Wii stupidity vanished ?

I remember when I first read about the revolution name change to wii. Every forum, every site, every hobo begging on every street corner had something to say about the name being odd. I remember actualy thinking, 'I bet in a month no one will givea flying *f**k*'.

Does anyone think the Wii name is bad anymore ?

I for one think its an excellent name. Their whole branding of Mii's. Playing together. The whole family joining in. Lends itself to the name Wii.

It is a good name, I cant wait to get myn so I can finally go take that big Wii I have been dying to have for the past 6 months.

I never thought it was a bad name, actually. They had a nice, logo, a cool teaser and it rolled off the tongue.

The mantra "No need to abbreviate" is very true and very smart; 360, PS3 -- all sorts of stuff! -- gets abbreviated. Wii does not... in fact, for that matter, it can't be.
I think that makes the system more friendly to those mysterious "non-gamer" folk, and it makes the name just easier to handle.

Besides, let's face it: Game consoles have stupid names:

-"XBox"?! Enough Xs, damnit Microsoft! (And why a box?)

-"XBox 360". They do realize that a 360 degree turn is where you look in the other direction, then you return to where you started, right? Doesn't that sort of imply that they didn't evolve the thing at all? Wouldn't 180 better suggest a new direction? Anyway, it also sounds like version numbers taken too far. I wonder if the next one will be XBox 720...

-"PlayStation". How did that name last 3 whole consoles? Sony made a bad decision when they forced themselves to stick to the PlayStation name for eternity. (Although they could come up with something unique and drop the whole thing mysteriously, like Nintendo may have done with GameBoy). This is especially bad for Sony, because now they seem focussed on turning the PS into a serious PC. Who buys a serious PC that has "PlayStation" written across it in sparkly letters?

-"GameBoy". I'm glad the DS wasn't called a Game Boy. Too bad so many people still call it one. They did well marketing Game Boy and came up with a really well-known brand, so I guess it's not all bad. It just seems a bit too restricted to a single demographic. Not the worst, not the best.

-"Nintendo DS". A mouthful, and completely uninspired. It's an abbreviation and you don't even have a choice; it's like the opposite of the thought behind Wii. This is not good! Few actually know what DS stands for (Nintendo says it means Developer's System, though many people think it means Dual Screen. I'd rather neither, since both are ridiculous names), and there are people who call it Game Boy DS. The name does not roll off anyone's tongue; it sounds ridiculous.

-"Game Cube". It's shaped like a cube; it plays games. Or is it a game itself? Sounds a lot like XBox, no? If the cube shape had a big impact on the thing's feel or operation, it would be more worthy of having Cube in the name. However, it does not. It works and acts just like any other rectangular, ovular, triangular or even pentagonal game console. (And people will be really confused one day if they play GameCube games on something that is not cubular).

-"N64". Honestly, one of the best names so far. Sad though it is. Sounds like they ran out of ideas and decided to just toss out system specs to sound impressive.

Obviously I'm thinking of the more recent, popular consoles. Amiga is still a good name, and NES/SNES remain fine somehow (though few non-gamers know what "ness" is).

Anyway, back to the point.
Wii, compared to those names, is a breath of fresh air!
It is a name that doesn't mention Game or the system's physical form, that doesn't consist of 10 conflicting syllables, and that doesn't immediately set itself to a single demographic (in fact, it cleverly says that it is for everyone).

Remember how a good essay, a good book, a good magazine, and even a good web site needs a unique name?
The same goes for game consoles.

Those other boring, uninspired names like GameCube have always felt like version numbers to me.
Wii sounds like something new :)

I always thought that "Wii" sounds rather strange. If I heard someone say, "Hey, did you know the Wii has...", without knowing about the "Wii", I'd wonder what they're talking about and why they're using the word "we" so strangely (until I could make out the context in which it was used).

Unlike a "XBox" or a "PlayStation", the name "Wii" really gives you no indication of what it is. However it is definitely quite different from most other names, which makes it stand out from the crowd.



Actually, a 180 degree turn is where you face the other direction. A 360 degree turn is when you spin completely around, stopping at the same direction you started at; in other words, a waste of time :)

John.

Toss me that CD to play in my CD player.

Did you see the new VHS tapes? (substitute beta if you like)

I think Wii is good, simply because it means something on it's own. Xbox doesn't say games to me. It also doesn't sound like something good. It sounds almost pornographic.

Wii, in most places, at least brings up happy thoughts. Or puts a smile of your face.

It is fun. Not technical. It is playful, not serious.

Still hate the name. Not to mention how every female seems to pronouce it "nintendo why".....
I still think Revolution would of been a better fit...

Don't misunderstand - I'm not disagreeing. I just mentioned that the name sounded a little strange to me. I'm sure I'll get used to it, eventually.

