a friend of mine bought the Wii....and it was awful!....It is essentially Xbox 1 with a motion sensing controller...that works only sometimes, and with games that are poor. Other then playing old arcade games, I see no reason to bother with this console as it is just a gimmick with no real innovation at all. The graphics are disgraceful!...and all multiplatform games that come out for it, are second grade watered down versions, that look like last generation consoles. I can't believe people are buying into this scam!

Heh heh, James, I've heard the same thing from many teens and early twenty-somethings. The fact is the gaming market has grown tremendously since it's early beginnings in the 80's, and frankly I think it's refreshing to see the big players in the industry tailoring to the widening markets different tastes. The Wii has taken the next step in not only offering diversity in the kinds of games it offers, but has designed the entire machine to be something that appeals to the "non-gamer". For the player, hardcore or not, who's looking for that next graphical rush, you have the Xbox 360 or PS3. Looking for something a little different? Try the Wii. Choice is good and can only mean good things for the industry as a whole. The numbers speak for themselves

Obviously people like James who are interested only in graphics will not like a console specifically designed to avoid the high costs associated with producing high graphic consoles. The wii motion sensing technology is nothing short of state of the art and while the 360 and ps3 can continue boasting about their powerful processing power and graphics, one only has to look at the sales numbers to see that people are interested in having fun and enjoying themselves more than looking at pretty things on a screen.

James, you need not troll the CBC, it's hardly worth the work of typing it.

Since you are unaware, the Nintendo GameCube, the system which was released before the Nintendo Wii, was in fact comparably powerful, computationally, to the original Xbox.

To say that the Wii is equal to or worse than the original Xbox is silly, since the Wii is about twice as powerful as the GameCube.

Multiplatform games always target the least common denominator James, that is the Playstation 2, so seeing the graphics of a Playstation 2 game on the Wii is not suprisingly underwelming, this is largely due to the token response initially given to the Wii when it was announced. Developers shared your lack of faith in the brand, both in power and in it's potential draw.

I wish people like Nathaniel would respect other people's opinions and get on life. Knowing internet lingo doesn't make your opinion more valid.

As a gamer, I appreciate James's review and will now be more skeptical when buying it. I would not like the old school graphics, oops i mean just better than old school, no matter how interactive.

I think Nintendo made a smart move as a company. I think they lost their foothold on the video game market with the N64 and then Gamecube, and it's smart of them to dive into and basically create a new market.

That being said I probably won't buy a Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3, because they're all too expensive. I'd use the money on a new computer.

Since then, developers have found the Wii to be outselling both of the other consoles at every turn, with this massive market penetration, developers have been forced to reevaluate their initial position. Electronic Arts went so far as to purchase a long standing partner in their Tiger Woods series, and set them to developing only for the Wii.

What you are failing to observe is that - where gamers are concerned - graphics for the last generation were fine. There are always those that look for the most powerful computer, car, phone, or whatever the object of focus is, those people will buy the Playstation 3, as it has the most potential power - yet the only games that will come close to using that full potential will be the games Sony i
tself makes, since the games for the Playstation 3 will largely be developed for both it and the Xbox 360, and the lowest common denominator wins, there is quite an existing userbase for the Xbox 360, one the Playstation 3 may not match if it's sales don't start increasing.

The Wii's major strength out the gate has been that it is not targetting people like you James, it's making games that are enjoyable, Wario Ware Smooth Moves, Wii Sports, Wii Play, Mario Party 8, Super Paper Mario, and Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree, none of these come close to using the full graphical potential of the GameCube, they're not trying, they are however trying to be easy to understand and easy to play. Games one can easily get into, games for everyone.

I'm glad to see Nintendo successfully tapping into this market. I proudly own a wii and it sits right next to my xbox 360. Although I do consider myself a 'hardcore gamer' interested in great graphics, there's no competition when it comes to the social factor of the Wii. When I have more than a couple friends at my place, the wii is what gets used. Its easy to pickup and just play with a larger group of friends. Whether it's for drinking games, or just a rainy day the Wii is the choice for multiple people to play on the same system.

I did not mean to Troll, I just pressed the button too many times ha ha.

