CONSOLE WARS: Why Won't Hardcore Gamers Let Nintendo Wii Join The Fight?

Candid Anthony of STFUandPLAY.com writes, "Why wont we let the Wii join the fight?"

"In this gaming generation there has been a disruption in the force that has caused many hardcore gamers to scratch their heads in wonder. Most tell themselves this annoyance is just an anomaly it can't possibly be a true contender, yes it has us outnumbered but eventually it will come down to earth and be surpassed. The Wii is a Toy, a gimmick!" Read More...

[ogwilson]

Wii won't need to join the fight. Nintendo and the Wii enthusiasts are laughing because there is no fight to be had for them. They're like Sweden during World War 2, or all the other neutral countries: except they really don't have to care.

[Bazookajoe_83]

But the reason why sweden didnt join is because we wouldnt have much to put up (And we made alot of money selling metal from our mines to the germans.

[Chubear]

Nintendo is ahead in sales because of their new primary fanbase in the general public. Everyone knows if it was just up to primarily gamers, Nintendo's wii would be struggling to out pace the GC.

The core gamer is no longer Nintendo's primary core base and that's why the vast majority of gamers aren't bothered if Nintendo sells 1 billion consoles cause it's just not a big deal to them.

It's like saying Leap Frog's Leapster out sold even the DS for hand held gaming. Most gamers would go "...so?"

[Flipgeneral]

It's obviously true that Nintendo said, "screw the hardcore, lets go for the rest of the potential market"

And guess what... it worked like a charm. Unprecedented sales

[Bnet343]

Many Wii owners are trying to fight off the dust on their Wii's, I'd saying their barely surviving.

@above

Read the title, HARDCORE GAMERS. You know, as in, give me 5 good games a month not a year.

[Montrealien]

(They're like Sweden during World War 2, or all the other neutral countries: except they really don't have to care.)

You mean neutral like Norway was during ww2? lol

Anyways, Nintendo got the casual market when it was ripe for the picking and nintendo owned that. The supposed (hardcore) gamers he is refering to are pretty much just the vocal minority we see in comment sections of forums. Imho the market is pretty much the same as before with the new found casual home console market as it`s gravy.

And a gamer is a gamer, the term Hardcore can mean many things and does not mean someone who buys 5 games a month. Someone who plays wow and raids and runs guilds are not concidered hardcore gamers? Or the guys that play sports games like a religion with friends but could not care less for shooters or rpgs? Or my mom that games more on Pogo somtimes then I do on my own consoles?

All those people I discribbed are gamers, the self labeled hardcore we see being thrown around is crap. They are mostly just b*tchs that think they are something they are not and actually think they are better then others, which is only true in there own little (hardcore) world.

[barom]

lol @ how dumb the norwegians and the swedes are for just standing on the sideline during WW2, did they really think it wasn't going to affect them. Not something to be proud of guys/girls... *just waiting for the disagrees*

[TriforceLightning]

Wii is king no need to worry about the pawns.

[BrotherNick]

You guys should be buying more consoles, instead of hanging out here. Maybe you can keep up. ;) I'll be back when the wii needs actual defending from these peasants.

[Montrealien]

Wy so judgment brothernick? I was buying consoles when your mom was watching the Cosby Show after school wondering if she will be a mommy one day.

Maybe you should not asume that a few people arguing means they automaticaly do not play games or buy more consoles and call them peasants.

[Bazookajoe_83]

Well i wasnt born during ww2, and ill might not have been if we would have been involved in the war. And sweden were pretty safe anyway, we would have blown our mines if the germans attacked. They wouldnt want to risk that.

[barom]

I dont wanna gonna go into it a too much but all I'm trying to say is that being neutral during WW2 is not something to be proud of. For quite obvious reasons in my opinion. Being neutral during that period TO ME just shows signs of weakness either from being a coward or just stupid. We know right from wrong and although wars usually are not all black and white, this one kinda was. And in addition to that countries that were "neutral" were being invaded left and right (this includes Norway btw).

Also I believe the only reason why Sweden was not invaded was because Sweden actually supported Germany by providing materials (steel etc). If I controlled Germany I know I wouldn't waste resources on a country who was semi-supportive when there are other countries to be conquered.

Anyway I'm getting quite off-topic and non-game related so I'mma stop here.

[lastboss]

Because the old gen fight (PS2/NGC/Xbox) is over and the PS2 won !
Wii is a NGC since the more beautifull game on Wii (biohazard 4) was made on Wii 2 years before.

