Wii: then and now
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Sep 14th 2006 at 8:45PM }
"People change. Hairstyles change. Interest rates fluctuate." When Hillary Flammond uttered those words in Top Secret, she clearly hadn't experienced the gaming industry -- a marvelous, often magical place where things change very quickly indeed. As today's cataclysmic explosion of Wii news demonstrates, things can change for better or for worse. Yesterday's truth may become today's obsolete press release. So, what has (and hasn't) changed for Nintendo between then and now?Then: The Wii could play DVDs via an unspecified and entirely nebulous dongle. The original console description reads: "Two Disc Formats, One Slot: Instead of a tray, a single, innovative, self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. Owners will have the option of equipping a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content."
Now: Inserting a DVD into the system will likely produce a polite error message indicating a complete inability to play DVDs. Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan explains DVD playback was removed "in order to deliver the machine at a cheaper cost and because most people today already own DVD players." On the plus side, this reduces the amount of times we'll have to type a dubious word like "dongle."
Then: In January 2006, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata tells Japanese newspapers that the Wii should launch in the US by Thanksgiving. "As for North America, we need to release it by Thanksgiving, or otherwise we won't receive support from the retail industry."
Now: Launching on Nov. 19, Nintendo makes it with a few days to spare. Show some gratitude, will ya?
Then: Scott Hedrick, Executive VP of Opera for Devices, confirms that the Wii version of the browser "will not be sold as a seperate item." He also explains that software will come loaded on the system.
Now: The Opera browser is no longer built-in and no longer free -- it will be sold as a seperate item through the Wii's internet channel for an unknown number of Wii Points. [Update: Only if you haven't downloaded it by June 2007. Phew!]
Then: At E3 2006, a whole host of new features are revealed for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Though the Wii version boasts a different control scheme, it will be released on the same day as the Gamecube adventure.
Now: The Wii's Twilight Princess is still on track for launch, whereas the Gamecube (reminder: the platform the game was originally developed for) is forced to wait until December 11th. Sure, that makes sense. Not implementing a widescreen mode must be trickier than we were previously lead to believe.
Then: Speaking at a news conference in Osaka, a Nintendo senior managing director makes it apparent that the Wii would launch in America for no more than $250. That particular statement would go on to fuel a ludicrous amount of speculation.
Now: Well, he wasn't lying. The Wii launch price comes in at $249.99, a full cent below the upper limit of truth.
Then: In March 2006, Satoru Iwata tells CNN all about the USB ports on the Wii and how "practically any storage method can be used" in lieu of SD cards and the 512MB of internal storage.
Now: Perrin Kaplan empties her Magnum into that idea, telling Wired News' Joel Johnson that only flash storage will be supported. Iwata's suggestion becomes relegated to something Nintendo "could" explore in the future. This "future" place we keep hearing about sounds fantastic.
Then: Retro Studios assures IGN that Metroid Prime 3: Corruption will attend the inevitably debaucherous Wii launch party.
Now: A quick glance at the confirmed launch party list reveals that Metroid Prime 3 has not been invited. It's been delayed until 2007, and no amount of pleasantly worded paragraphs can hide our resulting bitterness.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John @ Sep 14th 2006 8:53PM
Well, I'll have the Wii as games only, doesnt matter, 360 can do everything else, and do it amazingly, and seemlessly with media center.
So Im already connected. I want games please.
Zachary Hinchliffe @ Sep 14th 2006 8:55PM
UGH! The Metroid Prime games are some of my favorite games, EVER! What a load of bullsh*t! Nintendo needs to be more conservative about announcing release dates so they don't need to continually let us down!!
Dylan @ Sep 14th 2006 8:58PM
Im beginning to raise an eyebrow to this Perrin Kaplan, seeming to deny a whole lot of things the president of Nintendo once promised. Cutting cost of the Wii is not an acceptable excuse for not making a dongle, as that was the reason for making the DVD playback feature only usable via dongle in the first place! Are we really sure she meant no dongle or whatever thingy ever ever?
Night Elve @ Sep 14th 2006 8:58PM
So people will say:
- I dont care, i just want to play videogames not watch DVDs.
