Many anti-Wii rallying points have have been debunked one after another. By using bitter, sophistic, anti-Wii fanboy banter as our guide, we can find corresponding empirical evidence that disproves many of the baseless criticisms levied against the system. I'm only gonna do a handful, so you guys feel free to help out if you're interested.
1). Nintendo is destroying the industry!
The Wii was launched in November of 2006. Since then, the industry has seen record growth year over year, and 2008 looks set to shatter 2007's totals and reach $21 billion in total industry revenue. The industry is clearly NOT being destroyed, it's expanding at a brisk pace.
2). Only Nintendo games sell on Nintendo consoles.
While folks may have a point in Japan, the same can't be said for the U.S. and Europe:
3). People buy the Wii for Wii Sports/People aren't buying games/Wiis collecting dust
According to NPD's latest tie-in ratios:
- Xbox 360: software sales ratio: 7.5
- Wii: software sales ratio: 5.3
- PS3: software sales ratio: 4.6
Clearly, Wii owners are playing more than Wii Sports. As for the bit about not buying games:
Wii Has Highest Software Sales for First 18 Months
Wii - 50 million games sold in first 18 months
PS2 - 42 million games sold in first 18 months
360 - 30 million games sold in first 18 months
Xbox - 28 million games sold in first 18 months
PS3 - 20 million games sold in first 18 months
Wii-detractors immediately cried about this 50 million unit figure including Wii Sports and Virtual Console. That was until kotaku confirmed:
KOTAKU -- "Update: I just clarified with Nintendo: Those software sales numbers only include boxed games sold at retail and not virtual console or Wii Sports."
4). The Wii isn't next-gen, the PS3 and XBox360 aren't competing with it
By far, the weakest arguement. We are in the 7th generation of consoles. Generations are defined as a form, type, class, etc., of objects existing at the same time and having many similarities or developed from a common model or ancestor. It is not defined by tech. As for the HD consoles not competing with the Wii, clearly, Nintendo has had a visible impact on Sony and Microsoft's businesses.
- The last minute inclusion of motion sensing technology in the Sixaxis was a direct response to the Wiimote. The same is true with this rumored X-mote.
- The PS3 lost Monster Hunter 3 to the Wii, signaling that there is competition between these platforms for 3rd party support and exclusives.
- It's been reported for a while that Microsoft has "Wii-envy" (coined by N'gai Croal) and desperately wants to capture some of the casual market for itself (hence, the launch of the Arcade skew).
- The main reason Microsoft wants to downplay it's competition with Nintendo is because the Wii caught the Xbox360 in each market despite it having an extra year on shelves... Wii is set to surpass the Xbox360's installed base in America alone at any week now.
NJ5's analysis on why the 360 and PS3 are in direct competition with the Wii
5). Only teh kiddiez and soccor moms buy the Wii because it's cheap (thanks Fishy)
79% of Wii gamers are male, with most older than 18 with an income of $50,000 or more.
Also, as bdbdbd points out, the Xbox360 is 50€ cheaper than Wii in Europe (yet the Wii still outsells it).
6). Only casual games sell on the Wii (trestes)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess = 4.7 million
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition = 1.83 million
Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles = 1.25 million
Super Mario Galaxy = 6.51 million
Super Paper Mario = 2.33 million
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption = 1.35 million
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn = 500k
Pro Evolution Soccor 2008 = 470k
Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros Treasure = 360k
Red Steel = 1.05 million
more to be added soon...
Other Wii naysayers use the same tired car analogies (an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is cheaper than a Porcshe, yadda, yadda, yadda) or the usual "Nintendo only has XYZ franchises" banter. But we won't even get into that.
This thread will be updated regularly whenever any Wii myth is debunked.
