Iwata: Wii Is Not Next Gen

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has distanced the Wii game console from the rest of the next gen pack by surprisingly stating that the Wii is not a next gen game console. In comments made to Japanese business news service Nikkei Business, Iwata said, "Nintendo is not working on a next-generation console. 'Next-generation' implies that the console is an extension of previous installments. We believe that extending our current line will not lead to larger markets and could possibly even lead to smaller markets."

While Nintendo's Wii has been constantly referred to by the press and public as a next gen console, Iwata's comments are sure to throw some game industry watchers off their stride. But Iwata's point is valid, from his perspective. While game machines are getting more and more complex, his concern is that the non-gaming public is left behind. The Wii's targeted audience is planned to be those who are not mainstream gamers