E3 2006's Wii line in real time
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jul 5th 2007 at 1:00AM }
As we go ready for E3 2007, to many the Wii is just as elusive as it was back in May of 2006 -- before it was even released. With the festivities (or doldrums) all set to begin next week at Min-E3, it's time to take a little look back at the thing which really stood out at E3 2006: The Wii Line.
From the beginning of every day at last year's E3 until closing that line of Nintendo Wii touching hopefuls snaked and stretched. The people at the back of the line spent half their day just waiting to get their hands on a Wiimote -- then they had to wait in another line once inside the Wii rotunda. So enjoy the video, which we've kept in real time (except for a tiny edit which takes out less than a second) to give the full impact and length of the monstrosity. Just let it wash over you and don't forget to check out the super special ending.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rom @ Jul 5th 2007 1:21AM
I hear that some of them are STILL in that line...
Strangely enough I still don't want one. Weird huh?
waf @ Jul 5th 2007 1:25AM
Jesus Christ there was literally 500 DS's in that line! Sure it was a long line, but the Pokemon D/P savvy gamer would be having a buttload of fun all the way to the front.
Rubang B @ Jul 5th 2007 1:27AM
This was before Pokemon. They were all playing Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, and Tetris.
waf @ Jul 5th 2007 1:28AM
Whoops, didn't notice the year. The Mario Kart Savvy gamer if you will then.
synce @ Jul 5th 2007 1:28AM
Wii has been and always will be just a gimmick. If you think about it, the PS3 and 360 have much more possibilities for gameplay innovation. Wii's outdated hardware isn't capabale of anything new outside of letting the player wave the controller around. To me it looks like the mass market loves it, and Nintendo fanboys couldn't care less about gameplay or graphics because they've been fed the same few games for decades, and now they get new controls instead of just new graphics.
Revolver @ Jul 5th 2007 1:40AM
In response to #5, how do PS3 and 360 offer more possibilities in gameplay innovation? Please explain.
Also, tell me what you think Nintendo should've done instead. Should they have brought out a system similar to the 360 and PS3? I think the sales would've been lackluster if they had went that route. Instead they decided to try to differentiate themselves and so far it has paid off.
p3arl @ Jul 5th 2007 1:51AM
ROFL!
i love the guy at 33 seconds left in the movie. He's wearing a face mask. OH NOES IM GOING TO GET THE Wii VIRUS!
EclipseCDN @ Jul 5th 2007 1:52AM
Sounds like a flameware is a-coming.
Let me just say this: The Wii, aside from waggle doesn't really have anything else going for it. There is very little outside of waggle for innovation. If you take into account the beefier hardware in the 360 and PS3 and the way both approach connectivity, you'll see why they will offer more possibilities. One other note: When I say more powerful hardware, I don't mean mawr grphix, I mean better AI, proper surround sound, better physics and more expansive enviroments among other things. Nevermind cool online features like Forza's auction house or hell, Halo 3 multiplayer. DLC is better on PS3 and 360 as well. VC can't compete with PSN and XBL simply because of the Wii's lacking storage. More complex DLC is possible on the competing consoles.
Nevertheless the Wii is a cool idea, but lets not kid ourselves - the console is completely defined by waggle. There really isn't anything else there - if you love waggle, then buy one. If you like me, and haven't been sold on it, then don't.
And so the flamewar begins....
rokerovakero @ Jul 5th 2007 1:56AM
Finally someone has the balls to tell us like it is with the Wii. synce, or is it "syncere"? =), gave the joystiq readers a reality check on how a complete industry is going down the hole by following Nintendo. I feel bad I been wasting my time buying Wii stuff, when I could have been buying my ticket to the future. Can't until tomorrow morning when I'm going to smash my Wii on the sidewalk to show everyone how without the crazy controller, inside it really its just a gamecube with ductape or something like that.
How about the Ds? is it also old-gen? I heard about this PSp being like the future of portables, must be pretty expensive. I heard it has this minidvds to watch movies, like everywhere you go, are they expensive? Do you think they sell the Resident Evil movies for it? How about Talladega Nights? that movie is very funny even after watching it 5 times!! Thanks for the tips guys!
Revolver @ Jul 5th 2007 2:02AM
EclipseCDN, those gameplay possibilities don't sound like anything new and I'm talking about innovations. What you're describing sounds like better presentation and certainly enchanced gameplay from a traditional point of view. For me, innovation has more to do with something that's fresh, different, and new. If you think Wii doesn't have that, then I will just have to respect your opinion.
