First time I can say I agree with you, 100%

Also Claude you are right on the $$

gamecube missed third parties due nintendo being B*tch in the snes/n64 era. not because it was not poweful enough.

i remenber when RE 4 release many nintendo fans label ps2 version crap, even only difference was the textures. i don't see a problem here where it's more than textures but resolution/shaders/physics.

the wii could have been alittle more powerful at least a dual core cpu, more decent gpu, enough to get ports, and considering it userbase it would have gotten the games.

The Wii has the top market share locked and the Wii only does PRINT MONEY. They should just keep riding it out with the Wii, laughing to the bank  until MS or Sony starts the next generation. Then hit em with a Wii HD with much improved specs but at a reasonable price point.

Nintendo couldn't have afforded it. They knew going for those specs would make the system cost too much. And $3 billion each from the other systems shows they were right about that.

And the thrird parties didn't support them WHEN they had the specs and an optical disc (about the only game that couldn't fit reasonably even on multiple discs was San Andreas).

For me, there's only one reason: to get all the best multiplatform games... even if i don't care for most (i really miss only a handful of PS360 games), i think more good games is always best...

PS3 and X360 will always have their very own exclusives, that's just the way it is... but if even games supposed to be released on ALL consoles are now becomin' "HD exclusives", just because of some technical limitations, then Wii gamers have less choice, and miss some gems... or have to buy one of the other consoles: which means a lot of gamer's money totally out of the equation for Nintendo...

It's a very strange situation, as last gen, the market leader (PS2) had automatically all the best games out there (with the exceptions of the Nintendo games and the rare Xbox exclusives).

But now, Wii is a market leader... without any of the best multiplatform... and it's not because of a kind of "boycott" from the industry: it's just because it's a pain in the *** to downgrade, and also because the market is now kinda splitted, with most devs thinkin' "the gamers who will buy our stuff are not on Wii, they're on the HD twins"... it's just the way this gen has evolved, and it won't change anymore...

Anyway, i don't think there will be a simple "Wii HD update" in a very near future, so nothing will really change till next gen... but i hope that Nintendo has learned the lesson, and if they really want their console "to be for everybody", they have to use all their billions to release a more powerful console, with easy to use programming tools, HD output, efficient processor and more RAM, a larger storage solution, improved online, and even some new controls innovations...

They have to attract all the best devs, and make all the best games come to their console as well... otherwise, they will never be a "real" market leader, just the "best second option" out there, an additional choice, but not the main choice for many "avid gamers"... except for the usual Nintendo fans, of course... and maybe some "mainstream gamers" too, yes... until the next "big thing to have", and then after? It may be made by Nintendo... or not...

really from the start of this gen alot of people never really owned an HDTV, thats why nintendo stuck with SD, whats wrong with that? its called business you make more money doing it.

Which proves they are greedy bastards, while Microsoft are practically philanthropists when it comes to gaming. I mean, they threw away billions just to make the best gaming experience.

@68soul: If Nintendo released hardware on par with the HD consoles, they wouldn't have made nearly as much money. Looking at the financial reports of Microsoft / Sony, it's clear that selling hardware at a loss isn't the way to go.

They would like to have the console for everyone, or as you say be the "real" market leader, but only as long as they profit from it. As it is now, Nintendo has likely already made more money with the Wii than the PS2 has in its entire lifetime.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about next gen. Nintendo has made its presence known, and they will not be underestimated by third parties next gen, so the games will come. I can't imagine the next Nintendo console being weaker than current HD consoles, nor do I think that power could be considered not "good enough," even a few years from now. I mean, how great does a game need to look, really?

Wii doesn't need HD. Simple as. The next ninty console will be in HD. That is obvious (and probably about another 2-3yrs away still).