Nintendo prez Reggie Fils-Aime: "Wii can have it all"

by Blake Snow { Jan 23rd 2007 at 3:15PM }

GamePro sat down with Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aime yesterday to discuss all things Wii in addition to low HD adoption rates, the chance of a Wii redesign, and the constant comparisons between Apple and his employer. Oh, and Reggie thinks Wii can perhaps take over the world, most likely in a big damn truck. From the interview:

"If you're asking about philosophy, it's clear by now that we're headed in a very different direction [than PS3 or 360]. We're putting games back into 'play,' you might say, for everyone ... From a strategic standpoint, that's where we're different -- not restricting ourselves from catering only to the core. But amazingly, most of those core players are having an absolute blast with Wii, too. The early indications are that, just maybe, Wii can have it all."

Enough already! All these trite exchanges of "we" for "Wii" have us confused. On one hand, Fils-Aime could be saying "Nintendo can have it all." On the other hand, he could be saying "Wii (the console) can have it all." But maybe that's a moot point; aren't they one in the same?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

BklynKid @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:37PM

Low-res crap will never have me. So they will never have it "all."

Lunker @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:45PM

It's a good read, though it has nothing that stands out from standard corporate speak. Still, I give Reggie credit for backing down at the baited opportunities to slam Microsoft and Sony, and especially for being honest on the last question:

***
GP: Of the new Wii games announced so far, which ones are your personal recommendations to GamePro readers and why?

Fils-Aime: Every one of them! Remember, I'm a marketer by training.

DojoRacoon @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:47PM

Because You represent all hardcore gamers BlynKid. It's your loss anyway. Oh and 480p isn't Low Res. Stop Trolling.

vidGuy @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:55PM

"But maybe that's a moot point; aren't they one in the same?"

No, they aren't the same. Nintendo is no more the Wii than it was the NES, SNES, N64, GC, or any of the handhelds. Nintendo is a company and its involvement in many different markets is crucial. Nintendo's success with the Wii and the DS will propel it to whereever the company is going to go, but Nintendo won't rely on one or the other for its only business venture.

Even as a rabid Wii owner, I can admit that the Wii won't have it all, at least for this generation. There's plenty that the Wii will miss out on (that's why I also have a 360). But, that doesn't mean the Wii will be as stagnant as the GC. It appears that the Wii is going to offer the widest range of gaming experiences, propeling it into a possible first place with the strength of a large, diverse library.

The Wii has started off well. I'm more than pleased with the bang for my buck the last two months.

mark @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:57PM

I like the way they changed the game playing and made it more fun for everyone. However, die-hard gamers who want powerful games will remain die-hard.

Rubang B @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:01PM

Reggie stole my heart. I'm going to go buy 2 more Wiis now to make up for BklynKid.

hegemonyhog @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:01PM

"Low-res crap will never have me. So they will never have it "all.""

The last thirty years or so of gaming must have truly sucked for you.

Grog @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:06PM

I never really understood this "Wii graphics are crappy!" argument. I mean, the system has more potential and graphical power than the systems of the previous generation (many of which had beautiful games). It's kind of like saying that the SNES and Genesis were bad systems because the Atari Jaguar was more powerful and could do 3D graphics.

It would be one thing if the Wii was *less* powerful than the last generation, but this is ridiculous.

Aaron @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:09PM

So can anyone tell me how the Wii looks on a plasma television? I want a Wii, but I'm afraid the low res games won't look so hot on my plasma.

Thanks!

Adam_Kadmon @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:11PM

The last paragraph of this article has absolutely no redeeming value. Are you honestly asking whether or not "Wii" and "Nintendo" are one in the same? You're joking, right? Well, it wasn't a good joke, and it definitely didn't need to be added to an otherwise informative piece. What, Reggie having an article in GamePro is too much positive exposure for Nintendo, you just have to throw a cheap little diatribe in there to cut it down?

yeahright @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:14PM

""Low-res crap will never have me. So they will never have it "all.""

The last thirty years or so of gaming must have truly sucked for you."

At least it's been getting better with every console generation (PS3 and Xbox 360 this time).