- I dont care, i own a PC to browse the Internet.
- I dont care, i dont need more than 512 MB to storage files.
- And so on ...
The reality of this is that if this would came from Microsoft or Sony everybody would be criticizing and throwing shit over these two companies.
But is Nintendo so is okay to remove a few basic features and sell them separately.
Quann @ Sep 14th 2006 9:01PM
With the huge ammount of gameplay Zelda will supposedly boast, I think I can wait on Metroid. Plus there are some other great first-party titles(Wii sports, included and ExciteTruck) and third-party titles(Red Steel, Far Cry, Trauma Center, ect.). I wouldn't worry about that. The only thing is the price, I thought it would be at least 200$, but I guess that is why internet rumors are, quite simply, rumors.
tactics @ Sep 14th 2006 9:04PM
*shrug*
at first i didn't believe it, but i've mulled it over and most things make sense. the dvd lie is a bitch, and so is the storage lie. very rude of them.
why are there still so many unanswered questions?
vc pricing is perfect, and launch date/price make total sense from a business standpoint.
"Nintendo wants Wii to be the centerpiece of your living room..." is what pisses me off most. and hell, i'm just a dumb fanboy.
watching the news this morning though, from the major american news outlets, the response was very positive though. wonder how much the networks were paid? apparently nintendo actually learned from sony for a damn change.
wii is going to own this generation regardless, but they're taking the DS approach, start slow and gain momentum after a year and a price drop. they know that ps3 STILL won't have *nearly* as many units sold as wii will by the time wii's price goes down. nintendo, although fucking up within the "blogosphere" today, is still on track for domination.
but again, i'm just a dumb fanboy. :P
-"superfan" tactics.
serbz @ Sep 14th 2006 9:06PM
@nightelve couldnt have said it any better
but you have to remember that to fanbois nintendo is the second coming of jesus or sumtin
fanbois really need to get a grip on reality........do you really think nintendo/sony/ms knows who u r and that you worship them, and you seem to think that they only care about one person in this world......YOU!
Sonicyouth @ Sep 14th 2006 9:11PM
Dongles are so 1990's...but then so are DS graphics (which I own and love.) Viva le PS3!!! with it's FULL backwards compatibility and BluRay movie playback. Those who say they don't want either of these functions don't know what they are missing! Oh, and BTW, it's a bargain at $600 for 4Q 2006. What do you think it will cost 4Q 2008? If only I could figure out how to score one at launch. Obviously though, lots of folks have very different priorities....it's definitely not for everyone. At least not yet.
Moe A @ Sep 14th 2006 9:28PM
Perhaps you could also mention all the talk about cheaper and easier game development that Nintendo boasted about, due to the focus on gameplay, not graphics. As a result, Wii games were supposed to be cheaper than the competition. That wasn't true either.
Macca77 @ Sep 19th 2006 11:58PM
Ludwig, what about the PS3 promises ? Those are really BIG lies. What a about a PS3: then and now ?. But wait, that's gonna be too long to read and I've already lost too much time reading your sad post.
Cry Havoc @ Sep 14th 2006 9:13PM
Night Elve,
That's because, on average, the games that Sony and Microsoft bring to the table are hardly fit to lick the boots of a certain plumber and sword-wielding elf, to say nothing of the chick that can curl up in a ball and throw a grenade down your throat.
Nintendo is the only one of the three companies that don't -have- to make up for the fact that they fail to produce the greatest games on the planet. Because they do. And they have for over two decades. That's the difference.
FSK405K @ Sep 14th 2006 9:13PM
Here's some other commonly asked about stuff....
1. Can you use Gamecube controllers for Virtual Console Games? Anyone?
2. Will Wii come with good cables? Japanese press release says "AV Cables"--unwoot! Composite!--while wii.com says the Wii has a "multi-out" port. I'll wager $50 that it uses the same plug as your GCN/N64/SNES, so go ahead and get some Gamecube component or s-video cables ahead of time.
3. So it's got a web-browser. Great, but do I have to use the Wiimote to type or can I plug in a USB keyboard? Anyone?
Please feel free to add in some other unknowns so we can collect them together.
