67% of Wii owners haven't touched the console recently

by David Hinkle { Oct 16th 2007 at 6:00PM }

There's a hot new report out in the Land of the Rising Fun, which states that 67% of Wii owners just want to be left alone by their Wii. They haven't spent any quality time with their console in quite awhile. The question is, why? Did those people pick up the console merely for Wii Sports?

What is everyone waiting on? We know we're waiting on a few games, most notably Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros., but we've still found other reasons to pick up a Wiimote and play. Not only did we get some sweet retail releases in the past couple of months (Metroid Prime 3, Resident Evil 4 and Super Paper Mario, anyone?), but also some really good Virtual Console games.

Regardless, we know those folk will be picking up their Wiimotes soon enough.

Tags: japan, report, wiimote

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Soup @ Oct 16th 2007 6:08PM

I'm guilty, mostly because I burned through all the games you mentioned quickly. After that, I've been pretty embroiled in PC and DS gaming (Orange Box and Phantom Hourglass respectively)

But Zack & Wiki is supposed to drop next week, and I've only bought one virtual console game so far, so...

Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Oct 16th 2007 6:08PM

I'd be concerned if my name was PS3.
At least Wii has crappy watered down ports, what DOES Ps3 have?

Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Oct 16th 2007 6:15PM

As for the games I've been playing?

I'm guilty of not yet finishing Battalion Wars (I strive perfection!), and I've yet to finish Wind Waker and Metroid Prime 1, so I'm passing on their sequels until I finish them.

I've also been playing Melee against my bros to practice for Brawl.

On the DS Side, Just got me a Crimson red DS and BA2, so I've been playing that, and trying to get as many medals on AWDS as possible (240/300 so far)

Matt @ Oct 16th 2007 7:47PM

What numbers is this based on? That's what I want to know? Game sales? # Of people who've voted in "Everybody Votes"? I don't know where they're getting this 67% stat from, but it doesn't really sound based on anything useful. If they gave some sources, or explained where the # came from, I could believe it. But stats like this are stupid because most of them AREN'T from reasonable evidence.

Regardless, I don't really care about 67%. I played Metroid Prime 3 some more just yesterday, and I'm just discovering new (old) GameCube games that I've never played since I didn't own a Cube. So in the past week, I've definitely been playing a good bit. And I even bought Orange Box, but am STILL playing the Wii.

Personal story which leads me to believe the data is skewed/outright wrong...

Robson Rocha @ Oct 16th 2007 6:17PM

Well... I'm afraid that too many people purchased the console just for Wii Sports...
Nintendo has done a wonderful job attracting non-players to Wii, but it is somewhat disappointing this very same public releasing only "common" game titles. What i mean with common: titles for "regular" video game players, not for the Wii Sports public.
Wii Play does not add much. My grandmother loved to play Wii Sports, Wii Play a bit less, but it is only those, and i have a good titles collection. Resident Evil is still Resident Evil, either with a classic controller or with a wiimote.

Dan @ Oct 16th 2007 6:43PM

This is a VERY telling statistic.

People proclaiming that Nintendo is sitting on a fad are being presumptuous. But the truth is that Nintendo needs to do more if they're going to prevent this from being a fad.

It's within their power. But will they actually do it?

Mr Khan @ Oct 16th 2007 6:21PM

Is concerning if you're a 3rd-party publisher

But i doubt those numbers, although its possible. Wii riding DS's wave of success is hindered by the Wii's lack of portability. Pick up and play doesn't work for a home console as well

But i don't care, i'm havin' a helluva time with mine

meist3r @ Oct 16th 2007 6:22PM

I don't know what percentage of the readers here come from Europe but we haven't seen many exciting titles lately. I'm still waiting for Metroid Prime 3 to be released in 9 days and the Simpsons game. Zack and Wiki is the third possible candidate I'd like to buy. But the latter are still a month off. There's really not that much outstanding software for the Wii available here. VC is not really an option and mediocre kiddie games or movie merchandise is just not what I want to spend my money on. I have to admit that even Super Mario Galaxy is not something I am really looking forward to. For the type of gamer I am there is just no attractive software available for the Wii right now.

