M$ doing what they do best...

I am a hardcore Nintendo fan, I just wish they hoped back in the game and showed Sony up like they did with the N64 vs the PS1. 64 bit (and eventually 68 bit) for Nintendo and only 32 bit for the PS1.
 
As far as who has the best controller that is entirely a decision thats different for everyone. Of all the controllers I find the original Xbox Controller (Yes the enormous one) to be the most comfortable on my hands. I also really like the second generation Xbox controllers and the N64 controllers. Personally I can not stand the PlayStation controllers and they hurt my hands after a very short period of time. The 360 Controllers are ok, but I have never been a fan of shoulder buttons because they force you to shift your index fingers off the triggers and that gets uncomfortable.
 
The most comfortable controllers IMO are the smaller PSOne controllers, the only problem is that you get pains in the lower arms after a long while (sorta like the gameboy cramps from wrapping your hands around it).

I never liked the xbox controller much because it was so bulky, you literally feel like you are drunk trying to move the joysticks at times. Of course I never gamed extensively on an xb1 or 360.

Of course my favorite control mechanism is mouse + keyboard. The degree of curability and precision is hard to beat.
 
We all know that CD's and now DVD's are superior to cartridges, but back in the day, the N64 games were often superior to the Sony PS games. Can you think of a game that can even rival Golden Eye or Perfect Dark? Or how about Turok, Harvest Moon and other unique games.

The N64 did have a couple of good titles (pretty much the ones you named and Zelda/Mario and that's about it) but I'm a RPG'er and it had absolutely nothing worth mentioning there. Don't belive me go play "shudders" Quest 64 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_64 (Nintendo Power really tried to hype that pitiful thing). I will give you Perfect Dark was good (Rare was Nintendo's lacky boy in those days :p (I beat all but one stage on perfect difficultly btw :D)) and Turok was decent too (the sequels were uninspired rehashes though). However in the end the only games I bought for the 64 where...

Perfect Dark
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Majora's Mask (which was disapointing for a Zelda game)
Mario 64 (did Mario come with the system I can't remember)

While on the Playstation I own 20+ games (and I rented a lot more). Actually I own more Playstation games than I have Snes ones and that was an excellent system. Going from of the Snes onto the N64 was a big let down but they can't all be winners.

I found the N64's controller to be the most comfortable controller I have ever held. The first Xbox's controller was by far the worst, then comes Sony's uneventful controllers... at least Nintendo has had the guts to change it up, and even microsoft has changed their controllers a bit. Come on Sony. Thats like 13 years of using the same controller. All they have done is added analog sticks, rumble features and made it wireless. Have you ever held a Wiimote and it's nun chuck? They are very comfortable.

To each his own. I Imagine different hand sizes will account a lot for the differences in comfort as well. I would think that unless you are adding a new features like Nintendo's Wii does I don't see the point in changing button placement just to say you have something new. The N64 controller had you switch hand placement while playing for games that used both the d-pad and anolog stick. That just wasn't as intuitive to me as the playstation controller which had easy access to all it's buttons without doing so. Also the N64's rumble pack worked on batteries and generally felt like a tacked on bumblebee to me (because it was attached separately after all). Both controllers where plenty comfortable to me though. I do agree with the X-box controller being bad. I've never held a Wii remote but then I wasn't comparing it as it actually controls in a different manner.

Yes there is nothing new under the sun. Most things we call innovative are really just evolutions from prior designs. Besides if there is a "best" way to implement something it's kind of hard not to have similar thought processes. However at some point an idea has to be protected. Arrrgh! Copyright morality has always given me a headache on one side...

1. Anyone who works with coming up with a new product deserves to profit from that product. It costs money and time to make new ideas. They shouldn't be simply be pushed aside and have their ideas stolen because they can't win a legal fight against a megacorporation who reverse engineers their product. Neither do many people have the money to market their products against a company that alters stolen ideas just enough to be "legally" considered new.

on the other side...

2. One should not be able to appropriate ideas to the point you can't advance technology or progress because someone owns a essential part which you can't afford or are not given access too. Thus you become enslaved to an monopoly (Oil companies etc.).

Really I'm not against the selective "inspiration" they are getting for controllers. It seems minor if not amusing (it's just pretty pitiful Microsoft is supposedly stooping to it instead of taking some risks in innovation when they are the ones who can afford risks). However the thing is I don't think Nintendo can compete but will be forced to. All these companies go into debt in the manufacturing costs for the first couple of years of production of a new console, profit comes later in subsequent years. Unlike the money pit that is Microsoft/Sony a bad system or 2 in the current market will probably break Nintendo. It's not like the days of competing with Sega who did not have the diversification in revenue sources to support it. I thought Nintendo was having money problems prior to the introduction of the Wii and I do not want to see a day when Nintendo goes the Sega route leaving us with Sony/Microsoft (hmmm Microsoft having another monopoly in game consoles then we can have Windows on everything YAY! Just what Gates has always dreamed of XD). As far as no one touching Nintendo's market because it's a different thing I don't think it's completely true. Yes I said earlier the Wii is a occupies a different niche than the X-box or Playstation but people still consider it a video game system and it still costs money/time ergo people will have to chose between them (as I can personally speak about... I bought a PC instead :p). Finally Nintendo may not want to compete with Microsoft but that doesn't mean Microsoft doesn't want to compete with Nintendo.