The fact is that releasing six year old hardware in 2006 is *not* a blessing. You can twist and turn it as much as you want, but it's not a good thing.

When it comes to better gameplay and "fun" you guys always refer to... Is it too much for you to understand that not everybody is into simple mini game collections? Or that the even the sight of the certain plumber is too much for some?

Wii hasn't proved anything yet. Apart from Zelda, the rest of the current Wii lineup ranges from barely average to utter, putrid garbage.

Once the PS2 game support dries up, say bye bye to third party Wii games, because making Wii ports from Xbox 360/PS3/PC versions is just too expensive, especially when you consider that nobody really cares (and consequently buys) about anything else but Mario, Zelda and Metroid on Nintendo consoles.

MrBlonde @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:18PM

@ #9

The Wii with my 42" Panasonic Viera Plasma looks great, but make sure you are using the component cables. All the games people say won't do 16:9 have on my TV and still look great. BTW, I have a 360 and PS3 as well, so it is not like I have nothing to compare to.

JodyAnthony @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:19PM

HAY GUYZ I LIEK 2 COME IN2 EVRY NINTENDO POST AN PORCLAIM MY H8RED 4 NINTENDO!!!! ITS NO GETTING OLD @ ALL!!

Fred T @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:19PM

Reggie is a moron. The extra processing power isnt simply used for better graphics. It used for: better physics, AI, environment, etc.

When i snipe someone in Resistance.. their body uses rag-doll physics to drop .. whether its off a cliff or whatever is in the way. It will react to it. This adds to the immersiveness.. In Wii games like RedSteel the bad guys magically dissappear, or in Nintendo games they blow up in a poof of colourful smoke becuase the Wii cant handle complex physics. Thats lame.

In something like Dead Rising.. seeing hundreds of Zombies come at you IS immersive and adds to the fun of the game. Having dynamic individual and collective AI (in the zombies) is fun to play against.. they react to the way you play.. thats immerssive.

Again, Reggie is missing the big picture about processing power. Its not just about more pixels.

Bloo @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:24PM

Myself and the 3 people I know who have managed to get a Wii so far all have at least one HDTV. I think Nintendo has made a mistake in not allowing at least the potential of making a 720p or 1080i capable game (a la Xbox 1). This fact will only come more to the forefront as HDTVs get cheaper and cheaper and even more penetration into the home.

Shmil @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:27PM

@BklynKid

every time you make a post on a nintendo related article an angel looses its wings

nabisco @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:29PM

Fred T, don't call Reggie a moron. He'll kick your ass.

Jonny @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:41PM

Yeah, Fred T, Reggie is the moron. He's the one with the six-figure salary (at least) and you and I are the idiots posting on the internet debating his interview comments. What a retard.

Fred T @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:45PM

Hey Jonny, George W. Bush is the most powerful person in the world.. nuff said.

idioteraser @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:45PM

"In Wii games like RedSteel the bad guys magically dissappear, or in Nintendo games they blow up in a poof of colourful smoke becuase the Wii cant handle complex physics. Thats lame.
"

Man you really are stupid. The bodies disapper in Red Steel because it makes it T rated. Colorfull smoke like is more artistic and suitable for the rating.

Rag doll is in Gamecube games it is even in N64 games.

Yes the extra power is for the graphics game designers have admitted that pretty much all the extra processing power is for HD graphic that guess what 90% of tv owners can't see.

HD being added to a game triples or more the game development cost. Most of the added RAM goes straight to the graphics.

The designers of the console admitted this.

Reggie being the President of NOA and before that being involved with the company listened to the enginners of the Wii and other game consoles.

I think he would along with Miyamoto and Iwata who are game designers would know far more then you do.

AI in half-life 1 was more competant then in Halo. Halo the enemies were incredibly stupid.

AI has more to do with the programmers writting the script then the cpu does. CPU just exectues the program instructions.

FEAR had such incredible AI due to the programmers not the hardware.

v1cious @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:47PM

ah the good old Nintendo fanbase. if any other ceo made such arrogant comments, he would be taken to task immediately.

he could outright say "Fuck You Wiitards", and they would still worship him like a good.

Fhaze @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:54PM

A different innovative control scheme for playing Madden on the Wii. Better graphics on the 360 or PS3.