[qohelet]

gen are not defined by the hardware.
get over it. wii is current gen. adn winning.
cry more

[ape007]

because all the wii sales,reputation and overall view is casual,gimmicky games

although wii has some amazing nintendo games

[badz149]

breaking records and swimming in cold hard cash profits and everything but why talk about joining the war or anything at all? everybody knows that the war is between PS3 and 360 thus many side-by-side comparisons and then this exclusive is better than that exclusive and stuffs going on! Wii is winning the customers this gen but it's pretty much in the race on it's own! when was the last time anybody sees comparison video of a Wii vs PS3/360 version? it's pretty much inexisting because there is no fvcking point to do such thing! why bother joining a war when you're clearly handicapped?

this war is like a football match, Sony vs M$ fighting and Ninty is somehow trying to join in the atmosphere by selling hotdogs+snacks+drinks to both crowds in the stadium while also selling the same thing out side the stadium to other people not watching the match! see? Sony and M$ fight hard and loud inside the stadium to make money while Ninty is watching the match inside the stadium while also making money plus making money outside the stadium where neither Sony nor M$ does! so...following the analogy, when talking about football(gaming), people talk about Sony and M$ while although making more money, Ninty is not the headlines! if talking about profits, yeah definitely Ninty is the headlines for selling to a larger crowd.

you are selling many more consoles? good for you! you have the most exclusive? also good for you! but to start considering yourself fighting with PS3 or 360....sorry Ninty, techincally you're handicapped!

[SasanovaS777]

this generation has been focused on the hardcore gamers, so nintendo once again took the revolutionary rout.... hate it or love it, they are once again making history by bringing the common gamer out of people who never knew they had that side...what they are doing now will pay off for sony and them in the long run when the majority of the wii fans grow up and get more familiar with the gaming industry...in the end, everyone wins

[hotdawg]

Theres no revolution at all just motion controls, besides hardcore gamers dont have as much to play on Wii that's why they are left out. I think Sega will single handedly save the Nintendo hardcore gamer, which is so ironic given their history.

[Mr_Bun]

It isn't just motion controls or the lack of quality titles....the wii is basically the worst of the 360/PS3...

-PS3s have HDD on all models and can play DVDs/Blu-rays
-360s have arguably the best online experience and some of the best games of this console generation
-Both sides argue over who has the highest resolution/best looking games but...

The wii has:
-no HDD
-An obnoxious amount of shovelware
-the fewest online games available
-the worst online experience...12 or 16 digit wii number...come on!
-and isn't capable of HD graphics

It just got the ability to playback DVDs late last year god's sake!

[maniacmayhem]

@ Mr Bun

And yet it outsold the PS3 and X360!

So basically you don't need all the bells and whistles that I see everyone on N4G defending to the death to be a good selling system.

[phosphor112]

Nintendo has made lots of hard games in its day, those hard games (like Super Mario Brothers) created the hardcores. You play a Mario game today, and it's nothing compared to its older counter parts looking at the difficulty alone.

These challenges in games made the "hardcore" gamers. The play for the challenge, the fun. Even games on the NGC came out hard. Wario Ware? Think that's for anybody? Yes, it is, BUT any group of hardcore gamers can and make that a challenge amongst one another.

On the other hand, when you play the Wii, the games are easy. They make the controls completely easy for the "hardcore" group, because they take in count for user accessibility. Only game my friends ever play on the Wii is brawl, and for the most part we still like Melee better. But for the most part, the games are just really easy now. And if its too easy, it no longer becomes fun. It happens with any game. The challenge becomes something trivial, and the pleasure of betting those challenges, disappear.

Of course there are really awesome games like Madworld and such, but with no replay value added by a reward system and no multiplayer, whats the use? Once you beat the game 2 or 3 times, you put it up and the Wii yet again collects dust.

PS3 and 360 gamers are fighting each other over a console that represents technological strength, superior gaming experiences, and moments to remember. Every Wii owner I know (that isn't a girl[cuz all my guy friends are hc gamers]) is very disappointed with the Wii.

Nintendo isn't doing what they do best anymore. Now they only make games to appeal to the crowd, not to entertain the gamers.

Click agree if you feel the same way.

[bob saget remix]

Because the Wii has zero hardcore games.

[morganfell]

Exactly. The only people stopping Nintendo from joining the fight is Nintendo.

