Nintendo....

[Demiurge]

Introducing Nintendo Wii
Revolution gets an official name.
by Matt Casamassina

April 27, 2006 - Nintendo revealed this morning that the official name of its formerly codenamed Revolution system is Nintendo Wii.

The Big N explained the decision behind the name in a statement, which we've provided below:

Introducing... Wii.

As in "we."


While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that seperates videogame players from everybody else. Wii will put people more in touch with their games... and each other. But you're probably asking: What does the name mean?

Wii sounds like "we," which emphasizes the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Wii has a distinctive "ii" spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people playing it. And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of videogames that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that's Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because it's really not about you or me. It's about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything.

Click here to download the official trailer for Nintendo Wii.

Click here for the official website for Wii.

Many forum members, including thousands on IGN.com's message boards, have expressed dissatisfaction over the new Wii name. But in an interview with CNN Money, Nintendo of America's vice president of marketing and corporate affairs, Perrin Kaplan, defended the title.

"I think people have to look back and let it settle in," Kaplan said. "I'm sure people felt the same way when Google was named - or the iPod. Napster. Yahoo. There's a whole host of unusual names that have become a part of everyday conversation and I think they're viewed now as unique."

Kaplan further stated that a lot of thought went into the final name of the new system.

All I hear is Nintendo's nails digging in to the side of a cliff as they try to hang on for dear life. I'd like them to do something good again, really I would, but I won't believe they can again until I see it.

[faster100]

Hey leave me out of this :D OH SIDE of a cliff.. Ok nevermind.. LOL

[bobman1235]

I dont' think Nintendo is really hanging off the side of a cliff. Everything they do seems to be revolutionary and well-received. Sure they don't hav ethe market share they used to have, but that's business. They market their stuff much differently than everyone else. The Gamecube, for example, I don't really directly competes with PS2 or XBox - it's cheaper, and its games aren't as involved but are twice as fun. I'm 25, and if I'm with a group of people playign something like Mario Baseball is a blast. Same thing with their handhelds - the DS doesn't compete directly with the PSP, because it's in a completley different league. But people who own them love them and enjoy the games despite the fact that it doesn't have a huge screen that can play movies.

All that said, the name is retarded, but I think the system will be pretty successful. At least I hope so - it seems lik ea really neat idea.

[Demiurge]

Well, I realize there are Nintendo fans out there that will swear by anything they do, but the days of Nintendo's revolutionary gaming has completely passed them by.

I think the market share does matter in all of this as they never should have lost it. They lost it for their refusal to market even a small chunk of their game contracts to the target audience in the gaming industry, which is adults. If their audience is going to be kids and adults that like kids games (Which are fun) then so be it.

I just think they are going to fall woefully behind if they don't kick it into gear with the games that a large amount of adults want to play. XBox and PlayStation have always been very well varied in the titles they have to offer to the consumer, and thus they will always sell more units. Nintendo has traditionally been almost completely niche based.

They're not a bad company -- they just don't make a whole lot of sense. They have put themselves in the position of being completely kicked out of the console market ala Sega and so on.

Selection is key and Nintendo doesn't really offer it. I hear they might start, but I will believe it when I see it. These are just the facts. That doesn't mean that they won't sell units to adults, or that it won't be a big hit with the kids, but it will never match the sales numbers of XBox of PlayStation until it offers more selection to the marketplace.

[bobman1235]

That doesn't mean that they won't sell units to adults, or that it won't be a big hit with the kids, but it will never match the sales numbers of XBox of PlayStation until it offers more selection to the marketplace.

I actually agree with that. It would be REALLY tough for them to gain any kind of market share like the two biggies do, and I don't see it happening any time soon. But to say they're not revolutionary is silly - the things they do ARE revolutionary, especially the "Wii", they're just not marketed well, and like you said, they don't produce games geared towards the biggest gaming demographic - the 18-25 group that spend all the money on PS2 and XBox. And they're obviously at least staying afloat, as they are still making systems and games. I won't say that they're satisfied with their market share, but they seem to have come to accept it or something?

