Next gen?

How can it be next gen if we have it right now. I almost wish someone would announce the xbox 720 and the ps4 so we can stop calling the current stuff 'next gen'.

...to be the person who opens their Wii box and finds only a quarter of a console inside.

Oh, wait, I think the author meant 4.24 MILLION units, not 4.24 units. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

I still have only two games from the Wii, but I have to admit Nintendo found the pulse of the people and they are moving hardware. I guess the sweet spot is still $250 and lower for video games. I am curiuos to see what happens in the fall. Sony and MS might have to move again, but second place might not be bad for either Sony or MS. I am sure Sony and MS will be fighting for that spot for the next year or two.

I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through


Wii are the champions ... my friends
And wii'll keep on fighting till the end
Wii are the champions
Wii are the champions
No time for losers
cause wii are the champions ... of the world

Price has the most to do with the wii's success. Yes the wii is cool but the games are kind of lacking. I find some games annoying to play on the wii too (madden for example). I think if M$ and $ony didn't price there consoles so high more people might be interested in them.

If your on the fence the xbox 360 really does have the best games, but the wii is fun too. The PS3 it's self is a cool system but... there are no killer apps for it yet. BTW $ony i'm still waiting!!! If I had to pick two I would get the 360 and wii. If I could only pick one not having kids I would go 360, with kids go wii. Sorry PS fan boys.

is obviously a fanboy. 10.57 vs. 10.51 is hardly an Eclipse, lol. Yes, I know the 360 had a year head start and now the Wii has the lead. America does not need Japan to survive.

Did you pass 8th grade english? The mark set by the 360 was indeed 'eclipsed' by the Wii. The Wii surpassed the mark, it outshined the competition, it diminished in importance, fame, or reputation the mighty 360 from M$. eclipse is not just a car, my friend, its a viable word that was used properly.

and on a personal note...the only reason to buy the overpriced and bloated offerings from M$ or $ony is simple...guitar hero. otherwise, stick your 8-bit NES and relive those glory days of side-scrolling goodness!

The 360 had a year head start, but the Wii's price point pretty much negates it. Being marketed to women and children is also huge. Parents will buy their kids anything, especially if it's cheap and can be found. Well, pretty much if they can find it. (Cabbage Patch, Wii, Tickle Me Elmo.)

Does the 360 cost much more than the Wii in Japan. I know they've had some HEAVY discounts over there. The 360 situation in Japan is almost a country-wide boycott. M$ needs to get some more J-RPGs (preferably exclusives), more quirky games and DROP the price. The 360 may need to be $150.00 to sell over there. How about a "Hello Kitty" edition?

Is guitar hero the only game you play for those consoles? Your oppinion seems to contain quite a bias. Both PS3 and XBOX have excellent games coming in the future and now (respectily). Guitar Hero is a great game, but it sure as hell isnt the sole reason to own either of those consoles.

And i would agree that XBOX wasnt eclipsed by the wii, because quite frankly, the wii is in the same category as the game cube, ps2, and original xbox. They are completely different consoles, and should never be compared. Nintendo took the cheap-mans way out, and didnt advance visuals with their release, which has been common place with every previous console release.

Now im not saying its a bad console. Im saying that it is not in competition with the XBOX and PS3. They are geared towards completely different demographics and gamers.

The XBOX 360 is still leading everywhere else in the world. Japan, alone, makes up the difference. And that's because the Japanese simply won't buy an american system no matter how good it is.
Remove Japan and the 360 still leads by over 3million units.

Wow, the 360 and PS3 fanboys aren't taking this too well are they?
The Wii is as much current gen as the other two are. Just because Nintendo took a different route doesn't mean they aren't part of this generation's console wars.
Personally, I want all 3 systems.
I want a Wii because it's cheap and looks fun.
I want a 360 because there are several games on it right now that I want to play.
I want a PS3 because someday there might actually be games on it that I'll play.

@ wmcgritt -Yeah, I Think so too.

@ J Graphics mean nothing if there is no innovative gameplay. Wii is not the cheap man's console. It's EVERYONE'S Console, which is why it's winning.

