Nintendo rethinks console life cycle
by David Hinkle 
{ Nov 6th 2007 at 5:00PM }
Nintendo consoles have usually enjoyed a five-year life span, Iwata explained during a Japanese conference documenting the Q3 earnings of the company. During this briefing, Iwata spoke of the new gift-giving feature and TV guide Channel, but what was overlooked until now was his comments regarding how long of a life the Wii will have."As we continue our research and study for new hardware, when we will be able to launch a new kind of hardware will actually depend on when we can change entertainment completely, and so have a strong impact on people around the world," he said. "Or, there will certainly be a time when we have to say that we have done everything possible with the current machine, that we can never propose anything new."
Iwata further explains that fresh hardware is often the result of the company needing a new weapon in the fight against other consoles. With the Wii, however, he feels that the company won't be needing any new weapons for quite some time, stating "But today's situation is such that we are not desperate for any new weapons at all."
So, could the Wii be the first console to break the tradition of a five-year lifespan, even though its hardware is considered by the mainstream to be weaker than its competition? The way Iwata is talking, and the fact that it could be almost 2 years before the supply meets the demand for the console, makes it sound like it could very well be a reality.
[Via Aussie-Nintendo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cesaria @ Nov 6th 2007 5:19PM
Aw, they better not take too long. I have many good memories waiting in the bitter cold for the hope that I get a system. Nothing beats that first day you get a new console.
Ytoabn @ Nov 6th 2007 5:29PM
No no no no NO
The short console life-span worked out for you this time. You were able to experiment and hit a success. BUT, your console is still no Xbox 360. It still lacks serious power and online support. You did a good job Nintendo, but now you've got to find a way to give us a Wii60 in one console.
Mr Khan @ Nov 6th 2007 5:30PM
First to break the five-year span?
There was Xbox at 4, PS2 at 6, NES at 6 (in North America, 7 in Japan), Saturn only survived 4 in North America, although 5 in Japan
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Nov 6th 2007 5:33PM
You can read it both way.
They can come even tomorrow and say that they "have done everything possible with the current machine."
The fact is simple: Wii will NOT survive 5 years. HDTV onslaught continues at unprecedented pace (just read the Sony recent financial report) and Wii would need some HD capability in less than 2 years from now.
That - "But today's situation is such that we are not desperate for any new weapons at all." - is rather cliche management has to say all the time to calm everybody down. Just read Apple PR statements - they are full of such stuff.
Americanluau197 @ Jan 20th 2008 5:43PM
The Wii came out with the component video cables, so when the HDTVs take over, leaving no regulars, they can just make a Wii HD cable.
Eric @ Nov 6th 2007 5:34PM
Hopefully Nintendo's massive success with Wii will give them a bit of extra cash that they can put into an "extra-powerful" console in the future.
I figure that the longer Wii is selling well (or "out"), Nintendo has more time to work on the next one.
I love my Wii, but I know it's not going to last forever.
Mr Khan @ Nov 6th 2007 6:00PM
Well, in 2 years there will be the total movement to digital signals in the United States, but its not like Nintendo needs to beat the HD Revolution (as opposed to this relatively slow but steady adoption rate)
I say the next console will come in 2010, no earlier
Tom @ Nov 6th 2007 6:03PM
You know there's always the possibility that Nintendo will pull a Sony. After a few years into the Wii's life cycle, they realize that the Wii is still doing really well in the casual market, but the core market is looking for something more. Nintendo continues to support the Wii (Nintendo's PS2 if you will), but release and simultaneously support a new, stronger console for the masses that have begun to desire something beyond what the Wii already has to offer (continuing with the metaphor, Nintendo's PS3).
It doesn't seem likely that Nintendo would take this direction, but it is certainly a possibility.
Nate @ Nov 6th 2007 6:03PM
I agree there Eric. We'll see how it works itself out. Nintendo is definitely leading the race right now, but I'd love to see a better developed online system.
My assumption is they'll stick to the current control scheme, allowing for the next generation to use the same controllers, but make it HD. Keeping the backwards compatibility with gamecube, and wii games. Lastly adding a central online system a la xbox live.
Ghaleon @ Nov 6th 2007 6:08PM
By usually, you guys mean twice?
NES -- the dark ages-1993
SNES-- 1991-definitely after the N64, esp in Japan
N64-- 1996-2001
GC--2001-2006
Jay @ Nov 6th 2007 6:09PM
I can see it lasting a while. I mean, every game I play seems to take the Wii a little further. people need to chill out and enjoy the ride.
Mr Khan @ Nov 6th 2007 6:25PM
And, making a profit on the hardware, they probably wouldn't be in any kind of hurry to get the next console out even if they were doing poorly
They certainly didn't rush the Wii, they let the GameCube languish about a year after it was no longer really viable, just because they kept making the money
akatsuki @ Nov 6th 2007 6:48PM
So when Xbox 720 and PS4 come out with even better hardware and improved gesture remotes and get the whole party game thing nailed down from the beginning, Wii will just sit there? I am sure they will sell it, but at $50. If they aren't already conceptualizing a successor, they are idiots.
