Wii Warm Up: How do you define a gaming fad?

by Candace Savino { Jul 5th 2008 at 10:30AM }

Despite the fact that it sells like gangbusters week after week, wherever it can be found (except New Zealand), some people still like to argue that the Wii is just a fad. Other people (like the analysts at DFC) believe that the Wii "has the chance to be one of the best selling systems of all-time."

If you visit this site you most likely enjoy playing the Wii, but where do you weigh in on this fad business? Do you think that the Wii's sales will eventually plummet? Or do you believe that the Wii might even overtake the PS2 at some point? Maybe you fall somewhere in between?

It's time to bring out your inner analyst and let us know where you stand on the issue.

Note: Stop -- Hammer time.

Tags: analyst, dfc, dfc-intelligence, fad

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

James @ Jul 5th 2008 10:41AM

This is something I've been wondering. Whether you like the Wii or not, it's a big question. I don't play my Snes anymore, was it a fad? Surely if a game console has been going as long as the Wii it's already not a fad, the life expectancy of any console is a fad compared to some things.

ChrisCanberg @ Jul 5th 2008 10:53AM

I could argue and write paragraph after paragraph about why the Wii is the best next-gen system out there and why Nintendo is still #1, as well as not trying to define myself as a fanboy, but it'll only be just an opinion.

All I'll say is this: what people don't realize is that the Wii IS in fact Nintendo's next-gen console. Not just some gimmick. All first party titles have been done right so far. Third parties are really starting to kick in.

Nintendo's not done. They still got a lot more years to go. Just wait until everybody's eating their words.

Pixel-One @ Jul 5th 2008 10:53AM

After more than a year and a half, it's sort of hard to still call it a fad. Maybe in that first year, but not now.

Moose @ Jul 5th 2008 10:53AM

Fads can last for years, look at pokemon. It was a huge hit for a good 4 years, now it's gay.

I think it's fadish with casuals, they buy it, they play it, they lose interest. Hardcores might stick with it.

Lord Bowser @ Jul 5th 2008 11:01AM

You said gay. You're hardcore. Enjoy your hardcore medal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eht_G4x1GNQ

Roto13 @ Jul 5th 2008 11:36AM

Pokemon was huge for years and it's still popular today, even if it's not as massive as it was then.

Mr Khan @ Jul 5th 2008 12:01PM

I'd say that Pokemon, the games themselves, were not a fad. It was the Poke-life that was a fad, from 1999-2001. Poke-life being the show, movies, and TCG

SoshiKitai @ Jul 5th 2008 1:37PM

Actually, in the beginning... Pokemon was a fad.
Now it's not.

It started as a fad, but now it's a lifestyle or piece of life for many people.
It's a legitimate fandom now. And it still breathes to this day.

Kinda' glad it's not a fad now... no more loud kids trying to show off their Pokemon cards day-in and day-out.
...too loud.

Dustin @ Jul 5th 2008 3:50PM

When I wear my Pikachu shirt, little kids walk up to me and talk about Pokemon.

Pokemon is no more of a fad than Mickey Mouse.

Lord Bowser @ Jul 5th 2008 10:55AM

I've got to be honest: on the home console front this has been the most disappointing generation I've ever experienced. I thought the last generation was bad, but this time around we get more of the same but flashier, louder, and in larger resolutions.

And as for the Wii: the greatest disappointment of them all. I got the Xbox 360 as a gift so the lack of appealing games is of no real concern to me, but I payed for the Wii. I brought into the idea that this would be something amazing, something incredible; something revolutionary.

Remember that name: The Revolution? What happened to that idea? Instead of jaw-dropping concepts utilising the Wiimote in ways we have never seen before, we're getting waggle. Let's cut to the chase: aside from Wii Sports, motion games require indiscriminate amounts of flailing. It's gimmicky and that's where the fad idea comes up, and keeps coming up.

Whether the Wii sells 100million consoles or 1console is irrelevant to me; motion controls, as utilised at the moment, are a fad. There are very few games, Wii Sports being the main star, that have benefited from motion controls. In fact, I would argue that developers have been hampered by the idea of needing to appease the Wii audience, with motion gimmicks, rather than celebrate what is tried and true. I'm not asking for conservatism in controls, I just want something that works.