@ Ryan. You couldn't Be father than the truth. The Wii is graphically superior to last-gen. if you're gonna be a Graphics Wh***, please go somewhere else.

First off I will begin by saying I owed the original NES (with the gyromite robot, power glove, virtual boy and I could go on), followed by the N64 and then the Gamecube. And I have to say that this is the first consol from Nintendo that I will not buy.

WHY? You ask.

Because I feel betrayed by Nintendo. MS and Sony took the leap into the REAL “next gen” gaming. Providing high def graphics, HD video playback (HDDVD, BLEW-RAY (yes that typo is intentional)), multimedia streaming and more. All at a loss to the said company. Nintendo in the other hand gave us GIMMICKS. Low res graphics, no movie playback at all, no multimedia streaming. Just a interesting control system.

And WHY you ask do you think Nintendo did this. Was it to give us the consumer a better gaming experience? NO, it was for profit. Unlike MS and Sony who looses money on each console sold. Nintendo make a profit on every console.

So instead they decided to market it to women and children and BETRAY their loyal fan base, so they could fill their pockets full of cash.

And for the people thinking that they are a business and they are in it for the profit. Let me remind you again that MS and Sony sell their consoles at a LOSS and make their profits through the sale of games, accessories and content.

Nintendo could have gave us a better system. Not just a gimmicky one that will get old in about a month.

09f9 - nintendo didn't betray you.. they have a system better than their previous one.. they chose to concentrate more on the next gen of gaming... THE CONTROLS

sony and xbox are good systems but they don't bring anything new to the table but graphics.. and for the same price.. i can play the same games on the PC.. mostly

Let's see...

Nintendo released a next gen gaming system for $250. It's substantially more powerful than the last gen systems, and offers a controller scheme that is the most compelling that I've ever seen. It's a betrayal that the games are fun? The console is cheap? That Nintendo is making money expanding the market beyond 14 year old boys?

The only rap I have right now on the Wii is that the games are only so-so. I'm sure that issue will be solved in the six to twelve months as publishers realize how big the market is, and release some better product.

Nintendo’s Wii does NOT belong in the “next-gen” category. It doesn’t even belong in the same discussion.

The graphics are NOT better then the (original)XBOX. As a matter of fact most developers have said that in terms of graphics and processing power the Wii and the Xbox are about the same.

The Wii does NOTHING that the original XBOX couldn’t do.
Yet the Wii CAN’T DO anything that the xbox360 or PS3 does. Except play low res games.

And last time I checked graphics is a MAJOR part of gaming. And not just textures, but particle effects, motion blur, soft shadows, dynamic lighting are all things that the Wii will struggle to do. Go look at some of the screens of Crysis, UT3, Mass Effect, Gears of War, MGS4, Killzone (all games that CAN'T be done on the wii).

And yes, gameplay is important. That’s what I love about BIOSHOCK. But so are the graphics and again that’s what I love about BIOSHOCK.

You see you shouldn’t have to give up one thing in order to have another. The Wii is just an inferior console. Fun? Maybe, but so is BIOSHOCK.

And BTW I have nothing agaisnt Nintendo. I still have my SNES and my N64 (turok and golden eye was amazingly fun). But once they decided to produce such a cheap console they lost my business.

Nintendo is simply doing what they've always been doing, 09F9. Think about it. Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 and Super Smash Brothers Brawl are all gonna be better than there previous incarnations, as well there gonna all be relased in the same year! When was the last time those three franchises were released the same year ? Sure there expanding the gaming market, but there certainly not abanndoning the core gamer like you suggest. Besides, Metroid Prime 3 is said to be have the most realistic fps controls on a console to date.

"Let me remind you again that MS and Sony sell their consoles at a LOSS and make their profits through the sale of games, accessories and content."
So I guess we should thank Sony and Microsoft for being a beacons of ethical light, nay, non-profit organizations who care only for the gamers.
"So instead they decided to market it to women and children and BETRAY their loyal fan base"
Nintendo has always been the less-violent of any other system out there, people who know Nintendo and bought a wii go in knowing that. And speaking of the loyal fan base, their all happy right now because everyone said Nintendo was over and the wii would fail, but Nintendo took a risk and they won. I just wish I would have bought some stock.

