By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
DrJay on 04 January 2009
Edit Thread


Well, the Wii sure sells a lot of consoles. No one really knows why. It has had very little to with the quality of its software so far because looking at the places that are supposed to be the best judges of such things, the Wii's software library aside from four or five games hasn't been that impressive and it certainly hasn't been any more impressive than either the PS3 or 360's library in any way. It doesn't have to do with price either because the Wii isn't the most inexpensive console on the market and it does sell well at an even higher price on ebay.

I don't know why casual games sell as well as they do. It strikes me if people wanted to bowl or play ping pong, then they would go to a bowling alley or find a real ball and ping pong table.

Hopefully something will come along to change the situation or when for some reason the situation changes to where the consoles and games that actually deserve to do well will do well, but if that doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen. Not much can be done about it. Heck, maybe one of these days Nintendo will come out with a quality console and quality games like they had in the SNES era, so it might not even be that much of a big deal.

If you look at video game consoles as video game machines in the video game business, then I see why you don't understand why the Wii is selling so well.  Nintendo sees itself as an entertainment company.  They are making video game consoles to entertain people through videogames.  

Video games primary function is to entertain.  It is not to make art, to simulate reality, or to advance technology.  Now games can still be artistic, realistic or technologically advanced but it has to be ENTERTAINING in order to succeed.  Casual games sell the way they do because people are entertained by it.  If you can get the same entertainment value from Wii bowling compared to real bowling, why will you have to go to a bowling alley.

As to the best judges of games, I would suggest that sales are actually the best judges of games AS ENTERTAINMENT.  Videogame sites may judge games based on graphics, sound, controls, story, etc. but that is not what is important with most people.  What is important will be "Did I have fun playing this game?" and "Was I entertained by this game?"

I hope with this, you will understand why the Wii is selling so well.  If you're willing to learn more about the videogame industry and not just a fanboy spouting talking points, I suggest reading some of Sean Malstrom's articles (google it).