The Wii might well also be helped out by a next-gen Nintendo system being HD.   For many smaller developers/publishers and more niche genres where HD development costs can never recoop the Wii and it's huge install base (and likely compatiblity with Wii Next) will continue to be their choice of console to develop for.    Much like PS2 remains one for many Japan games.

I believe the PS2 longevity is related to Wii's success. The lower graphical barrier allows for porting the games, so the PS2 get continued support from the publishers. Otherwise, I believe the publishers would have stopped making PS2 games a couple of years ago.

Having said that, that would mean that the Wii would not last as long once Nintendo introduces a new console, specially if we assume that the new console will be backwards compatible.

Again, that would make sense if there was any evidence that it has ever mattered one iota. It hasn't (your Gamecube is a good example - its technological parity did it a whole lot of good, no?).

There's no indication that consumers care about "power," or more accurately they do so in numbers large enough to affect the system's sales. It's been over two and half years - trust me, people know that graphics aren't a selling point of the system.

I bet next gen that whoever is winning next gen it'll beat the wii's record just like the ps2 did to the ps1 and ps1 did to snes etc. The wii can beat the ps2 with these sales. Look at the DS.
That sysem is selling and about to surprass the ps2.

Here's the VGC chart:

http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php?cons1=Wii&reg1=America&cons2=PS2&reg2=America&cons3=X360&reg3=America&weeks=156

It for the whole Americas, not just US, so it doesn't correspond perfectly, but we can see that the Wii is at least 3 million units ahead of the PS2, and the current slope of the Wii line is a little steeper than the PS2's was at this point in its life.

@ venepe,

I was thinking the same exact thing. The Wii's success has bolstered the PS2 immensely. Developers often make a HD version of the game, and then a PS2/Wii version. Back in 2006/2007 it was the PS2 that was the lead system for the low-def version, but now of course the Wii is the lead system for the SD version.

oh please we all know the Wii is just a fad =P

Not to mention the Wii has yet to drop price, nor is there any rumors. Gossip, or even whispers off a wii price-drop. The fact it's still running strong after this long is a testimate to how well the wii has done for itself.

Nintendo Wii will improve the economy lol. Nintendo better provide jobs for more people to increase the number of games and the development time on each game. This way better games can be made even though they are awesome anyways.

yeah than the game industry will crash and people will stop playing games because some people
don't know how to make a god games. Which will cause major layoffs and make it worst than before
and faster. not good Yeah let's do it!