Nintendo WII and who cares?

[durkada]

So who, do you think, cares about the Nintendo Wii?

The game system is discussed ad nauseum here, there, and on many web sites. I'm glat this thread is contibuting to the trend. There seems to be universal dislike for the PS3, and near adoration for all things Wii. But I'm wondering, outside of these message boards, and the hardcore gaming sites, who cares?

I ask this, because, it seems to me that the average consumer is going to be completely ignorant of the Wii. Granted I do not watch much television, nor do I go to the movies that often, but I do recall being inundated with Gamecube commercials long before that console was released, and with greater frequency until the Gamecube reached store shelves. Even then, the Gamecube was hardly scarce upon launch, and could be picked up with little search. But the Wii? I saw more adverstising from te Dreamcast back in the day. I have yet to see a single commercial related to teh Wii, and outside of the most recent South Park, I've not found a single popular reference to it.

Am I in the minority? Are there advertisements in the mainstream media? Does the average person know about the Wii and its -- potentially -- revolutionary controller?

It seems to me, that if I'm correct and the Wii is not particularly popular with the consumer majortiy, then the average person with a checkbook and credit card could give a damn less. It seems only in these forums that anyone cares, and we, of course, are an infintismal minority compared to the gross populace.

[Mozgus]

I cant say. I rarely watch TV, listen to radio, read magazines, or see movies in the theater, but I'd be willing to bet that Sony is advertising way more than Nintendo right now. I haven't seen a single Wii ad, but I tend to see PS3 ads once a day, in my 30-60 minute daily viewing. Of course, none of the PS3 ads even show any games, and they make about as much sense as Levi commercials, but the fact that they are fighting with all these god damn political ads for time is amazing.

Also, I don't know anyone in the real world who wants a Wii over a PS3. Most people have no idea what it is, besides a penis joke.

[baphomet_irl]

well in the media over here there is a lot of coverage of the Wii, and lots of 'PS3 is too expensive, Wii is cool' type articles too, although there is no ads as of yet that I've seen, however with the VAST amount of DS advertising on UK television Im sure as we get closer to launch there will be a lot more

and it does seem that a lot of casual gamers over here know of it, if only cos of the 'funny' name - maybe they really did know what they were doing when they renamed it - althou I still prefer Revolution

[Indy_aka_Rex]

Also, I don't know anyone in the real world who wants a Wii over a PS3. Most people have no idea what it is, besides a penis joke.

"Pacing back and forth will not make the Wii come faster!"

[SegaVega]

I haven't sen any Wii commercials yet, but holy crap was the PS3 one weird. Something to do with a toy baby in a white room.

Nintendo has been quicker to get there goods into the stores though; a number of accessories are already available, and I couldn't stop from buying them . Some of the PS3 games will be going on sale in the US on Nov. 7, ten days before the launch (like most other system launches), so that might count for something.

Anyways, I think the Wii has enough hype right now. Its preorder lines (from what I've seen) were a lot longer than the PS3's, even given the supposed scarcity of the latter. People know about it, but it'll be some time before the uninformed can figure it out. If the DS is any indication, the present state of popularity won't hold many accurate answers.

[metaleggman]

I haven't sen any Wii commercials yet, but holy crap was the PS3 one weird. Something to do with a toy baby in a white room.

I KNOW! That thing freaking scares the bejeesus out of me! And the rubics cube doesn't make sense whatsoever if anyone saw that. What, so after the PS3 solves your rubics cube, it it kills the rubics cube?

There hasn't been many commercials, but I can say having no commercials is better than the creepy shizz Sony is putting out there. Then again, the wii is getting quite a lot of press, both on TV and in press'n'magazines. My mom has mentioned to me quite a few times about how she saw people talking about it on the TV.

All I have heard about the PS3 is that is that people think it is too pricey. The only person I know of who wants one is one of those kids with every game console per generation. He already has a 360 and was able to pre-order a wii and PS3. thats a lot of money, I mean, he doesn't even have a 1080p panel yet. Everybody else either doesn't care about video games in general, wants a wii, or has a 360 and is satisfied with that.

[alexkidd]

the average consumer will look at the $250 vs. $500 and not think twice. Really the main battle is for the hard core gamer, and I'm not sure if it's based on games or on hype but Nintendo seems to be winning it. I haven't been excited about gaming since Dreamcast. I bought a gamecube when windwaker came out to play it then sold it. Wii, or the idea of Wii, has got me pumped again.

I think a lot of middle aged 40-50 year old moms and dads will be playing Wii Sports on christmas morning, when three years ago they could have cared less about PS2 or Xbox. Who knows what if any impact that will have on the gaming industry.