The "hardcore" claimed that the Wii would bomb right out the gate because it was underpowered and not sold at a loss. PS3 and 360 were expected to shoot up like nobody's business. Yet, the Wii proved them wrong.

The "hardcore" then claimed that Nintendo was abandoning the hardcore. Yet, in the past year and a half, Nintendo BY THEMSELVES released some of the most critically acclaimed games from their core stable. In fact, it was completely unprecedented that Nintendo could squeeze out a major Zelda title, a Metroid Prime title that proved FPS controls on the Wii, a Mario game that has rivaled the mighty Mario 64 in most circles, the sequel to the GameCube's best-selling Melee, and even more specialized fare in titles like Battalion Wars and Fire Emblem.

The "hardcore" then claimed that it was not these games that were selling but Wii Sports and Wii Play and nothing else. In fact, no one was buying anything else because the only consumers of the Wii were little kids and old people who only ever buy one game and then no more! Yet, Nintendo's software-to-hardware ratio is rising faster than any console before it. It exceeds that of the PS3 globally, and in many regions it has surpassed that of the 360. In the US, the Wii has sold more software per system than either the PS3 and the 360, and its tie ratio is set to surpass that of the 360 around the time that it finally overtakes the 360 in console sales.

The "hardcore" then claimed that the Wii is targeting another market entirely and will go completely "casual" (which would imply that they contradict themselves in that there aren't "hardcore" titles). They don't believe that companies would ever want to develop titles directed at them when only "garbage" sells and "AAA masterpieces" fly on other systems. Yet, we hear major announcements like Monster Hunter 3 jumping from the PS3 to the Wii, Namco slowly bringing RPGs like Tales of Symphonia 2 and Fragile over, Grasshopper and Tecmo working hard on Fatal Frame IV, and recently Sega and platinum games pushing a new franchise in MadWorld. This of course doesn't account for the many companies who have yet to OFFICIALLY announce their wares.

The "hardcore" then claim that the Wii isn't innovating or disrupting this industry. It's clearly holding everyone back. Yet, we hear about companies going under or merging because of major underperformance. Sega merged with Sammy, Atari disappeared from the NASDAQ, etc. etc. Multimillion-dollar projects fail to generate enough revenue to offset the massive costs. It's a path that, should the industry continue to follow, will lead to massive closures left and right canceled projects, despite industry spending rising year to year. So Nintendo creates a platform that hopes to slow the rising costs of development. A platform where risks can be made without the fear of dipping deep into the red zone. This is a GOOD direction.

The "hardcore" then make more and more excuses. The hardware sells. The software sells. Companies are moving the developments onto the Wii and those that refuse WILL be strong-armed by their publishers because the market leader should not be ignored. It's a much-needed refresh for the entire industry, and yet the "hardcore" cannot fathom how this could be any good?

The "hardcore" can't fathom how anyone could legitimately like the Wii and its games.

The "hardcore" can't fathom how this machine continues to sell month after month.

The "hardcore" can't fathom how they are not the center of the universe.

The "hardcore" won't admit that there is a solid experience to be had on the Wii.

The "hardcore" won't admit that expanding a market will create long-lasting consumers. Maybe not all of them, but you have to attract customers initially somehow.

The "hardcore" won't admit that the Wii is positioned as a device that reminds everyone that even the simplest pleasures can be the most enjoyable.

The "hardcore" won't admit any of this because they feel entitled to everything. They need everything right NOW. The Wii isn't everything, so they throw fits because it is "destroying gaming" and any evidence that proves the opposite is ignored.

What do they do? The "hardcore" ask for more evidence. They don't really want evidence but rather proof that the Wii is pure hellspawn. If there is some positive Wii news, they want some statistics that show that people are stuffing Wiis in the closet. If the attach rate goes up, they want to have often consumers are REALLY playing those games and how many are licensed garbage.

And should anyone ever insinuate that the Wii is anything but pure casual trash (say, for instance, that it is for anyone and everyone), then THIS happens. And you all should be ashamed for calling yourselves gamers