I wish I had bought an Xbox360 instead of a Wii. My Wii is just collecting dust because the games are dull.

Mario Party 8 was such a disappointment ....

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap...47811.html

"Sony had sold 4.3 million PS3 consoles as of June, compared with 11.6 million Xbox 360s and about 8 million Wiis."

I'm not saying Wii has not sold 10 M by August 23, but that for the VG chartz to be right, 360 would have had to return some 1M units - which I doubt. Due to this discrepancy, I question VG Chart"z" data, and tend to put a bit more faith in Forbes.

All the fanboys can complain about the Wii and the graphics until they're blue in the face, it still doesn't change a thing. The developers choose the systems that have the largest sell-through, and as it stands, the Wii is hot. Developers want to make games for the systems people own, so they will reach a larger market. Thus why some developers are dropping their PS3 projects, and focusing on Wii projects. As the PS2 has proved, the system with the biggest library generally wins...and the Wii's library and developer base is growing at a rapid rate.

Also, specs have proven the Wii to be the halfway point between the XBOX and XBox360, for those who are arguing over the fact. This is solidly known. Not all developers have a clue, some have never even touched a Wii dev kit. If you need proof of what the Wii can do, hop over to gamespot or ign and check out the new Metroid Prime 3 footage. I was quite impressed that the Wii can push such polished graphics.

So what did we learn? The Wii is selling very well and the Japanese consumer is prejudice against American goods. Remove the Japanese market and the chart looks very different for the rest of the world.

Why is it some people say they like Sony and then trash Sony?

I guess some fanatics are going to be upset that the PS3 is nearing the xbox's half way mark in sales.

The only reason why I bought the Wii was because of the remote - because you can play games the way you actually play the game such as tennis. It keeps the kids active - otherwise, there'd be no reason to get it. And this is the only reason why it's so hot.

Your arguments aren't that valid. You quote that the system is better than the previous gen, where is the proof? Show me one Wii game that looks significantly better than Resident Evil 4 on Cube. Show me one game that uses the control scheme to the such an effect you go 'wow, Nintendo rocks my socks.'

It has yet to do both of those. As for the response that we get 3 franchises in one year, who says we will? It is August and none of those titles are out yet. Playing is believing as Reggie says - unfortunately we have nothing to play yet.

just like the title says

Wii is funny especially for their controllers with party games.

If you want to keep active and exercises, please do the real thing.

There may be more games coming to the Wii but, for the world of graphics and physics, Wii is a no match for the other 2.

As a player from the NES age till now, game play mechanics are important but, story telling and mind twisting games are more suitable for me. Of course, graphics and multimedia as well.

You won't get the GT5 or the like on the Wii.
You won't get the party games or the like on the PS3 and XBox 360.

If possible, just own all of the consoles to have all the games you like to play.

(p.s. I get 3 XBox 360 RRoD and hope my next Elite wouldn't become so)

Every time I see reviews on the numbers of game machinesI cringe based on what I see the different companies doing to show how they are selling faster. Microsoft reports the number of machines shipped to retailer. NPD, VG Chartz http://www.vgchartz.com/ and Next Gen Wars http://nexgenwars.com/ all try to see what is really selling. Microsoft has been channel stuffing all year and dropping the numbers shipped every press release. Microsoft officially shipped 1.3 million machines from January to June 30 this year (look at their quarterly reports 10 million to 11.3 million) But those are shipped, not purchased. Both Nitendo and Sony have smoked those numbers this year. the 11.6 million from Forbes was the Microsoft shipped estimate that they later revised to 11.3 million. The truth is Microsoft is getting trounced by both vendors this year and overall shipments are close for total installs of the Xbox360 and Wii. Sony is outselling the Xbo360 this year but install base is way behind the other two....

The data from Forbes is based on the computers shipping numbers. Just because MS has shipped 11.6M, doesn't mean they've all sold. The numbers quoted by VG Chartz is based on the retail markets figures.

