We must all be like the Wii...

Ok then, we will, all admit that whatever our doubts were before Nintendo released the Wii, its a damn interesting machine. Sure, it lacks the brunt of the PS3 and 360, but its hardware, if used correctly by both customers and developers, is genius. Unfortunately, there are a very small number of games which have been produced for the console which are actually any good. The rest seem to be created through the minds of sadists who simply want Wii owners to suffer.

So, what makes the Wii popular? I've ruled out the software above, with the excellent games such as Super Mario Galaxy and Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess (which is getting on a bit now) and a couple of others being mostly Nintendo developed titles and most third party stuff being crap PS2 ports. I reckon its mainly down to the kind of people who when I've asked them about the Wii their response has been.

"Its really fun, I just love playing Wii sports, the bowling is awesome....And Wii fit.....I'm classed as un-fit you know...but still can do all the exercises....how awesome is that!"

Now don't think I'm ridiculing the Wii as a games console. I have played both the games above and admit that they are fun. Unfortunately they only keep my little mind interested for about 10 minutes, and once I've done all the stuff once, I ain't really into doing it again and again every single day.

But, I feel Nintendo really needs to focus on the people who really got them into the position they are as a games company. Those hardcore gamers who decided to purchase Nintendo console after console, and have stuck with the company all the way through the its history. Yes, they do release a Zelda game, and countless Mario games, as well as loads of other first party titles. But they really need something new to hook back those fans, like myself, who have found themselves moving over to more traditional based consoles for a good experience (Smash Bros. Brawl for example is pretty much unplayable with the Wiimote).

What's worse though, is when other companies attempt to copy it, simply to attract the 'casual' audience (though it hurts to use that phrase) which the Wii has so clearly hooked. Sony tried it first with Sixaxis because "Vibration in controllers is completely last Gen..." (Ken Kutaragi)...proved wrong with that one, weren't you. Now the Sixaxis stuff in PS3 games has been more tacked on that many Wii games, so Sony seems safer sticking with Singstar and Buzz....

But, its not just Sony, Apple has also filed a '3D remote control system' for their set top box, Apple TV. Now not exactly the same, but it seems that Apple are attempting to lure people into buying its promise because 'It looks like that Wii majiggy..'. Also with Microsoft's Xbox media summit, that kicks off at some point today, rumours are rife that a Xbox 360 Wiimote esque thing will be shown off. The truth in this is a bit up and down, but either way, it looks like we won't be seeing the end of the these 'Casual Gaming Controlling devices' any time soon.