Also, I still wonder what people would've wanted Nintendo to do. I mean, I'm all for better graphics and better online play. However, would you have wanted Nintendo to bring out the same old controller? I think that would've only hurt the company. If you think Nintendo had been spinning its wheels before, just think about how stale they would've been with the same gamepad.
Silver @ Jul 5th 2007 2:06AM
Ah, the bitter little Wii haters are still hanging around eh, desperately clinging to their tired "Wii is a trendy gimmick" diatribes. Guess what, haters - gaming is about more than just pixel counts. And while you continue to spit and sputter in rage and disbelief, the Wii continues to outsell your beloved PS3 and 360 combined.
Respect. Wii pwns you all.
feArleSs @ Jul 9th 2007 3:01AM
synce & EclipseCDN
get a room!.. but first ill say these to yas! i know prolly hurting deep inside that the majority want the Wii they couldnt care less for the 360fps machine or BS3!
You fanboys are the minority! live with it! here have a tissue! your "Hardcore Im too cool for casual gaming" days are over! PWND!
fawazr @ Jul 5th 2007 2:37AM
Where did Eclipse and synce get the same marching orders from? Forgot the flame wars, there should be a shill alert. The Wii's a gimmick, a waste of money, and nothing but waggle are easily stated opinions. The fact of the matter though is that the Wii is fun, amazingly successful, and a much needed shot in the arm for the industry. If nothing else, the Wii brought gaming out of the closet and into the limelight and that's no small task. Our saying how much it sucks won't really change the facts.
Mr Paul James @ Jul 5th 2007 2:44AM
That's a big line! Almost as big as my...
AZRoboto @ Jul 5th 2007 2:52AM
There's more people in that line than the amount of people going to Min-E3
Fraser @ Jul 5th 2007 2:56AM
Betting is now open on which ends up being longer and more tedious: that Wii line, or the flame war in this thread.
Eggzie @ Jul 5th 2007 2:59AM
DUDE!!! Haha that was friday morning because I spotted me at 2:02 behind Russell from gmrblogs, the guy in the lime green shirt. Freaking sweet, that was the best line I ever stood in. There was definitely a lot of Mario Kart DS gaming going on.
Purple Haze @ Jul 5th 2007 3:18AM
Ok rather contributing to the flamewar which is hardly relevant I'm just gonna ask why Joystiq thought at anytime that was the right music to put with the video?
Charles @ Jul 5th 2007 3:43AM
@ Purple Haze...Lol...it seems fitting IMO...i dunno, makes it look...casual...
colin @ Jul 5th 2007 3:42AM
i don't choose sides, but ...
"gaming is about more than just pixel counts" ...............
every new console's selling point in HISTORY has been "pixel counts" til now.
fact: there are without a doubt, THOUSANDS of revolutionary NES, SNES, Genesis, PSX, and N64 games that you haven't played ... by the way, i don't claim to have played them either.
i'm not a wii hater ... it's fun ... it's AMAZINGLY innovative, but for me ... i'd rather buy 7 or 8 new console games than pay an ebay premium for minigames plus an expensive "complete" controller (2 pcs.)
anyway, the console i own is unnamed ...... (i will be purchasing halo3 and heavenly sword)
i'm really tired of flamewars ... they speak of immaturity, lack of intelligence, lack of open mind and open wallet, and too much pubescent testosterone overload.
and right now, i'm listening to the cure, so you know its time for me to find a new girl.
colin @ Jul 5th 2007 4:03AM
oh and by the way ...
@ silver, i didn't mean to single you out, i don't necessarily disagree with you ... but i kind of do ...
fortunately the next song on my playlist is a friendly one .... a bit upbeat from the cure ...
"take your finger off of that hole ... inhale ... exhale ... just got an ounce in the mail
... as i take hits from the bong"
on to techno ... and off to bed ...
syco @ Jul 5th 2007 5:02AM
I was in that line. I mean, not in this video.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v466/sycomonkey/e3/
Kye @ Jul 5th 2007 5:27AM
Innovation [in-uh-vey-shuhn]:
The act of introducing new things or methods.
Synce, EclipseCDN-
Has Sony or Microsoft innovated anything this generation? No. They have only thrown everything at their old consoles including steroids.
Davinche @ Jul 5th 2007 6:57AM
@Kye.
You do realize that motion sensitive controls and IR point technology is not new. Its been done before in loads of mediums, and its been done before in games as well. Whenever making an argument make sure your side of it doesn't fall for the same problem, or you look like a hypocrite.
BPM @ Jul 5th 2007 7:07AM
I'm so tired of console flamewars. They go nowhere. They never convince anyone they're "wrong."