Add to this Friends Codes, limited storage space, lack of openness in regards to it's OS, and the Wii starts to look not revolutionary, but rather backwards. Which is strange when it has the most amazing controller - potentially.

Now the PSP and DS , those are consoles. It's never been better to be a handheld owner, would't you agree?

Metayoshi @ Jul 5th 2008 11:19AM

I actually agree here. The DS and PSP is where the games are coming out.

The last Wii game I bought was Mario Kart, and before that was Brawl.

On DS, I got The World Ends with You and Final Fantasy Tactics A2 recently, AND Final Fantasy IV is coming out soon, AND Chrono Trigger DS was announced recently. Oh yeah, That Kirby Super Star remake for DS is ALSO coming out soon.

E3 better have something in store for Wii because I really am not excited for anything on that system right now.

I wouldn't go so far as to call the Wii a fad because its potential gets realized every now and then with games like Metroid Prime 3 (GREAT use of the Wii remote and nunchuk, not as great of a game as MP1 and MP2 in my opinion). Yeah, it kind of disappointed me how the main thing at E3 last year was not a new use of a Wiimote, but a new peripheral altogether. I still think this device has untapped potential.

Mr Khan @ Jul 5th 2008 12:05PM

A fad is a trend in gaming that comes, stays for an undefined period of time, but then leaves, and leaves no ultimate impact on gaming when it's gone

I'm thinking like those horrid FMV games from the early CD systems, or perhaps the compulsive trend to re-make cute franchises into edgy ones a few years ago (seriously, Jak X Xtreme Combat racing? Shadow the Hedgehog? wtf?)

Hamster @ Jul 5th 2008 12:18PM

I agree with Lord Bowser, I'm really not liking this generation. It's like all three console companies are trying to differentiate themselves from each other and so going off down their own narrow path, which means their respective games libraries are incredibly one-sided and unvaried (360 is the FPS console, Wii is the party-game console, etc). They all claim to be offering something for everyone, but they're really not. Unless you can afford all three consoles (which is unlikely), then you're missing out on so much and really not getting a balanced gaming diet. It sucks.

As for the Wii being a fad. Well I must say I'm overall disappointed in the Wii and I'm not hugely enamoured with motion controls and part of me would kind of like them to go away. I don't see why game controls all of a sudden have to re-enact mundane real-life activities. To me games should be about getting away from real-life. To me "swinging your arm as if you were swinging a real tennis racket" etc. is not only tiresome, but turns it from a game into just a lame simulator. My friends and I have much more fun playing Mario Tennis with traditional controls than Wii Tennis. If virtual reality is the future, can we just wait until it arrives rather than have to endure these half-baked alternatives.

Don't get me wrong, often I love the Wii, but some days I hate it. Possibly because the quality of the games are so wildly erratic, ie. when they're good, they're great, but when they're bad, they're absolutely atrocious and unplayable. It seems like the promise of the Wii/Revolution was that "the graphics will be crap, but the controls will be amazing" but sadly it's often the case that "the graphics are crap and the controls are even worse".

I think if Nintendo keeps marketing the Wii almost exclusively to casual gamers and as a party game console, then it will be a fad as they will get bored with it quickly and move onto something else. If they get the right balance between casual and hardcore and that for every bland gimmick like Wii Fit there is an amazing game like Mario Galaxy then it should be alright.

Benjamin L. @ Jul 5th 2008 8:52PM

To me, one of the defining features of a fad is that it can [and will] go out of style if something better comes along. I think the Wii is safe from this because it's constantly being redefined and rejuvenated through the new games released for it. There are only so many times you can do tricks on your Razor scooter before it gets old, but at least 5 new jaw-dropping games hit the Wii each year.

SoshiKitai @ Jul 5th 2008 1:47PM

Wii, a fad?
...hmmm... I guess you could call it that for like... a month.
Because everyone hops on the gravy train everytime the Wii becomes "a fun exercise machine". Which lasts about like... one-to-two months at a time.

...I mean, everyone just jumped on the hype, then left their Wii to gather dust. Many decided to even sell their Wiis, having completely given up on the hype. The ultimate buzz-kill when everyone realized that only gimmicky party games would be the only creation for the Wii.