FSK405K @ Sep 14th 2006 9:16PM
Thank you, Joystiq, for posting an interesting news-analysis-comparison. Not like the last "news" item blogged.
Monkey John @ Sep 15th 2006 10:17AM
What is this? I have been really disapointed with Joystiq's coverage of the recent news with the Wii lately. Most of what gets posted is opinion fluff and half of it is unfounded.
The only two valid points in this article are the comments on DVD playback and flash memory, but frankly these are not core features and really dont change much of anything about the system. This whole article is written from the angle that Nintendo some how lied and/or screwed us all. wtf.
If you want to write something negative about the Wii, talk about the rediculous price point for the controllers. Or the questionable 'channels' interface. What is posted here is just crap though.
BPM? @ Sep 14th 2006 9:21PM
Tactics, you've got some interesting points... but I don't think taking the DS opening approach is such a good idea with Wii. For a couple of reasons:
1) Nintendo already owned the handheld market. As risky as DS was, there was still a good chance of success for them, given their track record. It's not the same with consoles.
2) Initial DS support from third-parties was rather lacking. Many developers saw the path DS paved, and it lead them to Wii, which is why there's gonna be about 30 games in the launch window (and 10 of them are from Ubisoft!).
They can't be slow with Wii. Even if PS3 is going to have some serious initial trouble meeting their demand, there's still 360 which is readily available (I've never seen a place sold out anymore) and with a strong library of games. Sony is not Nintendo's only problem if they want to gain a lot of the support they lost in the N64 and GCN years.
(I am a Nintendo fan, and never owned either Xbox or 360, but I still have good things to say about it. How's that for crazy?)
I think they are pricing things too high. Yes, I will buy one at launch (what part of "Nintendo fan" don't you understand?!), but it's going to be harder to convince a lot more people to get a Wii over the other guys (and Fils-Aime says that's exactly what he wants to do).
With the prices of everything, I won't be buying as much (games, accessories, etc.) as I originally intended.
Yo, Ludwig! Here's one more THEN and NOW for you:
THEN: It was confirmed (by Reggie, I think) that EVERY Wii Remote would come bundled with the Nunchuk.
NOW: Nunchuk sold seperately (for $20!). You want 'em both? Sixty bucks, pal!
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 9:31PM
The best thing I can say about this post by Joystiq is that at least it's not entirely full of stupidity like Vlad's last post. But seriously guys, is someone at Joystiq a little mad because they didn't get an invite to the event? Who got left out?
For starters, it did come in under 250 and it came before Thanksgiving. Nintendo never suggested that it would be much less than that or much earlier than that. Anyone who got all excited about the idea of the console costing only 200 bucks and being available in two days has only themselves to blame. So, nice try, but not even close to being disappointing for anyone who actually looked at what Nintendo said. (And we get Wii sports free.)
Next, let's look at the Opera browser. Opera is going to be free for download in Japan, at least until mid 2007. It's quite possible that will happen here. We'll see. But in any event, that was Opera's person talking, not Nintendo.
Now on to Twilight Princess. Why would any company release a game for a cheaper console on the same day as their new console comes out? That's not a let down. I expected it from the beginning. I'm just shocked it wasn't cancelled a long time ago as that would have made more business sense.
As for MP3, it's clearly being delayed for online multiplayer reasons. There were rumors of this months ago. Disappointing, but not really when we've got all of the other titles available at launch.
The only legitimate complaints I see are DVD playback and storage. While them changing their mind on the playback feature is disappointing, Nintendo is absolutely correct to think that it's not needed. I can just imagine how much certain people would gripe if the cost of the console went up another 10 bucks. Storage is an issue, I'll grant you that. That part did have me bummed. Time will tell how Nintendo handles that. Hopefully you will be able to add a hard drive to the Wii.
One thing I've noticed about your blog's coverage versus almost every other blog's coverage is how little attention you are giving to everything that IS coming with the console: Image editing, slideshow creating, a BBS message system (at least for Japan; the "post" function available in the US version of the the imaging editing software strongly suggests to me that BBS will also be available for the US), avatar customization, etc. Yes, you mentioned these things, but they were all relegated to an afterthought in some small update. These are legitimate and unique features and they are indeed the Wii's "final secret". (In addition to the other channels that will be revealed shortly before launch.)
