Wedbush Securities analyst Edward Woo doesn't think so. "The system already has a high installed base, and what's more needed is high demand software to get consumers to play with the systems again," he opined."

Add to that, he didn't really think that the priced cut is all that considering that as of the last holidays, people were still able to get the Wii "at US$ 150 (after various promotions or giftcards) so the price cut isn't entirely news."


In fact, he continued, the price cut should have come much sooner, thereby letting the Wii 2 come out earlier too. "Now the Xbox 360 and PS3 are having a second life with the motion sensors so that will take money and attention away from Nintendo."

I do agree with him that software still remains to be the most integral element in a console's lifespan, apart from the hardware, of course. Nintendo, for their part, has also been constantly reassuring their fans that there will be more to come their way for the Wii, especially this year.

As to the quality of those games, we can only guess at this point. Regardless of that, however, I think I do understand why Nintendo decided to go for the price cut at this stage in the console's lifecycle. If anything, they're obviously already laying out the red carpet for the arrival of the Wii 2. This gesture, therefore, should only be tokenistic in the sense that in actuality, they're also bidding farewell to the Wii already.

It makes sense, too. A new console is coming out from their backyard, one that is rumored to be stronger, faster, more competitive than its predecessor was. You could also look at it as a way for them to clear out their stocks. Their main target have always been the casual gamers, or people who would like to enter the fun world of gaming.

They will never run out of potential buyers because every day, there are people getting converted into gaming. Especially because they invested in wholesome, casual games, they're already assured that the newcomers out to play games for fun and not to be hardcore about it will turn to their trusty console for that purpose.

Frankly, I am not even looking forward so much to their promised software lineup for the Wii this year. The Wii has been in existence for a while now, and there have just been way too many shovelware titles to ignore. I wouldn't be surprised if this batch of games be the last strong one for the Wii, if at all. Take it as some kind of curtain call of sorts.

They set out for longevity, and they've accomplished that with astonishing success on the sales front. I think Nintendo knows that the original Wii has done its job and that it's probably time to share its burden with a new, younger console version.

If anything, I am hoping that this demand for good software be adequately taken cared of in the Wii 2. Otherwise, it just might take over the spot of its predecessor as the most beningn among the consoles in this generation.

Via [NowGamer]

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