Lets compare...

Nintendo's Marketing strategy "We make fun games for everyone!"

Microsoft's Marketing strategy "Throw money at it!" :p

...But that's just the vibe I get. Maybe Microsoft needs something to make them seem more human, say a fun and original mascot like a Mario, a Sonic or even a Bonk (whatever happened to Crash Bandicoot BTW). Something like...

Gates-io.jpg

This bizzare moment was brought to you by "The Mighty Gerbil" and the letter "M"
Bwahahaha I've pushed the envelope on absurdity once again! :D
(and that is a Windows Vista wallpaper I put in the background go figure :p)​
 
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We all know that CD's and now DVD's are superior to cartridges, but back in the day, the N64 games were often superior to the Sony PS games. Can you think of a game that can even rival Golden Eye or Perfect Dark? Or how about Turok, Harvest Moon and other unique games.
A Playstation first-person shooter that could rival a N64 FPS? Can't think of a single one. But, until Timesplitters: Future Perfect for the Gamecube and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for the Wii, I loathed all console FPS games. Yes, that's right, I didn't like Goldeneye. You may pick up stones and throw them now.

I've always been more interested in console RPGs than console FPS titles. If I want a FPS, I'll get on the computer. If I want a RPG, I'll fire up my PSX or PS2 (or, surprisingly enough, my DS).

Nintendo hasn't been considered the "place to be" for RPG players since the SNES days. I think the last true "must-have" RPG on a Nintendo system was Chrono Trigger in 1995.
 
However the thing is I don't think Nintendo can compete but will be forced to. All these companies go into debt in the manufacturing costs for the first couple of years of production of a new console, profit comes later in subsequent years. Unlike the money pit that is Microsoft/Sony a bad system or 2 in the current market will probably break Nintendo. It's not like the days of competing with Sega who did not have the diversification in revenue sources to support it. I thought Nintendo was having money problems prior to the introduction of the Wii and I do not want to see a day when Nintendo goes the Sega route leaving us with Sony/Microsoft
Nintendo was enjoying the success of the DS before they unleashed the Wii on the world. I don't think they've been hurting for money for a while now.

Not only that, but they actually make a profit on every Wii console sold. Microsoft loses money on every 360 sold, but they make that money back when consumers purchase games. Same story for Sony (though they lose even more money than Microsoft). The "take a hit on the sale of the console, make it back through game sales" strategy is nothing new. Nintendo instead produced a less expensive (for both the manufacturer and the consumer) console and that strategy paid off where it counts--in the corporate ledger.
 
Microsoft loses money on every 360 sold, but they make that money back when consumers purchase games. Same story for Sony (though they lose even more money than Microsoft).

Not true any more though! The smaller chipsets and Blu Ray laser things have lowered cost, and now they break even on a $400 unit.

But also, despite Nintendo's fantasic financial situation as of late, they're still a rather small company compared to Sony and Microsoft. The whole reason there is a Wii "shortage" in the US is because of the weak economy, they just can't afford to waste money on units that may or may not sell, so they're just playing it smart. Which is what they should continue to do really, but they still really can't afford any big mistakes.

Edit: Also, Sony doesn't make NEARLY the money MS or Nintendo makes off of first party games these days. Just look at the sales of Uncharted, which could have been a serious contender for Game of the Year lots of places had it be multi platform. Even the BIG BIG exclusive games this year are third party, and while I think MGS4 has console moving power (seriously, the internet almost exploded the day the MGS4 + DualShock3 + 80GB PS3 bundle was announced) it's not going to touch Halo 3's sales inside a year.

I guess long story short: mega corporations can throw money at their problems & competitors and make them go away/shut up, but Nintendo, regardless of their success this gen, CANNOT afford silly mistakes.
 
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What if I type "OMGOSH" or something. Because that's what I meant.

Some people think that saying gosh is no different than saying God... You are just slightly changing the sound of the word... Like saying Frick or Flip instead of...well you know...it isn't right...
 
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Some people think that saying gosh is no different than saying God... You are just slightly changing the sound of the word... Like saying Frick or Flip instead of...well you know...it isn't right...

I don't mean to derail the topic, but... um... I don't agree with that at all.

But, it is off-topic and I don't want to get modslapped.
 
I don't mean to derail the topic, but... um... I don't agree with that at all.