As for the comment re: removing the Jap market thus the Xbox wins, how about you remove all the data from before the Wii was released? I think you'll find that month to month the Wii has been selling more than both consoles, as mentioned in the article..

The Wii is actually more powerful than the original XBOX. It has more processing power and can display better looking graphics.

This is a next gen console. (well, current gen)

My wife wanted the Wii and plays the Wii. Game set match for Nintendo. I can play 85-90% Xbox/PS3 games through my win PC with better graphics then Xbox360 or PS3. Graphically everyone is right. When the wife a non gammer comes home from work and wants to play tennis or bowling, Nintendo's goal of the Wii is met. Now wife is looking forward to Tiger Woods 08 Golf and a true Wii tennis game and Wii Fit. Price, decent graphics and a cool/easy control system, that what gets non gammers playing, It's a win for Nintendo. Next step for Wii will be to upgrade the graphics but keep price inline to keep the fan base for future Wii consols.

You fan boys who clearly had their love ones lost go to the same defense.... "Wii isn't next -gen.. it isn't in our category"... hahaha what a joke..

It is not next gen because it doesn't have HD and blu ray?? Come on! These are gaming consoles.. MS and Sony just did some extra by turning them to media consoles..

gaming = playing.. playing is having fun

graphics is just one of the criteria of judging it.. Look at IGN or other game review sites.. there is Gameplay, Content, Packaging and Graphics.. not just Graphics alone

What the hell is graphics perfection for if you can have fun through on factors such as gameplay and creativity with the wii

And technology wise Wii isn't left behind... The Wii remote is a piece of technology too.. and the way it turning out its the piece of tech that the public prefer.. because the Wii delivers something a PC can't do.. unlike the Ps3 and the 360

Not even my 8 and 10 years old son's wants nor ever spoke to want a Wii.
They are smart, they know the limit of the machine and the games offered on it, real connoisseur will never buy such a 3 to 7 years old oriented plaything.

I think Nintendo has done the right thing, with performance and big price they could not fight Sony or Microsoft.
But the main reason for it's success I think is price, and both PS3 and Xbox360 has a lot room to become cheaper in the following years, so I think in one or two years, Sony and Microsoft will be selling more than Nintendo.
By the time PS2 and Xbox owners feel the need to replace their consoles I suppose PS3 and 360 will experience a big boost on sales.

Why do I always see this argument that you can't compare the Wii to the xbox360 or PS3? Here is what I did... I went to the store... I looked in the case at the 3 systems, and I looked at the games for each. I then chose the Wii over the others. I "compared" them, and they chose the Wii. If the Wii didn't exist, I probably would have bought and xbox360, so trust me, they are competing against each other! It's not like a PDA competing against the DS or PSP!

And what is it about these that makes them uncomparable? If you mean that you can't compare the graphics of the xbox360 and the PSP, then your right, the graphics are better, but overall comparing the 3 is valid as game machines in the same market.

Always hear that Nintendo isn't as innovative as Sony or Microsoft with their new conole. How is this even possible? The Wii has a brand new control scheme, that no other console has, and is an improvement in every way over the Gamecube. How are Sony and Microsoft innovative? You mean they made a console with a bigger CPU, and a bigger GPU, put controllers with it and sold it... that's innovative? That is the SAME DAMN THING that every game company has done since 1980! And that is innovation???

And why is it that the most POWERFUL system has to be the best, and that the Wii sucks b/c it is not as powerful? Question: What was the best selling console from the "lastgen"... oh right... the PS2. And if you compare "lastgen" consoles, you will find that the PS2(333mhz) was inferior, performance wise, to the xbox(750mhz) and gamecube(450mhz). Then go one generation further... who won? That's right... the playstation 1!, which was inferior to the Dreamcast and N64!

Sony proved for the previous two generations that the best hardware specs were not needed to have the best selling console. This time they thought otherwise! Now that in innovation! Or at least the opposite of it.