And for once, Lord Bowser actually sounded pretty intelligent. I agree.
But heck, I just think this generation's a stepping stone.
So much potential for every system, barely any of them being fully unlocked. Xbox 360 shouldn't be mainly FPSs (they should also stop trying to be a PC... and try more to be a home console), PS3 should have a larger library that taps into their power, and the Wii? ...well, the Wii is like a prodigy who decided to just stay at home and watch TV. Too much potential, barely touched at all.

This generation is less for the gamers, and more for the creators.
We talk more about them in this generation than any other generation.

MrEverdred01 @ Jul 7th 2008 6:26PM

We're only 2 years into this 5-10 year cycle. Look at how much has already happened. Those things you mentioned will happen.

CJLopez @ Jul 5th 2008 2:03PM

And this comes from a guy who is supporting the worst console of the current gen...

Now, why am I calling it the worst one, well, what can you say of a console with a 30% chance to broke in any minute, which needs to be send to repair almost every 3 or 4 months, and maybe you'll have to buy another one cuz they take another 5 to 6 months to send it back fixed, just to be sended back again in the next 2 or 3 months.

No wonder it has sold over 10 million units on the US, people need to have one and the replacement of it, and sometimes, another 2 or 3 backups

eugaet @ Jul 5th 2008 2:04PM

Wait...hammer-pants aren't cool anymore?

[looks down at hammer-pants]

On a more serious note...the Wii a fad? I really don't see it as such. Everyone I know who owns a Wii still plays it regularly, even daily, and that's after a year of ownership. I can't say the same for my friends whose 360s and PS3s are gathering dust. That's my own personal observation, though...YMMV.

noirs @ Jul 5th 2008 2:34PM

So many great comments here. This is not one of them...

Extinction @ Jul 5th 2008 3:34PM

I define Wii as a fad cause it relies on a gimmick rather than actual gameplay (like Guitar Hero/Dance Dance Revolution) a large amount of people have already given it up, and it literally has zero games I want for it. Even the worst of systems (Virtual Boy, DS) can scrounge up 1 or 2 games I'd want

Superstar90 @ Jul 6th 2008 11:29PM

Wow, the DS is the worst of systems? Honestly, the DS's library is so large that if you like 1 game, chances are that there are many others just like it. That comment was a pure troll comment.

And the Wii doesn't rely on a gimmick. The motion sensitive controller is it's main imput and it also has buttons. It's just that developers are inexperienced with it, but still want to include it in their games. There are actually a lot of games that use it well, not only Nintendo games.

And what else do you define as a fad? Guitar Hero and DDR are not gimmicks, they are just different types of games, and they are insanely popular so you are a minority. I bet you are one of those guys who thinks anything without analogs, rumble and online play is shitty.

Extinction @ Jul 5th 2008 3:38PM

"Whether the Wii sells 100million consoles or 1console is irrelevant to me; motion controls, as utilised at the moment, are a fad."

Quoted for truth

Shaq-Fu @ Jul 5th 2008 7:43PM

Extinction: You totally took that quote out of context. He actually said:

"Whether the Wii sells 100million consoles or 1console is irrelevant to me; motion controls, as UTILIZED at the moment, are a fad. And that is why we feel the need to totally jump on the bandwagon and get in on the fad before it runs out, allegedly."

Quoted for truth

Don't worry PS3 boy, The Wii will get plenty of generic war time FPS's for you to enjoy. But really, relying on a gimmick? The PS3 would NEVER do that (Eyetoy, Blu-ray, SIXAXIS). Do you have a poll of people who own Wiis that show they don't use them anymore? Or are you just digging through your recycling bin of bad arguments with no facts to back them up? Its been two years, and whenever I go to Target or GameStop, I still don't see any consoles on shelves. Also, maybe you should post what kinds of games you enjoy, so that people who don't troll on another consoles site can give you ideas for games. Or you could STFU and stop being a douche. Tough decision: do you make a rational arguement, or do you bang you're head against your keyboard and run away like a pussy?

Extinction @ Jul 6th 2008 3:49PM

" But really, relying on a gimmick? The PS3 would NEVER do that (Eyetoy, Blu-ray, SIXAXIS). "

PS3 doesn't RELY on those as it's only selling point.