Nathaniel- Are you seriously saying that the last generation consoles of Xbox and Gamecube were equal in power???...LOL...The only thing equal with the Xbox would be the Gamecubes ATI graphic card that is all. Xbox was the king of raw processing speed.
I don't need to go on an on about the Wii's lack of abilities. The games that have come out speak for themseleves. for example Splinter Cell....on 360 very impressive,PS3 Good, and on Wii awful..

I like graphics yes, however I should if I am going to spend upwards of 350-600 dollars for a innovative piece of visual interactive technology, I feel it is only fitting I demand good graphics. It is like buying a LCD TV and the picture is garbage, but the Remote control is so sleek, and "interactive"....obviously you still are not going to want that TV no matter how "FUN" the Remote control is.

As a long time gamer its good to see Nintendo's new system selling so well. I think it offers something different. Right now it has no solid single player games but it is a party system. My Xbox 360 is great for just chilling by myself or when I want to jump online but if I have some friends over the Wii is the system to play. It is just fun. You can compare processing speed, hard drive space etc and so forth, if your games aren't fun then it doesn't matter how smooth they run or how great they look, all you have is a nice running nice looking boring game. One thing you can always count on from Nintendo is their system and games will be fun. Anyone who can't see that is missing out and I feel sorry for em.

The original Xbox was a hell of a lot easier to program for than the Gamecube, so it was easier to "unlock" the Xbox's power.

Nintendo really screwed up by not doing the same with its hardware, which, yes, was comparable to the Xbox (talking about processing power in gaming hardware is disingenuous at best - compare a PS2 to a three-year old computer and see how many GHz each one has...you'd be surprised).

This appears to be a recurring problem - I've heard the PS3 is just awful to write for.

Wow, people's true colours are showing! I've always been a huge Nintendo fan since I got my original NES at age 10. I've tried other systems since then and none of them could ever top what Nintendo offered (in my humble opinion). When Gamecube sales slumped, I was discouraged. People laughed at me when they found out I owned a Gamecube instead of an XBox or PS2 (What? That thing's for kids!). I knew that Nintendo had to end up back on top because I knew deep down they had the superior product (quality of games, not flashy images on the sceen...ooh look at the pretty lights!). Ahem..anyway, I'm thrilled to see Nintendo's brave strategy paying off. I never knew there were so many closet casual gamers out there. The numbers do speak for themselves. Go Nintendo!

Graphics, graphics, graphics....why should a game's fun-factor be measured by the graphics said game is putting out? Comparing the Wii with Xbox360/PS3 is like comparing apples and oranges. Yes, the latter two are very powerful machines and are capable of very nice graphics. Even so, you will find absolutely ugly games for both the xbox360 and PS3. Personally I wish all games looked like, say, "Gears of War" or "Gran Turismo 4". Developers make a huge difference.

Lets look at it differently now. Do Wii games "look" as good as most xbox360/PS3 games? No they don't, but they are not ugly by any means, and many Wii games are very fun to play, especially with a bunch of friends.

Graphics will make or break a game only if it has nothing else going for it, even then, a pretty game won't be fun for long if there is no substance to it. I own an xbox360 and have a bunch of graphically impressive games. But, I have also purchased around 20-25 games from the xboxlive arcade which are graphically nowhere near as good. So why did I buy them? Because they are still FUN to play. More choices make for more happy people...and for some bizarre reason some unhappy ones too O.o

In my youth, I purchased and enjoyed playing the NES and Super NES systems. As a parent, I purchased and thoroughly enjoyed playing the Nintendo64 and GameCube systems with my kids and still do. What made these systems and their games so much fun to play with was the whole Mario franchise. Technical specs are not so important when you have fun to play characters like Mario, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Boo, and the rest of the entire Mario cast.

All I can tell you is that my wife and my friend's wife would never come over to play an xbox or PS2/3. But they love to play the Wii it's easy (no button mashing) to learn the wiimote and concentrate on having fun.

And it was my WIFE who bought our Wii when she saw it in stock!

And it's almost as much fun watching people play as it is to play. That's what the Wii is about.

James, how are the graphics on the 360 and PS3 innovative? How is looking like year old PC games innovation?

