Nintendo hasn’t completely let the cat out of the bag when it comes to the pricing and release date for its next-gen Wii console, but we’re getting closer.
According to reports, the console will make its debut with a price tag that won’t exceed $250 in the U.S. The company also intends to ship an impressive 6 million units between its release in the fourth quarter of this year and March 31, 2007.
And with all the great news about ballpark price estimates and a release timeframe, I have to admit, I owe Nintendo an apology. OK, I still think the name is awful, truly, horribly, bad. And, I admit I still think it sounds kind of wimpy when compared to the Xbox 360 or the PS3, but I was recently re-enlightened as to the brilliant strategy Nintendo employs. Wii just might change everything.
It seems a Nintendo DS and a copy of Nintendogs made its way into my home, courtesy of my husband who likes to spoil my 6-year-old daughter - rotten. Well, about 20 minutes into playing Nintendogs with her, both my husband (the consummate Halo player and PlanetSide fanatic) and myself (the EQII raider) found ourselves simply amazed by what Nintendo has done with the DS.
The console itself is awesome and fairly easy for a kid (or adult) to use and the title is simply a trip. Nifty little features, like actually having a kid make a bubble blowing sound to activate the bubble maker for the puppy, combine with an unbelievable realism in the game dog’s behavior to make the title a jaw dropper.
Yup, it’s mostly geared to kids and more casual gamers. Yes, it’s not blood, guts or raiding mayhem, but credit should go where it’s due. The DS is amazing not because of its graphics, but because of its ability to completely engross a player with games that require some serious interaction, and a little bit of thought, too.
If the Wii is as clever as its handheld cousin, and by all reports it's more so, Nintendo might just overcome that naming problem. Regardless, I have a funny feeling that at less than $250 a pop, the console will find its way into my home. And, heck, with its own version of Resident Evil coming, I might even learn to love it.
Related:
Wii Release Unknown, But Big Title Coming
Nintendo Wii: Why?
Wii Launch Lineup Out
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