"Or you could STFU and stop being a douche"

Practice what you preach, douche.

God forbid someone gives an opinion, assholes like you have to bitch. ot everyone likes the Wii, get over it.

manyquestions @ Jul 6th 2008 10:29PM

Shaq-fu's comment could've been made more civilly, but I do have some problems with your posts as well.

First of all, it may be a gimmick, but I think you're too quick to make that a negative word. Although rare, "gimmick" can also have neutral connotations. You see, that gimmick is obviously not gameplay since it's the controller and not directly part of the game. But that gimmick DOES heavily influence the gameplay (therefore the combination of that gimmick and the gameplay it influences are the main selling point, not the gimmick alone) and it's up to developers to decide whether to use that power for good or for evil. :)

I can't imagine that there isn't a single Wii game you're interested in. You don't have to like Wii over all, but still that seems unlikely. I'm not a fan of 360 but I could name a few titles that look good. Even though, they may not occur in bulk, there's usually at least one decent game in almost every genre on each console, ensuring that everyone can find, at the very least, ONE game they like.

I'll give you Virtual Boy as being a bad console, but DS? I don't care if you really like DS or Wii, but to mark them BOTH as some of the WORST consoles ever starts to reveal a painfully biased pattern, no offense.

Extinction @ Jul 7th 2008 12:30PM

I thank you for not being a complete douche like the other guy

" You see, that gimmick is obviously not gameplay since it's the controller and not directly part of the game. "

I see gimmicks as a bad thing when being relied on as the main selling point of the system. Gimmicks are meant to be novelties, cause they wear off. Imagine if MS released a system with only light gun games.

"But that gimmick DOES heavily influence the gameplay "

The problem is, they don't. They add novelty. I can replace the control mechanism on any number of systems. You can use Eyetoy as a game controller in Windows in any game that accepts normal game controllers. You can buy a motion sensor device for PSP that works as the analog nub. You can buy mice/keyboard adapters for PS2/XBOX/360/PS3 that let you use them in place of the controller in any game. Given the effort, you could replace any consoles controller with anything else. That doesn't magically change the gameplay. And I consider a change in gameplay something major that would make me want to buy the game a second time rather than expecting a downloadable patch.

I myself own a dozen or so unique controllers (for starters, the Arkanoid DS paddle) which is part of why I don't see Wii as interesting, it's just like a couple other controllers I own (see LCD topgun or the Onimusha sword for starters). Changing the controller does not change the gameplay. The only thing it changes pretty much is response time. And that's already a variable based on player's skill.

"to mark them BOTH as some of the WORST consoles ever starts to reveal a painfully biased pattern"

I don't like last gen games when far better is being done on better hardware, cause I'm a programmer whos impressed with advancing technology not novelty? Really, you got that? Wow. I'm impressed.

I'm serious about the DS, I own a couple games for it, the first couple were bought so it wouldn't be a paper weight. Lunar I expected to be good cause it's Lunar, but it sucked. A couple I bought cause of novelty (Arkanoid, Guitar Hero) which I enjoyed a little, and I just got FFTA2, which would be the first DS I'd consider worth it. But compare it to Jeanne d'Arc on PSP and you'll see it could have been a lot better

Dilly @ Jul 5th 2008 4:00PM

metayoshi except for the world ends with you, you're really hyped about games that are just beating dead horses @_@. ur argument (though i agree the ds and psp are good and def. the best of the current 5 systems) is contradictory lol. those are old games XP.

dubq @ Jul 5th 2008 4:12PM

The majority of this "fad" talk comes from overly pro-Sony or overly pro-Microsoft fanboys, developers, and the console companies themselves because they can't bring themselves to believe that something less powerful graphically could outsell their uber-all-in-one entertainment machines. Personally I think it's karma. This is what you get when you count one of the originators of gaming out and forget about them.. they come back with something new, yet simple, that bites you on the ass and puts your profits in the toilet!

phenylketonurics @ Jul 5th 2008 5:56PM

Fad?? I mean, what we're in right now is the lime light time for gaming in general. We've had a hyper exposure to computers recently so ... the natural thing is technological orbit. It's not JUST the Wii (Nintendo manages to appeal the most right now because of innovation -- THAT can be argued, I know, whatever). Video game consoles have controls that attact people to them due to ease and entertainment.