If anything, the Wii is innovating the most. Making machines more powerful has been going on for decades with little change.

I'm just happy that so many people can find a system they like and that we can all enjoy various games and have fun. ^_^

Garet

LOL!!!...Show me a PC game that has as good graphics as Gears of War?.....show me a PC game that has a good graphics as Ninja Gaiden Sigma.....Show me a PC game that has as good graphics as NHL 07........show me a PC game that has as good graphics as Dirt.....In fact you are wrong buddy most game makers (other then RPG, OR RTS are making games for all 3 (PS3, 360, AND PC)....Even if you bought the new-est graphic card(which by the way most are just the level of both 360's ati, and PS3's Nvidia with a HDTV tuner) at 1300 dollars. You still would not get anything better the PC's FEAR which is not better graphically then Gears of War ....not even close.

LOL....PC's are great if you don't mind updating the graphic car, processor, and RAM every year at 500-1000per year......no thanks I think I will stick to my Tri-Core 360, and PS3 thank you very much.

You completely missed the point.

What point?....Your whole statement is ridiculous. Especially the Wii being innovative..lol..or that 5 year old technology with 4 year old motion technology is somehow more innovative then the 360, or PS3 's Tri Core computing power....LOL

It may be fun, in fact I am sure it is.
I will say that I like that this console will get kids, and old people up and somewhat active. However I still think this console is old technology re-packaged for the consumer, with no real innovation(note having sub-par games using a gimmicky controller is anything but innovation)...But I think we can all agree that switching the name from Revolution to Wii...was a bad move.

James, we understand. You don't like the Wii. Fact remains: It is doing well for a system not solely focused on graphics. You enjoy good graphics and the use of the term "LOL" as, almost, a punctuation of sorts. I've seen the Wii, the 360, and the PS3 being played by all levels of age groups all over the world. In the end, many people have different tastes and as Carolyn mentioned, there are three consoles out there giving game-players the chance to try something new with each.

If you really truly dislike the Wii and have to resort to demeaning its name of all things, I think you should take a deep breath and calm down for a moment. Getting so worked up over somethign you deem unable to keep up with its competition shouldn't worry you at all.

Right?

So, why is a marginal improvement in PC graphics innovation?

Graphics have improved every generation. That's not innovation. Changing the format is not innovation.

PCs have had HD resolution for over a decade. That's not innovation.

PS3 stealing the motion sensing? Not innovation.

Point to Garet. I believe this is pretty much game, set and match.

Garet
you obviously do not own a 360, or PS3. Marginally better graphics then PC...I think not. More like 360, and PS3'S are the next generation of graphics AND processing. PC is like 2-3 years behind the consoles except Wii.

Innovation does not just come from graphics it comes from putting a Tri-Core processor in a tiny box pumping massive amounts of processing power in that tiny box. This is not innovation?...Epic designing Gears of war with the Unreal Engine made for the 360's Tri Core processor....that will now be patched to PC's is not innovation?...Epics amazing Unreal engine using a multiple processors efficiently(which can be used for programs other then game design, on PC's) is not innovation? That is just one example.

Sony's Blu-ray player is not innovation?. Fitting a power block in the actual console is not innovation?......Sony, and IBM Creating a new Cell Processing system is not innovation? The ability to run Linux OS on PS3 is not innovation?

So I guess to Garet the progression of modern technology....is not innovation. But motion sensor technology which is not new or inventive is "real" innovation.

Sorry Charles but this is game, set, and match.

PCs can have dual quad core processors.

How is fitting the power block in the console innovation? That's been done before. Like on the original Xbox for example.

How is Blu Ray an innovation? Or IBM and Sony working together? Like IBM and Nintendo did for the Gamecube?

Seems you don't have any idea what innovation means.

The fact that you used the word "modernize" to describe the PS3 and 360 completely discredits any innovation claims you make about them. To modernize something is pretty much the opposite of innovation.

This is such a silly argument...lol

Pc's make quad core processors(were they making that back in 2004 when the 360's spec's were shown)...HOWEVER can they fit it in a tiny console box?..we don't know but if they managed to do that and keep it cool. That would definitley be a innovation especially if they could sell it for under 500-700 dollars. Hence why the Tri-Core is a innovation much bigger then a motion sensor.....
I geuss Garet when they downsized super computers in the 80's to desktops you would think that was not a innovation. Ridiculous!