Fact is, noone is "right" and noone is "wrong." Everyone has different tastes, and will find different things appealing for different reasons.
All you're doing is fighting over who has the better toy. Wii. 360. PS3. They're just toys. Expensive toys, sure, but toys nevertheless.
Kite @ Jul 5th 2007 7:10AM
@Davinche
In kye's defence, the wii has made the use of a motion sensing device more...how shall I put it...'mainstream' (I know that term is not correct, but bear with me)
It is just like the gameboy and others made it possible for people to play games on the go.
So yes, one could argue that the wii introduced a new method.
Then again, the definition of innovation seems a little vague, one could put in there whatever he/she wants.
Still looking forward what this E3 will bring, but not expecting a big announcement. Well, I guess we will just have to wait and see :)
Kye @ Jul 5th 2007 7:30AM
Davinche
I'm aware that they are using current technology. But, they are using this current technology in a (shall we say) different way, and bringing it to the majority as well.
My point (to Synce & EclipseCDN) was, video playback and ineternet capabilities have been included in mainstream consoles. Yes motion sensing has been as well. But not like this.
But, to each their own eh. It's a horse and water situation at the end of the day.
lawrence @ Jul 5th 2007 7:32AM
wii line was long just like the ps3 line only short one was 360s line.i was playing my wii and got to repair it now the wii is hardcore i still play my zelda on it and i play smashbros brawl and i have to get melee.any kojima fan would get melee to see how snake does in the arcade fighting
JodyAnthony @ Jul 5th 2007 8:34AM
bpm is the only intelligent commenter so far.
Davinche @ Jul 5th 2007 8:46AM
Key and Kite.
Yes I understand what you mean, but by the explicit term of saying a "new method" or "new things" the way someone interprets its wide open. I don't think praise should be heaped on Nintendo for taking what s been done before and applying it to a "mainstream" audience, but that seems to be me...
Each to his own as they say, and I'm not here to add more wood to the this flamewar but I'm saying everyone deems innovation differently, and therefore you cant just call wii "innovative" while calling the other machines "old consoles with steroids". Its simply to definitive a statement and to hypocritical. Couldn't someone call the wii two gamecubes duct taped together? Oh wait...
Some think Wii is innovative and some think its the cheap arcade games they used too see in every supermarket, now in your house. Some think Xbox live is innovative, and some think its just a clone of PC gaming brought into a unified structure. Sony brought in CD format to gaming, some people thought that CD format was always going to come to gaming so it does not matter that Sony made it on the first "maintstream" console first. They all bring/brought something, but they all have been done before in some way or form. So how could one praise wii as innovative whilst criticize the others.
Thats my reasoning.
Karen @ Jul 5th 2007 9:17AM
It's comments like the above that I wish we had a voting system just to bury them.
BMP right. When I have time to play a game I don't look at my shelf and say I want to play Xbox, PS2 or Wii. I look at the games and decide what title I want to play.
Back to the article. How long did you guys wait in line anway? Did you have a time limit in the booth or were you allowed to stay as long as you want?
Boris Reidel @ Jul 5th 2007 9:57AM
Unbelievable! I watched the Wii-line video and found myself near the frustrating end of line...but I would stand in there again, if I would have the chance to!
hoagie @ Jul 5th 2007 9:59AM
I wonder if the people waiting patiently in line were shouted at by the people in the PS3 and 360 line with witty remarks like:
"LOL, it's not next gen hardware, have fun playing Pokemon"
"It's just a gimmick! Waggle, lol. What a jok... omg that guy up front is playing Lair by tilting the controller! FTW!"
"LOL"
"Look at that line, the fad is already starting to wear out thank goodness..."
"Funny thing is, once people play it the gimmick wears off and they get bored quick... WTH, those people are getting back in line..."
"Ha, the Wii doesn't have the technology to outlast it superior competitors... just look at the Gameboy, PS2, and DS as examples which were beaten by the Lynx, Xbox 1, and PSP, r0fl."
"The Wii is basically Gamecube 1.5. That's it. At least the 360 and PS3 are dramatically different in that they have.. uh.. enhanced the hardware... -more-..."
Anam @ Jul 5th 2007 10:12AM
Another flamewar? You guys really should stop bashi- oh, who am I kidding? These things are fun!
The "waggle" feature of the Wii has yet to impress me. Maybe it just hasn't been used well, but both Twilight Princess and Resident Evil 4 (my two favorite games on the Wii) have tried to use waggle controls for sword/knife fighting and it really doesn't work. I mean, it's playable, but a button would be better.
