Wii on day one.

[Andrew Mayer]

I've never purchased a console on day one in my entire life.

Never put down the advance dollars, never even considered it.

I'm going to with Wii. At under $300 I'm going to do it because it sounds like fun.

Feel free to also use this thread to discuss GameCube games that will be worth owning to play on your new Wii.

[Jab]

I'll probably do it too. Is Smash brothers melee a launch title?

I was there on launch day for the gamecube, and the dreamcast. There are alot of gc games I'm going to pick up between now and the launch. I'll probably get pikmin 1 and 2 again. Maybe killer 7 as well.

[BDGE]

The E3 teaser trailer for Smash Bros. says 2007 if I recall.

Still, there is Zelda at launch.

[Moggraider]

I'll definitely be hunting for the Wii on launch day. I just hope Smash Bros. and/or Metroid Prime make launch too, but I suppose I can't expect them to.

[Coca Cola Zero]

Wii will be the first console I've ever preordered, but not the first one I ever had on release day... I got a Dreamcast on 9/9/99.

[Jake Plane]

I remain unsure. I like the idea of Wii - a lot. And I miss Zelda quite a bit. And the price is certainly right.

But since I already own a next-gen console, I'll have to wait for the details to come trickling in. If the console price is indeed low, and Zelda gets a solid review, I would be very tempted to own the Xbox 360/Wii combination.

[Alex Handy]

I plan to pre order 2. Maybe 3. Ebay ho!

[Gary Whitta]

Are EB and Gamestop taking pre-orders yet? I should get mine in now if so... I really would like to grab one on day one.

What are the chances of another Xbox 360-style launch window fuck-up?

[BobJustBob]

I'm getting one pre-launch, assuming it comes out first in Japan.

[Theodore Rex DX]

If it's $150, yes.

[phanfasm]

I've been able to play with it a little already at E3 and elsewhere, and I can tell ya, it's getting bought day one by me via preorder.

[DennyA]

I'll wait and see the impressions. I have a feeling it's going to take a year for the controller to get past "gimmick" stage.

[BobJustBob]

One of these days I want to know exactly what makes something a gimmick.

[Ragnar Oppedal]

Since Zelda will be there at launch, yes.

[jiffy]

Are EB and Gamestop taking pre-orders yet? I should get mine in now if so... I really would like to grab one on day one.


Not that I know of. Everytime I ask the guys they always tell me they're waiting for a concrete release date. I'll be there day one for sure. The first console I ever preordered was the DS, and I have no regrets whatsoever. And Zelda and MP3 at launch? Holy crap that's just 6 layers of icing on an already icing-covered cake. I can't wait.

[Theodore Rex DX]

I'm waiting for reviews to decide which version of Zelda to get. I heard that at least in the E3 build, the Wii control was kind of fucked. Probably I'll get Wario Ware and Metroid - maybe Excite Truck?

[Nathan Phoenix]

Wii will be my first launch day console.

[wildpokerman]

Wii sounds like Whee, therefore I want one.

Since I don't know a damn 'nother thing about it except it comes with a funky wand wii-mote I know I want to give Gamestop money in advance interest free right?

I still say preorders are for suckers.

[K0NY]

I'll probably be getting the new Zelda at launch, then taking it home to play on my Gamecube. So if the Wii ships first, I'll have something to do (without actually purchasing an extra console) until PS3 comes out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Microsoft really comes out swinging with some excellent games this holiday season to compete with both new machines. That way, even if the PS3 has a disappointing launch, I'll have something to amuse myself with.

Edit: It occurs to me that having the launch of both new consoles on the same night might be really cool. That way, those who want both could just wait in one line. I know it won't happen though.

[Cosmic Hippo]

I'm not a "release day" kind of guy - it honestly seems a little pointless to join a huge rush. But if huge shortages are predicted, I will. Either way, unless I immediately hear how much it sucks, I intend to buy it as soon as possible. I'm really looking forward to the thing.


Edit: It occurs to me that having the launch of both new consoles on the same night might be really cool. That way, those who want both could just wait in one line. I know it won't happen though.And we can recreate the flame wars of the internet... in real life! Glorious! I wonder, from which side will the first shots be fired?

[jpinard]

No consoles here... period (except handhelds).

