Just try to imagine the Wii using only GC controllers.
Now would anyone realistically expect to see the Wii sell anything even remotely near the same numbers as it did in reality?
GC 1.5 claims would be a lot more justified.
Or for that matter, would Wii Sports or Wii Fit be anything near the same experience without the Wii remote controls or Balance Board?
Price also had a major factor and I'm still inclined to dismiss all those claims to the contrary.
Just try imagining the Wii with an opening price of say $599. Or even $399.
Now would anyone realistically expect to see the Wii sell anything even remotely near the same numbers as it did in reality?
The Nintendo name really only accounts for the same core audience that has always favored Nintendo consoles, which maybe only accounts for at most 1/4th of the overall user base, which would have brought sales more in line with the GC, which despite its market position, still had all the classic Nintendo IPs seen again on the Wii.
While the Nintendo name helps, being synonymous with quality game development, it essentially has its own built in audience who will buy whatever console Nintendo releases even if just to buy Mario Bros, Mario Cart, Zelda, Metroid, etc. once again.
