Nintendo Wii
A new direction in gaming
The Nintendo Gamecube, by most accounts, was a complete failure. It desperately struggled to match the graphics of the Sony Playstation 2, which launched two years prior, and the online service, which was once a promise of Nintendo, never materialized. And, worst of all, the system in no way churned out an acceptable number of quality titles for even the casual gamer. Sure, there were exceptions (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Resident Evil 4), but the Gamecube, for the most part, settled into a distant third behind Sony’s console and the Microsoft Xbox.
The Wii is Nintendo’s attempt to completely reverse its unlucky fortunes from the last generation of home gaming. Since the company clearly failed to match Sony or Microsoft in the graphics department, Nintendo is instead venturing forth with a console that takes a new direction. That alternate fork in the road leads the Wii to the world of motion sensor technology, where a mid-air swipe can virtually lop off heads or, if preferred, deliver a nasty backhand into an opponent’s court.
The Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3are drawing in gamers with a feast for their eyes. It isn’t much different than the last time around, when the previous systems from each company featured some visually impressive titles, including the Halo and Grand Theft Auto franchises. To many, in particular casual gamers, that’s a boring approach. Although beautiful games are fun to show off to jealous friends, are they actually fun to play? Nintendo doesn’t think so.
That’s why you’ll find much has changed in the jump from Gamecube to Wii. The latter now features a few kinds of remotes, including a traditional controller and one designed exclusively for virtual tennis, swordplay and the like. Both possess the lauded motion sensor technology, meaning games can take on a whole new element. Imagine staring down the barrel of your controller while virtually sniping enemies in Activision’s Second World War title, Call of Duty 3. Another example might be fishing in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess; instead of simply plugging a button (as you did in the original Xbox’s Fable), fishers instead wheel the controller back and then forward, the same as you’d do in real life. Although players won’t soon be gutting a salmon, the experience is certainly very unique.
There are two other factors to considering when discussing the Wii and its place in our Top Ten. Although the console is certainly impressive, and perhaps even a phenomenal bargain at $249, we have some concerns about its future. For one, unlike Sony and Microsoft, the online component is only tentatively set for "2007". That sounds awfully similar to the plans for the Gamecube’s worldwide multiplay, which was, as we know now, eventually cancelled. In addition, by pressing a lower cost and motion sensor play, will Wii owners find themselves jealous of the advancements being made by Microsoft and Sony in two years’ time? If the visuals in Wii games are already miles behind the competition, then the pain is only going to compound.
Of course, for those who enjoyed the Gamecube and believe in Nintendo’s direction with the Wii, graphics aren’t likely to matter. No, they’re banking on the company’s persistence in making motion sensor technology something more than just a flashy gimmick.
For bringing attention to the gaming world without using the words "sex", "violence" or "politics", we congratulate the Nintendo Wii by placing it at number two on our Top Ten Gifts list.
Estimated Price: $249