[Theodore Rex DX]

Consoles are shit, but they do have great games.

[Chris Nahr]

And Zelda and MP3 at launch? Holy crap that's just 6 layers of icing on an already icing-covered cake. I can't wait.

Me too. I want Twilight Princess, and there are definitely going to be more games I want to play before the first price drop. Not that it will amount to much anyway for a $249 console.

[Theodore Rex DX]

It's not gonna be that much. At least, it shouldn't be. $200 or below.

[Jazar]

One of these days I want to know exactly what makes something a gimmick.

See VirtualBoy. I bought a Gamecube at launch. I'm going to wait this time for a bit to see if there really are some quality games that aren't just minigames.

I'm glad that I have my GC to play Zelda on.

[E-phonk]

Zelda, Fire Emblem PoR and Paper mario made the GC purchase justified. All the other titles were nice extras.

[Hawkeye Fierce]

I'm waiting on the pricing details. A more definitive report on the quality of the launch games would be nice too, but they generally sound pretty solid.

[Balasarius]

Nintendo has never made a product I am interested in. They don't own a single IP that interests me. Mario? You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Nintendo is for kids.

[Midnight Son]

No consoles here... period (except handhelds).

I joost to think like that. Luckily, mah eyes were opened to the glory-ah!

[Midnight Son]

Nintendo is for kids.

I'll raise you a Resident Evil 4 and an Eternal Darkness, fool.

[RickH]

One of these days I want to know exactly what makes something a gimmick.

If I had to guess, it's a feature that looks interesting but isn't exactly essential to the core functions of the product. You can't play Guitar Hero or Samba de Amigo or Dance Dance Revolution without the right controller, but you can clearly live without pressure-sensitive buttons on your Dualshock 2.

Since the Wii controller is essential to the functioning of the console, I don't regard it as a gimmick. Unlike, maybe, the Eyetoy or R.O.B.

[Jake Plane]

But both the eyetoy and ROB were essential to their respective games; They just weren't essential to the core gaming experience of the system.

The Wii controller on the other hand appears to be part of the Wii experience across the board.

Doesn't strike me as a gimmick either. It's more of a radical design decision - but a radical decision that for better or worse is now part of the core gaming experience of the Wii.

[KaoFloppy]

I'll raise you a Resident Evil 4 and an Eternal Darkness, fool.
Those are not really by Nintendo, though. Maybe try Fire Emblem instead? Characters die and don't get resurrected in Fire Emblem...

edit: "are not", not "are". (>sigh< it's gonna be a long day, I can tell now)

[Flowers]

I've gotten the majority of consoles released in my lifetime the day they were released. I will probably snag the Nintendo, unless someone in my family tells me not to get it. (I brake for presents.)

[DennyA]

when I talk about "gimmick," I mean that you're likely to see lots of games that use the controller's motion sensing just to use it, rather than to really enhance gameplay. (Like early DS games that gratuitously used the stylus.) Games that have you doing motion for the sake of... having you doing motion. And I imagine that the first generation of games won't use the controller nearly as well as later games will, as devs get more experience with the platform.

My other concern is that the Wii's low-res display is going to look as crappy on my 56" HDTV as my PS2's does.

[E-phonk]

They don't own a single IP that interests me.

Fire emblem and Advance Wars are two of the best console strategy games.
Metroid prime is one of the better first person adventures.
The zelda series includes some of the best action RPG's in their respective console generations.
The mario games are not only some of the best platformers, they are often the de-facto standard if it comes to how to make a solid platformer.
The mario-sport games (mario kart, mario tennis, mario soccer etc) are some of the most fun multiplayer console titles around.
Smash brothers is (imo) one of the best fighting games, with simple controls but a very solid and deep tricksystem.
Fzero is one of the best future-racers (together with wipeout).
Paper mario is a great RPG with a lot of originality that makes fun out of the nintendo universe AND RPG's in general
Pikmin (2) was one of the better takes on console RTS games
Animal crossing is.. just great in its own unexplainable way


Other notable sport games by nintendo : 1080 snowboarding, pilotwings, wave racer, punchout,

Other notable RPG games by nintendo: Golden Sun, Earthbound/mother

Other notable series by nintendo : star fox, kirby, warioware games, mario party, nintendogs, brain training, kid icarus, donky kong, chibi robo, pokemon and more.


