OK, I'm intrested in obtaining some hard sales numbers from the Gamecube and its games. I want to see how the sales are broken down into the different demographics (which age groups were a stronger audience). I'm sick if anecdotal evidence. I will try to reasearch this on my own, but if someone could help me out, I would appreciate it.

Keep in mind, I do not own ANY console now, nor have I for around 3 years. I do not harbor allegiance for any company. I care about enjoying what I purchase. I also hope that the manufacturer(s) of my choice succeed, in order to perpetuate future projects and products so I can continue to enjoy my purchase.

The only consoles/portables I have never owned are: ps2, gamecube, xbox360, nintendoDS, Sony PSP. I have owned pretty much every console in existence before these - Other than a couple obscure consoles around the Atari Era, like the Coleco Vision.

When people say any console is a failure, I question their definition of failure. For example, in a thread below regarding fanboyism, someone considers the GameCube a failure with respect to the last generation of consoles. First off, what do they mean by failure? Was the gamecube very profitable? Did it hit their core demographic? Did they acheive most of the important goals they set out? I think it's possible to be excited about a console or intrigued by a brand without spreading false information. I think too many people put their opinions in place of hard facts.

Now allow me to express my opinion. I am excited about the Nintendo Wii. It is the only console that has piqued my interest thus far. I like their approach, and I'm highly intrigued. I don't hate Microsoft or Sony. However, last year, I was pretty annoyed with Sony's pre-render/scripted smoke and mirrors stunt they pulled with that war game (the name escapes me). The specifics of what that had done practically had to be dragged out of them after MUCh speculation. If I recall the game ran at 3fps, and was sped up.

If anyone was curious about the Japanese reaction, a quick look at a 2channel thread tells me that the reaction of Japanese gamers seems to pretty much echo the Shack's, with most reacting to the name with derision and disbelief. Negative comments run along the lines of "awful" "lame" "I'm going to be embarassed when I ask for it by name" "It's very unusual for the mere name of something to bring down my desire to buy something so much."

A few do see promise in it though.

"I get the feeling it's a name aimed towards women. Easy to pronounce and all.
But it won't sell. No doubt about it, it won't sell."

"It seems purposefully un-console like. I think they were aiming for something soft sounding.
It's much better than the lameness of "Gamecube."
Wii....It's actually not bad!"

"PS3? Nononono. XBOX360? Nononono.
Those names, by merit of numerals in them,
If you're already tired of game consoles,
What's a PS3? Don't make me laugh, the name itself is a continuation.
There are no numbers in "wii." Anyone can make wii their own.
It's something you feel, the wii.
By feeling the wii, like taking a ski jump past the K point. your gaming life reach a level of true satisfaction."
(This one was a little tongue in cheek?)

Personally, I've gone from "No...that can't be right..." to "Hmm, it's starting to grow on me" in my first 15 minutes of exposure. Not being an abbreviation, not having numerals, and not sounding like a console may not seem like much, but they are steps towards welcoming typically non-gamers into the fold. It's also a pretty hard to forget name.

Link to thread http://news19.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/gamenews/1146155199/ some cute ASCII art

Why not the Nintendo Sii. Or Nii. or something else not starting with the letter W. :/

If you make a petition I'll sign it. Otherwise, I'll just keep calling it the Revolution. If I go into the store to buy the system and I say "Revolution," they'll probably give it to me. If they don't, I'll say "Nintendo Revolution." If still that doesn't work, I will point, or grab it myself. I think the new name is stupid, but I'm not pissed or emo. I'm just going to call it what I want (as a name and as a console, and society and government for that matter."

Revolution

Here is a letter I sent to Nintendo, I urge others to voice there opinions, even though it likely will not get anywhere.

I am one of probably thousands of gamers that think the new name for the console, the Wii, is an awful name for such a wonderful console. I am sorry, I just had to write in to say that it is a really bad decision to name it this, just about any other name would probably be better then Wii, I mean it is almost like you should just call it the Nintendo Wiener or Nintendo Weewee, I mean of course that wouldn't be realistic but seriously, Wii is just as bad. The first thing I think of when looking at that name is probably small, kiddy, I mean it is a kiddy "potty" word honestly. It is just an awful name, please, please reconsider while there IS still time, I know it is probably already in the late stages and likely is already too late but if at all possible, please, think of anything else. I think this is one of maybe 5 names you could pick that would actually ruin the system in sales. I will buy one no matter what its called, and I guess you guys are probably assuming that for most of the population, I will say I am a huge Nintendo fan and although I am not childish enough to not buy a system, especially such a great one, soley based on the name, I would not put it past others. You are making a huge mistake by calling it the Wii, a very big mistake. Call it the Nintendo RS if you ask me, or I actually like the codename revolution but you could call it the Nintendo Awesome and it would be much better than Wii.

My opinion. Only a child or someone with an underdeveloped ego/cognitive function would not buy a console on its name and not its games. I suspect a lot of the naysayers had no intention in buying a nintendo system because of a poor upbringing and the desire to act our homoerotic fantasies with guns in squad based shoot em ups, maybe no sold male role models? conjecture I know.

A plus I guess it has given a lot of unfunny geeks something to attempt humour at and for that Nintendo should be commended. It is a lot easier to hate something that to create something.