[SaiyanFury]

I won't say the Wii has zero games. Obviously Nintendo's found it's crowd with the casuals, and that's all fine and dandy. If those people don't want to get an HDTV and join the rest of the world, that's their prerogative. I'm not talking about who's winning the sales wars because frankly I've stopped caring. I get the most out of my home theatre with my PS3, period. My wife can't stake the same claim with her Wii. My HDTV is 61" 1080p, and my A/V Recevier is 7.1 channels at roughly 1000 watts with a 500W powered subwoofer. The Wii has nothing to cater to the home theatre experience. No HD resolutions, no streaming media capability, limited online functionality, heck it doesn't even have basic DVD playback. The Wii might be getting DTS codec support, and I applaud it for that, although because the console doesn't support HD home theatre graphics, I don't really see the point considering that most people who have a Wii, don't have it hooked up to an A/V Receiver. While the casuals are having a bit of fun with WiiFit, I'm enjoying games like Valkyria Chronicles with it's lush presentation and fabulous DTS 5.1 soundtrack. While the Wii isn't a bad console, for a mature home theatre enthusiast, it doesn't bring anything to the table.

[ChickeyCantor]

" Obviously Nintendo's found it's crowd with the casuals, and that's all fine and dandy"

You know you dont try to offer them games like " killzone2 " or something, you have to start simple and build upon that.

@below,
LMAO bubbles.

[qohelet]

define "hardcore"

hardcore is a marketing concept invented to lure in teens adn kiddies into thinking gaming is serious businees.
obviously you fell for it.

enjoy your gears of war and halo

[CandidAnthony]

My thought is that there is a system that is out there for little kids that will eventually grow into the major consoles. The Wii fits that role very well. I dont think a 5 year old can have an NES like experience on a 360 or PS3 right now. Wii has it's market and your right it will pay off for Sony and MS in the long run.

[qohelet]

.

[kewlkat007]

What fight?

Who cares about little fire fights when your on your way to winning the war. Nintendo just have to clean up the bodies..

[Seferoth75]

The only problem I have is the title " Hardcore gamers" are not the ones complaining about the Wii, they own one after all. It's fanboys doing all the crying. Proof is in the previous posts

[bigjclassic]

Back in the hey day (Atari, NES, Sega Master etc.) hardcore games were regulated to RPGS, platformers and fighters. Now that they MS generation is here that term, along with others (AAA games, megaton etc.) have all been warped.

FPS games fall in that category as well. But your random run and gun, cursing and nudity filled games are more of a HUGE FAD if anything.

I consider myself hardcore owning over 13 consoles and 1000s of games. But I play majorily DC, SNES, DS, Wii and PS3.

The Wii is totally underrated. I play tons of Wii and PS3 online (SSBB, R2, SFIV etc.)
Plus* Wii has Tatsunoko vs capcom FTW!!

[KKanjiAnkh]

Best post today, Kudos to you good sir.

[blakstarz]

For one thing...the Wii has WAY TOO MUCH shovelware being thrown its way to even consider joining a fight for hardcore gamers (a few titles that are good are sprinkled here and there)....the Wii is a fad that is spreading like wildfire...which is a mystery to me, but I guess Nintendo knows how to tap into the very causal to boring people that adore this console....

[qohelet]

you obviously never watched closely enough the ps2 library.
it has an awful lot of shovelware.
but maybe you're 12 and weren't quite there at the beginning of last gen?

[koehler83]

You don't bring a knife to a gun fight

[rwalrond]

Yeah, you bring a WiiMote and wipe the floor with your enemies!

[JD_Shadow]

It has worked for them, no doubt. They just need to worry about the rest of us and things will be fine.

I personally have no problems with casual games as long as they are fun and are not made for a quick buck. Thing is, you need a good balance and Nintendo doesn't have that between casual and hardcore.

But I think Nintendo has some good offerings: Boy and His Blob remake, Madworld, and S&P 2. They need to capitalize on the opportunity to get the hardcore gamer loving their system (the new storage thing doesn't hurt, either).

[Seferoth75]

They werent ignored at all. They just got tired of PS2 and went on to the next big console.

[Nitrowolf2]

Probaly because gamers now a days think hardcore games are games such as halo, killzone, Gears, God of War, ect. And when they look at the Wii all what they see is a child toy, i mean all there games (almost) are for kids. Don't get me wrong i love the Wii, i just havn't bought one because there no games that i can look forward to for. it after i would have bought all the heavy hits.

[BadboyCivic]

wii is softcore

[taco_tom237]

ill tell u why its because nintendo sucks i refuse to play my wii cause there is no games for it

[rwalrond]

Listen, these days no games are hardcore. Back in the days of Pac-Man, Centipede, Galaxian and yes even Super Mario, you could spend an hour playing those games and guess what happened when you lost your last life? YOU STARTED OVER! if you finished those games you where hardcore. Nowadays anybody and their grandmother can play and finish these "hardcore" games so WTF is all the fuss about? Nintendo is not only in the dam fight they're winning the fight! It's the people getting the $hit kicked out of them are in denial!