[zombie boy 2000]

Don't underestimate Nintendo's ability to swipe a large share of the market with a single title. Resident Evil for example.... They took this on, and suddenly PS2 owners everywhere were buying Gamecubes for the sole purpose of playing these games (me included). "Must-have" installments of Mario and Zelda will also continue to reel in not only the casual gamer, but those who will be willing to purchase a Nintendo console (provided it remains at it's generally reduced pricepoint) for a couple of games.

[zombie boy 2000]

... but on second thought, it's not the consoles which make money, it's the discs.:o

[avelanchefan]

Don't forget that while they are lagging third here in thew states, they are second in Japan. And that means something to them. When the Xbox passes them in Japan then I think they will start worring.

[zombie boy 2000]

Don't forget that while they are lagging third here in thew states, they are second in Japan. And that means something to them. When the Xbox passes them in Japan then I think they will start worring.

really good point....

is the X-Box still bombing over there, or is it picking up steam?

[Mjr7531]

I love Nintendo even now, but despite that, I'll take this from a business stand-point. Alrighty, first off, XBox is not going to pass up Nintendo in the near future, the lack of sales in Japan is laughable, It isn't picking up steam at all really over there.
The fact that Nintendo is second in Japan is because Playstation was able to pickup casual gamers. People who just see the system on the shelf and think, oh that's cool, I'll buy it for (myself, my kid, etc.) With the XBox 360 Costing $300-$400 and the PS3 for sure at least being $500-$700 (At the moment the production cost is $900. The Revolution is looking to cost $100-150. (All of this, save the XBox and PS3 production cost is speculation at this point, fyi) When you're looking to pick up The Nintendo X-Station for Christmas or other (Most people don't know nor care about the difference in consoles, the fact that that phrase has been used numerous times in game stores drives the point home just shows it.) which one would you pick up? The on that costs possibly $700? or the one that cost possibly $100?

The consoles for Microsoft and Sony don't make money because they sell them at a loss, as a matter of fact, from a business perspective, XBox was a crash and burn they lost money on it, a bit too, now the fact that it got the XBox 360 is the plus side to that. Nintendo has been the only company of the big three to make money on their consoles and lisciencing.

Another thing, (I almost done, sorry guys) Nintendo has seriously learned to market over the past 2 years. Look at the Nintendo DS. In 6 weeks, it outsold the PS2 for the entireity of it's production run, it sold 10 million units. That's a lot, and remember, it outsold all of the PS2s, ever. If they apply the same thing which I know they will, it's going to be awesome from a selling standpoint. They sold the idea of innovation, not the my system can do more frames and higher graphics than yours kinda deal.

The name Wii? It's a good business idea, I personally think it's stupid. But think about this, it's not only the American name, it's the international name. Plus the word "Revolution" if darned near impossible to say in Japanese. It may sound silly, but it could work, notice they dropped the Nintendo part of it. Sounds kinda like... iPod. eh? Where's that link, it's an interesting read...

Now, before I walk away, I'll say this, however anything goes, there's always gonna be a niche market. The PS3 is going to have it's hardcore audience because of it's sheer power, and I say, more power to them, I'd buy a PS3 later if it weren't so dagburned expensive. Whether the Wii fails or suceeds wildly, we're all waiting, and watching to see waht happens. I think it's gonna be fun, but like I said, let's wait and see.

[Demiurge]

Japan is quite a different culture too in so many respects. If you've been there you'd know what I mean. Their games appeal to that culture in many ways. Unfortunately Japan isn't the only gaming market. That was my point. Nintendo could be doing a lot better than they are.

[drew spelts]

I think Revolution pronounced in Japanese would sound like "W`rEVoLuChon"

[VR3]

Nintendo is cool, but none of their games really attract me enough to buy their console. I like the grittier and gory shoot-em-ups like the XBox has. Gears Of War and Halo 3 have my attention.

[danger boy]

wait till Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess comes out on Gamecube and Revolution. it'll kick X-Box in the nuts. :D Zelda will do well in both the US and Japan markets.