Seriously you bemoan Nintendo at being a kiddie system and you carry on like a bunch of five year olds who had just discovered the word poo. If that isnt hypocracy then what is?

If you say NintendoWii in one word it doesn't sound THAT bad..

The Unintentional Humor thread:

From BBC news:

"The game sees players follow a daily routine of brain enhancing exercises to boost their IQ.

Only time will tell whether Nintendo can replicate that kind of success with its Wii."

Soo... Mario Wii?!

http://www.ytmnd.com/list/?search=wii

I'm so sorry. :(

Meh, I don't even care. I wish they would have named it "BAG OF COCKS" just to hear you all explode. :p

Why is it one syllable?

Names like Google, Yahoo, iPod, are weird yes. However I never once "thought man that name sucks". However had they been named Goo, Yah, or Pod then that would be a totally different story.

I know this is a poor analogy but... if people are as immature as everyone here is making out, then why is pooh bear such a popular kids story? Y'know im sure nintendo is aware that the initial reaction would be shock thats why they anounced it now. before i went to bed nearly everyone was slating it, and now the next morning when i check in a lot of people have already got used to it. I dont think its a big deal, and will actually prove to be quite a unique good move for ninty.

Wii ... are the champions ... my friends...

Everyday I take a wii and I don't go to work.

Won't they be pronouncing it "Vee" in many parts of the world?

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2006/20060428.jpg

Apologies if repost

I'd buy it even if they called it "nintendo passing-batteries-through-your-urethra machine."

Seriously. I guess all this "OMG WII WTF" noise means that nobody will be buying it on the release date. That means more wii for lie bot.

Go ahead, yell your lungs out. I'll probably see you in line on the release date, asking for your wii just like everyone else.

so is the controller going to be called a cock or something
cos thats what a wii controller is

I don't know...it doesn't bother me that much, but I think I'll still continue to call it the Revolution.

I have feeling if Remo wrote this headline it would have been more rosey.

You have to ask, does Nintendo hate itself? It seems to be doing everything in its power to fail. The DS was a fluke, even Nintendo thought it was going to fail and went out of its way to protect its Gameboy brand by saying the DS was not the next gen gameboy and that was still in development.

Now they seem to want to kill their new console. Not only does Nintendo have to convince consumers to buy Nintendo again after two "failed" systems and an alien control scheme, they now have to overcome a ridiculous potty humor brand name.

Here is a letter I sent to Nintendo, I urge others to voice there opinions, even though it likely will not get anywhere.

I am one of probably thousands of gamers that think the new name for the console, the Wii, is an awful name for such a wonderful console. I am sorry, I just had to write in to say that it is a really bad decision to name it this, just about any other name would probably be better then Wii, I mean it is almost like you should just call it the Nintendo Wiener or Nintendo Weewee, I mean of course that wouldn't be realistic but seriously, Wii is just as bad. The first thing I think of when looking at that name is probably small, kiddy, I mean it is a kiddy "potty" word honestly. It is just an awful name, please, please reconsider while there IS still time, I know it is probably already in the late stages and likely is already too late but if at all possible, please, think of anything else. I think this is one of maybe 5 names you could pick that would actually ruin the system in sales. I will buy one no matter what its called, and I guess you guys are probably assuming that for most of the population, I will say I am a huge Nintendo fan and although I am not childish enough to not buy a system, especially such a great one, soley based on the name, I would not put it past others. You are making a huge mistake by calling it the Wii, a very big mistake. Call it the Nintendo RS if you ask me, or I actually like the codename revolution but you could call it the Nintendo Awesome and it would be much better than Wii.

So the inevitable ripping on the name has begun. Ok, well anyone is entitled to their opinion.

For perspective, I can tell you that brand names such as Dreamcast and Pentium were roundly ripped when they were announced. You'll get used to it.

And think about it. Is it possible, I mean is it even possible, to have a more dumb ass name than "playstation." That's just the bottom of the barrel when you think of it (ok, maybe 1/2 pt better than "stinky turd."

I like the name Wii just fine.

Sooo

Nintendo targets the younger audience.
Nintendo's marketing campaign for DS is "Touching is good"
Nintendo names their latest console Wii, allowing children to ask each other "What color is your Wii? Can I see it?"

...

Wii! You know why this is a GREAT name for the product - just look at the discussion, people are talking about it!

It doesn't matter if you like it or not it's opened peoples mouths and minds and generated interest in a way that names like Revolution, or Xbox 360, PSP or Playstation 3 never have. Ys I know why they called it the Wii, and yes personally I do like it, and not for the obvious and subliminal meanings - for me it just works, it's inclusive and fun, everything a game system name should be.

So, debate away, - there's no such thing as bad press, not when boards like this have already run to over eleven pages of responses and replies!

Donald Trump: You're fired.

I'm a big fan of Nintendo. I think their games are truly something special.
Their controllers are always really nice (except for the last one) and on a sour note, I've ALWAYS thought their hardware was always sub-par for what ever generation they were aiming for.

That said, I think changing the Revolution to Wii is just about the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard. I don't give a fuck what they call it, I'm calling it the revolution.

Whoever came up with this idea should be fired twice and urinated on by small children.