Gaming Signal: Nintendo Wii

Nintendo Wii - ack!

Nintendo announced today that the actual brand name for their next generation gaming console, previously known by its codename Revolution, would in fact be Wii (pronounced 'we'.)

Uh, WTF!

OK, I get that they wanted to create a unique name and I get that they wanted to evoke the idea of people playing together, but seriously, do we think this name will fly? I thought it was the Japanese name when I first heard it, but apparently it is the worldwide name. Wow. Did they test this with focus groups? In the US? Will moms really say 'OK honey, you can have a Wii for your birthday - let me call Target and see if they have any Wii's in stock'???

Crappy name aside - the Nintendo platform will probably be the only true next gen platform that is backwards compatible. I know I will probably pick one up just for the unique controller. As for naming, only time will tell. Lets face it - Presario and names of that nature were not winners when they first were put out there, but maybe it will grow on us.

Posted by Tim on Thursday April 27, 2006 at 10:25 PM

Stupid name, but who buys a console for the name? All that will matter is what games will be on it and will it be back-compat with previous gen titles. Oh, and its from Nintendo. I think kids will say they want the new Nintendo system for their birthday, although some may say Wii just for the vague scatalogical conotations.

Hmm, I see a Monty Python sketch here: The Knights Who Play Wii!

Posted by jp on Friday April 28, 2006 at 9:08 AM

Maybe it's pronouced "why" as in, "Wii the hell did they change the name to Wii??"

Posted by Peter on Friday April 28, 2006 at 9:53 AM

It IS a very friendly name, approachable by the unwashed masses, who is exactly the target audience for Nintendo (as opposed to hardcore gamers, I think.) At least that's what Gaming Steve says, and I assume he knows what he's talking about.

Still, I was OUT on the Revolution and I'm even more OUT now that they changed to the goofy name Wii.

Posted by Kevin on Friday April 28, 2006 at 5:50 PM

If you are out on this then I think you are cutting yourself short Kevin. There are some fantastic titles for the Gamecube, and I don't regret my decision.

Posted by Tim on Friday April 28, 2006 at 9:52 PM

I think everyone agrees the name is lame. Well...most people.

But has anyone noticed the more interesting questions raised by the (dare I say) wii-action? Like:

Q: Would a console's name affect your decision to buy it? To play it?

Q: As a hardcore gamer, would you buy a console targeted at the casual gamer audience? Why?

Uh-oh. I think I feel a poll coming on. (As it were.)

Posted by John on Friday April 28, 2006 at 10:19 PM

Also, I felt I should be a bit more literary. I found a quote from Romeo and Juliet that I think fits well here:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet."

And at the end of the day, the success of the platform will not reside on the name but the price, games and experience. Nintendo may not be top dog in the console space, but they bring a consistent experience and it is always high quality and family friendly.

Posted by Tim on Saturday April 29, 2006 at 12:30 AM

I see a Wii in my future, despite what I think of the name. Ultimately it is because my son is the right age and I think it has a chance of being a console the whole family might play. I daresay I'm looking forward to it.

On the whole, I agree with Tim - it's about the content. If the games are good (and Nintendo has a pretty good track record) then it will work out.

Posted by Scott on Saturday April 29, 2006 at 11:10 AM

I, too, will be buying a Wii and replacing the GameCube. Nintendo is good at making games that anyone can play, and my kids play it quite a bit. Aaron is getting up in age though, and spends roughly half his video game time on the Xbox/360. Mostly Battlefront and Burnout. Plus, Nintendo will have Zelda, which is an incentive right there.

As for John's question. Yes, a hardcore gamer would buy a Wii, if they have kids. Otherwise, probably not. But again, it depends on whether Nintendo branches out and adds non-E games. Resident Evil 4 being a good example of that.

Posted by jp on Saturday April 29, 2006 at 11:42 AM