It may not be as POWERful as the 360 or PS3 but it IS possible to get pretty decent looking games. Metroid Prime: Corruption, The Conduit, Mario Galaxy, Monster Hunter 3 and etc. Hell, RE:4 originally a GAMECube exclusive looked great because Capcom took their time with it.
Nope, it IS laziness and once again, a lot of shovel ware is being loaded Ninty's way.
And therefore made it cost attractive. Their marketing and demographic this round was to pick up the casual gamer. A market they recognized as untapped and holding great potential. Their market dominance right now is evidence of that. Even their competitors acknowledge that, at the same time as they downplay it. Even large companies such as EA admitted they underestimated Nintendo and the Wii.
FPS playing better on the other consoles? I beg to differ. I find the need to use a joystick or two far less accurate than using the Wiimote. And though there are FAR too many minigame games on the console, the quality titles, some of which I mentioned above, have nothing lacking in terms of gameplay, lack of online notwithstanding.
Not everyone is a huge fan of the online stuff and many of my friends, even those younger aren't keen on online shoot 'em up fests.
Which is the bottom line. Given that Nintendo have NOTHING else going on other than consoles and games, nothing else to fall back on, like OS's or TVS, or stereo equipement et al, their business model seems to be quite lucrative. Even during the days of the N-64 and GameCube, they quickly turned a profit soon after console release compared to their competitors.
Nintendo has always reached the casual/family market. They have not always done the best with the hardcore market. I think they did with the n-64 though. I won't argue with you there. Some nintendo first party games have great graphics. Some third party ones do as well. However, there is still a lot that can't be done on Wii. But that will come with time. And I don't mean features. I mean in hardware. If you play Burnout Paradise.
The amazing part of the game isn't the map. It's the world. The whole world in Burnout Paradise is EXTREMLY open. With older games like PS1 if you are playing tony hawk when you are skating towards an area it seems blurry and unfinished. Once you enter the area it's a little better too. This has changed with the last generation consoles such as PS2 and GC.
However, the 360's power allowed Criterion games to make a huge world where you can drive in the mountains, the main town, and all over the huge map. There are no loading times. You don't enter one area and than it loads. They even released an extra area called Big Surf Island. That just shows how much game consoles have improved. The wii could not handle something like that. They would have to compromise and either lower the graphics or make the open world smaller. That is the unfortunate part of the wii.
However, it is fun to play X-Men and use the wii-mote to fix or mortal kombat. But still some games are just better with the 360. And let me rephrase that. What I was referring to about FPS games on the wii and 360 is this. While it might be more fun to use the wii-mote for an FPS and to shoot. Well deadrising proves this. Deadrising is another kind of open mall world. Not really loading times. Not as seamless as Burnout Paradise but still incredible graphics, cut scenes, and weapons. The controls are great too. The wii port of the game was toned down alot. The graphics weren't as good and the controls were a little awkward and less zombies. The wii could not handle a million zombies all doing different things being ALL over the mall at one time. The wii is unfortunately lacking that power.
However the wii can take fighting games, puzzle games, party games, or other games and do completely intuitive controls or gameplay. But it's the open worlds or massive enemies with an actual impressive AI that they cannot do. And depending on what you like maybe that doesn't matter to you.
But back to the point. While it might be more fun to use the wii-mote to shoot. An FPS using the 360's power will have a lot more depth in the game, more AI everywhere and bigger maps and a bigger world. The wii is limited in that regard.
Nintendo should definitely get credit for the fact that Consoles and Handhelds are all they rely on and they make more money than some companies who have more than one different type of product. However, as long as they continue to focus mainly on the casual and family friendly gamer they won't be able to get the hard core gamers and their console or handheld will leave you wanting more or make you feel unfulfilled.
But that being said. I REALLY REALLY love excite bots. That game is amazing. It's not huge race tracks and it's not a huge world. But the graphics are great and the gameplay kicks fucking ass. Nintendo can definately make odd and quirky games. That is probably their biggest strength. But they just need stronger third party support.
I don't doubt that they will ever stop making millions though.
I just don't completely agree with their philosophy. But than again I am not the type of gamer that they are after. And like you said there is a market for getting old, really young, and casual or family gamers.
But still. I don't care if their system "Works" and makes them millions. I hate that after every console or portable they come out with it takes about 2-3 years for some strong third party support and a year or two later they come out with an upgraded model that is a little better. But it works somehow.
Anyways back to Blu-Ray.
I think I'm just going to bring my TV in my room over to my Sir's house. I have been thinking about keeping my 360 over there anyways. No one else plays 360 but me and I can do netflix on their 360.
Also BROTHER HAS A NICE SOUND SYSTEM over there. With the power of the my 360 with netflix, my 24 inch HDTV, and Brother and Sir's sound system and Blu-Ray player.
That is going to be one HELL of a downstairs and a kick ass way to watch movies or play games.
Besides there is a tv downstairs that the wii is connected too. I can just play PS2 and Wii downstairs. I will take my HDTV over tomorrow and see if I can hook it up there. And I just checked and my TV does have HDMI output
