Spike

900k!!
Impressive!

But...i am curious about something. How many "non-gamers" bought the game? I am guessing a lot.

Mario has this unique appeal that really attracts crowds. The touch generations demographic will find in this an experience both nostalgic (it must be the name) and classic platforming fun, that will make it the perfect game for taking the "virginity" of many "non-gamers".

Imagine being a casual visitor in E3 and visited the Nintendo booth to witness a cable coated monstrosity inside the glass.
Most people dont know what dev kits are and they dont care.

The shiny Wii case with the blue light, makes for a great object in display. And as presentation goes(isnt this the whole point of e3?)it fullfilled its role.

I welcome James Ransom-Wiley's scepticism for Wii. He is a blogger and thats his opinion so i respect that.

But having said that, i find it rather weird to read so many conflicting impressions for the new control mechanism.
Ok, nearly everyone agrees that Mario Galaxy is the best example of what makes the Wiimote great and one of the star games of the show in general.
On the other hand, many long time gamers have faced some problems adapting to the new controls of Zelda and Metroid. Others, hail them as reinventing the controls for their genres.
And as far other games go, as Madden, Sonic, or even Final Furlong are regarded with entusiasm or disdain.

My point is, there is much subjectivity in the air. Others grasp the new control easily and quickly, and others are trying hard to come to grips with it. I think that "hardcore" gamers will face the most difficulties. We have played Zelda and Metroid for years and its hard to unlearn everything in 10min.

I havent tested the Wii myself, but i am confident that at thend, Nintendo will pull a DS from this one.

This will launch in 2007 as Sega mentioned.
For some reason, after Zelda and Mario i am expecting great things of Wild Fire.
At last Sonic RUNS.

The video i saw was stunning to say the least.

200$ +Mario Galaxy +Zelda at launch = Wii will own!!!

I read that by targeting an enemy and thrusting the remote forward, you parry. With the sword!!
How cool is that!!!

I say Nintendo because the opened the software floodgates.
Seriously, how many games did Nintendo show us even briefly? MANY!! Mario Galaxy, Metroid, Red Steel, the new IPs...and the list goes on.
The DS has a bunkload of great titles too.

As for the graphics, yes they look weak. Most Nintendo fans are not blind, they can see that.
But there is a line being crossed about those who get hyped about visuals and those who get hyped about GAMEPLAY.

Gamespot now plays music...

Eurogamer:

02:21.39 -
Still queuing. At least the weather is nice! We'll let you know if we spot anyone else really interesting looking really bored.

02:13.02 -
Complete gridlock outside. No announcements about why - just lots of people looking at each other and moaning.

02:09.18 -
Even Hideo Kojima is stuck in the queue. He looks bored.

OHHHHH!!! Come on!!

I am really excited for the Wii, but i am not yet done with conventional controls. I like having a controller in my hands and push buttons like crazy but...lets face reality. The nongamers think that having a blank stare while clutching an analogue is retarded. A normal controller(as opposed to keyboard and mouse), will ALWAYS look like a toy. But a remote doesnt.

And then is the matter of other people seeing you playing games. Siblings, girlfriends, friends.
The player may get "in" the game, but what about the others watching. They get bored fast.
I know from personal experiences that the best games to see others playing, are the action games. Like Resident evil and God of War. But even then, sometime they ll get bored and stop watching.
But with the Wiimote it is tremendous fun to see others play a game. Just imagine it! Now, even single games like Zelda, can easily become party games where everyone gets its chance at swinging a sword. And of course the others enjoy criticizing or giving advice to the "heroic" swordsman.
Oh man, cant wait!!!!!!!!!