Of course you need to be fair and balanced. I don't argue that. But it bothers me greatly to see such posts complaining about faults in the Wii when a lot of those things aren't really faults to begin with. (Especially the one about how "generous" MS and Sony are for selling their consoles at a loss.)
nothing dude @ Sep 14th 2006 9:31PM
Did like, Nintendo kill your Mom and Dad Ludwig? I know it been a long time since that dredful night but while you are playing "then and now" games lets talk about Sony next time. Your right the Wii will probably not play DVD's, but thats ok 'cause if you can find a person who doesnt already own a DVD player I'll buy you PS3 (or a DVD player for 30 bucks for shits sake)
DaMadFiddler @ Sep 14th 2006 9:45PM
Well, the removal of things like DVD and web browsing are no big deal (how often would you honestly use this anyway?), but it does significantly cut into the whole "value" image Nintendo has been selling to consumers.
Our graphics aren't as good, but the tradeoff is new controls and cheap hardware and software!
We don't have mass storage, but the tradeoff is new controls and cheap hardware and software!
Our system is less powerful, but the tradeoff is new conrols and cheap hardware and software!
...Well, $250 is not exactly the easily-affordable, economical value that we've been promised. Especially with the controller issue--only one in the box, and an extra remote-nunchuk combo is SIXTY BUCKS. So you're spending over $300 just to get the package with two controllers, which everybody is going to want/need anyway.
And yes, I know "$250 isn't that much more than $200." But by that logic, "$300 isn't that much more than $250," and then you're in Xbox 360 territory. That's what's known as a leading line in marketing: offer something really affordable, and bait you along to something slightly higher when it comes time to actually buy. Because if you opened with the slightly higher price, more people would just refuse flat-out...but by hinting at something lower, and working your way up logically to the higher price, it seems more acceptable.
What you need to do is step back for a moment, and put things in perspective with the larger picture. $250 is a lot to ask, considering what else is on the market and, more importantly, what the package does (or doesn't) come with.
Here's what *I* would have done:
Either a single-controller, system only package at $200 (or possibly even $179), or a two-controller, Wii Sports, $20 Virtual Console credit package at $250. That second controller and the Virtual Console credit would make it worth the higher price point, no question. Hell, if they wanted to follow the other companies' trends, they could even put out a $200 AND a $250 package (as described above), like they did with the NES!
In fact, I'm surprised they're *not* using Virtual Console credit as a promotion; it costs them practically nothing, and it would snare a lot of people in--both to the console itself, and to using the Virtual Console store.
Don't get me wrong. I still want a Wii. I like Nintendo's games, and I think the system is smartly designed. But they really dropped the ball on the pricing. I, like just about everyone who will be BUYING a Wii, will want it as much for multiplayer gaming as single player. $310 (plus tax) is an awful lot to pay, given the whole picture of the package and they system's power. What happened to the whole "easily affordable," "for the masses" thing?
I'll be waiting for the first price drop. Hopefully there will be something other than white at that point, as well.
vaylen @ Sep 14th 2006 9:31PM
@Night Elve
You hit the nail RIGHT ON THE HEAD.
Ninty's sh1t don't stink here in Joystiq land.
rudimentalist @ Sep 14th 2006 9:32PM
Couldn't a third party release software to play DVDs on your system? The DVD drive is there. How about Joystiq making some inquiries with some of the usual suspects.
Wedge @ Sep 14th 2006 9:33PM
Oh look, minor and mostly unconfirmed discrepencies in vague promises people made in the distant past. IT'S LIKE BLACK AND WHITE!
At least Robert's managed to actually post some useful Wii news today. Too bad you (Joystiq) fired him.
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 9:33PM
Moe A,
Wrong. Wii games are going to be about 50-55 bucks on average . 360 games are about 60-65 bucks on average. PS3 games are going to be AT LEAST 65 bucks on average. Wii's games are definitely cheaper.
79/88 @ Sep 14th 2006 9:33PM
So they needed to cut costs, but will still make a profit on every Wii sold. Makes business sense, but means I get less for my money. Fantastic.
