Nintendo Wii
Well…I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now. Nintendo has revealed the official name of their next-gen system, which has until now been referred to by the codename “Revolution”.
Yeah, it’s Wii.
Nintendo fans are up in arms because the name sounds “kiddy”, an image Nintendo can’t seem to shake, and Nintendo bashers laugh, flame some video game message boards, and go back to playing football games. Since that appears to be the main argument, let me remind you that the most successful current-gen videogame system is called PLAYSTATION. Maybe you weren’t around at the time, but I distinctly remember the images the name “Playstation” conjured up when it was first announced. Of course, I’ve grown accustomed to it now, just as I’ve gotten off Microsoft’’s case for the XBox 360.
I don’t really care one way or the other. I don’t think I will ever get used to the name, but I will say Nintendo has a knack for making things sound really shitty on paper then following through in execution. Take, for example, all the hubbub online after both the Nintendo DS and the Revolu…err, Wii’s controller were unveiled. The general consensus was “What the hell is Nintendo thinking?”, at least until gamers got their hands on the hardware. Still, a product name has to feel right to the consumer. “Wii” (pronounced “we”) doesn”t exactly roll off the tongue well, especially as a standalone noun. I mean, try it:
“Nintendo Wii…Nintendo Wii…Wii…”
“Hey, come over and play some Wii with me.”
Ehh, whatever. I’m a die-hard Nintendo fan, and I have absolutely no doubt the system and games will be incredible, but Nintendo sure has decided to go Michael Jackson-eccentric on us. Talented, revolutionary, influential, innovative…but recently even the hardest core of fans are starting to go “Okay…what the fuck?”
April 28th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
I Don’t care if it’s called the Nintendo Shitbox it’s the gameplay that counts and that should be fun.
April 28th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
too close to dubya2 to me!