Both Sides of Wii

Yesterday Nintendo released the official name for their next console. Formerly the Revolution, and now simply called Wii, reaction has been strong among gaming fans. A Brian Crecente article in the Rocky Mountain News looks at why Wii is bad, from a marketing perspective. Chris Kohler, over at Game|Life, looks at why Wii is good because of its iconoclastic nature. And, always happy to help with the irreverent, Games.net examines why Wii is weird. From that article: "We don't think Nintendo Wii is a truly terrible console name, but it's an uncharacteristically risky choice, even for Nintendo. We admire its simplicity and its playfulness (the two i's represent multiplayer action, you see). But on the flip side, parents will have a hard time pronouncing it ("Nintendo...why?") and hardcore gamers will slam it ..."

Comments

Microsoft were going to change their console name

[Rik Sweeney]

But they didn't at the end, because everyone already knows that the Xbox 360 is shit.

Sony must be rubbing their hands and cackling...

[dannycim]

Well, Sony has no pretentious naming scheme. Gotta give 'em that! Hurray for simple increments!

Am I the only one who thinks that console manufacturers, when faced with the fact that the PS controller has been perfect for a long time, try to re-invent and fail every time?

The Wii's controller is a feature in search of a need that simply didn't exist. It will be a burden more than an asset.

Re:Nintendo's Wii akin to Chevrolet's Nova?

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

"I wonder why people keep bringing the "nova" example when there are much better ones."

Yeah, like 'Dreamcast' with the Cinnabun logo.

Re:How is this embarassing to the buyer?

[XO]

really, I was mostly kidding. I wouldn't buy the thing to begin with, I'm probably the only person who thinks that Nintendo screwed up gaming rather than actually saved it with the craptastic NES.