79/88 @ Sep 14th 2006 9:37PM
20: Wrong. Unless you're buying Special Editions, no 360 game has been released over $60 (unless you include tax). Firest party games have been $50 so far, and Top Spin 2/Table Tennis/Test Drive were all $40 at launch.
Tao68 @ Sep 14th 2006 9:37PM
If we believe IGN today, Metroid has been delayed for the best...
http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732737p1.html
OOT has been delayed too, remember? For the best or the worst?
I don't mind about the lack of DVD play, but a skype-like utility would have made sense for the mainstream: imagine using your wiimote as a phone, and you've got what i thought was one of the last "hardware secrets"...
And that's (for me) the most important let-down: where are the last hardware secrets, or at least ONE? Kaplan told IGN about it after E3, many Iwata and Myamoto comments too, so...?
Price, date, well, not a big deal, they will be forgotten quite fast... the line-up is great, and so many games are comin' soon...
And Opera? Well, they still may change their mind, cos that's a stupid move, i have to agree...
Btw, some free Nintendo points with each new game sold could mean free VC games for all of us, i hope they'll do it that way...
At the end of the day, not that bad, but i hope the arrogant Nintendo's not back... see the great new n-sider edito:
http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2421
If they abuse the consumers like cash-cows, the hype may turn against them... that's for sure...
But on another hand, what is Microsoft or Sony doin'? Best or worse?
carg0 @ Sep 14th 2006 11:23PM
Heh, seems like Sony finally has some company...
As for the rest of you losers...Please save your long-winded diatribes for others websites. No one cares. Let's all just keep it short and sweet.
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 9:40PM
79/88,
Let's say that Luigi's Pizza sells pizza and that they want to make a small amount of profit on each pizza. They price their pizza accordingly and with a certain amount of toppings so that the cost of the pizza and toppings, labor, and rent still leaves them some profit. How much each of those toppings costs will determine how many toppings they can provide for a certain price and still make a profit. If pizza proposal A for Price B has too many toppings to make profit C, then they either have to raise B or change A to keep C. In other words, Nintendo either had to raise the price of the Wii or cut back on a thing or two if it wanted to make its desired profit (which I can guarantee you is not that much).
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 9:44PM
24: The good 3rd party games for 360 have been 60-65 in my area. Cheap sports games will be cheaper for the Wii too, so no big deal there. What I said definitely holds for the PS3. The Wii does provide the least expensive games, on average, from what I have seen thus far. I honestly don't expect many 60-dollar games for the Wii at all.
RiskyChris @ Sep 14th 2006 9:59PM
I called this months ago. Iwata was only saying that theoretically any storage could possibly be used.
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 9:45PM
Oops, that last comment of mine was addressed to 23, not 24.
martinj88 @ Sep 14th 2006 9:48PM
.....the Wii has Two USB ports.....if these are not for external storage they must be for a Keyboard??...
AND one more BIG thing.....you will have an account with Nintendo so you can re-download any game you've purchased within 5min....(if they are around 20MB).......soo you can delete any game you haven't played for a while and re-download at you're pleasure
Scott @ Sep 14th 2006 9:49PM
1. Its obvious why they're holding Zelda : To sell more Wii's. They're banking that you won't want to wait to play it and will trade in your GC for a Wii since you can play GC games on it anyways.
2. Its already been announced that Opera will be free to download onto the Wii at least until Summer 2007.
OddsBodkins @ Sep 14th 2006 9:57PM
"So people will say:
- I dont care, i just want to play videogames not watch DVDs.
- I dont care, i own a PC to browse the Internet.
- I dont care, i dont need more than 512 MB to storage files.
- And so on ...
The reality of this is that if this would came from Microsoft or Sony everybody would be criticizing and throwing shit over these two companies."
Totally. The Nintendo faithful would crucify either Sony or MS for something like this, regardless if they really cared or not.
Hell, they end it with the required "This is why I'm buying a Wii..." and/or "that's it, I'm sold on the Wii!"