However, being able to aim at the screen with the remote is the best feature since the analog stick. I can't tell you how much better Resident Evil 4 plays with remote aiming. It's arguably better than mouse controls (and I thought I'd never say that).
Wii haters can bash waggle controls all you want (and I'll agree with you), but if you're trying to convince me that shooting is better with analog sticks, you won't be very successful.
sourpuss @ Jul 5th 2007 10:29AM
It's easy to build a long line... just create a bottleneck at a critical flow point. Masterful PR move by Nintendo!
hoagie @ Jul 5th 2007 10:29AM
Yeah but Twilight Princess and Resident Evil 4 weren't made for the Wii. They have crude motion controls added on. Aside from some aiming, I wouldn't even say Zelda really uses motion controls. The sword slashes aren't motion controlled, but motion -activated-. You don't really control the sword, but if you move the remote it performs a predefined slash.
Resident Evil 4 is good game made better on the Wii, but again, not really a game that demonstrates true motion controls.
Wii Sports, Wii Play, Trauma Center, Cooking Mama, Kororinpa, Brain Academy, Wario Ware and Excitetruck are all good examples of Wiimote use. But just like the PS3 and 360 will take time to demonstrate their full power/potential with visually maxed games, so will the Wii with different, intuitive controller gameplay.
Kye @ Jul 5th 2007 10:30AM
Davinche
I hear your point.
I wasn't saying the other two competitors had nothing innovative. I was only trying to say that their input methods were nothing new or innovative. But they do have good points of their own.
Yes, Live is a brilliant thing, I really do like it and wish to God the Nintendo would just steal the idea. And yes, Sony did bring games unto CDs...
...wait, whats that you say Sega Mega Drive CD?...
Really?!
MLCinema @ Jul 5th 2007 10:43AM
Hello Everyone,
I have some great Nintendo toys.
I just thought you would like to see my E3 swag. The all gold controller is from Nintendo Power, but the Gold and Black controllers are from E3 97. The magazine, I don't know when it's from. They will soon be on eBay. How much do you think they will fetch?
http://www.missinglinkcinema.com/nintendostuffe3/all.jpg
http://www.missinglinkcinema.com/nintendostuffe3/mag1.jpg
/mag2.jpg
/mag3.jpg
/npowercontroller.jpg
http://www.missinglinkcinema.com/nintendostuffe3/signedcontroller.jpg
derek @ Jul 5th 2007 10:47AM
Okay, here's my 2 cents.
There's no doubt in mind that the Wii is innovative. Sure the GPU hardware is a bit dated, but the controller concept is very refreshing.
That said, I'm not really pleased in the direction that Nintendo has headed and is heading. The Wii has basically found a huge untapped market in casual/nongamers/kids, and is adamant on filling it before Sony or Microsoft can (who can blame them?) .
Unfortunately, this creates a problem for gamers who aren't interested in the minigame-o-thon that's currently being played out. Sure, Nintendo will continue to develop their franchise titles (Mario Galaxy and Corruption look incredible), but gamers wanting a more mature library are almost definitely playing on the wrong console.
Really, it’s just a matter of preference.
If Super Paper Mario and Elebits fit your personality and style of gaming, then by all means get a Wii. If GRAW2 and Resistance are more your style - get a 360 or PS3. In my situation, I opted to trade my Wii for a 360 after I sat down and really thought about which games suited me best. I still love Nintendo and I'll probably borrow my friends system when the big hitters are released, but the 360 was a more logical choice for me.
Why people still continue to flame others because of their gaming preference is beyond me. I suppose if you're that insecure, you probably have bigger problems than choosing what system to buy.
Anam @ Jul 5th 2007 10:48AM
@hoagie
You're somewhat right. Resident Evil 4 obviously wasn't designed with the Wii in mind, but Twilight Princess had some controls designed for the Wii (such as fishing, which was also poorly implemented).
The other two games I've played (Wii Sports and WarioWare) didn't do much better on motion sensing. Tennis and boxing are alright in Wii Sports, but aren't exactly impressive. WarioWare is full of hit-and-miss games, and many of them don't respond to movements very well. I'm hoping that it's just poor game design, rather than flaws in the game mechanic itself, but I have my doubts.
I'm interested in seeing Boogie. That sounds like the first game that's actually trying something different with the controls.
Still though, I think they'd be better of ignoring motion sensing and instead making games based around aiming the wiimote, since that's the best part of the Wii so far.
Jonathan Tran @ Jul 5th 2007 10:51AM
I don't see the point of the article but I love flame wars.