Which would you rather have?

dxprog @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:56PM

It's amazing how an article about an interview with Reggie boiled down to an argument about graphics. Get a life already.

Earl @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:58PM

If AI is so much better on the 360, then why are the teammates I fight with in GoW complete retards and die all the time? GoW has some of the worst AI I have played with in a long time. Now R6 Vegas has some smart motherf***ers on my team!

The only way the physics gets more complicated is by adding more dynamic bodies (or particles). For me, more dynamic stuff in a game doesn't necessarily make it "fun."

I love my 360 for some solo FPS fun, but my friends always ask me to bring over the Wii. In fact, a buddy sold his 360 and games on eBay over a month ago. Took the $400 or so he got and bought a Wii off of eBay. Basically a trade-in.

Call me anti-anti-social, but nothing is more fun to me than drinking some beers while playing Wii Sports with friends. You can't beat that with any online/Live stick. Then again, I am a sociable gamer. Oh, and no one has yet to drop, or throw the controller while drunk. Even with the original Wii straps being used.

LongshotX @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:02PM

I totally agree with both yeahright, Bloo, and Fred T.

HDTV penetration may not be extremely high currently but I believe when a solid HDTV becomes available for less than $300 and I'm talking 27inch and 32inch (its almost there, the prices just keep falling) model, penetration will sky rocket.There is no reason the Wii couldn't have had HDTV resolution support out of the box, just no reason. How would you feel if every movie nowadays started coming out in black and white (not to say black and white movies are bad)and used old 1970s CG effects? You'd be a little pissed, because its just inexcusable with today's technology.

I am not a Nintendo Basher, nor will I pretend to be. But lets get the facts straight: graphics, connectivity and great sound do not have to be sacraficed just for the sake of gameplay. They are at there best when they are combined together. I feel like although a game like GoW could be made on Wii hardware it simply wouldn't feel right because the Wii is not powerful enough to create a totally immersive experience. I'm sure the input would be nice, but what else?

The Wii is a dressed up Gamecube. It has a nice simple interface, VC, and a lot of blank channels that should have been there at launch, and a new controller. But at its core the Wii is the same 6 year old hardware we played Windwaker and SSBM on. Its not a revolution, nor an evolution, its a static system with little room to grow. Now I'm sorry Nintendo Fanboys but in 2-3 years you will see what I mean. And don't give me that crap about how successful the DS, because that is an entirely different platform. The Wii is a console. And over time people will get tired of limited support from 3rd parties and Yahoo Flash! Game look alikes that cost $30 - $40 bucks.

Skwurl @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:03PM

#14

"Reggie is a moron".

And you sir, are a fucking idiot.
#21

Please share what comments in particular were 'arrogant' to you.

yeahright @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:05PM

"A different innovative control scheme for playing Madden on the Wii. Better graphics on the 360 or PS3.

Which would you rather have?"

Standard gamepad controls, HD graphics and great online play with voice support thankyouverymuch.

I have a question for you, too:

A different Wiimote control scheme (which doesn't work that well, really), shitty graphics with horrible framerate issues and no online play for playing Call of Duty 3 on Wii...

or

...Functional gamepad controls, great HD graphics, downloadable content, online play and hence at least tenfold longevity on Xbox 360.

Which would you rather have?

Fhaze @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:05PM

#23

Then enlighten us as to the direction that the PS3 and 360 are taking that the Wii is not.

Fhaze @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:18PM

#27

Thats the point though. Nintendo will have innovative first party games, and Wii only games (like Mario, Zelda etc). Thats about it. The ports will have to do away with the motion sensing of the controller if they are to be taken seriously. In 3 years from now people are not going to be excited about a game that is ported to multiple systems coming out on the Wii. It will be the PS3 or 360 that everyone will want. So the Wii cannot have it all, because graphics do matter and the Wii will be the first to show its age.

LongshotX @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:19PM

And for God sakes, for you people who have yet to see see an HDTV picture compared to a SDTV picture you need to go to your local Best Buy or Circuit City. The difference is like Night and Day. When I saw how good sports games look or better yet Discovery HD my jaws dropped. The sharpness and clarity of a picture were unparalleled. HD is the future and that future is now.

