The release of the Nintendo Wii last year has revolutionised the game console market more than another other product. We all thought that the original Sony Playstation was the best thing since sliced bread. And then came Microsoft’s Xbox, which gave Playstation a real run for its money. Sony thought back with the Playstation 2 and 3. Now Nintendo has take its game console to dizzy new heights that Sony and Microsoft have not been able to match.
So what is all the fuss about? Some might say it is the very competitive price point. At under £200 in the UK, and $250 in the USA, it is very reasonably priced compared with the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. That has no doubt made gaming more affordable for the masses.
However, the real selling point is the amazing, futuristic wireless remote, known as the Wii remote. The Wii remote can detect three dimensional motion and rotation and enables the user to interact with the games like never before. You can punch, swing, punch, jump with the games. It is the kind of thing we have seen on science fiction movies and never actually believed were possible. You actually gain a valuable workout while playing a video game! The Wii remote has made game consoles exciting for everyone, even people that previously had no interest in game consoles.
The highly completive price point combined with the next generation wireless remote has lead to incredible demand for the Nintendo Wii. It has outsold the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. It has been so popular that stocks have been sold out. Some believe that Nintendo embarked on a deliberate ploy to hold stock back to create an artificial demand. Whether that is true or not will be as issue of debate. But that is no debate about the quality of this game console. It proves a richer, more interactive, energetic and interesting experience that any other game consoles before it.
Nintendo has moved the game console to the next level. Now it is time for Sony and Microsoft to play catch up.