If none of those interest you, I can assure you you are missing out on a lot of gaming fun.

[Guido Jones]

You know it's possible to not like Sports, Platformers, Racing Games, and JRPGs.

That leaves what, Metroid? Starfox? Thanks no.

[E-phonk]

You know it's possible to not like Sports, Platformers, Racing Games, and JRPGs.

That leaves what, Metroid? Starfox? Thanks no.

So, what's left then?
- FPS and RTS games, both who are not really console genres anyway, and are still a lot better on PC.
- Western RPG's: besides oblivion, I can't really think about any other remarkable console western style rpg's
- "mature" GTA alike games: just gta really, and not a genre persé
- Strategy? I mentioned Fire emblem (certainly a SRPG) and advance wars (pure strategy, not a rpg at all)
- Simulators - but again that is PC domain.
- MMOrpg's: no console has a really good offering here

Most of the genres not covered seem to fall into PC territory.

I can understand a lot of reasons for not liking nintendo - but their first & second party game offerings are so solid and polished, I can't grasp how people can actively dislike all of them.

PS: I also don't like sport games, racing games - and only a few JRPGS.
But from nintendo's first party offerings I do like zelda, mario, fire emblem, smash brothers, Ouendan!, metroid (although I start to get tired of the "prime style"), animal crossing, advance wars, paper mario mario kart (the only racing game I really like) and wario ware.

[Guido Jones]

So, what's left then?
- FPS and RTS games, both who are not really console genres anyway, and are still a lot better on PC.


I agree FPS's are more fun on the PC - there's a nice niche though for games like Halo and Halo 2. I've enjoyed Call of Duty 2 and FC: Instincts Predator as well.


- Western RPG's: besides oblivion, I can't really think about any other remarkable console western style rpg's

Knights of the Old Republic? Fable? Mass Effect?


- "mature" GTA alike games: just gta really, and not a genre persé

Resident Evil? Silent Hill? For games coming out Dead Rising, and Crackdown would be examples too.


- Strategy? I mentioned Fire emblem (certainly a SRPG) and advance wars (pure strategy, not a rpg at all)
- Simulators - but again that is PC domain.

I don't play either of those genres, so no clue there.

- MMOrpg's: no console has a really good offering here

FFXI? I mean, FFXI sucks and everything, but it seems popular enough. But the current crop of MMORPGs do belong on the PC.

Anyway, I do honestly dislike most of what Nintendo offers.

[spiffy]

Most of the genres not covered seem to fall into PC territory.



yep. Hence why I've only owned a PC so far, moslty sticking to military sims, sci-fi sims, tactical strats, FPS's and the odd western RPG.

I'm so seriously considering a Wii and/or a pair of DS's for multigaming with the girl though, who knows what door that'll blow open. I've decided to wait for the Wii release to see the reactions but I'm guessing that nothing could be more fun for several people than the control scheme alone. hey, I'm a joystick kinda guy, and the wii-mote seems like the next best thing.

[BobJustBob]

Anyway, I do honestly dislike most of what Nintendo offers.

It sounds like you honestly dislike all of gaming. In all seriousness, what is left when you discard sports games, racing games, platformers, RPGs, strategy games, and sims?

[Jab]

To clarify what is a 2nd party game? Is that from a developer not owned by the console ,but only makes games exclusive to that one. Like game freak?

[Guido Jones]

Uhh..what I listed above? FPS, RTS, Western RPGs, MMORPGs, and "Mature" games.

Edit: just to prove I in fact don't hate gaming, here are the games I'm planning to buy for the 360:

Chromehounds
Mass Effect
Crack Down
Dead Rising
Halo 3
Rainbow Six: Vegas
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Hitman: Blood Money
Stranglehold
Gears of War
Lost Planet

And there's a few more on the maybe list (like the next Brothers in Arms, Timeshift, and Saint's Row) depending on demos etc.

[BobJustBob]

You like RTS games but don't play strategy games? I'm calling the acronym police.

[Midnight Son]

Uhh..what I listed above? FPS, RTS, Western RPGs, MMORPGs, and "Mature" games.