But, it is off-topic and I don't want to get modslapped.

It's cool...my friend went off on me for using frick, and I asked him why, and he asked me what is the difference from saying frick or the other work...there is no difference, I used the word to mean the same thing (if it even has a meaning)...so therefore it is no better...
 
Back on topic, it'd be really, really funny if this whole steal-Nintendo's-idea thing backfired on Microsoft. Like, hugely. As in... um... mega hugely. >_>
 
Eh, people will buy it...it's just that they really ought to go big....and roll out updates to EVERY GAME that motion controls would enhance. THAT is what it would take for it to be taking a chance. Ninja Gaiden 2 would be so fun.....I can only imagine.
 
Not true any more though! The smaller chipsets and Blu Ray laser things have lowered cost, and now they break even on a $400 unit.

Breaking even won't make you a profit...

Nintendo works solely on video games where as Sony and M$ have income coming from other places. So of course Nintendo is a smaller company, but that doesn't mean that cannot compete. In many ways, it means that they have an advantage (innovative controlling in games, who would have thought that you would have to move to move a character in a game??). I also doubt that Nintendo held back on selling a high volume of Wii's, because if they make money on every console they make, then why hold back? It's like choosing not to make money... and that doesn't make sense.
 
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Wait ok yes....the thing about the reason for the Wii shortage was a theory from an analyst, but it still makes sense. If you can sell more units in a stronger market, you send them there. If you can make more money off a certain something one place, of course you're going to put more in said market.

Also, like Tek said, where they take hits in console profits, Sony and Microsoft make up in other arenas, so it works out business wise for them.
 
Whether the shortage of Wii's is a good thing or bad depends on how you view human nature. IMO the only time people want something more than when they can't have it is when it's taken away from them. The shortage may not be deliberate at all though. I don't know the production capacity of Nintendo only that any company has to have a limit and that expanding that limit costs money which always comes with the risk of not making your money back. That's all stating the obvious though.

<shameless fishing> ...No one commented on the new Microsoft mascot I made up to make them seem less evil. Sniff, sniff, T_T :p </shameless fishing>
 
From www.1up.com:

Wii Overtakes 360 in Global Sales


Nintendo waggles their way to the top spot.
By Kris Pigna, 09/12/2007


Not many would have predicted it a year ago, least of all that it would happen this fast: The Financial Times reports that the Wii has surpassed Microsoft's Xbox 360 in global sales. It's the first time in 17 years -- during the dominate 16 bit days of the SNES -- that Nintendo sits at the top spot of the console market. The report is based on sales figures from Enterbrain in Japan, NPD Group in the US and GfK of Germany, which tracks European sales. Sales figures from each console's launch date through the end of July (and the end of August in Japan) were added up, with the Wii just barely edging out the 360: 9 million for the Wii, 8.9 million for the 360, and 3.7 million for the PlayStation 3.

That's with the 360 having a head-start of a full year. The Wii, in fact, hasn't even been out a full year. Nintendo surpassed Sony in global market share in July.

Analysts in the story attribute the success to a cheaper price tag, the 360's weak presence in the Japanese market, and the fact that Nintendo's sales continued to soar during the summer while the 360 and PS3 sagged.
It'll be very interesting to see how all three companies spin the news when the August NPD numbers come out.
That doesn't lead me to think Nintendo was holding back, or that they purposely limited the production after they offered it to the public.

If you can sell more units in a stronger market, you send them there. If you can make more money off a certain something one place, of course you're going to put more in said market.
From the link above, they say that Microsoft has a weak presence in Japan, leading to weak sales. Sony and Nintendo are Japanese staples when it comes to entertainment.

So then why did the Nintendo still outsell the PS3, since both companies are so favored in Japan? I think that Nintendo could not keep up with the demand for their product.

Also, the United States is the country with the world's largest economy (largest GDP in 2007), as per Wikipedia.

Rank Country GDP (millions of USD) —
World
53,352,350 —
European Union 16,574,443
1 United States 13,794,221
2 Japan 4,345,948
3 Germany 3,259,212
4 China 3,248,522
5 United Kingdom 2,755,920

While the gaming market in Japan may be stronger, the United States' economy is much larger, so one would think that they would make as much or more money in the US.

Cool picture too big to link here.
 
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The dollar is WAY weak compared to the Euro, and have you seen prices on these things in the PAL market? INSANE! That's WAY more dollars once you convert the Euro to US currency.

The thing with Japan is, the gaming market there is weird now. Nintendo sells TONS of first party stuff, and nowhere near as much third party goes out for the Wii.

Also Japan seems to be going anti-game from what I've read, casual games are the big sellers. You don't see the same numbers for games that are huge blockbusters in Europe and the US in Japan (unless it's got Mario or Wii on the cover)....

Give me a bit to dig up some articles and NPD numbers..
 
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