Now that computers/consoles/phones have advanced and been welcomed by the majority of the human race (haha, alien perspective?), it's going to be big.

Shaq-Fu @ Jul 5th 2008 7:53PM

Albert Wesker @ Jul 5th 2008 10:30PM

the reason the Wii is not a Fad is because people want the best graphics or HD and High quality games... een though the Wii does have good games and i purchased one instead of a ps3 because i wanted to enjoy the games not because it has some fancy laser or the best graphics.People who do buy either want to enjoy their games or want the best technology even though to me the wii is the best its only my opinion...

Pixel-One @ Jul 6th 2008 8:12PM

"I define Wii as a fad cause it relies on a gimmick rather than actual gameplay (like Guitar Hero/Dance Dance Revolution) a large amount of people have already given it up, and it literally has zero games I want for it. Even the worst of systems (Virtual Boy, DS) can scrounge up 1 or 2 games I'd want."

Really? It's a bad system because YOU don't like it? Pretentious much?

nintendo1889 @ Jul 6th 2008 12:38AM

you gotta be kidding...take a look when Genesis and SNES were out at the same time. Which had a faster CPU? Genesis/megadrive. Which had better games in general? SNES. In every generation, whenever there was a powerful system against Nintendo's (PSP and DS, Wii vs PS3, etc) Nintendo's would sell better than the competition.

XDragon @ Jul 6th 2008 9:02AM

I never thought I'd say this, but the best system right now is the DS.
I'm very dissapointed with the Wii and even now, if I play with it, its for old VC games from SNES and that's about it. When I have a guest that's never played with the Wii before, then they give it a run and the only thing they have fun with is Wii Sports.
The PS3 is looking to have potential but besides Metal Gear Solid 4, there's not much to brag about.
The 360 is a hardware disaster; I don't know a single person that hasn't had to have their system repaired and most of them multiple times. Even my brother who works at Best Buy bought a new model and ensured it was the newest model, 2 months ago and his is having problems now so don't give me the whole "the newer systems are ok" bs. I'd have to say that the 360 has a better library of games vs the other 2 but its still nothing special esp. when your system is in for repairs so you can't even enjoy the few good games on it.
The PSP is decent but the battery life is frustrating to deal with and some of the load times even with the newer model are insane.
The PC has the same issues it always will have with the exception of Blizzard adding some big must have titles that may force some people to upgrade.
Overall, this is a very dissapointing gen but there is potential. We'll have to see how it goes; if other companies set the bar at MGS4's quality, then we're in for a good time but I seriously doubt that will happen.
As to the main question, is the Wii an fad? I'd say no with the exception that, it seem that people are content with having the Wii as a second system or to replay retro games or to just use it as a sports simulator more than a console. Its like someone who buys a golf simulator and thats all it can do so they're happy with that and buy another system to play their other games.

Darth Mario @ Jul 6th 2008 12:03PM

It always makes me chuckle when I see threads like this…
It makes me wonder what people are really thinking. Or if they even think.

I remember when they used to say video games were just a fad.
Well look how that turned out.
It’s like owning a Ford and saying Chevy’s are just a fad, or biking to work and saying autos are just a fad. Lol, what nonsense.

Luke @ Jul 6th 2008 12:05PM

I can see why hardcore gamers might be dissatisfied with the Wii, but as a self-proclaimed casual gamer, I think it's perfect. Nintendo saw an opportunity with the casual demographic, and they pounced on it, and that's why they're doing so well. 360/PS3 is geared for gamers, Wii is geared for everyone. And it's no different from what Nintendo's always done.

I used to be more of a hardcore gamer, but in recent years, I found myself too busy with other things to play video games. Along with that, developers kept pumping out more of the same, and I didn't notice much innovation aside from graphical improvements. I actually swore off video games for a few years, but Nintendo got me back again, and I finally bought a Wii earlier this year.

I think there are a lot of people like me; there obviously has to be for the Wii to be selling so well. I don't think it's a fad at all; it's invited a new wave of gamers to play who wouldn't be interested in Sony/MS's offerings, and there's a good chance that they'll keep those gamers next generation. I know I have no intent of getting a PS3 or 360...I'm fully satisfied with the Wii, and I don't get bored with it because I don't have time to. There's still plenty of games (not just for Wii, but DS as well) that I have yet to touch.