David W. @ Oct 16th 2007 6:23PM

I haven't played mine in quite a while...it's actually not even connected right now...There's just nothing that excites me...meanwhile Orange Box and Halo 3 have been taking all my time for my 360...Team Fortress is ah-may-zing!!!

JKeovichith @ Oct 16th 2007 8:59PM

The only game I've been playing on my Wii is the same game I've been playing on my cube since 2001, Smash Melee.

comtar @ Oct 16th 2007 9:06PM

I played my Wii recently, I played Metroid Prime 3... unlocked Hypermode Difficulty, so I might try that later. Right now I'm waiting for my computer to overheat and explode playing the Betas of Crysis and UT3. Also looking to pick up Dementum, Stranglehold, Disgaea PSP, and Silent Hill Origins and Castlevania soon.

I am playing Zelda: Phantom Hourglass right now... so my Wii has been replaced with my DS. If Nintendo ever finds a way to put DS games on the TV through the Wii. People will never stop playing with their Wiis!

Truth is, the Japanesse aren't huge Metroid fans, so their drought is lasting a bit longer in Japan then it is here, sure enough, once Wii Fit comes out in Japan as well as the Wii Zapper and Mario Galaxy... that will all change.

omar @ Oct 16th 2007 6:45PM

i havent really played my wii since i beat metroid prime 3. i played sin and punishment a little and zelda 2 but i've been playing my ps3 a ton(warhawk addiction) along with skate and odin sphere. it seems my wii sadly wont be played till mario galaxy .

Russell Carroll @ Oct 16th 2007 6:47PM

I've been playing mine more than ever...partially due to a GameFly account, but mostly due to lots of good games.

However, I still play 5-10 hours a week...unlike many I have a life and I don't substitute video games for things of more importance (family)

I'm about 10 hours into Metroid Prime 3 (I got slowed down by rentals and deciding randomly to go back and finish Zelda...which was great!)

I've put way too much time into MLB Power Pros (can't seem to resist it...when was the last time we had a GREAT baseball game!?)

Beyond that it's been mostly rentals. Based on the compalining comments I hear I'm starting to wonder how many Wii games have been played by those complaining. If you haven't touched your console, how would you know if it was or wasn't any good?

Recent Rentals:
NBA Live 08 - I own 5 NBA Live games, they simply aren't good, at least not compared to NBA2k, BUT NBA Live is at least fun as a multiplayer game, I LOVE the feel of shooting a free throw! (wish the whole game felt anywhere near as good) The family controls mean my kids can really play with me for the first time on a sports game and be a benefit to the team. (they came close previously with Sega Soccer Slam)

Trauma Center - Interesting b/c I like quirky...

Raving Rabbids - 2nd go around, ancy for part 2

Cooking Mama - they tried to do 1:1 controls in the mini-games, and no-one noticed, mostly because they took away from the experience

I am anxiously waiting for:
Mario
Time to play Super Paper Mario
Time to finish Metroid
Rabbids 2
Batallian Wars 2
Time to play Dewy
Time to play Dragon Blade
Zack and Wiki
Ghost Squad
Geometry Wars
Simpsons
Fire Emblem
Time! TIME! TIME!

...but I certainly haven't found myself waiting without playing. I've got my hands full with the games I have...and then there is my VC love :).

Elric @ Oct 16th 2007 6:54PM

Bullshit. I wasn't polled but I guess if 6 hours is "recently" then I too am guilty.

masami_eiri @ Oct 16th 2007 8:53PM

that's odd...
i mean... casual gamers could at least play brain training, my friends love it, or warioware.

Ralph @ Oct 16th 2007 6:59PM

It's way too early to even come close to calling the Wii a "fad." Sales for the Wii are still doing great and it's now the number one selling console in the world.