Edit: just to prove I in fact don't hate gaming, here are the games I'm planning to buy for the 360:

Chromehounds
Mass Effect
Crack Down
Dead Rising
Halo 3
Rainbow Six: Vegas
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Hitman: Blood Money
Stranglehold
Gears of War
Lost Planet

And there's a few more on the maybe list (like the next Brothers in Arms, Timeshift, and Saint's Row) depending on demos etc.

You like western games. Probably have something against orientals! Oh, excuse me, asian, games.

[spiffy]

You like western games. Probably have something against orientals! Oh, excuse me, asian, games.

I know you jest, but I can't say I care for most Japanese 'playstation-y' ports either. The Final Fantasies are somewhat tedious to me, and much too linear; I burned out on fighting games way back at Mortal Combat2 so forget Tekken and it's ilk, and most of the console action games don't appeal to me regardless of their origin. And these days any kind of game touting a Japanime woman with huge tits and clone faces/rainbow colored hair gets my eyes rolling all the way back into my skull.

Nintendo is actually the opposite for me, however, cute games that are actually very innovative and playable. I don't own them myself but I'm always pleasantly surprised by what my friends show me.

[Coca Cola Zero]

It boggles my mind that there are people out there who don't like Nintendo's games, but hey, it's a free country... so... you're free to be completely wrong about games.

[Guido Jones]

You like RTS games but don't play strategy games? I'm calling the acronym police.

When you say strategy I think Civ 4, GalCiv, Etc etc. which I don't enjoy. Games like Starcraft on the other hand I do enjoy.

Wait, aren't you the guy who hated Half Life 2? How can you hate Half Life 2 yet question my dislike of Nintendo's products?

For the record, I used to like games like FF (bought a PS1 and a PS2 soley for that series in fact), and I was a huge Nintendo freak back in the day. Those games just no longer interest me.

[BobJustBob]

When you say strategy I think Civ 4, GalCiv, Etc etc. which I don't enjoy. Games like Starcraft on the other hand I do enjoy.

Wait, aren't you the guy who hated Half Life 2? How can you hate Half Life 2 yet question my dislike of Nintendo's products?

For the record, I used to like games like FF (bought a PS1 and a PS2 soley for that series in fact), and I was a huge Nintendo freak back in the day. Those games just no longer interest me.

As a rule, I don't like linear story-heavy games. HL2 was story-heavy despite not having much of a story. And it was oppressively linear.

But hey, if you only like PC games developed in your own country (because of the aesthetic) I guess it's cool that you can at least identify at a glance which games might interest you. But rules like that are rarely absolute. I hate linear story-heavy games but I loved MGS2. I hate games without save anywhere but I loved Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter. I don't like RTS games but I loved Total Annihilation. There's usually an exception to any rule and you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't occasionally test to see if your tastes have broadened.

[Theodore Rex DX]

I don't get guys like Guido Jones and Belasarius. If I wanted to play a realistic, mature game I'd just get in my mech and perform stealth kills on unsuspecting Guido Jones' and Belasarius'.

[Theodore Rex DX]

But srsly. The dichotomy is this: You have the people whose development was stunted at 14, and the people who never really wanted to grow up since forever. One likes immersive adolescent power fantasies - the browner and greyer the better, the other likes stimulus any way they can come by it: the more sugary and bizarre, the better. I like both, because I am a well-rounded, intelligent adult with broad yet discriminating tastes - I have an active imagination that requires input, and also a natural desire to murder people. I generally prefer bubble-blowin', fruit-collectin', rainbow-shittin' games but I will cross the floor if the game is just rad like GTA or Half Life 2 or Resident Evil 4 or Metroid or Monster Hunter. Basically I want to do cool shit I have never seen or done before and have a good time.

[RickH]

My other concern is that the Wii's low-res display is going to look as crappy on my 56" HDTV as my PS2's does.

Yeah, that's got me worried, too. The PS2 looks like ass blown up to 60", even with component cables. Jaggieriffic. However, there are some Xbox titles that look OK (JSRF yes, Burnout 3, nooo). Since the GC is closer to the Xbox in graphical power, I'm hoping that the Wii comes out OK at widescreen 480p. I would certainly hope they test the system on HD sets.