As I said though, I'm a casual gamer, so it's hard for me to understand where all the disappointment is coming from.

Luke @ Jul 6th 2008 12:27PM

Also, I've noticed that people have gripes about Nintendo EVERY generation--but somehow, their consoles are remembered more fondly, and played more frequently as the new generations settle in. FFS, we're still talking about Goldeneye and it's been a decade. I still enjoy a good game of 8-bit Mario, or check in on my Animal Crossing town from time to time. Nintendo games have a certain charm, replay value, and longevity that no one else does, and that's why I prefer them to the competition.

manyquestions @ Jul 6th 2008 9:53PM

Well, you all sure know how to write some depressing comments. :)

Superstar90 @ Jul 6th 2008 11:39PM

It's not a fad, it's just a regular gaming system that happens to use motion controls. The reason why people call it a fad is because developers don't want to admit it to themselves, so they go "whatever, even though we should have started development for it a long time ago, it doesnt matter. It's just a fad, who cares if our games suck for it."
It seems people this gen are pouncing on the Wii because it's different and has a new control scheme. "OMG, it's different, why do people like it! Change is the devil!". The same thing happened with the DS, everyone was saying it was a gimmick, and that Nintendo had lost even the handheld market, but it's clearly not a gimmick and a viable system.

Shogan @ Jul 7th 2008 7:39AM

Considering the other companies are looking to get in on the action, I don't think it's a fad, it's here to stay. Do I think the Wii is perfect, hell no far from it, but the Wii as a gaming console is surprisingly solid.

LV426 @ Jul 7th 2008 8:05AM

1) STILL selling out on a regular basis over a year later.
2) Microsoft and Sony are ALREADY trying to mimic the controller.

I would say these alone say the imprint has been made and the Wii is not a fad, regardless of what you think of it.

Votedforbaltar @ Jul 7th 2008 11:00AM

I agree totally with LV426. Since when has a fad led to mimicry?? I can't recall anyone else wearing parachute pants once hammer started.....

But seriously, I sold my Wii sometime ago. The motion controls did not live up to the hype. I'll check back with Nintendo down the road...when this fad is over.

LV426 @ Jul 7th 2008 6:50PM

Did MS make hammer pants? Did Sony? Did anyone BESIDES Hammer? Did anyone bother researching better feeling hammer pants, or self cleaning ones?

Nice try, but Im going to say here is the difference... a fad like that spread because it didnt cost much to mimic. MS AND Sony are sinking serious cash into developing similar controllers. CLEARLY they think this is more then a fad to do that, and I think they know more then iether of us about it.

Thebanditking @ Jul 8th 2008 4:33PM

Honestly I don't see the Wii over taking the PS2. Now before the fanboys try and take me apart this is why I think that. The PS2 was one of those unexplainable phenomenons; in the fact that last generation there really was only one console, the PS2 (honestly only the truly loyal could have only a Gamecube or Xbox last gen). It got everything and with out question has the biggest and most diverse library of games since the NES. I still don’t even know how it happened, but I just don’t see it happening again anytime soon and certainly not this generation. For one the Wii (right now) is not the go to place for “hardcore” gamers, yes there are some on Wii but 90% of all the standards of gaming, meaning Action, RPG, Adventure, FPS, Platformer, and 3rd person shooters are better represented on the PS3 and 360 (some of those are non existent on Wii). The PS2 was home to both the Hardcore and the casual with enough games to sustain each, the Wii can not fill that need (especially in it’s current form) as Nintendo alone can not provide enough games for gamers. While the PS3 and 360 do not cater to the casual at all, so this generation I really feel that the PS2 owners will split between one of the hardcore gaming systems and the Wii (though the Hardcore will buy both systems to get the great Nintendo titles for Wii, that’s why I have one). The only thing I can’t say is what will happen when the PS3 and 360 hit the 249.99 price range.

Robert27 @ Jul 8th 2008 7:40PM

Overtake the PS2? I see that hard, but seeing how it is going, I really think they will.
Don´t like it don´t buy it.

But somehting is for sure, besides Guitar Hero,Brawl and Kart, I had more fun with my DS.