[HDgamer]

Because those aren't hardcore gamers.

[kingme71]

What is the point of the article? Hardcore gamers aren't shutting out the Wii, the Wii is shutting out hardcore gamers. I have all 3 systems and the Wii by far gets the least playtime. There just aren't any titles of interest. Make Wii exclusives I'm interested in and I'll welcome them with open arms.

[Seferoth75]

I'm a hardcore gamer and I can find plenty of games on all 3. That's what hardcore gamers do. If that isnt you, you're not hardcore more likely a true casual gamer.

[Danieru sho]

Coz i jus dnt see it.

[NegativeCreep427]

Real gamers play the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Now are there any conflicted Soccer Moms here on N4G at the moment?

No! So why the hell is this even an issue?

[Gun_Senshi]

because fanboy won't admit their console is getting their arse handed by wii

[Shnazzyone]

I play my wii constantly as a hardcore gamer. It's true the hardcore are just afraid of gaming reaching everyone. I like my system to have a variety of gaming choices. While wii has had vfew big release titles it has made up for it (at least in my mind) by offering an unprecedented retro gaming library making it the single most backwards compatible system ever. If you are a TRUE gamer, not a gamer who only just started playing games when ps2 came out. You can safely respect and love your wii. It gives so very much.

In the end the wii just proves that everyone hates the popular kid.

[ForROME]

Easy, No HD output, every hardcore person has a hardcore set up, if out of the box it cant hang, why would you go any further with it....

Put a fork in it

[Seferoth75]

You do understand that you just said no game made before HD is hardcore just so you could make the Wii look bad? That just seems like it wasnt a very bight thing to do. Games of the 80's were actually hardcore.

HD doesnt make a game hardcore and hardcore gamers do not care about graphics. That is a different type of gamer entirely. Chances are you are a casual gamer and this is only your first or second gen. Only way to excuse your response.

I personally find it insulting that you do not even understand what hardcore is but want to dictate who is and what isnt hardcore.

[yocdub]

Its like letting an 8 year old have sex with yer Mom. Not cool. Stick to cooking virtual crap and waggling.

[fm81]

the hardcore gamer thing is just an excuse to cover up the truth that ps3 n 360 is fighting for 2nd place this console race..i remember when nintendo debut wii at e3 couple o yrs ago..everybody laugh at it n say its gonna be another gamecube n gonna take 3rd place again..n when it sells 50 million units,all of a sudden people say its not a next gen system,its a toy,it doesnt count against ps3 n 360..come on,wii is winning..wii-ning..hardcore or what..mario kart wii outsells metal gear solid 4 n halo 3..now hows is that a gimmick..

[hatchimatchi]

i stick with nintendo systems to get my mario, metroid and zelda fix and i rely on my ps3 to play the other games i want to play. I wish the wii had more fun games but i havent found any, and i've played almost all the ones that people seem to brag about. (im looking at you, de blob and boom blox) I still need to get my hands on 'no more heroes' though, im sure i'd like that cause i love killer 7.

As far as why the wii doesn't get included, i think it's cause the wii offers a completely different experience than that of ps3 and 360. It's hard to put it in the same boat as those 2 systems. Who cares though really, i prefer my ps3 over the wii and some people prefer their wii over the ps3.

It shouldn't matter

[blakstarz]

@qohelet ..

Umm.....if you look at the size of the library of games for the PS2...the amount of shovelware is far less prevalent than the Wii...but I guess you are too young to realize that yourself....I'm sure I've been gaming longer than you...ever heard of Vectrex? probably not so stick to your Wii and have fun.

[Alex_Mexico]

Gamers arent letting Nintendo join the hardcore fight?
I so wanted them to keep on going and fighting for my money
They simply just dont want to!

[thxkbye]

I think the article is pretty dead on. He doesn't really say anything to bash on anyone. I share some of the same thoughts.

[tiberious151]

I have a 360 and Wii and I honestly play the wii more. Ya I'm probably the exception, but I have found many good games on wii. Im not really a casual gamer either as I like playing metroid, ToS, Rune Factory, Zelda, ect. Some people seem to forget all these good games that are on the wii. I cannot devote my whole life to video games and the wii has had more than enough to keep me busy in my free time. The only thing I use my 360 for is Oblivion and Fable so far. I guess if you like FPS you will enjoy the other systems more.