It's gonna be an interesting holiday shopping season. The best selling platform will most likely be the PS2 though... :p
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 10:01PM
DMF,
That's not entering Xbox 360 territory. That's entering the crappy version of Xbox 360 territory and if you went that route you'd still have no game and only one controller (which is wired, not wireless) for the 360, so there's no comparison.
GSI @ Sep 14th 2006 10:04PM
I posted this on another website...but I'll post it here too:
Ok you guys are now making up crap to complain about. Here's a couple things:
(1) Stop your damn whining about the sytstem price. It's significantly cheaper then both the PS3 AND Xbox 360. If you are complaining about havnig to pay $250, then you are a damn hypocrit if you buy the 360 and/or PS3. PLUS it's not like they caught us totally by surprise b/c they've said for some time that it would be less then $250...and it is.
They never said it was going to be $200...and to make it sound like it is Nintendo's fault is wrong. That is YOUR damn fault.
(2) Stop your damn whining about the controller. It's $60 for the set. So what. The wireless 360 controller is $50 and it is just a standard wireless controller. The Wiimote & nunchuck are a lot more then your standard been done before controllers and are way more sophisticated.
(3) There are NUMEROUS reasons why Wii sports was packed in. First do you guys remember back when they announced the name "Wii"? It was supposed to mean "we" as a group...as in friends, family, etc. They included Wii Sports b/c they are the PERFECT types of games to bring in people of all ages to try the Wii. The second reason is b/c they are basic games that almost everyone knows how to play and are PERFECT examples of how the remote can be used.
In addition to that if you look at ANY video from E3 (or other events) where people were playing Wii Sports games, they were really enjoying themselves (myself included.) PLUS people have been saying for sometime that it should be a pack-in title b/c it was so basic. I even said that it should be a pack-in title b/c if it were to be released at $50, I doubt I would have purchased right away.
(4) No confirmation about using USB 2.0 HD's as extra storage True that there was not 100% confirmation at these events BUT not to long ago, Iwata stated that the USB ports could be used for storage. Now he didn't clarify by saying if that meant only USB thumb drives and/or USB hard drives, etc. I myself am waiting for an answer for this b/c I have a 40GB laptop hard drive I barely use which I could use.
(5) Nov. 19th is too far away! What were you expecting? October 2nd? True that said it would be out before the PS3 and now it is coming out 2 days after the PS3. BIG F__KING DEAL!
So what is the moral of the story?
STOP YOUR DAMN WHINING!
Ethan @ Sep 14th 2006 10:05PM
@30, I think he also posts over at QJ.net, although I dont know since he never answers me. http://wii.qj.net/Marvel-Ultimate-Alliance-How-To-s-Artworks-and-Screenshots/pg/49/aid/65996#comments
fawazr @ Sep 14th 2006 10:05PM
And people will still buy it. Some of these issues are kind of whiny and suspect. Nobody knows why any of these things have changed and why corporate promises have fallen through, but that won't stop Joystiq from slapping on hastily surmised reasons. Prior to this morning, Joystiq was in the dark. Later today, Joystiq is still in the dark, watching shadows on the wall. This isn't journalism, just flame-baiting. It's one thing to show how disappointed we are, but yet another to have these inexplicable changes become a sort of rallying point for God knows whatever you're trying to accomplish here. Next you'll be getting us to sign petitions to have Nintendo lower it's prices. Summa gets fired for being your most productive writer and overhyping the truth, while articles that prey off of latent fanboyism for hits (that make your Battlestar Galactica advertisers happy) still appear? Write stories about the awesome 360 games on the horizon. Interviews with any of hundreds of PS3 developers. Not this knee-jerk, reactionary tripe. There's more to this industry than the apparent failings of a little white box. Enough with the thought control and opinon guiding already. You did it with the 360 launch, the Sony news, and now the Wii. You're reducing the hole industry to cater to reactionary brats. Kill the vicious cycle, please.
Josh @ Sep 14th 2006 10:08PM
Time to go through every one of your points, Mr. Kietzmann's.
1) About the DVDs: I'm sure hardly anyone cares. All of us have (or should have) at least one DVD player already, and there really is no need for the Wii to have one. If it did, it would drive up production costs, and then drive up the retail cost of the system.