If there's anything to worry about when talking about the Wii, it should probably a concern what the future of the Wii will have. The Spring '08 title line-up looks great, but there's nothing apparent to what we're going to see for the Summer and (most importantly) Winter of next year. Will those seasons be the time third-party games for the Wii begin to dominate the console rather than Nintendo's overbearing domination of its own console? Is Nintendo going to give more reasons for third-parties to hate them by coming up with new, and potentially successful, IPs?

To add to the conversation though, I only have been lately playing my Wii for the Gamecube games I've had. (No need to list them. There's already enough long lists in this comment thread.) The only Wii game that I have been continuely playing is RE4, and Cooking Mama with my sisters.

AIN @ Oct 17th 2007 10:20PM

Big deal this "let's get non-players to gaming", there you go, a bunch of casual who doesn't even know why they bought the console in the first place....

Now Nintendo will focus on the mass and forget to make good games, soon enough we will be playing games where you just need to tap the remote to the sides to control the racket and tap forward to throw the ball (bowling), just look at the new Link's game for god's sake......

Psy @ Oct 16th 2007 7:06PM

I'm having the same problem. I haven't touched it since RE4. Granted, MP3 would have been a good reason to, but I'm not a fan of the Metroid series.

PS3 and DS have been getting my time. I don't expect that to change until Galaxy and Brawl.

Jackson Pritt @ Oct 16th 2007 7:19PM

I picked up my Wii over the weekend when a couple friends came over, but other than that I haven't touched it in months even though I turn my 360 on for at least 15 minutes every day.

There just aren't any really GREAT games out for the Wii right now, and the lack of decent online support outside of Strikers really hurts the replayability of Wii games.

Give me a Wii Sports 2 with online play, or maybe an FPS based on the MP3 controls and I'll be excited to play the Wii again, but right now I'd much rather pop a game in my 360 and jump on XBL for some head-to-head play against other people.

Mr Khan @ Oct 16th 2007 7:44PM

@ Dan

Nintendo is doing more to get them some staying power. Monster Hunter 3 will cure any fad concerns in Japan right quick, while the original WiiWare, Brawl with its infinite replayability (hell, Melee had infinite replayability, and it wasn't online), the more esoteric VC titles, Wii Fit which is more likely for casuals to play daily, and a slew of original stuff slated for 2008

While Wii is still kicking ass in sales, its going to finally hold its own with the other 2 in terms of content starting, well, this month

Miranda @ Oct 16th 2007 7:51PM

I'm just too damned busy right now to play anything except my DS, which I generally always have in my bag.

mirage @ Oct 16th 2007 8:19PM

I loved my Wii for a while, bit it just can't compete with my 360 as far as game quality and quantity goes. Nintendo's online functionality is quite horrid compared to Xbox live. I hope that Nintendo gets their act together soon but I fear that the casual gamer has taken over the Wii market and we will get maybe 2-3 decent games a year surrounded by crap.

badboy007ing @ Oct 16th 2007 8:22PM

it doesnt matter b/c in the winter the wii is going to hit big even without ssbb plus in spring with smash bros. and mario kart coming out also @14 medal of honor 2 will have 32 player online plus smash and mario kart will have decent online so it has a good future ahead of it for now

Dan @ Oct 16th 2007 8:31PM

@ Mr Khan

Games like WarioWare widen their audience, but they need to be careful to "deepen" their audience as well. That's why a game like MP3 is great -- hopefully at least a few people played that franchise for the first time and found themselves drawn in.

I definitely share your optimism. It's just that they need MORE games of the caliber of MP3. I've never played the Monster Hunter series, but I'm hoping they can secure more titles like this. That's how you keep a DEPTH of support -- people who are hardcore, and really love the system they've purchased, instead of just liked it.

They also need "transition" games too -- games that can get people from WiiPlay to MP3. That's where Smash Bros or Mario Kart can come in hopefully -- very simple concepts, but with a little more intricacy.