Blu-Ray not innovative???...They are making Blu-Rays that can hold up to 250-500GB on one disk....I guess when they created DVD's instead of VHS you would think that was not a innovation in the market. Ridiculous!

I am sorry Charles but I gotta pull out the "LOL" at the last statement by Garet The innovation I talk about is not that Sony and IBM worked together...it was what they created...Duh!

People doing more of the same, as in improving technology in an easily predictable way is not innovation.

Blu Ray is not an innovation. It's just an expansion on the idea of the CD.

I also guess you don't know much about PCs if you think they were downsized in the 80's.

There seems to be alot of discussion on what should and shouldn't be considered innovative. What is innovation? Well, it's the introduction of something new; a new idea or method. Now this doesn't have to be a radically new idea that's never been seen or heard of before. It's in how this idea is applied.

To that end, all 3 console bring innovation into this generation of gaming. James mentions the technical innovations behind the PS3 and Xbox360 and he's absolutely right. They are very powerful machines that must be kept as small as possible. The xbox's tri-core processor, the PS3's cell processor and blu-ray technology, all innovative. Sure, processors and disk storage aren't new, it's the way they are applied in these devices that makes innovation. Same goes for the Wii. Motion sensing technology isn't new, it's the fact that the machine is built around that technology to deliver a different experience than whats been traditionally offered, and that too is innovation.

Last generation, I couldn't have played a game like Gears of War, I couldn't have watched a Blu-ray movie on my Sony and I wouldn't have suffered carpal tunnel syndrome playing Zelda (hehe couldn't resist). These innovative machines make it possible. Just my opinion.

Well, you could play an uglier game like Gears of War. It's not like the gameplay was new or anything. Well, except maybe for getting stuck to walls all the time.

You could watch DVDs on the PS2. That being the format at the time.

You couldn't play Zelda and swing a sword by swinging your arm, or do a spin attack by shaking your hand.

And point goes to Claudio!

James, look, why exactly did you hate the Wii so much? What exactly did it do to you to maim you so much? It's a system, just as the others, and was created to entertain children and young adults, even adults, should they so want. Yes, there are variations from console to console, and you definitely think graphics make the game... but again, these consoles are ALL doing well.

This article isn't about how Nintendo deserves "LOL!" used as a puncuation. It's about the Wii topping the market.

I won't say it will last forever; I will say that Nintendo has come a long way to create something the other consoles have to resort to mimicking in order to emulate its originality, which, imo, is wrong.

Nintendo isn't focusing on graphics this time, which greatly reduces the cost of its console; and even so, it's games are still extremely fun.

All in all, if you're just buying a PS3 or an Xbox360 so you can go LOL BLU-DISC LOLOLOL, then I really don't think you have much of an argument.

You see, that's what I mean. It's what I can do now that I couldn't have before. Expanding on existing ideas is still innovation. We could all still be using cassettes (remember those?) as our storage medium on our PCs. Why aren't we still listening to tunes on our 8-tracks?

I started gaming with the Atari 2600, then NES and picked up most of the consoles along the way. They all have processors, they all use controllers, they all store games somehow, they all need a monitor to display an image. But look at the differences in processor technology, look at the tech in our controllers. We used catridges with a few megs, now we use lasers to read discs that hold huge amounts of data. Images are displayed in 720p, 1080p. For 30 years we've been employing the same basic concepts in making/playing games. But no one can say there hasn't been a ton of innovation along the way.

Revisions and modernizations aren't really innovations.

Things like the addition of an analog stick, disc based media, the d pad, control pads in general are all innovations.

The fact that they made a disc with more storage isn't innovation. The switch to discs was big, but the switch to bigger discs wasn't.

I want a Virtual Reality Nintendo system. THAT would be REALLY cool!!