The name, given their marketing goal and strategies, is brilliant. Including Wii Sports was BRILLIANT! Nintendo finally wizened up this time around.

The whole thing screams 'gimmick' to me. Ninty know they can't compete this generation in the tech department long term, so they're cashing in on short term ventures. Revolution is a serious name for a console, Wii is not. Ninty know this, their marketing guys know this. The 'controller' is an extension/alternative to EyeToy, except it's not one product that is the gimmick, it's the whole system. Worked for the DS. Good luck to em.

I don't see why everyone is so quick to toss out the gimmick angle. It's not like you can't play 'conventional' games with the controller. And for those games that really require a traditional button scheme, you can use a GC controller.

On the other hand, it does offer some genuinely new ways to play. I'm really looking forward to trying out Madden when it comes out for rent. That seems like another game that is significantly transformed thanks to the intuitive controls.

You can't deny that certain games and certain genres will definitely benefit from the new control scheme - and no genre is really hurt because of the inclusion of the ability to use the GC controllers.

And I'm not so sure that Nintendo couldn't compete in regards to tech, but seriously, how far will it go before a console becomes so powerful and so multi-purpose that it becomes indistinguishable from a computer? If things keep progressing the way they have, the next gen of consoles will be more pricey than a good computer, and will probably try to include more and more functionality to emulate the all purpose nature of a PC. At that point, what compelling reason is there to shell out $1000+ on a limited "PC wannabe?" Consoles are racing towards obsoletion.

Yeah I wouldnt say it was a gimmick. Some of the most fun games on previous systems are games like point blank (used a gun), ddr (uses a dance mat), guitar hero (uses a guitar), donkey kong jungle beat (uses bongo drums).

It makes sense to build your console around a fresh method of play. What would you rather do when playing a tennis game. Press a button or swing for a ball ?

in 50 years we wii will all be playing in holodecks and will look back on nintendo at their attempt to change the market. Well probably not, but something along those lines!

I think Wii is a great name. It totally threw people for a loop initially but now sometimes when people say it, it just sounds like they are exclaiming fun ... like riding on something and saying "Weeeeeee". It's a good name on so many levels it hurts. Additionally, if they called it revolution it'd be the same as the Xbox 360 ... afterall what's a revolution? That's right ... 360 degrees! Of course everyone knows the 360 got its name because they couldn't be Xbox 2 for fear that Sony's Playstation 3 would seem ahead ( 3 > 2 ) and they couldn't call it Xbox Next because Revolution is a much cooler call for change than Next. By using 360 they got their 3 and their revolution all in one.

I used to think the name Wii was soooo stupid. Now I think its not so bad. Totally seems like its for little kids though.

Check this out: http://trashtalk.illclan.com/trashTalkAlert01.php

Wii is pure marketing genius. What a perfect way to bail out of the techno race and go in a completely new direction. The Wii is a Gamecube with a motion sensing controller and built in internet connectivity. They started there and made accessible to just about everyone.

I am looking forward to some educational games for my kids. LeapFrog type stuff.

Yeah....thats why its bad. Also reminds me of the sound of a pig squealing too.



Not really. Revolution could also me a change. In this case, a major change in how we would forever play/interact with gamming. At least, thats the idea immediatly thought of when I first heard the name "Nintendo Revolution", and this was before I even knew about their controller.

I still think the name is SHiiT, quite possibly the gayest name for a console in history. Revolution was much better.
I hate the name even more than X-Box.

Well, none of our opinions really matter that much. We're not really their target demographic.

They must of known us english speaking gamers would find the name funny, in a urinating sense! :)

Picture the scene, two friends talking in the not so distant future:-

Mate One: "Peter, did you ever have a wii?"
Mate Two: "Yeah, I had one six months ago, why?"
Mate One:"Nothing really, it's just your crotch is wet"

Imagine the confusion! :)

Dabz

Wii is still a terrible name.

In swedish word wii sounds like Wee..

So it must mean Us :)

maby it was a swedish that wrong pronunce wii

dose wii sound like whyy in enlish ?

To me it does, wee wee wee wee! :)

Dabz

I would be confused in how to ask for such a console.
Should I say "Why", "Wee", or "W I I " ?

If its really pronounced "Wee" then its a childish gimmick which I would tire of in 15 minutes ..

"Yearh, were both playing with my wee"
"My wee is getting hot. What about yours?"

I've always hated the name "X-Box" too. It sounds like a mysterious package. Pretty poor name for a console.

Playstation on the other hand is completely synonymous with games consoles.
Regardless of which console litle Johnny and Gemima are playing with, parents always call it a PlayStation.

Its a stupid name. The might as well have called it the Number Two.

