Nintendo Wii Sucks - Console Game History Redux

I don't completely agree, but it does have compelling arguments....

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The Nintendo Wii game system right now might be seen as the "best" next generation console, beating PS3 vs Wii units sold worldwide by 18+ million and Xbox 360 vs Wii by 12.5+ million units as of November 4, 2008, but that does not mean it's the twist in gaming development the world's been waiting for. I'm not arguing that Sony or Microsoft should be crowned in the next gen round either, far from it, but Nintendo really pulled off a tricky stunt that everyone fell (and continues to fall) wrist over arm for.
Slam 1 - Wii Hardware Specs

Of course, Nintendo plans to proceed "undercutting" next gen competition by not allowing gamers to compare hardware specs. We do know that the Wii follows the same basic architecture as Nintendo's GameCube with about 1.5 to 2x more processing power - that's about 1 Ghz at the most for processing, maybe 250 Mhz for graphics, and 512 MB flash memory. I know I'm not listing all the details, but this just provides a rough comparison. The PS3 comes with a 3.2 Ghz processor and 550 Mhz GPU. Xbox 360 contains 3 cores running at 3.2 Ghz and 500 Mhz GPU. I don't even need to provide the additional cross comparison differences, the Wii might as well be a previous generation console.

Wii also doesn't come equipped with other features of the two systems:

Hardrives - provide faster load times, space to download content, and eliminate the need for memory cards.

DVD Playback - I mean, last gen DVD playback bit the big one, but if the system uses DVD discs for its games, Nintendo might as well allow it to play DVDs as well. And even CDs for that matter!

HD Support & 1080p Resolution - I know not everyone made the HD television switch yet, including myself, but it's coming and Nintendo should be prepared. Why waste the gaming potential of this gen's systems? Of course... unless Wii possesses limited potential in the first place.

Blu-Ray - I know, I know, a Sony exclusive. Well, not anymore! Blu-Ray won the force people to switch from DVD war and its one major hardware advantage the PS3 garners over the Wii and the Xbox 360.

Yes, at least the Wii comes equipped with Wi-Fi. But few games really utilize it, few people can handle the agony of interacting with Nintendo's online interface, and Nintendo still hides in the dark about all the promised online features of the system. Like "instant on" - what really uses that? And to what end?

The Wii also offers the most user-friendly development kit... and I wonder why?

Lets face it, the Wii already belongs in a museum. We don't need to follow Cartman into the future and fight talking sea otters to realize that.

But wait! What about Wii's unique controller, the Wiimote?

The Wii Debunked

Nintendo Wii sucks and it will an interesting mark on console game history. I would not go so far as to call the Wii a novelty and I am glad Nintendo finally found a way to jump into the market after releasing the N64 too late and not switching to discs, doing the same for the GameCube and not offering enough of a powerhouse along with ignoring the importance of third party companies. However, this time I think Nintendo focused too much on the short term, and while the differences of the three systems may not seem so great right now, and the Wiimote keeps casual gamers entertained, in the near future Sony's and Microsoft's games will start to push the limit of their systems. With more effort from gaming companies, the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 could possibly appear to be several generations ahead of the Wii and that sounds like a huge leap in the wrong innovational direction to me.