Mike @ Nov 6th 2007 7:01PM
I'm hoping that future Nintendo consoles will be fully compatible with the Wii/Game Cube. I agree with others when they say that full HDTV support will be a necessity in the next few years.
Just my two cents, I think the next console should be called the 'Wii Too' or something along those lines.
FX-1 @ Nov 6th 2007 7:59PM
My guess is they will use similar controls maybe with more buttons to fix a few problems and discover a way of inexpensively bettering the motion sensitivity. There will have to be a central online system and HD support, there's no way the cirrent hardware will last into the next gen, especially as games become even more demanding and the BS developers are currently throwing at Wii starts becoming true. I mean, while Wii can handle most of the games that decvelopers deny it because they;re too lazy, it really won't be able to handle the next gen of AI and graphics.
However, they'll have to come up with another briliant move, and you know they will, to make a Wii2 (and that obviously won't be it's name) worthwhile aside from staying in the hardware race. If it's just a Wii with HD andfull online, there it won't be a true Nintendo console. Nintendo always has someting revolutionary in their consoles to make it a ttrue improvement over the last. NES revitalized gaming and introduced the D-pad, SNES had the FX chip and something else I'm probably forgeting, N64 was built for full 3D and introduced the analog thumbstick, GC was Nintendo's mave to discs and dramatically improved graphics over the 64 which wasn't much of a revolution but it was also one of their least successful consoles, and Wii of course has its motion control. Wii2 will need something briliant like that to really blow our minds or it'll just be another GC, good, great even, but not Nintendo-grade awesome.
There's even more to this but I'd say my post is already too long.
Happy hunting,
FX-1
Adam @ Nov 6th 2007 9:11PM
I love my Wii, which is why I'm eager to see what they come out with for the wII.
Joop @ Nov 6th 2007 9:35PM
The Wii's lack of embracing the HD era is definitely going to hurt it, just look how bad it's hurting the PS2.
ari @ Nov 6th 2007 9:43PM
NO Freaking way Nintendo, I love the wii, but let's come back to our HD, processor obsessed world. The harsh true reality is that the Wii can make it to 2010 but not pass that. Make my life happy and engineered a Wii 2.
drjeff @ Nov 7th 2007 1:10AM
Wii would like to play....
In High Definition at 60FPS...
With motion controls that amaze us continually...
And a hard drive large enough to load games onto that eliminate load times...
And the ability to play games online without stupid friend codes...
Wii have spoken.
james @ Nov 7th 2007 6:07AM
it will last longer, at least shelf-life wise, my Nintendo 64 has lasted for 9 fucking years!
Matt Smith @ Nov 7th 2007 7:42AM
Could this get any better? http://pixelspotlight.com/
jamesmcm @ Nov 7th 2007 8:38AM
Strange, I don't know anyone with an HDTV. Maybe 'cause they're so much more expensive here (UK)
But yeah, extending the shelf life is stupid, if anything they should have a slightly shorter shelf life to get an advantage over the competitors.
Not that it matters too much though as long as they make mor Super mario galaxy-quality games. Perhaps a better version of zelda, you could use the wiimote and nunchuk like reins and for fishing, archery etc. it's a good way of including motion control without ramming it dwon your throat.
Neal Eaton @ Nov 7th 2007 10:49AM
I don't agree with some of the comments here...HDTVs are at a 14-18% penetration rate in the US at this point in time. By 2010, we MIGHT be at 50-55%...and that is only in the US. There is NO requirement for TV signals to be in HD...just digital signals instead of the current analog ones. All analog TVs will require a converter (cable) box to receive the new signals.
I think that Nintendo will look at the market, and plan for HD, but include the SDTV signals. I would look for 720p output at best. I see the next console coming out in 2011/2012.
I also think that there will be a MAJOR shift in Nintendo's input devices for the Wii2. We will likely see a couple of extra buttons (like 2 at most), and a wireless nunchuck/classic controller. I hope that we will also have built in rechargable batteries in the controllers.
mattydread @ Nov 7th 2007 1:58PM
Well, 2 Gamecubes taped together should last twice as long as 1 Gamecube right? I'm joking, I love the Wii. However, I do wish it displayed at a higher resolution, like atleast 720p, and had an online community similar to XBox Live with gamerscores and such.
Wil Limoges @ Nov 9th 2007 12:03AM
I'm down with that so long as Nintendo takes the time to create a better online experience for the Wii and upgrades the graphics to 720p.
Seriously these are the only 2 real issues with the Wii. I'd like to see lots of 3rd party games designed for use on the Wii and the Wiimote similar to XBOX 360 and make it really easy to play and communicate with others on the network. 720p to me is really an necessity as well as a no brainer. Even if this means I have to buy an enhanced version of the Wii that say will play DVDs and has lots more built in digital media (Maybe like 16GB) then so be it.
Games like SMG and MP3 would gain so much detail from a simple upgrade to 720p plus imagine what navigating a DVD menu would be like with a Wiimote!