2) By Thanksgiving launch date: They made it. Why complain? The PS3 will basically be vaporware this year, so there is no reason for Nintendo to launch any earlier than just before Thanksgiving.
3) About the Opera browser: Were you actually planning to use the Opera browser on Wii over the browser on your computer for daily use? Even if not, the possibility to use the browser is still there, and this was just another way to drive down production costs for Nintendo, and as a direct result, keep the price lower for consumers.
4) About Twilight Princess' release date: If Nintendo launches the game for Wii first, people will be more tempted to get a Wii just to play Zelda instead of having to wait more than three weeks to play the GCN version.
5) About Wii's $249.99 price: Yes, the price is under $250. There is nothing to complain about here, however, as it was you who, I assume, who took this as "far below" $250.
6) About the current lack of support for USB mass storage possibilities: For now we still can use SD cards, so the lack of being able to use USB mass storage devices (hard drives, flash drives, etc.) is not as bad as it could be (imagine proprietary memory cards).
7) About Metroid Prime 3's delay: It's a good thing. Whenever Nintendo announces a launch date for a high profile game, expect a delay. After all, Retro Studios is implementing a FAR better control style as an option in MP3 now that makes it play exactly like PC FPSs, and it's always better to wait a little while longer for a game to release so developers can add better features like this. To quote Shigeru Miyamoto (overused quote, but applicable), "A delayed game is eventually good; a bad game is a bad game forever".
The writers and editors at Joystiq seem to have suddenly gone into a fit about Wii. I can't seem to figure out why, as I've just demonstrated, but as for me, I'm still very excited for this awesome system!
duscrom @ Sep 14th 2006 10:10PM
26. 24: The good 3rd party games for 360 have been 60-65 in my area. Cheap sports games will be cheaper for the Wii too, so no big deal there. What I said definitely holds for the PS3. The Wii does provide the least expensive games, on average, from what I have seen thus far. I honestly don't expect many 60-dollar games for the Wii at all.
Uh... what are you baseing this on? "From what i've seen" Well, i dunno what area of the world you live in, but here in Chicago, they aren't selling Wii games yet. You are compareing Non-MSRP, to MSRP. Truth is, MSRP for first party titles on the 360 are $50 bucks. MSRP on 3rd party titles are $60. There are games comming out on the 360 at $40.. such as Table Tennis and Test Drive. So far, the word on Wii games is, First party games are $50, and when asked if 3rd party games could cost $60, Reggie "We've told our 3rd parties to price accordingly" Now, that does leave the gate open... We can be optomistic and hope that the 3rd parties pass the saving onto us.
Josh @ Sep 14th 2006 10:09PM
I have one more comment to add:
Compared to the amount of lying Sony has done with PS3, and even the amount of false announcements Microsoft has made with Xbox 360, your little issues with Nintendo and Wii seem minuscule and relatively unimportant.
indysurfn @ Sep 15th 2006 1:23AM
I'm buy:
First I'll Wii60!
Then I'll Pee3 later($350 anyone)!
But I will have all three eventually!
I didn't get the 360 at launch (thats a world record for me! oh yeah I was 22 in line! EBworld butt wh@oles!).
Why are they butt wholes? I was told i was second the day I gave them my money! My point is looks like with the amount Nintendo is making I will not have that problem if I preorder! Yes!
After all I only make 63,000 a year! Now if Only I can find a attractive make that makes at least 25,000 I will be set(more if she has children). Way more if she has children that dont play games with me! LOL just kidding(I think)
GSI @ Sep 14th 2006 10:14PM
-->"The writers and editors at Joystiq"
CORRECTION: The bloggers of Joystiq.
Don't give them too much credit. This isn't a real gaming media site such as 1Up, IGN, GameSpy, Gamespot, etc.
zachary @ Sep 14th 2006 10:14PM
night elve hit the nail on the head?
your kidding right?
since when was a basic feature for a video game console dvd playback?
this isn't big for nintendo because they actually care about games, not all the other crap other companies stuff their consoles with.
and last time i checked, the console was barely big enough to fit a dvd, much less play them.
i'll be fine with a wii and 360.
and just a note, who pays 60 bucks average for 360 games?