Jonny @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:28PM

Fred T, great counter-argument...wait, no it wasn't, you just repeated what pretentious assholes around the world have been saying for the last six years. Way to go, parrot boy.

v1cious, what kind of "good" did you have in mind?

moog @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:30PM

Different markets folks, get over it.

Anyone who wants both HD graphics and a different style of play, will buy from both the blue ocean and the red ocean.

[ The "ocean" refers to the market or industry. "Blue oceans" are untapped and uncontested markets, which provide little or no competition for anyone who would dive in, since the markets are not crowded. A "red ocean", on the other hand, refers to a saturated market where there is fierce competition, already crowded with people (companies) providing the same type of services or producing the same kind of goods. ]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ocean_Strategy

Earl @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:36PM

I graphics matter SO MUCH, then why does XBLA, VC, and whatever PS3 has exist?
Why do people pay to play these old inferior games? On a HDTV? Everyone screams about graphics on a gaming console, while the REAL people that care about graphics are too busy playing their PC games on their $7,000 gaming rig.

Here is an idea for a game: making a 98% realistic game where there is a wall. Best looking wall EVER seen in a video game, in fact you can't tell the difference from the wall your HDTV is mounted on.
Now, with this gorgeous 98% realistic looking wall, you will paint it. Using 4 layers to be exact, and the paint and paintbrush are incrediably real looking. Now you watch it dry for the next few hours, most realistic gaming experience in your life. Is it fun?

Fhaze @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:44PM

#33

If it came out on the PS3 the game would require both layers of the blue ray disc, and you tilt the gamepad to paint.

If it came out on the 360 two people could play it over XBL. New walls would be available for download every couple of months for about 600 points.

If it came out on the Wii people would rave how it was just like painting a real wall.

NeverSage @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:01PM

"I feel like although a game like GoW could be made on Wii hardware it simply wouldn't feel right because the Wii is not powerful enough to create a totally immersive experience." -LongshotX

I'm going to have to completely disagree with you on that one. Have you played any Gamecube games? What about RE4? Those graphics are amazing, and still are. It isn't like games weren't immersive until HD came along.

Despite this, I still wont buy ports for the Wii. The Wiimote is a good trade for the inferior graphics IMO, but that's only when the game was made around the controller. Tacked on motion controls and poor graphics wont fly. I hope Nintendo gets the third party support they need to make exclusive games. Cuz I wont be buying anything else.

NintendoFanbot @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:03PM

The further we gamers are from 2003, the less and less people will acknowledge how much difference Reggie has made for Nintendo's public representation.

People are even forgetting what he said at this year's E3.
"PLAYING IS BELIEVING"

If you play a game and like it, you'll buy it. If you play a game and don't like it, you'll leave it. You don't need to know more than that.

That's all the strategy you, as a consumer, need.

"ah the good old Nintendo fanbase. if any other ceo made such arrogant comments, he would be taken to task immediately.

he could outright say "Fuck You Wiitards", and they would still worship him like a good."

The fact that he DOESN'T is one of the reasons he has fans. Let Sony 'have the balls', as they say.

DojoRacoon @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:13PM

Fred T you are an idiot. Seriously the logic you try to use to prove Reggie is a moron makes me laugh. I don't agree with a good portion of GW's politics but I don't think he's an idiot. He's a harvard graduate even if he got Cs thats not bad. And it takes some kind of intelligence to win a presidential election where most people disagree with a good portion of your policies. You're problem is that you think everyone you disagree with must be an idiot because if everyone was smart they would think just like you.

Now for the sake of argument lets say I'm wrong and G dub is undeniably stupid. How on god's green earth does that prove that reggie is in fact a moron he's the head of the american division of a company who's stock price is doing awesome and their making money hand over fist. It's time for you to face it whether you agree with their decisions or not they seem to be paying off big time and Reggie is a part of those decisions.