I remain optimistic. But a lot of it is based on stuff I haven't seen or heard about yet. I'm hoping they have a few tricks up their sleeve. Bioshock and Halo 3 have undeniably deep support. (Although only one of those games deserves it, and the other is a lot of "been there done that". But hey, the market has spoken.)

Service_Games @ Oct 16th 2007 8:47PM

The only game I've played for my Wii in ages is Metroid Prime 3 (which is just absolutely incredible). But, other games have been coming out recently that have warranted my attention. I'd say it's been a solid three weeks or so (maybe more) since I turned on my Wii.

SG

Hoffer @ Oct 16th 2007 8:45PM

I last used mine to play Metroid. Before that is was Super Paper Mario and before that was Zelda. So far, I usually play a game and then don't touch the console for 2 months.

I use my Xbox 360 about everyday and PS3 once a week or so.

Cliff @ Oct 16th 2007 9:10PM

You know what keeps me from using it. Batteries. I haven't bought new ones yet and my wii eats them up. I wish there was a simple charging solution that got good reviews.

KaBob799 @ Oct 16th 2007 9:09PM

I think by the end of next year we should be seeing if not at least hearing about games in the series not yet revealed for Wii. Such as Pikmin, Starfox, Animal Crossing, etc.
And dont forget games like kirby which we have basically forgotten about.

Nick @ Oct 16th 2007 9:13PM

Unfortunately I didn't touch it for eons after Zelda, there was no point. I'm an adult, with young kids - so my "friends over to play" is pretty much non-existent. Kids too young, ergo the Wii collects dust.

The VC lineup doesn't provide the same level of interaction like XBL service, so I can completely see why.

As for other things, is it worth my time to grab my wiimote and sit down for however long to load up "Everyone Votes"? Meh. News? S'why I have the Internet. Weather, on my portal page. Miis? Give me a break. There's nothing to keep bringing me back. I can see the VC releases online, and unless it's amazing, there's no point to buy it.

Outside of that, sadly I've been negleting Super Paper Mario, Metroid, Elebits, Rayman Raving Rabbids... I played them all, I'm 3/4 done with SPM and Metroid, but meh, I just haven't gone to finish them, as much as I may want to.

It's unfortunate, but is it really any worse than other consoles? I'd like to know the same ratio for PS3s, which I think is a bit more akin.

What's strange is that I thought I was alone, I guess I'm not.

Nick @ Oct 16th 2007 9:17PM

lucasta16 @ Oct 16th 2007 9:58PM

Sad to say I am one of the 67%.

Haven't touched the machine since I completed RE4 and the daily dose of Wii Sports seemed to be the norm of the past.

The only game which I am really looking forward to to boot up my Wii is the new Trauma Centre.

anonymous @ Oct 16th 2007 10:18PM

only reason i havent played wii, is because world of warcraft has consumed my life... again

Edwin @ Oct 16th 2007 10:39PM

I'm guilty of this statistic as well. I've been meaning to go through some cube games and even Twilight Princess again but being a full time college student I don't have time for full length adventures. My gaming needs are taken up by quick online Halo 3 sessions.

Mike @ Oct 16th 2007 10:44PM

I'm with Matt on this one: where does this 67% come from? Did they do any serious polling? What were their representation? What age groups?

This article doesn't even cite any sources to support this statistic. The Joystiq article which carries the same doom-and-gloom headline only links to an IGN article, which in turn just passes that information over in a single paragraph.

In fact, all the IGN article says is that the Wii owners haven't used their console "as of late." What the hell is "as of late?!?" Two days? Three days? A week? A month? Define that for me please. I play maybe twice over weekdays and get a few more hours in over the weekend. Does that make me part of the 67% Because, golly gee, I feel like I'm using my Wii in the most perfect way possible to fit my lifestyle, not the other way around.

We have no concrete data to back this claim up. So, as it stands, it's a stupid news item which is just as dorky as if I were to claim 45% of all Xbox 260 owners like the colour red.