Rabish12 @ Sep 14th 2006 10:12PM
"Totally. The Nintendo faithful would crucify either Sony or MS for something like this, regardless if they really cared or not. "
That's not fair. Not everyone who's "Nintendo faithful" supports them to the point of idiocy. Hell, I'm actually pissed about this. Not enough to keep me from buying the system, but enough to make me considerably less excited for it. I don't like having to keep a bunch of different electronics around one TV, especially since the (rather small) TV that I use can only have one thing plugged into it at a time. I'm going to have to switch between my DVD player and my Wii, and that's going to be a pain in the ass. I'm also pissed about having to pay for Opera, since they're now charging for something they'd promised would be free. That's not something that I like at all.
As for Joystiq's post, I only see three particularly valid points (DVD, Opera, USB memory storage). The rest almost seem as though you guys are stretching things just enough so that you can attack Nintendo, especially the release date (it's STILL coming before Thanksgiving, and whether it comes a few days before or a few weeks before doesn't change that) and price (it's less than $250, and again it doesn't really matter how much). For the rest, delays in game development are common, and with the Twilight Princess release discrepancy that's easily explained: they probably moved development towards implementing the Wii version first and then finishing up on Gamecube afterwards, and if that's the case then they'd have to fix everything up for the Gamecube controller and test the game on the system after they're done with the Wii.
Seriously, I see a few valid complaints in there, but a lot of the stuff you just put in there is total bullshit.
KBeat @ Sep 14th 2006 10:19PM
I am a fan of Nintendo (or substitute Microsoft/Sony, it works for any fanboy)
I will buy their consoles no matter what.
I will rip & criticize the other console makers relentlessly.
If Nintendo does the same things I ripped the other console makers for, I will defend Nintendo's right to do so with my life, and spin it into something positive.
If anyone says anything remotely negative about Nintendo, regardless of its accuracy, I will attack them like a rabid dog.
Such is the life of a fanboy. It is my duty to be so pathetic.
RiemannMeetLebesgue @ Sep 14th 2006 10:20PM
40: Obviously I meant what I have read and heard about the Wii's game pricing. The Xbox 360 games I've seen with my own two eyes though. It's true that game prices vary by area, and you're absolutely correct that we're hoping that the 3rd parties pass the savings on to the Wii customers. (A risky bet, I admit.)
makesevenupyours @ Sep 15th 2006 12:54AM
anybody who says nobody is upset that we cant play dvd's doesnt know what they are talking about.
a lot of people dont care. but a lot do.
if it were for just you, to go in your bedroom, do you really wanna have to buy another player that will clutter up the room? when it could have been put into the system and still go for the same price.
the controller prices are just BULLSHIT.
they should be sold together, for 40-50 dollars.
but SIXTY!!??
and they should be sold together, seeing as some games REQUIRE the nunchuk, so why not sell them together?
and since metroid is delayed, IT HAD FUCKING BETTER HAVE MULTIPLAYER!!
Keil Joy @ Sep 14th 2006 10:32PM
I see the tables are slowly turning. heh, heh..
Fish @ Sep 14th 2006 10:26PM
I have to say, I'm honestly kinda disapointed with the news of today.
Don't get me wrong, if you cut me, I would bleed Nintendo red.. well, I would bleed red anyways, but if my blood was say.. green, I would bleed Nintendo red.
Seriously though, what gives?
250 for a controller and Wii Sports? Now, before we start going "but the contoller alone is worth 40+20 and the game is 50.. and.." Consoles have ALWAYS come with at least one controller, and that should be part of the launch price. So, what is the "real" price of the console, if it didn't have Wii Sports in it?
NO DVD playback at all? Ok, to keep the cost down, makes sense, MS did it with the ogXbox.. but you had the option open to you if you wanted that functionality. Why would Nintendo just up and bother not to have it at all? Wasn't their philosophy to be just a games machine with other options, if you wanted them? (like the web browser)
I'm still going to be getting one on launch day.. but ouch. And no MP3? Ouch, again.
Keil Joy @ Sep 14th 2006 10:32PM
hey i heard the Wii is going to come with a toilet seat- its supposed to be symbolic of how Nintendo shitted on its fanboys. lol