@PDF...you didn't really refute anything I said in my post. You just downplayed everything by setting the world record for using the word "gimmick" in a post.
You mentioned "core" games(which I will again remind you are less relevant than in the past, at least for the Wii), and I responded by mentioning some "core" games. No, they aren't as big as Mario or Zelda, but not many games in the world are. Still, you're separating "nintendboy" and "core" gamers, like there is no overlap in those two sets. Depending on the approach, a lot of people could be very excited about the first DK, Pikmin, and Star Fox games. If you think Animal Crossing won't sell a buttload, you should really take a look at the long legs of AC and AC: WW. For all intents and purposes Kid Icarus, Golden Sun, Pilotwings, and Earthbound are new IP's to many people out there, just with the added benefit of a pre-existing, loyal fanbase.
There is also a good chance that we'll see another Mario, Zelda, or Metroid game this gen. It wouldn't surprise me if neither of those 3 make a return, but Nintendo has had at least one of those franchises make 2 appearances each generation(if you count Yoshi's Island on the SNES).
The thing that really gets me about your assertion of "AAA" games running dry, is that you unwisely assume Nintendo has released Zelda, Mario, Paper Mario, Metroid, Smash, Pokemon, and Mario Kart with no plans for the future. Do you seriously think that is all they have planned for the "core" gamer?
And you couldn't be more right about the girls at your school playing or wanting Wii's. Most of them may be clueless, but they are just as clueless as all of the middle-aged men I knew who bought a PS2 for college football and NASCAR games. They bought their PS2's, were crazy about them and their sports games, wouldn't buy anything for another year until the next NCAA/NASCAR game, then the PS2's sat in a closet for years.
"I feel like I could take on the whole Empire myself."