There is no "news" here. Just a sweeping statement supported with a stat which seems pulled out of one's ass.

Mike @ Oct 16th 2007 10:50PM

George @ Oct 17th 2007 12:46AM

Bogus. We've NOT stopped playing ours. My kid waffles back and forth on Mario Kart Double Dash, Excite Truck, that awful-ly fun Wario game for Wii, Wii Sports, Monster Truck 4x4, any of the Mario Party 'cube games, MP 8, Wii Play...come to think of it, he plays just about all of our Wii games. I'm liking Super Swing Golf and will be getting Metroid Prime 3 soon. I know lots of people who still play it and at least one person who plays mostly virtual console games with it. Sounds to me like a bitter person who bought Sony stock last year was responsible for this 'story'...

popozao @ Oct 17th 2007 12:20AM

@ 1: You're pretty funny, are you gonna be here all weekend? Comparing Wii to PS3 is like comparing an ant to God. Literally. Now Nintendo's got peerless first party software, and the console looks very nice and appealing. But I mean, seriously dude, look at what you just typed. If you want to know what PS3 has check your local any-videogame website-in-existence. Moral of the story: Wii has great 1st party, forgettable 3rd party, and thats probably not gonna change. Oh, and it's Gamecube x 1.5. PS3: PEERLESS hardware (well, I guess 360 competea, but not really) good first party, excellent 3rd party. Oh, and designed to be good for around 10 yrs. Btw, I own both consoles, and have been a Nintendo fan for probably longer than you've been alive.

Colarmel @ Oct 17th 2007 12:23PM

In fairness, I read a couple of Gaming blogs, and I don't know of any great games for PS3. That and the price point are the reason they can't sell anything. And the 10 year figure is from the same man who promised the world 1200 dollars if anyone could find a PS3 on store shelves. PS3 has some fantastic hardware, but it is losing the console war this gen. Hard. That may change if they get some good exclusives, but from what I've heard, heavenly sword was too short, and lair was awkward and generally disliked. those are the highly anticipated exclusives that have come out that I've heard about, that needed to be successful. Ratchet and Clank will do PS3 good, and when they get a God of War title out and bring down the price point they'll be in the game. But right now, the lack of exclusives and the price point doesn't give the PS3 a snowballs chance in hell against Xbox 360 and the Halo, and it has too small a market to compete with the Wii.

RIch @ Oct 17th 2007 1:35AM

I've been playing pretty consistently, maybe every weekend. I haven't picked up a game since Metroid Prime 3. After I completed that, I went back and played some Resident Evil 4 Mercenaries.

But I have to say that I am playing the Wii just as much or more often than my PS2 which I played a game and it just sat. The only difference is that I used the PS2 often as a DVD player. On the PS2, I barely bought any games. With the Wii, I find myself excited to try new things. I was never a fan of Metroid Prime (never gave FPS's a shot, no pun intended). But the control scheme really drew me into MP3:C and I ended up loving it and craving more. I think I'll get Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 just to quench my thirst for FPSs on the Wii.

But come a few weeks, I will be overcome with games. Zack & Wiki, Resident Evil UC, Mario Galaxy, Soul Calibur, and Nights. I'm even interested in trying out Battalion Wars II.

troy @ Oct 17th 2007 2:25AM

I' with RIch right above me: I never played any of the Metroid Prime games but I made up my mind to get MP3 because of the controls, I never played a sports game but I got Strikers because of the Online... I mean I basically owe the Wii my gaming life right now. I play it more than ever: I get more VC games now. The whole thing just doesn't make sense: wait until after this Quarter, in January, and we will see if the Wii is a fad.