And V1cious what arrogant comments did he make? I read the interview and he shrugged off chances to directly attack MS and Sony. He admits he's surprised at how well the Wii is doing. His comments about the HD were basically "our ideas of better technology are different" that to me is very diplomatic. He says MAYBE Wii could have it all he's amazed at the number of core gamers embracing the system. He actually makes very few absolute statement it's mostly "maybes" and "coulds". The most potentially arrogant comments he makes are about the launch and the launch lineup. Few people can deny the launch was a success. As for the launch lineup if you look carfully half of the games he praises are 3rd party games. He immediately proceeds to kiss third party ass after that. My point is I've read arrogant interviews and this is definetly not one of them.

Geo @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:53PM

#33

Even in watching paint dry, the wii sounds like more fun.

LongshotX @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:57PM

Okay if sirrrrr, in fact the Gamecube is more powerful than the Xbox show me some specs to validate your argument or some screen shots.

SuicideNinja @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:13PM

It saddens me that so many are willing to accept the Wii as something super special, when the PS3 and the Xbox 360 are perfectly capable of having similar controllers. The Wiimote is all the Wii has going for it. No hard drive, no solid online play, no solid content, 2001 style graphics, no HD support, no media downloads, retro games that haven't been updated or changed, etc.

Essentially, the 360 and PS3 can do anything the Wii can (and probably better), but it doesn't work the other way around.

That doesn't mean I don't want a Wii for Metroid Prime 3. It just means the Wii is getting way too much credit for what it is.

It wouldn't surprise me if someone wrote a Wii emulator for the Xbox 360 or PS3 that supports the Wii remote. Sure, the 360 doesn't support Bluetooth, but a dongle isn't out of the question.

idioteraser @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:36PM

The PS3 and 360 cannot do a wiimote. The hardware and software have to be built around it.

You have to spend a lot of money say a billion dollars.

The Wii has SD card and 512 mem.

People do not like upgraded old console games. Buying patterns show that when offered a spruced up version with online people will overwhelmingly buy the old version for twice the price.

Get in the real world.

99% of people shown a HD broadcast and a SD broadcast will pick the SD broadcast.

Reason why people overwhemingly buy HD tvs is because of the size not the image quality. They just want a tv that doesn't take up so much space.

Have you ever wondered why DVD makers promote the full screen version of a movie instead of the superior widescreen version? It's because most movie buyers state they hate widescreen since they believe it chops up the movie picture meaning they see less of the movie and when they hear a clear say the widescreen cuts off the picture they instantly demand the full screen.

Chyld989 @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:40PM

"A different Wiimote control scheme (which doesn't work that well, really), shitty graphics with horrible framerate issues and no online play for playing Call of Duty 3 on Wii...

or

...Functional gamepad controls, great HD graphics, downloadable content, online play and hence at least tenfold longevity on Xbox 360.

Which would you rather have?"

I'd rather have the different Wiimote control scheme (which I think works very well, good graphics (which the Wii has), no worse framerate issues than select PS3 or Xbox360 games, and no online play (because I don't care about online play at all) in my Call of Duty 3 on the Wii.

Luckily for me, that's exactly what I got.

syco @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:17PM

"I just saw a survey from the Center for Media Research that showed only 17 percent of U.S. households have a TV set capable of high definition."

That says it all. Every person who said I was stupid for saying that HD doesn't matter can now, officially, bite me. I do believe even the Cube had more than a 17% market share, so catering to such a tiny demographic is one of the worst things Sony and Microsoft could have done. They made their respective boxes ludicrously expensive so they could push resolutions I and 83% of the country can't even display...

It doesn't matter, as usually I will be forced to purchase two consoles this generation to get a good sampling of the good games (last time it was Cube and PS2, this time it will be Wii and 360)... But I won't be happy paying $400 for the 360 when I'm only going to be using $300 worth of graphical power...

Mr. Khan @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:40PM

@ Fred T

The game you cite, Red Steel, is one game, and not the end-all for what the Wii can do

Example: Metroid Prime had excellent Rag Doll physics, which did add to the immersiveness

Metroid Prime 3 will likely have the same

And you wouldn't think it was Wii the way Nintendo is marketing Sonic and the Secret Rings
http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=rfCQjb0GBOXrFl5wZrfTKblYvkOyojnF
It talks more of physics and graphics engine than it does of Motion Sensitive controls

Your arguments are valid, but don't judge a console based on a game (Red Steel 2 will likely fix the flaws of Red Steel, since Red Steel, like Wii sports, was more of a concept game)

religiousjedi @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:40PM

yeahright...

