The Wii is number 1 because it is fun

Mike Bantick
Friday, 23 February 2007 08:03

Opinion and Analysis

So despite the shortages and the bamboozled “experts”, the Nintendo Wii is dominating the gaming console sales charts.  The key-words there are “gaming console”.

If you read through my colleague Alex Zaharov-Reutt’s interview with Australian head of Sony Entertainment Michael Ephrim, you will notice a major gap in the discussion.

I’m not saying it wasn’t discussed; I wasn’t there, being stuck in Melbourne.  And I am not saying that there won’t be a lot of fun to be had once the PS3 hits the “rest of the world”.  But where was the focus on games?

Sure there will be content download, a swish new Blu-ray drive, wireless connection, undefined PSP connectivity, the ability to whack Linux on the machine as well as stylish piano black finish.

But what about the games?  As I said in my previous rant about the impending release of the PS3, it is my belief that Sony are growing up with their demographic.  As such they see dominance of the living room as an imperative.  The focus has shifted somewhat.

There are some magnificent games available for the PS3.  Hard-core gaming experiences that utilise (at least some of) the power of the unit.  But how does a typical gamer dominate the living room TV for a good session of Resistance: Fall of Man.

This is where a Sonyite must turn to his/her back catalogue of  party games like Buzz or Sing-Star and this is also where the Wii shines.  The Wii has sold through the roof, based on its living room dominance of the party game experience.  However – due to the Nintendo Mission Statement, the Wii will also need to pack some Hard-core experiences as well.

There are a couple of ways for this to occur.  EA has already hinted at a shift within the development teams to produce more Wii orientated games, simply based on a miscalculation in the popularity of the box.  Content arising from EA’s (and other developers) shift will take time to bear fruit.

The other more immediate solution for a broad requirement gaming household is the Wii60 or PSWii answer – Grab a Wii for the parties, and an Xbox 360 or PS3 for the time Mum, Dad and the siblings have left the house for the footy.

For me, I think I will cool my console heels for a few weeks, awaiting the release of the PS3 – Time to head for the PC, BioShock, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Supreme Commander are looking tasty.