Wii is BIG in Japan...GREAT...but that's just one country, and it's great that Xbox isn't giving up on Japan, but they are supporting the home team. MS needs to look at spot promotions this holiday season to entice buyers, since you know Sony will be doing so.

VGChartz sucks the big one

I think those who are arguing that the Wii controls are simply a gimmick, and do not justify the lack of graphical horsepower in the system are only partially correct. I respect Nintendo's decision to "play a different game" than MS and Sony. It has turned out to be the best financial decision they've made in a long time (not including the DS lite design).

The lack of HD support is disappointing, but so far it hasn't ruined the experience for me. The "gimmicky" controls are purely the fault of the developers who are porting games from other systems to the Wii, and feel they MUST create some new way of controlling their game just because it is available. I think these developers have done a lot of harm to gamers' perceptions of the potential in the Wii remote.

A few developers have got it right on the mark. Resident Evil 4 plays brilliantly because it limits the use of the remote and its pointing functions to only what it is actually useful for. It also helps that this game is so packed with artistic beauty that the low res is less noticeable than with other games.

I think that this year's holiday lineup will prove solid for Nintendo. Smash Bros., Metroid, Mario Galaxy, and Zack and Wiki are prime examples of the variety of gameplay and control schemes possible on this console.

To counter 09 F9's argument about Crysis, UT3, Mass Effect, Gears of War, MGS4, Killzone: all but one of these are FPS games that, IMO, play far better on the PC than any console. Nintendo has made more aggressive strides to improve FPS control on consoles than either MS or Sony, even though it still has a long way to go to match the grace of Keyboard Mouse control. I'll stick with my PC Wii combo thanks.

I "trashed" Sony because for being the most expensive console they have the weakest game lineup. Can anyone deny this? I didn't realize because you own something you can't have constructive criticism about it without fan boys going crazy.

If I recall correctly, the numbers you have referenced there are not actual units sold to customers, but units sold to distributors.

Wow, people... next gen does not mean better graphics... If M$ releases a new console with a minority report controller interface, but has the same graphics, that is not next gen?
Next generation means it comes after the previous version, nothing more.

So far, only have two games for the Wii (besides Wii Sports). Wii Play is pathetic but soccer moms buy it solely so each of their two kids have a remote.

It's playing with families purely on price. Considering I have dozens of 360 games and a half-dozen more to be bought just till the end of the year.

I'm not sure I want any more Wii games. I'm disappointed that the remote is unresponsive and the games don't utilize it. I'm disappointed I can't play with my friends around the country, especially Virtual Console games.

the truth of life

I bought a Wii Dec 26th. I love it even though I'm a diehard PC Gamer. The controls are what make it.

I own about 10 games, play 3 costantly (Tigerwoods, Excite Truck and of course WiiSports bowling).

However, being that online play SUCKS (yea, two games big whoop), I broke down 2 weeks ago an bought a 360 Elite. Hate the controls, love the online play. Graphics don't matter that much to me, game play does.

I must say I am impressed that nintendo pulled this off. I, like everyone else, had written them off. However, I wonder if this is just because of the inital novelty. I have both the wii and the 360, while my roomate has a PS3. I can say this, currently the best games are for the 360. While the wii remote is a new and interesting way to play, most of their games are dull. I pretty much only play wii sports, zelda, and occasionaly mario party with friends. The PS3 has a few pretty decent games. Fall of Man is a pretty good shooter. But the 360 has Splinter cell, BioShock, Ghost Recon, Gears, and a Halo 3 coming out (big shooter fan). Rather than the wii blowing everyone away, I think we will see a real competative race.

"Let me remind you again that MS and Sony sell their consoles at a LOSS and make their profits through the sale of games, accessories and content."

Actually, Microsoft has yet to make any profit off the entire xbox market. Last I heard, the xboxs (including game and accessory sales) have *cost* the company like $6 Billion.

Also, I like to play games for fun. The wii does a great job of that. Next gen doesn't just mean 'better graphics' and it also doesn't mean 'media center'. Next gen, to me, means a better gaming experience. The wii does this hands down. xbox and playstation only offer a better looking version of every other game I've already played. Besides, if I want great graphics and effects I'll play on my PC which already beats out the specs of xbox and playstation.