In response to your question...the former...

Wii is what I prefer...if I want to see a player's pores through HD...I'll go watch 'em myself. Someday, I'll want to see it while playing. For now, I'm happy with my new control scheme.

Slaziman @ Jan 23rd 2007 9:42PM

What most of you ignore is that the "6 year old hardware" (which is actually a lie, the Wii is more powerful than the 'Cube) already has good enough graphics. If you see N64 games you know the graphics aren't good enough because the 3D looks cheap. With the Gamecube's generation the games started looking very nice, with realistic face models and shit, RE4 is really nice, I don't see how you can call that "low-res" and "shitty graphics" even if there is better on the market. What I mean is graphics have reached a point where most people are satisfied, the 360 and PS3 graphics of course look nicer, but is that really needed? Also, maybe in America the HD craze has started, but back here in Europe it's not that widespread, with HDTV's being expensive as HELL. The SDTV's don't even support component cables, only SCART! The HD era hasn't even truly started yet, why buy a system now that for most people won't be running at full potential until at least 3 years? By then 1920p resolutions will exist and the 720 and PS4 will be promoting that, and when Nintendo runs at 1080p people will still call it low-res only because there is better? For example I've never had problems with my TV broadcasts being low-res, yet there are now HD broadcasts, does that mean that now suddenly all SD broadcasts are fugly? 'cause they look fine to me and billions of other people think the same. SD broadcasts are good enough, HD is just an expensive luxury.

Pedro @ Jan 23rd 2007 10:07PM

"What, Reggie having an article in GamePro is too much positive exposure for Nintendo, you just have to throw a cheap little diatribe in there to cut it down?"

Yes. That is exactly how it is.

metaly @ Jan 23rd 2007 10:27PM

Hey, where are my image royalties??

LongshotX @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:11PM

A lot of you here sound like the same people who though dial-up was good enough, or the same people who thought 1.44MB was enough on a floppy, or stereo is just as good as 5.1 Surround Sound.

As technology changes and evolves things get better. Whether you want to admit it or not HD is the wave of the future and just like every technology, it is expensive in the beginning but the prices usually come down to reasonable prices after a few years. These technologies also have to start somewhere. Take for example VHS vs. DVD. When DVD first came out it was at the forefront of video technology: better picture quality, better sound, and movie extras. It was also expensive. Nonetheless it had to start somewhere. It wasn't going to enter the market and acheive 100% adoption rates; no it took time. But look at DVDs now: they are more popular than ever, and today there are more players in homes than VHS players.

The difference between Nintendo's strategy and its competitors is that Microsoft and Sony have a more forward looking vision. They wanted to make sure when their respective consoles entered the market that they had room to grow and expand. Does the Wii have this? The answer is a simple and resounding No.

Five years from now are people still going to want to play the Wii when the games look like the games from 11 years ago? What about the HD penetration then? It most definitely won't be 17% as someone pointed out. It is reasonable to believe that even in 2-3 years HD penetration will have a least doubled. This of course will correspond to manufacturers continuing to produce SDTVs in limited amounts and HDTV dropping to prices that most consumers are willing to pay. But it has to start somewhere. The argument that the market isn't ready for HD is false. When TV buyers go into a store they are stimulated first visually. Who is going to want to buy a TV for the house that is priced $200 for a SDTV as opposed to $350 for an HDTV?

And as I said before the difference is like night and day. I tried, man did I try, to play GoW in 480i and it was just unacceptable. I hooked it up to my monitor and it was clear as day. Sharp picture and very clear. The same feeling occured when I watched an SD broadcast of the Championship Bowl Game (Go Florida!) versus the HD broadcast. The difference is astounding, and when people go in store and see these TVs and the prices coming down they will be compelled to buy HDTV sets. And I do believe in 2-3 years, perhaps even sooner, HD penetration is going to skyrocket. And Nintendo, just like with its sad attempt at getting together a solid online feature for the Cube back when it first came out, will be left behind.