[fireshoes]

Wow, that is a terrible name. I'm looking forward to the new console, but the retarded name will keep people from even trying it. The name Revolution had cool factor to it and mae it sound cutting edge, so new people would try it and get hooked.

[bdaley6509]

Wow, that is a terrible name. I'm looking forward to the new console, but the retarded name will keep people from even trying it. The name Revolution had cool factor to it and mae it sound cutting edge, so new people would try it and get hooked.

I agree.

[tommyboy]

Wii is a very stupid name, but they have redeemed themselves with their e3 showing. We all thought that nintendo was out of the picture with their kiddy gamecube, but nintendo just might have a chance to get back to at least second place in the console race. They just need good third party support, tone down the "kiddy games", and not put mario on every single game they come out with. and a $200 price tag (im hoping) will really help them out.

[PhantomOG]

saw this article today and thought its pretty amazing, especially how much negative press the "Wii" got initially. I had as much doubt as anyone.

Press Release

REDMOND, Wash. --(Business Wire)-- Jan 15, 2009 Before 2008, no video game system had ever been purchased by ten million Americans in a single year. But according to independent sales data released today by the NPD Group, the Wii™ console from Nintendo did just that, even during these economic times, with 2008 unit sales of 10.17 million. The Nintendo DS™ portable handheld system came in a close second, with 2008 unit sales of 9.95 million. Each of them broke the previous yearly unit sales record set in 2007 by Nintendo DS with sales of 8.52 million.

Consequently, Wii represented 55% of all next generation home console sales in 2008, while Nintendo DS claimed 72% of all portable system sales in 2008.

NPD data released for December and all of 2008 also included the following:

* The industry’s top 4 selling games of 2008 were: Wii Play™ at No. 1, Mario Kart™ Wii at No. 2, Wii Fit™ at No.3, and Super Smash Brothers™ Brawl, at No. 4.
* Industry annual revenues jumped 19% in 2008 over 2007, and Nintendo products were responsible for 99% of those additional retail dollars.

Here's the truly insane pie chart:

[wingnut4772]

Wow! I've been thinking of getting a Wii....

[manman]

yup, nintendo killed with the wii and ds together... nuts! I grew up on nintendo, and hated seeing them get beat out by sonly and ms (although I did love the playstations), but with the N64 and Gamecube, even I was starting to doubt them and count them out. I have and love all the current gen systems, but I'm especially glad to see nintendo succeeding again, and doing it the way they originally did- fun, creative games.

[tommyboy]

,but I'm especially glad to see nintendo succeeding again, and doing it the way they originally did- fun, creative games.

I really wouldn't go that far. From what I played, they are just like previous games with a new controller. Still fun... yes I guess. Creative and original? no. In fact, out of every home console they created,I think the wii has the worst selection of games both first and third party(especially third party).

Now I'm not saying there is no good games, I loved mario galaxy, mp3, and smash brawl. But these are all games that I pretty much enjoyed already on the n64 and gamecube. Where is the innovation they said they were going to bring cause I haven't seen it much yet.

Considering their huge success, I won't expect many game developers to change just yet.

[manman]

I think that statement was totally accurate. If the question is, does nintendo have the largest library of fun games compared to ps3 and 360, then I totally agree that it doesnt.

But if you look at that pie chart there, they are doing far more than succeeding, and I believe the way they are doing it IS with fun and creativity. It's easy to say the controller is "just a new controller" but I think most people would be hard pressed to say that wasn't a creative or innovative move on their part. But it's not just the controller, it's the way they get people involved and having fun buy HOW they use the controller. Wii sports is probably one of the crudest games on the system and yet people STILL love to play it at parties. Playing tiger woods with it is fun...the mini games of mario party are fun.... some of these games were out for nintendo before, some fun some not, but to me they have been way more fun on wii. And those ways of using the controller were pretty creative I think. What about wii fit? You may not like it but the fact that it's constantly sold out and going for far above retail on ebay and amazon seems to say that others do, and again a very creative and innovative way to get people interacting with the game console. There's also a game called "let's tap" that just came out in Japan where you put the controller down on a vibratable service (like the box the game comes in) and tap the box to make things happen. The controller senses the vibrations and reacts. Also, ninendo isn't just succeeding with the wii, but with the D.S. A two screen portable with one side touch sensitive, which if you've played it makes very creative use of both screens.