Sheesh, listen to one dude go on and on about the PS3. It really is peerless, because no one wants to be around it! Get a computer, it will have more software on it in a year. In fact, my microwave will probably have more software available for it than the PS3 in a year. Sony should have come out with the damn thing in five years if it is going to be around another 10. Or maybe by then people will make a console that is powerful without being a complete BASTARD to program on. Honestly, the PS3 architecture is like a slap in the face to programmers and the creative process. With a hammer. Is that really the wave of the future?

yup @ Oct 17th 2007 2:26AM

wii=fad for old people. graphics suck, games are centered around the old and kids, as are the commercials. that is the reason it is selling. not because of REAL gamers. what good gamer type games you got? metroid and zelda, loved both growing up but not enough to waste money on this peice of crap, i'll wait for my grandma to buy one and borrow hers. any mario games dont count as again for the kids and i got sick of the fat plumber around the times of the snes.

Burnt Meatloaf @ Oct 17th 2007 3:29AM

I was wondering when this would happen. It took longer than I thought, though.

The problem with the non-gaming market is that they don't buy many games. They're not very discerning when they buy games, so it's easy to sell them crap, but they don't buy that much.

Hardcore gamers are much more finicky, but they buy a LOT of software, and that's why MS and Sony have been willing to lose so much money on their systems to woo that audience.

I don't think anyone has to worry about Nintendo making tons of money. But, the N64 and Gamecube haven't been that popular for a reason. Whatever Nintendo does with their hardware, from a business and development standpoint, they are still Nintendo, and people should really expect sluggish progress. That's just the way Nintendo does business, because it still ends up making them a lot of money.

Customer satisfaction... well, that's subjective. Never confuse product profitability with customer satisfaction.

dave_c @ Oct 17th 2007 3:54AM

i got my wii on launch and since then ive probably played about 20 hours of it, and ive been a nintendo fanboy since the NES. wii kind of sucks imo. im thinking of selling my wii and just getting all the awesome DS games i havent got yet.

Andreas @ Oct 17th 2007 5:35AM

The Wii for me is:
1: Virtual Console (i play that at least once a week)
2: Social games like Wii Sports Bowling. It always tends to come out during parties.
3: Quality Titles: Zelda and soon Metroid. Nothing more as for now.

3'd party developers are lame. They only know how to copy proven concepts and do them good. And on Wii it's too hard for them to copy Nintendo, so they end up sucking, and blaiming Nintendo. 3'd party developers on Wii just suck. So we're left with Nintendo's titles.. which is fine by me. I don't want a game console that occupies my full time life. I'm happy to play just a little, now and then. Thanks.

Ethan @ Oct 17th 2007 6:38AM

I'm not playing my Wii at the moment because it's at home and I'm not. But there are also no games for it, especially in Europe, but I'm satisfied that that will change very soon.

bacon @ Oct 17th 2007 7:04AM

more samurai games for the wii please

Nii @ Oct 17th 2007 7:25AM

I never play my Wii anymore either. I visit this site everyday in order to find some sort of awesome news regarding a new game or something, in order to try and validate what I spent on it.

The NDS I bought has had about 10x more playtime on it than my Wii. To me, the DS is superior value for money.

Lou @ Oct 17th 2007 7:51AM

World of Warcraft

troy @ Oct 17th 2007 8:46AM

Wow the people complaining about having nothing to play are making their own problems. You either A) Spend all of your time immediately beating a game when you get it and then never touch it again B) Don't try ANYTHING that isn't exactly what you have played before or C) Just are such snobs you don't think anything is good enough for you. I can't believe you only played it 20 hours and you think that's the Wii's or Nintendo's fault. I have played mine hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours since launch and I'm not a total moron, and I have had to do stuff like work and go to school and have a gf who doesn't like video games being played around her too often and also record two CD's and write a book. I guess I'm just stupider than you or something?

a stale altoid @ Oct 17th 2007 8:50AM

I think us 67% will play more often once WiiWare goes live.. thus far, there hasn't been much of a selection for games, especially those fun pick-up-and-play games like Geometry Wars that you don't have to worry about dedicating a week or two of your life to. (Zelda and Metroid, anyone?)

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