year they showed the Wii U with the game pad being used in combination with assorted Wii controllers, but honestly who is going to go out and buy various remotes, nunchucks, mats, and other accessories just to enjoy their games. More importantly, how many developers are going to design games to be used with all of these numerous input options?

Meanwhile if their video was to excite the hard core gamer, I think they did a very piss poor job at it. The way that video portrayed the gamer reminded me of Jamie Kennedy's E3 flop a few years back when he was referring to all gamers as virgins (see point 1). That aside, either the Wii's casual gamer campaign failed to transverse over to more hard core gamers, or the scenario chosen to illustrate was poorly conceived. Hard core gamers know this stuff, all they needed to do was quickly show how the online features allow access to online forums within the game, remote access to your profile through an online enabled device, and video chat. They didn't need to draw up some complicated script like they did.

Meanwhile, with the focus to increase the social aspects, will the Wii U offer built in voice chat in all games via the controller or another included device? When Xbox Live first launched a decade ago, they made sure that everyone who signed up had a headset. When they began to sell Live separately, there will still enough people with a headset that it made sense to get one as well. Ensuring that everyone has access to voice communication for online titles would have been a much better way to generate hype for the social aspects of the system.

3. If Nintendo REALLY wanted to get a leg up on the competition, they would have introduced a mouse for aiming aspects, something console gamers have wanted for years now. Perhaps you will be able to use the touch pad and stylus to simulate one (ex: Metroid on DS).

4. How long do you think it will take before there are complaints of perverts using the video chat to expose themselves to complete strangers?

Electrify: How long do you think it will take before there are complaints of perverts using the video chat to expose themselves to complete strangers

Finally a reasoning to get the WiiU

The Wii was far and away the best console last generation. The wiimotes were the best controllers, followed closely by the wii Classic Controller.

Anything not on the Wii was available on PC. The only game I can think of on the PS3/Xbox that I wanted was the Disgaea series - and I'll get that when the PS3 is about $100 (the price it should be, IMO)

So far, I like what I see out o Wii U - but I'm not sure I have any reason to get one at launch.

Theaetetus: enforcerpsu: Theaetetus: BrynnMacFlynn: The Xbox 360 is the best of both worlds--your left thumb is always going to be on that stick. Everything on the controller can be accessed and used by the right thumb. It's beautiful.

Wat? It's a pretty far stretch to the directional pad for your right thumb.

Not Nintendo's worst controller, though:

You know that controller changed the entire industry right? Were you busy blatherring over the fact that it had 3 handles instead of 2?

Yes, because I don't have three hands. A mutant like you might appreciate it more.

Too bad your analysis is completely bunk. They never expected you to have three hands. No one did analogue sticks right before Nintendo did it. The controller was fine to hold as long you can comprehend ignoring the other handle. I know it might be tough for some people...

MoronLessOff: Antimatter: Nexzus: Theaetetus: BrynnMacFlynn: The Xbox 360 is the best of both worlds--your left thumb is always going to be on that stick. Everything on the controller can be accessed and used by the right thumb. It's beautiful.

Wat? It's a pretty far stretch to the directional pad for your right thumb.

Not Nintendo's worst controller, though:
[farm5.static.flickr.com image 375x347]

Ahem.
[www.360blog.org image 320x240]

Although, looking past the rose-colored glasses, I'd wager this one:
[www.lukiegames.com image 375x315]
Do you remember actually playing with this thing for hours? They don't call it Nintendo Thumb for nothing.

The VB controller is weird. It's main downfall was their idea to put the battle pack on the controller, rather then the console. But the layout itself worked well, and the dual dpads predicted modern dual analog control. They just didn't do anything with it.

If Faceball made it to the VB with ext cable compatibility, it would have been awesome.

the VB was just too far ahead of the technology needed to make it work. 4 shades of red on black on something not very portable was a mistake. A modern version, with smaller glasses, full color, and modern dual analog with decent battery life would be grand. I keep hoping the better VB games are remade for the 3DS with full color and less headaches. Mario clash, Warioland, and a few others could make the jump and turn out well.

Electrify: 4. How long do you think it will take before there are complaints of perverts using the video chat to expose themselves to complete strangers?

If it's like Uno for the 360(has video chat), about 5 minutes.