I don't know- the numbers speak for themselves, and if you look at all those things and don't see a lot of creativity and innovation compared to the other systems, then I guess we just disagree. My point though, was that nintendo has a history- even before the controller- of trying to make creative games or games that put fun first rather than trying to work fun into a trend that everyone else is doing like FPS and stuff. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fail. In this case I think they succeeded based on that, so my comment stands. If the games weren't fun and the controller and touch screen portable were just gimmicks, I don't the wii and DS would be the top selling systems over everything else out there...

http://www.vgchartz.com/?b=6

[comfortablycurt]

I think the Wii is really the best new console out there. I don't have any of the new consoles myself, if I were to get one though it'd be a Wii. For starters, they cost like half the price of either the 360 or the PS3. Plus I kinda like the concept that it promotes non-couchpotato like behavior. It actually makes you move around a little bit...rather than sitting in one spot holding a controller for 4 hours...lol...

As others have said...Nintendo's games are just more fun. Super Smash Bro's, Mario Kart...those are awesome games to play when you're hanging out with a bunch of friends. They don't have a real huge learning curve, so anyone can get down on it. They're great party games because they're no so in depth. There's a lot more focus on just being...well fun. They don't put so much emphasis on making them visually astounding...and actually put their efforts where they should be putting them...into playability.

[krabby5]

I think the Wii is really the best new console out there. I don't have any of the new consoles myself, if I were to get one though it'd be a Wii. For starters, they cost like half the price of either the 360 or the PS3.

huh? You can get an Xbox for $199 now...

sure, the PS3 costs $399, but you also get a blu-ray player..

[MrNightly]

PS3 ROCKS!!! :D








*Exits scene to go play another game of NCAA Basketball 09*

[comfortablycurt]

huh? You can get an Xbox for $199 now...

sure, the PS3 costs $399, but you also get a blu-ray player..

No...you can get a piece of **** Xbox for 199 now...lol...If I was going to buy one, I wouldn't get the one with no harddrive and none of the goodies. I'd want to get the one that's actually worth buying.

[krabby5]

No...you can get a piece of **** Xbox for 199 now...lol...If I was going to buy one, I wouldn't get the one with no harddrive and none of the goodies. I'd want to get the one that's actually worth buying.

ok..the one with a 60gb harddrive is $299..

[avelanchefan]

IN all reality, the Wii is the Gamecube packaged with new controllers.

"The hardware is basically a GC. We've upgraded our development tools to new versions but, you can still use GC programs as they are. With that in mind, I thought we could remake GC titles for the Wii and modify them to work with the Wii remote so that they're more fun to play." says creator Miyamoto

[manman]

IN all reality, the Wii is the Gamecube packaged with new controllers.

"The hardware is basically a GC. We've upgraded our development tools to new versions but, you can still use GC programs as they are. With that in mind, I thought we could remake GC titles for the Wii and modify them to work with the Wii remote so that they're more fun to play." says creator Miyamoto

I don't get it, does that somehow mean the wii isn't as good as other systems because the technology isn't as new, or was it just informative?

When it comes down to it, I don't think people care about what's on the inside of the machine, they care about the experience. That's where the wii scored, and scored big.

[comfortablycurt]

I'd rather have a console that's fun to play...rather than one that's just the most technologically advanced. The Gamecube was a great console...why does it need to be completely changed? Obviously the Wii is still much much different than a Gamecube.

Yeah...the 60 gig Xbox is 300, and whats the Wii cost now? 200? Games are cheaper for the Wii as well from what I've seen. That's a big part of the cost right there. You go out and buy the console for 300 bucks, get an extra controller for another 40-50, get a couple games at 50-60 bucks a pop, and all of a sudden you've spent 500 dollars. I don't play video games enough to justify spending that much. Even if I went and got one of the new consoles, I'd probably still play my Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo more.