WE GET IT.

PS3 sucks.
xbox 360 is the best choice for a serious gamer.
Nintendo is unexpectedly outselling everyone.

I have seen this same article repeated over and over and over again, without any really genuinely new information, not only here... but everywhere.

Enough already.

Will somebody please remind these folks that the root word of 'news' is 'new'?

It truly amazes me that PS3 fans continue to defend the PS3. Sony themselves knew this machine did not have the abilty to stand alone as a gaming console therefore they inlcuded Blu-Ray out of neccesity. On the flip side they knew Blu-Ray could not win a war against HD-DVD without giving it away at a huge loss to millions of gamers. Fanboys are quick to point out the 150 mil payout to Paramount from the HD-DVD camp while ignoring the fact that Sony is taking billions of dollars in losses on the PS3 to promote their own interests. In reality who seems to be the more desperate party? While PS3 fans are desperately hoping they didn't get bent over for $600.00 they continue to chant the new slogan of the PS3 "WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR". In the meantime XB360 owners continue to enjoy playing great games THIS YEAR with some more great games soon to be released, and if we get burnt out on 16 straight hours of playing Halo3 this X-MAS we can always take a break and watch Transformers in HD ;-)

I thought it was just a Game Cube with a different controller... That's hardly next gen - just an incremental upgrade.

the 360 is looking at a failure rate of about 33% of all consoles, i got my statistics from online news reports and websites. Also I myself have gone threw 5 , yes 5 xbox 360s, two of which i paid for and the other 3 shipped in because of the 3 red rings of death that mean hardware failure. Kudos for nintendo selling so well, with games like halo its no wonder the japanese audience's attention hasnt been captured by the 360. "halo is a childs game with a outdated character that nothing but simple minded fools play"

Competition will be between PS3 and Wii, XBox is loosing it.

you don't know anything about what you're talking.
"PS3 sucks"
"Nintendo is -> UNEXPECTEDLY OUTSELLING EVERYONE"

LOL! man ! when Nintendo annouced the "Revolution" EVERYBODY KNEW! that Revolution would outsells everyone... that Revolution with that "magic control" would kicks everybodys ass.. EVERYBODY KNEWS IT, well, minus you. you would be sleeping at those days maybe...

"PS3 sucks"
based in ? has no games? okay. saw what are coming to it ? okay. now tell me that it has no games. LOL. 2008 will be the year of PS3. 500% more titles then Xbox 360 coming to ! even! many other XMB upgrades ! Xbox 360 has shown 80% of its power with GoW.
PS3 has shown 30% of its power with Haze, thats like 3 times better graphically then GoW. AND ITS ALREADY BEEN TOLD BY DEVELOPERS.

so ? it suckes? yeah, today. and tomorrow. but, look at next year. Xbox 360 will be outselled by PS3 next year, no doubt about it.

or maybe you're just blind... or a lot fan boy, to don't accept that M$ console is good, but not good enough.

Xbox fans have Halo 3. and... PGR4.
PS3 fans have, MGS, GT5, Haze, AiTD, R&C, KZ2, OF2, Turok, Heavenly Sword(HS), Folklore, K&L, PES 08(new motor, as saw in GC).

many and many others titles for both. but, i only sad that have "international fame"

Xbox owners will continue to be happy, but in 2008, will be LESS happier then PS3 owners, as everybody knows it(the fanboys less). the Wii owners will be playing, and until 2008, i'll play UT3 that is exclusive to PS3 in 2007. with a lot more maps, a lot more graphical detail because Xbox 360 are not good enough to run it @ 60fps and because DVD-DL is not 1% as good as BD.

i feel bad for those 6 million xbox users... because, well, i mean 6 millions, because of the 13 millions CONSOLES SHIPPED and 10 millions CONSOLES SOLD, only 6 millions are USERS the other 4 millions was units sents for those 6 millions users who have at LEAST 1 broken console.

what a shame :)

AS ME, i'll never buy and M$ console again.

bought Xbox. a shit. GC is years better.
bought 360. b