I can live with Wii, but I think "Wii Sports" is just taking the pi55 :P

Sorry to take a chunk of what you wrote and take it with a completely different connotation, and sorry for going completely OT, but I'd like to point out how botheringly inaccurate this statement is:

Wii's CPU: 729 mHz (Reportedly)
Wii's GPU: 243 mHz (Reportedly)
Wii's Main RAM: 88 MB

GameCube's CPU: 485 mHz
GameCube's GPU: 162 mHz
GameCube's RAM: 24 MB

Wii has 512 MB of built in Flash memory, GC does not.
Etc, etc, etc.

The Wii is actually significantly more powerful than the GC; the only difference is that Nintendo decided to shut up about their specs so various people seem to assume they haven't changed.
The Wii's specs are still hardly impressive when you consider how by many multiples of 10 the 360's specs are superior to the to the XBox's specs, but it is definietly quite an improvement following that earlier pattern of doubling specs with each generation.
Also, both the GPU and CPU there are custom-built and fresh off the presses. GameCube was released 5 years ago. How does a 5 year old game console have the same hardware as a 1 week old game console?

Anyway, back on topic!
Ah, but Number Two is only embarrassing in one language :b

I'm just glad it's a console name I don't see any publishers other then Nintendo slapping a "Wii" to the front/end of their product title...

Already had enough of that with the SNES, everything having "Super" in their name....then "64" with the N64.....and all the friggen "Advance" titles for the GBA, not to mention all the DS game names that have a surtitle that abbreviates to DS......

I didn't toss anything out, I called it as I saw it. You'll note I never said anything for or against the gimmick angle (more for, as a matter of fact)...


It will go as far as the Xbox, or as far as the PS3 in an official capacity at least. What defines a computer vs a console in my book is a keyboard, mouse and hard drive. Some sort of OS helps and PS3 has all that documented in the manual and online on Sony's website...


That's according to taste. I can't stand any of the games you listed.


Swinging for the ball, obviously. The baseball game in EyeToy 3 was neat. I played it. Once.

I feel wierd about the whole name fiasco...
Personally, I can see why people might think "Wii" is funny or wierd... (sounding like some form of urination)
but at the end of the day, I love Nintendo... My earliest gaming memories are of nintendo consoles...
(erm... born in 1989... what else can I say?)
and they are a big reason for my interest in games creation. Then of course "ID software" and "looking glass technologies" (then "looking glass studios") came into my life and I found new role models... but Nintendo always gives me the fondest memories. So whatever Nintendo does, I just want to support them so they can continue.

besides, I think the "Wii" logo is kinda smart/cute and well designed.

The potential for making fun of this console because of its name is immense. I could think of Wii jokes all day.

In Japan of course the 'Wii' sound isn't actually an official sound in their language and is pronounced by a mixture of u and i squished together to form a hybrid katakana word.

So for Japan, it's pretty much a brand new sense of a word that is only used with this console. But of course in English, it means Piss. There's just no getting around the fact it doesn't translate well and sounds ridiculous.

If this magnificently 'revolution'ary console doesn't sell as well as everyone predicts then it's likely many customers didn't want to buy a console with such a silly name and instead opted for the more sensibly Sony named product.

> I can live with Wii, but I think "Wii Sports"
> is just taking the pi55 :P

If there isn't a golden shower in the Wii Olympics then I am demanding my money back (not that I'm getting one anyway)

Is Wii pronounced 'wee' or 'why'? Either way, why? Or Wii?

It is supposed to be pronounced as "Wee", it was done on purpose to reference the word "we", for the togetherness it is supposed to foster. (I forget where I read that bit).

It's certainly a better choice of works then "UN Spacy" that was used in Macross.

So now we gona buy Piss instead of a Ps3 :)

and what will hapend when x-box cames to W-box ?

Fixed.

It's definitely WEE, I have also heard some game developers and girls call it a WHY. I guess they're in the denial about the silly name already.

You say Tomato I say Tomato.
Nintendo say Wii I say WHY? :)

That translates brilliantly to text. 100 points for conveyance of emotion!

Shoulda been tomarto, tomayto, I guess. :P

> Shoulda been tomarto, tomayto, I guess.

maybe

Toe, May, Toe

Toe, Mah, Toe

Actually it makes an even better impact that I wrote them the same, because then you had to really think about it. And I got the three of you talking about it and it totally overshadowed the actual point I was trying to make. :)

> because then you had to really think about it

Tomato vs Tomato is a big thing in New jersey, every ill begoten visitor to the southern portion of the state seems to think it is required to bring up in conversation. But I believe I digress even further.

Actually I didn't - may brain instictively knew exactly how it was supposed to be read, but I read tomarto/tomarto anyways.