I already know from the way that I titled this article that this will fan the flames of massive armies of fanboys; ready to step onto the frontlines and defend their console of choice to the death.  However, what it should invoke is a discussion of what the Wii, or the once titled Revolution, could have been.

When the entire buzz was around the Nintendo Revolution the speculation of what Nintendo were bringing to the table in the form of a next generation console was all over the place.  Once the Revolution became the Wii, the motion-control game console became the talk of the town.  The promises of new and engaging game play from every developer that witnessed the unveiling excited gamers everywhere, including yours truly.  But once I started to compare the Wii Specs with that of the PS3’s and the 360, I soon discovered that it wasn’t the revolution that I hoped it to be.   Sure the Wii’s motion-control aspect makes for some interesting game play design, but the lack of processing power that is easily found in the 360 and PS3 holds back the potential of merging a new way to control games with truly immersive environments.  I know that people often chant game play over graphics, but even game play takes a hit from developers not being able to build AI heavy logic or in-depth physic based movements due to the limitations of the Wii.  It’s often been mention in many a podcast that Nintendo has successfully been able to sell last gen tech in a pretty new package (that’s just putting it nicely).

Now the PS3 and 360 is set to become what the Wii should of been once each console see’s the release of their respective answers to making casual gamers at ease with playing a console that is not backed by Nintendo.  That’s pretty much the running gag of the industry at this point.  Both Sony and Microsoft wants the casual gamer that sees the Wii’s simplicity as a non-intimidating way to play and Nintendo is still trying to put at ease their core base of gamers that the Wii is much more then a party machine; that it can deliver on engaging and immersive experiences that’s so far been offered by their competitor.  Tackling the casual audience can be done but it’s could come with some tough decisions.  The Wii is wildly successful because it sold motion-control as the core mechanic to getting the whole family involved.  Microsoft and Sony may have to be willing to do the same as well as:

• Change the packaging of each console to include the motion-control devices.

• Keep the cost of these devices outside of a bundle under 100 dollars.

• Convince hardcore gamers that this can be a viable way to make AAA games better without making them feel stupid while playing games.

If Sony and Microsoft can produce these as well as another price cut on their higher end models to be a little closer to the Wii, then Nintendo may have to rethink their strategy greatly.  Especially if third party motion control games chart well in the NPD data that is released ever month to show how video games and consoles sold the previous month.  Also with all of that raw power under the hoods of the PS3 and the 360, developers can really start to craft triple A experiences while merging motion and motion-less control with the already tried and true method of the standard controller.  

These things will all come to light in the months ahead.  This may well become Sony and Microsoft chance to offer gamers both casual and hardcore what the Wii was not suited to do.  However, what we all must remember and acknowledge is that none of this would exist if Nintendo had not been bold enough to choose the road less traveled.  Instead of making the Wii an all encompassing entertainment device they went with the idea of making a device that kids, women, parents, and grandparents could play.  It’s paying off in huge dividends for Nintendo.  However, more and more people are starting to see the Wii as a device that collects dust now that the party is over.  The PS3 and the 360 could indeed become what the Wii should have been; that’s a game console with the means to entertain everyone with the ability to maintain that sense of enjoyment for years to come.

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