Tell that to the PS2. The console has sold a good 140 million units. There's absolutely no reason Wii couldn't sell those kinds of numbers too. Keep in mind the Wii is still outpacing the PS2, despite having zero hardware movers in 2010. Though I think somewhere in the ballpark of 100 - 110 million is more realistic, since it does not have near the 3rd party support PS2 had, plus the added sales of people rebuying for the slim and the issue of consoles breaking down. So it will probably not outsell PS2, but will certainly outsell PS1.

Whatever, I'm done arguing that Donkey Kong Country is going to move consoles, because the sales will speak for themselves when they come in November (although I'm sure some people will still use the excuse that it's just the holiday boost rather than the game). But I will say one more thing, it's not about nostalgia, it's about making a great game that appeals to a wide audience. Donkey Kong Country is a game that seems to accomplish this, as NSMB Wii did. Side scrolling platformers are games that are widely loved by many, but rarely made these days, creating pent up demand, which is why I think this game can be huge.

And the people that wanted the side scolling platformer picked up a Wii for NSMB. They arent going to pickup another Wii for DKCR.  What does this have to do with the PS2 anyway.  The PS2, GCN and Xbox were similiar in capabilities.  The Wii had one capability the PS3 and the 360 did not have that people want and that is motion control.  That advantage is now gone.  They all have good libraries (I would say the PS3 and 360 libraries are superior) and now all have motion control.  The Wii also was the fitnes console and that is gone as well.  You want to sweat get Kinect and a 360 and that word will get out.

It seems ever since kinect and xbox 360 slim have been announced/released wii sales went way down and 360 sales went way up? am i crazy?!?

well it had a game. mario galaxy 2.

the thing ps3 getting tons of first party games, and 360 third parties also getting a redesign, clearancea 150$ pricepoint also helps

How are you so sure that everybody who likes side scrollers picked up a Wii for NSMB? That's like saying that everybody who likes FPS already got a 360 for Halo 3. Yet I think we both know that Halo Reach and Gears 3 will push some consoles.

Maybe some people simply love Donkey Kong Country and aren't as into Mario. Maybe some people were on the borderline with NSMB and are now swayed with DKC. Maybe some people sold their console and are now thinking of rebuying with Donkey Kong. Maybe some little kids are getting their first console this holiday and are interested in Donkey Kong. I know people that love the Donkey Kong Country series more than Mario games. You even have it as your sig; software is what sells hardware, and DKC will only strengthen Wii's library.

As for the motion control, it's only a piece of the puzzle to the console's success. The root of Wii's success isn't necessarilly motion control, but rather embracing the roots of arcade-style gaming, similar to the Atari 2600 and the NES. That is, pick up and play action games with little focus on cinematics and complex controls and more focued on raw gameplay that appeals to a wide audience. Motion control is just a means to an end.

I am fairly confident that if the Wii had arrived with no motion control and the sub-HD graphics it offers, it would be in last place right now.

Yeah Galaxy 2 was probably the closest thing to a hardware mover this year, but 3D Mario just isn't near as popular as 2D Mario. This i shown by the sales #s for both franchises. Even Galaxy 1 barely did anything for hardware sales, so it's no surprise that the sequel barely did anything.

PS3 had an overall stronger lineup so far this year, though I think Wii has a stronger holiday lineup.

And this is likely the assumption most 3rd parties had on Wii, which is why they were so surprised that their games failed, despite the fact that they were poor quality. They expected motion control to bail them out, since.. "well it worked with Wii Sports right?" Motion control does not cast this magical spell on people that suddenly makes them want to play games. Motion control can be fun, sure, and it offers a new way to play games. But if they games themselves are no fun, motion control will not help you.

If what you said is true, then NSMB Wii, a game that barely uses motion control, would not be the massive succes it is. As I said several times, software sells consoles. And not only does Wii have the most software out of the three consoles, but it also has by far the most software that appeals to the most people.