Hmm, I don't know Garet. You say that to improve a controller is innovative, but to improve the storage device isn't. And it's not just the bigger discs Garet, it's the devices that have to read these bigger discs. You consider the switch to discs to be "big" but don't they just do the same thing as what came before? We both know thats not true. They do the same thing but better, faster, more reliably not to mention be put to more uses. And I, for one, am very thankful for blu-ray and HD-DVD disc/players because I love High-Definition video/movies/games and this is a technology I consider "big". As always though, this is only my opinion.

But it's still not really innovation.

Changing the way we play games, or trying to anyways, is an innovation.

Changing the capicity of the disc it comes on isn't much of an innovation. A blue laser dvd player isn't that innovative.

I can see what you're getting at Garet and while I don't agree with you 100%, I concede that, yes, changing the way you play a game is more innovative than the technology behind processors and storage media, at least in the sense of how it relates to the gaming experience. You're one tough nut to crack buddy ^_^

Oh and Caroyln, I too hope to see some kind of virtual reality system, and if anyone can pull it off it's Nintendo. That WOULD be cool! ...but only if it's better than the Virtual Boy... Cool concept and all, but my eyes would bug out after 20min. Not to mention the red spots I'd be seeing afterwards.

I admit, Virtual Reality is still a hard concept; but if they managed to make the field softer on the eyes to alleviate some of the pressure on vision, thereby getting rid of the headaches and shock of returning to the real world afterwords, it'd be cool. I think it can be done! I just hope to live to say that day!! :D

Only one thing to say about the failing of sony. Price That's whats stopping me and most of my friends. Try and get it below the 250.00 mark and see what happens.

Price can't be the only factor, or else the Gamecube would have sold more. Infact, for being the cheapest console of the bunch, it sure came in last.

I agree with X 100%
and JAMES , if the wii remote was
not a good idea why did ps3 add
Motion sensing technology to its remote
right after nintendo said they were going to

Though the motion control in the PS3 is more like that in the nunchuck, not the Wii Remote. Although I think there was some debate, as Sony may have patented this thing first, or something like that.

Nintendo deserves this and I'm glad they are blowing the competition with the Wii. Its graphics come no where near 360 and PS3, but the gaming experience is immersing and enjoyable, more so than the other two consoles.

The games are also on average around 20 bucks cheaper then games for PS3 and 360. Graphics are always great , but when the game play really hasn't really changed since the 64 vs PS1 it gets a little tedious and old. The Wii is truly innovative, ive played all 3 systems, and is the better bang for the buck for most people.

I bought a wii on release day and although there were only a few great games early on, this was more because the game makers were unsure of how well recived the console would be.

But now I have too many good games to play that it is hard to choose. Mario Galaxy, and Mario Strikers first and foremost.

But also EA's new Medal of Honour 2 with 32 player multiplayer.

I have many gamer friends and I still have yet to meet anyone who owns a PS3.

If you want good graphics why not get a computer, mine blows a PS3 out of the water graphics wise. (Game wise too)

I read this post from top to bottom,,,what happened to James....this was hillarious.

By the way, sold Xbox 360 and bought a Wii....our WHOLE family loves it!!!! Best choice I ever made in a console!

the wii is really a good system its graphics are better then ps2 and xbox and are close to ps3 and 360 graphics watch resident evil 4 wii edition on gamespot.com jut search for it on the site then watch the games movies the graphics are amazing i honestly would belive if they said that the game was a xbox 360 or ps3 game the only thing is its that wii can get really good graphics but most of the games that come out for wii only consontrate on gameplay and fun, games that you wont get bored of after playing for a long time so for better graphics then ps2 and xbox put together and packed with fun and excercise u can get the wii for just $249.99 can to bad i can never get a hold of the son of a bitch anyways the wii is a really good system which is way worth $249.99 can it offers excercise,fun gameplay, 4 everyone to enjoy, graphics, low price , then there is alot of stuff like it doesnt over heat and the online is free unlike xbox 360 all i can say is that the biggest diffrence from xbox to xbox 360 is better graphics and the biggest diffrence from ps2 to ps3 is better graphics and the gamecube to wii also has better graphics but much more better then graphics

people like james who don't know anything about game systems. the only reasons you think the game is poor is because your friend had poor games. and if the wii is so awful than how come it's outselling the ps3 and 360 so iguest the ps3 and 360 are worst than the wii