[zabuni]

I said maybe, as I will purchase a Wii on day one, unless they do something stupid, as in price it at $300 or something.

[Jason Cross]

I have a hard time saying I'm going to get a Wii on launch day, since I don't have any idea what the price or launch lineup will be.

I know Zelda is promised for day one, and if it makes it, great. But let's not kid ourselves - it's a Gamecube game that will be Wii-enchaned a bit. And from what I played of it at E3, the Wii control stuff in Zelda really does feel tacked-on. I'm not sure I could do it for a significant stretch of time, either.

[Jason Cross]

Nintendo has never made a product I am interested in. They don't own a single IP that interests me. Mario? You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Your loss, I guess.


Nintendo is for kids.

No more so than Pixar, and those movies are pretty fuckin' great.

[Midnight Son]

I am a well-rounded, intelligent adult with broad yet discriminating tastes - I have an active imagination that requires input, and also a natural desire to murder people. I generally prefer bubble-blowin', fruit-collectin', rainbow-shittin' games but I will cross the floor if the game is just rad like GTA or Half Life 2 or Resident Evil 4 or Metroid or Monster Hunter. Basically I want to do cool shit I have never seen or done before and have a good time.

Ig-zactly how I feel. Some people are content to play FPS's and RTS's from now until forever. Not me, man.

[Guido Jones]

As a rule, I don't like linear story-heavy games. HL2 was story-heavy despite not having much of a story. And it was oppressively linear.

But hey, if you only like PC games developed in your own country (because of the aesthetic) I guess it's cool that you can at least identify at a glance which games might interest you. But rules like that are rarely absolute. I hate linear story-heavy games but I loved MGS2. I hate games without save anywhere but I loved Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter. I don't like RTS games but I loved Total Annihilation. There's usually an exception to any rule and you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't occasionally test to see if your tastes have broadened.

There's always exceptions - but those are my general likes/dislikes.

I think for me the big deal is I *do* like story heavy games - and with Japanese games (FF and MGS for example) the story is so fucking crazy (and imo) stupid. And no, I don't just like PC games - I've got 9 games for my 360.

[Kirian]

To clarify what is a 2nd party game? Is that from a developer not owned by the console ,but only makes games exclusive to that one. Like game freak?
Essentially, but there is normally partial ownership of the company, or sometimes a contract.
Rare, Guerilla, Naughty Dog, Silicon Knights, and so on are all second-party.

[VegasRobb]

I'm in.

[jfletch]

I'm still waiting for the Cube to drop in price some more so I can try Metroid Prime and one or two others... not gonna be touching a Wii for a long time.

[Andrew Mayer]

Ooh, that reminds me... I should pick up a copy of Echoes now.

[BobJustBob]

not gonna be touching a Wii for a long time.

You did that on purpose.

[Andrew Mayer]

You did that on purpose.

It's unbewiivable.

[shang]

Wii will probably be the first console ever that I buy at launch. I've been very happy with the Gamecube and the DS, so I feel comfortable in taking the plunge this time.

[RickH]

From what I'm seeing, the DS is selling faith in the future of Nintendo in much the way the PSP isn't selling faith in Sony.

[Chris Woods]

I used to be a genre hater as well, but eventually I played games from those evil genre's and realised how silly I was acting. Now I end up with all the platforms. I'm a gamer, not a politician.

Chris Woods

[worm]

I'm thinking I'll just end up with a Wii as a matter of price. I just can't imagine doling out 600 dollars for something that I can't do spreadsheets on. The Cube didn't look so bad, and it will be nice to have some multiplayer games, even if they're designed for noobs.

[Chris Nahr]

Total backward compatibility to the Cube is definitely a good argument. All those Cube games that I missed out on might finally get a price drop next year...

[KaoFloppy]

...if you can find those old cube games on sale anymore. Very likely that you can only find the Nintendo's Choice series of best sellers only. But better than nothing. (Or maybe P.N.03 will have a renaissance!)

[E-phonk]

You can find tons of gamecube games for cheap on ebay

[McBain]

If the new Fire Emblem game is a launch title, then you bet your ass I'm going to be there on day one.

[E-phonk]

I kind of doubt it, I think FE will be Q1 2007 in japan, maybe even later in the US/EU