I don't see how the PS3 fans could win the flame war at this point unless they have a major troop surge. After all they are up against a mighty ARMII!!!
heh
Also check out this video, my friend has been doing a lot of interesting Nintendo and Starcraft stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXUVd2c83c
Anam @ Jul 5th 2007 10:55AM
"After all they are up against a mighty ARMII!!!"
That was the single most corny thing I've ever heard...
Andy @ Jul 5th 2007 11:12AM
I like the two people in the line that had a PSP out. I wonder if they were lonely.
Jonathan Tran @ Jul 5th 2007 11:09AM
@43 wow you need to hear more bad puns
Did you hear about the summer camp fire last weekend that killed 54 kids?
It was IN-TENTS!
I entered a corny pun contest with a nice cash prize. I thought I'd have a good shot to win if I sent in ten entries but.... NO PUN IN TEN DID.
That should out corny the Armii thing, which I stole from a lame t shirt.
hoagie @ Jul 5th 2007 11:28AM
Anam:
Actually, the fishing portion of the game existed and was actually playable with Gamecube controls at E3 2005, before the title was even announced as coming to Wii, or before the Wii controls were even revealed for that matter. Same with everything else in the game... there are no Wii specfic-designed aspescts of the game.
Not all Wii games are gold (especially not Super Monkey Ball). IMO, the ones that work, work well. It'll take some time to demonstrate full potential. It took time for the DS to establish it's touch screen gaming also.
Twinkie @ Jul 5th 2007 11:50AM
I'm sick of hearing the same uneducated Wii-Haters repeat to me the same speech of how the Wii is a gimmick, and how it's just 2 Gamecubes duct taped together, and and how it has no good games, and then if we do mention a list of good games (ie. zelda, paper mario, excite truck, resi4) they quickly stab us back with "but the controls were poorly implemented, rendering it officially unplayable." even though IGN says its completely functional".
We all know the Wiimote is a gimmick, just like the PS3's graphics. The question isn't if it is a gimmick or no, but much rather is it a GOOD gimmick? If the Wii is still owning in sales, and has recieved some good press (other than the wii strap incident), then I must say that the Wii is a good gimmick.
Also, if the Wii is just 2 gamecubes duct taped together, wouldn't it be fair to say that the PS3 is a 360 with motion controls duct taped to it? *ahem* POORLY rendered motion controls??????
Everything else in the list can be explained by saying "your being ignorant! Go to IGN and do your research."
GodisaMyth @ Jul 5th 2007 11:47AM
I get a good laugh when someone compares the PS2 with the Wee. Saying the PS2 was the weakest hardware last-gen is correct. The difference is the PS2 was in the same ballpark as the Xbox and LameCube.
The Wee is not only not in the same ballpark as the RROD60 and PS3, it is so far away from the ballpark that you might as well stay home and watch it on TV.
And the DS PSP comparison to consoles. Portable gaming is different than console gaming. Portable gaming is meant to kill time while waiting in line. So graphics and hardware become much less important. Console gaming is not a quick game for 15min. Likewise hardware is important in making the game more immersing and more believable.
Everyone here is going to like the system(s) that appeals to them. No, we do not need to badmouth other systems but you know what? It makes (for me at least) these message boards alot less boring.
The comments on this site never fail to make me laugh.
My E3 prediction...PS3 will steal the show. LBP, Killzone, RaC, Drake, Heavy Rain, and who knows what else.
Wee will have mini-game after mini-game and rehash games with tacked on epileptic seizure control.
RROD60 will have some good stuff...exactly what, I do not know.
derek @ Jul 5th 2007 12:09PM
@47
If these message boards are initially boring to you, why do you continue to post here?
Being a douhcebag is so 2006.
hoagie @ Jul 5th 2007 12:26PM
"My E3 prediction...PS3 will steal the show. LBP, Killzone, RaC, Drake, Heavy Rain, and who knows what else.
Wee will have mini-game after mini-game and rehash games with tacked on epileptic seizure control."
Those titles aren't gonna change anything for Sony. Sony has become become ordinary and bland. Instead of being leaders, they've become followers... There's nothing eye catching in that game list... it mostly appeals to select 'hardcore gamers'. You can't steal a show when no one cares anymore and you've become the laughing stock of the gaming world and you're latest console is outsold by the original Gameboy Advance.
Everyone copy this snippet and paste it into the comments of the 'Nintendo Best of E3' article next week for a good LOL... which will be followed up by 'Wait til E3 2008.'
Dubz @ Jul 5th 2007 12:40PM
Minigames FTW! The Wii is God's greatest loke on gamers. Everyone loves to tout the thing, but how many of you actually play the crap minigames, and if you do how long until you get bored?