NPD: Online gaming up 10 percent in US

I don't know. From reading Wii boards and such, it sounds like CoD:WaW and CoD:MWR both have a solid online following. I have Reflex, but haven't had a chance to play it yet as I had to send my Wii in for repairs. But I did play WaW online, and it was a truly solid and fun experience. The Conduit also has a solid online component, and can be a blast to play. Mario Kart, as already mentioned, clearly has a strong multiplayer side as well. Plus, there are others. Some WiiWare games are online compatible, SSBB has online (even if its seems broken to many players, it can and is still played online by others), Animal Crossing is online capable, and the new Endless Ocean: Blue World is too. And those are just some of the games I have (apart from Animal Crossing). So, I would say that the Wii has a stronger online following than many of the "hardcore" gamers believe.

I would say that

Given that a large number of Wii games require friend codes to connect, I think the phenomenon is largely due to non-gamers playing with their friends. For example, say two twenty-something age couples (who aren't gamers) buy Wiis, and both own Tetris party. These couples are friends in real life. Then suppose they discover that they can play Tetris party over the internet against each other, without leaving the house. Bam, you have four more people (who aren't hardcore gamers) playing online.

In other words, it isn't that the Wii is pulling hardcore gamers away from the PC or the 360. The statistic is more a result of savvy non-gamers (who we know are the cause for high Wii sales) gaming online with their friends. Or, in my case, a gamer getting pulled away from the PC by his wife to play more casual games with their friends.

No way that number is directly relatable to Mario kart. Thats the COD effect right there.

@frikazoyd:

There is something here that really isn't all that true, though. There aren't that many "Wii games require friend codes". For most (not sure about all, but I would believe it is close) Wii games that have an online mode, friend codes are NOT a requirement to play. Most heavy online Wii games (such as the CoD's, etc.) have a perfectly fine random matchmaking system (very similar to what is on the 360 and PS3). Friend codes are not required to play in random partner games. Also, with the CoD games put out by EA, the games are played on the EA Nation servers, NOT Nintendo's. With these games, you have a username/gamertag/whateryouwanttocall it that you log in with and use. Friends are added to your "friend list" using only their login names, no friend codes. The only time FC's really become a necessity are in games that rely on Nintendo's online servers. For another example, the upcoming Monster Hunter Tri (which is absolutely pre-ordered already...yay!), there are no friend codes needed for online play OR Wii-speak support with strangers. Why? Because the game runs on Capcom's servers, so Capcom can set the standards they choose to use. I do not understand why so many Wii users/board posters are still pointing to FC's as being such a huge thing these days. There are companies that have worked around them, and there will be more that do, I am sure.

Although, I would agree with you that the "non-gamers" out there who are purchasing the Wii probably exchange FC's more than others, what's the harm in that? It just means more people online and using their Wii's, which I say is a good thing. :)